Firefist Ace (AKA Richard Adams)

I scratched at the back of my hand, letting out a deep sigh, as Douglas came out. He was carried to the corner where they used some magic to help him back on his feet. It was more than a little frustrating that we couldn't just heal others right away, but Mimi had a limited supply and the guy wasn't in any actual danger. Still it hurt to know that a fellow gang member was knocked unconscious and missing a tooth from the knock out. Mimi told me exactly what she saw, while I at least got to enjoy the fancy illusions.

I shook my head, knowing that we were going to fight him after dealing with one of the arena champions. Douglas looked at me and smiled, "No need to look so glum." His s's lingered, as he struggled to talk from the swelling of his jaw, and the missing tooth.

I calmed myself by taking a slow breath, the blunt still in my mouth, ready to be lit when I needed it. "Don't worry, we'll kick his ass when it's our turn." Mimi chirped a bit, letting me feel what she was trying to convey through the emotions on our rings. She was chiding me, to remind me that we had to make it through this fight first.

Douglas let out a small laugh, "Fret not, Jacky was rather receptive to our offer." He lowered his voice, "We just need to have one of the worms carried to his tribe. It seems the initial plan to pretend we are Mal's group is still holding firm. The people will think we belong to that gang, while the people we want to negotiate with know the truth for now."

Mimi let out a soft chirp, acknowledging it. I nodded, knowing that I had to play the part of the vice gang leader. Which I technically was, since Mimi admitted that I was more valuable to her than Douglas. Still I wasn't exactly a fan of pretending we are stronger than Mimi herself, but she promised me that her Hive above was starting to wake up as Spring was slowly coming. "Good, then everything is still going as we planned. We don't really need you to stick around here, but I want you to get some bugs ready for after the next match."

Douglas and Mimi both tilted their heads at that, and I let out a soft sigh. "We don't know if anyone will notice what we're doing. Having bugs not associated with our gang will keep people guessing I think. Plus after the next round, we need someone to be able to get out with little attention. Instead of going back like we talked about, I want you to make certain N can escape with the goods."

Mimi considered what I said, then congratulated me on my decision. She pulled me into a half hug with her wings, feeling a lot more affectionate lately. The fact that Spring was practically here, had made her a little more touchy-feely. Douglas smiled, "I'll need some time, do you think you can buy that for me?"

I grinned back at him, "Don't worry, if there is one thing I'm great at, it's wasting people's time." We smiled at each other for a moment, before he got up and went off to do his thing.

Mimi chirped a bit at me, as I turned my attention towards where N was in the corner fiddling with his mask. The guy still creeped me out, but it was so much better than being afraid of him. He apparently joined the gang a month ago, after Mimi found him stalking around in the shadows. I just let out another soft sigh, still unable to understand just how powerful Mimi's gang might actually be. Especially given that it has only been a couple months.

We weren't just entering the arena to fight no-bodies. We were here fighting against heavy hitters with actual names, and winning. Mimi killed the Necromancer on our first battle, then Greg took out the Bo'sun, our only loss was Douglass, but that was because we needed to send a message. I didn't think for a second that we were anywhere near the level of The Minotaur, or Mal's gang. We were probably on par with the Fiend's Eye, at least in terms of raw strength. They had a network over us, and could likely spend more wealth than we had to get people moving against us.

Which was exactly why Mimi wanted to do things this way. Her Hive reported that they were gathering people that could be bought for protection, their soothsayers likely telling them well in advance that the Ghosts were moving against them. It was why we did all this silly stuff, to seem like a different gang. Because Mimi gained important information from a soothsayer, that the Fiend's eye may be spared by the one with a fist of fire. This whole thing was to get their attention, and have them notice us to the point we were hired for protection.

Still we had to fight an arena champion this match. I rubbed the back of my head, while Mimi rested a hand on my shoulder to comfort me. I smiled a little, knowing I can trust her. We spent so much time training, and just talking to each other. To finally understand a little about how the other thought. There honestly wasn't anyone else I'd trust with my back.

