Gunmeister
This Human is bolder then those two wimpy presidents.
Gunmeister rose to his full height of six foot two, adjusting his sunglasses.
Gunmeister
Are you just going to pose with that or do you plan on using it? And don't worry yourself about diplomatic immunity. Come at me.
Kane
Diplomatic immunity doesn't absolve you of murder.
Gunmeister
That it doesn't. Guess somebody better grow some balls if they wanna take me in.
Kane stood staring at the Finan and his two companions, the latter didn't move a muscle after their family member got to his feet.
Gunmeister
They won't get involved. Now, don't be shy.
Kane(voiceover)
Shy, I was not. Seething is more like it. Which meant I had to control myself or fall to his baiting. Not that I wasn't tempted. I called my Will Blade in haste, now, he probably thought me a coward. I was deciding if I should dispel the blade when the decision was made for me.
Gunmeister
Guess you need a little push.
He raised his left arm and a lancer pistol smoothly leapt from inside his sleeve to his palm. The beam of energy came at him with the speed of light. Kane was elsewhere by the time it reached where he had been, that elsewhere was right next to Gunmeister.
Kane(voiceover)
I know it seemed like I reacted at light speed, but no, my Quickening is nowhere near that fast. I'm able to interpret movement into intention. Simply put, I can predict what my opponent will do based on body language. What I should have done was put the guy to sleep immediately with my blade. But he was such a jerk that I decided to taunt him instead. I was right next to him, so many things ran through my mind then. But what did I say?
Kane
Missed me, gun boy.
Kane(voiceover)
What the hell, me.
Gunmeister's reaction was a left cross that would have landed if Kane had not leaned back with practiced ease. A glint of afternoon light shining in from the window flashed off a metallic object to Kane's right. It was the only warning he received as a blast nearly takes him in the head. Instead, he felt a burning in his shoulder. He peeped a glance at his reddening skin, grateful there was no blood.
Kane(voiceover)
I'm tough, for sure, but this guy is using Tek firearms. I don't know squat about Tek other than it can withstand the test of time and are usually sneaky in nature. Their infamy and the fact most Tek is illegal to carry made me think one direct shot may just put me down. So what, I thought at the time. No way I'm letting this gun nut have his way with me.
That last blast had come from a tiny grey device about four inches in length and shaped like a ballistic firearm, yet lacked any seams and a trigger. It bobbled about as if on a string, aimed at him.
Short hair
Careful Gunmeister.
Medium hair
The Baron will be pissed if you cause a lot of damage for no profit.
He ignored them, rushing in at Kane, who figured it was a feint to draw his attention. Kane instinctively moves as another blast from a separate floating mini gun blows a hole in the wall leading to a bathroom. Gunmeister held a lancer rifle now that he fires at the same wall. The beam ricochets off a mirror and right into Kane's chest. The force sent him out the ten story window with a yelp of pain.
Kane(voiceover)
As I looked down and out at the cityscape, in the milliseconds before gravity took hold, the sheer magnitude of fanfare that transformed the city from its patterned formula into a place of excitement and adventure, amazed me. I'm not sure which culture influenced the other, but Topaz City reminded me of So-Hi, the place that sorta led me here.
PAST
Night settled on a bustling metropolis of lights mapping out dozens upon dozens of casinos, hotels, businesses, and practices.
Kane(voiceover)
So-Hi. The city of the sinful. For those who prefer the seedier side of life came here. It was where a person could find anything they may want on what remained of the Earth. And it currently had what I wanted most. The casino was called Winfall and was the host of a high stakes game of holostar. I won my seat at the table the previous week, beating out some of the best players in Freedom.
The expensively tailored young man walked boldly up to the gaming table. Five men and women were spaced around it, all looking in various states of comfort as spectators stood around waiting for the start.
Kane
Sorry I'm late, everyone. Last minute rituals, you understand.
Kane(voiceover)
I was throwing up in the bathroom.
A female Tilris waved a white feathered hand impatiently.
Tilris 1
Fine, whatever. Take a seat so we can begin.
