Topaz City glew brightly in the new night air. Cam-bots capture the panoramic view for those watching from home of the shiny buildings reflecting the fireworks that play over the crowd of thousands. The fireworks gather to compose a roaring Rampage spewing fire. The fiery words: WINNER flash under his portrait, then the sweet, yet sultry voice of Roxy Boss filters through holoview sound receptors.
Roxy
We're back here in the beautiful Topaz City, world hub of host planet Dycord, who have been incredibly welcoming to the galaxy. Hope all you carnies out there got those last minute bets in during the ad break, because it's the final battle of the day!
The fireworks image of Rampage is replaced with more fireworks; this time condensing into Avia in a fighting pose, next to a blank faced Koshinataa, arms crossed.
Roxy
It's Superstar Avia vs Superstar Koshinataa closing us out; but where, oh, where will this take place? Only two geodomes left to choose from; one of which, has the Ksushiest of Ksushs on the scene. What's going on over there at the Stadium, Grodin?
Grodin was amongst a rowdy crowd of Pians, microphone in hand. He looked a bit haggard, hair and clothes in disarray and a bandage covered his left cheek.
Grodin
Don't forget, fantastic former host, Roxy. Carnies here are so eager to see a fight in person, rather then the holographic versions streamed here, that actual fights have broken out in the stands. The knights of Biquin have been expelling rabble rousers and are currently keeping the peace-
An argument had started behind him during his broadcast between a man and woman. Another man, obviously the woman's spouse, pushes past her and pulls a sword of fog-glass. The other man does the same and they began aiming profanities and slashes at each other in rapid succession. In the scuffle, both trip over the wife and barrel into Grodin, all three falling off camera. Immediately, men wearing organic looking armor arrive to hustle the troublemakers off. Grodin is shown being forced to leave with them; his pleas of innocence and being a former host, falling on deaf ears.
Roxy
As our favorite Ksush sorts things out, let's get to the picking of the geodome! Will those Pians get a lucky break?
The visual of flickering locals replace the fireworks in the sky. It settles on the Stadium. The Pians see themselves on the hologram and go nuts.
Roxy
And they do! They've been waiting since day one for this, with the bonus being their Superstar will have home field advantage! Let Battle 16 begin!
***
Avia is teleported to one end of the Stadium's fog-glass ring, to a chorus of boos and jeers. She stared daggers at the equally hostile crowd.
Avia (thinking)
Like I give a damn what any of you think.
Her eyes snap to the figure atop the pillar north-east of where she stood. His ceremonial armor, grown from specially raised sheleep, shone in the light of the moon. Her father, King Mauve Zareil, returned her stare, unblinking, unapologetic.
Koshinataa
I know what it's like to be shunned by your own people. It sucks, doesn't it?
She turned her gaze to her opponent twenty feet in front of her.
Avia
I don't care one way or another.
Koshinataa
I don't believe you. Pians hold pride in high regard and Superstars are supposed to be admired by the people they represent. I bet these boos are daggers to the heart.
Avia (thinking)
Not going to feed into what he says, only what he does. I won't have him, these people, or my father dictate my actions. I shape my own future.
PAST
The city called Jochester had seen its heyday over five hundred years prior, when it was the home of a wealthy merchant. According to legend, this merchant sacrificed his family to the god Chuhah in exchange for financial success and turned the once, small town into a place of prosperity. The people were so enamored with him, they named the newly formed city after him. The legend held weight with Pians, particularly since the death of the merchant, the city slowly went downhill. Present day, it was a quarter of its occupancy, mostly brewers and taverns; one of which was why citizens from many towns around spent their free time traveling to the place known for having the best alcohol anywhere in the Biquin kingdom.
That place was a tavern named One for the Run and it was filled to capacity at midnight, local time. Men and women were drinking, smoking, dancing, and fighting, all while serving women in long dresses maneuvered the maelstrom with the skill of acrobats; trays of food and drink balanced on hands or heads. Avia had a tray of food in each hand, and a pitcher of beer on the crown of her head as she left the kitchen, dodging the body of a man who fell in her path after getting stabbed. She made it to her destination without incident, a table of burly men, sellswords most like. The four kingdoms never feud, but minor lords or wannabe warlords were always looking to hire trained swordfolk. One woman also occupied the table, in the lap of the man with the loudest mouth. Her clothes were disheveled and ripped in places. She seemed meek and full of fear and threw a pleading look to Avia as she sat the food and pitcher on the square wood table. The men paid her no need, one talking to another serving woman, who was soaking up every word with a flirtatious giggle, the other was concentrating on the beer she just put down. Avia gave the scared woman one last look; she was feeding the man like he was a toddler, hands shaking as she lifted the slab of meat to his stained teeth.
