by R. J. Batla
“And you two...”
“WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME!”
“WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME!” Anton said, laughing. “We’ve been trying to keep it under wraps, but I think a few of the others have noticed as well.” He shook my hand. “About time you two got over yourselves. You’ve both liked each other from day one at Harlingon. I’d say even before that, like at the Awakening.”
Leona and I both blushed, but she grabbed my hand. “Corbman, we’d appreciate...”
“I didn’t see anything. I’ve just been talking to my friends!” he said, with a wink. “So how’s the arm, Romeo? You took a mighty big stabbin’ out there.”
I rolled my eyes. “All I can say is thank God for Josey. She fixed it in no time. But you did great, man! The Lava Suit was amazing! I think your opponent almost wet himself when he saw you doing that. Glad you won.”
“Well, of course I won. I mean, look at me!” he said, but then his face fell. “But now I’ve got a bit of a problem. A conundrum even.”
“What’s that?”
“Look at the bracket. My next opponent is the Uland.”
That was bad news indeed. Not knowing what to say, my mouth just opened and closed like a fish.
Leona found her tongue first. “That’s... bad, Corbman. What are you going to do?”
He shrugged. “Right now, I think I’m going to take a nap and... recharge.” He looked over my shoulder as women from his village walked in the door. Shaking our hands one more time, he said, “I’ll come by your room tomorrow, Jayton. Good win.”
“You too, Corbman.”
We left and went back up to watch another fight. Afterwards, we eased back to my room. The fights were getting fewer and further between, but that didn’t mean the crowds were any less rowdy or involved. After a small strategy session, we all hit the sack.
True to his word, after lunch the next day, Corbman and his crew came over and we lounged about, talking. After a while, I couldn’t stand it anymore. “So what you gonna do?” I asked.
“Gonna fight him, what do you think, man?” Corbman said, drinking coffee even though it was the afternoon. I didn’t know how he did that – caffeine that late gave me the shakes. Plus his cup was on fire – literally. One, it was too late for coffee. Two, why didn’t that burn him? And three, how the hell did he keep it lit?
“Seriously?” Anton asked, sitting next to Katy with only their legs touching. Now that I knew, it was obvious. “You’re going to fight that thing?”
I added, “Yeah, man, you can’t seriously be considering –”
“Wait,” Corbman cut me off, “would you bow out?”
I made a face. “Well, no, I can’t though. I’ve got to win this thing to keep the Darkstone away from Malstrak, and...”
“So you’re telling me that you have to win the tourney, like no way you can back out, yet you’re asking me if I’m going to fight him? Knowing full well that I, too, am fighting for my people, and our way of life? To protect them? That’s ballsy, man.”
“Yeah, but you aren’t forced to fight. It’s the fate of the world for me, my assignment, my job. It’s just your life for you. I wouldn’t want to see you throw it away.”
“I knew what was at stake when I signed up for the tournament in the first place, Jayton. I’m choosing to fight. According to you, the world’s gonna go to crap if you lose anyway, so what’s the big deal about checking out early?” Celeste walked past our table to the bar. “Though there are some things worth living for...”
“You’re not getting my point,” I said. “We trained specifically to fight the Uland. Mimicked his powers and everything...”
“How d'you do that?” he asked.
Royn looked over at our table with an eyebrow raised.
Oops. “Doesn’t matter, we did. Even with the Ignis I couldn’t beat —”
“DID YOU SAY IGNIS? AS IN ‘IGNIS OCULUS’?”
Leona rolled her eyes behind Corbman; several other people hit their foreheads. Must have been everybody. There was too much body slapping noises for it to be isolated.
“No, no, that’s not —” I said, trying to make my expression neutral.
“Jay, you’ve got a terrible poker face,” Corbman said, a huge grin pulling up the edges of his beard. “You’re serious? You actually have the Fire Eyes and didn’t tell me?”
Since the cat’s out of the bag... “Well, it’s kinda my secret weapon and I didn’t want everyone gunning for me, so we kept it under wraps. Plus, there are other... military reasons... for security of the information.”
