《Miracle Weapon Hunt》


 The Thunder Axe

    ¡°So, what¡¯s the status on Sandala?¡±


    Cassandra whispered to herself over the deck of her airship, looking into a pair of binoculars. One other ship docked next to the Sandala Grand. Shouldn¡¯t be anything too major to deal with. The surrounding housing ships were all disconnected, and the flames underneath the grand were still bursting with life.


    ¡°What¡¯s the security on the housing ships?¡± She asked the helmsman.


    ¡°Maximum. But two were ravaged and they could definitely break through the rest if they wanted to, and it¡¯d be no question if they got the axe.¡±


    ¡°Okay, we need to make this quick.¡± Cassandra nodded. ¡°Prepare to land!¡±


    The small carry ship flew over and would be five minutes before they land. So with nothing troublesome seeming to hide on the horizon, she checked her weapon stash.


    A battle axe? No. It was strong, but the time between swings could lead to her getting stabbed if the new fighters were as strong as she heard they were.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see, one pre-sky shortsword should hopefully be enough.¡± She casually sheathed her weapon into her belt, tucking a few daggers in her green varsity jacket in case anything unexpected appeared.


    The ship docked, and Cassandra donned her green cap over her ginger hair and walked out with her crew of about twenty into the airship.


    Once she entered the main testing facility of the unmoving airship, the chill of the area washed over her. The facility had nothing but a grand central hall completely devoid of life. The news of the invasion only broke a day ago, yet it felt like nothing ever existed here. The only thing preventing complete darkness was a dim emergency light weakly illuminating the hallways.


    ¡°Any signs of life?¡± She asked.


    ¡°Not feeling anything.¡±


    ¡°Okay. Inspect the area for spare generators and survivors. Anyone who wants to find the axe, come with me.¡±


    Around five people stood with Cassandra while the rest scattered into the separate bedrooms on each side of the main hall to hunt. She took the stairs up to another set of hallways, checking the rooms. There were a few nicely decorated bedrooms as well as a few rooms displaying projections of grids next to them.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯m guessing the axe is at the top. But it could be hidden underneath.¡± Cassandra said to her men. ¡°If anyone wants to go down and see if there¡¯s an elevator, feel free.¡±


    Three men nodded and went downstairs from her view. Cassandra headed upwards, with nothing in terms of interest springing out. One room had a poster, with a stack of magazines on the bed. She flicked through them and placed them in her bag when nobody was looking. Something for Roxanne to look at later, perhaps.


    With the floor scoped out and nothing of interest, she headed to the third floor. The lights were off completely. She turned the light switch on by the stairway, and the emergency lights made a dim path towards a metal walkway above an unused electrical grid.


    She took her sword out. If this light was still working, then it was more than likely somebody turned it off.


    ¡°Any signs of life?¡±


    Her companion felt the air around him.


    ¡°The air feels different then the other floors.¡± He confirmed. ¡°There could be someone else around.¡±


    ¡°Thanks. Stay back.¡±


    She dropped her bag and walked outwards, sword in hand. She made it to the other end of the walkway, where a small garden lay underneath a glass roof showing the sun in all its glory. And just past that was a small tower, and a voice.


    ¡°Come on! Open up!¡±


    The young man in the hoodie was kicking the door to the building.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± Cassandra asked.


    The man turned around. Black hoodie with white sleeves, with a spear on his back. Shaggy black hair peering over his hood.


    ¡°I¡¯m looking for the thunder axe. What¡¯s your deal?¡±


    ¡°And I take it you¡¯re with the new legions?¡±


    ¡°Number thirty-five out of five hundred. But while we¡¯re on allegiances, who would you be with?¡±


    ¡°I live with the miracle scouting group, top one out of twenty-five.¡±


    ¡°Ah, just some small timer then.¡± The man sneered while pulling his spear out. ¡°So, how would you prefer to die? Head or heart?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you when I decide.¡± Cassandra replied calmly.


    Cassandra ran towards him, sidestepping the thrust of Thirty-Fives spear. She ran towards him, stabbing forward with her blade. Thirty-Five aimed his spear between Cassandra¡¯s legs, and she barely managed to jump on the spear¡¯s hilt and use the swing¡¯s momentum to propel herself upwards. While she was airborne, she threw a dagger downwards. Thirty-Five managed to swipe it away, but while the spear was to his side, she landed a kick to his face.


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    Thirty-Five yelled out in pain and swiped as Cassandra tried to jump away. She thought the distance was good enough, but the pain in her left leg said otherwise. She was able to stand but stepping forward would be painful.


    Cassandra jumped back when the man tried to stab her again, struggling to land on her feet as the landing pain hit her. All she needed was a quick minute, and her leg would hopefully be fine.


    ¡°So, what are you fighting for, anyway?¡± She asked, holding her sword to her face.


    ¡°I¡¯m just trying to collect the thunder axe.¡± Thirty-Five replied.


    ¡°Okay, but why is the new legion trying to collect it?¡± She asked.


    ¡°We¡¯re trying to get all the relic weapons.¡± He announced calmly. ¡°Once we get them all, we¡¯ll be able to destroy the Lux and the other kingdoms, and nobody will be able to stop us!¡±


    ¡°I see. Well, seems like a good reason to stop you.¡±


    Her leg was healed, so she leapt back into action, thrusting her sword forward. Thirty-Five was taken aback, swinging his spear forward. But Cassandra merely grabbed the hilt and swiped it out of his hands. She grabbed his hoodie and headbutted him, slamming him against the metal railing of the walkway. He tried wrestling her sword away from her, but she pushed him over the railing before he could try anything.


    He fell into the grid with the sound of something breaking as he hit the ground. Cassandra ran down the stairway with the two others. Thirty-five survived the fall and was slowly getting up.


    ¡°Look for a switch, quick!¡±


    The three of them ran around the perimeter of the wall, and out of view behind a potted plant was a switch. The man who discovered it slammed the button down.


    The grid sprang to life, and Thirty-five screamed out as he died inside it. And as his screams faded, the electricity in the building came back to life.


    ¡°Good job, Tomas.¡± Cassandra said, putting her sword back in her belt.


    As she went back to the tower, she picked up the spear Thirty-five was holding. Solid weight behind it, with some grooves on the tip of the spear to do some real internal damage. Looked like a decent post-sky weapon she didn¡¯t have, so that was reason enough to pick it up. And as she went into the small tower, she found¡­nothing. The tower just seemed to be the boss room in security mode.


    Just then, she got a call on her phone. She flipped it open, and on the other hand was another one of her men.


    ¡°Cassandra! There¡¯s a wielder downstairs! You gotta come quick, he can- ¡°


    The call cut off, and Cassandra ran down to the ground floor before the others could catch up. On the ground floor was an elevator, which she ran into while slamming the down button.


    Once she got off the elevator, the corpse of the one of her men lay right in front of her, riddled with holes. The only thing in the room was a dark hallway with a figure at the end, in front of an open door.


    ¡°So, are you the reason I can¡¯t contact Cole?¡± A raspy man¡¯s voice at the end of a hallway asked.


    ¡°Is he ranked thirty-fifth?¡± Cassandra asked. ¡°Because if so, he died in the grid upstairs.¡±


    ¡°You bitch!¡± The voice yelled. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll let you know I¡¯m ranked number twenty-two. So come a little closer. I dare you.¡±


    Shadows enveloped the elevator behind Cassandra, and she responded by throwing a dagger forward. The dagger was immediately caught by a series of tendrils popping out of the dark hallway. Cassandra ran forward, her legs getting slashed by a series of shadows trying to grab her. But as long as she kept running, she wouldn¡¯t feel the pain. And her legs would hopefully recover enough between each slash to reach the cloaked figure at the end.


    A shadow was shot forward as another tripped Cassandra up. It shot past her face, barely missing her. She felt a bleeding sensation on where her left ear should be, and when she checked, it was gone.


    She kept running. Julian could fix her up later, worst case scenario. She thrust her sword forward in a last-ditch effort to finish this man. Twenty-two grabbed her sword out of her hand with his tendrils, with more appearing to snare her limbs.


    ¡°Hm, no lasting damage, it seems. If I were to guess, I¡¯d say you¡¯re a wielder with some kind of regeneration ability. And if my cuts can¡¯t damage you, I¡¯ll just be forced to call for backup.¡±


    Twenty-two quickly threw her in the door behind him and covered it in a thick layer of shadows. She immediately stood up and looked behind her. And behind her were rows upon rows of axes. About a dozen downwards and across. In the middle of the first row was the body of one of her men, his face frozen in dying agony with a hand outstretched.


    She apologized to his body as she removed his shoe. She threw it at one of the axes, and it exploded into a brilliant display of lightning as it clashed with the axe.


    So, if she were to guess, one of the axes were real, and the rest would kill her if she touched it. She walked past the rows of axes looking for some kind of distinction. There had to be at least a minor one, otherwise some intern would get killed finding it. As she continued her inspection, she heard a faint voice. She looked towards the body.


    Still dead. And there was hopefully nobody else in the room to speak. So, as she followed the voice, it got more frequent. Words too quiet to make out, but the weapon was saying something.


    So, this was the distinction then? With nothing else to go off, she grabbed the axe.


    The other axes disappeared. The axe started glowing with electricity in her hands. It was a large double ended axe. Grey with golden edges. Its size meant it would be hard for her to wield, but she was willing to use it. She slashed downwards on the layer of shadows, and a burst of electricity quickly melted it.


    Twenty-two looked at her in fear. He tried throwing up another wall of shadows, only for a flash of electricity to light up the room and melt them. Twenty-two screamed as the axe cut through him in one smooth motion.


    Cassandra picked up Lincolns and Buck¡¯s body, her ear, and the spear, and made her way to the elevator.


    Once she got up, she found the other members of her team. One was holding two generators, and one was holding a boxed set of daggers.


    ¡°We lost Lincoln and Buck.¡± She announced. ¡°But we have the axe. Now get on the ship before more of the new legion arrive.¡±


    As she said that, an explosion went off behind her. She looked in front of the door, and a man holding a grenade launcher was in front of her.


    ¡°You twenty-two¡¯s backup?¡± Cassandra asked.


    ¡°Number fourteen.¡± He replied. He was more muscular than the other guys. Older too, with a scar across his face. Wearing a white tank top and baggy jeans. He fired a grenade at the group, which Cassandra swiped away with her axe. It barely made its way past her, exploding a small distance away.


    ¡°Get to the ship, now!¡±


    More explosions filled the area as Cassandra tried batting them away. She took a grenade to the leg, barely managing to keep it intact. She was forced to drop the two bodies as she ran to the escape.


    The remaining crew got into the ship, with the man following her close behind, firing more of his seemingly endless supply of grenades. Cassandra and her crew were able to get onto the ship and start it before he could get any closer.


    ¡°So, on the way to miracle?¡± The helmsman asked.


    ¡°Yep. Onwards to miracle.¡±

 Welcome to Miracle

    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s see now. Hero applicant number fifteen¡­Ace Harada, age fourteen?¡±


    Roxanne adjusted her glasses to get a better look at the young boy sitting in front of her. The unkempt brown hair hiding beneath his baseball cap and the red jacket combined with the nervous green eyes darting around the sterile walls of the review room didn¡¯t exactly scream seasoned hero.


    ¡°That¡¯s me, yeah.¡± Ace nodded.


    ¡°Okay, okay.¡± Roxanne nodded. ¡°So, any idea what your greatest skill would be?¡±


    ¡°I guess drumming?¡± Ace replied.


    ¡°I see.¡± Roxanne nodded, jotting it down with a quick ¡®rhythm-based combat?¡¯ next to it.


    ¡°And you were brought here because of the housing attack on Sandala, correct?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Ace replied.


    ¡°And do you have anyone you can go back too?¡± She asked. ¡°Relatives in other housing ships?¡±


    ¡°A couple, probably. But working as a hero in Sandala sounds cool as well, I guess.¡±


    ¡°I can recommend it.¡± Roxanne nodded. ¡°But it is a lot of hard work to achieve, especially in the higher levels.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but I could probably pull it off. I¡¯m a wielder, too.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s interesting.¡± Roxanne said, looking up from her notes. ¡°What kind of ability?¡±


    Ace stood up and moved the wooden chair he was sitting on to one side. He breathed in, pushed his hands outward, and a small bubble appeared around him.


    ¡°Ooh, an astral bubble.¡± Roxanne nodded, jotting it into her notes. ¡°It¡¯s a bit thin, though. How long have you had it?¡±


    ¡°Only about two years.¡± Ace replied, sitting back down. ¡°But it gets thicker if I¡¯m in trouble.¡±


    ¡°I see, I see.¡± Roxanne said, adding that detail. ¡°Well, you seem like a decent candidate for the hero program. But if things don¡¯t work out, you can just go back, right? I¡¯ll look over your papers, and you¡¯re free to go. You can take the cans on my desk if you want.¡±


    Ace hopped off his chair and left the room after taking a few cans of soda, leaving Roxanne alone in the room. She yawned, looking into the mirror to see if she looked more tired than usual. She looked more or less the same. Deep black skin with shoulder length frizzy black hair and thick circular glasses, and a wine-coloured sweater and basic denim jeans. And to top off the outfit was an octangular necklace with a purple gem embedded in it. So with nothing else to do, she went into the canteen for a coffee.


    She went next door from the interview room into the canteen. A pretty sterile place with white walls and some tables to sit people down. On one half of the room was kids left orphaned from the Sandala attack. There were around fifteen including Ace discussing things among themselves. A lot of the time it¡¯s gloomy, but these kids were discussing hero life and where they could end up.


    On the other side were the workers. Just people made to look after the ship and the kids. Only about five in a circle talking about the state of their small airship. And sitting alone was Julian, casually drinking a grape soda while looking down at the clouds.


    ¡°So I¡¯m guessing Cass is coming back soon?¡± Roxanne asked from behind him.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Julian nodded. ¡°Med room is pretty slow today, so I¡¯m relaxing here.¡±


    His eye met hers. His other eye was lost in the very first invasion of the New Legion, and a strand of jet-black hair covered what was lost. Other than that he had a red beanie and a black hoodie with a black and pink skull on the back. It was honestly surprising that he was allowed to wear it during work hours.


    ¡°Say, speaking of Cass, wouldn¡¯t be a good idea to shower before she gets here? You know, make yourself at least a little more presentable?¡±


    Working as a doctor with an ability in necromancy meant he was extremely interested in testing the limits of his abilities. This meant he had to surround himself in dead bodies as a hobby. And somehow, he always smelt worse.


    ¡°Eh, she¡¯ll manage as long as my clothes are clean.¡± Julian shrugged. ¡°Wait, is this the hat I wear or the one I store parts in?¡± He took the hat off and put a hand in there.


    ¡°It¡¯s the body part hat.¡± He whispered to himself.


    Roxanne tried not to vomit as the smell worsened with his statement, but it quickly left as the doors opened and a bombastic ¡°We¡¯re back!¡± Was announced so loud that the higher-ups upstaits probably heard it.


    Julian ran down once he heard it. And at the door was the adventuring team with bags in hand. And Cassandra¡¯s wild ginger hair was right in the centre of it.


    ¡°Julian!¡± She yelled once they locked eyes and hugging a second later.


    ¡°Cass!¡± Roxanne announced, and they too hugged. ¡°How¡¯d it go?¡±


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    ¡°Well, we lost two people. But we secured the axe. And we got enough generators to keep the place afloat for a while, anyway. Got a new spear, too.¡±


    ¡°Wait, you got the axe? Can I see it?¡± Julian asked.


    Roxanne silently opened up the case the weapon was held in, and Julian was awestruck at the axe inside. Even he could tell the details of the axe were immense. And how fine crafted it was, too.


    ¡°So you gotta report this, right?¡± Roxanne asked.


    ¡°Not if there¡¯s a medical emergency.¡± Cassandra replied, moving her hair to reveal her lost ear.


    ¡°You got your own?¡± Julian asked.


    Cassandra took her dismembered ear out and showed it to him, and Julian nodded.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t be too hard.¡± Julian replied. ¡°Follow me.¡±


    The three went to Julian¡¯s room. Outside of the barely visible window displaying the clouds outside, it was almost pitch black. Black walls with neon white lights lining the walls. The window was being covered by a pile of books, with some jars of crawling creatures sitting next to it. And when Roxanne looked inside, she noticed a bears corpse lying on the bottom bunk.


    ¡°Is that a bear?¡± Roxanne asked.


    ¡°Experiment.¡± Julian replied quickly. ¡°It¡¯s dead for now, so don¡¯t worry.¡±


    ¡°For now?¡± Roxanne asked, her eyes widening at the bear tucked away beneath the sheets.


    ¡°Perpetual life force. I¡¯ll explain once Cass can hear again.¡±


    Julian took the ear away from Cassandra and went over to the crawling jar. He took out a black beetle from inside and crushed it in his palm. Julian covered the edge of Cassandra¡¯s ear with the now glowing liquid from his hand and stuck back on.


    ¡°Okay, hold that in place for ten minutes and we should be good. You¡¯ll know when your ears pop.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Jules.¡± Cassandra said with a peck on the cheek. ¡°Now if you excuse me, I gotta drop something off at my room. Roxanne, I¡¯ll need you for this.¡±


    Roxanne followed her across the hall to their room. Both Roxanne and Cassandra had their own beds on each side of the room. While Roxanne¡¯s was quiet, with only a cassette player with a small pile of cassettes alongside a dresser and wardrobe, Cassandra basically had a small armoury on her half. All of them were weapons from her travels. The most impressive on her wall, with the more common weapons on a small pile on the floor.


    ¡°So, you need my help hanging up a new weapon?¡± Roxanne asked.


    ¡°Nah. I managed to find the goods in Sandala.¡±


    Cassandra opened up her bag, and inside it was a stack of magazines, which she handed to her. Roxanne opened the first one, with the shirtless man greeting her with his deep green eyes. She flicked through the pages of men, all in extravagant poses and as little clothing as possible. She kept looking through it¡­


    ¡°I¡¯m not feeling it.¡± Roxanne said, looking up.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Cassandra said, looking to the page. ¡°Do you not see the abs on that guy? Or this dude?¡±


    ¡°The physique is good, yes. I¡¯m just not freaking out over them.¡±


    ¡°Right, right.¡± Cassandra sighed. ¡°Well, hopefully you¡¯ll find somebody during the world tour.¡±


    ¡°Hopefully.¡± Roxanne sighed in return. ¡°Wait, it¡¯s still on, right?¡±


    ¡°Well, we have a relic weapon now. I¡¯ll probably pawn the responsibility to the higher ups here, but it might take a few months if I have to stick around for the Grand construction.¡±


    ¡°You serious?¡± Roxanne moaned, looking into the sky.


    ¡°Yeah. But hey, you¡¯re only eighteen. True love can wait a long time if you¡¯re dedicated enough to it. Anyway, I gotta report to the higher ups.¡±


    Cassandra walked up the spiral stairway into the management room. Secretly dreading the hour long talks about construction she¡¯d be stuck listening to for three hours. Physically anyway, she¡¯d last half an hour mentally, tops. She knocked on the door in the middle of the floor to begin.


    No response.


    The clock said 16. They were always available this time. Something happen to one of them? She tried opening the door. Locked.


    ¡°Oh, doors locked. Must be some kind of trap set in place.¡±


    A bored sounding voice was on the other side of the door. Sounded like a woman, anyways.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it, don¡¯t worry!¡±


    A man¡¯s voice was heard next, followed by rapidly approaching footsteps. Cassandra leapt back as the door was destroyed, shattered pieces of metal dropping next to her like bullets brushing past her. The stench of blood emanating behind her as soon as the door opened.


    ¡°Hey, there¡¯s someone here!¡± The man yelled. A pale bald wall of pure shirtless muscle holding a battle hammer, with a smaller tanned woman next to him in a plain black turtleneck. The two guards stood in front of the door, and with a single swing of his hammer their bodies were shattered in a mass of cracking noises.


    ¡°She¡¯s the one who led the Sandala expedition. Kill her.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t gotta tell me twice!¡±


    Cassandra ran and the two gave chase. She jumped down the spiral stairway once it was safe to do so. As she dropped to the floor, the shockwave of the hammer¡¯s impact shook the building.


    Cassandra ran into the main hall, where Roxanne stood in front of her trying to adjust her glasses.


    ¡°Get the kids on a ship!¡± Cassandra yelled. ¡°We¡¯re under attack!¡±


    Roxanne ran towards the canteen, and Cassandra jumped to where the axe was being stored. She shoved past the men guarding it and grabbed it. The energy coursing through her body once again. She ran out, and the two attackers were in the main hall to meet her.


    ¡°So that¡¯s the Sandala axe!¡± The man yelled out. ¡°So we can just take it, right?¡±


    ¡°Naturally.¡± The girl by him nodded. ¡°Just don¡¯t take her lightly.¡±


    ¡°Wait, what are your rankings?¡± Cassandra asked.


    ¡°Number six!¡± The man yelled.


    ¡°Number three hundred on the dot.¡± The woman replied calmly, with her hands behind her back.


    Well, shit. If she could barely escape number twelve, then fighting number six was going to be a problem. She readied her axe and waited for the pile of muscle to make a move.


    ¡°Miss, I regret to inform you that we are using a relic weapon. So if you value the lives of everyone involved in this operation, you¡¯ll hand it over.¡± Three hundred said calmly.


    ¡°Yeah, not letting that happen.¡± Cassandra replied. ¡°If I lose, you gain another weapon to terrorize the world with. If I win, you lose a major relic.¡±


    ¡°Whatever you say.¡± Three hundred sighed. She removed her hands from behind her back, and before Cassandra knew it there were a set of sharpened fingernails in her stomach. She stepped back, and the wound was already starting to heal. Cassandra swung her axe downwards, and three hundred was already behind six. The axe left a dent in the steel floors of the airship.


    Julian burst into the room, a jar of bugs in hand. ¡°Are we getting invaded?¡±


    ¡°You sure are!¡± Six yelled out.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be back in a minute, just hold him off until then!¡±


    Six swung his hammer to the ground. Cassandra felt the air around her vanish. She was suddenly floating, and six and three hundred were suddenly above her.


    Six swung the hammer downwards, and Cassandra fell to the floor. She coughed up blood, which stuck in the air as a puddle. The room went back to normal, and the blood landed next to her, barely missing her face.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯m back!¡±


    Julian burst into the room, and a bear joined him in. The bears small eyes were glowing white.


    ¡°What¡¯s this, then?¡± Six asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s my reanimation project.¡± Julian replied calmly.


    ¡°Okay, the kids are all in an escape ship!¡± Roxanne yelled.


    ¡°Roxanne, get out!¡± Cassandra yelled back.


    ¡°No way. If this place is getting invaded, I¡¯m joining up with you guys!¡±

 Relic vs Relic

    Julian touched his bear with his left hand and pointed forward with his right. The bear lunged forward onto six, swiping him with his sharp claws. Six jumped back and Cassandra closed the gap next to him, swinging her axe upwards. Six quickly pushed his hammer onto her and out of her hands. The axe was slammed against a wall, and Cassandra jumped back to get it. She was then also slammed into the wall by three hundred.


    Julian got his bear to swipe left, and three hundred appeared behind six in an instant. Six swung his hammer down once again, and Julian got his bear to catch the hammer. The bear struggled to hold the hammer down for a few seconds, just enough for Cassandra to get her weapon back.


    The bears claws were smashed off the corpse after a few seconds. Roxanne dove down to grab them, barely escaping a hit from the hammer. Three hundred slammed into her back. The bear claws were scooped up by Cassandra and thrown back to Roxanne, before she barely blocked another strike by six.


    ¡°Take care of the bear!¡± Six commanded. Three hundred nodded and moved forward to Roxanne. Roxanne threw one of the bears arms towards her, and it bounced off her as she planted a hand into her stomach, slamming her against the wall.


    Okay, this was good. She assumed her powers were teleportation, but the claw bouncing past her confirmed it was something else entirely. She took some blank pieces of paper out of her back pocket and held them in her hand.


    ¡°Julian, focus on the hammer guy!¡± Roxanne yelled. ¡°I figured the girl out!¡±


    ¡°I only got a minute left.¡± Julian muttered, fusing the arms back onto the body.


    Three hundred focused her gaze towards Julian. Roxanne threw the papers to the ground, and three hundred burst forward before she could register the sheets. She slipped on the papers on her way to Julian, and Roxanne closed the gap.


    She got one good punch to her stomach, and three hundred wheezed with pain. Three hundred looked up, and she saw the ghostly eyes of the bear in front of her. The arms clasped around her, and she was thrown into the wall at full force. As she tried to get up, Roxanne quickly ran up to her and gave her a swift knee into her stomach with as much force as she could muster. Three hundred retched, and Roxanne grabbed her head. With a quick ¡°Sorry!¡± she slammed it against the wall with all the force she could muster, and she fell to the ground, motionless.


    Julian watched as the white slowly began to fade from the bear¡¯s eyes. He laid a hand on it, and it left the room instantly. Six looked onwards at three hundred, then focused his eyes on Roxanne. He kicked Cassandra out of the way. The hammer came down to the floor with a mighty swing. The paper was the first thing to go upwards, followed shortly by all four humans. Six floated against the wall and kicked off towards Roxanne. Julian went behind her and pushed her downwards by the head. He tried kicking off from her but took a hammer to his stomach before he could react. A cracking noise was heard as he hit the wall.


    Cassandra saw Julian lie motionless. She felt the breath leave her lungs. But her axe felt weightier, more refined in her hands. She felt the axe fill with energy around her, and the incomprehensible whispering of her weapon started once again.


    ¡°Roxanne. Get behind him, but don¡¯t touch him.¡±


    Roxanne did as she asked, floating behind Six. Six looked on as the electricity leaking from the axe enveloped Cassandra. He once again kicked against the wall and made his way towards Cassandra. As he swung his hammer down, the electricity surrounding Cassandra moved to her head to shield her without Cassandra thinking about it. Six looked terrified as the lightning dispersed as they fell to the ground. He once again tried to slam his hammer against the ground, but Cassandra¡¯s axe clashed against the hammer before he could. And a quick jolt of electricity shot upwards and took Six by surprise. He stepped back as Cassandra gripped the axe and slashed forward, cutting his stomach.


    ¡°Roxanne. Take Julian out of here.¡±


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    Roxanne did as she asked, dragging Julian¡¯s scrawny body out of the room, with the last thing she saw before the doors closed being lightning covering Cassandra.


    The whispering of the weapon got louder. Cassandra still couldn¡¯t make anything out, but it was growing louder. The electricity within the weapon grew, and Six tried to once again strike. Before he could swing downwards, the electricity burst forward and struck his limbs. He dropped the hammer, and the anti-gravity lifted them upwards once again.


    The electricity held itself within the axe until Cassandra pointed it towards six. His vision was blocked by the room¡¯s blinding illumination, and he was finally struck on all sides by searing lightning. It only lasted a second, but he was left floating the room in a daze. With nothing left to do, Cassandra kicked the wall behind him, cleaving him in two with one more swing.


    The two of them fell to the floor. Six¡¯s torso seemed to be burned by the electricity within the axe, and he was already dead. Presumably the electricity got to his heart. She offered a small prayer to the corpse. Wherever the human spirit goes after death, she hoped whatever governed it forgave him. Maybe even a shot at a better life.


    But once again, she started floating. She looked across and noticed three hundred barely holding up the hammer. She looked dazed and worse for wear, but she was breathing. Before a word was uttered, she ran out of the room. Cassandra dropped the axe and floated after her.


    In the main hall, three hundred was wildly swinging the hammer with what little force she could muster. She managed to knock out a security guard and get to the airship docking station and take the last one. She let the hammer down gently and punched a few buttons into the ships main computer. And within a few seconds she had made her escape.


    ¡°Shit! We got any ships?¡± She yelled at someone on the deck.


    ¡°Nothing that isn¡¯t carrying the others.¡± The security guard yelled back.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Cassandra yelled. ¡°Look. We secured the axe, anyway. You can let the ships down. Now if you excuse me, I gotta check something else.


    She ran into Julian¡¯s room and saw him lying on his bed with his shirt off, the stench of beetle radiating off him.


    ¡°You okay?!¡± She screamed.


    ¡°Probably.¡± He groaned. ¡°It took all my backup beetles, but I should be good after a few hours.¡±


    ¡°Okay, okay.¡± Cassandra sighed. Julian was okay and the axe was secured. That¡¯s all that mattered. ¡°What about Roxanne?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s recovering from everything that happened, she¡¯s probably fine.¡±


    Cassandra went into her room, and Roxanne was sleeping peacefully like nothing ever happened. An assured smile crept over her as she slept. But the next question was who was in charge now. The higher ups were dead. She got the axe, so was she in charge? She probably had the most claim to the title out of anyone here.


    She went back through the halls, picking up the axe and heading back to the meeting room. The corpses were starting to smell, but she tried not to focus on them. Instead, her attention was turned to the computer. The small square box with a simple on button at the bottom. She pressed it, and the moniter came to life, making a small beeping tune as it did so.


    She looked at the icons. This was her first time using a computer, so she just went by which icons would have communication features. One of the icons was of two people with a line between them, so that had to be it. None of the other ones made even the slightest sense.


    Once she opened it, it was several nametags in two separate categories: grand owners and small owners. At the top left was the name Al Storm, the former owner. There was a small notification under the name ¡®Rory.¡¯ She clicked on the profile, and it seemed to be Rory O''Shaughnessy, the leader of Saoloro. Cassandra clicked the notification.


    ¡®Are you still there?¡¯ Sent five minutes ago. She clicked the message, and a small chatlog came up. The old members organized a meeting to discuss the weapons.


    ¡®We got invaded by the new legion and everyone died.¡¯ Cassandra typed. ¡®There¡¯s only a few of us left. I think I¡¯m in charge now.¡¯


    There were a few seconds of a typing box. ¡®Oh no. If you¡¯re able to get to the Saoloro grand, come to discuss this as soon as possible.¡¯


    ¡®I will. If it¡¯s possible, could I come alone? I¡¯ll have a lot of people hunting me down for this weapon, so I don¡¯t want to involve them if I don¡¯t have to.¡¯


    ¡®If you want. I¡¯ll try to accommodate any people left in your crew.¡¯


    ¡®Thanks.¡¯


    ¡®But before we go, can I have your name? Just so we know it¡¯s you when the ship lands.¡¯


    ¡®Cassandra.¡¯


    ¡®Surname?¡¯


    ¡®Don¡¯t have one.¡¯


    ¡®Excuse me?¡¯


    It was true. She didn¡¯t have one. She didn¡¯t have any identity besides a name. She just woke up at the agency with no memories of how she got there. In fact, that was why she went on all the expeditions. To try to spark something about where she could have come from. Three years and fifteen expeditions later, and no memories to show for it.


    ¡®Well, I could just write down Cassandra Nothing if you want.¡¯


    ¡®Can I use my boyfriend¡¯s name?¡¯


    ¡®You can.¡¯


    ¡®Cassandra Torres.¡¯


    ¡®Alright. I¡¯ll be waiting for you.¡¯

 And Now For The Other Guys

    ¡°Alright, looking good.¡±


    Xander ran his hand through his hair as he looked in the mirror, his favourite song playing in the background. Slicked back hair too formal? Possibly. He messed his hair up again to start over. Messy look might be best considering he hasn¡¯t had time to shave lately. Better off to just call Tsuki.


    He flipped his phone open and punched the number in. It didn¡¯t take long for her to pick up.


    ¡°Heyy, Tsuki.¡± He asked casually. ¡°Any good shows lately?¡±


    ¡°Devils Crown is pretty good.¡± She replied, sounding tired on the other end.


    ¡°Ah, right.¡± Xander nodded. ¡°Heard of it. Who¡¯s acting in it again?¡±


    ¡°Miles Parker and Jenny Alison.¡±


    ¡°They hot?¡±


    ¡°Very.¡±


    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll get the show ready for the date. In front of the White Clash, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. See you then.¡± She hung up first, leaving Xander to look up what Miles Parker looked like. He typed it into his computer and found he had the overall same vibe as him. Tired eyes and unkempt hair, only the actors hair was a little shorter. Nothing a quick haircut couldn¡¯t fix, but he looked fine for now. He put on his only clean red hoodie, adding a blue tie for that extra professional vibe. And just as he was about to leave, he got a notification on his computer. Max volume.


    Higher ups were talking.


    He checked, and the only thing said was ¡®URGENT: you must appear before Chelic as soon as possible.¡¯


    Damn it. He opened his phone and texted Tsuki.


    ¡®You still on the top ship?¡¯


    ¡®Yeah.¡¯


    ¡®Gotta talk about the project. I¡¯ll meet you there.¡¯


    He left his room and went to the ladder which led to the poorly cut out hole in the next defunct airship in the pile. He was only on layer three of fifteen of the cluster. Roughly half the size of a grand, but made up of defunct airships the New Legion managed to capture, which were then hollowed out with means to get around added later. What mattered was that he wasn¡¯t going to be sweating by the time he ran into Tsuki. He got to the top, where Tsuki was waiting.


    She was dressed casually for the date. Jet black hair that went down to her shoulders accompanied by a black wide brim hat. She wore an oversized leather jacket in a washed out pink which covered a light blue shirt saying ¡®ShiShi finest¡¯ in joint handwriting. The look was topped off with a white skirt and platform shoes that made her almost match Xander''s lanky frame up close.


    ¡°Woah.¡± Xander said when he approached her. She responded with a peck on the cheek and a hug.


    ¡°You make those yourself?¡± He asked, making his way to the door of Chelic.


    ¡°I came up with the design myself, but one of the other girls sown it for me. Anyway, you ready for the date? You¡­definitely seem dressed for it.¡±


    ¡°Should be, but I gotta talk to Chelic first. Apparently it¡¯s urgent."


    The two stopped at the door of Chelic. It was called that due to being twice the size of every other door in the building and having ¡®CHELIC¡¯ written across it in giant red letters. Xander rang the doorbell next to it, and a voice came from above.


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    ¡°Who is this?¡± A voice asked calmly. One that wasn¡¯t Chelic, anyway.


    ¡°Hey, it¡¯s Xander. I was told to come here urgently.¡±


    ¡°Ah, yes. That was scheduled. Come in, please.¡±


    Xander and Tsuki did as instructed, opening the door. Behind it was a grand room with long couches that lined both red walls of the area. There were three wooden steps which had the leather chair Chelic was usually sat in at the top. At the bottom of the stairs was a young man in a suit and slicked back brown hair.


    ¡°Ah, Tsuki.¡± The man in the room said with a smile on his face. ¡°Love the new outfit.¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Marcus.¡± Tsuki nodded. ¡°This is the guy who talks when Chelic is busy.¡±


    ¡°Damn, I was really hoping to see the guy.¡± Xander mumbled with a head scratch.


    ¡°And you¡¯re mister Xander.¡± Marcus replied calmly. ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you. I have been given permission to discuss your recent actions.¡±


    ¡°Lay it on me.¡± Xander sighed.


    ¡°I will, yes.¡± Marcus said, observing a monitor next to him built into a wall. ¡°It says here that you were asked to build a security system. When Chelic asked this of you, you were expected to build something along the lines of a laser grid, or perhaps an alarm system that would trigger upon unknown aircraft entering.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with what I built?¡± Xander asked.


    ¡°You built a giant mechanical dragon instead.¡± Marcus replied calmly.


    ¡°And what¡¯s the issue with that? If a giant dragon was circling a place, would you go there?¡±


    ¡°There seem to be various issues.¡± Marcus sighed, glancing at the monitor. ¡°For one, the dragon can only be in one area at a time and doesn¡¯t seem to be fast enough to react to threats approaching from another angle. And the second issue, an actual dragon could appear and try to fight it, causing collateral damage to the cluster.¡±


    ¡°Okay, for the second issue, dragons don¡¯t usually appear at this altitude. Not enough to fight another dragon for long enough to deal any real damage, anyway. And as for the first issue, nobody is gonna attack us. It¡¯s been what, fifteen years since you guys started this? And the Lux Congregation has done basically nothing important.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but we do have a relic weapon now, which brings me to my next point.¡±


    ¡°Wait, we have a relic now? Shit, I probably do need to make an actual system.¡± Xander muttered under his breath.


    ¡°If I may continue.¡± Marcus said calmly. ¡°You will not be present for the next step aboard the cluster. You will be out on the field.¡±


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Xander asked. ¡°I¡¯m one of the lowest ranked here in terms of combat potential, are you insane?¡±


    ¡°Xander, your low combat potential is precisely why you¡¯re perfect for this role. Under this, your role will be to scout out areas where it¡¯s suspected the relic weapons will be and report them to us in order to get a fighting force to claim them. In fact, we have a partner ready to assist you.¡±


    Just as it was announced, a knock was heard at the door. Marcus gave them permission to come in. A girl walked through it, with brown skin and a black turtleneck. Smelling like dried blood.


    ¡°Apologies for the smell, I didn¡¯t have time to wash before I came here.¡±


    She walked up to Xander, eyeing him up and down, before looking over at Marcus.


    ¡°Is this who I¡¯m working with?¡±


    ¡°And the girl.¡± Xander said, pointing towards Tsuki.


    ¡°She¡¯s not in the plans.¡± Marcus said calmly. ¡°But I feel I should put in a word. The emotional distress would be too much to bear should you be separated, and I feel your role aboard the cluster could be easily replicated.¡±


    ¡°With all due respect, Sir Marcus, I don¡¯t think she¡¯ll be necessary.¡± The new girl replied quickly. ¡°The emotional attachments between the two seem like they could clash with the mission. Besides, we have me as a scout and fighter and Xander for any technical issues that could arise, so I feel she¡¯ll just end up dead weight.¡±


    ¡°Not really.¡± Tsuki replied calmly. ¡°I¡¯m a wielder. Really hurts to use, but it¡¯s pretty strong.¡±


    ¡°Is this true, Marcus?¡± The girl asked.


    ¡°It appears it is.¡± Marcus nodded. ¡°Although she hasn¡¯t used it enough to warrant a classification, it¡¯s the sole reason she¡¯s ranked as high as she is.¡±


    ¡°And that rank would be?¡±


    ¡°Let me see¡­three hundred and one.¡±


    The girl looked over at Tsuki. ¡°You seem capable enough if that¡¯s your rank. I retract my issues with you, welcome to the team. And in case you don¡¯t know, my name is Priyanka.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s Tsuki.¡± Tsuki replied.


    ¡°I¡¯ll commit it to memory.¡± Priyanka nodded calmly. ¡°But that leaves the question, Marcus. What¡¯s our first operation?¡±


    ¡°Well, if we scout out the one from the Miracle Scouting Group, then they¡¯ll most likely be approaching the Saoloro grand, the home of the Bow of Life. Therefore, your mission will be to retrieve it before the Miracle Group can gain a second weapon.¡±


    ¡°I can assure you; we will succeed in retrieving the weapon.¡± Priyanka said aloud with enough confidence to shake the chair in the back.


    ¡°Excellent.¡± Marcus replied. ¡°Now, we have an airship in the hangar that¡¯ll fit in while you¡¯re in Saoloro. I wish you the best of luck on your journey.¡±

 Onwards to Saoloro

    ¡°Okay, so does anyone know how to steer one of these things?¡±


    The small airship was launched, with three people in tow. Cassandra, Julian, and Roxanne. The axe was safely tucked away in the common room alongside the fixed-up bear corpse.


    ¡°I just kind of assumed you knew how to steer.¡± Julian replied to Cassandra while sipping his green tea, looking over the controls. In the ship were several buttons that they couldn¡¯t tell the use for.


    ¡°I was the lookout.¡± Cassandra replied to Julian at the helm. ¡°I thought it¡¯d be easier than this.¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t it take a year to learn to fly a skyship?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s besides the point!¡±


    ¡°Okay, one flight shouldn¡¯t be too hard unless we get invaded.¡± Julian mumbled, taking a sheet of paper and a pen. ¡°So, should we write what the buttons do?¡±


    ¡°Press one and see what happens.¡± Cassandra replied.


    Julian did as obliged, and the ship started falling from the sky. Another press of the button and the ship stopped.


    ¡°Okay, that one stalls the engine.¡± Julian mumbled calmly, writing that on the back of the paper.


    ¡°What are you two doing?¡±


    Roxanne came to the cockpit with the smell of green tea emanating off her. ¡°Are we being invaded?¡±


    ¡°Nah, we¡¯re just trying to figure out what everything does.¡± Cassandra replied casually. ¡°You have any ideas?¡±


    ¡°Is there not an instruction manual? I¡¯m pretty sure you need to have one to be allowed to take off.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s right.¡± Julian nodded. ¡°There should probably be one here somewhere.¡±


    ¡°Julian.¡± Roxanne sighed, taking the paper away from him. ¡°You¡¯re writing on it.¡±


    Julian turned the paper over, and on it was the instruction manual for an 3EL skyship.


    ¡°This is why you¡¯re important.¡± He said with a supportive thumbs-up, flicking through the manual.


    ¡°Hey, which button is it to suspend the ship?¡± Cassandra asked. ¡°We¡¯ve got a life signal from below. Pretty big one, too.¡±


    ¡°Wait, from below?¡± Roxanne asked. ¡°Is that a new ship type?¡±


    ¡°Nah.¡± Cassandra smiled as Julian stopped the ship. ¡°Just step outside, you¡¯ll wanna see this.¡±


    The three stepped out onto the deck of the boat, looking out over the sea of clouds, the Saoloro grand just in reach.


    It shot out of the sky like a bullet. It¡¯s slender blue serpent body was at least three times as long as the skyship they were sailing on. It spread out its wings to hang in the air for a brief second, clouds hanging off its lizard-like face like an elegant moustache. Another dragon shot out from beneath the clouds. This one was yellow with more slender claws, and a green spot on it¡¯s back. The yellow dragon followed suit and spread it¡¯s wings next to the blue dragon. The green spot on the yellow dragon jumped off the back of the other one and spread its wings to fly in the air, flying between the two dragons. It tried doing an aerial flip but ended up awkwardly tumbling through the air onto the blue dragon. After about a minute, it sleepily went onto the head of the blue dragon, and the dragon family fell back beneath the clouds.


    ¡°You never get tired of dragons.¡± Cassandra whispered, wiping a tear from her eye.


    ¡°So was that a family?¡± Roxanne asked.


    ¡°Pretty sure it was.¡± Cassandra replied. ¡°Can¡¯t say I¡¯ve seen that before.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯ll be me one day.¡± Roxanne whispered to herself.


    ¡°What, a dragon?¡± Julian asked.


    ¡°A family, dumbass.¡±


    But once the clouds shifted like the dragons never existed, Cassandra got a call.


    ¡°Hey, is this Cassandra Torres?¡± The voice asked. It sounded younger than Rory.


    ¡°Yeah. Who¡¯s this?¡±


    ¡°Dragon didn''t get you, cool. Look, there¡¯s been a change of plans. My name¡¯s Dermot, and I¡¯ll be the one looking after you while you¡¯re here. That okay?¡±


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    ¡°Sounds fine. We¡¯ll only be a couple minutes anyway.¡± Cassandra nodded.


    A couple minutes passed, and Cassandra landed in the top deck for the Saoloro grand. It was a small deck with vines growing over the walls. The three stepped out and past the miniscule fleet of airships.


    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m going to need a name?¡± A man clad in a simple light green uniform asked.


    ¡°Cassandra and Julian Torres. As well as Roxanne.¡±


    ¡°Just Roxanne?¡± He asked.


    ¡°Roxanne¡­Rocks?¡± Roxanne replied. ¡°Sorry, I don¡¯t have an official surname.¡±


    ¡°Well, we are expecting the two of you.¡± The man nodded. ¡°And I suppose you can come over if it¡¯s fine with her.¡±


    ¡°Oh, thanks.¡±


    ¡°No problem.¡± The man replied, taking a flip phone out and making a call.


    ¡°Dermot? Yeah, they¡¯re here. Already? Didn¡¯t you call them a couple minutes ago? You can¡¯t be that far away. Okay, I¡¯ll let them know.¡±


    The man sighed and closed his phone. ¡°He¡¯s running some errands. He¡¯ll be a little later than expected. But he told me you can take whatever from the market street up the path and he¡¯ll pay for it.¡±


    With that permission granted, the trio went out to look over Saoloro. The outside of the ship was about as green as everyone said it would be, with animals casually grazing by several small farms dotted throughout the horizon, with a stone wall lining the outside of the grand to prevent anything falling off. The three went up the stone path and crossed a short bridge to the market street. It was several buildings seemingly stacked on top of each other in a chaotic order, to the point a map was needed to figure out where anything was.


    ¡°Well, I think the berry beast emporium would be the best start.¡± Julian said to the others. ¡°Seeing as we¡¯re in the fruit capital of the world.¡±


    They made their way to the berry beast on the second layer. It looked like any other modern store you¡¯d see anywhere else. The interior was simply a place with both a fridge and a slushie machine inside, only the slushie machine took up an entire wall and had twelve different flavours to its name.


    ¡°Julian, have you ever seen this?¡± Cassandra yelled out. ¡°They have Witburn flavour! I don¡¯t even know what that is!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a fruit grown in fightston.¡± The scrawny young man behind the counter explained. ¡°It¡¯s basically used as an ingredient to help fighters bulk up in a healthy way. Taste wise, it¡¯s like a sweet yogurt¡­but as a fruit.¡±


    ¡°And we can put that in a slushie?¡± Cassandra yelled out.


    ¡°You can put any fruit in a slushie if you try hard enough. Heck, you can get the ultra-berry supreme for 120 luxa.¡±


    ¡°120 luxa?¡± Julian asked. ¡°That seems expensive for a slushy.¡±


    ¡°Hey, if it¡¯s twelve times the fruit it¡¯s twelve times the price.¡± The man shrugged.


    ¡°Who¡¯s paying 10 luxa for a slushy?¡± Roxanne asked. ¡°I thought they were like, 3 luxa max.¡±


    ¡°I mean, you are at the source for almost all of it. Super fresh. Besides, you get a bigger cup to fit everything in.¡±


    He pulled a cup out from his counter, around the size of his head. Cassandra looked at it, then towards Julian.


    ¡°We can share it.¡± She whispered.


    ¡°Fine.¡± Julian nodded. ¡°Besides, I wanna know what this thing tastes like.¡±


    ¡°Alright, that¡¯ll be 120 luxa.¡± The clerk said casually.


    ¡°Can I make that 123?¡± Roxanne asked with a red can in her hand. ¡°And we were told that Dermot would pay for it.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, sure.¡±


    The three of them went back down the street when Cassandra took the first sip of her slushy. The fruits elegantly danced along her tongue and left a heavenly aftertaste as the icy liquid went down her throat.


    ¡°This is¡­pure heaven.¡± She muttered after a few seconds, her eyes gleaming at the icy concoction in front of her.


    ¡°Does it remind you of anything?¡± Julian asked.


    ¡°Nope. This is just the best thing I ever tasted.¡±


    Julian dipped the wooden straw he got from the store into the slushy. His eye lit up the same way as Cassandra¡¯s did.


    ¡°Damn, maybe I should get one of these.¡±


    ¡°Please¡­don¡¯t.¡±


    Julian looked towards the source of the voice, and a distressed looking man was ahead of them. He was wearing a blue flannel shirt with jeans, and under his light brown shaggy middle parted hair were green eyes in pure agony.


    ¡°Did you get an ultra-berry supreme?!¡± He yelled out.


    ¡°Yeah. Why, are you Dermot?¡± Cassandra asked.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m Dermot!¡± The man yelled out. ¡°Oh god, I¡¯m gonna be living off smoothies for two weeks!¡±


    ¡°We were told we could get whatever we wanted.¡± Julian said calmly, taking another sip.


    ¡°I was expecting you to get some chocolate or something!¡± Dermot yelled. ¡°Not the most expensive thing here!¡±


    ¡°I mean¡­you are connected to Rory, right? We just kind of assumed you had the funds.¡± Cassandra replied while taking another sip.


    ¡°I¡¯m only an intern!¡± Dermot yelled. ¡°Ah, whatever. But you guys need to help me with something, let¡¯s go to the Torthai.¡±


    The four of them walked up to the Torthai, listening to Dermot mutter to himself about how he was going to afford food for the next two weeks.


    ¡°So I¡¯m guessing the Torthai is the big tree in the centre of this place?¡± Roxanne asked Julian.


    ¡°Pretty much.¡± Julian said. ¡°You ever watch the skyworld games? New legion invaded the track last year, so they held the track events around here. It¡¯s a giant tree that can grow most of the fruit in the world."


    ¡°So mister Dermot.¡± Cassandra asked. ¡°Mind if I ask where Rory went?¡±


    ¡°So, you guys know how the Gurut Hammer was stolen by the legion, and they tried to steal the Sandala Axe before you guys stole it back? Well, the Luxes got super anxious about what could happen next and summoned all the remaining leaders to the centre grand and discuss what comes next. Which is why you¡¯re stuck with me.¡±


    ¡°Remaining leaders?¡± Roxanne asked.


    ¡°Basically, Sandala and Gurut had their weapons taken, so they aren¡¯t on the council anymore. They¡¯ll still get support from the other nations, but they aren¡¯t able to vote on issues affecting the entire skyspace until they get them back.¡±


    ¡°Wait, what?¡± Cassandra yelled out. ¡°That¡¯s really dumb.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Julian added. ¡°If Sandala didn¡¯t agree, couldn¡¯t they just stop electricity output to the rest of the skyspace?¡±


    ¡°Probably, yeah.¡± Dermot replied with an exasperated sigh. ¡°Which is why we want to discuss having you guys give the axe back to Sandala to stop anything major breaking out.¡±


    ¡°And hopefully the legion won¡¯t break through again?¡± Cassandra asked.


    ¡°Well, there¡¯s the thing.¡± Dermot said with a head scratch. ¡°Maybe you could hold onto it while they say the axe is back where it belongs while they tighten their defences.¡±


    ¡°I could do that.¡± Cassandra nodded.


    ¡°Great, great. But anyway, we¡¯re here!¡±

 Night Terrors

    The Torthai was massive. Roxanne looked up towards the tree in front of her, and it was wood all the way upwards, with thick green casting shade on almost the surrounding mile of area. And between the greens were small specks of coloured orbs above them.


    ¡°Welcome to the Torthai!¡± Dermot yelled. ¡°Anyway, this is probably where¡¯ll you be staying while you¡¯re here.¡±


    ¡°By the tree?¡± Julian asked.


    ¡°In the tree!¡± Dermot replied confidently. ¡°Walk with me, please.¡±


    Julian groaned when he heard about more walking. The four of them walked around the tree, which felt like forever with its size.


    ¡°So what¡¯s the deal with this tree, anyway?¡± Roxanne asked, touching it¡¯s roots. Her experience with trees was limited, only really being familiar with the small potted ones around the miracle scouting group. But she had read up on the bigger trees around Saoloro, and this one just made no sense in comparison. The trunk would randomly have slashing shades of brown against each other. When she ran her hand through it, there was a completely different texture every few seconds.


    ¡°Oh, you mean with the tree? Basically, the whole thing is just a giant project to see if we could make the ultimate fruit tree by grafting all the fruits we could into the tree. I think there was a merging wielder around when it happened to speed up the process too, but the end result was a tree which can grow almost any fruit you want it to. And as our next experiment is gonna test, if three people can live in it!¡±


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Julian asked.


    ¡°Look, we¡¯ve had our own little sky society for around two hundred years. Housing ships are good and all, but the resources to build them won¡¯t last forever even with wielders working with us. So the answer isn¡¯t expansion, but rather integration! Which is why I brought you here!¡±


    ¡°Okay, but why do we have to do it? Can¡¯t you get more willing test subjects?¡± Julian asked again.


    ¡°And am I meant to pay them? With what, exactly? Luckily, we do accept fruit-based beverages as currency, so you¡¯re getting in the treehouse.¡±


    Dermot stepped on a low platform, looking at the trio with such intensity that they felt a need to get on. Once they were, Dermot turned a lever, and the four of them shot into the sky like a speeding bullet. Once they were over and the platform stopped, Cassandra was clutching her head in one hand. Roxanne was trying not to puke. Julian was clutching to the wooden railings of the platform for dear life.


    ¡°So I have to adjust the speed you go up?¡± Dermot asked. Cassandra nodded wearily.


    ¡°Got it.¡± Dermot sighed. ¡°Well, if you walk through the thick branches to the north, you should find the house. Anyway, your bodyguards should be here in the morning, so I¡¯ll grab you then.¡±


    ¡°Wait, did you say-?¡± Julian asked, but Dermot already shot down before he could hear anything. Julian looked behind him, and the girls were already on their way to the house.


    ¡°Is this all?¡± Cassandra asked. The treehouse was a small wooden cube, with a small square cut in the end in an attempt to create a window. And inside the cube was nothing but two small mattresses and thin blankets over them.


    ¡°Any idea what the weathers gonna be like?¡± Julian asked.


    ¡°Probably fine if we¡¯re expected to stay a whole night here.¡± Cassandra answered. ¡°Besides, you can just cuddle up to me if it ever gets too cold, kay?¡± She continued, playfully rubbing Julian¡¯s chest.


    Roxanne looked on as Julian jokingly pretended not to be into it. She was hoping to spend the night looking for love, but Dermot had to push that out of the way thanks to Cassandra¡¯s stupid slushy habits. So she looked around the room for something to distract her.


    ¡°Anyway, I¡¯m assuming that¡¯s a berry outside the window.¡± She whispered to herself, grabbing the big pink orb from outside the window. It was a solid circle, with spines on the sides but not the top or bottom.


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    ¡°Hey, is that an Akid?¡± Julian asked. ¡°Wanna open it up?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, sure.¡± Roxanne replied. ¡°Just let me¡­¡±


    She tried slowly ripping the spines off to see what would happen, only for the pink centre to slowly drop and spill onto the floor.


    ¡°Yeah¡­you kinda have to pull the whole thing out in one motion before it¡­spills.¡± Julian sighed with a weary chuckle. ¡°Whatever, I guess we¡¯ll just have to sleep off the hunger.¡±


    ¡°The sun hasn¡¯t even set yet.¡± Cassandra said.


    ¡°Any time is sleep time if you¡¯re brave enough. Night.¡±


    Julian took his hat off and lay on the mattress, which was followed by a solid minute of shuffling to find a position that felt somewhat bearable. He finally found it, but only after looking like the aftermath of falling out of the treehouse. Roxanne and Cassandra stayed up a little longer, talking about anything that came to mind.


    ¡°So, you look at Dermot?¡± Cassandra asked.


    ¡°Not much.¡± Roxanne replied.


    ¡°Really. I don¡¯t know, he¡¯s kinda handsome. His hair is just so¡­dorky? But in a hot way, you feel me?¡±


    ¡°Kind of?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, maybe think about asking him out. Couldn¡¯t hurt.¡±


    ¡°Maybe I will, honestly.¡± Roxanne sighed. ¡°Anyway, I think I¡¯ll go to bed. Night.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, me too. Night.¡±


    The same dream.


    The dream came to Roxanne every once in a while. Sometimes more intense. Sometimes it felt more real. This seemed to be one of those nights. She was alone in an empty void of darkness. Nothing but black as far as the eye could see. The place felt intimidating, despite it being her hundredth time there at least.


    And then the figure appeared.


    Sometimes it was upfront and appeared before her, and sometimes it tried to sneak up. This night was one of the latter. But it was so illuminated that it was always obvious. She turned around to greet it. Under all that light was a female figure, but tonight was so bright it was just a solid chunk of light.


    ¡°You¡¯re nothing.¡±


    That was what this being beamed into Roxanne¡¯s head whenever they met. The voice was too echoed to make out a tone or voice, but the words always stuck with her. She tried standing still, trying not to meet the conditions for the next stage, to see what happens next if she¡¯s to just stick this out. But she felt her legs move on their own and try to attack the creature. The creature then fades from the dream, leaving her alone in the endless darkness.


    Then the tendrils came.


    They wrapped around her legs. She tried to stay standing this time, but more tendrils just appeared by her shoulders and dragged her into the ground. The tendrils covered her mouth and eyes as she sank into the ground, and her only instinct left was to scream.


    ¡°Roxanne! Roxanne!¡±


    When Roxanne gained consciousness, Cassandra was looking over her, her green eyes looking terrified.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± She asked, moving her head. ¡°You breathing fine?¡±


    Roxanne coughed. Nothing built up in her throat while she slept tonight. Which was good, as sometimes Cassandra had tilt her head to let all the saliva out.


    ¡°So these are the night terrors?¡± Julian asked.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Cassandra sighed. ¡°This is one of the less harrowing ones.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I saw the worst of it.¡±


    ¡°So what¡¯s her deal, anyway?¡± Cassandra asked, still holding Roxanne¡¯s face.


    ¡°I inspected her, and she doesn¡¯t have many physical issues. I¡¯m guessing it¡¯s a mental issue of some kind.¡±


    ¡°And you can¡¯t sort that out?¡± Roxanne asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m a doctor, not a psychologist. Although if you want, we could definitely hit up Sangaria if you wanna get a proper diagnosis.¡±


    ¡°Are the guys there hot?¡± Roxanne asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s a bunch of pale dudes in tight clothes and medical supplies. So yes.¡± Julian nodded.


    ¡°Awesome.¡±


    ¡°Anyway, does anybody know when we¡¯re getting out of the tree?¡± Cassandra asked. ¡°She¡¯s losing love time.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I am losing love time!¡± Roxanne yelled, freeing herself from Cassandra¡¯s hands. ¡°What time is it, anyway?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s about six.¡± Julian replied, checking his watch. ¡°If I remember correctly, they usually wake up at around seven here, so it¡¯ll be a while before Dermot gets back.¡±


    Roxanne went back to bed, being woken up when Cassandra shook her awake. Dermot was standing over her, ready to go back to the ground.


    ¡°So, how was the treehouse?¡± He asked when they were out of the tree.


    ¡°Pretty good.¡± Julian replied. ¡°It¡¯s night terror proof, anyway.¡±


    ¡°Julian!¡± Cassandra yelled.


    ¡°I mean¡­we weren¡¯t testing for that, but I¡¯ll make a note of it.¡± Dermot shrugged.


    ¡°But anyway.¡± Roxanne asked. ¡°What are you doing later?¡±


    ¡°Looking after you lot?¡± Dermot responded, looking confused.


    ¡°Awesome.¡± Roxanne nodded.


    ¡°But anyway, I was told that I need to hold off any discussions until your bodyguards get here.¡± Dermot replied.


    ¡°We need bodyguards?¡± Cassandra asked. ¡°We did fight off a guy with a relic weapon on our own.¡±


    ¡°Look, it¡¯s what the Lux lads want.¡± Dermot sighed. ¡°And it¡¯ll be a while till they get there, so feel free to get breakfast somewhere else.


    ¡°And we can go anywhere?¡± Roxanne asked.


    ¡°Basically.¡± Dermot shrugged. ¡°You aren¡¯t allowed to leave, but we have guys guarding your ship anyway.¡±


    ¡°Well, where are you eating breakfast?¡± Roxanne asked, placing a hand under to chin in an attempt to seductively present herself.


    ¡°Probably the lab.¡± Dermot sighed. ¡°I¡¯m too broke for anything else.¡±


    ¡°Well, if it¡¯s good enough for you, it¡¯s good enough for me.¡± Roxanne said, adjusting her voice in an attempt to sound dreamier as she stared into his eyes.


    ¡°We can get breakfast somewhere else.¡± Cassandra said calmly.


    ¡°Yeah. Besides, I need to stock up on insects.¡± Julian said.


    ¡°So we¡¯ll leave you two alone for a while.¡± Cassandra said. ¡°Don¡¯t have too much fun without us!¡±

 Date Number One

    Dermot walked with Roxanne to the main building by the Torthai. The multi-storey building in front of them looked like a small apartment complex on the bottom half, but it got more and more elaborate at the top half, with a concrete platform clearly separating the two halves, and vines protruding from the windows to the ground below.


    ¡°At the top is the Torthai Bow.¡± Dermot explained. ¡°And the vines surrounding it are thick enough to the point where an invader would be stopped basically instantly.¡±


    ¡°So you¡¯re good in terms of protection?¡± Roxanne asked as they went into the building.


    ¡°More than likely, anyway. They only have the hammer, so I don¡¯t imagine they¡¯d get too far with that. Right?¡±


    ¡°Well, if the vines are only cut by sharp objects, then the blunt hammer should protect you for a while.¡±


    ¡°Oh thank god.¡± Dermot sighed as they approached a door on the second floor. ¡°Just let me get my ID for breakfast.¡±


    He opened the door to make a gap small enough for him to slide through, but Roxanne could still see how much of a chaotic mess was behind the door. The door opened once again, with Dermot holding his ID card. He started a confident strut to the canteen, when he locked eyes with another man holding a thin box. A blonde man with shaggy blonde hair and a red puffer jacket alongside some thin glasses.


    ¡°Hey, Marty.¡± Dermot started calmly. ¡°What¡¯s in that box you got there?¡±


    ¡°A pizza. I found twenty luxa on the ground, so I bought one before I had the chance to lose it.¡±


    Dermot looked at Roxanne, and then at Marty.


    ¡°Life is truly wonderful!¡± he yelled out as he looked at the sky.


    The three of them went into Dermot and Marty¡¯s room. It was two beds with a small counter in between them, as well of several mountains of assorted junk on the floor.


    ¡°We probably would have cleaned up if I knew about you, miss¡­¡± Marty said, opening the pizza box.


    ¡°Roxanne.¡± Roxanne replied.


    ¡°You can have one of my slices.¡± Dermot said calmly, handing her a slice of pizza. One with enough meat to last a week.


    ¡°So what¡¯s your deal anyway? New intern or something?¡± Marty asked.


    ¡°Nah, she¡¯s my date for breakfast. She¡¯s one of the girls that secured the Sandala Axe.¡±


    ¡°I thought it was just the redhead.¡± Marty replied.


    ¡°No, I was there.¡± Roxanne replied while taking a bite out of her pizza ¡°Helped fight the guys back on the scouting ship.¡±


    ¡°Nice one. So you have the axe right now?¡±


    ¡°The lads on the ship are guarding it.¡± Dermot replied. ¡°Besides, I don¡¯t think they¡¯d know where they¡¯d go.¡±


    ¡°Hopefully.¡± Roxanne sighed. ¡°If I never go up against something like that again it¡¯ll be too soon.¡±


    ¡°So anyway, why are you on a date with this guy?¡± Marty asked.


    ¡°Well, you know.¡± Roxanne replied, trying to run his best features through her head. ¡°He¡¯s very¡­extremely¡­smart.¡±


    ¡°You think?¡± Marty asked, raising an eyebrow.


    ¡°Well, if he¡¯s been trusted to look after us while Rory¡¯s out, then he has to be at least a little smart.¡±


    ¡°Well, he¡¯s kind of a moron, but he¡¯s got enough social skills to get us funding for the Torthai housing.¡±


    ¡°Hey, come on!¡± Dermot yelled. ¡°You gotta give me some credit!¡±


    ¡°If you compare your solo grades to group grades it¡¯s pretty obvious.¡± Marty sighed. ¡°But hey, if the smarts are what draw you to him then good for you.¡±


    Meanwhile, Julian and Cassandra were finished eating at the restaurant next to the slushy place. It was a simple berries with pancakes for breakfast, but the freshness was second to none.


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    ¡°Do we have enough for another berry blast?¡± Cassandra asked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡± Julian replied. ¡°Besides, I really need to replenish my bug supply.¡±


    ¡°There a place for that here?¡± Cassandra asked.


    ¡°Should be, according to the sign.¡±


    The two of them made their way to the bug store. It was a pretty crowded area. Extremely humid, with a man standing in front of several exotic bug species. And of course, there were several jars near the counter just filled with lines of tiny insects. Exactly what Julian needed.


    In front of them was an extremely tall woman in extremely extravagant clothing, asking for silkworms.


    ¡°I¡¯m telling you, miss. We only have a couple of silkworms, and they aren¡¯t enough to make a full outfit if that¡¯s what you¡¯re looking for. If you want things to make clothes, then just go to ShiShi and buy the materials there.¡±


    ¡°Okay, but if I just buy one as a pet, you¡¯d allow that, right?¡±


    ¡°Whatever messed up shit you do with our bugs isn¡¯t our business. Anyway, it¡¯s thirty luxa for one or fifty for two.¡±


    ¡°That seems a little steep.¡± The woman asked.


    ¡°Like I said, you either live in ShiShi or get expensive silkworms.¡± The employee replied with an exhausted sigh.


    ¡°I¡¯ll just take the two silkworms.¡± The girl replied, putting a silver Luxa coin on the counter. The employee took out a small wooden container and put the two silkworms inside it.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± The girl smiled before leaving the store.


    ¡°What was her deal?¡± Julian mumbled while walking up to the counter. On it was a jar of beetles about the size of his torso, about a hundred insects just crawling around in it.


    ¡°How much for the beetle jar?¡±


    ¡°About fifty luxa for the whole thing.¡± The employee asked. ¡°Special deal because of the harvest.¡±


    ¡°I thought the harvest wasn¡¯t for another 2 months?¡± Julian asked.


    ¡°Look, I found a nest in my apartment, and I need to get rid of them. Twenty luxa and they¡¯re yours, final offer.¡±


    ¡°Deal.¡± Julian shrugged, planting two bronze coins on the counter and taking the jar. He turned to go out of the shop and back to Roxanne but was stopped by the person in front of her.


    She was a simple looking girl. Simple straight brown hair with a crimson shirt that exposed her shoulders and white jeans. The only two things about her that stood out were slightly exaggerated eyeliner and a tuft of hair in front of her that stood out from the rest of the otherwise straight style.


    ¡°Oh. Julian.¡± She announced, taking a step back and looking to be distressed. ¡°Didn¡¯t expect you to be here.¡±


    ¡°Well, yeah.¡± Julian replied. ¡°Same here¡­Caoimhe.¡±


    ¡°Hey Julian, you know this girl?¡± Cassandra asked, eyeing her up for anything suspicious.


    ¡°Oh¡­hey.¡± Caoimhe said to Cassandra. She looked at the ginger hair pouring out of her hat.


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t happen to be the girl who retrieved the axe, would you?¡± She asked.


    ¡°Yeah?¡± Cassandra replied while Julian stood behind them.


    ¡°Well, crap.¡± She sighed. ¡°Because we have to look after you.¡±


    ¡°Excuse me, what?¡± Julian screamed while trying not to drop his jar.


    ¡°Yeah¡­we¡¯re all¡­we¡¯re all outside.¡± Caoimhe let out another sigh while pinching in between her eyebrows.


    Cassandra and Julian stepped outside, and there were two men waiting outside the store. The first was a short blonde man Julian didn¡¯t recognize, wearing a simple red hoodie alongside glasses with thin red frames and black tracksuit bottoms. He was casually leaning against the wall, looking at his watch. Looking at his fingers, there were a few jewels dotted through them.


    And next to him, was Luca. They locked eyes for a brief second, only for Luca to quickly move his gaze to Cassandra.


    ¡°So, is this the woman who protected the Sandala axe?¡± He asked, eyeing her up and down. He looked just as obnoxious as Julian remembered as he went up to inspect her. His pathetic attempt at wind swept hair just made it look like he was just frightened so hard his brown hair tried moving away from him. His green eyes were slightly more redeeming, but not when they were leering at his girlfriend. And his clothes were mostly just adapted to the climate here, a simple white flannel and jeans in an attempt to blend in. Sound idea if you didn¡¯t see his rings decked across his fingers, and his necklace similar to Roxanne¡¯s, except it was red in the centre instead of purple.


    ¡°So this is who we¡¯re meant to be protecting?¡± Luca asked.


    ¡°There¡¯s a third person.¡± Julian said flatly. ¡°But she¡¯s off with the guy looking after us.¡±


    ¡°Oh. Well, thanks for the information, Julian. Can¡¯t say I expected you to be here.¡±


    ¡°The feeling¡¯s mutual, trust me.¡± Julian muttered.


    ¡°Wait, you two know each other?¡± Cassandra asked.


    ¡°Remember when I mentioned being part of the Battlestorms before going back to the scouting ship?¡±


    ¡°That would be us.¡± Luca interjected confidently.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Julian muttered again. ¡°But they were assholes, so I left.¡±


    ¡°And we only ended up becoming the top ranked hero group on the Grands. But it led us here, so maybe we should have stuck to second.¡± Luca added smugly. If not for the jar Julian was still holding, he¡¯d punch him.


    ¡°And you have to protect us?¡± Cassandra asked.


    ¡°Pretty much, yes.¡± The man in the hoodie nodded, with a voice that seemed unnaturally deep for somebody of his frame.


    ¡°Actually, who¡¯s that?¡± Julian asked. ¡°I don¡¯t remember you.¡±


    ¡°Oh, you know me.¡± He spoke. ¡°Name¡¯s Gavin, by the way.¡± In an accent that Julian definitely heard somewhere but couldn¡¯t tell when. Julian squinted at him, and Caoimhe took him aside.


    ¡°Look, that was¡­J-E-N-N¡­¡±


    ¡°Trans men are still capable of spelling, Caoimhe.¡± Gavin said, sighing so hard his glasses fogged up.


    ¡°Oh, right.¡± Caoimhe replied.


    ¡°But yes, Julian. I''m a man now. I expect you to be cool with that?¡±


    ¡°Why wouldn''t I be?¡±


    ¡°I dunno, Luca guessed you wouldn''t be.¡±


    ¡°Anyway, anyway.¡± Luca said, pushing himself to Julian''s face. ¡°Mind telling me where your caretaker is?¡±


    ¡°Oh, he¡¯d be with Roxanne, right?¡± Cassandra asked. ¡°If you¡¯re looking for him, I can give her a call.¡±


    Cassandra opened her flip phone and started typing with Roxanne.


    ¡°Okay, they¡¯re still at the building where the bow is. Ready to go?¡±

 Secure The Bow

    ¡°So, let me get this straight.¡± Priyanka asked. ¡°You two were sent to recon for anyone that could hinder us, and you spent that time buying silkworms?¡±


    ¡°Maybe?¡± Tsuki replied. ¡°But they¡¯re nice silkworms! I¡¯ve even named them.¡±


    Tsuki showed Priyanka the silkworms. One had slightly bigger spots than the other, and the two seemed to be mingling in the palms of her hands.


    ¡°The one with the big spots is named Thomas, and the small spot one is Guy.¡±


    ¡°Riveting.¡± Priyanka sighed. ¡°So when¡¯s Xander coming back?¡±


    ¡°Good question.¡± Tsuki sighed. ¡°He just kinda leaves sometimes.¡±


    Priyanka¡¯s phone rang, and she answered it.


    ¡°Hey, Pri?¡± Xander asked.


    ¡°Priyanka, you mean?¡± Priyanka replied flatly.


    ¡°Yeah, that. I¡¯m in the college now, where they keep the bow. It seems to be pretty low on security. As long as you look like a college student, nobody seems to pay attention to you.¡±


    ¡°So what about the bow?¡±


    ¡°It seems to be covered by vines. I don¡¯t think they¡¯re for decoration, either. Probably holding it in place.¡±


    ¡°How guarded is it?¡±


    ¡°Pretty guarded. Four guys with spears. We¡¯d probably need to create some kind of distraction.¡±


    ¡°Any ideas?¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m assuming the tech here is pretty weak and unguarded. If I manage to connect to the schools computers without alerting anybody, I should be able to activate the security system and cause some kind of panic.¡±


    ¡°If you do, you mind activating it in one direction? Then I could cause something from the opposite direction and send the guards into a panic.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll let you know if I can.¡± Xander replied. He hung up.


    ¡°Okay, I think I have an idea.¡± Priyanka said to Tsuki. ¡°Chelic¡¯s forces stocked us a couple small grenades. So here¡¯s the plan. If Xander can cause a distraction on one side of the building, I¡¯ll try to cause some explosions on the other. Once everyone involved is distracted, there¡¯d be a maximum of two guards looking after the bow itself. And unless they have any powers, we¡¯d most likely be able to overwhelm them.¡±


    ¡°I think even if they do have powers, I¡¯d be able to take them out. So don¡¯t worry there.¡± Tsuki replied calmly.


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    Priyanka got a text from Xander, so she checked her phone.


    ¡®Its weak. Got into left side like you asked. I¡¯ll activate right to seem less sus you need to hit the left in 3 mins TTYL <3 p.s found a four leaf clover so that''s probably good¡¯


    Priyanka silently shown Tsuki the text and went to the left side of the building. Nobody there from seemingly any angle.


    ¡°Is there a camera around here?¡± Priyanka asked. Tsuki looked around and didn¡¯t find one.


    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, we¡¯re ready to go.¡± She said calmly, taking two grenades and a smoke bomb out of her bag. Tsuki took once more look around the place to guarantee nobody could get hurt. And while Priyanka was setting the three up, Tsuki put her two silkworms under her hat.


    Priyanka sent Xander a text. ¡®let me know when you can go¡¯


    ¡®now¡¯ Was the message sent immediately after.


    Priyanka pulled the pins on the grenades and threw the smoke bomb down, and the fire alarms started on the right side of the building. The grenades went off and the wall crumbled. There was screaming heard, and Priyanka and Tsuki jumped in before the smoke cleared. There was a panicked crowd, but nobody seemed to be injured severely. The crowd was running out of the room, and Tsuki and Priyanka joined them until they got to the hallway. Xander met up with them, a fake look of panic on his face.


    ¡°Oh god, where¡¯s Florence?¡± He yelled out when they united. ¡°Is she still on the top floor?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know!¡± Tsuki yelled.


    The three of them ran up the stairs amid the protests from the other students. On the top floor, Roxanne was just stepping out alongside Dermot and Marty.


    Roxanne¡¯s eyes locked with Priyanka¡¯s, and she immediately pointed out the trio.


    ¡°Dermot! Those are the guys with the hammer! They¡¯re probably here for the bow!¡±


    ¡°Oh, shit!¡± Dermot yelled out. Marty stepped in front of him as soon as he cried out, and Dermot took his phone out of his pocket and tried to call for backup. Priyanka dashed behind Marty as soon as possible, swinging her arm while boosted in order to deal as much damage as she could. Xander saw Marty¡¯s eyes bulge out of his head when the impact came before he flew across the room and hit the wall head-first.


    ¡°Priyanka!¡± He yelled out. ¡°What the fuck are you trying to do?¡±


    ¡°We need to dispose of them!¡± She replied calmly. She kicked Dermot in the head until his face went into the wall, throwing his phone into the wall with enough force to shatter it on impact. Roxanne tried grabbing Priyanka from behind. Just try to stop her moving and she¡¯s worthless. Xander came up behind and grabbed her waist. He tried to pry her off, but she was resisting. Priyanka, eventually managed to burst to the other side of the room once Roxanne¡¯s grip was slightly weakened. Roxanne tried kicking Xander to loosen his grip, and his leg moved in pain.


    ¡°ShiShi, help me out!¡± Xander yelled.


    Tsuki grabbed Roxanne¡¯s legs and restrained them under her chin. Roxanne couldn¡¯t move them.


    ¡°What do we do?¡± Xander yelled out.


    ¡°Uhh, stairs!¡± Tsuki yelled back, looking panicked as she said it.


    ¡°Ahh, don¡¯t die don¡¯t die don¡¯t die.¡± Xander panted between heavy breaths as he went towards the staircase. When they approached it, the two swung her and then threw her down the staircase. Roxanne felt the impact of the hard metal stairs hit her body as she tumbled down them. When she got to the bottom, she tried to get up, but her left leg wasn¡¯t responding. She looked behind her, and it was bent unnaturally. She crawled forward out of the building, screaming for help the entire time.


    ¡°Roxanne!¡±


    Cassandra approached her looking absolutely terrified.


    ¡°What happened here?!¡±


    ¡°The guys with the hammer. They¡¯re after the bow. Dermot and his friend are knocked out above.¡±


    Cassandra looked behind her, and Julian was there alongside the battlestorms.


    ¡°There are people trying to steal the bow in the building.¡± Cassandra said calmly. ¡°Julian, we¡¯re taking the guys knocked out away from the building and getting the axe. Let¡¯s go.¡±

 Round Two With The Legion

    Two guards stepped out before Priyanka, Tsuki, and Xander. They had simple green shirts and baggy pants, with spears pointed towards the trio, and Xander stepped back. Priyanka attempted to dash past them, getting hit with the side of one of their spears.


    Tsuki knew what she had to do next. She ran over to Priyanka, now being picked up by one of the guards. The other guard thrusted their spear towards her, and Tsuki grabbed the tip of it in her left hand just as it was in front of her face. After a deep breath, she pulled the spear out of the guards grip. The guard lurched forward as the spear was ripped out of his hand, leading to Xander running up and kicking him in the stomach. When the guard let out an audible moan and keeled over, Xander stomped on his head and hoped it merely knocked him out.


    Tsuki detached the spear from the mass of sticky white goop secreting out of her hands and threw to the end of the room where the bow was being held. Priyanka got up and boosted the other guard into the wall, knocking them out cold.


    ¡°The other guards on probably on damage control, we need to act quickly.¡±


    As the trio approached the bow covered in thick vines, Priyanka took another grenade out of her bag.


    ¡°Hopefully this kills them.¡± She whispered to herself, placing one down at the base of the vines away from the weapon itself. She stepped back, and the explosion was heard. The vines looked like they had less life in them, with their grip on the bow waning as it tipped over. She quickly boosted towards them and snapped the bow away from the platform it was resting on.


    Finally, it was in her hands. What looked to be fine crafted wood of dark green with ornamental curves, all attached to what looked to be a thin string. It was light, so she could run with it.


    ¡°We got the bow, let¡¯s go!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, sure!¡± Tsuki nodded, wincing in pain as she did. She looked at her hand, and a lot of blood was pouring out. In order to make the gluey substance her ability gave her, she essentially had to melt a layer of her skin to achieve enough power to stick a guy to a wall, which is what she was prepared for. As she ran down the stairs, she was greeted by three people. An obnoxious looking man holding a spear, a short more reserved man holding a large axe, and a single girl among them decked in brass gauntlets with exposed fingertips.


    ¡°Let the bow go, criminal scum!¡± Luca announced, thrusting his spear forwards with one hand. Priyanka took one deep breath and jumped down the stairs, boosting past the three of them in one motion and running towards the exit. When Luca turned around, he swung his spear across. Priyanka managed to let another boost out to gain some solid distance behind them and ran towards the exit.


    Luca ran after her, leaving Xander and Tsuki facing off against the other two. Xander just made a mad dash towards the two, hoping to get out unscathed. Gavin put all the weight in his body into a swing of his axe, which came out extremely slow and clumsy. It clashed off the wall in front of Xander and awkwardly fell to the floor. Xander ran past him easily, trying not to vomit from the intensity of the whole ordeal. Tsuki approached them with one of the guards spears. When Caoimhe ran over to her, she swung the spear downwards and she effortlessly caught it. Tsuki quickly let the spear go and ran behind her. When Caoimhe turned around, Tsuki pulled the spear on the sticky trail she attached to the weapon, sending the end of it flying into the back of Caoimhe¡¯s head. She stumbled over, allowing Tsuki to run past her and to the exit with Xander.


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    On Cassandra¡¯s airship, she placed Roxanne down on the couch of the ship carefully.


    ¡°Okay, does your leg hurt?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll survive. Just fight the other guys.¡±


    Cassandra nodded and took her axe out of the box that held it. It felt easier to hold, like it was binding itself to her. No whispering from it, however.


    ¡°Yo, Julian!¡± She yelled out. ¡°You ready?¡±


    Julian walked out of the ship with the bear corpse behind him, it¡¯s eyes glowing with white energy.


    ¡°You bet.¡± Julian sighed. There was slight hesitation, but it was clear he was ready for whatever happened next.


    The two of them ran out of the ship and back towards where the weapon was being held. The bear¡¯s arms were dangling slightly, and Julian cursed slightly once he noticed.


    ¡°I¡¯ll need more bugs.¡± He mumbled.


    Once they went towards the Torthai, they saw the girl holding the bow in front of her. She was the same girl who invaded the miracle group before, with two new people in tow.


    ¡°We need to be quick.¡± Priyanka sighed.


    Julian sent the bear after her. This cursed bear, Priyanka thought. She drew the bow with as much strength as she could muster, and some vines grew from the wood into an arrow. She shot it forward.


    Direct hit on the bear. Once the arrow hit, Vines started springing from it until they entangled the bears body, forcing it onto the ground. The vines started tightening up, until the arms of the bear snapped off. Cassandra ran to Priyanka, who dashed backwards to better aim a shot. It felt lighter to pull the string back, like the weapon itself was adjusting to her. She let the weapon fire, and Cassandra put the axe in front of her. The arrow clashed against her the axe, and Cassandra had to push forward in one heavy motion if she even wanted to deflect it. She managed to do so, sending the arrow shooting upwards with a single mighty upheaval. She continued to run towards the girl, who tried dashing again. Cassandra swung the axe directly in front of Priyanka, and a bolt of electricity began traveling towards her. Priyanka tried deflecting with the bow, but the bolt hit her directly in the chest, and she was still forced to drop it.


    Cassandra once again started to run, trying to swing her axe full force into Priyanka.


    ¡®Don¡¯t hurt them.¡¯


    A whisper was heard. Or less heard, and more beamed into Cassandra¡¯s head. ¡®don¡¯t hurt them.¡¯ She planted her feet into the ground, ready for the swing. But just before she could, she felt an electric shock come out of the axe and into her hands, and quickly flowing into the rest of her. Electricity surged through her body for a brief second and forced her to the floor. Priyanka aimed towards her, shooting an arrow towards her neck. The vines grew out and grasped the back of her neck, forcing her to the ground. She tried getting her hand underneath the vines, but they expanded whenever she tried. Julian tried pulling the vines in a desperate attempt to get them off her, but she just coughed and heaved whenever that happened, and the vines weren¡¯t coming off.


    Priyanka just ran, and Tsuki and Xander followed. Julian tried frantically grabbing one of them and ended up pulling the hood of Xander¡¯s hoodie.


    ¡°What are you trying to do?¡± Julian screamed.


    ¡°What¡¯s¡­what¡¯s with your eye?¡± Xander asked, looking more confused than afraid.


    ¡°What about my eye?¡± Julian screamed.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s just¡­¡±


    Xander didn¡¯t bother explaining further, instead opting to kick Julian in the legs in an attempt to undo his grip. Julian¡¯s grasp weakened for a few seconds, and Xander managed to scurry away and get back on his feet.


    ¡°Where did they go?¡±


    Luca and Caoimhe ran to the scene, with Gavin following a few seconds later, out of breath.


    ¡°They went that way!¡± Julian yelled. ¡°Luca, go get them! Caoimhe, help Cassandra!¡±


    Caoimhe looked towards Cassandra, now unconscious on the ground. She placed a hand on the vines, and they slowly wilted away until Cassandra was freed. She was unconscious but breathing. Julian checked her heartbeat. It was slightly irregular, but she was likely going to survive.


    Gavin ran back to the group, panting, and then collapsed onto the ground.


    ¡°Their airship got away.¡± He said in between gasps for air. ¡°We lost the bow.¡±


    ¡°We¡­lost?¡± Julian said to himself.


    ¡°Regrettably, yes.¡± Luca sighed, appearing behind them. ¡°This is a¡­tragic turn of events.¡±

 Leaders of Light

    ¡°So, can we go now?¡±


    Rory asked the lux guards standing by the exit doors, prodding a bony finger into them. ¡°Most of us have things to do, especially me!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯ll be much longer, Rory.¡± Nuria replied.


    Rory turned around to the girl sighing at him. Frizzy black hair with a mostly black dress with a neon flower pattern around the bottom and bust area.


    ¡°It better not be. The axe is with me, remember?¡±


    ¡°We know, Rory. Maybe try to cool off a little bit and ask again, okay?¡±


    Rory started moving again in as brisk a walk as his elderly body could allow, followed by muttering under his breath with many, many curse words.


    ¡°So, how¡¯s my goddaughter doing?¡± Zach asked, draping his tuxedo shirt over his shoulders.


    ¡°She¡¯s doing great, Zach.¡± Marcel replied, digging into his pockets for a picture. ¡°She just turned nineteen last month!¡±


    ¡°Nineteen?!¡± Zach yelled. ¡°Didn¡¯t I visit the eight-year-old Aurelia last year?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take that as a sign age hasn¡¯t claimed me yet!¡±


    The two burst into uproarious laughter, draping hands across each other¡¯s shoulders as they did.


    ¡°But anyway, she¡¯s doing well. Enrolled in the Sangaria royal medical academy and is in the top five percent of applicants. With how busy she is, even I never get to see her!¡±


    ¡°Well, it seems your place is in good hands once you kick the bucket!¡± Zach laughed. ¡°If she¡¯ll let you die, that is!¡±


    ¡°Well, I suppose she just wants to cure whatever claimed her mother.¡± Marcel sighed. ¡°She hasn¡¯t been the same since that happened.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, I didn¡¯t even see her at the funeral.¡± Zach said sadly. ¡°And how long ago was that? Eight years ago? It¡¯s probably haunted her mind the whole time.¡±


    ¡°Well, whatever she achieves, I¡¯ll be there to support her.¡±


    The sombre mood was cut short when Freyja walked past them. Dressed in an ocean blue gown separated in the middle with a silver stripe, as well as small silver jewels surrounding the neckline, all topped off with a blonde ponytail.


    ¡°Ah, Freyja!¡± Marcel bellowed. ¡°How¡¯s little Willow doing? She¡¯d be nineteen this year too, if I¡¯m not mistaken!¡±


    ¡°Yes, Willow.¡± Freyja said followed with an exasperated sigh. ¡°So your daughter enrolled in the royal academy, hm? Maybe I¡¯ll send her over and make her learn something.¡±


    ¡°Not a study, is she?¡± Zach asked. ¡°So what, she just lounges in the castle off your own lux?¡±


    ¡°No, quite the opposite.¡± Freyja groaned. ¡°She keeps sneaking out for quote ¡®battles and fair maidens.¡¯ And when she is inside, she ends up fighting the guards.¡±


    ¡°Sounds like a good time! She ever consider joining the fightston games?¡±


    Freyja approached Zach and tried to stand up to his incredibly tall frame. It wouldn¡¯t surprise him if she was standing on her tippy-toes under the dress to try to meet him. It wasn¡¯t working.


    ¡°If you so much as consider letting her join that depravity I will personally send all my soldiers to get her back.¡±


    ¡°The ones I supplied?¡± Zach asked with a smug grin. Marcel couldn¡¯t help but laugh at all of this.


    ¡°We can discuss this the next time we meet, farewell.¡± Zach said cheerily.


    Freyja left with an even bigger frown than usual.


