by Andre Pisco
"Infernus Endum," Alec exclaimed, closing his right fist.
The heat increased throughout the arena. Some people removed their t-shirts, others fainted briefly, but there was no effect on Alec. The fire lived in him. The flames around Tommy doubled, and the color grew even redder. Alec's power of attack continued to increase, and Tommy's squeezed eyes were a signal of the oncoming defeat.
In an act of desperation, Tommy focused all his energy on his right fist and prepared for his last chance. It was all or nothing. The hope of victory melted with his strength, lighting his whole arm as he moved slowly and carefully. He was less than seven steps away from Alec, and only had 20HP. The scorched scent spread through the arena. His fist went toward Alec, who didn’t even try to deflect. The flames created a barrier thick enough to hold Tommy's punch once more. The boy eventually lost consciousness, unable to withstand the wounds on his body and the black smoke that was now scattered through the whole arena. His HP hit zero, while Alec's was still around 90.
The audience rose on their tiptoes and went crazy, shouting Alec’s name, who stood silently in the fighting ring. He didn’t celebrate, nor did he smile. A habitual attitude of a true mage. He showed no emotion and acted as if he expected victory. The healers around the ring promptly turned to Tommy and helped him regain his senses. Alec was the first to reach out to help him up.
"Congratulations, Alec. Deep down, I guess we always knew it was going to be you." Tommy said, smiling despite missing the only opportunity to get out of the miserable town they lived in.
"Thank you. Either of us could have won." Alec answered him and was interrupted before he could continue.
"Our winner this year... Alec!" Shouted the hostess, her shrill voice rasping into the microphone and buzzing in the ears of even those who were watching at home.
He was awarded an invitation to the renowned Drexus Academy, where all sorts of classes and specializations, from all different parts of the country, trained together.
After the outcome of the tournament, Alec was sent to the dressing room of one of the representatives of the technological city. A man in his 40s, with blue eyes and a black beard, with a few whirlwinds on his chin, waited for him. He rubbed the right side of his cheek until it got red and bruised and used his left hand to pull his hair back constantly. He approached Alec, looking in his eyes and stammering something to himself. Finally, he picked up a white letter, still closed, and handed it to him. It smelled like jasmine as if it had been perfumed on purpose, to make it seem more delicate and important.
Alec opened it carefully and read the small letters on the thin paper.
"We invite you to join the renowned and famous Drexus academy where you can learn to control, dominate and increase your powers, as well as have the possibility to socialize with young people with the same desire and will.
You will be offered a room, a monthly monetary amount and a weapon or item chosen by a teacher. We wait for you."
In the lower right corner was director Loras’ signature. Scribbles almost impossible to read were it not for the swift explanation of the representative.
"You better listen, boy, because I won’t repeat myself. You have 24 hours to say goodbye to your family and solve any childish problems that a poor man like you might have. It’s probably the only thing you can do to spend time at this end of the world. After these 24 hours, if you are not at the arena’s door, with a bag with your belongings, we leave without you. Understood?"
Alec nodded. As he turned his back, he frowned and sighed. It was not the first time someone had despised him, but it was the first time he felt insignificant. He had the opportunity in his hands and couldn’t risk it, despite his willingness to show the representative that the place he was from didn’t reflect his personality or his potential.
On the way home, people who knew him since he was a child stopped him several times, tears flowing down their cheeks as they told him how proud they were. He remained impassive and composed, despite the embarrassment that ran through his body. He belonged to the category of people who didn’t like to be touched, who abhor the mere touch of strangers because of the memories that it releases. Endorphin spread through his brain, adrenaline through the veins, and eventually, he hid in a well-known alley. Many nights had been spent there, taking refuge from those who were looking for him - yellow smiles, dragging rusted metal swords on the floor. The white walls stained brown, weakened by the passage of time, not to mention the smell of beer that Alec hated so much. Children murmured in the distance, commenting on the combat, and imitating their movements. They weren’t old enough to receive a chip, to know what waited for them after. Alec had a similar experience.
