Chapter Thirteen

Russ angrily spats, “Why won’t you stay down?!”

Silently healing my injuries, I avoid eye contact.

“What the hell is going on… I’ve never heard of an elemental power capable of this!”

I meet Russ’s eyes, “You gonna keep talking or actually start doing some real damage?”

Enraged, Russ charges at me, and I carefully observe his movements.

“Looks like he’s fine now,” says Joey, and Ayden hums in agreement.

Channeling iris into my palms, I thrust both arms down to my sides.

He wields Resu and Soma abilities. I don't know much about Soma abilities, but I bet they work similarly to Resu in the sense that he can't maintain that bull transformation for very long. He may have landed a few hits, but in a battle of longevity...

Using my flames as fuel, I boost myself up just in time to dodge. As Russ charges head-first into the painted metal exterior, the barrier shimmers, and a massive amount of smoke implodes from the ground and expands into the nearby area.

Rotating my body mid-air, I use my hands to boost myself toward the wall above Russ.

Quickly circulating iris into my feet, I briefly stick to the wall, knowing the wentworth barrier won’t let me stick for long. Using a technique I learned a long time ago with Defiantos, I channel iris into my soles and push myself off the wall toward the center of the arena. Spreading my arms out like wings, I engulf them with flames. Flapping my arms forward once and using my flames like a fuel boost, I send a concentrated prism of blue and white flames gushing down at Russ.

I have the advantage!

Still stunned from ramming into the wall, Russ is forced to endure the wrath of my attack without any iris channeled for defense. Landing on the ground, I stand up immediately with my blazing arms raised and ready.

I haven’t learned how to use orasi simultaneously with my flames, so this will have to do…

Swiping my right arm through the air, I send a wave of flames through the smoke, hoping they connect with Russ somewhere inside. While maintaining my distance and not allowing any openings, Russ is forced to hop over my incoming attack with iris.

His turn to lean forward, Ayden realizes Joey has grinned for the first time during this duel.

“Would you look at that? He’s actually showing some restraint.”

Backing further away from the smoke, I circulate iris out of my arms. Activating orasi and quickly assessing a visual of the dimensions of Russ’s realm, I recognize that it’s a hemisphere.

I don’t know how it works, but his realm doesn’t cover the entire arena…

Taking a few steps outside Russ’s realm, I focus on the mixed blue and gray cloud slowly dissipating, circulating iris into my arms.

So, I’ll keep the fight outside of it.

Suddenly, a burned and bloody Russ charges out of the smoke. But as he recognizes my position, he’s drawn to a halt. Locking eyes, I point my finger to the ground and draw a small line of flames that traces the edge of his realm. My gaze one of intense focus and confidence, I then flip that same hand over and gesture a daring taunt to Russ.

I hear the crowd cheer behind me, and Russ snorts in anger. Scraping his back leg against the ground a few times as he revs up for another charge, Russ’s expression narrows into a fierce scowl before he finally blitzes toward me.

This is his fastest charge yet, but this keeps us out of his realm. And with those injuries…

Channeling iris into my legs, I leap to my far left, forcing Russ to slow down a little to change his course of direction.

He won’t be able to maneuver his body as well.

Circulating iris back into my arms, I throw another wave of flames at Russ. Russ hops over the wave in the nick of time as I boost myself high into the air again with my flames. Now soaring above Russ, Russ rises onto his hind legs as he channels iris into his hooves, intending to jump and meet me in the air. As he does so with his fisted hoof reeled back, he comes face to face with me.

Gotcha!

As Russ realizes I’m grinning, the terror that courses through his shuddering body makes him lose all stimulus to complete his attack. A bull trying to fight a mid-air battle outside of his realm, Russ dreads his fatal mistake as I boost myself a level higher than him in the air.

Hovering directly above Russ, I channel a massive surge of iris into my hands as I thrust both arms out, palms facing the ground. Emitting an enormous blast of heavenly flames point blank on Russ, Russ is sent plunging to the ground as the recoil throws me nearly into the ceiling.

With gravity at work, I channel the remaining iris I can afford to use into my right hand. Staring down at the burning, unmoving heap beneath me, I deliver a fistful of scorching hot flames directly to Russ’s face, shattering his nose.

Cackling at the duel’s finale, Ayden wraps his arm around Joey’s neck, “Haha! He really won against a dual wielder with just a day's training!”

Rescinding his arm, he playfully backhands Joey on the arm, “Come on, Joe. Cheer up! It’s about time that guy got his ass handed to him! We must be some damn good teachers!”

A few seconds go by until Joey responds to Ayden with a grin before looking back at me.

My beautiful flames illuminate a picture of triumph as I stand over Russ; Joey says, “Yeah… we deserve some credit, but Mateo is the one who fought. This victory is his.”

Taking a few steps back, I catch my breath while studying Russ’s motionless state.

Did I… kill him? Should I…? No. He would’ve killed me. I did what I had to do. This win puts me one step closer to helping Mom and Eric. And the job isn’t done either.