Avia (thinking)
Sorry lady, but this is a harsh world. The weak get eaten.
She returned to the kitchens for her next order, which was carried by a four armed marsupial wearing an apron. Once again fully loaded, she was back in the ruckus for only a few seconds before a voice bellowed.
Drunk Pian
Hey, stick figure!? Where's my beer!?
It was the man from the previous table, the lady in his lap jumped at every decibel, his big mouth close to her ear. Avia had been on shift for nearly ten hours and was in no mood.
Avia
In your buddies bellies! Order another or take it up with them!
The man rose to his feet, dumping the woman to the floor, a look of rage directed down at the cowering figure.
Drunk Pian
You drank my beer when I'm not lookin' wench?
The woman pleads innocence as he pulled a fog-glass dagger, which causes Avia to hesitant heading to the next table.
Avia (thinking)
I was weak like her. Weaker. Body so frail, if I did anything more then walking, sitting, or resting, I would bruise or break something. My father made it clear the weak were useless, and compassion was a weakness. But then, my father is much like this man; about to kill this woman he probably kidnapped, for something not under her control. She may not have the power or skill to defend herself, but I do.
Avia drops the plates of food to go over to help her, or she thought she did. The dishes were suddenly back in her hands before she took a step. She gasped in astonishment and saw the man, now on his knees, wrist in the grasp of a woman senior in age. She had dark hair cut close to the skull and a patch over her left eye. She was about six feet, slim in frame and had a man who outweighed her by two hundred pounds, on his knees, crying for her to release her powerful wrist lock.
Old lady
Not in my bar. You apologize to the young one for being a naughty boy.
Drunk Pian
I'm...sorry. Let go.
She does and he rubs his arm in relief, a look of loathing directed at the back of the old lady's head as she addressed the woman.
Old lady
I'm in need of some useful bar maids. I pay an honest salary for honest, but challenging work. I can teach you to deal with these unruly youngs with ease. You interested?
The weak woman nods enthusiastically and her eyes grew big as the man and his two companions approached from behind. The old lady smiles a toothless grin at her in response.
Old lady
Not to fret.
She seemed to Avia to glow before blinking out of existence for less then a second, but still remained where she stood. Two men instead of three were attempting to strike at her.
Old lady
I've been dealing with folks like this longer then you've been alive.
Glow, blink. Now only the drunk man was left and he raised his knife.
Old lady
After all, this is the best tavern in the world. And the safest.
Glow, blink. He was gone. None of the bar patrons had noticed, a bar song had even sprung up from dozens of voices. The old lady helped the fearful woman to her feet and ushers the lady to the kitchens. She noticed Avia and winked.
Old lady
Food getting cold, Candice. Get to stepping.
Avia looked at her boss, like it was for the first time, then remembered Candice was her alias and started moving again.
Avia (thinking)
She was glowing red a split second before those guys vanished. She's a Soul Style user. Universal power type, I believe. I never even realized. I'm starting to get the portrait on why she's called Frenzy.
It was several hours before the place quieted down enough for her boss to call her into a small room with crates and barrels. The door had barely closed behind her before the older woman opened her mouth.
Frenzy
Who are you really?
Avia
I don't know what your getting on about.
Frenzy
You come here fourteen days ago and I was in a bind, so I hired you on the spot. You look sickly, but your spirit doesn't match. You carry yourself almost like a royal, plus you noticed what I did.
Avia
I noticed you glowing. What did you do to them?
Frenzy
Took'em on a trip they won't forget. And that glow, only another Soul Style user can see. Let me see yours.
Avia hesitates, then, with a loud sigh, she calls up the energy the way her spirit guide taught her. Her body radiated silver, adding its glow to the magenta moonlight shining in through the window next to them.
Frenzy
Aura based, very versatile. Figured how to utilize the energy yet?
Avia
How do you know I haven't?
Frenzy
The energy appears unrefined because it doesn't have a purpose. It looks all spiky, not streamlined. My concern, though, is your intent. In my experience, mostly those seeking fame or fortune have soul powers. And the criminal type. Which are you?
