Chapter Fifteen

The following morning, Joey and Ayden surmise that the person who challenged me is probably Paulie. Paulie fought and won a duel around the same time Russ did, so Paulie’s next scheduled match should be coming up soon. And after yesterday, he’ll be itching for a fight.

Slightly confused, I ask for clarification about whether a duel will be delayed if one of the fighters is too injured or if they have been punished for violence in Soulbell. The others confirm that they’ve only heard rumors, but supposedly, the warden conducts any prison punishments himself. So unless the inmate is too injured to fight, an inmate's duel date is not tampered with no matter what they do, as Sorel is in complete control of that.

“So, he’s also a dual wielder?” I ask.

“I’d assume so,” says Ayden, Joey nodding in agreement.

“Wait, neither of you went to his last duel?”

“We didn’t know he had one,” says Joey. “I would’ve gone if I knew, but he didn’t tell anyone.”

Maybe he’s smarter than I gave him credit for. None of us know about his abilities, and he’s already got one win under his belt.

Curious about something, I query, “Do you know how long he’s been at Soulbell for?”

“Not too long. Maybe two years?”

Not that long ago, but how does he know about Kavi? That was only a few months ago.

“What about his opponent? Do you know who fought him?”

They shake their heads as Joey says, “No, but I’ll know by lunch. If Russ is a dual wielder, his opponent no longer has a gemcore. Only so many people fit that category now.”

Joey activates orasi and looks around the room. Crinkling his nose after a few seconds, he deactivates orasi.

“There’s too many people, and this armor…”

“Wait, let me try,” I say, thinking that having two cores myself might make a difference.

Looking around the room with orasi, I see a blur of many gray glimmering lights that all look the same. There are so many that I have to squint, and as my eyes scan across one particular spot in the room, I stop.

Is… she… does she have a gemcore? Wait– she does! No… it’s gone again…

The others realize who I’m staring at as I try to figure out if the isolated woman is actually an ex-wielder. Pushing myself past my time limit for Orasi, I deactivate it and continue staring at her. That’s when I realize she is staring back at me, too, and we make eye contact.

No… that presence, that look, why couldn’t I see her iris?

On her face is a slight smile, and then her eyes spark a turquoise glow.

A bone-chilling shiver shoots down my spine, and I ask the table, “I’ve been wondering for a while… but who… is that?”

“You know how these duels started up a couple months ago?” says Ayden.

“Yeah…”

“Well, out of everybody in the hall, she’s the only person who has fought twice. And she's won both times.”

Joey adds, “And on top of that, she stole the gemcores from both her opponents.”

“That woman… is a tri-wielder?”

“That’s what we think, but she’s a complete mystery,” quietly says Joey. “Both her opponents ended up in the infirmary, barely alive. She’s been at Soulbell for over a decade, and hardly anyone has noticed her. It was almost like she wasn’t here, but ever since she won both duels, she couldn’t lurk behind the scenes any longer.”

“How come I couldn’t see her iris?” I ask, shooting a glance toward her.

“You’re still learning orasi, but when it comes to her, I’m asking the same questions as you. I consider myself one of the more experienced individuals here in iris, but by the time I learned orasi, it was too late. Out of everybody here, she’s the only person I’ve never been able to inspect. Whether it’s a difference of strength, or she’s learned something I haven’t, I don’t know.”

Could it be because she has three gemcores? No, Joey must’ve learned orasi before she fought in her second duel. Which means it doesn’t matter how many cores you have, the only way to truly increase your overall strength is through training.

“We didn’t even know her name ‘til recently, but now, everybody knows her. She sits there every day, watching every person pass by, examining them like a lioness stalking its prey. She has no connections to anybody, and nobody dares to say a word to her out of fear of being challenged. Not even Russ did. Her name is Toriana, and she’s the freshly emerged queen of Soulbell.”

Going from being unknown to possessing such a powerful aura. If she could do that, who else in this hall can? Who else is hiding their true capabilities?

***

Besides combat training, I think playing basketball in the yard is my favorite part of the day. Today, our rivalry with Ayden’s team went down to the wire as usual. We each took a game for ourselves, but the tiebreaker was cut short for lunch.

After a longer shower, I didn’t want to head over to Ayden and Joey’s cell like usual. Instead, I lie down and just let my mind wander. Smelling the comforting scent of my mother on my knitted token, I think about her, Eric, Kavi, iris, Toriana, Russ, and my duel coming up tonight. Paulie never showed himself at the court, which I am relieved about. I’m getting tired of dealing with people like him, people who think they can just say whatever they want to me and get away with it. Exhaling a long breath, I place my token on the table beside me.

