by Ko, John
“Here we are,” the innkeeper says at the sight of the courtyard. “And please call upon me if you need anything at all.”
Wake thanks him once again before reuniting with his friends.
“What happened?” They clamor around him.
“Nothing, it was nothing. They wanted me to assess a piece of equipment,” Wake explains. “I guess they asked for me because it was another version of a Hand of Water, but I couldn’t get it to activate.” He’s not lying, but he doesn’t feel very honest.
“Was the Princess there?” the Fate asks. Wake nods. “Did she touch you? She does that you know, even if you do not want her to.”
Wake shakes his head.
“That is good to hear, Way. You have also returned just in time for a late night practice,” the Fate says, which doesn’t sound too bad right about now to a boy whose mind is filled with thoughts of a girl he would like to forget.
“Wake, you seem out of sorts,” Sense says.
“What?” Wake looks up from his plate. He picks at it for a while and then asks, “Sense, can I ask you something?”
“Always.”
“Is there a way for the Princess to lead the winningest team and the Fate to get what he wants too?”
Sense looks at him in an understanding way. “Girl troubles, huh?”
“No, absolutely not,” he stammers and stutters.
“I’m just fooling with you, Wake.”
Wake looks down at his plate before pushing it aside. He explains it all. Sense listens carefully.
“So that is her goal. She says it’s important, not just to her, but the whole world. And Fate wants to be the captain of the team that never loses,” Sense repeats. “Their wishes sound similar, but there may be a way.”
“Really?”
“The Royal Team is actually classified as a guild. That’s why there’s so many of them. Anybody who wants to could set up a multi-team guild too; it’s just that no one else bothers. Why go through all the trouble when it’s hard enough to get a decent six?” Sense explains. “And I guess, technically, each group could have its own Captain. I’ll have to check out the guild application. I’ve never actually had to fill one of those out before.”
“Is it really possible?” Wake asks. “So the six of us would be considered a sub-team of The Royal Team which is led by the Princess and the Fate could still be our captain?”
“I can’t make any promises, but I’ll check into it.”
The next day, he learns the bad news.
“Wake, I’m really sorry, but I don’t think it’s possible,” Sense tells him sadly. “There’s no real way to designate captain status within a guild. Here, take a look at the form. There’s no space for it like on a regular team application.”
Wake takes the piece of paper and sees exactly what the clerk means. “I appreciate it, Sense. It’s not your fault. It was a long shot to begin with. Thank you for checking into it.” He wasn’t expecting much, but still he can’t get the image of the Princess asking for his help out of his head. He studies the application carefully before tucking it safely away.
Later that afternoon, he fills the application out and asks the Captain to sign it. The Fate does so without a second look. If I give this to her, I’ll have helped her. And if what she said was true, maybe even the whole world. Everything else would be the same. We could still compete … even win, Wake tries to tell himself.
But then, Fate wouldn’t really be our captain. She has to be telling the truth. The Princess wouldn’t lie, would she?
The final week before it all begins comes and goes. They practice long and hard, honing their teamwork and each of them preparing in their own way for the Relay.
Every morning, Wake swims the cold waters of the nearby canal in preparation for his own leg. More often than not, the Fate joins him, which makes it almost bearable. Spikey sits atop the Captain’s head as he strokes with all his might. Every time the chipmunk gets wet, the Fate lets out a little yelp—a sure sign Spikey is living up to his namesake.
Their presence helps him forget how much he dislikes the cold, at least until he climbs out of the canal on the windy days.
Afterward, they check on the others: Rachel at the local Light Course, Riser scaling the side of some building, or Monster on a run through the city. The Fate always wants to join in and somehow, Wake usually ends up getting dragged into joining as well. Sometimes it’s a pain, but it’s always fun.
At least it keeps his mind off things.
The night before the opening games comes quickly. Wake finds himself siting alone in the courtyard wondering exactly what he should do. He thinks about the application stuffed deep within his pack. He hasn’t really done anything wrong … yet.
Lost in worry, he doesn’t notice someone has come out to join him.
“Way, may I join you?” the Fate asks, sitting down next to him. “Excited for tomorrow? I am. I can hardly wait.”
“I’m just worrying about tomorrow and … other things.”
“Why do you worry?”
“I don’t know … I just worry about stuff. It’s just the way that I am.”
“That is good, I suppose.”
“No, it’s not. It’s horrible. I wish I was more like you.”
“I do not think that is a good wish. I think it is better this way. I remember what matters—what has to be done. I can even define things. But you … you can interpret. There is a difference, you know?” The Fate leaps to his feet. He can never sit still for long. “And we need both.”
Wake sits there, staring as the moon goes behind a cloud. “Aren’t you ever afraid?”
“Afraid?”
“Yeah, afraid, scared,” Wake says to the boy staring blankly back at him. “Fear, that feeling you get in the pit of your stomach when something bad is about to happen.”