“This changes everything. There are so many different... I mean what if... and then...”
“You’re not making any sense,” Anton chimed in. “And that doesn’t change the fact that you shouldn’t fight the Uland.”
“So just because he has the ‘hero power,’ I should leave it to him, huh?” Corbman said, pointing at me.
“Well, yeah, I guess. I mean, no, that’s not right either. It’s not...”
“How’s that fair?” he asked, throwing his hands wide, spilling the hot coffee on the table. “You can risk your neck for the greater good but I can’t risk mine?” He gave me a hard look.
“Point taken,” I said. “But, Corbman, I don’t think you can beat him. That’s my point.”
“So now I’m not good enough?”
“Frankly, no, I don’t think anyone is good enough,” I said. “If I had to face him in any other situation, I would forfeit. Live to fight another day. Take the money and run or whatever. It would be a waste of your life to give that... thing... the pleasure or the satisfaction. We’ve heard half the time he doesn’t care if the opponent actually yields or not.”
Corbman shook his head. “That’s not your choice, Jayton. If I choose to use myself as a sacrifice, like you’re potentially doing, then that’s my business. Though your concern is appreciated. All of yours is. But now,” he said with another smile. “I never thought I’d see live Fire Eyes Senturian. Can you show it to me?”
I looked at Royn, who said, “You might as well. You already told him you have it.”
Smiling, I concentrated between my eyes, and the Ignis responded, turning my vision white. Looking at my own arm, I mentally said “Scorecard,” and mine popped up above my hand.
“This feeling...it’s...it’s incredible!” Corbman said, moving his head around and starting directly at my eyes. “It’s crazy, but I feel...stronger, like, inspired. Like I could do just about anything!”
“That’s part of the power,” Anton said, straightening himself up and taking a deep breath, his face set in determination. “Anyone with a noble heart will be inspired and empowered to fight harder, longer, and be all around better.”
“And if not?” Orgen said, moving around where she could get a better look at me and flexing the muscles in her arm.
Anton answered, “You’ll be struck with fear.”
“So what level are you?” Corbman asked, still staring.
“Twenty, but...”
“TWENTY?” I rolled my eyes, yet he continued. “Okay, I take it back. You might stand a better chance than me. A twenty in Fire Eyes? Has to work. I mean, it’s no Suppress, but you know, it’s a pretty cool power.”
We all laughed, and Celeste pulled out some beer for everyone, using her water powers to cool each to near freezing before passing them out. I guess the conversation got too heavy for regular drinks.
“Thank you darlin’,” Corbman said as she handed him his.
“Turn it off, Jayton,” Euless said from behind me, his cup clattering as he set it down. “You’ll want to conserve power right now.”
Oh, he was right. I shut it down.
Anton raised his glass. “Here’s to our two fighters – we wish them all the luck!”
“Hear, hear!” sounded around the room as we all drank.
“Don’t forget about your next round in a couple of days, Jay,” Corbman said, pointing at me again. “He’s number two. An
d we ain’t talking about going to the bathroom.”
“Yeah, but I’m ready for him.”
“Are you?” Corbman asked.
I nodded. “I am. Plus you just saw my secret weapon.”
Corbman barked out a laugh. “Yeah, but you can’t use it if you’re trying to keep it a secret.”
“I’ve used it in every round so far.”
He looked dumbfounded. “What? I’ve watched them all and I’ve never seen...wait. The goggles, right?”
I nodded.
“Ah, damn. No wonder. You’re cheating!”
I laughed. “Using a power you possess isn’t cheating. And no one said you had to disclose all your powers. Tell you what, I’ll bet you a round of drinks that you can’t pick out when I use the power in the next fight.”
“You’re on!”
Chapter 46 – Jayton Baird
SINCE I’D PULLED QUITE a bit of power from my bracelet, at the end of each day, the entire crew poured what energy they had left into it, so by the time the fight came around it would be full again. I wouldn’t have been able to fill it fast enough on my own. Mixing so many people’s energy wasn’t the greatest idea, as it would probably make the sickness worse, but it was all we had to work with, and was better than dying.
