The Knightpunk Code

by Kory Shen

  I paused for further instructions. When Mira didn't say anything, I pointed my left arm at the dummy. "How do I cast the spell? Is there an activation word?"

  "This is not a spell." Mira's voice was flat. "You can select a verbal command. If you like, I can install a neural interface in your cranium."

  "Say that again?"

  "A neural interface can directly translate your thoughts into commands. I will have to perform a microsurgery to install the interface in your brain."

  I tried to understand what Mira was saying. "You're going to put something into my head?" I asked. "Hell, no."

  "In that case, you may assign a verbal command to trigger an excitation beam."

  "Verbal command? Like the words to activate a spell?"

  I was pretty sure that the disembodied voice named Mira rolled its imaginary eyes at me. "This combat unit does not use spells. It uses the latest technology in—"

  "What about boom? Or kapow? Actually, what does this excitation beam do?"

  "Allow me to demonstrate. Please aim your weapon at the desired target."

  I shifted my left arm so that I was pointing it at the practice dummy. "Okay. Go for it."

  A thin red line of light emerged from one of the three openings on my left arm. The beam of light cut through the practice dummy's chest, leaving a smoldering hole that burst into flames a moment later.

  "Oh shit!" I stared at the burning practice dummy. "I can shoot fire bolts!"

  "That was not a fire bolt. That was an excitation beam."

  "I see fire. It's a fire bolt. A fucking fire bolt. Okay, I have the name for this command. Fire bolt."

  I could have sworn that Mira sighed. "Very well. If you like, we can extinguish that small fire using the Doppler beam—"

  "I can shoot ice bolts?" I asked. "I can shoot ice bolts, right? That's what you're telling me?"

  "No, it's a Doppler beam, not an ice bolt."

  "All right. The verbal command is ice bolt." I raise my left arm again and aimed it at the burning practice dummy. "Ice bolt."

  Another line of light emerged from a different opening on my left arm. This time the light was difficult to see, more like a discoloration or shimmering in the air.

  When the ice bolt hit the practice dummy, the fire hissed and sputtered out. A patch of ice grew over the hole in the practice dummy's chest.

  "Holy fucking Yora! I can shoot ice bolts!"

  This time, Mira definitely sighed. "The third element of the tri-beam is the electron—"

  "Lightning bolt!"

  Mira was silent.

  "Am I right? Mira?" I asked.

  "Yes. A fucking lightning bolt."

  I blinked. "I'm not sure what kind of demon you are, but that wasn't a very professional answer, was it?"

  "I apologize," Mira said in a more neutral tone. "Would you like to test your lightning bolt?"

  I grinned as I raised my left arm one last time. "Lightning bolt," I said.

  A brilliant bolt of, well, lightning shot out from my left arm, crashing into the frozen practice dummy and turning it into a pile of splinters.

  "Awesome!" I pumped my left arm in a fist. I surveyed the barn, looking for something else to use as target practice. I grabbed a large metal bucket and set it in the middle of the barn.

  "You said I can combine the different attacks, right?" I asked.

  "Yes, you can," Mira replied.

  "Triple shot," I said. "That's my command." I pointed my left arm at the metal bucket. "Triple shot."

  I had to squint as a bright flash of fire, ice, and lightning burst forth simultaneously from my left arm. The bucket exploded, leaving a small crater in the barn's floor.

  I heard the sound of running feet. Someone pounded on the barn's locked doors.

  "I'm fine!" I called out. "Leave me alone!"

  The pounding subsided after another moment.

  I stared at the hole in the ground again.

  "Mira? I think this is the beginning of a wonderful relationship."

  * * *

  It was impossible to keep something like this secret from the boys. The moment I opened the barn door to go out for dinner, three figures pushed past me. The little fuckers had been waiting outside the whole time.

  "Where is it?" Tavi asked.

  "What?"

  "There!" Ollie pointed at the suit sitting in the corner.

  Lars ran over to it and grabbed it by a leg. He immediately yelped and dropped the suit.

  "Ow, what the hell was that?" Ollie said, nursing his hand.

  "I don't know," I said. "Hey, Mira, did you do something?"

