by Shanon Chong
“I don’t think that attitude will help in a fight.”
“I’m afraid you’ll have to fight me to prove your point.”
“Then we enter the arena,” I declared, lifting myself onto the platform’s surface.
“The fights will begin on the count of three!” Mr Rhimmage shouted within the dome’s confines. “Three, two, one!” he counted down quickly, barely giving time for Vin to jump to the stage where our battle would be set.
Vin leapt forward the moment Mr Rhimmage said, “One.” Backing away, I kept my distance, The best Vin could do was back me into a corner. Drawing runes on the floor, I focused my ability on creating an area similar to the one I’d made with Shannon. Vin dragged his sheath on the ground, brandishing the now-freed, rust-covered blade.
“Midnight forest,” I said, finishing the final line of the rune and connecting the entire array together. The army of trees that I had seen only a few times appeared before me yet again as I watched what I believed would be carnage. Vin’s hands blocked what he could of the trees that walloped his restrained body. His blade shone a platinum silver, and its edge was a slight green. Where had the rust gone?
Unguarded, I stood in the centre of the arena, waiting for him to either concede or for me to finish the fight manually.
Suddenly, I dropped to the floor. I hadn’t felt the impact of the spike striking me square in the back until it was too late. As blood flowed down my spine, I clenched my teeth and stood. Vin had his hands on the now-bladeless handle. Shards of his platinum blade floated around me, surrounding me as I rose to my feet.
“Remove the illusions, Theo, and I’ll give you another chance at a fair fight,” Vin stated forcefully, facing me with his body hunched over to avoid the heavy blows of the snarled tree limbs.
“And if I don’t—” I was immediately cut off by the falling of two blades. They cut into my arms, barely missing several important veins.
“Then you die,” he replied ominously, his merciless tone echoing within the dome. I slid my foot back slightly, erasing a single rune form the array, breaking the illusion. I felt my heartbeat quicken; blood now dripping from several points on my body. I ran my fingers over each wound, gauging their depths. As I took several breaths, Vin watched and waited, seeming to care little about what I did.
“We should begin,” I said confidently. Having finished the assessment of the wounds, I felt that I’d survive without extra treatment for the cuts.
“Are you ready?”
“Somewhat.”
“Take your time.” Vin sighed and sat on the concrete ground of the arena. “I’m ready when you are.”
“Sure, I’ll take my time, then,” I said, opening my tome and casually strolling toward him. “I mean, I am curious as to what the girls are doing in the other arena.”
“You sure you want to be within the range of my magic?”
“I strongly doubt you’d attack me after telling me to take my time.”
“Understandable, though you shouldn’t be so quick to trust,” Vin replied. He stood and leaned on the small almost nonexistent barrier with me. “Though I’ll be honest. I wanted to see what was happening in the other fight.”
“I don’t think Mr Rhimmage would let you even maim me after the incident with Bethany,” I said, patting Vin on the back.
“You’re getting a little too big for your boots, Theo…” Vin whispered as I stepped away, “though the girls are having an easier time actually fighting.”
“They’re struggling to use magic against each other,” I observed, still browsing through my tome.
“I mean, it is a duel to determine who’s better at magic, right?”
“Well, it’s pointless if they’re stuck in a stalemate for five minutes,” I said, finally returning to my side of the arena.
“I’m assuming you’re ready.”
“Ready, I am.” I chuckled and drew a rune on my hand. Placing it on the ground. I looked at Vin to see if he had any idea what I was doing.
“I’m assuming that’s from when you touched my back before,” Vin stated. “I mean, I’m not stupid.”
“You still can’t do anything about it.”
“Well, I’m waiting to see how strong it is.” Vin chuckled. “Go ahead.” He beckoned with his right arm.
Deciding he didn’t have any logical course of action where he benefited. I decided he would feel the brunt of the explosion. I erased the rune from the floor, and a plume of fire red exploded from Vin’s back. Standing in the smoke and flames, he looked me in the eyes.