    ¡°I think that¡¯s our sign to get going.¡± Zach sighed. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll be seeing you later.¡±


    ¡°Apologies, gentlemen.¡±


    In the hallway was the leader of Inariu, miss Ola Okorie. Dressed in a worn-out dress with white sleeves and near the bottom, with the chest and waist area taken up with patterns of dark red and beige triangles. The sleeves were wide, especially for someone like her to wear. And all of that was topped off with her short black frizzy hair.


    ¡°Apparently there was an incident in Saoloro. So we have to do another meeting. But we¡¯ve been promised we can go back to our own grands as soon as it ends, so get there as soon as you can.¡±


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    The three of them were back at the long wooden table, the first to arrive. Zach sat at the end of the table, on a seat with a red back cushion. Marcel sat next to him, and Ola next to Marcel. Next up was Kazumi Wada, the leader of Sandala. She was to sit on the end of the table on a chair with a blue cushion. She sat opposite Zach, waving to him in a circular motion with her left hand. He in turn did it with his left. Wait, he was left-handed. He did it with his right hand, and Kazumi chuckled at it. In Sandala, your non dominant hand is less dirty and used for a cleaner greeting. He always forgot that.


    Soon after Kazumi was the leader of Gurut, Gurpreet Anand, who sat in the second chair with the blue cushion next to Kazumi. A mountain of a man even if he wasn¡¯t particularly fit, wielding a suit with a long top half. And on his face was the most impressive handlebar moustache Zach had ever seen. It just got more glorious each time he saw it. The next person in was Nuria Ferra, who sat next to Gurut. The two began quietly chatting, all the while Nuria cast a few gazes at Zach¡¯s shirtless body. Rory was next, the thin old man in a grey flannel shirt ranting obscenities the whole way in, sitting at the front of the desk by Mia¡¯s chair. Next up was Freyja, sitting opposite to Rory without a word. Next was Fen Hou, who looked more masculine than last time he saw them, adorned in a formal red suit with a few chains hanging off the chest region and wavy black hair with small red earrings. He lost track of what their gender actually was, as they seemed to accept whatever you threw at them regarding pronouns. But if they weren¡¯t bothered about it, why should he be? They sat by Freyja.


    Finally was Sylvestro. He sauntered in wearing a small cape like Marcel, but with an extremely low-cut shirt that left his chest region exposed, as well as a single extremely large curl on the left side of his head that looked like hell to style. He sat in the remaining free seat next to Rory.


    ¡°So, everyone¡¯s gathered.¡±


    Mia Burri entered the room, and everyone went silent. She walked in, adorned in her small red cape, with a smart black blazer and a sheathed rapier by her side. Her hair was also tied back in a smart brown ponytail, similar to Freyja.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to force you all back here in such a short time, but while we were here some major problems have occurred.¡±


    ¡°What would those be?¡± Rory asked, slamming his aged fist down on the table.


    ¡°Hm, would Saoloro be involved?¡± Sylvestro asked. ¡°That¡¯s where those three with the axe were staying, correct?¡±


    ¡°It would, yes.¡± Mia sighed. ¡°It has come to our attention that an unknown group invaded Saoloro university and stole the Saoloro bow. As well as that, both Dermot Kennedy and Martin Malone are in comas from the incident. All the guards faced injuries, but nothing substantial. As well as that, one of the girls protecting the Sandala axe had a broken leg.¡±


    All eyes were put on Rory, who looked to be on the verge of a panic attack.


    ¡°Can I¡­can I step out for a moment?¡± He asked meekly. He didn¡¯t have an outburst, and all previous anger leaked out of his face.


    ¡°You may.¡± Mia nodded. ¡°But please have a guard accompany you.¡±


    Rory took a box of cigarettes out of his pockets with his shaking hands and stepped outside.


    ¡°So now what?¡± Kazumi asked. ¡°Is he off the council as well?¡±


    ¡°Officially, yes.¡± Mia said calmly.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯m gonna say something.¡±


    Mia locked eyes with Zach. His voice was lower than usual, and he was once again disrespecting the Lux dress codes by not wearing a shirt.


    ¡°You wish to speak, Zach?¡± Mia sighed.


    ¡°Can we not expel grands that had their weapons stolen from the lux council? I think in times like this support is needed more than ever.¡±


    ¡°The sacred weapons represent how important your nation is. If we let former councils have major powers in world events, what¡¯s stopping your average merchant ship from joining the council?¡±


    ¡°Because the three you¡¯ve exiled all produced major exports before they lost their weapons, and they still do. Sandala still produces electricity, Gurut still produces stonework, and Saoloro will still produce food. So letting them back in the council will be nothing but beneficial.¡±


    ¡°We won¡¯t allow that.¡± Mia said sternly, watching Zach¡¯s eye twitch. ¡°Having a weapon is proof of your capability to lead. ¡°


    ¡°At least let Sandala back in. Saoloro and Gurut lost their weapons, I¡¯ll give you that. But we know where the axe is. Kazumi basically loaned it to the Miracle Scouts, correct?¡±


    ¡°In essence, yes.¡± Kazumi nodded. ¡°If they wanted to do something with the weapon, they would have done it by now.¡±


    ¡°So they¡¯re official citizens?¡± Mia asked Kazumi.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have an issue with that.¡± Kazumi replied.


    ¡°Fine. Sandala is back on the council. Please take Rory¡¯s old seat, Mrs Kazumi.¡±


    Kazumi sat on Rory¡¯s old seat, nodding towards Zach. Mia knew his plan. He still believed in giving Saoloro and Gurut their places back, but made her relent to give him more sway in another attempt, which Marcel would certainly join as well.


    ¡°So, what are we going to do?¡± Fen asked. ¡°I don¡¯t know if I could protect my weapon if it came down to it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll supply more soldiers to every grand that didn¡¯t get invaded yet. Around thirty to fifty each depending on who wants them. That should hopefully be good enough to expel any new legion attacks for a while anyway. While that¡¯s going on, I¡¯ll work out a plan to flush them out.¡±


    ¡°Whatever that is, make sure to run it through me.¡± Mia asked, shooting daggers towards Zach. ¡°I don¡¯t want you putting Fightston in jeopardy.¡±


    ¡°And as for the people protecting the axe, I¡¯ll ship them over to Sangaria to fix the leg of whoever got it broken.¡± Marcel announced.


    ¡°With all due respect, Marcel.¡± Ola interrupted. ¡°I think it would make more sense to bring them to Inariu for a temporary prosthetic. They¡¯ll be better off in the short term and can be brought to you eventually.¡±


    ¡°Only in the short term?¡± Nuria asked. ¡°So could anything bad happen?¡±


    ¡°Only if she overdoes it.¡± Ola assured. ¡°Besides, the main reason I ask is that Inariu is right next to Saoloro, so I could get someone to them quickly.¡±


    ¡°Good decision, Ola.¡± Mia nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll cease the meeting here to let you out. I wish everyone here a safe journey back.¡±


    Mia stayed in the room while the others left. Zach walked out to Rory still on the deck.


    ¡°Doing okay?¡± He asked.


    Rory jumped, which caused him to drop his cigarette over the ship.


    ¡°Fecks sake, don¡¯t startle me like that!¡± He yelled, before going back to a more sombre position.


    ¡°Sorry for lashing like that, I just need some time to think about everything. So tell me this, am I still on the council?¡±


    ¡°I tried, man.¡± Zach grunted. ¡°But Mia insists you won¡¯t be able to vote on the issues for a while.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine, It¡¯s not the main issue right now. Now I need to think about how I¡¯m going to tell Dermot and Marty¡¯s parents about what happened. They¡¯re good lads, they didn¡¯t deserve this.¡±


    ¡°Well, if you¡¯re doing good, I¡¯ll stay out of your hair.¡± Zach said. He walked back to his own ship and headed back to Fightston. His plan was already coming together in his head, but the main issue was making sure nobody, especially Mia, knew what it was.

 Return to Chelic

    The trio landed their airship into the hanger of the cluster, on the lowest level. Priyanka silently took the bow out and walked through the hanger into the ships main hall. The place used to be a decently large housing ship surrounding Fightston before Chelic took it over. He then tried to steal a relic weapon to gain status and was exiled almost instantly by Zach¡¯s forces.


    ¡°Sup Xander.¡± Said one of the girls from the technical department smoking a dubious herbal substance. ¡°You back from the scouting mission?¡±


    ¡°I mean, kinda.¡± Xander replied while scratching his head. ¡°We went from the middlemen to¡­cutting the need for them, I guess.¡±


    ¡°We got the bow, is what we¡¯re saying.¡± Priyanka interjected.


    ¡°Wait, what?¡± The girl yelled before breaking into a coughing fit. ¡°Can I see the weapon?¡±


    Priyanka showed her the bow, and she stood awestruck. The paper containing the dubious substance fell out of her mouth and almost hit the weapon, only for Priyanka to dash forwards and almost spill some guys coffee.


    ¡°Watch it! This is a cultural artifact!¡± She yelled out towards her.


    ¡°Dude, I gotta look up what damage you caused to get this.¡± The girl replied, walking down the hall.


    ¡°We only blew up one wall, I think!¡± Xander yelled as she left. The girl laughed as he said that.


    Tsuki got a call on her phone. From Chelic.


    ¡°Hello, master.¡± Tsuki said calmly, instantly making her voice sound cuter. ¡°Yes, we have the weapon. How did we get it? Long chain of events. You want the weapon now? Sure thing.¡±


    She closed her phone and turned to the others.


    ¡°We¡¯re wanted upstairs.¡± It was genuinly impressive


    And so, Xander, Tsuki, and Priyanka made their way to the top layer of the cluster. All fifteen layers. Xander was trying not to flop to the ground as he made his way to the door of Chelic. Tsuki inspected her silkworms and put them on her shoulders as she walked in.


    ¡°Ah, the main event of the day!¡± Marcus announced as they walked in. ¡°Chelic, I¡¯m sure you heard the news!¡±


    ¡°I have, yes.¡± Chelic said from his chair. Turned around, so they couldn¡¯t actually see him. ¡°I would like to congratulate you on your efforts.¡±


    Priyanka presented the bow towards Marcus, who took it and placed it by the table next to him.


    ¡°You know, half the people in this room know what you look like.¡± Tsuki reminded him calmly.


    ¡°I doubt that¡¯s relevant right now.¡± Marcus said pleasantly. ¡°Regardless, I feel he wishes to reward you.¡±


    ¡°First off.¡± Chelic said, showing a single pale finger to the trio. ¡°Your rankings will all go up. But I need to ask who contributed the most during this mission.¡±


    ¡°Without meaning to sound self-indulgent, I feel I made the biggest impact. I directed the group and used the tools provided to get the weapon.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Priyanka wins, I think.¡± Xander nodded. ¡°But I think I place last. All I did was set off the security and secure a path to the weapon. Tsuki did most of the fighting from there.¡±


    ¡°Nope. If you didn¡¯t set the system off, we wouldn¡¯t have been able to get the weapon. I just fought a couple people off, and even that ended up hurting like a bitch.¡±


    She shown her bandaged hand to Xander, who brushed it off.


    ¡°I¡¯m not even a wielder. Besides, if you¡¯re willing to mess up your hand like that then you get second place.¡±


    ¡°Chelic, may we just have both Xander and Tsuki go up the same amount?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll do it.¡± Chelic said. ¡°Priyanka, your rank is now one hundred and forty-three. Tsuki, two hundred and twelve. Xander, two hundred and thirteen.¡±


    ¡°Wait, for real?¡± Xander asked. ¡°That seems kinda steep. For one, two hundred and fourteen could probably tear me a new asshole in under a minute.¡±


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    ¡°Well, this has taught me the importance of stealth in these missions. And speaking of missions, it¡¯s time for your next one.¡±


    ¡°Already?¡± Xander asked, lurching forward in agony. ¡°With all due respect, I feel like getting an ancient weapon owes us like, a break of some kind.¡±


    ¡°If it makes you feel better, the travel time towards your next mission will give you time to recuperate. And I feel the pay bonus should be more than enough of a motivation.¡±


    ¡°How much would that be?¡± Tsuki asked.


    ¡°Roughly three thousand tokens each.¡± Marcus said calmly.


    ¡°Three thousand?¡± Tsuki perked up.


    ¡°Yes, as well as several thousand in forged Lux for your travels, naturally.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll take it.¡± Priyanka said sharply, startling Xander. ¡°So, what¡¯s our next mission?¡±


    ¡°Your mission will be to go to Sangaria and retrieve their relic weapon.¡±


    ¡°The shield of Sangaria.¡± Priyanka asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s actually the spear, miss Priyanka.¡± Chelic corrected.


    ¡°It¡¯s a shield. The spear is in Vannana.¡± Priyanka corrected back.


    ¡°It is in Vannana.¡± Marcus nodded. ¡°Sorry, Chelic, they will be getting the shield.¡±


    ¡°Understood, understood.¡± Chelic replied, his voice noticeably lowered. ¡°Regardless of what the weapon is, I¡¯ll need you three to retrieve it.¡±


    ¡°Would that be a good idea?¡± Tsuki asked. ¡°I mean, I have a feeling we¡¯re wanted criminals by this point.¡±


    ¡°Well, there¡¯s the beauty.¡± Marcus said calmly while showing a computer on the table next to him. ¡°News of you stealing the weapon is breaking out all over, but not a single news source has your faces or identities. Granted, when the people you put in comas wake up, they¡¯ll probably be able to provide detailed descriptions of who you are, so you¡¯ll need to act fast. But once you come back, you will get three months¡¯ time off to ensure your health.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll allow it.¡± Chelic replied. ¡°Except for Tsuki. Those knockouts are second to none.¡±


    ¡°Understood, master.¡± Tsuki said with an eye roll.


    ¡°Now, rest up at once.¡± Chelic ordered with a slam of his fist onto the table. ¡°You¡¯ll be going at sunrise.¡±


    The three left the room. Xander instantly gave a nervous look at Priyanka.


    ¡°Hey, can¡¯t help but notice that Marcus mentioned comas. What¡¯s the deal with that, exactly?¡±


    ¡°I assume I put people in comas.¡± Priyanka said calmly. ¡°Nothing more to it.¡±


    ¡°Okay, you are way too calm for taking about putting people in comas.¡± Xander yelled as they paced through the empty hallway. ¡°I know we¡¯re being forced to fight them, but these are actual people we¡¯re talking about here.¡±


    ¡°Did you seriously go into this mission expecting for nobody to get hurt?¡±


    ¡°Maybe a broken bone or something, but not comas! Okay, can we agree for this mission that nobody gets into a coma? Or worse?¡±


    ¡°If it comes down to it, I¡¯ll do it.¡±


    ¡°Nope. If you put anyone into a coma, then I¡¯ll just report you. And claim to be kidnapped by the new legion and forced into your schemes.¡±


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t do that. You have nowhere to go.¡±


    ¡°Deserting from what¡¯s basically a terrorist organization and spilling their secrets would make me pretty valuable to stopping you, I¡¯m just saying.¡±


    Priyanka stopped for a second. She turned around to look towards him.


    ¡°Okay, fine.¡± She spoke. ¡°Anyway, this is the floor you live in, correct?¡±


    ¡°It is, yeah.¡±


    ¡°I think I¡¯ll stay behind, too.¡± Tsuki added. ¡°I am way too tired to go back to Chelic¡¯s floor, so I¡¯ll just crash with Xander.¡±


    ¡°Understood. See you at sunrise.¡±


    Priyanka went down the ladder towards her level, and Xander and Tsuki went into his room.


    ¡°There¡¯s a lot of stuff piled up here, just kick whatever you want out of the way.¡±


    In Xander¡¯s room was a pretty advanced PC with a pretty big modem next to it on a desk with a bunch of floppy disks next to it, with a trash can overflowing with cans and snack food wrappers. As well as an assortment of random electrical components and robotic parts littered all over the floor. The only thing not covered in trash was his bed, so she took a seat there. She only took her shoes off after making the trek there, feeling that stepping on anything there with bare feet would be a really bad idea.


    ¡°So what¡¯s with the tubes on the wall?¡± She asked, pointing towards the multiple thick metal tubes attached to Xander¡¯s wall.


    ¡°Oh, that? Prototype I¡¯m working on. If it works like I hope it will, then I¡¯ll be able to attach a panel to the wall, like so.¡± He picked up a small cardboard replica of what was basically just a rectangle. ¡°You put your trash in this, and it goes through the tubes into a massive trash can, which can then get emptied out over the grand to the world below.¡±


    ¡°So what, it¡¯s just an excuse to not throw your trash out?¡±


    ¡°Look, Tsuki. Agriculture was made because somebody didn¡¯t want to go out and hunt for food. Writing was made because some dude didn¡¯t want to verbally retell everything that came to his mind. Behind all innovation is a guy who didn¡¯t want to do something.¡±


    ¡°Well, when you put it like that.¡± Tsuki nodded. ¡°You really seem to like inventing crap like that. So would you actually sell the cluster out if you had to?¡±


    ¡°Look, here¡¯s how I see it. I hate Chelic. I hate having to follow his stupid whims, I hate his stupid plans to destroy everything, his stupid takeover of smaller airships, and he probably has a really stupid face.¡±


    ¡°Ehhh.¡± Tsuki shook her hand. For his many, many faults, he was still kinda hot.


    ¡°But.¡± Xander added. ¡°The infrastructure he¡¯s built up. Admittedly pretty good. So if we were to just take it and use it to benefit everyone, we¡¯d all be way better off, you get me? Even the other ships if they let us."


    ¡°It makes sense.¡± Tsuki sighed. ¡°And being part of his harem blows ass. Dude¡¯s a total creep.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t even get me started on that! Kidnapping women and forcing the hot ones into relationships! Like, who does that?¡±


    ¡°Look, all the girls learned that if you knock him out and tell him the sex was so good he got short term amnesia from it, he¡¯ll actually believe that.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s good, but it also proves he¡¯s a fucking idiot. Anyway, if you want to go to sleep on my bed, I can chill on my chair.¡±


    ¡°We can share a bed. We¡¯re in a relationship, dumbass.¡±


    Xander paused for a second while taking a sip from an opened can of energy drink. ¡°I mean, if you¡¯re okay with that.¡± Xander said, taking his hoodie off while Tsuki put her hat onto his desk.

 Next Destination

    The dream was back.


    Roxanne was back in the void. Endless black, she knew the deal. The shining white being appeared once again, in front of her this time. Roxanne felt a vague anger radiating off her this time.


    ¡°You¡¯re nothing.¡±


    It started off with the same tone as always, but quickly picked up in intensity. The phrase ¡°You¡¯re nothing.¡± Being repeated over and over again with enough intensity to shake the ground around her. But unlike the other dreams, the tendrils exploded behind her and took her into the ground all at once. They wrapped around her body before she could do anything to combat it and rapidly pushed her into the ground, and she began to sink. She tried screaming once again. Not out of fear, but purely out of instinct. The tendrils came undone around her mouth, and she managed to finally splutter a scream out loud before she fully sank.


    ¡°Roxanne!¡±


    Roxanne woke up, face on the floor of the miracle scouting ship. Next to her was a pool of vomit. Her sense of taste came back, which led to her realization that the vomit was hers.


    ¡°Are you okay, Roxanne?! Say something if you can hear me!¡±


    ¡°I can hear.¡± Roxanne mumbled, spluttering up some more vomit. Cassandra picked her up and moved her back to the couch. Roxanne tried moving again, but her leg wasn¡¯t cooperating.


    ¡°Oh, shit. I¡¯m just glad you¡¯re up. Just let me clean up everything.¡±


    Roxanne lay on the couch staring at the ceiling. She heard Cassandra get some paper towels to cover the vomit, as well as a small bucket for Roxanne to vomit in again. Roxanne tried willing her leg into working again. It didn¡¯t work. It still felt like the bone inside was replaced with liquid and not letting it move.


    ¡°Okay, that should hopefully be good enough.¡± Cassandra said to herself. ¡°Sorry if I seem out of it, I was woken up by you vomiting.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­it¡¯s cool.¡± Roxanne mumbled. ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°Well, I don¡¯t know.¡± Cassandra replied, moving Roxanne¡¯s leg slightly to sit on the couch, and then placing her legs on her lap. ¡°We still have the axe, anyway.¡±


    ¡°What about the bow?¡±


    ¡°I got shot. Vines chocked me out. But what happened to you, anyway?¡±


    ¡°I was on a date with Dermot when the alarm went off. Three people were in front of us when we tried to get out. One of them was the girl who tried to kill us on the miracle scouting ship, so that¡¯s when I knew something was up. She attacked Dermot and his friend Marty and beat them, and then the two others grabbed me and threw me down the stairs.¡±


    ¡°Down the stairs?¡± Cassandra asked.


    ¡°Yeah, to try to get rid of me. But as they were carrying me down the stairs, one of them kept saying ¡®don¡¯t die¡¯ to himself. So maybe they want to get the weapons by hurting as few people as possible?¡±


    ¡°I mean, either way, they still plan on using the weapons to take over the world, right? So I don¡¯t think it matters if some of them don¡¯t want to kill.¡±


    ¡°Still though, those guys could at least be used to tell us what¡¯s going on with the new legion ships.¡±


    ¡°Hey, are you okay?!¡±


    The two looked over to see Julian in the doorway of the ships interior. His eye was widened towards Cassandra, who he ran over to immediately, shaking her shoulders.


    ¡°Cass! Cass, are you alive?¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡± Cassandra replied, trying to pry her boyfriend off her. ¡°I just woke up a couple minutes ago.¡±


    ¡°Okay, we need to get you tested.¡± Julian yelled, picking up Cassandra. ¡°Sorry Roxanne, but this is important.¡±


    In the master bedroom, Julian let Cassandra down gently, shaking his hands.


    ¡°Okay, how¡¯s your neck?¡± Julian asked, tilting Cassandra¡¯s head to see any signs of damage around the neck. There didn¡¯t seem to be anything too bad. He tested her respiration, and that seemed to be regular.


    ¡°I think it¡¯s fine.¡± Cassandra replied, grabbing her neck.


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    ¡°Okay, how?¡±


    ¡°How?¡± Cassandra asked. ¡°I dunno, I survived long enough to get the vines off me, I guess.¡±


    ¡°No, seriously. Those vines were grabbing your neck for several minutes. By all metrics, you should be dead.¡±


    ¡°Oh. Well, I guess I¡¯m just more durable.¡± Cassandra shrugged.


    ¡°Okay, mind if I just?¡± Julian put his hands around Cassandra¡¯s neck.


    ¡°What the hell?¡± Cassandra spluttered.


    ¡°Look, how much does this hurt?¡± Julian asked. ¡°Can you breathe?¡±


    ¡°No! Let go.¡±


    Julian did as she asked. Cassandra rubbed her neck.


    ¡°Look, if me surviving that is a freak accident, then it¡¯s probably just me regenerating enough to survive longer.¡±


    ¡°Okay, okay.¡± Julian sighed, throwing his arms around her. Cassandra noticed him breathing incredibly heavily. ¡°I¡¯m just¡­I¡¯m glad you¡¯re alive.¡±


    ¡°Same here, man.¡± Cassandra sighed in return, hugging Julian in return. ¡°But while I¡¯m here, did you hear the axe talk?¡±


    ¡°The axe?¡± Julian asked. ¡°No?¡±


    ¡°Oh.¡± Cassandra said, stroking her hair. ¡°Well, when I was fighting that girl, I was about to strike her with the axe. But then it told me not to hurt them and shocked me until I fell to the ground.¡±


    ¡°Weapons can talk?¡± Julian asked.


    ¡°Well, the axe can, I guess.¡±


    ¡°So what¡¯s your theory there?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. The weapons were made before the skyships, right? So maybe some wielder down there gave the relic weapons life.¡±


    ¡°What purpose would that have?¡± Julian asked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. We still don¡¯t know what gave the weapons their properties, so maybe letting the weapons talk was a side effect? God, I just really want to know what the deal is with them.¡±


    ¡°But the axe didn¡¯t have any problem hitting the hammer, did it?¡± Julian asked.


    ¡°That¡¯s the next question!¡± Cassandra asked, putting her head in her hands. ¡°Nothing about these damn things makes sense!¡±


    But before Cassandra could ponder further, there was a knock on the door. She answered it, and Caoimhe was standing there. Caoimhe looked towards Cassandra¡¯s neck with hand marks around it, and then at the bed Julian was sitting next to.


    ¡°Did I¡­walk in on something?¡± She asked, blushing and taking a few steps back.


    ¡°No, we were just testing something a couple minutes ago.¡± Cassandra shook her head calmly, before the implications crept into her mind.


    ¡°Wait, no! It was how I survived being choked! During the battle! You get it, right?¡±


    ¡°I swear it¡¯s not weird. Besides, we¡¯re both dressed.¡± Julian yelled from behind the door.


    ¡°Right, right.¡± Caoimhe said, looking away and showing Cassandra her phone. ¡°Look, the leaders of the Lux found out about what happened, and the leader of Inariu wants to talk to you.¡±


    Cassandra took the phone, and on the other end was a woman¡¯s soothing voice.


    ¡°Hello, is this the miracle group?¡±


    ¡°Yes, this is Cassandra.¡±


    ¡°The one with the broken leg?¡±


    ¡°No, that would be Roxanne.¡±


    ¡°Can I talk to her?¡±


    Cassandra gave Roxanne the phone, and she picked it up.


    ¡°Hello?¡± She asked.


    ¡°Hello, is your leg broken?¡± The voice asked.


    ¡°Yes?¡± Roxanne replied, looking at Cassandra. ¡°Who¡¯s this?¡±


    ¡°Ah, I have the right person then. I¡¯m Ola Okorie of Inariu. And seeing as you¡¯ve broken your leg, I would like you to come over and give you a free prosthetic until your leg heals. Sound good?¡±


    ¡°Um, one sec.¡± Roxanne turned to Cassandra.


    ¡°It¡¯s the leader of Inariu. She wants us to go and treat my leg.¡±


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s right next to here, right?¡± Cassandra asked. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t be too long of a trek, anyway.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, we can go.¡± Roxanne said.


    ¡°Okay!¡± The voice yelled from the other end, causing Roxanne to recoil slightly. ¡°Will I send a ship over or can you bring yours?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll bring ours, don¡¯t worry.¡± Roxanne replied.


    ¡°Okay, see you soon!¡±


    The line cut off, and Roxanne handed the phone back to Cassandra, who gave it back to Caoimhe.


    ¡°So, we¡¯re going to Inariu next?¡± Cassandra asked.


    ¡°Guess so, but I said we¡¯d sail over to them. I bet they have a lot to deal with right now.¡±


    ¡°I mean¡­sure?¡± Cassandra sighed. ¡°I¡¯ll start the ship once the guys get here.¡±


    ¡°Nah, they¡¯re preparing something else.¡± Caoimhe interjected. ¡°Since the two have new weapons we figured it¡¯d be best to train with them before we try fighting the New Legion again.¡±


    ¡°New weapons?¡± Cassandra asked.


    ¡°Basically, Luca decided he wanted to give up swordfighting and master spears. But since teams can apparently only have one user of a certain weapon at a time, Gavin had to give it up.¡±


    ¡°So that¡¯s why the small guy has a massive axe?¡±


    ¡°Pretty much.¡± Caoimhe sighed. ¡°Besides, I don¡¯t think we have to protect you anymore. We got an offer to go to Fightston.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s happening in Fightston?¡±


    ¡°The Fightston games. Big tournament¡¯s coming up, so I guess they want us as celebrity endorsements or something.¡±


    She got another call and answered the phone.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m just wrapping up here. We¡¯re being offered a sponsorship by a smoothie place? Okay, how many luxa are they offering?¡± She walked out as she kept talking.


    ¡°Well, I guess we gotta go.¡± Cassandra sighed. ¡°I¡¯ll start up the ship.¡±


    Back on their own ship, Caoimhe returned where Luca and Gavin were waiting on their overly large black semi-circle shaped couch. Just one of the many extravagant things on the ship. Like the large fish tank in the corner filled with many extravagant species of fish. Allegedly. In truth, some guy in Vannana probably scammed Luca and nobody cared enough about fish to check.


    ¡°So, how are they?¡± Luca asked.


    ¡°Julian seems to be doing okay, anyway.¡± Caoimhe knew that was all he wanted to know.


    ¡°Just okay?¡± He probed further, leaning forward in an attempt to get into her soul.


    ¡°He¡¯s dating the redhead girl now.¡± She replied, casually taking a can of luxury water out of their minifridge studded with pink jewels.


    ¡°And did he mention me?¡± Luca asked.


    ¡°He¡¯s over you, friendo.¡± Caoimhe sighed. ¡°Didn¡¯t say anything.¡±


    ¡°Right, right.¡± Luca glanced towards the expensive fish. ¡°Anyway, we shouldn¡¯t keep a ruler waiting, correct? So I feel it¡¯s time to make our way to Fightston! Gavin! Start the engines!¡±


    ¡°On it.¡± Gavin sighed.


    And so, Caoimhe lay down on the couch opposite Luca and took a sip as Gavin started up the ship. They got out of any major work to deal with the weapons stuff for now, and Julian¡¯s new team was probably equipped to handle it. But it was time to forget about them for now, and focus on the next stage of their journey in Fightston.

 Welcome to Inariu

    Cassandra was flying through the air as Julian stood behind her with the instruction manual.


    ¡°So I think that if you press that button, it opens the cup holder.¡±


    ¡°Cup holder?¡± Cassandra asked. She pressed the button Julian mentioned, and a small cup holder popped out.


    ¡°That¡¯s amazing.¡± Cassandra whispered to herself. ¡°Hey, could you get me some water real quick? I gotta test this.¡±


    Julian did as she asked, passing by Roxanne on the couch.


    ¡°You need a drink?¡±


    ¡°Could I get some water?¡± She asked, tired.


    Julian went into the kitchen of the ship and checked under the sink. The box of water underneath was almost empty. He checked the minifridge above the sink, and in it was one more box of water. No issue, they just had to get more once they landed. He checked their generator. 68%. Pretty good, but they could probably recharge in Inariu, seeing as they were the second highest producers of the stuff. But enough maintenance, he had water to get. He used the last of the first box to fill three glasses of water. He handed the first one to Cassandra, who put it in the cup holder. The technology amazed her. She took a sip of water and put it back into the cup holder.


    Amazing.


    Julian went back to the lounge with Roxanne, two glasses in hand.


    ¡°So, Roxanne. Sorry if this sounds insensitive or whatever, but are you from Inariu?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t think so.¡± Roxanne replied, taking a sip of water.


    ¡°Alright, just thought I¡¯d ask.¡± Julian took a sip of his water. ¡°So do you know if you have any ideas where you¡¯re from before miracle?¡±


    ¡°Haven¡¯t really thought about it.¡± Roxanne replied, tilting her glass and staring at the ripples. ¡°From what I¡¯ve heard I just appeared on the ship one day as a baby.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re what, eighteen? So it wasn¡¯t a New Legion thing, anyway.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s one thing, anyway.¡± She sighed. ¡°So what do you think it was?¡±


    ¡°Honestly? No idea. Same deal with how Cassandra just appeared with no memories one day on the ship. But if you don¡¯t seem to be dwelling on it, then neither will I.¡±


    Julian went back to Cassandra, who had an empty glass of water next to her. And in front of them was Inariu. A large black box of a place with several ladders leading out of the top, where people seemed to be resting. There were several metal platforms jutting out alongside the housing ships connected to the grand, and on the metal platforms were their own houses. But on the top was where they had to land. Near the top was the docking station, where the other ships were. Cassandra landed the ship, and a man nearby spoke into his shirt.


    When Cassandra stepped out, a group of men were already running up the stairs. About twelve, with three of them holding guns.


    ¡°Uh, what¡¯s all this about?¡± Cassandra asked.


    Stolen novel; please report.


    ¡°We¡¯re allowed to shoot if you make any sudden moves!¡± The gunman in the centre yelled out.


    ¡°We¡¯re here to see Ola!¡± Cassandra yelled out. ¡°We¡¯re the miracle scouting group!¡±


    The man who called for the guards in the first place spoke into his coat once again. After a few seconds of silence which felt more and more dragged out as time went on, Ola made her appearance. Dressed like a normal person rather than any ruler, in a simple red t-shirt and black jeans, with her hair tied back.


    ¡°They¡¯re the real deal.¡± Ola said nonchalantly. ¡°Lower your weapons.¡±


    The guards did as instructed, lowering their weapons and backing behind Ola.


    ¡°Apologies for not setting a time for the landing, everyone.¡± Ola said, putting her hands up and looking tired as she did. ¡°I lost track of time.¡±


    The guards all went back underground, leaving just Ola in front of the ship.


    ¡°Well, with introductions out of the way, welcome to Inariu!¡±


    Cassandra stepped out of the ship with Julian, who was clutching his heart.


    ¡°What was that?¡± He yelled. ¡°What were those¡­portable death cannons?¡±


    ¡°You mean guns?¡± Ola asked. ¡°They¡¯ve been around for a while.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I know?¡± Julian asked.


    ¡°You put metal orbs in them. Then you pull a trigger which shoots the orbs out. And if that hits someone, it¡¯ll hurt like hell. Or worse.¡±


    ¡°So they¡¯re weapons?¡± Cassandra asked. ¡°Kind of like bows?¡±


    ¡°They blow bows out of the water!¡± Ola laughed. ¡°It¡¯s all power and no drawbacks! You wanna try it?¡±


    ¡°Maybe after we fix our friend?¡± Cassandra asked, pointing towards the ship.


    ¡°Oh! Right!¡± Ola yelled, slapping her head. ¡°That¡¯s what you came here for! I¡¯ll get a med-team, give me a second.¡±


    Ola pulled open a phone and started talking. Within a few minutes, a couple medical staff were there with a stretcher. Cassandra directed them to the ship where Roxanne was lying and helped get her onto the stretcher. Once she was on, they went underneath the dock to the main building.


    Inside the metallic core of the grand was several metal walkways leading to several doors, all having people scurry around from one to another. Most were holding some kind of equipment, but Cassandra couldn¡¯t recognize most of it. The medical staff dressed in all white were effortlessly navigating the stairs as well as the many people on them, while Cassandra and Julian were bumping into people, almost seeming like a competition between the two on who could disrupt the most people. Even then, none of the people they bumped into dropped anything they were holding. But after what felt like an endless case of stairways the two medical staff ran into a larger white building. Ola went up to the desk and slapped the bell at the end.


    ¡°Prosthetics department. Dakarai. Sorry for the short notice.¡±


    The person at the desk grabbed a phone next to them, while the other two people were also rapidly talking on the phone, as well as one checking a computer. The entire back end was also flowing in coloured post-it notes.


    ¡°He¡¯s ready, but there might be another person in the room.¡± The receptionist said calmly.


    ¡°It shouldn¡¯t be an issue.¡± Ola replied. ¡°People, prosthetics department room 13!¡±


    The medical staff ran into an elevator with Roxanne, and Cassandra and Julian barely managed to squeeze their way in.


    ¡°You ready, Roxanne?¡± Cassandra whispered.


    ¡°So this is Inariu?¡± Roxanne wheezed.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Cassandra nodded. ¡°Busy place.¡±


    ¡°So it¡¯s not a kidnapping, cool.¡±


    ¡°Were they that fast?¡± Julian asked.


    ¡°They just put me on the stretcher.¡± Roxanne replied. ¡°It was really damn quick.¡±


    The smooth ding was heard out of the elevator, and the medical staff once again rushed out into the hallways. They made a sharp turn into the corner of the white hallways, with the one in front quickly opening the door.


    ¡°You know about the patient?¡± The first one asked.


    ¡°The miracle one?¡± A mans voice asked from inside.


    ¡°Yep.¡± Roxanne replied.


    ¡°Alright, leave her by the x-ray. Thanks again.¡±


    The two rushed out of the room, and Cassandra walked in with Julian.


    ¡°So, you¡¯re the prosthetics guy?¡± Julian asked. ¡°Dakarai, was it?¡±


    The man looked up at them from his desk. He was wearing a light red shirt with a simple necklace similar to Roxanne¡¯s, only with a white gemstone. His black dreadlocks were also tied back into a ponytail.


    ¡°That would be me, yes.¡± He nodded in a calm voice. ¡°I¡¯m guessing you were rushed in by Ola and the others?¡± He asked with a defeated chuckle.


    ¡°Tell me about it.¡± Julian sighed while taking his beanie off and putting a hand in. Unusually damp. Probably more of a sign of him needing a haircut than anything else, however.


    ¡°Well, if that¡¯s the case, I welcome you to Inariu!¡±

 Spice Capital of the World

    ¡°So, you¡¯re able to fix up Roxanne?¡± Cassandra asked.


    ¡°Yeah. Just gotta check the damage first.¡±


    The man got up behind his desk, and Julian was able to see his legs. Or rather, leg. He was wearing trousers the exact same shade of red as his shirt. But underneath it was a large metal leg where his right one should be.


    ¡°Legion scar?¡± Julian asked.


    ¡°Yep.¡± Dakarai replied, his tone unchanging as he moved Roxanne¡¯s leg into the x-ray. One quick glance at it and he was quickly writing in a small notebook. He was smiling to himself as he did.


    ¡°What¡¯s your shoe size, miss?¡± He asked.


    ¡°I think a size six?¡± Roxanne asked.


    ¡°Ah, the average. Excellent.¡± Dakarai quickly closed the book. ¡°Well, it¡¯s only a big issue around the knee area. Everywhere else only has some small fractures that should heal pretty easy if you leave them be.¡±


    ¡°So how long will it take?¡± Cassandra asked.


    ¡°Well, I just need to modify something I¡¯ve got in the back. And then we should hopefully have you walking again, miss¡­?¡± He moved his hand in a circular motion waiting for Roxanne to respond.


    ¡°Roxanne.¡± She replied.


    ¡°Roxanne.¡± He took his notebook out and wrote it down, before dramatically closing it again. ¡°Now then, if I can have a minute?¡±


    He opened a door behind his desk and walked in.


    ¡°He seems nice.¡± Cassandra commented. ¡°Enthusiastic, anyway.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Julian glanced around the room a couple times to see if anything interesting jumped out towards him. Nothing he was looking for, anyway.


    ¡°Sorry, did I walk in on something?¡±


    The trio looked to see a woman standing before them. Casually dressed in a yellow top with no shoulders and black skinny jeans. The two things that stood out the most was her wild frizzy hair dyed the brightest yellow possible and her left arm being made of a clunky grey metal.


    ¡°Nah, you can stay.¡± Julian replied, snapping out of his daze.


    ¡°Cool.¡± She replied, sitting down next to Cassandra. ¡°So, I haven¡¯t seen you guys before.¡±


    ¡°Oh, we¡¯re just here for a pit-stop.¡± Cassandra said. ¡°Friend got her leg messed up.¡±


    ¡°Ah, I see.¡± The girl nodded. ¡°I¡¯m just here to get my arm checked up.¡±


    ¡°Oh, for a new model or something?¡± Julian asked.


    ¡°New model?¡±


    ¡°You know, since your arm looks really clunky. Maybe trade the metal in for something smoother looking.¡±


    ¡°Oh, no. My prosthetic is pretty normal sized. The extra metal is an extension I got; I just need it checked out.¡±


    ¡°Extension?¡± Julian asked. ¡°What kind of extension?¡±


    ¡°Well, let me show you.¡±


    The girl pressed a button underneath her arm, and the clunky metal jumped out and formed together into a drill at the top. She pressed the button again, and the hand went back to normal. She pressed another button, and the metal shuffled into a layer before creating a cleaver with covered her fingers.


    ¡°Wow. So what¡¯s this for, anyway?¡± Cassandra asked, leaning forward.


    ¡°Well, if everything goes well, I¡¯ll be representing Inariu in the Fightston games, hence all the weapon attachments.¡±


    ¡°Wait, so you can¡­become a weapon?¡± Cassandra asked, looking into her brown eyes.


    ¡°That¡¯s the plan, anyway. Make them think I¡¯m a martial artist of some sort before pulling them all out.¡±


    ¡°Holy shit.¡± Cassandra whispered. ¡°You seeing this, Julian?¡±


    ¡°I¡­I¡¯m seeing it.¡± Julian mumbled. He turned his gaze to Roxanne, and then towards the door. It swung open, and Dakarai came out of it holding a metal boot.


    ¡°Now, is Roxanne still here?¡± He asked.


    ¡°I can¡¯t move.¡± Roxanne replied flatly.


    ¡°Oh. Right.¡± Dakarai replied, staring into space for a second. He walked over to her, taking her foot and slowing pushing the boot onto it. He made one final push towards it, causing Roxanne to jolt up.


    She locked eyes with Dakarai. His brown eyes and matching necklace made him seem¡­informed. Put together. Responsible.


    ¡°So, what are you doing later?¡± She asked.


    ¡°Me?¡± Dakarai replied, looking confused. ¡°Well, I don¡¯t have any appointments after Chizoba there, so I guess I¡¯ll go home.¡±


    ¡°You alone at home?¡±


    ¡°Well, I don¡¯t have any roommates. But I¡¯m usually too busy to notice. Anyway, can you walk?¡±


    Roxanne got up and landed on her legs. Her knee felt slightly heavier with the padding inside it, but otherwise she could move pretty normally. It didn¡¯t even hurt. She took a step. Then another. She looked at Dakarai, who was getting more and more attractive by the second. So she walked right in front of him.


    ¡°I can walk next to you just fine.¡± Roxanne said, leaning forward to try to present her best angle, whatever that was.


    ¡°Oh. Great.¡± Dakarai replied, looking towards Julian and Cassandra.


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    ¡°What I think Roxanne here is trying to say is if you¡¯re able for dinner, or something.¡± Julian said, calmly pulling Roxanne to his side. ¡°We just landed here, after all. And Ola seems pretty busy.¡±


    ¡°I know where to get some cheap food, yeah.¡± Dakarai replied. ¡°If you want to wait, I¡¯ll be around¡­fifteen minutes?¡± He asked the blonde woman, presumably Chizoba. She nodded.


    ¡°Okay! if you can just wait until then, I¡¯ll be with you!¡±


    The three of them stood outside the room for a few minutes, with Cassandra checking her phone.


    ¡°Oh hey, we¡¯re apparently getting Sandalan citizenships.¡±


    ¡°Sandala?¡± Julian asked. ¡°Any reason given?¡±


    ¡°Nope. Guessing it has something to do with the axe.¡±


    ¡°Well, I wouldn¡¯t mind living in Sandala. The light shows to end the year? Amazing.¡±


    ¡°How romantic would it be?¡± Roxanne asked, her eyes not moving from the door hiding Dakarai.


    ¡°Pretty romantic, I guess.¡± Julian answered, stroking his chin. ¡°Light shows are really good, and the place is always bright enough to see your partners face. I¡¯d put it in the top¡­five at least. It¡¯s actually where¡­¡±


    His voice trailed off, and he leaned in to see Roxanne¡¯s phone.


    ¡°Did you hear you can download games for your phone now?¡±


    ¡°Oh, for real?¡± Roxanne asked, perking up.


    ¡°Pretty basic arcade games, but hey, can¡¯t go wrong with ship invaders.¡±


    ¡°How long until we get Turbo Fighters on this thing?¡±


    Chizoba walked out of the room, and Dakarai followed.


    ¡°So, handsome comes back.¡± Roxanne said with a seductive wink. Or so she tried. Dakarai didn¡¯t react.


    ¡°So, two questions. What are we in the mood for? And what¡¯s the budget?¡±


    ¡°Do we¡­have money?¡± Julian asked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe we do.¡± Cassandra replied. ¡°But if you buy us dinner, I¡¯m pretty sure Ola will pay you back later.¡±


    ¡°I¡­see.¡± Dakarai sighed, already looking defeated. ¡°Well, I know a pretty good barbeque stall nearby, so I should be able to get you something.¡±


    The four of them went over to a nearby food cart by the outskirts of a series of sleek black apartment buildings behind it. A simple stand with various pots and grills behind the happy looking man manning it. In front of the man were four stools, all four having art of men doing martial arts poses with the word ¡®RUCKUS¡¯ written on them.


    ¡°Ah, Dakarai!¡± The man yelled. ¡°The usual?¡±


    ¡°Sounds good, Russel.¡± Dakarai replied while taking the seat to the left. Roxanne sat next to him, Julian next to Roxanne, and Cassandra next to Julian.


    ¡°So, what you guys want to order?¡± Dakarai asked.


    ¡°I¡¯ll eat whatever if it isn¡¯t too spicy.¡± Julian replied with a hand wave.


    ¡°Sir, this is Ruckus! The spice capital of Inariu!¡± Russel yelled with a hearty laugh.


    ¡°The least spicy thing, then.¡± Julian replied. ¡°Whatever that is.¡±


    ¡°One Cream salmon then!¡± Russel yelled. ¡°And for the orange haired lady?¡±


    ¡°Seven chamber chicken?¡± Cassandra asked, looking at the menu written above the stall. ¡°Yeah, that sounds good.¡±


    ¡°And for the lady with the matching necklace?¡±


    ¡°Uhh, let me think¡­¡±


    Roxanne looked at the menu. This was the so-called spice capital of Inariu, right? And Dakarai ate here enough for the man running it to know him by name. So in order to impress him¡­


    ¡°I¡¯ll take the hottest thing here!¡± Roxanne yelled, getting out of her seat to yell the order.


    ¡°Are¡­are you sure?¡± Russel asked. ¡°I mean¡­if you¡¯re confident. And if you finish without any drinks, everyone here eats for free.¡±


    ¡°Yeah! Get it, Roxanne.¡± Cassandra yelled while swinging her arm in the air.


    ¡°Are you sure this is a good idea?¡± Julian whispered to her.


    ¡°Eh, what¡¯s the worst that can happen?¡±


    ¡°Well, if nobody objects.¡± Russel shrugged.


    He started by taking pieces of chicken out of a grill in the back and placing them on a grill, and doing it again for another grill. Then putting a piece of salmon on another grill.


    And in front of Roxanne¡¯s grill was a massive slab of beef. That was cool, doable. Roxanne thought. She ate steak a couple of times, and it was always pretty good.


    Russel then continued by taking a handful of spices out of the back, dropping a different spice on each piece of chicken. It sizzled differently for each spice dropped in, some louder than others.


    ¡°And a mild spice for the hat man.¡± He said calmly, sprinkling some salt and a small piece of sauce on Julian¡¯s salmon.


    He then went to the back and started putting on some noodles.


    ¡°Dakarai. Orange lady. Side of noodles?¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡± Cassandra replied.


    ¡°Sure.¡± Dakarai nodded.


    Russel prepared the noodles. And once they were safely cooking, he got out a bottle of sauce. Bigger than the others with the title of ¡¯36 SPICE ULTRA SAUCE.¡¯ With several letters replaced with skulls. He poured some sauce onto Roxanne¡¯s steak, creating a flame so intense it fogged up her glasses the second it hit.


    ¡°She¡¯s gonna die.¡± Julian whispered.


    Russel flipped over the meats, putting more sauces on each. Just when Roxanne finished cleaning her glasses, they fogged up again.


    Russel put the noodles in bowls, filling all three with sauce. Only Roxanne¡¯s was different. Roxanne knew the sauce was a lot more red than the sauce going in the other two bowls, but she couldn¡¯t make out anything else without her glasses.


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s everything! Enjoy!¡±


    The four were presented with their food. Cassandra ate from her chicken, and it was nice. A mild kick. She ate the next slice of chicken, and it was spicier, but still good.


    Julian took a bite of his salmon. Even though he asked for the non-spicy option, the roof of his mouth was still burning.


    Roxanne looked at the steak in front of her. She smelled it, and the smell was enough to burn her nostrils. She took a bite from it, and the second it hit her tongue her mouth went into panic mode. She tried to contain the cough to look cool in front of Dakarai.


    ¡°Are you doing okay, Roxanne?¡± Julian asked.


    ¡°Yeah. It¡¯s not even that hot.¡±


    Just as she said that, the fire in her mouth kicked off into an inferno. She felt like every taste bud was individually screaming out in pain. She took another bite anyway. It was steak. Just steak. Nothing was different, it was just a little hotter.


    ¡°Holy shit these are hot.¡± Cassandra forced out of her mouth, coughing as she got the fourth strip down her throat.


    ¡°Yep.¡± Julian nodded. ¡°But Roxanne¡¯s doing fine.¡±


    ¡°Totally fine.¡± Roxanne said with a dismissive hand wave. She was four bites in. The pain within her mouth was excruciating. She couldn¡¯t even taste the meat itself anymore. It was just fire with a side of fire. She took a forkful of noodles, which were also put in a super-hot sauce. But it was a temporary release from the hellfire.


    ¡°Are you sweating?¡± Dakarai asked, looking up from his food.


    ¡°I¡¯ll manage.¡± Roxanne choked out.


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± Julian asked, looking extremely concerned.


    ¡°I¡¯ve eaten spicier.¡± Roxanne lied. She was halfway through the steak. She did it once and could do it again. She took another bite. She was on the verge of breathing fire at this point. She drank some more of the sauce to get liquid. Any liquid. It just made her mouth feel even worse.


    But finally, she took the last bite. She was done. The sheer burst of knowledge fuelled her to finish the noodles and force every last drop of sauce down her throat. She raised her bowl in victory, trying not to either scream or puke.


    ¡°Congratulations to the lady!¡± Russel yelled out. ¡°Can I take a picture for the wall?¡±


    ¡°Sure thing.¡± Roxanne croaked out.


    Russel took a camera out, the kind that produced the picture as soon as it was taken. Roxanne stood in place with her mouth still burning. He took the picture and hung it on his ¡®completed challenge¡¯ wall with three other people. Roxanne looked completely dead in the picture.


    ¡°So, Roxanne. You good?¡± Julian asked. He waved his hand in front of Roxanne. She didn¡¯t respond.


    ¡°Your apartment is nearby, right?¡± Julian asked.

 Inarius Most Eligible Bachelor (Probably)

    The four of them walked in to Dakarai¡¯s apartment, on the top floor of a large apartment building. As soon as Roxanne walked in, she ran towards the tap in his kitchen and put her head under it, letting the water flow into her mouth.


    ¡°Will she be okay?¡± Dakarai asked, looking concerned at Julian.


    ¡°Unless the food there is known to kill people, I think so.¡± Julian nodded with a sigh.


    ¡°You doing okay, Roxanne?¡± Cassandra asked.


    Roxanne gave a thumbs up as the water flew full force into her mouth and splashed onto her face. Her mouth was still numb, and probably would be for a while. Suddenly, her stomach started making violent rumbling noises. Her digestive system caught up with her.


    ¡°Crap.¡± She whispered. ¡°Dakarai, where¡¯s your bathroom?¡±


    ¡°First door on your right.¡±


    Roxanne dashed out of the room leaving the taps on, and Cassandra followed her, leaving just the men alone with each other.


    ¡°So¡­nice place you got here.¡± Julian said calmly. It was a pretty cool place. Calming green walls with a pretty large tv, as well as what looked to be a pretty expensive sound system. And behind him was a wall of nice looking right shoes on a clear shelf.


    ¡°What¡¯s with the shoes?¡±


    ¡°Eh, collecting them is just a hobby of mine.¡± Dakarai asked. ¡°I always have a spare lying around for some reason.¡±


    ¡°Legion scars, right.¡± Julian sighed. ¡°You know, on that topic. I got a question for you.¡±


    ¡°What would that be?¡±


    Julian lifted the hair obscuring his left eye socket, and Dakarai remained unmoving.


    ¡°You lost your eye to the New Legion?¡± Dakarai asked.


    ¡°Yeah. First attack they landed, too.¡± Julian nodded. ¡°So I just wanna know if I can get anything like with that girl.¡±


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s easier to modify a hand then an eye, anyway.¡± Dakarai sighed. ¡°I don¡¯t think anyone¡¯s asked for something like this before.¡±


    ¡°Well, you¡¯ve done glass eyes, right?¡± Julian asked. ¡°How hard would it be to modify one of those?¡±


    ¡°Pretty hard, I think. Nothing on the level of the hand mods I¡¯m doing.¡±


    ¡°Okay, what about a disguised glass eye. Like a glass eye that¡¯s secretly a bomb, or something?¡±


    ¡°I don''t think I''m okay with putting a bomb in someone''s face.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s more of a weakness thing than anything else.¡± Julian sighed. ¡°The whole mission where we had to protect the Saoloro bow. Roxanne got her leg broken and Cassandra got strangled. She probably would have died if she didn¡¯t have regeneration abilities.¡±


    ¡°And you couldn¡¯t do anything?¡± Dakarai asked.


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t do shit!¡± Julian yelled, grabbing Dakarai¡¯s shoulders. ¡°Look, if you have anything to fight with, I¡¯ll take it!¡±


    ¡°Well, an idea for an eye modification just crossed my mind, if I can develop it.¡±


    ¡°Go on.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll need to test if it could work, but it shouldn¡¯t be too hard to get a prototype working. First thing tomorrow I¡¯ll mess around in the lab for it.¡±


    ¡°And this is probably gonna sound ridiculous, but what¡¯s your experience with bears?¡±


    ¡°Bears?¡±


    ¡°Well, I fight with an undead bear that I fuel with my magic, right? But the bears arms have gotten weaker every time I reattach them, so I¡¯m wondering if you could put magnets in the middle or something to reattach them easier?¡±


    Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    ¡°So you want to work with me to create a zombie cyborg bear?¡±


    ¡°In essence, yes.¡± Julian nodded.


    ¡°Well, if you bring the bear to the hospital tomorrow, I¡¯ll see what I can do.¡±


    ¡°Okay, crisis averted!¡± Cassandra announced as she and Roxanne walked back into the room. ¡°But your better off using the neighbours bathroom for the next¡­month? Month and a half?¡±


    ¡°Any idea what¡¯s on TV?¡± Roxanne asked, trying desperately to change the subject.


    ¡°Yeah, it wouldn¡¯t hurt to check.¡± Julian nodded in agreement. Time to spare Roxanne from...whatever''s going on.


    Dakarai turned on the TV, flicking through the channels.


    ¡°Just tell me if you see anything you like.¡±


    ¡°Hey hey hey!¡± Roxanne yelled out. ¡°Is that Dark Matinee?¡±


    ¡°Oh yeah, it¡¯s on in five. We all cool with that?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡± Cassandra and Julian said in unison.


    The four of them sat on Dakarai¡¯s long couch. Cassandra leaned on Julian¡¯s shoulder after taking her jacket off. Julian returned the favour by taking his beanie off. Roxanne copied them by leaning on Dakarai¡¯s shoulder.


    Then the show came on. The show about two people who met in a dark party and were trying to reunite. But in the current episode, the show¡¯s heroine was caught in another relationship with a man with a secret history of severe tax fraud. If he got caught, she could go down with him.


    ¡°So what, all the proof he¡¯s a criminal is behind that door?¡± Julian asked, watching the girl approach the door.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Roxanne replied, leaning forward with her eyes glued to the screen. ¡°Come on¡­come on¡­¡±


    The girl was about to open the door, only for the man to dramatically grab her wrist and twirl her against the wall, looking into her eyes with a devilish grin.


    ¡°No! No! Come on, it¡¯s right there!¡±


    ¡°So he slammed her against the wall, and we¡¯re just gonna ignore that?¡± Cassandra asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s romantic!¡± Roxanne yelled.


    ¡°I mean¡­okay?¡±


    The two continued to play up everything, including the time they got into the bedroom.


    ¡°Ah, so that¡¯s why the miracle guys are so into this show.¡± Julian mumbled as the admittedly extremely hot people got undressed.


    ¡°Okay, how does a leg bend like that?¡± Cassandra asked.


    ¡°Maybe she¡¯s flexible?¡± Julian mumbled.


    ¡°Don¡¯t get any ideas. If she doesn¡¯t pull a muscle doing that it¡¯ll be a miracle.¡±


    The episode ended with the two on a date, the credits playing as the woman heard the voice of the man she met around the corner.


    ¡°Wait, what?¡± Roxanne yelled, pushing down on Dakarai¡¯s shoulder. ¡°That¡¯s how it ends? But he¡¯s right there!¡±


    ¡°Guess we¡¯ll have to wait for next week.¡± Julian replied.


    ¡°But¡­but¡­come on!¡±


    ¡°Well, that was entertaining, but I¡¯m pretty tired.¡± Dakarai announced with a yawn.


    ¡°Same here.¡± Julian nodded trying to match the intensity of his yawn. It was a decent attempt. ¡°So what are the sleeping arrangements?¡±


    ¡°Well, I only have one bed, but I could put a blanket on the couch if it¡¯ll suffice.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯ll be good.¡± Cassandra replied with a thumbs up.


    ¡°Would the three of us fit?¡± Julian asked, looking at the couch. He was the tallest, so he¡¯d be at bottom. Then with Cassandra next to him. And then Roxanne on top of Cassandra? That just sounds uncomfortable.


    ¡°I mean, how big is your bed?¡± Roxanne asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s a¡­standard double bed.¡± Dakarai replied, glancing at the other two.


    ¡°And how cold does that bed get?¡± Cassandra asked while silently chuckling to herself.


    ¡°It''s pretty warm and condensed here¡­so not very.¡±


    ¡°Oh, right. Well, I mean¡­if something happens to my leg, wouldn¡¯t it make more sense for you to be close by?¡±


    ¡°Well, I mean¡­if we need the space, then sure. You can sleep in my bed.¡±


    ¡°Excellent.¡± Roxanne said calmly as the two of them went into his bedroom. A relaxed place with the same colour walls as the other place. There was a bed in the centre of the wall with blue bedsheets. Next to it was a wardrove, and above it was a shelf with some books on building.


    ¡°Nice place.¡± Roxanne said.


    ¡°Thanks. I try to keep it clean.¡± Dakarai replied. He undid his ponytail, letting the dreads flow around him.


    ¡°Oh yeah, mind if I get into some sleeping clothes?¡± He asked.


    ¡°Oh! Yeah, go ahead.¡± Roxanne yelled out.


    Sleepwear. She forgot about sleepwear. She could sleep in her underwear, maybe? On the first date? Wait, does this even count as a date?


    ¡°Sorry, but you happen to have anything I can wear going to bed? I left my stuff back on the airship.¡±


    ¡°Oh, sure. Just check the drawer. Haven¡¯t done laundry in a while, though. So sorry if the choices suck.¡±


    Roxanne dug through the choices. One was a dark purple pair of shorts, they¡¯d work fine. But there was only one shirt. A light purple shirt that just had ¡®nasty girl¡¯ written on it in black letters.


    ¡°Is this the only thing you have?¡± Roxanne asked.


    ¡°Probably.¡± Dakarai sighed. ¡°Look, my brother gave it to me as a joke.¡±


    ¡°I mean¡­okay?¡± Roxanne turned her back to Dakarai and took off her clothes, replacing them with the ¡®nasty girl¡¯ shirt. She felt really stupid wearing it. Something about the shirt just felt so¡­nasty. The word was right in front of her, and she was too tired to describe it better. She then put on the shorts, hoping that Dakarai wasn¡¯t looking.


    She turned around, and Dakarai was shirtless. Surprisingly well built for a guy who hangs around a lab all day. She turned around again. She¡¯d be getting into a bed with this guy.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m ready for bed.¡± Dakarai yawned. ¡°Night.¡±


    He turned off the lights and hopped into bed, and Roxanne hopped in with him. She tried getting into a good position. Eventually she had her back right against Dakarai. He didn¡¯t say anything, so she went to sleep with one word in her mind.


    Progress.

 Temples, Legions, and Other Fun Things

    Cassandra woke up after falling off the couch onto her head. Above the cold tiles of the apartment was a red carpet which thankfully broke her fall. She let out an audible groan as she stared at the white ceiling. She tried getting comfortable on the couch next to Julian, but he was rearranged in such a way that getting into a sleeping position that didn¡¯t require straight up contortion was impossible.


    She checked her phone. No weather forcing the grands to move and change the time, so it was still 5AM like she expected.


    ¡°Yo, Julian.¡± She whispered. No response. Sleeping Julian was little more than a handsome brick, same as usual.


    She looked for paper, hoping that Dakarai didn¡¯t already replace it with a calculator that leaves notes or some high-tech future crap like that. She found a bunch of paper, both new and balled up, by the wooden table in Dakarai¡¯s dining room. So she left a note and placed it on Julian¡¯s forehead.


    ¡®going out, call me if you need me. Cass.¡¯ With a little heart by the end for a dash of affectionate professionalism.


    Cassandra stepped out into the Inariu morning. The housing platform near the top had a pleasant breeze surrounding it, and the sun was rising without a bad cloud in sight. It was going to be a good day. She checked the map looking to see if there was a church nearby, and luckily there was. Nearby the housing levels too. It was apparently an addition to main housing block three. She was on housing block four, so she walked across the small metal tunnel connecting the blocks, and then on the thin metal walkway connecting block 3 and the church.


    It was a pretty small church. A stone building that looked like it was built by Gurut handymen a long time ago. Three pillars stood between her and the door, with a triangular yellow roof at the top. The perfect place for a roof.


    She walked into the stone temple, where statues of the twelve Olympian gods lay, even if some were in worse condition than others. Aphrodite didn¡¯t even have a head, for a start. And Poseidon was missing an arm. But the others only had a couple of scratches at most. Including Apollo, her favourite of the bunch.


    ¡°Apollo.¡± She whispered. ¡°May your gift of prophecy guide us to a better future in these trying times.¡±


    She also felt like offering a prayer to Artemis, but losing the most important bow in the world might make relations between the two a little iffy. But thinking of weapons, Zeus was there, all thundery. She could pray to him seeing as she had his powerset now.


    ¡°Zeus.¡± She whispered. ¡°May you give us the strength to fight off our enemies.¡±


    Inside herself, she felt relieved. She was a holy warrior of sorts now, so talking it out with some divine individuals made her feel a little better.


    But just as she was about to walk out, a robed figure walked into the building. Then another. And more piled in until twelve hooded figures were in the building. And all of them seemed to be staring at her.


    ¡°Oh, hey.¡± Cassandra said calmly, taking a step back. ¡°Have I¡­interrupted something? Because if so, I can totally just leave.¡±


    She gave an awkward smile as she tried to walk out of the church. But just as she was about to leave, two of the larger members of the group walked in front of the door.


    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    ¡°Hey, mind explaining what I walked in on?¡± Cassandra asked, watching as the other members of the group surrounded her. One member stood between the two large members.


    ¡°State your name!¡± The one in the middle commanded, in a booming voice.


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­Megan.¡± Cassandra replied slowly. The people in the circle kept their distance, not doing anything yet. But just letting them know her name seemed like a pretty bad idea.


    ¡°Lies!¡± The hooded figure yelled. ¡°You¡¯re the one working against the Legion!¡±


    ¡°Yeah? Why wouldn¡¯t I?¡± She asked.


    One of the members from behind her reached under her arms and held her. She kicked back, causing the person to let her go. She tried running out, only for one of the large people to punch her in the face, with another man dragging her to the ground.


    ¡°Tell me, miss.¡± The middle man began, removing his hood and revealing a scrawny looking black man underneath. ¡°Why is it that you fight for the current weapon holders?¡±


    ¡°Because the Legion are terrorists!¡± Cassandra yelled, trying to get out of the man¡¯s weight.


    ¡°And what of the Lucians?¡± He asked. ¡°Are you aware of what they¡¯re hiding?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know anything!¡± Cassandra screamed, getting out and standing up to meet him. ¡°I just found the axe!¡±


    ¡°Listen, all you have to do is join the Legion. Once initiated, we¡¯ll work to expose the-¡°


    That was as far as he got before Cassandra punched him in the face. He fell to the ground with one punch, wheezing in agony. Another member tried approaching her from behind, but she managed to sidestep them and land a kick to their stomach. Another member revealed a set of claws and dug them into her back. She managed to stay upright, making another bolt towards the door. The larger member once again grabbed her and threw her back into the crowd. But just as she tried getting up again, a clanging noise was heard from behind the man. And then he fell forward.


    Cassandra looked forward, and the girl revealed herself. It was the same girl who was in Dakarai¡¯s waiting room.


    ¡°Cassandra?¡± She asked.


    ¡°Metal girl?¡± Cassandra replied.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡± The girl asked, looking at the people surrounding her. She pressed a button on her arm, and it formed into a blunter form that looked like a baseball bat.


    ¡°I have no idea.¡± Cassandra replied.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯ll help you with whatever it is.¡± She said calmly, swinging her hand into the second large man, knocking him out cold.


    The other members seemed to look at each other through their hoods. Three of them tried to lunge towards Cassandra, who leapt out of the way. Cassandra dashed behind one and kicked them in the back, forcing them to the ground. One of the others kicked her as hard as they could in the stomach, forcing her to her knees. The girl ran up to the other two and bashed them in the heads with her bat. The others ran out of the church as soon as possible, with the largest remaining taking their leader with them.


    ¡°Gosh¡­thanks.¡± Cassandra said in between breaths, desperate to remind her insides how breathing worked.


    ¡°No problem.¡± The girl replied worryingly, looking to the walkway where all of them were running.


    ¡°We going after them?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ll disperse and try to blend into the crowd. I¡¯ll report them later, but we should at least be fine for today.¡±


    ¡°Okay¡­cool.¡± Cassandra gasped, standing upright to make one final inhale to fix her lungs. ¡°Thanks¡­I forgot your name.¡±


    ¡°Chizoba.¡± She replied.


    ¡°Cool. So, what brings you here?¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m just waiting for Dakarai to set up shop, so I decided to swing by here and see what was up.¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t take you for the religious type.¡± Cassandra said.


    ¡°I¡¯m not, the place just looked nice. Stonework is kinda rare around these parts, so I just wanted to see what it was.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a temple to the Olympian gods. Pretty small and run down, but all the fan favourites are there.¡±


    ¡°Fan favourites?¡±


    ¡°The twelve main ones, anyway. If you got the time, I¡¯ll guide you through them and show you the¡­¡±


    She was cut off by her phone buzzing in her back pocket. She answered it and heard Ola¡¯s voice on the other end.


    ¡°This is Cassandra, right?¡± She asked quickly.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Cassandra replied.


    ¡°Okay, great.¡± Ola said just as quick. ¡°If you want to try out one of the guns, come to my place on level one.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, sounds good.¡± Cassandra nodded as she left the call.


    ¡°Who was that?¡± Chizoba asked.


    ¡°Ola. She wants me to come over and test out the guns she¡¯s got.¡±


    ¡°The new weapons the soldiers here have? Mind if I come?¡±


    ¡°You think she¡¯ll let you in?¡±


    ¡°I mean, I feel the need to report what happened to her.¡±


    ¡°Right. I¡¯ll vouch for you anyway, so let¡¯s get going."

 Sticks That Make Things Explode

    Cassandra opened the door on the top level of the airship. Inside was Ola, spinning in her office chair.


    ¡°I swear I was supposed to do something today.¡± She was heard whispering to herself before noticing Cassandra and Chizoba enter the room.


    ¡°Oh hey, Cassandra! And...the girl Dakarai helped!¡±


    ¡°Is she allowed in here?¡± Cassandra asked.


    ¡°Yeah, she can test out the guns.¡± Ola nodded to the question that wasn¡¯t asked.


    ¡°Um, great?¡± Chizoba asked, looking perplexed. ¡°But I need to report an incident, if that¡¯s okay?¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s always allowed.¡± Ola nodded.


    ¡°Well, I went to the church near the housing levels, and a bunch of new legionites were around.¡±


    ¡°They tried to kill me.¡± Cassandra said. ¡°And I probably would have died if Chizoba here didn¡¯t show up.¡±


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s a good thing, anyway. So, any idea what they look like?¡±


    ¡°There were about a dozen of them, and all of them were in robes covering their faces.¡± Cassandra continued. ¡°One removed his hood, and it was a really skinny looking guy.¡±


    ¡°If I remember correctly, we lived on the same housing ship.¡± Chizoba sighed. ¡°I remember seeing him a couple of times.¡±


    ¡°Does he still live there?¡± Ola asked.


    ¡°Well, I never saw him much. I just kind of assumed he left.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡± Ola nodded, before slamming her fist on her open palm. ¡°That¡¯s it! I need to send extra baby supplies to the store ships! Aphro day was nine months ago.¡±


    ¡°So yeah, figured I¡¯d let you know.¡± Cassandra said. ¡°Especially since they knew who I was, figured it¡¯d be good to let the other Leaders know.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll make a note of that.¡± Ola nodded, jotting something in her notebook and sticking it to the wall behind her, alongside the dozens of notes on the wall. And the other set of dozens on the floor. ¡°Anyway, we going to the gun place?¡±


    The three girls moved down to the next level of the buildings. Inside was a grand hallway made of black metal that led to several small rooms. It was hexagonal in shape as it led to the other rooms, and in the middle was a black metal greave.


    ¡°Is that the Inariu greave?¡± Chizoba asked.


    ¡°Sure is. But try not to go near it, if you trip the system you¡¯ll activate the security, and that¡¯ll be a whole ordeal to deal with.¡±


    Cassandra glanced into one of the rooms through a blue tinted window, and inside was a man wielding a double-bladed sword. She watched as an Inariu native held the weapon and swung one end of it full force into a target. The man who looked to be from ShiShi shook his head as he took the weapon and sliced the wooden target in half with what looked like nothing more than a mild shift of weight and flick of the wrist. The man looked towards Cassandra through the window and gave her a friendly wave as she stood open mouthed.


    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    She needed to learn how to do that.


    ¡°Cassandra? Cassandra?¡± Chizoba asked, tapping her on the shoulder and breaking her out of her mesmerized state.


    ¡°Hm? Oh, right, guns.¡± She said to herself.


    The two of them walked into an empty room where Ola was setting up targets. On a small metal chuck jutting on the wall opposite to the door was one of the guns that the guards were holding when they first landed there.


    ¡°What took you so long?¡± Ola asked once the targets were set up.


    ¡°Well, I saw the demonstration of the ShiShi doubleedge in another room. And it did so much damage to a target that you really can¡¯t help but be impressed, considering its weight alongside it¡¯s short handles not allowing for ease of movement. It¡¯s usually used as a ceremonial weapon in ShiShi, but if you guys manage to pull off actual martial arts around it you could end up with a really cool fighting style!¡±


    Ola slowly nodded as Cassandra was rambling about the weapon. She knew her stuff, anyway. ¡°Okay, speaking of double weapons, what we got here is a double-barrelled shotgun. These girls let you fire one shot directly after the other to avoid having to wait for anything else.¡±


    She got the shotgun out and shot a shell into a target, shattering the wood into pieces with a single unfeeling click of the trigger. She then quickly unloaded the next shell into the second wooden statue. It also shattered as soon as she fired the shot.


    ¡°Alright, now you try!¡±


    She opened up the gun and put two new shots in it, stylishly closing the gun and handing it to Cassandra.


    Cassandra held the gun in her hand. It was heavy. Below the metal barrels was a wooden grip with two triggers on it. She aimed the barrels at the first target. She pulled the trigger. The shots all exploded into small metal pellets which quickly decimated the wooden target. She did the same to the next target. The same result.


    ¡°So that¡¯s it?¡± Cassandra asked.


    ¡°Yep!¡± Ola replied, her arms crossed and a wicked smile on her face.


    ¡°No, really. That¡¯s it?¡±


    Firing a shotgun was just ¡®point at a thing and the thing explodes.¡¯ There were wielders with similar abilities, sure, and she couldn¡¯t deny the effectiveness. But there wasn¡¯t any finesse. Nothing to get better at. It was artless fighting.


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­not that great, honestly.¡± Cassandra said to Ola, giving her the gun back. ¡°I think I¡¯ll stick to swords and stuff, thanks.¡±


    ¡°But¡­it¡¯s the most efficient.¡± Ola replied, gazing at the gun and then towards Cassandra.


    ¡°Well, yeah¡­but there¡¯s no skill to it. Besides, I¡¯d probably panic if I was in an actual fight and try to hit someone with it.¡±


    ¡°I mean¡­suit yourself, I suppose.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a big deal.¡± Chizoba sighed. ¡°She just prefers more traditional weapons, is all.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, like double edged ceremonial swords.¡± Cassandra yelled out.


    ¡°What about greaves?¡± Chizoba asked casually. ¡°Replicas of the Inariu greaves are something of a specialty here.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think we have any of those here, we¡¯ve kind of perfected them.¡± Ola mumbled while stroking her chin. ¡°But I can probably hook you up if you want some.¡±


    ¡°Nah. It sounds pretty clunky, in all honesty. I¡¯m more of a speed fighter, anyway.¡±


    ¡°Suit yourself.¡± Ola shrugged. ¡°Anyway, if you don¡¯t have any more business here, you¡¯re free to go.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, is the weapon testing here something to need to plan in advance or can I just walk in and ask?¡±


    ¡°You can just walk in, I guess. You¡¯re a VIP here.¡±


    ¡°Okay, laters!¡± Cassandra yelled as she dashed out of the hallways.


    Cassandra tried to remember which room had the double-bladed swords in it. As she tried to stop running as she remembered which room was the double-bladed sword room, she skidded across the immaculately polished floor into a wall.


    ¡°Damn it.¡± She mumbled. Her phone buzzed, and she picked it up. It was a message from Julian.


    ¡®hey you gotta see my new eye. maybe a cyborg bear too, shit¡¯s wild¡¯


    New eye and a cyborg bear. Cool weapons had to wait, it seemed.

 Cyborg Zombie Bears

    ¡°Okay, so here¡¯s what I¡¯ve come up with.¡± Dakarai said, holding a glass eye. It looked like a normal eye, only with a red iris. ¡°There¡¯s a small heat pack inside this that heats up in the sun. If you take out the eye and apply the pressure, like this¡­¡±


    Dakarai slapped the eye, and a small blast of heat came out.


    ¡°¡­that¡¯ll happen. The worst it can do is a mild burn, but nobody¡¯ll expect it. If you pull it off right, you could get someone to drop a weapon they¡¯re holding.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, got it.¡± Julian nodded, throwing his head back and inserting the eye into his empty socket.


    ¡°Also, if it overheats and explodes in your eye, I¡¯m not responsible.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t sue, got it.¡± Julian repeated, winking a bunch of times to let the new eye fully settle.


    ¡°Julian, did you just put a bomb in your face?¡± Roxanne asked, glancing between the two men treating this matter like something that could be a legitimate fighting technique.


    ¡°It¡¯s only a bomb if it overheats.¡± He replied calmly, putting his hair back over his eye. ¡°No big deal.¡±


    ¡°It sounds like a pretty big deal!¡± Roxanne yelled. ¡°Dakarai, what are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Putting an attack mechanism in his new eye, we just went over this.¡± Dakarai replied calmly. ¡°Now, do you have the bear?¡±


    ¡°If you could help me get it out of the ship, that¡¯d be cool.¡±


    ¡°I can help with that.¡± Roxanne announced calmly, stepping out of her seat. ¡°Gotta stretch the leg, you know?¡±


    ¡°You know that the leg is a temporary healing measure, right?¡± Dakarai sighed. ¡°If you strain it too much, you could get seriously hurt.¡±


    ¡°So I have to stay here?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s only for a couple minutes, don¡¯t worry.¡± Julian replied as the two walked out, leaving Roxanne in the room to contemplate her next move.


    She sat behind Dakarai¡¯s desk, opening the drawers behind it and flicking through the documents. A lot of hastily drawn diagrams with wording she probably couldn¡¯t understand even if the handwriting was legible. She wasn¡¯t one to stereotype, but Inariu people having awful handwriting seemed to be getting truer by the moment. So with nothing to do, she looked at her necklace.


    She thought about how likely it could be that her parents were nearby. As far as everyone back on Miracle was concerned, she just showed up one day on the ship as an infant. They tried tracking her parentage down, but to no avail. But soon she could join a hero group and travel the world, they said. But with next to no combat abilities, she was stuck behind the hiring desk. But Cassandra showed up a decade later. No parents, no memories. Just a girl stuck on a ship and in her room. And they promised to each other that they would each get their dream romances and travel the world once they hit adulthood.


    Then Julian showed up from his old hero group and hit it off with Cassandra. But they promised that Roxanne would be next once the world tour started. And well¡­it¡¯s started. Dermot was nice, but she didn¡¯t see anything working out in the long term. Dakarai didn¡¯t seem like prime boyfriend material either. She tried cuddling him from behind like what she saw on TV shows she watched while he was asleep, and she wasn¡¯t feeling any sparks fly from it. Maybe smart guys weren¡¯t her thing? Then what was her thing? Someone wilder, perhaps? As she lay on the revolving chair aimlessly spinning around, a cough was heard behind her.


    She quickly spun around to see two men standing in front of the desk.


    ¡°Are you Dakarai¡¯s new assistant?¡± The skinnier of the two men asked. He wore a sportier version of what Dakarai wore, a simple red tracksuit. He also had much wilder hair than anyone she saw here, with dreadlocks tied upwards into a ponytail, each one dyed red at the end.


    ¡°I¡¯m just Dakarai¡¯s friend.¡± She replied calmly, eyeing him up and down. He looked a little familiar, even if she couldn¡¯t quite place it.


    ¡°Any idea where he could be?¡± The larger man asked with his calm voice as he glanced across the room. Despite the weather being pretty good, he wore an oversized deep blue coat and a dark purple beanie to match.


    ¡°He¡¯s just gone out for a bit.¡± Roxanne informed calmly. ¡°He went out to get something, so he¡¯ll be back in a little bit.¡±


    ¡°Alright, works for me!¡± The man announced loudly, sitting down with his hands behind his head, seeming to instantly start daydreaming the second he sat down.


    ¡°He¡¯s always just like this, don¡¯t worry.¡± The larger man said as he sat down beside him, looking meditative as he sat down next to the other guy, staring at nothing in particular.


    After a few minutes of Roxanne spinning in her chair to distract herself from the awkward silence, Julian walked back in with Dakarai, with the bear corpse held behind a white sheet as the only noise became squeaking noises from the wheels it was being brought in on.


    ¡°Dakarai!¡± The skinnier guy yelled as he walked in. ¡°How¡¯s it been?¡±


    ¡°Pretty good.¡± Dakarai nodded. ¡°What brings you here, Samuel?¡±


    ¡°Figured I¡¯d stop by on the way to the Fightston games.¡± He said, before locking eyes with Julian. Julian returned the stare, looking at him with a scowl.


    ¡°Julian.¡± Samuel said, his tone of voice changing immediately.


    ¡°Samuel.¡± Julian sighed.


    ¡°So, what¡¯s that you got behind you?¡± Samuel asked.


    Julian silently removed the sheet, revealing the bear underneath.


    ¡°Still doing that whole necromancy thing?¡± Samuel asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­how my powers work.¡± Julian replied with another sigh.


    ¡°I¡¯m way too aware.¡± Samuel replied, narrowing his eyes towards him. ¡°So why¡¯s it here?¡±


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    ¡°I¡¯m helping him make modifications. Make it stronger around the arm areas to prevent anyone with a weapon from cutting the limbs off.¡±


    ¡°Ah, I see. At least it¡¯s a bigger creature this time.¡±


    ¡°The spider thing was funny, admit it.¡± Julian said, trying to hide his creepy smile.


    ¡°Nothing about that was funny!¡±


    ¡°It was a little funny.¡± The large man replied, fist bumping Julian.


    ¡°Good to see you¡¯re as good humoured as ever, Adebayo.¡±


    ¡°Do you know these guys?¡± Roxanne asked.


    ¡°They¡¯re the Maximos. Top ranked hero group here.¡± Julian replied.


    ¡°Fourth overall, with two people!¡± Samuel replied. ¡°And if that Luca would fight me one on one, it¡¯d be pretty obvious who¡¯d win.¡±


    ¡°Him, like the last six times.¡± Adebayo replied flatly.


    ¡°Hey, I¡¯ve been working out!¡±


    ¡°Is what you said the last five times.¡±


    ¡°Anyway, Julian!¡± Samuel yelled. ¡°Has your group been invited to the Fightston games?¡±


    ¡°You mean the Battlestorms?¡± Julian asked. ¡°No clue.¡±


    ¡°They probably were, seeing as they invited the top five hero groups.¡± Adebayo said calmly. ¡°But hey, apparently they''re letting anyone in this year. So if you wanna test out the bear you got there, maybe check it out.¡±


    ¡°Only if you want to lose to me!¡± Samuel yelled, pointing a finger at Julian.


    ¡°Okay.¡± He said, stepping back. ¡°Would the bear be allowed?¡±


    ¡°I can ask.¡± Adebayo said calmly. ¡°I¡¯m assuming the bear was from Fightston during its life?¡±


    ¡°It was, yeah. Think it was used to train soldiers, considering the mild bruise in its chest area.¡±


    ¡°Maybe it could end up a mascot of some kind. I bet Zach would like it, at least.¡±


    ¡°So, Adebayo.¡± Dakarai said. ¡°You able to help me cut the arms off?¡±


    ¡°Sure thing, man.¡±


    Adebayo got a surgical saw and began cutting the bears arms off while Dakarai found some metal cuffs and put them against the arm. They were luckily the perfect size for the bear and inserted in without much issue. He then inserted a small metal tube into the arms before getting Julian to reattach the arms. Julian punched the metal with all the force he could muster, and an audible noise was heard as the metal collided with his fist. Roxanne flinched as she heard it, but most of the men were nodding at the resounding success while Julian was shaking out the pain. Adebayo was next to the punch, and almost knocked the bear over.


    ¡°Yep, it works.¡± He nodded. ¡°Felt it in my bones.¡±


    ¡°So would you be able to fight it?¡± Dakarai asked.


    ¡°Probably, but it¡¯s still impressive.¡± Adebayo nodded quietly to himself.


    ¡°And an abomination of nature.¡± Samuel muttered through gritted teeth, moving next to Roxanne in an attempt to avoid it. There was a certain musk to him. The musk of a hero, possibly.


    ¡°I mean, I got a surplus of bugs who¡¯s lifeforce I could transfer into the bear, let Adebayo test it out.¡±


    ¡°Do I use my powers?¡± He asked.


    ¡°Nah, it¡¯s just a test drive. I¡¯ll just get the bugs.¡±


    ¡°And I can assist you!¡± Samuel replied, leaping out of his chair.


    ¡°You sure?¡± Julian replied flatly. ¡°It¡¯s¡­a jar of bugs.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but¡­I need to get my brother a souvenir, you see.¡±


    ¡°But¡­he lives here?¡± Roxanne asked.


    ¡°And he needs to get food! Which I am getting!¡±


    ¡°Whatever, let¡¯s go.¡± Julian sighed with an eye roll. Or an eyes roll, even. Today was good.


    The two of them made their way to their ship on the top deck, not saying a word to each other. Eventually, the two reached his ship. There didn¡¯t seem to be any guards stationed around the place, which was definitely strange.


    ¡°Weird how nobodies looking after this place.¡± Julian whispered to himself.


    ¡°There wasn¡¯t anyone here when I landed, either.¡± Samuel replied with his hands behind his back, before he let his words simmer in his mind, his face souring once he did. ¡°Actually, what¡¯s with that?¡±


    ¡°No¡­clue.¡± Julian whispered, looking around for any suspicious characters. None. The few people here looked like regular people trying to go about their day. He slowly crept near the entrance to the ship, with Samuel following behind. There were shuffling noises heard from inside the ship.


    Something¡­someone, was inside.


    ¡°Cass?¡± He asked. No response. Cassandra would at least say something. Samuel stood in front of the door. The noises relaxed, but then shuffling noises increased in intensity.


    Until finally, a hooded figure appeared running to the exit.


    Julian swung his arms towards the figure, and they fell against the wall before quickly trying to run past the doors. Samuel quickly pushed two pointed fingers into his shoulders, and his left side fell and forced him to the ground.


    ¡°Anyone else?¡± He asked.


    ¡°There¡­doesn¡¯t seem to be.¡± Julian confirmed slowly. ¡°So what do we do with that guy? Do we lock him in the ship?¡±


    ¡°I think so?¡± Samuel nodded, removing the man¡¯s hood. ¡°It doesn¡¯t seem to be anyone well known, anyway.¡±


    Samuel carried the man onto the couch of the ship and sat him down nicely. The sole exception being placing his leg behind his back in a very uncomfortable position.


    ¡°Now then.¡± He started, sneering as he knelt down to meet the bored looking man. If there was a ¡®most ordinary looking man¡¯ competition, he¡¯d probably lose due to the hosts glossing past his face and forgetting to enter him. ¡°What has you sneaking around another man¡¯s ship?¡±


    ¡°Bringing the axe to the legion.¡± He replied without an ounce of shame.


    ¡°Legion boy, huh?¡± Julian asked, standing behind Samuel with arms crossed. ¡°Just you?¡±


    ¡°Currently, yes.¡± He said calmly. ¡°We thought you were all distracted, so I went alone to steal the weapon.¡±


    ¡°And look where you are now.¡± Julian sighed, trying to flip his phone open in the most stylish manner possible, putting his hand in front to ensure the top half doesn¡¯t snap off.


    ¡°Cassandra, we got a legionite.¡±


    Once Cassandra made it to the ship, she inspected the axe outside the ship, launching a thunderbolt outwards without much issue. It was the real deal, anyway.


    ¡°Yeah, he didn¡¯t switch the axe out, anyway.¡± Cassandra sighed, putting it in her room once Samuel covered the legionites eyes. ¡°We gonna bring him to Ola?¡±


    ¡°I can handle it!¡± Samuel announced, looking pleased with himself as he picked the man up with one hand.


    ¡°Nah, I¡¯m gonna go too." Cassandra said. "Gotta speak to Ola. Julian, could you stay on the ship?¡±


    ¡°Sure thing.¡± Julian nodded, texting Roxanne to let her know undead cyborg bear antics would have to wait.


    When Samuel and Cassandra entered Ola¡¯s lab, the door was locked. Cassandra knocked harder until the knocks essentially became punches, and Ola eventually answered looking extremely groggy.


    ¡°What can I help you with?¡± She mumbled with a yawn.


    ¡°We found a legion guy snooping around the ship.¡± Cassandra said.


    ¡°And I stopped him.¡± Samuel added.


    ¡°Right, right.¡± Ola nodded. ¡°Good job, just let me call a guard and have him deal with it.¡±


    She opened her phone, dialling a number in and putting it up to her ear. No response. She tried with another number. Still no response.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on here, exactly?¡± She whispered to herself.


    ¡°If you¡¯re asking about guards, there weren¡¯t any at the dock when I showed up.¡±


    ¡°Son of a-look, just leave him with me.¡± She said, looking around and finding some rope to tie him up with. ¡°You two are free to go.¡±


    ¡°Actually, Ola. Can I ask you something?¡± Cassandra asked as Samuel left the room.


    ¡°Sure thing.¡± She replied calmly, not looking up from tying a knot.