Avia
Just a woman who bonded with a soul coal on a dare.
Frenzy
I get it. Fair warning though; having a soul coal won't endure you to people. Men with powers get respect; have songs written about them involving chivalry and slaying of ancient beasts. Women with powers get labeled troublesome, with songs of treachery and seduction. Which do you think are the heroes of the story?
Avia (thinking)
She's so right. The verses sung in her tavern the days I've been here would have sent my sisters on an ass kicking tour.
Frenzy
The point is, power doesn't make our life easier, just gives us a chance to be the main character of some ballad. That woman I took in, Marantha, said she was a wealthy trader. Those men were hired to escort her and her goods to Isonpolis. She thought her money was power and would protect her; outweigh a man's need for control. She thought she was powerful and knew how the world works. Show's how much the gods care about what she thought. What I plan on teaching her is how the powerless play the powerful.
Avia
I would like to learn as well.
Frenzy
She needs it, you don't. You're fired. Talk to Silvia about your pay and good luck with whatever you got brewing.
PRESENT
Avia enters her stance; left arm forward, right close to the body, legs shoulder length apart. Koshinataa had not moved, while the overzealous crowd continues its chorus of boos.
Koshinataa
I wonder why these people hate such a little girl.
Avia (thinking)
Mage Style. 'El said this guy could predict the future. He beat her soundly back then. I need to know how accurate his readings are. Okina stance to start off. Current gauge: empty.
Avia came in as fast as her base level Quickening would allow. Her strike at his sternum missed, but his counter knee to her ribs connected; it felt like a gentle pat from an old friend. She struck out again, hitting nothing and ate an uppercut that didn't even move her hair. Her kick also came up empty, while his hit between her legs succeeded only in bruising her ego.
Avia (thinking)
Before Soul Style, those strikes would have been devastating. Now, they are as light as the feathers on his body. But, he's outmaneuvering me at every turn with that future sight of his. He knows he can't hurt me like this, so the charge to my gauge is miniscule.
Koshinataa
You must be thinking, 'Is it his Thrice Sight that allows him to predict my every move?' No, only skill. I know my strikes aren't hurting you in any way. I just wanted to prove how superior my skills were.
A portal pops up next to him and he reaches inside to extract a knife with an odd looking hilt that had oval openings. Avia resumes her stance.
Avia (thinking)
Now, we're in business. That looks lethal in a way only a magically enhanced object can. Gotta be careful.
This time, it was Koshinataa that closed the distance. Avia avoids his slashes with little room for error, as those around them called for her blood. Among the heated crowd, hidden within the hood of a commoner's tunic, sat her sister Zella Zareil, a look of concern plastered on her fair features. Koshinataa came so close that he shaved centimeters from Avia's hair when she ducked.
Avia (thinking)
Gauge at a decent level. Let's see how fast he can react to his visions. Wait for the right moment.
When the moment presented itself, Koshinataa over compensating on a swing, she screamed inches from his face. She named this Violent Call and was the first technique she created during training. All other sounds were drowned out as the very air shook with concussive force. Those closest to the combatants scream with her as their bodies vibrate and their stone seating took barely visible cracks. The fog-glass held beneath her and so did Koshinataa, whose feathered body shone a chrome silver. The scream died and she saw his feathers were now metallic. The demonic substance folded on itself, revealing the bird man unharmed. He tried a gut stab while they were close, but her back dash took her to safety. The crowd had been stunned to silence, then the boos returned.
Koshinataa
Nice try. You mean business.
Avia (thinking)
His reaction speed and the timing of my Violent Call upon contact means he can react in at least a second. Possibly faster with a three second warning. He easily avoided my hate punch during the race. I need the element of surprise.
Koshinataa renewed his assault.
PAST
The rain had her soaked to the bone as she strolled the near deserted avenue. Two dogs were running through the downpour behind a building and a sawhorse stood idle, paying her no heed. The inn was not far from her former job, along a row of buildings that over half of which were boarded up. The others were an alcohol distillery, a grooming saloon, and another tavern, all closed. The Festive, where she had been staying for the last fourteen days, was barely above a hovel, the wood and stone was as weather worn as One for the Run had been. Despite the lateness and closed or boarded structures, several people hung about the entrance. Avia, deep in thought, took no notice.
