Legacy of Chaos

by Jackson Bale

  The---crowd---starts---to---yell---and---scream.---The---name---of---the---five---year---champion---is---associated---with---pride---and---enjoyment.

  Gerass---raises---his---hand---and---the---crowd---seemingly---becomes---quieter.

  “But,---why---should---we---need---to---wait---two---more---matches,---right?---Instead,---let---us---have---all---four---of---our---remaining---fighters---duke---it---out---in---a---free---for---all---in---the---ring!”

  Screams---are---immediately---heard---as---the---remaining---four---fighters---enter---the---cage,---standing---tall---and---strong---as---they---gaze---at---each---other,---planning---their---first---moves.

  “Now---then,---make---your---bets,---because---this---next---bout---will---only---have---one---winner!”

  The---[Dealers]---begin---moving---around---with---clipboards,---tallying---bets---and---amounts,---doing---impressive---mental---math---that---their---class---allows.

  One---such---[Dealers]---walks---near---Zeek.

  “Sir?”

  “Same---thing.---Everything---on---Artyom,”---Zeek---says,---waving---his---arm---as---though---he---shouldn't---need---to---repeat---himself.

  The---[Shopkeeper]---looks---at---the---old---man.---Just---for---a---moment,---before---turning---to---the---[Dealer].

  “Place---ten---gold---on---Artyom---for---me.”

  The---[Dealer]---nods---before---writing---on---his---board.

  Zeek---looks---at---the---[Shopkeeper]---with---a---hint---of---annoyance,---but---says---nothing.

  __________________________________

  It---doesn't---take---long,---possibly---five---minutes---of---betting,---before---the---gong---is---rung---and---the---fight---begins---among---the---four.

  Artyom,---a---level---41---[Fist---Warrior]---raises---his---fists---and---hugs---the---wall---so---as---not---to---be---surrounded.

  Evan,---a---level---67---[Bruiser]---rushes---towards---Kane,---a---level---79---[Guardsman].---But---Kane---blocks---the---initial---punch---with---his---[Thick---Skin]---enhanced---arm.---The---strike---impacts---loudly,---but---Kane---stands---firm---as---he---attempts---a---counterattack.

  On---the---other---spectrum,---Verga,---a---level---83---[Brawler],---also---hugs---the---wall,---allowing---the---two---current---fighters---to---duke---it---out---first.

  Artyom---and---Verga---are---waiting---for---an---opening---while---Kane---is---attempting---to---use---his---much---higher---dexterity---to---overwhelm---the---[Guardsman]---who---had---been---winning---his---fight---due---to---sheer---tenacity.

  Regardless,---Kane---is---being---pushed---back---as---Evan---dodges---countering---strikes---and---releases---more---of---his---own.

  Which---is---when---the---[Brawler]---moves---along---the---wall,---right---behind---where---Kane---is---walking---backwards.

  Kane---is---forced---a---couple---steps---more---back…---and---the---[Brawler]---raises---his---fist,---ready---to---strike---the---back.

  And---then,---before---the---fist---can---be---released,---Kanes---body---rickochets---backwards---with---incredible---speed.---Slamming---into---the---[Brawler],---and---then---slamming---into---and---denting---the---wall.

  *Crack*

  The---sound---rebounds---through---the---ring---as---the---audience---looks---on---in---silence---at---what---had---happened.

  Artyom---had---kicked---off---the---opposite---side---of---the---arena---with---such---force---that---he---left---a---footprint---on---the---wall.---He---had---practically---flown---across---the---arena---and---shoulder---tackled---Evan---into---Kane---and---then---Kane---into---Verga.

  Artyom---quickly---comes---back---to---his---feet---before---the---others---do.---He---then---strikes---out---three---times,---fist---slamming---into---heads,---knocking---the---three---prone---fighters---out.

  It---was---fast,---brutal,---and---the---crowd---has---never---before---seen---a---fourway---fight---end---so---quickly.

  Cheering---erupts---while---Artyom---looks---to---the---door,---watching---[Guards]---come---in---and---carry---the---unconscious---three---off---the---arena.

  “Well---then,---that---was---one---of---the---most---unexpected---fights---seen---to---date,---would---you---all---agree?”

