Daniel exited his truck with a numb leg, unsure how long it had been since he was sitting still driving behind the group. Liam, on the other hand, was refreshed from the good nap and throbbingly rubbed his eyes. Alyssa directed the two with the rest of the group and all convened at the entrance of a busy building.
“This is where y’all would be residing for the next indefinite period. When you enter, head to the front counter, and they should hand you the information for the rooms,” Thora described, gesturing in.
Daniel, being the last, followed the group and passed through the heavy double brown doors. He almost stumbled after stepping over the threshold due to the numbness lingering in his thighs. This shit is annoying me. He thought as he went in more with a limp, pacing towards the counter. Dropping his forearms onto the counter, he applied his strength to both of his arms, bracing to the countertop for support.
Two clerks, wearing the hotel trademark, stood behind the counter focused on taking the reservations of the cast, ignoring him.
Daniel silently exhaled and inhaled to not cause any attention. One of the clerks finally came to him, asking if anything was wrong. Oh wow, they don't even think I'm part of the group.
“Uh, he’s with us,” Thora scolded.
The clerk immediately apologized in a panic, and awkwardly, the numbness dissipated, allowing Daniel to get back up straight. His towering height in a more closed space made his presence too attractive and tense within the hotel.
“What? Why is everyone silent?” Daniel casually said, not making a face. He turned away from the counter only to be dealt with more stares from the lounge.
“Sir, it's because you are too tall compared to everyone here,” the clerk whispered from behind.
“Oh. I didn't mean to intrude, one moment,” Daniel muttered.
He descended enough to fit himself in, using the countertop to position where he didn't have to go full knee on the floor. “Better?”
Daniel looked back at the lounge where the reception had decreased and the eyes went calmer, resuming their personal business. Resuming at the counter, the clerk slid a paper with the information about his room and the description of the amenities provided by the hotel. Followed with another sheet, providing the basic terms of agreements and required a signature at the empty line below.
He grabbed the pen from across the countertop and signed his signature along the line. Sliding the paper to the clerk, she stamped the paper with the “Approved” ink.
Daniel glanced over his paper, reading his room number:
--
Room 201 – 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom,
***Free Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner***
1 King Bed Standard
Room Appliances: Minifridge, Casting cooker. Qi Weighing scale and a non-Qi Weighing scale.
Magie und Energie Reglements: Any form of actions used in the hotel’s spaces involving qi or any forms of magic is prohibited. Furthermore, consequential actions will be authorized to ensure the safety of our customers.
Our rooms are structured to handle and suppress such urges, and each occupant is given a weighing scale that measures the individual’s pressure. Please use it to your expertise during your entire stay.
--
201, got it. Daniel folded the paper, placing it in his overcoat’s inner pockets. Thora checked everyone had their own similar informative paper in hand.
To his right was the hallway that led to the rooms. It was brightened by illuminating stick-shaped surfaces hung onto the wall by sconces. Daniel stood up once again, strolling first away from the lobby area before waiting for others, letting Thora take the lead. He curiously asked what types of rooms they had.
As figured, everyone received a room on the second floor. Xavier received the end of the bunch where he received room 208, the third to last on the second floor. Heading up the stairs, Daniel was the first to arrive at his front door. Thora told him and everyone to go to their rooms and rest for the remaining night. Thora, acting like a strict tour guide, monitored the hallway until everyone entered their rooms.
Alyssa, residing in 203, glared back at Daniel’s direction before closing her door. Thora saw him still standing outside. The red-haired lass was with her as well. The two walked towards him, wishing to conversate.
Daniel, leaning towards the door, nudged his hand to the door and stepped inside. The border was set by the right and upon entering an intersection after a few steps. To the left entered a partially closed room, structured by concrete walls, was the kitchen. A small metallic sink, a casting cooker on the kitchen counter, and the minifridge disguised as a cabinet on the overhead.
Continuing walking straight arriving to the bedroom, with the headboard of the bed frame stationed right on the wall. There was no television, instead a large desk with a sturdy rolling chair. There was enough walking space between the bedframe’s footer and the seat. I like this. He analyzed the items on the desk. “What a place to stay, all this potential knowledge hidden in the pages,” Daniel uttered.
“Every reader is a fighter, but not every fighter reads during their free time. Kriegshan specialty.”
“I used to have a library of bookshelves at home,” Daniel replied, opening a black hardcover. Ah okay, I’m not reading this now. He jolted and closed the book, placing it back on the desk. Not today. Daniel pulled the seat, making himself comfortable. “What do you want to talk about?” he questioned, thrusting his leg to push himself away from the desk for more open space.
Thora and the red-haired lass sat on his bed. So far, the red-haired has been awfully quiet since her first appearance. Daniel sensed the loner vibe coming through her, reminding him of his youth. Quiet, dazed off from the world. Thora on the other hand, her seriousness when directing the entire group and face-to-face with Zarlise switched to a more eased self when interacting with him. “Many of us were worried when Alyssa left to find Xavier and the mysterious world. And out of the blue, she came back with him but with an entire group. What do you think?”