Avia (thinking)
The powerless play the powerful. What does that mean? When I was weak, I always felt strong when focusing on things within my control, like that time Dad put me in charge of settling a dispute between two farmers. Instead of ruling like the princess he wanted me to be, I handled it my way. They wanted to settle things in a fight, so I let them. It cost one an ear and the other a few fingers, but in the end-
Man
Hey, there.
Avia looks up in surprise. She was surrounded by ten people, plain clothed and just as wet, all armed; except the one who spoke.
Man
You have the funds to stay at this nice place, you can pay us to protect you from people like us. What say you?
Avia
I say I'm starting to hate the people here.
She reached into her dress pockets, pulled free three pearls.
Avia
Here. It's all I got. Take it and leave me be. I'm contemplating.
Man
Not enough, sweetie. Looks like the Bone Claw Bandits will take more then just your money.
The man suddenly had bleach white spikes sticking out his body, an aura of gold emitting from him.
Avia
All this for one lone woman?
Bone Claw
We like to be thorough. Now, be a good girl and kneel before me.
Avia
That's not happening. And now, you don't get my money.
Bone Claw
Then I'll take you. Grab her!
Three came in at her back; she was fully aware of her Awareness this time and felt them coming. Her Quickening made them appear to be standing still, her fists dropping each. Bone Claw himself came in for a grab at her, his Quickening not as fast. She was out of his grasp range, hitting another bandit that was pulling his sword free. The bone spike covered bandit tried for her again, but she tripped him as he passed. He went skidding on the cobblestone street into a dilapidated carriage. A woman who may have thought she had a kill swipe, tried to behead her from behind. She ducked away from a triple slash, smiling at the sweating bandit. Her punch dropped her like a stone.
Bone Claw was back surprisingly quick, trying to make contact with foot or fist, both with bone spurs six inches long. She felt four bandits gathering behind her again, she put down one and another was cut from a wild kick by his leader, falling back, clutching a bloody arm. Without warning, she was no longer moving at a streak and a bone spike punch at her head came in like a blur. Her Aura Cloak saves her life, but she knew that life only had moments left. A kick slashes her belly as she leapt away. She landed on one knee in a mud puddle, the remaining two close in with their boss, emboldened by their leader drawing blood.
Avia (thinking)
My Quickening is exhausted, my Aura Cloak gone. Bone Claw is stronger, bigger, more lethal and now, much faster. I'm going to die.
A gust of wind send the group of attackers stumbling back. A familiar voice cries out behind her.
Zetori
Avia, duck!
She does, head down in the mud, wind whipping about her, roaring in her ears; she still heard shrieks of pain. The hurricane sounds died, leaving the beating of rain and natural occuring wind. Rising from the mud, she saw an arm with bone spikes lying on the street. Her sister stood over her, looking in the direction of the fleeing thugs. She gazed around at the five unconscious bandits Avia had dealt with.
Zetori
Not bad for having no formal training. Now, get out the mud. We're going home. Let's get you cleaned up first. You got a room at this inn, right?
Half an hour later, Avia emerged from the levy into the common area of her room, clean clothed, toweling her hair. Zetori sat on a cotton chair, twirling a gold colored object on the wood table. She stood once she saw her sister.
Zetori
Let's go. It's a long ride back.
Avia
I'm not going.
Zetori (sighing)
I knew you'd say that. Now, I gotta knock you out and carry you back.
Avia
When are you, 'El, and father going let me out this bubble you so delicately put me in?
Zetori stared at her with wiry amusement and a shake of the head.
Avia (thinking)
She's listening. Keep going until she looks annoyed, then try to escape.
Avia
I used to think people like those bandits were that way because they were plain evil; that it was us royals that stood between them and good, decent people.Want to know what I did my first two years on my own? I was a midwife for Marquis Corro's family.
Zetori
That old fool came to court all the time and he didn't recognize you?!
Avia
His maidservants did, even with my head shaved bald.
Zetori (laughing)
Gods, I wish I'd seen that!
Avia
What's not funny is the children of those servants being sold into slavery to pay for the debts of his family. And this is a common practice.
Zetori
Welcome to the real world, Lil' Big. Our family owe no debts, so our servants never experienced it.
Avia
That's why I'm here. To learn the real world.
Zetori
And what have you learned in twelve years?
