by Katie Pottle
“Now, with the remaining few minutes of our group time, let’s go over the Arena features that you will most likely be encountering during the Games. I have given your Instructor Kade here the access needed to activate each of these features during your training sessions. The complete list of what may be used during each round is on this wall here, next to where the Alpha Armor is stored and charged.”
The list Roger referred to was unreadable from distance, but Cadin could see that it was long.
They followed Roger to the angular cloud-mountain in the center. “Tunnels will be a common feature riddled throughout the center cloud.” As he said it, the Inferno team took off into the many holes. Some were large enough to be flown through, while others were only big enough to be crawled through. One near Cadin’s feet was so small there was no way an angel with wings could fit through it. He ducked to peer into it to see what it could possibly be for.
“Whoa!” Cadin cried, stumbling back from the small, now pulsating tunnel that Ryker was squeezing out of.
“Oh, I see you found the compression tunnels,” Roger said. Ryker climbed out with a sucking noise, and the tunnel contracted behind his exit. “To use these tunnels, you must actively cloud-shift your way through. It is an energy sucker for sure, but good to know about.” He turned to Ryker who was standing at attention. “Would you please grab the Energy Cube for me?”
“Yes, sir.” Ryker pumped his wings, calling orders to his team.
“While they work on that, let me show you the air cannons!”
The Gladers followed Roger, however, Cadin hung back to watch Ryker’s team. They circled the top of the cloud-mountain. A flash of lightning spit out of a bright block and knocked one of the angels back. Two of the angels connected to the cloud, while the third grabbed at the block and ripped it from the cloud. They re-grouped in the air and headed over to the Gladers. Cadin ran over and slipped into the group behind Bart.
“And that is how to avoid air-blasts,” Roger said. “Oh, now please turn your attention back to your host team.”
Cadin missed most of what Roger had said about the air-blasts, but figured he could ask Lep about it later.
Ryker set the cube down at his feet and took a step back.
“This is the ever-important Energy Cube,” Roger said. It was about the size of Ryker’s head, but looked heavy. The base appeared to be a dark metal and was riddled with glowing light streaks. Two large handles protruded from the edges.
“You can think of the Energy Cube as a flag—a very dangerous flag. It will often be your goal either to retrieve or protect the Cube. The lights in the center can glow different colors, but can also release elemental bursts of water, air, lightning, or ice. Energy Cubes connect to the cloud they are touching. You must cloud-shift both to tame the elements around the Cube and to liberate the Cube from the cloud.”
Inferno was dismissed after showing them the trap-doors. Instructor Kade handed out the training schedule for the day.
“It is imperative that you learn the ins and outs of this Arena as quickly as possible. Glade’s allotted time has been split equally between our four teams. However, you can share up to half of your training time with any other team or training companions. The other half of your time must only be your team and an official Glade or Condor Liaison must be there. So, Team Strikers, you are up first and have the next hour.”
Freddy waved Cadin and Bart over. Sun and Lep stood by Freddy. “Hey, would you guys like to share our half hour in exchange for your half hour?”
Cadin looked around at his team. They all nodded and Cadin smiled. “Heck yes!”
The battlefield within the Arena was fun and challenging to train in. Cadin was glad that they had agreed to share time with Freddy’s team. They all worked together to figure out the best ways to capture the ‘Anger Cube’—the Energy Cube had been renamed after it had spit icicles at Sun with enough force to cut her cheek and arms. The more team-members they had to capture the Anger Cube, the better. If at least one person was able to cloud-shift to contain the elements around where the Cube was anchored—another could work to release it without getting clobbered by the elements.
“This is going to be so much harder when there is another team going against us and all of the Arena traps and tricks are fully up and running,” Sun said as she slumped against the curved wall of the Arena.
Cadin passed her a water bottle. “We still have fifteen minutes left with these guys.” He waved vaguely towards where Cora and Freddy were mapping out the tunnels. “We could try a mock battle run.”