I balled my free hand, "Hey Vivi, you killed that Necromancer guy last fight." She chirped to affirm this. "This guy is mine, okay?" She paused for a moment, wanting me to explain. I looked at the cell ahead of us, without any weapons for us to grab, or any armor to put on. "We're going to take turns fighting these guys, you don't have to do this all by yourself. So don't worry about this guy."

She gently rocked my shoulder, letting me feel uncertainty on her part. I rubbed her hand, "Remember, there are things a man just has to do." I lowered my voice so only she could hear, "Besides, I can't let the time you spent training me be for nothing. I'll win this fight so you can rest for the next one." Mimi knelt behind me, fully hugging me. She was happy about what I said, chirping softly in my ear.

I grinned, before stepping forward. We were both going to be in this fight, but what kind of an idiot would I be, if I didn't take risks? We sat in the cell for a couple minutes, before the announcer starting talking about a crowd favorite. The ki fighter known as Kyle. A frequent winner of the Arena, when there aren't any prizes. The gates on our side opened, as we walked out. "AND FOR HIS CHALLENGERS! FIREFIST ACE, AND HIS TAMED MONSTER!" The crowd began to cheer, yelling for Kyle to tear me limb from limb, and to break my 'bitch.'

Smoke gathered on my fists, as I stared up at the hulking man, easily twice my size. His muscles bulging as if he were some kind of god. He had a chest plate, and a cod piece, but nothing else. His scars proudly on display, as he grinned down at me, before licking his lips at Mimi. I was grinding my teeth, by the time we stood in front a bit in front of the man. Mimi told me that he was gathering Aether, as I saw his muscles flexing. I whispered, "You can play with him a little, since we need time for Douglas. I'm going to kick his ass though." I could tell she was upset about the jeers being hurled at us both. Though apparently we had the same anger when someone insulted the other. Though Mimi was much better at hiding how it made her feel.

Kyle flexed his bronze pecs, leaning down towards me, "Got something to say shrimp?" He said it loud enough for the audience to hear, since he only saw my lips moving. "Ah ha! You were saying your final prayers, before I take you and your pet out."

I gritted my teeth again, wanting to tell him that she wasn't. The plan hinged on her being seen as such, so I couldn't correct him. I let out a slow breath, before smiling. "Yeah, I have a few things to say!" The crowd laughed, but quieted down as Kyle raised his hands to silence them.

"Now, now, we should hear the words of a dead man, before this fight starts." The crowd laughed again, but managed to get quiet.

I turned to Mimi, "Vivi, I know you want to kick this guy's ass more than I do. So how about we rock, paper, scissors for it?" Vivi smiled a little, letting me know she found it enjoyable. I jumped to the side, striking my pose. "Rock, paper..." She took a stance as well, mirroring me. I knew which one she was going to pick, because we had done this before. A part of training to know what the other was thinking about and how they planned on moving. A simple game that taught us more about each other. I was smiling as I continued. "Scissors, shoot!" She threw out paper, while I threw out scissors. I snipped my fingers with a grin. She was completely okay with me taking this loser on.

Kyle tilted his head back, a vein bulging on his bald head, "Hey, what the fuck? Are you trying to piss me off?" The crowd was left in shocked silence at the audacity of what I just did.

I tilted my head back, "Well we usually play this to see who gets to do most of the work in a fight. Really, you should be honored that a guy like me thinks you're worth more than five seconds." I just shrugged, as Kyle's eyes became bloodshot. He bit his lip to the point it started bleeding.

"You know what? I'm going to break every bone in that stumpy little body of yours, then make you watch as I tear your little pet in half." The gong went off, right as Mimi told me he was done charging his muscles.

I gave him a smug grin, bobbing my head a little. "Oh yeah? Then I guess you don't mind if I toy with you." His blood ran off his chin, and I pointed to the ground. "Your blood hit the ground first, bitch boy~"

That was the point he snapped, kicking off quickly to strike at my chest. I had trained with Mimi so much, that I realized how much slower he was compared to her. I felt the fire I absorbed from the last fight coursing through my arms still. Compressed, just like the two explosives I had on my waist. I spun back into a stance to meet his fist with my own. Digging my feet into the ground, ready for the kick back.