I’m looking forward to letting off a little steam tonight.

I must’ve also fallen asleep at some point because I am woken up by Joey shaking me.

Sitting up and rubbing my eyes, I ask, “Damn, did I miss lunch?”

Leaning against the cell bars, Ayden replies, “No, there’s still a few minutes ‘til lunch.”

“Ah, okay,” I grunt, Makani stirring awake. “You guys weren’t worried about me, were you?”

“No,” bluntly answers Joey. “We brought somebody you might be interested in.”

As my vision clears, I notice a third person standing beside Ayden. He is bald and has a cut on his lower lip.

“Oh, hello,” I awkwardly say, nodding to him before looking back at Joey for help.

“What do you notice about him?” asks Joey, making things even more awkward.

“What?” I utter, wishing to at least know his name.

“I said, what do you notice about him?” repeats Joey, his eyes sparking.

Oh… I see.

Activating orasi, I don’t detect any iris inside the man.

“He doesn’t have any iris,” I say.

“What the hell is this, Joey?” the man hisses. “You bring me here just so I can be insulted?”

“‘Course not, Charles,” answers Joey. “But don’t you want a little payback on Paulie?”

Charles skeptically cocks a brow, “The angel doesn’t owe me anything, and I don’t want to be in his damn debt. Plus, he fought last week. Sorel wouldn’t have rescheduled him this early.”

“Maybe, but that doesn’t matter if Paulie challenged him today.”

Transferring his gaze from Joey to me, Charles’s gaze sharpens, “Paulie challenged you?”

I nod, “I think so.”

Charles walks past Joey, “Get up.”

Looking at Joey, Joey gives me a few quick nods. Getting out of bed, I stood up beside Charles. Face to face with this man I just met, all I can go off of is Joey’s signal to keep my mind at ease. I have well over half a foot on him, but Charles’s determined scowl didn’t show the slightest hint of fear.

“Will you beat him?”

“I think–”

Suddenly punched in the gut, I’m more shocked than anything as I crumble down to a knee.

“Hell, I didn’t ask you what you think! Will you beat him or not?”

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Taking a few breaths to get my wind back, my own fierce glare ignites.

“Yeah, I will,” I say as I rise back up.

After studying me for a few seconds, Charles takes a few steps back, content with my response.

“If you want details about Paulie's abilities, you’ll have to pay for it.”

“I’ll give you extra food for the next two weeks,” offers Ayden.

“Not from you, from the angel,” says Charles.

“Is beating Paulie not enough?” I ask, and Charles shakes his head.

“Fine, I'll offer extra food to you as well, but I'll determine the length based on the quality of information,” I say. “That deal only starts after today. Can’t have Paulie seeing us together in the hall.”

Charles’s eyebrows narrow, “You learn quick.”

Shooting looks at Makani, and then Joey, I reply, “I’ve been told.”

“My duel with Paulie only lasted a few seconds,” says Charles, the noon thunderbell booming.

Using the noise level to drown out his recollection of his duel, Charles continues, “One moment, he was in front of me, and the next, the bastard had vanished. By the time I turned around, I only got a glimpse of him before he knocked me out. It was hardly even a damn duel.”

“So, he can teleport?” I ask, already working out a strategy.

“Sure looked like it to me. Maybe it was an illusion, but I’m betting he really is that damn fast. The ability he stole from me is a particle one. Hardly even got to use it before–”

“Alright,” I say, cutting him off as I walk past everyone and exit the cell. “I’ve heard enough. A week since I'm feeling generous.”

Making my way toward the mess hall, my friends are frozen behind me, dumbfounded by what I have just done. Surprisingly, the only person in that cell who isn’t taken aback is Charles, whose expression slowly transforms from confusion to amusement.

“Well, I’ll be damned,” says Charles. “Looks like the angel actually lives up to his rep.”

***

Stuffing my face with a cold chicken sandwich, I’m smacked on the back of the head.

“Damn, what was that for–”

“You got a death wish?” asks Makani, plopping down next to me.

“No–”

“Then that was pretty goddamn stupid,” remarks Makani, Ayden and Joey taking a seat across from us.

“What were you thinking?” asks Joey.

“Well,” I say, swallowing some food. “I didn’t need to know anything else.”