    ¡°Have the Lucians done anything¡­bad, lately? Or ever?¡±


    ¡°Aside from being really full of themselves, they¡¯re fine. Nothing me or any of the others would call evil, anyway.¡±


    ¡°Because when I was attacked, they mentioned something about the Lucians hiding something. Just wondering if you¡¯d know about that?¡±


    ¡°Personally, I¡¯d ignore anything a bunch of hooded figures yell at you. Even then, I genuinely have no idea what would be happening there. As long as I¡¯ve known what they do, it¡¯s just dealing with the bureaucracy of the whole thing.¡±


    ¡°So¡­I can leave?¡±


    Cassandra walked out of the room and back into her ship, where Julian was listening to music in his room.


    ¡°You good?¡±


    ¡°Pretty good, yeah.¡± Cassandra nodded while giving him a peck on the cheek. ¡°Would you mind if you turn down the music, I need to lay down for a little.¡±


    ¡°Sure thing.¡± Julian whispered, turning the music down on the cassette player.


    Cassandra lay in her bed back in her room. She tried getting some sleep or taking a small nap, her body was telling her she needed it. She tossed and turned around for a few minutes. The evening barely started, but she still like felt she needed a nap to reset her body.


    As she drifted away, thoughts of everything filled her mind. The weapon thieves, the Legion, and most importantly, the Lucians.


    <div>


    Were they hiding anything? And if so, what was it?

 Dreaming of a KO

    The dream was back.


    Roxanne looked into the endless darkness surrounding her in her dream again. The current of dread was still around her, but it didn¡¯t seem to be as intense.


    ¡°You¡¯re nothing.¡±


    The light creature appeared out of nowhere, slowly whispering it¡¯s message in her ear. Roxanne tried backhanding the creature that managed to sneak up on her, only for her hand to phase past it.


    ¡°You¡¯re nothing.¡± The creature repeated, fading out of Roxanne¡¯s dream and leaving her alone once again. The tendrils all erupted from the ground, swarming to meet her after pointing towards her for a few seconds. It took longer, but they eventually coiled around Roxanne, dragging her to the ground.


    She shot out of Dakarai¡¯s bed with her arms flailing.


    ¡°Something happen?¡± Dakarai asked, moving Roxanne¡¯s hand from his face to hers.


    ¡°No, no. Just a bad dream.¡± Roxanne mumbled back, clutching her head with her returned hand.


    ¡°Ah, okay.¡± Dakarai nodded, turning around to go back to sleep. Roxanne looked at his back. It was a good back, the very attractive kind. A little muscular, but not too much. But enough sexiness, she had to go back to sleep. She got herself in multiple positions as she lay in Dakarai¡¯s bed trying to get back to sleep. But it was clear she wasn¡¯t getting back to sleep anytime soon.


    She walked to the living room, and looked at the couch Samuel was lying on, and the chair Adebayo was eating a bowl of granola in.


    ¡°Hello there.¡± He mumbled with his mouth half full.


    ¡°Oh, hey.¡± Roxanne whispered.


    ¡°Can¡¯t sleep?¡± Adebayo asked.


    ¡°Not really.¡± Roxanne sighed. ¡°Had a¡­really weird dream, you know how it is.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡± Adebayo nodded as he took another spoonful of granola. ¡°You hungry?¡±


    ¡°Not really.¡± Roxanne said while taking out her phone. Maybe one of the other miracles were awake. She shot a quick text to both of them asking if they were up.


    ¡°So what was your dream about?¡± Adebayo asked.


    ¡°Oh, just¡­being swallowed by darkness. Happens a lot.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve been there.¡± He nodded calmly.


    ¡°You have?¡± Roxanne asked.


    ¡°Yeah. Had a bunch of dreams when I was younger, and all of them seemed to be connected. There was me with five other people, and we used to go around messing things up.¡±


    ¡°What, like crimes?¡±


    ¡°Way more than crimes. Sometimes we¡¯d be destroying entire cities while laughing about it, and sometimes I¡¯d kill people while watching the hope drain from their eyes, then I¡¯d laugh about it while the others with me watched.¡±


    ¡°Sounds messed up.¡± Roxanne winced.


    ¡°Tell me about it.¡±


    ¡°So how¡¯d you stop it?¡±


    ¡°It really only stopped when I went into hero work. Got fired from my old job and did odd jobs with Samuel and Dakarai. We moved to crime stopping after a while, but then Dakarai left. Got a top ranking with Samuel, and once I got super into it, the dreams stopped.¡±


    ¡°So what you¡¯re saying is I need to become a hero?¡±


    ¡°Nah, maybe it¡¯s more about¡­finding yourself? Once I finally felt content, my nightmares stopped. So whatever it is you want to do, do that? Maybe?¡±


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    ¡°Well, I want to fall in love.¡± Roxanne replied. ¡°So that¡¯s all I have to do, then?¡±


    ¡°I mean, if that¡¯s what you want to do.¡± Adebayo nodded, getting up to put his bowl in the dishwasher. ¡°Hope that works out for you.¡±


    Roxanne¡¯s phone buzzed on the wooden table. She picked it up, and Cassandra had answered.


    ¡®cant sleep either wana hang?¡¯


    Roxanne responded with a quick ¡®yes please¡¯ and headed for the door.


    ¡°Where you going?¡± Adebayo asked.


    ¡°Out to my ship.¡±


    ¡°Alone?¡± He asked, getting up and walking towards her.


    ¡°Is something up?¡± Roxanne asked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a good idea to let you just walk alone with Legionites about.¡±


    ¡°Oh. Oh, that makes sense.¡± Roxanne nodded as they walked out into the streets.


    As the two walked through the Inariu streets, Roxanne looked up to see the sunrise peering out over the white clouds below them. The streets were slowly being illuminated and the morning warmth was starting to set in. The metal platforms below them slowly began heating up.


    ¡°This is nice.¡± Adebayo nodded, trying to break the silence that came between them.


    ¡°It is, yeah.¡± Roxanne nodded back. Must be nostalgic for you, or something.¡±


    ¡°Nah, I was a pretty late sleeper.¡± Adebayo replied. ¡°This do it for you?¡±


    ¡°Not really, I don¡¯t know if I¡¯m even from here.¡± Roxanne sighed.


    ¡°Lost baby?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°That sucks. But hey, I¡¯ll check the area if you want, see if anyone knows anything.¡±


    ¡°Oh, you don¡¯t need to do that.¡±


    ¡°Eh, my grandma¡¯s the type of person who knows everyone. She¡¯ll just check around for a little, that¡¯s all.


    ¡°I mean, if that¡¯s all you want to do, then¡­¡±


    A figure stepped out between the two of them as they got to the dock. He was donning a red robe with a hood on it, looking at them as if he was ready to kill.


    ¡°Roxanne, wait on the last floor, please.¡± Adebayo said calmly, casually beginning to place his left palm flat in front of him and rubbing his right palm against it.


    Roxanne did as he asked, only to be met with another robed figure walking up the steps. She walked back up trying not to break eye contact or trip on the metal stairs. When she got to the dock¡¯s main platform, she saw Adebayo next to the knocked-out body of their attacker.


    ¡°Roxanne, is something¡­¡± Stopping his sentence when he saw the next figure approach them. He started once again rubbing his hands together. When the man flashed a dagger, ready to strike, Adebayo put one hand on both sides of him. They stood still for a second, before they started seizing up. They shot upright before falling down straight after.


    ¡°Roxanne, check on your friends.¡± Was all Adebayo said.


    Roxanne ran as fast as her healing leg would allow her until she got to the ship. Once in front and looking to see the living room, she saw a hooded figure standing in the living room with a gas surrounding them. When she breathed in a bit from outside, she felt drowsy and tried desperately to stop the cough building up inside her.


    She was being poisoned.


    She put her sweater over her nose and mouth and tucked her necklace inside her clothes. The man was facing away from her, so she quickly tried to kick him with her robotic leg when she had the chance. She prepped the kick and pushed her leg into him with all the force she could manage to summon.


    The figure lurched forward, trying to lay a hand on Roxanne. Roxanne tried bending back to avoid it, but only ended up falling on her back. She quickly shot her metal leg out as she was on the ground, causing her attacker to fall, screaming in pain when they hit their back against the end of their wooden table. Roxanne tried finding something to regain balance on but was stuck crawling outside the ship before gaining her footing on the rails and stepping back. While the figure was just about to get back up, she ran up to them and gave a running kick to the ribs with her good leg as they got up, stomping on their head in an attempt to knock them out. It seemed to work, as the feeling of the gas on her clothes started to dissipate. With that out of the way, she began rapidly kicking and punching Julian and Cassandra¡¯s room.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± Cassandra asked from behind the door, sounding tired. Not ¡®we got poisoned¡¯ tired. Just ¡®we just got woken up¡¯ tired. Her eyes jolted open slightly when Roxanne wrapped her arms around her and started bawling incomprehensibly into her green tank top, leaving Roxanne to access what happened to the airship.


    ¡°Can I get an explanation on what happened?¡± Julian asked, looking around and seeing the unconscious guy on their table.


    ¡°Weregettinginvadedandtheytriedtopoisonyouandtaketheweaponandistoppedthembuttheyreprobablygonnatrytokillyounext!¡± Roxanne sobbed.


    ¡°Is that¡­¡± Julian tasted the air. ¡°Anaesthesia? Was that that guys power?¡±


    ¡°Look, Julian.¡± Cassandra said calmly, prying Roxanne off her. ¡°It¡¯s early. If this attack breaks out any longer than it has to, people could die. I¡¯ll need you to get to your bear while I get to the weapons testing facility. You able to do that?¡±


    ¡°Adebayo can help him.¡± Roxanne nodded, regaining her composure between heavy breaths.


    ¡°Great, great.¡± Cassandra nodded. ¡°Roxanne, you do whatever it is you need to.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll go with you.¡± Roxanne replied. ¡°The weapon is a greave, right? I can just fit it on my boot and fight back.¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯re sure that won¡¯t kill you?¡± Cassandra asked.


    ¡°Hundred percent.¡±


    Cassandra hesitated for a second, thinking about the state Roxanne''s leg could end up in. But the current numbers of Legionites were unknown, and the chance of Roxanne not fighting could be next to impossible


    ¡°Okay. Plan¡¯s made. Let¡¯s do this.¡±

 Old Invasions, New Invasions

    The dock was the top level of Inariu, being a simple black platform That contained ships as well as the building Ola worked in. Underneath it was the main housing level, and below that was the working level, where the weapon was being held. Julian ran to the level below to get the bear while the girls went to get Ola. Adebayo went to get Samuel.


    The girls knocked on the door of Ola¡¯s office, and she wasn¡¯t in it. Cassandra quickly ran around the perimeter of the building, and it didn¡¯t seem to be tampered with.


    ¡°I think Ola¡¯s fine, anyway. Let¡¯s check the weapons testing facility.¡±


    On the next level, Julian and Adebayo met up with four robed figures in front of them. The two of them were towering over the two heroes, while one was brandishing a sharpened knife. The other one ran towards them, slamming the nails on his right hand against his left palm, and a trail of smoke quickly leaked out of his hands. He sent it flying forward toward the two men, both being left blinded in the cloud. The one with the knife leapt into the cloud. Julian saw a flash of steel through the haze, getting pushed back by Adebayo before anything could happen.


    ¡°Quick, take what I¡¯m holding.¡±


    Julian took a set of keys out of his hand, before feeling himself be picked up. The world came back into view as he was flung out of the cloud, narrowly landing on his feet. Once he regained his composure, he heard a loud bang behind him. One that sounded all too familiar. He tried to recall the memory of when he first heard that, only for another bullet to barely miss him as he looked towards the smoke.


    It was a gun, and it was aiming for him.


    He ran, trying his best not to panic. It was a gun, trying to kill him. Just like when the legion tried to during their first invasion.


    The gunman walked out of the smoke cloud, reloading their weapon. Julian ran, and the gunman gave chase, firing more shots as they did. Julian put all the force into his legs as he could, trying his best to run in erratic patterns to avoid getting killed. But as he approached the row of apartments in front of him, thoughts flashed into his mind.


    Old memories flooded back into his head.


    Of the housing ship near Ropear fifteen years ago, when the New Legion first invaded.


    It was so sudden. Him and another boy were playing outside after Julian got into an argument with his parents. While he was sulking over whatever happened, what looked like a fleet of merchant ships descended over the housing ship, but the people inside them weren¡¯t ready to sell. They killed as many people as they could, starting with the adults. The two boys just started running, running back to his house. They could figure something out then with their parents. The distress signal blared into their ears. The local hero group had to have been gearing up to fight and neighbouring airships would be coming in to help. But when Julian got to his house, it was already burning down. A burly looking figure in a white tank top and baggy jeans was in front of it, holding a metallic object in his hand. He looked towards the two boys, pointing the object towards them.


    ¡°This your house, then?¡± He asked, taking the cigarette out of his mouth.


    Julian didn¡¯t respond. His parents were still in there, so he needed to get them out. He ran up to the house, and the man casually kicked him away. Julian got back up to punch the man, and the man responded by throwing him into a tree. Julian tried breaking his fall by stretching his arms in front of it, but he only ended up crushing his left arm in front of his chest. The man watched the child limp over to him while clutching his arm.


    ¡°Well kid, you¡¯ve got guts. But it seems you¡¯re broken, so I gotta say goodbye.¡±


    Without another word, he fired the object at him, and he was knocked out. When he came to, he was on another ship missing both his friend and his eye. Only a handful of people survived, but he was then asked to enter the new ¡®Miracle Scouting Program.¡¯ And that¡¯s how he ended up on that ship.


    But the only thing standing between the gunman and the housing was him. He spun around to face the figure, moving his hair away to reveal his glass eye. The gunman fired another shot which Julian could only dodge by jumping to the floor, quickly scrambling back up to keep himself moving. But Julian noticed that either guns were less accurate than he thought, or that this guy was just extremely bad at it. The gunman fired another shot, and Julian noticed his arm quickly shudder as he tried to force the arm back into place. They were clearly inexperienced with the weapon. So as they tried to control the recoil, Julian ran in their direction and jumped in the air, grabbing the gunman by his shoulders and headbutting him as hard as he could. As Julian let go, he felt a wave of heat shoot out of his face. The robed figure let out a scream and clutched their face. They removed their hood, and they looked like they had a bad sunburn on their face. Julian gave them a right hook to their face while they were distracted, and the fight was over. He quickly picked up the gun and threw it over the edge of the ship.


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    Adebayo quickly ran up to meet him, and Julian looked over at the unconscious foe behind him.


    ¡°You good?¡± Julian asked.


    ¡°Yep. Surprisingly easy to take out.¡± Adebayo nodded casually. ¡°Whatever, we need to get the other two.¡± Adebayo took out an old brick of a phone from his jacket pocket and dialled Samuel as they ran to the apartment. Julian unlocked the door while Adebayo explained the situation to Samuel, who bolted out of the door as soon as Julian unlocked it.


    ¡°Okay, got the news!¡± Samuel yelled out as he passed the two. ¡°I¡¯m scoping the place out, you and Dakarai get the bear ready!¡±


    As Samuel ran as fast as he could through the apartments, he heard a woman scream from the east side, opposite where Julian and Adebayo entered.


    ¡°Cover me!¡± Was all he yelled before rushing in to meet the New Legion members. About four of them, all covering their faces like cowards. One of them rushed towards him and threw an incredibly predictable punch. Samuel ducked, jamming an extended palm into their shoulder. The arm it was attached to drooped down. Allowing Samuel to jump up and deliver a kick to his head, knocking him out instantly. Without a moments hesitation, he ran up to the others, kicking the gun one of them was holding before they could even react, knocking them down with his hands now in his pockets, realizing just how pathetic they were. He quickly kicked the other two unconscious. The last one even took two kicks as he was escaping. Very impressive. The woman who noticed them ran away, giving Samuel a wave goodbye as she did.


    The weapons testing facility looked normal as Cassandra and Roxanne went inside. The greave was where it was supposed to be, with nothing in the room indicating anything was messed with. The only thing out of the ordinary was the lack of security.


    ¡°So someone has to show up here, right?¡± Roxanne whispered, looking around for anything out of the ordinary.


    ¡°I¡¯m guessing they want the weapon, so they¡¯ll be here eventually. Look for something, I¡¯m telling the others we¡¯re here.¡±


    Cassandra got out her phone, crouching down to send a message to Julian. Suddenly, she felt her hair move in a breeze. She shot up to see what the commotion was, jumping back when the security alarm started blaring.


    ¡°Cassandra, over there!¡±


    Cassandra quickly looked towards the entrance where a figure was casually standing with their hands in their pockets. She looked towards the pedestal holding the greave, and a pale girl wearing a bright pink bomber jacket and neon green skirt was standing on it. Cassandra immediately went in for the kill, and the girl silently threw the greave towards the figure. When Cassandra hit the girl with the axe, she gave an outrageously pained expression as she split into two, disintegrating into a pile of coloured dust a second later. The dust quickly went back into the figure, who finally decided to step into the room. She looked the exact same as the girl who was just on the pedestal, resting the greave on the palm of her hand with a smile on her face. She had a bright pink bob cut the same colour as her jacket, with two small purple heart tattoos under the corners of both her eyes.


    ¡°Hey there, how¡¯s it going?¡± She asked politely, playfully tossing the greave in her hand.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± Roxanne asked.


    ¡°Hey now, I don¡¯t like that tone.¡± The girl replied, squinting at her. ¡°Besides, I¡¯m¡­pretty sure I¡¯m not actually allowed to give you guys my name. At least not you. The redhead over there is kind of a maybe.¡±


    ¡°Just tell me your number and get this over with.¡± Cassandra said, pointing the axe at her face.


    ¡°Aw, you figured it out.¡± She said with a pout. ¡°But aaaanywayyyy, name¡¯s Serafina, and I¡¯m ranked number eight! How¡¯s that for introductions?¡±


    Cassandra responded with an axe swing. Serafina threw the greave behind her as she readied her swing, looking mildly scared as the axe approached. She quickly turned to dust once the cut was made.


    ¡°Well, I guess I gotta be more careful next time.¡±


    Cassandra looked behind her, and Serafina was holding a dagger to Roxanne¡¯s throat, spinning another dagger in her index finger thanks to a hole in the handle.


    ¡°No marks anyway, it seems. That¡¯s good.¡± Serafina whispered.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Cassandra asked.


    ¡°Your friend here isn¡¯t a fighter, is she? Also has a broken leg, I think?¡±


    Cassandra thrust the tip of her axe towards Serafina.


    ¡°The lightning will just track you. Let her go.¡± This was a lie, but she was hoping the New Legion didn¡¯t have anything to prove it wrong.


    ¡°Wait, for real?¡± Serafina asked, putting the daggers in her pocket and slowly backing away. ¡°Okay, okay. Let¡¯s not get too hasty. I¡¯m not even here to kill anyone.¡±


    ¡°Excuse me?!¡± Roxanne yelled, panting for life while grasping her neck.


    ¡°Well, not now anyway. My main thing for now is simply¡­buying¡­time.¡±


    A quick knock was heard on the wall opposite the entrance. Before Roxanne could do anything, metal shards were flying towards her. Luckily nothing hit her in any major ways.


    ¡°Heyyyy, it¡¯s my buddies!¡± Serafina announced, spreading her arms to greet the people who made the hole in the wall.


    Cassandra turned to meet them, and it was about a dozen robed figures. They all had roughly the same body shapes as in the church. Definitely the same people. The only thing that changed was the new person. Decked out in robes like the rest of them, only they had a sleeve rolled up revealing a metallic arm.


    ¡°No, wait.¡± Cassandra whispered, staring at the girl. ¡°Chizoba?!¡±

 Key to Destruction

    The hooded figure stood in place, raising the clunky metallic arm to her companions.


    ¡°Serafina, stay still.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡± Serafina sighed, casually putting her arms behind her head, stretching back while yawning.


    The figure removed their hood, and it was in fact Chizoba. The next figure removed his hood, and it was the same scrawny man that was in the church.


    ¡°What in¡­what is going on?¡± Cassandra yelled, her eyes darting around towards everyone in the room.


    ¡°We¡¯re here to take the greave.¡± The scrawny man replied calmly, his smug grin striking every possible nerve in Cassandra¡¯s body.


    ¡°Done and done!¡± Serafina yelled out.


    ¡°Excellent.¡± The scrawny man said with a slight nod. ¡°Now then, the orange haired one. Take her.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Roxanne screamed. ¡°W-wh-why?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s important. The head ship of the New Legion wants to see her.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not going.¡± Cassandra replied slowly, slamming her axe on the hard metal floor. The man didn¡¯t look at all intimidated.


    ¡°Are you sure about that?¡± He continued. ¡°You, miss Cassandra, are a key. The key to the destruction of the Lux Congregation, if Chelic isn¡¯t mistaken.¡±


    ¡°But¡­I don¡¯t want to destroy the Lux.¡± Cassandra said slowly. Her breathing got heavier as she finished the sentence. That couldn¡¯t be the reason, right? She couldn¡¯t be here to destroy the sky world. No repressed memories were crawling back, so she couldn¡¯t be one of them.


    Right?


    ¡°You¡¯ll learn. Grab her.¡±


    The two large figures among them reached out to grab Cassandra while she was still disoriented. Roxanne managed to leap and shove her out of the way, allowing Cassandra to stumble to her feet. She quickly charged energy into the axe and let out a mighty swing, throwing a horizontal line forwards and shocking the two men unconscious.


    ¡°Wait, are they¡­¡± The scrawny man stepped back, quickly reaching down to check the pulses of the two men.


    ¡°Alive.¡± He sighed with relief. ¡°Quick, grab her!¡±


    Serafina put her hands around Cassandra¡¯s waist, pulling her back towards the entrance. Roxanne kicked her in the back as hard as she could, loosening her grip just enough for Cassandra to break free, readying a swing towards her.


    ¡°Uh-oh.¡± Serafina said just before her head made contact with the axe, only to once again turn to dust just as it connected with her head. The dust trailed to outside the entrance of the facility, only for Serafina¡¯s head to pop in a second later.


    ¡°Had a double outside, don¡¯t worry!¡± She said with a smile. ¡°Anyway, no killing, right?¡±


    ¡°Correct.¡± Chizoba nodded.


    ¡°Got it.¡± She stepped back into view, holding the Saoloro Bow in her hands. She readied the bow towards Cassandra, and she barely managed to dodge. The arrow slowly melted into the thick metal wall and made vines grow in its place. Cassandra just had to run past the New Legion figures, axe in hand. She swung it with as much ferocity as she could muster, and most of the hooded figures stepped back to try to get out of the way. Chizoba tried catching the axe in her mechanical hand, but only ended up stunned in place.


    ¡°Serafina, put on the greave.¡± She commanded, trying to adjust her arm back.


    ¡°On it!¡±


    Serafina put the greave on her right foot. She felt the warmth from the foot move to the rest of her body. She felt better. More energized. She threw the bow to the scrawny man. Time to test it out.


    She leapt onto Cassandra¡¯s exposed back, kicking her with the greave. She stumbled over, and an explosion hit her spine. She lurched over in pain as the searing heat hit her back, putting her in agony as her healing clashed with the destroyed skin.


    ¡°Get her!¡± The scrawny man yelled.


    The remaining Legionites grabbed Cassandra, with Serafina casually throwing Roxanne out of the way when she tried to intervene.


    ¡°Now then, to the skyship.¡± The scrawny man commanded. The robed figures took Cassandra away while Roxanne struggled to get back on her feet. She got back up, yelling out something incoherent as she did. She had to walk over. Do something. Her legs were in agony, especially her recovering one. Her hands still shaking, she got her phone out. Opened her texts with Julian.


    Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    ¡®CASSANDRA AND GREAVE TAKEN GET TO DOCK ASAP IGNORE ME¡¯


    Sent.


    Julian checked his phone, getting the message from Roxanne. He went pale as he did so.


    ¡°We need to get to the dock!¡± He yelled out towards Dakarai and the Maximo¡¯s. Without saying anything, Samuel ran towards the stairs that led there, with the rest pushing the hospital bed Julian¡¯s bear was on. They were met by several more robed figures as they left the town, all ignored by Samuel. About another dozen of them.


    ¡°One second.¡± Adebayo said, rubbing his hands together. He placed his hands on the one in the front, causing him to seize up and drop to the floor. Adebayo then landed a series of punches on every figure there, and all of them dropped before they even had the chance to fight.


    ¡°No skill at all.¡± He muttered to himself as he went back to the group, carrying the bear to the top of the stairs.


    They were on floor one. Julian ran to his own ship as soon as he could, while Adebayo ran behind him to find the others. As Julian ran, he heard noises coming from the dock. Yelling noises.


    As he got closer, he noticed Samuel¡¯s red tracksuit sticking out like a beacon in front of one of the ships. He noticed Chizoba in front of the hooded figures, fighting him off. He had his hands in his pockets trying his best to look as nonchalant as possible. But his fa?ade was clearly fading as Chizoba¡¯s metal arm clashed against his leg more and more. She eventually pressed a button on her arm, turning it to a bat and bashing him across the head with it. Samuel was knocked down, but he got back up almost as soon as he hit the ground. He finally took his hand out of his pockets, aiming his fingers towards her elbow the arm was attached to. Chizoba looked to be in pain for a brief second but raised her arm. Samuel tried to dodge, but Chizoba ended up landing another hit clean to his skull, knocking him out.


    ¡°Hey, hey, hey! Another guy behind us!¡± Serafina yelled.


    The scrawny man looked behind him and saw an enraged Adebayo approaching them. He ordered his men to grab Samuel, and Serafina joyfully ran over to him, a dagger in each hand.


    Adebayo rubbed his hands together as she ran over to him. She instantly tried landing a full force kick with the greave, which he managed to block with the energy he stored up. The explosion still landed on both his hands, burning them. But that wasn¡¯t important. He tried landing a punch to Serafina, but she turned to dust as the punch was about to connect.


    ¡°Behind you!¡±


    Serafina tapped Adebayo on the shoulder, stepping back when he tried landing another punch. She immediately stepped in as she was done, slashing him with her daggers across his face. She jumped up as he stopped to take in the pain, landing one more kick with the Inariu greave in his chest. The explosion went off, and Adebayo fell to his knees, defeated.


    Serafina looked to see the status of the ship. Samuel was knocked out and Cassandra was probably inside with her axe. Just as she was about to go join them, she felt a punch to her head.


    She turned around to see who did it. A man with a robotic leg who looked incredibly fearful. He landed another punch to her face as she turned. This wasn¡¯t going to be fun. He was too weak. No need to use her clones. She carefully put a dagger in her pocket, casually stabbing him with her remaining knife. Both hands on the handle, just shy of his heart. If he really wanted to kill her, he¡¯d get stronger and try again. Then it would be fun.


    But just as she took the knife out and watched him fall to the ground, she felt something get past her. She looked behind her, then back in front, and Julian next to the bear.


    Julian crushed a fistful of bugs into his left hand, spreading the guts all over the bear. He touched the bear with his bug covered hand, telling it to go to Serafina. Serafina ran to him, both daggers ready to strike. The bear quickly got out of his bed, slamming a paw down on Serafina as she approached, knocking her to the ground. Julian got behind the bear as Serafina kicked it with the greave, causing an explosion in its stomach area. The bear stayed upright, almost slashing Serafina before she stepped back.


    Serafina let out some dust that reformed into another clone between Julian and the bear, and quickly put her own mind into it before the bear¡¯s slashes got too intense for her. Her old body turned into dust that went back into her, and she held a knife to Julian¡¯s throat.


    ¡°Stop the bear. Stop the bear now!¡± She yelled. She was actually scared. This bear could actually hurt her. She¡¯d kick him with the greave, but there wasn¡¯t enough space to run up.


    Julian just grabbed her by the head, headbutting her and letting some built in energy sear her. Serafina looked stunned, and the bear grabbed her. Julian ran behind him and placed a hand on the bear, who immediately grabbed a recovering Serafina. It ripped the greave off Serafina¡¯s leg, and finally slammed her on her head against the metal. Serafina quickly crawled away to make some distance, throwing her daggers before letting some dust out, which reformed into a clone that she caught the daggers with after she transferred her mind into it. The new body also transfered the pain. She was too hurt to fight. He won. They needed to get to the cluster, and they needed to do it now. She looked at the Greave as Julian put it on. She ran to the ship which was lifting off the ground in a panic. The bear was quickly gaining traction now with Julian riding on its shoulders and stood the genuine risk of catching up to her. She made one last dust clone and put her mind into it. She looked back briefly at the clone, and it drew blood as the bear pushed past it. She finally barrelled into the airship, yelling out orders as soon as she got there.


    ¡°Go, go!¡± She yelled.


    ¡°Where¡¯s the greave?¡± Chizoba yelled.


    ¡°Cassandra¡¯s friend with the bear got it!¡± Serafina yelled while fighting back tears. ¡°And if we don¡¯t go, we¡¯re doomed!¡±


    ¡°Start the airship!¡± The scrawny man commanded. One of the men started up the ship, and it whirred to life. It was quickly lifted off the ground, only to be stopped briefly.


    ¡°What is it now?¡± Serafina yelled, her panic seeping in.


    Chizoba looked out the back window of the airship, and Julian¡¯s bear was clinging to the end.


    ¡°Full power!¡± The scrawny man yelled. ¡°We¡¯ll drop them over skyspace!¡±


    But just as the legionites went full throttle, more things started rupturing around them. When they looked outside, icebergs were quickly erupting from the metal and surrounding the ship.


    Julian looked to where the icebergs were coming from. From inside the building where Ola worked was the figure of a young girl. She held a spear in her hand, and every time she forced it onto the surface below, another iceberg surrounded the airship.


    ¡°Sorry if I¡¯m late!¡± She yelled out to Julian. ¡°But everything¡¯s fine now! For I have arrived!¡±

 Princesses With Spears

    Cassandra saw the panic take over the Legionites. Even Serafina and Chizoba.


    ¡°I said full power!¡± The scrawny man screeched at the people working the ship.


    ¡°We¡¯re trying!¡± One of them yelled back.


    Cassandra looked around at the panic. She immediately grabbed the robes of the person standing next to her, flinging them against the wall. Someone locked eyes on her behind their hood, and she punched them in the face before they could do anything. While everyone was confused, she grabbed the axe, destroying the locked doors of the airship with one lumbered motion. She jumped out, surrounded by ice. Julian¡¯s bear let go of the airship in order to catch her, and then let her down gently.


    ¡°What is this?¡± Cassandra yelled, looking enamoured at the bear.


    ¡°My experiments paying off!¡± Julian yelled back, watching the bear grab the airship once again, only for it¡¯s grip to loosen a second later.


    ¡°Oh crap, I¡¯m out of bugs.¡±


    ¡°Hey, you there?¡± Cassandra asked. ¡°Make an ice spear to the airship. Right in the middle!¡±


    The girl nodded, spinning her spear before slamming the tip into the metal, creating a trail of ice that quickly exploded into an iceberg once it was underneath the trapped airship. Cassandra ran up the iceberg, axe in hand, making one mighty swing to the centre of the airship, causing an explosion underneath it. the explosion undid all the previous icicles as the Legion airship crashed to the ground, and the flock of Legionites quickly rushed out just before it exploded. The scrawny man looked towards the ship with genuine anguish, muttering something to the wreckage before Chizoba grabbed him and ran to the next airship with several others in tow.


    Cassandra looked at the wreckage and the man¡¯s anguish. She knew what just happened. She misaimed.


    All the other legionites ran to the next airship, and the spear girl launched into a sprint as they started it up. She thrust the spear downward, and the icicle barely scraped the surface of the now escaping airship.


    ¡°Wait, no.¡± The girl whispered. ¡°Oh shit, mom¡¯s gonna kill me!¡±


    ¡°Excuse me.¡± Cassandra asked, tapping her shoulder. ¡°Just who are you?¡±


    The girl in the jeans and grey hoodie stood still for a second, before removing her hood and turning to face Cassandra with a determined smile.


    ¡°Name¡¯s Willow, from Vannana! Glad I could help!¡±


    Just as she made her announcement, Ola stumbled out of her office.


    ¡°Willow, I thank you for the save.¡± She said, still disoriented. Possibly the same guy affecting Cassandra¡¯s airship hit her. ¡°Which is why it really pains me to do this.¡±


    ¡°To do what?¡± Willow asked, glancing around the dock.


    ¡°Cassandra, please stand back.¡±


    Suddenly, several armed guards circled Willow, all aiming guns towards her head.


    ¡°Yes, Freyja. She¡¯s here.¡±


    Ola was forced to use the weapons testing facility as a makeshift jail cell, seeing as she¡¯d never hear the end of it if Willow was put in an actual one. Willow looked out of the window with sad eyes, before banging on the wall.


    ¡°Lemme out, dammit! I¡¯m the reason you¡¯re still alive! Also, I¡¯m your damn niece! Is this how you treat your niece?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s your niece?¡± Julian asked, tilting his head to the side, trying to make sense of it with two working eyes. Turns out having two working eyes is pretty cool.


    ¡°Yep. Just doing this because my sister-in-law will be vicious if I¡¯m lucky.¡± Ola sighed, then went back to her phone.


    ¡°You¡¯re landing now? Okay, I¡¯ll bring her out.¡±


    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    Ola unlocked the door and Willow sauntered out as if she wasn¡¯t screaming a second ago. She was brought to the dock with Cassandra, Julian, a slightly limping Roxanne, and two guards surrounding her. Once they got to the dock, a new airship was landed with four people in front of it. The two at the back were your standard guards, but the woman in front looked over the horizon until she locked eyes with Willow.


    Her mere gaze was the type to command attention. Even in her casual wear of a thin ice blue dress and a circular necklace with a white gem embedded in it, all topped off with a blonde ponytail. Behind her was a black guy with a buzz cut and a white polo shirt.


    ¡°Hey, mom.¡± Willow said casually, trying to break her gaze by focusing on the spear.


    ¡°What were you doing?¡± Freyja asked sternly, a few obvious cracks forming in her composure as the words left her mouth. Julian felt the need to stand to attention and fix his posture just by being within a few meters of her.


    ¡°Well, I heard the distress call as I woke up and¡­y¡¯know, felt the need to step in.¡±


    ¡°By stealing the Vannana spear and stealing an airship without any prior notice?¡±


    ¡°I left a note in my room. Besides, if they got the Inariu greave, the only real counter would be another relic weapon, which I know for a fact I wouldn¡¯t be allowed to bring if I told anybody.¡±


    ¡°And what if the airship fell from backup Legionites?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know!¡±


    ¡°Look, let¡¯s think of it this way.¡± Her husband interjected. ¡°Did she help them win? Because the greave is safe, we know that.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, she was pretty important.¡± Cassandra added, pointing to the wreckage while not looking directly at it.


    ¡°See? I think we can just chalk this up to a victory and say good job all round.¡±


    We went in to hug his daughter, and Freyja glared at him, causing him to back off.


    ¡°Fine. We can call this a victory against the legion. Quite good in fact, I¡¯d hate for my sister-in-law to lose her place on the council.¡±


    ¡°Thanks.¡± Ola said flatly.


    ¡°Now then, Willow can take the airship she stole back to Vannana to prepare for the ball. Ola, I will be glad to see you there.¡±


    ¡°Yeah the airship¡­¡± Ola started. ¡°You know what, Willow can explain it.¡±


    ¡°The ship¡­got stolen after we secured the greave. The Legion has it now.¡±


    Freyja had a blank expression on her face once she heard that. Willow backed behind Roxanne as Freyja clasped her hands together.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just get you home. The ball is tomorrow, after all.¡±


    ¡°Okay okay okay, wait.¡± Willow said. ¡°Why not¡­bring my new friends over?¡±


    ¡°And why should I do that?¡± Freyja asked. She knew the plot here. Get a subdued berating thanks to others being there.


    ¡°I think it¡¯s a good idea.¡± Freyja¡¯s husband nodded. ¡°These are the people protecting the Skyspace after all.¡±


    ¡°Sounds decent, come to think of it.¡± Julian nodded with a hand on his chin. ¡°Besides, we should probably thank the leader of Sandala for not sending anyone to steal the axe from us.¡±


    ¡°Oh, did you guys not hear?¡± Willow replied. ¡°You guys are official citizens of Sandala now.¡±


    ¡°Wait, what?¡± Roxanne asked.


    ¡°Yeah. Something to do with Sandala not technically losing their weapon and still being allowed in the Lux conferences or something.¡±


    ¡°Well, if you must meet Kazumi, you¡¯d be better off looking like you don¡¯t cage fight for scraps.¡± Freyja muttered. ¡°Get on, we have a lot of work ahead of us.¡±


    Everyone involved got onto the airship. Freyja and her husband led the way, with Julian and Cassandra entering afterward. Willow entered next, followed by Roxanne. Roxanne tripped as she went in, being picked up by Willow mid fall.


    ¡°You all good?¡± She asked.


    Roxanne spent a split second looking into Willow¡¯s eyes. Time temporarily seemed to stop around them as Roxanne tried to recollect herself.


    ¡°Uh¡­yes! Yes, I¡¯m doing¡­pretty good!¡± She answered, quickly sitting next to Cassandra, who was just giving her a sly look.


    ¡°What?¡± Roxanne asked.


    ¡°Oh, nothing.¡± Cassandra replied, glancing at Freyja who was standing next to the airship¡¯s pilot.


    ¡°Is everything okay back there?¡± Freyja asked. ¡°Willow, check on the girl with the mechanical leg.¡±


    ¡°You okay?¡± Willow asked.


    ¡°Yeah, I just tripped.¡± Roxanne quickly replied with a dismissive hand wave. ¡°My legs as fine as it can be right now.¡±


    ¡°And nothing needs to be done?¡±


    ¡°Nothing at all!¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡± Freyja gave a slight nod and once again fixated her eyes on the sky.


    ¡°So, Julian.¡± Cassandra asked. ¡°You ever go to one of these balls?¡±


    ¡°Nothing on this scale.¡± Julian replied. ¡°But I''ll figure it out when I get there.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t sweat it.¡± Willow interjected. ¡°Once we get to Vannana you¡¯ll be taken care of.¡±


    ¡°Oh thank god.¡± Julian mumbled. The idea of getting his own fancy threads made him nervous at best.


    ¡°So I¡¯m guessing you two are going with each other?¡± Willow asked.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Julian nodded.


    ¡°And what about you?¡± She asked, pointing to Roxanne.


    Roxanne felt herself flare up inside. This girl who she just met was asking her to a dance. She could possibly call Dakarai, but the whole thing between the two was getting pretty awkward. And besides, it¡¯d be a friend thing at best.


    ¡°Sounds pretty good, yeah.¡± Roxanne nodded in an attempt to look casual.


    ¡°Willow, I¡¯ve already been in talks.¡± Freyja interrupted without shifting her gaze. ¡°With miss Nuria if you remember her.¡±


    ¡°You cannot be serious right now.¡± Willow whispered to herself.


    ¡°Her son is about your age, and we think the two of you together would be a good show of our faith in the future generations.¡±


    ¡°Whyyyyyy?¡± She groaned. ¡°Just say you don¡¯t want me there with another woman.¡±


    ¡°Willow, we¡¯ve discussed this.¡± Freyja said with a weary sigh. ¡°I am more than willing to let you bend the rules and have women in your courts when you take the throne. But as a descendant of house Vannana, you will bear children.¡±


    ¡°Well, what about the princess of Sangaria? She can¡¯t be that much older than me, right?¡±


    ¡°Luminita is actually going with a boy she found herself. His name is Mr. Bob Dobalina, if I recall correctly. They¡¯re probably getting ready as we speak.¡±

 The Misadventures of the Very Real Bob Dobalina

    Xander, Tsuki and Priyanka stood in the coffee shop in Sangaria they were told to go to. Simple looking place, newly constructed. A couple nice looking stools alongside some wooden tables for people to discuss things at. And behind the counter was a slightly intimidating girl with green hair and lip piercings.


    ¡°You¡¯re the three, right?¡± She asked.


    ¡°Correct.¡± Priyanka replied.


    ¡°But¡­the three, right? You gotta say something.¡±


    ¡°Oh, right.¡± Priyanka nodded slowly to herself. ¡°The sock, the alec, and the yank. That good?¡±


    ¡°Sure is.¡± The girl responded with a finger snap. ¡°What you want is in the back.¡±


    The girl let them hop over the bar into a room in the back. Unpainted walls that could barely be seen thanks to the massive amounts of smoke.


    ¡°You the legion guys?¡± A man¡¯s voice came out when the door was opened. Priyanka barely saw the outline of a man in the middle of the room. Tsuki put her silkworms in her hat and left it outside the room.


    ¡°The fan, dude!¡± The girl shouted from outside.


    The man turned on the fan in the back of the room and blew all the smoke into the main room, revealing the slightly muscular man covered in tattoos casually sitting behind it.


    ¡°So, you three are the legion guys?¡± He asked, looking them up and down. ¡°You look weaker than I thought.¡±


    ¡°Well, we¡¯re really not meant to-¡° Xander started before Priyanka shut his mouth.


    ¡°Look too intimidating. Draws attention to us.¡±


    ¡°Ah, got it.¡± The man nodded. ¡°Well, name¡¯s Trent, and I¡¯ve been told you need these bad boys.¡±


    Trent revealed three fake ID¡¯s from his pocket.


    ¡°If anyone asks, you three are small time college students from Ropear doing some traveling during the warmer months. I put skyships that match your physical appearances, so the guy is from Ropear, plain girl is from Gurut, and the flashy girl is from ShiShi. Got all that? New names on the cards too, so make sure to memorize them.¡±


    The three looked at their cards. Xander was Bob Dobalina, Tsuki was Ina Lu, and Priyanka was Riya Rau.


    ¡°Is that all we need?¡± Priyanka asked. ¡°No family history or specific housing ships we belong to? Nothing like that?¡±


    ¡°More things added means more potential holes in the story. Just think up a quick story and think of it. Nobody thinks of Ropear around here, just say something mildly believable.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡± Priyanka nodded as she tucked the ID into her back pocket. The man then produced a pure white plastic card.


    ¡°And here¡¯s a credit card. Bank took the fake Luxa without an issue, so we¡¯ll hopefully be good. I think you got the basics down, anyway.¡± Trent asked. ¡°Any questions?¡±


    ¡°Just one, not really related to this.¡± Xander asked. ¡°What¡¯s in it for you?¡±


    ¡°Whatcha mean?¡±


    ¡°Well, you aren¡¯t with the New Legion. So why are you so happy to help us?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all about the new society.¡± He responded calmly, snapping his fingers into the sky. ¡°This whole skyspace and the Lux? Gotta be hiding something. Also, try not to mention it in front of Gwen in the front, but the Zeus followers here have a lot of power over certain areas and surrounding ships. It can get pretty messed up and the rulers haven¡¯t done anything to help.¡±


    ¡°Weird cult?¡± Xander whispered. Trent gave a silent nod. Xander nodded back, but he just thought about how she was basically just trading one weird cult for another one.


    ¡°So, our mission is to get the shield.¡± Tsuki said. ¡°Any ideas on how to do that?¡±


    ¡°Well, thanks to Gwen¡¯s¡­connections, we were able to get this empty place turned into a coffee shop. It¡¯s pretty near the medical academy Luminita goes to, and starting a new place with cheap coffee means she¡¯s guaranteed to show up. Grand opening is tomorrow, so feel free to go find something to do.¡±


    Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Tsuki checked her hat, and the silkworms were still alive if slightly distressed, so she let them rest on her fingers as she stroked them. When she thought they calmed down, she put them back in her hat.


    The three of them stepped out into the evening air, and Xander finally got his full look at Sangaria. It seemed like a relaxed enough place, especially in the grand. Humble little streets with a couple small stores, with a few small neighbourhoods peeking out beyond them. Behind them was the pristine white walls that guarded the castle. It was a large circular keep being kept behind the wall, with a smaller tower attached on either side. All the same white as the walls, with the occasional red covering the perimeters of the windows, the same red used to colour the roof. The whole place made Xander feel nostalgic for a place he¡¯s never been to.


    ¡°There¡¯s an inn over there if you want to rest.¡± Priyanka said calmly.


    ¡°Nah, I wanna see what this place is about first.¡± Xander replied.


    ¡°Yeah, I heard the styles here are pretty neat.¡± Tsuki added.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go see if they have any spare rooms at the inn.¡± Priyanka said. ¡°I¡¯ll see you later.¡±


    And with Priyanka gone, Xander and Tsuki were left to wander around the town, with the people not paying much attention to them. Just two people in a crowd of hundreds. It felt nice.


    ¡°You see any clothes shops yet?¡± Tsuki asked.


    ¡°Not yet.¡± Xander whispered back.


    As the two passed one narrow street to another, they began to notice a small crowd building up. Tsuki glanced around and saw multiple stores with different types of clothes in the window. Xander watched her face light up in the same way when he saw the clothes. It never got any less adorable. Tsuki looked at the clothes in the window, a white jacket with puffy shoulders and bits of torn fabric on the sleeves. It all came together so well.


    ¡°Xander, I need it!¡± She yelled, fogging up the window with her excited breath.


    ¡°Sounds good. I¡¯m just gonna see what¡¯s up with the crowd over there.¡±


    Xander walked over to the commotion across the street. From the outset, it seemed to be lively town shenanigans. But as he got closer, the crowd wasn¡¯t excited or happy.


    They seemed to be mad.


    As Xander pushed through the crowd, a group of men in blue suits were standing outside of what seemed to be a very big and very new store. The small looking man looked incredibly distressed at what was happening in front of him. As opposed to the wild fashion and pictures of models lining the wall, he was dressed in a relatively simple leather jacket with his simple black hair neatly brushed to the left side. In a very simple way.


    ¡°Now, mister Jian Tang.¡± The one at the front started in a calm voice. ¡°It has come to our attention that you want to open up a new boutique here in the middle of the town.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­yes. It¡¯s all been cleared with the Sangaria building people if that¡¯s what concerns you.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not the issue.¡± The man continued. ¡°We¡¯re concerned you might take business from the smaller stores around here.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry there! This store is mostly dedicated to ShiShi inspired fashion, and anything taken from Sangaria will be treated with the utmost respect!¡±


    ¡°Well, that¡¯s only one issue.¡± The man said as he glanced back to the crowd. Xander finally got a good look at him. Blonde and pale with shifty grey eyes.


    ¡°There¡¯s also the content of the things you¡¯re selling. Take that, for instance.¡± He pointed towards one of the mannequins in the window, sporting what looked to be a flannel bikini top.


    ¡°Slightly perverse for this ship, don¡¯t you think?¡±


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s very simple! We¡¯re nearing the warmer months, so in ShiShi it¡¯s very common to wear less clothing during those times. There¡¯s nothing perverse about it.¡±


    ¡°I see. Well, modesty is important to us here, so I¡¯d recommend not overstepping while you¡¯re here. After all, I¡¯m more than willing to make your visit here as short as possible.¡±


    ¡°Okay, I think you¡¯re going a little too far.¡±


    The mans neck snapped back to see who was opposing him, a look of contempt thrown onto his face. This man in a hoodie and a tie simultaneously was about to lecture him?


    ¡°And who would you be?¡± He asked.


    ¡°Name¡¯s Mr Dobalina.¡± Xander lied. ¡°And are you seriously threatening a guy who wants to sell some clothes?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, you¡¯re not from around here, are you?¡± The man asked, slowly approaching Xander. He had to look up to him due to being cursed with average height.


    ¡°Nope, I¡¯m from Ropear.¡±


    ¡°Well then, young man. I¡¯m from the Zeus organization around here, and we¡¯re somewhat important. It would do you well not to get in our way.¡±


    The man turned to the terrified store owner, and calmly tucked his hands in his pockets.


    ¡°Well, I feel our point has been made. I¡¯ll be seeing you. Hopefully not soon.¡±


    The man and his two associates walked out of the crowd which quickly followed, only leaving Xander in front of the store.


    ¡°Pricks.¡± He mumbled under his breath. Definitely the cult that made the girl at the coffee shop want to join the Legion.


    ¡°What was that about?¡± Tsuki whispered next to Xander, before ger gaze shifted over to the man in front of the store.


    ¡°Jian Tang?¡± She yelled out.


    ¡°Yes.¡± He said, trying to adjust a stray hair.


    ¡°Oh my god, I¡¯m like your biggest fan ever!¡± Tsuki had the sparkles in her eyes. Xander knew she was about to go into what he dubbed ¡®fashion frenzy¡¯ mode.


    ¡°So, what are you doing here? Are you doing a new line here? World tour, maybe?¡±


    ¡°I¡­I just want to make a new line here. Not a lot of competition here yet, so I wanted to see what the world of fashion in Sangaria was like. Respectfully of course.¡±


    ¡°Oh, obviously. But like, can I see what you¡¯re working on next?¡±


    ¡°Well, the grand opening is tomorrow. If you¡¯re still here I¡¯d be glad to have you.¡±


    Tsuki stopped in place for a second, before letting out the most euphoric scream Xander heard anyone make.


    ¡°Yeah, we¡¯ll probably be able to make it.¡± He said calmly.


    ¡°Good. I think you could do with it.¡± Jian said with a nod. ¡°We open at midday.¡±


    He quietly retreated into the store, and Tsuki was left stunned.


    ¡°Wait, did he say tomorrow?¡± Tsuki asked.

 Fake Guy, Real Royal

    ¡°And then when I tried running the code, all the lights went out.¡±


    Xander was talking to Tsuki in the coffee shop trying to make casual conversation. The shop was lively enough. Mostly college aged students discussing random things Xander tuned out. Tsuki was trying to focus on the task at hand, but her Fashion Frenzy mode was in overdrive. They had to share a bed last night at the inn, and she kept moving in her sleep. Priyanka was still on lookout, keeping her best eye out for anyone who looked like Luminita. Xander knew what to look out for. Jet black hair, super pale, usually wearing white when away from her college work. Nobody matching that exact description. Tsuki was just glancing around for anyone wearing flashier clothes and checking the time on her phone every couple seconds.


    ¡°So, any idea when we¡¯re going to the castle?¡± Priyanka asked.


    ¡°I mean, we got here pretty late.¡± Xander whispered. ¡°I think today should be used to explore the castle for any entry points while I secure an escape route to our ship.¡±


    ¡°And Tsuki?¡±


    ¡°Tsuki can¡­honestly, she can come with whoever.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll just go with Xander.¡± Tsuki added after checking her phone.


    ¡°Understood.¡± Priyanka said calmly while taking a sip from the coffee she clearly hated.


    ¡°Hey, guys.¡±


    Xander looked up, and Gwen was standing over the table holding two small cups of coffee.


    ¡°While you were talking, Luminita walked into the store.¡±


    Waiting in line was Luminita. Her long straight hair going down to her elbows. She was incredibly pale and wearing a white cardigan with a black shirt underneath it alongside some worn out jeans. Trent got her cheap coffee, and she sat down by the window and checked her phone.


    ¡°So¡­what do we do now?¡± Xander whispered.


    ¡°Take her?¡± Priyanka asked calmly.


    ¡°Wait, what?¡±


    ¡°It makes the most sense, I think. Hold her for ransom for the shield. Marcel is a very family-oriented man who already lost his wife, so protecting his only daughter is something he might be very well inclined to do.¡±


    ¡°Okay, but¡­kidnapping?¡±


    ¡°Worst case scenario some of the top ten fighters are brought in to rescue us while getting away with Luminita. Nobody has to get hurt if everything goes to plan.¡±


    ¡°Right¡­right, yeah. Makes sense.¡± Xander nodded. ¡°So, how would we do this?¡±


    ¡°You go keep her occupied. Tsuki and I grab her when she¡¯s unaware and take her to the back. Trent and Gwen shut the store down. Gives us a whole new set of hostages to bargain with as well.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Yeah, you¡¯re really smart, Priyanka.¡± Xander nodded slowly, looking around to see if anyone would actually be a good fighter. Luckily it seemed nobody was particularly well built.


    Xander crept out of his seat and walked behind Luminita holding his own cup of coffee, taking a casual sip behind her while trying to figure out an approach method.


    ¡°I checked on the way here, the place seems to be closed for a while.¡±


    She whispered softly into the phone.


    ¡°Well, I can ask around, but I don¡¯t know any other places that fix electronics.¡±


    Hold on a sec. Electronics. This was his harmless way in.


    ¡°Sorry, did you say electronics?¡±


    Luminita turned to meet him, looking confused.


    ¡°Yes? Can I help you?¡±


    ¡°Any idea what electronics you¡¯re having issues with?¡± Xander asked calmly as he sat down next to her.


    ¡°My father¡¯s having issues with a new gaming console he got recently. One of the newer disc running ones if that helps.¡±


    ¡°So what¡¯s the deal, not running games?¡±


    ¡°I think so.¡±


    ¡°Well, I am going to college for electronic repair, so maybe I could figure out what¡¯s up with it.¡±


    ¡°Which college?¡±


    ¡°Hmm?¡±


    ¡°Which college? Very simple question.¡±


    ¡°Um¡­Sum 41 college in Ropear. Very local place, doesn¡¯t even have a website yet. But it¡¯s pretty good.¡±


    ¡°I see. May I see some ID then? Just to be safe.¡±


    Xander quickly produced his fake ID, and Luminita scanned it for a while. Priyanka walked up to her, and Xander pushed a hand out, shaking his head.


    ¡®If this works I¡¯m getting in.¡¯ He mouthed quickly.


    Priyanka gave a thumbs up, took another shot of coffee, and sat back down.


    If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    ¡°Seems real, Mr. Dobalina.¡± She said quietly, handing him back his card. ¡°We can go now if you¡¯re ready.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, just let me talk to my friends.¡±


    Xander went back to the table Priyanka and Tsuki were sitting at.


    ¡°Okay, there¡¯s an issue with a video game console back at her place, and she¡¯s letting me in to fix it. Be on alert and keep your phones on at all times. I¡¯ll call you the second I see an entry point to the shield.¡±


    ¡°How long will you be gone for?¡± Tsuki asked.


    ¡°A couple hours at least.¡± Xander replied with a quick wink.


    ¡°Okay, I¡¯m gonna check the clothing stores.¡± Tsuki whispered. ¡°Just in case things go bad and we need a disguise.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, sounds good.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll check the perimeter of the castle.¡± Priyanka announced, walking out of the shop with Tsuki quickly following.


    Xander casually walked up to Luminita once they left.


    ¡°Kay, they¡¯re just gonna hang out for a while. I¡¯m ready when you are.¡±


    The two left the coffee shop, and Luminita began the small talk.


    ¡°So, how¡¯s Ropear?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s pretty nice.¡± Xander nodded. ¡°The steak is way better over there.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve heard that the cattle industry in Ropear is quite good.¡±


    ¡°It is, yeah.¡± Xander nodded. His parents worked on a farm in a simple housing ship. If he remembered correctly the meat was considered pretty good. But then the question of whether or not his parents were even alive came into his head for the first time in¡­fifteen years, when he was brought onto the cluster. He hoped so, so he could find them once the whole New Legion thing blew over.


    ¡°Fashion. Fashion.¡±


    Xander snapped back to find Luminita continued her conversation.


    ¡°So, what are your thoughts on the new ShiShi fashion store?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, my friend and I were there yesterday. It seems pretty cool, but I don¡¯t know much about it.¡±


    ¡°Was it true the Zeus group was protesting there?¡±


    ¡°Suit guys?¡± Xander asked. ¡°Yeah.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m trying to get my father to do something about them, but he isn¡¯t listening.¡±


    ¡°Is your dad a good person?¡± Xander asked.


    ¡°I¡¯d say so. He¡¯s fair to the people and well liked by most, and he has a good relationship with all the other Lux members. But his age is beginning to show, and he doesn¡¯t know how to navigate these new power preachers and weird cults that have been springing up lately.¡±


    ¡°Power preachers?¡± Xander asked.


    ¡°People get popular preaching their god of choice over TV and the internet. They ask for donations and the wealth just keeps pouring in the more powerful they get until they have entire housing ships loyal to them. I heard they¡¯ve been popping up in Saoloro and Gurut too.¡±


    ¡°Well, I haven¡¯t been paying that much attention to them.¡± Xander sighed. ¡°Back home it¡¯s the same as ever. Hera fans, you know how it is.¡±


    ¡°I thought Ropear people worshipped Demeter.¡±


    ¡°Do they?¡± Xander said nervously. ¡°Really shows how little attention I pay, right?¡±


    ¡°Clearly.¡± Luminita nodded calmly. ¡°It¡¯s fine, I never paid much attention to it either.¡±


    But they finally made it to the castle. Two guards in bulky clothing holding spears stood in front of the closed door leading to the courtyard.


    ¡°Lady Luminita.¡± One said calmly.


    ¡°Greetings.¡± She replied calmly as her and Xander walked past. The courtyard was mostly empty with the exception of several intimidating looking soldiers doing training drills.


    ¡°What¡¯s with those guys?¡± Xander asked.


    ¡°New soldiers in training. Brought in to offset any invasions by the New Legion.¡±


    ¡°Ah, right.¡± Xander said, trying not to panic at what he¡¯d face should anything go wrong.


    ¡°Anyway, I should probably tell my father I¡¯m home.¡± Luminita said, dropping a quick text just before they went into the door.


    In front of Xander was an empty entrance room, beautifully lit up with a gold-plated chandelier and red velvet curtains at each side of the oval windows, with a grand staircase in the centre leading to the next floor, with a red carpet leading upwards to the next floor. A little excessive, but still a pretty nice place.


    ¡°Luminita!¡±


    The voice bellowed from upstairs, then quickly ran downstairs to meet them. King Marcel. Wearing a plain white t-shirt and shorts with short and curly brown hair that was noticeably starting to grey. If not for how jolly his face was, he¡¯d probably look fairly intimidating. The dude was pretty muscular.


    ¡°How are you doing?¡± He asked as he enthusiastically went in for a hug.


    ¡°Good, good.¡± Luminita replied, trying to pry herself out of his grip before eventually giving in and sinking deeper into his chest.


    ¡°And this must be the new helper!¡± He said, going over to shake his hand. His grip was strong as the hands shook.


    ¡°Yep, that¡¯s me.¡± Xander said nervously.


    ¡°Oh, no need for formalities!¡± Marcel replied. ¡°Now then, you mind seeing the issues the old console is having?¡±


    The three made their way up the staircase onto the second floor. A small walk through a regal hallway with the same design as the entrance and they were in the kings room.


    The room was about as large as the airship he came here on. One half of the room was a shelf full of books about politics and other worldly pursuits. On the other side was a shelf full of consoles and video games, with an incredibly large TV in front of his bed.


    ¡°Okay, so which console is having problems?¡± Xander asked, sauntering over to the one plugged into the TV. ¡°This one?¡±


    It seemed like a Turbostation, new console that read discs as opposed to cartridges. He had managed to ¡®source¡¯ a few games onto his computer, but he¡¯d only seen a broken one beyond repair up close.


    ¡°That one, yes.¡±


    Xander took a screwdriver next to it and opened the console up after unplugging it. His guess as to what was wrong was the laser that read the disc wasn¡¯t working. So he made a slight adjustment to it hoping it worked the same way. He closed the console, plugged it back in, and waited with bated breath as the console turned on.


    The Turbostation logo started up¡­and then the game itself.


    ¡°You genius!¡± Marcel yelled out as the title screen loaded in. ¡°Now, what can I pay you?¡±


    ¡°Uhh¡­thirty luxa sounds good, I think.¡± Xander whispered.


    ¡°That all? Whatever you say!¡±


    He handed Xander the thirty luxa out of his pocket.


    ¡°Thank you, Mr¡­can I have a name?¡±


    ¡°Bob Dobalina.¡± Xander replied casually, hoping he wouldn¡¯t catch him out.


    ¡°Actually, Mr Dobalina, I have a small request of you.¡±


    ¡°Shoot.¡±


    ¡°Are you aware of the Vannana Ball?¡±


    ¡°I know¡­of it.¡± Xander replied. This was a lie, but it seemed like the kind of thing all Lux-associated airships would know about, so best to just play along.


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s a gathering of all the lux members to signify the peace between us. It¡¯s custom to bring a date for most people, and Luminita hasn¡¯t had the time to find one. So if it¡¯s okay with you, we could have you escort her.¡±


    A date? In Vannana?


    ¡°I mean, if you give me a while to think about it, that¡¯d be nice.¡±


    ¡°Absolutely! Feel free to stay the night in a spare room while you think about it. But we¡¯re leaving tomorrow, so be sure to have an answer by then!¡±


    Xander was left inside one of the spare rooms while he was supposed to ¡®think about it.¡¯ If he remembered correctly, the Vannana spear wasn¡¯t taken yet. This could be his chance to take two weapons, but it was way riskier. If he was found out he¡¯d be on his own, and probably imprisoned at the very best. Finding Tsuki and Priyanka wouldn¡¯t be too hard either. It wasn¡¯t worth it. Separating himself from the group would be a really bad idea. He stepped out of his room and into a bathroom once no guards were about. He took out his phone and called Tsuki.


    ¡°Where are you?¡± Tsuki asked as she picked up.


    ¡°Look, slight issue.¡± Xander replied. ¡°Marcel and Luminita invited be to a ball in Vannana. They leave tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°So what, do we wait until they leave to take the shield?¡±


    ¡°Well, they probably won¡¯t let me in the castle again. Look, I understand if you¡¯re not up for it, but I think tonight is our best chance to get it while most of the guards are asleep.¡±


    ¡°Wait, tonight?¡±


    ¡°Where¡¯s Priyanka?¡±


    There was a slight pause as Xander waited for a response.


    ¡°Give us an hour to get there, have an entry point ready by then.¡±

 Vannana Castle

    Hello, dream world.


    Roxanne was once again trapped in the world of her own mind. The light figure began darting around the space around her, finally having the words ¡°YOU¡¯RE NOTHING.¡± rattle in her mind with such intensity that she was forced to the floor. The being slowly faded into nothingness as the tendrils started erupting around her, forcing her to sink to the ground.


    ¡°What is going on back there?¡± Freyja asked quickly. It was the first thing Roxanne heard when she came to besides her own screams.


    ¡°It¡¯s just night terrors, relax.¡± Julian replied casually, trying to shoo away Willow who was clearly freaking out at her guest drooling all over her floor out of nowhere.


    ¡°Drain the saliva¡­sit her upright.¡± Julian mumbled to himself, setting Roxanne up on the airships couch.


    ¡°And she¡¯s fine?¡± Willow asked.


    ¡°Yeah, this just happens.¡± Roxanne nodded as she tried to adjust to being alive. ¡°I just have really weird nightmares sometimes, no big deal.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s shocking how used to it you get.¡± Cassandra added, barely looking up from the book she was reading. Something about proper interiors for large spaces. Sounded kind of boring, honestly.


    ¡°Interesting.¡± Freyja said emotionlessly, with Willow glaring at her from behind. ¡°Regardless, she¡¯ll have plenty of time to recover now that we¡¯re here.¡±


    Cassandra looked out of the airships window, and they were approaching the Vannana Grand. A giant metal wall hiding a small ocean, and in the centre was the main hub of houses and shops, with the castle in the middle of it. And away from the main landmass was what seemed to be a few smaller islands. They flew over the chilly looking people dressed in winter coats as the airships lowered to the top of Vannana castle.


    Julian could instantly see his breath as he left the airship, the chill somehow making its way through his incredibly worn-out clothes.


    ¡°I missed this place so much.¡± He mumbled sarcastically to nobody in particular.


    ¡°You get used to it.¡± Willow said as she walked out in just a grey hoodie.


    ¡°You¡¯ll be inside for the most part, I wouldn¡¯t worry.¡± Freyja said calmly. She looked around her ship and saw two airships parked inside. One from Ropear and one from Sandala.


    ¡°Ah, the first arrivals.¡±


    They descended a staircase into the top floor of the palace where all the rooms were. Calming blue walls and doors upon doors upon doors.


    ¡°So which is gonna be my room?¡± Roxanne asked Willow.


    ¡°Well, this part is for me and my siblings, guests sleep on the floor below.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, your siblings?¡± Cassandra asked. ¡°The whole floor?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. My mom has eight husbands and twelve other kids, we need a lot of space.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, eight husbands?¡±


    ¡°If I remember correctly, it¡¯s a cultural thing.¡± Julian added. ¡°It¡¯s meant to signify the peace between the grands or something.¡±


    ¡°Right on the money, mister Julian. Also, one of my sisters has a massive crush on you from your hero days, so just watch out for the Ropeara looking one, got it?¡±


    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    ¡°Understood.¡± Julian sighed, already looking exasperated.


    ¡°And speaking of the other kids, here¡¯s Donal.¡± Willow said, picking up the toddler crawling around under the watch of a butler. ¡°Two years old, second youngest, half Saoloran.¡±


    ¡°Aw, how¡¯s it going little guy?¡± Cassandra asked as she lowered herself to his level. Donal responded by pulling her hair and refusing to let go.


    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s not¡­ow¡­pull at¡­ow¡­our¡­Willow, why is the toddler so strong?!¡±


    ¡°No idea.¡± Willow replied, tickling him in the hope he lets go, which luckily worked.


    ¡°He a wielder?¡± Julian asked.


    ¡°No clue, got two that are for sure, though.¡±


    ¡°Sounds right.¡± Julian nodded.


    ¡°Willow, can you hand me Donal?¡± Freyja asked as the kid was handed to her ¡°Downstairs?¡± Freyja said over the phone. ¡°Understood, I¡¯ll get them to you.¡±


    She hung up and started soothing Donal. ¡°You three know Kazumi Wado? She¡¯s here in the dining room, go meet her.¡±


    The three descended yet more stairs into the bottom floor. They were looking at the door out to Vannana itself, but they had to go to the dining room, which a servant politely told them was on their right.


    In there was a dining room with calming blue walls and a door leading into the kitchen, alongside a large fish tank with very large looking fish swimming inside it. There were one long wooden table in the middle, alongside about twenty smaller circular tables. It was on one of these tables that four people were seated. One was Kazumi in all her glory, wearing a bright yellow t-shirt and jeans, eating with Nuria and a short man who must be her son, as well as a larger well-dressed man who must be her husband.


    ¡°Excuse me, we¡¯re the Miracle Scouting Group.¡± Julian said quietly with a quick tap on the shoulder.


    ¡°Hm, what¡¯s that?¡± Kazumi asked, turning around so quickly that the fish in her mouth went down too quickly, making her have to force it down with a few self-inflicted punches to the chest.


    ¡°Oh, so you are.¡± Regaining her regal composure just as quickly as she lost it. ¡°How¡¯s my axe doing?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s doing pretty good.¡± Cassandra confirmed calmly.


    ¡°Excellent, excellent.¡± Kazumi replied. ¡°Now, there¡¯s one issue I need to deal with if you¡¯ll let me.¡±


    ¡°And that would be?¡± Julian asked.


    ¡°Oh, that would be the citizenships, right?¡± Roxanne asked.


    ¡°Correct.¡± Kazumi replied with a finger snap. ¡°If I can just go to my room and get the papers, that¡¯d be great.¡±


    Kazumi left to get them, and the three sat down next to Nuria.


    ¡°So, you three are the protecters, huh?¡± Nuria asked.


    ¡°We are.¡± Cassandra replied as they sat down.


    ¡°Excellent, how¡¯s that going?¡±


    ¡°About as good as it can, I guess?¡± Julian replied. ¡°All that¡¯s happened so far is a broken leg, so we¡¯re doing better than we could be.¡±


    ¡°And you must be the best one here, seeing as you were with the Battlestorms.¡±


    ¡°I¡­was with them, yes.¡± Julian nodded slowly. ¡°We¡¯ve parted ways for a while now.¡±


    ¡°Were you with them before or after they stopped that attack on Gurut?¡± Her son asked.


    ¡°After. A lot after.¡± Julian said. ¡°Anyway, how¡¯s the fish? Must be good here.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve always been of the opinion that Saoloro is where to go for fish instead of here, but it¡¯s not that bad here either.¡±


    ¡°Wow, that¡¯s a take.¡± Julian said quickly, darting his eye back to the door Kazumi left from.


    ¡°So, you must be Willow¡¯s date.¡± Roxanne said to Nuria¡¯s son. ¡°So uh, what would your name be?¡±


    ¡°Javier.¡± The boy replied. He was pretty normal looking, with a small afro, black rimmed glasses and a red flannel shirt, like something you¡¯d find anywhere instead of the textile hub of the Skies.


    ¡°So I¡¯m guessing you¡¯re excited to date Willow, huh? She is certainly¡­something special.¡±


    ¡°I guess.¡± Javier nodded, looking more confused as he finished his meal. ¡°I¡¯m just here as a favour.¡±


    ¡°Oh, right.¡± Roxanne ended the conversation, joining Julian in staring at the door for Kazumi. And as if by magic, she appeared holding three documents in her hand.


    ¡°Okay, if the three of you would sign here to let you keep the axe, that¡¯d be great.¡±


    The three members signed their documents and were officially crowned as citizens of Sandala.


    ¡°Woah, I¡¯m like¡­a person now.¡± Julian said cooly.


    ¡°Also, the cameras were still on during the invasion. I¡¯ll let the generator theft slide.¡±


    ¡°Look¡­I mean¡­scouting groups don¡¯t really get many resources, so we just kind of.¡± Cassandra started.


    ¡°Off brand scouting ship, we know.¡± Javier said. ¡°I¡¯m honestly shocked you guys didn¡¯t get shut down.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s because they made the Battlestorms, I think.¡± Nuria replied.


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s it.¡± Julian nodded. ¡°Got a couple grants from the Lux, but the bosses wanted more, you know? Then they got murdered by the legion.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s this about the Lux?¡±


    Julian turned around to see Freyja and Willow standing near them.


    ¡°Nothing in particular, we were just discussing the scouting ships.¡±


    ¡°The glorified kidnapping schemes?¡± Freyja asked.


    ¡°Yeah, those ones.¡±


    ¡°Well, it seems the other members of the Lux Congregation won¡¯t be getting here until later, so now it¡¯s up to me to train you in acting in the presence of royalty.¡±


    The three all looked towards Willow, who shook her head defeated.


    ¡°I tried to stop her, but you¡¯re all stuck here.¡±

 The Existing Around Royalty Survival Guide

    ¡°So, what dress you going for?¡±


    Roxanne and Cassandra stood in front of the dress selection in front of them. About a dozen dresses, with a few pictures behind them of more. According to Willow, they¡¯d be easy to find in town. But Cassandra and Roxanne had no clue where to even begin.


    ¡°I think I¡¯ll just take the recommendation.¡± Cassandra said, already exhausted.


    ¡°Hm, okay.¡± Willow said, perusing the lineup until she plucked a green ballroom gown from the lineup and put it over her body.


    ¡°Seems like it¡¯d fit as is, anyway.¡±


    ¡°Okay, but that?¡± Cassandra asked, stepping back. ¡°That is way too wide at the bottom.¡±


    ¡°Trust me, it¡¯s the best option. You wear this, and nobody notices you¡¯re barefoot.¡±


    ¡°Why do I want to go barefoot?¡±


    ¡°The other option is sophisicated shoes that mangle your feet.¡±


    ¡°Oh, right. Well, I suppose¡­trying it won¡¯t hurt.¡±


    Cassandra went to the dressing room with a servant, and Willow got to picking something out for Roxanne.


    ¡°Hey, can I take a look at your necklace real quick?¡±


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Roxanne stepped back, clutching her necklace.


    ¡°To find the right shade. Come on, it¡¯ll only be a second.¡±


    Roxanne never let the necklace out of her sight. Her being asked to take off the necklace might as well be the same as asking her to strip naked in front of her. Then again¡­


    ¡°Only a second?¡± Roxanne repeated.


    ¡°You can hold it against the dresses yourself if it makes you feel better.¡±


    Roxanne did as she asked, clutching her necklace, and holding it against the different dresses. Eventually, she found herself a bright yellow dress that was an almost perfect contrast to her violet gemstone. It was thin, with white sleeves that separated into two draping triangles on the bottom half. It sparkled at the bottom with a select choice of sequins.


    ¡°Now that one kicks ass.¡± Willow nodded with confidence. ¡°Okay, let¡¯s get it on and get to the hall.¡±


    Once Roxanne got into her dress and joined Cassandra and Willow in the large ballroom, they were immediately hit by the icy glare of Freyja.


    ¡°Took your time.¡± She said calmly.


    ¡°We¡¯re on time.¡± Willow replied, already exasperated. She was wearing a dress the shape of Cassandra¡¯s that started off orange around the bust area but slowly shifted colour throughout until it was a light purple near the sleeves.


    ¡°On time is ten minutes early, you know this. Javier and Julian were here ten minutes early.¡±


    ¡°Okay, but the suits look a lot easier to get into.¡± Cassandra added.


    Julian and Javier were wearing simple black tuxedos. They looked nice, even if Julian was scratching his neck and looking as unsophisticated as you could wearing something like that.


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    ¡°Well, now that everyone¡¯s here, I need to see what your skills in ballroom dancing are. How do you think you fare?¡±


    ¡°I know basically nothing.¡± Roxanne whispered.


    ¡°Ditto.¡± Cassandra added.


    ¡°Eh, I can teach you. Had to learn some shit with Luca a few years back. Pretty sure it¡¯s stuck.¡±


    ¡°Pretty sure?¡± Freyja asked.


    ¡°Look lady, I got the black suit on, okay? It¡¯ll come back to me.¡±


    ¡°Your suit is actually a dark midnight blue. Clearly you don¡¯t have an eye for these things.¡±


    ¡°Hey, I just got another one of those!¡± Julian said, showing off his glass eye. Freyja didn¡¯t appreciate the joke.


    ¡°Just go to your partner.¡±


    Julian went to Cassandra, and Javier went to Willow. Kazumi approached Roxanne, gave a slight bow, and extended her hand.


    ¡°May I?¡±


    ¡°Wait, really?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just practice, think nothing of it. Please.¡±


    Freyja started the music, a classical piano piece with some subtle violins in the background, the one everyone knew from every ballroom scene in every ballroom movie ever. Roxanne was honestly surprised it was something royalty actually used.


    When the music began to sway, Javier tried stepping to the side with a flourish, and Willow tried doing the same, only for the steps to become out of sync and Javier to end up slipping.


    ¡°Your posture¡¯s off.¡± Julian said calmly next to him. The routine him and Cassandra were doing was wonky, sure. But any issues came from Cassandra, he himself was doing great.


    ¡°You have your hand too far in the centre of her back. You just gotta put it at the edge of her back, like what I¡¯m doing.¡±


    Javier did as instructed, and Willow was just slightly to the left of him.


    ¡°Okay, now try to sync up with some small steps. Imagine a small square in the centre of the two of you and make a one, two, three beat in your mind as you step around it.¡±


    It was a slightly hard adjustment, but after a short while the two were in sync.


    ¡°Once you got the beat down you can be more elaborate, like so.¡±


    Julian started to move in more of a circular motion, with Cassandra managing to stay in tune relatively easily. They were eventually swaying in a perfect rhythm, akin to the waves of Vannana crashing against the edge of the grand. Willow and Javier were eventually moving in a circular motion, albeit with less flair than Julian and Cassandra.


    ¡°You actually know a thing or two.¡± Freyja said with a smile. A genuine smile. It was small, but it was something. Julian was surprised her face remembered how to do that.


    Roxanne was silently following Julian¡¯s instructions under Kazumi. Kazumi didn¡¯t seem to be as knowledgeable as Julian, but she was managing without any issues. The two of them were also moving in a circle before Roxanne knew it.


    ¡°Okay, I think that can conclude our training.¡± Freyja said, turning off the music. ¡°Julian, I apologize for my assumptions you were uncouth, and I thank you for the instructions.¡±


    ¡°You know, I do take payments.¡± Julian replied with a point and a finger snap. ¡°Like being allowed to wear my hat without you bitching at me.¡±


    ¡°Absolutely not.¡± She replied flatly, her face returning to her neutral frown.


    ¡°Hey now, what¡¯s wrong with hats?¡±


    Freyja¡¯s frown deepened once she heard that voice, reluctantly turning around to meet Zach Fullsteel.


    ¡°I don¡¯t feel the need to explain dress codes to a fifty-year-old man.¡± She replied, slowly looking him up and down. Just wearing a worn-out grey t-shirt and black jeans.


    ¡°Relax, I brought a suit. If you just show the wife and I our room, we¡¯ll unpack ourselves while you and Mia do whatever it is you do.¡±


    ¡°Wait, Mia¡¯s arrived!? And I wasn¡¯t there for it?¡±


    ¡°Dining room.¡± Zach replied, to which Freyja ran to the room, with the kids following her.


    Freyja ran into the room, where Mia, Sylvestro, and Fen Hou were all waiting, alongside Mia and Sylvestro¡¯s husbands, and Fen Hou¡¯s and Zach¡¯s wives.


    ¡°Oh, everyone!¡± She said, eyes fixed on Mia. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry I couldn¡¯t be here for your arrivals, for I was¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s quite alright.¡± Mia said calmly, wearing a casual red blazer with a white t-shirt underneath and a brown skirt. Sylvestro was wearing a white button up shirt with blue vertical stripes, and Fen Hou was wearing a deep blue suit. And all were sharing a teapot provided by a servant.


    ¡°The tea is excellent, as per usual.¡± Mia said calmly.


    ¡°As should be expected!¡± Freyja replied quickly.


    The kids all saw this display, and how Freyja acted much, much nicer to Mia than anyone else.


    ¡°Hey, Willow, is your mom¡­secretly gay?¡± Julian asked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡± Willow said with a head shake. ¡°But the relationship is about as close as it gets.¡±


    ¡°Well, now that we have so many here, I think I¡¯ll be able to prepare dinner! If you can give me and the help a few hours, we¡¯ll prepare the best feast you¡¯ve ever had!¡±

 Not How Wine Works

    The guests were all sat down on their circular tables. Most of the other members of the Lux Congregation like Gurpreet and Rory had arrived and were sat next to each other, with both deciding not to mention the obvious reason. Kazumi was sat with Ola and her partner, a nice looking if slightly unkempt man. Sylvestro was with Fen Hou, and Mia was with Nuria. Marcel was supposed to be sitting next to Zach, but he didn¡¯t show up.


    At the centre of the dining room was one huge circular table with an elegant teal tablecloth over it instead of the pure white of the rest of them. Freyja sat opposite the door, while her husbands sat opposite their children. All the children except Willow, who was sat with Javier and the Miracle Group right behind Freyja, with two empty seats at the table reserved for Luminita and her date.


    Julian looked tired, dragging his finger along the tablecloth while Cassandra was leaning back and staring at the ceiling. Roxanne had her arms by her side at least trying to look refined in the presence of everyone else. Javier was doing the same and Willow was looking deep in thought with closed eyes.


    Finally, the food arrived. Willow ordered everyone grilled bass and cod, the specialty of Vannana with the source right in the same room they were in. Roxanne took a bite of it, and her eyes lit up as soon as the taste hit her tongue.


    ¡°Damn, this is some good fish.¡± Julian mumbled to himself.


    ¡°It really is.¡± Javier responded.


    ¡°Ugh, when¡¯s Luminita getting here?¡± Willow asked nobody in particular.


    ¡°Yeah, it is weird her and her dad are running late.¡± Javier nodded. ¡°You think a dragon came for their ship or something?¡±


    ¡°Nah, I¡¯m guessing the radar on their ship would be way too good to allow that. Maybe something came up with their date.¡± Julian said.


    In the table in front of him was Zach, calling someone in between bites of steak, but not getting a reply. His wife placed a calming hand on his shoulder, and he put his phone away with a sigh.


    ¡°Hey, Willow?¡± Julian whispered. ¡°If you want, I could make your mom look like a jackass in front of everyone, you cool with that?¡±


    Willow glanced at her mom, and back at Julian. ¡°Feel free to try.¡±


    ¡°Excuse me, waiter?¡± Julian asked, offering them his glass of milk. ¡°What options are there for wine?¡±


    ¡°Quite a few, sir. Any idea what you¡¯d like?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s Freyja having?¡±


    ¡°The Carvaran red, sir.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll trust her judgement. One for me, please.¡±


    Within a few minutes, a glass of red wine was placed in front of Julian, and he immediately took a sip.


    ¡°Hmm, seems to be well aged.¡± Julian said calmly.


    ¡°How aged?¡± Cassandra asked.


    ¡°Let me test real quick.¡± He replied, casually swirling his glass in front of him. ¡°Hm, another to be sure.¡± He swirled it again.


    ¡°What are you doing, exactly?¡± Javier asked.


    ¡°You know how you can tell how old a tree by the number of rings inside it? Wine¡¯s the same, where there¡¯s a number of ripples that correlates with how old it is. I don¡¯t know the exact rate of ripples to years, but It¡¯s the type of thing a good host should know.¡±


    ¡°Really now?¡± Willow asked with a sly look, which Julian was slowly matching. ¡°Well, Freyja should probably know.¡±


    ¡°Good point. Hey Freyja, how old do you reckon the wine is?¡±


    Willow looked to Freyja¡¯s back, and her right arm was making slight movements. She was clearly trying to test it.


    ¡°If I were to guess¡­¡± Freyja started. ¡°This particular glass has five ripples, so aged about fifteen years, I¡¯d reckon.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that makes sense¡­wait a minute!¡± Julian said, sounding extra loud at the end of his sentence. ¡°I just remembered the rate!¡±


    ¡°And what would the rate be?¡± Freyja asked from the front.


    ¡°No idea, I made all that up.¡±


    A couple stifled laughs started to emerge among the tables, with Rory being the loudest by quite an excessive margin. Freyja started fidgeting at her table while Willow fist-bumped Julian. Julian just took a calm sip of his wine.


    Dinner was somewhat quiet after that, with Freyja eating ever so slightly faster. Once her meal was finished, she stood up and calmly tapped her fork against her empty wine glass.


    ¡°Well, everyone. I believe we had a good meal with some festivities that came alongside it.¡± Freyja said. ¡°But I do believe we should rest easy before the ball tomorrow.¡±


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    ¡°Yeah, sounds good.¡± Julian said. ¡°Guests are on floor three, right? We¡¯ll be seeing you.¡±


    Julian took Cassandra by the hand and ran to the third floor, all while Freyja glowered at them.


    ¡°So, Roxanne.¡± Willow asked, putting a friendly arm around her. ¡°We rooming or what?¡±


    ¡°Willow.¡± Freyja said calmly from behind her. ¡°You will be with Javier.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t be serious.¡±


    ¡°He will be sleeping in your room. Now, Roxanne. Kazumi has come alone, so you will be sharing a room with her. Okay?¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± Roxanne said with a slight nod. For all the joking Julian pulled at her expense, her aura still terrified her. Or maybe Julian¡¯s antics amplified it, who was to say?


    ¡°You¡¯re in the fifteenth room on floor three.¡±


    Roxanne made her way up to the third floor without much issue. A few servants and Zach took pity on her leg and offered to carry her up, but she made it herself without any major issues. When she walked inside the room, Kazumi was already there, watching a movie and quietly chuckling to herself. The movie looked old, and on the screen was a man pretending to be a father to a monkey.


    ¡°What are you watching?¡± Roxanne asked.


    ¡°Breakfast for Buddy.¡± Kazumi replied. ¡°Did you know that¡¯s the former president of Sandala on screen?¡±


    Roxanne glanced at the small screen, and it looked kind of like one of the presidents. So this is what politicians get up to when not running things. Fascinating.


    ¡°So anyway, how are your friends?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re pretty good.¡± Roxanne said calmly, lying on her bed. Suddenly, all the fatigue from today¡¯s antics caught up to her all at once, and she knew that leaving the bed would be basically impossible.


    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m gonna go to sleep now.¡± She was asleep before she heard Kazumi¡¯s reply.


    Roxanne shot up from her bed. She didn¡¯t remember anything about being nothing, and nothing built up in her mouth, even after a few dry heaves just to be sure. Her ears started registering the knocking on her door, which was very polite for how late it was. 02:00. Kazumi was up, giving a look to Roxanne through groggy eyes.


    ¡°For you?¡± She asked wearily.


    ¡°Think so.¡± Roxanne yawned. She slowly got out of her bed and opened the door, where Julian and Cassandra were waiting. Before he said a word, Julian handed Roxanne a tall black can. The only thing on it was a brand name-Blue Orchid, and a picture of some fruit.


    ¡°We¡¯re meeting the other two on the roof, you¡¯re coming.¡±


    It wasn¡¯t even a request, just a very nonchalant demand. Tired, she made her way up to the roof, where the chill breeze of the area slightly woke her up. There was a gazebo in the middle of the roof, where two people were waiting.


    ¡°Roxanne, you made it.¡±


    Willow was tapping the cushion next to her, and Roxanne sat between her and Javier while Julian and Cassandra sat opposite them.


    ¡°You doing good, Willow?¡± Julian asked jokingly, taking a can from the wooden table at the centre of the gazebo.


    "I''m better than you¡¯ll ever be.¡± She retorted back, stumbling forward to grab another drink.


    ¡°Wait, are these alcoholic?¡± Roxanne asked, looking at Javier casually sipping his drink.


    ¡°Yeah. Tastes more like fruit though, don¡¯t worry.¡±


    ¡°Ah. Cool.¡± Roxanne opened the can Julian gave her and took a sip. It was basically dryer fruit juice with a strange aftertaste, but it tasted pretty good.


    ¡°Hey, would this be your first time drinking alcohol?¡± Julian asked before gulping down his own can.


    ¡°It¡­would be, yeah.¡± Roxanne replied. She was twenty, the legal drinking age, for six months, and only now was she getting around to drinking.


    ¡°So how is it?¡± Cassandra asked, grabbing another can and drinking its contents without stopping to breath.


    ¡°Pretty good.¡± Roxanne nodded, taking another sip.


    ¡°Cassandra, how many cans have you drank already?¡± Javier asked.


    ¡°This is can number four.¡± Cassandra replied casually.


    Javier looked at Willow and the two cans next to her. She was already leaning against the wall making kissy noises at nothing in particular.


    ¡°Yeah, it was a while before I learned what happens when you drink too much. It just never happened to me.¡±


    ¡°Huh. Do people have a higher tolerance where you¡¯re from?¡± Javier asked casually.


    ¡°Where I¡¯m from?¡± Cassandra asked. She felt a small itch build up in her throat. ¡°I¡­don¡¯t actually know.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know?¡±


    ¡°I just¡­woke up on the Miracle Ship a few years ago with no memories. Went on some exhibitions around the place to see if it would jog any memories, but nothings come up yet.¡±


    ¡°Well, what¡¯s most likely, in your mind?¡±


    ¡°I guess...maybe here?¡± She whispered, looking over the castle roof to the dim lights of the city. ¡°I suppose I look the most like the people here.¡±


    ¡°Nope!¡± Willow yelled. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen you before. And I¡¯d know if someone as hot as you were around!¡±


    ¡°The lady makes a valid point.¡± Julian replied calmly, taking another sip.