At age 15, he received the chip and it was with appreciation that his mother hugged him, happy that he had such useful power. He scarcely suspected that the usefulness of which she spoke to him would lead him to hard work. Days spent working in construction, the innocence of youth denied to him. He shook his head and pushed his thoughts away. He thought to himself that it was time to put the past behind him, baggage that he had to leave in a place with no future, assuring himself that everything would change. He left the alley and walked in the streets full of people who went out to celebrate. They sang and drank with the violet sunset as background.
The black market was open. It didn’t have the usual dozen stalls, but some of Alec's acquaintances were not wasting a moment as good as a tournament's finals. One of them, experienced in those wanderings and seller of material for the workers, had shared with the boy that after the tournament many parents would pass by to buy items or weapons to reinforce their children. They would be soaking in alcohol and with a tiny hope that one day it would be their child leaving. They charged hope since humanity had long been lost in the streets without an owner. Alec waved at all those who congratulated him, even though his heart was tightening more and more, and his head asked for a rest. He wasn’t accustomed to having so many eyes on him. He hurried to the end of the street.
As soon as he turned the corner, he noticed that Tommy was waiting for him in front of his house. His HP was fully recovered, and his arms were plastered. There was no bitterness in him, it just wasn’t the kind of person he was. Beside him were Mimi and Gordon, the other members of the group. Mimi wore her usual black skirt and lace stockings contrasting with her pallor and amber eyes, while Gordon, the oldest, wore shorts with two wide rips on the right side and a stained white t-shirt that was not large enough to contain his huge muscles. His shoulders were close to ripping the thin fabric.
"I still can’t believe you're going to leave," Mimi told him, clearly saddened by the news. She moved away from the wall and straightened her short skirt, "We'll miss you, you know?"
"Does Alec know what missing you means?" Gordon added and laughed until he lost control, looking like a pig doing so.
"Of course, he knows. He’s going to miss us too, isn’t he?" Mimi asked and walked over to him, nudging his belly, “Why didn’t you participate earlier? You had two years to do it.”
"Funny as always. Yes, I will. I wouldn’t have come this far if it had not been for you." Alec began, "A few years have passed and we have not yet parted. Just because I am going away don’t think you will never see me again." He said and looked at Tommy.
Tommy smiled at him, he had not won but was happy for him, “Honestly? I just didn’t feel that it was the right time or that I was strong enough. But this year I knew I had to do it. I’m tired of seeing children recruited by guilds. It’s getting worse.” Alec confessed.
"I didn’t have the opportunity to congratulate you on your victory. Nevertheless, don’t even think that I won’t continue training every day. We are not done. One day we’ll have our rematch.” Tommy said enthusiastically and clenched his fist, despite the pain, "They have healed my wounds, but it still hurts. And one day we’ll meet again and change everything for the better. I know we will.”
"I hope you continue," Alec said in a monotone voice,
"There's something I want to ask you, Tommy."
"To me? Alec asking someone for help? Isn’t fame supposed to make you arrogant?" Tommy asked sarcastically, followed by an uncontrolled laugh.
"I wouldn’t ask you if it wasn’t necessary. I need you to take care of my family. Without me here I'm afraid something will happen to them." Alec confessed, lowering his head so he wouldn’t have to face Tommy.
"I promise. I'm going to visit them once or twice a week to make sure they're okay. That enough?"
"It is. Thank you."
"We will accompany him. Don’t forget Alec, we're family." Mimi told him and hugged him.
He responded with a few pats on her back. Enough to show appreciation without overdoing sentimentality.
"Mimi, we better go. They need some time alone." Gordon said, sensing the aura of mystery hovering in the air, "Besides, Alec has to get ready for tomorrow. Make sure you don’t scare anyone when you get there."
