Inky blackness surround five vessels as they travers the darkness in the direction of a marble sized blue-white sphere. Two of the ships were yellow in color and the smaller of the two was at least five times the size of the remaining sleek, metallic grey shuttles. The orb grew ever larger as the quintuple approached at speeds close to three hundred kilometers per second.
Narrator
The world of Dycord is one of the oldest planets to hold life. Home to over five hundred million Dycordians, the planet itself is three times the size of the home world of the small delegation of Humans currently on an approaching vector.
Aboard one of the three smaller ships flanked by the 108, President of the sky-country Hope, Julius Gilbert sat in a plush stateroom eyes glued to holographic images displayed above his desk. A chirping from a small console drew his attention and he waves a hand, calling forth the face of Jesse McDonald, Majesty's President, who was currently residing in one of the other ships.
McDonald
Busy?
Gilbert
Just going over what we know of the Harvas family.
McDonald
If I remember correctly they control sixty percent of Quil's off-world accounts. They prefer firearms as a means of assassination.
Gilbert
True. The family is suspected in several murders as well.
McDonald
That's the way Finan choose successors.
Gilbert
I mean of business rivals. Off-world business rivals, mostly from Cy.
McDonald
Dealing with any Finan on monetary matters is dangerous.
Gilbert
And if what I've read about them is to be believed, particularly this guy going by Gunmeister-
A light above the cabin door signaled that the pilot was taking them into Dycord's atmosphere.
McDonald
The 108 are backing off now. We're on our own.
Gilbert
I believe our security good enough to keep us safe.
It isn't long before the three remaining ships are over the skies of Topaz City. Julius was leaning in his seat, gawking out the viewport to his right at the enormity of the jewel.
McDonald
I will never get tired of seeing that.
Gilbert
Neither will I, my friend.
The trio of ships settled in their berths, the ramp of one lowering to members of secret service and administration aides. He and his two agents disembark into the greetings of a small group of Dycordians, whose hands he diplomatically shake before McDonald comes over and does the same. The now robust group of politicians made their way to fortified hovercars waiting outside the secured hanger bay. Surrounded by DDF soldiers, Gilmesh, Lord of the Guardian Caste is there waiting, where pleasantries are quick, and the congregation splits into the waiting vehicles. The parade heads in the direction of Assembly Hall, more DDF flying cover on grav disks. Gilbert and McDonald politely decline Gilmesh offer of refreshments before exchanging knowing looks; Gilbert leaned forward.
Gilbert
Is there any chance we could meet up with the Quil ambassadors?
Gilmesh
They will be present at the photo op-
Gilbert
I mean clandestinely.
Gilmesh stared at each before nodding. Julius leaned back, nodding in return.
ELSEWHERE
Roxy
Ready...set...go!
Nine beings, each of a different species, were at the starting line but only eight take off. Narshira tries turning on her boosters, nearly falling on her face when they fail to activate. A cackling laugh draws her attention to Nor's ghastly grin as he rode off on a grav-disk after the others. Roxy floats down to her as she pats parts of her suit in a mild panic.
Roxy
Anything the matter, Superstar Narshira?
Narshira
I think...I think my sho-tek is...I mean Nor...he did something.
Roxy
So are you out of the race?
Narshira
No, but I-
Roxy
If you're not moving in five seconds, I will have no choice-
Narshira
Damnit.
Narshira begins running in the direction of the Superstars. She might have given up if she could have seen how far ahead Ramza was; already approaching the first landmark, some five thousand miles distant. It was comprised of two interwoven stone pillars pocket marked with hexagon panels and covered in blue moss. The metallic beacon sat thirty feet from the landmark, its blinking lights becoming more profound as night descended.
Narrator
Landmark #1: the Great Mystery. A seemingly man-made structure of stone, raising nearly three hundred meters into the sky. It's interwoven pillars resemble the genetic makeup of the Dycordians. Its purpose, long since served, has been lost in the mists of time.
Minutes behind the Deity and advancing toward the Great Mystery are Kane and Claude, one on foot using Quickening, the other flying low to the surface using wind.
Kane
One rule should have been 'no gods allowed'!
Claude
Then enjoy this for what it is!
Kane
Like hell! There's still half a mil on the table!
Less than fifty miles behind them, the Tilris known as Koshinataa soared through the wispy clouds, careful to stay inside the lane designated by blue-gold marker lights that illuminated way up to where he was. His keen eyesight perceived the terrain; a group of Dycordians were tilling land for crops. A cluster of small huts sat surrounded by a twenty meter clearing amidst spare foliage and blue grass. Unlike the Dycordians he has seen so far, these were dressed in little more than sackcloth.