“The whole new scenery was remarkable but me having to follow the remainder of y'all at a slow pace dozed Liam and Alyssa.”
“Those lights were very bright,” Thora mentioned. “And huge. I saw it had wheels but not that design ever.”
“That's a truck. In our world, it's one of the main uses of transport for a variety of reasons. To add on, Kriegshan has some interesting contradictions. I mean you have all these appliances, and the civilization has a blend of what is considered modern from where I'm from.” Daniel reflected, pulling out his phone from his pocket. “This as well.”
Thora’s eyes were directed at the device. “That looks like a thin black brick with a glass on top.”
“That's how we communicate at such long distances,” Daniel added.
“Apparently, it's not just me interested in you, but everyone after hearing news of your arrival. So, I'll save my time until then,” Thora uttered, standing up from the bed. She confronted Daniel up close. He didn’t move his seat. “Stand up.”
“What are you going to do?”
Thora tapped on his shoulders. “Please, just do it.”
“Alright…” Daniel muttered, lifting his tall figure above the seat with the lighting cast his shadow over her and the entire bed.
“Strip to the minimum, keep your undergarment on.”
This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
“No seriously, what are you doing?” Daniel contested, unwilling to take it off.
Thora sighed. “Everyone who participates in the tournament will have to do this tomorrow, but I’m giving you a head start. Hence, do it now.”
Daniel kept his eyes on her and the red-haired lass before removing his overcoat. One at a time. He tossed his overcoat to the bed. All the tactical gear and the katana on his waist were revealed in the open. He clanked the buckle open.
“Stop!” Thora commanded. “Is that?”
I really need to ramp up my efforts to conceal such a katana from view. Man, now another one knows my weapon. Daniel, being a statue with arms and hands in place, didn’t budge and Thora came closer once again, eyeing the katana. No, don't come closer.
Zarlise’s wielding the blade caused a violent boom of an echo. I saved it by taking it away from her. Yeah, not this time. Can’t be sure if it won’t happen again. Daniel recalled, immediately backed away one step. He held the hilt in his grip like a concealed handgun. “Don’t touch it. More damage will come if you lay a finger on it!”
“Why? You don’t trust me at all?”
“Trust? The last time someone tried to touch this it almost got catastrophic.”
“That was last time, so let me…” Thora insisted.
He refused, not willing to take these risks. Especially in a hotel. “Nah, we are not going to instigate a vibrating earthquake from a hotel.”
Thora’s face down from his comment. “Argh, fine.”
She stepped back and Daniel continued. He removed the tactical belt with one hand and let it fall onto the hard carpet. Kneeling fully down, he gently placed the sheathed katana next to his spot. The black t-shirt was untucked, almost tearing around the collar due to the tightness of his enlarged neck traps. He took his boots with socks and pants off, leaving the pants on the bed while the boots were on the floor.
The red-haired Lass and Thora were staggered at his entire physique. Thora looked away in the direction of the red-haired, and Daniel could see the gulp swallowing on the surface of her throat. “Excuse me,” she muttered. Swiftly, she tumbled to the kitchen, followed by a water flow from the kitchen sink.
It is what it is. Daniel thought, observing his entire body on what could cause the emotional appeal. Maybe his torso or his arms. Lucky me, I guess. The upper torso, arms, and legs are the only ones that matter to me, nothing else. Feeling he had achieved something; he pivoted away from himself and saw Thora thumping her boots back to her prior spot. She had a personal handkerchief and wiped along her forehead. The red-haired Lass rubbed her face, likely she was flustered while he wasn’t looking in her direction.
“Sorry, you have to be careful,” Thora apologized, clearly directing at the definition of his muscularity.
“I’m sure you have seen plenty before?” Daniel claimed.
“There’s a difference in appearance between looks and strength. Many here have the former but not the latter. In your case, it’s both, and that’s a pretty rare high in a good way. However, it’s dangerous.”
“Violence? That far?!”
Thora nodded.
“Adding to that, the reactions at the lobby minutes ago were because of your towering height. Including your physique into the equation; better to be always equipped.” The red-haired Lass commented.
She talks, finally. Daniel’s eyebrows raised after hearing a voice. It was like a sense of relief and the quietness gap has been filled. “I’ll keep that in mind. You know, we have never been introduced.”
“My name’s Victoria, Victoria Auguste.”
“Well Ms. Auguste, nice to meet you.”
“Call me Victoria, it’s enough.” She replied in a muttering voice.
Thora, astoundingly patient, immediately went assertive. “Back to where I was. I need to do the physical test on you to gauge your current performance.”
The Qi weighing scale was in the bathroom. Victoria got up from the bed, sprinting past the door, and came back with a bulky platform. Her rocky-toned forearms were shown through the grip holding the thick sides. She set it down on the floor, and Thora flipped the switch. The light flashed through a wide display with a system boot. Daniel waited until the whirring bootup finished.
Beep!
“Just step on it and pressure your feet downwards until the numbers start rolling,” Thora instructed.
Daniel lifted his left first before his dominant right. Thora directed where he should stand for future reference when he is alone operating the scale. After he stood on the perfect spot, she clenched her fist, signaling him to stop.
