“Why do you want to keep your Studies hidden?” he asked.
The wine came, and Monique wanted to enjoy every single sip. To do that, they couldn’t be talking about all this hard stuff. Her secrets were difficult to discuss, as difficult as why she played along with the entire LBA and the movies and the comic books and the flow of modern life and how it viewed Artists and the Arts.
Barton wasn’t there, so someone at the table needed to dissemble. “Why is Niko Black your brother and not your friend?”
Aleksy swallowed. “It’s complicated.”
She raised her wineglass. “As all families are. Honesty is messy. Let’s keep this nice little café clean tonight.”
The Leap
THURSDAY NIGHT, NIKO stood on the ledge of the concrete canyon overlooking Estrecho Street, a narrow lane that led to Highway 101. It was twenty-five feet from lip to lip, about a twelve-foot plunge to racing cars. Olympic long jumpers regularly leapt over twenty feet with limited prana usage. The world record was over twenty-four feet. That was with simple muscles and breath.
Pax had found Estrecho Street while working his CDOT job, and it was that night’s training ground. On either side of the street there were patches of uneven, trash-littered ground. Evelyn had made the jump, using her First Study, Tidal Force, to power her legs. She’d then accessed her Second and Third Studies, Ethereal Dissipation and Steam. The combination allowed her to float down to the other side, the hot air lifting her half-phased body like a hot wind on a helium balloon.
Under the July sky, her Luna Studies were at their zenith. Niko also felt the power vibrating in the air since he was a cusp with Luna.
After her successful jump, Evelyn had gone to a nearby Apollo Coffee Shop to get them iced coffees. The sun was high and hot in the sky. The heat made all the odors stronger: the stink of eucalyptus trees, the weeds in the empty lots, and the hot drodes of the cars below.
Pax made the leap, barely. He nearly emptied his prana in the race up to the ledge using the speed of his Sanguine Second Study. Then, after a massive grunt, he hurled himself over the cars. He saw he was coming up short. He created a lip in the concrete using his Third Study. He landed and rolled into the weeds. He then repaired the cement.
Danette walked over a nearby bridge. It was a valid choice, since none of her abilities touched on flying. And it was basically flying to leap from one side to the other.
Niko didn’t need to make the jump either. They wouldn’t kick him out of the group, they wouldn’t think less of him; however, there would be teasing involved, especially from Pax. It wouldn’t be cruel, just lighthearted fun among friends.
Pax stood on the other side. He had to shout over the traffic under them. “Try it out, Niko. You have your Quintessence Second Study. If it looks like you won’t make it, I’ll catch you with a ton of hard, unyielding rock. What could go wrong?”
Danette yelled over. “Yeah. And if he can’t catch you with his Create Rock, I’ll use Lightning Hurl to break your fall.”
“That’s not how that works!” Niko shouted.
“Don’t tell me what I can and can’t do!” Danette called back.
Niko jogged back to a chain-link fence. It was important he make the jump for several reasons: his own personal safety, avoiding damaging someone else’s car with his face, and if they were caught, Pax would lose his job. He couldn’t miss.
He could always turn around, walk across the bridge, and get his coffee without worrying about making the jump. He wasn’t going to take that option, though. He was feeling strong, confident, and he did have Pax on the other side, ready to help.
Niko raced toward the edge, fueling his legs with his Second Study. Fleet Avoidance was meant to be used to dodge attacks, yet Niko used it to increase his all-around speed.
Months of cycling, of meditating, of reinforcing his body, paid off. He launched himself off the concrete ledge and floated over the traffic. It wasn’t going to be a perfect jump. It was going to be close.
He came down, feet digging into the cement side, his hands latching onto the lip. He kicked himself up and over and came down, rolling. He lay on his back, breathing hard, his head swimming from the fear and victory.
He let out a laugh. “And how is this going to help me fight?”
Pax stood over him and put out a hand. “Pushing our abilities? Coming up with creative solutions? Offering advice? It’s all about the Arts, man. The Arts are more than Arenas. But you know that. You and Evelyn love your Pranad.”