All too soon, it was coming up on fight time. In ten minutes, I’d be back in the ring again. But in five, everyone would leave, and I’d get to kiss Leona. Fair trade.
I’d been finding it harder and harder to concentrate on anything for more than a few seconds. Anytime she moved, my eyes shot to her. She was in my head. In my heart. If we weren’t in a life or death situation here, I’d...
I don’t know what. She was awesome. She was funny, she was smart, she was kind...like I said, awesome.
“Five minutes, Dragon.”
For the eighth time, everyone filed out. And for the third time, Leona was the last one. And we were kissing and the rest of the world didn’t matter. For three minutes.
One minute of goodbye. One minute of mental prep. Then I was through the scanner.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we’re now in the quarterfinals!” the announcer boomed, and the crowd answered back almost as loud. “That’s right! Eight fighters left. The best of the best duking it out for the gold, for the Darkstone, and for the glory! Our first fighter out today is the Dragon of the East, Jayton Baird!”
The roar was deafening. Just smile and wave, Jayton. I was actually getting used to this, and kinda liking it. The applause, the fans. It was fun. I was getting a little annoyed with the dragging out of my name before every fight. And their bloodlust was a little disturbing.
Then again, I could also die in the next five minutes, so...
“And his adversary, the second-ranked fighter in our tournament. He’s a fire-throwing, energy-slinging, water-wielding wonder! That’s right, folks, you know who I’m talking about. He’s the Speed Demon, the Shadow Walker, the one, the only, Eht Alyias!”
Emerging from the other gate, a lion’s mane of blond hair threw open the door, sparks flying in all directions, fireworks going off around him as he smiled and waved to the crowd.
Huh. I didn’t get any fireworks. Or a cool introduction. So not fair.
Alyias gave a final blast of flame from his hands, and then turned to me, a fierce scowl across his face. Even his stance was lion-like, hands at the ready but curled into claws. If I squinted, I thought I saw a tail flicking behind him...
“Jayton Baird, ready?”
I nodded and drew my sword. I pulled all six energies together, preparing myself like we’d planned. This guy was going to come out hard and fast. He has every time. I’d have to be ready. He was a level ten in fire, water, and energy, and a level twelve in fighting skills. His Quantum powers were Burst at a six, Shadow at a ten, and speed at a four. So yeah, he was pretty dangerous.
“Eht Alyias, ready?”
Alyias nodded, and put his hands on the ground like he was getting into blocks on the starting line, kicking his feet so he threw up dirt like a bull about to charge. He didn’t bother drawing a weapon.
“Fight!”
“Shield!” I said, releasing all six elements through my bracer, layering them into an invisible barrier around my body, like a suit of armor.
The bastard ran right at me, bounding on all fours. Just before he collided with my shield, at the last possible second, he disappeared into shadow. Without warning, he slammed into me from behind, launching me into a roll. Bouncing and rolling, I came up on my feet unscathed, thanks to those shields. I poured more energy into them.
A hand reached out of my own shadow and put a glowing rock at my feet, then withdrew before I could even think.
Crap.
BOOM.
The explosion threw me clear to the top of the arena shields, slamming my back into it. Sparks and energy arced around me as the shields held, the entire half dome lighting up for a second as I impacted the barrier fifty yards in the air. Suspended for only a second, I dropped like a stone. Good thing my own shields held.
“Water Tower!” I said, sheathing my sword. I pulled my arms up and raised the water from the sources to cushion my fall. The column of water hit me gently and slowed me down.
“Disperse!” I heard, and the tower of water disappeared in a shower of droplets with me still in the air. I’d slowed down enough and was close enough to the ground to tuck and roll and come back on my feet as I landed.
“Fire Storm!” I said, extending both arms and spinning in a circle, the heat and the light keeping Alyias away and hopefully taking away his shadows.
“Not good enough,” I heard above me.
Looking up, I saw Alyias dropping out of the sky right on top of me, his sword extended.
“Hole!” I said, side stepping and opening a cavern in the ground. He fell right in and I slammed it shut. For a couple of seconds, there was no movement. Huh, that was too easy...
