“How—" Rick started.
“How am I alive?” He asked. “After you left me for dead, I met a vampire, very helpful fella. Too bad he had to kill me,” Taranis said taping a fang. “I was hoping you wouldn’t notice me for a little longer. It seems like I’ll have to advance my plans.”
“What plans?” Rick asked still in shock.
“Who do you think wrote you that letter?” Taranis asked stepping out of view. “Didn’t you recognize my handwriting?”
Ricks head felt like it had taken a joy ride in a tornado. I should follow, he thought taking a step forward. How did I deal with vampires in the past? I know that I can— Rick blinked. He was standing in a courtyard. “Where am I?” he asked himself, looking around. “Better question, what's happening!”
“Finally found you!” Devlin yelled running through another one of the walkways.
“Glad one of us knows where I am,” Rick said.
The confused look on Devlin's face was almost too good. Barely managing to hold in a laugh, Rick grinned at him.
“Why were you looking for me?”
“Because the first match is starting!” Devlin yelled turning to run back the way he’d come.
What is going on?
The match had been hours away. Chasing after Devlin, he tried to remember anything. If he was right, several hours passed and he had no memory of them. Again. On top of that, he couldn’t shake the feeling like something important was supposed to of happened here.
Leaping over carts and spinning around people, their run turned into a mad dash. Merchants yelled and raised their fists, but the duo ignored them and kept running. Once the entrance came in view Rick grabbed Devlin’s arm, and shot them forward in a bolt of lightning.
“Oww!” Devlin yelled at him, rubbing his shoulder.
“Sorry,” Rick said running into the arena, with Devlin on his heels.
Two guards stood at the end of the short tunnel. “You’re late,” a guard said lowering a spear in front of Rick.
“The announcer is never late,” Devlin said walking past Rick. “Anyone before the announcer is only early.”
The guard looked at his companion. “Is that true?” he asked.
“I dunno, let them through. I want to watch the fight.”
Not letting the guards have time to rethink, Rick and Devlin slipped past. Devlin gave him a thumbs up and headed toward the announcers stand. “Good luck.” Rick had a feeling he might need it. Running down the steps below the arena, he jumped into the first open chamber he found. The familiar blue glow enveloped him.
Blinking, he looked around and spotted Flare and her fiery hair as she rushed over. He wasn’t wrong about needing that thumbs up. The other four members seemed to be trying to figure out just how big of a cooking pot they would need to boil him alive.
“Where have you been?” Adam hissed.
“You’re lucky we weren’t disqualified,” Assan said.
“We still might,” Flare growled.
“Did you get lost again?” Stella asked flashing him a quick smile while no one was looking.
“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, BOYS AND GIRLS! SORRY FOR THE DELAY, BUT MAY I PRESENT TO YOU THE 3RD MATCH OF THE DAY! LIGHTNING GEM VERSES THE LIGHT BRIGADE!”
The crowd roared.
“No time for accusations,” Flare said. “Rick, we’re going to use a strategy from a book our founder created. Your part is fairly simple. All you—"
“It’s number 3,” Adam interjected. Rick nodded. “He already knows the strategies,” Adam said.
“We’re out of time,” Flare said looking at the team on the other end of the arena.
“LET THE MATCH BEGIN!” Devlin yelled and a row of trumpets sounded over the noise of the crowd.
Before the sound faded, Rick shot forward. He’d never gotten the chance to try this strategy before he’d left. Smashing into the man in the middle he sent him crashing into the ground. Cupping his hands, Rick bounced a bolt of lightning back and forth, compressing it. A Shockwave erupted from his hands sending him and the remaining four opponents to the ground. Rolling onto his knees, he shot away. In his haste to get clear, he tripped and rolled end over end, coming to rest with a groan. Looking back at his team, he saw what he was hoping to see. Flare stood on top of a stone pillar, a massive white-hot fireball over her head. Produced by her but supported and oxygenated by Stella. The ground beneath the Light Brigade froze making it impossible for them to get out of the way. The fireball came crashing down, the heat of the explosion forcing Rick to shield his face. The arena went still. Looking up, Rick saw a crater where the Light Brigade had been a moment before. Only seconds passed. The trumpeter’s lips were still on their instruments. Not a sound escaped from the audience. They just sat there in awe.