“I’m assuming that didn’t do enough?”
“No, no,” he replied swiftly. “It was a commendable effort. Of course, you couldn’t hurt me with that tiny explosion.” He raised his blade as the shards began to converge to form the full single edged sword as he pointed the tip in my general direction. He assumed a forward stance, dropping his blade to the ground. The metallic edge shone a dull gold as he said, “Forest of metal, solitary path…”
My heart dropped as platinum-edged squares of metal circled me like a flock of crows. My chances of winning had gone from fifty-fifty to zero in less than a second. My magic wasn’t my strong suit, and I doubted anything within my own arsenal would be able to secure victory. Raising my arm to surrender, I hesitated as Vin also lifted his arm.
“Have a short rest.” Vin grinned and snapped his fingers pointedly. My eyelids immediately drooped and didn’t hold themselves open for much longer after that. The last words that echoed in my ears as Vin leapt out of the arena were, “I surrender. Theodore Chrono wins the semifinal match.”
Mr Rhimmage seemed to argue with that. However, my consciousness couldn’t stay awake long enough to hear the final words.
Memories flooded my mind…none of them mine. I knew I wasn’t a saint, but I also knew I hadn’t committed any crimes. However, the room I opened my eyes to was stained red with blood. This wasn’t reality; it was a dream, a very realistic and eerily nostalgic dream.
A figure stood before me, his age far younger than my own. His face only showed hatred when I looked at him. I found that I had no control over my body within the dream, as it left the house that had been stained with blood from wall to wall. A fiery energy seeped out of the cracks in the walls. The red splotches of blood on my hand evaporated, floating toward the mass of energy within the house. The militaristic robes I wore were a light green, with splotches of other various shades, forming a camouflage. My shoulder had an insignia embroidered into the fabric, three yellow stripes and a star in the centre, overlapping the yellow bars.
The body I inhabited within the dream wasn’t tall and skinny like my own. It had a muscular shape and build. I looked over the unfamiliar battleground. Wisps of energy escaped my body, releasing power that I had never seen within the world, the energy seemed almost boundless as small flames of magical energy brushed against my body. Being merely a spectator within the dream, I had no control over what happened. I already suspected, somehow, that I was watching an ancient ancestor of mine within the dream. However, I couldn’t be sure.
The weapon in my hands felt the same as the sword my father had given me through Mr Defargo. However the weapon wasn’t even a blade but instead an ancient root-like staff that contained boundless energy.
Dots of light retreated on the horizon, prompting the soldier beside me to speak. “Anton, the enemy forces are withdrawing.” He patted me on the back, and the tense shoulders my ancestor kept felt loose for a split second. I followed the figure, who resembled Mrs Indallias. Of course, it wasn’t Mrs Indallias; he was male, after all.
“What’s the report from the soldiers fighting against the Anti-Magic front, Ryan?”
“Nothing much. Their reports keep getting shorter. I know you want to rush back and help…but we have to make this front either back off or we have them force us out,” he stated casually.
“You sure that the force retreated?” Anton asked Ryan quietly, leaning in close. “I still feel a so
litary presence on the hill…and it’s gaining energy.”
“Duck!’ Ryan exclaimed, pointing at a quickly approaching arrow of light. We dropped to the floor, and the arrow pierced through several buildings before dissipating naturally behind the two of us.
“I’ll engage the target at bearing zero,” Anton said, triangulating the location quickly. “Establishing time.” A quiet yet deadly whisper left my ancestor’s mouth. “Target zero user, archer type.” The stocky legs seemed to be from countless years of military training. “Tsunami’s vivid breeze!” he shouted, dashing only just past his target.
“You missed,” the obnoxious, mocking voice whispered in his ear before shoving him away. “So, you’re the ancient conjurer?” he asked.
“I doubt such a title would reach my humble name,” Anton admitted quickly. “I’d be surprised if you woke up tomorrow.”
“Your magic can’t kill me. I’m a step above those who accept your degradation of time.”
“I have no orders to kill you.”
