From the perspective of Brandon Vanity.
Holy fucking shit. That's what I thought when I saw the massive behemoth of a centipede crawl out of a murky black portal about thirty feet wide high up in the sky. The centipede was big--really fucking big--but it was also ugly as hell, its exoskeleton scarlet red, his antennae slightly darker, and his legs carnelian orange.
I almost forgot about Chase. Poor Chase. He couldn't solve the riddle that the fox deity, Benton, had given him, so he gave up rather quickly. My turn to earn the Flame Orb came right after.
Scolopendra commanded the centipede with a single snakey order: "Feast on the fledgling, Scolopocryptops!"
The centipede instantly charged toward me, intent and intent on devouring me. But, hey, I asked for this challenge, and I was determined to finish it.
A crowd of a thousand or more Prometheans, bursting with amazement, had gathered around the battlefield, gazing at me as I faced the giant killer centipede, Scolopocryptops. I was on my own. I was fucked--or so I thought.
Incredibly I outran Scolopocryptops, but just barely. While doing so I brainstormed how I could survive for five minutes without having to constantly run from the gargantuan armored flesh-eating creature. Then the idea came to me.
I slowed down just enough so that Scolopocrytops could catch up to me, and, when he lunged at me, I quickly stopped, turned around, and I jumped higher than I've ever jumped before, higher than two cars stacked on top of each other. As Scolopocryptops blasted forward like a torpedo, I landed on top of him, just behind his head. I bent low and grabbed a portion of the giant centipede's exoskeleton armor with no intention of letting go.
Incredible. Did I really just jump ten feet in the air? Yes, yes I did. I thought of myself as some kind of vampire Superman. Scratch that. I was a supervampire. Fuck yeah.
Scolopocryptops struggled to respond accordingly as he wriggled his body in an attempt to throw me off. His antennae, too, wriggled back and forth as his modified front pair of legs expanded and contracted.
The crowd was going nuts, completely awe-struck as to how I was able to avoid being eaten. I was just thrilled to discover my new abilities and to be alive, both. I, too, was somewhat at ease knowing I wouldn't die today, yet on guard and hyper aware. I was riding a frickin' giant centipede, for Christ's sake.
"Scolopocryptops!" Scolopendra roared, seething with frustration. "Use your hind legs!"
"Shit," I whispered under my breath.
Scolopocrytops obeyed and twisted his body, his hind legs darting toward me like a pair of bent syringes. I had no choice. I flung myself off of Scolopocryptops and onto the asphalt, skidding a little. Again, Socolopocryptops lunged at me with his hind legs and I dodged as his legs pierced the pavement, sending rubble flying. Again and again, Scolopocryptops attempted to impale me, but I dodged every time, somehow knowing exactly when to move. When I became a vampire, had my brain been rewired to process information much quicker?
I sensed the humongous beast was growing tiresome with its chase as it began to slow its pace. I, too, was growing tired.
With all its might, Scolopocryptops viciously lunged at me with his modified front legs at the forefront, barely scraping my left leg below the knee. Ouch. Black blood began to drip down my left leg and outside my leather pants.
At this point Scolopendra was billowing with contempt. "Quit the shenanigans and kill him now, Scolopocryptops! You have only one minute left!"
Scolopocryptops was unwavering in his loyalty to Scolopendra. The giant centipede barreled toward me with renewed vigor, his mouth wide open, ready to tear me apart. I could not sit still, nor could I simply dodge this time, so I ran for my life. I ran so fast it felt like I was running on air, the giant centipede trailing behind me. I was running faster than I ever had, and I fell in love with the rush of adrenaline I was experiencing. The high was invigorating and intoxicating, causing me to push myself harder. I was beginning to run out of room to run, approaching the crowd of bystanders, and I thought, because I could jump abnormally high and run incredibly fast, perhaps I had super strength as well? It wouldn't hurt to test my new hypothesis.
I halted, digging my feet into the asphalt, and again I turned around to face the great Scolopocryptops. This time I was standing my ground.
The giant centipede slammed into me at full throttle as I grabbed his two modified front legs, preventing him from making me his dinner. I stared dead in his beady eyes. Even with all his might, he could not move me, nor did he scare me Although, because of his massive size, he should have plowed me over. Damn. I really am a supervampire.