    Roxanne had finished a can of her drink quicker than before. Her and Willow reached for the last two cans at the same time.


    ¡°Woah¡­hey Roxanne, wanna see who can down this fastest?¡± Willow asked, already slouching over.


    ¡°Um, sure.¡± Roxanne nodded, already beginning to gulp down the can¡¯s contents. Willow started, angling her face back to get the most liquid in. Roxanne tried copying her technique, but Willow slammed her can on the table when Roxanne was just finishing.


    ¡°Woooow, Roxanne.¡± Willow said, crawling over to her. ¡°You can realllly throw cans back.¡±


    ¡°Oh! Thanks.¡± Roxanne yelped back. She felt her head get lighter as the smell of Willow¡¯s breath came closer to her. Roxanne leaned in and before she knew it, her lips were pressed against Willow¡¯s. For a few brief moments, the world around them started to fade from view as her eyes closed. And then they separated.


    ¡°Okay, you know what?¡± Cassandra announced as she took Roxanne by the shoulders. ¡°I think we¡¯ve all had our share of drink, so we should probably go.¡±


    ¡°Why are you like my mom?¡± Willow groaned.


    ¡°Yeah, why are you like her mom?¡± Roxanne repeated.


    ¡°Okay, you are definitely too drunk.¡± Julian said to Roxanne. ¡°Let¡¯s get you to bed.¡±


    It took a couple of stumbles, and one straight up faceplant just before the stairs, but Roxanne was in her bed. He went back to his own room, where Cassandra was waiting. Just looking at the ceiling without getting under the covers. And she was looking pretty distressed.


    ¡°Something up?¡± Julian asked, lying down next to her.


    ¡°Look, you know how Javier was asking about where I came from?¡± Cassandra asked.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Julian replied. ¡°Why, you got an idea?¡±


    ¡°Look, what if I¡¯m with the Legion?¡±


    Julian shot up at this, trying to force a smile at her joke. ¡°Um, excuse me?¡±


    ¡°Look, when we were fighting on Inariu, one of them said I was important to them. So what if I was a solider for the Legion before I lost my memories?¡±


    ¡°Well, are you a Legion member now?¡± Julian asked casually, lying down next to her.


    ¡°Well, no, but¡­¡±


    ¡°Then there¡¯s nothing to worry about.¡± Julian said as he closed his eyes. ¡°I¡¯ve had more than my share of Legion encounters, and you are no Legion member. And if you were, we¡¯ll deal with that then. Anyway, goodnight.¡±


    Cassandra felt her nerves calm down, at least a little. Nobody ever recognised her as a Legion member, which probably meant something. So she lay down next to him, and he placed his arms around her. But with one question potentially solved, another came up.


    Just who was she?

 Extreme Thirst

    Roxanne woke up with an overwhelming stale sensation in her mouth. An extreme thirst had overtaken her, and she needed to act on it. She went down to the dining room where a cooler of water was waiting, and she took a glass and calmly sat down on a table. She opened her phone to check the time as nobody was up outside of a few servants making sure everything was up to par. It was only 6:24 in the morning. But below the clock at the top of her phone was a little notification.


    6 messages-unknown number


    Roxanne hesitated for a second but opened it up.


    ¡®hey its willow¡¯


    ¡®im like realdrunk right now¡¯


    ¡®ur like so hot its insane¡¯


    ¡®during the ball 2merro lets sneak out and kiss¡¯


    ¡®or maybe more hehe¡¯


    ¡®k I gotta sleep leters xxxxxxx¡¯


    Roxanne just stared at the phone as she sipped her water. Then she remembered. Her and Willow started making out when they were drunk. And she wanted to go further. The next in line to the throne of Vannana. Thoughts of sitting by her filled her head before she could even think them. Forever. Wait, forever? Willow was cool, sure. But forever cool? Not really? Maybe? She was better than Dermot and Dakarai combined, that was for sure. But then she had to consider¡­


    ¡°What you starin at?¡±


    Roxanne made some kind of incoherent noise when her ship of thought crash landed. Zach¡¯s hulking figure was casually looming over her as she clutched her phone to her chest.


    ¡°Just got some messages from a friend!¡± She answered quickly.


    ¡°Ah, got it.¡± Zach nodded calmly, taking out his own phone and looking agitated at the screen. ¡°Damn it Marcel, what¡¯s up with you?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s Luminita¡¯s dad, right?¡±


    ¡°Leader of Sangaria, yeah. Hasn¡¯t been returning my messages since yesterday.¡±


    ¡°You think something happened?¡± Roxanne asked.


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m fairly certain that if something major happened to him then Luminita would let me know. Which just leads me to ask what¡¯s happened to the guy.¡±


    ¡°Maybe he just left his suit shopping to the last minute?¡± Roxanne asked.


    ¡°You know, that is something he would do.¡± Zach chuckled with a quick rub of his chin. Before his chuckle evolved into laughter that shook the staff member next to them.


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s probably it!¡± He remarked, wiping a tear from his eye. ¡°Now, I swear I had something to ask you¡­ah yes, it was for your friend Julian!¡±


    ¡°I can tell him for you.¡±


    ¡°Well, he used to be a Battlestorm, right? And they¡¯re helping me with something back in Fightston, so maybe I could rush them over to¡­¡±


    ¡°No no!¡± Roxanne interrupted quickly, panic building up in her throat. ¡°He wouldn¡¯t want to bother anyone with short notice effort like that! You just enjoy yourself and wait for your friend!¡±


    Zach nodded slowly. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll leave you to whatever you¡¯re doing. Now, what¡¯s good for protein?¡±


    Roxanne was left to her phone, and her next reply to Willow. Couldn¡¯t hurt to try taking it further, right?


    ¡®Sounds good, meet you there¡¯


    She quickly snapped her phone shut in a manner she found quite stylish, and then opened it to make sure the force of the closing didn¡¯t break anything. It didn¡¯t, so all was good.


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    ¡°Ah, miss Roxanne.¡±


    Roxanne turned around to see Freyja standing over her with a look of approval.


    ¡°Always good to see someone committed to waking up early.¡± She stated.


    ¡°Um, thanks?¡± Roxanne replied.


    ¡°Actually, while I have you up, I have some news to deliver. A request if you will.¡±


    ¡°Okay, what do you need?¡±


    ¡°I was talking to Rory for a while, you see. And he wants to talk to you during the meal before the ball later on. So if you would be so kind as to indulge him, that would be great.¡±


    ¡°What does he want to talk about?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m afraid I wasn¡¯t given specifics.¡± Freyja answered, making a strained expression as she did. The most expressive she¡¯s seen her yet.


    ¡°I mean, I¡¯ll probably be able to do it, doesn¡¯t seem too hard.¡±


    ¡°Excellent. Now if you¡¯ll excuse me, I have some preparations to attend to.¡±


    She gave a small bow to Roxanne, and Roxanne tried bowing from her seat. She could tell it just looked awkward.


    ¡°What was she saying to you?¡±


    Roxanne recognised Willow¡¯s voice, and slowly turned around to face her. Play it casual, nothing too try-hard.


    ¡°Something about needing to talk to Rory later, I think? Wasn¡¯t really listening, she¡¯s a real piece of work.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, she really is.¡± Willow sighed, squinting at the door. ¡°So, your friends deep sleepers?¡±


    ¡°Julian is, Cassandra¡¯s usually pretty on top of things.¡±


    ¡°Awesome, less time in the dress.¡±


    Willow sat next to Roxanne, and Javier sat down next to Willow. Willow was still in a white t-shirt and sweatpants while Javier was in a blue t-shirt with some cartoon characters she didn¡¯t recognize and shorts she wasn¡¯t entirely sure wasn¡¯t just underwear.


    ¡°The dress?¡±


    ¡°You know, the dresses we picked out and are gonna have to wear for the whole day?¡±


    Oh yeah, those. Willow¡¯s dress had pretty colours but looked really tight in the waist area. But hers was honestly really nice, especially when her necklace was added to the equation.


    ¡°I¡¯m just wondering what business you have with Rory of all people.¡± Javier finally added to the conversation. ¡°Have you two ever spoken before?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t think so, no.¡± Roxanne replied with a shake of her head.


    ¡°Maybe she wants him to see your busted leg?¡±


    ¡°Why would she want that?¡±


    ¡°Guilt trip him into something relating to the weapons, maybe? I honestly have no idea.¡±


    Willow got a buzz on her phone, throwing her head to the sky as soon as she read it.


    ¡°It¡¯s mom. We have to get the suits on.¡±


    A short while later, Roxanne was fitted into her gown with the help of a servant, stepping out when done. Opposite the dressing room was a mirror that covered the whole room. After looking at herself, Roxanne thought she looked even better than the first time she tried it on. She compared the colour of the gem in the necklace to that of the dress. Willow and Cassandra stepped out a few minutes later. Willow looked at herself in the mirror and approving her look, but her gaze quickly shifted to Roxanne looking at herself. Cassandra gave herself one good look before leaving to the main hall. When she stepped out, Julian was already there casually waiting with Javier while one of Willow¡¯s siblings were talking to them. Mostly to Julian.


    ¡°Yeah, Luca and I haven¡¯t talked in a while.¡± Julian said to a teenage girl sitting next to him.


    ¡°But you two were the skyspace¡¯s¡­¡±


    ¡°Ultimate power couple, yeah. But hey, things change. And now I¡¯m just a humble doctor helping the next generation of heroes.¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯re single?¡± The girl asked.


    ¡°First off, you¡¯re like twelve.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fifteen!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯d still get me arrested. And to get back to the original question, I¡¯m in a great relationship with miss Cassandra over there.¡±


    ¡°Oh hey, you¡¯re willow¡¯s sister.¡± Cassandra said as she sat next to her boyfriend.


    ¡°Yeah.¡± She sighed.


    ¡°Elena, are you doing much?¡± Freyja asked softly as she walked by them with a few people in tow. They seemed to be in bright green jackets and casual jeans, with one holding a mic and one holding a camera. One their sleeves were the letters ¡®SNC¡¯ ShiShi News Central. Oh boy.


    ¡°Not really.¡± The girl said.


    ¡°Then please guide our guests through the castle and try to answer any questions they have.¡±


    The cameraman turned his camera to Julian¡¯s already tired face.


    ¡°Excuse me, mister Julian Torres!¡± The man with the microphone yelled out. ¡°How does it feel after being brought back to adventuring after your apparent retirement?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s¡­certainly stressful.¡± Julian sighed. ¡°There¡¯s a lot of issues that come with it. Like fighting off the Legion, making sure your weapons are always secure, that kind of thing. But there¡¯s one part that¡¯s just absolutely awful.¡±


    ¡°Which would be?¡±


    ¡°When some doofus with a camera insists on shoving a camera in your face and asking questions when you haven¡¯t even had to chance to get some water.¡±


    ¡°There are more interesting things on the third floor!¡± Freyja announced from behind. ¡°And Elena would be more than happy to show you!¡±


    ¡°Sure, let¡¯s go.¡± Elena said flatly, getting up and escorting their new guests up the staircase. The cameraman took interest in the staircase and it¡¯s vibrant blue carpet, as well as the highly detailed banister.


    ¡°Hey, mind if I get some water?¡± Julian asked a servant sitting next to them.


    ¡°Certainly, sir.¡± The young looking waiter affirmed, walking to fulfil his request. Freyja went next to him.


    ¡°I want you to wait that man¡¯s table at the next meal. Be sure to keep all alcohol away.¡±


    ¡°Understood, lord Freyja.¡±

 Cameras and a Little Privacy

    Everyone was annoyed by the news reporters. Not just the ones from ShiShi, but all over. Ropear, Saoloro, Vannana and Sandala all had their own news station being sure to interview as many of the rulers as they could. Most of them were used to it, giving bland answers to satiate them or going out of their way to avoid them.


    ¡°Rory. Can you answer the questions people have about-¡°


    ¡°Fuck off, I already said it.¡± Rory said. ¡°Go talk to my people if you want an answer.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not entirely sure what to even say, it was all so sudden.¡± Was Kazumi¡¯s usual response. ¡°And so little time into my presidency before it all happens.¡± Then she would leave looking dejected and leave the news staff to find someone else. Usually Zach, who was nothing but keen to attempt to put the worries of the people at ease.


    ¡°Look, I have plans in place to assure the safety of everyone. The people back in Fightston are working on training as many new recruits as soon as possible to grands that need them. Any mayors of surrounding ships are more than free to contact us in the hopes of having a few soldiers. We want nothing more than for the Skyspace to continue to prosper.¡± Cassandra watched as he gave that exact speech, without fail, every time, in the same tone. It was actually kind of impressive. Hopefully someone with editing skills could layer them all and it¡¯d end up on Skyspace¡¯s funniest videos or something. She herself was playing a one-sided game of hide and seek around them with Roxanne, and they were all relentless. One from Saoloro had already got Julian, and the two of them were stuck making sarcastic comments at each other in an infinite loop of smartass.


    ¡°You think Willow¡¯s stuck talking to one of them?¡± Roxanne asked, checking the corner for another one.


    ¡°No idea.¡± Cassandra replied. ¡°How long until we get to eat?¡±


    ¡°Let me check¡­about twenty minutes.¡±


    ¡°Awesome.¡±


    Julian eventually joined them in avoiding cameramen after he won the battle of wits, at least according to him. The three went around the castle¡¯s walls, avoiding anyone they could, even if it wasn¡¯t a cameraman. Being surrounded by the most influential people in the world was actually kind of boring, in all honestly. The three snuck their way onto the roof, where nobody was waiting.


    ¡°So is this where we¡¯re waiting until the food?¡± Julian asked, looking over the city surrounding the castle. Nice lavish looking houses outside the castle with some shopping streets a small bit away. Behind those were some apartment complexes in a neatly polished white.


    ¡°Nice place.¡± He said to himself.


    ¡°You think?¡± Willow asked.


    Roxanne jumped at Willow casually standing behind her.


    ¡°How long were you there?¡± She screamed.


    ¡°About two minutes after I joined.¡± Julian said casually. ¡°Honestly, I just wanted to see how long it would take you to notice.¡±


    ¡°Seems I¡¯m forgettable.¡± Willow said with a dramatic sigh.


    ¡°Not at all!¡± Roxanne yelled back. Cassandra just put a hand on her shoulder.


    ¡°So Willow, if I can ask something?¡± Julian interjected. ¡°Any problems with this place I can know about?¡±


    ¡°What you mean?¡± Willow asked, joining him in looking over the grand.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, a seedy underbelly or something? Something that would make someone¡­join a weird cult dedicated to destroying it or another grand, for instance.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡± Willow said with a sigh. ¡°Well, I think the main one would be the lack of compensation some people are getting further out.¡±


    ¡°Like on the subships?¡±


    ¡°Further out here. The islands near the edge. Most of them deal with fishing. But it has their own issues, you see. Being separate from the mainland to allow fish societies to integrate more naturally means these fishermen either have to live by themselves or make their families live in more run-down areas. And all for pretty bad pay.¡±


    ¡°Bad pay, huh?¡±


    ¡°Anyone could catch a fish; you don¡¯t need to learn anything special to do it. That¡¯s the reasoning behind paying them less, despite them being arguably the most important people over here.¡±


    ¡°And if they were promised a better life fishing in a new society by the legion, maybe they could join them and poison the fish, or turn a blind eye to their ships.¡±


    ¡°Exactly.¡±


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    ¡°Well, hopefully a certain eldest daughter steps up and takes care of things while we have to fight the big battles.¡±


    ¡°Sure thing.¡± Willow said after a moment of hesitation. Julian thought it would be interesting to press her mother further, but considering his antics yesterday, that would probably had him marked for death.


    ¡°So should we get going?¡± Roxanne asked. ¡°Dinner¡¯s in five.¡±


    Javier was already waiting for the four of them when dinner started. There were only four chairs when they got to their table from yesterday. Everyone was sitting where they were the previous day, when a servant put a calm hand on Roxanne¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been told you have a meeting with Rory.¡± He said calmly. ¡°He¡¯s at the other end of the room.¡±


    The servant pointed her over to the table Rory and Gurpreet were sitting at. The two were making casual conversation that didn¡¯t seem to interest either of them, and she quietly inserted herself on the lone empty chair between the two of them.


    Gurpreet looked at her, but didn¡¯t pass much heed, while Rory leaned in a little to glare at her.


    ¡°And what would you be doing here?¡± He asked, raising a thin grey eyebrow at her.


    ¡°I was told you wish to talk to me?¡± Roxanne replied, leaning back while secretly praying her chair didn¡¯t tip over.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t wish shite!¡± He snapped back.


    ¡°Be nice.¡± His wife said flatly.


    ¡°Sorry, sorry.¡± He began again, calmer this time. ¡°I didn¡¯t ask for you. You must be thinking of someone else.¡±


    ¡°But Freyja told me to come here.¡± Roxanne said. ¡°I thought it might be something to do with the bow?¡±


    ¡°Ah, your group isn¡¯t responsible for that. Don¡¯t worry about it too much.¡±


    ¡°You sure?¡±


    ¡°How old are you?¡± Gurpreet asked.


    ¡°Eighteen.¡±


    ¡°So the fate of the world has been trusted to an eighteen-year-old and her friends. You have enough stresses, don¡¯t let us add to them.¡±


    So with her effectively shut down, the food was served. Roxanne just got what she had yesterday, still tasted as good. Rory and Gurpreet continued their own conversation, with Rory¡¯s throaty laugh erupting over what Roxanne took as a minor statement. Some kind of inside joke, probably. Gurpreet¡¯s wife gave a relaxed smile, so the shock was shown externally.


    She stayed silent throughout the meal, not having much important to stay. Eventually the food was finished, and all the leaders and heroes were moved to the dance hall. Just like it was rehearsed, the classical music started playing and people either started dancing or mingling with drinks. Julian and Cassandra started dancing well as they practiced, occasionally having to stop for a little to allow the other couples to move past them. Willow and Javier also started moving around the room together. They also had it down, even if they weren¡¯t as graceful and started to brush against the other dancers at times. The couples danced together, fathers danced with their daughters, it was all such a lovely display of the unity the Skyspace was showing.


    Willow was bored. She noticed Roxanne taking a glass of juice after being denied alcohol, standing around in her cute attempt to be casual.


    ¡°Javier, how thirsty are you?¡± She asked.


    ¡°A little.¡± Javier replied. Understatement of the century, the room was making him sweat so much anywhere he stepped probably needed a hazard sign afterward.


    ¡°Same here, I¡¯ll go get us something.¡±


    Willow looked around for her mom. Talking to Mia and Kazumi while taking sips from her wine glass, more sophisticated than usual. She found Roxanne, guiding her over to Freyja¡¯s blind spot.


    ¡°Hey Roxy, wanna get out of here?¡± She whispered when Roxanne went over to her.


    ¡°To where?¡±


    ¡°To the castle we¡¯ll have access to?¡±


    Roxanne glanced around the room, giving a covert nod. The two tried walking out of the room as discreet as possible, but an especially lanky servant stepped in front of the door just as they were about to cross.


    ¡°May I ask what¡¯s going on here?¡± He asked calmly, offering some orange juice to the two of them.


    ¡°We just need to go to the bathroom.¡± Willow replied quickly.


    ¡°Both of you?¡±


    ¡°Is that really that suspicious?¡±


    ¡°A little, I¡¯ll admit.¡±


    Willow leaned into him.


    ¡°Look, it¡¯s kind of an emergency. The lady specific kind.¡±


    The waiter looked a little grossed out as Roxanne gave an uneasy nod. He let them through, and Willow looked at the door as it was closing.


    ¡°Works every time.¡± She chuckled.


    ¡°So now what?¡± Roxanne whispered. She glanced around the empty hallways with not a single servant around, and not a sound from any source that wasn¡¯t behind them.


    ¡°Whatever we want.¡± Willow whispered back. ¡°But first, I need to get out of this dress.¡±


    The two went through the hallways while avoiding the few servants that were doing some light cleaning on the halls. After a few minutes, they were in Willow¡¯s room.


    It was extremely simple in comparison to what Roxanne thought it would be. Her bed looked exactly the same as her old one back on Miracle with a simple red blanket in contrast to the blue walls. Next to the bed was a wooden dresser. Not with any special design, just an extremely ordinary dresser and wardrobe which Willow was digging through.


    ¡°Okay, you want to borrow some clothes or something?¡±


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Roxanne asked.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m pretty sure you¡¯re my size.¡± Willow replied calmly without looking, handing her a shirt. It was a neon green shirt with some cartoon character she didn¡¯t recognise on it. Willow handed her some grey sweatpants to finish the outfit.


    ¡°You can keep the shirt; some ex gave it to me.¡±


    ¡°Ex?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, she turned out to be an assassin. Shit was wacky.¡±


    With that information given it¡¯s nonchalant explanation, Roxanne went into the bathroom to get out of her dress. The bathroom also wasn¡¯t anything to write home about, other than the fact it was Willow¡¯s personal one. She quickly got into the clothes Willow gave her, heading out to see Willow already dressed in a plain blue t-shirt and black sweatpants casually laying on her bed.


    ¡°So now what?¡± She asked.


    A couple ideas flashed in Roxanne¡¯s mind once the question was asked. She had a TV opposite the bed, so that was definitely an option. Or just relax with some music, she definitely had a music player.


    ¡°We¡¯re gonna kiss.¡±


    The words left her mouth before they were in her brain. But this was her chance. Her chance to finally seal the deal and make this love adventure worth it. They¡¯d kiss, and then perhaps do some other stuff¡­okay, let¡¯s not go too crazy yet.


    ¡°Yeah, sure.¡± Willow said with a slow nod.


    Okay, this was it. She was ready. She crawled on top of Willow as she lay flat on her bed. She put a hand to each side in an attempt to look assertive, just like in her favourite shows. She lay down and their lips connected, followed by their tongues. This was it. It wasn¡¯t what she expected the end to look like, but she was here.


    And it felt so¡­


    ¡­so¡­


    ¡­gross.

 Is This It?

    No way this was it.


    The kiss felt¡­gross? Their tongues pushed against each other like some kind of bizarre species of slugs while their lips were pressed together. That was it? That couldn¡¯t have been it.


    ¡°You doing okay?¡± Willow asked. ¡°All good?¡±


    Something was showing on her face. Disappointment, confusion, she didn¡¯t know what.


    ¡°Um, I think something I ate during dinner didn¡¯t go down right. Mind if I use your bathroom before we do anything else?¡±


    During the party, Cassandra was trying out all the alcoholic drinks she could, slamming back shots while Rory was lying on the table. Sylvestro was laughing with her, also getting mildly tipsy off the serving trays offerings, with Fen Hou dragging him away before anything got worse. Cassandra took one more shot of Witburn before her phone rang. She discreetly removed it from her bust and answered it.


    ¡°Hello?¡± She whispered, going to a quieter part of the room.


    ¡°Cass?¡± Roxanne asked, her voice waving.


    ¡°Roxanne? Something up?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m in Willow¡¯s bathroom and can¡¯t go out without it being¡­really bad. Just come up and try to think of a reason to get me out.¡±


    Cassandra shut her phone and walked over to Julian, casually drinking a glass of milk next to Javier.


    ¡°We gotta go, it¡¯s about Roxanne.¡± She spoke. Julian gave a quick nod and downed his milk, following her to the door where a lanky servant came holding a plate of drinks.


    ¡°Is there a reason you have to leave?¡±


    ¡°Where¡¯s Roxanne?¡±


    ¡°Willow¡¯s friend, correct?¡± He asked. ¡°I believe she had lady problems to attend to.¡±


    ¡°Well, I need to see her.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no reason to leave for the next few hours outside of emergencies. Now then, enjoy the festivities.¡±


    Cassandra pushed the doofus in front of her to the side, with Julian rushing behind him to break his fall. Once he knew he wouldn¡¯t sustain any major damage from this height, he let go and let gravity run its course, following Cassandra to Willow¡¯s room.


    Willow answered her door to see a mildly concerned Cassandra standing in front of her.


    ¡°You need something?¡± She asked, glancing around the hallway.


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s about Roxanne.¡± Cassandra started, trying to sound casual. ¡°I got a call from her, and I¡¯m pretty sure she¡­died in your bathroom.¡±


    ¡°She what?¡± Willow asked, looking over at her door.


    ¡°Yeah, we¡¯ll take her out.¡±


    Cassandra pushed past Willow as she knocked on the door. The door unlocked, and Cassandra walked in and carried Roxanne out of the room. Julian moved Willow aside to ensure nothing collided.


    ¡°Okay¡­mind explaining what¡¯s up?¡± Julian asked, standing in front of Willow¡¯s door in case she tried getting out.


    ¡°I kissed her, right?¡± Roxanne said to Julian¡¯s nodding face. ¡°And it was all nice and romantic until that point. But then when we actually began to kiss it felt so¡­gross? Like, it felt like I shouldn¡¯t have been there.¡±


    ¡°Eh, I wouldn¡¯t look too deep into it. You weren¡¯t as into Willow as you thought. This happens.¡± Cassandra said, putting a comforting hand on Roxanne¡¯s shoulder. Next person you find, you¡¯ll get them.¡±


    ¡°But will she?¡± Julian asked.


    Cassandra furrowed her brow at him. ¡°Yeah.¡±


    Julian opened his mouth, paused for a second then let his thoughts out.


    ¡°Look, Roxanne. Do you really know if you¡¯re cut out for this?¡±


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    ¡°Cut out for what?¡±


    ¡°You know, the whole¡­romance thing. Because I see you just kind of latch onto the first person we meet, go on a date or two, and then abandon them after it goes nowhere.¡±


    ¡°Julian, what are you saying?¡± Cassandra asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s just a pattern I¡¯ve noticed.¡± Julian said. ¡°Look, I¡¯m not trying to draw any conclusions for you, but did you see anything long term between any of the people you dated?¡±


    ¡°Well, no, but It¡¯s not like I had the option to find the best of the best or anything.¡±


    ¡°Two were close to Lux leaders, and one¡¯s literally gonna become one. How are they not the best of the best?¡±


    ¡°Well, I mean¡­there¡¯s more to it all than all that¡­right?¡±


    ¡°Way more.¡± Cassandra nodded.


    ¡°Look, maybe put a pause on the whole love thing for a while, okay? Because as I see it, you don¡¯t even know what you want out of it.¡±


    ¡°What are you saying?!¡± Roxanne asked, getting up to Julian¡¯s face.


    ¡°Look, listen to me. Cassandra likes men, Willow likes women, I like both. Maybe you just like nothing.¡±


    A shock went through Roxanne¡¯s heart when that word was said. She felt a force close in on her she just had to break out of. She clutched her necklace, and as if it was guiding her, an idea made it¡¯s way into her head.


    ¡°I¡¯m something! I love people! I-I love a lot of people! Like you!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, what?¡± Julian took a brief step back as Roxanne approached him. Roxanne pulled him close and pressed their lips together.


    It didn¡¯t feel good.


    Julian managed to pry her off him, accidentally shoving her to the ground. Cassandra ran over to pick her up, and Roxanne immediately went to kiss her, closing their lips together. Cassandra calmly tried to push her away and put one hand over her mouth.


    ¡°Roxanne, are you okay?¡± She asked.


    ¡°More than okay!¡± Roxanne yelled. ¡°I¡¯m in love!¡±


    ¡°Are you?¡± Julian asked from behind them, looking slightly unnerved.


    ¡°Yes!¡±


    ¡°Who, even?¡±


    Roxanne stood in silence for a brief moment, before falling on her knees.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know!¡±


    Willow stepped out of her room to see what was happening, and Julian just gestured for her to go back to her room.


    ¡°So, I¡¯ve been sent to look for¡­¡±


    Kazumi¡¯s voice slowly diminished as she saw whatever was happening in front of her. Roxanne took one look at her and slowly began to run down the hallway.


    ¡°So, what did I miss?¡± Kazumi asked, looking at the worried faces of Julian and Cassandra.


    ¡°She¡¯s just having a¡­mild crisis, so to speak.¡± Julian sighed, gazing at the path Roxanne tread on.


    ¡°Oh damn, over what?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s been having trouble finding love when we landed in new places. And when I asked if she even knew what she wanted, she started panicking and ran off.¡±


    ¡°That wasn¡¯t it.¡± Cassandra sighed. ¡°He started asking if she could even feel romantic feelings, and that¡¯s when she started panicking.¡±


    ¡°Ah, it¡¯s that kind of crisis.¡± Kazumi said. ¡°Listen, you two and Willow need go back to the dining hall, and I¡¯ll track Roxanne down. Sound good?¡±


    ¡°If you can get her out of her mood.¡± Julian nodded. ¡°If I were to guess, she¡¯d go inside her room seeing as she doesn¡¯t know the layout of this place.¡±


    Roxanne lay on her bed, trying not let tears leak from her face onto her dress. She was ready for this her whole life. All the shows she watched, all the music she listened to, it was all in preparation for her journey of love. She played the song she always returned to in her head. Raided Hearts by Diamond Dragons. The song about two people taking solace in heartbreak before finding each other was so beautiful. So why couldn¡¯t she recall the lyrics? Before she finally heard a knock at the door.


    ¡°Hey Roxanne, you in there?¡±


    Kazumi¡¯s voice.


    ¡°I¡¯m¡­getting changed!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s fine.¡± She replied coolly. ¡°I heard about what happened.¡±


    ¡°What, exactly? A lot of things happened lately, especially to me! I¡¯d probably rank in the top ten of people doing things when you think about it.¡±


    ¡°I suppose, yes.¡± Kazumi said from behind the door. ¡°But you only signed up to all of it to find someone to fall in love with you, right?¡±


    ¡°Well, what¡¯s your point?¡± Roxanne asked, knocking some of her clothes on the floor to create the impression of something busy going on beyond the door.


    ¡°I¡¯m saying that¡­I might be able to help you out a little. Because I might have been where you are right now.¡±


    Roxanne stopped shuffling around her room. ¡°In what way?¡±


    ¡°Well, you know, love. Or¡­the lack of it. You know, when everyone and everything around you is telling you to fall in love. Your friends all get in relationships and start spending less time with you. Basically every song and movie is about love or has it shoved in there. Because it¡¯s what people want to see. On a screen, in a song, and in you. And when you learn you just¡­can¡¯t feel it, it¡¯s tiring. Frustrating, even. You start thinking you¡¯re broken. That there¡¯s some level of society that you¡¯ll never be able to reach. And then you don¡¯t really know what to do with yourself.¡±


    ¡°So what are you saying?¡±


    ¡°Just that¡­whatever you¡¯re feeling, it¡¯s fine. Being ace is fine.¡±


    Roxanne didn¡¯t reply. Kazumi silently fist-bumped the door, not knowing how to finish the conversation. She turned around to a young servant girl looking distressed behind her.


    ¡°Miss Kazumi, there¡¯s been some news delivered in the dining hall. Everyone has to attend to discuss the next course of action.¡±


    Kazumi knocked on the door.


    ¡°Roxanne? We have to leave. You don¡¯t have to think about what I just said, but something important just happened downstairs.¡±


    Roxanne silently walked out. As she walked past Kazumi, all she did was nod. The servant went to get Willow, who reunited with the two of them.


    ¡°Hey, mind telling me what¡¯s up?¡± She asked.


    ¡°No idea.¡± Kazumi replied.


    Julian and Cassandra met up with them and were filled in on the situation. The five of them walked into the hall, where everyone was turned to statues with the news. A single servant stood before all of them, his eyes darting around the room in a nervous panic. With nothing to do, Willow tapped Javier on the shoulder.


    ¡°Hey, what happened?¡± She whispered.


    Javier turned around, his hands shaking.


    ¡°Over in Sangaria.¡± He said through quivering lips. ¡°Marcel was killed, and the shield was taken.¡±

 Get the Shield

    Xander watched through an upper window as the guards walked into the castle to sleep and some new ones came out, a good few less. Xander counted around seven come out of the castle, half of the fifteen there previously. He opened the window right in front of the courtyard, so hopefully Tsuki and Priyanka could see it.


    "Hey, what you doing here?"


    Xander turned around to see a guard decked out in the same neon green uniform as the rest of them. Only this one looked much younger.


    "Oh, me?" Xander asked, trying to act nonchalant through the shock. "I''m Luminita''s date for the ball tomorrow."


    "Oh, so you''re going?" The young solider asked. "Makes sense, she''s a beaut."


    "Oh, totally."


    "Also, I don''t think we''re allowed to open windows in here." The solider said, closing the window.


    "Wait, really?"


    "High security, you know how it is." The young solider said while rolling his eyes. "Can''t have a risk like this open, you know?"


    "Yeah, I get it. Well, I was only gonna get some air, but I''m just gonna go for a walk and go back to sleep."


    "Nothing wrong with that."


    The solider continued his patrol while whistling something to himself. Xander patrolled in the opposite direction, searching the first floor for what he was looking for. Eventually, his search led him to the centre of the castle''s first floor. It was a circular room There were two grand doors about twice the size of all the other already large doors in the building.


    "Halt!" Said one guard, putting a sword in between Xander''s eyes. "If you''re not a member of the royal family, look away!"


    "It''s temporary, but he is!"


    Marcel''s voice rang through the hallway behind Xander.


    "He wants to see the shield, that''s all."


    "Yeah, when you get the chance, you know?"


    The guard pulled his sword back, gave a nod and a quick apology, and opened the door. Xander walked in with Marcel in tow to admire the shield. On a pedestal with seemingly no protection lay the shield in front of them. A circular white relic polished to a resplendent shine, with a blood red gemstone embedded in it''s centre with black triangles surrounding it. And on each end was a narrow transparent tube. It looked like an amazing piece of history, but just how easy it looked to steal concerned Xander, even if he was aware how stupid a complaint that was.


    "No security in the room, huh?" He asked, trying his best to seem relaxed.


    "Well, the soldiers should hopefully be enough. But now that you mention it, something more advanced certainly wouldn''t hurt. Actually, you know about computers, right? Any idea where to start?"


    Well, no chance of him learning something basic, right? He couldn''t install anything he''d need to stop him in a few hours, anyway.


    "Yeah, sure. First thing I''d start with is a camera system. Just put a couple around the hallways and have a guy watching all of them. Then have a set of walkie talkies between all the guards to contact them. Then maybe have an alarm system to evacuate any important people. And an old castle like this''ll probably have it, but if you don''t have any secret exits in case the worst happens, I''d recommend fitting those in there somewhere."


    Marcel calmly took the information in while stroking his beard.


    "It''s so obvious." He muttered to himself.


    "Well, I''m not too sure just how obvious it is when you''re not in cybersecurity, you know."


    "Now now, mister Dobalina. Don''t downplay advice you just gave. As soon as the ball ends, I''ll get right to work on implementing those ideas."


    "Well, good luck with that." Xander replied, feigning a yawn. "I''ll be going to bed."


    "Yes, I suppose it''s that time." Marcel said as he turned around. "Oh, one more thing."


    "Go on."


    "Should everything go well tomorrow, I wouldn''t mind you taking things further with my daughter should you want to. You''ve got a good head on your shoulders"


    "Hey, I''ll keep that in mind."


    Xander walked back up to his room, making sure to count the guards on his way up. He counted seven. Two groups of three and one by their lonesome in between. Okay, this shouldn''t be too difficult. He tried opening the window by the second floor, but the same guard was approaching, so he left it. The only real option was to open the window in his own room and hope Priyanka could boost to it.


    Seeing as he was an important guest, he was naturally at the top of the castle. Which meant climbing the staircases until he was near the top. It was a trek through the five floors of staircases that seemed to get longer nearer the top he got. He was tired when he finally got to his room, but luckily not as much as on the Cluster. Luminita lived on a separate tower to him on the right of the centre where Marcel seemed to live. She must have insane stamina if that was what she was climbing everyday, but there wasn''t time to think about that. He went into his room, a spacious bedroom with empty shelves lining the walls and a large double bed. Probably for esteemed guests such as himself, but the room honestly looked like it was never slept on. He sat on the bed, almost falling back as he sank into the perfect warmth of the red blankets. He forced himself to jump out of the bed, quickly opening his phone to text Tsuki.


    Tsuki got the text from Xander as she was dropping all of her new clothes at the ship. She managed to get a white shirt with a spiral heart design as well as a light grey jacket made from cotton. Just one size too big, she thought it matched her aesthetic better. Follow that up with black jeans with stylish zippers on the knees, and you got a pretty complete outfit. Anyway, back to the text.


    ''ready when you are call when you need me''


    Tsuki got Priyanka ready and hit call. She was still dressed in what she brought, fashion was a game of people with too much time to kill.


    "Okay, I''m ready." Xander said as soon as they were connected. "But Pri, I gotta know one thing about your powers."


    "And that would be?" She can ignore the Pri thing, that''s for later discussion.


    "How high could you boost while carrying Tsuki?"


    "I don''t know, about...an average personal ship and a half, maybe?"


    If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    "Okay, you might need to boost higher. Way higher. Because I can only open the windows on the top of the tower without raising suspicion."


    "Excuse me?"


    "Look, It''ll be one time, and you can have as much recovery time as you need. The window will be on the left hand tower, so come over as soon as you can."


    Tsuki and Priyanka left their airship and went the short distance towards the castle.


    "Tsuki, you''re really going in your new clothes?"


    "Yeah, well...would it be too late to change now?"


    "I''d prefer it if you didn''t, but I''d rather not see you so sad over losing them."


    "Well, I think I''ll probably be fine. Quick in and out, right?"


    "Well, that''s the dream." Priyanka said with a breath. But they were at the castle walls. Xander put Tsuki on her back, and she boosted to the main walls, and directly in front of her was Xander''s room with the open window.


    "Hey, Pri." Tsuki asked. "Not the best time, but you have really dry hair."


    "Not Important." Priyanka replied, still not liking the whole ''Pri'' thing. What mattered was guessing the distance it would take to get both her and Tsuki up there, and just how hurt she could get from doing so. Only way to see was to test it.


    "Okay, on my back." Priyanka said. "Also, might be best to get your hands out to stick them to the wall."


    "Oh, good catch."


    Priyanka readied herself, feeling her hair stand on edge, feeling the energy pulse around her. She tried to ensure Tsuki wouldn''t get ripped from her skin by holding on to her legs. And with her preparations made, she jumped forward.


    The burst got her from the outside wall to the edge of the castle in a moment. Tsuki thrust her hands forward by the window, sticking to the wall with Priyanka holding onto her legs. Her arms were clinging on in sheer desperation. But she felt Xander pulling her and Tsuki up.


    Once Priyanka was in the room, she felt the world collapse around her. Her eyes were blurry, and the few sounds in the room faded into the background as an intense ringing burst into her ears. Finally was the sensation in her limbs. When she tried to cover her ears, her arms flopped to her side, and her legs collapsed a second later. Xander caught her before she fell to the ground and placed her safely in what felt like a bed.


    She had no idea if she was going to die. Everything around her was a formless shape, and all she felt she could do was scream. But scream, and let people know Xander''s not alone. So she stayed shut for several minutes until everything started to make sense again. Her vision focused on the white ceiling in front of her, and her hearing adjusted to the steady breathing of Tsuki standing over her.


    Once Priyanka was adjusted, she quickly leapt out of the bed like nothing ever happened.


    "Okay, we ready?"


    Priyanka approached the door, standing behind it with her hands behind her back and gesturing for Xander to lead the way.


    "Okay, but we don''t have to fight anyone, okay?" Xander said as he opened the door. "Get the shield and get out. Simple plan."


    Xander walked with Tsuki behind him and Priyanka behind her. Xander started running through the halls to get to the ground floor. Xander heard noises in front, urging the other two to duck behind the corner from whatever it was.


    Xander saw some guards in front of him, one of the trios he encountered earlier.


    "Ah. Xander, am I right?" The one in front asked. "Mind if I ask what has you making so much noise?"


    "Oh, I''m making noise?" Xander asked, acting unaware. "So sorry about that! It''s just that I''m, like, really hungry and just need a snack as soon as possible, you know?"


    "Did you not eat with the king?"


    "I did, but seconds exist. Meals are wayyy smaller here than in Ropear, you know? So I''m still a little hungry, you feel?"


    While Xander was talking to the guard, Priyanka put Tsuki on her back and dashed to the wall. A guard looked in her direction, but she was able to dash behind them before his eyes could realise something was up.


    "If that''s all that you want, I won''t stop you."


    "Cool. Keep up the good work, guys."


    Xander paced past them to Priyanka and Tsuki waiting for him.


    "Okay, I think we''re almost there."


    The three descended the final staircase to the door that housed the shield. Priyanka boosted into the one on the right before he could react, knocking him over. Priyanka quickly took his sword and threw it aside. Tsuki ran into the other guard approaching her, managing to barely grab his spear and glue it to herself, pulling it out of his hand.


    "C-code red!" The guard yelled out just as Priyanka pushed him against the wall by boosting towards him, knocking him out.


    Nobody was nearby and backup was certainly approaching. Get the shield, get out. Xander ran over to the shield and took it from it''s pedestal while the girls kept watch.


    "Xander, you ready?" Tsuki asked, her voice beginning to waver. Xander instantly ran out to the girls looking at the top of the stairs.


    "Just run!" He yelled, not even looking at what was above them. He felt a shadow loom above him, but didn''t bother checking what it was. And just as he got to the door, it crashed in front of the door.


    "Xander." Marcel asked calmly. His face looked slightly pale, but the colour was returning to his face quickly. "What is this?" He didn''t even sound mad. Just disheartened.


    Xander tried running past him to the door, and was slammed to the ground with one disinterested swipe. Xander got up, not feeling any major damage besides his back hurting, and even that would subside quickly. He looked up at Marcel, and the hand used to strike him was as pale as his face was.


    "Xander, why are you doing this?" He still refused to raise his voice. "Or rather, who''s making you do this?"


    "I''m doing this because I want to." Xander replied.


    "Don''t lie to me. Hand over the shield, and all charges will be dropped. And I guarantee all of your friends will be protected."


    Xander looked at Tsuki and Priyanka. Priyanka saw the gears turning in his mind.


    "If we leave, they hunt us down!" Priyanka yelled. "And this is the first place they''ll look!"


    Xander knew there wasn''t any way to leave without the shield. So he tried charging through, only to get swatted away by Marcel again.


    "You are not leaving." Marcel said calmly. "Try to resist again, I will have to resort to restraining you."


    Marcel let the blood flow back into his hand, with a little more to power up his next strike.


    "Dad? What''s going on?"


    Marcel looked up to see Luminita standing above the stairs, trying her best to access the situation.


    "Luminita? Get out of here!"


    Priyanka saw the chance to strike. She dashed towards the wall behind Marcel, and then up the stairs. She was behind Luminita before she could comprehend where she was. Priyanka had her in a headlock.


    "Get away from her!" Marcel roared.


    "Here''s the deal. We leave with the shield, and your daughter leaves alive."


    Marcel slammed Xander against the wall with one swipe, leaving him on the floor. He picked up the shield and placed it on his arm. The tubes slowly inserted themselves into his body, and in a single bound he was besides Priyanka. Priyanka quickly shoved Luminita in front of Marcel.


    "Go ahead, do your worst."


    The tubes turned red. They detached from Marcel and inserted themselves into Priyanka''s arms. The blood rushed into Priyanka''s arms, causing her to drop Luminita, who quickly scrambled behind her dad. Marcel made the blood rush to his legs and kick Priyanka with all the force he could.


    Priyanka was slammed against the wall, struggling to catch her breath. She felt something was broken inside of her. It hurt to breathe, and Marcel was slowly approaching her.


    Xander looked on as Marcel went to do who knew what with Priyanka. He had to do something. Take Luminita, who was just standing on the sidelines? No, that would definitely make everything worse. The only thing he could do was run up to help and hope for the best. Tsuki followed behind, rubbing her hands to get the gooey substance ready, just in case. Xander felt some kind of energy well up in his left hand. When he looked at it, a single translucent blue dagger was in his hand. With only one option, he flung it with all his might at the back of Marcel''s neck.


    Marcel stopped in his tracks, his eyes bulging in front of Priyanka as the dagger disappeared from his neck. In the brief moment he was stopped, Priyanka got under him and boosted to his face.


    The crack reverberated throughout the castle. Marcel''s head snapped backwards as Priyanka boosted his more coloured stomach down the stairs, and he fell without resistance. Xander grabbed the shield as Luminita tried tackling him to the ground. Tsuki managed to catch her, covering her coat in the glue and sticking her against the wall. Xander grabbed the shield and tossed it to Tsuki, putting Priyanka on his back and running out out of the castle. Luminita got her coat off and ran towards her father. She assessed his neck, broken in nearly all places. She got her phone out, calling for an ambulance as soon as possible. A hand was put on her shoulder, and she panicked before realising who it belonged to.


    Her father.


    "Luminita, I''m afraid it''s too late for me."


    "It isn''t! We''ll get you to the hospital, and then I can-"


    "My sight is already fading. Please, just stay here a while. I need you to be the last thing I see."


    Luminita did as he instructed, clutching his hand into hers to feel a slow pulse.


    "Luminita, I''m sorry for everything that''ll be thrust upon you soon. But if I can make one request for your future rule, you need to go forward with compassion above all else. All people can be reasoned with. Don''t hold any hate towards the people who did this to me. I''m certain they can be brought to the right side of history if you try hard enough."


    "But, but..."


    "Your mother and I will be looking over you, so please don''t worry. Goodbye, Luminita."


    And the pulse slowly faded.

 So Then, What Next?

    Everyone stood in silence in front of the messenger, waiting for another to break the silence.


    ¡°Sir, I¡¯m going to need you to not make comments like this.¡± Freyja finally said through an obviously panicked veneer. ¡°We know that Marcel is running late, but this is no excuse to-¡±


    ¡°Shut it, Freyja.¡± Zach interrupted. One quick glare, and Freyja was hiding behind Mia. He approached the messenger, who was trying their best not to erupt into panic.


    ¡°Listen.¡± He asked as his hulking figure approached the messenger. ¡°You know if Luminita¡¯s okay?¡±


    ¡°To my knowledge, she¡¯s fine.¡±


    ¡°Okay, good to know.¡± Zach said with a slight sigh of relief. ¡°She in a position for a call?¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m not too sure.¡±


    ¡°Worst she can do its leave me hanging.¡± Zach whispered to himself, already getting his phone out and dialling the number. He gave one quick nod to the others, and left into the hallways to talk.


    The line was silent for a while. Zach kept it up just in case, and just as the phone was about to close automatically, something picked up.


    ¡°Who is this?¡± A voice asked. It¡¯s been a while since they talked, but it was clearly her.


    ¡°Luminita, correct?¡± Zach asked.


    ¡°Who is this?¡± She asked, her voice wavering at just what could be at the other end.


    ¡°Zach¡±


    ¡°Zach? Like, uncle Zach?¡±


    ¡°That one.¡±


    Zach listened to the following torrent of tears and incoherent wailing coming from the other end.


    ¡°Listen, Lumie.¡± Zach said. ¡°You can cry all you need once we meet up in person. But I¡¯m just calling to let you know that we¡¯re gonna need to interrogate you for a little bit, got it?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I got it.¡±


    ¡°Awesome. Actually, I need to know. You hurt anywhere?¡±


    ¡°A little scratched up, but that¡¯s not important.¡±


    ¡°Excellent, excellent.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, Zach?¡± Nuria asked from the hallway. ¡°We need to discuss our next move.¡±


    ¡°Right now? I¡¯ll be with you in a second.¡± He went back to Luminita. ¡°Gotta go real quick. But if anything is worrying you, give me a call.¡±


    He walked calmly into the room where all the other nova leaders were sitting, with Mia naturally sitting at the top with Freyja at the first table nearby. Zach sat at the back next to Rory, and all partners, servants, children, and heroes left the room.


    ¡°Okay, first order of business.¡± Mia said. ¡°Sangaria is no longer an official member until their weapon is returned.¡±


    ¡°Fuck off.¡±


    Mia looked at Rory, who was glaring back.


    ¡°Excuse me, Rory?¡± Mia asked, keeping her composure while Freyja looked mortified. ¡°May I remind you that you even being here is an act of charity?¡±


    ¡°Well, I need to fucking say something. Saoloro lost the bow, that much is true. But the people still remain with no deaths at the moment. I might not get re-elected next year, but I can live with that. But Sangaria lost their main ruler and have a scared child in their place, and everything will go tits up if she gets abandoned!¡±


    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    ¡°Pretty much what I was gonna say.¡± Zach said with a nod.


    ¡°I am not repeating myself.¡± Mia said calmly. ¡°If you are of significance, you have a relic weapon to look after. It¡¯s as simple as that.¡±


    ¡°With all due respect, miss Mia.¡± Sylvestro said from across Freyja. ¡°The Legion has three weapons now, so by your own logic they should be ruling the entire Skyspace.¡±


    ¡°They were stolen from their rightful place, it¡¯s entirely different!¡± Freyja piped in, already looking frazzled.


    ¡°So weapons don¡¯t have any bearing on ability to lead.¡± Ola added slowly. ¡°You agree to that?¡±


    Freyja¡¯s lips tried their best to make a rebuttal towards Ola, but nothing could come out.


    ¡°I¡¯m not leaving Marcel¡¯s daughter behind, anyway.¡± Fen Hou said after a brief silence. ¡°If I can have her number, Zach, I¡¯d appreciate it.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll leave it with you.¡± Zach replied with a satified nod.


    ¡°Okay, okay. We can keep Luminita in the congregation until she gets a better handle on ruling.¡± Mia said calmly as she bit her bottom lip.


    ¡°Hold on.¡± Zach interjected. ¡°We¡¯re letting Rory and Gurpreet back in. Otherwise we¡¯ll set a bad example and not have a reason not to include the Legion should they want to.¡±


    Mia looked at Zach for what seemed like an eternity, and nobody said a word.


    ¡°Fine.¡± She said. ¡°Once the Legion is dealt with, relic ownership will not play a role in whether or not someone is eligible for joining the congregation.¡±


    ¡°Agreed there.¡± Rory said with a slight smile and approving nod.


    ¡°But.¡± Mia said, causing Rory to roll his eyes and go back to his grouchy disposition. ¡°Zachary¡¯s plan better have some kind of payoff at the end of all this.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all going according to plan.¡± Zach nodded.


    ¡°And do you mind sharing what that plan is?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t share the plan itself, but I can tell you that it¡¯s coming to fruition in a couple days.¡±


    ¡°A few days?¡± Mia asked, squinting her eyes at Zach, who remained unfazed. ¡°Does the plan coincide with the Fightston games?¡±


    ¡°Now that I think about it, they do line up.¡± Zach said, blowing a stray hair out of his eye.


    ¡°But the citizens of Fightston will be safe?¡±


    ¡°Nothing will happen to them, I assure you.¡±


    ¡°Well, if have nothing more to discuss, we can declare the discussion over. Zachary, please get Luminita to Lux itself for her coronation, I¡¯d like it done in two days.¡±


    Mia stood up and put her white coat on. ¡°I¡¯ll make preparations for Luminita, see you all there. Freyja, thank you for letting us use your dining room as a meeting grounds.¡±


    ¡°Oh, not an issue at all!¡± Freyja said merrily, causing Rory and Sylvestro to roll their eyes. Mia left the room, with the rest left to their own devices.


    ¡°Well, two days isn¡¯t exactly a lot of time.¡± Sylvestro said after the brief silence. ¡°So I¡¯ll be taking my leave. Give your staff my regards, Freyja.¡± He left several bags out of his cape¡¯s insides and left them on the table.


    ¡°Should be a hundred Luxa for everyone who works here, let me know if I need to send more.¡±


    He left alongside Fen Hou, with Ola and Rory following soon after. Zach left to make his call to Luminita.


    ¡°Hey, just got out of a meeting. You¡¯re gonna be coronated as the next ruler of Sangaria in two days.¡±


    ¡°Wait, two days?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, It¡¯s not a lot of time, sorry about that. It¡¯ll be two days in Lux, and I should be able to just go over and take you.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Yeah, sounds good.¡±


    Zach hung up the phone and went towards the others, looking for the Miracle group and the kids. He found Willow¡¯s room and gave a quick knock, which Willow answered.


    ¡°You doing good?¡± She asked, looking around for her mother.


    ¡°Yeah, just wanna ask if everyone¡¯s here.¡±


    ¡°Just me, Javier, and the Miracle guys.¡±


    ¡°Cool.¡± Zach replied, inviting himself in. ¡°So, we have news. Luminita¡¯s coronation is in two days, and you two will probably have to go to that. Would be best seeing as you¡¯re the gang.¡±


    ¡°The gang?¡± Javier asked.


    "You know, the gang. You, Willow, Luminita, and-"


    "Yes, yes, the gang. I remember." Javier nodded. "I''ll be there, anyway."


    ¡°And as for the miracle squad, I got an offer for you guys.¡±


    ¡°Hit us.¡± Cassandra replied.


    ¡°How would you guys like to compete in the Fightston games?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, the Fightston games?¡± Julian asked.


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to, but it¡¯d be nice if you at least showed up. It¡¯s gonna be a big deal this year, mostly based around the fighting, and all the top hero groups are gonna be there.¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m in.¡± Cassandra said.


    Same here!¡± Roxanne said


    ¡°Fine.¡± Julian grumbled.


    ¡°Excellent!¡± Zach yelled, before checking the hallways to ensure nobody heard that.


    ¡°One more thing. Willow, if you wanna enter, I¡¯m totally down to sneak you onto the ship once the coronation¡¯s over.¡±


    ¡°Wait, for real?¡± Willow asked, her eyes lighting up towards Cassandra and Roxanne.


    Zach leaned in to Willow and whispered to her.


    ¡°And if you can help me sneak the spear onto my ship, I¡¯ll let you fight with it.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡± Willow whispered back.


    ¡°And if you three wanna grab a ship with my wife back to Fightston, that¡¯d be easy on me.¡±


    ¡°Already on it.¡± Julian said, getting up and leaving the room with the other two in tow.

 Normal Life

    Priyanka landed the ship back in the hanger, taking the shield with her. Tsuki woke up Xander, who hasn¡¯t said anything since the ordeal back at the castle. The workers back at the ship all looked at them when they walked on, and Xander felt every pair of eyes land on him. Tsuki took his hand without a word, and the three made their way to the top floor through the ladders. Xander managed to get through the ladders without slipping, although the thought of just...falling off entered his mind for the first time since he got here. Falling off and breaking his bones in a way that could kill him. It felt disturbing.


    They stood before the door of Chelic, and Xander¡¯s breaths got heavier.


    ¡°Hey, maybe we should wait a little bit before reporting? I don¡¯t think Chelic will mind, anyway.¡± Tsuki asked Priyanka.


    Priyanka looked up at Xander.


    ¡°I can do the talking, if you need.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Xander finally said after a dry heave. ¡°That¡¯d...that¡¯d be good.¡±


    The three entered the door, where Marcus was waiting for them. Chelic, as per usual, had his back turned to them from his chair.


    ¡°Greetings!¡± Marcus said, as affable as ever. ¡°It seems to us made you¡¯ve made quite a stir!¡±


    ¡°That we did.¡± Priyanka replied calmly, handing Marcus the shield.


    ¡°You know, the announcement of Marcel¡¯s death has reached us too. If I can pry just a little, I need to know how you pulled off something of that nature.¡±


    ¡°We simply saw it as the best course of action.¡± Priyanka said. ¡°Marcel was fighting me and could kill him, but seeing as his powers of giving extra blood to certain parts of his body to move better has the weakness of weaker areas with less blood, Xander struck the back of his neck and allowed me to break it entirely.


    ¡°And Tsuki, what were you doing?¡±


    ¡°I was stopping his daughter from intervening.¡± She said.


    ¡°And where is the daughter now?¡± Chelic asked from behind his chair.


    ¡°We didn¡¯t see her death as necessary, so we let her go. Provided we start an attack on the entire Skyspace as soon as possible, attacking Sangaria while it¡¯s still weak would be a good starting point.¡±


    ¡°An interesting idea.¡± Marcel said while moving to standing in front of Chelic¡¯s chair. ¡°But one that could pay off. And if you don¡¯t have anything else to add, I think a ranking increase is in order. Wouldn¡¯t you agree, Chelic?¡±


    ¡°I believe so.¡± Chelic replied. ¡°Now, since you did leave a witness that could describe you, I don¡¯t think the ranking increase should be as drastic. Priyanka, you will be increased to one hundred on the dot. Tsuki, one hundred and one. Xander, one hundred and two. Meaning Xander and Priyanka get to move up in the cluster.¡±


    ¡°Is it cool if I don¡¯t?¡± Xander managed to let out. ¡°All my stuff and experiments are there, so it¡¯d be a hassle to just move all of it.¡±


    ¡°Perfectly allowed, Xander.¡± Marcus said with a nod.


    ¡°What layer would I be moving to?¡± Priyanka asked.


    ¡°The third layer, if I remember correctly.¡± Marcel said, inspecting the laptop next to him. ¡°I¡¯m not sure how much help you¡¯ll need moving, but I¡¯ll provide some people if you need it.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have much of importance to bring.¡± Priyanka said calmly. ¡°One person will do, I think.¡±


    ¡°I can do it.¡± Tsuki added. ¡°I don¡¯t have much going on.¡±


    ¡°For the next few hours.¡± Chelic added.


    ¡°Oh, of course sir.¡± Tsuki replied with her back turned to him in case the disgust in her mind reached her face.


    ¡°So, we can go now?¡± Xander asked.


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡°You should be able to, yes.¡± Marcus nodded.


    The three of them walked out of the room.


    ¡°I¡¯m going back to my room.¡± Xander said. ¡°See you later?¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps.¡±


    Xander lay on his bed, not thinking about anything. Or rather, not trying to think about anything. He hasn¡¯t gotten any emails since he left, so he could presumably just chill for a while, right? He thought that maybe he or someone on the ship could somehow contact Luminita and apologize? No, that¡¯s ridiculous. No email is gonna forgive someone¡¯s murdered dad.


    Issue number two. He has powers now. He didn¡¯t know how he did, but he can summon knives now. He looked towards a tube in his room he wasn¡¯t gonna miss, and mimicked throwing a knife at it. Nothing happened. Okay, imagine a knife. The shape of a knife. Or maybe a dagger? He tried throwing it again, still nothing. Is it the kind of thing that only works in danger? He¡¯ll have to ask Tsuki later. But first, time for a nap.


    Or it would be, if there wasn¡¯t a knock at the door.


    Xander opened the door, and a blonde girl in a white shirt was standing in front of him.


    ¡°Are you Xander?¡± She asked nervously.


    ¡°Yeah?¡± Xander answered.


    ¡°Okay, cool.¡± She said, breathing a sigh of relief. ¡°Look, how do you...survive out there?¡±


    ¡°Out where?¡±


    ¡°The Skyspace?! I just got sent to go out on a scouting mission!¡±


    ¡°Wait, you?¡± Xander yelled back. This was one of the weakest looking people here.


    ¡°They might be looking out for groups, according to Chelic. Look, apparently the Fightston games are advertising, and anyone can enter without any proof of your prior existence.¡±


    ¡°That seems like a trap.¡±


    ¡°I know! But they just want to get someone in to look around and look for weaknesses, send in the big names, and then steal the Fightston gauntlet. So how do I not die?¡±


    ¡°Just lay low, find a secure place nobody will check to call in the big names. And if you can, befriend someone who lives in the castle and steal the gauntlet yourself. Big risk if you do that alone though. When do you go, anyway?¡±


    ¡°Tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Well, shit. Good luck with that, anyway. Get some sleep and grab as much caffeine as you can.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Yeah, I will.¡± The girl sighed, taking a step outside his room. Xander closed the door behind her, leaving her to her fate. She was probably dead. But hey, at least he wouldn¡¯t be there to see it.


    ¡°So that¡¯s everything.¡±


    Tsuki sat legs swinging on Priyanka¡¯s empty top bunk, with her small box of things to bring up next to it. It was barely anything, just a poster and a couple books. Thick ones too, but she didn¡¯t check the titles. Priyanka finished stuffing her blanket into her box and looked up at Tsuki.


    ¡°You know that your new place will have blankets, right?¡± Her roommate asked, playing a busted up handheld.


    ¡°This is my blanket. I got it when I came here, and I¡¯ll continue to use it.¡±


    ¡°Whatever. See you later, Preeta."


    ¡°Priyanka.¡±


    ¡°Close enough.¡±


    Tsuki just left the room, and Priyanka followed.


    ¡°Does she not know your name?¡± Tsuki asked. Priyanka didn¡¯t look upset at her misnaming. Granted, she didn¡¯t look upset at much.


    ¡°We barely talked. Don¡¯t know her name, either.¡±


    ¡°Oh...really?¡±


    ¡°You never know when you¡¯ll be called for a raid. Boom, that person you befriended ends up dead or imprisoned.¡±


    ¡°I mean...that makes some sense.¡± Tsuki replied. A silence crept up on them, and Tsuki felt the need to break it.


    ¡°We¡¯re friends, right?¡±


    ¡°After all we¡¯ve been through, I¡¯d guess so.¡± Priyanka agreed flatly. ¡°Not like you two will be leaving the ship anytime soon.¡±


    ¡°Guess not.¡± Tsuki nodded slowly. ¡°Just me, the girls, and a whole lot of Chelic.¡±


    The two entered Priyanka¡¯s new room. Two separate beds, which was already an improvement as far as Tsuki was confirmed. The other person wasn¡¯t there, but their stuff was. A couple weights and a food wrapper or two laying on the floor.


    ¡°So can I just leave these wherever?¡± Tsuki asked, lifting the books out of her box. ¡®The minds behind minds, an introduction to psychology by Ratan Gupta.¡¯


    ¡°What¡¯s this about?¡±


    ¡°Oh that? Found it one day. I think the legion would benefit from having a dedicated psychologist for when the missions are over. Also, the surname clicks to me.¡±


    ¡°What, you think you could be related or something?¡±


    ¡°I suppose it¡¯s a possibility.¡± Priyanka said calmly. ¡°Actually, do you ever think about your old family?¡±


    ¡°Sometimes. I know I was from Sandala, but I was pretty young, don¡¯t remember much else.¡±


    ¡°Same here, except it¡¯s Gurut. Although I do hope my family are doing okay.¡±


    ¡°Well, Xander and his friend figured out how to get internet on their systems, even if it is terrible. Maybe I could ask if he could track down a missing persons site and find us on it?¡±


    ¡°Wait, you can do that?¡±


    Tsuki looked at Priyanka. Her eyes were widened, and she looked ready to strike at the information.


    ¡°Maybe? From what I know people dump old news on the internet in case anyone needs it later, so it¡¯s not impossible.¡±


    Priyanka calmly sat on her new bed, her disposition turning in an instant. ¡°I¡¯ll have to ask him later.¡±


    ¡°Oh, and before I go.¡±


    Tsuki reached into her purse, taking out a bottle of shampoo. Blue bottle. Saintly Shampoo. Looked official by shampoo standards, anyway.


    ¡°Your hair felt really dry back in Sangaria, so I thought you could do with that.¡±


    ¡°I see. Thanks.¡± Priyanka replied, shoving the shampoo in her back pockets.


    ¡°You know, keep your hair looking good in case you wanna go dude hunting.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡± Priyanka repeated.


    ¡°Babe hunting?¡±


    ¡°Not invested at all, really. But I do appreciate the effort in getting me this.¡±


    ¡°Okay. Well, guess I¡¯ll go now. We exchanged numbers, so let me know when you wanna hang out again.¡±


    Tsuki left, and Priyanka once again glanced at her book. If there was a way out, Xander would probably have the answer. Then she could find her family, if they still existed.


    And at the end of it all, would be a normal life.

 Entering Fightston

    Dream world.


    Roxanne knew what was coming. She felt slightly more...energized for it, but still wasn¡¯t all that ready. The figure appeared in front of her.


    ¡°You¡¯re nothing.¡±


    Roxanne wasn¡¯t even scared this time. She didn¡¯t even feel all that tired. She felt more awake then she¡¯s ever been.


    ¡°I¡¯m something!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re nothing!¡± The figure repeated.


    The tendrils burst from the ground and tried to ensnare Roxanne once again, only for her to scream with such intensity the tendrils quickly shrank into the ground. It was just her against the figure, and she was seeing this dream through to the end. She leapt up, landing a kick straight to the figure¡¯s face. The figure held in place, before slowly fading away, leaving Roxanne to flawlessly land on her feet.


    ¡°Yeah, who¡¯s nothing now, huh?! Huh?¡±


    Roxanne emerged from her sleeping bag. She was on the airship to Fightston, with Cassandra, and Julian glaring at her.


    ¡°That¡¯s a different dream, right?¡± Julian asked.


    ¡°Haven¡¯t heard it yet.¡± Cassandra whispered back, turning over immediately afterwards.


    ¡°Interesting.¡± Julian said, following her lead. Both didn¡¯t say anything else and just turned over, and Roxanne followed her lead.


    The skies were brighter when Roxanne woke up again. She looked out the window to see the Fightston grand, with it¡¯s many small homes dotted around the area with a few more modern buildings near the back, all surrounded by several tall trees surrounding the perimeter.


    ¡°First time in Fightston?¡± Cassandra asked, eating a chocolate protein bar behind her.


    ¡°Yep.¡± Roxanne replied. ¡°Is it as rough as they say?¡±


    ¡°If someone says no to a fight then that means they aren¡¯t at their best, and you don¡¯t fight someone when they aren¡¯t at their best. So you¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    ¡°And you aren¡¯t from there?¡±


    ¡°Nope. Probably not, anyway.¡±


    ¡°Oh, Roxanne.¡±


    Roxanne turned around, and Zach¡¯s wife was waiting behind her. She was taller than both of them and had some decent muscles on her arms, which were holding a basket of the same protein bars Cassandra was eating. Roxanne silently took one and started eating her breakfast.


    ¡°You¡¯re gonna have to forgive the lack of food, we really weren¡¯t expecting everything to happen like this.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s cool, miss...Zach¡¯s wife.¡± Cassandra replied.


    ¡°Leanne.¡±


    ¡°Miss Leanne.¡±


    The ship landed next to the Fightston grand, and their own airship landed behind it, manned by one of Zach¡¯s staffers.


    Roxanne, Cassandra, and Julian all stepped out onto the roof of the Fightston mansion. It was a humble mansion, which didn¡¯t seen like two words which should go together.


    ¡°Hello, Fightston!¡± Cassandra bellowed from the roof while pumping her fists in the air, causing Julian to flinch.


    ¡°Sorry, you guys okay with preparing your own rooms?¡± Leanne asked, talking over the phone.


    ¡°Do you not have staff for that?¡± Julian asked back.


    ¡°Again, we weren¡¯t really inspecting anyone. Honestly, if it weren¡¯t for our obligations as rulers, we would¡¯ve downsized to something more manageable years ago.¡±


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    The mansion looked like the cleaning was very rushed. Julian went into the living room at the bottom, with a TV that looked more outdated than the one back at miracle. He checked the on button to see if it even worked. It did, but his finger had dust on it. He went back upstairs to the bedroom he and Cassandra were ready to stay at, and the bed was poorly made as well, in a room with only a double bed and a wooden wardrobe. The door just said ¡®Saoloro¡¯ on it.


    ¡°Dang, they really weren¡¯t expecting anything, were they?¡± Cassandra asked.


    ¡°Nope.¡±


    The two of them lay on their bed. Julian looked out the window to the town below, before the realization that he hated came out.


    The Battlestorms were certainly here.


    As if she could read his mind, Cassandra got the idea too. ¡°Hey, didn¡¯t Caoimhe say the Battlestorms would be here?


    ¡°Yep.¡± Julian sighed, already sounding utterly defeated. He didn¡¯t have an idea of what to exactly do here, so he opened his phone and went to Caoimhe¡¯s number. He could at least send a message, so she either didn¡¯t block his number intentionally or just forgot. The latter was the more plausible.


    ¡®hey we¡¯re in fights now, how bout you¡¯


    He waited for a while, but got a reply only a second later.


    ¡®Yeah. We¡¯re all staying in the Deerhoof hotel if you wanna register. Only a day left, so you might wanna hurry.¡¯


    ¡°They¡¯ve already made it.¡±


    The three made it through the well made streets of Fightston¡¯s capital. It was lines of houses along the sidewalk, with a wide part in the centre for people to walk around and greet the neighbours, with the paths all leading into the main town.


    They knew they were reaching the main town once all the buildings started getting bigger and they began passing the stalls in front of the large stores.


    ¡°Hey, you guys new here?¡± A jolly looking Inarian man asked from behind his food store. He looked very familiar to Julian, but he couldn¡¯t place him exactly.


    ¡°Yeah, we¡¯re pretty new here.¡± Cassandra replied.


    ¡°Well, how about some food? Straight from the spice capital of Inariu, old recipe my brother taught me!¡±


    Julian remembered. Spice guy had relatives. He and Roxanne cleared the area without even letting Cassandra ask further.


    When they were done getting away they saw the Deerhoof hotel in the distance, with it¡¯s long lightning rod in the distance and last few floors appearing within view. The four of them kept up the walk over to the hotel.


    ¡°Hey, you guys!¡±


    Roxanne looked over, and a group of four kids were playing in a basketball court by a brick wall.


    ¡°Can we help you?¡± Roxanne asked. The four kids didn¡¯t look too bad. Just ordinary kids. Even she could probably fight them off if she needed to.


    ¡°Yeah. Are you strong?¡± One of them asked.


    ¡°Pretty strong.¡± Cassandra nodded confidently.


    ¡°You here for the games?¡±


    ¡°Yep.¡±


    ¡°Well then, guess I gotta test you.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯ll be necessary.¡± Julian said as the kid approached him. Him in particular for some god damn reason.


    "You scared?"


    "I just really don''t wanna deal with this right now?"


    Without talking any further, white energy wrapped around the kid''s hand as he leapt forward and punched Julian straight in the stomach. Julian felt the pain spread throughout his body before once again concentrating into his stomach.


    "So do I win?" The kid asked as the energy dissolved.


    "You win, now go away." Julian groaned as he got back on his feet.


    "Man, you are gonna suck at the games. My brother''s got the same power as me, and he''s way stronger."


    "Wait a second, your brother wouldn''t happen to be in the¡­Nightwatch society, would he?"


    "Oh, you know him?"


    "Yep." Julian said as he hobbled past the girls and went to the hotel.


    The three walked into the hotel, a luxurious looking area with a giant fountain spraying water in many elaborate patterns that were constantly changing with a great looking wooden desk being manned by a woman who looked unusually scrawny and pale by Fightston standards. The glasses were especially weird, seeing as most Fightston residents ditched them in favour of contact lenses.


    "Hey, we''re here to enter the Fightston games." Cassandra asked.


    "All three of you?"


    "Nah." Julian said. "Just us two."


    "I''m joining too."


    Roxanne cut Julian off almost instantly. Julian turned around to see Roxanne looking the receptionist directly into the eyes.


    "Where do we sign up?"


    "The sign up is in the basement floor. Also, unless you''re sponsored it''s five hundred Luxa for entry."


    "Uhh, did we ever get a sponsor from Zach?" Cassandra asked.


    "We probably should have." Julian sighed.


    "Uhh, we have the Thunder Axe, and we''ll just¡­go down. Zach can fill you in when he gets back, we''ll give you his number. Hey Roxanne, you got his number?"


    "No."


    "His wife''s number then."


    "Didn''t get that either."


    "Look, she''ll be here eventually." Cassandra affirmed, slowly going down the stairs. Julian and Roxanne just followed her down without saying anything to the receptionist.


    The three of them made it downstairs to the basement, where several people were lined up. Some, Julian could recognise. His gaze briefly met Gavin, but they both tried their bets to pretend it didn''t happen.


    "New faces, huh?"


    Before Julian could try to recall the gruff voice calling out to him, the hulking figure was already approaching him. Cassandra ducked out of the way, but both Julian and Roxanne were clotheslined by an arm and slammed to the ground. Julian looked up at the man, now kneeling down at him and looking disappointed, prodding him in the head.


    "These the new ones, eh? Boy, Zach''s got a lot to answer for."

 A Truly Heroic Tournament

    Roxanne looked up at the gentleman above her and Julian, with Cassandra slowly walking off to the side. A bald shirtless man with a wonky left eye looking at her, with the working one fixated on Julian. The only thing we was wearing seemed to be very worn out black sweatpants, his shirtless body having a host of tattoos ranging from swords to skulls to¡­a horse with the tail circling his left nipple, for some reason? There was something about him that was oddly¡­attractive?


    Nope. No way. Roxanne couldn''t even indulge herself there. If she was even capable of actually liking people, he certainly was not what she was looking for.


    "Okay, what gives there?" Julian screamed as he tried not to choke, pushing his glass eye back in.


    "Sider it a small test." The man replied in his gruff voice. "And you two failed."


    "Wait, what?" Roxanne asked as she scrambled to her feet. "What do you mean we failed?"


    "You look like an idiot." He replied without looking at her. "You can enter, but you''re almost deffo gonna hurt yourself."


    "Don''t listen to him, Luca and Gavin failed too."


    Caoimhe helped Roxanne up and waited for her to dust herself off. "Not exactly the type of thing you''d expect, but¡­"


    "If you can''t expect one attack, how are you meant to expect the onslaught of the Legion?" She and The large guy said in unison.


    "He''s done this twice already."


    "Do I not have a point?"


    "Anyway, sign ups are that way?"


    In contrast to the hotel, the basement looked like a mess. Wooden floors and a faded blue paintjob., with streamers and balloons dotted around the room. A couple circular wooden tables for registered teams to sit at. And at the end, a wooden desk that almost blended into the wall.


    The three walked over to it, with all three writing their names down.


    Name: Julian Torres. Ability: Life Transfer. Fighting Style: Bear reanimation.


    Name: Cassandra Torres. Ability: Regeneration. Fighting Style: Relic Axe.


    Name: Roxanne ?????. Ability: N/A. Fighting Style: Undecided.


    The three sat at a table at the corner of the room. The battlestorms would need to sit front and centre to catch the attention of everyone else, so whatever unnecessary interactions could be avoided were all the better. Seeing as the large guy was approaching them with an annoyed look and the sign up book in his hand, that failed.


    "Right." He started calmly. "Which one of you is Roxanne?"


    "M-me?" Roxanne asked. He looked at her calmly, but Roxanne already felt his contempt quickly melt her insides.


    "Mind asking why your fighting style is ''undecided?''"


    "Well, I haven''t made up my mind yet."


    "You even got a fighting style?" I know about the axe girl, but I don''t know much about you two."


    "Mind explaining who you are, anyway?" an irritated Julian asked, clearly trying not to snap at this guy.


    "Me? Name''s Cutter, and I''m the one looking after you runts while Zach''s with the corro squad."


    "Corro?" Roxanne asked.


    "Coronation." Julian answered. "Look, she hasn''t made her mind up yet, why does that matter?"


    "Because not being sure of something before a fight is how you get killed. We got people for injurs or limbs, but we got nothing for lives."


    "She''s probably boxing!"


    Cutter looked over to see Caoimhe looking over the table with a flashy purple drink in her hand.


    Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    "Trained with her back in Saoloro, she at least knows the basics."


    "You box?"


    "I mean, I dabble in a couple things, and boxing is one of them." This was one of the biggest lies she''s told yet. She had to get grieving kids off her a couple times back in Miracle, but she resorted to either calling someone else or pepper spraying them if she absolutely had to. She''s never directly laid a hand on a kid outside a quick shove.


    Cutter opened his mouth to question her, but some more people entered the basement. Cutter immediately leapt to slam them all to the ground. The first one ducked underneath his arms, cartwheeling into the crowd and leaping back onto her feet with a series of finger snaps. The second more muscular one actually managed to throw Cutter''s arm back and get behind him. The last one merely got slammed into the ground like Roxanne and Julian did, only for him to chuckle and slowly get back up.


    "Yo guys, I think your stairs are uneven. You might wanna look into that."


    "No Gam, you just got¡­" The muscular guy started.


    "We can let him figure it out." The girl said calmly. "Our introductions are more important."


    "Oh hey, it''s the clowns." Julian whispered.


    The girl pointed towards the couple dozen people sitting down. Her hair was blonde in the centre but the ends were magenta as they stopped at her shoulders, the same magenta was used for her face paint, which had a spade on her left eye and an upside down one on her right. She wore neck ruffles and fingerless gloves, only the white gloves looked more like a cartoon character''s. She wore a short magenta jacket, opened to reveal the cartoon frog on her purple shirt. The outfit ended with just ordinary jeans and skater shoes.


    "Salutations, asshats!" She said loudly. "Now, I hope you are all prepared for the festivities!"


    "We didn''t set up any?"


    The girl placed a gloved hand on Cutter''s mouth.


    "You invited us, that''s good enough! So, I would like to introduce the third ranked hero group, the Kerobons! To my left is my buddy Zee, and behind us is Gam. And I am your immaculate Capri!"


    She held for an applause that didn''t come, and Zee casually picked up Gam and sat them both down at a table. Both were dressed more like traditional clowns instead of the streetwear type outfit Capri was rocking. Gam was a scrawny looking weirdo wearing a neon blue jester''s outfit with the same cartoon frog on each sleeve, with neck ruffles and a neon blue top hat, with straight dark blue hair underneath that went down to his shoulders. Zee was an incredibly muscular guy with a green afro style haircut and green clown pants, with a plain white t-shirt. Gam had a blue heart painted on each eye while Zee had green diamonds.


    "I am begging you, keep your heads down until the next team arrives." Julian asked the other two.


    This didn''t take long until the next two players emerged. Cutter did his thing, only for one of the girls to deflect his attack and move past him, carrying the other past him on her shoulder to the sign ups.


    "Well well well, if it isn''t Miss Stone herself." Julian asked from behind her.


    The woman turned around with a contorted grin.


    "Well well well, if it isn''t Julian. How''s the dead bear going?"


    "Not bad." Julian grinned. "Still rocking the rocks?"


    Roxanne got a good look at the two women in front of Julian. A short woman with blonde hair and some attempt at a royal demeanour, dressed in a black gown that looked more suited for mourning then fighting crime. The woman behind her was a hulking muscular figure in a cyan dress that clearly needed to be replaced with how worn out it was. her black hair was sorted into a ponytail, and her nostrils were flaring from behind her partner. Both wore ordinary rocks on their necks as if they were fancy necklaces.


    "The rocks are great around here, I thought you''d know that in your infinite wisdom."


    "What can I say, I know about it about as much as you know about not losing thieves in alleyways."


    "At least I''m respected enough to stay in the hero business."


    "At number two."


    "Not if you wanna help me during the tournament."


    "Oh, you know I''m ready."


    The two had the backs of their hands hover by each other for a second, before clapping them together and quickly turning them and slapping their palms. The two girls were about to go to their tables, before noticing a woman in a pristine white dress sitting alone. The short one gave a knowing smirk to Julian, who smirked back, before they sat down.


    "Short ones Fiorella, big ones Gisella. Second ranked hero group, they''re a riot."


    Over time, more people arrived. A lot failed at Cutter''s impromptu exam and left holding their necks. The fifth ranked hero group didn''t seem to turn up, but a lot of intimidating looking fighters arrived. After the room started to fill and one table was left unoccupied, cutter moved to the book, tossing it in the air in front of him and violently punching it to the other end of the room. Julian just looked at Cassandra with a look of complete bewilderment.


    "Okay." Cutter started with his arms folded and a tilt of his head. "Two ninety six contestants have entered for today, with the last four already ''cided. Now, normally old Zach would explain how things work, specially this year. But he''s out on ''portant Lux things. Luckily, the man managed to make a video and upload it through that internet thing, so here''s that being shown to ya."


    A sheet came down where the sign up book was, and Zach''s face came from the projector.


    "This on? ''Kay, thanks honey. Welcome, all my current competitors! Now, the Fightston games have, since the beginning of the Skyspace, the games have been a show of strength between each Grand. But now we need that more than ever. We have made the heavy decision to temporarily suspend the other aspects of the game besides the tournament, to show the Legion that we are not backing down, not when the new generation is preparing to fight as we speak! But now, for the main prize. Second, third and fourth get cash prizes, as per usual. But for first place deemed most worthy of wielding it¡­the Gauntlet of Fightston! Well, hopefully I''ll be back soon to start everything. See you in a few days."


    The assistant turned off the projector, leaving just Cutter in front of a horde of shocked faces.


    "I hope you liked that. Anyway, there''s the prize. Zach''ll explain it when he gets back, I''m off to bed."

 Our New Ruler

    Luminita looked out from her window. She and anyone else with major involvement with the Lux was quickly put inside here for her own coronation. She was in the top floor with all the other rulers, instead of one floor below where the children of rulers stayed. The people her own age, like Willow and Javier. She wondered what they were even up to. Willow was probably worrying about her and panicking openly on her behalf. Javier was¡­probably the same, only more subtle about it. She gave herself one more look in the mirror. She looked paler than usual, she couldn''t bring herself to stop with everything that was happening. Her hair was brushed and cleaned, but not styled yet. She glanced over her dress one more time. Black in the bust area but pure white everywhere else, with pure dainty gloves squeezing her hands.


    She stepped out of her room into the glass area attached to each bedroom on the first floor. Glass floors and walls, with a white roof to prevent the sunlight making it too hot. The view of Sangaria was perfect. The castle stood as a tiny speck on the centre of the airship, with the grand surrounded by a wall stopping anyone from falling off it''s edge. The humble streets and shops, entirely out of view. She glanced at the two ships to each side. Gurut to the left, and ShiShi to the right. Sylvestro and Fen Hou would hopefully be good at guiding her on what being a ruler actually meant. Because she was hopelessly out of her depth here. Marcel already had his detractors, and all of them would be looking for her to change, but his supporters would be thinking about how someone as young as her could live up to his legacy. She was already pacing around the room, trying not to buckle at the pressure before she even stepped on that stupid stage.


    There was a knock on the door. She looked at the clock in her room, and the coronation was half an hour away. She opened it, and Zach was in front of her, holding a small box in his hands.


    "I interrupting anything?" He asked, glancing around the room.


    "You aren''t." She assured. "What''s in the box?"


    "Now, don''t hate me, but I got some of your staff to help me get something you might want."


    Zach handed her the cardboard box. Luminita removed the single layer of tape, and inside was a crimson cape with fur along the ends. She recognised it from somewhere, but she couldn''t tell where. Suddenly, all the pieces sprang together in her mind.


    "My¡­mother." She said quietly, trying not to let the tears burst out of her.


    "Figured she''d give it to you if she could." Zach nodded slowly to himself. "Look, if you have any issues, anything at all, just let me know, okay?"


    There was another knock at the door, followed by Mia casually letting herself in.


    "Zach." She announced flatly. "Mind explaining what you''re doing in here?"


    "Just dropping something in for the queen." He replied, smiling to himself as he finished the sentence. "I''ll let you get to what you''re here for."


    Zach closed the door behind him, and Mia locked eyes with Luminita. Mia''s green eyes weren''t stern as she was so accustomed to seeing them. They were more relaxed, sympathetic.


    "Your hair''s a mess." She said. "Sit down and I''ll take care of it."


    Luminita sat down in front of her mirror, and Luminita began styling her hair. She was styling with near surgical precision, quickly giving her hair a wavy quality near the end.


    "You''re really good at this."


    "Good to know I still have it." Mia nodded, quickly letting the illusion of a smile leave her lips before her mouth returned to it''s neutral expression.


    "You used to do this?"


    "Went to school for styling. Actually managed to work with a couple celebrities before I was called to lead the Lux."


    "Celebrities?"


    "Did you know I was the first stylist for Miles Parker on some soap advertisement?"


    "No way."


    "Indeed. But, my parents both succumb to illness at the same time, and suddenly I was called to rule."


    "Well, you seemed to handle it, at least."


    "Oh please, they''d all rather follow that brute than me."


    "Zach?"


    "That one, yes. I''m assuming he said you could confide in him."


    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    "He did, yes."


    "Well, the same applies for me."


    Mia let Luminita''s hair down, and she felt it for a few seconds. She almost instantly turned her hair into something more full of life. She had more confidence now. She almost felt ready to take the charge towards her country.


    "You''re on in ten minutes." Mia said softly as she passed through the door. "Good luck."


    Willow was putting a band-aid over a bloody pinky finger on her left hand, while Javier looked over at her in mild confusion.


    "Did you fall on something?" He asked, looking around for anything dangerous in the area.


    "Look, I was biting my nails and ripped a hangnail off. I''m fine." Willow said nervously, moving on to biting what was left of the nails on her right hand.


    "Hey, you guys."


    Javier and Willow looked up at who was beside them. A man taller then them with shaggy brown hair and a white polo shirt and jeans, wearing two leather gloves. Zach''s son, Arden. Four years older.


    "Been a while, how you guys doing?"


    "We''re doing alright." Javier replied, glancing at the wall in the hopes Arden would as well. He would, giving Willow the time to patch her finger up. "Just a little nervous."


    "Makes sense, considering it''s Luminita. Remember when I had to babysit the fo¡­bunch of you during meetings?"


    "Yeah, I do." Javier chuckled slightly.


    "You know, Willow? People think the scar on my hand is from some horrific incident with a criminal and not a nine year old''s hero game involving a comical amount of knives." He said, removing the glove on his left hand, showing the bright red scar going horizontally across it.


    "I said I was sorry." Willow sighed.


    "After you called me a weakling several times." Arden said. "No hard feelings, obviously. Actually, Nuria wants to know if you guys were okay with spending some time in Mar-Luminita''s castle for a while to help her adjust.


    "Yeah, I could do that." Javier nodded.


    "Well, I have plans to help your dad back in Fightston, but I''m down once that''s done."


    "Cool, cool." Arden nodded. "She doesn''t want to seem weak right now, but she could really use the support from close friends."


    "Close friends? I mean¡­I guess?" Javier said while looking at the floor.


    "What, did you guys have a fight or something?"


    "No, it''s just¡­we never really hang out anymore. Don''t even think I have her number. Not that I hate her, we just grew kind of distant."


    "Distant? What, since¡­"


    Javier put his hand over Arden''s mouth.


    "Look, things are already stressful enough, we do not need to be reminded of that."


    Arden took a step back and looked at Javier with a blank expression, then a quick nod.


    "Yeah, actually. Makes sense. Well, I''ll see you at the ceremony."


    Javier couldn''t help but let out an agitated sigh when Arden left. He never even thought about things like news coverage until now, but that was probably going to be everywhere after the ceremony. A decade ago, him alongside the three others were the ''future four pillars'' Javier, Willow, Luminita, and Levin, next in line for Lux itself. But Levin died. Suicide after a series of Legion attacks left him feel helpless under the pressure. Luckily, the news media left the three of them alone and never really went back to them. Whether out of respect for grieving pre-teens or parental pressure, he never found out. But the whole incident was bound to come up again. He knew Luminita wouldn''t like it, but having to hear about it would destroy Willow. She reacted the worst out of it, and he wouldn''t be suprised if he never fully recovered.