“AND THE WINNER’S IN ALMOST AN INSTANT VICTORY, ARE LIGHTNING GEM!”
The silence broke as the crowd roared. Rick felt a tingling sensation all over before the sky and the sounds of the crowd faded. Blinking, he regained his senses in the Crystal Chamber. Two men stood in front of him. One had a knife! Using Modi Magic Rick increased his reflexes catching the man's wrist the knife millimeters from his chest. Starting to create a bolt, he had to switch to a shield in an instant blocking a fireball from the second man. Rick brought his palm smacking into the first man's nose. He staggered back. Stepping into the opening Rick sent a bolt into the second man, spun and kicked the first in the chest. Both went down.
Rick stared at his handiwork. “Two fights,” he said. “I’m on a role.”
A black lighting portal opened under each of them and in an instant, they were gone. Rick lunged forward, but he was too late.
“No!” he growled.
How did he open a portal? You have to be able to see the other end. He looked at the door. The crossbeam was fine. Were they portaled in too? he thought lifting it. Walking out, Rick spotted the members of the Light Brigade walking up the steps. A fist came smashing into his shoulder. Twirling to fight he stopped seeing Adam. “OWW!” he cried.
“We did it!” Adam yelled cackling in delight.
“Wooo! Stella yelled running down the hall right past them.
Rick stared at her as she ran past. “Was that our Stella?”
“She gets really excited after a win,” Assan said walking up.
“Wait for me!” Flare yelled after Stella running past.
“They both get really excited,” Adam said.
“Where are they going?” Rick asked.
“We don’t know, those two always ditch us after,” Assan said.
“We used to grab drinks with Mera,” Adam said. “But I heard you have a fondness for food.”
A silence filled the air. Rick didn’t know what to say.
“You had to mention Mera!” Assan griped and smacked the back of Adams head.
“Hey! I couldn’t stand the chick, and she mind controlled you,” Adam said.
“Guys,” Rick said cutting them off. “I was just attacked by two men.”
“And you’re mentioning this now?” Adam said. “No wonder you tried to take my head off!”
“Where’d they go?” Assan asked looking into the room.
“Portal.”
“I thought you were the only Lightning Elementalist,” Adam said.
Assan shook his head. “No, there’s one in Shadow Light.”
“His name is Taranis,” Rick said. “He used to be my friend.” I think I’ll leave out the whole vampire bit.
Assan snapped his fingers. “T!”
Rick nodded. “Yeah, he wrote the note.”
“Note?” Adam asked.
“You would know if you had come home earlier,” Assan said.
“I was dealing with things!” Adam yelled.
“We’ll report it,” Assan said.
Walking out from under the arena they approached a guard his breastplate glinting in the afternoon sun.
“Did you see them?” Assan yelled rushing up.
The
man spluttered. “What?”
“The men!” Assan yelled whipping his head back and forth. “Two men attacked my guildmate and we need to find them!”
Rick pretended to clutch his side.
“Calm down, you’re making a scene,” Adam hissed playing his part. “Did you see them?”
“N-N-No,” the guard stammered.
Adam placed his hand on the man's shoulder. “Could you take us to the king?”
“The king?”
Assan nodded. “We have reason to believe the men sent were part of another guild.”
“Y-es.” The guard nodded. “His Majesty would want to know.”
Rick flashed them a grin. It was always fun doing something like this. Walking with the guard they made their way to the king's tower. A few hushed whispers were all they needed to gain an audience. But once again Rick found himself waiting. This chamber hall was much, smaller than the one at the palace. The throne sat on one side of the room and they stood on the other, with several guards in between, filling the rest of the space. Eventually, the whole spiel of announcing the king took place and he walked in and sat on his throne.