“You do know that when it’s completely dark, it’s like one big shadow, right?” Alyias said, emerging from the shadow of one of the trees around the edge of the arena. “You’re fast enough to match my speed, Dragon, but you can’t beat my Shadow Quantum. Goodbye. Drop!”
Suddenly I was falling into my own shadow!
“Air Blast!” I said, sending a burst of air from below my feet, throwing me out of the hole as it snapped shut behind me. Coming to the ground, I realized there were a dozen glowing rocks around me.
Crap. Time for an old trick.
Jumping as high as I could, I said, “Air Board! Shield! Balance!”
The rocks exploded, the noise deafening in the confined space. Like I’d done before, I formed a solid board out of air, and laced an energy shield all around myself, allowing me to surf on the shockwaves and the fireball, right towards Alyias.
Without time to draw my sword, I tried to hit him. Jab, cross, hook, leg sweep. None connected as Alyias dodged while moving in and out of the shadows. Roundhouse, front kick, jumping punch. Damnit! Quit moving, you.
“Ugh!” I said, as a strike found my gut from nowhere and the air left my lungs.
“Like I said, kid, not good enough,” Alyias said, then kneed me in the gut. More air went out as I grabbed onto him, trying to force him to the ground. “That’s not gonna work either.”
With a quick move, he hip-tossed me, slamming me into the ground. While my shields took most of the force, it still stunned me for a second. Slipping into a shadow, he disappeared.
A sharp pain erupted in the middle of my back as Alyias blasted up from under me, launching me in the air with an upward punch. He followed me into the air.
I grunted. That hurt, even with the shields. Though I had lowered them intentionally. Looking down, I grinned at Alyias.
“Oh, pain is funny, huh?” he asked. “Don’t worry. I got some more where that came from.”
“Nah,” I said. “Pain sucks. Explosions on the other hand...” I pointed to his hips, where two charged rocks were flashing faster and f
aster. With my fists in front of my face, I extended my fingers. “Boom!”
His hands went down quickly, managing to grab both of the bombs I’d planted and extend them in front of him, away from his body before...BOOM BOOM! It was Alyias’s turn to be thrown against the wall, giving me a chance to use air power to cushion my landing and recover from the strikes he’d inflicted.
He stood quickly and sneered at me. “You’re gonna pay for that!” He disappeared into another shadow.
And then I was getting punched. Again and again, so fast, from so many angles, I couldn’t defend myself. How was he doing this? There shouldn’t be so many shadows around. Head, leg, shoulder, head, I was getting pounded, my shields holding, but I still felt every blow. The speed and ferocity were amazing, unrelenting, and Alyias punched and kicked, clawed, scrapped, until finally one got through, square on the jaw, knocking me backward and away from him.
“Fire Lances!” Alyias said, throwing flaming spears as fast as he could move his arms.
“Water Wall!” I said, pulling fluid from the sources and dodging two spears that made it through before I’d put it together. I was breathing hard. Way too hard. I couldn’t keep up with his Speed forever, not for so long, and not when I couldn’t see where he was coming from.
Dodging to the left, more lances, water, fire, and energy blasts flew from every direction, Alyias using the shadows to attack me from all angles. I ducked and dodged, flicking powers around deflecting the strikes.
Suddenly he was in front of me with a dagger. I threw my arm up to block just in time. The point slammed into my forearm but didn’t penetrate as we crashed to the floor. He was fast, but I was stronger, so I held him off. That close, he smelled feral, like animal urine. I guess that explained the mane — the crazy man thought he actually was a lion.
“I’m not going to kill you right here, Easterner,” Alyias said, pressing hard onto my arm with the dagger. I held him off, but shock crossed my face.
“Oh yes, I know who you are. And that scale armor can’t protect you from everything. I want to drag this out a little longer. I just wanted you to know — once you’re dead, I’m going to kill all your friends, one by one. Especially the blonde one — she’ll be particularly tasty. Malstrak rewards those who aid him.” He grinned, his teeth all filed into fangs.