Emerging from another port, Tanabe was greeted by Milu’s greedy smile.

  “Was beginning to think you weren’t coming,” Milu said.

  “I’m guessing your father doesn’t know you can port?”

  “He doesn’t know a lot of things,” Milu said. Clasping his hands around his mouth, he mimicked a bird’s call.

  Tanabe’s eyes lingered on the small shack they occupied. “Where are we exactly?”

  “Nyhud, west of the Kingdom of Kiltzer.”

  “Nyhud?! What are we doing so far from the empire?”

  “It’s the only place left with the fights still running,” Milu explained.

  Tanabe slouched forward, saying, “What did I get myself into?”

  A bird’s call from afar made Milu wave in response. Milu said, “Tanabe, allow me to introduce Rai.”

  Out of the shadows came another boy; his attire was ragged, his pants torn, and his dark green eyes were rigid as he refocused on Milu.

  “Who’s this?” Rai said.

  “Tanabe,” Tanabe offered his hand, but Rai, eyes fixed on Milu, ignored the gesture.

  “Didn’t we agree to keep quiet about this?” Rai said.

  “He’s fine, trust me,” Milu said.

  “Fine, but he’s your problem,” Rai said, hurrying up the ladder in the corner.

  “Right,” Milu said, urging Tanabe with a light slap across his back. “Come on, newbie.”

  Tanabe frowned. “I’ve never been this far from the empire before.”

  They made their way through a maze of curving backstreets.

  The ground was littered with trash, and the air was thick with the smell of urine and feces. Homeless huddled against closed storefronts along the streets, once thriving with life.

  “How did you hear about these fights?” Tanabe said.

  “Hm, I know a guy,” Rai said.

  “Right...” Tanabe muttered, having gotten the same answer from Milu. Looking ahead he noticed two little yellow muishi approaching; tiny packs, like those carried on toothbrush-sized sticks, were on their backs. “Are you two visiting from out of town?” Smiling, Tanabe leaned closer as they both nodded slightly. “That’s traveler muishi’s for you—”

  Without warning, a cat punced on one of the muishi, snatching it and vanishing down a dark alley.

  In a panic, the second darted off, but a bird swept it up in an instant, carrying it off high into the sky.

  Tanabe’s mouth dropped open in utter disbelief.

  “Should have snagged them when you had the chance. They're not half bad,” Rai said, strolling past with his hands in his pockets.

  “Tried telling him,” Milu said, passing Tanabe.

  The further they ventured into Nyhud, the more nature’s grasp on it became present.

  A protruding root caused Tanabe to stumble, but he quickly regained his balance. “The roots, their still intact.” Massive roots encircled structures; others pierced walls, ascending into the sky, showcasing nature’s powerful influence. “Are these from the Shattering?”

  “Yeah,” Rai said, stopping after turning a corner.

  Nearby, a child was partially hidden in an overturned, dented trash can. They paused, then crawled backward onto his knees in a sitting position as the rustling went on inside.

  A little later, another little boy appeared, a bright smile on his face as he presented a half-eaten pear.

  Seeing this caused Tanabe to frown. He thought, accustomed to the luxuries of the empire, this felt wrong…

  “Never been to the slums?” Milu said.

  “No,” Tanabe said. “I’d heard these places never completely recovered from the Shattering, but this is worse than I imagined. Grandpa says Kiltzer is to blame for ignoring this.”

  Rai brushed past Tanabe, saying, “Their neglect is just the least of it. It’s a lack of attention all around.”

  “We there yet?” Milu blurted out.

  In the alley, Rai studied the deep cracks marred with faded, graffiti-covered concrete. “This is it, I think...” Rai opened a vent, creating a small opening to squeeze through.

  “This way,” Milu said, sliding in after Rai.

  Tanabe peered at the downward-sloping metal vent, hesitantly inching his way in, before dropping. He landed in a blood-soaked hamper of towels, causing his stomach to churn.

  As Milu jumped out, Rai shouted “Alright!” and turned a corner.

  “Wait up guys!” Beside the basket, a large blue purifier spilled purple goo on Tanabe, cleansing the blood on the towels, and the grime on Tanabe. Jumping out, the goo slowly evaporated as he muttered, “At least I’m clean...”

  In the distance, the sounds of cheering crowds and clashing metal blended together.

  As Tanabe caught up, Milu’s heart pounded, and he turned to him, saying, “You hear that?! The fights are still going on!”

