by Riker Kane
“Hmm… You know… Maybe you should—”
“Don’t even think about it, BB.” Kailani held her index finger up to warn Clayton about the quip on the tip of his tongue. He chuckled softly to himself, knowing he’d made his point.
He looked toward the villagers from Bojung, who didn’t appear like anything special to him. They were dressed in similar leathers like the people of Tamwa. Clayton guessed everybody had to dress comfortably in tropical weather like this.
“Over there are the people from Quill. They’re philosophers and scientists and mathematicians.”
“Oh… So, they’re the smart people.”
“Real nerds. People from Bojung are really spiritual but at least they shut up about it from time to time. Villagers from Quill will always make it a point to correct you.”
“I don’t see a problem with that. Science and math are good.”
“It’s not just science and math. It’s their art and their design and their language. You try to have a conversation with one of ‘em and they’ll always try to correct you. There’s only one way to speak proper tongue on Hilamau, they’ll tell you. I say if I can get my point across to an outlander like you, that’s good enough.”
The people from Quill didn’t appear as the nerds Kailani described them as to Clayton. They looked somewhat reserved, their posture stiff and somewhat formal, but their appearance didn’t look much different from the others he’d seen.
Clayton stared at the group from Quill then shifted his eyes toward the last group off to one side.
“What the…” Clayton’s words trailed off as he stared at them. This group was undoubtedly different. They weren’t wearing just leather. They weren’t just wearing fur either. All of them appeared with the heads of dead bears and wolves on their shoulders. Fur lined their loincloths and boots. They didn’t wear much else, so their thick and stocky figures were on full display. The thought of just how much he’d have to level to look like some of them crossed Clayton’s mind.
“What’s with the animal outfits?” Clayton asked.
“That’s Leben for you. Those people haven’t met a hunt they didn’t like. You can’t just kill a bear. You can’t just skin it. You can’t just eat it. You gotta wear the damn thing to let everybody know you killed a bear.”
“That sounds pretty cool.”
“Not so cool when everybody in your village is wearing the same thing.”
Clayton chuckled and shrugged. “Didn’t know fashion was such a big deal on this island.”
“It’s not about the fashion.” Kailani shook her head. “The people from Leben are bloodthirsty. I just wonder what it’s like when you’re obsessed with constantly fighting and combat. Then again, you look like the type who’s into that sorta thing, BB…”
“I only fight because I have to. But… It is nice to conquer a great beast every now and then, don’t you think?”
Clayton smiled at the island woman and waited for her approval but all she did was sigh and roll her eyes. “There’s a reason I wanted you to compete in the Fire Fights and get control of the islands. You’ll see soon enough…”
Before Clayton could say anything more, loud thuds filled his ears. He turned toward the stage and saw there were several men standing at the foot of it. They raised their hands up and down, banging hammers down on drums. The beating of the drums was so loud Clayton could feel it shaking his entire body.
“That’s one way to get somebody’s attention,” he muttered.
Everybody looked to the stage as a figure slowly walked up. The man was draped in what looked like the skin of a deer. On his head, there was a small but noticeable crown covering his long, dirty white hair.
“His crown,” Clayton whispered. “Is that thing made of…”
“Gold. It’s one of the few things in Hilamau made out of it. The legends say it was the crown the first overseer ever won, formed by the hands of the Gods themselves. Not that it matters anyway. It’s just a symbol to let everybody know who Chief Elder is. Gold is actually pretty worthless on the islands…”
“Who is he?”
“Joakim has been Chief Elder for as long as I can remember. Leben has been running things.”
“Makes sense. They seem like they’re best equipped to win.”
“Until now.” Kailani gave Clayton a wink with an optimistic smile on her lips.
Clayton knew how great the task ahead of him was but something about the way Kailani looked at him was assuring. Maybe it was just foolishness or his own pride, but he believed he was the one who could change the fate of the islands.
“People of Hilamau.” Joakim was old and his voice was creaky but he spoke with a surprising authority that commanded everybody’s attention. The clearing was silent except for the breeze blowing through the palm trees. The Chief Elder smiled at his audience. “Since the beginning of time, before these islands settled as they are today, a great battle was fought. The Gods challenged one another for supremacy. One of them emerged victorious, sending the others to the depths of the Great Sea and standing tall over Hilamau as the Overseer.
“The will of the Gods determined who would rule. The traditions of ancient times continue to guide us. The Fire Fights are our legacy. They have allowed our ancestors to prosper. They allow us to prosper. They will allow future generations to prosper.
“Now… On this day… We will have another contest to see who will lead our people for the next five years.” Joakim raised his hands in the air and looked to the side. “Bojung Village… Will you compete in the Fire Fights?”
“Ay!” One man stepped forward from the crowd. “I am Jerek. I will represent my village and take the title of Overseer.”
Jerek was bare-footed with a pair of leather trousers. Outside of a beaded necklace, he wore nothing else. He ran a hand over his smooth head and stood tall in front of the rest of his village.
“Hmm… He’s not wearing much armor,” Clayton commented. “He must have a lot of confidence in his ability.”
“Piece of cake,” Kailani replied.