“I’m too tired to make a good go of it today,” Lep said. “Plus, we still have our Dragon Fire team only half hour after they leave. I’m sure they will be up for sharing more time during one of our next training hours.”
“Yeah, but that will not be for days.”
“I think Lep’s right,” Bart chimed in. “We don’t have too much time here, and we should make sure we spend it wisely by figuring out how everything works. We can do mock battles outside of the Arena anytime.”
“Alright, then let’s get back to it!” Sun said, hopping up.
Gur chirped loudly and spit a spiraling fireball.
“Let’s see if we can get through those compression tunnels. It will be good to know how long it will take to make it through.”
“Just don’t get too caught up on this set of tunnels,” Instructor Kade called from the side. “They will shift every day.”
“Now you tell us!” Freddy said, tearing up the paper in his hands. Cora giggled at his side.
Cadin stepped forward. “Competing in this place is going to be amazing!”
Part Two
CHAPTER NINE
The Great Cloud Creature
When they weren’t practicing in the Arena or gaining credit in the C.V., Cadin’s team came up with more creative ways to train. Cadin held his breath as Bart fumbled by in the distance. It was Sun’s idea to train hide and seek in the Nebulous Forest to ‘stop sounding like exploding cloud-gaiter farts.’ Cadin loved the idea of practicing stealth, something most angels from Glade were not known for. Even being one of the quieter Gladers, Cadin had always tried to outdo his mom.
Sara agreed to be their adult to oversee the game, but Cadin had not seen her for the better part of an hour as the contest had progressed into the stunning land-scape. Bart very noisily fought his way through the undergrowth, and Cadin slunk back farther behind the large fronds.
He leaned against a large tree and caught his breath as a string of fireflies wove through the majestic canopy of the Nebulous Forest. Cadin smiled as he knelt to the ground and pressed his hand to the moist soil. It was more difficult to connect with cloud-land than natural cloud, but Cadin got a thrill out of the different energies that rolled across the land and up his arm. The sensation reminded him of his first training lesson with Master Emilio, when Cadin wasn’t sure if Master Emilio was a crazy old loon, or a misunderstood genius. Cadin now knew Master Emilio was one of the greatest cloud-shifters in the System. He was also highly eccentric, and Cadin loved that about his mentor.
The energy from the massive trees thumped madly, and Cadin had to focus to feel anything else over the them. Bart clomped around in the distance, making Cadin smile at his clumsy efforts. At least Cadin didn't need to worry about being caught.
An animal with a fast, frantic energy burrowed in a hole not too far from him, and a slower, more calculated energy sat in wait. Cadin heard the cloud-snake spring to capture the vole the same time he felt it. He glanced through the brush to see the satisfied predator.
A closed flower perched on a creeping vine on the tree next to him. He searched through the energy web to try and locate it. "Found you!" he said quietly as he felt the vibrant vine intertwined with the massive tree. I wonder what color the flower is? Cadin thought. To his surprise, as soon as he thought it, the petals unfurled in front of him, revealing stunning, yellow petals that darkened to a deep red center. Cadin played with the flower for a
few minutes, opening and closing the petals while he listened and felt for Bart. After a few minutes of silence, he figured he must have won.
As he prepared to disconnect and fly back to base, he felt a strong and scared energy rocket up his arm and leave tingles through his whole body. Someone was in danger. Without thinking, Cadin in ran the direction of the distressed energy. He heard a struggle in the distance and drew Tsuyo from its sheath as he entered a small clearing.
Frozen by shock, Cadin marveled at the giant winged creature struggling to free itself from a heavy-looking net. Pegasus was the word that popped into his mind, as the majestic beast neighed with wild eyes as it hoofed the ground madly. Cadin called out his slice gins and kept his distance as he sent them out to cut through the weighted ends of the net. The pegasus’s white body glistened in sweat as it attempted to pump his silver wings, pulling the net away from the gins.