  There was an uncomfortable pause. I wasn't sure if Mira would speak out loud in front of the others. But a moment later, she spoke.

  "Electroshock. A precautionary measure," Mira said.

  The three boys stared at the talking piece of armor.

  "Is…is there a spirit inside that?" Tavi asked.

  Ollie screamed.

  Lars picked up a thick piece of wood lying around and raised it threateningly.

  I laughed. "Calm down. Yeah, there's a spirit inside the suit. But it belongs to me."

  "I thought we discussed this," Mira said. "I am not a spirit. I am a sentient combat daemon—"

  Ollie screamed again and ran out of the barn.

  "Shit." I looked at the other boys. "You two stay here. Don't touch anything. Don't piss off Mira. And don't tell anyone else about this. Got it?"

  I chased after Ollie without waiting for a reply.

  It was too late. Ollie was leading Vimm towards the barn. He leaned on two crutches, shuffling forward slowly, as Ollie whispered frantically in his ear. Vimm nodded while watching me.

  I waited at the barn's entrance until he arrived.

  "You have something to show me?" Vimm asked.

  I shrugged. "I bought it fair and square with my earnings." I was briefly worried that Vimm would steal the suit for himself but was immediately ashamed at the thought. Vimm had always treated me right. "I'll show you." I jerked a thumb over my shoulder at the barn.

  Soon, Vimm and the three boys were gathered around me in the barn. The suit was balanced upright on its own. "Mira," I said. "Open up."

  The others jumped in surprise as the suit split open, except for Vimm, who stood still. I stepped backwards into the suit. It snapped shut around me, and this time, the dark confine of the helmet immediately lit up with a bright view of my surroundings. I squinted. There was a faint halo-like light around Vimm and the boys, as if Mira was trying to highlight their appearance.

  "Jakson?" Vimm said. "You alright in there?"

  I bent over backwards, touched the ground with my hands, then flipped my feet over my head to complete the acrobatic move. "Perfectly fine."

  "You sound funny," Tavi said.

  Lars reached out to tap my chest. I held my hand up. "Hold on. Mira, can you not hurt him?"

  "Confirmed. Am I correct to assume that these four are allies?"

  Allies? "Yeah, that's right. Allies."

  "You're mumbling," Vimm said. "Can't hear you."

  "He's talking to his spirit," Ollie said. Vimm raised an eyebrow.

  I shrugged my metal shoulders. "There's a spirit here helping me." I debated for a fraction of a second whether I should show off the triple shot.

  "Check this out," I said, as I dragged a small log of firewood into the center of the barn.

  Vimm surveyed the pock-marked barn floor, as well as the broken scraps of wood and metal lying around. "I see that you've been busy."

  "You'll see why." I aimed my left arm at the log. "Hm. You guys should take a couple steps backwards. And cover your faces." I waited for them to shuffle away. "Triple shot."

  The three boys scattered with cries of surprise as the log exploded into splinters. Vimm hadn't moved. He pulled out a wood chip from his hair.

  "Where did you get that?" Vimm asked.

  "I bought it from a mage. The one who owns the shop near the fish markets."r />
  "I see." Vimm stroked his chin thoughtfully. "And why would he sell this to you? You couldn't possibly have owned enough gold."

  "He said it was an old relic. And he seemed to think we were similar. One outcast to another, you know?"

  "He gifted you with a suit of immense power because he…liked you?" Vimm stared at me.

  "Well, when you say it like that…I am rather charming, aren't I?" I wasn't quite sure, now that I thought about it, why Grandpa had sold me the suit.

  Vimm turned to the boys. "You three. Not a word of this to anyone."

  The three boys nodded.

  "And you," Vimm said to me. "What's your plan?"

  "I'll enter and win the Open Melee," I said. "Become a Champion. Save the girl. You know how the story goes."

  "You're pretty sure about yourself, aren't you?"

  "I can take on any knight. I just needed a chance to fight them on equal terms." I patted my left arm. "Now, I have it."

  Vimm sighed. "Don't forget what I taught you. A fair fight is already lost." He paused. "But are you sure that's what you want? To be the King's Champion?" His voice softened. "I know you've had a rocky time with your family—"

  "It's not about that. It's about proving to myself, and everyone else, that I'm the best."