A big human with a jovial face nods.
Human 1
And, of course, don't forget to scan.
Kane
Thanks for checking up on me.
Kane was already standing before the serv-tek dealer, whose eagle eyed receptors looked him over for several seconds.
Serv-tek 4
Player is clean of skimmers and disruptors. Take your seat.
A heavily muscular Dagon stared daggers at him, but Kane only smiles and nods as he sat at the empty seat at the end of the table. Directly across, at the opposite end was a Human sporting a white goatee over a dark skinned face, white hair styled in a box shape Kane had never seen before. He also wore the brightest of bright silk shirt of green, blue, and white. With narrow eyes and a tight smile, the man regarded him; Kane returns his target's smile.
Kane(voiceover)
Marcus Blair. Former champion boxer turned pro gamer. The most dangerous person at the table in more ways then one.
Serv-tek 4
The game will now begin. All players are to now pay entry fee.
Kane takes out a flat, square, beige piece of plastic with silver circuitry half the size of his thumb. A numerical value of ten thousand glew green on its digital surface. He slid the c-chip into a slot protruding from the table near his left elbow, as did the others. Seconds later, a stack of similar chips but with different number values rose from the table before each player and the sum of sixty thousand hovered five feet above. A hole irised open in the center of the rectangular table, a blue sphere rising from its abyss to settle beneath the holographic numbers. Within, floating around like flotsam in water, where round tokens. The sphere expanded and molded its shape to that of the table with the tokens covering the space above it, tumbling or spinning lazily between the six players. The serv-tek's hover technology's dull hum could be heard as clear as if amplified by speakers, its voice a soft twang of the electronic.
Serv-tek 4
The choosing of tokens may now commence. Please obtain five tokens.
Kane looked at the tokens, each the size of those rare coins archeologist sometimes find below the surface. The Tilris and Dagon quickly have their tokens. The smooth stone fingers of a Yuni methodically plucked hers, even rising from her seat for the final two. Only the Humans sat studying the remaining.
Kane(voiceover)
There's no way to tell what token you get until you get it, unless you have a scanner. This was just a tactic to make some of the others sweat a little. Eagerness can sometimes led to brain farts. Blair and the other guy get it. Look at the Tilris face. She looks ready to take to the air. That's why I picked my tokens with exaggerated care.
The gray tokens would remain faceless until all had their five. Kane flips his last one and catch it, per his routine. Marcus Blair smiles at him. The remaining tokens gather together as the sphere returned. With measured eagerness, he looked at the numbers that fade onto the token face.
Kane(voiceover )
55, 39, 72, 66, and 10. A solid hand. The key to victory is knowing which numbers correspond to which perks. I know all of these and a few strategies that go with them, but I want the others to think I'm unsure.
Kane
I'll take two.
Kane takes two tokens and toss them in the hole, then proceeds to pay the necessary c-chip cost. The sphere floated to him the moment he spoke and he drew two more. Blank faced, he watched the others, some returning one token, another all five, Blair kept his original.
Serv-tek 4
Bets may now be placed.
Kane took three c-chips totalling a decent opening bid and slid them into the slot. After all the bets, the sphere of tokens descend from where it originated. The table is wholely restored and lights section it off into zones. The zone before Kane was designated 10. A sectioned bar representing his twenty life points shines green.
Serv-tek 4
Round one may begin.
Kane(voiceover)
The look I give Blair and the one he gives in return says we were kindred spirits on the same wavelength. Or so he thought.
PRESENT
Dane and Zane stood outside the Papuru Inn, within a garden setup that led to a common walk area. That area, which held numerous flower tapestries and at least three fountains, was now swarming with people all hoping to catch a glimpse of a Superstar or Coalition dignitary. These were guests of the hotel, the wealthy or well connected; the press and other onlookers were still cut off by the DDF and their force barriers several dozens of feet distant. A patio portion where bushels of some heavily scented flora was currently empty but for the two of them.
Zane
If Kane was out here, this crowd would go nuts.
Dane
No one cares about Syncs.