Narrator
The Wild Lands is the largest landmass on the planet. Left mostly uninhabited for religious reasons, nomads who desire to live as their ancestors can receive a permit to reside here. To maintain purity, all modern technology is forbidden.
The nomads took no notice of Koshinataa, nor the Preesling that zoomed a dozen meters over their heads like a photon missile. Koshinataa did not miss his passage and wondered how the reptile man was achieving such speed. His curiosity was partially answered when the Preesling used an orb containing some unseen energy to increase his momentum. Smirking to himself, Koshinataa stalked after the Preesling like manohawks do the reptiles of his home world. Knowing precisely when the orb would be utilized was child's play, so was using a small portion of his unparalleled magic to cause the orb to misfire. He also caused the two orbs the Preesling tried to use to arrest his fall to malfunction. Koshinataa truly didn't care if the Preesling lived or died, but was slightly disappointed to see him save himself using his tail and a fatefully placed lergi tree. His saving maneuver, however, stopped his forward progress and Roxy winked next to him to declare him out. He looked up, somehow surmising where his misfortune issued. Koshinataa didn't know if Preesling vision was as acute as Tilris, but he waved mockingly anyway.
Hundreds of kilometers behind, Narshira walked calmly, her deft fingers rummaging inside a small compartment box attached to her thigh. A diagnostic check revealed the one micron processor she forgot held any type of non-'vitilized' metal for Nor to manipulate. She laughed at her stupidity once she tossed the fried component out into the grass. Now she was rewiring to bypass the missing component and whooped in satisfaction when her backfire thrusters were back to operating status. She took to the air, output maxed out. It wasn't long before her long range sensors picked up her closest competitors, who were too busy fighting on the run then focusing on the race. One was raining fireballs down on the other, yelling at the top of his lungs.
Gorjon
Think you can embarrass me!? I'll fry your Pian ass!
Avia
Gotta do better than a drunken archer for that!
Narshira's sensors also distinguish the so-called Great Mystery approximately two thousand miles distant. Coaxing every ounce of velocity she could muster, she breezes between two flaming balls meant for Avia, making for the first marker. Avia witnesses Narshira's flight and decides she has enough gauge saved to make her move.
Gorjon
You will respect me you piece of-
Avia was gone, a fading trail of grass and dirt the only sign she was there. Gorjon gawks at the place where his target had been, coming to a complete stop in pure shock. Roxy was next to him in that instant, but he held up his third hand before she could speak.
Gorjon
I know, I'm out. Teleport me somewhere I can get some dinner. Care to join me, fine feathers?
Ramza, in the meantime, had a comfortable lead of over five minutes and was having a snack of hykinberries. He looks to the side, smiling teeth that almost glowed, and started the endorsement he promised his father he would do.
Ramza
These are hykinberries and they only grow on Oym. They are sweet and full of flavor and come with my godly recommendation. If you would like a batch of hykinberries for free for the coming holidays just digitize your info to-
He promptly flys into a flock of wild gulls flying west for mating season. The gulls do not take kindly to those who interrupt their festivities and beat at the interloper with burgundy feathered wings. Trying to maintain hold of his snacks while not injuring the gulls causes him to smash into a mountain a mile from the third landmark beacon.
Roxy
And Superstar Ramza is out!
Nor heard her declaration and he adds more power to the magnetic attraction he placed between the grav-disk and the scattered trees. This mode of travel was less taxing then his Quickening, though not as fast without additional power. A grand expanse of green and pearl white flora blurred by beneath.
Narrator
Dyfodils are considered a symbol of tranquility or fertility depending on which Dycordian is posed with the question. They only grow in this the Valley of Tears, encircling the monument of their society's first lords.
The statue of carved silver depicted three Dycordians, arms raised to the heavens, each holding up a globe.
Narrator
The Lords of Continent brought the Dycordian people to nirvana, a peace unknown to them since the dawn of creation. They are symbols of honor, peace, and strength of self, revered by the people.
Ten meters to the right sat the beacon, which Nor passes, causing its lights to flicker green. He senses two souls fast approaching from behind but they were too far for his weak eyesight to make out more then specks in the distance. He twists his body so he is facing in the direction he was racing from and brings a clawed hand up, waving in a slow arc. Now, any who flew through the area would hit his invisible trap of electromagnetism, repelling them back, thus out the race.
