“Alright lads, it’s our time to shine,” James said. Putting one knee down on the hard pavement, he lowered his voice. “We’ve got Earth Nexus well beat in terms of speed. They can defend like nobody else, but they’ll have trouble pinning us down.”
“Some of them are fast,” Kenta offered, glancing off in the distance to where they knew the Earth Nexus base was. “Don’t forget that Li Shun can burrow very quickly and very quietly.”
“That’s a good point,” James replied as if the thought hadn’t occurred to him until that moment. “We could leave one person to guard the flag in case he tries that option.”
Kenta nodded his agreement. “I think that’s best. One guard should be sufficient. If that fails, we can fall back quickly to recover. But most of our efforts should be on slipping past them and snatching the flag.”
“We’ll need some people to hold off the Earth Nexus as we retreat,” James said. “Eric, you’ll be good for that.”
“Why not me?” Edward asked, looking confused. “I’m one of the best at shooting with my lightning bolts.”
“Yes, but you’re also the fastest,” James pointed out. “We’ll need that. The guard can help you stay free as you advance, and cover your back as you flee. Eric’s charged bolts are perfect for the job.”
“Just remember to keep the power limited,” Kenta added, meeting Eric’s eyes. “If you use too much force, you will be disqualified.”
“Not an issue,” Eric replied promptly. He hadn’t gained much power since his demonstration at the assessments. In an actual fight, he wouldn’t have nearly as long to charge up that attack, so the power would be significantly less. He was willing to bet that he’d only get one or two good chances to use it, in any event. Once they were in the thick of it, he couldn’t move in one line or run in a circle long enough to unleash it. He’d rely most on hand-to-hand fighting and standard lightning bolts.
“Try your best not to get pinned down,” Kenta said to the rest. “Remember, we’re outnumbered three to one.”
“More than that, as we’re leaving a guard,” James corrected him. “Fifteen of them and four of us.”
“Right,” Kenta agreed. “Our greatest gift here is our reflexes. We’ll watch out for each other, and assist if one of us gets pinned.”
“I guess that means that I’ll be the guard,” Matt Tupik said with a grin. “I can’t imagine that you or James will be staying back.”
“Right you are,” James laughed, slapping Matt on the shoulder. “If Li Shun shows up, make us proud. Once we’re about halfway back with the flag, you’ll move up to assist. Until then, stay put.”
A horn blared loudly off in the distance, signaling the start of the match. James jumped to his feet. “Right. Here we go!”
They started off in a light jog, making sure their strides were even and balanced before breaking into a full sprint. The houses of the suburban arena flashed past in a blur, the light of their lightning reflecting off each passing window like a camera’s flash. Edward started a little too fast but fell back to keep pace with them as they raced down the middle street. Eric wondered for a moment if the Earth Nexus might send people down the streets on either side of them, but it seemed unlikely, given how fast they’d reach the opponents’ base.
Up ahead and slightly to the right, Charlisa ran with them, leaping lightly between the roofs of the houses. She wouldn’t take part in the fighting, of course. Her job was to interrupt and break up any fight that threatened to get near lethal. Somewhere near the Earth Nexians, Huang Jiang would be serving the same role. They’d play no favorites, and would even act against their own Nexuses if need be.
“Now, Eric!” Kenta called out. Eric slowed at once as more of his lightning was channeled into the ball that began to form at his side, and the others pulled ahead. A few dozen yards later, Edward shot ahead of Kenta and James, hitting his top speed just as the Earth Nexus base came into view.
Eric released the first charged lightning bolt, keenly aware of Charlisa watching him closely. She’d evidently judged the attack to be within acceptable force, for she made no move to stop it. The thick bolt flashed away from Eric even faster than Edward was moving, and arced down smoothly right to where he’d aimed it, the heart of the Earth Nexian’s group. He stumbled slightly on the followthrough and had to let his speed fade to remain standing.
By the time Eric had slid to a stop, a massive spear of stone had erupted out of the paved road, guided by four of the Earth Nexians. The bolt hit it, vanishing with a harmless sizzle. In its absence, the early morning light seemed a little less bright. Two more of them moved forward, creating tall barriers to prevent their forward access. It meant nothing to Edward, James, and Kenta, who jumped several yards into the air, running up the last few feet of the wall.