Joey’s brows furrow as he leans forward, “The hell you mean you didn’t need to know anything else? You’re going up against another dual wielder, and Charles was about to tell you his ability!”

“I don’t need to know it,” I reply.

Joey scoffs, “I don’t think you realize what you just turned down. People here don’t hand out information very often, and you just walked away from that. You’re lucky Charles didn’t take it the wrong way.”

“And if he did?”

“What?”

“If he took it the wrong way, what would happen?” I ask, putting down my sandwich.

Joey and I lock eyes, our silent conflict garnering the attention of the rest of our table.

“You think you can take everybody on just because you won a duel?”

“Not Toriana,” I quickly reply. “And I guess not either of you.”

“Damn straight. And you better believe many other people here are stronger than us. You have to believe that, even if it’s not true. Continue acting like a cocky brat like this tonight, and you’ll lose one-third of your life force. Hell, you might lose your damn life like you almost did to Russ!”

“Look! I have a plan, okay?”

Leaning back in his chair, Joey waits for me to explain.

“If Paulie won his duel that quickly, he’ll heavily rely on his teleportation ability again. I doubt he’s even tried to train the particle one much because his teleportation was so effective.”

“And that justifies you walking away earlier?” pushes Joey. “Try putting yourself in his shoes. He may have been in the infirmary, but everybody watched your duel with Russ. Hell! He was in the infirmary with Russ! Paulie knows how your abilities work… they're no secret now! While your inflated ego and pride turned down the opportunity to secure a win, I'm damn sure Russ has already figured out his strategy!”

Fed up, I snap, “What the hell is your problem?! Last time I checked, this isn’t your duel! Why do you care so much about it?! About me?! I can handle myself!”

“Joe, maybe he’s–” starts Ayden, but Joey gestures for Ayden to stop talking.

Staring long and hard at me, Joey says, “Alright… Mateo. You got it.”

Annoyed, I pick up what’s left of my chicken sandwich and ask after taking another bite, “Ayden, I’ve been wondering. I already have a Resu ability, so if I tried to steal another Resu ability, could I?”

Ayden shakes his head, “No. You can inherit an ability of the same class but not the same category.”

“Interesting. So, depending on a person’s fighting style, waiting and stealing a power that compliments their other abilities might be better.”

“That’s one way to look at it. Some people also want to obtain three abilities as fast as possible because it gives them more options in battle. All I know is that if I tried to steal another Ano ability, my body would reject the inheritance.”

“Same goes for you?” I asked Makani.

Makani shrugs without making eye contact, “Dunno, you think you deserve to know this stuff?”

“Oh,” Ayden looks at Joey. “We not helping him?”

“He doesn’t seem to need it,” says Joey.

“Fine,” I say, looking at Joey. “I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for me so far, but I have a plan here, and it’s a good one. This isn’t like Russ. I actually know what I want to do this time. You’ve prepared me to be able to fight like this, so why not put a little trust in me?”

“You said you can handle yourself. I want to see you back that up,” says Joey.

***

The rest of lunch is uncomfortably quiet. Ayden and I talk back and forth occasionally, and Makani eventually warms back up, but Joey keeps to himself. Afternoon training and dinner have the same vibe, tense and awkwardly stiff.

Before I know it, it is almost time for my duel. Despite his contentious attitude since lunch, Joey is the first to wish me good luck, followed by Ayden and Makani. I almost tell him I don't need his luck, but I decide against that as the guards arrive to escort me to the arena.

It is also finally confirmed at dinner that Paulie will be my opponent, and when people realized that I am one of the fighters again tonight, it felt like the entire room began talking about me.

Looks like I might have a large crowd again. Perfect, I want them to see how strong I’ve grown.

After meeting with a bubbly Sorel and clearing all of his tests before the duel, I went through the same preparation procedure that I had done last time. This time, though, there are more mango slices waiting for me, which I happily feast on before working on iris circulation and movements.

***

Standing across from Paulie with another large crowd in attendance, I ask him, “What were you talking about yesterday in the yard?”

“None of your business,” replies Paulie, a confident grin plastered on his smug face.

While Sorel counts down to zero from the skybox, I harden my resolve.

He might not have been involved in either of their deaths, but he knows more than I do.

Sliding the ring off my finger as Paulie plants a foot behind him, I prepare to counteract his early teleportation assault.

“Three… two… one… begin!”

The duel starts, and Paulie immediately vanishes into thin air.