"Just calm down..." Cadin started to say, but froze as the bright eyes locked in on him and the large animal lunged forward. "Whoa, whoa!" Cadin said as he tripped backwards, trying to avoid being impaled by the large silver horn on its head. "I'm here to help, promise." He tried to keep his voice calm and even as he sent the gins to slice at the many ends of the net.
Eventually they cut through enough of the tough cord that the horse-like creature was no longer weighted down, but it's massive wings were still tangled in the net. Cadin hesitated. He had never seen a creature quite like this, though he knew of Earth horses and he had heard stories of the wild pegasi that once roamed the cloud-lands. Most biologists said they were extinct. Either way, it didn't take a genius to know that the creature before him could inflict some serious damage if it wanted. But he couldn't just leave it trapped.
The creature's surprisingly bright, blue eyes trained on him as Cadin slowly made his way over to the beast. He thought about calling out for help; however, the creature was already frightened, and he didn't want to stress it out more. There was a magic about the pegusus.
"I am here to help," Cadin stressed—hoping the beast understood him. The pegasus's eyes widened and nostrils flared as Cadin reached out. Cadin retreated just in time to avoid a large hoof to the chest.
With his hands on the ground, he went on instinct—connecting to the cloud-land in record time. Instantly he felt the frantic energy focused on stomping him into the ground. Cadin kept his eyes open, but focused on sending his own, calming energy down the line of contact, and watched as the beast froze.
Message received! Cadin sent another pulse that he was there to help.
He held his breath as the animal took stock of him, and released it only when he felt the vibration of acquiescence. He stood slowly and approached once again. The pegasus stood still, but turned his head to keep his eyes on him. Cadin shivered as he touched the silky feathers, so different from the rigid outer feathers of an angel's wings. He worked quickly to detangle one side, marveling at the beautiful white, almost silver hide contrasted by its dark mane and tail swishing back and forth.
"Almost done," Cadin whispered as he worked back, lifting the net over the massive shoulders. Cadin stepped back as the pegasus shivered free of the rest of the heavy net. The pegasus spread its wings across the small clearing and launched into the air with nimble ease.
Cadin stared at the empty sky above the clearing for a full minute before being startled by the snapping of a branch.
"Now what do we have here?" A dry voice crackled from a leather-clad stranger.
"Not our prize..." an answering voice cackled. Cadin picked up Tsuyo and took a ready stance as three more sharp-eyed adults slunk into the clearing. The only female bent down to examine the frayed net. She picked it up and felt the edge with her one finger that wasn't wrapped around an impressively long dagger. She said nothing as she held the net out to the raspy voiced man. He examined it quickly and then looked straight as Cadin.
"D'you do this, boy?" Cadin cringed at the scraping sound leaving the man's mouth.
"I... I..." he couldn't seem to get the words out.
"You see, young man," the woman said as she stepped forward, "you just cost us four-thousand cantos! That’s four hundred thousand aros." Her words were even and sharp. Cadin held up his sword and took a step back, not really processing what they said as he mulled through an escape plan.
A loud rustling ruptured the silence, and several glimmering angels flew into the pasture.
“Halt! Condor Patrol!” One of the new arrivals shouted at the now retreating ruffians.
The armor-clad newcomers outnumbered the trappers two to one and quickly contained them.
“Well, well.” A man stepped forward towards the struggling bandit and took off his helmet. “If it isn’t the infamous Lady Chala!” The man let out a long breath. “It was so gracious of you to show up in our forests during the Calvarian Games when we have ample extra Warrior power.” One of the other armored warriors got the attention of the man talking and nodded towards Cadin who had gone untouched during the showdown.
The man stepped back from the woman, ignoring her spitting at his shin-guards. He turned to Cadin. “And who are you?”
Gur shuffled back and forth. Cadin cupped his hand over Gur’s head to calm him before looking the man in his brown eyes. “I am Cadin of Glade and am competing in the Warrior Path Games.”
“And what was your part in all of this, Cadin of Glade?”
