158 Getting There (2/2)

There was an eagerness in Caprika's voice that she hid. I mean, she spent two damn hours a day in a throne room. Caprika had the time to spare. Althea didn't notice as she tossed Kessiah over her back like a sack of potatoes.

As she walked off, Torix walked up to me. He waved at Caprika, ”We really must be going now. Thank you for the enthralling discussion about Giess politics and history.”

Caprika scratched the side of her head, ”Then, ah, good luck with the rest of your day as well...Torix.”

Torix nodded and walked through a portal. Caprika and I stood there in an awkward silence. Caprika coughed into her hand, ”Ahem, you asked where and when the tournament was, correct?”

I nodded. She opened her status. She sent me the coordinates.

”There they are. Good luck with your questing.”

I shrugged, ”Eh, thanks.”

I turned around. I walked out of the room. As the throne doors closed behind me, I caught Caprika whispering to herself,

”That magic...Terrifying.”

You'd think my chest would puff up with pride at that. It was an acknowledgment of my strength, something I worked on relentlessly for years. I joined a boxing gym when I was twelve. Since then I'd fought every day. I didn't do it to stomp on people. I did it so I wouldn't be stomped on.

Now though, I could crush someone under my foot without even meaning too. My gravitational singularities weren't fit for a human to wield. It was like a nuclear weapon. I felt like this one guy. I couldn't remember his name. I remember what he said though - I am become death, destroyer of worlds.

I shook off my grim mood. I already observed what power could do to someone. Yawm was a prime example. He tried to play god. He ended up becoming a monster instead. I learned from his path, and I wouldn't tread in his footsteps.

With that in mind, I set out onto the town. I had work to do.

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Two weeks passed in a flash. I burst through two dozen more quests, each reward giving me even less than the last. My last quest involved pulling someone's truck out from a bog. It wasn't glamorous work, but it was something to do.

I ended up spending a bunch of my free time with Althea. We went out on dates, explored nature, etcetera. It was a blast seeing a new world with someone close.Either way, I brimmed with excitement for the tournament.

I missed fighting. Not life and death fighting mind you, but I wanted something to get my blood boiling. I felt like I was helping grandmas cross the street at this point.

Of course, I expected quite a few weaklings, but at least it wasn't going to be boring. Althea and I kept that in mind as we walked up to the tournament's arena. There was a wide cliffside with a series of waterfalls, each one owning an outcrop. They met together, forming a raging river.

All species and manner of aliens idled on these outcrops. Kids ran around all over the place. Families tried pumping up competitors. Businesses sold snacks and drinks for everyone. The atmosphere was like a sports event. It pretty much was one. It was the most excitement this town had each year after all.

The arena was at the center of the raging river. There was a series of stones surrounded by the water. Althea nudged my side, ”You sure you'll be able to balance on those rocks?”

I rolled my eyes, ”Yeah, I'm pretty sure. I might break them underfoot though.”

Althea nodded, a veil covering her face, ”You'll knock the other competitors of the rocks with the splash. You'll be fighting underwater then.”

I grinned, ”Let's hope the other fighters can too.”

We hopped down from outcrop to outcrop. As we reached the bank of the rushing stream, a group of other fighters prepared themselves. Cameras were set up, streaming the tournament online. Someone controlled the lighting down here too, giving it a surprising production value.

As I admired the state of the art cameras, something rustled in the trees nearby. I glanced over at the treeline, a beast showing itself. I narrowed my eyes, looking closer. As I did, it walked out into the light. It was a gialgathen. I was sure of it.

The amphibious dragon walked with clouds of mist over it. With wings that spanned the width of a house, its long neck stretched up tall as trees. It wore battle armor, encrusted in gemstones. Water flowed underneath the plates, keeping the beast hydrated.

It glanced at us with vertical pupils. Unlike before, there was sharpness in its eyes. It was intelligent. A moment later, something touched my mind. I looked around, wondering what the fuck it was. Seconds passed, and the presence knocked against my mind again. A thick, regal voice echoed in my head,

”Are you one of the fighters here?”

I glanced around, ”Maybe. Who are you?”

”Ah, I forgot my manners. I'm Alzroth. I'm the giant across this stream.”

I glanced up at the gialgathen. Surely enough, Alzroth stared right back at me. I thought out words,

”So you have telepathy then?”

”Hah! All Gialgathens do. We're born with it, as we are born with many things.”

”Why do you want to talk to me then?”

He shook himself, a few birds flying from his black and white neck, ”Just passing the time until the tournament begins.”

I nodded, ”Ok, so what made you single me out?”

He reached up with a leg, scratching his neck, ”You're ambiance. You walk with better footing despite being the biggest one here. Rare to see a warrior from other races.”

I crossed my arms, ”Well, it's how I started out. By the time I had other options, it wasn't worth changing paths.”

The giant scoffed, sounding like a whale breathing,

”You're small for physical combat. You should've changed to something more fitting your stature.”

It was my turn to scoff now.

”Really now?”

The beast shook his head, ”I meant no harm in mentioning it. It's obvious just looking at you. I still can't understand why other races take offense when I mention talents and traits.”

I shrugged, ”You're assuming a lot here.”

He showed his teeth, each one like a needle the size of a chair leg, ”These allow me to crush most dirtwalkers in a single bite. How would you overcome something like this?”

I laughed, ”Your teeth would break against my skin.”

”Such confidence. We'll see how you and your system measure up to the true might and stature of a gialgathen.”

”I'll see you at the tournament then.”

I snapped the mental link. The gialgathen shook his head, shocked by the impact of it. If fighting someone else's mind was that simple, then I'd ask Torix to teach it to me. With all my willpower, it might be useful.

A wave of chatter interrupted my thoughts. I turned towards the arena, and two fighters stood on both sides of it. They both wore power armor. One of them had the Steel Legion crest on his chest. The other wore the emblem of the Soldiers of Fortune.

An announcer floated on a hovering podium. Wearing a flamboyant, multi-colored suit, the commentator flashed a smile. He had a swollen head and a wicked widow's peak. In the most vanilla announcer voice possible, he spoke into an intercom,

”Welcome one and all to the 75th annual honoring of Lehesion! In the name of the gialgathen that united all the people of Giess, we fight in his name. Though many have tried, only seven humanoids have won the tournament. A gialgathen almost always wins!”

His podium floated over the top of the arena, and he stared into a camera, ”This time I have the feeling things will be different. Now, onto our first battle of the evening.”

He pointed at the Steel Legion member, ”Representing the Steel Legion here in Icosah, we have Earnest Meldiano. An expert in pistols, knives, and traps, he's a fierce competitor.”

Earnest raised his hands, and his buddies in the Steel Legion clique roared. The announcer pointed at the other fighter, ”And on the other side, we have a returning veteran. He's come out of retirement folks. Let's hear it for Iasis Klon!”

Pulling off his helmet, Iasis raised an arm. All of Icosah shouted out; his fame was widespread. I scoffed, whispering to Althea, ”That's the dumbass that tried blackmailing me.”

Althea raised her eyebrows, ”Him? Looks a little scrawny.”

I shrugged, ”He's level capped.”

She glanced off to the side, ”Maybe I should try blackmailing you...”

I glanced at her, ”What, why?”

She reached up and tapped my helmet, ”Because your reaction is cute.”

I rolled my eyes as the announcer boomed, ”Are both combatants ready?”

They both nodded. The announcer boomed,

”Then let's rumble!”