Zane
We're the same as him. Those idiots wouldn't know the difference even if we weren't.
Before another syllable is spoken, Kane falls out the sky. He lands on his feet twenty feet from the bushel nearest them, leaving a crater just his size in the otherwise uniform grass. The crowd went nuts. Beams of light rained down on him as he darts around, careful of the crowd of well-wishers on his far right. Above, Gunmeister rode a grav-disk that he expertly maneuvered, aiming his lancer rifle. Kane was forced to use an exotic fountain as cover when more mini guns aid the assault. Their lances of deadly light kept Kane within range of Gunmeister, who, unfathomably, decided to close the distance in a rapid decline. In avoiding the mini guns, he failed to stop Gunmeister's fist making contact with his sternum. The explosion upon contact sent him flying through the air, trailing smoke like the Dying Star comet.
Kane(voiceover)
I remember that hurting like hell at the time. Without Soul Style I would have a hole in me you could fly a streamjet through. It did serve to piss me off though.
Kane lands in a rolling crutch, feeling at his midsection. It was red and smoking beneath his tattered shirt. Two mini guns appear behind him and he rolls from their blasts, taking the opportunity to slash at several of the floating armory with his blade. Both have mini explosions of their own but two more take their place. With the battle nearly on top of them, the hotel guests started to retreat with screams of panic as Gunmeister closed in aiming a much different looking rifle. This one shot snowball looking pellets that when they struck the ground, the grass browned and withered.
Kane(voiceover)
This guy was out to kill. I don't know what that Tek shot at me, but I didn't want to be careless enough to let it hit. But if this guy wants close and personal, I'll meet him, fist to face.
The two speeding figures are two meters from collision when a mini gun materializes right in front of Kane's face and fires. The blast parts to either side of his head as his Aura Cloak saves the day. In turn, he swings his reactivated Will Blade at the Finan's feet. Contact only slices the grav-disk in half, leaving Gunmeister intact to hit the dirt, his Tek rifle and sunglasses spinning off his person. The mini guns surrounding Kane vanish. Some Defense Force officers had come to usher civilians to the safety of the barriers and it was then that Kane noticed his Syncs watching from a clump of decorative bushes, cheering him on. The other two Finan had made their way down and to their fallen brethren.
Short hair
That's enough, Gunmeister.
Gunmeister
Not yet.
He reaches his glasses as the two walk over to Dane and Zane to play at spectating. With glasses back on, the mini guns return. They zip about firing at timed intervals, covering Gunmeister's approach. Kane is unable to strike as lancer lines come close to blasting him again allowing his opponent to swing haymaker explosive punches. A missed kick hits a stone bench, the explosion reducing it to rubble. He came in again, sloppy. Kane diverts his second punch and delivers a vertical slash upward, mid chest to crown of head. The glasses part in two sparking pieces revealing Gunmeister's wide, fear filled eyes. He felt at his chest and face, looking at his hands, surprised to see no blood.
Kane
See? I could have killed you right then, but decided to just rid you of that tacky eyewear.
Gunmeister shook with anger, hands still up at his face, rage barely under control.
Gunmeister
My grandma gave me those Gazer Shades.
Kane
I'm sorry. I'll get you a pair of non lethal glasses for your birthday. They'll still provide protection. From glaring sunlight.
Gunmeister had another weird rifle in hand, which Kane promptly cuts into sections. The Finan was aiming empty air before realizing he only held the trigger and nozzle.
Gunmeister
Damnit!
Medium hair (voice raised)
Let's go before anymore irreplaceable Tek get lost.
Gunmeister
No, not until-
Gilmesh
Is this how Dycord's hospitality is to be repaid?
The golden armored Dycordian walked between them as if appearing from thin air.
Gilmesh
You two have made a mockery of everything this tournament stands for. You have given the people enough of a show.
He turns first to Kane.
Gilmesh
Save the battles for the competition, young Superstar. And you, Gunmeister, will return to the quarters you so recently trashed until another can be suitably furnished to your particular tastes. Quil administration has been informed of and billed by your actions. I believe your Baron is currently on hold awaiting your convenience.