Niko pulled himself upright. He wiped sweat from his brow.
“What about using your Twin Damage to manifest prana you can use to walk on?” Danette asked. “Instead of creating fists, you use it to create kicks. You walk on those feet.”
“Next time?” he asked.
Danette shrugged. “Or tonight, if you’re up for it.”
Niko had gotten better with his kicks. Still, this wasn’t anything he’d ever done before. “Let me try Twin Damage with kicks first. Then maybe. I like the idea.”
Pax fell into his fighting stance. “Try it now. I got my Ox Endurance on, so I can take a nice solid kick.”
Niko approached him, bouncing a little. He lashed out with a side kick, concentrating on Twin Damage. He was going to try and create feet instead of fists. It was like writing with his left hand. He knew the motion, though it was awkward.
He managed to manifest half of a foot above his own right boot. Both his real foot and the orange-colored foot above thumped into Pax’s chest. He took it with a grunt. “Almost. Keep practicing.”
Evelyn walked up, balancing the four cups in a cardboard holder. “Did Niko take the bridge, or did he make the leap?”
“He made the leap,” Pax said. “Though Danette has given him homework for next time. Manifest his Twin Damage to walk on his own prana feet over the cars.”
“It’s an interesting idea.” Evelyn lifted the tray and Niko retrieved his coffee, a little coconut milk, a lot of ice, no sugar. He was slimming down. He still had a little belly, but he was intent on getting rid of it.
Danette grabbed hers, a big concoction of cow’s milk and sugar, and any number of flavorings.
“I’d die of embarrassment if I had to order that,” Pax joked. “Peppermint s’more vanilla frappe. And is there coffee in there somewhere?”
“We’ll run back to the house,” Danette said. “I’ll burn off some of the calories.”
They sat down on the ledge above the cars, legs dangling. The shadows had grown long, though the heat wasn’t going away anytime soon. The concrete warmed his jeans. It scalded him if he touched it with his hands. He didn’t mind. He held his plastic cup and felt the ice there.
He shivered from all the sensations. “So, do we ever spar? You’ve not given me a very good answer.”
“We bring outside Artists in on Fridays,” Danette said. “We don’t fight each other. It’s probably not a good idea hitting your friends.”
“I did all the time growing up,” Niko said. “It’s just practice, working on technique, that kind of thing. There’s a trust element that comes into play. I trust that you know how to protect yourself, and you trust me not to hit too hard.”
For the first time since he’d started training with the Sages, he experienced an awkward silence. Pax didn’t joke. Evelyn seemed to collapse inside herself. Danette sipped her drink.
“Okay, I said the wrong thing,” Niko said. “I’m sorry.”
Danette shook her head. “You didn’t. It’s me. I don’t want to hit friends. We get sparring on the odd Friday night, when I can find an Artist to come out with us. We use the YMCA’s Arena near the Rose Garden.”
“I don’t want to hit friends either,” Evelyn said in a quiet voice. “And I don’t want to get hit either. It’s not just you, Danette. It’s me as well.”
Pax stabbed Niko in the arm with his elbow. “If you want, Niko, I’ll hit you. And you can hit me. We’ll be the hit brothers. It’ll be awesome.”
“Labor Day Weekend.” Danette exhaled. “Hennessey contacted me, and you should read the email. It was a bit hostile, heavy on the condescension. We’re in the afternoon slot. That night, Andrew J. Coffey is going to be fighting with Angel Ayunar and Drake Shade.”
“Angel was one of our Friday night fighters,” Pax said. “She’s awesome. And good. And so nice. I’m glad she’s getting to be on Coffey’s team. She deserves the limelight.”
“A Triumvirate,” Niko said. “I can sit this one out. I’m the new guy. Besides, I want to watch you guys take apart the Premiers. I’m going to take pictures of the surprise on their faces.”
Danette tapped her cup on the ledge. “No, Niko. I want to sit this one out. For one, you have more of a following in Bay City. Also, you’re hot right now. You need to capitalize on that. If you are on the bill for another BCBA Con, it would really help you solidify your reputation.”
