"Kid... Hey, kid, wake up. Are you alright?" The words echoed through a demigod's mind, a voice filled with concern cutting through the haze. "Those troublemakers didn't know what hit them when they decided to mess with a little kid. Can you hear me?"
Suddenly, the memory surged into his consciousness, seeming to stretch time though it had only been a matter of seconds. And in response, X's eyes fluttered open, snapping him back to the present almost instantly.
He rose from his place, the dream – or more accurately, a fragment of his past – fading away like morning mist. As his surroundings came into focus, he realized he was in a room, accompanied by three other demigods on the floor: Iris Haze, Tyler Justice, and Arthur Knight.
His thoughts pieced together the before and after of their transportation, reminding him that they now occupied an arena – the stage for their upcoming trials.
Gradually, the rest of Team Stellar stirred, awakening from the disorienting effects of their journey one by one. Their collective groans were almost symphonic, a chorus of headaches reverberating through the air.
X, too, felt the ache, though he regarded it with an odd detachment, not quite labeling it as true pain.
As the discomfort waned, Iris moved towards a window that overlooked the expanse beyond. A realization dawned – they stood atop a towering structure. Nearby, a prominent flag caught their attention at the end of the room, a reminder of the game mode they were embroiled in.
Sol's words resurfaced in their minds – to win, a team must possess more than one flag, necessitating the capture of rival flags.
"Alright, mis amores, it's time to strategize. Any ideas?" Iris voiced the need for teamwork, a call to collective effort.
Tyler joined her, his voice brimming with optimism. "I'm with Iris. Our team's got potential, we can win this."
Arthur added his consent, surrendering to the necessity of collaboration.
Yet, X seemed distant, unmoved by their discussion. Seated by the open window, he let his gaze roam the surroundings.
Gazing around, he observed the absence of other towers on the horizon. This implied that their team might be the sole tower occupant or that the arena was so immense that no other tower was within sight.
Considering the latter as the likelier scenario, X found the lack of additional towers inconsequential. His attention returned to the landscape, noting that approximately eighty percent of it was covered by sprawling forests, broken up by occasional clearings and bodies of water.
"X, we need to be on the same page here," Iris called out, attempting to draw him into the team's discussion.
As she moved closer, attempting to engage X, she couldn't help but notice his pupils were contracted, resembling the reaction to a sudden flashlight or the intense focus of a hunting bird of prey.
"What the..." Iris voiced.
Her confusion was palpable, but before she could probe further, X's attention shifted northwestward, his pupils returning to their normal size. He spotted another tower in that direction, several miles away.
His gaze reverted to normal as he adjusted to the other side of the window, then without hesitation, he leaped outside.
Hurriedly, Iris reached the window, realizing the drop would be significant. To her bewilderment, X was nowhere in sight at the tower's base.
X's departure left Arthur seething with frustration. The plans for strategizing shifted, prompting him to exit the tower through the door leading to the ground.
"Ay dios mios," Iris exclaimed, exasperated, turning her attention to Tyler.
"Well, I guess we can double down on defending the flag and hope one of them returns with an opponent's flag. It's our best shot," Tyler proposed.
"That's what I get when half the team consists of muscle-bound thinkers," Iris retorted, frustration coloring her tone. Tyler's chuckle offered a small respite amid the tension.
"Klaus," Rose called out, snapping him from his reverie as he stared out of the tower's window. "You alright?"
"I guess," Klaus replied, his headache gradually dissipating.
The other members of his team had also risen and were assessing the situation regarding the Capture the Flag game mode.
Trent then seized the group's focus as he began to formulate a strategy.
CONVERSATION
Trent: I'm certain that many, if not all, of the teams will consider this strategy, but I believe it's best to divide our team into two groups—one for offense and the other for defense. We can assign two people to stay behind and safeguard our flag, while the remaining two attempt to capture the flag of another team.
Rose: I suppose that's the play here. But who exactly will we have to attack?
Trent: Given the Gods' assertions about my supposed strength, I believe it would be wise for me to remain on the defensive side to better our protection.
Klaus: That's a fine idea, but we still need a strong offense to win.
Trent: I guess you're right. Do you have anything in mind?
Klaus took a second to think before giving his opinion.
Klaus: As you said, all teams will split with defense and offense. But how about we don't do that and instead bend the odds to favor one over the other?
Mia: You mean, like, more of offense?
Trent: Or more of defense. I think I understand. Rather than evenly distributing our chances, we could opt for a defensive strategy with three team members while allowing our strongest or most stealthy member to attempt to get another team's flag.