Rocks appeared out of nowhere as they crested the wall, and they were forced to twist in mid-air to avoid the attacks. Even Eric, who had plenty of experience with dodging projectiles while his reflexes were enhanced, thought that his allies were just a little too graceful. Kenta in particular flipped over the last rock launched at him with almost contemptuous ease, pushing off of it with one hand before vanishing behind the wall.
Eric began running again, channeling his lightning in a circular motion. He didn’t want to be stopped by the wall for too long. He released the charged bolt at the earth wall that still stood, and it struck with considerable force, punching a hole about three feet across in the center. He jumped through that hole, keeping his speed up, and paused only long enough to take stock of the situation on the other side.
This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
The other three had already landed and were weaving through the Earth Nexians, moving too fast for their opponents to react. The two twins of the Earth Nexus converged on Kenta, blocking his progress with a quick wall, then swinging at him with iron-clad fists. He was forced to stop and defend himself, ducking under their blows and striking back in a flurry of fists.
Sure that Kenta could handle himself just fine, Eric raced after Edward, shooting off two lightning bolts at some Earth Nexians that almost pinned his friend. They were stunned just long enough for him to slip past them as well. Edward, meanwhile, was mere yards away from the Earth Nexus Flag, which had two protectors standing on either side of it.
Edward leaped high to avoid yet more rocks and plummeted toward the flag. The guards conjured two low walls at a sharp angle, forming a protective tent over the flag. But Edward, in an incredible display of reflexes and battle sense, simply landed on the far edge of the tent, grabbing the wall and using it to redirect himself inside. He re-emerged a split-second later in a long slide, one hand holding their flag, and grinning wide.
“Yes!” Eric shouted, then realized that he’d let his speed drop in his excitement. He quickly sent another bolt at one of the guards, but didn’t have time to do much else as Edward flashed past him. He tore after his friend, slamming his shoulder into an Earth Nexian before coating his body in lightning again. In the short time between entering the base and grabbing the flag, the rest of the Earth Nexus had converged on them, and he suddenly found himself surrounded on all sides.
He dove forward in a long roll to avoid a wave of solid earth that threatened to pin him. Before he could regain his feet, someone burst out of the ground in front of him. Li Shun, he thought. Shun grabbed him by the front of his uniform, his hand protected from the electricity by a thin covering of earth. He drew back one fist to strike at him, but a lightning bolt struck him before he could connect, fired from off to the side. While he was stunned, Eric hit his wrist, breaking the grip on his uniform, then hammered two quick fists into the man’s chest, knocking him back.
He was screwed now, he thought, as more Earth rushed in from all directions, towering so high that it nearly blotted out the sky above him. Putting as much power into his legs as he could, he ran at the nearest of the approaching walls, running up a few feet before vaulting off. He chained these short powerful jumps, gaining altitude even as he felt his legs beginning to give out. He was nearly at the top of the closing trap when his foot slipped on the last jump.
Something he’d discovered during his time in Ahya was that your instinct for battle was never as sharp as when you thought you were in genuine mortal danger. Sure, the trap wouldn’t prove to be lethal if it had closed, but his brain couldn’t comprehend that. He only registered the threat, and all extraneous thoughts vanished like mist before the morning sun. If asked later, he couldn’t fully explain how he managed this next trick, but he found his feet making solid contact with the wall, and somehow, he kept his balance as he ran straight back down toward the ground.
By the time he’d reached the bottom, which was nearly faster than he could blink, he’d amassed a great deal of lightning around his body. Rather than attempt to land safely on the ground without hurting his ankles or losing his charge, he simply launched himself forward at a sharp downward angle, the lightning empowering and reinforcing his body as he struck with his crossed arms.
He shot through the earthen wall like a cannonball, hitting the ground hard, and sliding for several yards before regaining his feet. It was at about that moment that he was consciously thinking again, and he heard the exclamation of the nearest Earth Nexian. “How the hell did you do that?”
