by Aaron Oster
“I don’t think it works like that,” Roy responded. “Don’t you need to be a Master before you can become a Grandmaster? I’d need to figure out the Essence versions of a full-body, full-area, and Conqueror technique before that happens.”
“How hard can it be?” Geon asked, sounding oddly chipper. “You’ve already figured out the versions using Qi, so it should be easy!”
Roy sighed, leaning back against the walls of the cell and trying to block out the roaring of the crowd as the Blue-Belt tournament raged on. All of this was just happening too fast. Just a month ago, he wasn’t even a Green-Belt, and now, his Belt was changing colors in the middle of a fight, he was gaining techniques left and right, and he had no idea what was going on.
There were too many impossible things going on, and he had no one to talk to about them. Geon wasn’t exactly sympathetic, and he’d managed to alienate Marrie. Truthfully, talking to a girl who was barely a teenager about his problems probably wouldn’t have made him feel much better anyway.
Hermit would have the answers he needed, or so he hoped. But the person Roy found himself missing above all was Aika. He hadn’t seen her in…he honestly wasn’t sure how long it had been. It had taken a bit over two days to find this place and he’d spent a little over two weeks here. So, maybe nineteen days? It felt much longer than that.
Aside from needing to know what was happening and not much enjoying being forced to fight for the pleasure of others, he missed her. He missed his friend, their time spent training together, and everything they’d been through since they’d met. It seemed like the world was constantly tearing them apart, and he was getting sick and tired of it.
More than anything right now, he wanted her here beside him. She always knew exactly what to say to make him feel better, and Roy needed that. He needed assurance that everything was going to be okay and that what was happening had a rational explanation.
The roar of the crows broke him from his thoughts and the announcer’s voice boomed, calling for the next round of fighting to begin.
Sighing once more, Roy closed his eyes and tried to blank out the noise. His fight was over for today, but tomorrow would bring a whole new set of challenges, and right now, he needed to rest.
35
Hermit could sense the city growing closer with each passing hour. It was barely past dawn, and at the current pace he’d set, they should be arriving late in the evening. As he’d expected, his little show of force had served its other intended purpose and drawn the Inu Sovereign to the city. In addition, he could feel Ikari growing closer by the hour. She’d be arriving soon, far before they reached the city. But he was fine with that. When she got here, he’d lead her toward Reign City and drag the Inu clan head into the fight. Then, with any hope, he could get the two of them fighting each other while he pulled Roy out.
“Are you sure this course of action is the best you could have taken?” the Core asked. “After all, there were better ways to handle this.”
“It’s the best I could do given the circumstances,” he replied. “This poses the least amount of risk where innocent lives are concerned and can ensure that proper leadership takes over once Ikari is gone.”
“And how can you be so sure that the Inu Sovereign will win?”
“On his own, I’m not sure,” he said. “But once the battle starts threatening the city and the Herald Sovereign hears that his son is down there, I suspect he’ll be making an appearance. With his help, I’m certain Ikari will fall.”
“And how will the Herald Sovereign hear of his son’s plight? Unless the man is all-knowing, there is only one way…”
“One that I’m afraid I have no choice but to employ if Roy is to be freed.”
“Are you not afraid that they will then turn their attention on you after their battle is concluded, especially if you have the Herald Sovereign’s son?”
“Killing a Sovereign is no easy task,” Hermit replied. “Even two on one and both being of a higher Dan, they’ll be hard-pressed to win, especially if Ikari is threatening the lives of the citizens below. They will win, of that, I have no doubt. After all, Herald Duncan has the advantage of being on the verge of advancing, which means he’ll have gained substantial power breaking through the 7th Dan wall.”
It was something he’d discovered on his own journey while in the chaotic storm that was the Cavern Beast’s power. Several times, in the pursuit of power, Martial Artists would come up against a wall in between stages. The first major wall for anyone was getting past Base Red. The second was 5th Dan Gold, the third was 2nd Dan Brown, and the fourth was 7th Dan Gray.
Hermit could see no particular reasoning behind it, but as with all things in the Martial Arts, it was something that needed to be done. If the proper preparations weren’t made, as with most of the current Sovereigns, they would forever remain trapped below 7th Dan Gray, doomed to advance no more. And although he had prepared, the Cavern Beast’s Core had helped him play catch-up to where he would have been, had he continued his training.
Now that he was well and truly ready, he felt safe going after Roy, and if the other Sovereigns tried challenging him after facing Ikari, they would be in for a nasty surprise.
“Even if everything plays out as you’ve planned, how will you get Aika to release the man? She hates him and would see him buried.”
“I won’t release him,” Hermit said with a mental sigh. “He’s going to have to escape, and in such a way that no one can be held at fault.”
“Oh, is that why…?”
“Yes,” Hermit replied simply.
He didn’t want to talk about what needed to be done. Just because it was for the greater good didn’t mean he wanted to dwell on it. His promise to Roy needed to be kept, and if Aika’s enemy needed to escape to see that happen, then so be it.