“Hmm … I think you are doing it wrong,” the Fate says. “Fear is that feeling that comes before something important is about to happen.”
The Fate looks up at the night sky. “That is what my father used to tell me. But he had another name for it. He called it the Moment of Truth—that instant you do not know what to do and everything you know to be right suddenly seems like it may not be.”
Wake looks at him but the other boy doesn’t notice; he’s too busy smiling at the stars. The moon comes out from behind the clouds as the Fate tells him, “It is a test. Sometimes you have to fight, sometimes you have to flee, but never lose faith in the face of the unknown. Never stop believing what you believe.”
The Fate smiles down on him. “That feeling … I look forward to it, actually.”
He’s so different from anyone I’ve ever met. Even fear means something else to someone like him, Wake thinks. I wonder what sort of things my father would’ve taught me if he’d been around. “You’re lucky.”
“Thank you. I think so too,” the Fate tells him. “I am glad I got to make a boyfriend like you. You are my first. Well, all of you: Sense and Monster, as well.”
Wake laughs. “Guys that are your friends are just called friends. Not boyfriends.”
“I see.”
“And … well, you’re my first real friend, too. At least my own age,” Wake admits. “My best friend, actually.” Suddenly, the Princess seems far away. What’s important is here.
“Is that what it is called? Yes, Way, you are my best friend too.”
“It is time!”
Wake nods absently, too busy taking it all in to pay attention. They used to hold real Pro Races in this very stadium. Now, I’ll be racing here. The thought is frightening.
This is Saranghae Memorial Stadium, a whole other world from the bleachers he’s used to. A true coliseum filled with row after row of alabaster stone seats, all of which are filled this day.
They qualified for the Grand Finale with a single win in Greenwood, but without a single Race beneath their belts, they are dead last in the Relay Standings. It comes as no surprise when they find out that they’r
e matched against The Royal Team. In some ways, it doesn’t really matter. Unlike any of the other games, each team is only given one shot at the Relay Race. Whatever time they finish in is all that matters. There is no second round, no final round. They have one chance at it, and it’s here and now.
This is really happening. We’re about to go out there in front of the whole country, matched against The Royal Team. The thought is worrisome, but the way Sense explained it earlier makes it so even he can believe that they have a chance.
“Shine gives us nearly a half minute advantage over any other team on Tour. Wake’s times rank in the top ten in the Whirlpool; only seconds differentiate between him and first. Fate says he won’t lose to Kase on the Obstacle Course. I’ve never seen anyone climb as fast as Riser, and the times that Monster has been running the Long Leg are more than good enough. As long as everyone does what they’re supposed to, this should be the easiest of the three to win.”
He watches his sister laughing at something Riser’s said. She is so full of confidence when it comes to the Light Course, but he knows deep down that she is just as full of concern as he is. Everyone else is, too. Everything we’ve been working so hard for starts today or ends today.
Next to him, he finds a small pouch. It’s the Fate’s, the one he keeps his “special” berries in.
According to his friend, the small berries are necessary for him to compete. Wake picks one up and sniffs it. They don’t really have much of a smell. If they help him, maybe they’ll give me a little boost as well.
Wake pops one into his mouth. As soon as he does, he regrets it.
Immediately, his stomach begins to churn. His very core begins to clench and spasm. Is this why he was throwing up that first time? He called me a waste of a berry … Wake closes his eyes. The light is suddenly too bright, the colors too vivid.
“Help!” he manages to scream before doubling over in pain.
Chapter 44
BROTHER MONSTER
[Saranghae Memorial Stadium]
“Fortunately, he only ate one,” Monster tells them. “He’s going to feel like his insides are flipping inside out for the next hour or so, but he should be fine by this evening. We can’t let him enter the Water like this, however. It’s just too dangerous.
“Apparently, Fate takes one of these berries before each match. And Wake thought there wouldn’t be any harm in trying one as well. But these are Nune Berries and they’re poisonous. It only takes a handful to kill a full grown man.” Monster turns to the Fate and asks, “Why do you even have these?”
“I need them. They are the only medicine that helps with a condition that runs in my family,” the Fate says. “I have taken them for years. I am used to them now.” Monster throws the pouch of berries at him.
“Don’t leave them out in the open. Never take more than one in a day. And never take them for more than a couple days in a row.” It’s still risky, but Monster knows of a few other medicines that work in a similar manner.
The Fate may claim to have built some sort of tolerance to the Nune Berries, but as far as he understands it, the main toxin in the berries should be cumulative. He should feel worse after each, not better. I’ll have to read up on this when I have more time.
“I feel better,” Wake tries to say before hunching over again and groaning. He’s full of pain, but he still wants to try. He doesn’t want to let us down. Monster looks at him. He’s changed so much.
“Look, one berry won’t kill you.” Monster explains to him. “But if you get into the water like that … that may.”
