Pepper’s eyes sprang open when his ears heard the alarm ring to life. He immediately threw the blankets off his body and leapt out of bed. He staggered to the door in his haste and crashed into the doorframe. His body ricocheted all down the hallway until he finally arrived in the living room.
I knew I should have set my alarm for much earlier! Pepper mentally scolded himself. His mind replayed the scene from the previous night as he looked down at his holodex. He had told himself he wouldn’t need an alarm to wake up on time. Yet here he was scrambling to find the controller for the holoscreen.
The holoscreen was already on but was currently displaying one of the world news channels. His head snapped from side to side and he scanned the room until his eyes locked onto the controller. He dashed across the room, snatched up the remote, and began to punch away at the buttons.
“Pepper Walker, what did I tell you to do last night?” His mother Courtney’s voice rang out from the kitchen. She didn’t even give him time to answer before she appeared in the archway between the dining room and the living room. She placed her hands on her hips and began to turn a slight shade of red, her anger visibly plastered across her face. “I told you to take out the trash last night, did I not?”
“Mom! It’s a Pantheon League quarter-final match!” He pleaded his justification with his arms outstretched towards the holographic screen.
“I’ll care about a Pantheon League match once you care about taking out my trash! How about that?”
Pepper saw his father, Trent, step behind her and wrap his arm around her shoulder in an embrace. Though his dad tried to speak softly to her, his voice was loud enough that Pepper could still just about hear what he said. “Babe … you’re only going to have him storming through this house for a little more than a year. You know he’s going to bolt from this place as soon as he can. So maybe just ease up on him a bit and let him enjoy the match.”
Pepper turned his attention back to the screen and plopped down on the couch, but his peripheral vision still caught the motion of his father leaning in and planting a kiss on his mom’s cheek. His father then walked in and took a seat in the recliner next to the couch. Though his father had done his best to cool his mother’s temper, she still raised her hands in frustration. “Fine. Do whatever you want, I guess. Not like I have any say in things anymore!” she said over her shoulder as she turned and walked out.
Pepper swiped a glance at his father, and he could see the slightest shake of his head. Trent let out a long sigh and completely ignored the comment. Then the advertisement on the screen ended and the theme music began.
Pepper’s attention was locked onto the screen like a cruise missile. The introduction flashed classic scenes of famous matches throughout the years. The montage ended and transitioned to the two announcers, who were standing side by side.
“Well, hey there, everyone. Thanks for tuning in to today’s epic match! I’m JD Glasscock, and, of course, I am joined by the best cohost in the world, Mr. Nick Bosloe.” JD smiled as he turned his head to look at his coanchor.
JD was a little squirrely, to say the least. He sometimes had a few twitches to him here and there, but his Californian free spirit was always warm and welcoming. JD and Nick were two faces Pepper had grown up with. No matter who was facing off in the arena, these two had been the commentators since he had first set eyes on the games.
“Well, a good morning to you as well, JD, and what a tremendous match we have for you all today!” Nick’s warm British accent greeted everyone who tuned in. He was a bit shorter than his American counterpart and contrasted with JD’s short gray hair with a completely bald and shaved appearance.
The two commentators were polar opposites of each other. But after ten years of doing the job, they had perfected their balancing act. JD was the more openly comical commentator, whereas Nick was the precise and balanced communicator.
“Now for those of you who don’t know … you must have been living under a rock! Because when this matchup was scheduled back on the calendar months ago, everyone on the planet started talking about it!” JD followed up and switched between the camera and his cohost.
“Absolutely, JD. When we talk about the Golem League, these two masters are now household names. We have Brandon Benard with the ever-comical golem name of Panda Cakes. And, of course, we have James Dean with his Iron Ram 250.”
The camera transitioned away from the two hosts and switched to an aerial view of the arena. The Asia Isles. It was one of Pepper’s favorite arena locations. Set in a shallow bay near the Malaysian island of Langkawi, the water was a brilliant blue color. Scattered throughout the arena were massive boulders and rock formations that jutted upwards from the ocean.
JD’s voice started back up as the camera continued to float through the arena. “Yeah, this matchup has been really fun to talk about. You have a massive martial arts panda bear on one end.” JD paused and began to chuckle. “And a giant ram that loves to smash into things on the other. How can it get more epic than this? You know what I mean?”
Nick chuckled slightly in response. “I know what you mean.”