    "Uh, Javier?" Willow asked, shaking him out of his worries. "Ceremonies ready."


    The two of them entered the circular room, with three rows of circular wooden pews laying before a set of white marble steps leading to the platform Luminita was supposed to step out of. The first row was made up of the rulers, and the next two were the partners and children. Despite this, Javier and Willow took a free space next to Rory in the front row, who didn''t say anything. Freyja looked from the other end, but Rory leaned forward to cough a little until her gaze was back towards the platform.


    Mia stepped out of the two doors at the back. She didn''t make a sound as she approached the small podium.


    "Thank you all for coming." She announced as she approached the podium. "I know this is on very short notice due to the tragic events that Sangaria has experienced. But, she, Willow, and Javier were always considered the future three pillars, and I have nothing but good faith that she will lead Sangaria into newfound prosperity. And without further ado, the newest ruler in the Lux Congregation."


    There was an intense applause as Luminita stepped out. Luminita herself was trying her best to look confident and ready as she approached the podium.


    "Esteemed members of the Lux Congregation." She started. "I thank you for having me join your noble cause. My only hope is that I can be of service not only to you, but of all members of the Skyspace."


    The speech was short. She clearly wasn''t prepared, but nobody cared as the crowd leapt into applause. Willow was the most enthusiastic about it, screaming at the top of her lungs for her. Luminita did her best attempt to look proud on that stage until the others died down. She then bowed before them and retreated back.


    "Javier, go follow her." Nuria whispered.


    Javier gave a thumbs up and went into the door, with Willow following.


    Inside the white room, Luminita was shaking slightly as she filled a cup with orange juice and brought it to her lips.


    "Hey there, queen Luminita." Willow said quietly as she closed the door, bowing to her afterwards, which Javier copied.


    "You¡­you guys." Luminita looked towards them, her voice starting to waver. She ran up towards them, embracing them just a few seconds before she started crying behind them. The sobbing lasted a while, but it didn''t really matter to either of them. They began to embrace her back, and she eventually pried herself off her friends.


    "Hey, so my parents got the idea to help you run your place for the first few days. They say it''ll be a good idea to teach us all how to rule eventually. You down?" Javier asked.


    Luminita nodded silently, trying to bring herself to speak.


    "I''ll be there too, but Zach needs me in Fightston for a couple days. But hey, save a place for me!"


    The three of them walked out of the room together, talking about plans for the future. Once Willow passed her room, she waved them goodbye and ducked into it. Once inside, she checked underneath her bed for her suitcase and opened it. The spear was still inside, and nobody was called. And if anything was found out, she left a helpful note that the Legion had nothing to do with the weapon borrowing process. She took out her phone and called Zach.


    "Okay, when are we leaving?"

 Planning Stages

    Roxanne woke up without any bad dreams in the hotel room. It was early, still dark outside. But as hard as she tried, she couldn''t get back to sleep. She woke up alone, making her way to the hotel reception for breakfast. Everything there seemed to be made for building muscle or keeping energy, nothing that really focused on the taste aspect. She just got some yogurt with fruit, hoping that would carry her for a while. As she sat down in the corner of the room, a short girl with messy black hair that looked like it had never been styled approached her.


    "Is that good?" She asked nonchalantly. She looked at Roxanne with her dopey brown eyes, dressed in a black sweater with a necklace like hers, only with a white gem in the centre. Fairly common type. Other than that, black sweater and jeans. Really skinny, too.


    "It''s pretty good." Roxanne said back.


    "Cool, know what I''m getting." The girl nodded. Roxanne watched her order her yogurt, then sit with her table of two other friendly looking guys. The guys looked familiar.


    Then it hit her. They were the Lumps, the fourth ranked hero group. Or at least the two guys were. The girl she''d never seen. She knew all about the two guys. The blonde muscular one was Ryland. Leader, fighter, expert in grappling. The skinnier man with perfectly styled black hair was Rodrick Santiago. No nonsense master of every tool needed for every situation. Both of which could make excellent boyfriends, but finding love was on hold. Not finished, for whatever Kazumi or Julian were saying, just on hold. She just needed to know what it was she really wanted.


    "Hey, what''s up there?" The girl with the lumps asked, looking at the TV right next to Roxanne. It was playing the message she and the others saw yesterday to the public.


    "I''m sorry, are they just giving away the gauntlet?" Rodrick asked.


    "It''s like a heroism test, probably." Ryland replied quickly. "Seeing as Sandala gave their axe away to help fight the Legion, maybe Fightston wants to do the same thing."


    "I thought that some scouting ship stole the axe while Sandala was being invaded."


    "I mean, it worked out. And Zach probably wants to repeat the success, you know how he is."


    "Well, I think it''ll be cool." The girl with them nodded. "Besides, Ryland and I could probably clean out the whole legion with it." Rodrick just sighed at the end of the sentence.


    "Look, as long as the winner isn''t some legion spy or one of those Battlestorm assholes, I''m fine."


    "Gee, thanks."


    Caoimhe walked past them as she got her food, also yogurt. Makes sense, it''s high quality yogurt. She sat next to Roxanne afterward.


    "So, you ready for the first round?" She asked.


    "Totally." Roxanne lied.


    "That''s good." Caoimhe sighed. She knew it was a lie, but whatever. Not like she''d get hurt in some major way. She tried coming up with another conversation topic by glancing around the room. Yogurt? Nah, that''s dumb. What kind of moron bases their identity around yogurt? TV shows. They definitely don''t have a single show in common. The lumps?


    "So, ignoring your own, what''s your favourite hero group?"


    "I guess¡­the Stones? Julian seemed to like them."


    "The eternal underdogs, huh? Makes sense. What about the Kerobons?"


    "The clown ones?"


    "Okay, how much do you know about the hero groups?"


    Roxanne stopped for a second. "Basically nothing."


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    "Makes sense. Well, you got this far. Good luck during the weeding process, I guess."


    Just as Caoimhe was about to leave, Cutter walked in. He briefly looked around the room, and gave what seemed to be a sign of disbelief. He quickly handed out dark blue noise cancelers to everyone in the room. before flashing a devilish grin. He grabbed a megaphone, and immediately started shouting as loud as he could.


    "EVERYONE GET TO THE GROUNDS ON THE DOUBLE! THE ARENA OF DEATH! IF YOU DON''T KNOW WHERE IT IS, FIND OUT, CAUSE IF YOU AIN''T THERE IN TWO HOURS, YOU AIN''T IN THE TOURNAMENT!"


    Roxanne and Caoimhe both got texts on their phone.


    ''whats going on why is cutter yelling'' from Julian.


    ''Tell me why exactly tattoo man is screaming?" from Luca.


    ''We need to go to the Arena of Death? No clue where that is? Cassandra probably does.''


    ''Arena of death. Get dressed so we can follow Cutter.''


    "Gotta say, dint expect ya to be up ''fore the others." Cutter said to Roxanne as she gave the noise cancellers back.


    "Well, a hero''s always gotta be up early, right?"


    "You''d think." Caoimhe replied calmly.


    The others appeared soon afterward. Most of yesterday''s important names were up, if slightly grouchy looking. Cutter looked around, nodded to himself, and started whistling a merry tune to himself as he led the early birds to the arena of death.


    The Arena of Death was just an ordinary sports stadium. It was bright blue, with nothing to indicate the ''of Death'' part of Arena of Death. Not even a black banner draped over the entrance or something. As the competitors entered the reception of the Arena, Zach stood proudly in front of them.


    "These the guys, Cutter?"


    "Should be." Cutter replied.


    "Great job as always. Anyway! And to any newcomers, welcome to the games. Before I explain how this round is gonna work, I need to introduce one more contestant. Introducing the next in line to the Vannana throne, the ever lovely Willow!"


    Zach stylishly moved his hand towards the chair Willow was seductively lying upon, where she slowly got up, her countries lance in hand, towards the group.


    "Greetings, heroes and other miscellaneous oddities of wonder! I, miss Willow Vannana, have decided to enter the Fightston games, bringing with me the Relic weapon of Vannana."


    "Is that also a prize?" The girl with the lumps asked.


    "No. My mom is probably planning my murder, and I''d at least like my body to be somewhat identifiable."


    "Also should mention, but if you do use a weapon, it''s the blunt stuff only. Healers here aren''t miracle workers." Cutter interjected quickly, already ready to end Willow''s tirade of valour. "Zach, you wanna explain the first round?"


    "Certainly, Cutter!" Zach nodded, as peppy as ever. "Put simply, there are over three hundred people here. So, we''re putting you in one arena, and having you fight it out. If you get knocked out or put outside the safe zone, you''re out! The thirty-two remaining will progress to the next round!"


    "Alright, ya got twenty minutes to pick out your weapons and figure out group plans." Cutter interjected. "Now get to it."


    The players were shoved into the stadium''s field to discuss strategy. In the changing rooms was a selection of training weapons for anyone who needed them. Cassandra took both an axe and a shortsword, just in case.


    "You sure you wanna do this, Roxanne?" She asked, looking worried. "I mean, your legs still busted."


    "It''s not as busted." Roxanne added. "Besides, I need something to work on now that my journey for love is on hold."


    "Right." Roxanne gave an uneasy nod.


    "Okay, I have an idea." Julian added. "Zach is getting my bear for me, so why not have Roxanne ride it while we protect her, then carry her to the next round? Could buy some time to eliminate a problem for later."


    "And then I fight for real in round two?"


    "I''ll be honest Roxanne, you are getting eviscerated in the second round if this works."


    "Hey, I got an idea."


    The girl with the Lumps was smirking behind them.


    "If you want, I am a wielder. I can boost people''s reflexes. So we can work together on this."


    "What''s in it for you?" Julian asked, crouching down to her level.


    "Easy. You think about the main reason the gauntlet is up for grabs? It''s probably to lure anyone from the Legion over to steal it. So tell me anyone who looks sus and I''ll help you to the next round. We got a deal?"


    The three glanced at the girl, her facial expression still unchanging.


    "Name''s Siena, by the way."


    "Didn''t even think of the Legion part." Julian whispered as he turned the other two around. "I say we take it."


    "But what if she''s in the Legion?" Roxanne asked. "She''s with the Lumps, and I''ve never seen her with them before now."


    "Well, she''s a support, so even if she is with them, cornering and grabbing her shouldn''t be too hard." Cassandra added.


    "Yeah, we''ll take your offer." Julian said with a flourish back towards her, shaking her hand.


    "Right!" Cutter yelled in the rooms. "''rena time! Find a spot and stay there!"


    The four stood where Julian suggested, just shy of the middle for safety, but also away from where the action will be most intense at the start. The other Lumps joined up with them, not saying much. Cassandra boosted Roxanne onto the bear, just in time for Cutter to barge into the centre.


    "Okay, errone ready?" He asked. Without waiting for any answers, the next phrase emerged.


    "Round one, begin!"

 Do You Qualify?

    The fight was on. Cutter''s head seemed to instantly snap towards Roxanne''s group, and he leapt towards them. Siena threw her hands into the air just as his manic smile appeared before Cassandra. Suddenly, Cassandra knew the exact way she needed to dodge. In a flash, she went left, directing him away from the group. She was able to quickly unsheathe her sword to meet his fist, managing to block both his fists with ease. She took a step to the side, causing Cutter to briefly stumble, allowing Cassandra to get one attempt at a stab to his side. Cutter quickly leaned to the side, struggling to stay on his feet as he slowly regained his posture. Once he was perfectly okay he gave a smile and nod towards Cassandra, before grabbing an unsuspecting man and throwing him out of the arena.


    Julian directed his eyes towards where the Battlestorms were, and the Stones and Maximos were already circling them, waiting for the perfect time to pounce. Luca looked perfectly calm, not even having a weapon drawn, while Caoimhe and Gavin protected his back. Julian directed the bear towards Luca, which led to Roxanne clinging on for her life as the Bear ran forward in an attempt to slash him. Luca jumped forward, taking one sword out and stabbing the bear in it''s stomach. When that didn''t do anything to stop it, he quickly leapt away from the bear just before it slashed him, doing a backflip before landing elegantly on one foot. Hoping to remove it''s hand, Luca swung his sword in one swift motion only for the sword to clash against the metal embedded inside. Samuel took the chance, quickly dashing behind Luca and kicking him in the back. But before he could follow up, He felt the world around him get heavier. He took a step forward, but something that simple was taking a toll on his body. He stepped out of the field, and saw a brown skinned woman in a purple shirt grinning at him. Samuel went in for another kick, and his body was forced to the ground. Adebayo threw a punch towards the girl, who started weighing him down next. Samuel was freed, and he went in for a kick at the same time Gisella went in for a downward swing of her fists. One leg to her side, and a fist to her head. The girl was flung to the side, struggling to get up and barely dodging a summoned double blade to the head.


    "Sorry Luca, I''ll deal with this!" She yelled out, casting another circle on her attacker.


    Gisella went to attack Luca, who stopped her fist by placing the tip of his sword. Her other fist furiously approached him, and he quickly took out another sword to meet it. Adebayo came up from behind, ready to discharge energy. Caoimhe got between them, letting the back of her gauntlet fitted fists absorb the hit, replying with an uppercut to the jaw. Adebayo put his guard up, weaving through her next punch to reply with his own to her stomach, knocking her back slightly. She fell onto hardened air, springing back into action and grabbing Adebayo''s arm. Adebayo felt the pain sear through him as his left arm began to wither away. Caoimhe landed another kick to his stomach.


    "Do nothing, and your arm will be back shortly."


    Adebayo backed away, with Samuel in tow.


    Fiorella clashed her summoned axe against Gavin''s spear. He was swiftly moving towards her, seeming to block all her attacks with minimal effort. He even seemed to let a yawn out, infuriating her even more. She threw her axe back for one mighty swing, and Gavin casually put his spear to the side. He made a circle from his fingers and slowly blew into it. When she swung her axe, it hit off an invisible barrier. She tried running behind him, and he sharply turned around and started making another barrier, quickly getting behind her and making a third. Fiorella took an enraged step back, colliding with the barrier. It shattered on impact, feeling like several shards of glass cut into her body, evaporating as quickly as they came. Gavin was behind her once again, looking fully serious in the brief glance Fiorella had behind her back, shoving a final barrier into her back. Before she could slump over, Gisella ran over and cradled her in her arms, trying to kick Gavin, who dodged without showing any emotions.


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    "Okay." Cassandra whispered to herself. "Gavin''s probably the weakest of the three." She quickly climbed on top of the bear, and Gavin watched as she stood triumphantly over the arena, glaring at him. He looked confused for a brief second, a look of confusion which quickly turned to terror when Cassandra leapt down, axe in hand, slashing the floor he was just standing on. He gripped his lance tightly, and Julian''s bear casually sauntered up to him, picking him up and flinging him out of the arena. He dropped the lance and rolled to the floor, ready to pick it up again once he safely landed. He landed in front of a smirking shirtless guy, who Gavin kicked in the legs as he got back up. He ran for the spear as the man ran away from the arena, leaping over the bounderies of the arena, that eliminated you if you crossed it. But Gavin heard a clap, and before he knew it, they had switched places.


    "And the first member of the big five is out! Gavin from the battlestorms has been eliminated by an unknown player!"


    "But-but¡­he went over the line first!" Gavin said, his hands shaking.


    "Didn''t stay there, so he''s still in!"


    On the other side of the arena, Capri was casually knocking every fool out of her new playhouse. Men would approach her and she''d quickly change the size of her toy mallet and give it a trusty swing, hitting them hard over the head. Seeing as it was just a toy and she promised to be gentle with it, it was allowed. It''d disorient them for a while, so that''s when Zee would come up behind them and throw them out of the arena. Gam would be in the corner doing his own thing. People would hit him with their weapons and he''d just shrug it off, juggling in the corner like an idiot. Easy target. But if an attack would stop him in his tracks, he''d drop his juggling balls on them. His true ability was to store impacts, so his quick juggling stored enough energy to drop a fully grown man if he was quick enough to store the energy, which he usually was. And once they were knocked out, Zee would throw them out of the arena with no issues. While those two were busy, Capri decided she''d sneak off to where the main characters were fighting and show her own moves. But before that could happen, she got a swift punch to her side, sending her flying through the arena. She was able to regain her composure mid-air, stylishly landing on her feet to greet the one who landed the hit. A stern looking blonde girl in a pristine white dress, looking at her with her pristine hazel eyes, her left arm covered in a rose pink crystal.


    "Oh, heeeey." Capri started slowly. "Adriana?"


    "Arianna!" She yelled back.


    "That''s it." Capri said casually, swinging a guy out of the arena without breaking eye contact. Former leader of the Rose Quartz society, best hero group of her home airship before the Stones usurped her.


    "Did not know you were invited."


    "If you must know, I came alone to take down the other heroes. Do you want to help me with that?"


    "I mean, mayyybeee." Capri replied with eyes closed and hands behind her head, ducking as a woman tried sending a flying kick her way. "I dunno, you could at least buy me dinner first."


    "Whatever I can still afford, I can buy."


    "Screw it, sounds good." Capri shrugged, joining her in the grand cluster of petty heroes. She noticed Roxanne clinging to Julian''s bear, her grip slowly weakening over time. Capri jumped into the air, watching Roxanne clutch the bear''s skin in fear. She grew her mallet to cast a shadow over her, the bear, and Julian. Julian plunged a hand into the beast''s fur, causing it to force Roxanne to the ground. Capri shrunk her hammer to a reasonable whacking size and aimed it straight towards Roxanne''s head, only for Siena to appear behind her as the hammer was about to connect. Roxanne ducked under the hammer with agility she had no idea she had, scrambling away from the chaos until the man who got Gavin eliminated approached her, a friendly smile on his face. But just as Roxanne put her fists up to at least look intimidating, the urge to duck enveloped her, and Siena was flung full force at the man, knocking them both out of the arena instantly.


    "Now, thirty-five remain!" Was heard over the loudspeaker.


    This was it! Everyone thought. Three people left, so it''s best to get one of these people out now! Samuel and Adebayo jumped back into the game, with Adebayo taking on Gisella immediately, with Arianna taking on Fiorella with nothing with bare fists and unbridled rage, with Fiorella smirking all the while.


    Deciding enough was enough, lump two threw a canister on the ground, creating a plume of smoke around all the heroes remaining. And in the ensuing chaos, the final words rang out.


    "And round one is over!"

 The Tournaments Grand Prize

    It was finally over. The thirty two most qualified contestants were chosen, and Roxanne was somehow amongst them. She fell to the floor as Siena''s boosts wore off, and the fighting broke off amongst the hero groups. All of them began dusting themselves off, exchanging glances with each other as they went back to their separate groups.


    "Well, that was an interesting event." The announcer shouted out. "Everyone thought to aim for a hero or two, but they''d all rather fight each other and take out anyone who tried to intervene! But Capri and the Kerobons were clearing out the competition, with Zee racking up twelve eliminations!"


    Zee merely replied by pounding this chest and yelling incoherently into the sky, like he was challenging the gods themselves to trial by fire.


    "When Willow arrives tomorrow, the first round matches will be announced! So be sure to check the brackets to keep up with who you''re fighting!"


    The crowds emptied as the losers shuffled out of sight, leaving only thirty one people left in the arena. Roxanne, Julian, and Cassandra all made it, as did Luca and Caoimhe. The Stones, Maximos, and Kerobons all qualified, and so did Ryland and Rodrick, and Arianna. The Gurut girl who was helping Luca made it, alongside some other miscellaneous fighters. Cutter clapped his massive veiny hands together as his voice started booming.


    "Right, erryone get back to the hotel!"


    Roxanne got another small snack and collapsed on her bed. She hadn''t even done anything, and yet she felt exhausted already. Her phone buzzed, and on the other end was Willow.


    ''heyyyyy''


    ''how was the tourny? whos in?''


    ''broadcast didnt air yet and zach wont tell meeeee :(''


    ''Well, I made it. And most of the heroes who showed up.'' Roxanne replied. ''One of the Battlestorms didn''t make it in, but it''s otherwise a pretty stacked line up.''


    ''dam thats gon b hard to beat. dont disapoint me if we end up fightin, k?''


    ''I''ll try my best.''


    So now what? It was time to sleep, probably. Tournament was tomorrow, and she had to prepare. She stood up, checked her leg still worked. It seemed fine. Kicking with it was probably more effective than her other leg in terms of both damage and balance, which seemed good. And with her training for the day complete, she went to bed, hyping herself in her dreams for the big day.


    Roxanne''s eyes opened after a nice night of sleep, and another person''s exhale was heard across from her. She took her phone to quickly call for danger. She looked at who was standing over her, and it was¡­Willow, sleeping on a chair in her corner of the room with the Vannana spear leaning by it. Roxanne crept out of bed and checked the door to her room. Locked. She looked towards the window, and sure enough, it was open. Did she forget to lock it? No, she never opened it in the first place. She opened the window, and sure enough, it was broken into.


    "Hm, yeah, I''m up."


    Willow shot awake, clutching her spear, looking up at Roxanne''s confused face, and loosened her grip.


    "Roxanne, what''s up?" She said with a casual smile.


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    "Why are you in my room?" Roxanne asked, already exasperated.


    "Well, the plan was to try sneak into the hotel and make my way to my room from the inside as a form of training. So I circle around the place for an entry point, and see your window looks slightly different, so I jumped up and sure enough, I could pry it open."


    "This is the third floor."


    "I''ve climbed the castle back home a bunch, it wasn''t stressful or anything, don''t worry. Anyway, I try to see if I could sneak past whoever was sleeping into my own room, but once I find it was your room, I just figured you''d be cool with me sleeping here."


    A normal person would probably question if they were dreaming right now. But Roxanne didn''t have normal dreams, so everything in front of her was real. She looked at Willow with several responses running through her head, but she decided that just getting breakfast was the best course of action.


    In the hotel lobby, Samuel, Fiorella, and Rodrick were already there, looking at the board placed for their convenience.


    In what could only be described as a strange choice for an opener, Roxanne was the first up. Against some girl named Louise Gordon.


    "Hey, Samuel? Any idea who Louise Gordon is?"


    "Nope." He replied quickly


    "No clue." Adebayo added.


    "It''s a shame I don''t know." Fiorella said with a flick of her wrist.


    Willow was at the end of the bracket, up against some guy named Tre Waves. Nobody knew him either. In fact, most of the heroes were set up against random nobodies who made it through the chaos.


    "I feel bad for the people going against us." Fiorella said. "I mean, it''s pretty heavily rigged in our favour."


    "Whoever did the seeding did a pretty bad job at it." Rodrick agreed. "Then again, I''d recommend staying on your toes. They know everything about us, and we know nothing about them."


    Roxanne scanned the board to see who she''d be going up against in round two. Also two people nobody around her knew. Cassandra and Julian were going up against yet more randoms, as was basically every hero.


    "So guys, what''s up."


    The Gurut girl who was with the Battlestorms pushed her way past Roxanne to see who she was up against. She looked towards Roxanne.


    "Hey, you''re Willow''s friend, right?"


    "Uh, yeah?"


    "Tell her I said good luck." She smiled.


    She retreated without giving any more information. Rodrick was discreetly looking at her as she casually went to fix herself up some breakfast.


    "Okay, I''ve had a theory about these Fightston games since I''ve gotten my invite, and I''d like to share it with everyone here. Just be sure to keep it within our circle." Rodrick whispered, closing in between Fiorella and Samuel


    "Go on." Fiorella answered slowly.


    "My guess as to why we''re all fighting random people is to have an excuse to get rid of them. This time around, Zach is trying to flush out any possible legion members."


    "Wait, you think the Legion have shown up here?" Samuel asked, pointing at him while squinting his eyes.


    "Think about it." Rodrick answered. "There wasn''t any screening process for people coming in. On top of that, I was pretty easily able to sneak around the hotel and find documents for what the grand prize of this whole thing was."


    "And what would that be?" Adebayo asked.


    "A loan of the Fightston gauntlet."


    Samuel stepped back when he heard that information. Fiorella tried her best not to let shock show on her face, but she was doing a bad job at it.


    "The door also looked broken into. So there are definitely Legion people around. So be on the lookout."


    A couple people started walking into the room. The other heroes and players.


    "Slowly disperse." Rodrick said calmly. "Don''t draw attention to yourself. Report all Legion activity to me."


    Fiorella left first. Samuel counted seven seconds and left next. Roxanne stepped away from Rodrick afterwards.


    The thirty-two main contestants were in the building. Zach entered the building, holding a box in his hands. Upbeat rock music was blaring from his jeans pockets as he sauntered in wearing a casual blue shirt and his best sunglasses.


    "How''s it going, everyone!" He bellowed, setting his box on the table. "I hope everyone''s at their best for the Fightston Games!


    A few miscellaneous hollers were made throughout the room. Zach stared ahead at everyone in front of him.


    "Sorry I couldn''t make it to the first round, so I''d like to congratulate you on making it this far now. And discuss how everything is gonna work going forward. First off, we''re getting rules out the way. For this tournament, anything except killing or dismembering your opponent is legal. And poor sportsmanship such as toying with someone who can no longer fight back will get you penalized. Next up, prizes. The semi-finalists will get two hundred thousand Luxa. Second place gets five hundred thousand. And for the winner¡­"


    Zach opened the box. Within it was the Fightston gauntlet. It looked more plain compared to the ornate designs of the other weapons. A simple metal glove which was silver all around, with the palm area being bronze. Zach put it on his left hand, and almost instantly, a perfect replica appeared on his right. He took the real one off, and the other turned to smoke and faded in the atmosphere.


    "Now, we rulers can''t be everywhere at once, and the Legion is only gonna get more intense. And seeing as the best defence has been Cassandra with the thunder axe, we''d be more than happy to lend the gauntlet to the most worthy person here. And with that, it''s time to begin the tournament! There''s gonna be a room at the stadium for everyone, so make haste!"

 Round 1, Fights 1-2

    Roxanne was the first fight of the day. She took some snacks out of the break room before she left, taking bites out of the overly salty beef jerky as she walked into the arena. She did some shadow boxing through the halls as she walked, punching a wall by accident. Hurt a bit, but she was pretty sure a professional would also be hurt if a wall took them off guard like that.


    "Alright folks, it''s the first fight of the day!" The announcer boomed, standing in a podium above everyone sitting on all sides in the massive stadium. She stepped foot into the clay arena, kicking the ground to test how sturdy it is. Pretty darn sturdy by her standards, so good job to the architects there.


    "The first person, one third of the Miracle Scouts. A woman who stared danger, the Legion, and a broken leg down to stand before you and present herself as a top fighter!"


    The enthusiastic host was drowned out by the cheers of the audience. Roxanne just hoped she wouldn''t disappoint them too hard. The announcer continued once the cheering died down.


    "The next player is one mysterious player. Coming from Vannana, this player surprised all of us by getting to this round with neither an elimination nor any visible assistants. But will she be able to run from this? Give a warm welcome to miss Louise Gordon!"


    The small blonde girl stepped into the arena, wearing a blue t-shirt and black tracksuit bottoms. It just looked like they took someone off the streets and put them in the tournament as a joke. There wasn''t as much cheering as with Roxanne, but it was still there. Her face appeared on the screen behind the door she walked out of, and she looked outright terrified to be there.


    "Here''s to a fair fight, everyone! Now, begin!"


    With the announcers permission, Louise started running towards Roxanne. Roxanne began walking over to her, hoping to not strain her leg so early. When they approached, Louise tried kicking her like some kind of martial arts movie. Roxanne dodged out of the way without much issue, leaving her opponent as a heap on the ground. Roxanne placed her working foot on her head, pushing it down and leaving her on the ground. Louise rolled out from under her, getting herself off the ground and chopping Roxanne in the side before she got up. Roxanne stumbled for a little, before regaining her balance and managing to land a punch to Louise''s stomach. She recoiled for a second, allowing Roxanne to follow up and kick her with her working leg. Roxanne knelt down, grabbed her leg, and tripped her. Louise fell to the ground, and Roxanne used her bad leg to stand on her chest, hoping the weight on the prosthetic would keep her from getting up.


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    "I¡­I¡­"


    Louise started spluttering.


    "Go on." Roxanne said, trying to look intimidating, furrowing her brow. "Continue."


    "I give up." Louise coughed.


    Roxanne eased her foot, and Louise got up and slowly hobbled her way back.


    Somehow, she won the first round.


    Roxanne stepped back into the halls, where Cassandra, Julian and Rodrick were waiting. Julian wore a calm look of approval, while Cassandra was standing still in a fit of awfully contained excitement. When Roxanne stepped forward towards the group, Cassandra leapt towards her for a hug, which ended up as more of a headlock as Roxanne tried to loosen her grip.


    "Oh my god, you killed it!" She yelled out, accidentally tightening her grip on Roxanne further, leaving Julian to intervene.


    "Anyway." Julian started. "I honestly don''t know how you did it, but good job. So who''s up next?"


    "Nobody we know, anyway." Rodrick replied. "Carola Armati from Bestiamea against Cheng Tse from ShiShi."


    "What do we know?" Julian asked.


    "Carola''s a kickboxer. Doesn''t seem to be a wielder, but does seem to have exceptional reflexes, being able to take out six other combatants during the first stage by knocking them out of the arena. Cheng on the other hand, is responsible for eight direct knockouts. But people just started falling after coming into contact with him. People just started ignoring him after a while."


    "So what, he''s a wielder who kills you if you try touch him?" Julian asked.


    "We don''t know yet, but that''s my current theory."


    "I see." Julian nodded slowly. "Roxanne, I think you''ll need to be the test subject here."


    "The what?" Roxanne asked.


    "If this guy has a method of knocking people out, then we''ll need you to take the fall and report back to us." Rodrick nodded.


    "Hey, she has a chance to win this!" Cassandra yelled out, pointing between Rodrick''s eyes.


    "All the better if she does." He said. "But I''m trying to be realistic about this. Now then, should be time for him to enter the ring."


    Rodrick adjusted his hat and sat in the hotel lounge, where Cheng was just about to enter the arena. She sat next to him to observe the suspicious man, and his appearance wasn''t doing any favours. The man wore tiny circular glasses with streaks of unkempt greasy black hair covering his body and most of his face. His outfit was a black linen longcoat with the sleeves torn off, replaced by dirty looking bandages. Carola entered next, a tanned young lady wearing a blue tank top and worn out white shorts, waving to the crowd. When the beginning of the round was announced, Carola ran up to Cheng while he didn''t move at all. She leapt up and landed a solid kick to his face, causing him to stumble back. He flicked his wrist towards her, and she responded with another kick. Her neck snapped upwards. She stood in shock for a few seconds, only for Cheng to grab her by the face and slam her to the ground. He applied his worn out leather boot to her head and began applying pressure. When he removed it, she wasn''t moving.


    "And Cheng wins." The announcer said, his voice wavering at what he just witnessed. "He will be fighting Roxanne in round two. Next up, Cassandra Torres against Ben Goldwasser."

 Round 2: Start

    Cassandra and Julian got through their fights with ease. All the heroes involved did. With ease, The Maximos, The Stones, the remaining Battlestorms and Lumps all got through their fights without any issues. Arianna ruthlessly battered her opponent and almost got disqualified, but was accepted into the second round against Fiorella. Gisella, on the other hand, was eliminated by Zee, and Rodrick easily dispatched Gam.


    The sixteen remaining players sat in the hotel basement where they signed up, with Gam, Siena, Gavin and Gisella allowed in too. Roxanne expected cameras or interviewers or something, but the room was empty aside from them. On the wooden table was some food and light refreshments. Some alcohol, too. Didn''t look cheap, either. Gold flakes on the bottle with a font so cursive Roxanne couldn''t even read the logo. But that was complemented by cans of cheap booze one could get basically anywhere, including that brand that caused her and Willow to make out.


    "So did Zach set this up?" Capri asked, leaning back with her legs on the coffee table.


    "He funded it, but it was my idea." Rodrick replied calmly. "Think of it as a small show of goodwill."


    "Goodwill?" Siena replied while pointing her fingers to the ceiling for some reason, in a way that very much wasn''t scripted.


    "For the games, and the Skyspace as a whole." Rodrick nodded as he poured himself a drink. "After all, we all share the goal of protecting it."


    Everyone involved decided to take some snacks. Some chose to avoid alcohol entirely, but not Cassandra. Samuel challenged her to see who could hold their drinks best, which Ryland and Caoimhe joined in on. Samuel was out after three drinks, so Adebayo just sat him in the corner against Julian''s bear. Caoimhe was out next after several more drinks, and Ryland was just enjoying himself even though he was incredibly drunk. He was just happily babbling to himself as he slumped onto the table. Everyone else was engaged in casual conversation, with the exception of Rodrick. Brooding alone in a corner sipping some kind of juice. So, with her own juice in hand, Roxanne shuffled into his vicinity.


    "You not talking?" She asked.


    Rodrick brought his cup to his lips and started whispering into the cup.


    "I''m just observing." Rodrick replied.


    Roxanne observed with him. Cassandra was casually drinking surrounded by empty cans, several of which were crushed. Julian and Fiorella were making snide comments at whatever Luca was talking about. The Kerobons were showing Adebayo and Siena magic tricks involving cards and getting them stuck in the ceiling. It didn''t look like there was a part after that. Luca was telling some story to his new friend while Gavin stood next to him with a bored expression on his face. All the while, Willow was talking to Cheng and Adrianna. Willow was nodding along to what Cheng was saying, looking okay as she did so, while Adrianna was drooping pretty hard.


    "Sorry if this sounds invasive, but what do you know about Willow''s alcohol tolerance?"


    "It''s¡­not the best." Roxanne replied slowly, as the memories of that night crept back into her conscious.


    "I see." Rodrick nodded while rubbing his chin with his free hand. "Sorry, but do you mind going to them and seeing what''s happening?"


    Roxanne did as he asked, going over to the three of them. Willow was taking casual sips of what she was drinking, while Adrianna placed an assuring hand on her shoulder with a pained expression in her eyes before going next to Ryland on the couch, lying on it with her hand draped over head like some kind of classical painting. Roxanne decided to just avert her eyes over towards Cheng. He didn''t try to look better, and he was still in the same dishevelled outfit from his first fight. But his smile widened when Roxanne stepped into his personal frame. And in contrast to the rest of his appearance, his smile seemed great. Genuine with all his perfectly white teeth perfectly maintained.


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    "Ah, miss Roxanne!" He announced, putting his cup down to put both of his hands in her free hand to shake it. "I''m so sorry I couldn''t meet you sooner!"


    "Oh, it''s no problem." Roxanne replied as she tried prying her hand away from the forceful shake. For a guy with skinnier arms than her, his grip was shockingly strong. "Not like I tried meeting you either."


    "Oh, yeah you didn''t." Cheng nodded slowly while removing his grip. "So, anyway. What were you and Rodrick talking about?"


    Straight to that, huh?


    "Basically nothing." Roxanne said calmly, taking a swig of the last of her alcohol.


    "Well, you see." Willow added with a confident hand on her shoulder. "Roxanne happens to be a single lady looking for love. You get me?"


    "Very well. Maybe the two of us could look out for each other when it comes to love. I''ve heard great things about men and women of Fightston!" Cheng said. His smile was widening.


    "Well, maybe?" Roxanne asked, trying to find more at the bottom of her cup.


    "I''m just asking if we could go¡­babe hunting together. Because I get the feeling you don''t find me especially compatible."


    "I can''t say I do." Roxanne nodded, exhanging nervous glances with Arianna and Willow.


    "Same with you, Willow of Vannana. I don''t see us working out long term."


    "Yeah, I can think of a few reasons we wouldn''t." Willow nodded solemnly.


    Roxanne tried focusing on Cheng''s smiling face, but her focus was blurring ever so slightly. She shook herself awake, but he was still out of focus.


    "Hey, Willow? I think I''ll go to bed early." Roxanne sighed, trying her best not to look intoxicated, leaving her cup on the nearest table. Willow nodded as she left the room.


    "Hey, need a refill?" She asked Cheng.


    "Oh, yes, actually." Cheng nodded with so much enthusiasm Willow was almost convinced his head was gonna snap off. He handed her his cup, and she went over to pour the drinks, where Rodrick was still standing in the shadows.


    "So, what kind of booze you got us?" Willow asked as she poured herself a drink.


    "The standard." Rodrick replied casually. "Got it all from a few stores here."


    "And nothing was tampered with?"


    "Not a thing."


    "Interesting." Willow said with two cups in hand.


    Roxanne woke up with a pounding headache. She felt like she had been asleep for a thousand years, the inside of her mouth felt like no liquid had ever entered it, and the early morning sun was burning her skin. First day of round two, and she had her first hangover to demonstrate to the audience. Great.


    She ate a bowl of granola and waited around her until everything felt slightly more bearable. Just as she was beginning to feel like herself, she was called to enter the main arena.


    "And welcome, everybody, to the first round of the day!" The announcer yelled out, as enthusiastic as yesterday. "Coming in now, the girl who surprised us all by making it two round two. I''d tell her to break a leg, but she''s got that covered! Everybody welcome Roxanne Nolastname!"


    Roxanne stepped out, waving to the fans she apparently gained. She just hoped she didn''t disappoint them too hard.


    "And next up, Cheng Tse! A man with no background and no weapons! But truly, mystery never had such a smile!"


    Cheng stepped in, standing perfectly still.


    "And¡­begin!"


    Roxanne started running again. Her bad leg was hurting, but she knew she wasn''t winning this. All she had to do was figure out just what this Cheng guy was capable of.


    Cheng was walking towards her casually, arms outstretched like he wanted a hug. Roxanne landed a solid punch to his face. He recoiled, took a step back to collect himself, and for a brief second, his smile faded.


    But just as quick as the smile left, it was back, directed fully towards Roxanne. He stretched his left hand outwards, and against her better judgement, Roxanne kicked it with the metal leg.


    Quick as a flash, Cheng took a knife out of the front pocket of his jacket. It was Roxanne''s turn to step back, but he turned the knife towards himself, plunging it into his bandaged left arm.


    The entire arena fell silent as Cheng covered his arm before the bleeding started. Roxanne looked at him, his smile still there, before her arm started to twitch.


    Just as quick, she felt a stabbing pain in her own left arm. She felt the knife go through it, and the sensation of bleeding. She looked at her hand through the disorienting haze that emerged in her eyes, and it was fine.


    Cheng plunged the knife into his leg, and Roxanne felt it from inside her broken leg. She fell to her knee as the pain worsened. The sensation of the fake bleeding against her prosthetic. She vomited on the ground as tears filled her eyes.


    "I¡­I give up¡­." She meekly squeaked out.


    "Care to repeat that?" Cheng asked casually, leaning in.


    "I said I give up!" Roxanne screamed out in a fever. She felt her body getting hotter, and more vomit building up inside her. When suddenly, the pain caught up with her, and she fell unconsious in the arena.

 Round 2: Part 2

    The remaining players in the second round watched as Roxanne fell defeated. Cassandra clutched Julian''s arm with enough intensity to leave a bruise if she kept the pressure up.


    "What was that?" Ryland asked, clutching his stomach.


    "That has to be illegal, right?" Samuel asked, looking around for anyone to agree with his statement.


    "Why would it be?" Luca asked, looking the most relaxed out of anyone there. "She knew what she was getting into."


    "I know¡­but like¡­Roxanne''s not a fighter!"


    "Yet she survived two rounds of the fighting tournament." Fiorella added. "Frankly, I think you''re underestimating her."


    "Besides, we all knew she wasn''t winning." Julian shrugged. "If I know her, she went in expecting to lose, but learn just what Cheng is capable of."


    "And?" Caoimhe asked.


    "Well, I bet it''s-"


    "Julian Torres and Zee Shijima, please enter the arena." One of Zach''s staffers announced through the door.


    "-something I''ll confirm when Roxanne wakes up."


    "Next up, the greasy lord of death, truly committed to looking the bit. Or lazy, but we don''t judge!"


    Julian stepped into the arena with the bear hobbling behind him, holding a jar of bugs in his hands, still crawling around. There were a few cheers in the arena, but not a lot. Whatever, Cassandra was probably splitting eardrums in the back, and the thought of that was enough.


    "And the man voted most attractive in the tournament, the clown of calamity, Zee!"


    The crowd exploded with excitement when Zee stepped in, roaring to the heavens when he entered the arena. Next, he started flexing his muscles to the crowd, letting a smile slip as he did so. Not bad, Julian thought.


    "Begin!"


    Julian shoved his hand into the jar of bugs, crushing several into his hands and shoving the remains onto the bear, slathering them into it''s greasy fur. Zee delivered a flying kick to the bear just as it was about to wake up, sending it lifelessly tumbling through the arena. Julian could only put the lid back on the jar and cling to it as Zee picked him up and flung him into the air. The crowd cheered as Julian shut his eyes to brace for impact, only for it to suddenly stop. Julian fell to the floor, forcing his eye open. The jar was fine outside of a small crack nothing could escape from. He stood up to watch Zee get himself up, pointing to the audience before beginning to run to Julian, before the bear appeared to grapple him. Julian tucked the jar under his hoodie, climbing to the top of the bear. Julian quickly took a handful of beetles out of his jar, throwing them onto Zee. Zee tried his best not to look disgusted, but he recoiled just a little bit. Julian jumped off the back immediately, taking the opportunity to slather the bear''s right arm in more dead bug juice, issuing one more command to strike Zee in the stomach. Zee''s stomach seemed to coil around the bears claw for a brief second, just before he was flung near the edge of the arena. With no time to spare, Julian threw one more handful of beetles at Zee, grabbing his head when he was distracted, putting every ounce of strength ever contained in his scrawny arms, and slamming it against the edges of the arena.


    "And Zee was the first out of bounds!" The announcer yelled out in shock. "Julian moves on to round three!"


    Julian looked towards the crowd waiting for the admiration to pour in, and he had less cheers then when he entered. Whatever. If he wanted admiration of the masses he''d stuck with Luca''s band of jackassery.


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    Julian came back into the waiting room with all eyes on him. Capri and the Battlestorms looked unimpressed, and Samuel looked straight up disgusted. But Fiorella was nodding in approval while Cassandra was beaming, jumping up to kiss him almost as soon as he walked in, which he returned with his own shower of kisses, glancing up to see what Luca thought. He couldn''t see Luca through the beautifully tangled mess that was Cassandra''s hair, but he knew he was pissed.


    The next fight of Samuel vs Luca was called, and both left without saying a word.


    "First up, the Maximo''s high energy dynamo and martial arts master, please welcome mister Samuel Abara!"


    Samuel stepped out to many of his cheering fans, looking out for any particularly attractive women in the crowd. There was one screaming her lungs out, which only got louder when he looked in her direction. But she started looking to the left.


    "And the man no needs no introduction, because he asked it to be that way, mister Luca Biere of the Battlestorms!"


    Luca stepped onto the stage, blowing kisses seemingly at random to the audience before drawing his swords. No worry. Time to take this loser down a notch.


    "Begin!"


    One good hit. One good hit to this jackass''s arms, and he''d be forced to use his legs. And Samuel had the strongest kicks around. So he began running, stylishly ducking under the first horizontal swing Luca prepared, kicking the sword out of his left hand. He then got out of range by jumping back, doing a backflip with a natural perfect landing. No time to see which girls were impressed by that, time for the next move. Samuel jumped back, kicking the sword out of the arena, causing Luca to flinch for a brief second. Only for him to smile, point his Rapier in Samuel''s direction, and put his left hand behind his back. Samuel tried once again to kick the sword out of his hand, but Luca effortlessly swatted his leg away, taking a step to approach him, continuing his precise series of flourishes. He kept stepping forward until Samuel, so focused on defeating his opponent, stepped out of bounds.


    "Seems I win again." Was all Luca said, calmly leaving the arena and leaving Samuel to stew in his own rage and mistakes.


    "And round four! The lumps golden leader and the Fightston golden boy against the mystery orange haired lady without a home! Ryland Jones against Cassandra Torres!


    Cassandra had a mild training axe that probably wouldn''t deal any major damage, along with a small training sword, and Ryland was using good old Fightston fists.


    "And¡­begin!"


    Cassandra started swinging her axe, which Ryland managed to jump over, closing the distance with a smile followed by a punch to the face. It barely seemed to hurt, however, so Cassandra kept swinging the axe with all she could muster. But Ryland kept weaving through it, punching different parts of her body. The impact felt smaller and smaller each time, until she learned to ignore the hits entirely and land her own. She got a good swing in, flinging him away to near the edge of the arena. But Ryland got up with a smile on his face, and casually snapped his left hand. Cassandra felt something move inside her body. Several points converging on her chest like worms colliding. Whatever, it didn''t hurt that much. Cassandra began to run up to Ryland, who snapped his right hand.


    The points in her chest exploded at the same time. It felt visceral, she had to stop for a second to make sure there wasn''t a hole inside her. There wasn''t, just one explosion of pain that her body was already recovering. Ryland let loose a kick to her stomach, causing her to flip through the air and do her best to cling onto the axe as she landed. She managed to keep it, losing no time to run over to Ryland, who leapt up and kicked the axe out of her hands, letting it clang onto the floor. Ryland quickly picked it up and flung it out of the arena, before letting forward an onslaught of punches.


    No time to get her sword out, time for hand to hand. Cassandra blocked most of Ryland''s hits, with him landing another good kick to her stomach, leaving him to snap both his left and right hands in quick succession, causing all the hits to build up in her right arm. She felt an explosion in her arm, leaving it limp for a quick bit. Cassandra ran away, trying to shake her arm back to life in an attempt to speed up the regeneration. Ryland went in for a punch on Cassandra''s right arm, only to back away and land a kick to her left instead. Cassandra managed to stop herself being knocked out of bounds, quickly getting her sword out of her jacket, her arm felt healed. Time to get even.


    She leapt into action at once, hitting Ryland with a flurry of hits from her sword. Ryland tried blocking them, but she was matching the speed. Ryland knew what was happening. She was trying the same tactic Luca did to Samuel. he barely ducked out of the way of her next swing, attempting to deliver an uppercut to her, which Cassandra stepped to the left to dodge. Just what he needed. He leapt over her, causing a panicked Cassandra to swing her sword upwards, slashing his leg.


    Ryland fell to a heap on the ground. Blood was leaving his right leg and staining his jeans. Wanting to end this fight as quick as she could, she pointed her sword at his face while standing above him, hoping he''d get the message to give up. Ryland inched his face away from the sword, trying to rise back up, but Cassandra offered him one quick headbutt in return, causing him to faceplant to the ground unmoving.


    "And Cassandra wins!"


    The crowd began cheering as medical staff escorted Ryland away. It was a training sword, but carelessness around weapons is always an issue.


    But Ryland gave a smile as he was carried off, mustering the last of the strength to wave to the crowd.


    "Next up, Fiorella and Arianna!"

 Round 2: Part 3

    Fiorella stepped onto the stage, her hands clasped together like a praying old woman. When she was at her position, she checked her gloves and dress for anything that looked out of place.


    "Next up, two fine ladies from Bestiamea! The first, the executioner queen who usurped the order of the Heroes to become number two overnight, welcome miss Fiorella¡­Rella."


    "Last names aren''t much of a necessity right now, are they?" Fiorella asked as she looked to the audience.


    "And her opponent, the former leader of the Glass Hearts, who ended up getting usurped! Daughter of an old legend, miss Adrianna Potenza."


    The heat from Fiorella''s smirk was radiating, even from the other side of the arena. Adrianna covered her arms in pink crystal, and Fiorella responded by summoning her axe, slamming it on the ground.


    "Begin!"


    Adrianna ran towards Fiorella as she thrust her axe upwards, only to quickly shift it beside to her left, forcing Adrianna to block with both hands. Fiorella let her axe fade away, landing a side hook to Adrianna''s face. Adrianne returned with her own punch, but Fiorella threw her stone necklace above her face to soften the impact. Now, a face full of rock hurt, but not as much as a trained fist made of rose quartz. Both jumped back, anticipating the other doing following up with something major. Fiorella quickly summoned her axe, swiping left towards Adrianna, who quickly jumped over it. Fiorella jumped out of the way of the kick she was planning, barely dodging the punch she quickly threw out when she landed.


    This was it. Adrianna all calm and collected? Probably one of the best fighters in the Skyspace. Accuracy was second to none. Her team was the previous number two for a reason. But annoy her, and everything from her demeanour to her accuracy slowly fades. And her face was already enough to piss her off.


    Fiorella faked a shocked face, and Adrianna landed a quartz covered punch square into it. Fiorella tumbled down, quickly springing back to life as she hit the ground. Axe back in hand, she swiped forward with it, dematerialising it halfway through the swipe, causing Adrianna to react to a massive load of nothing, a space which was swiftly filled in by Fiorella''s leg kicking her in the stomach. Adrianna keeled over for a brief second, before regaining her footing and focusing right on Fiorella. Fiorella effortlessly dodged another punch from her, having to display a little effort towards the kick being prepared for her. So less blind rage, more rage with severe cataracts. Fiorella got in close, grabbed her extended arm and leg, and flipped Adrianna on her back, summoning her axe over her neck.


    "Now, the weapons from the tournament are training weapons not made to kill. Astral weapons, meanwhile, have no such connivences."


    "I¡­yield." Adrianna mumbled through gritted teeth.


    "Sorry? I think the one hit you got in startled by ears a little."


    "I yield!" Adrianna screamed.


    Fiorella let her axe fade, bowed to the cheering crowd, and went on her way back, only now noticing the small droplets of blood gushing from her nose. Nothing broken, nothing to worry about.


    "So, what do you think of her." Rodrick asked from the stands. "Traitor?"


    "Nope, just a bitch." Fiorella replied. "Best of luck."


    "And Fightston''s very own! A man with little past, but who makes up for it with every gadget you could think of! From the Lumps, Rodrick!"


    Rodrick waved to the cheering crowds. The noise was already annoying him, let''s just end this quickly.


    "And next up, the elite clown of Sandala, introducing miss Capri!"


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    Rodrick tried not to sigh as Capri cartwheeled into the arena, stading upright to uproars of cheer as she took her toy hammer out, making it large enough to fit in her hands.


    "Begin!"


    In a flash, Rodrick took a grappling hook out of his pocket, firing it at the space next to Capri. It was able to hook into the ground just shy of her, who sprang away from whatever plot was being cooked up. She found herself surrounded by smoke, looking around for any direction Rodrick could be coming from. From her left, a punch to the face. The outline of Rodrick was in her vision, so she just had to fight back. She put her fists up, punching Rodrick in the stomach, but her punches seemed to lack any sort of real impact.


    But that''s what the mallet was for.


    She wasn''t an idiot. Tomfoolery and stupidity were two very different things with occasional overlap. She noticed Rodrick look slightly confused she didn''t have the mallet out, but it seemed by the time she flung it upwards, he was also in the smoke. The mallet came down, striking him in the head. Capri got one good spin kick to his head as the smoke began to dissipate. She quickly noticed the grappling hook still embedded into the ground, attached to the pocket of his jacket. She sprang towards it, grabbing it and quickly making it bigger, causing the handle to fall out of Rodrick''s pocket. She made the wire of the hook as thick as a rope, swinging it towards Rodrick''s leg, tripping him over as he took a knife out, which fell to the ground and embedded itself in her hammer. Capri sauntered towards Rodrick trying to escape, hoisted him up, and threw him over the arena.


    "And Capri wins!"


    Capri bowed to the crowd before retreating into the stands, leaving some staff members to free Rodrick.


    "Next up, the battle of the boxers. The second in command of the Battlestorms and the most popular woman in Saoloro, introducing Caoimhe Quinn!"


    Caoimhe stepped into the arena, covering the fingers on her right hand with her metal gauntlets. Before her stood Adebayo, his large statue leering over her. Not intimidating, not really trying to be. He was just chilling.


    "Begin!"


    Adebayo swung his fist downwards, and Caoimhe ducked to his left, landing a solid punch to his stomach. Adebayo stepped back, rubbing his hands together before Caoimhe lunged in to land another hit. Adebayo thrust his hand outwards. Their hands collided, creating a shockwave that sent Caoimhe flying away. She quickly landed on her feet, uncovering her other hand as she landed. She went back to Adebayo, staying still in his fighting stance with one arm in front of him, with another covering his stomach. Caoimhe ran up, effortlessly dodging over his arm thrust, managing to grab his bare hand with both of hers. The aging process was done, and Adebayo''s hand was shrivelled. Only for a little bit, though, so she had to act fast. She got an uppercut to his face in, and Adebayo persisted to look down at her, trying to swat her away with his working hand. Caoimhe barely hung on, aging his other hand, leaving him shrivelled on both ends. Now to just whittle him down before the energy came back, because he wasn''t falling for the same tricks three times. She punched him, and he fell back. He was near the end of the arena, so getting one good kick in should be enough to get him out of bounds. She ran to her end of the arena, hearing the crowd cheer her on. In front of her was Adebayo, trying to position himself while rubbing his weak hands together. Seemed pretty fixated. But as she started running to land the hit, she noticed Adebayo''s hands had some kind of vibrant yellow liquid around them. As she went to land the final punch before apprehension could seep in, Adebayo flicked his wrist and the liquid with it.


    Some went into Caoimhe''s eyes, with it feeling like acid on her face as it hit. Some made it''s way into her mouth, and it tasted like what she imagined a liquid battery to taste like. She fell down when her vision in one eye started to blur. Adebayo''s hand got it''s energy back, so he quickly grabbed Caoimhe and flung her behind him, out of the arena''s bounds.


    "And Adebayo wins!"


    Adebayo raised his restored arms to the sky, creeping over to Caoimhe, who was getting up and rubbing the gunk out of her eyes. Medical staff were running up, and she went with them. Seemed she''d be okay. Hopefully.


    Adebayo slunk back into the corridor, where the new Battlestorm girl was waiting.


    "How you doing, new girl?" He asked.


    "Oh, well enough." She nodded.


    "Nervous?"


    "A little." She admitted.


    "Eh, you''ll be fine. Actually, I never got your name."


    "You''ll hear it in a few seconds."


    "And first up, the Battlestorms mysterious new player, hailing from Gurut but living in Saoloro, introducing miss Adya Aadmi!"


    Adya waved to the crowd, all looking happy to see her. Anyone who knew her? Probably not.


    "And her opponent, a girl who needs no introduction, the fighting princess of Vannana and a member of the three pillars, miss Willow Vannana!"


    Willow spun her training spear around her for a few seconds. She threw it upwards, caught it, and slammed the tip into the ground before spinning it some more, pointing it in Adya''s direction.


    "Begin!"


    Willow instantly started running towards Adya, who threw her hand back. A purple energy was building up inside it, So Willow threw her spear as far as she could before the world got heavier. Her hand was still free, so she slowly crawled out of the vortex right before being trapped in another one. Adya ran up to her as she was trying to escape, undoing the vortex she was trapped in right before she threw a punch. Willow was grabbed instead, being thrown into a second vortex right behind her, left in the air as she entered, only for Adya to undo the vortex and leaving her to fall on the ground. Willow rolled out from under Adya''s foot, running up to try to get her spear back. She found it on the ground, picking it up and instantly running back over to Adya, charging up another sphere of energy. She threw it, and Willow tried throwing her sphere into it. It perfectly flew into the sphere midair, leaving the spear immobile. Willow made a mad dash towards Adya as she was charging up another sphere, grabbing her wrist and twisting it back. Adya looked at her distressed, and Willow punched her in the face before she could do anything with the other hand, following up with an uppercut. Adya stood stunned, and Willow landed a kick to her stomach, sending her leg out of the arena.


    She was barely out.


    "And Willow wins!"


    Willow pumped her fists in the air as her spear fell behind her, with the other seven winners appearing behind her. Zach appeared a minute later.


    "Well then. Cheng Tse! Julian Torres! Luca Leuthold! Cassandra Torres! Gisella Irrilevante! Capri Yorokobi! Adebayo Bamidele! Willow Vannana!" I would like to welcome you personally to the quarter finals of the tournament!"


    The eight losers stood to the side, politely clapping for the victors. All looked happy but Rodrick, who was already looking over his shoulders, towards the entrance they came from.


    Just what was he looking for?

 Round 3: Prep

    "Anything to note?" Rodrick asked. The top floor of the hotel, reserved for Zach and his staff. Nothing out of the ordinary, which was good. Zach''s son, Arden, was discussing theories with him.


    "Nothing out of the ordinary up here." Arden yawned. He knew yawning about the Legion members that were probably skulking around wasn''t a good look, But damn, being stuck in a place not even the legion would be stupid enough to check around was the most boring thing ever. You could only watch so many old sitcom reruns without it getting as dull as it was.


    "Good to know." Rodrick nodded, jotting things down in a notebook. "But still, watch out for any suspicious activity. The bait was broken into, you know."


    "Oh, the prize leak?" Arden asked. "Yeah, heard about that. My dad''s got the real thing, so we''re good there."


    "Excellent. Well, I''m going to cheer on¡­Adebayo, he seems like the best one left."


    Rodrick looked over his notes. Somebody in the hotel either tampered with the door for the fake documents, or called someone in to do so. The main question now was who, so he put everyone in the tournament''s second round into one of three lists. Not suspicious, somewhat suspicious, and very suspicious. Not suspicious, him and Ryland, the main three Battlestorms, the Maximos, the Kerobons, the miracle group, and Willow. Nobody in the hero groups shown much in indecent behaviour, and Cassandra and Willow already had weapons and weren''t doing anything with them.


    Somewhat suspicious, the Stone Queens. Sure they were good at their jobs, but always secretive. Not to mention the group was founded basically out of spite towards Arianna''s old group, the GlassHearts. And speaking of them, Arianna could also be a suspect. Disgraced leader of a hero group showing up uninvited, even before the announcement her rival would be there? Certainly raised an eyebrow or two. Siena. His own teammate. But only very recently, with a power that could serve the Legion very well. Adya. Same with Siena, very recent addition to a hero group, so he''d have to follow up on that with Gavin or Caoimhe. If he asked Luca, he''d get confrontational about his recruiting skills, and that''d just be a pain.


    And most suspicious of all, Cheng Tse. The guy just radiated evil, but too much evil. From his conversations with the guy he seemed¡­okay? If the legion could send someone, surely someone more charismatic? Unless he was meant to stick out while the real mole goes undercover. Always a possibility.


    Roxanne was sat across from Zach, who was leaning casually across from her, looking over some papers. Roxanne wasn''t allowed out of her room, apparently none of the round two losers were. Phones were also taken away. But after a while, Zach appeared in front of her with a stack of papers, sitting on the hotel room''s chair while she sat on her bed.


    "Roxanne. No official last name. Found on the miracle ship as a baby. No known family, assumed to be of Inarian descent but nothing confirmed. Currently single. Not a wielder. Part of the newer Hero group known as the Miracle Scouts. Officially a Sandalan citizen. Kazumi did all the paperwork there, I''ll thank her for you. Holding the thunder axe, currently haven''t done anything with it to arouse suspicions. Okay, you''re in the clear."


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    "That''s it?" Roxanne asked.


    "Eh, for you it''s basically a formality. Just gotta interview the other losers to make sure nobody''s working with the Legion, you know how it is. Anyway, you can leave whenever. Second round starts in an hour."


    He gave Roxanne her phone back, and opened it up to see a bunch of texts from Julian.


    ''Yo Rox where you at''


    ''Need 2 discuss strats meet me in the dining room''


    Roxanne went to the dining room where the round three fighters were gathered. Julian and Cassandra were in the back, with Willow leaned in next to them trying to look discreet. But discreet wasn''t really in Willow''s personal dictionary. Or maybe it was, with about a hundred bored doodles dotted around it. Adebayo was nodding along to whatever self-aggrandising crap Luca was spewing out of him, while Cheng seemed pretty engaged in his conversation with Fiorella and Capri. Shame they didn''t seem to be.


    "So, where were you?" Julian asked.


    "Zach took me in for questioning. If you lose you get interrogated on whether you''re with the legion."


    "Wait, really?" Cassandra asked.


    "Well, he concluded that we haven''t done anything with the axe yet, so aren''t a concern. It''ll probably be the same for you two."


    "Oh, that''s convenient." Cassandra sighed.


    "Anyway." Julian cut through with a hand wave before leaning into Roxanne. "I think I figured out what Cheng''s deal is."


    "Yeah, that! We were talking about that!" Cassandra added, slamming her hands on the table for extra emphasis.


    Julian gave a side eye to Cassandra, as if he was trying to read her mind, relaxed his face again, and continued.


    "First off, he was drinking a lot at the party without getting drunk, but people were getting drunk around him. Same with him stabbing himself but hurting you and that other girl. Seems to me like he''s a wielder capable of transferring things to other people. Just sensations, though. You aren''t wounded, got the doctors report."


    "So how do you beat him?" Roxanne asked.


    "Well, this is just a dream right now, but maybe I could trick him into transferring the pain to the bear, or my bugs, or something like that."


    "Will that work?"


    "It''s all I''ve got to go on right now. Also, Cassandra? If I win, please take the fall so I can beat Luca myself."


    "Sounds fine to me." Cassandra nodded with a knowing smirk.


    "Excuse me?" A staffer asked from behind. "Your fight begins in a few minutes."


    "On it." Julian sighed. "Gotta prep. Mind helping me out?"


    Julian made his way to his room. Nothing tampered with. He got the staffer to wheel the bear to just outside the arena, into the hallway he''ll make his grand entrance in. His bug jar was in good condition.


    "So, how confident are you?" Caoimhe asked from behind.


    Julian spun around to meet her. She stood before him, arms crossed, looking bored.


    "Luca hasn''t shut up about fighting you."


    "Feelings mutual." Julian replied casually, snapping his fingers at her.


    "I''m still on his side, you know."


    "For real?" Julian asked.


    "You still think you aren''t guilty?" She asked, squinting her eyes at him.


    "Look, I''m sorry about the tarantula, but you''ve replaced everything else by now, surely."


    "You could have killed thousands of people!"


    "The ship exploded with the Legion guy in it, what''s the big deal?"


    "Listen, Julian. It took a lot of convincing from me and Gavin to not leak the fact the legion member you were supposed to guard got out in Bestiamea? And that they would have killed people in the capital if the Stone Queens weren''t there?"


    "It was for me, was it? Not the fact that you and Luca would have lost your precious sponsorships?"


    Caoimhe stared at him, turning away without saying another word. Great, now Julian was pissed off before the fight even started.


    "And welcome to the first fight of round three! The necromancer supreme from Miracle, against the mysterious man of mystery who makes folks drop! It''s Julian Torres against Cheng Tse!"


    Cheng stepped out, waving to the silent arena. Whoever won or lost, the audience wouldn''t be satisfied.


    Well then, time to win this thing.

 Round 3: Part 1

    Cheng stood in place in awe of the people observing him, while Julian slathered bug juice over his bear, instructing it to swipe towards him. Cheng ducked out of the way, rolling behind Julian, who jumped backwards while keeping his jar close to his chest. He opened it up, throwing a handful of bugs towards Cheng, who wasn''t fazed by them, just sweeping one of his face and crushing it in his hands. Julian''s eyes widened, and he ducked behind the bear. The bear was knocked back, trying to use it''s decayed vocal chords to let out a cry of pain.


    Julian peered out to see him smiling. If he was right, Cheng tried making a line directly to him which got interrupted by the bear. And if the bear wasn''t with him, he''d have had his whole body crushed. And if the bear was independently crying out in pain, then he could have¡­died. Julian left the jar with the bear, and he ran up to Cheng, tackling him to the ground and quickly trying to smash any beetles he had on him to ensure his life was safe. Cheng was able to kick him off him, but he was nonchalantly covered in squashed bug remains.


    Julian took the jar back from the bear, instructing it to attack Cheng until he was unconscious. He did his best to stay behind the bear as it swiped towards Cheng. Cheng tried getting away, but the bear swiped at him, leaving him flat on his back. The bear continued to maul him. Cheng kicked the arm, and a metallic clang was heard from inside. He was transferring the pain, but it wasn''t enough to affect a corpse. That bastard figured him out. When he saw the slightest sliver of an opening when the bear raised his paw, he got through it, stumbling back to his feet. He mustered some strength in his legs to run behind the bear, leaping to get out of the range of his claw swipes, ending up at the feet of a terrified Julian. Julian tried stomping him, and Cheng sprang up, punching Julian in the face and knocking him to the ground. He looked at his knife. Small knife, with a damaged edge. Putting it inside somebody wasn''t allowed. But he knew what he had to do.


    Julian watched as the bear powered down. The jar still had three quarters of bugs in it, so he could get through it. But Cheng had a knife out, ready to transfer something to him. He eyed the bear, hoping to find a way out. Cheng pointed the knife at his right eye, and Julian''s widened in disgust, gripping the bug jar as he braced for the impact.


    The world faded. All that was left was an eye that didn''t work, desperately trying to let any piece of light come out.  Disgusted noises were heard from the audience. Julian placed the jar behind him and fumbled to try and get his glass eye out. It wasn''t inside him in case it would be damaged, but this is why he didn''t just leave it behind. He also tried to trying to make out where Cheng was, but he was already landing a punch. Julian kicked forward. A thud was heard, but Cheng''s head collided with his, knocking him to the ground. Cheng grabbed Julian''s legs, dragging him to the arena and throwing him out of bounds.


    "¡­And¡­Cheng wins, everybody!"


    The audience was silent. Cheng let a smile out as he covered his damaged eye


    "His eye will get better, don''t worry!" He let out another beaming smile like nothing happened, casually going back to the arena''s lounge.


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    "Sorry it had to end like that, everyone!" He sat down next to Fiorella, who glared at him without moving. She was the only one looking at him, while the others were evading his gaze. Luca and Cassandra both stepped out for their fight before being called.


    Cassandra walked over to the arena, ready to face this Luca she''s heard¡­not much about, come to think of it. Julian mentioned being in the battlestorms, but never got into details. She had a two-handed broadsword and a one handed rapier with her, which would hopefully be enough. As she stepped out into the crowd trying to revive itself from the previous antics, she felt the gaze of Luca from across the arena.


    "And we have two elite individuals with us today! The current owner of the thunder axe who''s practically a one woman army against the Legion, while the other is the leader of the top ranked hero team in the Skyspace. And not to mention, both dated Julian Torres at one point! It''s Cassandra Torres versus Luca Biere!"


    Before the announcer could begin the match, Luca was running with both swords in hand. Cassandra jumped out of the way of his thrust, landing a kick to to the back of his leg. Luca barely reacted as Cassandra faced him. She drew the two handed sword from her back, pointing it towards him. Luca sneered at the concept as the crowd began cheering.


    Both leapt forward, Cassandra aiming her sword diagonally to counter both an overhead attempt and a sideways attempt. Luca did both, and Cassandra shifted her weight to her left. Luca didn''t stumble, going right back on the offensive. It was Cassandra''s turn now, unleashing a swing horizontally forwards towards Luca. He put both swords to his left to block the move, but this girl had strength. Cassandra let her sword down, letting another swing out before Luca could move his swords. Luca''s only options were to keep the block up, or to try getting out of the way and risking a worse injury. Cassandra managed to hit the sweetspot between Luca''s sword, pushing a little hard to break the guard. She looked through Luca''s flustered face as she threatened another swing near his left hand. Both swords clashed, but without the backup, Luca''s sword was flung upwards out of his hand and out of the arena.


    Luca looked at Cassandra ready to kill. He took his other sword and leapt towards her. Cassandra blocked with ease. Luca stepped back and attacked again, this time aiming his sword diagonally upwards, and Cassandra in return aimed downwards. An edge of her sword was on the ground, so he leapt out of it''s range. Cassandra quickly slashed upwards, but he was already behind her. And one stab in the back later, her sword was on the ground.


    The crowd gasped as Cassandra stood there. He knew about her regeneration abilities, and made sure to strike a place without vital organs, just in case her abilities were only external. He removed the sword just as he felt the skin begin to fix itself, slashing once more when Cassandra tried reaching for her weapon. Cassandra didn''t say a word. She just looked at Luca, sighed, and cracked her knuckles. She began an onslaught of punches. Some hit, some didn''t. Didn''t matter. Luca was slashing with precision to stop her, but she was powering through it. In a moment of desperation that Luca felt he was owed, he slashed downwards. Cassandra stepped back, and let the sword plunge into her hand. Luca looked at her with fear, but she just gripped the hilt with her other hand and refused to let go.


    Her hand started to heal around the sword, so she moved from grabbing the hilt to grabbing Luca by the neck. She moved them towards the edge of the arena, and once she was there, she removed the blood covered sword in one swift motion, and kicked Luca out while he was still in shock.


    "And it seems Cassandra wins." The announcer said while trying to stifle a heave. "We''ll be back in a moment, folks. Cleanup duty is gonna be in overtime."

 Round 3: Part 2

    Cassandra sat reading a magazine in the infirmary while the doctors tested Julian. Something about Dark Matinee, where the two leads actually hooked up for real. Both were in relationships though, so that was a shame. She''d have to consult Roxanne on these developments later. The two doctors walked out the door to his room, and Cassandra immediately slammed the magazine on the table.


    "How''s he doing?" she asked, getting to eye level with the scrawny doctor.


    "Well, we''ve ran some tests, but his opponent''s abilities don''t seem to be showing any physical effects on him."


    "Meaning?"


    "Meaning it''s more of an illusion he''s placed on him. If it hasn''t healed at least a little in eighteen hours, call us back."


    They left to their next patient, probably the guy with the stabbed eye, and let her in with no issue. Julian was laying in bed, looking at a magazine.


    "Your eye''s working?" Cassandra asked.


    "Nah, the magazine just sounds really interesting." Julian replied, rapidly flapping the pages randomly, then trying to recreate some kind of techno beat with them. It wasn''t working. Cassandra held his head and turned it upwards, meeting his eye. As the doctor said, no visible signs of damage.


    "So you can''t see anything?"


    "Well, it''s not painful anymore." Julian asked. "Roxanne was the same. Sharp pain, the effects lingered for a bit, then she was good. Lights still coming in, it''s just blurry, like a microphone zoomed in a billion times."


    "Yeah, I get it." Cassandra nodded as if she ever used a microscope. "What about the glass eye."


    "Told them where I got it, and they don''t trust it. Won''t let me put it in while I''m stuck here. Anyway, you win?"


    "Oh, I made Luca my bitch, don''t worry about that."


    "Oh thank gods." Julian sighed as he flopped back onto his bed. "So who won between the other two?"


    "Don''t know, actually." Cassandra answered as she turned on the TV. Fiorella and Capri were both about to step into the arena.


    "Sorry for the delay, folks!" The announcer yelled out trying to mask his exasperation. "We had to wipe some¡­ gunk¡­ off the floors. But anyway! Fight three! Fiorella vs Capri! Who''s winning this one?"


    The opponents bowed towards each other, each summoning their weapon of choice. They ran towards each other and clashed their weapons together, before jumping back to assess their opponents. Both silently cursed having not used their full strength, trying to test their opponent with something weaker. Both ran once again. Fiorella dematerialised her axe on the impact, while Capri shrunk her hammer. Again, both cursed not using a heavy hitter when they had the chance.


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    "Miss Capri, I''d like to propose something, seeing as we''re not getting anywhere." Fiorella asked. Axe gone, hands in the air. If Capri wanted to attack, the opportunity just perfectly presented itself.


    "I have a great deal of respect for you." Fiorella continued. "Jovial tone, unique fighting style, the way you lead your group of bizarre individuals. So I''d like it if we were to cut the antics, and just fight straightforwardly, I think we''d make a far better performance."


    Capri closed her eyes, and began snapping her fingers randomly, before pointing both hands on Fiorella as she opened them.


    "Sounds good." She nodded. She grew her hammer until it was twice her size, and Fiorella clashed her axe against it. It was easy for Capri to overpower her, so Fiorella ducked under it and made a beeline straight towards her, summoning her axe. Capri sprang over the axe, standing on it''s edge for a brief second, flashing a quick smile before throwing a shrunken hammer directly at Fiorella''s nose, which quickly expanded and threw her off balance. Capri punched her in the stomach, caught her hammer in mid-air, and slammed it down on Fiorella''s head. Fiorella traded her calm expression for one of severe pain, flopping down on the ground. She wheezed something incoherent, before falling onto the ground.


    "And Capri wins!"


    Capri pointed towards the audience, before cartwheeling out of the arena. She flipped and perfectly landed on her feet in front of Adebayo.


    "Good luck out there, big guy."


    Adebayo nodded, responding with a fist bump as Capri sauntered out of the arena.


    "Next up, the princess against the tower of Inariu. Willow vs Adebayo! Begin!"


    Willow started by spinning her spear, while Adebayo nodded in approval towards her technique. He loudly clapped his hands, and began silently rubbing them together. Willow ran towards him, stopping just in front. One spin of her spear, and she thrust it upwards just before Adebayo could do anything. He grabbed the open spear, picking it up, which allowed Willow to kick him in the face. His only response was to punch her with a charged fist, which shocked her and forced her to drop the spear. She was flung to the edge of the arena. Willow stood as the shockwaves trickled through her skin, standing defiant as Adebayo approached her. He moved his hand for a swipe, only for sensation to return to Willow''s arms as the impact was about to be made. She clung to his hand, wrapping around it and refusing to let go. Adebayo fell to his knees and dragged his hands through the clay of the arena. The second he lifted his arm, Willow leapt off it, landing a kick to his face before he could get up. She tried forcing a foot on his head to keep him down, but he quickly burst to his feet, knocking Willow down, picking her up, and throwing her once again to the edge of the arena.


    Willow landed awkwardly on her left foot, scrambling to inch her way out of bounds. She succeeded, dashing back towards her spear, which she managed to outrun Adebayo in obtaining. Adebayo rubbed his hands together as he ran towards Willow, who started running towards him. If his hands are stuck together, his balance would be off if someone, perhaps someone incredible and sexy and single in front of many great people, were to knock him over, she''d be almost guaranteed an advantage. So as Adebayo was about to thrust his palm forward, she slid on her knees underneath, spinning her spear so the end hit him in the legs, causing him to stumble over. Willow leapt up, kicking him in the back, forcing him to flop onto the arena, a flash briefly hitting the clay and getting absorbed just as quick. Willow quickly stood over his back, planting the blunt end of her spear into his back.


    "So, mister Adebayo. You yield?"


    Adebayo tried getting up a couple of times, falling to the floor with each attempt. After a few seconds, he just gave a thumbs up.


    "And Willow wins!"

 The Rubber Thief Experience

    "So just look out for questions that could have a second meaning the press could use, and you''ll probably be fine. Not that the guys here would ask you something like that anyway."


    Julian sat across from Cassandra in their hotel room, giving her pointers on how her interview should go with the Fightston news. It was so late that she didn''t have a lot of time to get ready. Roxanne tried styling her hair, but had never done much with it before. Not to mention how knotted and generally unkempt it was.


    "Okay, when did you last wash your hair?" Roxanne asked, dreading both the answer and the possibility of a dead bug inside it.


    "Look, it''s been a long day, okay?"


    "Got it." Roxanne nodded, screaming internally that she didn''t give a number. But she persisted through the maze.


    "Okay. How do I look?" Cassandra asked.


    "Really good. Probably." Julian said assertively.


    "What do you mean probably? I thought your eye was fixed."


    "I said it was better. My vision is still blurry and they''ll bitch at me if I put the other one back in, but I''ll probably make you out on the show."


    Roxanne''s phone buzzed, and Willow was asking questions.


    ''Yo is cass redy?''


    ''I dont think u need a dress ot anyting shes probsb fine now''


    ''She''s just finishing up.'' Roxanne texted back, shooing Cassandra out of the door.


    Cassandra followed a staffer to the studio where the show was being filmed. The Para-more studios, where the show ''Rubber Thief Experience'' was being filmed. Willow and Capri were already waiting outside, neither looking particularly interested.


    "Am I late?" She asked.


    "Not as late as Cheng. Wherever he is." Willow replied.


    Like magic, Cheng appeared in front of the three. While the girls were dressed in the same attire as usual, Cheng was decked out in a snazzy suit, complete with a bright blue Orchid in the centre of his chest. And as usual, he was beaming to himself.


    "Ah, it''s so good to see you. You guys nervous, actually?"


    "Nah." Willow replied.


    "Used to it." Capri added.


    "I''ll probably adjust fine." Cassandra said with a dismissive wave of the hand.


    "Yes, you probably will. But anyway, please let me know if I start getting too boring, or annoying, or¡­generally bothersome, will you?"


    "Sure." Capri said with a thumbs up.


    "Finalists, you''re wanted in five."


    The four made their way through the busy studios, following Capri''s instructions to the RTE. They entered a dark studio, being prompted by those inside to sit on four stools besides the set, a desk for the host. Behind them was a backdrop of a brick wall, with spraypaint of a guy with a plastic bag over his head riding a horse. It looked the furthest thing from professional, the host probably did that himself. But if the art was anything to go by, the tone seemed casual, so that was good.


    Suddenly, lights started flashing around them. Spotlights flashing around the arena, with the main one shining on the host. Time for the show to begin.


    Jaunty music began playing around them as the host, a man dressed in a smart suit and a plastic shopping bag on his head waved to the cameras, sitting down on his desk.


    "Alright, everyone, welcome to the show! It''s time for Big Man Rubber, and with me are the four remaining players in this years Fightston games. We got Cassandra Torres, Cheng Tse, Capri Sious, and Willow Vananna!"


    Applause of dubious authenticity filled the room. Cassandra tried to focus on the host over it all. His nasally accent didn''t sound like something from Fightston, more something from Saoloro.


    "Now, we know the guests might not know the score, so here''s how we''re doing this, right? Our viewers are gonna ask each of you some questions, and you get to answer them? Got it?"


    "Sounds delightful." Cheng replied almost immediately, nodding so hard his head looked at risk at falling off.


    "Alright, excellent." Rubber replied, not acknowleding whatever he was doing. "This first one''s for the four of you. Who would you rather go up against in the final round? Cassandra, we start with you."


    "Well, I guess I''d say Willow." Cassandra said. "I already know her, and her fighting skills have been shown to be impressive."


    "Ah yeah, you were in Vannana a while back." Rubber nodded. "Cheng, your turn."


    "Well, both options seem great. But I think that Capri would be fun, as a thematic parallel. A sort of light against darkness motif, if you catch my drift."


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    "I see, makes sense." Rubber replied, nodding slowly. "You think Capri could shrink your¡­abilities?"


    "I''d be interested in finding out." Cheng laughed.


    "And Miss Capri, do you share the sentiment of wanting to fight Mr. Cheng?"


    "I''ll be honest, Mr. Rubber. I don''t really." Capri sighed. The most upbeat sigh Cassandra ever heard, but still a sigh. "I''m telling you, nothing against Cheng. But I came on to provide an uplifting performance, and doing that with Cassandra would be way easier than with him. No offence, but what happened with Julian''s eye was messed up."


    "No, no, I understand. My powers aren''t exactly suited for a circus, I understand that."


    "A gracious response. Willow?"


    "Cassandra. Same reasons she said." Willow said slowly.


    "Alright, alright." Rubber nodded. There was a rhythm to his nods, he was either feeling the atmosphere or desperately trying to inject something into it. "Next question, and the one the viewers want the most. What are you doing with the prize? Cassandra?"


    "Well, fighting the legion." Cassandra answered bluntly. "I mean, I already have the Sandala axe, so I''d just be continuing the fight."


    An applause sound effect played above her. She nailed that question.


    "To be honest, I''m not sure." Cheng replied, rubbing his chin. "I think it would look nice, but I don''t think I have the fortitude to take the fight to the legion."


    "Well, why not?"


    "First off, the others here are in teams. I could see myself joining one, but I could see the risks that would run, like my opponent in the last round. And if I went solo, then I could bleed out and die from one intensive fight!"


    "You make some fair points." Rubber nodded slowly. "Capri?"


    "I''d fight the Legion, obviously!" Capri answered. "After all, that can clone, and I can change it''s size. So if it can clone things besides itself, then maybe I could clone anything! Like me!


    "Sounds like an idea, anyway. Willow?"


    "I guess I''d give it back? I mean, I have a weapon at home, so bringing it back there or my next destination just paints a target on my back, and I''d really rather not be dealing with that."


    "Well, did you hear about the spear of Vannana going missing recently?" Rubber asked, leaning into his desk oh so casually.


    Willow leaned back in her chair, her eyes darting around the studio.


    "I¡­have not."


    "Weird. Because the Legion seemed to have left a note, which a certain lady has provided me with. To quote. ''borrowed the spear. love, Willow and Zach.'' and it seems to be in your handwriting."


    "Wow, those Legion people, trying to frame Zach? Wild. Especially considering, you know¡­that thing you guys went through twenty five years ago. Wild."


    Rubber just ignored her. "Well folks, it''s time for our special guest."


    A screen above them turned on, and inside were Zach and Freyja. Freyja was already berating Zach while trying her best to look professional in the small studio. Zach was clearly trying not to laugh at how funny the whole thing was.


    "Willow? Willow, is that you?"


    "You''re live to the skies, miss!" Rubber said casually, leaning back and putting his feet on his desk.


    "Willow! Why did you and Zach take the spear without telling anyone?"


    "She told me." Zach replied with a shrug, resulting in the laugh track going mental with this top tier comedy.


    Freyja looked in fury. "Willow, once I pull you out of this, you are going to pay for the panic you caused-"


    The screen turned to black.


    "We''ll let her collect you after the show." Rubber said casually. "Last question for you lot. How are you handling the Legion?"


    "What do you mean?" Cassandra asked. She sat up straight, tried playing it straight.


    "I mean, how should we go about with Legion members. Because if I recall, miss Cassandra, you killed a couple of them when saving Inariu."


    "I did, yeah." Cassandra sighed. She looked around the studio for a second.


    "Look, all I''m saying is¡­maybe some Legion members could be made into better people?"


    Rubber leaned in, while the other three guests turned their gazes to her.


    "Go on." Rubber nodded. The nod seemed trustworthy enough. Cassandra tried to cut through the stares and continue her point.


    "I mean¡­if all the Legion members get taken in as children and brainwashed, then surely they can be convinced to return to the Skyspace?"


    "And how do you propose we do that?"


    Cassandra shifted her gaze to Willow''s voice, her eyes burning with enough intensity to melt ice.


    "Well, if we¡­forgive their crimes, then we can work towards letting them integrate. Besides, they have secrets, right? So I think that letting them in would be a good idea."


    "So what about the ones that killed Marcel?"


    "Well, murderers should be investigated, obviously! But some people there don''t want to kill people! Look, the people who broke Roxanne''s leg were hoping she''d survive, so clearly some don''t like where they are!"


    "Okay? They could have let Roxanne live just to get off easy while another crime is pulled off, like, you know, the murder of Marcel?!"


    "They should be punished, not all of them?"


    "So what, the people who helped orchestrate the murder?"


    "You aren''t listening!"


    An air horn blared through the studio, which Rubber held as the lights went out.


    "Thanks for the show, everyone. But if you could take this debate somewhere else, that would be lovely."


    Willow gave a death stare to Cassandra as she left. Capri sighed as she hopped off her chair to follow. Cassandra waited a few minutes and stepped out of the studio, with Cheng following.


    "Hey, Cassandra?" He asked, his voice wavering ever so slightly."


    "What?"


    "What you said back there¡­thanks. I don''t think that coming from a bad background guarantees you''ll be a bad person. I mean, everyone thinks I''m a creep, but I think I''m okay."


    "Could have backed me up." Cassandra answered back, not turning to face him.


    "Well, it''s scary being the unpopular one. But I get why Willow would think like that. After all, she was chosen by bloodline to be the best, allegedly."


    "I guess she was." Cassandra sighed.


    "Say, you don''t think that''s right, do you? The whole monarchy thing this place and Vannana have."


    "Why are you asking this now?"


    "Well, you are pretty important now. So I thought your opinion would be interesting."


    Cassandra finally turned around, tired and ready to snap at whatever question he had next.


    "Just what are you?"


    Cheng put his hands to his face in a surrender position. His gauze eyepatch still fresh.


    "Just a guy drifting through these crazy skies."


    Cassandra didn''t respond. She just went back to the hotel, picking up the pace to lose him. Cheng didn''t seem to try to keep up.


    When Cassandra got back to her room, Julian was waiting on his bed, watching a rerun of the show. His glass eye was back inside him. They looked at each other for a second in silence.


    "Well, I liked your points." He said casually, turning the TV off.


    Cassandra flopped onto her bed face first, screaming into the bedsheets. Her phone vibrated against the sheets, and she looked to the message.


    Willow.


    ''do u really think wut u sed bk dere?''


    ''Yeah whats ur idea?'' Cassandra responded.


    ''kill em no mercy.''


    A million responses rushed through Cassandra''s phone as she gripped it. Some of them stemming from what Cheng said. What gave her the right to dictate an entire group of people in a bad situation? Being born in the right family? She closed the phone and lay down to get some sleep, and Julian lay next to her.


    "Cyberstalker?" Julian asked.


    "Willow."


    "Ah." Julian sighed. "Well, she''ll probably be in a better headspace when she gets over Marcel."


    "Okay, but-"


    "But nothing. If you were at some point part of the Legion, then you''re already doing a great job at proving your point. Now get some sleep, you gotta avenge me tomorrow."


    Julian turned around to get some shut-eye. Cassandra stared at the ceiling.


    Whatever came next, she''d be fine.


    Right?

 Semifinals

    "So then, what''s happened here?"


    The worst came to pass, and a guard was dead. Found inside the building in the early morning hours. A large scar on his neck, looked like it was from a sword, or at least a machete of some kind. But despite that, there wasn''t any blood to be seen. The guard had a sword, and it was chipped in a few areas to indicate he was in a fight, but there was very little blood on either the blade or his clothes. Especially odd considering just how gory the neck was.


    "So then, Arden. What do you make of this?" Rodrick looked at the corpse as he applied his gloves to his hands. Arden tried to play it cool around the body, but he wasn''t certain if it was working.


    "Well, I was asleep. Didn''t hear anything, so maybe he got shoved out the window?"


    "Well, nobody seems to have tampered with the window." Rodrick approached the window and looked outside it. Nothing out of the ordinary there, either. No blood on the floor below, and while it was high up, there didn''t appear to be evidence of a fight occurring.


    "Wielders. Only option." Rodrick said calmly, taking out his notebook. "And I think I figured it out."


    "Already?"


    "There was a man who had the power to switch people''s places, remember? He got kicked out during the qualifying rounds, but that was probably to keep a low profile. Okay, tell your men to get the information on every participant, and if you can, their current location. Because if one leaks information, they all do."


