Dun looked ecstatic at her reply, and a wide grin almost consumed his face. “Right this way, ladies…right this way.” He turned and almost skipped to where the most noise was coming from.
The crowd seemed occupied, so the going was easy. They made their way to the arena, and Tyne and Mahira got their first glance at why this was such an attraction. The arena was in the crater of what must have once been an explosion of great magnitude. It was thirty yards in diameter at the bottom and littered with rocks of various sizes that looked to have been deliberately moved there for the fights. Surrounding the crater were crowds of people watching the current battle, held back by a chain-link fence with only one gate. On the inside of the fence, standing around the lip of the crater, were about ten robots. They were all man-shaped but obviously put together with leftover haphazard bits and pieces. Looking down at the arena, each held a long shaft, some made of wood, others of metal, but all had a pointed tip and were about seven feet in length.
Dun motioned them over to a spot by the fence that wasn’t taken and then headed off, explaining he would get them a fight lined up. Two combatants currently occupied the arena at the bottom of the crater, fighting among the rocks. The first man, solidly built, seemed to be the quarry favorite. He had a one-handed sword of metal, about three feet in length with only one edge, and he held a dagger in the other hand. He wore clothes made of leather and cloth, similar to Dun, with a pair of sturdy leather boots on his giant feet. The second opponent was another man, only this one was fairly short and thin. He had a long shaft of wood with a fire-hardened tip. Wearing just boots and pants, the rest of his frame was covered in dirt, scars, and a spattering of his own blood. He obviously wasn’t doing so well.
The first man, whose name was Zedic according to the roaring crowd, was jumping form rock to rock as he tried to get closer to his opponent, but the thin man kept his spear between them. As the thin man was maneuvering, his foot slipped on a bloody rock and touched the sand, and the crowd roared even louder. One of the robots standing on the lip of the crater immediately hurled his spear at the thin man, which pierced him straight through his leg. Zedic saw his moment and leaped over to the same rock the thin man had slipped on. After a brief moment to steady himself, he lunged with his sword and stabbed the man in the gut. Despite his serious injuries, the thin man managed to clamber back up on a rock and slap Zedic in the side of the head with his pole arm.
Zedic smiled and shook off the blow as he continued to circle his wounded opponent while jumping from rock to rock, making sure he never touched the sand. The rocks were of a decent enough size to support the frame and weight of even an over-sized person, and according to the rules, they were also safe from the above robots, whose job it was to launch their long shafts at any combatants that messed up.
The thin man, with his wounds adding up, could barely stay conscious. Mahira and Tyne watched on and learned the so-called rules of combat as the fight continued on. The heavily bleeding fighter then drove the tip of his weapon down in the sand and used it as leverage to kick out at Zedic as he leaped forward in the air. Leading with his good leg, he kicked Zedic in the side and sent him sprawling into the sand. It was a shockingly good move. He prepared to drive his spear into the fallen local champ and raised his weapon in excitement. The crowd momentarily went quiet, and Mahira looked to Tyne, nodding her approval. The robots, seeing Zedic off the rocks, all drew back their long javelins too.
However, Zedic had not become a favorite by waiting to become pierced by the spear-bots. As he was recovering, he dove to a nearby slab and used it as cover. Spears flew through the air from above but none hit him. His opponent was not so lucky. One of the long shafts struck him mistakenly in the back and came straight through his chest on the other side as he lurched forward to his death.
Zedic stood in triumph, raising his hands in the air and shouting to the crowd. The crowd cheered in return, and wages were settled as Zedic made the trek out of and up the side of the crater.
“Well, I guess we know what the local flavor is,” said Tyne. “Stay on the rocks, or else you get a spear hurled at you. I do love strange and brutal local traditions,” she added sarcastically.
Mahira raised her eyebrows at that. “It’s no worse than some of the others, and at least it’s by these poor excuses for bots. Their wiring is outdated, and their reflexes look real slow.”