Scanning up and down Russ’s exposed body for tattoos, I only find one. This tattoo is on his stomach, but it is in the shape of horns, and I have no interest in that ability. Remembering the ring being on Russ’s left index finger, I kneel down beside Russ’s left arm and flip his bloody hand over to look at his palm and fingers. Just underneath where the index finger connects to the palm, there is a small circular tattoo with markings similar to that of a compass.

Recalling what Joey and Ayden told me, I channel iris into my finger and create a searing wound on his hand. Not even needing orasi to see the glow of the gemcore buried underneath Russ’s flesh, my face shrivels with disgust as I dig two of my fingers in to retrieve the core. Fiddling my fingers around the gemcore, I feel a short burst of energy rush through me as I yank it out of Russ’s hand. Like they said, the purple gem is small, the size of a marble, but it is shining so brightly, like a pearl.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Channeling iris into my hand, I crush the gem in my palm, broken pieces of it falling to the floor. Not wanting to think about it any longer, I quickly toss the iris core into my mouth and swallow it as if it were a pill. As the core is absorbed into my bloodstream, a violent surge of energy rushes through me. It feels similar to when I awakened yesterday, but it is more manageable this time around. An identical tattoo appears in the same spot on my left hand, and a ring manifests itself around my index finger.

I’ll have to scan this tomorrow to see what it can do.

Sorel’s voice then booms, “Winner of tonight’s duel: Mateo Hernandez. Please make your way over to the door you entered through. The guards will take you from there. All spectators, please make your way back to the left.”

Turning to the crowd, I take in the view. Their cheers had fallen into the background since I won the duel, but I can finally hear them clearly. Most people are cheering, pumping their fists in the air, while the goons are in disbelief at what they have just witnessed.

Locating Ayden and Joey, I raise my right fist into the air and grin ear to ear. Laughing, Ayden pumps his fist while Joey remains seated, giving me a curt nod. Scanning further down the crowd of people, my eyes fall on Makani. She is shyly clapping and still separated from the rest, but she is no longer trying to hide herself.

I lower my fist out of the air and bring it to my chest, tapping it twice. Her eyes fluttering with joy, Makani quickly mimics the same gesture and shows me my token. She then disappears behind the wall that she was leaning against earlier.

I guess she doesn’t want anyone to see her like this.

Walking toward the exit, I look back one last time at Russ.

I still can’t tell if I killed him, but by taking a core, I took a third of this man’s life away. I did that... and there's no going back.

Looking at the door, guards are standing by it on either side, waiting for me.

If I hadn’t won, he would’ve. I would be knocked out or worse, and any chance of me leaving this hell would’ve evaporated. In an arena where it’s kill or be killed, where we’re stripped down to nothing but our brains and brawn, I’m the one who came out on top today. Me.

Leaving the arena, the strangest emotion envelops my consciousness. An emotion I have never felt the luxury of before, and a grin plasters on my face as my hands are cuffed behind my back.

Is that why victory tastes so sweet?

Walking through the training room, the tiny room, and the medical room, we exit into the hallway. Walking one door down, we enter inside, and it’s a bathroom. I’m ordered to shower, and this time, I’m given a fresh pair of clothes and armor, a perk of participating in a duel, I suppose.

After I’m done, I’m led out of the bathroom, and we take a different turn down the hallway.

“Am I allowed to ask where we’re going?”

“Sorel examines the fighters before and after the duel. We’re heading to a room where he has more equipment installed.”

Not having any other questions, the walk is silent until we arrive at the door in question. It’s the same medical room layout I’ve grown used to; however, there’s a surgery room connected on the backside. Many more cabinets and tools are neatly organized inside trays beside the chair. Also, Sorel isn’t the only one inside this time. A small team of other scientists are spread out around the room, typing away at their computers, analyzing the gathered data from my duel.

Dismissing the guards, Sorel extends a hand to me, congratulating me on my win.

“Thanks,” I say with a small smile, shaking his hand.

“You are now one win closer to earning your freedom back,” says Sorel, touching my face and body lightly. “You don’t seem to have sustained any significant injuries, incredible.”

Walking back to his desk, Sorel instructs, “Take a seat. You seem fine, but I just want to run some tests to be sure. You took some hard hits, and there might be some internal issues that we aren’t aware of yet.”

Sitting in the chair, I allow the machinery to scan me as usual, letting it run whatever tests it needs to. After that was done and the machinery began rising, Sorel walked over to me, holding an iris scanner.

“Oh, I’d prefer it if you don’t tell me what my new ability is. I want to wait ‘til tomorrow.”

Sorel nods and scans the tattoo on my left hand, “Very well.”

Walking back over to his computer and connecting the iris scanner, Sorel refrains from showing me the data of my new ability. Nodding in reassurance at a few things, Sorel rubs his face.

As I’ve started to suspect, the techniques of an ability aren’t affected by another’s inheritance.