“Also, from what you’ve said, you want to punch Cooper Ramsey in his face,” Pax boomed then laughed.
Cooper Ramsey. Timothy. He should be fighting, and yes, Niko wouldn’t mind using Twin Damage on him.
Pax chuckled and added, “And Danette can continue to be our elusive, mysterious mentor, the Unrepresented Battle Artist who started a revolution with the Sages of the Underpass.”
“How did this all get started?” Niko hoped this question didn’t cause another avalanche of awkwardness.
It didn’t.
Danette answered, “Evelyn and I work at the same school, Rose Garden Elementary. I knew her mother, who, like Pax said on Tuesday, was very famous.”
Evelyn sighed. It sounded heartbroken. Evelyn was always reserved, shy, but she seemed like a turtle retreating into her shell. Because of his first question about sparring with each other? Or because of her very famous mother?
“Evelyn is a kindergarten teacher,” Niko said. “I remember that. What do you do there?”
Danette leaned back on her hands, kicking her legs on the ledge. “I work in the office. Part-time secretary and full-time sub. I can work as much or as little as I want. It’s helped me travel to matches, and I have time to work on marketing Danni Dragon. It’s a good fit.”
“It’s a great deal you got there,” Pax said. “Evelyn gets summers off. But me? Poor Paxton, I have to work all the time always. This is me, being tragic.”
“You love your life,” Evelyn murmured. “Don’t be such a drama queen.”
Pax quirked a grin. “Drama king. I’m the man. All the ladies say so.”
The two were so different. Yet, Niko could see them together. Well, if Pax ever settled down. He was out every weekend and dated roughly every other girl from the Devil’s Edge to Bay City. Evelyn was single, and busy, teaching kids.
Danette focused on her Battle Artist career. She didn’t wear a wedding ring. She didn’t talk much about her past. The only thing he knew for sure was that she used to own the house where they met by the Underpass. The house that was boarded up and sealed shut. And she had grown kids. Three at least, if not more.
“How did you meet Pax?” Niko asked Danette.
“One of my son’s friends. Paxton was semi-serious. I had to nurture his motivation a little bit, since he’s easily distracted.” Danette smiled.
“How is Joey?” Pax asked.
“Joey is Joey,” Danette answered. “You should call him. He’d love to hear from you.”
“See? Such a mom,” Pax said. “I kid you not. Sometimes she cuts out newspaper articles and brings them to us. As if newspapers were still a thing.”
Niko frowned. “Danette, really, you should fight at the next Con. You’re doing this full time or trying to. If you don’t have many fans in Bay City, this is your opportunity to change that.”
Danette pushed herself back from the ledge. “No, Niko. I want to be the elusive master for now, the mysterious woman who started the Sages. Don’t worry. I will be pushing this event. I have great fans on the central coast that will be there. At this stage, there’s more of a benefit for you three to fight. As long as you give the fans a good show.”
“Don’t you mean win?” Niko asked. No, she didn’t. He knew it. He put on his sarcastic face. “Winning will get us fans, fans will get us representation, and that means contracts, unicorns, and puppies.”
“And chicks, man, lots of chicks.” Pax collected their cups. They slid through a cut in the fence and walked through a park. Pax found a trash can.
They all started stretching, getting ready for the run back to the Underpass house.
“Are you okay with quitting the Premiers?” Evelyn asked. “We all assumed you were, since you’re with us now. But I want to make sure.”
“Aww, Evelyn, always the softy. Worried about Niko’s feelings.” Pax fluttered his eyelashes.
Niko gave him an are-you-kidding-me look. “Andrew J. Coffey called me an asshole. I can add that to my resume. But Pax, if you were there, I’m thinking he would’ve seen a real asshole in action. I thought I was more of a jerkface or something.”
“You are a definite jerkface,” Pax said.
“Come on, guys.” Evelyn’s words came out a bit forceful. “Niko, are you okay?”