  “We arrived right on time,” Rai said, joining the growing crowd.

  Roars thundered once more as they reached the hallway’s end.

  In the center, two men brutally fought in a large cage.

  Tanabe stopped, looking over the crowd. More than just wealthy businessmen and cloaked figures were gathered. “Bandits,” he muttered.

  “See ya!” Milu said, pushing into the crowd.

  Tanabe hurried after him, but gap as many tried to get a closer look of the fight. “Um, excuse me…”

  Reaching a tall metal fence, Rai and Milu exchanged a quick nod before scaling it and peering into the arena from the top.

  “There he is,” Milu said.

  “Take this!” The axe hit Banu’s wooden shield, lodging firmly in the breaking wood. “It’s stuck?!” The man’s eyes locked with Banu’s mask.

  The face was smooth, the mouth stretching wide like a doll’s, with toy-like lines that ran down into a pointed chin. The narrow eye holes offered little more than a glimpse of shadow behind them.

  “Having trouble?” Banu’s voice was cold, and a rotten, lingering smell drifted from him.

  The combatant’s lips twisted. “You’re a freak!”

  With a sharp yank, the man’s axe came free, but Banu seized his shirt, lifted him effortlessly, and smashed him onto the ground. The man lay still, motionless.

  Banu raised his fist to the sky; the faint red blush on the mask’s cheeks stood out against the pale surface, almost too bright under the narrow eyes.

  As the crowd boomed, others stormed the cage, pulling the unconscious fighter away.

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  “You ready?” Rai said.

  “Yeah,” Milu said.

  Tanabe lifted his foot, gum stretching upward. “Where’d they go?” he muttered. Two drunk men nearly crashed into him, forcing him to move forward. Weaving through the crowd, he spotted several TVs with silhouettes before finally finding Rai and Milu. “Found them!”

  “Who’s up next? I challenge one, or even two of you, to a fight!” Banu shouted as his opponent was dragged from the arena. Nobody dared to advance. “Is no one fit to fight Banu?” His gaze fell onto a specific TV with gold letters that spelt, underrena.

  Within it was a silhouette who seemed to be petting a small animal.

  The creaking of the cage door filled the silent arena, instantly captivating the crowd.

  The spectators’ murmurs grew into a louder, frustrated buzz.

  From Rai and Milu’s former position, Tanabe found his companions missing once more. He climbed and looked down at the crowd. Suddenly realizing their location, his eyes flew open.

  “Is this a joke!?” a bystander said."

  “Why are there children here!?”

  As Rai and Milu entered the arena, Rai said, “Two versus one, huh? We’ll take you up on the offer.”

  Spotting the children, Banu spat on the ground, saying, “Scram, you little pests!”

  Arms crossed, Milu said, “Nice to meet you, too.”

  “What’s the matter? Scared you’ll chip a nail?” Rai said.

  Banu threw his shield, which smashed against a weapon rack within the cage.

  “That might scare the birds away, but not us,” Milu said.

  “Yeah, I’ve seen scarier things in my lunch box,” Rai said.

  Banu snarled, “You’re not worth my time.”

  Seeing Banu leave, Milu said, “Can’t handle a couple of kids?”

  “You’re pushing your luck,” Banu said, fists clenched as he departed.

  “And you’re pushing me toward a nap,” Rai muttered, kicking a rock that hit Banu’s back, causing him to halt. “Listen fatty, we’re a little short on time here so hand over the belt or fight us.”

  As Banu turned slowly, his looming figure cast a shadow over both.

  “Surely he’s not really going to fight them?”

  Seconds later, Banu slammed his fists on the ground, almost hitting Rai and Milu, who quickly jumped away!

  They smiled confidently as they repositioned themselves away from their opponent.

  “Slippery little runts,” Banu growled.

  As Banu charged Rai, Milu said, “Over here!” Darting from the side, he slid across the dirt floor, colliding with Banu’s legs causing him to fall to his knees.

  “Brat!” Banu said, trying to grab Milu’s leg, but only brushed his shirt.

  “Don’t forget me!” Rai said.

  Banu extended both arms. “That idiot thinks a little punch scares me; he’s got another thing coming. Got you!” Banu said, swiping forward, but Rai dipped under his grasp, hugging the floor.

  New pressure from energy building in Rai’s hands cracked the earth.

  “He can also use flux force,” Tanabe said.

  Rai’s legs flew up, striking Banu under the chin after he pushed off the ground with his hands; the impact sent Banu flying into the weapons rack, breaking it.