Instead of throwing my ring high into the air, I discreetly toss it back over my shoulder and activate compass ring. Hearing the chimes of my realm, I can sense the traces of Paulie’s iris moving into position directly behind me. Pretending I’m oblivious, I wait for the right moment, copying the same trick Russ used on me.

Confidence flooding over Paulie as he observes my static state, he pounces toward my exposed back. Hearing another chime, I smirk and circulate an overwhelming amount of iris into my fist, engulfing it with a beautiful fury of blue and white flames. Swiveling around, I strike Paulie directly in the face.

The impact sends the defenseless Paulie flying backward, skipping along the ground. The crowd roars as I channel iris into my legs. Sprinting after Paulie’s body and ready to follow up with another attack, I realize that he is still conscious, but his eyes already show defeat.

Kneeling down, I grab him by the shirt and yell, “What are you hiding?!”

“Heh, heh,” chuckles Paulie, blood spilling down his face. “You really don’t know anything? Neither of them ever told you… the truth?”

“What truth?!”

Amused at my plight, Paulie laughs even harder, and I throw him onto the ground. Raising my right fist, I strike him across the face. Raising my left fist, I strike him again, and between every word, I deliver a hefty, enraged blow to Paulie’s upper body.

“What… f*cking… happened… to… my… father… and… Kavi?!”

With deep breaths, I sit on top of Paulie, who can barely breathe.

His eyes shut and mouth barely open, he gasps out the words, “The… Amlovos… rebels…”

Paulie falls unconscious after uttering that last word, and I rack through my brain for any connections or mentions of the Amlovos rebels.

Nothing. I’ve never heard of them.

Taking a few seconds to calm down after technically winning my second duel, I notice a tattoo on his wrist of an arrow split into three parts, the arrow pointing toward the palm. Two parts are glowing, and after a second, the third part of the arrow lights up again.

Interesting.

Gazing at the tattoo, I ponder about whether I should steal it.

This is definitely the tattoo for Paulie’s teleportation ability. Based on how it worked, I bet it’s a Soma ability, a category type I can still inherit. Compass ring might be weak against elemental powers, but my heavenly flames will be able to match any Tochi ability no problem. Collecting an ability from the internal class will also mean I have an ability from all three classes. I just wish this power was a Myalo ability instead. My flames already amp up my body’s strength and speed quite a lot.

Deactivating my realm, a ring materializes around my finger again.

Hm, maybe I should’ve let the duel run a little longer to see what else this power is capable of. I have nothing to base it on, but Paulie didn’t seem to have good control of it. His technique was sloppy and got sensed by a Resu ability. Screw it. Just because he didn’t make proper use of this doesn’t mean I won’t either.

Channeling iris into my finger, I cut open a wound on his tattoo. Retrieving the red gem, I crush it and pop it into my mouth.

With this, I’ll be able to keep up with anyone.

An identical arrow tattoo appears on my right hand, implicating that I've fully awakened a third ability. As Sorel announces my victory once more, I walk over toward the crowd.

Let’s see, I don’t know what this ability is called yet, but I should be able to naturally use it, right? It won’t be at its fastest speed, but…

Circulating iris toward the new gemcore on my right wrist, a quick energy pulse rapidly flows through my entire body. Time slows around me, and a violent pulse thumps from my wrist.

It’s not a teleportation ability! This power slows down time?! That’s why Paulie disappeared! He was too fast for my eyes to track, but compass ring still picked up on the traces of his iris!

Running forward, the pulsation continues to vibrate from my wrist at the same tempo.

How long does this last? It was only a second or so in real time… right? I wonder if I can control when I can exit this state...

I see people’s faces change in slow motion among the crowd as they realize I have disappeared. Joey is speaking with Ayden, and Ayden’s hand is slowly moving forward, pointing out toward the arena. Makani is seated next to them, her lips puckered out as she nods, impressed.

I’m too fast for anyone to see me! I–

My gaze lands on Toriana, who is leaning up alone against the back wall of the watching sector. Unlike the rest, her face morphs into an expression that sends me into a cold sweat. Her eyes are enveloped with a turquoise hue, and one side of her lip is curled into a half-grin.

She… she can see me!

As my ferocious pulses begin to slow back down, time gradually speeds back up. To everybody else, I reappear before them in the blink of an eye, and another round of cheers resound. Pumping my fist in the air, I enjoy the moment as much as possible.

However, I can not pry my eyes away from Toriana until she walks out of my view.