by Riker Kane
He looked up at Kailani through his fading vision.
“Clayton…”
“It’s okay. Listen to me, Kailani… The essence tablet… The monument outside your home… I’ll be there… Bring my weapon there… Just do it… Okay?”
She swallowed hard to hold back her emotions and nodded.
As his life slipped away, Clayton put his bloody hand on top of hers and squeezed until he couldn’t squeeze any longer.
Chapter 13
Death wasn’t a new experience for Clayton. It wasn’t an experience at all.
The first time it happened, he imagined he would be floating somewhere in space, a spirit looking for guidance. Maybe he’d end up in a hell too hot to stand in constant torture. Or maybe there was a heaven where he floated upon a cloud and enjoyed the view from above.
But it was nothing like the stories drilled into his head. There were no fires or devils poking him with pitchforks. There were no angels playing harps and feeding him grapes and wine. There was not even an empty void. There was simply… nothing. He could not remember the setting of the last time he died because his next moments, he awoke with a great pain.
Something strange was happening this time.
Clayton was somewhere. Stuck between a dream and consciousness. Surrounded by darkness, struggling to move. Only his thoughts but they were empty. Empty except for a voice.
“Keep going, Clayton… Grow stronger… Gather your essence… So that I may take it from you…”
~ ~ ~
Clayton awoke with a gasp, lungs burning and heart pumping. His eyes wide, he looked up at the sun at its apex in the sky. He blinked from the brightness until it was blocked.
“Whoa…” Kailani looked down at him, amazement and elation on her face. “You’re alive?”
He finally caught his breath and closed his eyes. “That seems to be the case.” He was relieved to know his essence had been restored but something bothered him. “That voice…” It stayed in his head, as if someone were right next to him and whispering it in his ear. He never remembered anything from the previous times he perished. He knew something was wrong.
“Are you sure you’re still all there? You’re in Tamwa, right next to the monument. I’m here just like you told me to be.”
Clayton brushed away the thoughts of the strange voice and sat up straight. “I’m fine… You never get used to dying.” The villagers of Tamwa had gathered, their eyes as wide as ever. He didn’t blame them for their curiosity. How often did you see someone come back to life? But when he looked down, he realized what they were looking at.
“It’s a shame I don’t come back with any clothes…”
“Don’t worry, BB. I saved all your armor.”
“I don’t think I’ll be fighting any time soon. It’ll be a few days until my sickness wears off.”
“There’s no need for you to hurry. The fighting is done. The Fire Fights are over. Tamwa has taken control of Hilamau.”
“Then your father is Chief Elder?”
“The ceremony will take place later. You… look like you can use some rest.”
“I think I can stand at least…”
Kailani, Kavana and some of the other villagers helped Clayton to his feet. He put on his leather bottoms to cover his modesty then looked around proudly at the happy faces of the villagers around him.
“Wow!” Kavana gave Clayton a hearty thump on the shoulder that almost knocked him over. “I didn’t think I’d ever live to see the day someone beat Mentu! And you didn’t just beat him! You made the bastard submit!”
“Mentu…” Just the mere mention of the name was enough to bring back memories of an absurdly massive hammer slamming against his chest. “What happened to him?”
“Mentu is strong,” Kailani said. “You beat him up real good. He’ll probably be laid up for a few days but he’ll make it. Quill medicine is some of the best on the islands and they’re willing to share it with everybody else.”
Clayton considered everything he’d been through so far. Mentu had been defeated. The Fire Fights were won. Okari was Chief Elder.
“If I’ve done all of that… That means I’m overseer.” Clayton’s eyes widened with an enthusiasm he hadn’t felt in a long time. “Overseer Clayton Brooks. That’s my official title here, isn’t it?”
“Not until the ceremony tonight but yeah, you’re overseer, BB. You’d think that was the most important thing you got out of this…”
“What do you mean?”
“The Fire Fights are over. With my father’s support, you’ll have support from the other villages, too. They’ll build you a big enough ship to sail.”
“Right.” Clayton chuckled softly, remembering there was a great journey still ahead of him. “I have to find my friends…” He looked down at the Zeal Blade at his feet. “…And a blacksmith.”
“There is no need for you to hurry, is there?” Kavana asked. “You’re still recovering. The ceremony isn’t long from now. Then you will be granted the title of overseer.”
Clayton could enjoy this moment for what it was. He looked at Kavana and Kailani and smiled. “I’ll be here for the ceremony. Only fitting after everything I’ve been through.”
~ ~ ~
Villagers from every town gathered in the largest clearing in Tamwa. They stood silent, focused on the man addressing them.
“The people of the Hilamau Islands have gone through much strife. Before we were able to establish our civilization, we fought among ourselves. Civil war threatened to tear us apart.
“We were blessed with the wisdom of the Gods. Their war became our tradition. A tradition we have followed for centuries.
“On this day, I stand before you, humbled. As leader of Tamwa Village, I come to tell all of you, we are one in the same.
“For many years, Joakim has led our people and led us proudly. Many of you will view this as a new beginning but it is not.
