"SO RIHO, DO YOU know what class you are?"
"Nope. I never had an interest in that sorta thing." She replied, pushing her empty soup bowl away.
"Can you open your status display for me?"
"Why?"
"I need to know what skills you have so I can come up with a decent plan of attack."
"Ok." She replies with a shrug. "Status."
"...Hmm. I see. Ok thanks, that'll do."
"So what's the plan?"
"First we need to know your class."
"How can I find out then?"
"A Rainbow Orb will tell us. Marco has one." Answered Emmy.
"What do I have?" Marco asked, walking in carrying a small chest.
"Marco, you have perfect timing. We need to know what class she is."
"Is that all?" Asked Marco setting down the chest. "Then here." He removes his necklace, and hands it to Riho.
"Huh… Is that a Rainbow Orb?" Asked Emmy.
"Yup. Got it from a friend of mine a while back."
"So what do I do with it?"
"Just hold it in the palm of your hand. It will then glow in accordance with your class."
"It's… Orange. What's that mean?" Inquired Riho.
"You're a mage Riho." Answered Marco. "Are either of your parents a mage by chance?"
Riho looks away from Marco. "I don't know. They died when I was a baby. Every time I asked about them, my grandfather would get really sad, so I stopped asking."
Marco, Emmy, and Riho stand there in somber silence. Eventually Emmy walks over to the bookshelf, and pulls out a book.
"This is a book on elementary magic. Let's start by seeing what elements complement you. We can formulate a plan once we know what they are."
"Before you start that." Interrupts Marco. "Let's see if this equipment fits her. We'll step outside and let you change."
A few minutes later.
"How does everything fit? Do I need to make any alterations to it?"
"Nope fits great. Thanks Marco."
"Anytime. Now there is something you need to know about that headband you're wearing."
"What's that?"
"It's an enchanted item that gives the wearer the ability to withstand the Intimidation skill."
"Lion's Heart."
"Oh, so you've heard of it, Emmy?"
"Only what I've read. It boosts the wearers courage to withstand intimidation used on them."
"I've had that skill used on me before."
"Who would do such a thing to a child?" Asked Emmy.
"Cosmo, he's the head of security at the Takashi Manor. He mostly used it on my big brother whenever he acted up, but there were times when I would act up as well."
"He sounds like an interesting fellow. Anyways unless you two need anything else I'm gonna head back."
"Marco, please wait."
"What is it Riho?"
"You're a demi-human panther aren't you?"
"I am. Why you ask?"
"I feel like I met you once before, but I'm not quite sure?"
"I don't believe we have." Replies Marco. "Is that all?"
"Yes, thank you so much."
"Thanks Marco."
"Hey Emmy, since I'm a mage do I still need these punch daggers?"
"Yes. There are some weapons that can help a mage during combat; while training, they can store your mana to be used later, others can amplify your magic. It all depends on what works for you."
"Hmm… I'll keep em. Now let's see what magic spells I can use." Riho sits at the table and begins reading.
****
"Listen carefully Jr. I'm heading out to handle some business. I'm leaving The Pyros, White Claw, and some of our Phoenix members with you. Once you collect our winnings head for The Hills."
"What if things go wrong?"
"Then you'll have to deal with it."
"Understood."
"Don't forget to initiate the second phase of the plan."
"I won't."
The two continue talking, all the while Marco is nearby eavesdropping on their conversation. Afterwards Marco heads back to his office in the back of the armory; closes the door, and takes a seat behind his desk.
"Hey Cam, show yourself." Orders Marco.
Something drops from the ceiling, and lands in the chair across from Marco.
"Yo, bossman, what's crackin '?"
"Just wait." Marco said as he opens a desk drawer and pulls out a Lapis Stone.
"Cam, if you would."
"Light Magic: Telepathy… 𝐷𝑜𝑛𝑒."
"𝐶𝑜𝑠𝑚𝑜, 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒?"
"𝑌𝑒𝑎ℎ 𝑀𝑎𝑟𝑐𝑜, 𝐼'𝑚 ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒."
"𝑅𝑖ℎ𝑜 𝑇𝑎𝑘𝑎𝑠ℎ𝑖 𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒. 𝑆ℎ𝑒'𝑠 ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑢𝑚."
"𝐻𝑜𝑤 𝑖𝑠 𝑠ℎ𝑒?"
"𝑊𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑣𝑒 𝑠ℎ𝑒'𝑠 𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑢𝑚 𝑎𝑠 𝑎 𝑓𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑒𝑟?"
"𝐴𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑒?" 𝐶𝑜𝑠𝑚𝑜 𝑎𝑠𝑘𝑒𝑑.
"𝑁𝑜. 𝑆ℎ𝑒'𝑠 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑓𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝐸𝑚𝑚𝑦."