Here it goes. Daniel inhaled, focusing on the display. He exhaled slowly while pressuring his legs down as if he were adding more weight to carry on his shoulders each second.
Goodness, how far am I going? Daniel grunted hard enough to hear his teeth grind. The numbers rose exponentially, and multiple zeros appeared on the screen within half a minute.
“Oh my god.” Thora loudly baffled, ordering him to stop.
“I can’t. This is something I can’t control that came at the wrong time!’ Daniel yelped.
Thora and Victoria, risking the hotel policy, deployed their qi. They flashed their blue eyes and lifted their palms engulfed in blue qi that was as bright as a high-voltage flashlight. Two hard slaps right onto his chest, causing him to tumble and exerting an overload of qi from his back.
“Now!” Thora commanded Victoria, hovering her hand over him.
The qi, hovering high up to the ceiling, swirled rapidly in response to Thora and Victoria’s hand. It flowed right to their fingers like a desperate vacuum. They leaned themselves back until their eyes were focused right on the ceiling. Jerking their hands upwards, the swirling cloud was forced to split as they toggled up the quality of the vacuum. They sucked up everything, leaving nothing remaining in a flash.
Daniel wheezed and rolled off the scale, followed by the beeping of the scale. How could this get any worse! God my back is hurting. He rolled around, back-to-back, hastily to thwart the hammering pain over his entire back. Help! He stared at Thora and Victoria in hopes of getting their attention, amidst that they too were having their own ailment to deal with after absorbing his excess qi.
Ah! Make it stop! Daniel agonized. His vocal cords felt disconnected, disabling him to talk. He won’t allow his mind to concede, and he heard a clear voice while still staring at them with his arm out in desperation. Who the hell is talking to me?
<< Look down >>
Daniel eyed away right to the floor and saw his katana’s scabbard flashing white from the rough tints. My katana.
<< Grab it, and your pain will cease. >>
He heard the voice again, thinking he might be delusional. However, the continuous flashing from the scabbard invited him. Slowly, he retained enough grip with his right hand and dragged his entire ridden body right to it. Good lord, I’m heavy. He realized the weight he accumulated in literal terms. The pain that riddled his body, gave him the reality check. I’m weak, darn it. He repeated the sentence, condemning himself for falling to the shenanigans again.
Continuously crawling, his right forearm started to give up as the muscles showed signs of fatigue. At this point, he just ignored body warnings.
Spurt!
Daniel’s head promptly dropped down. He barely saved it, thrusting his weakened left arm. With his head cushioned on his arm, the pain spread up to his forehead. Adding on the lightheadedness.
<
Shit! Daniel felt nauseated, even though he hadn’t eaten anything for at least a while. He persevered amid the stack of ailments. He lifted his head up feeling soaked around his forehead, and his left arm sensed being wet. His eyelids were closed shut when he landed on his arm. Once he forced his eyes open, he slumped again.
Thora’s voice reached his ear. Thora? Help! Daniel attempted a partial roll with his right arm still reaching out to his katana.
“Quick, kick the sword to him!” Victoria’s voice yelled to Thora.
“Stay with me!” Thora cried.
Daniel heard a clank and a hard surface rubbed underneath his fingers, clashing the edge of his palm. He opened his eyes much to their relief. The door to his room opened, and a gathering of people barged in, including the two clerks. Behind the two was everyone else who seemingly heard a commotion and followed.
“Stay back!” Thora yelled as she took one step back at a time, on guard. Victoria acted as a shield, being the frontman.
The lightheadedness was gone, the nausea faded away, and Daniel slowly stood up. His clothes on the bed moved independently like a rolling can budging on the floor randomly of all places. Multiple points of bright light are summoned from the carpet floor, creating a polygon shape. All points traced back to the center where he stood, and it gushed out white qi up to ankle height. The further away and to the perimeter of the entire polygon was when it reached high enough, he was blocked from view of the gathering near the front door.
His clothes reacted to the qi reaching over the edge of the bed. The pants, vertically torn in half, flew up and rammed barely above his undergarment’s waistband. His black t-shirt came next, slamming right to his chest. His opened tactical belt glided to his behind, slowly hovering over his waist before wrapping around closing both ends at the buckle. The overcoat levitated like a cape as the collar reached his neck. The katana went out of his grip, and Daniel put on his overcoat. The katana went underneath his overcoat, returning to its spot with the tactical belt.
The qi generated from the floor dissipated into thin air, leaving no trace behind. Clean floor and untainted bed. Ignoring a slight scratch on the desk, nothing worth looking at until Thora and the clerks pointed to a puddle next to him.
Daniel looked according to where he pointed. Was I bleeding?
Drip.
A small droplet dripped and splattered into the puddle, splashing a tiny bit of blue liquid onto his feet.
His forehead still felt soaked like drenched in sweat. He throbbed halfway through his hair, returning with his blue blood coating his fingers.
“He’s one of us,” Victoria muttered.
“My interests are now concerned…” Thora mused, analyzing the fingers from afar.