Kyle didn't seem to mind that I was going to meet his fist with my own. As he threw everything he had into this punch of his. I felt my hand shatter from the force, the energy traveling through my arm. I would have lost it all the way to the shoulder from that blow, but I just grinned when he smiled at me. "Hey numb nuts, bang." I reversed the energy that slammed into my arm, letting strike him back with a puff of smoke. His shoulder dislocated, his forearm shattered from the strength of his own blow. I just rolled my own shoulder, letting everything snap back into place.

It was so much easier to control my arms, when they weren't alive. They were just on the cusp of catching fire and turning to ashes. I could move them much faster because I didn't have to worry about the muscle tearing, or the pain. The crowd gasped, as Kyle was pushed back from my counter. They were quickly talking to each other, as a few cheered for having placed bets on me.

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Kyle held his mangled arm, looking at me in complete shock. He jumped back, grimacing. "What the fuck was that!?"

I moved my fingers, as if they had never been shattered, the sunglasses hiding how my eyes were glowing. I let one catch on fire, "It's in the name dumb ass. Or, do you not understand the more you compress something, the more it pushes back?" I felt that Mimi was proud of me, as I cracked my knuckles. "Like I said, you're lucky a guy like you is worth even five seconds of my time. If you bitch out now, I'll hunt you down and kill you in the most painful way possible. My talent allows me to reverse the effects of my fire, so you'll get to enjoy the feeling of burning nonstop for days before I let you die."

Kyle swallowed hard, "H-hey, I was just joking around."

I smirked, "Were you? That punch didn't feel like you were. Had to combust my entire arm just to heal it properly. I believe you said that you were going to break every bone in my body? Then split my pet in half?" I hated that I had to call her that, really I did. She assured me that she didn't mind, given that it was for this and that she could feel how much I despised it. "I think it's only fair you entertain me, until I'm bored."

Kyle paled, "Y-you want coin? I have that, even a couple good looking slaves. I need this arena to live." I took a step forward, and he took a step back. I could see him looking at me, then at Mimi who was looming behind me. Whatever he saw, he suddenly realized he couldn't win. Though that just wouldn't take back what he said about us, would it?

I let out a disappointed sigh, "Damn, and here I thought one of the champions would give me a good time." I shrugged, before rubbing the back of my head. "You know what? You still aren't worth my time, so I'll tell you what." I pointed in front of me, "Get on the ground and start doing push-ups until I'm bored."

"I only have one arm!" He clutched the dangling thing, before going to the spot I pointed at.

"That's rough buddy." I looked at Mimi, "Go get some rocks, and chuck it at him if he gathers any mana. I want to see just what those muscles can do." She let out a light chirp as if to laugh, before doing just that. I was extremely lucky that he lost his cool, and wasn't able to call my bluff. I know I probably looked like a total badass, but honestly I was a little scared of what just happened.

If I had fucked up, it wouldn't have stopped with my arm being busted, the explosives on my waist could have exploded as well. He could have decided to not meet my fist with his, and actually knocked me out with an uppercut. Fuck, there were so many ways that this could have gone wrong. I got down on the ground doing some push-ups right in front of the guy. Using my magic to make my arms move. All while Mimi helped me calm down with her assurance.

I steadied myself again, before looking back at Kyle. "Oh! Sorry, maybe you need a hand?" I went to doing one armed push-ups with a hand stretched towards him. He was trying to keep pace with me, unable to move his mangled limb. Problem was, that he was getting tired while my arms could no longer actually get tired. The crowd was disappointed, but they did start to bet on how many push-ups we could do. Mimi chirped a bit, letting me know that people were impressed by what I did.