Joakim turned to the next group of villagers. “People of Quill… will you compete in the Fire Fights?”
Everybody watched as one man emerged. He was dressed a lot more intricately than anybody Clayton had ever seen on the island so far. His pants were made of cloth and his leather shoes appeared to be lined with some kind of bone. His top wasn’t much different from the tunic Clayton had on when he first arrived. For a moment, Clayton thought the man was out of place.
“The leadership of the islands belongs in the hands of Quill,” the man announced. “I, Locke, will make sure of that.”
Clayton noticed Joakim was smirking at Locke’s confidence. Clayton himself wasn’t sure what to make of the man.
“Very well.” Joakim nodded then turned toward the people from Tamwa. “Tamwa Village… You have not competed in the last two Fire Fights. There is no shame in that and no shame will come to you if you withdraw again. Is that what you will do—”
“No!” Kailani shouted. “We will compete.”
“You will?” Joakim’s brow twisted in curiosity. “And who is your representative?”
“Go on now.” Kailani nudged Clayton in the arm.
He’d suddenly grown anxious with the eyes of everybody on him. Kailani gave him an encouraging smile. When he turned to Okari, the elder smiled softly and bowed his head.
“If this is the best way to get off the island…” Clayton cleared his throat and stepped forward. “I am Clayton Brooks. I will represent Tamwa Village in the Fire Fights.”
Clayton smiled with confidence. He wasn’t sure what reaction to expect from the others. Laughter. Fear. Confusion. But there was none of that. There was… nothing.
He looked around to make sure the people around him were still alive. “Funny… I didn’t think it was possible for it to get quieter here…”
“…Is this a joke?” Joakim said suddenly. “An offlander is representing you?”
Joakim sighed in resignation. He looked down his nose at Clayton, the younger man noticing a bit of disdain in the Chief Elder’s stare.
“The Fire Fights are no joke,” Joakim said. “Are you certain you wish to compete, offlander?”
Clayton had already made up his mind but he still turned around. Kailani gave him two big thumbs up. He couldn’t help but smile at her enthusiasm.
“I will take the title of Overseer,” Clayton announced.
“Very well.” Joakim raised his hands into the air, a small, unassuming stick in one of his hands. “Let the Fire Fights… begin!”
He slammed his cane down onto the stage. The stakes around the ring burst into flames. The drummers lining the platform resumed their violent pounding. All of the villagers cheered, their voices loud and echoing into the sky.
Clayton felt the pangs of excitement rushing through his blood. The fire. The drums. The noise of the crowd. Everything about him was a giant adrenaline dump. But he maintained his focus as he stared at the man standing on the stage. While all of the villagers shuffled around the clearing, Joakim and Clayton kept their eyes on each other. It wasn’t until Kailani grabbed his arm that Clayton looked away.
“All right!” she said. “It’s official! You’re in! How do you feel?”
“I feel… I don’t know. I’ve fought before but I’ve never competed in anything like this.”
Elder Okari put a hand on his shoulder. “You are strong. I can sense something within you I haven’t felt from anybody else before. I am grateful for your representation. You are not obligated to do anything for me.”
“I’ll do my best to make your village proud, Okari.”
The elder bowed his head and walked away to join the others.
“You ready?” Kailani asked.
“I guess I’ve got no choice. Just one question… He didn’t ask for Leben’s representative. Do they not have to fight?”
“Oh, they fight.” Kailani looked over his shoulder. “And it looks like he’s about to get started right now.”
Chapter 7
The center of the dirt clearing was empty with all of the villagers surrounding it. The stakes planted into the ground burned with small bonfires lit atop them. Chief Elder Joakim sat on his chair, calmly observing the entire scene. The drums continued to thump in a hard rhythm that reverberated through the trees.
Clayton stood by Kailani’s side and watched as Locke stepped into the center of the rocks. He stretched his arms and legs while Clayton was still unsure of what to make of him.
“They say don’t judge a book by its cover but this guy…” Clayton shrugged. “You say the people from Quill are really smart, huh?”
“I figure this Locke guy must have something up his sleeve. Remember, it’s not about beating your opponent to death. You can win by making him submit or pushing him out of the circle.”
“Then I think Locke has as good a chance as anybody. All it takes is one good trip to win.”
“Easier said than done. Especially with who he’s gotta fight.”
“Who’s he fighting—”
Clayton got the answer he was looking for before he could finish. He tried to hide his surprise but his mouth hung half-open as he watched a man emerge from the crowd and step opposite of Locke.
Calling him just a man was a bit of an understatement though, Clayton thought. The guy was as big as Kavana but twice as muscular. He wore a pair of boots, lined with the fur of some bear he’d probably killed. His loincloth looked like it was made of the same poor beast. On the man’s shoulders were a couple of tiger heads. They connected all the way across his neck with a bone necklace and draped over him like a cape. Considering how big the man was, Clayton wondered just how many tigers had to be hunted to put the thing together.
It wasn’t only the outfit made from all the beasts that lurked in the forest. The man wielded a massive black hammer the size of Clayton’s entire torso.
