Conditions for the race. A fast sprint from outside the assembly building to a neutral library, then back. Because it was estimated to be less than five minutes, no custom track was loaded, and Vin didn't worry about exhausting his still unideal body.
He glanced around the seasonal-colored university campus at the thousands of individuals that bordered the concrete path in surveillance.
Castiel spoke with associates a few yards away, one who held up an electric tray. A simple black, oval container that held ten nanospheres in place. Vin watched while the holder pressed a button, and the tray rotated several times before stopping.
The king of skate had mature features but appeared playful, quirky, and somehow unreadable. He covered his eyes, spun around three times, then reached down and grabbed a random sphere. "I wonder what ability it'll be this time," he uttered, joining the start line.
Vin observed him, then inquired about his motives for using a random skill for their race. The answer wasn't anything virtuous or reasonable; Castiel was simply 'that guy.'
Even though he held the highest status a student could have, he accepted any challenge issued, whether from a notorious champion or the mice that snack on cheese behind the cafeteria. At some point, he became so bored of winning every match that he ditched his million-dollar nanosphere and began borrowing from the school's collection.
Vin had no issues. He didn't feel underestimated or unworthy because it didn't matter what the boy used. Common, rare, legendary, whatever SFX it was, Vin felt nothing would be enough to stop him on his climb to the top.
Castiel attached the sphere to his belt, then stepped on his skateboard, but even that looked standard and unbefitting his title. Jane announced for them to prepare, and since there was no track, she took it upon herself to add a couple of 'obstacles.'
Dozens of pale, flesh-rotting ghouls in tattered robes materialized and scattered on the path. Jane squirmed with excitement and exclaimed, "undead, my favorite!"
"Hurry! 3, 2, 1, Go!" She quickly spat. It seemed like an unofficial countdown, and many expected a more professional initiation. Maybe a firework, gunshot, something.
No, neither Vin nor Castiel hesitated; both racers cracked into a dash the moment she spewed the word 'go.'
There was cheer, but only for the blinding king that zipped down the course. Evidently, no one expected Vin to conquer that indomitable force, son of an Icon or not.
He was confident on a straight, yet his opponent led ahead by several yards. They were accelerating by raising their leg to waist height, then slamming down and propelling off the floor. Despite this simple act, their motions were tasteful and appealing to watch.
Castiel's handsome stride was broken when the first ghoul burst into a mad, hunger-fueled dash toward him. The undead creature leapt with its sharp claws aimed at the man's flesh.
Placid, Castiel's right arm swayed, and when within range, he elegantly slapped the monster across the face as if it disrespected his hospitable tea.
The ghoul's head rocked, and its flailing body was ditched behind the racer. Not for long, because the creature rose again and released a dreadful screech that alerted the rest of its sort.
Every undead form gained objective and shrieked before driving with intent to fill their bellies. Typical ghoul stuff. Though, everyone immediately noticed something bizarre.
Not one, or just a few, but every mob on the field headed exclusively for Castiel as if they desperately wanted an autograph from the king.
|A 'mob' refers to any living and moving entity in a game.
"Well, this is unusual," announced Jane, who did commentary on the race. Also not her job; some employees were explicitly paid for that role, but she took over.
Jane narrated the events while revealing that she had never experienced such a circumstance. There was no notable reason for all the mobs to chase only one of the participants. Nevertheless, she dared not write it off as a 'glitch' in the system in front of live cameras.
Castiel was unfazed, still modeling his immaculate smile for the viewers and the assailing monsters. He weaved left and right on his board, an astute SMACK sounding every time he slapped the holy into the jolting ghouls.
Fun for him, but it was vexing for Vin. He couldn't stand being denied a fair race, and if his family was watching-
No, he had to act. Show everyone what he was capable of; ingrain his name into their minds.
While dodging the monsters, Castiel had to swerve outward away from Vin, but he eventually drove inward again. When he returned, Vin sped in front of the man, flexed his open hand, and grabbed the face of a mid-air creature, leaping toward Castiel.