Unplugging the scanner and throwing it into a drawer, Sorel asks, “How do you feel?”

“Tired, and hungry,” I reply and Sorel laughs.

“Makes sense. That was one of our longest duels yet,” he says, turning his attention to a fellow scientist. “Sam, did you bring them?”

“Yes, sir,” meekly replies the scientist, slowly walking over with a bowl of mango slices.

Immediately salivating at the mouth, I attempt to control myself as Sorel snatches the bowl from the scientist's hands.

“Are those…” I clear my throat, my eyes glued to the bowl like a dog to a treat. “Are those mango slices for me?”

Sorel stifles a chuckle and nods, arousing my suspicion.

“This ain’t a trick, right?” I ask.

“It’s not,” he says, handing me the bowl.

Instantly popping one in my mouth, I relish the taste. A thought arises as Sorel starts talking to some of his team members while I chow down.

I want to like him, but I just can’t after today. Nonetheless, if it scores me mango, I don’t mind acting like an ignorant fool. I guess we’re both putting on a front for each other.

Directing his attention back to me, Sorel says, “Because you won, your spot in the queue will be redetermined. If you had lost, you would have stayed at the bottom of the queue.”

An interesting question pops into my mind.

“What would have happened if I lost and my gemcore was stolen? I wouldn’t be a wielder anymore.”

“Those who lose their gemcores have to prove their worth to me. Until I believe they deserve a second chance with a gemcore, they’ll remain coreless.”

“Oh, I see,” I reply, another box of questions just unlocked.

“You’ll be the lead fighter in the next fight, so if you want, you can pick your next opponent. Otherwise, your opponent will be randomized. Just remember, if you request an opponent, I have to approve it,” says Sorel, typing something. “And as for Russ, he’s in critical condition.”

My chest constricts, but my expression doesn’t change.

“His injuries aren’t mainly iris-related, so I’m no good operating on him. He still has a gemcore, so the doctors should be fine.”

“Why tell me that?”

“Your eyes," answers Sorel. "They’ve changed in the short time we were apart. I can’t discern what it is, but you have... relaxed a little since.”

As I finish my final mango slice, Sorel pats me on the shoulder, “Congratulations again. I’ll contact you when I’ve scheduled your next duel. I look forward to seeing you then, Mateo.”

Exiting the room, Sorel tells the guards that I’m good to go.

Escorted back to the block, the guards let me go as soon as we arrived. Around the block, inmates are spread out, socializing or playing cards like yesterday. Waltzing around packs of people in my search for Joey, Ayden, or Makani, some people compliment me for winning while others keep their distance or remain silent.

I even ran into some goons, or rather, they got in my way. Their scowls twisted with rage, but all it takes is a spark of the eyes and a singular word.

“Move.”

As the goons step aside, I spot Ayden a few seconds later. He is talking with some people I recognize but don’t know the names of. Walking over to them, I don’t see Joey or Makani anywhere nearby.

Noticing me, Ayden hollers, “Ayeeee Mateo!”

Dapping me up, Ayden says, “Hell of a duel, man! Here, I’d like you to meet my teammates!”

Clicking that these are the guys I played basketball against earlier, I awkwardly stare at ‘em and nod.

Ayden points to the far left at the center I matched up against.

“That’s Big Xave. He’s been pissed ever since he had to mark you,” chuckles Ayden, moving down the line.

While Ayden introduces me to each of his teammates, Joey watches the block from above on the second floor.

“He might be able to,” says Joey, leaning his arms on the rail. “The speed of his growth is… inspiring.”

“It’s far too early,” says a gruff voice, stepping up beside Joey. “It was only his first match.”

“And he beat a dual wielder,” says Joey, looking over at the man beside him. “I won’t stay ahead of him for long. He might one day be on par with Toriana.”

The man scoffs, “You sure have a lot of faith in him.”

“But it’s true,” states Joey, his blunt tone commanding the other man’s attention. “How ‘bout the outside?”

“It’s getting worse. The Amlovos have finally made themselves known. Tirikas are being destroyed, teprans disappearing, and the Clover Trine won't be able to continue operating behind closed doors for long.”

Looking around the block at select groups of people talking, Joey says, “We have a fair share of rebels here. Have the Clovers pushed to interrogate them?”

“Not yet, but they will. The citizens are either motivated or scared. A full-scale rebellion is brewing, and the Clovers will do everything possible to prevent that.”

“And what role do you play in all this?” asks Joey. “You might not be a highly ranked officer anymore, but you seem to still have the ear of whoever is.”

“My service to this country is here, and that’s all there is to it.”

“Don’t lie to me, Andrew. We’ve known each other for over two decades, and we both know it’s time you move on with your life.”

“Hmph,” grunts the warden. “Maybe. But now an old friend is close, and I have a score to settle.”

“There’s always something keeping you here,” says Joey, pushing himself away from the rail and walking away. “I’ll let you know if I hear anything.”