Klaus: That's true... However, with the assumption that each team has its strongest member on defense, this can be quite risky. Also, you were the least formidable among the leaders, so we can't take chances with those odds.
Mia: Woow, that's a bit harsh.
Trent: But he's right. *smiling* So what's your final verdict, friend?
Klaus took a few moments before he came up with an idea.
Klaus: Trent, was it?
Trent: Correct.
Klaus: If I recall, you're the son of Torrent, the God of Water, right?
Trent: Correct again.
Klaus: I know this might sound strange, but do you possess any ability that allows you to traverse through bodies of water?
Trent: Well... yes, actually. I have the ability to transform my body into water. By leaving a small portion of myself in a water state behind, I can use it as a method of returning to that location regardless of distance.
Klaus: Exactly. So, this means that you could focus on offense. And if the situation becomes intense during a battle, you have the option to retreat to the tower.
Trent: That can work.
Rose: Wait, how did you know he had that ability?
Klaus: I didn't. It was a matter of whether he could do it or not, so I took the gamble.
Rose: Wow, talk about convenience.
Klaus: You can also choose to return to the tower using the ability if you're desperately needed for defense as well... assuming you can know the tower's state.
Trent: If someone makes contact with the water, then I will receive a signal to come back.
Klaus: Great.
Mia: So who'll join Trent on the offensive team?
Trent: I think it's best I go with Mr. Walker.
Klaus: Klaus is fine.
Trent: Oh, apologies friend.
Klaus: But why choose me? I mean, you have better odds with Mia, who's the demigod of hunting. Given that the terrain is mostly trees and forests, having a hunter as our offensive player seems like our best option.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
Trent: You may have a point, but I believe that offense doesn't exclusively involve attacking within the forests. We can opt to evade other attackers until we reach another team's tower, where the dense forest terrain won't be as critical. At that point, we'll require more offensive power.
Klaus: But who's to say she doesn't have more offensive power than I do?
Trent: Because I've witnessed your training before, and I know what you're hiding.
Rose and Mia redirected their attention to Klaus, who stood with his arms folded, leaning against the nearby wall. With a sigh, he proceeded.
Klaus: So you saw, huh?
Trent: Not completely, but enough to trust your offensive might.
Klaus recognized that attempting to argue his way out of this would be a tiresome endeavor, so he chose to acquiesce and join Trent as the offensive duo for their team.
With the plan settled, Trent pressed his right hand against a section of his left arm, promptly transforming a portion of it into water, but still retaining the arm. With that, a small puddle formed at the back of the room, providing a means for him to return should the offense prove challenging.
"Aww, and here I was hoping to team up with Klaus," Rose muttered under her breath as Klaus and Trent left the tower, venturing into the forest ahead.
As they ventured deeper, Trent and Klaus pressed on, their goal to avoid encountering members of opposing teams to minimize the risk of defeat. They also had to be vigilant about the lifeline buttons on their chests; if these were pressed or damaged, elimination was guaranteed.
To determine if another team's tower was within range, Trent periodically propelled a droplet of water, formed from his right eye, upwards. This gave him a vantage point to survey the surroundings, utilizing the water droplet's perspective before it would drop.
After a while, their quiet progress was disrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. Ace and Quinn appeared ahead of them.
While Trent initially contemplated remaining hidden and letting them pass, Klaus noticed their trajectory and deduced that they were heading directly for their own team's tower. The path Ace and Quinn were taking aligned precisely with the path Klaus and Trent had followed. It seemed they were not proceeding blindly, but instead, they knew the tower's location.
As Klaus relayed this information, the conclusion was evident: They couldn't allow Ace and Quinn to reach their tower unchallenged.
With no other viable option, they prepared for a confrontation.
They rushed forward, and Ace swiftly evaded Trent's initial attack, pulling Quinn along with him.
"Well, well, it looks like you two took up the offensive role for your team," Quinn remarked, visibly surprised that Team Lunar had positioned their strongest member away from their flag.
"Well, knowing you guys, I'm sure you have a contingency plan for when your defense is compromised," she continued.
Klaus recognized that among the demigods they could encounter, Ace and Quinn were formidable opponents. Ace's speed posed a significant challenge, and Quinn's intellect was equally potent.
"You were heading directly to our tower, weren't you?" Klaus inquired, already aware of the answer.
Quinn responded with a wry smile. "Impressive observation, Klaus. But can you guarantee victory in this face-off?"