Just then, Dun returned and approached the ladies. “You still want to fight? I got a taker, but he’s running a bot. The bot is known as Skinner. He has blades along his forearms, and he is only about four feet tall. But don’t let that fool ya 'cause he’s quick and solidly made."
Mahira looked at the fellow before them and said, “We’ll take it. Tyne will discuss business with you as I prepare to fight.” Mahira went to an open space, dropped her backpack, and started getting ready.
Tyne and Dun walked off to meet the owner of Skinner, intending to set combative terms and wage offerings.
Mahira was getting the look of the wild crowd. It was pretty dangerous out here, and many licked their lips as they watched the pretty gal preparing to enter the pit.
Evidently, word traveled fast as more and more people gathered around the fence, hollering and screaming for her to join the mayhem. Once the wages had been agreed, the makeshift robots about the lip of the pit grabbed new long poles and awaited the next match.
Tyne returned with the latest. “Skinner is the quarry champion robot and is a vicious little monster, from what I’m hearing. The owner is not offering any terms other than death. I made our wages, but I've not seen a glimpse of our so-called contact, Stitcher, yet.”
Mahira shrugged her shoulders. “Just keep an eye out. He’ll show, he always does when we connect back in New York. He’s like a cockroach. He goes into the nastiest places and comes away clean.”
Tyne helped Mahira with her armor and weapon, a very sharp long sword. There would be no flag-like dress or top at this ugly place, but Mahira didn't care. She wanted to bag the funds and get out of there before this whole clan went berserk at losing their money.
Tyne nodded over towards the crowd around the entrance to the crater as they parted and a small robot appeared. As noted, he was about four feet tall and in the shape of a small child. Along its forearms were sharpened blades, and it had spikes jutting out from its elbows, knees, and forehead.
As it walked forward, Mahira also noticed its odd feet; two large toes pointing backwards and two pointing forward. That would surely make keeping balance on the various rocks easier. Its menacing eyes glowed a deep red. Marching forward, the bot growled over at the women looking on.
“What a charmer,” said Tyne. She then looked back to her friend. “Don’t mess around with this thing, get rid of it…fast.”
“Jus’ remember," said Dun as Mahira approached, "ain’t no R-Bel news broadcastin’ here, or big corp watchin’. This is The Quarry, an’ it’ll kill ya quicker ‘n spit.”
Mahira rolled her neck and replied, “Thanks for the warning, Dun. I’ll do you proud, you better have bet on me!”
Before lowering down a ladder to the rock slabs, Tyne made sure to embrace her friend. This was her opportunity to inject Mahira with a very potent purple liquid using a small syringe; the sisterhood's body mechanics enhancing and strength empowering formula. Pumping the fluid into Mahira’s muscular arm, a fresh dose of adrenaline took hold almost immediately.
The chain-link fence opened up, Mahira stepped through, and the door closed behind her. The bots now lifted their spears in preparation, drums started blasting, and the crowd screamed at the top of their lungs as the increasing energy levels took hold in the quarry. A very different fight was about to go down.
Mahira got to the bottom of the crater and jumped up onto the nearest rock formation. As soon as she was settled, the bladed bot began to move.
Immediately, Skinner jumped across the rocks, one by one, closing the distance between them. Mahira moved to
the side, hopping left to another rock. She knew the robot had to be pretty smart, as the rough terrain was tricky, but it seemed to be negotiating its way around just fine.
Skinner leaped closer by jumping to another nearby stone. He then ran by the young woman and lashed out with a bladed arm. Mahira leaned back to avoid his arm blades and swung her sword, but the bot was too quick and got to a rock too far out of reach for her attempted swipe to make contact.
True to its reputation, Skinner quickly rushed in again, leaping from one rock to the next as it tried to cut Mahira without fully engaging her.
This time, he lowered his spiked head and aimed for her legs. However, she sprung up into the air, and he went right through and missed her. Having to propel himself to another boulder, he momentarily slipped to the sand before landing at his intended spot.
The crowd got all worked up; this was a good little fight.