Naturally, he wasted no time in answering, instead striking out to the right and left. The lighting that still coated his body shattered the air with a deafening roar, sending four Earth Nexians flying. Then he was off again, as James landed beside him. Side by side, their lightning mingled, increasing the power and speed of both of their runs.
“Nice move!” James shouted, his voice almost drowned out by the roar of the wind passing their ears. “I don’t know how the hell you managed that, but-”
He was cut off as he tripped, falling flat on his face with a nasty thud. The ground at his feet had softened. In an instant, the ground in front of Eric had done the same, but he gathered his legs under him and jumped over it. For a moment, he considered turning back to aid James, but then he heard a grunt of pain ahead, from where he knew Edward was.
One of the Earth Nexians had softened the ground, catching Edward and tripping him. Then two thick vines appeared out of the ground like grasping tendrils, wrapping tightly around his legs. Eric made up his mind a split-second before James shouted, “Help Edward first!”
Vaguely aware of Kenta landing nearby to assist James, he ran forward. Edward sensed his approach and threw the flag at him. “Go! I’ll catch up!”
Eric snatched the flag out of the air and continued running, dodging another attempt to trip him up. He caught a glimpse of Grimr, the source of those vines, as the Ancient focused on him, conjuring more vines. But Eric was used to fighting against mages, especially druids, and knew his best chance was to make his path unpredictable. It worked. The last vine slammed down on the ground mere inches away from him, and then he was free.
In no time at all, Kenta, James, and Edward were at his side. He threw the flag like a javelin at Edward, who caught it with a whoop of excitement, and the four of them put as much speed as they could into their escape. Shouts rang out from behind them, and more rocks were sent flying, like a barrage of cannonballs. The Thunder Nexians jumped and weaved, narrowly avoiding each impact, until…
“Game!” A voice roared out over the speakers scattered throughout town. They’d passed the mid-way point and won. Finally, Eric let his speed drop and came to a halt with his hands on his knees, his chest heaving as he caught his breath. He could hear the roars of approval from the audience now, easily audible over the groans of disappointment from the Earth Nexus.
“What an incredible performance!” The human commentator roared, his voice booming over the applause of the watching crowd. “What shocking speed! Thunder Nexus seizes victory in just under three minutes!”
“Holy hell,” Edward muttered, wincing as he plopped onto his backside on the tarmac. “I thought we were done there for a second. I had no clue those vines could be so fast!”
Eric had known, of course, but he’d managed to forget about the threat that Grimr posed as soon as those walls had begun to close in on him. Still, they’d managed to evade nearly everything the Earth Nexus had thrown at them. He couldn’t resist joining James and Edward in laughter as they celebrated their victory, arms wrapped around each other.
“Well done, Edward,” Charlisa said, coming to a halt beside them. “You too, Eric. You fought like you had real experience.”
Eric shook his head, feeling a little awkward. It was still a little difficult to talk as his lungs dragged in more air. “I got lucky. I nearly got caught because I wasn’t paying attention.”
“Yeah, but you broke through that wall like a damn fireball,” James said, shaking his head in amazement. “How could your arms take that impact?”
He looked down at his forearms now, which had taken the brunt of the strain. He could see nasty black and blue bruises forming there already, and the skin was sensitive to the touch. He might just have fractured something there, he thought. “Not sure how. I think the lightning helped quite a bit.”
“We run up walls all the time,” Edward commented. “But I don’t think any of us are crazy enough to try running down. You might have made yourself into a damn pancake!”
“I thought about that,” Eric said, not too truthfully. “But I don’t think there was too much danger. My reflexes could have saved me, but punching through the wall made more sense.”
“Well, risky or not, that was amazing,” Kenta said, putting a hand on his shoulder. “You have good battle sense, Eric-san. I’ll wager you will prove to be a very powerful Nexian in the years to come.”
Eric couldn’t help but feel immensely pleased at his assessment. It was a great compliment from the experienced Nexian, and it almost pleased Eric enough to ignore the stab of guilt in his stomach. He had real camaraderie with these people, or at least they thought so. Soon, he thought, he’d have to betray that sense of trust.