"𝐶𝑎𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝐸𝑚𝑚𝑦 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑜𝑛 𝑏𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑑?"
"𝑌𝑒𝑠, 𝐼 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑐𝑡 ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑡 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑠."
"𝐺𝑜𝑜𝑑. 𝐼'𝑙𝑙 𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝐾𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝐼𝑧𝑢𝑚𝑖, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑅𝑦𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑤𝑎𝑦."
Marco then asked. "𝑊ℎ𝑜 𝑖𝑠 𝑅𝑦𝑜?"
"𝑅𝑦𝑜 𝑖𝑠 𝑅𝑖ℎ𝑜'𝑠 𝑏𝑟𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑢𝑠."
"𝑈𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑜𝑑."
"𝑊ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝐹𝑢𝑗𝑖?"
"𝐻𝑒'𝑠 ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒. 𝐻𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟, ℎ𝑒'𝑠 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑠𝑜𝑜𝑛."
"𝐷𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 ℎ𝑒'𝑠 𝑔𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑔?" 𝐴𝑠𝑘𝑒𝑑 𝐶𝑜𝑠𝑚𝑜.
"𝑁𝑜, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 ℎ𝑒'𝑠 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑃𝑦𝑟𝑜𝑠, 𝑊ℎ𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑤, 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑃ℎ𝑜𝑒𝑛𝑖𝑥 𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑠, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑠𝑜𝑛 𝐽𝑟 ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒."
"𝑊ℎ𝑜 𝑑𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑣𝑎𝑖𝑙𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑘 ℎ𝑖𝑚?"
"𝐶𝑎𝑚'𝑠 ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒." Said Marc𝑜.
"𝑌𝑜, 𝑏𝑖𝑔 𝑏𝑜𝑠𝑠𝑚𝑎𝑛, 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡'𝑠 𝑢𝑝?"
"𝑇𝑐ℎ."
"𝐷𝑖𝑑 ℎ𝑒 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑐𝑙𝑖𝑐𝑘 ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑔𝑢𝑒 𝑎𝑡 𝑚𝑒? 𝐻𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑑 𝑑𝑖𝑑𝑛'𝑡 ℎ𝑒?"
"𝐼 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝐼 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑦 𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑜 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑗𝑜𝑏 𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑙𝑦. 𝐴𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡'𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢."
"𝐶𝑜𝑠𝑚𝑜, 𝐶𝑎𝑚'𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 ℎ𝑜𝑤 ℎ𝑒 𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒. 𝐻𝑒'𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑤𝑎𝑦 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑠𝑎𝑤 ℎ𝑖𝑚 𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡." Marco said, coming to Cam's aid.
"𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛. 𝐼𝑓 𝑀𝑎𝑟𝑐𝑜'𝑠 𝑜𝑘 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑑𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝐶𝑎𝑚. 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝐼'𝑙𝑙 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑠𝑡 ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑗𝑢𝑑𝑔𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑟."
"𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑘 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑏𝑖𝑔... 𝐼 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛 𝐶𝑜𝑠𝑚𝑜. 𝐼 𝑤𝑜𝑛'𝑡 𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛."
"𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑖𝑡 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝐶𝑎𝑚 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑠. 𝑁𝑜𝑤 𝐼 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑔𝑜."
Cosmo disconnects the link from his end. Cam drops the telepathy as well.
"Pay attention Cam, Your target is Fuji the head of the Phoenix group."
****
"I don't believe it!" Yells JoJo. "Emmy just appeared out of nowhere and landed a brutal hit on Manasa from behind."
"Not only that, but Riho is up and atop of Emmy's shoulders. When did she even move from behind Emmys tower shield?" Asked Eric.
"She timed that purr-fectly. These two make a great team. Meow! Hey Eric, any chance she's sticking around to fight alongside Emmy?"
"I don't know Brittany. But if she does, I'm open to the idea of keeping these two as a duo."
"Hey Riho, can you get my shield for me without tipping them off to your abilities?"
"..."
"Well?"
"Hold on, I'm thinking… oh I know." Riho squats down and whispers her plan in Emmy's ear.
"All right on three; one, two, three. Shield Charge!"
Riho backflips off of Emmy's shoulders; just as Emmy charges forward, his shield leading.
Sheshanaga raises his staff. "Earth Magic: Sinkhole."
The ground opens up dropping Emmy in.
"Fire Magic: Hellfire." Flames rise up from the sinkhole.
"Do you think it's over?" Sheshanaga asked, breathing heavily. "Those were two of my strongest attacks."
"Where's the girl? She's a bi…" Takshaha disappears into the ground.
"Takshaha!" Shouts Sheshanaga.
"Do you know what's going on Sheshanaga?"
"Yeah Vasuki I do. She's using the shadows to move about and attack us."
"That's advanced dark magic. I'm impressed."