    Rodrick scouted the top floor. Sure enough, the fake gauntlet was still where he left it, in a random hotel room on a pedestal, practically begging to be stolen. He pulled up a photo he had printed of the fake. Sure enough again, the gauntlet was now at a slightly different angle. Someone took the bait, and it was time to figure out who.


    Cassandra woke up, barely able to hold her head with how heavy it was with thoughts of yesterday. Julian was still asleep, so she didn''t think to disturb him. She just went down to the kitchen, got herself some toast to fill herself, and began eating. The other three remaining were in the room. Cheng politely waved to her, and she waved back at a safe distance. Capri and Willow were discussing something amongst themselves. What exactly? Didn''t really matter. She was halfway through her toast pile when she realized she didn''t put anything on it. Whatever, the bread here was probably grown for optimal muscle gain and tasted good enough as is. When that was done, her and Cheng were called into the arena.


    Cassandra brought a spear and a axe with her. Keep this guy at a distance. And if that fails, cut him up.


    "And welcome to the semi-finals of the Fightston Games!" The announcer rang out to the cheering crowds. "We got the one girl army out for vengeance, Cassandra Torres!"


    The crowds cheered as Cassandra stepped into the arena. They were practically in a frenzy, wanting bloodshed. Her or Cheng? To them it probably didn''t matter.


    "And her opponent, the king of mutilation with no history except the bodies in his wake, mister Cheng Tse!"


    The crowd was stirred up into another frenzy, but one of pure unfiltered hatred. The arena started throwing out curses and boos, but Cheng stood still to it all. He just shrugged casually to Cassandra, who didn''t feel like reciprocating.


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    "And¡­ begin!"


    Cassandra brandished her spear and pointed it towards Cheng. Cheng looked at the point, and then back at Cassandra. Cassandra ran and swung the spear horizontally, which Cheng ducked under. Cassandra followed with a kick to his shins, and Cheng tripped. Cassandra threw the spear over him, causing him to panic a little. Cassandra grabbed him by the legs. Pretty simple plan here. Get him out without actually hurting him. Once they were at the edge of the arena, he was thrown out of bounds. In less than half a minute, he was dealt with.


    "Oh, there''s no blood this time?" The announcer whispered from his booth, not realizing his mic was still on. "I mean, Cassandra takes a quick victory! And now, Capri against Willow!"


    Nobody was considering the fight ending this quick, so Cassandra shuffled through the entryway on her own. She wasn''t Legion. Cheng was probably Legion, and she didn''t know him. She didn''t like him. She had no memories of him or anything else relating to the Legion, other than the ones she killed. Which felt bad. But it shouldn''t. Except it should. They''re brainwashed children grown into a weird cult. But was she also in a weird cult? Cheng said divine birthrights and monarchies were bad, and like¡­probably? Willow was cool, but all it took was one unprepared asshat with power and the skyspace would crumble. Because if Willow was to be believed, that almost happened with Fightston once? Her head was quickly filling with thoughts, and some of them leaked out when she bumped into the wall.


    "You okay?" Willow asked from in front of her.


    "Yeah. Yeah, I''m fine. Good luck with your fight."


    Willow gave Cassandra a side-eye, which she didn''t respond too. Probably thinking about saving whatever Legion members were scheming around here. She stepped out into the arena, and Capri was already waving to the fans.


    "And now for the second fight! The jovial princess vs the queen of clowns! Willow vs Capri! Now, begin!"


    Willow charged towards Capri, spear in hand. She thrust it forward, and Capri ducked underneath, getting behind Willow and landing a kick, sending her forwards. Willow clutched her spear, spinning it around as soon as she regained her footing. Capri calmly jumped, landing like a cat on the edge of her spear, gazing into Willow''s eyes before she flicked the spear upwards. Airborne, Capri quickly changed her mallet to the size of a person and slammed it downwards. Willow got away, grabbing the mallet as the size changed enough to fit in her hands. She snatched it out of Capri''s hands, throwing it at her head and following that up with a punch to her stomach.


    Capri tumbled away dramatically, which eventually turned into cartwheeling around Willow, managing to evade every swing of her spear and responding with kicks to her legs. Willow was always able to stand, but her breathing was feeling heavier. She was quickly losing steam, so she had to end this, and end it quickly.


    She held her spear upwards, spinning it above herself with one hand. When she was almost certain Capri was in front of her, she spun it slightly slower so that the point was behind her when Capri approached. As she predicted, Capri appeared in front with a devilish grin and a fist coiled and ready. Willow barely managed to retaliate, their fists colliding, and Willow hopped over the sweep she knew Capri would pull, moving her fist to an overhead swing. Capri took the hit, sticking her tongue out and falling to her back like a cartoon. Willow hesitated to react, and Capri sprung up regardless. Willow swiped the air in front of her, and Capri put her fingers on the tip of the spear. Willow then swung her spear behind her slamming them both on the floor and diving to meet Capri on the ground. She landed successfully, and Capri was unable to move. Her arms were free, so she quickly scrambled to get her hammer out of her pockets, which Willow allowed with no resistance. She was just applying pressure to not let her up. Now she was suspicious, but this was her only option.


    She got the mallet out, trying to hit her hands with it, but Willow wouldn''t budge. Out of options, she increased the size, and yet Willow didn''t move. She threw the mallet upwards, and Willow still wasn''t moving. Surely she wasn''t trying to force a tie, right? But as the mallet reached it''s apex, Willow quickly flipped Capri to the top, kicking her in the stomach before crawling out from underneath her as the mallet made it''s impact. Willow quickly climbed to the top and sat on the enlarged mallet as Capri struggled to breath underneath the weight. The mallet shrunk, and Willow calmly pushed Capri''s head to the ground as she tried to get up.


    "Well, Capri. As fun as this has been, I think we both know you got outplayed."


    "Well, I guess so." Capri sighed, slightly moodily. "I quit."


    "And Willow makes it to the finals!" The announcer yelled. "Be sure to tune in tomorrow for the grand finale!"

 How Itll Go Down

    Cassandra and Willow sat in Zach''s house, each one sitting on an old wooden chair. No ornate design, just ordinary wooden chairs that looked ready to fall apart. Neither talked to each other, they both knew that they were one conversation starter away from a full blown meltdown. So Cassandra stared out the window, at the large white building that jutted out from behind the town. According to Julian, it was the Sharp Life university, the best one outside of Sangaria. It put the nerds in one building to help the jocks get stronger, while ensuring they wouldn''t have to deal with their bullshit either. According to Julian, it''s a pretty loved system.


    The guy Zach was just talking to walked out of the room, waving goodbye to them as he did. Zach beckoned both to the room, a smile plastered across his face as they entered.


    "How are my two finalists?" he asked, quickly dropping the smile when the girls entrance dropped the mood with it.


    "Fine." Cassandra sighed, sitting on another chair. This one was nicer. Probably custom made.


    "Excellent." Zach nodded in reply with a finger snap. "Anyway, let''s cut to why I got you here. Now, I''m assuming you''ve heard the rumours of Legion activity around the tournament."


    "Yep." Willow said, giving a side-eye to Cassandra, which she just tried to ignore.


    "Well, it''s been confirmed. We left a fake gauntlet at the top floor of the hotel to see who''d take the bait. Sneaky bastards got it without anyone noticing, and we''re down one bodyguard."


    "Wait, you can''t mean-"


    "Dead." Zach cut Willow off. Willow''s gaze intertwined with Cassandra''s, but neither said anything.


    "So, we gotta scare them. Real bad. And that''s where you two come in."


    "I''m guessing you want us to use the relic weapons?" Willow asked.


    "Right on the money." Zach said as his smile returned. "Keep hold of your weapons, and bring em into the arena. Hopefully if anyone thinks of invading, it''ll be stopped."


    "Don''t they have their own weapons?" Willow asked. "That they can use?"


    "I mean, we can fight. We could at least be targets instead of innocent people in the stands?" Cassandra said nervously.


    "I mean, if a pleasant conversation doesn''t stop them, I guess that plan will have to do."


    "So¡­we have an agreement?" Zach replied, getting out of his chair, his excitement already showing at the explosive replies Willow and Cassandra were gonna give.


    "Sure." Willow sauntered out of the room with her hands in her pockets, leaving Cassandra and Zach together.


    Zach clapped his hands together in hopes the sound would scare off the tension, which didn''t work in the slightest.


    "Well. Guess you''re free to go." He said after a few seconds.


    "Look, can I ask you something before I leave?" Cassandra asked.


    "Go ahead." Zach said quietly, sitting back on his ornate chair.


    "Look, I don''t have memories of anything since I got here, and nothing''s jogging my memory. So¡­what''s up with your dad?"


    Zach''s frown extended, and his eyes lowered.


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    "You sure you don''t remember anything?"


    "Nothing."


    "Got it." Zach sighed. "My father was the previous ruler of this place. Once the skyspace was established, my family took it upon themselves to ensure the peace. They used to run a country which history forgot the name of, and so were given a grand when humanity moved up here."


    "Wait¡­you forgot the name of an entire country?"


    "Weird, isn''t it?" Zach nodded. "But two hundred years of my family''s rule continued until my dad, Michael, took over. He quickly tried setting up Fightston into a nation focused on glory. He started either deporting or outright throwing out people who didn''t meet his qualifications for strength. Because we were the nation defined by it. He managed to fend off some terrorist attacks, stuff rumoured to be the start of the Legion. Whipped everyone into a frenzy. But we didn''t have scholars or anyone to maintain the place, so he started issuing demands to everyone for infrastructure. People followed to keep the peace, until old man Rory stood him up.


    "Saoloro Rory?"


    "Yeah, about twenty-five years younger. He refused to give Fightston any food until they could prove they could contribute, and a few others followed suit. And a few days later, an assassin tried to get him. And the people said the worst part was that it failed. Once that happened, I invited Marcel over to try to start some kind of peace talks, and Cutter showed up in case anything went wrong."


    "So then what?"


    "My dad died." Zach said casually. "Nobody knows what happened, and his body was dumped out of the Skyspace before an autopsy could be carried out. So it was up to me to fix everything. I begged Rory for help on my knees. And it impressed him enough to get some help sent. So I fixed the place up, got some funds to build a college for the smart people here, and then changed everything from a monarchy to a democratic system. I ran for re-election a year ago, and people liked me enough to keep me around."


    "So they never figured out how your dad died?"


    "It didn''t matter much." Zach answered casually as he moved to look out the window. "What matters now is the present, and the final round."


    "So, scaring the Legion off with the weapons?"


    "Precisely." Zach nodded.


    "Also, on the topic of the Legion, I wasn''t thinking of what I was saying during the show last night, so I think I should apologize to you-"


    "Why?"


    Zach''s one word response attacked her, rendering her to feel like a bunch of feathers were stuck in her mouth, trying to get a response out at the same time as getting them out.


    "Well, because¡­you know, people think I''m defending the Legion, but I''m really not, and-"


    "Nah, I got your message." Zach said, sharply turning around. "And honestly, I''m with you."


    The feathers all left Cassandra''s mouth in one divine motion as the endorsement left his lips.


    "Wait, you''re with me!?"


    "You talk sense. Inside the Legion ships are probably a bunch of kids as scared as we are of whatever their leader is, and getting them back seems like a way better option than killing them all. Heck, you could be from there, seeing as you don''t remember the rest of the Skyspace."


    He started to chuckle at his own joke, stopping when Cassandra was trying to hide her own look of fear.


    "You aren''t actually Legion, are you?"


    "I¡­have no idea." Cassandra answered slowly, trying to contain the horror in her voice. "When I fought the Legion in Inariu, one of them called me the key to everything."


    "And you don''t know what that means?" Zach asked, sitting back down.


    "I have no idea!" Cassandra screamed. "Am I the daughter of the ruler, one of the old elites memory wiped for some reason!? My boyfriend keeps telling me to relax, but what if the Legion set off a kill switch in me and I wake up over his corpse?!"


    "Well, I don''t know." Zach sighed. "I don''t think there''s something that bad, seeing as you''ve had the chance to take weapons several times. Personally, I think you should sleep on this. Feel free to take a spare room if you want."


    "Nah, I''ll head back to the hotel, thanks."


    Cassandra shuffled out of Zach''s house and back to her hotel room. As she passed the busy streets, filled with innocent lives that the Legion could take at any moment tomorrow. She tried to look out for anyone particularly shifty, but it seemed to be business as usual, nothing stood out compared to her previous visits over here, besides a few kids looking up at a rooftop.


    "So, what''s going on here?" She asked. Even with her hat, the sunset meant she couldn''t make much out."


    "Our ball''s stuck on the roof!" One of the kids whined. The building looked abandoned, probably something Zach''s dad probably destroyed and they never got around to fixing. There was a streetlight nearby, and she was able to climb on top of it and get onto the roof without much hassle. On top were several balls, so she just threw them all down below and jumped back on the streetlight, and back to ground level. The kids were too busy playing to thank her, but that didn''t matter much. She was happy with her good deed, because an action like that proved she was a good person.


    Certainly.


    And the finals would just prove that further.


    Absolutely.

 A Relic of a Finale

    "Well, I think you got this."


    Before Julian and Cassandra was the entryway to the arena. The finals were today. The thunder axe was resting neatly in Cassandra''s hands. A slight hum was radiating off it to her, and Julian didn''t comment, in spite of his hatred of that sort of noise. So was the weapon communicating? Did it know something''s up?


    "You think I should charge up for the start?"


    "Set expectations high." Julian said, looking into the arena before returning a soft smile to Cassandra.


    The announcer''s voice started ringing through the halls as Cassandra stepped into the arena. The rows closest to the stalls were empty, probably a safety precaution on Zach''s behalf.


    "Well, everybody, We''ve had a great run here at the tournament, and all of the participants are winners in my eyes. But the higher ups said that wasn''t a valid answer. So today is the big question with a big twist! The well known and well studied princess of Vannana against the amnesiac powerhouse from a small scouting ship! Willow Vannana against Cassandra Torres!"


    Cassandra built up energy in the axe. It felt ready to burst at the slightest of impacts, and her eyes locked with Willow, her glare cutting through her, with cold vapour dripping off the tip of the spear. It was pretty obvious that the finals today were a battle of wills. Redemption against punishment. Achieving greatness against being born into it.


    When they locked eyes, Cassandra''s weapon started tingling even more. And before Cassandra could theorize what was happening, the axe began talking again.


    "Einer!" Was the single word beamed directly into her head.


    Einer? What was that? A name? Was the weapon telling her it''s name now?


    "Begin!"


    Before Cassandra could think about the weapons name, Willow was already running up to her. She stopped dead in her tracks a short while away from her, plunging the spear into the ground. Ice eurpted from the tip to the edge of the arena, and Cassandra was forced to slash forward with all the electricity she had built up, destroying most of the ice that was just created in front of her. When the vapour dissipated, Willow was gone. A shadow stood over Cassandra, and when she looked over, Willow was the source, hanging off an iceberg at the end of her previous pile, leaping down on Cassandra, who was forced to block. Willow quickly jumped off her, stabbing the ground to create another heap of ice. Cassandra charged up energy in the axe while Willow hid amongst the icebergs, all the while it still seemed to be talking.


    "Einer, where are we?"


    The sounds reverberated through her head. The axe didn''t know where it was? But there was an energy to Cassandra''s left, hiding between the ice. She swung the electricity at it, cleaving the ice with a mighty swing. Willow''s shadow fell to the right, so Cassandra kept up the offensive. She swung at the axe, watching as it fell. Willow was forced out of the shadows, jumping straight at Cassandra. She charged the spear with enough energy to trap her once the tip hit the arena, barely scraping past Cassandra''s face. The ice erupted behind her, jutting out between her legs and arms, forcing her to drop the axe. But when the axe hit the floor, a jolt of electricity burst from the axe, shattering the ice once again. The jolt hit Willow''s legs, and she tried holding onto the spear as the electricity surged through her body. Cassandra dove for the axe, and began charging a small amount of electricity as soon as she laid hands on it. She heaved her axe upwards with all she had, and the vertical jolt smacked Willow straight in the face.


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    Willow was pushed back, planting her spear into the ground in a bid to stay upright. She charged once again, spinning her spear into Cassandra''s side, who barely managed to block. She swung her weapon as Willow made a second attempt, particles of ice shooting towards her while a second weak jolt flew by Willow''s head. Willow pushed further, but that led to both weapons flying out of each others hands.


    Their eyes locked for a brief second, before both parties scrambled to get their own weapons. As Cassandra picked the axe up, another message was heard.


    "Einer, that was so cool!"


    Wait, was Einer the name of the spear? The weapons know each other?


    Then she remembered. The axe didn''t fight back in Saoloro because it didn''t want to hurt the bow. So were these weapons alive? Did they somehow know each other?


    Willow charged forward with her spear while she was thinking, and Cassandra moved to her side, hitting her with the side of the axe. Willow flew away, dashing back towards her without a second to recover as soon as she could regain her footing. She flew past Cassandra, who just felt more cold vapour pass by her nose. She snapped back to see what Willow was doing, and she flashed a smile as she stabbed the spear downwards. An iceberg erupted from the ground, and Willow clung to the top of it. The iceberg peaked over the top of the arena, casting a shadow on the box of the announcer, who was sitting in stunned silence. The people below it were moving out of the way, while a couple others began to politely flee the arena. Cassandra charged the axe with electricity, swinging with every ounce of strength she could muster. The weapon released a jolt that quickly melted the ice to water. As the top chunk of the iceberg fell to the stands, Willow jumped down again, spawning a chunk of ice at the tip of her spear, and Cassandra barely managed to block the attack, the ice getting embedded in her eye.


    This was it. The ice was melting in the hot sun. If this didn''t end now, they''d be covered in water. Water that Cassandra could electrify or that Willow could freeze for the extra advantage. Both exchanged a look from a different side of the arena, waiting for the other to make a move. Cassandra saw the vapours off Willow''s weapon, and Willow saw the jolts firing off Cassandra''s. Cassandra took a step forward, and Willow did the same, with both eventually running at top speed. Cassandra put everything she had into this final swing, and Willow stretched an arm back for a straight stab.


    Both unleashed their strikes at the same time, their weapons clashing in the air. Cassandra shut her eyes as the impact hit her hands and shook to the rest of her body. Willow wasn''t letting up, starting to make the air around her colder as the clash lingered. Cassandra tried letting out electricity to end it, creating a stream that shocked both of them. Eventually, a cracking noise was heard.


    And Cassandra fell to the ground. Before she could open her eyes, a second thud noise was heard a few steps away from Willow.


    When Cassandra opened her eyes, she saw both weapons on the ground, or at least what was left of them. Both had the tops of their weapons snapped off the staffs, and a glowing light was emerging from them. The light eventually dissipated, with two people lying in the middle of the arena. The smaller one looked up at the arena around them, and then to the taller one.


    "Einer, where are we?"

 Old Legion

    "Hey guys, we should probably stop recording."


    The sound of cameras shutting off began as the spectators were asked to leave the arena.


    "Well, everyone. It appears that the finals have been postponed! If we get another date, we''ll be sure to hit you with either that or another method of appropriate compensation!"


    The announcer left his station above the arena. After a minute or so of shuffling, it was just Willow, Cassandra, and the two naked guys who came out of their broken relic weapons.


    "Einer, where are we?" the smaller one asked. They looked young and androgenous, with short black hair that looked unkempt, with a prominent spike appearing from the left side of their hair. They looked Sandalan, so they were presumably the person who came out of the axe. The more well built person was presumably Einer. Taller than anyone there by a fair margin, trying to scope out his surroundings.


    "Apologies, ladies. But where did we end up?" He was soft spoken, not making direct eye contact in an attempt to hide his embarrassment. Luckily for him, neither of the girls wanted to look in that direction anyway.


    "Sorry, Mr¡­Einer, is it?" Willow started. "But you and your friend over there popped out of our weapons? So do you know what''s going on there?"


    Einer went to inspect the weapons. He picked up the broken spear, admiring the craftmanship. As his eyes covered more of the spear, they got more frantic.


    "This is¡­this is Vananna!" He yelled out.


    "That''s Vananna?" Willow asked. "No, you''re Vananna!"


    "No, Vananna!" Einer yelled back, trying to hide his obvious panic. "The spear?! The prized relic of Frysord?"


    Cassandra and Willow exchanged nervous glances towards each other, and then turned to Einer. Who was beginning to look more and more exasperated by the second.


    "What''s Frysord?"


    Einer let out something between a gasp and a moan.


    "The country? Quite cold, located in western Demetra."


    "Demetra?" Cassandra asked.


    "The continent?!" Einer''s friend asked, squinting their eyes at them.


    Willow took in a deep breath, eyes widened, and exhaled slowly.


    "Cassandra¡­don''t freak out, but I think these guys come from before the airships."


    No¡­that made perfect sense. The weapons represented each country, so they had to have been made just before the sky age began. They always looked more in line with pre-sky weaponry. In hindsight, it couldn''t be more obvious.


    Before anyone could say anything else, Julian and Zachary burst into the arena. Julian looked around for any suspicious activity, and then focused on the two newbies, handing each one a towel to maintain some semblance of decency.


    "Right!" Zach said, clapping his hands together. "I think we have a lot to talk about, so if you''re able to get some towels on while we get some clothes ready, that''d be a great start!"


    Everyone was moved into the living room of Zach''s house. Einer and his friend were moved to get clothes ready, while Julian, Cassandra, and Willow were all sat around the table with some herbal tea, all eyes locked on the Fightston gauntlet.


    "So there''s another person trapped in there?" Julian asked, taking a sip of his tea.


    "Probably." Cassandra replied.


    "And the weapon is named the Fightston?"


    "Probably." Cassandra repeated.


    "So where''s Roxanne?" Willow asked.


    "Back at the hotel. I''m only allowed here because the paperwork sounds like we''re married."


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    Zach walked into the room with the two following behind him. Einer wore a light blue polo shirt with some casual jeans. His friend wore a yellow hoodie with a black pocket in the centre adorned with a thunderbolt pattern, alongside some casual tracksuit bottoms. Zach sat at the head of the table, while the other two sat at the same end as Willow.


    "Okay. My name is Zach Fightston, president of Fightston. You two?"


    "Einer Vik." Einer said calmly as he sipped his tea.


    "Hikaru Yasuda." The axe one replied, taking a sip and immediately burning their tongue, placing their cup on the table like nothing happened.


    "And next to me are Cassandra and Julian Torres, and Willow Vannana."


    "So you''re connected to the current royal family?" Einer asked.


    "Yeah." Willow said, leaning forward. "So I think I should know just what my mom''s side got up to a while back."


    "Well first off, where are we?" Hikaru asked.


    "Fightston, an airship in the Skyspace."


    "Airship?" Hikaru asked.


    "One of¡­well, I think you can guess." Julian answered slowly.


    "Twelve?" Einer asked.


    "Right on, man. So, I guess you know how exactly these airships came to be?"


    "Well, what were you told?"


    "We were told that two hundred years ago, several factors were destroying the surface. Stuff like environmental pollution, feral dragon populations, and a brewing worldwide war meant several small countries banded together to make airships that could house a sizable chunk of the population and continue the human race."


    The colour left both Einer and Hikaru''s faces.


    "Two hundred years¡­" Hikaru stared at their hands, looking at Einer for some kind of guidance. Einer''s face was quickly filling with rage.


    "Guessing that''s not how it went down?" Julian asked, calmly sipping his tea.


    "What, were the people of the old world a bunch of backwards savages to these historians?" Einer asked.


    "Personally, I always saw them as victims of hubris. Or were they victims of our ancestors?"


    "I''ll try to explain this as calmly as I can." Einer said, putting his cup down. Everyone else did in respect.


    "Humanity discovered steam power three hundred years ago, by your estimations. Companies then established to harness their power to make machines and make life easier. By the time I was born, cities dotted the landscape at the hands of governments chosen to lead the people. Something we all thought was a liberating landscape was in actuality run by a hidden dictatorship."


    "What are we talking about here?" Zach asked.


    "The corporate heads you descended from." Einer snapped, glaring at an unfazed Zach. "Using the wealth they accrued from workers, they bribed the governments to let their deeds go unpunished. All until a mere twelve people had direct control over half the worlds wealth."


    "And they destroyed the world in the process?" Willow asked.


    "Think about how much you''d need to do to gain that much wealth." Hikaru added. "If you can name it, they did it. Pollution, getting prisoners to work for them for dirt pay, profiting off wars. This was how you became successful on the surface."


    Zach sat in contemplation at this information.


    "But¡­we all try to keep the corporate types in check. To strike a balance."


    "Well, obviously." Julian chimed in with a finger snap. "If Einer''s right, you guys are the descendants of the twelve rich guys who created the Skyspace. And keeping others in check is probably what they knew best."


    "What I wanna know if where you guys come into it." Willow said.


    "Well, people got sick of them." Einer said calmly. "Governments began to crack down on them before it was too late, and their crimes were slowly being leaked to the public. And when the plan for them and their workers to escape to the skies was revealed, several people led a final charge in an attempt to get our lives back. But they had weapons, and fighters with mystical powers. We were all dispatched easily, but twelve of us managed to get onto the airship as they were leaving. But one by one, we were picked off in front of their jeering faces."


    "I was the last to go." Hikaru added, looking down. "Second last was Saoirse."


    "Wait!" Cassandra yelled, leaping from her chair. "She''s from Saoloro?"


    "She used Saoloro!" Hikaru replied, their eyes widening at the news. "So she''s okay?"


    "I¡­I¡­I don''t know." Cassandra said nervously, her tone slowly reverting to it''s nervous origin. "She got taken by the Legion."


    "The who?" Einer asked.


    "The New Legion." Zach answered. "Terrorist group who kidnap children and force them to commit attacks in turn. Recently took to stealing the weapons we used as relics."


    "But¡­we''re the Legion." Einer said. "That was the name we took when we tried to stop them."


    "So what you''re saying is the guy who runs it has some connection to the surface?" Julian asked.


    "I mean, it''s possible?" Hikaru asked, looking as puzzled as everyone else.


    "Wait!" Cassandra announced. "Do you guys know me? Anyone that looks like me? Anything?"


    "No?" Hikaru said.


    "Nobody I know, anyway." Einer added.


    "Oh¡­okay, then." Cassandra sat back down once again.


    "But next on the agenda." Zach interjected. "Who''s in the gauntlet?"


    "Our leader." Hikaru replied, holding the gauntlet. "Miss Jade Falkner. First to enter, tenth to die. Protecting me, of all people."


    "So we break her up, and then take the fight to the Legion, right?"


    "Sounds good." Hikaru nodded, their hands surging with energy.


    "Wait. You guys remember her clothing size?" Zach asked.


    "She was about my height, slightly muscular." Einer replied.


    "So my wife''s old clothes should do, good."


    Hikaru drew a ring around the gauntlet, and a series of shocks began rapidly hitting it until it flew into the ceiling and crashed down on the floor. Einer stood up, sending an ice blast that froze the east side of the room the gauntlet was at, before landing a single mighty kick, shattering the ice instantly.


    The gauntlet was a series of metal chunks on the ground, and a light was quickly forming into a person. When she opened her eyes, she looked up at all the people staring at her.


    "Wait, you''re all alive?"

 Gauntlet Girls

    The woman looked up at the six people looming over her. She slowly stood up, observing her surroundings. Julian left the room, and Cassandra followed. Willow decided to head out as well.


    The woman clutched her spinning head in an attempt to keep it still, trying to make sense of where she was. When her sight focused, she saw Einer and Hikaru. Wait, what? Einer was dead. But behind them was¡­


    "What are you trying?!"


    She got into a fighting stance. Einer and Hikaru both got out of the way as she lunged towards Zach. Zach put both of his arms to his face as her arm clashed against them. She quickly kicked of his body to return both to a neutral position. Zach spent a second trying to assess the situation as the woman dove behind him, clapping the back of her left hand against the back of her right. A second version of her appeared out of a sudden cloud of smoke, matching her fury. The main one leapt back in front of Zach while her clone grabbed his arms and tried to hold them back. When the main one tried going in again, this time for a kick, Zach broke the clones grasp, slamming it against the main body. The clone disappeared as the main body was slammed against the wall, falling in a heap. She raised her head, still filled with an unmatched feeling of intense hatred. Zach took a step back, and Einer leapt in between the two. He summoned an icicle in his hands and threw it forward, embedding itself in the brick walls of the house.


    "Jade! It''s not Nickolas!" He screamed at her.


    Jade stood up, looking towards Zach. he certainly looked a bit younger. Nickolas was a crooked old man, while this man looked middle aged, but still clearly in fighting shape.


    "It''s his descendent."


    Jade looked at Einer with a puzzled expression.


    "Descendant?"


    "It''s a long story." Hikaru answered.


    "Not at all!" Julian yelled enthusiastically, bursting into the room holding a pile of worn out clothes. "You and your friends were trapped in weapons by our ancestors before they got into ships to escape their actions two hundred years ago. The three of you were freed, and now I guess we gotta do the rest."


    Julian dropped the clothes in front of Jade.


    "Okay, I grabbed everything that didn''t look important. Cover yourself up, we''ll deal with underwear later."


    After Jade dressed in her favourite outfit available, a plain white t-shirt with a dark green cardigan with worn out grey tracksuit bottoms, Einer and Hikaru sat her down at the table, explaining everything to her as soon as they could. When they finished, her rage present at the beginning shifted to a vibe of melancholy.


    "Two hundred years¡­" Her mind was clearly trying it''s best to catch up with everything that''s been said to her. "Airships¡­"


    "Would it be better if I showed you from the roof?" Zach asked.


    Zach guided Jade to the houses flat roof. Just the two of them. Jade overlooked the city. It''s homes and apartments leading to a bustling market street. Noises could be heard from the small artificial hill overlooking it.


    "Is there some kind of festival?" She asked.


    "Kind of. Fightston games ended today. It''s a fighting tournament where everyone is allowed to enter if they want. Once it ends, people from all over celebrate in the streets."


    "Celebrate the tournament?"


    "Eh, I see it as more than that." Zach said casually. "It''s about unity. We all get brought together and then dance in the streets. It''s a sign that whatever the world throws at us, we got this."


    "Well, you are the descendants of those that threw first." Jade said, her tone dropping slightly more deadpan.


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    "Oh, right." Zach said slowly, averting his gaze.


    "I mean, it''s not like you knew." Jade sighed. "So it''s not like I can hold it against you."


    "That''s good to know."


    "But." She continued. "I refuse to believe nobody knows." She looked to the cylindrical ship in the centre, the Lux building.


    "It that where the leader lives?" She asked.


    "Mia Burri, yes." Zach replied. "Know the name?"


    "I knew Levin Burri. The man who got the weapons from the government to put into his ships. Always a collector, that man. Especially when it was something he wasn''t supposed to have."


    "Is he the one that got you?"


    "Did you not notice?"


    Jade turned to meet Zach, and he finally got a good look at her face. Tanned skin with smooth black hair going down to her shoulders, simply straightened with nothing else done to it. And a vertical scar across both of her eyes.


    "Bastard got me good. Last thing I remember before the feeling of a blade to the neck."


    "Can you see?"


    "Glasses wouldn''t hurt, but I can make out the important stuff."


    Jade turned to Zach.


    "You ever fight in that tournament?"


    "Me? Not since the first one thirty years back."


    "But you could take the younger ones, right?" She asked, flashing a cheeky grin at him.


    "Eh. Probably." Zach nodded after folding his arms.


    "Well then." Jade replied, adjusting her neck and cracking her knuckles. "Mind if we go a few rounds?"


    "Really?"


    "Yeah! I need to see what the fighting ship is capable of!"


    Both contestants began unleashing a flurry of fists and attacks. Jade kept up the cloning, trying her best to keep up with Zach''s wielder abilities. After a solid ten minutes, both fell to a heap on the ground, enveloped in the warmth of the evening sun to their side.


    "So I take it we''re calling it a tie?" Zach asked between heaves. "Gods, age is really catching up with me."


    "I can settle for that." Jade sighed back, swallowing back just a little bit of vomit. "But gimme a day or two to get these aches outta me, and your ass is toast."


    "Yeah, sounds good." Zach chuckled to himself as he got up. As he did, he saw a group of people in robes approaching his house. About twenty in total. Zach stayed out of their view, observing as they politely knocked on the door. The people inside didn''t answer. Jade came to Zach''s side, silently beginning to clone herself. She made four clones, the maximum she seemed able to make without straining herself. All five jumped down while Zach went back to the ground floor.


    "Guys, we gotta go!" Zach yelled to everyone in the house. "Through the back!"


    They all did as instructed, with an explosion hitting the front of the house as soon as they left. More explosions began rapidly hitting the house, until the whole thing was erupting in flames. Einer tried shooting some ice to cool it down, but another explosion hit. Zach just put a hand on his shoulder and shook his head.


    The six of them ran outside to greet the attackers. The man in front of the line quickly removed his hood.


    Cassandra tried to hold in her disgusted reaction. Muscular man with sunglasses holding that same goddamn grenade launcher. The man who tried to take over the Sandala grand at the start of all this. Although the next question popped into her head. How did she know what it was?


    "How''s it going, little lady?" He asked politely. "Been a while since I could see what you were up to."


    "Trying to stop you."


    "Stopping me, now? Not a fan of the rehab treatment now that I actually appear?"


    "Listen." Zach said, stepping right up to him. "If anyone here wants to defect and tell us what you know, I''ll do everything in my power to integrate you back into society."


    The man stood still for a second.


    "Nah, I like where I am."


    He aimed his grenades for another shot. Hikaru drew a circle in the air to catch the grenade in a ring of pure electricity, repelling it back towards the group. Muscles ducked, letting the grenade hit his comrades. The explosion caused several of their robes to catch fire. Those in the centre dropped and stopped moving. A small looking member moved away in fear, causing her hood to drop.


    It was the girl Roxanne faced in the first round.


    "What the fuck are you doing here?" Willow screamed at her, running up and grabbing her hood, twisting it to the front of her neck.


    "Look, I can tell you everything! The Legion are gonna attack the arena for the finals ceremony! We have several legion members in the tournament already! a-and they''re coming for-"


    Her sentence was abruptly ended by muscles fist. She fell to the floor with blood spilling from her nose and mouth. Zach leapt into action, punching muscles in the back of the head. He grabbed his arm and sent his knee upwards, a cracking noise reverberating through the small crowd. Another punch, and he was out cold. Einer and Hikaru used their ice and electricity to dispatch the main crowd still trying to fight, while Jade''s clones picked off any stragglers trying to escape. Just when it seemed things were about to die down, Zach''s phone began to ring.


    "Hey boss, you sure you wanna continue the ceremony. Are the girls just gonna share first place?"


    "What are you talking about?" Zach asked.


    "We were told to go ahead with the ceremony. Why, did something change?"


    "Clear the area! We''re about to be attacked!"


    The phone hung up, just as the shadows of airships flew above them. Nothing from any one country, all stolen from different grands.


    The Legion was here.

 The Top 5

    The seven followed the airship into town. Legion soldiers were parking their airships wherever they could. On buildings peacefully, crashed into a business stand, or landed on innocent civilians. Two crashed midair in an attempt to get into the arena itself, so airship debris and dead Legion members were falling out of the sky at a rate faster than the airships. People were running around in a panic, with a few brave members of Fightston taking it on themselves to take down a few Legion members themselves. A few attempts were actually successful, with airships being broken into and almost immediately having weak henchmen disposed of. But all it took was an occasional strong leader to take on three citizens at once and win with newly bloodstained fists.


    "Everyone, evacuate!" Zach yelled at the top of his lungs as soon as he entered the main square. The people almost unanimously followed his orders. Zach was barking commands on his phone in between ordering his citizens to evacuate.


    "Get airships ready! protect any citizens you can, children first! If any Legion member poses a threat, try to disarm them. Kill only as a last resort!"


    They passed Adrianna and the Maximos, both trying their best to deal with any Legion members trying to leave an airship. Samuel was bounding through landed airships by kicks alone, scoping for any Legion members trying to leave. Once a door creaked open, he was on it. Kicking the door open and kicking anyone inside unconscious. Occasionally a stronger member would be lurking inside, capable of putting up more of a fight. But that was when Adebayo would come in, dealing a stronger charged strike to finish them off while Samuel looked for more people to deal with.


    The seven went to the arena''s entrance. Julian looked around at what seemed to be the final stream of airships going into the arena.


    "I''ll hold you back in there. I''m gonna get people out of here."


    Julian ran off, leaving the remaining six to go inside the arena.


    They got to the door, where Zee and Gam were holding off the anyone from getting in. on the sides that connected to the hotel was Gisella, mercilessly beating anyone who tried to cross. Even those with weapons she just effortlessly ducked through, landing a vicious punch to their head, throwing the unconscious body at either the floor or another Legion member. The other side had Gavin, making a shield out of air and using his spear to push anyone into it, where it would explode in a deafening blast and send anyone around him flying. They''d try to reemerge with bleeding ears, and Gavin would merely dispose of them with one stab to a non vital area. The bodies were quickly becoming their own shield.


    But Caoimhe, Luca, Fiorella, Capri, and the Lumps were all in a stand off. There were about thirty Legion members smugly stood behind the few people in the front. Cheng was in the middle, looking like he was trying his best not to laugh manically at everything that''s gone down. Besides him was Adya, the girl Willow beat in the first round. Next was a muscular man standing casually to his other side. The one Rodrick had assumptions about. The man smirked at him as Rodrick tried to hold his composure. Besides him was a girl. She was new. Looked to be from Sangaria, wearing a casual green button up shirt and pure white jeans. She looked ordinary, and extremely out of place. And next to her, was the ever happy looking Serafina.


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    "Oh. My. Gosh!" She exclaimed, her psychotic smile widening. "Is that Cassandra? It is! Say, where''s your boyfriend?"


    Her eyes locked with Cassandra before she slightly tilted her head.


    "What do you want?" Cassandra asked. Serafina snapped her head back upright after seeing the resolve in her eyes.


    "It should be obvious." Cheng added. "The gauntlet. Hand it over, and we stop immediately."


    "You''re looking at her."


    Cheng diverted his gaze towards Jade.


    "She doesn''t have the gauntlet." The muscular man next to him whispered.


    "I''ve noticed." Cheng agreed flatly. "This just means that Chelic''s theory is correct. So, we appeal to their emotions."


    "Not interested." Einer said early.


    "Hold it!" Cheng yelled. "If Chelic is right, and he is, then you were taken away by the corrupt people who destroyed the old world. And yet here you are, working with the descendants of those very same people!"


    "They''re not killing people!" Hikaru yelled, shaking a fist charged with bolts.


    "Oh, but they are!" Cheng yelled back. "They can talk a big deal about justice, but it''s never that simple! The ships get overpopulated, the people go hungry, and the smaller housing ships are left without what they need! But Chelic showed us the light! He told us of a group from the world before the skies, the Legion! You! And their tales of how they almost stopped the destruction! We''re just finishing what you started!"


    "You cannot take our names like that!" Einer screamed. "You''re merely a perversion of everything we stood for!"


    "We''re against everything you oppose!" Serafina yelled back. "Everyone in charge here is also a tyrant in waiting, lauding over people who don''t know they''re being deceived."


    "Hold it!" Zach announced, his voice cutting through everyone. "Who was the tyrant among us? If you actually know something I don''t, I''m willing to hear you out."


    "It''s unfortunately someone you know quite well." The new girl lamented. "Ziwadi, if you will."


    The muscular man clapped his hands, and The new girl was swapped out with Cutter''s corpse. His neck was mauled, with a gaping hole barely connecting his slumped head and body, dried blood covering his entire body.


    "I-I-I¡­what did he do?" Willow asked, trying not to vomit at the revelation as the girl and body were swapped once again.


    "Number one under Chelic. She asked me to do that on her behalf. She didn''t want to come back."


    "What did he do?" Zach commanded. "If it justified a murder, surely I can learn what happened?"


    "All you need to know is that the future ruler of Fightston didn''t like him. And I, number two under Chelic, have to act on her behalf."


    "Wait, number two?" Willow asked.


    "We''re ranked based on our potential and abilities." Cheng informed calmly. "I''m number two, Adya is number four, Zawadi is number six, Daciana is number seven, and Serafina is number eight. But let''s ignore ranks for a minute and get back to demands. The weapons and miss Cassandra. Hand them over, and we''ll take our leave."


    Cassandra froze as her name was called. She was important to them.


    "Why do you want me?" She asked between breaths.


    "Truth be told, we don''t actually know." Serafina shrugged. "We just told that we aren''t allowed to kill you."


    "Everyone else? Fair game. In fact, we get rewarded." Cheng chuckled. "Cannon ships, fire on Zach, everyone who does gets an automatic ten ranks up."


    Some of the airships had cannons on them, which turned towards Zach. Zach stood still as Willow started to panic.


    "Fire!"


    On Cheng''s command, the cannons all fired on Zach, giving life to a brilliant cloud of smoke. When the smoke dissipated, Zach was standing perfectly fine. Only now his body was a brilliant silver which glistened against the setting sun, reflecting a light into Cheng''s working eye. He slowly approached Cheng, landing a metallic punch straight into his face.


    "You aren''t getting anything you asked for. Now then, bring it on!"

 Plan B

    The high ranking Legion members stood stunned as Cheng struggled to get up. Zawadi swapped him with a random legion member behind him, who took a metallic punch from Zach straight into the face.


    "Ignore him, he''s not important!" Cheng yelled, trying to cover up his bloody nose. "Kill the others!"


    As soon as he gave the order, the fifty or so Legion members and their five top ranked commanders rushed out to attack everyone left in the arena. They passed Zach, who knocked three out as they tried to pass him.


    Cassandra put her fists up as soon as five people rushed to attack her, alongside Serafina.


    "She can heal herself! So remember to go crazy!"


    The five people all began brandishing weapons. Two wielding daggers, one with an axe, one with a sword, and one sticking with their fists. Besides the axe, none of the weapons were in good condition. All rusted, with the axe looking especially bad. She quickly landed a punch towards the fist fighter, grabbing them and using them as a human shield towards one of the dagger user. The screams rang out as the pugilist got a knife in their midsection, only stopping when Cassandra kicked them in the back and left them to bleed on their stomach above the first dagger user. She ducked down below the swing of the second dagger, kicking it out of the users hands. The axe user unleashed a clumsy swing, which any decent axe user could see past. She got behind them and issued an elbow strike to their back, causing them to drop the axe. She picked the axe up, slicing the rusty sword in half with a single mediocre cleave. As more surrounded her, Luca and Willow both got behind her.


    "Okay, you got this?"


    Luca didn''t respond, merely leaping forward in an upwards arc with one sword, effortlessly cutting through Serafina, who jumped over the shoulders of two Legion members to get to them. She turned to dust, only for six more clones to attack. Two each, but Jade''s clones all dove in and tackled the real one to the ground, dissolving the rest of them into a trail of dust that led to her. Two Jade clones hoisted her into the air, while two more hoisted the real Jade upwards to land an airborne uppercut directly into Serafina''s stomach. But she was quickly swapped with a random Legion member before she could hit the ground. Einer quickly dove in and froze them to the wall, effortlessly dodging the spear being thrusted behind him, hoisting the now terrified holder to match eyes, and quickly adding them to the wall. He and Hikaru then faced Zawadi, who clapped his hands together in excitement. Hikaru drew a ring in the air, which quickly surged into a ring of electricity in front of them, they pushed it towards Zawadi with one mighty push, and he quickly clapped his hands to swap with Einer. Einer already ducked, touching the ground to create a trail of ice for Ziwadi, who barely managed to escape it. He looked at Einer. He looked more aggressive then he did a moment ago, diving towards Einer and throwing a punch. Einer coated his left arm in ice and blocked the attack, giving Hikaru the time to draw another above him and shove it downwards, causing Ziwadi to seize up, letting Einer trap him in a wave of ice.


    The new girl, Daciana, was effortlessly facing off against Fiorella, Adrianna, and Capri. She summoned a two handed double sided blade, similar to the ceremonial blades used in ShiShi performances, only she was using it to it''s full potential. She weaved through the two of them with ease, dancing with her blade through the crowds as they all got more and more frustrated. Adrianna tried her best to weave her own path to her face, but she''d quickly throw her off balance and throw them to the hungry yet scared Legion members. They''d try to fight her, but she''d viscously leave them with broken noses.


    "Girls, step down." Fiorella requested. "Make sure I''m not hit."


    The girls did as asked, with Fiorella swinging her axe in a circle around her until it clashed against Daciana''s sword. The two of them exchanged blows without any side managing to land a solid hit. But Fiorella de-summoned her weapon, getting into a handstand and barely managing to scrape past a swipe from Daciana''s weapon. She leapt up off her hands, narrowly avoiding a panicked swipe from the blade that only managed to graze her leg. She stomped her head, quickly snapping her finger towards the others. Adrianna came in with her arms already covered, throwing a series of punches to a disoriented Daciana, which she was forced to block with a succession of rapid strikes. So by the time she saw her Legion soldiers running away, all she could do was look on in horror as the shadow on Capri''s mallet slowly got smaller. She was quickly crushed underneath it, and her weapon was de-summoned. She stood up with desperate fists raised, and Adrianna landed a fully crystalized punch to her face. When the mallet was shrunk down to it''s original size and Capri was ready to go back on the offensive, she quickly commanded the ten or so men surrounding her to attack them as she scrambled back on her feet to get back to Cheng.


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    "Adya!" Cheng yelled. "How are you doing?"


    Adya was trying her best to dodge everything Ryland was throwing at her. She was quickly avoiding all manner of punches, each one getting more ferocious and erratic. Her only option was to unfreeze Rodrick and Siena, but neither of them sounded like good options. Rodrick would pull out something extremely useful, and Siena would boost Ryland and make the situation even worse. As Ryland grabbed the head of a random Legion soldier and threw them full force at her head, she came to the conclusion to clench her left fist, unfreezing Siena and setting a vortex just in front of her face. Ryland''s fist got caught in it and stuck him in place, with three Legion soldiers getting behind him and kicking for good measure.


    Cheng looked around at everything that was happening. No! The surprise attack was supposed to work better! We had a fifth of the Legion''s forces working on it! He looked at Daciana, trying to keep the blood in her nose and quickly losing energy, Adya desperately trying to fight off her opponents, Ziwadi having to keep swapping out Legion members to save himself from the weapons attacks, and Serafina was doing the same with her clones, only she was looking much worse for wear.


    "Okay, plan B!" He screamed.


    Instantly, the vibe around the arena changed. Hordes of Legion members started scrambling towards the remaining ships, which Zach immediately jumped on and began tearing apart. Several of them started running towards the ships furthest away. The heroes all gave chase, tackling and taking down several remaining Legion members. But all the top fighters in the Legion managed to get onto one ship, which was quickly trying to take off. The three girls got into the living areas while the men watched outside. And just as nobody could reach them, a Legion grunt was swapped out with Cassandra.


    "Wait, where am I-"


    Cassandra could barely let out a confused sentence before four Legion members tackled her to the ground. Cheng smirked above her as he held out a pair of handcuffs and carefully applied them.


    "Careful now." He said calmly, observing the other airships getting airborne around him. "As long as she''s in one piece, we''ll face no penalties for our mistakes."


    Cassandra forced herself on her feet, headbutting the soldier who was trying to hold her down, running to the edge as the ship left the arena, and she stood before crowds of horrified onlookers. And the most horrified looking was Julian, who locked eyes with her as she was carried off.


    "Cassandra!" He screamed at the top of his lungs, running underneath the airship, hoping a sudden surge of genius would explode into his mind. But the airship left his view before he could do anything.


    He fell to his knees, the world beginning to spin as he lost the sensation from his legs and he hit the ground, defeated. The only thing his body still knew how to do was scream.


    "Cassandra!"


    Cheng looked over the deck of the ship, seeing a sole ship approaching Fightston. It looked important. A lone woman stood at the front of the ship, unsheathing a sword.


    Mia Burri. Her gaze was coming into view, cutting through him. And he didn''t feel like seeing what other cutting she was capable of. Cheng got everyone into the living area except Cassandra, who he pushed over in plain view of Mia.


    "Everyone, get this going as fast as possible!"


    Mia locked eyes with a desperate Cassandra, tearfully shouting something she couldn''t hear over the wind. The ship was off limits. But she slowly pressed a hand on her sword, and with one hand wave, she had five astral copies of the swords ready to go. She sent the swords forwards with pinpoint precision, with each one hitting the engine of the ships it was aiming at, and each one fell below the clouds to the world below. The other ships all sped up at this sight, all blitzing past and attempting to ram her ship. She had to hold onto the railings for dear life, but she did make it out alive.


    In the arena, everyone was checking up on each other. The gatekeepers were convening with their groups, and the Maximos were also seeing what was up. Arden and Roxanne exited the hotel to see for themselves what had happened.


    "Hey, is everyone okay?" Samuel asked.


    "They got Cassandra." Willow whispered, trying to suppress the maelstrom of emotion building up inside her.


    "Wait, what?!" Roxanne asked, taking a panicked look around the arena. "Where''s Julian?"


    "He tried running after them." Willow said. "I don''t know where he went."


    Roxanne tried calling Julian. He answered, struggling to say anything through a haze of raspy noises. She eventually got his rough location, and Fiorella ran out of the arena to get him.


    "So is everyone gone?" Adebayo asked.


    "Think so." Caoimhe nodded.


    "Anyone check the halls to the hotel?"


    "For what, some straggler to get info from?"


    Adebayo nodded calmly, going to the hallway he walked to get from the arena to the hotel. There was a figure approaching him. He couldn''t make the figure out as they sauntered towards him. Adebayo casually rubbed his hands together, just in case. The figure raised their hand, emitting a blinding light. Adebayo put his hands to his chest to guard the attack, calling out for help. He forced himself to face the light, with one getting brighter in the middle for a brief second, before a beam of light shot straight through his heart. He let out one last scream for help as his consciousness faded.


    Caoimhe and Capri ran into the room, seeing Adebayo''s dead body.


    And when they looked ahead, it was nothing but an empty hallway.

 Recovery Plan?

    Mia landed in the arena, the waves of despair hitting her as soon as she left her ship. She walked past the hero groups straight in Zach''s direction.


    "Zach." She said calmly. "You have a lot to answer for."


    Zach just let out a defeated sigh. He couldn''t fight it. Was there anything to fight?


    "Yes, Mia." He let out. Not a shred of emotion in his voice.


    "Now then." Mia said, glancing around the arena and walking up to Willow.


    "Vannana. Status report."


    "Currently, only one missing. Cassandra, from the Miracle Scouts."


    "So no deaths?"


    Caoimhe and Capri ran out from the hallway.


    "Adebayo died!" Capri shouted out.


    "What?!" Mia turned around, trying her best to retain her composure.


    "There was some kind of blinding light in the hallway, and Adebayo got shot down by whatever made it!"


    Mia made her way to the hallway, being greeted by Adebayo''s corpse.


    "His partner, where is he?"


    "He went to get Cassandra''s boyfriend." Willow replied.


    "I''ll call him to get back." Rodrick said, pulling out his phone.


    "Now then, while they deal with that, Zach." Mia commanded. "Your house, if you please."


    "It blew up in the attacks."


    Mia put her hand to her face to try to conceal her rage.


    "Find a hotel room, then."


    Mia strided through the halls. Everyone walking past knew to get out of the way as Zach slowly walked behind her. Once she found an empty hotel room, she went inside it and instantly set two chairs across from each other. Zach locked the door behind them, and sat across from her.


    "You are going to explain everything." Mia said calmly. Both knew the calmness was a fa?ade. At any moment, Mia could explode into a fury that could end with a destroyed hotel. And it''s not like her reasons wouldn''t be justified.


    "Where do I start?" Zach asked, trying to be a pillar of calmness in this moment


    "You bastardized a tournament that the Skyspace has cherished in a poor attempt to flush out the Legion, and what do you have to show for it? A destroyed city, a possible danger to the Skyspace, with one member of a top hero group dead!"


    "Yes, that''s true." Zach nodded.


    "And that''s all you have to say?" Mia asked. "Not to mention, the only possible salvage of this situation was the fact that I managed to take out some of their ships when I was trying to see what happened."


    "Wait, you did what?" Zach asked, jerking upright.


    "Destroyed their ships." Mia repeated calmly. "Don''t worry, they left Cassandra in plain view so that I wouldn''t destroy her ship. Although I suppose that means anyone important was on that ship."


    "And you''re fine with that?" Zach yelled. "There were people on that ship!"


    "Legion members, Zach."


    Mia''s voice cut through whatever point Zach was going to make.


    "Unless, of course, you want to defend those terrorists."


    "I do, actually."


    The fury in Mia''s eyes flared up for a brief moment. Her body tensed up for a brief second with her hand on her sword, before she returned to her neutral position.


    "Go on."


    "Cassandra and I were talking about this. The Legion kidnaps children and turns them to soldiers to attack the Skyspace. So if we save and contain them, there''s a good chance we could undo at least some of the brainwashing."


    "So you want to just allow Legion members back into society? Have you given even a moment to consider what could happen? Imagine if Legion members from Saoloro were allowed back in. Those two boys still in comas? I can''t imagine their families would be happy. And Sangaria? Luminita would be begging for her own downfall."


    "Well, it wouldn''t be all at once. We interview them, monitor and attempt to integrate. And if it works out, we can let them back in. It''ll be hard, and maybe some are too far gone. But if we get one person back, I''d consider it a win."


    "Until everyone lets their guards down and they take a housing ship back to their leader."


    Mia got up and tried to walk out of the room.


    "Hold it."


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    Mia turned around already looking frazzled.


    "The weapons turned out to have people in them."


    "Excuse me?"


    "The spear and axe broke. Both of them had people inside them. They claim to have come from the old world two hundred years ago."


    "I see." Mia said. For all she witnessed today, it sounded the most casual.


    "Wait...you didn''t know, did you?" Mia just left in silence, and Zach followed. Not being able to follow up without causing a scene.


    Zach saw Freyja out of the corner of his eyes, sighing to himself as she followed them through the hallways like a puppy in desperate need of affection.


    Mia went back into the arena where the others were waiting. Samuel was back, albeit on his knees next to Julian. His head in hands, trying his best to comprehend what happened.


    "Do you¡­want to see the body?" Julian asked, patting him on the shoulder. Roxanne stood over them both, trying her best to add some words of kindness.


    "Why would I want to see that?" Samuel said, his head jerking upright to meet his eye. He let out an incomprehensible scream of pure anguish. Mia looked to the ground in shame, looking into the hallway where the event happened. A beam of pure light, according to Freyja. Although she didn''t see it from the inside of the hotel. Any thoughts about who could be behind it, currently unimportant.


    "Everyone!" Freyja announced. "I know that today was a tumultuous affair, but I do think now is the most important time to decide where to go next."


    "Can it not wait?" Fiorella asked, turning her neck to face her. Her glare attempted to cut through her, but she remained undeterred.


    "The Legion isn''t waiting, so I''m afraid we can''t either." Freyja said back. "Right, Mia?"


    "Correct." Mia nodded without a look of approval. "Now, It''s somewhat likely that this attack has emboldened the Legion, and they''ll attack again sooner rather than later. So, I''m quickly dispatching everyone here to protect a grand''s weapon."


    "Hold it!"


    Mia looked forward to see Hikaru pointing a finger of accusation, with Einer and Jade standing behind them.


    "We''re the weapons you''re trying to protect!"


    "Excuse me?" Freyja asked, before the realization of the finals popped into her mind.


    "Was one of you the spear?" She asked, pointing an already wilted finger back at the trio.


    "Me, yes." Einer replied through slanted eyes. "The girl here was the gauntlet, and the other one here was the axe."


    "Well¡­I¡­I suppose we could make the case that..."


    Mia lifted up a finger.


    "Exposing things of this nature at this time will cause instability. It''s the last thing we need right now. I promise we can come up with a solution later, but I ask you co-operate for now."


    "The compromise being the freedom of those you trapped in weapons."


    Mia didn''t respond, merely changing her gaze over to the heroes.


    "Now, the Lumps are going to protect ShiShi. The Stone Queens, Bestemia. Kerobons, you''re on Roperia. Battlestorms will be back in Lux. The rest of you, take breaks if you need them. Now then, rest up for tomorrow."


    The arena emptied out, minus Freyja grabbing Willow by the hood. The heroes grouped up in the empty hotel canteen for one last plan. Julian arrived inside first, unleashing a primal scream as soon as he entered the room. With nothing to take his anger out on, he knocked a wooden chair to the ground and began stomping until two of the legs were broken off it. But his legs turned to jelly, and he flopped to the ground.


    "Dammit¡­fucking dammit." He wept.


    Samuel silently nodded alongside what he said. He sat on the chair opposite the one Julian wrecked and began staring at the ceiling. Trying to grasp even the vaguest idea on what to do next. Everyone else was awkwardly glancing around, looking for even the faintest answer of where to go from here.


    "So¡­what''s the plan?" Rodrick asked, turning to Roxanne.


    "You think I know?" She whispered, trying not to fall into the same state as Julian.


    "I¡­have to get her back." Julian shakily stood up, going toward the door leading outside, being stopped by Fiorella.


    "You mind repeating that, Julian."


    "I said I''m getting her back!" He roared back, prompting Fiorella to press a finger against his forehead.


    "I know where you''re coming from, darling. But I''m not letting you kill yourself."


    "Come on, Julian." Roxanne said, tugging his shoulder to try to get him away from the situation. "Look, we''ll figure something out.


    "Shut up!" Julian yelled at her, trying to contain even more hateful energy. "The fuck would you know about this, huh?"


    "Julian¡­she was my friend, too."


    "Friend, yeah. This is love I''m talking about here. You know, that thing you can''t seem to feel?"


    Roxanne took a silent step back, not showing any real emotion to the outburst. Just observing as Julian became more and more unnerved. Fiorella turned him to face her.


    "Okay, mister Julian. I think it''s time you take a step back and-"


    "Shut up!"


    Fiorella backhanded him and watched silently as he fell. He faced the floor, trying to gather his mismatched thoughts into something slightly coherent.


    "I need her back!" Was all he could manage to say through tear stained eyes.


    "I understand that, but you need to think beyond that for a second. The only way we''re getting her back is in a strong enough attack with the Grands backing us up. Besides, they said something about needing her alive. So we should have at least a little time."


    Julian perked up at the reminder, forcing himself to his feet.


    "Yo, axe guy." Julian said to Hikaru. "Did you ever try talk to Cassandra while you were in the axe?"


    "Uh¡­no?" Hikaru replied, giving a confused look to Einer. "I could kinda sense Einer and Morna''s presence, but didn''t feel anything else."


    "So maybe that''s Cassandra''s connection!" Julian yelled. "She has some power to connect to the weapons, and that''s why they need her!"


    "But how would they know she has that?" Rodrick asked.


    "Okay¡­but if the power is something like what I''m thinking, then her being brainwashed and able to control the weapons they have could be pretty severe. Meaning, it''s better to get her back now instead of later."


    Fiorella looked around to find anyone willing to talk sense into this man, but nobody answered her plea.


    "Listen, Julian." She sighed. "If you can give me any method of doing it without anyone dying, no, getting any sort of injury, I''ll hear you out."


    "I think I got something." Samuel added. "If you tried fighting off the Legion, then you''ll know that like, five percent of them knew what they were doing? And that''s being generous. So if we go in, we might be able to avoid any of the big names, at least for long enough to get Cassandra and get out."


    Fiorella stood in thought. He actually made a good point.


    "Okay, hold it." Rodrick said. "I''m not letting you go through with this. Because if some of you go on this mission, we all suffer for it. Okay?"


    Julian stared at him like he wanted to kill, but didn''t say anything.


    "I get it, it''s been stressful for all of us. But I think we should just go to bed. I''ll try to talk ShiShi into launching an attack, and I recommend you all do the same.


    The lumps walked out of the room, and the Kerobons followed. Stone queens afters them, and then the weapon trio. The rest all left at different points.


    Roxanne lay in her bed. The room was pitch black, and she was trying to get some sleep. But she was also listening. She kept her head to the bottom of the bed, closest to the wall. She heard footsteps, and some hushed whispers. She got her shoes on, she didn''t change aside from that. She slowly opened the door, and Julian was talking to Samuel.


    "We''re just getting a snack." Julian said, glaring at Roxanne. "Don''t worry about us."


    Roxanne closed the door, waiting until she began to hear the sounds of shoes against carpet. When she opened the door and saw nothing but empty hallways, she made her way out of the hotel. She walked out into the streets, and towards the space where airships were. Julian and Samuel stood of front of the Miracle ship, and she snuck in while they looked towards Capri and Fiorella making their appearance. There was talking amongst them, and only Capri turned her head slightly as she opened the door, not passing much heed. Roxanne hid in the bathroom as the four went into the ship. After a little more conversation, the engines started.


    Cassandra, we''re coming.

 Shes Here, Guys

    "Hey Cheng, you ready?"


    Cheng, aged ten years old, was ready to help the guys out. There was a spelling test on today, and several of the bigger guys forgot to study for it. Not an issue. They gave him all the cakes he could eat, making him nauseous. And when the teacher walked into the classroom, he transferred the feeling onto her.


    "So, did everyone have a good break?" She asked, as pleasant as ever. As she took the papers out from her desk, her demeanour faded. She put a hand to her chest, looking to her class. She retched a little, before walking out of the room. The noise of vomit hitting the floor was soon heard, and everyone tried not to cheer. The principal peered his head in to what seemed like a bunch of behaving students.


    "Well, it seems your teacher needs some time off, so I''ll take over. What were you planning on doing?"


    "I think it was long division." Cheng said with confidence.


    "So what''s with the tests on the desk?"


    "That''s tomorrow."


    The class agreed with him, and the principal put the tests away and began writing about long division on the whiteboard.


    When class ended, people cheered for the bigger boys.


    "Hey, so now that I got you more time, you wanna study at my place?"


    The bigger boys gave each other disinterested looks as they looked down at him.


    "Yeah, we had plans to go to Zan''s house, and his mom will only allow three other people. Sorry."


    "Oh, it''s fine. But what about the luxa you borrowed from me? My mom''s gonna get mad if you don''t give it back soon."


    "Don''t worry, I''ll have it next week."


    "You said that last week!"


    The boys walked away, leaving Cheng dejected once again. As he walked through the streets, he heard a voice whisper.


    "Such a shame."


    He looked at the houses surrounding him. The street was empty, with most people around this time commuting either to or from their homes. But a figure was leaning against a wall, draped in the shadows of the setting sun.


    "To see a promising young man be taken advantage off. It weakens my heart, truly."


    Cheng looked around for a trusted adult. And when none were around him, he just ran back to his house.


    The man''s voice kept reaching out to him as he went to school that day. Everything felt so rotten to him. The boys were joking about something, he didn''t know what, and he had a disturbing hunch it was to do with him. But he pushed that thought to his sides as he did his spelling test. He knew it all, naturally.


    But just as he was about to hand his test in, he saw some airships from the window. It landed in front of a neighbourhood, and two people approached the school as the screaming began to ring out from the few people left in their houses. Panic began to erupt as Cheng sat, perfectly behaved as always. His teacher tried to get him out of his seat among several other attempts to control the situation, but he didn''t feel the need to move. He felt he''d be safe.


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    Eventually, the two men burst into the classroom. The first one shot a chain forward, hitting his teacher directly in the head. She looked around the room in a trance, before grabbing a pair of scissors and throwing them at the kid next to Cheng in the neck. She tore it out, leaving the child bleeding. But the only thing that compelled Cheng to move was seeing one of the bigger boys make a run for it. How cowardly. He stepped outside. He looked on in fear. Cheng decided to bash his leg against the doorframe and transfer the pain to him, making him trip. His assistant silently left the room, the smell of chemicals radiating off him as he shot a green blast at the bully, who fell dead instantly. With nothing else to do, he got the Luxa he was owed from his pockets. He had about five times more than he needed on him. Cheng took all of it, not like he''d need it.


    "Cheng, my boy. I don''t think you''ll need them for a while."


    Cheng turned around to the voice. The one from yesterday. It belonged to a tall, thin man with light brown skin.


    "Doesn''t this world seem messed up to you? A world where the strong can pick on the weak, which continues until someone like me is made to speak up? But if you want it to change, you can come with me."


    And he did. The housing ship was taken and flown off before the authorities could even react, until it was a speck in the distance of the other grands. The man''s name was Chelic, and the other was his assistant, Marcus. He ended up in what would be the greatest thing to happen to the skies. Chelic promised to unite the people of the skies. The people who abandoned the world below to escape their punishment, and it was up to them to ensure they received it. He brought others in for what he dubbed as ''salvation'' and trained them for missions. The training was rough, and he had scars to prove it, but all of it was worth it. And at the end, he would fall back and witness the sky. The first dawn on a grateful world. He practised falling back, and woke up back on the airship.


    "Good nap, Cheng?" Serafina asked, nodding off herself.


    "Yeah, I''m fine." Cheng nodded. "How''s the girl?"


    "Raining pretty bad, so we let her back in." Daciana pointed to a sleeping Cassandra, still tied up.


    "Excellent!" Cheng yelled to roaring cheers afterwards. "I''ll do my best to ensure everyone gets promoted afterwards!"


    Back on the cluster, Xander sat at his desk, trying his best to wile away the hours. In front of him was his monitor, which had a ROM of Arctic Primates 3 on it. 2 was really good and this was basically more of the same. So why wasn''t he enjoying it? Probably because the console this was meant to play on back on the main ships was the same one Marcel had, and he had a hard enough time enjoying things that didn''t remind him of his successful murder. He took a second to turn off his monitor, and just watch his reflection. His eyes were crusty, his hair greasy. His severely unwashed hoodie and necktie combo didn''t look like it had any appeal, and the stink lines were almost visible. He looked around his room. His bed was dirtier then it usually was, and the bowls of noodles and cereal that Priyanka would bring around while Tsuki was busy were quickly piling up. He had left them just underneath the propaganda poster he was required to have installed in his room last week. It depicted caricatures of people from the Grands holding rusted weapons against scared children, who were running into the arms of Chelic. Or a shadowy figure that was labelled Chelic. The only other text was ''let all abandoned find new life! Save others and join your local raid!''


    He really hated looking at that thing.


    He took a reluctant sigh and turned the monitor on again. One new message from Manuel. Tenth ranked, most important computer guy in the Cluster. And somehow, Xander was his apprentice.


    ''Hey, You Wanna Play 40 Feet Remain?''


    ''Sure, got nothing else on.''


    They loaded up the game. And despite what went down, playing a game about cyborgs blazing through an underground facility while mercilessly gunning down everything in sight somehow felt more relaxing than a 3D platformer about a monkey beating up a dastardly scientist.


    ''You See The Fightston Updates?'' Manuel asked.


    ''Nah I''ve been busy'' Xander lied.


    ''K. Well, I Heard They Got The Red Haired Girl In Fightston''


    Xander''s character turned around and shot Manuel''s in the head, accidentally ending a good run. The girl was here? Okay, play this cool.


    ''Oh her? What makes her so special?''


    ''IDK. Think She Specifically Can Do Something. Only Heard From Guys Doing The Mission. She''ll Be Here In Like An Hour I Think''


    ''Damn. Well, I gotta go. TTYL''


    Xander turned off his PC, grabbed his empty bowls and left for the halls. Time to see what he could learn from this lady.

 Reunion

    There wasn''t a single sound heard as the ship carrying Cassandra flew into the dock. The men crawled out, leaving the five to come out, surrounding a restrained Cassandra. Serafina noticed Cassandra''s eyes darting around, presumably looking for some kind of escape.


    "Remember, miss invincible." Serafina sang. "Play nice, or we mess you up."


    The hallways were cleared as the six walked past, climbing the ladders up to the top level.


    "So, what''s the instruction?" Daciana asked.


    "On it." Cheng asked. He began texting Chelic, who quickly responded.


    "Ah, a prison ship on level three. Sound good, Cassandra?"


    Cassandra spat in his intact eye the second he turned around. Adya knocked her to the ground, and Cassandra started screaming a tirade of incoherent swears at them. Ziwadi stepped back in a distressed manner, causing Serafina to kick her in the head.


    "What part of play nice did you not get?" She asked, helping her on her feet and making a new clone a few feet away to avoid the headbutt.


    "Your scrambling was funny a few hours ago, now you''re just boring." Daciana sighed. Cassandra glared, there wasn''t much else she could do. They continued up seemingly endless randomly placed ladders, getting Ziwadi to swap Cassandra''s place so they wouldn''t have to undo the restraints. Once they finally reached their destination, Cassandra was shoved inside an airship, hollowed out of anything that made it one. It was painted black, with the only light source being the scorching sun. Less than half a minute, and she already felt like she was being cooked alive. Ziwadi picked her up and held her against the wall while Cheng removed her cuffs, replacing them with chains attached to the walls across from the window. The sun was beaming directly into her eyes.


    "Now then, Chelic is a little busy, but he''ll be with you at his earliest convenience. Until then, get used to your room." Cheng said as the others all left her alone.


    The window was the closest thing to company Cassandra had. The sun eventually got brighter until she couldn''t see anything. She tried freeing herself while she still had the energy, but the ship was slowly shaking more and more with each pull to free herself. She eventually stopped, concluding staying put was slightly better than falling to the surface. At least she knew for certain that staying here wouldn''t instantly kill her.


    She thought she saw another dragon peer it''s head above the clouds, but she wasn''t sure if that was real or some kind of hallucination. She tried closing her eyes, but the heat and light were still piercing. After what felt like forever, the sun shifted to let the evening in. As she bathed in the orange and purple skies, the door opened. It wasn''t Chelic, but the same guy from Saoloro.


    "What are you doing here?" She screamed. The man gave a panicked hush as he closed the door, and she promptly shut up, eyeing him the whole time.


    "Hey, how are you doing? I know we''ve met before, but this is the first time we''re exchanging names. So my name''s Xander, and you''re Cassandra."


    Cassandra stared at him as he offered a fork and a cup of instant noodles.


    "You know, I''m surprised they did both arms. Didn''t think they''d have the metal for it."


    He dug into his back pockets, producing a half eaten chocolate bar.


    "It''s all I got, sorry."


    He fed Cassandra the bar. He looked away as she choked it down.


    "So what do you mean, surprised about the metal?"


    "Well, I''m just kinda shocked they''d bother giving you two shackles. And right across from the window, too. They must have gotten you the advanced torture chamber. Didn''t know they had the resources."


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    "For what, two metal shackles?"


    "Hey lady, you can''t use more than you have to. Metal''s been kinda scarce lately, even if that''s my fault."


    "Your fault?"


    "The robot dragon? Security dragon? That was me."


    "I didn''t see it."


    "Well then it was probably circling the other end and¡­okay, there were flaws in the design, clearly. But anyway, I want to ask you some questions."


    "Like what?"


    Xander glanced at the door again.


    "Is anyone trying to break you out?"


    "Excuse me?" Cassandra asked.


    "Look, I''m not some pre-interrogation guy, okay? Chelic thinks I''m enjoying my time off in my room. And there''s nobody coming, I can break you out."


    "Why would you do that?" Cassandra asked.


    "Look, I''ll be honest with you. I haven''t checked the news lately so I''m not sure if you know, but I killed Marcel."


    Cassandra''s eyes widened at the confession. He wasn''t lying. She could just tell he wasn''t lying.


    "You did what?"


    "Look, I know. It was wrong. And it''s been eating me away since I got back here! So if you get the rescue squad, tell me. And if you do, I can get us an escape route."


    Cassandra looked at him. This was her chance to put her ideas to work. A guy who killed a Grand king, possibly the highest offense you could do, all for the Legion. And if he got redeemed, all her actions could be justified.


    "Why didn''t you leave when you got the chance?"


    "Lady, I was the scout team. I was supposed to make a route to the weapons and secure a route, to which some bigger guy would come in and take them. But that would lead to dozens of people dying, so I tried doing that myself. And if I ditched them, I''d be eventually found and killed to set an example for defectors."


    "And you didn''t work with the Grands out of fear of consequences?"


    "Obviously. But saving you clears my name, right? Look, Chelic considers you important on some level, so he''s not gonna kill you. Just try to bullshit him while my girlfriend tries to get ready, okay?"


    Xander got a message on his phone. It was from Manuel.


    ''Chelic''s On His Way. Get Out And Go Left. Probs Got Two Minutes.''


    Xander turned to the door.


    "Wait!" Cassandra whispered. Xander snapped back around.


    "The weapons are alive. If you manage to break them, they''ll probably help you."


    Xander nodded as he opened the door slightly, fully when the coast was clear. He snuck back to his room, trying his best to not let anyone see him. Once he got back to his room, he began texting Tsuki. If he got the times right, she''d be in his private chambers with the other girls.


    ''Yo Tsuki you still in Chelics room?''


    ''yeh''


    ''Okay cool. See if you can find the relic weapons and get back to me. Gonna try breaking out.''


    ''????? u insane''


    ''Staying here is insanity. When people come for the girl we escape with them. try breaking the weapons, there are people inside them. Just let me know when you find them''


    Tsuki put her phone away, looking around the room for any signs of the weapons. And there were people inside them? This would be a lot to process.


    Chelic''s room was a pretty clean place. She was surprised that he never noticed the place got dirtier after the apparent debauchery went down. All the other girls had already left, and she would have too if not for how good it felt to nap in his bed. But on the move, she checked the bedroom, under the bed. Nothing there. The obvious place would be by his desk, but was it too obvious? The more obvious thing would be how convenient it would be to keep the weapons close to hand. So she looked over her shoulder, checked beneath, and they were both there. The bow and the shield, just as she remembered them! She tried to pick them up, only to hear the sound of an erupting flame from above.


    "Who''s there?" Marcus asked calmly.


    With nothing else to do, Tsuki raised her head, her empty hands following soon after.


    Marcus shook his hand until the flame within was extinguished, with a look of pity across his face.


    "Tsuki. Please tell me you were admiring the craftmanship of those old weapons."


    "That was it." Tsuki nodded quickly.


    "As terrible a liar as ever." Marcus lamented with a solemn head shake. "What''s the actual purpose?"


    Tsuki didn''t answer. Her only option was to get out, tell Xander what she knows, and hope to the gods that his plans could work. She began running, and Marcus didn''t even try to stop her.


    "Tsuki, give up whatever you''re planning. Whatever it is, I assure you it won''t work. Now stay put, enjoy your easy life, and when Chelic dies, see how you can make things better afterwards. I know you''re a good person, so I''m not going to report this. But this is a kindness I can only afford to extend once."


    Tsuki ran. She wasn''t waiting for anything. She knew the taste of the outside, and as much as she denied it to herself, it was all she wanted. And once she got to Xander, she was ready to enact the plan. This was the end of Chelic.


    Cassandra waited for the man to approach her. The door opened, and a tall man approached her. Besides his slicked backed hair and crooked smile that made him resemble a shifty salesman of damaged goods, he was just wearing a purple hoodie and jeans. His face was sharp, practically bursting internally to give some kind of perverted information.


    "So, you''re the man who runs this place?" Cassandra muttered.


    "Oh, what''s with the hostility?" Chelic asked. "Should a relationship between uncle and niece not start off better?"

 Surface Level Connection

    "Shut it." Was the only thing able to leave Cassandra''s mouth. This man, this¡­thing, smirking at her? It wasn''t her uncle. She wasn''t related.


    "Quite the bombshell, hm?" He asked calmly. "Don''t worry, I''ll wait for your mind to catch up. I know it''s good at that."


    Cassandra lay in silence, while Chelic expected the room. There was some slight grease on the ground next to her, which didn''t make sense. The room was practically sparkling when he last checked, a mere twenty minutes before she stepped foot in it.


    "Before we start for real, I need to ask something. Something casual."


    "What?"


    "After you were left for me, it was just you, correct? Nobody else came in?"


    "Nobody."


    "So you''re just naturally that greasy?"


    He pointed downwards, towards a small patch of grease.


    "I never noticed that." Cassandra said with as best a shrug she could achieve in chains.


    "Are you sure?"


    "Look, why would I care if you end up killing one of your own goons?" Cassandra snarled.


    "But I thought redemption was the word of the day?"


    Chelic noticed Cassandra''s eyes strain with the stress. He caught her red handed.


    "I''m guessing there''s someone here you''ve already grown acquainted with?"


    "Never happened."


    "Don''t lie to me, Cassandra."


    What looked like an astral version of a chain emerged out of his left hand. He put it to her head, and Cassandra felt it phase through her skull and merge with her brain. Her brain felt like it was melting. Chelic''s face grew more stern, and his eyes were closed. If Cassandra were to guess, he was poking around in her memories for some kind of evidence. So, all she had to do was make other ones louder, or cloud them. Cheng. Cheng gave her the noodles. The face belonged to Cheng. He found the joys of the Skyspace and is planning on defecting.


    "Cheng, hmm?" Chelic nodded, retreating the chain. He stared as Cassandra gave herself a while unscramble her brain and get back to reality. "A decent attempt, but the grease looks to be from some kind of instant noodles, containing wheat, which Cheng is allergic to. But you couldn''t block the tie and hoodie combo, so I know who''s trying to help. Still though, I applaud your efforts."


    Cassandra weakly growled in response.


    "But let''s put that aside for now, because I''m sure you have a lot of questions."


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    "Why do you want me?" Cassandra asked.


    "Ah, getting right to it. I like it. You see, you, my dear, are pretty special."


    "I guessed that." Cassandra sighed. "But I''m the key. What makes me the key?"


    "Ah, so you remembered, that''s good." Chelic nodded. There was an odd rhythm to his nodding. "But yes. Now, I know for a fact you''ve used some of the relic weapons. And I''m gonna make a guess that they''ve tried communicating with you as well."


    Cassandra looked up with strained eyes.


    "Yeah, the axe tried. Mostly just gibberish though, until I tried attacking the bow. Then it got annoyed at me."


    "Yes, and the weapons are actually people, you already know that part. Did they tell you the history of this place?"


    "Yeah. We''re the ancestors of the people who destroyed the world."


    "Awesome, you got that part down. But here''s the plot twist¡­we''re from the surface!"


    Chelic laughed to the ceiling as he said that, looking back towards a horrified Cassandra.


    "What, you don''t like that. Look, I assure you, the surface is a nice place to live, but I''m guessing you have some propaganda swilling around your-"


    "We''re from the surface?" Cassandra screamed.


    "Yep!"


    "I¡­I¡­but¡­but we¡­how?!"


    "The chains I just produced? Good for more than peeking in brains. They hang onto things pretty well, too. So all I had to do was climb a mountain, wait to see something among the grands, and begin working on my takeover!"


    He strutted around the place jauntily before continuing.


    "Well, truth be told, I had a little help. My assistant, Marcus? He''s a pretty strong guy, so once I got him to obey me it was smooth sailing."


    "But what about me?"


    "Oh yeah, you. I actually, uhh, don''t know how you got here. From what I can guess, my sister sent you after me when you were a baby, but you somehow got your memory wiped in the meantime. And from what I can gather, another person was sent up with you, but they just kind of forgot. Guess that''s why you don''t send babies to kill grown leaders, they get distracted easily.


    "Wait, was it you who erased my memories?"


    "Nah, I don''t have that kind of power. Maybe it was to ensure a safe trip or something."


    "Okay, so I was somehow sent from the surface to stop you with someone else." Cassandra said, trying to process what exactly she was. "But why do you need me? Is it just to prevent something?"


    "Eh, a little bit." Chelic said with a shake of his hand. "It''s mostly because you''re special. I''ll admit I don''t know the exact details, but I do know I want you on my side.


    "Fuck. Off."


    "Tall order, I know. But¡­I do have a sales pitch, so if you''ll give me a minute to-"


    "Shut the fuck up!"


    Chelic dropped the tone, looking at Cassandra after her outburst, her bloodshot eyes staring directly into his. He slowly walked to her and slapped her across the face.


    "You''re gonna listen." He said. "You were told about the surface, right? How much?"


    "That a group of rich people destroyed the surface, and all escaped on giant airships, killing the leaders sent to stop them just beforehand."


    "Pretty much." Chelic nodded. "But the surface is still hanging on, barely. You know they destroyed countries, right? Convince a guy in charge of a big country that a smaller one is a threat, invest in a weapons company beforehand, rake in the profits of destroying a country. Cause a few untold disasters as a by-product of your mass production, cause places to go under due to the stress and leaving them in the dirt after you''ve stolen all their resources? Yep, yep, and yep. So what I''m saying is, do you think a monument to escaping all of that should exist. be honest for a second."


    "Everyone who did that died! It''s not their fault!"


    "I guess. But the people on the surface? Not their fault they have a flooded wasteland to live in. So let me ask again. Should something like this exist? I''m not saying to kill everyone here, I''m not that unreasonable. Just let the people below judge them. And you, you get to use their weapons against them. You''ll be a hero, miss Cassandra."


    Cassandra didn''t respond.


    "Suit yourself, I''ll ask in the morning. I got something to deal with in the meantime."


    Once Chelic stepped outside, his phone rang. He answered it to a terrified voice from a lower member.


    "Chelic, some people stepped into the cluster. They want the girl."

 Secure the Bow-Part 2

    Julian steered the ship towards the cluster. The misshapen mass of stolen airships loomed over them. Through the night sky, they could only vaguely make out a light near the bottom, which would hopefully be where to land the ship.


    But a strained roar was heard in the darkness, and two dim blue eyes were dashing towards the ship. Julian managed to steer the ship to the right, with it only scraping the left part of it. Julian quickly checked the other three were still alive, and they were. Fiorella was clinging the wall, Capri was clinging to her, and Samuel was laying against the couch. The roar was heard, and Julian dived backwards. Capri looked out of the window, seeing the underside of the mechanical beast above them. She noticed the metal was poorly put together, with several patches missing , and the metal itself looked fairly weak and worn out.


    "Fiorella, I might need your help."


    The girls stepped outside, waiting for the creature to roar again. Fiorella summoned her axe, holding it in the air to cut slices of metal off the bottom of the dragon, leaving the pieces to fall besides them. Capri moved to the top of the ship, waiting for the dragon to come by her again. With one swing of her enlarged hammer, the dragon was pushed to the side as it let out a deadly roar. It tried charging again, and Fiorella swung her axe underneath it, taking a bundle of wires out with it. They dashed back into the airship as Capri screamed at Julian to floor the airship. The dragon fell below the clouds, letting out a deafening roar as it descended.


    The girls walked back inside, handing the men panels, scales from their victorious hunt.


    "In case we need shields." Fiorella said.


    "Although the metal is pretty weak." Capri said, looking over it. "I''m pretty shocked that thing was able to fly at all.


    "Weak?" Samuel asked.


    "Good for stuff like houses where you don''t expect it to move a whole bunch, not good for anything else."


    "And how do you know about this?"


    "Look, it was either hero work or a welding apprenticeship, okay? I made the better choice."


    But with nothing else to stop them, the ship landed in the dock of the Legion''s ships. The few people there to work on airships stopped what they were doing, their eyes fixated on whatever was happening.


    The door swung open, and Capri leapt out first, mallet in hand. A man on the floor tried running to some kind of button, but she landed just in front of it, smirking at the young man while slowly tapping her mallet against the wall. The man''s eyes crossed, and he fell unconscious without a fight. Two pulled up their sleeves and tried to approach the ship, and Fiorella summoned her axe. one swipe just shy of their noses, and they were begging for life on the floor. Samuel saw the two left running out of the room, bounding off the walls to get to them. He landed in front of the doorway just before them. He hit one with a single solid kick to the gut, and he fell to the floor in agony. Julian grabbed the other one by the shoulders and easily flipped him to face him.


    "Where''s Cassandra?" he roared.


    "Wh-why would I know?" He screamed back, trying to pry himself off, until he felt Samuel''s presence behind him.


    "Look, I''m the lowest you could get around here, I-I promise you I don''t know anything!"


    Julian punched him in the face and Samuel delivered a knee to his back.


    "Guess!"


    "I-if I had to, then they''re probably in some prison ship. I''ve never seen them, but they''re near the top!"


    Julian dropped the guy, and the four ran to the top of the building.


    Roxanne emerged from the ship when the coast was clear. Her leg got caught on a table that was moved in the chaos, and she looked at it. It was only a few days, but her leg felt better. She slid the cast off, and she felt she could walk normally. In fact, her leg felt better than ever. So with nothing to lose, she went to follow them at a distance they couldn''t see. She looked over her shoulder when she felt something brush past it, but when she turned around, the only thing was a guy someone else knocked out in front of the ship.


    Or at least, she was pretty sure the body was always there.


    The other people on the lower ends of the cluster kept out of the way of the four. They ended up barrelling through a few rooms, whose residents tried to hide themselves to avoid accidentally triggering their wrath. As they went through a poorly made and rickety hallway, they were faced with two people. Serafina and Daciana. Serafina threw some smoke behind her, but the clone was instantly whacked back to dust by Capri''s hammer. Daciana readied her blade, and Fiorella did the same in turn. Daciana spun around, her blade meeting up with Fiorella''s axe. Swings were exchanged with everyone else behind them doing their best to avoid them. Fiorella tried making a trail of dust in between Julian and Samuel, but when she put her mind in the fresh clone, Capri and Samuel laid a beatdown that forced her to cower behind Daciana. Fiorella eventually ducked underneath a stressed sword swing that stuck to the walls, and in the brief second it took Daciana to dematerialize her weapon, Fiorella had already given an elbow strike to the face.


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    "Go on without me, darlings. It won''t take me long to catch up."


    The other three pushed past Serafina, who''s attempts to catch up were quickly thwarted by Samuel''s kicks and Capri''s swings. They continued upwards. If they had to guess, they would estimate they were halfway there.


    Xander paced through the hallways with an empty water bottle. If anyone asked, he was just looking for a refill. Whether or not the taps were stocked with water was a whole other question, but he was cooped up in his room for days. He could fake it if somebody was suspicious. He walked past the room Cassandra was being held in, which Cheng was guarding alongside Ziwadi and Adya.


    "Hey, Xander." Ziwadi said casually. "Nice to see you out of your room."


    "Oh, well, you know." Xander said, trying to look casual, barely stopping himself from sipping water that didn''t exist. "Figured being holed up in my room wasn''t helping anything I have going on, so why not step out, you know?"


    "Yeah, good to see. Maybe we could work out sometime."


    "Yeah, maybe!" Xander nodded. "So what''s up with the door? Something important behind it?"


    "Miss Cassandra." Cheng said, keeping his eyes focused on the hallway the heroes would be forced to go through. "Some intruders have come in to rescue her."


    "Wrecked your dragon, too." Ziwadi said sadly. "Sorry about that."


    "Oh¡­yeah, that''s pretty sad." Xander sighed. "But you know, it''s just a side project. I''ll work on a better security system when this boils over. You guys got this."


    He snapped finger guns to the trio, before scooting out of their view and opening his phone. he texted Tsuki.


    ''Still in the weapins room?''