  "Okay, as long as you're being honest with yourself. One more thing." Vimm gestured to the boys and himself. "Us? We live in the shadows. Shadows aren't threats. Once you step onto the stage, you'll be painting a target on your back. If you become a Champion, or even just another Sentinel, that's a different story. They'll come for you."

  Vimm wasn't wrong. It was the same whether you were rich or poor, a crook or a king. Somebody would be jealous if you stuck out too much. And my bastard status didn't help with that.

  "There's still the girl," I said. "I can't protect her sulking in the shadows like this."

  I couldn't read Vimm's expression. "The girl," he said. "Genna, was it?"

  As far as I knew, Vimm and Genna had never met. I wasn't surprised that he kept tabs on me, though.

  "She could join us," Vimm said. "Are we that much worse than the Temple?"

  I looked at Vimm. He knew about that, too?

  "Why do we have to run and hide?" I asked. "Can't we take what's rightfully ours—our place among the best of Evercrown?"

  Vimm shook his head. "That royal blood of yours making you antsy?"

  "What?" I scowled. "You know I don't give a damn about what cock squirted my seed. I'm talking about reaping the fruits of your labor. The hard work, the training, the skills. Vimm, come on."

  Vimm studied me for a long time without speaking. Tavi reached out and poked my suit. When he didn't cry out in pain, Lars ventured over to tug at a gloved hand. Ollie rapped on my helmet.

  "This is so weird," Ollie said, knocking on my helmet again.

  "The weirdest armor," Tavi said.

  "Like it's made of beetleskin, not metal," Lars added.

  "Hey, cut that out," I said as Lars tried punching my armored crotch.

  "Ow," Lars whined, rubbing his knuckles.

  "They're right," Vimm said. "I'm not sure about the appearance. People will assume you're from a foreign land. Or the work of a demonic mage."

  "Well, actually…" I began.

  "You'll never become a King's Champion like that. Being a Champion isn't only about skill. It's a beauty contest. About sending a message to the kingdom's foes. Can you do anything about your appearance?" Vimm asked.

  "How about that, Mira? Can I look, uh, like a normal knight?" It was worth a try.

  "I can alter your appearances with a holographic overlay," Mira said.

  "So, yes? Do it."

  "Would you like to model any specific appearance?"

  "Just make me look normal."

  "Very well."

  I didn't notice anything right away, but the boys gasped.

  Vimm eyes widened slightly. "Damn."

  I looked down at my feet and hands. The black metal was replaced with the polished, sculpted shape of knightly greaves and gauntlets. The style was a bit outdated, but it worked.

  "How do I look?" I asked, striking a pose.

  "Like a strutting peacock in heat," Vimm grunted.

  "Awesome!" Tavi shouted.

  "Not bad," Lars said.

  Ollie grabbed my armor-covered forearm. "Weird. Your shape doesn't feel right."

  Vimm studied Ollie handling my arm. "It's an illusion? Should work."

  "Nice job, Mira," I whispered.

  "You are quite welcome," Mira replied sweetly.

  "Hm?" Vimm asked.

  "Talking to Mira," I said. "The armor's resident spirit."

  Vimm took a deep breath. "Then, that's it. You're off to bigger and better things." He looked away. "Remember old Vimm when you're famous and respectable, will you?" Vimm turned and stepped towards the barn's exit.

  I frowned at the limping figure on crutches for a moment, then rushed forward to lay a gauntleted hand on his shoulder.

  "Boss."

  Vimm stopped but didn't say anything.

  "Vimm," I said. The man had taken care of me for ten years. Sure, he was the boss, and I had paid him back many times over with my work. But he had been more to me than a boss.

  "You said it, right? I'm your boy."

  Vimm flashed me a quick grin. "You give them hell at the Melee. You hear me? Give them snot-faced brats hell." With that, he shuffled out the open barn door.

  CHAPTER 7

  The sun had long set by the time I finished dealing with the boys. I wasn't sure if it was safe to leave the armor in the barn, but Mira convinced me that she would deal with any would-be robbers appropriately.

  Lars and Ollie insisted on staying to guard the armor while I went out to get my postponed supper.