Kane
But he killed the Presidents!
Gilmesh
No, he did not. They died in an explosion half a mile out from the gala. The Harvas kill with firearms, not explosives.
Kane
He uses explosives.
Gunmeister
Explosive rounds. Not bombs.
Gilmesh
Is this why the two of you have been destroying this business's property? Why did you not correct him in his assumption?
Gunmeister
I wanted to test him. See if he got what it takes to defeat Van Black. Sorry kid, ya don't. We won't meet again.
Gunmeister walked to his waiting family and together back into the hotel. The Kane clones made their way to their Base, Gilmesh giving them only the briefest of glances.
Gilmesh
Follow me.
He strode toward a waiting hovercar.
PAST
Human 1
I'm out.
Only two Humans and a Yuni were left at the table. It was the fifth round and as the latest player lumbers off, Kane takes a deep breath. He had 5 life points remaining while the Yuni had twice that. It was Marcus Blair's 18 that had him in a sweat. More people had gathered to watch now, intrigued by the shouts of players and spectators both. The blue sphere returned with seven tokens left floating above a table holding eleven in play tokens, most of which belonged to Blair.
Kane(voiceover)
What a dilemma. I overextended my attack in round two and had been on the defensive ever since. My only tokens in play #4: Baboom and #88: Ode da Olivia were both strong pieces but without the proper tokens for support, I will lose them and the game. Since getting a sweep of the board, which is an instant win and I walk away with the pot, was impossible, my only hope was reducing their life points.
Serv-tek 4
Place your bets.
Kane placed one c-chip in the pot which held over a hundred thousand. His look to Blair made his stomach hurt. The man had one foot propped up on the game table, smoking a cigar. He had spoken sporadically from the start, but now a cocky jackass was starting to emerge.
Serv-tek
Please pick one token.
Kane reached in quicker then he wanted, but no cries of alarm arose. Blair was all smiles grabbing his token after the Yuni, whose face was unreadable.
Kane(voiceover)
There's no way to predict what tokens were left, but I knew the token I hoped for hadn't been picked. If it had, it would have been played. Every token I discarded had usable perks but didn't really fit my play style. The same could have applied to any of the others, who might have drawn then discarded the best piece in the game just to keep the rest of us eagerly waiting for it. Still waiting, as this draw gives me #98: Bram. His second perk was useful here, but I had one of those good feelings all great gamblers get.
Kane
I'll take one.
Kane(voiceover)
I smile at Blair as I discard the token and one of my last c-chips, just knowing I would get what I needed. The token spin end over end as I close my fingers on the warm material. I look at the number, butt cheeks clenched. What'd'ya know, #1.
Serv-tek 4
Round five may begin.
The green tabletop was sectioned into fifteen zones on which the tokens were placed. Above each token were small holographic representations of past Superstars so life like they had breathing and impatient animations and above the figures, single digit numbers. One token, a pointy eared Pian juggling three red sticks with lighted fuses, was in Kane's home zone 10. The zone to the right held a woman Cycloid of massive girth and giant metal belt. Blair tossed in his token, which settled in the zone next to the Yuni's home zone.
Blair
Perk 2.
Serv-tek 4
Token #18, perk 2: token SR increases to 5 while defending.
Blair
92 to zone 7.
A Dagon with long hair only on the sides of his head lumbers forward. Token #18, one of the Klugh fish men with a sword and shield floated in place like he was underwater.
Kane(voiceover)
He was attacking on two fronts, leaving his home zone empty. Overconfidence, I thought.
Kane flips his token into the zone with the Cycloid.
Kane
Perk 3. Activate.
Serv-tek 4
Token #1, perk 3: Token may distribute SR to any token within same zone.
The crowd murmured in surprise, understanding the game may not be so one sided now. The #1 token, Will Lord Drax appeared, arms folded, stoic expression, and a glowing silver orb hovered before him. The orb glew briefly and the Cycloid token's hair rose around her head.