"Only twenty years and sometimes he looks like he’s already 50. Alec, make sure to be nice and make new friends. They won’t be as cool as we are, but don’t even think about staying there all alone. And please, don’t forget to come back. We’ll miss you." Mimi added. She turned her face away, hiding her tears from everyone else.
Alec tried to smile, but his inexperience in showing emotions turned into peculiarly arched lips. Tommy laughed and returned a right-size smile, seconds before seriousness took over. His lips were glued to each other, his amber eyes glittering in the sunlight, and the hair on his shoulders fluttered in the light spring breeze. There was a shy silence, waiting anxiously for who would be the first to break the delicacy of the moment.
"You still remember?" Tommy asked, his voice shaking for the first time.
"Yes."
"Does the promise still hold?"
"We'll be strong enough to save this city one day," Alec answered in a loud voice, dismissing the doubts in Tommy's mind.
"I know a lot has changed since we were kids. We don’t see each other so often, and we are opposites in personality. But after all these years, it was our promise that gave me the strength to continue training. I'm rambling. I'm glad you still remember. Good luck on this journey, and I won’t forget what you asked for," said Tommy, touched by his friend's departure.
"I remember it. More than you might think. What we have overcome... the pain, the struggle. One day we will stop all this. So that others won’t have to go through it." Alec replied and put out his hand.
"I will keep training and improving. So that someday when you come back, I'll be able to accompany you.” Tommy answered and shook his hand, "and see if you make some friends there. Mimi is right. Next year I'll be the winner, so don’t think you've gotten rid of me yet.” He added, and they both shook hands until Tommy's bones popped.
Alec entered his house, where the smell of roses warned him that his mother was home. Only she, throughout the city, had such a distinct aroma. Her job was to sell perfumes - a simple and efficient way of removing the smell of dust and blood that sometimes penetrated through the small holes in the windows. Her healer persona, cheerful and helpful, was a stark contrast to his father's personality, who was a cold fighter, with empty black eyes, and a beard that suited his rigid appearance. He always wore the same leather jacket and was ruled by laws and respect.
No one had attended the final. His mother hated fighting and even tried to stop Alec from participating. His father supported it, but never expected him to reach the final, let alone win.
"You're going to be a good workout for serious fighters," Alec's father repeated incessantly, as soon as he learned that he had enrolled.
Alec's mother, as soon as she saw him, ran to him and hugged him tightly as hiccups joined her tears. Alec put a hand on her back and said that everything was going to be okay, that he would send enough money so they wouldn’t have to worry about anything and that he had asked a friend to protect them. She wiped her tears and thanked him. She also gave him an old photo where the family was smiling, asking him to not forget that there was a place where he could return.
His father arrived a few hours later, slightly drunk, his cheeks rosy, and humming a song from a time before the chips. He patted Alec on the back and wished him good luck. There was emotion in his words, but he didn’t show it at all. He was neither effusive nor sad about his son's departure.
"After all, maybe you take after me," he told him, the closest Alec would get to a compliment.
The final farewell was given just before the 24-hour deadline ended. Alec, once again, absorbed his feelings and contented himself with a hug from his mother and a handshake from his father. Even though he knew he was coming back, he looked at them one last time. That moment was used as a picture he hung on the walls of his memory. He put the photograph from his mother in his left pocket, took the black bag with his belongings, and set out for the arena.
The guards of the previous day were still on his tail, on alert to any suspicious movement. It wouldn’t be the first time guilds had tried to attack the tournament winner in order to undermine the credibility of the powerful technological city. However, the power gap could almost be considered a bad joke. The security guards had base stats of 220 attack, defense of 250, agility of 140, and wisdom of 180. There was no one in town with stats greater than 150. As if that were not enough, they also wore two ruby pendants, around their necks, that offered them a 25 points bonus in attack as well as defense.