“What is it? You are interrupting my celebration,” King Brutus said. “But I do congratulate you on your stupendous victory.”
Rick locked eyes with Assan. Nodding, he turned to the king. “Two men were sent to attack me. I believe they were sent by Taranis in the guild Shadow Light.
The king smirked. “And what proof do you have?”
“None,” Rick said.
“Get these peasants out of my sight,” King Brutus said standing up.
Rick’s eyes flared. I’ll deal with you soon, he thought.
“You are lucky I don’t arrest you for last time,” the king said glaring back.
Pivoting, Rick strode out of the room.
“We’ll protect you,” Assan said.
I don’t need protection, Rick thought. I need to get my bag and get back to the gate. “Thank you,” he said.
“Enough serious talk, it’s time to celebrate!” Adam said slapping them on the shoulder.
“Agreed,” Rick said grinning. “We can worry about this after.”
And that’s how he found himself in an inn named the Ugly Maiden, with a bowl of soup the size of his head. Not that he was complaining. A bowl this big, and he might get full for once.
“The first one to say they’re full pays the tab,” Assan said.
“It’s all on the guild’s tab,” Adam said shaking his head.
“Exactly,” Assan said smiling at them both.
“Then what’s the point?” Rick asked.
“I’m not going to be the one to tell her how much we spent,” Assan said picking up his bowl.
“We’ll see about that,” Adam said doing the same.
Picking up his own bowl Rick grinned at the two men. The broth was strong and was delicious. They spent the rest of the afternoon eating and chatting, Assan lost. Shortly after, a maid collecting the bowls, distracted Adam.
“Where are you going?” Assan said looking at him.
“I’m going to talk to the cutie over there,” Adam said standing up.
“You're ditching us?” Rick said giving him a pretend scowl.
“As much fun the two of you are—” He turned, walking away without finishing the thought.
Rick looked back over at Assan. “Where’s Devlin?”
“Don’t know,” Assan said chilling his half-empty cup with his finger. “He also disappears after the matches. We invite him, but he always says maybe next time.”
“Interesting,” Rick said.
“Time to go,” Adam said slapping the table as he ran past.
The sudden movement caused Assan to spill his drink.
“Why,” Assan asked grabbing his cup.
“Party!”
“Party?” Rick asked.
“There’s never been a party after the first match!” Assan said.
“There is now. Lilly told me if we hurried, we could get there before it starts.”
“Um, you sure she—" Rick started.
“No time for that, let’s go,” Adam said rushing out the door.
“I’m going to humor him,” Assan said standing up.
“I’ll catch up in a bit,” Rick said.
Nodding Assan ran out the door after Adam. Standing, Rick stretched. Walking out the door, he took a deep breath of the fresh evening air and watched the two men run off.
Chapter 20
“Y ou have to choose,” Flare said staring at Stella. “His life or yours.”
Stella didn’t meet her eyes. They were sitting inside a storage room at a table they cleared off. Years ago, they’d discovered this place, and ever since it’d been her and Flare’s spot.
“I can’t send my friends to their deaths,” she said staring at the board.
“It’s a card!”
“But he’s survived since turn one!” Stella said crossing her arms.
“Then it’s game over,” Flare said with a slight laugh.
Stella tried to keep her face as serious as she could. “Yes, it is,” she said tossing a card down.
Flare glared at her. After several seconds both their lips broke into a smile. Laughing they cleaned up their mess. Stella had been playing with Rick’s Lightning deck, while Flare had played a Steam deck. Water and fire. The room was small and dusty, and she could barely stand up straight, but she loved it. Each year, the tournament was different. But this room, this room never changed. Stretching, Stella picked up each card and stuck it back in the deck. Once she was done, she quickly straightened the pile and stuck it into the pouch. Pulling the drawstring closed, she stuck it in her shirt.