His intent was read, and Miyo relocated to his right shoulder before a burst of black fire combusted down his shirt's sleeve. Flames traveled discretely down his arm and ignited the undead that he gripped, which gave the illusion he had conquered the magic himself. All the cloth around Vin's arm burned away and unveiled the intricate composition that was his skin.
Within the second, the entire ghoul was engulfed and primed for slugging. Vin cocked his arm back and slammed the creature's head on the ground to repress its resistance/consciousness. Then he kneeled down in preposition, popped his longboard off the ground, and, while airborne, rotated violently and hurled the flaming monster at Castiel.
The student outstretched their arms like an angel, then threw their spine backward, promptly ducking below the obstacle like a game of limbo.
Vin was instantly wide-eyed at the athletic feat performed. The man managed to keep both of his feet locked on his skateboard while bending backward at a 90-degree angle. If previously asked if it was possible, Vin would have said no.
When Castiel snapped upright again, he was wearing a new expression. Rather, lacking in one. He was plain.
Straight faced and gazing at Vin, this time as if he was a human. As a threat.
Jane exploded on the intercom, shouting her amazement. "Did you see that!? Gavin has revealed his power and managed to do a 180 rotation while tossing a mob! But, as expected of one of the three kings of skate, Castiel managed to dodge beautifully!"
Vin became preoccupied with trying to soothe Miyo, who was silently and regretfully scrambling in his clothing after burning its owner's expensive shirt and blazer.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
The summon had rehearsed channeling flames around Vin without burning him or his clothing but never at the magnitude needed in a competition. Its owner's forgiving palm caressed the location it hid in, then whispered, "sorry. It's my fault for trying to do this without you."
"I just want to prove myself with as little help as possible. Only using the skills dad taught me."
Sir goldy eyes kicked away a surprise attack, then returned his attention to Vin. "You're good," he acknowledged.
"That stunt you performed usually isn't difficult; every skater here can execute a 180 ollie. But not with such precision and perfect landing. You also skate with well-positioned footing and outstanding balance."
"I'd understand if this was a performance, but It's unusual for individuals to exercise such flawless execution in a race."
Vin wondered how the man had time to study his skating style while fending off the aggressive ghouls. Was he simply overly observant, or was he dealing with the mobs soo effortlessly that he had the leisure to do other things? Vin didn't know, but the race wouldn't go on forever, and he needed to create an impression on those watching.
Castiel also appeared ready to get serious. He activated his random ability, which molded into an old-school clock with an affixed stick of dynamite. The hour and second hand on the timepiece spun furiously before halting, and a slow ticking ensued.
It was a countdown, and the wary Vin eyed the item to prepare for whatever came next.
...
The hour hand laid at zero while the second ticked down from six, then five, four-
The golden boy sighed, flipped the obtrusive hairs that blew over his handsome face, then, in a coolheaded voice, ordered the clock, "deactivate."
Three, two, one. The clock's hand struck zero, and the bells on its head loudly rang. "Well, this is embarrassing," uttered Castiel.
If there was time, Vin would call him an idiot. But in a split second, he uttered to Miyo while heaving himself from his longboard, dashing toward, then tackling Castiel. A flash detonated after and enveloped everything at the site before an explosion rinsed them away.
<>
Fallen alongside the sands of time, both racers minded their preordained paths after the incident. That of which led them to indisposition inside a medical center.
A dark, deep blue ambiance met Vin when he awakened. His eyes fluttered as he tried to acclimate to consciousness and decipher if he was dreaming.
"Fish?" he murmured, observing a space completely tinted in sapphire. The interior was much like the airport Vin landed in. Instead of solid painted walls, digital displays acted as the roof and borders. They were everchanging and fluid; the entire building seemingly existed beneath the vibrant sea.
Unlike a hospital, this center was designed to tend to many simultaneously. A sizeable dome-shaped building without rooms but a flexible curtain system themed after fish.
Vin found it entrancing; he never knew how beautiful the ocean floor was or that soo many entities existed there. He understood so little outside of skating and had far too few fulfilling experiences in life.
The more he thought about how fucked his life was, the angrier- no, while he wanted to convince himself it angered him, in truth, it was sad.
He stared at the fish swimming above, then whispered solemnly, "I want them back."