"I hate to say it, but so am I." Agreed Sheshanaga. "I'm open to suggestions."
"Get rid of the shadows." Said Manasa, as she walks over to them.
"Glad to see you're back on your feet."
"Thanks Vasuki." Responds Manasa. "Unfortunately I used quite a bit of mana to heal myself. Where's Takshaha?"
"Pulled into the ground." Responds Vasuki.
"So how exactly are we supposed to get rid of shadows?"
"How much mana do you have left, Sheshanaga?"
"If I use everything I have stored up, I can pull off one big spell."
"Ok so here's the plan." Manasa starts explaining what everyone's role will be.
"Well shit I guess they know my secret. Comments Riho as she and Emmy reappear. Emmy with his tower shield; Riho standing beside him, and Takshaha's unconscious body lying behind them.
"Doesn't matter; Manasa and Sheshanaga are low on mana, Vasuki can't risk wielding Cocytus without the fire veil protecting him, and Takshaha is already out."
(VIP ROOM 1)
"I guess it's time." Said Jr. "Dark Magic: Enslaved Mind."
As the words leave his lips, a mark used to control slaves activates.
"Now Dark Magic: Marionette."
"Is that… yes it is, I don't believe it! Ladies and gentlemen for the first time ever the champion is bleeding."
"Meow-ow! This is truly a day to remember."
"What will the champion do now?"
"Oh look, he took a knee. I think an artery was hit, just look at all that blood." Brittney points out.
"You guys are overlooking something pretty significant." Comments Eric.
"Oh, you're right. I got so caught up in seeing the champion bleeding I overlooked the fact that Riho is the reason that Emmy is bleeding."
"Is one of The Nagas doing this?" Asked Brittany.
"Don't know. All we can do is wait and see." Answered JoJo.
"Ri…ho…why?"
Riho doesn't answer. With punch daggers in hand she dances around Emmy stabbing him in any open spot not protected by armor.
"What the hell? Why is she attacking her partner?" Asked Manasa.
"I wanna know how she's making him bleed when Takshaha's fangs could not." Said Vasuki.
"Speaking of… Fire Magic: Pyroportation." Sheshanaga teleports Takshaha over to them. "Can you do anything for him, Manasa?"
"He's only unconscious. No need to waste mana." Replies Manasa. "So what do we do now Vasuki?"
"There is no honor in continuing this fight."
"THAT'S ENOUGH!!" Shouts Emmy staggering to his feet. He manages to block with his tower shield; just barely, he's losing too much blood, he needs to stop her now.
Emmy removes his steel arm guard. It hits the ground with a thud. "I'm sorry Riho."
With the weight of the arm guard gone; Emmy balls his left hand into a fist, shifts his weight, and when Riho is within reach, "Heavy Blow!"
BOOOMM!!!
An explosion rips through the colosseum; the sound is deafening, a shock wave sends dirt and debris flying everywhere, The Nagas are blown off their feet.
The audience is protected by a barrier that was put in place by an unknown person. Keeping them safe from any stray attack. When the dust finally settled Emmy's fist had collided with another fist.
Standing there is a woman. Her well toned sun kissed tan body has no trace of body fat. She's wearing a jaguar headdress, with matching top and shorts. Platinum bangles on each wrist, and white leather sandals.
"Tha… that's her. That's the previous colosseum champion." Proclaims a shocked JoJo.
"Mew really think that's her?" Questioned Brittany.
"Without a doubt. That's her."
"But who is the other girl with her, and why does she have an unconscious Riho thrown over her shoulder like a sack of rice. Eric what's your… Eric?" JoJo calls his name. But Eric is no longer in his seat.
"What kind of man would try hitting a child with that much force? You would have killed her had I not intervened." The woman's tone is soft, but the rage in her eyes is another matter. "Well, are you not gonna answer me?"
Emmy staggers then passes out from blood loss.
"Gwa ha ha ha! Let's go Lindsey back to the carriage."
"As you wish Empress Rhea." Lindsey makes for the south gate to leave, taking Riho with.
"Oh, before I forget. Hey Manasa, would you mind healing him before he bleeds out? Thanks." Empress Rhea turns and follows Lindsey not waiting for a reply.
Finally the audience comes back to their senses and begin booing and shouting for their money back. Eric emerges from the north gate.
"Everyone, may I have your attention." Eric's voice booms throughout the colosseum. "Due to all that has transpired today I feel it best to refund everyone's money. That is all."
****
(VIP Room 1)
"Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuucckk! What the fuck just happened?!" Jr is outraged at this unforeseen turn of events. "All that money we put on Emmy losing. Fucking fuck."
"Sir if I may make a suggestion." One of The Pyros speaks up.
"What is it?"
"Why don't we just rob this place and kill everyone who tries to stop us?"