I looked around, to see the other champions watching me with anger, while looking at Kyle with disgust. The big shots were watching me, as if trying to gauge me. Though what really calmed me down, was how happy Mimi was. She chirped a bit more to convey that I had exceeded her expectations. That this was a brilliant move of power, to keep my real abilities hidden, while making me seem like someone that could beat her. She let me feel the pride she had towards me.

Though I could certainly feel more respect for anyone that took the time to look badass. Even when Mimi pointed out that I took out a champion with one punch, and humiliated him like this. All I could think of was how lucky I was that he snapped the way he did. I could see the guy struggling, as he continued to try and keep up with me. "Hey, you don't have to go as fast as me." The fight was over, I probably ruined his life by making him do this. Mimi just quietly observed.

Kyle slowed down a little, "Fuck... how are you able to do that? Why are you even talking to me?" He kept his voice low, not even looking at me. To make it seem like we weren't talking. I guess he wanted to keep some sort of pride.

I rubbed the back of my head, before resting my hand on my back while still using one arm. "Well, I'm kind of a cheater myself. If something's broken I can just heal it with fire. It won't work on others though, so don't even ask. You're still an asshole."

Kyle focused on his own push-ups, "That's fair, everyone down here cheats. You won't kill me right?"

"Nope." I didn't hesitate, despite what he said they were only words and he couldn't do shit to us anyway. "I got better things to do, bigger stuff to kill. I'm just here because my boss told me to be."

I could see him blink, "Who is your boss?"

"You don't need to know, just know he's more capable than I am. Our gang goes by Fire Starters, we're really only here for the talent being offered. Like really, you'd be surprised how often you might run into fiends or something that can just stop you from doing magic in the Underneath." I kept doing my push-ups.

Kyle swallowed hard, "Oh... Is it too late for me to try and ask if I can join?"

I stopped, just to look at him. "Dude, you probably can't join other gangs because you're a real jackass. I don't like people that get their asses kicked, after talking so much shit, then try to work under that same group. At best you're asking to be taken advantage of, and at worst you're trying to get close to stab someone in the back. Work on your attitude, and maybe stop being so shameless."

He was stunned, while I went back to doing the motions. Finally he went back to it, "No one has ever talked to me like that before. That's just what people want to hear from a big guy like me."

I shook my head, "How well has that worked out for you? You got your ass kicked, and I doubt anyone wants to see you in the arena again."

He stopped again, as Mimi gave me the signal that enough time passed. "What do I do?"

"Well, if I were you, I'd spend the coin I had trying to get my arm fixed. Then I'd take my slaves and try working as a bouncer for a brothel that used to be in the Raven's area. You strike me as a guy that beat his slaves, and probably killed a few, so try not being such an ass? They are in the situation they are in for their own reasons. Try talking to them, and supporting them. They'll be afraid, but if you have them behind your back, then you'll have something solid to get back up on your feet again. Also you can just collapse exhausted now. I'm kind of bored."

"Will I be able to talk to you again, if I work at this brothel?" He looked towards me, but I didn't feel he was the type of guy to change. Not just from one conversation after getting his ass kicked. He was the kind of guy that needed to hold power over others to feel better about himself.

"Probably not for a long while, if you become a better person maybe. At the very least, working as a bouncer will keep you and your slaves safe. Someone I cared about, taught me that you can tell a lot about a person, just by how they treat those under them." I got off the ground, dusting my hands off, while he fell onto his stomach. He finally cried out that he yielded.

The crowd jeered at us, as Mimi and I walked back to our little spot. I could see a few people were more than happy that we won them some coin from betting. Mimi chirped, asking if I really wanted that man to be protected. I told her that I didn't really care, but it would give the gang a foothold in that territory. At the very least he could fix a brothel up for us to use to get coin.

Besides, I really wanted the guy to turn over a new leaf. He was acting like he thought people wanted him to. He'd make a decent bouncer and it wasn't like we didn't have the coin or protection to take a small risk. The worst he could do was get to the brothel we don't have running, and level it. What was the point behind that though? He'd just make himself our enemy, and get himself killed. I saw genuine fear in his eyes, if anything he wanted to be an asset to us, more than we wanted to deal with him.