Clayton watched as the hammer thumped against the dirt, creating a crack in the ground. His eyes shifted up toward the man’s face. He was stoic. Not blinking. Not speaking. Hell, the guy didn’t even look like he was breathing. He just stared forward across the circle at his opponent.
“What the hell?” Clayton couldn’t hold back his surprise. “That guy looks like some sorta giant killing robot.”
“Hmm… I’ve never heard anybody describe Mentu that way but I guess that’s one way of putting it.”
Mentu stood motionless, his long, black hair swaying in the night breeze. The more Clayton stared at him, the more Clayton wondered exactly how he’d knock a man like that out of the circle.
“Wait a second… That’s the representative for Leben?”
“Now you know why they’ve been in control for so long. Mentu has won the last eight Fire Fights. Hasn’t even been a contest really. Everybody tries to fight him. Everybody tries to push him out. Everybody tries to make him submit. It all ends the same way.”
“As big as that war hammer is, I’m not surprised.”
“They call him the Hilamau Hammer for a reason. And that thing is called the Falling Star because it fell from the heavens. That’s how the story goes, anyway. It’s chiseled from pure obsidian or something. It’s been around for as long as anybody can remember, which is why Leben has dominated the fights. I swear, just the wind from that damn thing is strong enough to knock someone on their ass even if they don’t get hit by it.”
“Kailani… What exactly did you get me into?”
“You can beat this guy.”
“Even if I had enough time to level, I wonder just how much strength it’d take to move him.”
As Clayton lamented not having the time to overlevel like he did in the RPGs he played, a woman entered the circle and stood in front of Mentu. She took her time removing his cape, letting everybody get a good look at her. And Clayton took a really good look at her. Her tan, hour-glass figure was on full display in nothing but a thin, cotton bikini. Her long, fiery red hair was luxurious, cascading down her back just above the curves Clayton was fixated on. The thoughts of how to beat Mentu emptied his mind as he was suddenly in a trance.
“…Yo, BB! You still with me?”
Snapping fingers got Clayton’s attention. He shook his head, widening his eyes as he looked down at Kailani.
“What’s going on with you?”
“Who’s that woman?”
“Oh… Her…” Kailani’s voice dripped with obvious disdain. “Her name is Iris. She’s a real succubus.”
“She’s a succubus?”
“Not like a succubus succubus. But she’s quick to sink her claws into something when she sees what she likes. It’s not a surprise she’s messing around with Mentu.”
“To the victor go the spoils.”
Kailani noticed Clayton’s gaze was suddenly becoming lost again. “What is it with boys and being unable to think without what’s between their legs?” she sighed.
“Hey… I’m just making an observation.” Clayton examined the curves of her body, not caring Kailani was giggling.
“You just make sure you don’t get distracted by her or anybody else when you’re in there. Mentu’s war hammer could rearrange your organs.”
“Trust me. I don’t care how pretty a girl is. When you’re about to die, that’s the last thing you’re thinking about.”
Kailani narrowed her eyes at him. “Hmm… Why do I not believe you?”
Clayton looked away from the view of Iris and down at Kailani. He immediately noticed she had her arms crossed in a way that made her chest stick out even more.
“Yeah,” she sighed. “That’s what I thought.”
“Oh, brother…” Clayton rolled his eyes then looked to Chief Elder Joakim along with everybody else.
“Representing Quill, we have the great warrior Lo
cke,” he announced. “And on the other side, representing Leben, the Overseer… Mentu!”
The villagers cheered on their representatives to the beating of the drums. Clayton couldn’t help but get excited just the same. The possibility of getting the title of Overseer continued to be more appealing than anything else.
“Tonight, these brave combatants will put themselves on the line, representing their people,” Joakim continued. “I urge you all, show these men your gratitude. Let your praise echo through time as they honor the Gods who fought on this very same land!”
Another eruption from the crowd was deafening. They didn’t stop cheering as the two combatants eyed each other.
Mentu was imposing enough just standing there. But when he slung his hammer over his shoulder and marched forward, it was as if death itself came stalking.
Locke remained steadfast. He pulled something from his belt and held up a small vial.
“What is that?” Clayton narrowed his eyes as Locke through the vial onto the ground. A puff of smoke burst from the ground followed by a ball of flames. The crowd reared back in surprise.
“They’re always up to something in Quill,” she said.
“Mentu might be big but I think Locke might be onto something.”
“I think it’s gonna take a little more than a ball of fire to scare him away.”
Sure enough, Mentu waited for the flames to die down then walked through the smoke. Locke quickly moved along the ring and pulled another vial from his waist. He slammed it into the dirt and another fireball rose up from the ground. He quickened his pace, each ball getting closer and closer to Mentu.
“Stop!” Locke shouted. “If you do not wish to meet your end, I would suggest egress!”
He tossed another vial down. Mentu remained emotionless as he stood in front of the fire. “I don’t know what that word means,” the man spoke, his voice deep like a growl. “But I’m not afraid of a bit of fire.”
He raised his hammer up over his head. Clayton sensed the anticipation from the crowd before Mentu slammed his war hammer into the flames. The thud was louder than the drums surrounding them. A ball of dirt blew out the fire, a crack in the ground replacing it.