  A hush fell over the crowd; only whispers could be heard.

  Banu quietly said, “Abminus...” while resting his hand under his chin, and as he got up, his mask slipped off, causing a gasp from many onlookers.

  His scarred and burned face was marred by a bulging eye that hung lower than the other.

  “Can’t say I’ve seen worse,” Rai said.

  “Curse you!” Banu said, frustrated by everyone’s reaction. “I should kill every last one of you.” Grabbing a club from the damaged weapons rack, he faced Rai an Milu.

  “Give up anytime you want,” Milu said.

  An unusual, subtle energy enveloped Banu, unnoticed by many. “I know what you are,” Banu said with a self-satisfied smile.

  “Guys, watch out!” Tanabe said.

  With a sudden leap, Banu smashed his club down.

  Rai dodged the attack, but the impact still created a small crater and shook the floor where he had stood.

  Rai, sweating profusely, mumbled “Flux force...” and swiftly returned to Milu’s side.

  “Didn’t expect this turn of events,” Milu said.

  “Do you believe he’s fused with a root?” Rai said.

  “Doubt it.” As Banu turned to face them, Milu said, “What’re you thinking?”

  With a confident grin, Rai slammed his fists together, saying, “You know what I’m thinking.”

  With a smirk, Milu said, “Yeah, let’s get kick his butt.”

  The flux force started flowing through them as it had through Banu a little while later.

  “Splinter!” Banu said. On contact with an underhand swing, the club’s tip exploded forward into many pieces of wood and dirt.

  “Watch out!” Milu said, as rocks whizzed past, slicing their clothes and causing various degrees of injury.

  They each held their guard up; what would leave cuts on them, tore through the metal fencing, severely injuring some nearby.

  The crowd pushed away from the cage, making it hard for those in the middle to breathe.

  “This needs to stop,” Tanabe said, “he doesn’t care about anyone present.”

  Dropping his guard, Rai clutched his stomach in pain as blood soaked through the rips in his clothing. “Ouch…” Rai said.

  “Here comes another!“ Milu said as Banu slammed the club into the ground again.

  As more debris flew past, they jumped apart, avoiding the attack.

  Despite Rai’s attempt to kick his leg from behind, Banu remained unfazed. Retreating as battered club smashed the ground, Rai said, “He’s sturdier than before!”

  “Duh, he’s got flux in him now, idiot!” Milu said.

  “Who’re you calling an idiot!” Rai said.

  The two stopped short of one another, almost butting heads.

  “I call them like I see them!” Milu said.

  “Oh yeah?!” Rai said.

  Grasping each other’s shirt, they pulled their fists back.

  “Heheh, two for the price of one,” Banu said as he came closer.

  As Rai and Milu lunged at each other, they fainted Banu’s way, pressing heavily off the ground as they did.

  Banu was sent flying into the fence by a two-fisted punch to the gut, bending the metal outward.

  “Way to go,” Tanabe said, holding a sharp piece of debris, inches away from a surprised bystander.

  “Got him,” Milu said, but Banu stood back up.

  “That all you got,” Banu said.

  “His control over the flux force definitely adds a new layer of difficulty...” Rai said. Snatching a jagged rock from the ground, he threw it with perfect precision, hitting a weapons rack, before it ricocheted and smacked Banu in the head.

  Banu leaned forward, clutching his skull, and as he did so, Milu appeared.

  In a midair twist, Milu slammed his leg into Banu’s head, almost knocking him out as he dropped to one knee.

  “Dammit—”

  With a violent swing of the broken club, Banu hit Milu hard in the stomach, causing him to be thrown into the arena cage, landing with a thud.

  “Milu!” Rai shouted, angrily charging Banu. Digging his feet in, he swept his leg across the ground to create a dirt cloud and block Banu’s sight.

  Banu brushed away the dirt, then a fist hit his stomach, causing him to hunch over. As Rai’s small form darted past, Banu tried to grab him, but missed, another blow sending him stumbling forward.

  Hidden by the dust he kicked up, Rai continued his assault.

  “Stop moving!” Banu said; he was beginning to tire.

  “This is it!” Rai said, clenching his fist while nimbly swerving behind Banu, but his foot unexpectedly bumped into a tiny mound of dirt, causing him to trip and tumble across the floor. “That wasn’t in the plan…”

  Steadily lifting his head, Milu said, “Rai!” Attempting to rise, he winced, pain pulsated within his stomach.