I softly explained my reasoning, and Mimi decided to give me a chance. We sat on our bench, while some slowly started to clap. A hooded figure, that was clearly female started to walk towards us. She wore dark robes, with an orange eye at the top despite it hiding her face. I sighed a little, because it was clear who they were working for.

The woman smiled, only her lips shown in the light, while the rest of her body was hidden. She was probably middle aged, judging by the wrinkles on her lips. "A marvelous performance, I never would have expected such a pyromancer of your talents to take interest in a place such as this."

I kept my face passive, as Mimi pretended to shy away from the figure. The others were watching, but coming out of the arena left me feeling numb by this point. "Not really interested, just need a useful talent. Now what do you want?"

"You would be better served to mind your tongue, young one." Her voice was shrill like a typical crone's, though Mimi confirmed she was human.

"Ah, forgive me. I forgot my manners with the corpses I buried in the Underneath. I don't like dealing with anything that practices curses, or any dark rituals. May I ask why I am being approached? Especially now, right after I get out of a fight of all things? The point in time where I'm supposed to be at my weakest?" I looked at her lips, knowing it was pointless to try looking at her eyes.

She put a hand over her chest, doing a small bow. "I see, from your perspective I am like a vulture. One come to take from you, despite the fact that we both know you had no problems with that fight. Even as you sit here, you have yet to break a sweat. The Fiend's Eye gang has taken notice of you, and we wish to employ your skills."

I titled my head back, "Oh yeah? Fifty gold coins is nothing to sneeze at, but coin doesn't mean shit in a life or death struggle." Mimi was happy that I was able to keep the act up, but really it was a struggle coming up with badass things to say. Still I had to keep up the act, to make sure her plans worked out just like she wanted.

My words seemed to push back on the woman a little, "We have a network established through the Underground. What exactly is it that might interest you most? If it is within our power, surely we can negotiate."

I see, despite coming here with her pride, their gang was probably starting to get a little desperate with their members suddenly disappearing. It meant Mimi's plans were going off without any issues for now. I let out a small sigh, "When did you want to employ us exactly? I have other things I need to handle."

The woman grinned, since it meant I felt they might have something I would want. I thanked Oswald from the bottom of my heart, for showing me little things like this, how to tell if I was negotiating properly. "We seek to employ your services as soon as you are available. Naturally we cannot talk about the terms here, where others might here. Will you be available to hear us tonight?"

I rubbed my chin considering it, "Yeah sure, I want to see you at the Rusted Handle tonight."

She stopped, "Excuse me? That run down pub? We can provide much better accommodations in our own places. Why not a brothel? We can have any kind of female you'd like. All willing to serve your every desire. Surely that is a better way to welcome you?"

I looked her over, "Yeah no, like I said, I don't have have a reason to trust you. You haven't told me what you'll be using my skills for, so you don't want that known to others. I'm not going somewhere, where you can freely get bits of my hair, some blood, or even my seed. I have an idea of how curses work, so no thanks."

She frowned a little, "We would treat you as a guest, we have no intention of trying anything towards you."

I crossed my arms, "How many people have you told that line to before? You can meet me at the 'run down pub,' or you can tell your boss, sisters, or whatever else sent you, that you didn't want to be seen at such a place."

She slowly nodded her head, "Very well, if I were younger I could see myself falling for a capable man such as yourself. It is refreshing to talk to one that thinks with their top head. I shall meet you there tonight, after making arrangements before hand. I suspect what you desire, is not something you want others to potentially hear as well?"

"Glad we're on the same page, and just so we're clear you're coming alone. Anyone else you bring, we will kill. I don't care if they are slaves you're offering to me, or even other sisters. You came to negotiate, so you're the one I'll deal with."

She did another bow, "Very well, until then. Good luck in your fights sir Ace. We look forward to seeing how your gang fairs. What is it called? If you do not mind me asking?"

I grinned back at her, "The Fire Starters. You better remember it, because we're going to claim the Underneath."