Pepper moved just a little bit further onto the edge of the couch. His eyes shifted off the screen for a brief second. Though he had gone over the stats a dozen times before, he still tapped his holodex wristband and scanned the two golems’ information. “The fact that they’re in the Asia Isles just makes this matchup even better!” he exclaimed.
Pepper was so intently attuned to the match and his holodex that he didn’t notice his father’s gaze or the slight smile he had as he watched him. “Who do you think is going to win?”
Pepper dashed a glance at his father for a split second but then turned back to the two screens. “I mean, I got to root for my boy Brandon and Panda Cakes. That decision is easy, but man, I don’t know about Iron Ram. James has taken down some mighty contenders, and this is do or die for him. If he loses this match, he’ll be relegated down to the Immortals League.”
As if Pepper was a commentator himself, the very next item of discussion was that same topic. Nick continued his train of thought as both Pepper and his dad watched. “And JD, don’t forget, Mr. James Dean has found himself in a do-or-die position with this match.”
The camera feed shifted to the far edge of the arena and the viewers got their first look at the two massive golems. The Iron Ram looked like it was made of gold rather than iron. The golden color reflected in the sunlight, covering the ram’s head and the large horns that protruded from it. As the golem walked forward, the camera picked up on the small spurts of compressed air that shot out from under its metal armor plating.
“Well, everyone thought James and the Iron Ram 250 were going to be taken out in their last match against Tom Rodrigo and his Astro Ape. But as we saw, that certainly wasn’t the case!” JD let out a rumbling chuckle yet again as he beamed with a large smile. “That’s what’s so great about the Golem League. Every matchup has the potential for a new Golem Master to rise up the ranks or be sent home packing and back to the drawing board.”
The camera panned over to showcase the large panda golem walking across the edge of the arena. The bear moved forward with its traditional long wooden staff in hand. A red braided fabric handle was at the shaft’s center, and Pepper could just make out deep carved inlays at each end of the staff. A large conical straw hat was upon the bear’s head, and the golem kept its head angled down to cover its face. It was dressed in a traditional black Japanese kimono with specific emblems embroidered in red down the sleeves.
“And here are our two Golem Masters getting into position now,” Nick said as the screen transitioned into a split screen. Brandon Benard was shown on the left while James Dean was displayed on the right. The two competitors waved to the camera, which hovered above them as each stretched and began their pre-match routines.
Pepper’s mouth gaped open as he analyzed everything about Brandon’s setup. “He isn’t wearing the Reaper 3000 full helmet display!” His head snapped down to look at the holodex display, which remained suspended just a few inches off his wristband. Pepper swiped his right index finger across the holographic display, which allowed him to flip through the pages of data.
“What’s the big deal about that?” his father asked.
“Well, it’s just surprising. I mean, there was an interview on John Douglas’s RuneCast podcast. Brandon said he was using it and training with it specifically for this match, but he isn’t wearing it today! Why would he switch his setup at the last minute before a match like this?” Pepper’s voice almost sounded panicked as his curiosity started to get the better of him.
Nick’s voice came back through. “And there is the countdown timer. We have thirty seconds to go!”
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Pepper ignored his curiosity and quickly shifted his gaze back to the match. A countdown timer appeared in the center of the screen. It had a vintage combat video game text design—a homage to the video games of old.
As the timer ticked away, the arena’s runes started to glow with life. Their essence locked the two golems and their magical attacks within the confines of the area. A shimmering blue and purple light pulsated in an orb shape that now covered the area. It almost immediately faded into a translucent appearance so everyone could watch the action.
Pepper balled his fists and began to pump them up and down slightly. His eyes widened as he eagerly took in every detail of the initial startup. He began to mutter under his breath, “Come on, Panda! Come on … you got this!”
The timer ticked down, and as it hit one, a loud acoustic horn roared to life. Pepper had always imagined it was the sound of a dwarf battle horn being blown, and it meant the match had begun.
Immediately the Iron Ram 250’s armor pulsed outward. The metal pieces twitched and flicked with life as they quickly adjusted. The golem’s internal power cores were now allowed to send their power to the motors and gears of its multiple accessories.
Water sprang upward as the Iron Ram’s air compression defense canisters fired off. It was blanketed by a wall of ocean water for a moment while its eyes glowed a blazing hellfire red. In a split second it dashed to its left and began to move from a slow trot to a gallop.