“Oh, but you will.”
“Theo, Theo! Wake up, buddy. Time to fight in the finals,” Vin’s voice suddenly exclaimed, piercing through my dream. I sat up suddenly and looked at Rachel, who was standing in her arena, victorious. “Your opponent, lover boy,” he said, pushing me to my feet and pointing at her.
“I just woke up,” I said with a groan.
“Theo, we need to settle the tournament soon. I actually need to teach, or else my job’s at stake,” Mr Rhimmage demanded. “I’ll give you five minutes to prepare. Then you walk into the arena, no complaints.”
“Didn’t Vin win the fight?”
“He can do what he wants. It doesn’t change the outcome for me.” Mr Rhimmage sighed as he took a seat on one of the metal benches provided for students and observers.
I turned to look at Vin. The child I had seen in my dream had borne an uncanny resemblance to the fifteen-year-old student I saw before me. Mr Rhimmage shook his watch impatiently. “Five minutes have passed. Show us what you’ve got, Theo.”
“I will, indeed,” I said with false confidence, beginning my walk to the arena.
“Don’t do anything stupid to aid Rachel’s path of destruction,” Mr Rhimmage hissed before I left hearing range. “She’s already destroyed three arenas.”
“I didn’t know she had such intentions,” I replied as I strutted toward the arena.
Rachel’s casual whistling didn’t seem so peaceful, as the arena she had used had been turned into a slag heap.
“I’ll count you down when you enter,” Mr Rhimmage declared. “Three… two… one!”
Rachel continued to whistle casually as I entered the arena at top speed and dashed toward her.
“Holy…You’re a lot faster than the last time I fought you.” Rachel’s heavy breathing cut her whistling short. Her short, snappy movements propelled her back slightly. I leapt forward, continuing the chase. Drawing a rune below Rachel’s chin, I launched an uppercut to cut the match short.
“Maybe I am faster,” I responded vaguely, knowing my stamina wouldn’t last for much longer. “Maybe you shouldn’t hold back anymore.”
I launched another flurry of attacks, taking three steps forward and remaining uncomfortably close to her.
“Let’s get started,” Rachel muttered, cracking her knuckles. A glowing red circle floated above her right shoulder, spinning like a disk. Drawing a rune on her arm, I punched aggressively, and an explosive impact rippled back into my own arm, launching me a few steps back.
“That’s one arm broken,” I said speculatively.
Rachel flinched, grabbed her arm, and squeezed it until a smile returned to her face. “It isn’t broken. Try harder next time, will you?” she scoffed. Removing her hand from her shoulder, she winced slightly before watching me come in for round two.
“You think you can win in a physical fight?” She grabbed my collar, hurled me to the floor, and threw a punch into my ribs; the disk spun at high speeds, giving extra force to her blow. “How many ribs?” she asked, still holding onto me.
“Three or four, maybe?” I uttered quietly, coughing blood as I spoke.
“Surrender, will you?”
“One final stand,” I declared, kicking the lid of my father’s tome open. “Basic black hole!” I choked on my blood as I cast the spell. My wounds opened as the gaping abyss broke a hole in space, consuming the air around it before moving on to the material objects in the dome.
Mr Rhimmage cut roughly at the void that wanted to devour its surroundings. His slight ability with spatial magic banished it immediately back to the spatial realm.
My energy had been drained, and my body lay still on the floor of the arena. Lacerations and wounds covered my body… I thought a few days in the hospital would help my recovery.
Chapter 12: Fact and Fiction
“Awaken, Theodore Arcanas, son of Andreas Arcanas,” a familiar voice whispered into my ear. I opened my eyes and stared directly into Alista’s inquisitive gaze. “So, you’re awake now?” He patted me on the shoulder. “Can you still feel your body?”
“It’s not a great feeling, being bound to what feels like a crucifix,” I replied groggily. “I’m assuming you want me to answer questions while I’m completely bound?”
“Well, some of your innards are ruptured, so I was going to have the doctors work on you while we spoke, but I guess not.”