Unbeknownst to Nor, one of his targets could detect the change in Dycord's atmosphere and discover the warped fields of the magnetosphere along her path. That person would then activate her suit's unique feature she dubbed Universal Absorb to filter the magnetic barrier into her propulsion system increasing her speed by thirteen percent, taking her past the checkpoint beacon. She takes a flat, star shaped device from her hip and throws it below her. The virtual land missile passing under her was not her target, but the perpetrator of the magnetic trap, who was currently attempting to halt said land missile, which shocks Narshira upon learning it was the Pian.
Koshinataa spies the nightmare looking Superstar fire needles at the Pian before that device Narshira just threw rockets into his back after looping around behind him. The sudden change in velocity violently propels him in the opposite direction, limbs streaming, mouth screaming as he passes Narshira, who waves exuberantly. Koshinataa watches the two females veer southwest in the direction of the ocean, the Pian starting to outdistance the flyer.
With powerful swings of his arms, Koshinataa picked up speed, the aerodynamic frame of the Tilris made them perfect for utilizing dive-bombing maneuvers. His eyesight and altitude allowed him to spot the Human and Dycordian, the former running on the ocean surface. The Pian reached the end of the Valley of Tears in a wake of flower petals, transcended golden sands, and traversed the waters, body a blur. Thanks to his Thrice Sight he knew where every Superstar was going to be and sent rays of magic meant to negate gravity to each in turn. He also knew they wouldn't connect; slowing them enough for him to reach top speed would have to suffice.
Claude
Incoming! Dodge!
Kane learned years ago to listen to his friend's sudden directions instantly, for it had saved his life in the past. A quick sidestep was all that was needed to avoid the threat. Peering behind him, he sees Avia approaching with a speed rarely seen by his human eyes, parting the water into fifteen meter high walls.
Kane
She shot at us!?
Claude
Not her. She was attacked as well. Above.
Kane spotted the dive-bombing Koshinataa at the same time he felt and heard Avia pass to his left. He had to concentrate on not wiping out on the accompanying wave. He kept his footing, surfing like he had been born on a water world instead of above one. Claude was on his other side.
Claude
With Ramza out, she is the one to beat.
Kane
The bird mage thinks so, too.
Koshinataa had started focusing his fire on Avia solely, every missed blast causing sections of ocean to rise into the air. Kane thought it seemed she was going faster with every near miss.
Kane
Don't just fly there, buddy. Blow him a tornado kiss.
Claude
He controls the winds around him using magic. I would have to cease my own jet stream to concentrate enough to affect him. From down here, at least.
Claude leaves Kane's side to angle slightly upward. In seconds, he was closer to Koshinataa, the two flying parallel to one another. With a flick of the wrist, he had the winds Koshinataa controlled shift toward the edge of the coarse. The orange feathered mage quickly banks back on track and strifes his antagonist with pink balls of magic. Claude dodges the first two but is struck by the third, which send him rocketing upward. His momentum kept him moving forward into the upper atmosphere like a shuttle leaving for deep space. Claude is able to reestablish the gravity just as the air was beginning to thin and angles toward Koshinataa, who had gained a substantial lead on him and was currently harassing his friends. Kane was taking swipes at him with a thirty foot Will Blade, while Koshinataa dodged and took shots at a racing Avia, Narshira only seconds behind.
Landmass from the next continent was on the horizon and Avia was getting angry at having to dodge attack after attack from the annoying bird guy. Once on land, she would retaliate. She could see civilization along the coastline stretching for kilometers in near uniform oval patterns. The track took her on a tour of Ruby Row, a known vacation spot for natives, yet she never heard their cheers; going much faster then sound that she was. The coarse markers glow brightly whenever they absorb the sonic booms produced by the racers.
Koshinataa's onslaught continued, sections of gold colored brick road floating free of their paving upon contact with his blasts. Narshira plows through one such section which had her tumbling through the air like some gymnast on a routine. Her suit, though appearing as cloth, was durable enough to keep her from feeling the effects of the collision. She gains control and keeps going, but was at least two point seven seconds behind the lead. As they left the vacation city behind, the coarse had them enter the middle country made of mountain ranges. Roughly six hundred square miles of those mountains looked to be cleaved off midway, leaving what could only be described as stumps of rock.
Narrator
The Range of Strength. Tales numbering the hundreds try to explain how such a phenomenon came to be, with even the most fantastical never coming close to the truth. This, the third landmark, is off-limits, both the land and airspace.
Thus the Superstars are directed several miles east of the range, over rocky land to where the beacon shone its light dimly in the glow of the day side. It was here that Avia decided to strike back. She risks a powerful jump, twisting in the air to face her pursuers. She has fist ready as if for a mighty blow, stareing daggers at Koshinataa.