Kane(voiceover)
I don't know if I've ever said so or not, but Will Lord Drax is my personal fav historical figure. The first winner of Coalition Carnage; the only Earth Human ever to win. His mere presence made lesser men fall to their knees, or so my high school history book claimed. Will Lord Drax, dead hundreds of years, was about to, in present day, make my will known.
Kane
#88, activate perk 1, move to zone 6 and attack.
The Cycloid disappears and reappears in Blair's home zone. Her belt then shoots a beam into the console holding Blair's c-chips and displaying his life points, reducing them to 10. He was no longer smiling. He was speaking at the same time as the Yuni so Kane didn't entirely catch their orders. The three players start talking over each other, making the scene chaotic to those with acute hearing. The serv-tek had no trouble keeping up, repeating directions missed by mortal ears in the order they were first uttered.
Kane(voiceover)
Holostar is a blast to play. There are no turns so you go when you want. Quick talkers and thinkers tend to do well in this game, and those with a lot of luck. Will Lord Drax helped me survive another round, the Yuni, not so much. Her head shook in disappointment but she smiled at the crowd and even fist bumped a few on her way out. Class. A team attack from Blair took her out the game, but he was two tokens less thanks to a kamikaze perk from her. Unfortunately, my Cycloid token reached her fifth action, so she was out and I was back to two again. I needed to be really lucky if I was to win. Beating Blair now was important for later.
The last two players acknowledge they were done with actions that round, so were instructed to draw one more token for the last round.
Kane(voiceover)
My luck came up short. #80, though from the same race as Olivia, was considered a practically useless piece. I only had one c-chip left so I bet it all. Return. I reach for one of the final two tokens floating in front of me then switch to the other. Blair did the same for the first time in the game, taking the very last token.
Serv-tek
Round 6 will be the last round. Commence.
Kane(voiceover)
Okay, so I have two tokens in play with the strongest having four actions, and the other, only one. And a support token in #99. Blair has double my tokens in play and I don't know how many actions each one has, plus the last token he drew.
Blair puffs clouds of smoke into the air, smiling once again.
Blair
I know who you are.
This caught Kane by surprise. He paused briefly as if caught in a tractor beams, then shrugged.
Kane
That why you keep smiling at me?
Blair
You've been making a name for yourself on the circuit. Won that big holostar event overskies last centennial. Though holostar seems to be the only thing you good at.
Kane
I'm good at spotting losers.
The stare down lasts half a minute, those in attendance and watching at home share in the tension.
Kane(voiceover)
My options were limited here. Drax has a 5 Star Rating so only a team attack greater then 5 or a perk will get rid of him. Baboom has 4 SR and I already used a perk, which keeps him safe from team attacks. #99: The Truth has 3 SR and three useful perks, plus a teleport. Blair has three perks to choose from himself, putting his last token in his home zone. No more uncontested hits. As soon as I saw his token, I knew what to do.
Kane
Will Lord Drax, attack zone 4.
The Drax token sped toward one of Blair's, energy orb forming a whip. With a crack, Blair's token was gone. His life points drop from 10 to 9.
Blair
#10 to zone 8.
Kane
Drax to zone 2.
Blair
47 to zone 2.
The Drax token rapidly approached the target area to meet Blair's waiting token. Kane flipped his last token to the table. Before it could even activate, Blair had a separate token moving to meet it.
Kane
Perk 2 use now on Drax!
Serv-tek 4
Token #99, perk 2: target one token; it may activate a second perk.
Kane
Perk 2, target #47!
Serv-tek 4
Perk 2: token may absorb-
Blair
Perk 1! Perk 1!
Kane
Too late!
Serv-tek 4
-SR from any token for one round.
Kane
Drax, perk target 47! Attack 47!
The number above Blair's token reduces to 0, the one above Drax increases to 10. When it was all done, Blair's life points were too.
Serv-tek 4
Kane Urasa wins final hand and pot.
The crowd applaud with a few whistles.
Serv-tek 4
Your winnings will be deposited into your account momentarily.
Kane
You're supposed to be a champ, not a chump.
Blair
That money was mine!!!