  The---crowd---screams---louder---towards---Gerass’s---words.---Indeed,---the---fight---was---unexpected,---but---even---more---so---how---easily---Artyom---had---won.---He---had---taken---one---opportunity---and---it---had---won---him---the---match.

  Gerass---allows---the---cheering---to---continue---on---for---several---minutes---until---the---unconscious---fighters---are---removed---from---the---arena.

  “The---next---match---will---begin---in---thirty---minutes,---and---as---you---can---expect,---the---deals---will---change---as---well,”---Gerass---begins,---but---Artyom---ignores---the---[Ringleader]---and---walks---down---into---the---now---spacious---waiting---area.

  Before,---there---had---been---many---fighters,---all---glaring---at---one---another.---They---were---all---big---and---powerful---looking---men,---but---now---there---were---only---two---left.

  Artyom…---and---Machenoss.

  “Well---well---well,---it---seems---I---might---have---an---actual---opponent---for---my---match,”---Machenoss---says---mockingly.

  But---Artyom---ignores---the---man---and---sits---down---at---his---usual---seat.

  “Silent---ey?---I---wonder---how---long---you---will---stay---that---way---as---my---punches---start---breaking---bones.”

  “Machenoss,---please---keep---your---threats---for---the---arena.---This---is---a---waiting---area---where---fighters---can---rest---before---their---next---fight.”

  Machenoss---frowns---at---the---[Fightcaller],---but---complies---nonetheless.

  The---[Fightcaller]---turns---to---Artyom,---assessing---the---man.---“I---was---expecting---more---bruises,---but---it---seems---your---latest---match---went---rather---well.---Do---you---need---anything---or---will---you---be---fine?”

  “Fine”

  The---[Fightcaller],---unperturbed---regarding---Artyom's---short---answers,---nods---and---sits---on---a---bench.

  ______________________________________________________________

  “This---next---match---will---begin---soon,---but---is---different---in---the---sense---that---we---can't---have---you---all---betting---on---Machenoss,---otherwise---nobody---gains---anything,”---Gerass---exclaims---with---a---smile,---causing---many---of---the---audience---to---chuckle.

  “Which---is---why---you---will---have---four---options---on---the---matches---outcome.---The---first---option---and---usually---rarest,---is---that---Machenoss---loses.---The---second---option---is---that---Machenoss---wins---in---under---five---minutes.---The---second---option---is---that---Machenoss---wins---between---five---and---ten---minutes.---The---last---option---is---that---Machenoss---wins---after---ten---minutes.---So---please,---choose---wisely---and---quickly.---Time---is---ticking.

  The---[Dealers]---once---again---begin---tallying---totals,---accepting---bigs---quickly---and---accurately.---One---such---[Dealer]---is---forced---to---ask---the---question---again.

  “Are---you---sure---that---you---want---everything---on---Aryom---to---win?”

  “Did---you---not---hear---me---the---first---time?---Yes,---send---all---my---winnings---on---Artyom---winning.”

  The---[Dealer]---gulps---as---he---tallies---a---small---fortune---into---Artyom---winning.---It---has---been---awhile---since---such---a---large---amount---of---money---had---been---placed---into---the---pot.

  “Your---confidence---is---astounding.---Machenoss---has---not---lost---in---five---years,---do---you---really---expect---him---to---lose?”

  Zeek---raises---an---eyebrow---while---his---hand---brushes---down---his---long---beard,---”Your---disbelief---is---good.---It---seems---like---I---will---be---gaining---quite---the---fortune---when---Artyom---wins.”

  The---[Shopkeeper]---sighs---and---shakes---his---head.---He---then---turns---to---the---[Dealer].

  “Twenty---gold--
-on---Machenoss---winning---between---five---and---ten---minutes.”

  The---dealer---tallies---while---Zeek---shows---his---teeth.

  “Oh?---Not---expecting---him---to---fall---in---under---five---minutes?”

  The---[Shopkeeper]---squints,---“Your---fighter---is---not---weak.---On---the---contrary,---he---is---very---capable.---Capable---enough---to---last---against---Machenoss---for---awhile,---but---he---cannot---win.---You---do---not---know---Machenoss.”