"I like it. Let's do it. Go everyone, don't hold back, and when you're done regroup at The Hills."
Now given free rein; The Pyros, White Claw, and the Phoenix members who stayed, start killing and robbing everyone they come across. It's not long till pandemonium breaks out.
(Adventurers Guild)
"Guild Master Blaze, we have reports of multiple people being attacked over at the colosseum."
"Who's behind it?"
"Unclear at this time."
"Gather all available adventurers in the main lobby, and inform them of the situation. I'm heading over now." Instructs Blaze. "Tell-'em first rounds on me, but only to those that help out."
"Understood."
(Mercenary Guild)
"Guild Master Misty, I just received an urgent message from Marco."
"What's that sellout want now?"
"The Pyros, White Claw, and Phoenix are attacking the colosseum."
A smirk crosses Misty's face. "Sounds like fun. Gather anyone not on a job, and send them over. Drinks are on me for only those that show up." Misty moves to the window.
"Guild Master please… don't jump out the window." Misty's assistant lets out a sigh, and then heads out to relay Misty's orders.
(Infirmary)
"What the hell is going on out there?" Takshaha, having regained consciousness, sits himself up and takes in his surroundings."
"It's a long story, but the short version is a bunch of humans are running around attacking and robbing everyone." Said Manasa.
"Did we win at least?"
"Called off due to outside interference. The Wandering Empress Rhea showed up."
"Where are Vasuki and Sheshanaga?"
"Helping to protect the non-combatants."
"Then I'll help." Takshaha gets out of bed and heads for the door.
"Actually we have been tasked with guarding the Infirmary."
"Why would I do that?"
"Take a good look around Takshaha. You, me, and Emmy, who is in no condition to fight, are the only fighters here. The others are innocent bystanders."
"I see."
Takshaha thrusts both of his claws out, stabbing the air. Two White Claw members appear at the end of his claws, both having been impaled in the throat.
"Eric, hey Eric!"
"Marco, what is it?"
"That girl who was fighting alongside Emmy, where is she?"
"Sorry Marco, I don't have time to worry about her now."
"Sir, you don't understand. That was Riho Takashi, as in The Takashi Family." Explained Marco.
"Yes, I'm well aware of who she is. And before you ask I permitted her to fight as part of an agreement I made in order to keep her here."
"So where is she now?"
"She was taken by Empress Rhea. Meow!" Said Brittany.
Eric and Marco turn to find Brittany, Lucy, and Matsuri standing there.
"Why the fuck would an empress kidnap Riho?" Asked Marco. "This could lead to a war with her empire."
"I plan on asking her that very question when we catch up to them." States Lucy.
"You three are going after them? Why?
"Because Marco, all three of us trained with Riho's big brother Ryo."
"Although Ryo is an egotistical pain in the fucking ass. He talked about his little sister so much, she's practically our little sister." Said Matsuri.
"Meow! That's right. So let us go get her back."
"Go then; head for the Port Town of Yarrow; it's the only place close by for her ship to dock."
"Mew got it Eric."
"Listen, I heard from a reliable source that Ryo is on his way here, but I don't know when he'll arrive. So please do everything you can to get her back and return here safely." Marco bows to them.
"We'll do everything we can. Lucy, Brittany let's go."
"Fire Magic: Fire Breath!"
"HA, HA, HA! You call that puny fire breath an attack? Here let me show you what a real fire breath attack is like. Fire Magic: Fire Breath!"
Blaze's attack burns hotter than his opponent's. Leaving nothing but ash.
"Thought you Pyros excelled at fire magic. Talk about a let down."
"How about this then?" Shouts another Pyro member. "Fire Magic: Fire Vortex!"
"Water Magic: Water Wave Emission!"
A wave of water collides with the fire vortex repelling it. "Now Water Magic: Water Scatter Shot!"
"Misty, what the fuck!! Why did you interrupt my play time?" Demands Blaze appearing beside Misty. "If I hadn't used Pyroportation I would have been hit as well."
"It's a real shame that I missed you. Maybe next time."
"Get in my again bitch, and I'll burn you to ash, bones and all."
Blaze hits Misty square in the chest, only to have her burst like a bubble. "Dam water clone."
****
(VIP Room 2)
"Hey, that's a nice looking sounding staff you have there girly. How about handing it over to me if you don't want to die." Threatens a White Claw member.
"Mmm, so tasty. Now what do I want to try next?"
"HEY! I'm talking to you, you little shit!"
"Mmm, so good!" The girl continues eating, utterly ignoring the White Claw member.
"Stop ignoring me you fucking cunt!"
"Go away."
"Wind Magic: Slashing Winds!"
The wind attack tears up everything in the room; furniture, the sweets, and of course the girl.