A spear bot then launched its projectile at Skinner. Moving quickly to its right, the nimble robot dodged the incoming missile and regained its position on top of a rock.
Out of nowhere, a young girl was then dropped into the crater pit. Someone was determined not to lose their bet; a wager they had obviously placed on the robot below. Mahira saw the terrified face of the child, no more than around eight years old. She was a brown-haired little one with matching brown eyes and had a grayish colored kerchief on her head.
Skinner saw her too and launched himself to a nearby rock. He began to unleash a flurry of knife-wielding blows to unsettle and overwhelm his female opponent.
With a series of hops and stabs with her sword, Mahira danced and pranced about as she blocked the incoming blows, but the aspect of the child nearby now had part of her attention. Suddenly, with half her focus elsewhere, she was pushed back to the rim of a boulder on the outer edge of the arena; she had to react quick or risk slipping off.
The metal bot slashed at Mahira with his bladed arms flying through the air as he tried to force the gladiator off the edge. She parried his blows by hacking him in the head over and over, but she soon realized the thing was made of a tough steel that just didn't want to be penetrated.
Mahira, feeling a rush of adrenaline, drove a powerful stomp kick into the robot's chest and this time he was pushed right back and toppled over the edge, landing on his back in the sand below.
The above crowd roared in delight and wages were raised as the combatants continue to fight. Skinner hopped back on a slab, yet several spears were already being thrown at him, one biting into his side with enough force that it actually did some damage.
Mahira was ready to leap at him, wanting to get at him and finish the fight. Just as she was about to run, the bot turned and went for the little girl. The kid screamed and immediately tried to avoid the blades jutting out of the monstrosity coming at her. Appearing to be quick and agile, she dodged Skinner rather nicely. Mahira had no choice but to save her. Spears were launched at Skinner as he dropped to the sand in pursuit of the kid. Mahira hopped from rock to rock, gaining speed, and then used her legs against the crater wall to propel herself into an airborne attack. With an uplifted sword in hand, she pounced on Skinner. Her sword drove deep into his mechanical neckline, and both contestants toppled to the sand.
Somewhere from above, a spear-bot launched another spear at Skinner. The robot blocked the strike with ease and was already back on his feet. Mahira attempted to stand, but was also being attacked from above. As spears began raining down on both the fighters, they each had to deflect the missiles while getting back on top of a stone in order to bring the volley to an end. Despite blocking many of the javelins with her sword, one got through and pierced Mahira's side. The wound was not deep enough to stop her as she ran towards another bigger slab to find the child. Skinner was right on her tail. Mahira reached and grabbed the youngster, and together they continued hopping from one rock to another. Skinner came by with his forearms stretched out, their blades slashing at the two girls as they passed him by. The cuts only just missed the young girl, and Mahira's anger was starting to boil.
She had to regain her balance, both physically and that of her mind. Anger only made her do crazy things, and the child with her made such moves too risky.
Skinner’s owners were above, yelling and screaming for the bot to kill the kid. Pandemonium broke out amongst those that were not in favor of the owners' suggestion, and robots and people began to fight. Tyne backed up to avoid too much trouble, but a crazed guy came at her anyway. There was no reason for his attack; she had done nothing. He was an ugly, tall long-haired man, and he swung at her pretty face. Tyne parried the left punch with her right hand, and used her left to grab hold behind the guy’s head and neck. She then blasted several knees into his body, dropping him to the ground like a sack of potatoes. The fighting calmed down as quickly as it had started. People were too interested in the spectacle in the crater. Leaving the ugly man in a heap, Tyne moved back in to see below.
Mahira, now timing another jump, skillfully leaped to another stone. This time, she left the girl behind. Seeing this, Skinner made his move towards the child. Spears shot down again, but he avoided them as he dodged left and right across the crater. One went straight at the little girl, but at the last moment she knocked it aside with a fast swipe of her palm.
Mahira timed the move perfectly, knowing the bot would have to hit sand before getting back to a stone slab, and as he did, a spear made its way down to him.