  Tavi followed me. It was like trying to shake a stray dog, which wasn't too far from the truth. All of Vimm's boys were strays in one way or another.

  "Where we going?" Tavi asked.

  "I'm getting my supper," I replied.

  "Oh. I'm not hungry, though."

  My stomach growled. "Hear that?" I patted my belly. "He's hungry."

  "But how come we're heading this way? The cheap taverns are that way." Tavi pointed in the opposite direction.

  "How about you go back and see what Lars and Ollie are up to?" I suggested.

  Tavi stopped. "Oh. I know where you're going. You're seeing your girlfriend." He winked at me. "You want to see her alone."

  Smart kid, if a bit misguided. Kind of like me at his age.

  Tavi ducked as I pretended to slap him. "She's not my girlfriend. She's a proper lady friend. Have some respect."

  Tavi peered at me with wide eyes. "Is a lady friend like a girlfriend? Do you get to kiss lady friends?"

  I made a face. There was no way Tavi was that innocent.

  "I mean," Tavi continued, "do you get to use your tongue? Like this?" He wiggled his tongue at me.

  "That's it." This time I swung for real, whacking him on his head. "Get out of here!"

  Tavi laughed and disappeared.

  Fucking kids. They grew up too quickly, didn't they?

  Oh Yora, I really was going turn into Vimm.

  I made my way to Genna's manor again. Once again, I was greeted by a pair of bright emerald eyes and a gentle smile.

  "Genna, you won't believe what happened."

  Genna giggled. "What is it, Jaks?" She pulled me inside her place.

  "Let me guess," Genna said. "You met a pretty girl?" She smiled coyly.

  I thought about the fiery female mage and grinned. "There was this blonde…"

  Both of Genna's eyebrows rose. "What was she like?"

  "Feisty. Not sweet like you." I patted her on the cheek. "The last thing she tried to do was kill me, I think. I'm not sure because I ran away."

  "Oh Jaks, you scoundrel. You didn't rob her, I hope?" Genna laughed.

  "Nah. But that's not why I'm here." I held her in both hands. "Listen.
You don't have to join the Temple. I found this piece of armor, and I'm going to enter the Open Melee. Just wait a little longer. I'll be a Champion in no time. Then, you and I can be a real couple. No creepy noble will bother you."

  Something was wrong. Genna's upper lip trembled.

  "What is it?" I asked.

  "I…I swore my Temple oath this evening. The queen was asking about me this afternoon. She was going to introduce me to a nobleman. I had to do something."

  Declining the queen's social overtures could have deadly consequences. The bitch and her brat. This had to be Lexley's doing. Payback for earlier.

  I patted Genna's arm. "So what? You can still leave, can't you? It's the Temple, not prison." Even as I said that, I wasn't quite sure what breaking a Temple vow would involve.

  Genna hugged me tightly. "Oh, I forgot! You're hurt."

  I held back a grimace. "No, I'm fine." We stepped apart. "What about you? Can you leave the Temple?"

  "I don't know." Her voice quieted to a whisper. "They showed me…things. They're powerful, more powerful than Sentinels." She shook her head. "It's too dangerous to leave. I'm here to pick up a few things. I'm supposed to head back tonight."

  What had Genna seen? She would have told me if she could. I didn't press her further.

  I had heard rumors about the Temple. But more powerful than Sentinels? There weren't any famous Temple warriors. Then again, they tended to shroud themselves in secrecy.

  More importantly, had they already taken Genna from me? Was she one of them now?

  The Temple required a vow of celibacy. It was why Genna had sought its shelter from predatory old noblemen. But it would keep her from me as well.

  Or would it?

  I moved closer to Genna. "Would you leave the Temple if I asked you to?"

  Genna mouth opened, invitingly, but no sound came out. When I leaned forward to kiss her, she wrapped her arms around my neck.

  I tasted her sweet mouth, parting her lips with my tongue to meet her own.

  It was our second kiss, a kiss that had been brewing for ten years since I had pecked her as a kid.

  We had grown up. Our kiss had grown up.

  We kept kissing, breathing hard into each other's mouths. This had been a long time coming.