Avia
It isn't women or the poor that suffer the most, but the weak. That power and privilege aren't always the same. My title as princess would have gotten me killed or sold into slavery. I have ran across so called peasants with enough influence to control the lives of hundreds. Swordfolk so skilled with the blade to give any on father's guard a sweat. A farmer, whose Soul Style keeps her town safe from bandits when the knights of that realm refuse to leave the garrison. She's strong enough to be Superstar, yet she's probably cultivating diresheep wool as we speak.
Zetori
So, what are you saying? That the strong can protect themselves? What's new?
Avia
What I'm saying is, I want to be strong. Not just for myself, but for others. I want to be Superstar.
Zetori
You will be, when you're ready. And who better to teach you then your sisters? We learned from the best.
Avia
Meaning the Royal Guard and father. But I want to forge my own way. Paint my own portrait. Be a Superstar not because I have to, but for those that need me to.
The taller woman sighed and her features now held sad understanding.
Zetori
Remember, the powerless can play the powerful.
Avia
How long have you been watching me?
Zetori
If the selling of children to debtors sours you, then you aren't ready for the true evil of this world. And if you're dead set on being on your own, you gotta do something with your Soul Style. Your Quickening cut out because your mind, body, and soul haven't attuned the way it should. Have you been through the Door?
Avia
Yes. I will conquer the Dark World as well. I need to know more about myself first, and what I will be fighting for.
Zetori
You got thirty seven years before it comes back around to us to figure that part out. It will take that long just to talk father into making you Superstar.
Avia
I'm not waiting that long.
Zetori
I'm intrigued. Okay, I won't drag you back. But if Dad or hoverbird Zella catch you, I never saw you. Right now, she's over in the Kinglands looking for you.
Avia
How did you find me?
She held up the golden object she was fiddling with.
Zetori
This little fella. A golden oyster. I put a strand of your hair in it and it led me right to you. They're rare, but I knew where to find one. 'El is using her own means to track you down. I got lucky when we discussed who will search where. That is, you got lucky.
Avia
Thanks, 'Tori.
They hug before Zetori heads for they door.
Zetori
Don't do anything even I won't do. And learn a discipline, even if it's swordplay. It helps with control and focus. By the way, where do you keep the coal?
Avia reached into the pocket of her muddy trousers on the floor. She holds up the silver piece of coal.
Zetori
In your pocket?! Find a better place on your body, Lil Big. One not apt to be targeted by your opponent. If that breaks, you lose access to your soul power and will have to find another to bond with.
Avia
Don't worry. I will make you proud.
PRESENT
The blood thirsty audience seemed to get more raucous the closer Koshinataa came to bisecting one of their own. Avia danced around the blade, bleeding from multiple shallow cuts. The figures atop the four pillars sat unmoving, uninterested.
Avia (thinking)
He's toying with me. I can tell by the amount my fuel gauge is filling. None of his attacks are meant to kill or debilitate. It's to feed the crowd. And their mouths are wide open like they were his baby chicks. Fine. Time to make them choke.
Avia gains distance, then channels a small portion of her gauge into her right leg and stomps the fog-glass ring. A tile shattered before her, shards glistening in the moonlight. Her Quickening allowed her to repeat the process in rapid succession before even one sharp edge hit the dirt under them. The remainder of her gauge went into a silver light that emitted from her every pore, bathing the geodome interior until the shards of glass became blue and red flower petals. As if falling from a great tree and caught on a gentle breeze, the petals float lazily to the pocket marked ring, back up again to flit in the space of the square.
Avia (thinking)
Violent Call and this, Violent Bloom, are two of four techniques I created to catch my opponents off guard. This must succeed; it's much too early to reveal anymore.
Koshinataa smiles at the display and opens his mouth to comment, but paused then vanished seconds before the first explosion. He reappeared and another blast of petals had him teleporting again.
Avia (thinking)
Damn. He's able to avoid the explosions. Has he seen the different color petals have to make contact to trigger?
The balls of expanding fire were more frequent in number and she was careful to mentally keep the petals from touching near her. The force of the blasts didn't effect the petals drifting momentum.
Avia (thinking)
It's too many to properly control them all. The ones near me is enough. It would suck to be blown to bits by my own technique, in front of a screaming crowd who would delight in such a tragedy. I'm running out of petals and didn't even singe his tail feathers.
The last explosion accompanies cheers of excitement. Koshinataa floated outside the confines of the tattered ring, unhurt, knife still in hand. He raised it until the barrel handle was pointed at her. A pink blast emerged, engulfing the entire stadium, pillars and all.
End Chapter