Elysium. A name that invokes wondrous beauty. Or with such a name -it should. However, the reality is just the opposite. This world is tainted, corrupted, and dirty. All adjectives you would not associate with a place called 'Elysium'. Still, that's just the way this world is. The world, consisting of a massive city. Long ago, technology boomed, and with it -expansion, and now every inch of everywhere is covered with concrete, asphalt, steel, fiberglass, or anything such like that, with towers reaching the darkened smog-like clouds high above. However, with such an expansive place, came maintenance. Or, rather, it didn't come. Quickly, Elysium began to stink, and rot, and decay. Leaving tight alleys riddled with garbage and rats, and even worse -its occupants, dickwads that would so much as rob you as look at you.
Yup, for a place called 'Elysium', it sorta sucks. Still, it's not all bad. Even though times are hard, and complicated, most get by somehow. Though, not easily. With the changes in technology, came a revolutionary discovery: Ether. This substance, or whatever it was - quickly became the primary source of power and sustainability, quickly surpassing what electricity used to be. Ether, being this powerful source of.. well, power, permeated humans, like radiation. People started to develop powers from Ether, and with the power of Ether, were able to do quite extraordinary things. However, with Ether, and technology, came a side-effect. Humans, though they became stronger with powers brought on by Ether, grew weaker in their own bodies. Vital organs would collapse, and sickness was far easier to get, and far deadlier. But technology had answers for that. Now humans are more machine than man, with all sorts of tech-based implants replacing even entire organs and systems within human bodies. These 'cyborgs' are the norm, with basically everyone having some sort of implant-based tech within their body, powered by Ether.
In fact, a new craze rose, something called 'Channeling'. Where 'Channelers' get in a ring all gladiator-style and duke it out, for spectacle, audience ratings, and for sweet hard-earned cash. Oh, Channelers is the name for people who fight using their Ether-powered powers. Channelers often get tech-implants to supplement and increase their powers, but that tech isn't cheap.
One more thing, with all the over-use of Ether, naturally pollution would arise, like in any scenario. This pollution came in the form of a toxic substance, naturally exuded from Ether. Ether that has become tainted, and vile. This pollution is called Seithr. Unfortunately, the world of Elysium is heavily polluted with Seithr. And though it comes from Ether, Ether is so ingrained into every-single-thing in every day life, that Seithr has become a necessary evil, though Seithr is generally poisonous to the common population. Even with most upgrades, Seithr eventually claims most lives.
....
A blond-haired girl entered the Channeling Ring, her trusty rifle hanging off her shoulder. She narrowed her eyes at her opponent. If she won this fight, she'd make a killing, tonight's ballot was especially high. Like usual, the crowd in the various rooms, seats, stands, and cubbies around roared. They stood wherever they could to get a glimpse of the action. Channeling was a beloved sport, even if it was quite dangerous and not exactly super-legal.
"Heh, missy, I'mma crush you, how's tha sound, darlin'?" The big Channeler in front of her gloated, stomping towards her, outstretching his hands. He was bulky and his feet were heavy. Clearly he had a lot of parts and upgrades within him. His strength, if she were to guess was insane. If he got a hold of her... he could probably snap her like a twig, or at least crush some of her more vital components.
Glaring at him, she responded, "Not today!" and flipped over him, with ease, her long blonde hair twinkling in the various lights that were set up to illuminate the otherwise dark ring. She spun around quickly, as he had to re-orientate to catch up with her. She held up her gun, aiming through the sights at him. "Flame Bullet!" she called, and pulled the trigger. From the barrel shot bullets that ignited on the man as they hit him. He immediately cried out in pain as fire engulfed him. He swatted at it, with his big hulking hands.
He grunted and growled in frustration, as red flames danced on him. His hands turned to fists and he narrowed his sight on her, even with the flames still licking at his skin. He raised his hands up, and shouted, "Seismic Pound!" Just before slamming his fists down on the ground, sending out a shockwave, that shook the arena, and tossed even some audience members around like rag dolls.
The girl let out a yeep, and stumbled. She was shocked by his sudden speed, as he barreled his shoulder right into her. The hulking man normally would be enough to crush the smaller person with just his weight alone, but her body was built sturdier than that, so instead she was just knocked aside, and flung to the ground hard.
Hitting it, she felt the wind knocked from her. With a scream, the man lifted her by her hair. In pain, hands going to her head, as she was lifted off the ground, rifle dangling from her shoulder. She looked him square in the eye.
"Heh, seems pretty lady isn't quite so good at fighting after all," He taunted, before lifting his other hand and hitting her in her stomach.
As she was punched, the girl let out a shocked cough. She couldn't lose this! Suddenly, a heat built up within her, and her eyes opened, glowing a bright red, with symbols etching into them. Her hands began to glow, and an attack name came to her. Whipping up her rifle, she called it out. "Kaleido-Ray!" And with that a powerful multi-coloured beam of hot power fired from her gun, it bore into the man, sending him flying backwards from the blast.
A man looked down at his monitor. "Hey, what the?" He called someone over, alerting the ref to the issue.
Soon enough the ref rushed into the fight, stopping it. "Hey, girl, what's the big deal? Your tech is illegal! You can't bring that into this Channeling Ring!" He yelled at her angrily.
"Illegal?" she retorted in disbelief. "As if this entire thing was legal itself!"
"Oh we're sanctioned enough! We don't recognize your tech, which means its either banned, or not yet available, which makes it illegal for use! You're disqualified!" A moment later, a few men, along with the ref of this particular Channeling Ring threw the girl out into the alley out back, slamming the door behind her.
She pounded her fist onto the ground, glaring at the black asphalt, shadows cast all around her, as it was late, only small lights lit up the area. No pay. Again. What 'illegal tech' were they talking about? She didn't know what their scanners picked up, but she had nothing illegal. Or at least to her knowledge.
A second later the door opened up, and the ref was standing there. He was frowning. "You were disqualified, so you didn't win anything, and your pot was kept. But, here, for the effort you put in or something. Get yourself fed tonight. I don't want some pathetic loser dying on me from starvation." He threw some change her way, that clanged on the ground, and he closed the door once more.
She stared at the loose change rolling around her, and settling around her. The blonde girl let out a sigh.