He relayed exactly what happened, and was finishing up when Sun and Sara flew in through the top of the clearing.
“There you are!”
“What happened?” Sara looked around and seemed to ask the question both of Cadin and the man who appeared to be the patrol leader. Cadin was relieved that the poachers had already been taken away and only a few patrol warriors remained.
“Are you his guardian or home-cloud liaison?”
“I’m his mother,” Sara said with a level glare.
“I am patrol officer Steven of Condor,” he said while reaching to shake her hand. “Your son helped us catch some poachers.”
Sara’s face drained of color.
“I can assure you that he was in no danger. We have triple patrols through Condor. This group was either very poorly informed about our high security, or they decided their target was worth the risk. Either way, we are glad to have this lot in hand.” Officer Steven turned to Cadin. “Thank you for your statement. Lady Chala has a bounty associated with her. If you stop by Town Hall’s Justice Department, you can collect your reward.”
“Oh, ah, okay. I mean, thank you. Thank you…for everything.” He didn’t want to be too explicit in thanking them for saving him, or his mom would never let him out of her sight again.
Officer Steven shook their hands before he waved for the rest of his crew to head out.
“The rest of the team is waiting at the entrance to the forest,” Sun said. “We thought you may have wandered out that way.”
“Yeah, sorry about that,” Cadin said. “I just couldn’t let them hurt that pegasus.”
“Pegasus!?” Sara’s mouth was open and her eyes were as wide as crop circles.
“What? Oh, yeah, that’s what the poachers were after. He was pretty and very scared. I felt his panic when I connected to the cloud-land.”
“I can’t believe you saw a true pegasus.”
“It was sublime! It had huge silver wings and a horn!”
“Wait, a horn? Are you sure?”
“Yes, quite sure.” Cadin thought of nearly being impaled.
“Cadin, I can’t believe it! You saved one of the last Alicorns!”
“A what-corn?” Cadin swiped away some branches and walked out of the forest where Lep and Bart grappled. They looked up and nodded at him before continuing.
“Alicorn. They are technically winged unicorns. Unicorns have never set hooves on the cloud-lands; however, both pegasi and alicorns were once quite common. Both are extremely rare now.”
“I see. He was very smart,” Cadin said. “He understood me
when I connected to the cloud-land.”
“Amazing. I wish I could have seen him,” Sara said with a far-off look.
“Me too,” Sun said.
“What’d you wish for?” Lep asked, shaking off his feathers.
“Cadin saved an alicorn from some bandits,” Sun said.
Lep’s eyes flew open. His scared left brow raising slightly less than his right. “What! Bandits? And what is an Alicorn?”
“I just released him from the poacher’s net. The Condor Patrol completely dealt with the poachers.”
“Holy wrath! That is crazy. You okay?”
“Yeah, like I said—I didn’t have to deal with them.”
Lep nodded but kept an eye on him. Cadin knew his friend wouldn’t let it go until he got every detail out of him. Later he mouthed to Lep.
“Well, let’s go eat,” Lep said loudly.
“Food!” Bart called as he headed towards them, holding everyone’s gear.
CHAPTER TEN
Condor Culture
The dense morning mist tickled Cadin’s nose and obscured most of the marketplace. Sara headed off to the bakery with a ‘thank you’ basket for Gertrude. Apparently the buka cakes were a hit with the competitors and Sara sold more than anticipated.
The scuff of the cloud-land under his feet gave way to the near silence of the fluffier clouds as Cadin approached the loading docks. Apparently, there were several docking stations for airships on Condor. The nicer Civilian Docks for tourists and high-end travelers had the Fineman Gardens backing up to them and a lot of attention to detail on everything from the filigreed signage to the well-manicured plants hanging from the freshly painted posts.
Cadin found the Industrial Dock to be much more utilitarian with less pomp and more purpose. It was fascinating watching the speed and ease with which credentials were checked by security and crews unloaded or loaded their gear.
