"What do you mean by that!?" I demanded.

"I mean that Icarus is in serious trouble! Rex has managed to climb within the top ten of the S ranking threats in the same amount of time you and Zack have been playing hero!" Jack yelled back as his voice cracked.

I was taken back by this. The calm cool and collected Jack was panicking. That alone spoke volumes about how much danger Icarus was in.

"Your telling me snow white over here is that strong!?" Zack squealed from the couch. "Pfft icarus is finna get clapped.."

I heard Jack growl as Zack said that.

I looked back toward the screen , I could see Icarus facing off against Rex. The visual zoomed in on them both , his face still blurred out to the camera. Rex with a calm smirk on his face, his white hair flowing in the desert breeze.

"Rex, it's not like you to do something like this! Just surrender, you know this isn't right." Icarus spoke in a very robotic and staticky voice.

Whatever was assisting him was changing it.

"I understand, but regardless, if you want to stop me. Then come!" Rex roared out to Icarus.

He was confident in his tone, one might even say proud. He had the type of voice you imagine a captain to have. Someone who you trust to lead your troops.

Then a screen popped out in front of me! It was a light blue holographic screen. It was as big as one of my math textbooks. It had the words. 'Accept challenge?' written on it, and the words yes, and no under it. But the word no was whited out. I turned over to Zack, and Jack. They had the same screen appearing in front of them.

Jack immediately pressed yes, over and over again. But, nothing happened.

"What the hell!" Jack roared.

Still ramming the yes button.

"I don't think we can click it until Icarus's match is up." Zack called out.

I attempted to tap the yes button, the screen felt like cold glass on contact.

Then I felt my stomach churn, as nothing happened. I looked back toward the screen, rage building up in me.

"I guess we just have to hope Icarus doesn't lose." I said between gritted teeth.

"Umm, what are you talking about?" My sister asked.

But I was too frustrated to even respond.

These Goddesses...treating us all like were some toys!

I looked back to the screen and saw Icarus charging in at Rex. The view panded out showing icarus leaping into the air, a huge gust of wind shooting off from his feet. He was at least a story high, right before he rocketed himself down at rex, spinning forward and coming out into an axe kick.

Rex leaped back as Icarus crashed down, the air seemingly cushioning his landing as he crashed like a meteor in front of him. The wind picked up and swirled around him, the dirt and dust from the desert floor began to cover the area. Our visual was quickly lost as Icarus bolted forward into the smoke after Rex.

We all were on the edge of our seats, as it grew silent

Then out of nowhere a pure white beam shot out from the dust cloud!

The dust around the beam began to disperse as we got a visual of Icarus. Rex was shooting beam after beam at him. However, Icarus was flawlessly dodging each one like some kind of ballerina. Slowly getting himself closer and closer to Rex.

Rex didn't seem the slightest bit worried about it though.

He whipped his hand vertically at Icarus, sending another beam at him fast.

Icarus barely limbo dodged the white beam, and the rest that came after. If it wasn't obvious before, it was now. He definitely couldn't fly.

He propelled himself into the sky, kicking off the ground and moving back. Losing all the ground he just made, as Rex relentlessly blasted at him.

I could tell icarus was baiting Rex to move back. But why...I looked around on the screen, it was only for a moment. But before the camera panned back to Icarus in the sky. I saw a guards body next to the camp fire of a van.

Maybe he was trying to get him away from the blasts...

"You will receive a boost in your strength, agility and durability for this match." I heard my goddess whisper to me.

Which threw me for a loop. What was she giving me all these enhancements for? Did I really need all this to fight Rex?

"Accept the challenge my child." She added as I looked over to Zack. "You and Zack will fight him together."

Zack was standing now with his book floating in front of him. His eyes wide with a huge grin on his face.

"Hell ya! Let's clap this albino bastard!" Zack cheered. "I got a bunch of new spells!"

"Stryder no! Don't get any crazy ideas!" My sister cried. "You heard Jack! just let him handle it!"

But I had already made up my mind.