The remaining time for our match was dwindling and I was confident I would win--I was sure of it. Scolopocryptops stood no chance against me. The crowd roared with applause, cheering me on. I held off the giant centipede with ease, even as he attempted to wriggle out of my grasp. I forced Scolopocryptops' modified front legs to expand backward, knowing it would cause the giant centipede great discomfort, but I stopped immediately after remembering I was to not bring harm to the giant centipede. I gently eased my grasp on Scolopocryptops.
I looked up at the giant digital countdown timer to the right of Scolopocryptops. The timer finally reached zero.
Scolopocryptops slowly backed away, defeated, maybe even humiliated, and Scolopendra was even less proud of himself, his face the epitome of disappointment. But they both soon conceded. "We may be defeated," Scolopendra admitted as I stood within earshot. "But you did good, Scolopocryptops. I'm proud of you."
Astonishingly, Scolopocryptops replied, "I'm over three thousand years old, and I didn't know a fledgling could be so strong. I am pleasantly surprised with our contender."
The giant centipede turned toward me, his body flat on the ground and his head slightly elevated. "What is your name, fledgling?"
"Brandon Vanity," I replied. "It was nice to have met you and challenged you and your master."
The giant centipede laughed harshly. "Ah, my master, you say? You could say that. It was a pleasure meeting you, as well, Mr. Vanity."
With a smile I nodded toward Scolopendra, as if telling him "nice match", and he returned the favor.
The announcer, Narceus, spoke over a microphone, announcing, "We have a winner, ladies and gents! After eight long years without a single victory, we have a winner! Everyone, give a round of applause for Brandon Vanity!"
It seemed as if the world was watching me. A thousand or more Prometheans all cheered and hollered my name. Even Chase and Austin were amazed, both overflowing with awe, as they rushed over to congratulate me.
"You were amazing. You did better than me. Then again, I had to solve a riddle that made no sense to me," Chase admitted.
"I couldn't believe it with my own eyes," Austin added. "You survived against Scolopocryptops. No one has been able to do that since Challenge Night first began seven years ago. You did great."
"Thanks, guys," I replied to both Chase and Austin. "Say, guys. Have any of you seen Jeriah?"
"Nope," Chase said.
"Haven't seen him," Austin replied.
"That's strange. He should have been back by now," I assumed.
Narceus resumed. "The prize for our one and only winner is something very special! It's a Promethean orb! We call it the Flame Orb! And Brandon Vanity is now the sole owner of this orb! Give him another round of applause, folks!"
The massive crowd responded with more shouting of approval and hurrahs. I kinda appreciated being the center of attention, if only for a little while.
Narceus raised the Promethean orb high as if it was a magnificent trophy, and, to me, it was, and it was mine. All mine. I began to ponder what I could do with such a revered, powerful relic. I chuckled, wondering about the endless possibilities.
Narceus waltzed over to me, the Flame Orb held in both of his hands, and he bowed before me. He raised the orb up to my hands. The orb was only the size of an eyeball. Without hesitation, I took the Flame Orb into my own hands and glared at it with curiosity, hypnotized by the dancing flames in the orb when I rotated it in my hands. Strangely, the weight and power of the orb nearly made me collapse. I felt a burning sensation pulse through my body, emanating from the orb. I concentrated on the orb. I felt connected to the orb, as if it was a part of me, and I a part of it. I couldn't allow the orb to fall into anyone else's hands. It was mine to protect, and it was mine to wield.
"Wake up, champion." Narceus spoke through the microphone.
I willed myself out of a daze upon hearing Narceus. The crowd had grown as silent as a lonely desert night. I gulped, a little embarrassed. "Sorry about that," I said. "The orb… it was as if it was speaking to me."
"Is that so?" Narceus replied. "Well then, my good sir, you must be the rightful heir to the Flame Orb. Congratulations."
I feigned a smile, not knowing how to feel. Of course I was glad, but I was also spooked, having never known such an incredible power course through my veins. It was like the orb was a constant source of unlimited energy that was channeling through me.