"Perhaps I can't face you both alone, but I'm not,"
As his words settled, Trent elevated his hands above his head. In an instant, a copious torrent of water surged forth from his palms, ascending towards the heavens. Quinn and Ace gazed upwards in intrigued bewilderment.
As the water flowed, it fragmented into minuscule droplets resembling a gentle rain shower, enveloping the entire upper expanse.
Trent lowered his hands, and the tiny droplets surged toward the ground at remarkable speed, homing in on Quinn and Ace while avoiding Klaus.
These water droplets possessed enough force to inflict substantial damage upon the surrounding trees, breaking them and stripping them of leaves to an unsettling extent. Remarkably, Ace and Quinn remained unscathed.
Acting quickly, Quinn erected a psychic force field around herself and Ace, offering a slender shield against the impending deluge.
"You almost got us," she muttered, acknowledging that their protection had teetered on the edge. Had Trent shifted his focus away from the terrain, he could have potentially overwhelmed their defense.
Then a realization dawned on her – Trent had been concentrating on the terrain.
This revelation hinted that his aim wasn't necessarily to incapacitate them outright; his intent lay elsewhere. Quinn pieced it together.
Suddenly, a puddle formed around Ace, coalescing into a pool of water beneath his feet, attempting to immobilize him. However, Ace managed to extricate himself just in time, evading before the water could fully solidify.
Capitalizing on Ace's movement behind a tree for cover, Klaus saw an opportunity to strike. The environment, laden with water that Trent could manipulate, favored his control. He prepared to launch an attack with his left fist to eliminate Ace. However, Ace launched a swift counterattack, aiming for Klaus's lifeline instantly.
In a fraction of a moment, Klaus utilized his right hand to redirect Ace's assault, deflecting him with remarkable speed.
Ace regrouped with Quinn, acknowledging his own lapse in caution. "I guess your claim about being fast at night wasn't a bluff," he admitted, acknowledging Klaus's swift reaction and evasion.
"I'll admit, I now understand why you rank among the strongest demigods," Quinn acknowledged Trent, realizing the challenge was even greater than she had initially assumed. "You might have succeeded... if it hadn't been me you ran into," she continued before Klaus suddenly noticed the absence of Ace.
As Klaus shifted his focus to warn Trent, he suddenly noticed Ace directly behind him, poised to strike his lifeline button.
Klaus's sense of despair was evident until he observed Ace's motion abruptly halted. Looking downward, he saw a watery arm ensnaring Ace's hand, accompanied by the spreading expanse of water on the ground.
Reacting with speed and dexterity, Klaus retreated as multiple watery appendages emerged from the floor behind Ace, attempting to surprise-press his lifeline button.
Yet, Ace's agility saved him from this trap. He noticed the impending threat almost instantly, responding by moving his arm and body with such rapidity that the watery hand gripping him turned to steam, dissipating around him.
Quinn conjured a protective barrier around Ace's feet, enabling him to traverse the water puddles Trent had strategically positioned to hamper his movement. With determination, Ace sprinted through the puddles, heading straight for Klaus, who stood nearby.
Klaus once again managed to narrowly evade Ace's assault, noticing that Ace's initial burst of speed had surprisingly diminished. This decline made it easier for Klaus to evade Ace's intended strike before Ace returned to Quinn's side.
The drips of water falling from the partially damaged trees punctuated the growing silence between the two teams.
Breaking the stillness, Klaus spoke. "This fight has revealed something to me," he declared, his words slicing through the quiet.
"Quinn, you're able to telepathically communicate with Ace to warn him of attacks from his blind spots, aren't you?" Klaus questioned, his gaze fixed on Quinn.
Quinn's face lit up with an impressed grin as she regarded Klaus. "Your perception is as sharp as I'd expected," she replied.
"And Ace, it appears that I can now react to your speed. Does this imply that you experience fatigue?"
A smile curved Ace's lips, a response to Klaus's keen observations. However, Klaus wasn't finished.
"Actually, it's the opposite. You show no signs of exhaustion even after covering that considerable distance. So why do you appear slower now compared to earlier, when I might have been eliminated if not for this?"
Ace's smile softened, recognizing that Klaus's analysis was more astute than he had initially thought.
"You analyze well, Walker. How about I share my perspective too, if you don't mind?" Quinn interjected.
"You accompanied Trent, indicating a deliberate choice, especially since you came with him instead of the daughter of the God of Hunting. Knowing someone like you, I'm aware you prefer to negotiate your way out of strenuous scenarios. So, what made you join Trent? Also, why haven't you used your ability yet?"
Ace turned to Klaus, the realization dawning upon him as he grasped Quinn's point.