Nick’s voice called out in the broadcast, “And here the Iron Ram goes! James looks to be utilizing the same tactic today against Panda Cakes as he did against Tom and the Astro Ape.”
JD echoed, “I was thinking the same thing, Nick, and to be honest, it’s not a bad tactical approach. If it worked once for you, there ain’t nothing wrong with trying it again. Does it take a lot of energy from your core at the beginning of the match? Yes, but that isn’t necessarily a wrong choice if it brings you the victory!”
The camera panned out to show both golems. Panda Cakes’ initial power-up came from its eyes. A deep purple glowed so bright that it illuminated the underside of its straw hat. In a precise movement, it raised its staff straight up towards the heavens. It remained still for a second, then slammed the bottom of the staff onto the arena floor beneath the ocean.
Water shot upward from the impact, but that was a side note compared to the staff’s reaction. The deeply carved inlays now glowed with the same intense purple light as the panda’s eyes. The magical energy began to pour itself into the staff from the golem’s core. The staff was lifted and slowly began to twirl in a circular pattern in front of the golem.
The movement was slow at first but then grew, with every circular twirl becoming faster and faster. The purple light radiated from the staff with more intensity and soon streaked around to the point it looked like a continuous circle.
“JD, what do you make of this? I can’t recall Panda Cakes ever starting out with… well… whatever this is!” Nick’s voice exclaimed with shocked excitement.
“You know, to a certain point, I am not surprised. This is exactly what Brandon is known for! He mixes things up, comes up with approaches that many have never tried before, and it really throws his opponents off.”
“You’re absolutely right in that, JD.”
The Iron Ram completed a circle around the immediate area in front of it and went for its second turn. All the while, Panda Cakes continued to spin its staff in the same repeated motion. The suspense of the match continued to build until it finally reached a breaking point and the Iron Ram changed course.
Nick’s voice erupted with intensity. “And here comes the Iron Ram charge we’ve seen so many times before!”
The ram rushed forward in a direct line for its opponent. The ocean water kicked upwards as it furiously bolted towards its target. Its armor flared out, and yellow static electricity flashed and sparked all around its horns.
JD followed his counterpart’s lead. “And just like we’ve seen before, James is gonna power up this attack with his electrical elemental spell rune. But… I’m more shocked at Panda Cakes. He’s just standing there acting like this is just a normal day at yoga class or something!”
The large panda golem remained in place. The Iron Ram continued to close the distance until it reached roughly a hundred feet from its target. The metal armor opened around the ram’s legs, and it activated its gravity rune. The magical power responded immediately and aided the golem by propelling it forward.
Pepper’s arms froze in midair as he gasped. Fear grabbed hold of him, and he felt as if he was watching the match in slow motion. The Iron Ram was soaring through the air in a direct line towards Panda Cakes.
To his amazement, he watched as the panda immediately sprang to the left with a leaping sidestep. Panda Cakes flung its staff far to the left in perfect unison with its countermove. The golem wrapped its hands around one end of the staff, then twisted around and brought the staff arcing down.
The entire motion was done with such precision and speed that the staff looked more like a laser sword than a magically powered shaft of wood. It was perfectly timed with Iron Ram’s attack. Pepper watched as the purple light streaked clean through the ram’s neck.
The golden-horned head fell to the ground as the golem’s body continued forward and landed in the water. The announcers’ voices cried out in unison, but their words were jumbled together with amazed cheers. Pepper and his father both yelled in excitement.
Nick finally found his words. “My goodness! He cut the head straight off the beast, didn’t he!”
“I’m at a loss for words, Nick! Man… what an—”
Nick cut off his counterpart while the camera panned around and placed itself just behind Panda Cakes. The Iron Ram, off in the distance, had taken shelter behind a large tooth-shaped boulder. “JD, the ram is still moving! This fight isn’t over!”
The ram got back to a gallop and leapt out from behind the large rock formation that had protected it for a moment. “That can only mean one thing, Nick—the controller rune is still intact! We know from the previous match against Tom that James had the controller rune placed in the neck area. It just goes to show that when you’re in the Pantheon League like James, you make strategic updates after every match to keep your opponent guessing.”
Make strategic updates. Change up the design. Adjust rune placement. Don’t be predictable. Pepper repeated the advice in his head. He did his best to mentally etch the words down. The truth was that he had already written down those steps ten times. He even had a sheet of paper with those exact words pinned to the wall in his work shed.