Hermit stopped suddenly as he felt the hint of a presence that was both familiar and alien at the same time. It was a presence that he’d only recently been able to start sensing, and it brought too many questions with it.
“His timing couldn’t be worse,” he said. “Ikari will be here any minute, and we’re getting close.”
“Then this might be the perfect chance to break away,” the Core said.
Although he didn’t show his frustration outwardly, the Core got a taste of just how annoyed he was. Now that the man had made his presence known, Hermit had little choice but to comply.
He stopped suddenly, turning back to those who were following him.
“My sister is on her way, and she’s getting close. I’ll go on ahead to Reign City to draw her away. I can sense the Inu Sovereign is there, and having him to back me up will make my fight with Ikari easier. I want you to follow, but keep a healthy distance, as the fight might affect the city, even if it is underground.”
“And what about Roy?” Aika predictably asked. “You do remember that he’s still down there, right?”
Hermit once again resisted the urge to sigh. The two of them had been separated for several weeks now, and it was never easy to have someone you loved be in danger. Still, he needed to reassure her in a way that still gave the impression that he could be killed.
“I’ll make sure he isn’t hurt. You have my word on that.”
Although she still seemed dissatisfied, Aika nodded all the same. To her, his word meant something, and if he said he’d make sure Roy was fine, she trusted him to keep it. Doragon, on the other hand, would be looking at it from the perspective of someone who might know what a fight between two Sovereigns could really do and would be basing his report off that.
“Do you think they can handle it on their own?” the Core asked as he turned away.
“Without Kaeru, probably not.”
“I guess it’s a good thing he’s here then,” the Core replied. “It’s almost as though you knew how everything would play out and planned it that way.”
“One would have to be able to see the future to make such plans, and you know I can’t do that.”
“Yes, I know you can’t see the future. But predicting how people will act and planning accordingly…that I know you can do.”
Hermit declined to answer, although the small hint of pride he felt at executing a plan so flawlessly could not be so easily quenched.
“Keep an eye on this one,” he said to Kaeru. “The next time we meet, it’ll hopefully be once I’ve gotten Roy out of that city.”
He gave the group one last nod, then took off running, pulling on his Reiki reserves to speed him along the way. Once he’d traveled several miles, he flew up into the air and continued moving, only coming to a halt once he faced the man whose purpose he still did not know.
“Why are you here?” he asked without preamble.
“Still friendly as ever I see,” Azure said with a wide grin.
“Are you going to answer the question or not?” Hermit asked.
This man was a wild card, a complete and utter mystery, and someone Hermit hadn’t expected to be here. If he interfered, then the entire plan could fall apart.
“Oh, don’t worry, I’m not here to ruin your little plan,” Azure replied, waving away his concerns.
“Then why are you here?” Hermit repeated. “You never show up without a reason.”
“Let’s just say that I have a vested interest in seeing how the next day plays out,” Azure said.
“As far as I know, you’ve never been interested in the politics of this world. Why now?”
“You call a fight between four Sovereigns politics?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Yes,” Hermit replied.
He didn’t even bother asking how the man knew of his plans. Azure had power far beyond what he could even comprehend, and Hermit had long ago given up on unveiling the man’s mystique. Still, it didn’t mean he couldn’t pry the man for more answers, especially seeing as another of his favored people just happened to be in the very city where Hermit was heading.
“Your interest wouldn’t also happen to be on Roy, would it?” he asked. “After all, he’s the reason I’m here in the first place.”
“Let’s just say that Roy is finally coming out of his shell and has attracted some interest from outside parties. I’m just here to make sure it all runs smoothly.”
Hermit’s brows drew down and the corners of his mouth twitched.
“Does that mean that you know the reason why his presence seems to have vanished off the face of the world?”
Normally, tracking Roy would have been easy. All Hermit would have had to do was follow the trail his presence left behind. But since Roy’s advancement to Green, Hermit had been unable to sense anything.
“I do,” Azure replied. “But I’m afraid that’s information I can’t just be giving out. I’d get in trouble, and I’m already in enough of that as it is.”
“Well, is there anything you can tell me?” Hermit asked, trying to keep his annoyance from showing.
“I’d tell you to watch your back. I suspect that Roy may have attracted some outside attention, and you wouldn’t want to break your promise. Now, move along,” he said, waving his hand dismissively. “The action is already underway, and you’re blocking my view.”
Hermit sighed but didn’t argue, turning and heading away. His meetings with this man were always frustrating and brought more questions than answers. All he’d gotten this time was that someone else might be interested in Roy and it might somehow tie in with the fact that his presence was gone.
“That man is scary,” the Core said.
“Thanks for stating the obvious,” Hermit muttered.
That man was scary, which only made the notion that he answered to someone even stronger that much more frightening. The Sovereigns might be the superpowers that held the clans together, but Hermit had a feeling that in the grand scheme of things, they appeared as children, dancing to the whims of whoever was really in charge.