Avia
I hate when people attack me from behind!
The punch she shot at him had so much force it rocketed her even faster forward. The unseen energy caused the air to ripple, which was the only visible sign of incoming danger. Koshinataa avoids the attack, but Claude was not expecting such a maneuver as he closed in on the bird of prey and was clipped as it went by. He went sailing past the track markers out of control, but tractor beams installed within those markers slow him enough for a rough, but uninjured landing.
Avia was not so lucky. She lands feet first, but her momentum was too great for her to maintain her balance and she tumbles hard, resembling Narshira air routine seconds earlier. Those who bore witness wince in imagined agony and the fact she was even alive and well enough to rise to her feet was thanks to her Aura Cloak. She brushed herself off as Roxy needlessly tells her she's out. She gave the Tilris the same look she gave her male counterpart once she started talking to the home audience.
Roxy
And Superstar Avia is out. Not as painfully as I was hoping by appearance. I was betting no fewer than ten broken bones on that landing, but once again, those Aura Cloaks robs us of entertainment. And Superstar Claude is out as well, but the home grown hero is taking it pretty chill right now, waving to all of you at home! At least I think he's waving. Anyway, only three Superstars remain! It's unclear who will take the lead as they pass the third landmark. Superstars Kane and Koshinataa are still attacking one another; that giant blade acting like a flyswatter! But, hold on, Superstar Narshira has caught up after tagging the third beacon and...can she- she does! Superstar Narshira, after a rough start, has taken the lead!
Trying simultaneously to watch ahead for obstacles and above for birdman droppings, Narshira had caught Kane unawares as she passed by a dozen meters to his right. Koshinataa had been laughing at his feeble attempts to swat him and didn't really register her passing the first time with his Thrice Sight but her suddenly streaking into his present sight killed all mirth.
Kane
Oh no you don't...
The Will Blade vanished and Kane focuses on opening his Quickening to its max. Koshinataa teleports closer to the speeding bullet and is able to apply a choke hold. The final landmark, the titan sized topaz, loomed in the distance. Hundreds crowded the finish beacon area, careful to leave a clearing around the beacon itself. Floating visuals scattered about kept all in attendance up to date on the action and when Koshinataa applied his rear naked choke, they erupt in a frenzied excitement of cheers and boos, Roxy gliding overhead.
Roxy
This is it! The three Superstars are neck and neck and neck! With an arm around a neck! Superstar Kane takes the lead! The others won't be able to... what a collision! Superstar Koshinataa was finally able to hit Superstar Kane with a magic blast, sending him into the air, right into he and Superstar Narshira's path! They are going down! Clear a path, people! Now!!!
The trio hit the ground five meters from the beacon and skid into it, causing an avalanche of metal to come down on top of them. The crowd gasps and Roxy whoops before closing in on the wreckage. A diamond shaped construct of energy surrounded the three, vanishing with a touch to Narshira's chest.
Narshira
What the hell was that, jerk!?
Koshinataa
Winning, what do you think.
Kane
Thanks for the save, Narshira, but my Aura Cloak could have managed.
Narshira
No thanks necessary. It was for my protection, you two were just in range.
Roxy floats down to them but not looking at them at all as she addressed the crowd and viewscopes.
Roxy
What an epic race around the world this was and with a feather flinging finish! Judges are currently reviewing all the footage and- we now have a verdict! The Superstar whose elbow crossed the beacon's sensor range first was...Superstar Narshira!
More cheers and enthusiastic applause fill the air and Narshira celebrates, pumping her arms in victory. Kane congratulations her, while Koshinataa storms up to the hologram in protest. Roxy holds up a hand to forestall the barrage of complaints while continuing to address the galaxy.
Roxy
Superstar Kane's head was the next body part to be detected, followed by Superstar Koshinataa. However, do to Superstar Kane's failure to pass within range of the third beacon disqualifies him from completing the race. Also, due to breaking the rules of littering, Superstar Narshira has been fined half a million monies.
Narshira
What!
Roxy
You removed that faulty component back in the Wild Lands and casually discarded it in a land kept pure from modern technology. You agreed to abide by all planetary rules and forfeit all or a portion of all winnings in violation of any concords when you signed your Superstar contract. Page 643, Artical-
Narshira
Alright. I still win, right?
Roxy
Yep and half a million c-chips richer. Same as second place.
Koshinataa
I play second to no man.
Roxy
And you didn't this time. There you have it folks! Give it up for the woman of the hour, Superstar Narshira!!!
All present, except Koshinataa, made Narshira feel as if she won the entire Coalition Carnage Competition.
End chapter