“Let me take my previous statement back,” I replied quickly. “I think my life is of relative importance.”
“So, I’m assuming that they have permission to work on you while we talk?” Alista asked.
“Well, if I don’t answer right away, it’s because I’m trying not to scream in pain,” I remarked sarcastically.
“You’ve been place under a heavy numbing potion, kid. You probably wouldn’t feel anything even if I touched your organs.” Alista sighed. “Of course, if you don’t want to answer a question, you can remain silent.”
“Is that standard protocol? Or am I getting special treatment?”
“Protocol. Though sometimes I omit certain points whilst interrogating someone,” Alista said casually. “I’m joking, by the way, if you couldn’t tell.” Alista grew serious. “I’ll run through the essentials before we begin. You good with that?”
“I don’t think I can say no.”
“Well, you can’t, so let us begin.” Alista chuckled, leaning on the chaise behind him. “You have the right to restrain from answering. Everything you say is being verified in real time, and your responses will be recorded and used in separate trials related to you,” he said in a single breath.
“Shall we begin, then?”
“Would you like some water before we do?” Alista asked considerately as several surgeons and doctors entered the room.
“Yes, please,” I responded flatly as I watched my ribs being returned to their home.
Alista raised the cup to my lips and let me take a sip of the water.
“There’s some sedative in the water, though I doubt that’s what matters.”
“It’s not like water has a taste anyway.”
Alista chuckled. He placed the cup on a small table and then returned to stand next to me. “Well, I’ll have to ask a few questions unrelated to the current situation.”
“To calibrate your lie detection or something?”
“Absolutely correct,” Alista affirmed, smiling. “Shall we start?”
“I mean, I haven’t stopped you at any point, have I?”
“Then I’ll ask away.” Alista smiled as he happily opened his notebook. “Your name is Theodore Arcanas?”
“Yes.”
“Are you the child of Andreas Arcanas?”
“Yes.”
“Did you know Harrold Bloodwind before the abduction?”
“I’m afraid not.”
“Great, I’m done with the preliminary questions; would you like a short break?” Alista asked considerately.
“Well, worst-
case scenario, I’ll ask for a drink of water,” I said, choosing my words carefully.
“I have no objections to giving you a drink of water,” Alista mumbled as he fumbled with the notepad, finally deciding to leave it on the small desk with the water. “Have you ever heard of Hans Ghil?”
“Not until recently,” I answered promptly.
“Do you have any knowledge of his appearance?”
“I only remember the snake tattoo on his arm.”
“Concerning Hans’s accomplice, did Harrold ever make any mention of killing him?”
“No.”
“Okay. Could you please give me some further context into that answer, please? I’m afraid no isn’t satisfactory.”
“He only decided to resort to killing Hans’s accomplice due to his heavy injuries.”
“Right. Did Harrold kill the target?”
“I don’t know the target’s current situation,” I replied quickly, not giving myself an easy time.
“Fair answer. However, my magic tells me you have a pretty good idea of what has happened,” Alista declared. “Magic is rather reliable with lies and deception.”
“He’s probably dead,” I admitted. “I mean, he was already lying on his deathbed when the fight was over.”
“Let’s move on. Did any of Harrold’s contact with Hans seem suspicious?”
“Of course not.”
“Anyway, a question off the record.” Alista leaned in and whispered into my ear, “Do you think Harrold Bloodwind is innocent?”
“I honestly don’t know. However, if he is found guilty based on the evidence, I’d be happy to return him to whatever jail Arcana has.”
“I like your response.” Alista chuckled merrily. “Of course, if Harrold is convicted, I’d like you to drag him back.”
“I doubt I’ll be strong enough.” I laughed slightly at my own inability.
“Would you like to know which magic I’m using?” Alista brought up suddenly as he took a step away from me.
“N—“
“I’m using a magic called fact and fiction,” he interjected rudely. “It’s an enhanced form of lie detection… It’s amazing, really. Have you had any contact with Hans since the kidnapping?”