Shaking free of those thoughts, Hermit picked up speed. Ikari was closing in fast and on a direct route to intercept him. It would be a close thing, but he was confident he could make it close enough to the city to force Pelata out into the open. The other group should be running into trouble any minute now, and he was confident Doragon had another Gatestone. With his power, it would probably take Herald Duncan just a few minutes to get here, seeing as Mountain Moore was much closer than Light City. All Hermit needed to do was make sure to keep everyone occupied until then.
36
Roy stood in the arena, the cheering crowd howling in excitement ahead of the upcoming fight. For some reason, the final Green-Belt match was to be held early in the morning. Sunlight was already streaming in through the cracks in the ceiling, but the chill told him that it had yet to truly warm up.
He’d been given a new set of robes, which, oddly enough, were the same black and white he was used to, rather than the tan of the Inu. He had a feeling that it had less to do with making him comfortable and more to point out that he was from a different clan.
Marrie was dressed in a red robe trimmed with black, with short sleeves that cut off at the elbows. She looked deadly as ever, and judging by the way she was eyeing him, he knew who she’d be coming after once the fight started. Xu was wearing plain brown robes, while the other two wore green and yellow, respectively.
His eyes flicked up to the box where he noted all of the important Martial Artists of the Inu clan were present and watching. To him, it seemed that they were oddly tense, though he couldn’t fathom as to why.
Another thing he didn’t understand was why so many people would be willing to come out at such an early hour to watch people fight. While he wasn’t too tired, he could see dozens of members of the crowd either rubbing their eyes or covering yawns, and when the announcer spoke, saw them wince at the loud noise.
“Welcome, one and all, to today’s final fights!” he boomed, although Roy could sense a bit of weariness to his usually loud and boisterous voice.
“They are being held early, as our Sovereign wishes to see the main events take place around noon for its ceremonial meaning to the Inu clan! This fight will be a battle royale, and the last one standing will be crowned champion! This will award them the opportunity to fight the champion of the Blue-Belt tournament, and should they win, they will be awarded their freedom!”
Roy felt his disgust for the Inu clan grow as the crowd’s cheering redoubled. He was fairly confident in his chances of winning this fight, but beating the champion of the Blue-Belt tournament was pretty much impossible. The same could be said of the Blue-Belt facing the champion of the Purple.
The Inu were simply putting on a good show without having to risk letting their best moneymakers free. After all, the best game was one rigged in your favor.
“Now, to introduce the fighters. Place your bets now, ladies and gentlemen, as your time is limited!”
“Focus,” Geon said as Roy’s hands tightened into fists. “You need to keep a cool head in order to win.”
“What’s the point?” Roy asked.
Sure, he’d been excited about the prospect of winning his freedom ahead of Hermit’s arrival, but now that he was in the final part, he realized the futility of this course of action. There was no point because winning would literally mean nothing. His victory would give him a shot at the best Blue-Belt here and he wasn’t stupid enough to think that the fight would be as easy as the one against Garnet.
“The point is to stay alive,” Geon said.
“I can always surrender. Rura did and he’s still alive.”
“Have you already forgotten what happened to Garnet?” Geon asked. “Because I wouldn’t be surprised if you did, what with that horrible squishy brain of yours.”
Roy did remember what had happened to Garnet. His surrender had cost him his life, but Rura wasn’t a member of the Inu clan.
“One last thing before we begin,” the announcer said, sounding nearly elated. “A round of executions will be held after the Green-Belt champion is chosen! All of the dishon
orable cowards who surrendered during yesterday’s match will be brought out and fed to the Annihilator!”
“I guess surrendering is out of the question then,” Roy said, feeling his anger threatening to overwhelm him.
Why would the Inu clan say that these fights weren’t to the death, only to kill anyone who didn’t actually die? This entire clan was sick and needed to be stopped. He could feel his Ideal raging against the notion, and the very idea sickened him.
“Now, to announce the start of the championship match, I give you our honorable Sovereign!”
“Honorable, my ass,” Roy thought.
“Are you sure you’re feeling okay?” Geon asked. “What does the honor of your rear —”
“Never mind,” he snapped, cutting the Core off before he could finish.
A hush fell over the crowd as the massive man stood from his seat, his arms spread wide.
“Good people of the Windblight, I welcome you to my clan’s arena for today’s champion matches! Here, we will see blood spilled and champions crowned! We will see dishonorable cowards meet their end and perhaps see someone walk free, cleared of all their debts.
“Now, let me not keep you all waiting any longer. Let the battle begin!”
A loud gong sounded throughout the arena, and the crowd cheered as the match was officially started. All of the prisoners had been spaced equally throughout the arena, but as soon as the match started, Xu and the other two fighters made a beeline directly for him.
“Why am I not surprised?” Roy thought as the hexagonal plates of Qi flowed across his skin.
“That man is as treacherous as a snake,” Geon said. “Best to kill him first and break up their little group.”
Roy’s eyes flicked to Marrie for a moment, who was casually striding across the arena, seemingly content to allow them to attack him.
“And it looks like Choi has made some enemies,” the announcer boomed. “This is a battle royale, but there is nothing in the rules that makes temporary alliances illegal!”
