The League

The cataclysm swept most life-forms from the earth

Those with the means prepared a refuge underground

While those without sought shelter where they could

And did their best to make a go with what remained

Here up above we toil and bleed and sweat together

Scrounge what we may and force what crops we can

And when the day is done we celebrate our fortunes

We feast we play we dance

We share our bodies and our songs

I will get there

I will play in The League

I will go further than any previous challenger

Everyone needs heroes and we've found ours in this game

Brutal and majestic pieced from memories of those that lived before

I grew up watching Juggers coming through our town

I honed my skills and when the best came I made them take note of me

Down below they've hoarded luxuries from bygone days

Their athletes fed and clothed no harvest chores to cut into their trade

While on the surface we must travel town to town

Our muscle mass depleting with our hopes and dreams of playing in the league

I will get there

I will be the best Quick

I'll know the feeling of silk on my skin

And all my lovers will bathe in scented oil

And I will never have to scrape in the dust for a meal

And all my bruises, cuts and broken bones

Will be tended to and I'll bear the mark of The League

And you may see that mark

And think of me a slave

Despite my gains you'll say I never will be one of them

But I don't want their class

I just want what they have

If I'm a slave then I am only a slave to my craft

I will get there

Face their champions

Three rounds one hundred stones

I'll ground them into the earth

And they will salute me

I will get there

I will play in The League

I will go further than any previous challenger

And I will walk slowly

I will walk slowly

I will walk slowly

When I win