  As Rai turned, he saw Banu raise his arm high, holding the club. “He’s too close,” Rai said, eyes widening.

  “Die!” Banu said.

  A sudden crack echoed, sending dust flying and obscuring the match’s result from the viewers.

  When the dust cleared, Banu was unconscious with Tanabe standing on his protruding stomach.

  No one uttered a word, trying to process what had happened.

  A man whispered, disbelievingly, “Banu...lost...”

  “When did you…” Rai muttered, seeing Tanabe step down from Banu.

  Tanabe gave Rai a thumbs-up gesture, stepping off the man as Rai rose.

  Milu glanced at Banu and said, “He’s out cold.”

  “Banu!” Bandits collectively said, rushing into the cage and cornering the boys with drawn knives.

  “You’ll regret harming the boss.”

  With the bandits creeping closer, Rai and Milu crouched, ready for action, and Tanabe stood his ground; however, a wall suddenly crumbled with a loud bang, halting any escalation.

  “Freeze!” police shouted, rushing into the building and causing a panic.

  All the TVs suspended around the room disconnected.

  Distracted, the bandits lost sight of the three boys, and moments later they were surrounded.

  “Get rid of those weapons, now!”

  The bandits slowly lowered their knives before raising their hands in defense.

  Though many tried to escape, police outside caught them all.

  Emerging from the smoky hole were an old, hunched man wearing glasses and a stern-looking young man. Despite the chaos, they walked calmly, as if in a park.

  An officer approached them in the arena to give an update on the current situation. “The area has been secured, and all exits are sealed or covered from the outside.”

  “Well done; we’ll handle it from here,” Chozu, the older of the two men said.

  “Guess the leads on Banu were right after all,” Tux said.

  “Yes, but unfortunately, no Renna,” Chozu said.

  As his gaze fell to the ground, Tux saw a partially hidden, small golden notepad near the unconscious Banu and frowned. He pulled it out and put it in his back pocket. Nearby, three bandits were being interrogated, so he focused on their conversation.

  “I’m telling ya, three little monsters. Minus I reckon.”

  A long way from the building, Rai and Milu were bent over, gasping for breath, their hands on their knees.

  “That was a close one…” Rai said. He stood, thrusting his fists inward, “But Tanabe, that was amazing!”

  “Thanks,” said Tanabe, his hand nervously going to the back of his head.

  “Did you grab it?” Milu asked Rai.

  “Grab what?” Rai said.

  “The belt!” Milu said.

  Stubbornly, Rai crossed his arms. “You were closer, why didn’t you grab it?”

  Milu lifted Banu’s mask, saying, “I was supposed to steal this.”

  “Oh yeah,” Rai said.

  “Idiot,” Milu said.

  “Relax, I’ll get you another just like it when I’m an Elite,” Rai said. “After all, one day I’ll be ranked as the number one.”

  Milu scoffed, “I doubt they’ll even let you take the apprentice exam.”

  “What did you say?” Rai said, gripping Milu’s shirt.

  “Whose shirt do you think you’re tugging on?” Milu spat back.

  Ready to scrap, foreheads colliding, teeth gritted, Tanabe’s laughter broke the tension.

  “What’s so funny?” Rai said.

  “I’m glad I came out tonight,” Tanabe chuckled. “To be considered Elite, one must be knighted. I’m also striving to be the strongest.”

  “It appears we have ourselves a three-way race,” Rai said.

  A competitive glare passed between them; fire burned in their eyes.

  Approaching the hidden basement, Tanabe said, “Rai, what kingdom are you from?”

  “Neither, this is my home. The orphanage I currently stay at is south of here,” Rai said, his hands clasped behind his head as they walked. “I’m one of eleven kids who live there. The space may be small, but it’s still better than sleeping outside.”

  “Sorry, I didn’t know...”

  “It’s fine,” Rai said. “It won’t be that way for long.”

  “We’re here,” Milu said, approaching the shack.

  The luminite in the port below was dimming; the attached roots were dying.

  “Better hurry,” Rai said.

  Yawning, Milu said, “What a night.” He stepped through the portal and disappeared.

  “Thanks again,” Rai said, offering a fist bump to show his appreciation.

  “No problem,” said Tanabe, as their fists connected.

  “Next time you’re in town, I’ll give you the grand tour,” Rai said.

  After a moment’s thought, Tanabe replied with a smile, “I look forward to it.”