    ''no''


    ''is it empty''


    ''think so''


    ''cool, were doing this.''


    Xander made sure nobody was following him, and dashed to Chelic''s room. He felt a weight in his hand, and when he looked down, the dagger was back, and it pierced through his water bottle. This was good, he had a weapon, He opened the door, hesitating for a second. But screw it, he had to burst in. Tsuki was behind him, checking over her shoulder every couple seconds. She nodded to him, and they both burst in. After one scrambled look, nobody was inside the room. Tsuki darted towards the desk, handing Xander the shield and taking the bow for herself. They both made their attempt to run out of the room, but the sound of a toilet flushing was heard. The door swung open, and a chain was attached to the door, pushing it shut.


    "Woah now!" Chelic announced. "One minute earlier, and you''d have caught me in the middle of the worst¡­I won''t go into it, but you might have gotten away."


    Tsuki didn''t respond, choosing to fire from her bow. Chelic dodged, taking a step forwards to avoid the mess of foliage sprouting from the door to his private toilet. Tsuki tried again, but her aim was unsteady, and the arrow brushed past Chelic''s head. He didn''t even have to move.


    "Nice shot, Tsuki! Maybe we can take up lessons at some point. Now then, put the weapons down, and I''ll put this behind me. After all, harming someone as pretty as you is the last thing I want to do."


    Tsuki lay the weapon down. She needed to know what he was planning.


    "I''m willing to blame Xander here for putting a bunch of ridiculous ideas in your head. So I''ll cut you a deal. Kill him, and you get to walk free. Heck, I''ll give you all his old stuff to play around with. He''s got a new computer, a bunch of games. All his money''s yours, by the way. Should mention that too."


    Tsuki pointed the arrow towards Xander, who started panicking. He put the shield on his arm, readying his dagger just in case. But as Tsuki pulled back, manifesting an arrow. She quickly spun to face Chelic again.


    "You need to rot!"


    She fired the arrow, and Chelic jumped out of the way. He didn''t look sad. Just annoyed.


    "Well, you can''t say I didn''t give you a chance."


    Chelic shot a chain forward, aimed squarely at Tsuki''s forehead. She dropped the bow, and her face went pale. Her eyes glazed over and her body went numb. Chelic pulled forward, and she lurched forwards. Guttural noises formed in her mouth, followed by blood being coughed up. Chelic undid his chain, and she fell to the ground. She was convulsing on the ground. Xander took a step forward, reaching out to her with his free hand, which got caught in a chain.


    "Well, this is an issue for me." Chelic sighed. "I know that Manuel likes you, and probably some of the other big names. Killing you would be a pain in the ass, so I''ll give you one more chance. Hand over the weapons. And when the time comes, defend this place against those who would harm your friends. Sound good?"


    He grinned at he finished his statement. Xander tried struggling to get the chain off, but the sensation of the chain against his bones reverberated against the rest of his body whenever it moved. He was struggling not to vomit. The dagger faded into the air, and Xander knew what he had to do. He fell to his knees in despair, sensing Chelic''s smile widening. Xander felt the blood rush to his shielded hand, and with one cleave, the chained arm was gone.


    Xander stood up, seeing Chelic''s smile drop to an expression of anger. Xander was pumped up, and he needed to act before the pain kicked in. The blood flowed to his legs through the tubes connecting to his body, as he grabbed the bow from Tsuki''s corpse. When Chelic reached out to stop him, an intense amount of blood flowed to his shielded arm, as it shot upwards to hit Chelic in the face. Chelic flew backwards, falling on his back just short of the foliage. When he got up, blood was leaking from his nose. He tried to form a sentence, but his mouth just leaked curse words as he shot another chain towards Xander''s head. Xander turned around at the perfect moment to block it with the shield.


    Xander ran to the cell where Cassandra was being held. He had two relic weapons, and getting her out was his only chance. No matter what, he had to fight off whoever was waiting.


    But when he got there, the three guarding Cassandra''s cell were staring off with the three about to rescue her.

 Traitors

    Cheng looked forward as Julian''s group climbed the stairs to them. He expected them to be tired out from all the climbing, but he guessed burning passion can overcome fatigue.


    "Greetings, challengers!" He announced, throwing his arms in the air to add a sense of much needed bravado to the coming proceedings. Nobody reacted.


    "So is Cassandra behind that door?" Samuel asked.


    "She would be." Cheng nodded. "Or would that be too obvious? There are many prisons here, and to just stand in front of Cassandra''s? A little too convenient, would it not be?"


    "Shut the fuck up and tell us where she is!"


    Julian ran forward for a punch, running into an enlarged mallet from Capri.


    "The metal on this level looks pretty flimsy." Capri said, looking around and knocking the sheet next to her. "I have a feeling one decent fight could topple this place. And I don''t think any of us want that."


    "Didn''t expect the clown to be observant." Cheng said with a lowered tone. "But I assure you, if it came to blows, we''d all survive, at the very least."


    Suddenly, Xander burst out of the room. Blood was dripping from the stump his arm was once attached to, the Sangaria shield and Saoloro bow in his hand. He looked over to Julian''s group, throwing the bow to Samuel and pointing to the door.


    "Shoot that!" he yelled.


    Samuel looked to him, doing as he asked. Vines erupted from the spot where the arrow landed, causing the door to be sealed shut. Angered pounding was heard from inside, and when Ziwadi was about to clap, Cheng quickly put his hand between his.


    "Afterwards." Cheng said calmly.


    "Xander, are you seriously turning traitor right now?"


    "Yeah!" Xander screamed. "Do you think I''m gonna let him take over the world?"


    "Liberate the world!" Cheng yelled. "Unite it with the world below and create a new world, where all are equal!"


    "Do you actually think that?" Xander yelled back. "You give power to a maniac who has to brainwash kids to hold power, and you think he''s gonna make everything better?"


    "Like the people in the Grands could do any better!"


    "Look, I''m not gonna pretend that life over there is perfect, but I''ve seen it! People are happy, they have everything they need! I wanna get out of here and live with them, and I want you to have that too!"


    "You killed Marcel, you can''t turn back now!" Cheng yelled through gritted teeth.


    Xander looked to the three heroes, trying to process this information, and then back to Cheng. The tubes connected to his arm and made the blood flow, and he launched towards Cheng. Ziwadi swapped him and Xander, but without missing a beat, Xander kicked himself off the wall and vertically slashed Cheng on the rebound. Cheng wailed in pain as he fell to the ground. Ziwadi clapped his hand to let him back on his feet. Cheng breathed heavily as he tried to keep his composure.


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    "Kill them!"


    Adya tried to weigh down Xander, but he pushed the shield upwards to block the anti-gravity. Capri ran under him, delivering a hammer swing that sent her barrelling through the hallways. Cheng pulled out a knife with a wicked smile, and Samuel dropped the bow and kicked it out of his hands. Ziwadi swapped places with Julian, grabbing the bow and aiming for the the door that held Cassandra. Xander leapt in front of the bow, deflecting the shot to the ceiling, where the vines started to grow. Julian went to punch Ziwadi, and Xander followed, both landing solid punches to his head, leaving him stumbling backwards. And as he was about to fall over, he was caught by Serafina.


    "Hey, what''d we miss?" She asked, glancing at the growing vines on the ceiling.


    "What are you doing here?" Cheng asked. "Are the other threats dealt with?"


    "My heads a little fuzzy, but yeah." She nodded.


    Daciana walked into the hall, dropping Fiorella onto the floor. She was bloody and bruised, but very much conscious.


    "She''s dealt with, at least." Daciana said calmly.


    "Yeah, turns out it''s hard to fight with an axe against a double blade and a steady supply of replicas, whoda guessed?"


    "Fiorella!" Capri yelled, enlarging her hammer for a bash, which was quickly shrunk after Serafina and Daciana held up Fiorella as shield.


    "Relax, circus show." Serafina said, leaning in and backing away as soon as Capri tried hitting her again. "We''re not gonna kill her. Not when we could bring some big names in to negotiate something bigger. We''re talking leaders here! Maybe Mia, or Zachary, or¡­"


    "We''ll decide that later. But for now I must commend you, Serafina."


    "Yeah! How you feel about that! Now then, I think everyone needs to calm down, and we''ll send a message to make sure you''re here. Sound good?"


    A strike was felt at the back of Serafina''s head. She turned around, and Roxanne was behind her, looking panicked with her fists up. She slammed her into a wall several times, until she fell to the floor.


    "Roxanne?!" Julian yelled out. Roxanne dashed past him to get to Cheng, who pulled a knife out and was preparing to stab. She tried wrestling the knife out of his hands, and Cheng managed to push her against a wall. Roxanne put her hand out to brace for whatever impact was coming her way. For a brief moment, she felt the pain as the knife pierced her hand for less than a second. But Cheng stepped back in shock as Roxanne was fine. He looked around to his teammates.


    "You all saw that! I stabbed her!"


    Roxanne looked at her hand. She felt the impact, but now she was fine. It was like he missed. In his moment of confusion, Roxanne punched him in the head, forcing him to the ground. She stomped on his head a couple times for good measure, and he was down.


    The three remaining looked on in horror at Roxanne. Adya weighed her down and Daciana immediately went in for the kill, which Capri and Xander managed to block while Julian pulled her out. Cheng pulled himself up, opening up the door to Cassandra''s prison while everyone was distracted. He motioned for Ziwadi to get inside, which he did. Once inside, Ziwadi clapped his hands together, swapping places with Roxanne. He did this with Julian too. Ziwadi stepped out and was about to close the door shut, but Xander came forward, sticking his shield in between in an attempt to pry it back open. Adya weighed him down once again, and Cheng pushed him inside the prison.


    "Now then, find a way to deal with the other three, and I''ll figure out how to get the boss out."


    Inside the prison, Xander used the shield to cut the chains. Once Cassandra was freed, Julian knelt down to meet her. When their eyes met, Julian broke down, hugging her and holding her as tight as he could. He tried to form a sentence in between bouts of tears, but Cassandra just broke down next to him.


    All the while, Xander was bashing the door trying to get it to open, with no such luck.


    "Look, I know this is a good moment, but could you help me get this door open?" Xander yelled.


    Roxanne looked at the door, trying to see if there was a way to open it. Maybe whatever caused her not to be attacked could help? No, she couldn''t guess the correlation between these two. Xander took a step back, opposite the door. he ran to bash the door open, but the only thing that followed was a shaking noise.


    "Wait, what are you doing?" Cassandra yelled, shooting upright.


    "Trying to get us out of here!" Xander yelled, trying again. But when he bashed the door, the shaking began.


    "Okay, you need to stop!" Cassandra yelled.


    But Xander didn''t listen, trying one final time. But when he leaned back, the world fell with him. The sky started to get faster around them, and when Cassandra looked outside the window, all she saw was the cluster getting further away from them.


    And then her vision of the cluster was replaced by the surrounding clouds.

 A Gem of a Town

    The clouds passed them as the old ship sunk through the sky. Roxanne tried clinging onto something, eventually choosing what was left of the chains on the walls. Julian and Cassandra clung to each other in a desperate attempt to hold onto anything. Xander was still furious, bashing the shield against anything he could for some kind of relief. He looked out the window to see dragons soaring through the sky, no two the same colour. As they descended further, trees larger than anything on the surface were made visible, each with thick vines connecting them. And finally, murkiness. A bright yellow murkiness covered the ship, brown specks dotting the window, until they emerged out of it. The door was on the underside of the landing site, so opening it wasn''t an option. Xander tried smashing the window with the shield, but the damn window wasn''t giving a dent.


    "Is everyone alive?" Roxanne yelled after the ship stopped moving.


    "I am." Julian nodded through a spinning head and pained stomach.


    "Yeah. Yeah, I''m alive." Cassandra sighed.


    They stayed at the bottom of the ship, watching Xander hang onto the wall through what seemed to be sheer anger, endlessly bashing away at the window, while the other three had to avoid the blood pouring out of where his arm once was.


    "You think you could try breaking the window?" Roxanne asked.


    "I¡­I don''t want to use the weapons anymore." Cassandra whispered.


    Julian gave Roxanne a concerned look, before turning back to Cassandra.


    "Uh¡­something happen on the ship?" Julian asked, putting a hand on her shoulder.


    Cassandra took a deep breath.


    "I''m Chelic''s niece." She whispered.


    The words felt like vomit to her. And as she faced her friends, Julian just shrugged.


    "Okay? Cassandra, we''ve been over this. Just because you were connected to them at some point doesn''t mean you should let it define you."


    The two embraced with a casual kiss. When it was done, Roxanne hugged both of them.


    "Okay, I''m glad you reunited, but maybe we could come up with a way out of this thing?" Xander asked.


    "I mean, is it even safe out there?" Roxanne asked. "What are the chances of something like a deadly creature of some kind?"


    "Or the place in general is poisoned." Julian added.


    "Well, what do you suggest we do?" Xander yelled.


    As he turned to try against the window again, a hand pressed against it. Xander jumped back, and the others hid behind him. The ship began to move, and they felt it hit solid land. The door opened, and two people were in front of them.


    Neither of the dark skinned individuals said anything. The taller one was a slender woman in an oversized blue jacket and baggy trousers with military jeans, and her hair was a simple buzz cut.


    The shorter man behind her was a boy in a red jacket and trousers made by attaching extra leg fabric to a pair of old shorts, with his hair styled in a man-bun alongside some patchy facial hair. Both were wearing goggles and necklaces similar to Roxanne. The girl had a red gem in hers, and the boy had a white one.


    The girl held a rifle in her hands, which she held slightly higher than she normally would, perhaps as a subtle suggestion not to mess with her. The guy stood behind her with arms crossed, sizing up the situation.


    "Did you come from the sky?" The woman asked slowly.


    "Correct." Julian said from inside. "We got thrown out."


    "Thrown out?" The man asked."


    "Well, it was an accident on¡­everyone''s part, but point is, we''re stuck here."


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    The two looked to each other. The guy shrugged.


    "Code still applies, right?"


    The girl nodded, so the man stepped in front.


    "Okay. We got a policy of not leaving any humans behind, so now you''re a part of our family!"


    "Yes, that. Mind if we guide you back to our city?"


    "Well, it''s not like we have much of a choice." Xander said, stepping out. Julian and Cassandra stepped out, and Roxanne was the last to leave. The two natives took a discreet glance at her chest, exchanging a discreet look at each other.


    "Excuse me, is something off?" Roxanne asked.


    "It''s nothing, we were just making sure nobody else was in there." The guy responded with a dismissive hand wave.


    In front of them was a deep jungle. Trees taller than anything any of the main four had ever seen stretched out and blotted out the clear blue sky. The ground was brown and wet, and they sank into it a little with each step. Roxanne''s leg already wasn''t the best, so she was constantly catching herself while trying not to trip. This failed, and she felt her foot get caught in something and almost fell to the ground. The guy caught her, helping her back on her feet.


    "You okay?" He asked. Their eyes met, and Roxanne got a glance into his. Eyes as deep a brown as a particularly well made chocolate bar. Like, the type she saw stars eat in movies for the product placement that was way too expensive for chocolate.


    And as Roxanne looked into his eyes, she felt¡­nothing.


    "Yes, I''m fine. Please let me go."


    The man let her back on her feet, and she kept going.


    "Just watch out, and you''ll stay standing." The girl said without turning back. "It shouldn''t be that hard."


    "Eh, lay off em." The guy responded, gazing at the sky. "I''m guessing their sky ships all have the most even flooring at all times."


    "Hey, I fell down enough stairs to say otherwise." Julian replied, wiping fresh dirt off his face. "But otherwise yes."


    "You get used to it quicker than you think." The guy replied. "I mean, I''m not even supposed to be out here. Just felt like taking a stroll!"


    "What do you usually do?" Cassandra asked.


    "Doctor. But that gets stuffy. And depressing. So sometimes you gotta grab a moment and let the wind flow through you!"


    Suddenly, footsteps were heard through the trees above them, and a blur leapt below. It looked like a dragon, only a little more sleek, a little more moist, and with much smaller wings. It snarled and leapt at Xander, who blocked it with his shield. The creature expanded its wings to scare him off, but Xander just cut its neck with a single slice to the neck.


    "Yo, nice one!" The man yelled, seemingly unfazed by the attack, picking up the body and draping it over his shoulder.


    "Wyvern wings." He said casually. "You able to get em up there?"


    "Nope." Cassandra said.


    "Yeah, checks out. Pretty sure we only started eating them after you took off and they were deemed too tough beforehand. But boil the wings at the right temperature with some mint sauce and lake salt. That''s just a good meal, I don''t know what people were thinking back then!"


    "I''ll let them know we got something." The girl said, taking out a phone to text with.


    "Oh hey, you guys have phone service down here." Julian noticed.


    "It''s limited, but it works." The guy shrugged.


    After what felt like an eternity of trapsing through a muddy path, the city lay before them. It seemed like once abandoned buildings first reclaimed by nature, then the remaining humans made their attempt to reclaim it back, with both parties agreeing on a middle ground. Some of the vines gathered to connect to the nearby trees, but those had nets attached, probably to avoid more wyvern attacks. The group walked past the two guards in front of the cities main gate, dressed in leather and guns, as they stepped past and nodded at everyone who passed them.


    "Miss Ngozi, Mr. Kwadwo." The left guard said calmly.


    "Sup." The man, presumably Kwadwo, said back with a friendly wave.


    Inside the city was people going about their day. In the centre was an unused fountain, with a girl sitting by it playing a worn down violin. A man sat next to her eating a sandwich, passing discreet glances at the girl. Children ran through the street and stole food left in shop windows, getting away before any owners could catch them. Overall, people of all races and ages seemed to be relaxing and soaking in the day. But Roxanne noticed that everyone was wearing a necklace. The violinist had a green gem while the man eating had a blue one.


    "And, welcome to trampstown." Kwadwo said calmly. "First off, mind if I take you to the hospital? Just a check up for most of you."


    "Most of us?" Xander asked.


    "Yeah, I''m assuming that you had an arm a few hours ago." He said, wincing at the stump. "So you''ll probably need a blood transfusion. Don''t worry, we''ll find a donor before more damage can be caused."


    "So I can leave them with you?" Ngozi asked.


    "Yeah, I got it. Gotta clock back in, anyway."


    The six made their way through the city, with a couple people taking a glance at Roxanne, staring at her necklace. And when Roxanne noticed, nobody was wearing a purple gem.


    "Hey, is something up with purple gems?" Roxanne asked.


    "Eh, probably. I think they had a meaning in the olden days, but I slept through that history class."


    "So the gems have meanings?"


    "Oh, totally. I have a white one, which means I work in the medical field. Green means you''re an artist, red means you''re a scout. It''s just convenient to know where someone stands, you know?"


    "Eh, guess that makes sense." Julian nodded. He looked over to see Xander, looking ready to fire back at this system, but in the end he stayed silent. Maybe the Legion used something similar and they were all idiots, he''d have to think about it later.


    The hospital''s interior looked like one in the skies, but with slightly worse lighting. The four were all placed in a series of empty beds. Kwadwo took swabs from all of them, to see if they were related to anyone here. They all sat in an awkward silence. They tried finding something to talk about, but every time somebody tried, it would stop fairly quickly.


    After what felt like an eternity, a nurse walked into the room.


    "Excuse me, Cassandra? There''s someone waiting to see you."


    A pale woman in a white shirt and trousers came in after her. Her hair was a rosy blonde, and her eyes a deep ocean blue. And before Cassandra could think, she knew. She stuttered to get the words out, her mouth being filled with as many useless words as her eyes were filling with tears. But eventually, she managed to let one slip out.


    "Mom?!"

 Thicker Than Water

    Everyone stood in awe as Cassandra slowly got up to greet the woman in front of her. This was her mother. She didn''t know how she knew, but the connection was just so obvious in her mind. It was like they talked every day. When they were face to face, the woman held onto her face, turning it ever so slowly. And that''s when the tears in Cassandra''s eyes went into overdrive, as she collapsed into her mother''s arms and started bawling.


    "I know, Cassandra." She whispered.


    "Wait, Aspasia''s your mother?" Kwadwo asked.


    "Why, is she famous around here?" Julian asked.


    "I mean, she runs the hospital."


    "I''m sorry, Kwadwo?" Aspasia asked. "I know that a blood transfusion needs to happen, so I trust I can leave you to it?"


    "Sure, go ahead."


    "I''ll need the shield you''ve got there, too." She said as she approached Xander. Xander glared at her, but obliged.


    Kwadwo gave a confident thumbs up as he pulled a piece of paper from a fax machine containing the data.


    "Oh, you''re brothers with the same blood type. That should make things easier."


    Kwadwo looked up from his paper to see Julian and Xander''s shocked faces look at him, and then to each other.


    "I''m guessing you didn''t know that?" He asked.


    "But¡­but¡­you were with the Legion." Julian muttered. He was actually stumped. The man across from him was related. His own brother was sent to attack him. His brother killed the king. But he felt his mind clear. When the Legion attacked and killed his parents, he saw their corpses. But his mind was filling in gaps of a third family member. He was never found. Between the move to Miracle and mourning them, he simply...forgot he existed.


    "Do you need a minute?" Kwadwo asked.


    "Just do the transfusion." Julian whispered.


    Xander sat as Julian''s blood was drained from his arm. His mind was probably filling with as many bizarre questions and realizations as him. When what remained of his arm was fully bandaged up, the two went to the rooftop rest area. A few other people were around in bandages and banged up looking wheelchairs, but they didn''t pay much notice towards them. A nurse handed each of them a glass of water, which looked clean enough.


    "So¡­how you feeling?" Julian asked, taking a sip of water. Tasted clean, at least.


    "About what?" Xander snapped.


    "Us being brothers, let''s start there."


    "Do I look like I care?"


    "I mean, it''s a pretty big revelation. You sure you don''t feel anything?"


    "Sorry, let me rephrase. Why should I care? I got kidnapped and made into a Legion slave, you got to live on the grands. We have nothing in common."


    "I wouldn''t go that far. I mean, we''ve both dealt with relics, and we both hate the Legion. Both two pretty big commonalities, are they not?"


    "So what now, you want to ask a bunch of questions?" He asked.


    "Yeah, questions." Julian nodded, taking another sip of water. "You know what Chelic wants with the weapons?"


    "I think he just wanted them all in one place. Have the people''s faith weakened, then strike at that moment. He had three of them."


    "And you had two."


    "Actually, yeah. The Gurut hammer. That wasn''t there."


    Xander looked into his water, seeing his confused face looking back at him. Someone had the weapon, and it wasn''t him or Chelic. Someone got away.


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    "I take it you don''t know?" Julian asked.


    "Can''t say I do."


    "Well, we''ll try figure that part out later. Next question, where''s your posse?"


    "Posse?"


    "You know, your team? The girls who were with you."


    "Tsuki''s dead."


    Julian tensed up.


    "I''m sorry that happened." He sighed.


    "And Priyanka''s probably fucked as well." Xander tried to hold his head in his hands, but realized halfway through one was missing, so just used one hand.


    "How fucked do you think she is?" Julian asked.


    "Well, Chelic tried to kill me, so take a damn guess!"


    He slammed his hand on the table and spilled the glasses. Julian grabbed a paper towel to sponge up the water while he calmed down. Julian waved a hand to signify the other patients they were free to go back to whatever they were doing.


    "So, what are the chances she''s being marked for death?" Julian asked when he sat down.


    "Our best guess is that she''s being tortured." Xander sighed. "They might try to pick her brains to see if she had any role in what Tsuki and I got up to."


    "That buy us much time?"


    "Chelic can read minds. Getting her chained up might take a while, but the whole operation would probably take a day, tops."


    "Shit." Julian mumbled.


    "Look, I know we were enemies for a lot of this relic business. But¡­you gotta help me! We have the same goal of getting back to the skies and beating Chelic. So once we find a way back there, we should have something, right?"


    Julian looked across from him, seeming to be deep in thought.


    "Beg."


    "Excuse me?" Xander said, looking across from him to repeat that.


    "Get on your knees and beg. After all you put us through, I think I''m owed that. God''s sake, you broke my best friends leg."


    "Oh. Well, I guess that makes sense." Xander whispered, slowly getting off his chair.


    "Nah, I''m just messing with you." Julian said when he put a knee on the ground. "I was with you the whole time."


    "Why would you-"


    "Because it seemed funny." Julian shrugged. "Now, any idea how to get back?"


    "All I know is propaganda that Chelic climbed a mountain and got to the skies somehow."


    "So we can start there." Julian said as he got up. "Well, no time to stay here. Let''s ask about a mountain."


    Cassandra sat down with Roxanne in an otherwise empty room. Inside was a series of leather couches and some slightly battered bookcases holding all varieties of tomes. Mostly things like medical books. The walls clearly started white, but time yellowed them a fair bit. After a few minutes of silence, Aspasia walked in with a tray of three cups of tea. Cassandra took a cup and followed it up with a sip. It was the worst tea she had ever had. It was stirred well, but each individual ingredient still felt like a different layer on her tongue, somehow. She didn''t think it was important to mention.


    "So¡­mom." She said, trying to contain all the emotions stirring up inside her. But paradoxically, she didn''t feel she actually had anything relevant to say. Besides Chelic, what was there to talk about?


    "Where do you want to start?" Aspasia asked. "How about what we''re supposed to be?"


    "What we''re supposed to be?" Cassandra asked.


    "Now, this might sound strange to start with, but I''m essentially a demigod."


    "I''m sorry, repeat that?" Cassandra asked.


    "To put it simply, where we are is just one of millions of different worlds. Each one a variation that evolved differently. Think of a way society could be run, and there''s a world that follows it. And there''s probably hundreds run in ways you couldn''t imagine. But these worlds will often need more divine beings to assure people don''t go astray. And that''s where I alongside another came in."


    "So am I a goddess too?"


    "Only in lineage. Becoming a demigod requires undergoing a test, and the results aren''t passed on to our children."


    "So I''m guessing the other person is Chelic?" Roxanne asked.


    "He isn''t, actually."


    "Wait, he isn''t? But he said he was my uncle."


    "From a certain point of view, I guess so." Aspasia said, taking another sip of tea. "You see, two people representing two different gods are supposed to descend to the same timeline, and gradually drive the other out, claiming the territory for the god of their choice."


    "And you won?"


    "I lost." She sighed. "I wanted to make a world that was devoid of conflict. Everyone would live for each other and the world at large would work to make each day better than the last. My opponent was a man named Marcus, who represented the Olympian god Zeus, who pushed to industrialize the world as rapidly as he could. The issue is, this sparked the flames within humanity. The sparks of industry gave way to the fires of greed. Of conflict, which led to war. War led to those who profited from it spreading it further, until all that remained was a destroyed world and a few on top exchanging dirty looks. And it got too much to handle, those who caused it all escaped, along with Marcus."


    "So where does Chelic come in?"


    "Chelic lived here, in a neutral territory. He was a brilliant mind. Set to be the second in command at the hospital, and use his powers to run the psycology wing. But after hearing the origin of the Skyships, something snapped within him. He gathered a group to climb the highest peak in the continent without anyone knowing, about fifteen. Fourteen were found dead."


    "So did he kill them?"


    "Most seemed to be attacked by animals or died of starvation or poisoning. Seemed like terrible management as opposed to malice on his end."


    "Also, you said this was always neutral, so was this place involved in any wars?" Roxanne asked.


    "This place might as well be the middle of the world." Aspasia replied. "This place was always a hotspot, seeing as it''s right between the old superpowers. Nobody outright conquered it, and the land was always important enough as a means to other places that nobody touched it. As the wars got worse, people sought refuge here. But whether by accident or malice, it was eventually bombed. Very few people survived the attack. But when everything died down, a few more people came in, followed my even more. We saw ships in the sky that housed those causing all this, and ruining the rest of the world. So we carried on when everyone assumed we died, eventually letting the world regrow as a natural shield. And I stayed to protect the ones I couldn''t protect. But it was all thanks to a few great leaders that I was able to get the world running once again."


    "So you''re not in charge?" Cassandra asked.


    "Nope. It''s the family who helped me. And miss Roxanne, It''s a family you just might be aware of."

 One Weapon, Two Lives?

    Mia looked over the balcony on the top of Lux to oversee the grands below. On a surface level inspection, everything was as it should be. A few airships flying around, normal looking emissions coming from the factories in places like ShiShi and Gurut. All was well on the surface. But just a little further beyond, where the cluster lay, was a troubling situation. Several computers in Lux were hacked, showing the face of a man calling himself Manuel saying he was from the cluster and that they had at least two important people, showing off Fiorella and Capri in some kind of prison cell. They were safe, but if they wanted to keep it that way, she had to appear to some kind of negotiations. She called Zach as soon as the message got out, and he confirmed that Capri, Fiorella, Cassandra, Julian, and Roxanne had all disappeared. He swore he had nothing to do with it, and made his way over as soon as he able to. He was waiting on the bottom by the ship, and Mia was making final preparations.


    "Are you sure the black blazer would make sense?" Her husband asked.


    "I''m certain." She nodded calmly as she tried it on. She was hoping to be more diplomatic, but she was half expecting a fight of some kind to break out. So in the case of bloodshed, she could wear a black blazer and trousers above a dark yellow shirt. She felt red would make her intentions too obvious, and while blood on yellow would be noticeable, she could easily cover it up. It could also create a false sense of security to the Legion.


    "And are you sure you don''t need me?" Her husband asked.


    "I''m certain." She said coldly. Her husband had a master of business sense with a wit to match, but his fighting abilities were lacking in basically every area.


    "And the sword?"


    Zach had a replica made for him before he came. She was almost certain that it would be asked for in return for the kidnapped ones, so a replica would work. With luck, they wouldn''t know how to activate a relic, and by the time they knew they were deceived, it would be too late for them.


    She descended using the elevator, seeing the people go about their lives. The interior of Lux was as bright as the skies future, a glistening white with important politicians and businessmen helping to guide it. Slightly below them were the stars. The movie stars, producers looking for their next hit, and people lounging about trying to get noticed and put in some kind of production and hopefully get an important contract from that alone. But what united them was being Lux. There was a stereotype that Lux were self important, that they didn''t have time for anyone else. While there was tragically some truth to that statement, they were all busy. Most of them wanted what everyone else wanted. Peace among ships and a world in which everyone is free to pursue the life they want. And while she wasn''t one to brag, she felt she and the other Lux did a fine enough job.


    When she reached the bottom floor, Zach was waiting with an empty bowl next to him.


    "We ready?" He asked, getting up and loading himself on the ship without any further explanation.


    The ride was silent. Zach stood deep in thought, eyes shut, looking like a statue while Mia drove. She knew Zach was stewing on just how to handle the people waiting for them inside the Cluster. She just knew he''d try appealing to their emotions with some speech about better lives and promising clean slates. And the worst part is that he meant it. But with so many people on the Cluster, one of them was bound to take up the offer with devious intentions. Still, she had to break down barriers to form some kind of dialogue. It was her job, after all.


    "May I offer you a coffee?" She asked, trying her best to look neutral.


    "Goes right through me." He said calmly, his eyes remaining unopened.


    "I see." Mia nodded. As if he was looking at her to disagree. "Well, maybe a snack will help you to calm your nerves."


    "My nerves are calm enough, thanks."


    The barrier was up. She wasn''t getting through to him, and he probably knew he wasn''t getting to her. She envisioned an iron wall between them, as he probably was. The silence continued, until they were informed that they were at the Cluster.


    When they stepped off, they were greeted by a series of young looking people in front of the door leading to the rest of the place, seven in total. The one in the middle, a girl that couldn''t be any older than fifteen, stepped up to greet the two of them.


    "You two are Mia and Zach, correct?" She asked after flicking through a shoddily made handbook. "The masters are upstairs. There will be someone on the level to tell you to stop climbing."


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    The six teenagers in front of the door formed two orderly lines, three at each side. The two did as obliged, going up the seemingly endless supply of stairs. After what felt like an eternity to Mia, the two were at the top. Another young boy was smiling at them, who looked about the same age as the people in the hangar.


    "This is the floor you''re looking for."


    The two stepped out, and the leader of Chelic was stood there. He was dressed so¡­casually. A man in a smart suit stood next to him, alongside eight other young people stood behind him. A large woman in a flannel shirt was holding both Fiorella and Capri. Both at least looked alive. But there was no sign of the other three.


    "If it isn''t my favourite rulers!" The suited man yelled, going up to pat them both on the shoulder, grabbing them both closer for a group hug. He excitedly sprang back to his posse.


    "Now, I know you''ve never seen me in the flesh, but I''m Chelic. Real deal. I call the shots, and I''ve been tracking down your little weapons."


    "We''re aware." Mia said, her heart being filled with nothing but burning hatred.


    "Yeah, it''s hard not to be these days." Chelic shrugged. "Anyway, we''ve prepared some light refreshments for ya. We got juice, biscuits, a couple chocolates, even!" He clapped his hands, and a scrawny man near the back approached with a platter containing everything he described.


    "I ate on the way here." Zach said, calmly pushing the man away.


    "I''d like to discuss your prisoners." Mia asked.


    Chelic looked absentminded for a brief second, but the words hit his brain as his face exploded into a smile.


    "Oh right, the prisoners! Look, I''m gonna be honest. You guys hitting my place? Not cool."


    "I assure you, we had nothing to do with this. We wanted this outcome as much as you do." Mia said calmly.


    "Although I should mention, you were the ones who invaded my country and took Cassandra first." Zach said calmly. "May I ask the reason for that?"


    "Yeah, that." Chelic nodded. "Look, I found my long lost niece, who I have legal ownership of, and knew she wouldn''t come without a fight. So I took her back. May have gone a little overboard, but we can look past that, right?"


    "Where''s the proof you''re related?" Mia asked.


    "Well, I don''t have the documents¡­buuut neither do you. And they don''t exist because we don''t have birth certificates here."


    "Listen." Zach said, walking straight up to Chelic. "I''m gonna need you to shut up and tell us where she is."


    "I was getting to that." Chelic replied through gritted teeth. "Look, I''ll be honest. Thanks to a guy who went insane and attacked me, she''s a little¡­on the surface right now. Might be alive, probably not."


    "Excuse me?" Mia asked. She put her hand on her sword for a brief second.


    "Look, this wasn''t my plan, okay?" Chelic said as he put his hands up. "The shield of Sangaria and Bow of Saoloro was taken with them too, okay? This is a bad day for everybody."


    "Look, we can try to figure something out later." Mia sighed, putting a hand on Zach''s shoulder. "Let''s discuss the two here."


    "Ah, the accomplices!" Chelic chuckled. "Look, let''s just get to it, okay? Give me a relic weapon, can be either of yours, and you get them back. Sound good?"


    "That''s hardly a fair trade." Mia asked.


    "I know, right?" Chelic replied while slumping over and faking a miserable expression. "One relic for two people. If you truly cared, you''d give two, but then there''s a chance you''d let them die, and more of that''d be a mess for me too, considering what went down yesterday. One of my people, don''t worry."


    "Well, Mia?" Zach sighed with a pained expression. "What''s the verdict?"


    "We can get the weapon back later." Mia sighed, unsheathing the replica sword and handing it to an excited Chelic. He was clearly trying not to squeal. He returned rapidly to a neutral position, snapped his fingers, and the two girls were let go, so they immediately scampered behind Zach.


    "So I''m guessing we can go now?" he asked.


    "Hey now, I''m happy to let you stay a while." Chelic said calmly as he handed the weapon to his assistant. "Unless you gotta leave quick because you''re somehow messing with us."


    Chelic stared at Mia, intentionally bugging his eyes out in an attempt to look intimidating. It didn''t work on her, but both heroes flinched a little.


    "It''s just that we have countries to run." Mia said calmly. There was no way to prove the weapon was fake, at least at a glance. Or so she hoped.


    "Look, if I may ask something." Zach said, cutting between the two. "What is it you want with these weapons?"


    "I wanna take over the Skyspace, duh?" Chelic asked.


    "For what ends?"


    "Because you people are sick." Chelic said, all jovial tones quickly leaving his voice. "You destroyed the world below, leaving when it too much to bear. And me? I''m the revolution, baby."


    Zach sighed, getting down on his knees and kneeling before Chelic.


    "Look, if it makes you happy, I fully apologise for what my ancestors did. I''m not sure if I can even make it up to you, but I''m willing to try."


    "Nah." Chelic replied. "I get the plan. Become a citizen of your little place, be used as a puppet to try and say no to any actual change, and no problems actually get solved."


    "If you tell me what the problems are, we can work towards fixing them!"


    Zach got back to his feet, his fa?ade of calm quickly turning to anger.


    "Look, I''m not going to say I have all the answers, or that everything is perfect. But I can say one thing. That the world where the people and rulers work in tandem for a better tomorrow. Because the one thing I can guarantee is that you''ll be taken better care of with us than if you stay here."


    The sound of psychotic laughter filled the room. The girl in flannel who held the girls was looking at Zach, and she went up to meet him. She nearly caught up to him in both height and physique. She threw a punch, sending him flying back against the wall. He put his hands up to block the next attack, which came quicker than he could react.


    "Hey Aubrey, duck!"


    Chelic pointed the fake sword to Zach, while the girl ducked less then a second after hearing the order.


    "No fucking way." Chelic chuckled. "I knew you were lying to me! I knew it was fake!"


    He ran towards Mia, who responded by taking another sword and blocking his slash.


    "Yep, seems plans fell flat! Guys, feel free to kill at will!"

 Number One

    The girl continued to tear into Zach, throwing out what seemed to be frenzied punches, but Zach knew there was more to them. There was a certain level of precision to everything she was doing. When he saw an opening, he turned to steel and began fighting back. The rhythm. He was somehow able to perfectly predict every strike she attempted, clashing back against them. Not fighting back, purely a defensive move. If he began throwing out anything that looked painful, he could easily cause even more of a panic. The only current option was to exhaust her and hope he could make a run for it when the opportunity arose. The other members of the group tried to jump in, but a blade whizzed past Serafina the second she tried. When she saw Mia rapidly cloning her sword and sending them towards the rest of the group, Cheng pointed at her and began screaming orders.


    "Number one and five can take care of him. Everyone else, kill her!"


    The girl looked more and more infuriated with every blocked hit. And then the realization hit Zach. This was Cutter''s fighting style. Zach needed to collect his thoughts, if only for a second. He waited for an opening, and just as he predicted, it came very quickly. She raised both hands for a quick strike to the head, just as Cutter always would. So he landed a solid punch to her stomach, leaving her keeled over for a brief second, and followed that with a kick to get her off him.


    "Look, I''m sorry for breaking up the fight like this¡­but you wouldn''t happen to know the name Layton, would you?"


    The girl looked up when he said that name. She let out a primal scream and lunged forward, like the last strike never registered. She leapt up near the end with arms coiled and ready, but her anger blinded her. Zach was able to grab both hands and push them back, get in close, grab her by the waist, and fling her back to the crowd. Cheng leapt back, almost scalding himself on the tray of hot drinks left by his associate. But Mia watched as Cheng smirked to himself as Aubrey got up, the focus still in her eyes. Zach was in a fighting style that looked hard to beat. So it was time to switch things up. Cheng grabbed the crockery and quickly began throwing them straight towards Aubrey. She punched the scalding liquid, only for both the liquid and the broken cups to wrap around her hand. She leapt back at Zach, with the man holding the cups throwing the tray and running behind her.


    Zach turned to steel as the two made their way towards him. The girl, Aubrey, had more vigour than before. And as much as Zach wanted to talk out how much she knew about Cutter, he had to focus on what she and her new ally were capable off. Especially the new one, a scrawny man with permed blonde hair. He was deathly pale, dressed in jeans and a worn out blue t-shirt, and looked like a strong wind could blow him over.


    Aubrey threw a sloppy punch Zach easily caught in his hands, only for the second man to sneak in and lay his smaller hands around his. When Zach tried to loosen his grip, he found his hands stuck to Aubrey''s. He looked up to meet Aubrey again, and there once again was her maniacal smile, landing a punch infused with scalding tea and shards of porcelain. She undid the wrapping on her hand, and streams of scalding liquid were on Zach''s face. The man slid between the two and stuck the streams to his face, just over his right eye. The searing heat solidified in his eye, and his only option was to either undo the metal and bear what came next or try his hardest to stay together. Neither option sounded great, but he eventually decided to undo the metal, if only for a second. It didn''t work. The scalding tea was still merged to his face, and it was slowly eroding his eye. But he had to ignore that. Aubrey thrust both hands forward to Zach, pushing his hand against the wall. He quickly turned back to metal, pushing his hand forward for a brief second before the second man jumped in behind her, giving her one final push to keep the steel hand against the metal wall. and the man quickly merged them together.


    Zach tried his best to defend himself one handed against Aubrey''s punches. She was relentless. Even made of full steel, the pain was starting to kick in. He needed to end this fast and figure out what connection this girl had to Cutter. He tried his best to move his hand from the wall, and managed to feel some kind of movement. Only he wasn''t getting unstuck from the wall.


    In one motion, the wall itself came undone, still attached to Zach. Aubrey tried to punch him, but with one mighty swing, she was on the floor.


    "It''s¡­over!"


    Zach shouted, his authority spreading over the floor. Everyone looked towards him, including the people attacking both him and Mia. Mia and the girls ran downwards back to their ship, which only enraged Cheng more.


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    "Get her, he''s nearly done!"


    The only people left were Zach, the man who stuck him to the door, and Aubrey. When he looked down, Aubrey was wiping the blood off her nose. She looked dazed, shakily getting up thanks to her friends help, raising her fists.


    "I said it was over!" Zach yelled again. Aubrey flinched at the outburst. Her breathing got heavier, and she looked down at the ground.


    "It''s fine." The man said, putting a hand on her shoulder. "He''s dead. Cheng confirmed it. He sent pictures. He was attacked by four people from behind. Ziwadi swapped everyone in, Cheng transferred pain to him, Adya weighed him down, and Daciana killed him. It was the worst death he could ask for."


    It was true. They were talking about Cutter.


    "What did Layton do?" Zach yelled. He needed to know just how he messed the girl up this badly, and if maybe, just maybe, Cutter''s killing had something that resembled a valid reason behind it. When the question reached Aubrey''s ears, she snapped back to a fighting position.


    "Do you even know?!" She screamed before leaping back into Zach, stepping back when Zach swung the wall at her, leaping over it and dropkicking him. When Zach was on the ground, she climbed on top while she pummelled him.


    "Don''t act like you didn''t know about me! I refuse to believe he didn''t mention me once!"


    She was trying to cling to her anger, but tears were slowly filling up in her face. "He never mentioned me, or the beatings in disguise he called training? Or leaving me to defend myself and my mother when the Legion attacked to ''see what I learned''?"


    "Wh-where''s your mother?" Zach asked. It was the only thing he could ask at that point.


    "She''s dead!" She yelled as she landed another punch to Zach''s face. "He killed her! You killed her!"


    Zach managed to swipe forward, hitting Aubrey off him with the wall, causing her to scream in agony. She landed another flurry of punches until Zach was at the end of another wall, and then her friend came in to merge them too. It was too late for Zach to turn back now. he once again used what was left of his strength to tear it off. It was harder, but he was able. The man whispered to Aubrey, and she chuckled at whatever was said. She leapt once again, kicking the wall and forcing him back. She jumped into the air, stomping him down. The friend was launched towards him on the floor, merging his arm with the entire floor. To their surprise, it only took a few seconds of struggle before the metal floor panel was uprooted, but he was a level below them now. He was in an empty bedroom, his arm now too big to fit through the door. Aubrey''s friend ran to Chelic''s room, grabbing a bunch of sharp objects from around the place, telling Chelic it was important to beating Zach. He threw them to Aubrey, who threw them all down with enough speed to pierce Zach''s body. He tried lifting his arm, but the floor made it too heavy for him. And he couldn''t block everything. One thing got lodged in his arm, but he had to keep going. Another in his leg, he had to keep going. Another in his already wounded eye. He let out a roar, to remind himself that he was still alive. But he needed to fight.


    And then something hit his heart.


    He didn''t see it coming. He looked down, and his hazy vision just barely managed to make out something lodged inside him. Aubrey jumped down, tearing it out and landing one more solid fist through his chest. Zach looked at her through the haze, the metal forcing him down until he slumped over.


    "I''m sorry¡­that it came to this." Zach whispered meekly, trying to look up at Aubrey before his head fell back. Aubrey took a deep breath and sat down on the bed. Her friend jumped down to access the damage, giving her a high five before joining her.


    "So, we joining the other guys in killing the other one, or?"


    "Nah, we did good enough here."


    Mia managed to get to the bottom of the cluster with the girls in tow, with the other eight chasing after them. Either she managed to hold them off by sending duplicate swords at the Legion members, or Capri would quickly expand her hammer to send them back. Their ship was in sight. Once they got there, all they had to do was defend the ship until Zach got back. They were in spitting distance, less than ten seconds of running and they were free.


    Mia suddenly found herself behind another man. The muscular black man had swapped their places, and she only barely managed to dodge the woman''s sword strikes, swiping her fingers across her sword to produce a set of astral replicas which she sent forward towards her. There was just enough force to stop the sword in place and duck underneath her. When she tried once again to get to the ship, the black man had thrown Capri into Fiorella into the ground, and both were weighed down by the girl at the tournament. She was swapped once again, with both the girl with the double sided blade and the short girl in a varsity jacket striking her, the latter making replicas of herself to land punches and disintegrate again out of what seemed to be nothing but pure mockery.


    "Hold it!" Cheng said, checking his phone. "And hold her."


    Sword girl grabbed Mia, and Cheng showed an image on his phone. The quality was awful, but there was no mistaking. It was Zach, laid out on the ground with what looked to be several sharp edges sticking out of him.


    "What¡­what''s that?" She asked. There was another answer. No way two people could defeat Zach, let alone kill him.


    "You should have given us the real weapon when you had the chance." Cheng chuckled. "And now, all of you die too."


    Suddenly, a shockwave made it''s way through the floor. Everyone was floating in the air, all frantically looking for who was responsible. A figure grabbed Mia and threw her into the ship, commanding Fiorella and Capri to get in too. The three got inside, and the figure landed next to them.


    "Go, quick!" She commanded.


    Mia quickly grabbed the controls and sent the ship flying through the air. The figure sat down on the ships couch, clutching the weapon, and Fiorella and Capri got a good look at her.


    "Sorry if this is sudden, but I''m Priyanka. And I''m here to help!"

 One Weapon Returned

    "I''m sorry, what?" Fiorella asked. She took a look at their helper. She looked to be in shock from the current ordeal, sitting on the couch with her hand covering her mouth in a desperate attempt not to puke. She was in a cold sweat, clinging onto the weapon.


    "Priyanka, was it?" Capri asked, sitting down next to her. She felt the temperature around her fall.


    "Yeah." Priyanka whispered. Fiorella tried taking the weapon from her, but she clutched it harder. She was practically attached to it, with her arm being the only thing that wasn''t shaking.


    "Sorry, darling. Can we have that back?" Fiorella asked.


    "It''s not yours!" She yelled out. Capri jumped back, but Fiorella stayed where she was.


    "Well, I think we have a little more claim to it then you do."


    "What?!" Priyanka screamed. "This is the Gurut hammer?"


    "We know?" Fiorella replied.


    "Well, what the fuck do you know about Gurut?" She kept going, hoisting the weapon over her shoulder. It was clearly too heavy for her, and Capri held onto the end a little bit in an attempt to give the support she clearly needed.


    "What do you know?" Fiorella asked, getting a little fed up with her attitude. "Did your little trips to terrorize the people there help you learn about the country?"


    "I''ve never been there, I just learned!" Priyanka replied through slanted eyes of disdain. "I know the grand was originally founded by Rashmi Bachchan, with the country he ruled working on stonework in the pre-sky era, more specifically the marble and basalt industries. And while it started off as a constitutional monarchy, it was among the first grands to adopt a democratic system, which was in part due to pressure from the stonework companies wanting more of a say. But the first elected ruler, Ravindra Banerjee, was able to strike a perfect balance between the two, leading to decades of prosperity-"


    "Okay darling, we get it." Fiorella mumbled to herself. "So, tell me this. Did you ever do anything there?"


    "Nope." Priyanka whispered. "Only the top fifty of the legion can go on missions to the place they were taken from. They said it was in case the community senses something wrong with you and attacks, but it was always in case you remembered someone there and didn''t want to leave."


    "I see, so what did you do for the Legion?"


    "I¡­murdered the king of Sangaria."


    The noise that emerged from Mia''s throat was heard from the wheel room. Capri got up from the couch, and Fiorella stepped away in disgust. Fiorella summoned her axe and held it against Priyanka''s throat. She didn''t react beyond a slightly disturbed facial expression.


    Stolen novel; please report.


    "Well¡­I guess admitting to that is pretty brave." Capri chuckled, her eyes darting between the two women.


    "Why did you do it?" Fiorella asked, the axe inching ever closer to her neck.


    "We had to." Priyanka said. "Chelic gave the order, and there''s no fighting back against those. The goal was to get the shield. We tried to sneak in, but Marcel got us at the last minute. He ended up fighting us, and we accidentally broke his neck."


    "Accidentally?" Fiorella yelled. The axe stayed perfectly still.


    "Yes!" Priyanka yelled out. The sweat was beginning to drench her clothes. "I didn''t have a reason to kill anyone! That would have just made the escape way more complicated!"


    "But you still did." Fiorella muttered.


    "Look, Fio." Capri said, pushing the handle of the axe away from Priyanka''s neck. "I get that she was Legion. But she stole the Hammer back from them and let us escape. Not to mention how pissed the guys on that level looked. So I''d say it''s pretty obvious she''s on our side."


    Fiorella glared at her, but dematerialized her axe. Priyanka took the biggest hit of oxygen she ever took before slumping onto the couch.


    Fiorella took another look at the hammer.


    "How''d you get this past them, anyway?"


    "Chelic''s assistant let me." Priyanka said, staring into the ceiling with a strained look on her face. "I asked if I could look at the weapon after it was secured, and he let me while Chelic was with his girls. He watched as I observed it. I asked again a few more times, and he obliged. He sat me down and asked about why I was so obsessed with it, so I explained that it was the only connection to Gurut I was allowed to know about. He didn''t say anything, but after that was my first mission outside."


    "Just like that?" Capri asked.


    "If I were to guess, he wanted me to build up enough of a good reputation so I could get permission to go there."


    "But why would he do that?" Fiorella asked. "You had the relic, so what reason would he have to go back?"


    "Maybe he wanted to do something nice?" Capri asked.


    "Second in command of the Legion?" Fiorella asked through clenched teeth.


    "Would Chelic and the other guy have issues?" Capri asked, looking at Priyanka.


    "He just seemed like an assistant. But he always knew more than him, even if he tried not to show it. So maybe he had some agenda opposite him?"


    "Who knows?" Fiorella sighed. "Look, I''m gonna go talk to Mia."


    Fiorella approached Mia, who was driving the ship. Her eyes fixated dead on the empty skies. Fiorella sat on a supply box at the left side of the room.


    "You hear all that?" Fiorella asked, her arms crossed.


    "Perfectly fine." Mia said, not moving her eyes.


    "What you make of it?"


    "Of what?"


    "Of the girl defecting. You think it''s for real?"


    Nearly every part of Mia''s mind and soul was screaming not to let her. This was a legion member they were talking about. Letting her in would be suicide. If not to her or anyone close, to her career and credibility as a politician. And besides, this girl admitted to killing Marcel! Luminita wouldn''t just let something like that sit idly by, and she had every reason to!


    But one voice was slowly getting louder in her mind.


    Zach.


    Zach would welcome her. As much as she hated to admit it, both him and Cassandra had a point. A lot of those kids were sick, but at least just as many were just kids, as scared and confused about what was happening in there as she was. Zach and Cassandra were right. Demonizing them wasn''t going to help anything. The young mind was like a sponge, and all the refusal does is ensure more mental holes for Chelic''s poisoning to soak into. All it took was for one person to reach out and help.


    "Fiorella, tell her she''s with us now. Her clothes will be seized and replaced with new ones just in case of any traps on it. She''ll also go through a full medical test. But minus that, I''ll tell Gurpreet to work on finding her birth family."

 Secure the Dagger

    "And like we said the last several times, she''s not interested!"


    Willow stood arms crossed at the tall creep looming over her with a fake smile plastered against his face. She was the only thing separating them from the door to Luminita''s throne room.


    "But we wish for a little conversation, my dear." The man replied. He was tall and skinny, decked out in a pristine sky blue suit and a small lightning bolt pin. There were two guys next to him, but they were significantly shorter. This guy was probably obsessed with his height, and needed a constant reminder of how very hard he worked for it. "After all, we just want to show our support any way we can."


    "You said that two days ago, we let you in two days ago, and we kicked you out two days ago. Now get lost."


    The man tried his best to maintain his smile. But both knew that he was doing his best to stop the scowl building up.


    "Well, I suppose I''ll take my leave." He said calmly. One of his men handed him a pamphlet, which he then handed to Willow.


    "Just know, miss. Not entertaining an outside audience might not give the best impression. Be sure to let Luminita know that."


    Willow balled up the pamphlet and tossed it at the cultists. Landed on the head of the leader, who made an audible noise of discomfort. They left escorted by soldiers, leaving Willow to pick the paper up and toss it into an open bin. First try. Hey, times were stressful for everyone, including the cleaning staff. She stepped back into the throne room, where Luminita and Javier were waiting.


    "They gone?" Javier asked. Willow responded with a tired nod.


    "Good."


    He was as openly sick of the Zeus cult as she was. Luminita just breathed a sigh of relief that they were in fact gone.


    "How am I meant to deal with them?" Luminita whispered.


    "Well, they''ll give up eventually, right?" Willow asked.


    "I don''t think it''ll be that simple." Javier sighed. "If Luminita shows any weakness during discussion, then pretty much any loser with an agenda could come for her."


    "Okay, surely we could call someone to help in the meantime and show her the ropes?" Willow asked. "Like, I get there''s a lot going on right now, but surely Gurpreet or something could help us out."


    "Gurpreet?" Javier asked.


    "Well, his relic was stolen, so It''s not like he''s busy. Probably."


    "You know what, I doubt calling him would hurt." Javier said reaching to call his mother. She''d probably have his number. Or maybe she could talk to Luminita about this stuff.


    He rang the number and waited for her to pick up. Nothing happened.


    "Nothing?" Willow asked.


    "Eh, she''s probably just having dinner or something." Javier shrugged.


    Nuria looked out the window of the castle. There was a small crowd of young people building up outside the castle, and several of her guards were stuck blocking their entrance. Some of the brigadiers brought weapons which they were attacking with, while Nuria and her husband were stuck inside their castle. A few guards were huddled around them as they made their way through the light brown walls of the castle, watching the windows just in case something happens. A window broke next to them, and everyone stood in anticipation at what would come in. After a solid twenty seconds, nothing of note.


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    But just as they continued their trek out, a beam of light pierced through one of the guards behind Nuria, and a dropping noise a second later. The light was so blinding that it stung Nuria''s eyes, and it was only out for a second before piercing a hole in the wall. Behind them was a flaming arrow through another window, with the astral arrow quickly fading as the fire spread.


    "They''re after the dagger." Nuria whispered to her guard. "This has to be something to do with the Legion."


    "So what''s your plan?" The guard in front of her asked.


    "We''re destroying it."


    Everyone circling her tried their best to contain their composure.


    "My Queen, please reconsider-"


    "My orders are final." She said calmly.


    She strode through the hallways on her way downstairs, crossing the spiralling staircase to the second of three floors downward. A beam of light immediately shot past them, with a young guard peering out and immediately getting shot in the head by a second beam. His head almost disintegrated, with only a few smears of red across the orange walls remaining. A laugh rang out throughout the hallways as Nuria was huddled towards the bottom floor. Another beam hit the wall, just past a guards head. They tried not to panic with the knowledge that without the spiral design, they''d be dead. They moved on, they had to.


    At the bottom floor, the crowd was starting to get louder. The names of guards were being called out outside a little after the sound of metal falling to the ground. Right beside the staircase was a door that contained the Roperia dagger, nested in between two grand staircases you would see when you enter, just below a giant orange flag with two daggers parallel each other. Nuria quickly pulled the key from her bosom and unlocked the door. Just as she stepped inside the hall, another set of beams went off. When she looked back, the remaining guards and her husband all had holes inside them, dropped dead on the ground. Nuria held in her reaction. She could cry later. She quickly locked the door hoping it would buy a little more time, before setting her sights on the hallway. It was a grand hallway once used for indoor balls, but ever since she moved them outside and left the indoor work to Mia and Freyja she didn''t have much use for it. Now it was nothing but a spacious area to store a dagger and several years worth of dust. At the end of the hall behind a series of pillars was the glass that stored the dagger. It was meant to be the strong stuff that could withstand small blasts, but any Legion members willing to go this far could probably get past that.


    She looked around for the right pillar of the four, two at each side, that had a small switch at the back that blended in with the rest of it. The glass went down and revealed the dagger. She briefly looked back, and the door was still locked. The grabbed the dagger. It had an orange handle and a rose coloured blade. Perfect condition like it was never used. She wasn''t even sure what it did, but that didn''t matter. All that mattered was that it would never matter again. She tried stomping it down, but that didn''t make so much as a dent. As she scrambled around the near empty room looking for something to bash against the weapon, the door was blasted open.


    It was another light beam. Nuria didn''t know what to do, so she just hid behind one of the pillars. She tried to stifle her breathing and come up with some kind of plan to escape. They both knew she was in here, so her only option was to run out while their back was turned. Another beam was fired to the back. The person looked like a young man, straight blonde hair combined with a light yellow t-shirt and jeans. He looked so¡­ordinary. But that didn''t matter. His back was turned and it was obvious he didn''t know where she was, so she was ready to make her escape.


    Then the ringing started.


    Her phone was on silent, but she never thought to leave it behind. She checked for a brief second to shut it off, and it was Manuel. The footsteps began approaching her, echoing heavier in her mind. When a hand revealed itself, she sprang up and sliced forward with the dagger. The man sprang back, before aiming a finger forward and charging it. One second later, and she was dead.


    He checked the dagger. No signs of imperfections. In fact, did she even know the whole point was to reflect things? One look at her corpse suggested it was lost knowledge.


    "Fall back, men." He said as he opened the doors. He calmly put a hand on a guard''s shoulder, just before dodging an attack from another.


    "Yeah, you might wanna look at what happened to your friends." He said, putting on a fake look of regret.


    The guards did as he asked, and he strolled back to his ship. All it took was one blast from his fingers, and the people left him alone. As he got back in his ship, he stabbed the dagger into the table before sauntering into the cockpit.


    "Hey, Jane." He said casually. "Daggers in the living quarters, be sure to get that back for Chelic. I''m gonna grab another ship and make a detour."


    "Sure thing, number three." Jane replied calmly. An ordinary response from an ordinary girl. Whatever.


    "Again with the number three stuff. I keep telling you, the name''s Levin! Anyway, I''m off to visit some old friends, we''ll work on that when I get back."

 Guess Im Nothing

    The grand house stood before Roxanne and Cassandra like a monolith. There were short walls before it, with some metal rusted metal attached to the bricks indicating that a fence once stood. The house was huge, easily at least twice the size of every other building here.


    "Well, are you ready?" Aspasia asked.


    "Sure?" Roxanne asked. She felt something build up in her throat. Something was going off in her brain, pinging different sectors of it that were something off. But since she couldn''t place it, she silently declared to her brain it was nothing of importance.


    "Look, I have to deal with the shield. I take it you two can behave without me?"


    "I got this, mom." Cassandra said with a thumbs up. Just acknowledging her as her mom still felt strange. Amazing, but strange.


    Roxanne confidentially walked up to the door, leaving three loud knocks. She stood back and waited. Time slowed to a crawl, but sped to slightly less of a crawl when footsteps were heard from inside. And when the door finally creaked open slightly, time rushed to it fully opening, and Roxanne was face to face with the owner.


    The older woman wore a pink sweater and casual black sweatpants. Her hair was short and frizzy. Small circular glasses were above her nose. And to top the outfit off, a necklace with a purple gem in it''s centre.


    She stood still for a second, mouth slightly open in a confused position. But when she shifted her gaze slightly to Cassandra, everything fell into place in her mind.


    "This¡­it''s you. You''re back."


    The pieces fell in Roxanne''s mind too. This was her mother. Her parents were alive, in front of her.


    "Mom!"


    Roxanne leapt into the womans arms, and she caught her by instinct. They embraced without saying a word, while a man stepped down the stairs to see what was going on. Roxanne looked up, and the scrawny man in a suit teared up, his thick glasses fogging up from the sight of her.


    "Honey, get the lounge ready!" The woman yelled.


    After a few minutes of shuffling upstairs, Roxanne and Cassandra were invited to the upstairs lounge. Inside it was a small television set with some kind of movie playing. The quality was awful, so even on the small chance Roxanne had seen it, she wouldn''t recognize it. Some cupcakes were left on the table, while Roxanne and Cassandra were sat around a blue velvet sofa, and her parents were each on a velvet armchair.


    "So, are introductions in order?" The mother asked. "Yes, I think we should start there. My name is Davina Morrow, and my husband is Claude. And we try our best to keep this city up and running. And your name is?"


    "Um, it''s Roxanne." Roxanne said quietly.


    "Oh, they chose such a good name!" Claude yelled. He also had a purple gemstone necklace.


    "Look, if I''m connected to you through the necklace, and I ended up on the ship, what exactly happened to get me there?"


    Davina meekly put her head down, but let it shoot back up.


    "You see, our family has always been the rulers. That''s what the purple gemstones means. But when Chelic escaped to the world above, we knew he had the potential to destroy not only the world above, but use the power there to ruin everything around here, too. If we''re not careful, the world itself could be at risk."


    "So the gemstone means I''m important."


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    "We''re royalty, basically. And that means we have to do something."


    "And why couldn''t you do something?" Roxanne asked.


    "Because people would get suspicious. And we''re also needed to take charge of everything that happens. So that left the two babies of our brightest to go up after Chelic, grow up, and lead the skies against him."


    "You thought to let two babies do that?" Cassandra asked flatly.


    "Also, how did you even get us up there?" Roxanne asked.


    "Just a few miles away from the city is mount Weyes." Claude asked. "It''s a trek, but once every few months, a grand is a little accessible with the right power set. So we let a man called Tunde, with the ability to fly, carry you to a small housing ship and hope for the best."


    "That was your solution?" Cassandra asked.


    "I''ll admit it wasn''t the most ideal, or even had that high of a success rate. But it worked, did it not?"


    Cassandra and Roxanne looked at each other. It sort of worked? They knew all the rulers, and Cassandra was hopefully able to impact the world with Zach''s help. They were all one step closer to finishing off the Legion.


    "And speaking of Tunde, he has a son about Roxanne''s age, right?" Claude asked.


    "Oh, yes!" Davina replied with excited hand claps. "There are pictures of him in our photobooks, right? Could you try to get them?"


    Claude dashed off while Roxanne was left with Davina, anticipating what came next.


    "So¡­what''s the son like?"


    "Oh, he''s such a lovely boy. Very considerate and caring, and he works as a farmer to produce food!"


    "Sounds like a great guy." Roxanne nodded nervously.


    "Yeah, he was born with enhanced strength! So he can protect as many people here as he needs to!"


    "¡­Amazing."


    Claude came back with the teased photos, handing them to Roxanne with a smile plastered on his face. She flipped through the photos of the young man. He was certainly handsome. Good muscle definition, nicely styled hair. His smiles with the community seemed genuine. He was certainly a good guy, that much was obvious.


    "He''s nice." She nodded as she handed back the photos.


    "How nice?" Claude replied, leaning in with a cheeky grin.


    "Just¡­nice." Roxanne said, lowering the intensity of the nod a few notches.


    "Well, she''s probably got a boyfriend up on the skies at this point, let''s not pressure her!" Davina said as she put her hands on Roxanne''s shoulders.


    "Hm? Well, not yet. But I have been on a ton of dates recently!"


    "Oh, excellent!" Davina yelled. "So, how were the boys?"


    "Yeah, they were all fine, but things happened between us, you know how it is."


    "Well, our marriage was arranged, so¡­not particularly. But I''m sure it''s hard."


    "Yeah, I imagine that simplifies things." Roxanne said, feeling now was good time to get back to nodding.


    "Wow, excessive nodding." Cassandra noticed. "I think that''s a sign we should go to bed. Mind if we stay here the night?"


    "There should be a spare room upstairs." Claude said. "If you need help cleaning¡­"


    "We''ve slept in worse!" Cassandra yelled, pushing Roxanne upstairs.


    They found the spare room, a near empty room aside from two beds. Cassandra sat down on one after closing the door, while Roxanne flopped back first onto the other.


    "So, how''s that one guy?" Cassandra asked.


    Roxanne just let out a long and exhausted groan.


    "I guessed." Cassandra sighed. "So I''m guessing your parents want you married off?"


    "Probably." Roxanne sighed. Her voice was low. She was just tired. Not tired from the eventful day, but somehow more tired from the idea of dealing with any more romantic antics.


    "Cass, can I be honest with you?"


    "Shoot."


    "I think I hate the idea of being in a relationship."


    "For real?"


    "I mean, it''s not like it ever lasted more than a day, no matter who I latched onto. And now I''m asking myself why I tried so hard to force myself into it, and I guess it''s because I had to. Everyone said I had to, that it was expected. Or else I was nothing. But honestly, I think I''m fine with that."


    "So what''s next?" Cassandra asked.


    "What you mean?"


    "Well, if your reason for tagging along with us was finding the love of your life, and you don''t feel made for it, what''s your next goal."


    "Stopping the Legion, I guess? After that¡­eh, I''m too tired to plan anything, I''ll tell you in the morning."


    Dream world.


    Been a while since she''s been here. Granted, it''s been a while since Roxanne thought about love, which looking back is one hundred percent what triggers this. The figure flew by her, but it didn''t seem aggressive this time. It just floated in front of her, relaxed.


    "You''re nothing." The voice reverberated through her head. She had a mild headache, but that was fine.


    "Guess I am." Roxanne shrugged.


    And that was that. The light around the figure slowly flew off into pieces that faded into the distance of the endless void. And at the end was¡­another Roxanne.


    "You''re nothing." The other Roxanne repeated casually. She flew into her, a slight tingling sensation coming over her before her next sight was the ceiling of her parents house.


    As opposed to every other time she had the dream, she felt fine. Cassandra was still fast asleep, clutching her pillow. The sun was peering out from the windows, and Roxanne felt ready to accomplish her goals.


    Whatever they were.

 To Feel or Not to Feel

    "So, where am I?"


    The woman lay naked in front of Julian, Xander, and Kwadwo. That morning, the three of them were entrusted to break the shield and let the person inside of it out. The woman was groggy, deathly pale. Her hair was in a bob cut that was still perfectly maintained even after two hundred years of solitude.


    "Put these on and we''ll discuss it later." Julian said, casually burying her in a pile of old clothes he borrowed from the hospital, before escorting the other two out of the room.


    "Okay, Xander. You able to make tea?"


    "Excuse me?"


    "I think she''d drink tea. All refined like. She''s a ladies lady. Got the look of one. So go make the tea."


    Xander rolled his eyes and left them to it. The woman emerged from the room, wearing a worn out crimson t-shirt with white sleeves, alongside matching white shorts.


    "Allow me to repeat myself. Where am I?" The woman asked. She was glancing at her bare legs, the fashion choices she was forced to make already annoying her.


    "Trampstown." Kwadwo replied casually, causing the woman to squint at him.


    "Where?" She asked. "Last thing I remember was leading a charge against some-


    "Skyships led by the people who destroyed the world?" Julian finished with a nod and a heavy sigh. "Yeah. It''s been a while, so how about we discuss this over some tea on the rooftop?"


    The four took a smaller table on the edge of the roof, away from where anyone else would listen in. Xander brought a tray of tea to the table, and the woman took a cup and held it to her lips. There was a moment of hesitation before she drank it, and for the first time her refined demeanour was destroyed as her face crunched the second the tea hit her tongue.


    "Just¡­what is that?" She asked.


    Kwadwo took a sip and let it rest in his mouth for a little before swallowing.


    "Tastes like normal tea to me."


    "Yes, it''s Queen Smith tea if I''m not mistaken. It''s fine casually, but once you try other types it''s¡­an adjustment going back. Would you happen to have any Catbite tea?"


    Kwadwo looked at her in disbelief.


    "You mean the stuff that''s grown in like, another continent?"


    "Did¡­something happen to that place?"


    "As far as they''re concerned, we all died decades ago." Kwadwo replied casually.


    The woman looked at him in shock, and then looked over the roof to the tall trees and nets surrounding them.


    "So while we have your attention, can we have your name?" Julian asked.


    "My name is Cecilia Ciobanu." The woman replied while pushing away the tea. "So, who are you?"


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    Julian spent the next few minutes introducing himself and explaining where she was. She slowly nodded, taking in the information as it came.


    "Well, that makes sense." She said.


    "Just like that?" Xander asked with a blank expression.


    "Well, I knew something was up when you didn''t have Catbite tea. It was on the expensive side, but hardly a rare item. And when Julian here was explaining events, my last few memories unclouded themselves."


    "What memories?" Xander asked.


    "My last ones before I died. I believe I was decapitated." She said casually.


    "So you don''t have any memories of being the weapon?" Xander asked. "Or of me?"


    "I think I was on the plane between life and death, so I doubt I had the capacity to remember much of anything. Why, did you violate the shield somehow?"


    "I used you to murder the king of Sangaria." He said.


    "I see." Cecilia nodded. "Did he deserve it?"


    "Not really."


    "And did he leave any family behind?"


    "Just his daughter."


    "Age?"


    "Well, I''m twenty two, and I''d say she''s around that."


    "And she''s in charge now?"


    "I''d guess so."


    "Well, I''ll do my best to help patch things up between you."


    "Yeah, lady. I don''t know how things were done two hundred years ago, but I don''t think I can just be forgiven for that."


    "Why did you do it?"


    "Excuse me?"


    "The murder. What compelled you to do it?"


    "I was ordered to get the shield containing you back. Then the king tried stopping me, and I ended up breaking his neck."


    "And you were ordered by the man Julian said is trying to take over, correct? But then you defected."


    "Yeah." Xander nodded slowly.


    "Then as far as I''m concerned, you have nothing to worry about. May I ask your name?"


    "Xander."


    "Redemption is the word of the day, Xander. as far as I''m concerned, evil is the second worst thing a person can be. First place goes to the type who knows they did wrong, but rather than correct it they retreat into their minds convinced they cannot be forgiven. Now tell me, are you a one, a two, or will you reverse into a man of honour instead? Because you know what you are?"


    "What?"


    "You''re me, two hundred years later. You see, I was the daughter of the man who started the skyship operation, and for years I felt I wouldn''t be able to stop the abandonment of humanity. But near the end, I was able to get the other nine in to make a last stand. We naturally all died, but that''s where you come in! You get the honour of finishing what I started too late!"


    Xander looked at the woman. She had fire in her eyes for sure, and was just shy of grabbing and shaking him.


    "But anyway, what do we need to kill this Chelic?"


    "What we need is a way back to the ships." Julian answered.


    "Ah, that shouldn''t be much of an issue." Cecilia nodded. "If we find someone strong enough, I can pump them up using my blood, and then jump up there!"


    "Would that work?" Kwadwo asked, looking at the other three.


    "Well, maybe Cassandra knows something? I''ll call her."


    Roxanne and Cassandra sat by the table while Roxanne''s parents kept discussing boys. Describing them and not so discreetly glancing at Roxanne whenever the sentence finished to see if it provoked any sort of reaction. And yet it didn''t. Cassandra felt their glances cut through her as well, even though her relationship was pretty much perfect. Until Roxanne felt her phone buzz and picked up from Julian. She gave it to Cassandra as she asked, and she scooted into the next room to answer it.


    "Hey Cass, just calling to ask if we have a way up to the ships again?"


    "I think we do. There''s a mountain nearby that Chelic climbed onto."


    "Aw, sweet. Well, find out when the ships pass by so we can get back to it. Love you!"


    Julian hung up, and the yapping from the parents began to fill her ears once again.


    "So who was that, Cass?" Claude asked.


    "It was¡­Roxanne''s boyfriend?"


    "Wait, you already have a boyfriend?" Davina asked, leaning in. Roxanne leaned back with an audible grunt and a look to Cassandra. A look of malice she has never pulled off before.


    "Uh¡­yeah." Cassandra answered. "I lost my phone, so he called me to-"


    "Cass, can we not?" Roxanne said with a sigh. She stood up and looked at her mom.


    "Look mom, I know that you''re excited about me getting back. And I know that you want me to follow up with you and get married with a kid¡­but I don''t feel it."


    Davina looked at her for a second with a blank expression, before continuing.


    "Well, it''s fine not to be looking right now, but later on you''ll find the spark and-"


    "Stop talking. Please."


    Davina was looking at Roxanne. She was tired. The mere memories of forcing herself to like someone were exhausting her merely by thinking about them.


    "I''ve tried, mom. I''ve spent the last few days hopping from ship to ship and boy to boy. There was nothing between us. Even tried getting it on with a girl once, but that was the biggest disaster of all. So I think I can conclude after all of that, I''m not interested. I can''t feel love."


    "Okay, but maybe after some time you''ll-"


    "Maybe? Probably not. I''m pretty confident in thinking that. Look, you think I want this? To spend my entire life being told the path to go down only to learn you''re incapable? Do you think I was rubbing my hands with evil glee for not providing the outcome you wanted? Look, we can discuss this after I helped save the skyspace, okay?"


    "But-"


    Roxanne had already walked out and Cassandra quickly began to follow.


    "So, where''s Julian?"

 Get To The Top!

    Roxanne and Cassandra met the other four outside the hospital. Xander was drinking a cup of hot water while Kwadwo was talking on his phone. Cecilia stepped in front of the girls, enthusiastically shaking their hands.


    "So, you must be Julian''s friends!" She exclaimed, rapidly wrapping her arms around both of them in for a group hug. Roxanne didn''t fight it.


    "It''s tonight?" Kwadwo asked as she loosened her grip on the girls.


    "What''s tonight?" Cassandra asked.


    "Look, I got it." Kwadwo whispered before closing the phone.


    "Okay, so. The mountain you have to climb to get back to the skies. The ships will pass by that tonight. You only have about twelve hours to get up the mountain. Because if you don''t, you''ll have to wait a year before it comes back."


    "I''m sorry, what?" Xander asked, grabbing Kwadwo by the shoulder. He tried grabbing him by the other, because his brain hasn''t fully grasped the fact his arm was gone.


    "Hey, I''m surprised about this too, okay?" Kwadwo said, worming his way out of the grip.


    "Look, shouldn''t we just get started?" Cecilia said, pushing them away from each other.


    "Fine." Xander muttered through clenched teeth.


    Aspasia handed them a bag of supplies. It contained the usual stuff. Food and a couple of metal water bottles. No sleeping supplies, because that they wouldn''t need. Each person got a knife. Cassandra didn''t like the quality of hers, and looking around, it seemed all the knives were of a similar build. This seems like the type of thing that would break if used more than a few times. She sighed, put it in her pocket, and prayed that she would never have to use it.


    "So, do you have everything?" Aspasia asked.


    "Yes, mom. I''ll be fine."


    "I¡­I know, dear."


    Aspasia looked ready to cry as she stood opposite the city gates in front of the group. In front of her was the outside world. A world that she didn''t dare venture into, where barely anyone roamed. A world who''s existence was considered too much to handle to most of the world. A world that most likely didn''t know she existed.


    "So you''re all ready to go, Roxanne?" Davina asked.


    "Should be." Roxanne nodded.


    "Just remember. We were born for this." She whispered as she grasped Roxanne''s necklace. Roxanne stood still. It was her mother, yes. But having someone else just grab her necklace felt¡­violating. She hated it, that was the conclusion. Also, born for it? She was barely born before being dumped to the skies, she didn''t feel born for any particular actions. All this just seemed to happen.


    "I''ll remember." She nodded. That one phrase was the only thing to slip out of her mouth while she tried to avoid eye contact. She didn''t really know what else to say.


    "We leaving, Roxanne?" Julian asked with a hand on her shoulder.


    "Yeah, we can go."


    The four left the walls to their parents waving at them from behind. Roxanne kept looking over her shoulder to see them until she couldn''t see the gates anymore.


    "You do know how to read maps, right?" Xander asked Cecilia. Cecilia turned around him with a grim expression.


    "I have used the resources of my upbringing to learn as much as I could during my youth! I think I know a thing or two about reading maps. See, we''re around here." She affirmed, pointing just south of the town on the map, tracing her finger to the contour lines.


    "These circles indicate how high above sea level something is. This one has the most circles, so it means it''s the highest peak. And it''s just about¡­directly west."


    Everyone else turned their heads west, and in front was a bunch of incredibly dense forest.


    "Is that the best option?" Roxanne asked.


    "It seems like the quickest, and that''s the best we can ask for." Cecilia said, folding the map into a makeshift weapon, swinging it downwards several times, quickly aiming for Xander and hitting him over the head. An exclamation of pain let her conclude that it was a suitable tool of war. New knowledge in hand, she marched her way into the forest, and the other four reluctantly followed.


    The jungle darkened as they walked through it. Parts of the morning sun briefly peeked out to hit the group with a small morsel of sunlight before the darkness. A few small noises were heard as soon as they stepped in, but all seemed clear at the moment.


    "Hey, Cecilia." Roxanne asked, trying to mask the urge to scream building up inside her. "How much longer do we have to walk through the forest?"


    "I wouldn''t know, it''s too dark to check the map." Cecilia replied calmly.


    Roxanne swallowed the scream and kept walking. She felt something hard brush against her leg. Through her hazy vision, it looked like¡­a skeleton. Almost human, but uncanny in just how many small differences there were.


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    "Cecilia, where did you lead us?"


    She felt a hand of some kind hit her, but it was gone when she turned around to react. Another scream was heard from Julian, who quickly elbowed whatever appeared behind him. It fell behind him and allowed him to hide behind Cassandra and Xander. The creature let out a primal scream before lunging for Cassandra. She landed a solid punch to it''s stomach, but it grabbed her hair and didn''t let go. She felt her scalp tear as it kept pulling. She felt more eyes circle around her as she fought. Another tried clinging onto Xander, jumping onto his face and grabbing the hood of his hoodie. He tried fighting it off, but it''s stomach was even further into his face. He tried grabbing his old knife to stab it with, but the weak slashes didn''t seem to do anything but make it even angrier.


    "Hold this." Cecilia said, leaving her stuff with Roxanne, trying to stay silent through the whole ordeal. She felt something else on her back, but it was gone, like a momentary itch.


    Cecilia leapt behind Xander and Cassandra, baring her hands behind them. A mild hissing noise was heard as small tendrils emerged from under her fingernails. Cylindrical, limply dripping from her hands. Until all ten sprang back to life after she raised a hand, and the clear tubes quickly had red shoot through them. She plunged a hand into Xander and Cassandra, stepping back afterwards to cover Julian.


    Cassandra felt a tingling sensation flow through her spine. It felt nice as it rippled through her body, briefly distracting her from the pain. The sensation rushed to her arms, and she quickly got the creature off of her. It screamed and lunged once again, but Cassandra laid one punch into it''s chest, and her hand burst straight through. Xander matched, throwing his creature to the ground and choking it out until it stopped moving. Another creature rushed past Cassandra to fight Xander, and then another. Julian ducked out of the way of the attack, plunging his hand into the fresh corpse Cassandra made. There was enough leftover life to make the body twitch slightly, so he brushed the creature''s hand like a sock puppet against the hand of the thing clawing at Xander''s face. it turned around, allowing Xander to get up and punch another creature down. Julian quickly took his hand out and threw the twitching corpse into the distance, and the other creatures followed. He ran the opposite direction, and the other four followed, Xander and Cassandra quickly taking the lead. They kept running without a second to breathe, as more and more light started to make it''s appearance in front of them. Eventually, the trees were replaced with a series of mountains.


    They made it.


    "See? And with enough time to spare." Cecilia said. She either didn''t notice Roxanne shooting daggers at her, or didn''t care.


    "But uh, are you two okay?" She asked, looking back at Cassandra and Xander.


    "I feel¡­like everything in my body is ready to fight anything. I could take on anything. If something approached me I''d dodge it and rip the arms off whoever threw it at me. I could kill Chelic with my bare hands right now!"


    "Oh, seems I overdid it." Cecilia mumbled, looking at a confused Julian. "If her heart doesn''t give out, she''ll be back to normal in an hour or two."


    She merrily began skipping to the mountain in front of them, and Cassandra and Xander followed suit. Julian slowly began following her, and Roxanne followed.


    The mountain took some adjustments. The flooring being so uneven compared to anything Roxanne had known to that point was throwing her off, and she would have fell face first into a jagged rock if Julian didn''t grab her hand in the nick of time.


    "So Roxanne, I''ve been thinking about something."


    "What''s that?"


    "So you''re the daughter of the people running the town, and Cassandra''s the daughter of a goddess. Got that right."


    "Pretty much."


    "So like, can I have a cool title? Seems like the kind of thing you can ordain me, right?"


    "What are you thinking?"


    "Something like¡­fallen lord of death. The guy who helped bring you two back to your heritage, and will control the very essence of life itself. I''ll workshop it a little, but what do you think?"


    "Sounds good. And sure, I''ll try to get you the title."


    "Nice."


    It took a good while before the two got up there, but they made the climb. It was actually not that bad of a trek. The only danger in terms of wildlife was a few surprise birds that they startled and what looked like a goat. Cecilia, Xander, and Cassandra were already at the top of the mountain. Outside of looking generally dishevelled, both of them seemed okay.


    "So you''ve made it." Xander said.


    "Yeah." Roxanne sighed. So this was the fresh mountain breeze she read about. She didn''t see the hype herself, but she did always live higher than it, so it probably was more impressive to people who lived lower down. She was surrounded by clouds on all sides when she looked down.


    "Okay, so I have an idea of how we''re getting up." Cecilia said. "I''ll pump one of you full of blood. Then we all climb on that person if they can handle it, and they can hopefully claw their way up to a main ship."


    "Will that work?" Julian asked.


    "It''s pretty much our only choice." Xander sighed. "Guessing how Chelic did it, he probably used a chain to attach himself, and we don''t have that."


    "Although I will say this. This''ll require most of the blood in my body. If I move wrong on the way up, I could die."


    "That a problem?" Julian asked.


    "Not for me, I''ve died before. But I do run the risk of overloading whoever takes this until their heart gives out."


    "Doesn''t matter, I''ll do it." Cassandra said, getting in front of her. She opened her bag and began eating whatever was packed for her and washing it all down with water. She needed all the energy she could sneak out. She emptied the bags of everyone else, nodding to Cecilia as a ship came over the distance.


    The shadows of the ships emerged in the evening sun, and Cecilia began pumping Cassandra''s back with blood. The rippling was intense, and Cassandra''s eyes bulged as she gasped for air. Xander picked up Cecilia as she fell back, pressing up against Cassandra and jumping on her back and wrapping his legs around her waist. Julian climbed onto Xander''s back, and Roxanne held on to dear life to Julian.


    The thruster of a ship appeared before the group, blue streams of flame burning underneath them. Cassandra jumped up, digging her hands into the steel. She climbed up and away from the flame, letting the cold of the unfeeling steel take over her hands. She slowly made the first marks this side of the ship had seen in two hundred years. She kept climbing even as the weight of the other four began making it''s presence. But she could see the steel flatten. She kept going, even as everything around her kept screaming. Her muscles were in agony, her heart felt like it was about to burst out of her against the grey steel. She stopped for a brief second, feeling her fingers slip downwards. She clutched the steel again, climbing up to the horizon. She climbed over the edge and gave herself one final push upwards. She turned around to let the others fall off her, collapsing on her back after letting out a last primal scream of victory.


    Julian checked to see if she was out cold.


    "Cecilia, is this normal?" He asked. He was trying not to show it, but his eye was beginning to tear up out of just a little dash of desperation.


    "Well, she looks better than I thought she would turn out, but we should still get her to a hospital."


    "Okay, cool." Julian said as he picked her up. "Now, where are we?!"


    "No way." Xander whispered, taking a good look at the blocks of colourful houses in front of them.


    "Hey Julian, did you ever go back to Roperia?"

 Yeah, He Should Be Killed

    Xander took a second to look at the blocky houses, each styled in a different colour. His memories came flooding back of just¡­existing here as a child. Before everything involving Chelic happened. He suddenly felt free. In that moment, he wanted nothing more than to just lay down under the setting sun and let the remaining warmth wash over him, before it retreats and he gtt dinner and a rest in his comfy bed. He looked around to see the surrounding housing ships, wondering if he could recognize his old one from the distance. But before he could sink fully into the pool of nostalgia, Julian knocked him over by rushing past, carrying Cassandra''s cold body in his arms.


    The layout of the streets was eerily familiar to Julian. He had only stopped here a couple of times with the Battlestorms, but that was only odd jobs with missing person cases in either the capital city or a small housing ship, and probably not the one he grew up in. But winding through the narrow streets was all too familiar to him, from the days of him and Xander playing tag and hide and seek. Memories he never really put much stock in, but the comfort was the closest distraction from what was currently going on. He was able to get to the main city. Past the main street shops was what looked like the red cross of a hospital sign.


    He ran to it and opened the door. The mood was gloomy, even by hospital standards. But that didn''t matter. He ran up the reception, slamming the small bell to notify the staff.


    "Yes, hello?! I got a dying girl here who needs medical attention, right now!"


    The receptionist barely moved before Julian was screaming at her to hurry up. Cassandra was eventually put on a stretcher and carried to another room. The room was almost impossible to Julian to get into, due to whatever was happening one door to the left that required dozens of people to wait outside the door, some with camera equipment for some reason. Maybe some celebrity got drunk and punched above his weight level before paying the price, it didn''t really matter.


    Julian stood by as some nurses watched over Cassandra.


    "What happened leading up to this, sir?" A nurse asked after taking him aside and trying his best to avert Julian''s gaze from Cassandra.


    "Well, she was pumped full of blood to help her fight off threats better, but we might have overdone it, and now I don''t know what''s going on with her!"


    A doctor approached Julian just as he was about to burst into tears.


    "Sir? Sir? Your friend is fine."


    "What?" Julian asked.


    "She just seems unconscious from a mild shock. I''m assuming some wielder messed with her blood levels before they stabilised. We''ll let her sleep and run a test on her tomorrow morning, and we''ll let her go if nothing''s up."


    "So we''re all good?" A young looking nurse asked, smiling at Cassandra''s body. "At least something good came out of today."


    As the other three ran through the hallway to Cassandra''s room, they scooted past some cameras, before instantly being shoved back and directed to Cassandra. Once all the stress built up in Roxanne''s body left in the form of the longest sigh she had ever pulled off, her phone rang, and she retreated around the corner until the sound died down to answer it.