The representative was at the arena’s door, smoking a cigarette, and talking to the driver, an old man with wrinkled skin and sad eyes. He had no hair, but he wore a black hat that gave an oval look to his face. Ashes danced in the wind and whirled around them.
"We were about to leave without you. Too bad you're on time. Hurry up. I wasn’t made to be in a place like this," said the man, spilling out poison and hatred, "Alfred, tell him where to put his belongings."
"Certainly, Mr. Dominic," the driver replied, bowing.
Alfred opened the trunk of the car and asked Alec to put his sack there. Alec had already seen cars, but never a functional one, much less one that was not covered in rust and without small bullet holes. He stayed in the back seat, with a security guard on each side. One of them had his hand attached to an instrument that, as far as the boy could tell, provided the car with enough energy to move.
He didn’t feel like a winner, more like a prisoner. He leaned back against the seat and decided to take advantage of the trip, watching the landscape move past that wasn't obstructed by the shoulder of one of the security guards.
He remained unscathed, hiding his fascination for the outside world. The farthest place he had ever ventured to had been to the ruins a few yards from his city.
The green meadows had not been affected by the wars. The sun shone on the sharp edge of the plants, lighting all the way, and warming the interior of the car despite the soft breeze that crept through the half-closed windows. The smell of sweat came soon after. Alec almost had to put his nose out before his body hung up, unable to bear the scent of washed-up feet. Despite the difficulties, the trip was long and silent.
It took almost half a day to get to the academy. The sun remained on the horizon, but its light had lost its liveliness. The orange and red colors melted into a warm spectacle, giving life to the old green gates of the Drexus academy. There were a few holographs encrusted in the metal, and on the right side of the wall, was a flag with the symbol of the academy - a golden eagle, with sharp claws and flames in its eyes.
"Another year of charity," the representative yawned, "Come on, go on. Someone should be waiting for you in building 3.”
Alec had no idea where building 3 was, but he didn’t ask. The less he talked to the man, the better it would be for both of them. The way he treated Alec irritated him enough to set his blood boiling, making his fingertips look like a hot iron. The man re-entered the car, ordering the driver to stop wasting time and take him home.
Chapter II
Alec was alone. Solitude was common, but it was the first time he dreaded it, as fear of the unknown caused a slight tingling in his toes. He took a deep breath and convinced himself that it wasn’t time to be weak.
"The weak have no place in the world," his father's voice echoed in his head.
Alec knew that it wasn’t true. There was room for everyone, but he was also sure that he didn’t want people to see him as one of the weak. He had learned that weakness was an invitation to mistreatment. He took another deep breath and walked toward the door. It was three times his height, five his width, and thick. It would be impossible to enter unless they opened the door. However, there was no bell.
He wondered if it was some kind of test, a way of knowing if he deserved to study there, or whether it was the habitual joke to the poor man coming from the city. The thoughts fueled the fire that was already waiting for an opening to break through Alec's defenses and spill out through the pores of his body. His energy made the door gain a bright yellow coating, obfuscating Alec's vision, who was trying to control the energy flowing through his body. No one knew if the chips had unlimited power, or if there was a limit that couldn’t be exceeded. If so, there were no reports from anyone who had ever reached it.
Suddenly, the door opened, creaking as it moved because of its age and rust in its gears. Alec walked in a straight line, looking for some sign or number that would identify which building was number three. He could hear the murmurs coming from a few students and see the arrogant way they looked at him. They laughed at the clothes he wore, admitting that someone of his kind shouldn’t have access to Drexus. The voices increased as more and more people gathered in groups to observe him, lost and mysterious. Alec tried his best to ignore them, but contempt didn’t satisfy those present.
"Another year, one more of these guys. I hope he lasts longer than the five seconds the last year’s disgrace endured.” A voice said behind him, “Everyone knows what happened to him right? I was told that on his first day they made him walk around the campus only in his underpants.” The boy shared, loud enough for everyone to hear. A sea of laughter filled Drexus' garden.