“I will not stifle the hard work and diligence of Tamwa. The ingenuity of the Quill will thrive. Bojung will move closer to the divinity they seek. Leben hearts will be as hard as they always were. For though we come from different villages, we are all one in the same people. The Hilamau Islands will continue to stand proud, this I vow to you!”
Okari raised his hands in the air and the crowd erupted in unison. Despite their apparent differences, they all seemed to be in agreement.
Kailani stood behind her father on the platform he stood. Clayton had never seen her smile so proudly before. It filled him with a greater sense of accomplishment to know he was able to make her happy in the process of winning the Fire Fights.
Joakim walked next to Okari. The older man looked sad despite the smile on his face. He slowly removed the crown from his head, his eyes locked upon it. “I have grown so accustomed to this thing, I feel naked without it.”
“Perhaps in another five years, you will wear it again,” Okari replied.
“Perhaps.” Joakim nodded, the half-hearted smile still on his lips. “But the offlander has succeeded. You will lead our people for the time being. I will not question the will of the Gods.”
“I vow to you just as I have to the rest of these people. All of Hilamau will stand united against any adversity. I will not stifle your desire to prepare for war.”
“Thank you… Chief Elder Okari.”
Joakim slowly placed the small crown upon Okari’s head. The villagers all clapped again, those from Tamwa louder than the others. The drums banged loud and echoed over the island loud enough to frighten the birds sleeping in the treetops.
The new Chief Elder turned toward Clayton and bowed his head. “You… Clayton Brooks… Your valiant efforts will not go unnoticed. I know you have a journey to continue but you cannot deny what is rightfully yours. As Chief Elder, let it be known Clayton Brooks is the Overseer!”
Clayton smiled with satisfaction while more cheers surrounded him. He turned toward Kailani, who looked like she was trying not to roll her eyes. “Overse
er BB… I guess it’s got a nice ring to it.” She stuck her tongue out and finally gave into the smile she was trying to fight off.
“It is a celebration!” Okari announced. “Today. Tonight. Let us enjoy ourselves as our people do!”
The festivities began quickly. The smell of fresh crops being cooked and meat roasted on an open fire filled the air. Villagers danced to the rhythm of the drums without a care in the world. Everybody was in good spirits without exception.
Clayton barely had the strength to stand, so he sat off to the side of the clearing where the celebration took place. Next to him, Kailani swallowed another gulp of lavawater.
“…What?” she said. “You gonna scold me for drinking at a time like this?”
“No, no,” Clayton said. “If there’s ever a time to drink, this is it. I’m just remembering the last time I saw you drink.”
“I wasn’t drunk because I remember it. I gave you a kiss. You were the one who chickened out.”
“It wasn’t the right time. I made up for it anyway.”
“Kinda. That night when I was drinking, I was about to suck your—”
“Offlander!” The booming voice made both of them turn their heads. Mentu approached slowly. His body was heavily bandaged and his limp was more than noticeable. He didn’t have a hammer but Clayton thought he was still just as imposing as he’d ever seen him. “Or should I say, Overseer… Well fought.”
He held his hand out and Clayton shook it. “It was a difficult battle. You would have won if I wasn’t a Ferrum.”
“Yes… I take some comfort in knowing I was only bested by a man who could die and still live to tell about it. But I won’t question the legitimacy of your victory. The will of the Gods can be strange at times.”
“No kidding…”
“I heard a rumor. Others are speaking of you leaving the islands.”
“I am. I was never intending on staying here. I have to find my friends.”
“If you must go, you must go. I suppose that makes the decision of the overseer simpler.”
“Decision?”
“The decision of your reward.”
“Reward?” Clayton slowly turned his head toward Kailani, raising an eyebrow. “You never told me about a reward.”
Kailani swallowed more lavawater and shrugged. “What does the reward matter? It’s not like you can do anything with it.”
“And what is this reward exactly?”
“You receive a plot of land,” Mentu said. “Every overseer is given the opportunity to have a place to call their own. Many retire after one victory in the Fire Fights because the land is suitable to live comfortably on.”
“Hmm… I see what you mean.” Clayton considered it for a moment but realized he didn’t have much of a choice. “No point in taking the land when I’m leaving. I guess you can save it for the next overseer—”
“Then you will enact Supreme Rights.”
“Supreme Rights? What’s that?”
“Supreme Rights?” Kailani exclaimed suddenly. “I don’t think there’s any record of anybody doing that! I forgot it even existed.”
“Hold on a second… What is it?”
Mentu chuckled softly before explaining. “The overseer is the greatest fighter on the islands. As such, he is given all of the fortune of a great fighter. You refuse to take the land. There is also a generous bounty of food and goods, which I don’t think you will make much use of. All that is left are the women.”
“The women?” Clayton didn’t even try hiding his curiosity.
“The overseer gets the opportunity to take any woman he wants, no questions asked. Most women do it willingly, since spending time with the overseer is a… unique opportunity. It is your Supreme Right.”
“Interesting…” Clayton stroked his chin at his sudden unique opportunity. “That sounds like a good deal.”