Danette lifted her eyebrows. “I’d like to know too. It’s not every day you walk away from agents and corporations and possible contracts.”
“I’m okay.” Niko looked them all in their faces. “This feels right. You’re pushing me to be better, to use the Arts in new ways. I don’t know what the future holds, but I want to do what feels right.”
“The Artist follows the Art even as the Art follows the Artist.” Evelyn knew her Pranad.
“This is where I’m supposed to be,” Niko agreed. “We’re going to beat the Premiers. And if we don’t, we’re going to have people talking about us.”
“Yes, without a doubt we will,” Danette agreed. “Right now, this summer, and this September, we are creating a legend, one night at a time.”
Niko remembered what Bonnie said about creating her career one song, one fan at a time.
They jogged through the park, through bright streets, through the heat, back to the house near the Underpass.
Niko biked home, wringing every last bit of energy out of his muscles. Sitting down, cycling his prana, was going to feel so good, especially since he didn’t need to take Wochick’s nightmare tincture. He did use the vape pen, twelve breaths in, twelve breaths out.
He sat, cross-legged, and did the Duodecim, letting go of his thoughts, focusing on his breath, cycling his prana.
Half an hour later, his alarm went off. He was free to shower, to check his So-Me, to get ready for bed. No calls for Teddy. That was good, since it meant Teddy didn’t need to work, but it was equally bad, since they’d have to pay Teddy without any extra income.
Niko sat at his laptop, and he saw he’d gotten five more fans. He posted on his Fan page, sharing a link to the BCBA’s main page, where the Labor Day Battle Con was being promoted, Traditional Artists versus Unrepresented.
Niko included links to Evelyn’s page. She’d finally created a So-Me profile, however sparse. Evelyn Beast didn’t care about all the pomp. Pax’s page was better, with a nice logo at the top, The Peacekeeper.
Finally, Niko posted he’d be fighting against his old critique group, the Premiers. He was throwing in his hat, publicly, with the Unrepresented.
His fears easily fell away. The path would be made clear. This would be one time when the Art would chase the Artist. Him.
For whatever reason, call it fate, or the capriciousness of So-Me’s algorithm, but his post immediately began getting liked, which pushed it forward, and he saw more peop
le following him.
Cooper Ramsey commented. SEE YOU IN THE ARENA, NIKO. THERE IS NO WAY YOU ARE WALKING OUT OF THERE ALIVE. SO MUCH FOR YOUR CAREER.
Timothy. He didn’t really mean he’d kill Niko. No, it was all bravado, intimidation, nurturing fear, which would only work if Niko let himself be afraid. He refused to do that.
Random strangers disagreed with Cooper Ramsey’s post, while others said they looked forward to seeing Niko fight again.
Then, a surprise, Dr. Wochick posted, wishing him good luck and reminding him they had an appointment that Monday.
Niko wasn’t about to miss it. He wanted answers. Why did he have Radiance prana in his core? And why hadn’t Wochick caught that before?
More comments. More likes. More linked posts. That one little action had triggered something in the community.
The Art was chasing him. Niko grinned. He’d conquer that mountain, one pebble at a time.
Wochick proved useless and didn’t give Niko any information on the errant Artist prana in his core.
And the Sunday after, Aleksy and he lost it. Without Pete there, the two got into it again, over what, it didn’t matter.
Like always, any gains Niko made as a Battle Artist meant conflict with his family. It was a familiar song he’d heard one too many times.
The Walk
A SUMMER SUNDAY NIGHT, Monique was in her apartment, alone with Logan, working at her laptop at the kitchen table. Late evening, the sun was fighting the fog, and everything was painted in soft colors. She had a stick of incense burning. Her phone buzzed on the table. A surprise text from Aleksy. He’d been driving around, upset about something, and he wanted to talk.
They still hadn’t finished their discussion concerning the nature of power. And Aleksy’s relationship with his brother. Niko Black had been burning up the internet and even got an article in The Bay City Mercury News. Local boy does good. More than that, he was put at the center of the Traditional versus Unrepresented debate, which was screaming loudly in her ear at present.
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