"Icarus is giving his all right now to stop this guy, all by himself. I don't know if anyone else saw, but icarus was making a point to move the fight away from the truck. I noticed a guard was lying on the ground next to it. He's doing his best to help get that guy out of the crossfire, while also trying to stop Rex. I won't ignore it!" I said firmly.

I turned to look at Lux, and I could see tears welling in her eyes. But I kept my conviction and stared back into her eyes.

"Stryder please.." She begged.

"I'm sorry Lux, but if I don't do something. If I ignore this, I can't live with myself." I said softly as I looked back to the screen.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

It hurt to do this, it hurt a lot. But I couldn't just stand here and watch.

The screen showed embers and sparks of Rex's flashing white lights, mixed with the dust and whirlwind of Icarus. Their attacks bathed the sky like a beautiful fourth of July show.

Icarus was barely managing to dodge the blasts that came his way. I was impressed with his level of mobility, he was using his airburst to shoot him around like he was walking on the sky. Not to mention the wind around him when on the ground was clearly boosting his speed. I needed to take a note from this, with my equipment and super strength...

Something that was more impressive, was how the scene was displayed for us. Without a single fault the screen was like some intense action movie.

Smoothly following icarus around. Not to mention dodging the blasts from Rex, and getting a good visual of the battle. I was starting to think that it must have just been magic from the goddesses, however someone did react to it earlier...

"I admire your courage, I'm sorry it has to be this way." The camera panned over to Rex as he talked.

He raised his hand out toward the truck, and I felt my stomach drop as I realized what he was about to do.

"Now who's next?" Rex said softly as the camera zoomed in on his face.

It was a careless look, void of any emotion, or sympathy. He was really gonna kill that guy!

"Now go my child, it is your turn!" I heard my goddesses voice boom into my ear.

I could feel this cold sensation covering my body. Every part of me began to tingle from my head to my toes.

"You'll be sent in right in front of the blast, Zack will be behind you." My goddess said one last time. "That's what you would want, isn't it?"

I nodded, and summoned the toughest shield I could think of. I heard someone running toward me, I turned back quickly and saw Lux trying to stop me. Then I saw Jack reaching out his hand like he was gonna freeze us.

Then, like a flash everything went black. I suddenly felt the sting of the hot air against my face as I dropped down on the sand.

The first thing I noticed was a gigantic white beam of death. Safistasy I was a little panicked.

I activated my eyes and held my shield in front of us. The blast came fast and I just barely blocked it. The intense pressure against my shield was pushing me back, I had to activate my super strength and ding into the ground. Even the heat from the blast was getting intense. I was lucky I could make heat resistant equipment.

Soon the pressure began to die down, and vanished. I slowly looked up, and I noticed I had my mask on! I was so worried about Icarus I didn't even think about it.

"Don't worry Icarus, we're here to help!" I announced.

I stared ahead as the dust began to fade. There was no doubting it, we were here. I stared into the dust until I caught the eye of Rex.

"I see, I guess that means I failed the challenge." I heard a raspy dry voice reply from behind.

I turned around and I could see Icarus's back, he was guarding the man with his hands held out. He slowly relaxed himself and moved his hands down. That's when I got my first fact about Icarus, his hands were a dark chocolate shade. I atleast know his race now.

"Will distract Rex, you take the survivors away from here if there are anymore." I called out to icarus as Zack stepped up with me.

"Yeah, will take snow white out to the ball for ya." Zack smirked.

"Ive been using my wind to keep a few of the security guards and other prisoners alive, I've kept the fire going as a distraction. I'll move them out and meet you back for back up." Icarus replied as he leaned down and gently picked up the man.

Icarus was amazing, the fire was masking the survivors this whole time. Dancing in the sky, analyzing the battle field, protecting civilians, while also fighting Rex and his gang.

People are crazy to insult him...

I stepped forward and summoned my Albion sword. I spun it around in my hands as I walked over looking at Rex, who didn't seem the least bit concerned.

"Pfft you'll be lucky if I don't killem with a sneeze!" Zack cheered as he held out his hand and followed my lead."Get going Stryder, we need to dim this flashlight a bit."

I smirked and took a step forward and summoned some heavy light armor over me. I activated my strength, and I felt so light. Even when I activated my eyes, I could tell my meter for going was extended! I leaned forward and readied myself to run.