“What?” Kailani chimed in again. “Are you listening right? It’s one woman for one night. And it’s just sex. That’s it. Why would you—Wait a second. I forgot who I was talking to. There’s no mistaking that look.” Kailani rolled her eyes and drank more lavawater though Clayton wasn’t paying any attention to her.
“Just one night, huh?” Clayton said. “I think that’s all I need… Um, with your permission, of course.” He turned to Kailani, who was already glossy-eyed at this point.
“What do you need my permission for, overseer?”
“You wouldn’t be jealous, would you?”
“Pfft!” Kailani burst into laughter loud enough for the others around them to take notice. Clayton sighed and waited for her to stop giggling but it kept going… and going… and going. Even Mentu found some amusement in how she was nearly falling out of her seat.
Eventually, she managed to compose herself. She leaned in close to Clayton and pressed a hand on his thigh, whispering softly into his ear. “Let’s get one thing straight, BB… I can have this whenever I want. That’s my Supreme… Right.” She moved away and poured herself another helping of lavawater.
With nothing holding him back, Clayton sighed. “It’ll be a few days until the ship I need is prepared. I think that’ll be enough time to make a decision.”
“Hmm… So Supreme Rights is a consideration,” Mentu commented. “You are a curious one, offlander.”
Chapter 14
Clayton held up the small piece of sliced fruit between his fingertips. It was white without much give. He squeezed some juice out of it onto his fingers.
“We call them occos.”
“Occos, huh?” He chewed on the crunchy fruit, gnawing on it with a growing satisfaction. “Not bad. It tastes like an apple. Or a coconut. Or both… Any reason you gave me one?”
“Occos are good for energy. Most of the villagers have them for breakfast. It’s not gonna give you superpowers like that fancy sword of yours but it’ll give you a nice little boost.”
“When you’re recovering from death, every little bit counts.”
A few days had gone by since the end of the Fire Fights. As dramatic as the festival and following ceremony were, life in Tamwa returned to the peaceful state Clayton had seen it in.
“My father has everything set. Leben and the other villages worked together to construct the boat you need. It should be enough to sail across the sea.”
Clayton munched on another slice of occo and nodded. The two of them sat inside of the comforts of a small tent the size of his apartment living room. He sat next to a small fire burning at the center of the floor. Outside of the bearskin lining the floor off to one side and Clayton’s belongings, there wasn’t much else inside the tent.
The days recovering from his death were quiet. He knew he would eventually return to his full strength. But there was something else weighing on his mind. Something even Kailani could sense.
“Are you nervous?” she asked.
“I’m not nervous. Why would you say that?”
“I don’t know… You’re the first man ever to invoke Supreme Rights.”
“If I’m the first, that’s still no reason to be nervous. Like I told you before, this is about more than satisfying my needs. I can gain something from this—”
“Yeah, yeah. I know. You already told me how your sword works. You do what you gotta do. Honestly, I’m a little curious myself.”
“You can stay and watch…” Clayton raised an eyebrow at her. He would’ve said he was joking if Kailani got offended. But all she did was scoff and giggle in the girlish way Clayton had gotten accustomed to.
“I’d bet you’d like that wouldn’t you—”
“I would.” Clayton spoke with a straight face, enough for even Kailani to know he was serious.
“I had my fun with you. I keep hearing from the others about the destiny in front of you. I won’t stand in front of it.”
“Yeah… My destiny…” Clayton’s words trailed off and silence filled the tent again. The sound of him chewing on another piece of occo was loud as he emptied his thoughts.
/> The entrance to the tent shuffled open. They both looked to see who’d entered.
“Her…” Kailani sighed. “Why am I not surprised?”
Iris stood at the entrance of the tent, her hands on her hips as she looked down at Clayton. The disdain he’d always seen was there but he didn’t care.
“I suppose this is where I go…” Kailani winked at Clayton and left the tent without saying another word. Iris remained silent as she stood there.
Clayton took a moment to admire her figure, chomping on another bite of occo. “Would you like a piece? They say these things are good for your energy.”
“I don’t anticipate I’ll need much energy.”
“Oh? That’s disappointing.”
Iris walked forward a step, Clayton noticing just how much her hips swayed when she did. She had slender legs that made them look longer than they were. They match the rest of her slim physique, though her breasts appeared to be weighing heavily on the top holding them.
“Supreme Rights… I can’t recall a time when an overseer has decided to enact it.”
“You were with Mentu. What’s the difference?”
“The difference is Mentu did not ask for my company. I gave it to him willingly.”
“I see…”
Iris narrowed her green eyes, her stare burning a hole right through Clayton. He remained nonchalant about the whole situation, cutting himself another piece of occo.
“If you don’t want to do anything, you can leave—”
“Ha!” she scoffed. “Just as I expected. What will you have me do, overseer? Shall I step on you and rub my feet in your face? Shall I command you to bark like a dog? Shall I humiliate you until you swell with pleasure?”
“Hmm… That’s not really my thing but the way you’re making it sound is kind of a turn-on.”
Iris sighed and crossed her arms, looking away from him. “I am willing. Supreme Rights did not have to be invoked for me to visit the overseer. Though I must say I’m a bit disappointed… I guess that’s my fault for thinking I could have some fun with you…”