  Zeek---rolls---his---eyes---and---instead---looks---down,---waiting---for---the---final---minutes---before---the---match---begins.

  _____________________________________________________________

  “The---final---match---of---the---day,---a---match---to---end---all---matches.---Who---is---ready?!”

  The---crowd---yells---and---screams---louder---than---they---ever---had.---Drinks---are---spilled,---food---falls---on---the---floor,---and---Gerass---can---only---watch---in---pleasure---at---the---massive---amount---of---money---today---had---brought.---His---business---takes---ten---percent---of---all---winnings,---which---means---that---a---significant---amount---of---money---was---gained---thanks---to---Artyom's---constant---unexpected---victories.---Unfortunately,---that---will---now---end.

  Gerass---raises---his---arms---and---the---crowd---silences---to---a---whisper---as---he---points---towards---one---side.

  “First,---let---us---introduce---our---challenger,---a---man---of---low---level---but---impeccable---strength---and---skill.---A---man---who---had---won---most---of---his---matches---rather---easily.---Let---us---all---give---a---loud---applause---to---Artyom!”

  Artyom---strolls---in---and---the---crowd---starts---to---cheer---and---boo.---A---rather---unexpected---reaction---considering---there---is---almost---always---a---lack---of---cheering---for---the---challenger.---But---it---seems---the---silent---Artyom---is---rather---liked---even---though---only---about---three---people---voted---on---him---winning,---one---of---those---three---actually---putting---an---enormous---amount---of---coin---in.

  Gerass---once---again---raises---his---hand---and---the---crowd---dies---down.---He---smiles,---waits---for---a---moment---and---points---to---the---other---side---of---the---arena.

  “Now,---for---our---champion---Machen-”

  Gerass---is---unable---to---finish---his---sentence---as---the---legend---of---the---arena---strolls---in,---his---mere---presence---sending---the---entire---audience---into---a---cheering---cascade.

  “MACHENOSS,---MACHENOSS,---MACHENOSS.”

  The---cheering---begins---as---Machenoss’s---name---is---chanted---over---and---over.

  Machenoss---raises---his---massive---muscle---filled---arms,---his---short---oily---hair---swaying---as---he---moves.---A---big---smile---is---plastered---on---his---face.---The---only---other---notable---aspect---about---the---man---is---his---neck---and---the---healed---burn---marks---around---it.

  “MACHENOSS,---MACHENOSS,---MACHENOSS.”

  With---the---crowd---already---so---riled---up,---Gerass’s---[Crowd---Silencing]---skill---is---not---strong---enough.---Thus,---he---is---forced---to---brute---force---his---voice.

  “[Loud---Voice],”

  “Machenoss,---the---winner---for---the---past---five---years,---is---easily---one---of---the---strongest---[Gladiators]---in---the---north.---He---is---already---level---94---and---has---the---rather---rare---[Strength]---bloodline.---His---strength---is---easily---over---a---hundred---and---I---doubt---anyone---in---our---town---can---even---match---it.---But---it---seems---that---even---with---such---an---unmatched---physique,---we---seem---to---always---find---a---challenger---that---wants---to---earn---the---title---of---champion!”

  Gerass’s---words---spring---loudly---from---his---mouth,---enhancing---his---voice---and---allowing---his---words---to---be---heard---by---all,---riling---up---the---crowd---even---further.---Gerass---takes---a---peek---down,---finding---Artyom---already---in---a---combat---posture---and---Machenoss---enjoying---the---screams---of---the---crowd.

  He---grabs---the---hammer,---lifts---it---to---the---side,---and---smiles,---“Let---us---see---the---winner!”

  *DING*

  _____________________________________________________

  With---the---sound---of---the---fight---starting,---Machenoss---swerves---and---raises---his---arm,---blocking---Artyom's---punch.

  A---punch---made---with---Machenoss’s---back---to---Artyom.---Artyom---jumps---back---in---surprise---at---being---blocked---so---perfectly---and---accurately---without---any---line---of---sight.---On---top---of---that,---his---fists---did---little---to---the---arm---if---anything---at---all.---It---was---the---equivalent---of---hitting---a---piece---of---metal.