I spoke to Narceus as he held up the microphone. "This orb is mind-blowing. I can feel its power pulsing through me. It wants me to demonstrate my new power to everyone."
Narceus enticed the crowds of Prometheans. "Sure, sure. We can definitely allow that. How would the audience like a demonstration? Everyone, please ask Brandon for a demonstration."
The audience cheered me on. I grinned as I was excited to show off. Only I had no idea how to conjure flames, nor did I know how to control the flames once they appeared.
I didn't have to demonstrate to the audience because out of nowhere came multiple deafening explosions from the rear of the massive crowd of Prometheans. Then came the blood-curdling screams. Someone amongst the crowd shouted loud and far "Flesheaters!". Instantly I became enraged and my heart began pumping ferociously, my eyes dilating to a point, sharp claws emerging from where my nails once were. No one invited the Flesheaters here, nor were they welcome. My hatred for the Flesheaters began to swell, causing me to grit my teeth and expel steam from my nostrils. I was ready to explode. But I knew I had to play it cool and to not make the situation any worse. I staved off my fury. I put the fire orb in my right pants pocket and allowed myself to cool down.
Narceus and the rest of the Grandmasters all appeared shocked. Narceus dropped the microphone. "We're under attack by Flesheaters. We never believed they would cross the bridge into our territory. What can we do?" Narceus asked his comrades.
Atropine responded. "What can we do?" He repeated Narceus's words. "Let them vampire cannibals stomp all over us? Unacceptable. We can only fight."
"What about Austin and his two friends? Can they help?" Nicole asked.
Chase and Austin both looked at each other then back at Nicole, then back at each other.
"Wanna get revenge on those Flesheaters?" Austin suggested. "Now is the time."
"Why wouldn't I?" Chase replied. "Brandon, ready to ring some bells?
"I was born ready," I said. "C'mon!" I shouted, darting toward danger with my comrades and the Fatal Six trailing behind.
The enormous crowd had dissipated, leaving only the slow and meek and the scarcely dead behind who we easily passed. Before us was a long, uninterrupted line of Flesheaters, all eager for blood. Not only that, they all carried automatic weapons, except for Orrus, who wielded a bloody steel hand ax. Is he planning on chopping somebody up?
Narceus confronted Orrus at the forefront. "What are you all doing here? Flesheaters trespassing into Promethean Territory is forbidden."
Orrus responded, "We came for Chase. Hand him over, before more blood is shed. We don't wish to hurt anyone. Unless we have to. And, since we have a hostage of one of yours, none of you are in a position to start any trouble."
The line of Flesheaters momentarily opened up, allowing two Flesheaters through who both held back Jeriah, both goons with an assault rifle in the other hand. Jeriah stood, cuffed and bound, between us and the Flesheaters, his pride and ego both at an all time low, his face bruised and battered. He looked like he had been put in a high-speed blender and blended on high.
I gritted my teeth, realizing, even with my new power, I was in no position to fight without getting Jeriah killed. I thought, why did Orrus need Chase? What was Chase to him? Some kind of secret weapon? Or an important piece of some kind of puzzle?
"Chase," I said. "They have Jeriah. We have no leverage. Got any bright ideas?"
Chase grunted, seemingly stumped, unable to offer an answer, and Orrus laughed in response.
In the stifling silence, Jeriah offered his opinion. "Chase. We all know Orrus wants you because you're the one and only recruiter for the Hart Clan. And since Brandon and I are members of the clan, we, too, are a threat to Orrus. He won't let us go alive, but maybe if you surrender, he'll let us live. So, just, do what you have to do."
Chase replied, "I'm not gonna let you and Brandon die for me. I'll give myself up."
Chase began to slowly walk toward Orrus, his face hanging low. I felt a burning desire to be the hero. I wouldn't allow any of my friends to die today. I reached my right hand into my pants pocket and felt the Flame Orb pulse in the palm of my hand. The orb was eager for a fight, as well as I.
On a sudden whim I pointed at the sky and I asked Orrus, "Is that a blood moon?"
Just as I had thought Orrus, turned his head to look up at the night sky. Only dark clouds and the occasional flicker of heat lightning was to be seen.
With Orrus caught off guard, now was my chance. Now was my time to shine.