"He's holding back, isn't he? He's hiding his true ability to catch us off guard," Ace responded, his understanding deepening.
"You don't miss a beat, do you?" Klaus agreed, aligning with Quinn's intent.
"But you're mistaken on one count, Ace... I didn't intend to catch you off guard."
As Klaus concluded his statement, he raised his left hand high into the sky. The collective attention shifted to him, and they all discerned an ethereal radiance enveloping his upraised hand.
Klaus extended his palm, causing the luminous energy to gather and swirl at a remarkable pace, coalescing into what resembled a sphere of solar radiance.
Quinn, witnessing this display, was taken aback by Klaus's ability, noting the ball's increasing size.
Yet, as her gaze remained fixed on Klaus, another sensation crept into her awareness.
A distinct presence made itself known within the battle, despite the apparent absence of anyone else nearby.
What was more disconcerting was that this presence seemed directed toward her, heightening her sense of unease.
Reacting swiftly, she abandoned her telepathic communication method, instead shouting an urgent warning to Ace.
"Ace, TAKE COVER!"
With those words, she sprinted behind a tree, concealing herself from the northern vantage point – regardless of Klaus, who stood to her west.
Ace acted in tandem, finding refuge behind another partially intact tree located not far from Quinn's position.
Klaus, noting the coordinated evasion, inferred that a new demigod had entered the fray, prompting Quinn's abrupt alteration of tactics. The switch from telepathic communication to vocal commands intrigued Klaus, leaving him with a lingering suspicion that Quinn possessed unshared knowledge.
Driven by curiosity, he urged Trent to replicate the maneuver, seeking cover at a greater distance from Quinn and Ace, yet maintaining a defensive stance toward the north.
"He's here. The sensation was faint, but unmistakable," Quinn stated, her expression tinged with an unusual degree of alarm.
"Who?" Trent inquired, catching snippets of her conversation.
"X," Quinn disclosed, her urgency overshadowing any reservations about sharing information with another team. "He's positioned directly north of us."
Klaus was taken aback by Quinn's openness. He sensed she held back certain details.
"Why does his presence here matter?" Klaus pressed, seeking clarity from her.
Quinn exhaled a sigh, revealing the reason for her sudden alarm.
"Because our time in this battle is about to end," she confessed, her words laden with a sense of impending doom.
Quinn's words hung in the air, shrouding the surroundings in a profound silence, save for the faint patter of water droplets.
Klaus harbored numerous questions, his mind buzzing with curiosity.
"Why does she fear X so much?" Klaus pondered.
Before he could fathom Quinn's apprehension or react to it, the stillness was shattered by an abrupt, deafening gunshot that reverberated across the entire area, possibly even farther.
Swiveling to assess the source of the disturbance, Klaus witnessed Ace's lifeline abruptly turning red, even though Ace was positioned against where X was presumed to be. A rubber bullet had impacted the lifeline before plummeting to the ground.
Ace wore a bewildered expression as his lifeline was pressed, and in an instant, he began to fade, vanishing entirely.
Ace had been eliminated and transported back to the pre-game lobby.
"How?" Trent stammered in astonishment, attempting to comprehend the unexpected turn of events. Klaus and Trent exchanged uncertain glances, sensing that something grave was unfolding.
Quinn's eyes reflected a mix of dread and resignation, foretelling the dire outcome awaiting them.
"We're done," Quinn murmured, her voice filled with despair. "I can't believe my theories were all true."
"What's happening?" Trent inquired, brimming with curiosity. "How did he hit Ace from the north without a direct line of sight?"
Quinn's wry smile emerged as she embarked on an explanation.
"Because he had a line of sight."
Klaus and Trent exchanged puzzled looks as Quinn elucidated the improbable sequence of events.
"X gained a line of sight on Ace's lifeline through a water droplet that descended from a tree directly in front of him. Just before the droplet reached the ground, X got a visual line through the droplet, which acted as a reflection of Ace's lifeline. So he fired at the droplet, somehow redirecting the bullet directly onto Ace's lifeline."
Disbelief washed over Klaus and Trent, their minds grappling with the staggering revelation.
"Impossible," Trent murmured, aghast.
"Exactly," Quinn replied. "But his ability defies the understanding of physics and logic."
Klaus's curiosity was piqued. "What ability are you referring to?"
"The ability to strike a target as long as there is a visual line of sight. Accuracy that never misses. An ability that strikes fear into the hearts of all, one that has earned X his reputation among humanity as the deadliest person..."
"True Accuracy."