  “Jumpy,---aren't---you,”---Machenoss---starts---with---a---confident---smile.

  His---hand---moves---to---the---arm---that---was---struck,---touching---it,---”I---actually---felt---that.---It---looks---like---your---[Steel---Fists]---can---actually---hurt---my---[Steel---Skin].”

  The---words---cause---Artyom---to---changes---his---posture---from---offensive---to---defensive.---The---option---of---kicking---Machenoss---was---removed---if---what---he---says---is---true.---[Steel---Skin]---is---probably---a---very---rare---and---lucky---skill---to---have.

  “Oh,---scared---now?---I---guess---I---better---capitalize,---shouldn't---I?”

  Machenoss---moves---forward---with---incredible---speed,---far---faster---than---Artyom’s.---But---Artyom---was---able---to---sidestep---and---strike---from---Machenoss’s---blindside.

  But,---to---his---surprise,---Machenoss’s---foot---flicks---up,---striking---the---bottom---of---the---fist---and---diverting---it.---Without---waiting---a---beat,---Machenoss’s---other---fist---flashes---out---towards---Artyom.

  Caught---by---surprise---and---unable---to---dodge.---Artyom---jumps---up---and---backward,---allowing---the---fist---to---strike---him---head-on---but---lowering---the---impact---as---the---impact---throws---Artyom---back.

  Artyom---flies---a---couple---of---meters---but---lands---with---a---roll---and---quickly---stands---up,---his---face---bleeding,---nose---crooked---and---one---of---his---eyes---locked---shut.---The---strike---had---impaired---his---vision---from---one---eye.

  “Oh,---that---was---pretty---good.---Most---of---the---time---when---I---strike---someone's---face,---they---usually---can't---stand---up.---Seems---that---little---hop---of---yours---kept---you---in---the---fight.”

  Artyom---spits---blood---onto---the---floor---as---he---raises---his---hand---and---wipes---the---blood---off---his---chin.

  “Look---at---you,---fighting---with---one---eye.---It---must---suck---not---being---able---to---see.---I---bet---my---[Arena---Perception]---skill---would---be---rather---useful---to---you---right---now.”

  Artyom---frowns---as---he---realizes---what---has---been---happening.---[Arena---Perception]---probably---allows---Machenoss---to---see---everything---in---the---arena.---It---eliminates---any---blindsides.

  Which---means---he---only---has---one---chance…

  “Not---going---to---move---or---talk?---Well---then,---we---can’t---have---that,---can---we?”

  Machenoss---bends---his---legs,---a---smile---on---his---face---as---he---sprints---forward.

  Artyom---swallows---hard,---jumps---back---till---he---is---a---meter---away---from---the---wall,---leans---down---and---makes---a---fist.---He---extends---his---hand---to---meet---Machenoss---fist---headon.

  Normally,---a---contest---of---strength---would---have---Artyom---winning,---but---that---involves---equal---mass.---Machenoss---is---much---heavier---than---Artyom.

  Thus,---Artyom's---fist---opens---at---the---last---second,---grabbing---the---fist---and---pulling---over---Artyom---and---behind.

  Machenoss,---surprised,---slams---upside---down---into---the---wall---of---the---arena,---cracking---the---stone.

  Without---missing---a---beat,---Artyom---moves---forward---and,---like---his---last---match,---strikes---towards---the---head.

  *Slam**Slam**Slam*

&
nbsp; Punch---after---punch---lands---on---Machenoss’s---face.---Deeper---cracks---form---on---the---wall,---the---punches---are---the---only---sound---heard---as---the---audience---is---completely---silent.

  Finally,---as---Artyom---is---about---to---strike---for---the---seventh---time,---Machenoss’s---foot---flicks---downward,---striking---a---surprised---Artyom's---back.

  “YOU---FUCKING---BITCH,”---Machenoss---moves---away---from---the---wall,---releasing---himself.---Face---bleeding---all---over,---the---[Gladiator]---curses---loudly---at---what---had---happened.---He---had---been---thrown---into---a---wall---and---beaten---like---a---statue.