What did he desire so much he'd beseech a digital construct? It was Time. All the days and years he should have been with his loved ones, going to aquariums and learning about sea life, visiting amusement parks, and experiencing relationships. He wanted it back.
Unfortunately, an hourglass that'd been overturned becomes linear and only stops when at its end.
From the inside of his shirt, Miyo wriggled its head out and glanced up at its owner's lamentable face. Vin rested his hand on the creature, then apologized, "sorry for putting you through so much. Even in this life, you're always saving me."
The creature nodded, then repeatedly pecked at Vin in response, "stop being so careless," it'd likely say.
"I got it, I got it," Vin chuckled lightly. "By the way, were you able to save that other guy too?"
Miyo pivoted toward another bed; as luck would have it, they shared a common space with the racer. Vin peeked at him, and as if on cue, the man sat up, opened his eyes, and yawned like a Disney princess.
Something about it must have irked Miyo because they flew over and flapped at the man's face. Vin wrung them back in, then rose to the edge of his bed before asking, "how long have you been awake?"
Castiel lightly positioned his index finger over his lips, then gaily answered. "I never fainted. I just pretended so we could speak in private."
Inferior was the word Vin was thinking of to describe the unfamiliar constricting feeling in his chest; he just couldn't pinpoint it at the time. He briefly contemplated how an individual became less susceptible to being knocked out, then barked. "What do you want?"
"Just to understand," replied Castiel, crossing his legs. "You probably didn't know that my rank granted me higher health points than ordinary students, so I would have survived without your intervention. But still, I wonder why you wanted to save me."
Vin considered his response, then went with, "A strong predator needs strong prey to keep their claws sharp."
Doubtful, the man asked the question again, seeking a sincere answer. Vin recollected that Crow's group appeared pleased with that reply, whereas Castiel looked disappointed.
Vin didn't feel obligated to tell the truth, nor did he care for Castiel's opinion of him. But he walked to, then touched the digital wall that displayed the sea depths. "Truthfully. It'd just be depressing if you were expelled before I got to beat you."
"Bizarre," grinned Castiel, curiously staring at Vin's side profile. He didn't understand why Vin was aligned with the Dragon faction when his values differed significantly from the average member.
Unhurriedly, the student approached Vin and Stood at his shoulder while gazing out into the wonderous waters. "If you want, I could adopt you into the Lion's faction."
Straight-faced and monotonous, Vin asked, "Is that possible?" Then In a quick response, the student stated that as a king, he had the right to choose his subjects. It sounded like a pretentious thing for a teenager to say, but their words carried weight.
At first, Vin dismissed him entirely, but after time to recollect the sort of people Crow and his group were, he began to form his response. "Then, i-"
Early-sentence, the curtains to their space were RIPPED open. A group of concerned students stormed the room, floored that the staff placed one of their kings in the same bed area as a Dragon.
Though, in truth, Vin and Castiel were separated. After the nurse left, the king awoke from his pretend slumber and relocated himself to the same room as his interest.
Also, a pleasant surprise, the forgiving and not-at-all-raging Mickey and Fray were leading the pack. They'd done well to spread the misinformation that Vin was working as Crow's henchman.
Something about him pretending to be a noob unaware of Crow's evil nature. Apparently, he was in on the evil scheme the whole time and faked being dead to win the race and kill the opposing Lions.
The detective of the year award goes to! Buzzz, wrong.
Still, there was a hostile atmosphere that Vin basically ignored and continued fish-gazing. He didn't need to worry since Miyo was lodged in his clothing and awaiting its owner's order to reduce them all to firewood.
Too bad, that scenario never came. Castiel didn't acknowledge his associates spun narrative, nor did he side with Vin. However, the fact was that they were disturbing the people of the facility. It took little for him to talk them down, and the man led the students from the space.
On the way out, he pivoted and smiled, "I hope you'll challenge me again, Gavin Dance."
Naturally, Vin had already planned on doing so. However, before that day arose, he urged the student to buy himself a sphere because if they self-destructed again, he'd be pissed.
With a closed-eyed smile, Castiel and his seethed entourage were gone.
Long since sick of medical facilities, Vin grabbed his busted-up board, growled at the extensive damages, and departed.