“Does Rick know you stole his cards?” Flare asked.
“Nope, and he’s not going to find out for some time.”
“Why?” Flare asked smiling.
“I’m going to give them back to him as a present.”
Flare laughed. “You’re going to give the man a present of his own belongings, that you stole?”
“I didn’t steal them!” Stella said grinning.
“You picked them up, kept them, and didn't tell him,” Flare said. “No, not stealing at all.”
Stella grabbed an ancient rag off one of the shelves and threw it at her. Flare caught it making a dust cloud exploded from it. Coughing, she dropped the rag and glared at Stella.
“Sorry,” Stella said trying to look cute.
“Mhm,” Flare said. “I’m glad you met him. I’m going to tell him you’ve been soooo lonely!”
“I have not!”
Flare shook her head. “I don’t believe you. If Assan wasn’t mine, I’d try to steal him away from you.”
“You and everyone else,” Stella said scowling.
“I’ll light up anyone who tries!” Flare said a flame appearing in her hands.
“Calm down, pyro,” Stella said laughing.
“Assan told me he jumped off of the wall and disappeared?”
“Yeah,” Stella said. “I need to grab him and get him to tell me how he does that.”
Flare poured herself a cup of water. “So, you could dive off the wall too?”
Stella shivered just at the thought of that. “No!”
“Can you tell me more about Syar?” Flare asked taking a sip.
“They’ll need help with the Gads,” Stella said. “According to Rick, there’s an entire army.”
Sighing, Flare slumped back in her chair. “There's too many balls in the air.”
“What?” Stella asked sitting next to her.
“I’m having Mera interrogated, but I can’t get anything out of her.”
Stella bit her lip. “We didn’t—”
“Have time to go into details,” Flare finished. “I know, and I feel like you’re not ready to share everything yet either.”
“No,” Stella said. “Rick did some things.”
“What can you tell me?” Flare asked.
&nbs
p; Stella told her. She told her about the city being vacant. She told her about the mind control. She told her about Rick blasting Assan’s eyes and how he then did it to the rest of the city.
“I’m still not sure how he did that,” Stella added.
“Either way it’s really impressive,” Flare said.
“Oh!” Stella said slapping the table. “I almost forgot. I met a man named Taranis down there.”
“Like the guild founder?”
“Exactly like him. He even looked exactly the same.”
Flare leaned forward. “Tell me more.”
Stella thought for a moment. “I think he could be the man manipulating Rick. I know he hates him.”
Flare pretended to choke her. “You didn’t mention this earlier!”
“We were busy,” she mumbled.
Flare stood. “We need to locate the boys. Who knows what trouble they’re getting into.”
“I’ll take a wild guess, Adam’s flirting, Assan is intimidating people, and Devlin is off discovering something useful—”
“And what about Rick?” Flare asked starting toward the door.
“And Rick’s lost,” Stella said.
Smiling at the thought of him, she scurried to catch up. “Should we check the rooms first?”
The competitor's tower was right across the street from them.
“No reason not to,” Flare said. “But do you expect to find them sitting quietly in their rooms?”
“Not in the slightest,” Stella said holding back a giggle. “But as you said, no reason not to.”
They made their way through the unused building. Walking outside, she turned around and looked at the Coliseum. Two more rounds and Lightning Gem would have another year without having to worry, and then they could go help Raven.
“If things don’t work out with Rick,” Flare said pointing. “You could do worse.”
Devlin was walking toward them from the other side of the street.
“Devlin?”
“Yeah.”
“He wouldn’t be interested.”
For some reason, Flare doubled over laughing and died.
“What’s so funny?” Devlin asked reaching them.
“I told—”
“Not another word out of you!” Flare said straightened up. “You don’t want to know,” Flare added wiping away a tear.
Gemini- The Beginning Of The End Page 22