His bellow startled every being in that gaming hall, including Kane, who jumped from his chair. Blair leapt for him, hands clawed, ready for his throat. Kane's kick sent him flying into a pair of slot machines. A few spectators were knocked over in his passing and were being helped to safety. Blair rose to his feet, a red glow surrounding him. Patrons backed away, beginning to flee.
Kane(voiceover)
His Soul Style falls under the universal category. But what can he do with it?
Blair assumed a boxer's stance and approached. Kane put up his fists, silver energy enveloping him as well.
Kane(voiceover)
This was the outcome I wanted all along, though I wish it was more of a private setting.
Kane met Blair next to the table they were previously at, punches and kicks being blocked, dodged, or countered. Kane started landing more and more hits until he finally kicked him through a wall. The look of rage on his face faded once he registered how many eyes were on him. He looked at his glowing fist, then the wall Blair's foot stuck out from. He prepared to quicken to the exit.
Human 2
Hold it right there.
Kane saw he was surrounded by armed police pointing government issued lancer guns in his direction.
PRESENT
The personal transport of Gilmesh, Lord of the Guardian Caste, looked as heavily armored as the man himself, but spacious enough to fit the four of them with room for four more. The three Kanes all held eager looks as they viewed the holographic recording of Presidents McDonald and Gilbert enter a limo similar to the one they were currently in. The video cuts to later, the same limo in the center of a three car convoy, that is suddenly attacked by a hooded figure who had been standing in the road. The figure gestured and the presidents car explodes as it tried to take off for safety. Kane closes his eyes, Dane, placing a hesitant hand on his back.
Gilmesh
These images were from security cams placed around the city. I am sorry. Julius and Jesse were good men, inside and out. Everything they did was for the welfare of your people.
Kane
I know. I just don't get why this happened.
Gilmesh
This is what I wanted you to see.
The holoview image switches to the same hooded assassin enter the Papuru Inn complex. On closer inspection of the six building complex, the killer enters the very one that housed the portion of the Superstars that included him. Two buildings over from where their ride pulls to a stop.
Dane
Hold up, the killer came here?
Gilmesh
You are good at reading the body language of others, or so I was told. Do you think you can identify the culprit if you saw him just by these images?
Kane watched the playback of the assassin entering the hotel.
Kane
Damn right I can.
PAST
Kane sat in a small room with a small metal bed, toilet, and sink. A faintly visible force barrier covered one whole side of the room separating him from freedom. A well dressed man flanked by two sunglass wearing Secret Service agents came into view of the young man whose head hung in remorsefulness.
Gilbert
Mr. Urasa. Hello, I'm Julius Gilbert.
Kane was wide eyed as he respectfully stood.
Kane
The President of Freedom. I don't believe, I mean. Yes, sir.
Gilbert
No need for formalities. I'm just a regular joe trying to keep our heads above the clouds.
Kane
Yes, Mr President.
Gilbert
You're facing some pretty serious charges. Illegal possession of a soul coal, using prohibited powers in public, destruction of property, assault of a national treasure.
Kane
What! You mean Blair!?
Gilbert
Marcus Blair was to be our Superstar at the 100th Coalition Carnage. It's a couple years away, but after the beating you gave him, I'm not sure that's enough time to recover mentally.
Kane
He killed my mom.
Gilbert
So you told the arresting officers, but I'm not so sure. He was thoroughly vetted before being offered the opportunity.
Kane
If you say so, sir.
Gilbert
Instead of turning you over to the 108 for a lengthy prison sentence, how about being Earth's Superstar instead. We would still have to run it by the Council, but with such short notice, they can only gripe for a time.
Kane
I'm, uh...not sure. I mean...
Kane(voiceover)
I would not find my mother's hidden message that winners are killed and replaced with realistic Tek for almost another year. If I had, would it have influenced my decision? My mom, Gentily Williams Urasa, age 32 at the time of her death, was one of the sharpest minds I ever knew. My dad's passing didn't break her; for five years after, she raised me with a focus on education and understanding the minds of those around me. My love of ancient history I attribute to her and to be honest, the reason why I ultimately picked willpower as my style of choice when I learned who had killed her. But given I was still ignorant and facing prison time, the choice was obvious.