She then ran at speed, rose up, caught the spear and redirected its trajectory to the spot she now knew was this crazy little robot's weakest area. The catch and re-toss went right into the back of his upper leg.
The spear pierced all the way through and ended up pinning the bot to the sand. Within seconds more spears came down on him, and two hit home, as he was unable to move to avoid them.
Mahira then jumped to the rock right next to Skinner. He was trying to free himself but she was already in his face. Her eyes were on fire as she raised her sword and pointed it directly at him. Slamming it deep into his throat, she watched in delight as those scary red glowing eyes of his slowly faded out.
The feisty gladiator helped the brown-haired child to her feet, and together they made their way up and out of the crater arena.
Fighting above was not unusual, especially with those that had lost their bets. Tyne met her sister and pulled her through the crowd. “Nice fight, girl! We got to get out of here.”
The little girl noticed Mahira was still bleeding, and she handed her savior the gray kerchief from her head. “You’re hurt. Here, take this to fix up.”
Mahira took the cloth and smiled at the little one. “Thanks, do you have family or clan here?”
The girl shook her head with a sad expression on her face. Tyne looked to Mahira. “We need to bolt. Bring her with us for now.”
Mahira nodded her head in agreement, grabbed the girl's hand, and the three of them headed away from the crater.
Dun met them at the front area, but the ladies kept moving. Smiling broadly, he proclaimed, “I ain’t ever seen a gurl move like that before! You were amazing.”
Mahira looked him in the face and placed her hand on the young one's head. “Does this girl have ties to anyone here?”
Their guide shook his head. “Not really, more of a slave than anything else.”
Mahira ran her palm over her forehead and added, “Alright, well, she’s coming with us.” The guide nodded, insinuating it was unlikely that anyone would try to stop them.
Tyne Gem wasted no time in demanding their winnings, and as soon as the funds were in the bag, all of them got as far away from The Quarry as possible.
They took the ferry back inland and watched the water as a few birds flew by overhead. Mahira spoke to the child. “You moved pretty well down there. You have some natural talent.”
Tyne put her arm around the child and asked, "What is your name, young one?”
The little girl with the big br
own eyes looked up to the blond and replied, “My name is Victory.”
Both the Mystical Slayer sisters looked at one another, and oddly replied in unison, “That’s a great name!”
The boat sailed on and eventually, Mahira asked Victory, “Do you have any dreams? Like, what you want to be when you get older?”
The child just shrugged her shoulders and smiled up at her new friend. Tyne joined the talk and asked, “Do you like helping people? Maybe a skill you have? Anything?” The little girl again silently shook her head.
Both sisters stared at one another, lost for conversation. Then, the child surprised them both by speaking. “You know what I really want to be? I want to be like you," she stated, looking at Mahira. "I wanna fight!”
Chapter Six
The two companions made their way to Delaware with Victory beside them. They were scheduled to make a leg of death match fights leading all the way back up to New York. It was a stretch that would end with them attending the Fenway's so-called world championships. In the meantime, the open road these days was no place for a little girl. They made a stop on the outskirts of the next town, a place the sisterhood called a safe haven, to drop Victory off.
The long road ahead now awaited them.
***
Zaey had quite a long trip on the bullet train. The official lawyer license, bought through a Y-Wood Corporation affiliate, would offer her safer travel all the way to Wyoming. It was there she had to make her own route, in the name of a group of people in that area who were awkwardly seeking to fight the laws of Corporation big shots.
The region she was traveling to was much further out than most sought to go, and that's why her trip would be made on horseback when she finally got to Wyoming. A guide had been sent to bring her onward, and the plan was set in motion. A mountain region that was bordered by the winding Snake River would be the planned travel route. An older hippie-like woman with long, gray hair met with her as she was getting her horse. The Indian woman, who had suddenly appeared next to the young Australian lawyer, declared, “These mountains in Wyoming, once upon a time, were a great civilization for Native Americans." She grinned at Zaey and added, "Hello.”
Sisters of the Dawn's Early Light Page 4