The speakers blare. The announcements begin and the crowd cheers wildly as the favorites, The Royal Team, is introduced. The Half-Orc tries to ignore all the noise as he retrieves a bundle of dry leaves from a pouch. He hands them to Wake and issues an order. “Chew these slowly. Try not to swallow the juice. Let it sit in your mouth for as long as possible and then spit it out.”
The announcer finishes, “… the newest team on Tour, Monsters to Believe In.” What? The Half-Orc thinks angrily.
“That is us,” the Fate says proudly. “Do you like our Team name? I thought of it all by myself.”
“Do you take enjoyment in torturing me?” Monster doesn’t like the name one bit. Why does he always got to be like this? He is so bothersome sometimes. The announcer says it again for emphasis. Make that, most times.
“It is a great name, is it not? Everyone else names themselves after something gallant or noble—after some hero or champion from their favorite tale. But I wanted a name that really described us.”
He looks Monster in the eye. “We are what we are, and what we are here to do is defeat them all. And if they are a bunch of heroes … well, who better to beat them than a bunch of monsters!
“Besides, we are here to change things.”
Chapter 45
SENSE
[Saranghae Memorial Stadium]
“You’re going to have to race two legs,” Sense tells the Captain.
The Fate grew up on the shores of western Wysteria. Everyday, he would dive deep into the ocean’s waters in search of its bounty. He may not be as fast as Wake in the water, but he’s close enough. He’ll just have to race two legs of the course; not too uncommon of a thing. They’ll just have to request a transporter carriage to carry him between the two legs. Even though they didn’t reserve one earlier, the officials keep a spare for such emergencies.
“Way, if you cannot fight, I will fight for you. All you have to do is get better,” the Fate tells a miserable Wake.
The Whirlpool is the first leg and the Obstacle Course the last. It should be easy enough to arrange transport between the two. Sense reassures everyone as much.
“I’m sorry,” Wake tries to say, not realizing everyone is already gone. Sense hooks one arm underneath him and nods for Poe to do the same.
“We can’t leave you alone like this. You’re coming with us to the official’s table.”
“I’m sorry, but … unfortunately, the other team has already reserved the transport,” the official tells them. Sense looks over the other team’s roster. They changed their lineup at the last minute. The Princess won’t even be out there. “But they don’t even need it. That’s not fair.”
“They reserved it. If you want to use it, you’ll have to ask for their permission. I’m afraid the spare is out of commission.” The rules are clear. Sense knows better than to argue with the official.
“Let’s try asking,” Wake says before bending over and heaving. His stomach is already long emptied, so there’s no mess. Poe looks at Sense with worry in his eyes.
“Okay, let’s try,” Sense says without much hope. Still, there must be another way. I have to think of something.
They hurry over to the other side of the field. Once there, they find the Princess in the Royal Box surrounded by her retainers.
“Princess, could you please release your claim on the transporter carriage?” Wake asks as they try to hold him up.
Her face bares no emotion, absolutely none at all. “You very well know that I cannot do such a thing.”
“But don’t you want to win fair and square?” Wake begs, shrugging his friends off and falling to his knees. “I made a mistake—a big mistake. This is all my fault and if we have the transporter, at least it would be somewhat fair.”
The Princess turns away from the groveling boy. “My answer is no. Please do not ask me again.”
Wake is silent as they escort him back to the official’s table. Sense wants to say something to comfort his friend, but nothing he can think of sounds any good. And for once it’s probably a good thing Poe can’t. The bard’s face changes from angry to worried and back again with each step. The scoreboard shows they have little time before the horn blows.
“Is there any other way?” Sense pleads with the official.
“I wish I could help, but there’s no way around it,” the Head Official says. “Without the transport, once he’s off the course, he’s ou
t.”
What to do? What to do? “But if he stays on the course, he’s fine?” he asks. We're almost out of time, the clerk realizes, his chest pounding harder than is good for him.
“Sure, kid,” the official laughs. “As long as he doesn’t touch or interfere in any way with the other racers.”
“Great, thank you.”
“Hey, kid, I guess just finishing means a lot to you guys. Good luck.”
“Oh no, we race to win.”
“Captain, you have to run the whole course,” Sense says.
“I understand.” He doesn’t even blink an eye.
Nothing surprises him, which doesn’t surprise Sense. “You’re allowed to stay on the course, but you cannot touch or interfere with anyone in any way.”
The Fate shrugs. “I will do as you say, Sense.”
“I sent Poe for your Light Boots. He’ll bring them to the start of the Light Course. I have to go now and let the others know, too.”
Sense makes his way towards the service path that acts as a shortcut between legs for nonparticipants. And for the first time he notices their opponent. The opaque skin between her fingers and toes mark her as at least partially Gilled, though her full head of hair and bronzed skin make it obvious she’s not pure . But there are no Gilled, half or pure on Tour this year. The Princess must have brought her in just for Relay. This new information may throw off his latest calculations. He thinks back to the roster he saw earlier and realizes there was another name that he didn’t recognize.