(Previous chapter - Var loses control mid-battle. Gauge in a desperate attempt to stop him, awakened the White flames causing an explosion. Gauge is knocked out from overexertion. Var is declared the winner.)
THE GRAND TOURNAMENT OF RAFTER HAS COME TO AN END. DUE TO OUTRAGE FROM THE AUDIENCE, THE AWARD CEREMONY HAS BEEN CANCELLED. THIS IS YOUR ANNOUNCER SIGNING OFF.
There is commotion among the rush of audience still bickering about the questionable nature of the victory. Gauge was being shifted to the recovery chamber. Among the leaving crowd, Var and Xerxes were seated. Feryx was seated them. Var sat looking at his Riftcore.
10,000 battle units received from Rafter tournament organization
Guilt and sorrow filled his eyes. Xerxes noticed this,
"Fear not my fellow. For a warrior like Gauge, Battle injuries are but a pride. Even from a fellow comrade."
He placed his arms on Var's shoulder. Little by Little, Xerxes regained his composure. Var was still worried about his rampage. Feryx also joined in,
"When I asked Gauge why he wouldn't stand up despite being conscious he answered
'This win will not give him any joy. But if he loses now despite going all out, his pride would be shattered. Hey after the battle make sure to tell him, I am not disappointed. That was one hell of a move.'"
Var was a little relieved from hearing this. He stood up and suggested,
"All of this was to get him that Watch. Let's go to the Bazaar,Buy one and surprise him."
He collected Feryx and the two of them started walking towards the bazaar.
On the way Xerxes looked concerned about something. He called out Var,
"Var, I need to tell you something about your enemy."
Var gazed back at him curious,
"Tell me, what is it ?"
Both of them reached the Bazaar filled with commotion fromm the crowd. Xerxes answered,
"That Golden Champion, He seemed to act purely on Instinct. For some reason that feels oddly familiar. Also he was able to see through his Brother's eyes. They were connected in some way."
Var rested his chin on his fingers, closed his eyes momentarily,
"Hmmm.....The gatekeeper acted in the same way. He attacked Gauge on Instinct. May be if we Investigate these brothers, we might find out more about you." he suggested.
They reached the Vendor. Var looks at Xerxes,
"We will look into it later(Turns his Gaze to the vendor) Excuse me I would like to buy one Riftcore wristwatch. I would like to upgrade my Riftcore to the latest version too."
He retrieved his Riftcore and handed it over to the Vendor. The Vendor received it and responded,
"Absolutely sir! Please wait a while.."
They discussed about the battle for a moment. Var was shocked to hear what he did after losing his mind and how Gauge managed to counter it.
After a while the Vendor called upon them,
"Your Riftcore has been successfully updated to Version 7.0. The New feature will be displayed on your screen. Here is your Riftcore Wristwatch sir. In compliment to your purchase, we made your update free. That will be 1250 battle units sir.
Through the new feature, you can simply scan H code on my Riftcore to send a payment."
Var scans the code. Sends 1250 units.
"Nice use of technology, Thanks."
Vendor smiled and replied,
"Thank you for your purchase sir."
On their way back to the Arena recovery room, Var was checking all the new features displayed,
New Features Unlocked: Riftcore v7.0
▸ Gate Measuring Ability
▸ Wireless Payments
▸ Capacity Expanded:
- Gate Units: 3,000 → 8,000
- Synapse Units: 10,000
- Battle Units: 30,000
- Death Units: 2,000
Var was curious about the death units This is the the second time I come across this unit. The contract Yggdrasil offered rewarded 500 units, although we rejected it.
Xerxes stopped all of sudden. The red side of his eyes started flaring intensely, Indicating danger.
Var turned towards him,
"What happened? Is there something wrong big guy?"
But he stood quiet.
Recovery chamber - Rafter Arena
Aero piercer wakes up. He notices Gauge resting on another bed. He thought He was the reason everything fell apart. That damn evolving bastard. If not for him, I would have reached the finals. He will pay.
He walked up to his brother's bed beside him. Removed the axehead from the executioner's axe. He went near Gauge. He raised the axehead above his head. DIE YOU BASTARD!! ---------------
He was immediately covered by large shade. His eyes widened from fear.
What is this overwhelming presence. He tilted his head----------Xerxes stood behind him. His mighty stature and Blue glowing eyes, Intimidated him. Var stood beside him, angry.
Xerxes grabbed him by his neck. He walked outside quietly. Var remarked,
"We wouldn't wanna disturb our resting peers, would we?"
Rafter Arena
Xerxes slammed him against the ground. Var conjures sharp threads and aimed them against his neck. he inquired,
"Ready to talk? Or should we stitch you up a little."
Aero choking on Xerxes' enormous hand, Replied,
"P....plea...se, I....will....te..ll you....eve...thing."
Var signals Xerxes. He lets off his grip.*Gasp* Aero woke up soothing his neck*coughs* as he struggled for breathe. Var demands,
"Your brother....How was he able to see through your eyes. Why does he seem lifeless all the time?"
Aero answered after he inhaled sufficiently,
"My name is Lucian marcus. I come from another Moon of Scaelith - Orryphis. I was once the king of the city of Lucia - named after me. Our job was to observe the movement of stars and send data to the Chamber of prophecy were scrolls were written. Suddenly a Demon landed upon our peaceful kingdom. He ordered,
"No more observing stars. You will all from now on become a part of a grand scheme.'
He sent his demon army on a rampage throughout the city. He took control of the entire city in mere days.
I tried my best to defeat this monster. But he was simply too powerful. After beating the life out of me, he offered,
'If you really want to free your people, Bring me 1,00,000 battle units. Then your city shall be free.'
Var interrupted,
"So what did you do?" he was concerned about the citizens. Marcus continued,
"I had no choice but to agree. I first seeked the chamber of truth to find a way to save my people. Then I found the Rafter arena. The tournaments there offered 5,000 battle units a year. This was my best shot. I participated in these tournaments.
But the Immortals and Low tier Gods of this Moon were simply too much for me. I was always defeated by overwhelming strength or speed. For 3 years I couldn't earn anything. Every time I was defeated I would think to myself, If only I was faster than him. If only I was stronger than him. Then I decided to give up on the tournaments and seek the chambers again for a different way.
In the chambers I found a scientist. I explained him my situation. He said,
'Lucky for you, I have just the machine to help you. But it is a prototype. If you are willing to be an experimental rat, Then I can help you.'
I was hopeless but I decided to agree."
Xerxes was reminded of the Mad Scientist, He yells,
"What did he do to you? What machine was it?"
Marcus was a bit threatened but answered, his voice shaking,
"He called it the Soul Prism. A device capable of separating conscience. He walked me into the large prototype. Locked me inside after assuring me,
'I've run trials on the smaller animals, Be assured.'
He turned on the Prism.*zzzzmmmmm* the machine powered up. Soon the Experiment grew painful, I screamed,
'Stoppp, It hurts!!!!!'
He tried to shutdown the machine. But the Prism hurled out of control,
'Aghhhhhh!!! HEL...PP M...MEEE!!'
It felt like my soul torn apart. I looked at my hands they were distorting. Suddenly the vibration grew more violent.
The Prism exploded in a blinding flash of light. The scientist cleared out the rubble. He found not only me, but two of me. The scientist did not expect it to be a monster. He was frightened by my will to become stronger."
Var deduced from here. He placed his arm of his chin yet again,
"So your hunger for strength became the Champion… and your longing for speed became you."
Marcus nods,
"I gained 90,000 units over the years I fought in this tournament. Everything went well. Until the night before the tournament...."
Next Chapter - The Chamber of Truth