    The call was from Willow, her voice piercing through the hallways as soon as the phone was answered.


    "Roxanne? This you?"


    "Yeah?"


    "Are you at the Roperia medical centre?"


    "Think so?"


    "Is Nuria dead?"


    "Is Nuria what?!" Roxanne asked. She stood waiting for Willow to clarify the statement she misheard. She surely misheard that.


    "Dead!" She repeated, more aggressively. "Look, you''re on the floor, just push past them until they kick you out!"


    Roxanne closed her phone, running in the direction of the crowd, sneaking past the camera man and shoving past the people at the door, coming face to face with Nuria''s body.


    What was left of her face lay in one last agonized expression. Her previously tanned skin was replaced by the whites of her skull peering out over it. And above that was a perfect small circle for a hole, right above her head where the attack landed. Roxanne was pulled out of the room by a guard as she opened up her phone.


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    "How is it?" Willow asked.


    "There''s¡­there''s a hole in her skull, Willow. She''s dead."


    A suppressed moan was heard from the other end.


    "Willow, I''m not sure if you noticed, but I was off the ships yesterday. Did I miss anything?"


    There was a pause.


    "Wait, shit! The news was reporting you dead!" She yelled out after a brief second. "How''d you get back?"


    "We used the person inside the shield. Look, I''ll explain it the next time we meet up, what''d I miss?"


    "Well¡­Zach died."


    "Wait, Zach¡­how?"


    Roxanne stood in place trying to wrap her head around all this. Nothing about it felt real to her. Two leaders were dead and she was only gone a day.


    "Look, Javier''s here on the phone. you''re in charge until he gets back tomorrow. Let him speak to the media people."


    "Roxanne, was it?" Said the voice. It sounded like Javier, only the voice was heavier, trying it''s best not to waver.


    "It''s me." Roxanne whispered back.


    "Cool. Can you show me the media people?"


    Roxanne moved to the room holding Nuria.


    "We''re here." Roxanne whispered.


    "Hello?" Javier asked. "Am I clear?"


    The media people stopped crowding the door and moved on to Roxanne. A few eyes were focused on her, enough to make her uncomfortable, but most eyes were unblinkingly staring at her phone.


    "Prince Javier?" A woman with a microphone asked, unflinchingly staring into the flip phone. "How do you feel about your mother''s death?"


    There was a brief silence.


    "Take a fucking guess!" He eventually screamed over the line. "Look, I know this is a major event, but can you have an ounce of fucking respect for her?"


    Microphone lady turned her nose up at Javier, going back to the door. But in front of it was Julian, Xander, and Cecilia."


    "You heard the ruler." Xander said. "Get lost."


    Microphone lady tried pushing past him, but Cecilia delivered one open palm strike to the gut, leaving her on the floor. She scowled at them, but left the room. All the other news stations followed.


    "Did I go too far?" Cecilia asked, turning her head to Julian with an expression of second hand pain.


    "Eh, I reckon you hit it just right." Julian replied with a casual hand wave.


    "Now then, are the doctors still with you? Because I''d like to speak to them."


    "Yeah, They''re here." Roxanne nodded, handing the phone to the doctor in the room.


    "Look." Javier sighed. "I know I''m asking a lot, but please let my friends stay in your hospital if you have a spare room. After what I''ve heard they''ve gone through, I''m sure they can be spared at least that."


    "I''m sure we have more rooms." The doctor nodded, glancing around the room to check.


    "Excellent. And also¡­thanks for preserving my mother. I''ll be back tomorrow."


    The phone hung up, and the others were directed to their rooms. Roxanne and Julian stayed with Cassandra while Xander and Cecilia got their own rooms.


    Night time.


    Xander lay awake in his hospital room. He somehow couldn''t sleep. He wandered through the hallways staffed by nobody but a few nurses, none of which tried stopping him. He stepped outside, watching the night time streets. Nobody knew who he was. At this moment, nobody was expecting him to do anything. If he felt like it he could take advantage of the current situation and just run somewhere. Anywhere. Get a job in some cybersecurity business and go from there.


    "Nice place you got here." He whispered to himself.


    "It really is." Cecilia replied.


    Xander jumped slightly at her voice.


    "Honestly, as much as I wanna hate this place, it looks pretty." She continued, looking up at a streetlight. It was pretty. Metal with some fancy spirals covering the circular bulb. "So, what''s keeping you up?"


    "Just thinking too hard. You?"


    "Probably the same." She nodded. "What you thinking about?"


    "I guess¡­helping the rulers."


    "Ah. Still not used to heroism, I take it?"


    "Blocking a door isn''t the most heroic thing ever, but sure, we''ll go with that. It''s also just¡­I was told what happened to Nuria."


    "Well, you probably know who did it to her, right?"


    "I can guess. Legion number three, guy named Levin. Never seen him in person. From what I know he just kind of appears and leaves whenever he feels like it. Don''t know the guys exact powers, but they always leave the victims with a perfect hole on their bodies."


    "So are you gonna release this information?" She asked.


    "How am I meant to do that?" He asked with a pained expression overcoming him. "What would that even be like!? ''Hey, I have real important information on the highest ranking Legion members. Please don''t question how I got any of it'' Like what am I meant to do?"


    He looks towards an unimpressed Cecilia.


    "Do you not remember our conversation on the ground?"


    "About my redemption?" Xander asked.


    "Correct. If you have anything to say, anything at all. You need to tell them."


    "Okay, but-"


    Cecilia put a finger to Xander''s lips with her left hand, and snapped her fingers with her right.


    "No buts. Tell me, why are you doing this?"


    "To kill Chelic." Xander replied.


    "Is that it?"


    "Look, all I wanted was to get out of there and live a good life with my girlfriend and my teammate. My girlfriends dead, my teammate is probably dying as we speak, and all I want is to kill the bastard who did it."


    "So you don''t care about your brother?"


    "I mean, I''d prefer him alive, clearly. But he still doesn''t feel like my brother in much besides names. Not like we had the time to do much brotherly stuff anyway. So if I have to let him die to kill Chelic, I''m fine with that."


    "Hey, I get it. Did I mention I had a brother?"


    "Nope."


    "Well, I did. He was the one who killed me. Don''t recall a moment of hesitation as he slashed my head off. But he''s probably dead now, so I''m not really worrying about it."


    "I see."


    "But anyway, I appreciate the honesty. Too many people would say some drivel about the greater good or honour, but you? I can respect you. So if you don''t mind me asking, I would like your permission to pursue vengeance."


    "Okay? Why?"


    "I imagine the heroes can do their honourable thing while we get to kill those responsible. We got a deal?"


    "Sure lady. We got a deal."

 Invasion

    Willow was the first person to wake up. Besides her lay Luminita, and on the opposite end of her massive bed was Javier. She was in what was technically Luminita''s room, but it still felt like Marcel''s. For starters, his stuff was in there. She and Luminita discussed moving it, but Luminita wanted to keep some stuff for his memories sake. What exactly was yet to be decided.


    She got out of bed and put some clean clothes on in the bathroom. At the risk of sounding insensitive to recent events, she looked like death. Strained eye bags, dry hair, the works. Her mother would probably have a lot of words if she could witness her, but luckily they wouldn''t meet for another while.


    Before she left, she looked at Javier. For someone who used to be such a crybaby when they play fought as kids, he was doing pretty well. No signs of crying in his sleep either. She knew what he was thinking. ''If I cry, Luminita cries too, and nobody wants that'' She didn''t envy his position in the slightest. If she could say anything, it was that the spear being broken and the guy inside it just walking around somewhere else meant her family was safe for the time being.


    She stepped out and descended the grand stairway to the kitchen.


    "Morning, Willow." The chef asked from inside the kitchen. "Any idea what you want?"


    "Don''t worry about me, I''ll just grab some cereal."


    Willow waltzed into the kitchen, poured a bowl of chocolate cereal, and looked out the window at the walls. Couple patrolling guards, each trying to look busy as they walked. Seemed to be less than the last few days, which was good. Everything around here seemed to be getting back to some sense of normalcy.


    Until the screaming started.


    The guards started yelling and some grunts were heard. A moment later, the door swung open and a young man was heard yelling something. He locked eyes with Willow as she took a final bite of breakfast.


    "What''s his deal?" She asked through squinted eyes.


    "He broke into the castle walls. We don''t know what for. We''re detaining him for questioning."


    "Leave him in the living room, I''ll deal with him."


    "Are you sure that''s safe?"


    "Yeah." Willow nodded. "I could take him. Besides, I''m the only queen awake right now, so I get final say."


    "You''re a princess of a different nation."


    "And I got approval, trust me. Dump him in the living room."


    The man was sat in a leather armchair across from Willow''s in the empty room. He kept glancing at the TV to their left, and Willow shook her head. Nothing was breaking the silence, especially not the trash that was on during a Sangaria morning. The man didn''t exactly look capable of any real damage. Scrawny and short, with slicked back blonde hair. The type that screamed ''guy who''ll go on to sell medicinal scams to random old people in twenty years.'' Made sense considering he was wearing the same blue suit of the Zeus cultists.


    "I''m gonna need a name from you." Willow asked as she grabbed a notebook and pen.


    "Uhh, Sebastian Ardelean?" He said quickly.


    "Got it." She nodded, jotting that down. Could be a fake name, but she had reason to believe he was telling the truth.


    "So, what compelled you to try and break in?"


    "Well, uh¡­it''s¡­Miss Luminita. Surely even a woman like yourself can see her beauty. Her royal demeanour, her elegant style. It''s surely not a crime to see a woman in that regard."


    "Breaking in to admire it is, actually." Willow replied, jotting down ''creep and weirdo'' into the notebook. "That is, if that''s the actual reason you came in."If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    "It was to see Luminita as she awoke!"


    "Yeah, I don''t think she wakes up for another hour. Hour and a half, maybe."


    "That seems late for a queen."


    "She was a med student before that, so I guess she''s catching up." She shrugged. "But anyway, I have just a small hunch that you''re not as into her as you''re making out to be."


    "Why, that''s¡­preposterous!" Sebastian yelled. "She''s the most beautiful person I''ve ever laid my eyes upon! From the moment I saw her coronation on TV I knew I had to have have her!"


    "Okay." Willow said after a long sigh. "First off, the beauty sleep upstairs isn''t finished yet, so pipe down. Second off, I find it awfully convenient that a man with the Zeus cult falls in love hard enough to breach the castle walls the day after I tell them to leave us alone. And for you to do it in full uniform at the crack of dawn, no less? I mean, who wears a suit at this hour? Surely your boys aren''t that strict."


    "Look, it was the only clean clothing I had-"


    "Here''s what I think''s going on." Willow interrupted. "You show up here with the intent of getting arrested, so that tall doofus can collect you, offer his formal apologies, and then have another crack at talking us into doing whatever he wants."


    She walked across the room, leaning forward in front of him with arms crossed and a smug expression on her face.


    "Am I correct here?"


    Sebastian''s mouth started moving as he tried to figure out some kind of excuse. Willow got up and grabbed him by the shoulders, slowly guiding him to an old bathroom. No windows, no air vents to escape from. She shoved him in and locked the door with a key a guard fished out. After an hour both Luminita and Javier were both awake and filled in on the situation.


    "So, what do we do now?" Luminita asked.


    "Your ship." Willow shrugged. "I''ll let you figure it out."


    "Well¡­it''s not a good idea to put him in prison." She mumbled. "It''s what the Zeus guys want. But we also can''t just let him get away with this."


    "Also, I can''t imagine a trial would be a good use of resources." Javier added.


    "And it''s not like we can just call another Zeus guy in to collect him. Bastards are counting on that." Willow said with a sigh and a throw of her head to the ceiling.


    "Okay, what if we check the phone books? Maybe he''s a recent convert doing this as some kind of initiation, and we can get a relative to pick him up."


    One flick through a phone book and some records later and his family tree was firmly rooted in the Zeus cult territory. So that was a bust.


    "Okay." Luminita sighed, wiping some morning gunk from her eyes. "How about we split the difference? We call the Zeus guys, let them know what happened, and then they collect him outside the castle walls. Then we go back in before they try anything and we''ll work out where to go from there. Sound good?"


    "Sounds alright to me." Javier nodded.


    "I think it''s a great idea." Willow replied with a thumbs up.


    So the plan was made. The Zeus guy sounded extremely surprised when he got the news. He was a good actor if nothing else. And within a few minutes, him and two shorter assistants were in front of the walls. Willow was behind Sabastian and Javier was in front, in case he tried anything.


    "And I''m once again so sorry for what my underling had done. It''s just¡­he had a difficult life. His parents left him on our doorstep when he was born, and he''d since had a tough time adjusting to social norms. And sometimes he¡­lashes out in ways like this. So I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive him."


    Javier listened to that. Sebastian had to be in contact with his parents. Unless the cult had some weird separation ritual, he was one hundred percent lying.


    "Well, it''s not like he did any real damage." Luminita said reluctantly.


    "Now, while I have your attention, would we be allowed to discuss-"


    "Fuck off." Willow sighed.


    "Understood." He nodded slowly as Sebastian returned to him. As he turned around, Willow noticed him turn his head into his coat, whispering something into it. She turned around, and a flash of light was seen out of the corners of her eyes for a brief second. When she turned around, a figure was seen on the wall surrounding the castle for a brief second, before they casually dropped down.


    Willow quickly grabbed the collar of the leader and slammed him to the ground while his two cronies ran. She put his hands behind his back and walked him back into the building. Luminita was about to run back inside, but Javier quickly took hold of her shoulder to stop anything stupid happening while Willow led the march to the building.


    "Okay, mister cultist." She whispered, trying her best not to let the rage and saliva building up in her mouth release. "You are going to explain just what''s going on."


    "Why, I was approached after your rejection and offered a collaboration. Create a distraction, and he''ll have the means to take over the country, with the church as the ruling power."


    "Who was he?" Willow asked, tightening the grip. "What''s his name?"


    "He didn''t say. He was a blonde man, said he wanted to catch up with you."


    Willow flicked through her memories of what blonde person would want something to do with her. Her or any of the other two. Well, there was the obvious one, but that one was stupid. It wasn''t a possibility at all. He had to be the type of delusional lunatic Sebastian was making himself out to be.


    They continued through the outside of the castle, trying not to trip over the dead guards. Luminita was hyperventilating while Javier was trying his best to stop a full blown panic attack, but he was sweating, trying himself not to break down.


    The door opened, the footsteps echoed through Willow''s head as she made her way to the throne room. She opened the door again, and there lay a man casually sitting. He was blonde, looking at the four of them with his chin resting on his hand. The dagger of Roperia was embedded into the side of the throne.


    "Well guys, looks like it''s been a while." The man announced as he rose from his chair. "But I''m guessing you guys remember me?"

 Broken Pillar

    Willow looked in dismay at the man. It looked like him. It sounded like him. But it couldn''t be him. he was dead. Took his own life years ago under all the pressure.


    "Sheesh, you all look frazzled." He said with his hands on his hips. "What''s wrong? It''s Levin! Your friend! One of the four pillars! No way you don''t remember me?!"


    Words and phrases quickly tumbled around in Willow''s minds. Thoughts followed quickly after the fact. Anything, anything at all that would rationalize what was happening in front of her.


    "Turn back."


    That was the only thing she eventually managed to splutter out.


    "Excuse me?" The man asked.


    "I don''t know what sick pleasure you get out of pretending to be Levin, but it ends now! Turn back!"


    "Willow, I don''t know how to break it to you, but it''s the real deal over here."


    "Shut up!" Willow screamed. "Turn back or I''ll¡­I''ll¡­break the arms of your business partner here!"


    She squeezed the arms of the leader until a popping noise was heard, and a grunt was heard from the leader.


    The man rolled his eyes.


    "Yeah, he''s not all that important to me." He suddenly had an idea and nodded to himself. He put two fingers together in the shape of a gun, and a spark of light emerged on the tips. He aimed forward, with Willow leaving the leader to stand while falling back and barely missing the beam. The man fell backwards with a hole in his chest while Willow got back up.


    "See? Not a shapeshifter. Trust me, I know shapeshifters. It''s light beams all the way, baby."


    "What compelled you to do this?" Javier asked, stepping in front of Luminita.


    "Look, I guarantee it''s way more simple than you realize. When the Legion got into the Lux and raided everything, they took me with them. I was expecting to go in and either be killed or made to kill myself, or worse. But they''re actually the best people I''ve had the pleasure of knowing."


    "What are you talking about!?" Luminita yelled. Her breathing was growing more unsteady, and Javier had to hold her hand to assure she wouldn''t either panic or do something regrettable. "Did you just forget us?"


    "Luminita, we were only friends because our royal parents had kids at the same time. We were brought into existence solely so that we could grow up, dictate the people, then pump more kids out to continue things further. And we were made to look cute and get along so that the news would take our pictures and push the idea that the royals couldn''t do anything wrong. But then I met the others on the ship. Those from sorry excuses for families who beat their kids, who sold everything they owned to cults, who were so overworked they neglected their families. And what do the supposed royals, the people allegedly born to create the best path for what remains of the human race do to prevent this or steer us on the right path? Nothing! They sit in their towers and assure us we''ll all be fine. Down there, there''s one man in charge and everyone who works under him. At first I was nobody. The few who did know me weren''t allowed to mention it. And with nothing but my own powers and drive, I became the third best agent under Chelic."If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "Look, Levin." Javier said after a deep breath. "I can see where you''re coming from. But I''m not sure how letting the Legion take over would actually help with any of that. Take the abuse you were talking about. I know it''s awful, but there''s always going to be something that slips through-"


    "Shut up!" Levin yelled. He wasn''t furious, but he was getting visibly agitated. "Then explain mister Cutter, Zach''s right hand. His daughter is ranked higher than me, and she was beaten in a poor excuse for training and left to fend for herself when the Legion invaded. Now tell me, tell me, how Zach could possibly not know about any of that?!"


    "You expect someone to just tell Zach about that?" Willow asked, forcing herself to take a step back to avoid making any regrettable decisions.


    "Well, he should have known. But she got her revenge, don''t worry. Cutter got jumped and gutted without an ounce of honour, and Zach was sent hurtling through a building. I just wish I was there to witness it. Couldn''t tell you who killed who though, I was too busy with Nuria."


    "You what?" Javier whispered.


    "Yeah. Was sent to take the dagger. That one there, see it? Got attacked and had to kill some people, but hey, it''s all for the greater good."


    "That was¡­you killed all of them. All of them! I was told there was nothing left! You had to kill everyone!?"


    "Javier, look." Levin said with a smug grin reaching around his face. "Her royalty should have granted her divine protection, no? Maybe she was a sign that the royal system isn''t all it''s cracked up to be. Went down real easy too. One shot to the face, if you can even believe that."


    Javier''s breathing deepened. He took his glasses off, handing them to Luminita and letting go of her.


    "Javier, what are you-" Willow asked.


    Javier lunged for Levin, landing a punch directly into his head. Levin looked past the small fist. This was probably the angriest Javier had ever been. He never raised his voice to anything, or anyone. A man built on observing before he acted, only he never acted.


    And now he never will.


    Like his mother, a single beam was all it took. He tried matching the hole in her skull, but Javier''s punch had just a little more than he expected, so he ended up slightly miscalculating and hitting the neck. Javier lay down spluttering and trying to cover up the hole somehow, looking to the girls. But one more beam to the skull put a stop to that.


    "Hey, he lasted longer than most." Levin shrugged. "Anyway, that seems like as good a sign as ever to get things moving. This building is now property of the Legion."


    "What the fuck are you talking about?!" Willow asked. "You think I''m just gonna let you-"


    Before she could finish her sentence, a busted up ship crashed into the throne room through the window. About five teenagers crawled out, one having a busted up leg from the impact, but smiling through the pain.


    One of them lunged towards Luminita, charging up a fireball and throwing it towards her. Willow barely managed to grab her and duck both of them down. The man approached, and she was able to take him down with a swift grab, kick, and slam against a wall. But the hums of airships were coming, and more and more were coming in. Willow looked at Luminita and then the approaching minions, and took the only option she could.


    She ran.


    She picked Luminita up and ran. She didn''t know where to run to, just that she needed to be somewhere, anywhere, that could be safer. She dashed for the docks as she ran through the streets, the shadows above her head getting more and more numerous. As people left their homes to observe just what was approaching the castle, Willow tried covering Luminita''s face.


    "Next time we''ll face them, we''ll be ready."


    The two found a random ship that was unlocked, and Willow drove it out as more ships went overhead. She had a faint idea where to go.


    Cassandra, Julian, Roxanne. Please have some sort of plan.

 Worlds Dumbest Takeover Attempt (That Actually Worked)

    "Mia, turn on the TV! Channel three!"


    Mia''s assistants were filling her phone with panicked messages as her husband scrambled to turn the TV on. Several of the other leaders were asking what the next course of action was, but none of them were telling her what actually happened. Just something about an upcoming announcement in Sangaria? Luminita didn''t say anything about it beforehand, so was she on board? Was she even alive? No, she had to be alive. All of those thoughts were just¡­lingering feelings of uncertainty swirling about in her mind after what happened to Zach. Her husband had turned the channel everyone was talking about on.


    "We on? Okay, thanks. Hello, people of the skyspace!"


    Mia lurched forward in her bed as she heard the voice. the damn voice of Chelic, his mocking tone drowning out the notifications of both her phone and her husband.


    "So, you might have noticed that my background changed. Big reason for that! And it''s because I took over Sangaria!"


    Luminita paused, looking for any signs this was some kind of joke. She opened her phone to call Luminita again. There wasn''t any reply.


    "Yeah, yeah. Big change, I know." Chelic nodded to the camera. "Didn''t do it alone. One man on my team, would you believe it? The man himself, right over there!"


    Chelic turned the camera to Levin leaning against a wall, who casually waved.


    "There''s no¡­that can''t be."


    Her husbands whispering was the only thing that broke through the trance set by Chelic''s announcement.


    "Dear, could you get me some water?" Mia asked weakly. Her throat was drying up, and she found herself making cry coughs.


    "Not now, honey."


    "O-of course." She nodded.


    "Levin, the madman, goes here alone, right after taking the dagger of Roperia. Oh yeah, that was him by the way. And less than a day later, he kills the prince of Roperia and takes the entire country of Sangaria for himself. This guy is an absolute menace!"


    Chelic cackled while giving an intentional mad stare to the camera and bent down. He then pulled up Javier''s corpse to the camera. It was shoddily cleaned with splotches of blood on his forehead.


    "Hello, I''m Javier. My mom died and I cried a bunch, and then I fought back against someone for the first time in my life and got a beam through my skull." He said in a mocking voice as he paraded Javier''s limp limbs in front of the camera. "Is that how it went? That what happened?" He asked.


    "More or less." Levin''s voice said from off screen.


    "Alright, excellent." Chelic said, smiling to him as he threw Javier''s corpse to the background. "So, time for my grand announcement! Now that I have something to use as leverage, you''re all under my control now. The others can try to fight back. Key word being try. But I''ll just kill them now that I have access to pretty much anywhere I want. So here''s the deal. You''re all gonna give me the remaining weapons alongside the people that were in the broken ones, and accept me as your new ruler. Old ones can still keep their old jobs delegating and stuff, but you report back to a Legion elite who then reports back to me. All good? Good. Now then, you have one week to give me the weapons. And any I don''t have, I''ll just track down. Any means necessary, you know the drill. Anyway, laters!"


    The broadcast ended, and straight away Mia got dizzy and threw up. The legion made it''s way into a permanent part of the Skyspace, and her own son was somehow alive and involved in it. Her husband was trying to stop her panicking, escorting the other members of her staff out of her room. A cold shill was washing over her as she tried to cling to something, anything, to ground her back to reality from this bad dream she was having. She clutched her husbands chest, sobbing softly into his shirt. A part of her was screaming at the events. Someone of her position, driven to tears instead of doing something proactive to stop the Legion''s actions. But suddenly, a call was heard. From Freyja.


    "I''m sorry, that was unbecoming of me." Mia said to her husband, snapping back to her usual emotionless state before she answered Freyja''s call. She clearly had a harder time masking emotions.


    "Mia, is that you?" She asked through a wavering voice.


    "It''s me, yes. Are you doing okay?"


    "Yes, I''m fine. Willow and Luminita are too. They''re in Vannana castle, and¡­I lied about you having called an urgent meeting over to discuss our next move. Come as soon as you can."


    "Understood."


    Mia snapped her phone shut and left the door. When her husband followed she pushed him away.


    "If something happens to me, you''re in charge."


    She walked out before he could protest, but he didn''t bother. She took the sword from her room and got onto her airship, and left with a small crew for Vananna.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    Inside the ship, she was being bombarded with texts from all sides and leaders. She expected it to be panicked asks about what was going to happen next, but most of it was messages of concern.


    ''You holding on okay?''-Fen Hou


    ''Old lad was your son, was it? Just want to know if you''re holding on alright''-Rory


    ''I take it you have a plan brewing?''-Kazumi


    The leaders at least had faith in her, which gave her a slight sense of confidence as her ship went into Vannana castle. She went inside and was directed to the dining room of the castle. When she walked in she realized she had never seen it so¡­ordinary looking. Besides the congregation it was only a few servants double checking if everything was up to standard, no banners, no extravagant plates of food. All the leaders were sat around a series of small wooden tables pushed together into one long one. Mia sat at it''s head. All the seats were full. Zach was replaced by his son, Arden, as a temporary measure while Fightston got another election going. Willow stood behind Luminita, trying to hide the look of dejection on her face.


    "Willow, dear. Would you be able to work with the heroes now that most of them are here?"


    "Sure thing, mom." Willow said with a slight nod before heading out.


    "Well, Mia?" Sylvestro asked. "What''s the plan?"


    "To be honest¡­I don''t have much of a plan." Mia sighed.


    "So you called a meeting to discuss the plan you don''t have?" Fen Hou asked.


    "The meeting was Freyja''s idea." Mia replied. Fen Hou looked at Freyja, who looked slightly betrayed.


    "Here, we''ve all seen the broadcasts." Rory announced from his seat looking slightly more annoyed than usual. "Her own feckin son is working for the enemy, that would disturb any of us."


    "Well, I think the only solution is to fight." Ola suggested. "If we don''t stop Chelic now, we could easily be hunted down as soon as he wants."


    "I mean, he only has one grand with a population that probably doesn''t want him there." Kazumi answered. "We outnumber him pretty easily."


    "He''s probably got something up his sleeves if he''s so confident." Ola said. "Look, I think we should get the others to carry some soldiers and weapons over. I''m calling them once it''s over."


    In the living room was where the heroes were gathered. The Miracle Scouts, the Battlestorms, the Kerabons, the Stone Queens, the Lumps, and Samuel. The woken up weapons were also there.


    "So, darlings." Fiorella asked. "Any clue as to what the plan is?"


    "I''m assuming you want to take them down." Rodrick asked back.


    "If firsthand experience is anything to go by, we''ll be more than enough to take them down." Fiorella replied with a handwave.


    "We almost died." Capri said with a strained expression.


    "Two of us almost died." Fiorella said with a more dismissive hand wave. "Ten of us would go well. Our current numbers are frankly overkill."


    "I don''t think the question should be whether or not we''d win." Luca said calmly. "I think the real question is what to do with the Legion members there."


    "Afterwards?" Fiorella asked.


    "I mean, I think this is the most important question here." Luca continued. "The easy answer would be to brand everyone there as a threat to the skyspace and either imprison or execute them. But-"


    "We aren''t doing that."


    Julian cut across from the other side of the room.


    "Look, I know we''re pissed at the Legion. And most of your reasons to hate them are valid. Heck, you kill someone during our fight with them and I doubt I''ll give much of a shit. But besides Chelic himself, I''m pretty certain any of the kids there would be able to come back to reality and become full citizens again."


    "You think?" Samuel asked, glaring at him. ""Does that include the man who killed Adebayo?"


    "Hey, hey. Like I said, kill him if you want. I just think it''ll be a waste of time. But while I have your attention, I''d like to introduce my next idea. We should bring the ships back to the surface."


    "We should what?" Caoimhe asked, squinting at him.


    "Yeah, turns out the founders were a bunch of lying assholes and everything on the surface is fine. Slightly more disrepaired and abandoned, but it''s liveable. Whole society down there too, so I think we find a way back there and make peace."


    "I can confirm, perfectly nice people." Cecilia nodded.


    "So anyway, our plan is to rush them and hope for the best?" Rodrick asked.


    "Rush them after a goods night sleep. With that said, good night!"


    Julian sauntered out of the room, and Roxanne and Cassandra followed. The rest of the group made their ways to their bedrooms, all belonging to one of Willow''s siblings. Their fathers and children were all taken to their home grands as a safety precaution. Fiorella made her way through the hallway alongside Gisella, finding a one armed man pacing around the hallways.


    "He doesn''t look too familiar." Fiorella mumbled to Gisella, who shook her head. Fiorella took a deep breath and walked up to him.


    "Excuse me, sir. Moment of your time, please."


    The man shot up, meeting Fiorella at eye level. They were exactly the same height.


    "How''s it going?" The man asked. "Gotta say, you are¡­really tall for a woman. But hey, you make the dress work. I''m guessing it''s custom made?"


    "It is, yes. Dress shopping is difficult for a multitude of reasons, but this one I''ve stuck to. But enough fashion talk, hoodie and tie. What''s your purpose?"


    "He''s with me!" Cecilia yelled, jumping between the two. "Sorry, he''s ex-legion. So he''s a little apprehensive about talking to you." She said, casually grabbing him by the shoulder and bringing him closer.


    "Ex-legion?" Fiorella said, with both her and Gisella arching an eyebrow.


    "Trust me, nobody hates the boss more than him!" She announced.


    "Well, there are few better endorsements than a literal living relic." Fiorella said. "But while I have your attention, you wouldn''t happen to know a girl named Priyanka, would you?"


    "What do you know about her?" Xander yelled, freeing himself from Cecilia and meeting her at eye level once again.


    "Well, I know she''s from Gurut." Fiorella said with a slight eye roll. "Know that more than enough."


    "But she''s alive?" Xander asked.


    "Currently in Gurut." She replied. "Looking for her birth parents with the government over there. Left the hammer back with them, so I suppose she''s trustworthy enough."


    "You think you could get her?"


    "I''ll see what I can do. Although a girl always responds better to a name, so I''ll need yours."


    "Xander." He said after a brief pause.


    "Excellent, I''ll tell her you''re alive." Fiorella said with a casual wave. "See you tomorrow."


    Xander looked back until they were out of sight, then looked forward. He saw Luminita, casually talking to Willow. Before she could even glance in his direction, he bolted into his room, which he was sharing with Cecilia.


    "Xander, I''m pretty sure that was the girl you wanted to make up with." She said, looking at him cowering behind her bed.


    "Look, you try making up with someone after killing her dad." Xander said.


    "Well, she''s probably on edge from everything going on." Cecilia sighed while glancing at the door. "We''ll work on this tomorrow. And if you don''t try to make amends, then I''ll get the conversation started. Anyway, goodnight."

 My Evil Plan to Save the World

    Xander woke up next to Cecilia. he started at the ceiling for a little bit, thinking about his next move. He looked outside, and the sun was just coming up. He opened the curtains and stared out of the window, looking over the city below. People were just starting to open up their shops, and the streetlamps were coming off to give way to the natural sun. And just looking from above filled Xander with a sense of both dread and guilt. He shouldn''t be here, and he knew that. Just a few days ago he was an enemy, trying his best to dismantle places exactly like it. And it wasn''t even like he agreed with how this place operated. If he learned one thing about this life, it was that giving a handful of people absolute power was one misplacement away from total disaster. But he supposed that some kind of redemption was his sole reason to keep going. That and Tsuki. For the first time in his life, he thought about what happens after death. There was always some kind of murmurs about it in the Legion, but he never paid attention from it. It didn''t seem to have any sort of logic towards it, but it was a comforting thought. But then the idea of the bad afterlife hit him. He was pretty sure he and Tsuki qualified, seeing as they killed a guy who didn''t deserve it. So the confort quickly changed to despair climbing and choking him as his breath got heavier.


    It wasn''t the time to think about that. If he killed the source of a lot of the world''s evil, that probably worked in getting him to a good afterlife, and perhaps let him negotiate with whoever runs it to get Tsuki out. But if it didn''t he could at least face the bad afterlife with dignity, and face whatever punishments awaited him.


    The next thought was what to eat for breakfast. He figured that everyone else would be getting up soon, so eating early and clearing himself sounded like a good move to him.


    He opened the door and stepped into the hallway, where one girl was passing through.


    Luminita.


    He couldn''t avoid it. She passed a glance his way, a glance that quickly widened into a terrified stare. Neither moved for a few agonizing seconds. Until she finally let out a horrified scream. Or attempted to, because Xander put his hand on her mouth before the sound could be heard, making sure to remove it as soon as the sound stopped. He tried shushing her in an attempt to calm her down, which seemed to work a little as she clutched the wooden railing around the castle''s second floor.


    "Why are you here!?" She asked, looking around for either an escape or another person to escape to.


    "I''m fighting against Chelic, same as you!" Xander yelled in a hushed tone, looking around to make sure there was nobody to assume the worst from this scenario.


    "Now?" She asked. "Not before you killed my father?!"


    "Look, I''m sorry that happened!" Xander yelled as he looked into her eyes. Luminita looked back with a look of pure disgust, thrusting her head forwards.


    "You''re sorry?!" She screamed.


    "Look, I swear it was an accident!" Xander yelled again, putting his hand above his face in preparation for any strikes she''s be willing to throw out. "We just wanted to take the shield because we''d be killed otherwise, but your dad fought back and then I ended up blinding him before Priyanka broke his neck, and it just really was not supposed to end that way!"Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    "But you tried taking the shield!" She whispered.


    "After being forced into it."


    Luminita turned around to see a woman with a bob cut, a white button up shirt and blood red jeans, standing with a slight lean to the left at Luminita with a slight look of disapproval on her face.


    "I''m sorry, who are you?"


    "I''m the woman in your old shield." Cecilia affirmed with a relaxed hand to her chest. "And I assure you, everything this man said is one hundred percent true."


    "You remember that?"


    "I don''t." Cecilia confirmed. "But I have been talking, and I''ll admit, I''ve taken quite a liking to this man. Now I know it may be painful, but I would like to ask you what he''s missing compared to the last time you saw each other?"


    Luminita glanced up and down while Xander stood perfectly still, minus a few glances at Cecilia.


    "He''s missing an arm now." She said as she looked back.


    "Well, yes." Cecilia nodded. "But notice anything else? Something that¡­helped you through your own recent pain?"


    Luminita just looked in confusion.


    "Friends. Talking about friends."


    Luminita took a step back as the image of his two companions filled into her mind.


    "Did something happen to them?" She asked. Her tone dropped somewhat. The thought of Xander also losing someone made her slightly less confrontational.


    "Tsuki. The girl who glued you to a wall. She was killed by Chelic."


    "Wait, Chelic?" She asked. "What happened there?"


    "We tried stealing the weapons for ourselves, but then he found out and killed Tsuki. He almost got me, but thanks to your shield I was able to cut off my arm and escape."


    "I¡­see. So what''s your plan now?"


    "He and I have come to the conclusion that if nobody else wants to, we''ll be killing Chelic ourselves."


    "Excuse me?"


    "Look, your plan of redeeming the broken children is all well and good, they''re off limits to us. But Chelic reminds me all too well of the evil from my time. The kind that settled into them for one reason or another, that won''t stop until their ideas have rooted into every aspect of the world. And for these reasons, he needs to die a death as agonizing as possible. Any issues?"


    Luminita looked at the woman, who stood casually. She was one hundred percent serious. And to be honest, the idea of Chelic just dying sounded okay to her.


    "Look, Luminita." Xander sighed. "Is there anything I can do to make up for what I did?"


    Luminita glanced to the side for a few seconds before facing them again.


    "If you''re successful in defeating Chelic and nobody has a reason to suspect you, then I''ll pardon you and grant you full citizenship. But only if you''re successful."


    "Understood!" Xander said with a salute. Why he saluted, he didn''t know.


    Once everyone was ready, Rodrick and Julian stood in the hallway, in front of all the other heroes.


    "Okay, Julian and I have been discussing what exactly to do, and we think we have a plan made." Rodrick announced.


    "Basically, the Legion are way weaker then they look, so it shouldn''t be that hard to take them down. Current plan? Attack in waves. Now, they want Cassandra, so we have her, me, and Samuel up first to draw away attention and take down the small guys, with Einer in case anything we can''t handle shows up. Second wave is gonna be the big names. So the Kerobons, Stone Queens, and Battlestorms. Your job is to fight off the numbered units and help us make the big push towards Chelic. Jade and Hikaru are helping you out, just in case. And finally, everyone else. So the Lumps, Cecilia and Xander, and then Mia and Willow. You deal with stragglers and whatever backup plans Chelic has. Now, anyone need me to run that by again?"


    "I think we got it." Luca nodded.


    "Well, without further ado, we''ll make our way to the airships and to victory!"

 Off The Wall

    "So Cheng buddy, what''s the sitch back at the Cluster? I know my room''s a little¡­grassier than it should be, but you''re an adaptable guy, you''ll work it out."


    "The room is suitable for my needs. Although granted, I''m not one for sleeping when there''s things to do. And as for the cluster itself, it''s running perfectly fine. Nobodies stepped out of line and everything is still to standard, thanks to Manuel."


    "See, that''s why I left you two in charge! Anyway, I''ll call you back later, we''ve probably got a big day today!"


    "I see. Well, tell Daciana I said hello, and I''ll report if anything comes up. Permission to hang up?"


    "Granted! And buddy, feel free to call the girls over. Picked em myself, they''ll satisfy any problem ya got."


    Chelic hung up the phone and laid back in his new throne. He ran his finger across the dagger embedded inside it, living in the moment as he did his best not to get cut. He succeeded, only to shake his hand and barely miss it when the chandelier in the throne room fell, alongside Serafina on top in a daze.


    "I ask why you did that, Serafina?" Marcus asked, as relaxed as usual.


    "Oh, me and Ziwadi had a competition to see who could get to the top first. He won, but felt things fall, and¡­long story short, don''t compete in a climbing contest against guys who can swap places with people. Shouldn''t have to say that, but I guess I do."


    Chelic burst into a fit of laughter, almost hitting his elbow against the dagger.


    "Oh, Serafina." He said while shaking his head. "You get me every time. Just be more careful next time, alright?"


    "Sir, I know you let the top ten do what they want, but I feel now of all times would be a good time to show at least a little pushback to their more unruly actions." Marcus said, trying to hold in a sigh of exasperation.


    "Relax, big guy." Chelic said, shaking his head while straightening himself out in his throne. "It''s a little roughhousing before the main event. Besides, a chandelier like that? Perfect weight to say, crush an unsuspecting enemy to death, don''t ya think?"


    Marcus looked blankly.


    "I-I''m the enemy in this scenario. To them?"


    "I got it."


    "Great, just checking."


    "So how''s the perimeter of the castle?" Marcus asked.


    "Great question!" Chelic exclaimed, taking his phone out and calling Chizoba.


    "Heyyy, Chizoba!"


    "Hello." Chizoba answered flatly.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    "So, how''s my favorite cyborg doing? Anything up? Anything suspicious going on?"


    "Nothing at the moment?" She replied, glancing up to a clear sky.


    "But for how long?" He asked.


    "I''ll let you know when something comes up." Chizoba said calmly. "Any feeds from other airships?"


    "Uhh¡­I''ll check them real quick and get back."


    Chelic hung up the phone.


    "I may have forgot to get the scouts to send me info on when the heroes approached me." He said, giving an awkward smile to a scowling Marcus.


    "Hey, we''ll deal with the sitch when they show up. Doubt we''ll have any issues anyway."


    Chizoba kept watch on the wall of the castle, surrounded by her hooded companions from the church. It was a pretty calm morning, all things considered. Nobody really dared mess with them, so it was just a few people trying to go about their days while occasionally glancing at what the castle had become. At most, parents pulled their children away from the walls when they got too close, probably afraid of what she or the others of the Legion would do to them. Which was nothing, as far as she was concerned. In fact, she''d be more than happy to explain their goals and educate their children on the aims of the Legion. In fact, it seemed preparing a speech of some kind would be a decent idea, seeing as Chelic didn''t seem to have much of a plan about what to do. She took out a sheet of paper and borrowed a pen from one of her subordinates, trying her best to scribble down some words that calmly explain her motives, throwing in her own backstory of being neglected by the people around her. Sure, it could come across as slightly manipulative writing, but was hardly the worst thing the Legion had recently done.


    "Hey, what you writing there?"


    Chizoba didn''t recognize the voice that spoke to her, so she looked up and saw Samuel staring down at her. She shot upwards with an uppercut from her metallic hand, which Samuel quickly stepped away from. She commanded her friends to attack him, switching her hand into a three pronged claw.


    About twenty people circled around Samuel. He casually put his hands into his pockets, leaping upwards. When he came down, three of the idiots were already down from jumping towards him and crashing headfirst into each other. The rest all threw limbs towards him, which he countered pretty easily by simply grabbing the longer ones and slamming both them and their owners to the ground. He jumped over the next excuse for an attacker, standing on his hands and rotating his legs, feeling the impacts of several Legion soldiers against his shoes as they fell around him. He flipped upwards to admire his handiwork, with Chizoba being the only person left standing on the wall. They made eye contact for a brief second, with Samuel shaking his hands. He remembered what the deal with this lady was. Chizoba, that was her name. Trying to fight her with his hands in his pockets could actually end pretty badly, so this was one to take seriously.


    Chizoba lunged towards him. He stretched a leg out to catch it, and let the metal arm clash against his leg for a second. But in a flash, the hand opened to a claw which caught his leg, slamming him to the ground. Samuel pushed his hands behind him and pushed the ground as soon as he hit it, using the momentum to lift off the ground just a little bit and fling both him and Chizoba into the air. He stomped downwards and regained his centre of gravity before Chizoba could react, and he grabbed her in midair, throwing her off the wall before she could pull anything else. The sound of something hitting the wall was heard, and Einer was soon right behind him, observing the damage.


    "You made quick work of them." He said calmly. They were all unconscious, but they were breathing. None had injuries a quick visit to the doctors couldn''t fix.


    "Thanks." Samuel nodded without looking back.


    "Now, I was able to freeze the girl you threw off before anything bad could happen. Just letting you know."


    "Thanks." Samuel repeated, eyeing up the castle so he could estimate what the safest route in would be.


    "I just hope you remember what we''re here for. Reclamation, and not some petty idea of vengeance."


    "Got it."


    Samuel leapt away, leaving Einer to look around and determine that he was probably fine.


    Time for the real fighters.

 Light

    The foes went down fairly easily. Nobody seemed to have much in the way of powers outside of a few, and even that was basic astral swords and weak electric abilities. Cassandra and Einer were easily weaving through everyone on the ground floor, but even Julian was easily avoiding contact, just letting his bear corpse loose would result in either one swipe taking them out or for their foes to start freaking out and run away without a fight. When one victim flew away and hit their back against the wall surrounding the castle a little too hard, Julian looked around and decided to check on them.


    All seemed okay, anyway. Nothing to indicate any permanent damage. But he''d have to check them into a hospital afterwards. Yeah, that seemed like a decent reason to survive. The person groaned and his gaze met his, so they were at the very least conscious.


    "Who are you?"


    "I''m fighting the Legion. But I''m just checking you''re still alive."


    "I am?" The Legion soldier muttered.


    "Hey, that''s good. You just rest here, and I''ll check up on you when this is over. Sound good?"


    "Sure?" The solider muttered, clearly confused. He was certainly younger than Julian, anyway. By several years, probably a recent recruit. Probably, he still didn''t know how this worked.


    "Alright. Stay alive till then."


    Julian gave a reassuring thumbs up and joined the other three in getting to the castle, leaving the guy to fend for himself between the other either knocked out or terrified Legion members.


    Daciana observed the windows from inside the castle at the top. There wasn''t an official lookout declared, so she decided to nominate herself. As she passed through the windows, she looked towards the three approaching. She made a call to Serafina to alert her.


    "Can you see what''s outside, Serafina? From the front of the castle."


    "Uhh, lemme check." Serafina mumbled. Some shuffling was heard before she continued. "I see them, yeah."


    "Well, you should probably tell Chelic about it."


    "Working on it." She said casually.


    Serafina ran towards Chelic, reading a book he found while exploring the castle.


    "Lord Chelic, we have four people approaching the castle. What''s our next course of action?"


    "Dang, they''ve started already?" Chelic asked while glancing at his watch. "Well, I suppose it''s time we get the main event rolling! Serafina, get Daciana, Aubrey, and Finbarr in front of the door, then beat their asses!"


    "Daciana, you''ve been called down!" Serafina yelled.


    "Be there in one minute!" She said back, before ending the call.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    "Sorry, am I interrupting something?" Samuel asked from a broken window. Daciana recognized him from the tournament footage. He looked pretty joyful as he was facing off against his friends, but that was gone. Instead was a look she knew all too well. The look of someone deeply wronged, and was out for blood. She knew exactly who he wanted to fight, but the question remained on whether he''d stop at Levin.


    "Where did you come from?" Daciana asked, squinting her eyes and quickly creating an outline of her weapon, which quickly formed into the translucent double bladed sword.


    "Took an alternate route." Samuel said as he crawled through the window, being stopped by a blade stopping just short of his neck. He glanced at the woman holding it, unimpressed, holding his hands up by his face, but kicking the blade out of her hand in one swift motion. It dissipated in midair, and Samuel ran towards the door leading to the staircase. Daciana followed him, leaping to the front of the door while summoning another blade. Just as Samuel had his hand on the doorknob, he had to throw his hand back as the blade was embedded in the door.


    "I''m not letting you leave." Was the only thing Daciana said as she removed the blade, standing in front of the door. Samuel responded by kicking her in the stomach. She clutched the doorknob for leverage, and quickly began to step forward, swinging the double blade in a circular motion, vertically as to not get it stuck in a wall. Samuel looked annoyed by this, trying his best to figure a way forward. Daciana quickly let the blade exchange between her hands to stop him from overwhelming her on one side. Samuel kept trying to keep his eyes on the weapon, and then looking towards her. Eventually he shook his head, running towards the door, sliding underneath and knocking Daciana to the ground. The weapon got stuck in his leg, and he had to quickly pull it out before it faded into the air.


    He ran outside, quickly running down the stairs and into the bathroom to wrap his bleeding leg in toilet paper. It wasn''t the best, but it did seem to stop the bleeding. But the bleeding was heavy, incredibly heavy. And the wound was pretty deep. But that didn''t matter. He knew the bastard who killed Adebayo was in the building and he needed to reach and beat him. He flung the door open, and Daciana was waiting, summoning a sword which Samuel barely ducked under. He slid underneath, quickly picking himself up and looking around while she swung her blade downward. He was in a hallway that didn''t have much of interest besides the lady attacking him, and she wasn''t important. Someone in the second wave can deal with her. It may be immoral, but he knew what he came for. He turned and ran, hearing Daciana make some kind of disgruntled noise when he did.


    He ran down another flight of stairs, jumping and bouncing off the wall and landing on his feet at the bottom of the spiral. Not just as a time saver, because doing that on spiral staircases doesn''t actually save much time, but he needed to test how how badly his leg was struck. It seemed fine as he was able to land without too much hassle, but there was definitely a flash of pain as he hit the ground. But he wasn''t going to think about that. What mattered was how close he was to the throne room. He could hear commotion from several voices, and he could make out Julian''s in there somewhere. But as he burst into the throne room, he came face to face with the man he was looking for.


    Levin. This was the man. The light powers he had matched Adebayo''s killer perfectly.


    "Oh hey, another one." Chelic said casually. "Your friends are fighting over there, buddy."


    "Shut it!" Samuel yelled. "I''m here for Levin!"


    Levin exchanged a glance with Chelic and Marcus, and quickly raised his hand to fire a beam of light. Samuel ducked underneath it and delivered a quick uppercut to Levin''s face.


    "Damn, you got me." He said calmly, illuminating his hand and emitting a light so blinding Samuel was forced to step back.


    "You killed Adebayo!" Samuel yelled, delivering a swift kick with his good leg.


    "Oh, you figured that out." Levin said, his grin not leaving his face. "And I''m guessing you want revenge?"


    Samuel went for another kick, only for Levin to shoot a beam forward, which Samuel was forced to dodge at the last second, landing on his bad leg. He tried not to show any pain on his face, but Levin''s grin widened ever so slightly.


    "Oh, something up?" Levin asked, scanning his body for anything irregular, noticing the left leg of his jeans was redder than the other, and by a fair margin.


    "Oh, I see." He said calmly with a chuckle. "Well, I doubt this will take long. Hey, Aubrey! First to beat our opponents gets control of this place for the first week! Sound good?"

 Dude, Wheres My Bear

    The other three approached the castle. Julian called Fiorella to let her know the second wave could land before turning back.


    "So who''s got this?" Einer asked, hands on his hips.


    "Gimme a second." Julian said, slathering more dead bug juice onto the bear, who jerked to life and slowly approached the door, alongside Julian casually walking besides it.


    "Julian?" Cassandra asked.


    "Go easy in case there''s someone behind the door? Already on it, babe."


    The bear prepped both hands as it twisted it''s fists before the mighty door. It punched one door each, with both falling to the ground in a single motion, allowing free access to the castle itself.


    As the three stepped inside, there wasn''t a single person in the hallway. This didn''t seem good. Cassandra knew this layout meant one of two things. Either Chelic was genuinely underprepared, or the few people he does have lying around here were on an entirely different level and the guys outside were meant to scare the commoners out. And in this case, it was the latter. Some kind of shuffling could be heard from the inside on all sides, so she held her axe and kept her sword and spear on her back.


    "Daciana, you''re up!" the voice from near the hallways bellowed out. Julian looked around for any place they could hide, but the entire royal legacy seemed to be hollowed out. The footsteps to their left got louder, and one set got louder before becoming dead silent. Julian leapt for the bear and barely touched it, and the bear was able to match the strike the muscular girl tried to crush him with. he jumped back, standing upright to let her height tower over them and match Julian''s bear. Her two friends came to meet her, with Serafina grinning at the trio when she caught up.


    "No. Way." She laughed to herself. "If it isn''t Cassandra!" She yelled out. "Oh, you two missed out with her! Trying to take her down was some of the most fun I''ve had since I joined you guys!"


    "You mean when you failed to take the greave from her?" Finbarr asked. Julian glanced at him. This guy was fighting along Serafina, who was in the top ten fighters the Legion had, while this girl that clashed against his bear was almost certainly on her level. But this guy? He hadn''t done anything, and he was just wearing a white polo shirt and worn out jeans. His glasses looked a little small, and his curly hair was styled pretty well.


    "So is the guy next to you a high ranking member?" Julian asked, pointing at the guy.


    "Oh, Finbarr?" Serafina asked. "Yeah, number five. All things considered, he''s more of a support guy, but he''s probably one of the best we have for that, considering that he can¡­"


    Serafina threw something past her at thigh level, but looked like she just shutdown mid sentence, tripping before turning to dust when she hit the floor. Cassandra instinctively turned around with her sword in hand and clashed against Serafina''s emergence after she caught her knife in midair and went for the neck. The knife was flung across the room, and Serafina disintegrated to go and get it back. Aubrey bounded against the wall and landed a perfect kick to Cassandra in the brief window she was distracted. She flew across the room where Serafina reappeared with the knife in her hand, embedding it into Cassandra''s midsection. Cassandra swallowed the scream building up inside her, and got back up to see her smug face silently mocking her.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    She never removed the knife which was still embedded in her, but she was concerned this part of some kind of plan, where she''d pull some move or trap if she tried removing the knife. So with nothing else to do, she took her sword out and began slashing. She kept aiming for the stomach, but Serafina would quickly turn to dust and reform a few meters away, just as she was about to hit. Serafina didn''t even seem to be trying to hit her back, just disappearing and reforming again in a new stupid pose each time. So when she came back again, Cassandra threw her sword towards her, quickly taking her spear out and thrusting it forward. Serafina looked shocked for a second, jumping like a startled cat backwards before turning into a cloud of unfocused dust. before appearing next to Aubrey, who was trading blows with Julian''s bear and trying to avoid Einer''s ice.


    Einer was trying to freeze the others. But using his powers in a place like this wasn''t a good idea. If he used up too much ice he could make it harder for anyone else getting in. Too much ice in one place and that could easily kill someone, friend or foe. But his current attempt at pathetic spikes to weaken people with the occasional wall to separate Aubrey and Finbarr wasn''t working. When he shot forward a particularly large blast of ice that pierced Aubrey''s arm, she punched the bear away, pulled it out, and let a primal scream out.


    "Serafina!" She screamed. "Stop playing around and get a chandelier down!"


    Serafina did as she was told after flipping off Cassandra with both hands, running away afterwards and scrambling to climb up the staircase to reach a chandelier. When she got up, she took a second knife out of her pocket and cut the string connecting the light to the ceiling in one swift motion, causing both it and her to crash to the ground. She jumped off at the last second, leaving her slightly disoriented. And as Serafina felt her senses come back, she was overcome with a chilling sensation, as she wasn''t able to do or move anything. Her head was the only exposed thing, so she turned around to see Einer behind her, a cold mist covering his hand as he casually turned back to Aubrey.


    Aubrey ignored everyone surrounding her and plunged her fist into the chandelier. Julian stood back to observe just what he was seeing, and Aubrey stood up, the chandelier perfectly merged with her fist. Julian quickly crushed a dozen bugs between his hands and slathered them on the bear. The bear leapt towards Aubrey in one burst of speed, and Aubrey charged up one final punch, landing it straight into the bears stomach.


    The bear didn''t have time to roar before it was split in half. Julian watched as the corpse fell for the final time, looking up in horror at the titan of a girl looking towards him.


    "Guys, we gotta run!" Julian screamed. He led the escape, running to the door on his left while Einer threw up an ice wall, followed by another a few metres from the first.


    "I''ll regroup with the rest and get back!" He yelled to Cassandra before running out of the castle.


    Cassandra felt the earth shake around her as the first wall was shattered. And with nothing else she could do, she followed Julian out.


    She ran through the hallways, some of them having crude drawing painted shoddily on the walls. She heard commotion, and followed the sound. There was a scream heard, and Cassandra finally found herself in the throne room. Chelic was there, but the cold leader was gone, replaced by a whimpering man with a bruised eye and surrounded by shards of glass. Julian was on the other end of the room, getting up from what had to be something painful.


    "Levin?" Chelic asked, combing his hands through his hair to get all the bugs out. "I don''t care what you do here, but if these three are gone by today, you''re number one!"


    And with that final panicked message, he ran upstairs. Julian tried following him, but Levin quickly stepped in with a blade made of light, that was only stopped by Samuel sweeping his legs and tripping him up.


    "Well, I guess it''s time we finished this." Levin sighed. "But now that I have free reign, I wonder if any of your friends will recognize you by the end."

 Wave 2

    Capri walked through the waves of bodies on her way to the castle. Nothing seemed to be moving, but everyone seemed to be okay, including the henchmen. No signs of the heroes, anyway. Zee and Gam were at her sides, and the Stone Queens and Battlestorms were behind them. At the furthest edges were Hikaru and Jade, both looking out for anything of note. Luckily, the first group was pretty thorough, and the few people remaining didn''t seem keen to start a fight.


    "So, how you think they''re doing in there?" Jade asked.


    "I haven''t heard anything from Julian, anyway." Fiorella replied, her phone in one hand and her axe in the other. "He told me he''d call to speed things up at the first sign of getting overwhelmed. So he''s either fine or dead, and my intuition tells me it''s the former."


    Jade looked behind her, feeling something was odd. There was a shocking lack of people around. There was no way that this was the entire fighting force the supposed terrors could provide. And sure enough, the sound of airships rang through the castle grounds, with three approaching from behind. The ten ran to the castle as fast as they could, but the airships were catching up quickly. So Capri stopped and turned around, taking her mallet out and letting it grow as big as it could. It slowly grew, and when the airship approached them, she let out a primal scream and swung the mallet with every ounce of force she had inside of her. The mallet clashed with the first airship for a few seconds, and after a few seconds, the mallet was slowly growing bigger, until the airship was thrown away to the outside walls, where it crashed. Unfortunately, the mallet''s top half went with it. Hikaru drew a circle in the air, and sent it forward with one thrust of his palm. The circle quickly surged with electricity that rippled through the ship, and it crashed to the ground. Gisella threw jade upwards, and in mid-air she split into four versions of herself. Each landed perfectly onto the ship before storming in and slamming the Legion members inside onto the ground, and throwing the man steering the ship aside, breaking the steering with a series of unfocused punches. She let the clones vanish before diving out of the ship, being caught by Gisella as the ship crashed into a wall.


    "Okay, mind if we check the ships?" Luca asked Capri.


    "Go ahead, we''ll take it from here. But if I call, come over. Don''t even answer it."


    Luca nodded, and ran towards the ship. A small fire had started and the door wasn''t opening, despite the banging heard from inside. The door was opened with a single slash of a sword, and the guys came pouring out, running away screaming without so much as a confrontation. Luca considered arresting them, but they didn''t look like they had anything resembling a weapon. Or much of a plan, fighting spirit, or anything that would make them threatening besides a now crashed airship.


    "We fighting them?" Caoimhe asked.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    "No point." Luca replied quickly as he made his way to the castle doors. "An annoyed shopkeeper could take them out." Gavin quickly followed behind them, taking out his spear just in case.


    Fiorella examined the ship that crashed in front of Gisella, and the people came pouring out. Terrified teenagers who ran away, before all exchanging looks to each other and running back to the wreckage.


    "Is Hank still in there?" One of them asked, trying to find a way back inside the wreckage. When she took a step forward, an explosion was heard, causing her to seize up in fear. Fiorella looked at her and sighed.


    "I won''t be heartless." She muttered to herself. She took out her axe much to the panic of the girl, but Gisella stepped in front of her before she could intervene. And with one mighty swing, the top was open. Fiorella looked inside, and there was a screaming boy. Didn''t look old enough to drink, but his leg was stuck in some part of the wreckage, but removing him looked easy enough. She pulled him out, and his leg was just¡­gone. Probably just cut off in the wreckage. The boy was too stunned to say anything besides hyperventilating. So Fiorella just picked him up and dragged him out, returning him to his horrified friends. She quickly took a sheet of paper from her bust and scribbled directions to a hospital on it.


    "I''m assuming you know what a hospital is?" She asked.


    "Yeah." Hanks''s friend nodded.


    "Excellent. Tell them Fiorella will cover anything that needs paying for. Run along now, I don''t think you should keep Hank waiting."


    The kids all ran off, leaving the trio to get to the castle.


    "You have an in with the hospital?" Jade asked.


    "Well, a lady does need to stay on top of things. Even when it seems difficult. Trust me, they''re under good hands."


    The Kerobons got to the castle, which looked wrecked already. The Battlestorms weren''t too far behind them. Footsteps quickly made their way through the hallway. Zee stepped in front of Capri and Gam, quickly putting a hand on the chandelier flying towards them before it could hit anyone. A roar was heard from the lady it was attached to, and Zee was sent flying into the wall. Gavin stepped out next, quickly breathing a circle of solidified air and pushing it forward. It stopped the beast for a second, but one punch later it was shattered. But Caoimhe was right behind Gavin, landing a punch to her face, with Jade splitting up and pinning her non-chandelier arm down with two of her duplicates. Finbarr tried to intervene, but was met by Luca, who slashed the air in front of him and refused to let him pass. Gam threw a ball between his hands, aiming it square at Aubrey''s head. It caused a jolt of pain that rattled around her head and quickly grew in size causing her to roar and leap towards him, and Zee had to dive in at the last second to stop it. And finally, Capri grabbed onto the chandelier and watched as it grew in size, eventually lodging it''s way into the walls. And as much as Aubrey tried, she couldn''t dislodge it. Hikaru charged up one final shockwave, and sent it ripping through her. She was tired, trying to let out a roar before she suddenly fell asleep.


    Finbarr looked horrified, trying to run away, but Hikaru let out another wave, which effortlessly knocked him out.


    Three of the Legion''s top fighters were down, and it was unknown how many remained. All that was known was that they needed to check themselves and be ready for anything, a concept that only grew larger as they approached the sound of manic fights and struggles to survive.

 Halfway Point

    Levin was a master in his craft. He would quickly dart around each of the three fighters, either shooting a beam towards one of them or wrapping his hands in the light energy and trying to stab or slash them with it. Cassandra was pretty capable of deflecting the attacks without much effort, but the lack of force meant he clearly wasn''t acting at full capacity. But Julian and Samuel weren''t as good. Julian was already beginning to struggle, putting all of his energy purely into not taking a fatal blow. And Samuel''s leg injury was catching up with him quickly. He was wincing every time he had to put weight on it, despite his efforts not to show it. But every time he landed, Levin gazed. Even if for a second before he could avoid Cassandra''s attempt at an attack. But his relaxed composure stopped for a brief second as Aubrey''s roar was heard throughout the building, and footsteps were quickly getting closer.


    Levin heard a quick "did they?" before jumping back from a stab of a spear he didn''t see coming from Cassandra. The wound was deep, and he stopped for a brief second, but in that moment Julian was able to clump his fists and land a two fisted attack that made him snap his head back in pain, right before a kick from Samuel to the head sent him falling back. He stood again, just as the other heroes approached him, scrambling to get back on his feet as tthe Kerobons leapt towards him, quickly allowing his hand to cover in light and slash forward, cutting a deep wound on Zee''s leg, causing him to scream in pain. Samuel lunged forward, only to be grabbed by the neck by Levin. The casual tone was gone, and in it''s place was murderous rage. Samuel tried kicking, but the leg was gone with a slash, and the rest of him was discarded to Marcus side. Marcus stepped in front of him, keeping his hands to his back as he observed the two sides meet each other.


    On one side was the Kerobons, the Stone Queens, the Battlestorms, alongside Julian and Cassandra. Einer, Jade, and Hikaru were standing in front. On the other side was Levin. Alongside Adya, Ziwadi, and Daciana, was one more girl. She was small, wearing a dark blue flat cap, torn denim shorts, and a white button up shirt that looked a size too big.


    Capri didn''t say anything. She merely pointed towards Levin, and Zee and Gam both jumped on him without a word. The small girl quickly touched Zee with her left hand and quickly punched the air behind her, forcing Zee to do the same. Gam''s left hand swung behind him, and both turned around and swung their hands, only Zee ended up swatting an unprepared Capri across the room. Gam was swapped in midair with Adya, right next to Daciana. She quickly took her blade out, impaling him in the chest. She dematerialized the blade as quickly as she could, it made avoiding the oncoming attack from Capri easier. She summoned the blade again, and Capri ducked underneath it in a blink, kicking her chin on her way up. Jade lunged in after her, splitting into four copies. Each one managed to weave between the strikes, until Daciana increased her speed, slashing through each clone in an instant until only the real Jade remained. She quickly took all the damage as the clones and their hits were absorbed into her, so she used the last of her strength to grab onto her, landing a quick knee to her stomach and putting her in a headlock.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    "Hikaru, shock us!"


    Without another word, Hikaru drew a circle in the air, as Gisella stepped in between them and Adya before she could weigh them down. Hikaru shot the electricity forward, and Jade tried standing still as the electricity rippled through both of them. Her and Daciana both started dropping, and Jade quickly felt her grip loosen as she fell to the ground. Daciana slowly got up, summoning her blade and holding it against Jade''s neck. Fiorella swept in to block the strike, while Capri dove in to pick her body up, leaving it next to Samuel. He was bleeding really bad, but still alive. Marcus didn''t seem to be making any moves, just observing the chaos. Their eyes met briefly, but the man looked away a second after.


    Julian had no clue where to go. The remaining fighters against him were way out of his league and would demolish him with one attack. The only option was to go up against the unknown girl. Her power was known, but whether or not it worked on only one person at a time was another question entirely. So he lunged towards the girl, who dodged the move. There was an expression of terror on her face, but she quickly started running, and Zee was running behind her. She crossed both her hands and sped up, uncrossing right as Zee was behind to strike Julian in the back, leaving him on the ground. He suddenly felt himself change places, and was in front of Daciana, blade in hand. Cassandra screamed and lunged towards them, and Daciana''s blade was plunged directly into her chest. Cassandra ignored the pain. This she could recover from with a little time. Instead she grabbed her spear and stabbed her straight in the arm.


    Daciana let out a scream of both pain and terror as her blade faded into the air, watching the fire inside Cassandra slowly erupt. She grabbed Daciana with her free hand and slammed her to the ground. Luca quickly grabbed her and threw her away from the chaos.


    "Get out." He commanded softly.


    "You think you can demand things from me?" Daciana yelled out, her defiant spirit keeping up while the four Legion members left were still fighting.


    "You''re in no position to fight." He sighed, going back to fighting Ziwadi, who swapped him with Capri.


    Levin took one look at both Capri and Daciana. He mouthed a quick ''sorry'' to Daciana without changing his facial expression, and charged a blast of light that hit the end of the room.


    Daciana looked as Capri was in front of her, even her back looking charred. Luca was shielded by Gavin.


    "Leave." Luca repeated.


    Daciana did as he asked this time. Luca looked ahead for the final push. Half of the top fighters were out. Four more to go.


    This was it.

 Scattered Light

    Levin looked strained. Not tired, just annoyed that the act of killing everyone took this long. he tried to focus, with the only thing breaking it being the sound of Julian''s voice. He couldn''t explain it. It was a little too similar to some guy Manuel hung out with that just didn''t seem dedicated to the Legion''s aims. He snapped his head towards him, and he was making a call of some kind. It was one hundred percent to call in other people. So he aimed a beam of light at his hand, piercing the phone, as well as the hand.


    Well, shit. Now he was screaming. He was looking at his hand, which had a fresh new hole in it. And right behind him was Cassandra, thrusting a spear forward. He quickly had a thin beam of light extend from the two fingers stuck out on his left hand to block it. He nudged his head back towards Ziwadi, who clapped and swapped him with Cassandra. he was about to extend the blade through her midsection until he was grabbed by another woman. The big hulking one in the green dress. He grunted in exasperation before noticing the woman approaching him with a summoned axe. His hands were by his sides because the dumbass thought that would stop anything. Adya froze her in place, and he simply let forth a beam of pure light from his hands, piercing her feet and having her clutch harder for a second before letting go entirely.


    Luca looked at Gavin, who gave a knowing nod towards him. both of them looked towards Adya with their weapons drawn, with Luca trying to slash her and Gavin behind. Ziwadi swapped the three until Gavin was in front of Luca. he turned his head at the perfect moment to get slashed in the face. He fell back, the last thing he saw being Luca''s horrified face. But before Luca could help, Zee came in, landing a punch directly to his face, causing him to go flying against the wall. Both were knocked out.


    Zee turned around, and Fiorella tried blocking his oncoming attack with her axe. But it quickly dematerialized in her hands before she was sent flying. Capri tried to catch her and set her down while she could catch her breath. She faced Zee with tears in her eyes, looking over at Gam''s lifeless body.


    "Gam!" She screamed, her clown makeup running thanks to the tears. "We don''t know what''s happening to you, but try to break out of it! Look over at Gam! You gotta try to break out, come on!"


    Ziwadi was about to clap his hands together, but Levin raised his hand and shook his head. He aimed for Capri, but Cassandra, Einer, and Caoimhe all leapt forward, with Caoimhe using her gauntlet to quickly deflect anything he threw. She covered her neck with the gauntlet, correctly guessing that''s where Levin would aim. he quickly moved her hand towards the ceiling. Hearing a panicked noise a few steps away from where the blast landed, with Zee making a panicked expression towards it. Fiorella looked to the next room, quickly springing to her feet and getting her axe ready. When she entered the next room, Rakel was right there, looking like she was trying as hard as she could to accept her fate, but the shaking of her body meant it was clearly refusing. Fiorella turned her axe so the handle was facing Rakel, and then she aggressively poked her with it, getting more intense until she fell over.


    Zee felt a ripple through his body, as control of himself came back to him in one euphoric burst. He watched the light return to Capri''s eyes as she leapt for a hug. Ziwadi swapped them both, and Capri quickly dove right up to Ziwadi before her arms could register his weight, and Zee was quickly on his feet behind her. And before Ziwadi could clap his hands, Capri''s own were caught between his. The second last thing Ziwadi saw was the smug look of a fighting clown. The last thing he saw was the fist of the other fighting clown.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Levin looked around to Ziwadi''s fall, trying to conceal his anger, and just a little bit of fear.


    "Adya!" He yelled out, in between blocked strikes from Cassandra and Caoimhe. "Help me out here!"


    Adya charged up a sphere and chucked it forward, but Fiorella got in the way and took the attack. She was frozen in place, but that gave Einer and Hikaru a chance to jump in front. Einer cast a wall of ice in front of her while Hikaru charged another circle of electricity. And the second she appeared from the left, the shock was released. She looked up at the ceiling, right before she fell to her knees and her unconscious head hit the floor.


    Levin saw everyone surrounding him, looking to be the one that takes him down. But this wasn''t it. Chelic was so close to getting his goals accomplished, and if he had to die to make sure his enemies wouldn''t get another chance to attack, so be it.


    "Marcus! Get ready"


    Marcus didn''t respond.


    Levin charged a small beam of light into each of his fingers, releasing them at random places in a scattered motion. he made sure to charge up one finger while another was firing. Nobody dared to touch him, but instead they were all dodging the beams. Einer put up an ice wall that was quickly riddled with holes, and Hikaru''s attempts at drawing a circle were interrupted almost immediately.


    "Guys, It''s up to me now."


    Cassandra readied her spear, running up to Levin. He aimed his left hand towards her, firing as many blasts as possible. Nearly all of them hit her. Some missed, some were deflected, but nearly everything was hitting her. Blood hit the floor in droplets, quickly multiplying the closer she got. But she never stumbled. Her body healed as quickly as it could. As she approached, Levin made a desperate blade out of his right hand. She deflected it, the speed of her impact making an audible crack to his arm. She readied her spear, and in one swift motion, it had pierced his left shoulder. She waited for her wounds to heal. It took a little longer than she thought it would, and the only noise was the irregular grunts and heavy breaths of Levin. After she felt the same as she did at the start, she removed the spear and kicked him to the ground.


    "It''s¡­over!" She yelled.


    "So it''s over?" Capri asked, looking around.


    "Not yet." Fiorella replied. "Chelic is still out there."


    Footsteps were heard running through the hallways, and a flash of panic hit everyone but Cassandra before Mia walked into the room. Roxanne, Xander, Cecilia, Willow, and the Lumps followed her. Mia looked around to see the destroyed castle, followed by Marcus casually walking past and leaving. He said a quick congratulations as he passed Mia, and then he was gone.


    "Should we get him?" Willow asked, looking back at the remaining fighters.


    "He didn''t help them. We''ll track him down later." Cassandra replied between frantic gasps for air, walking over to Julian. Still breathing, but the bleeding from his hand was getting worse.


    "So is everyone dealt with?" Rodrick asked.


    "Only one left is Chelic himself, we''re pretty sure." Fiorella replied as she gathered up the unconscious bodies of their foes. "Rodrick, help me out with this, will you?"


    "Just Chelic?" Xander asked, looking at Cecilia.


    "So can you take care of it?" Rodrick asked, grabbing some wire to restrain the Legion members.


    "Yeah, the two of us got it." Xander nodded, starting his walk upstairs.


    After all, only one place an egotist like him would wait out an attempt on his life.

 Im Nothing

    Chelic was looking out of the window at the crashed airships littering the castle''s entrance. He was holed up in what used to be Marcel''s old room, because it was the highest point for a rescue ship to come in and take him out of this nightmare. His top eight he brought with him were all taken out. The lack of commotion made that pretty clear. The only sounds were a few footsteps that echoed in his mind with every step getting closer. So with nothing left, he opened his phone and called Cheng, who immediately picked up.


    "Cheng¡­It''s Chelic. I''m not gonna lie, things don''t look too good right now. Look, if I don''t call back in twenty minutes, then assume I''m dead. You take charge of the Legion, and you''re free to do whatever it takes to destroy everything."


    He hung up before Cheng could shout something and blow his cover. The only thing to do now was wait for his foes to leave the castle and hopefully sneak out. But then footsteps approached his door. He stood in terror as it opened, revealing Xander and¡­some other lady. Him and Xander locked eyes. Xander felt energy well up in his hand, and a dagger appeared in his hand. He threw it forward, and the first thing Chelic did was dodge the attack, but in a panicked way so it caught his ear and was beginning to draw blood. The second thing he did was beg.


    "Xander, Xander. Come on, now. Look, I did everything I did with a purpose, okay? You saw these royals, right? How corrupt the system is? Look, I should mention the king, who you killed, died, and then his daughter takes over by virtue of being related and messes it all up! All I''m saying is-"


    Xander punched him in the head before he could continue.


    "Shut it." He said coldly as he grabbed him up by the neck. "Explain Tsuki to me."


    "Accident!" Chelic replied quickly. "An accident on you. You try to screw up my hard work and then I accidentally kill someone. As a leader, it happens!"


    Xander dropped him. His mind was clear. He kicked him to the ground, watching the terror multiply in his eyes as he began stomping his head, dropping himself to his level to pummel him to the ground. Chelic shot a chain from his hand, getting Xander straight in the skull. He started dropping, but his slurred speech was enough for Cecelia .


    "B-boost me. As much as you can."


    Cecilia did as he asked, getting the tendrils to pump him full of hot blood. In one swift motion, the chain was broken from his head in a snapping noise that echoed through the room. Chelic knew this was it, as Xander began laughing hysterically. His friend didn''t think it was funny, but he kept punching him with his one arm. He stomped on his arms until both were broken. He summoned another dagger and stabbed his left eye with with it. And some of the only things he could see through his now hazy vision was Xander punching him, and even that slowly began to go dark.


    Xander looked back at Cecilia when he finally stopped moving. He wasn''t playing dead, he was done. At least in this world, and he was probably gonna be forced to check. He felt the blood pouring from his head, and his neck was broken. The impact was only kicking in now that the blood from Cecilia was merging with his system.


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    "Hey, Cecilia. Thanks for the help."


    He gave a smile and raised his remaining fist in victory. And then he dropped dead.


    Back in the cluster, Cheng waited, looking at the clock above Chelic''s bed. It was twenty minutes since he called. His girls were trying to console him, but he knew it was fake platitudes. He honestly didn''t know what to do now. He could have a few moments of denial but he knew that wouldn''t help the situation. Chelic was dead, and he knew what he had to do. He got his phone and began calling Manuel.


    "Manuel, where are the ships controls?" He asked. He was trying his best to sound calm, but the most crucial part of his plan working was that nobody in here could know what it was.


    He followed Manuel''s instructions to the ship on the top. One of the first airships assimilated into the cluster, which was connected to more ships. He wasn''t sure if it was even capable of starting, but he went through the procedures any other airship would go through to start.


    And it did.


    It was fairly obvious the ship hadn''t been used in a while as it jerked forward. It was a few metres, and probably disturbed the others on the cluster. But that didn''t matter. Once the heroes were destroyed once and for all, he''d be able to claim it, and continue Chelic''s legacy.


    Roxanne helped the others get out of the castle with Mia. Julian was awake, and so was Samuel. She let Capri and Zee mourn Gam, and luckily nobody else got injured too badly. A wave of relief washed over her. Everything was over. The Legion members that survived were being taken in by some soldiers Fightston sent over. All it would take was Luminita getting some help to clean the castle and then she could take back the throne. She and Cassandra shared one long hug, and she wasn''t afraid to let the tears end. But at the back of her mind was her parents. They were below in a world that for sure existed. So obviously she needed to tell everyone they were alive, and to perhaps establish some kind of contact with them. But that could wait until tomorrow. She could remind Willow, and she''d be on the warpath until Freyja relented and she was back with them.


    "I''m sorry, what?!" Mia yelled out, her eyes opened in panicked as she got the news. She quickly looked around the rooms.


    "Everyone!" She yelled. "There''s one more push to destroy the castle. The Legion''s airship cluster is about to crash, so we all need to get out!"


    Everyone did as she instructed, carrying the wounded and prisoners. But not Roxanne. She grabbed Cassandra''s arm as she was about to leave.


    "What are you doing!" She asked as her neck snapped back to her.


    "Cassandra, listen to me." Roxanne whispered. She made her voice as neutral as possible, she had to make sure there was no fear in it. "We need to get to the castle''s roof. If that happens, I can stop it."


    Luckily, Cassandra went with her to the top of the castle with no panic or questioning. An energy was building up within Roxanne. She was confident. Perhaps that was it, pure confidence running through her veins. As she made her way through the hallways and staircases, her stamina didn''t dissipate even a little. Until finally, the two were on the roof, staring directly at the mass of old airships in front of them. Cassandra wasn''t wavering, her trust was fully in whatever Roxanne was planning. As it got closer, Roxanne felt the energy in her body move to her hands. They felt the need to explode, and let this energy out. And as the cluster was within distance, she thrust her hands forward. One word rushed to her head.


    Nothing.


    The cluster stopped. Roxanne stepped back, and Cassandra grabbed a weapon and went to the top. She smashed the window open, where Cheng was waiting. He stared at her with his one good eye, shaking violently. He grabbed a gun and put it to his head with a sadistic grin on his face.


    "Will this work?" he asked himself. Cassandra ran to stop him, but he pulled the trigger. When the click was made, she braced herself.


    And then he dropped dead.


    The pain didn''t transfer. Cheng was just¡­dead in front of her. His blood was on her face, and that was the impact of the fight. So with nothing left to do, she called Willow and told her it was safe to finish the job, for real this time.

 The New World

    Cassandra left the ship as Mia and several soldiers entered from the bottom, wiping the blood from her face and trying to get it off her clothes. After a few minutes some Legion members were escorted out. Some enraged, some terrified. Most merely compliant. She sat by with Roxanne, neither saying a word. Merely letting the morning sun warm them.


    "You think Mia''s gonna be fair to the Legion kids?" Cassandra asked, breaking the silence after a few minutes.


    "Hope so." Roxanne sighed. "Think we should help with that? I interview them and try to get them back to their families, you make sure they''re stable and step in when they aren''t, and Julian can work on healing them if they''re sick."


    "Honestly doesn''t sound too bad. Something to do, at least" Cassandra sighed as she fell back, almost hitting a man''s shoes. She sprang upwards in a panic, grabbing her weapon and pointing it at the mysterious figure. Who turned out to be Marcus.


    He was there in the castle. Not moving, not reacting to anything. And that continued on the rooftop. Remaining nonchalant with his hands to his back, even with a spear pointed in his face.


    "What do you want?" She asked, taking a step to ensure Roxanne wasn''t in his line of sight. For whatever he could do.


    "Well, I just wanted to congratulate you on your victory." Marcus said calmly, laying a finger at the spear and slowly moving it away from him. "After all, it''s not every day I can witness Aspacia''s daughter fight for what she believes in."


    Cassandra''s eyes widened at the revelation. She turned back to Roxanne, who looked just as stunned.


    "You know my mom?" She asked.


    "We came with the same purpose." He said calmly. "But if you want me to elaborate, I''m afraid we''ll have to be alone."


    Without saying anything, Roxanne went back into the castle through the window. Marcus sat down, and Cassandra sat opposite, laying her spear between the two of them.


    "So." Marcus began. "What do you know about Aspacia?"


    "I know she''s my mom."


    "And that''s it?" He asked.


    "We didn''t get a lot of time to catch up." Cassandra replied. "But anyway, how do you know her?"


    "Like I said, we had the same purpose. We were sent from a higher plane to guide this world when humanity emerged."


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    "So are we aliens?"


    "We''re more like gods."


    Cassandra stared blankly at him. His demeanour didn''t shift.


    "I should clarify Aspacia and I are gods. It''s a process you have to undergo, so a child of a god is mortal in all but status."


    "Okay, so if you had to guide us, why did you team up with Chelic?"


    "Well, guidance can be anything. Some just choose to align with interesting people. I thought his idea of taking the world back from those who doomed it was interesting, and possibly noble. But he went mad from power, tale as old as time. It''s a bad trend amongst mortals who ally with us. And Aspacia tried sending you to save the world. And it seems she succeeded."


    "Okay, succeeded?" Cassandra asked. "So what, you just pit mortals against each other for fun? To give something to report to your god bosses?"


    "This world you inhabit is just one of millions. Possibly billions. Possibly more than that. And when humanity is established, gods from different alignments have to come and guide the world. These gods clash until one is left. Some fight themselves, and some get mortals to fight on their behalf."


    "So when does it end?" Cassandra asked.


    "When a god either dies or gives up." Marcus shrugged. "And I gave up. So congratulations on the new world."


    He stood up, and for the first time a smile crept onto his face.


    "I''m in for it now."


    He stood at the castle roof, waving to Cassandra one last time before jumping off. And when Cassandra looked down, he was already gone.


    Luminita was allowed back in her castle after a few hours. She would obviously be helped later on, but everyone else had their own issues to address. She looked around her destroyed castle. She walked past the crude graffiti and walked around the smashed chandeliers. She walked upstairs to her fathers room, which had it''s doorway covered in tape. But nobody was around to stop her walking in, so she did that.


    In front of her was two bloodied corpses. One was apparently Chelic himself, but his faced was bloodied and maimed to the point she couldn''t tell. And on top of him was Xander. The man who caused her so much pain, dead in front of her. Looked painful too, with the snapped neck and bloodstained head. And yet, she couldn''t help but shed a few tears for him.


    She left the castle and took one more look at it.


    She didn''t want the castle.


    She didn''t want the title.


    She didn''t want any of this.


    This was something she was forced into over the course of a few days. She wanted to persue medicine, for god''s sake! She was nineteen years old, had almost no life experience, and suddenly she was being put in charge of one of the grands alongside people at least twice her age?! Nothing about it made sense!


    She grabbed her phone from her pocket, breathing heavily as she brought up Mia''s number. She looked at it for a couple seconds. Anger was building up. Anger that Mia didn''t deserve. She stopped for a second, and finally called the number.


    "Luminita?" Mia asked. She sounded concerned from the get go, which was probably the most reasonable tone to have.


    "Look, Mia¡­I''m done."


    "Excuse me?"


    "Ruling Sangaria. I¡­I won''t be able to do it. Once the crisis is over, I''m turning the place into something more democratic, like Inariu or Fightston."


    "Right now?! You don''t want to guide the people to-"


    "No, actually!" Luminita yelled. She regained her composure.


    "I want to go back to medicine." She said calmly. "It''s what I''ve wanted since my mother died, and once I have a successor is chosen, I''m going back."


    "I see." Mia whispered. "But have you-"


    "I''m not changing my mind. Goodbye, Mia."


    Luminita took one more look at the castle. What she''d even do with it, she had no idea. She went back for what could be the final time, calling Willow to see if she was still around to talk.

 Skys The Limit

    Three months had passed since the Legion''s defeat, and life had returned to some level of normal. Or at least as normal as it could be. The first major shakeup after Chelic''s death was Luminita stepping down. As soon as the castle was made somewhat presentable, Luminita announced the royal line would end with her, and within a few weeks an election was called. The winner was a lady called Ruxandra Popa, an education consultant who worked with Marcel on a few issues, beating the Zeus cult hastily chosen new leader in a landslide. Luminita herself moved out of the castle, living in an apartment close to the local college, where she could continue her studies without much hassle. Willow made regular visits, but they became more and more regular to the point she just moved in. Freyja didn''t mind.


    The next event was Cassandra and Roxanne leaking that the old world still existed. After this was known, both the Lux Congregation and the souls that once resided in the weapons tried establishing some kind of contact. Mia herself made an effort to learn how to land her own grand, and making contact with the town below was a great success. Roxanne''s parents met up with her again, as did Cassandra and Aspacia, the latter revealing that she was in fact a god. Roxanne eventually met up with the boy they discussed when she first landed, and surprise surprise, she felt nothing. It took a while for Roxanne''s parents to accept this, but they got used to it eventually. A lot of people moved to the surface, and vice versa. And once full integration was made, a few people had the idea of setting out further to see if anything lay further beyond the forest.


    But even if Roxanne was interested in love, she probably wouldn''t be able to fit it into her schedule with all the Legion kids she had to reform. If Chelic''s defeat led to anything, it was a bunch of terrified kids who needed both parental figures and an education. A woman named Priyanka in Gurut worked on the former, with an orphanage being started to help the Legion kids. And while Roxanne wasn''t officially staff at first, she was called in to help with paperwork and getting the kids back with their biological parents. The Gurut royal family did eventually start paying her on commission for her, so that was something. But her, Cassandra and Samuel''s main job was trying to help them fit into society under the New Miracle Scouting Group, which expanded merely from hero work to a board for any job. It was pretty successful, to the point it expanded from just for Ex-Legion members to an entire website for anyone in the skyspace to use. As well as the town below at some point, but they didn''t have internet yet.


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    The heroes kept doing what they did. While there were way less Chelic sympathisers than anticipated, they still popped up from time to time. So the heroes all worked to beat them, and pretty much every time was a success. Julian was able to heal them all up back in the Miracle Ship. He wore gloves at pretty much any point after the hole in his hand, only removing them to scare some Chelic fan into behaving. It was honestly a miracle his hand could still function. But Luminita eventually offered him a free course in the same university she was attending, because relying on dead bugs served him well so far, but it probably wouldn''t hurt to learn actual medicine, just in case.


    And once everything was over, Fightston continued the games, bringing back everyone who wanted to attend. A few people from the surface entered, and were formidable in their own rights. Despite that, the finale still ended up being Cassandra versus Willow. And after a hard fight, Cassandra barely etched the win out.


    And despite how hard the work felt, seeing an ex-Legion member either be reunited with their parents or finding a new family felt great, doubly so if they were able to find a place in society after all they went through. And that extended to the top ten. Levin himself was too far gone, not regretting anything he did, and was locked in a cell. Mia still made time to visit him, but any discussions were short lived. Manuel made his way to Miracle about a month after with the idea to expand the Miracle Scouting group further. He locked himself in a room and came out two days later with a website. After that he just stuck around until he found a cybersecurity job and moved out with only a small goodbye note afterwards, alongside what seemed like a poem in Xander''s memory, but the handwriting was bad so they couldn''t make out anything about the poem other than it seemed dedicated to Xander. And the other members had decent jobs after disappearing for a little while. Dakarai actually shown Samuel a picture of Ziwadi, enjoying a new life working in construction.


    And during late nights, Roxanne, Cassandra, and Julian would just spend time on the roof of the airship. Watching over the serene landscape of the skyscape. And when they had less to work with, whenever that was, they''d just explore the world below.


    Because for the first time in Roxanne''s life, it truly felt like the sky was the limit.