"Zack, you can let loose a little bit. I think I can handle anything right now." I said as I got ready to bolt.

"Let's not get cocky, remember what Jack said about this guy.." Zack said, which made me stagger a bit.

"Since when were you the cautious type?" I chuckled out.

"Pfft since when are you the confidant type?" He chuckled back.

I looked back to him and he just smirked.

"I have a plan set in motion, just trust me and head in. I have a few new tricks up my sleeve."

Zack actually had a plan? He was actually thinking things through?

Jack's words rang in my mind. I smiled and focused forward again, I guess it was time to put what we learned to the test.

I readied myself as Zack held out his hand toward me, and I focused on Rex.

"Roger that, let's see if we can take this guy down before Icarus gets back!" I cheered right before I charged in at Rex full speed.

I felt this odd sensation roaming over my body, like Lotion was pouring over my skin. I thought I was going to teleport again. But no, I saw out of the corner of my eyes twenty different me's! All running together at Rex!

Zack was able to clone me!? That's a super upgrade! I got caught up in the excitement and roared out loud, all the clones followed suit and they all roared after me.

I slowed myself down as we ran, all the clones taking their own lead as they quickly surrounded him.

But Rex just smirked as he looked around the crowd. A look of true excitement twinkled in his eyes.

Then he immediately lunged forward, and left hooked one of the clones in the face. His hands leaving a misty white trail behind him.

The clone turned to a purple mist upon contact, and Rex went in for another. I charged at him while his back was turned, and aimed to stab him. The area around me was slowly beginning to be consumed by this purple mist, it reminded me of clouds right before a stormy day.

I activated my super strength and launched myself forward at him, I tried to control myself as much as possible. I kept Icarus in mind as I focused, trying to mimic the concept he had with my super strength.

Running, long jumpers, I tried thinking of every track and field event. I tried thinking about how each muscle in my leg was supposed to function. I didn't have time to practice this, I needed this to work out all in one go!

I can't expect the enemy to wait on me to learn!

I charged forward at my top speed, condensing my super strength to my legs, I was faster. A whole lot faster, especially with that boost. I was at him in mere seconds. I had him, I had him!

It worked! I can't believe it worked! On my first time! My blade was practically at his back in an instant. But, my celebration was cut short, just when I thought my blade would slide into his back. It was cast aside by the back of his hand, my mind went blank.

How!? How!? Did he react so fast!? There's no way! My speed! My strength! Everything was boosted!

I fell forward as he redirected me, I tried to refocus myself on trying to catch my fall. But I was immediately rammed by his knee in my stomach. I could hear my armor shatter as he made contact.

I felt shards of my chest plate stab into my body, I quickly dispelled it before it could get too deep into me.

My eyes, my strength, even all my armor dispelled. I felt vomit come up, and I could have sworn he broke or cracked some of my ribs. I dropped to the floor like a rock. I tried to move, but I could barely feel my body. I managed to turn my head and see wave after wave getting blown away by Rex with ease.

That's when it happened. Rex smirked as he quickly turned to the left side of him and swung his arm hard at the air. The air seemed to shift, like a glitch in the system. Then, that's when Zack appeared out of nowhere! Glitter shimmering all around him. I guess he went invisible. Another new trick...

It happened so fast, he batted Zack away like a fly. I quickly forced my way back up, the last few clones covering me as I focused myself just enough to summon another blade. I bit my lip and grunted, I barely was able to get my eyes to activate again.

This guy..with one blow... He's practically knocked me out of commision. Icarus needed us, I can't stop right here. My eyes flickered a bit, I could barely stand to keep them activated.

"Your healing properties have been enhanced my child, get up and keep going. You will regenerate quickly." I heard her whisper into my ear.

I forced myself up slowly, staggering to my feet.

I guess she had a point, if I didn't have that enhanced healing I'm sure I'd be done already. She probably increased my defense too.

I needed to go back at him again, but this time I increased my swinging speed. I took a breath and closed my eyes. I focused on my breathing, and concentrated on my super strength.

"Now let's try this again..."