TIDUS

Tidus is a lone fighter driven by his need for constant conflict. He only feels truly alive among shrieks of pain and the clash of steel. His art is painted in spatters of blood in hot dust, his brush a blade. Armies offer only occasional chances for combat, brief bouts of furious struggle between long stretches of marching and drills. Tidus wouldn't have joined even had he been given the choice. He craved only one life- that of the gladiator.

The offspring of a deserter, Tidus was immediately relegated to the lowest tiers of Mauler society. Though his father paid for his own dishonor under an executioner's axe, his son would bear the shame of his legacy. Tidus was given away as a slave in the custom of their people, a reward for a warrior who had proven his worth on the field. Within the first few minutes of Tidus entering service in the household, the warrior's other two slaves were dead, their blood still hot on Tidus' claws and teeth when his master found him. The warrior himself barely survived his encounter with the young Tidus, and thus the would-be slave was sent to the fighting pits. Maulers believe strongly in consequence and punishment, but they will seldom let talent go to waste.

Tidus seemed born for battle. In the pits, he was a whirlwind of steel and fangs. He fought with reckless abandon, ignoring the occasional wounds his opponents were able to inflict. His reputation grew and with time it became considered a death sentence to be matched against the maddened fighter. He was merciless, seeking only to kill whomever was placed before him. The shame of his father's desertion clung to him like a stench. He could feel it there the moment anyone's eyes fell on him. He would wash it away in blood.

A number of Mauler chieftains began to pay closer attention to this fighter whose name was spoken in equal terms amusement and horror. Though every chieftain who witnessed his skill in the pits wanted him to fit under their banners, most of them found him impossible to command. He was insubordinate and frequently got into altercations that would leave champions of the various war bands as bloody heaps. Most of the chieftains also knew deep down that were he to challenge their authority, he could best them in combat and take control of their tribes. It was fortunate indeed for them that Tidus didn't view any of them as worthy prey.

Returning to the fighting pits, Tidus again went undefeated for season after season. He forgot about the shame of the desertion and redemption. The only thing he sought now was a true adversary. Someone who could challenge him. He faced one ferocious opponent after another, but they appeared as nothing but lambs to him. He was death incarnate. A predator, caged with its prey. Every predator, however, someday meets another predator.

This opponent had a different presence than the others. He was large, certainly, but why couldn't he smell fear in this one? Tidus had fought and killed larger things than this bear. The other fighter lacked Tidus' bravado, but he was just as certain that he would win this fight.

Their battle lasted longer than any fight Tidus had ever experienced. The other fighter was deliberate and sparing in his movements. The quicker Tidus dodged every attack, but the bear posted an impenetrable defense. A thousand blows landed against the shaft of his blade and when Tidus circled, panting with exhaustion, the other fighter still stood firm, indefatigable even in his heavy plate. When it was obvious that the best of the show had ended, the fight was called as a draw. At the next fight, Tidus' usually large crowd had swelled so that it seemed every Mauler from leagues around had come to see the fighter who had survived an encounter with the famously frenzied killer.

Again they clashed to the same outcome. The unstoppable force had met the immovable object. Finally, Tidus had found a worthy adversary. The only thing left to do now is to kill him.

"You're afraid. You should be."

"That smell is familiar... Is that bear staying here too? Is it still working out? Hmph, it must be trying to secretly improve its endurance. Desperate for a way to best me, no doubt. But it'll all be in vain. I will crush him. (Is... is that a wolf howl?)"

Has visit scenes with Rowan, Tasi and Warek.