He narrowed his eyes as he tried to guess what James’s next move would be. The Iron Ram 250’s main attack was its powered headbutt attack. But with the head gone, what will he do? he asked himself.
The ram charged again. This time it leapt from side to side, not keeping a straight vector. But still closed the distance fast. The armored head and horns of the golem was where the majority of its reinforced weight had been. Its overall weight was now significantly reduced, allowing it to reach a much faster speed without having to use its gravity rune.
“It looks like Panda Cakes is now having to truly go on the defensive, Nick!” JD called out.
The panda shifted its stance into a wider base. Its staff was now angled straight out as if it were a blunt-tipped spear. The headless Iron Ram attempted to navigate the defensive position but was now prevented from getting any closer.
Every move the ram made was immediately countered. Nick’s voice followed the action closely. “It doesn’t look like it’s going to be able to get close enough to land a strike from one of its armored legs. We’ve seen James use a bucking donkey kick attack before in his match against Shami Stovall and others in the past. But he’s just having no luck at all, is he?”
The ram continued to try to hop, jump, and weave its way closer to the panda. But everything it tried was easily countered. The reach of the staff was too great to overcome.
“You’re absolutely right, Nick. This new strategy just isn’t working for James. He’s going to need to do something to— Oh my goodness!” JD didn’t have time to finish his comment before Panda Cakes went on the offensive.
The ram mistimed its side jump and found the panda’s staff perfectly placed under its belly. The panda hoisted its staff up, and with it came the Iron Ram. The ram’s body flailed in the air for a brief moment while Panda Cakes quickly adjusted for its follow-up attack. A quick rotation and shift of the hand placement on the staff and the weapon slammed down from above onto the suspended opponent.
The ram slammed into the ocean floor. Water sprayed up and coated Panda Cakes, which stood over its opponent. The panda raised the staff overhead and began to swing its death blow. The Iron Ram 250 spun around instantly and evaded Panda Cakes’ attack in the process.
“What an incredible move by the Iron Ram!” Nick shouted.
Pepper and his father both exhaled loudly as the intense movement gripped them in suspense. Pepper’s leg was shaking almost uncontrollably as he tried to ease the adrenaline that surged through him. He searched his memory bank for all the previous runes he could recall James utilizing in previous matches. He’s gonna try an energy beam … it’s the only rune he has left at this point.
All the while they watched as the Iron Ram kicked its way to safety. The ram had a far greater speed and agility than Panda Cakes and utilized it to its advantage. Pieces of the ram’s metal armor were starting to fall off as the heavy weight and strain caused them to fail. The ram turned around and lowered itself slightly. A few remaining armor slots adjusted themselves for the gun turrets to open and take aim at its opponent.
An electrical buzz and sparks of energy began to pulse around the remaining parts of the ram. “Iron Ram 250 is starting to charge itself. That can only mean one thing,” Nick said in a hopeful tone.
Pepper’s eyes widened as his hands shot up and froze beside his head. He watched as Panda Cakes began to spin around. The hand of the golem shifted on the staff. The panda then shifted itself with a forceful twist and launched the staff through the air like a spear.
The purple engravings at both ends of the staff surged with electrical waves of energy. Pepper thought it looked like a solid beam of purple that raced across the arena straight towards the ram. The ram’s gun turrets were on the verge of being fully charged and about to fire, but not before the staff slammed straight through the center of the golem.
Panda Cakes’ attack had dealt a critical blow, as it had ruptured the rams power core, controller rune and elemental rune in unison. The end result was a small explosion from the golem’s center mass. The remaining armor plates blasted free and scattered across the arena, causing water to erupt all around.
“And there you have it, ladies and gents! There you freaking have it! Panda Cakes does it again!” Nick erupted in celebratory cheers for the young Golem Master.
“What an insane ending, man! Just… wow! I did not see that coming, man… Intense! Freaking intense, was it not?” JD echoed his counterpart’s enthusiasm.
Pepper sprang to his feet and screamed out to honor the victory his favorite Golem Master had just achieved. He punched his fist in the air and was so caught up in the moment that he didn’t even notice his father’s warm smile. Trent chuckled at his son’s passionate reaction. It was Pepper’s dream to become a Golem Master. Trent’s only wish was that one day his only surviving son would be given the opportunity to live out that dream.