Kane
You know what, Mr. President, I'm in. It's fitting that Will Lord Drax and I share the same Soul Style. He and I are the first of many Earth born Supernovas.
Kane(voiceover)
That was easier to say then beating the crap out of Blair. But then, I didn't truly realize how in over my head I was until a week later. I had traveled overskies to Shangri-la, a sky-country I wasn't familiar with, on a journey of self discovery. And what I discovered...
Kane is Quickening across a countryside that appeared bare of civilization. He stops to look over a grass field and scatterings of red barked fir trees, marveling at the rare beauty, unaware of the person behind him.
Kane(voiceover)
...was that I wasn't ready for anything.
Blair
I never told you where I knew you from.
Kane yelps, turning to the voice.
Kane
Blair! You're all better!
Blair
I was never hurt. It was all an act. Those asshole Illuminati wanted me to be Superstar. Why the hell would I want that. Too much of a burden having the hopes and dreams of others on my shoulders. Better to be the fixer that makes all their little problems go away. No more limelight for me. The shadows are where men of my profession belong.
Kane removes his backpack.
Kane
Came all this way on a revenge kick, huh? Well, let's go then. See you fake it now.
Blair
I'm not you, sport. I don't hold grudges. The minute I saw you I knew you were Gentily's son. Same eyes, skin complexion seems right for an Asian man and Black woman getting it on. Plus, you still carry your father's last name.
Kane
How do you-
Blair
I never kill nobody without finding out all there is to know about the person. Your papi met your mama while they both worked as stunt performers for the movie industry. She dropped the last name when going to work for GalaxyWise Production as one of their top lawyers.
Kane
You researched my family, my mom, and you still killed her?
Blair
Gentily Williams Urasa was a good person, but she knew too much and orders are orders. If it's any consolation, they voted 4-3 on killing her. She was that impressionable.
Kane(voiceover)
I don't know if it was the casual way he spoke of the vote or of killing my mom after acknowledging she was good that made me lose it.
Kane zips to Blair, the distance between them being less then four meters, but Blair easily counters with an uppercut that sent Kane skidding across the grass on his back. Blair walked slowly while lighting a cigar.
Blair
Anyway, once I realized it was you and noticed you use Quickening to grab that token, which is against the rules by the way, I knew I found my patsy. Lose the game, put on a big stink live on holoview for the galaxy to see. But the main people I wanted to see was the Illuminati. Their big bad Superstar taken out by a twenty-three year old kid. Excuse me, young adult. Ha!
Kane had gotten to his feet and called forth his Will Blade. The horizontal slash meant to behead the former boxer goes up, over, and down, never touching him. A one-two combo quicker then Kane could even move had him on his knees, barely conscious. The blade was gone and blood poured from a lacerated cheek. Blair took another puff, blowing smoke into the cool air.
Blair
I told you, it was an act. Look, I didn't track you down just to taunt you or save my reputation. Well...maybe a little. Mainly, I didn't want you going into Coalition Carnage thinking you're strong based on me. You are weak and need to find a discipline to bring out the true power of your Soul Style. Right now, you're just a brawler with a bit of power. You don't have a lot of time to get where you need to be before some Superstar rips your head off, so you better get to work. Earth really does need that Blessing.
Blair turns away from his beaten foe, but Kane struggles to his feet, groggy.
Kane
W...wait. Who...who gave...order...what...did she...know...
Blair
Haven't you been paying attention. The Illuminati. The people secretly in charge of the world. I don't know what she knew. When they say 'take 'em out' I say 'with how much collateral damage?' See ya, Kane. But for real though, get strong. Not for the purpose of getting even, but to help your fellow man. The shit storm surrounding all of us gets more shitty by the day.
With that, Marcus Blair tossed his cigar into the grass before he quickened away so fast, his white box haircut left a streak as if by a painter's brush.
End chapter