Titian stirred from his five-day nap atop the mountain, stretching his arms with a loud yawn. “Nothing like a good long sleep to kickstart a plan,” he muttered. With a sudden burst of energy, he leaped off the cliff, diving headfirst toward the ground below. On the way, he snagged a sturdy branch and used it to propel himself gracefully onto the roof of a small house.
“Lance Landthug,” he muttered, crouching low on the roof. “Melanthius’s protégé. Why were so many people gathered here that night?” He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, scanning the area.
Sliding down the wall, Titian grabbed the windowsill and peeked inside Lance’s room. “Right… His dad sells those s’mores ice creams. Filthy rich brat,” he grumbled under his breath, easing himself quietly into the room.
The space was tidy, but his attention was quickly drawn to a piece of paper on the floor. Picking it up, Titian’s eyes scanned the rankings list Jake had made:
1st. Arid and Cassius
2nd. Amara
3rd. Dontai
4th. Caius, Lumi, and Sera
5th. Rue
A sly grin spread across Titian’s face. “A list of the strongest students? There must be others stronger than this bunch, but it’ll do for now.” Folding the paper, he tucked it into his pocket and leaped back out the window, landing lightly on the roof.
Pulling out a communication device, Titian pressed it to his ear. “Howard, bring some of Lust’s lackeys to Solstice City. Make sure they keep their identities hidden. If they lose, tell them to retreat without revealing anything.”
“How many do you need?” Howard’s voice crackled back.
Titian glanced again at the top three names on the list. “Two should be enough. Have them keep things interesting.”
He hung up and muttered to himself as he flew back toward the mountain. “If Jake isn’t on the list, he must be a late bloomer. If he gains magic, he might even rival Arid and Cassius.” With a final leap, he vanished into the rocky peaks.
In the Black Card Gym
The gym buzzed with activity as students stretched and trained, one question sparking a heated discussion among the groups.
“Who’s the strongest now that Melanthius is gone?”
A girl stretching her leg shrugged. “Honestly? With 16 black cards in each grade, it’s hard to say. Everyone has their own strengths.”
Another boy, training with his bo-staff, chimed in. “It’s gotta be Terrence. He’s built like a tank and even held his own against Melanthius once.”
The jump-roping boy nearby snorted. “Terrence? The guy who scored a perfect zero on the midterms? He’s strong, sure, but he’s a meathead.”
“What about Renita?” another student asked. “She’s from the Crypt’s Runner’s Clan, right? And she’s a vampire.”
“Renita’s smart, I’ll give her that,” the boy replied. “Even Melanthius said so once. But she never fights alone.”
A girl interjected, “It’s definitely Cassius. Did you see how he held down Henry? No contest.”
“What about Arid?” someone else added. “I heard he and Elowen were evenly matched last year. They fought in the woods, and he admitted he lost and swore never to fight her again.”
The conversation swirled through the gym as students debated the rankings and their favorites.
Sitting in the bleachers, Amara watched the scene unfold, resting her chin in her hand. “Ranking people based on strength? That’s kind of ridiculous,” she muttered. A buzzing from her pocket interrupted her thoughts. She pulled out her phone and read the text:
“Come to Bolt Lake. Your secret admirer.”
Raising an eyebrow, Amara stood and made her way toward the gym doors.
Meanwhile, Dontai sat quietly against the wall, rubbing his fingers together. His thoughts wandered. “Sera, Lumi, and Caius have been staying home ever since the Medusa incident. Is that why things feel so off?”
Nearby, a group of students snickered.
“No one’s mentioning Dontai, huh?” a girl said, laughing.
“Dontai? He’s just that awkward guy who stares a lot,” a boy replied. “Sure, he fought Melanthius once, but they both were sleeping from some worm or something. Doesn’t really count.”
Their laughter stung, but Dontai didn’t react. His phone buzzed, pulling him from his thoughts.
“Come to the park. Your secret admirer.”
He raised an eyebrow, reading the message again. “What?” he muttered, standing up and leaving the gym.
Back on the Mountain
Titian stood overlooking the city, the wind whipping through his hair. Howard approached him, a confident grin on his face.
“Our boys from The Crystal Takers are ready,” Howard reported. “I’ve been listening in on the students. Seems like even among the black cards, there’s no clear top dog. Most of them are still figuring themselves out.”
Titian nodded, gazing down at the distant city lights. “Good. Let’s stir things up and see who rises to the top.”
Howard smirked but raised an eyebrow. “You’ve been acting weird. Feeling watched?”
Titian shuddered slightly. “Yeah. Like there’s a weak gaze on me, almost like—”
“Crabs,” Howard said bluntly. “You’ve got crabs.”
Titian scratched his arm absently. “No, not like that. Just… something feels off.”
Unbeknownst to them, Renita sat in her classroom 100 miles away, her vampire vision locking onto their distant figures. Her sharp ears picked up their conversation with ease.
“I don’t know who those two are, but they’re strong. Even my eyes can barely track them,” she murmured, scribbling notes on a piece of paper.
“They’re planning to pit Dontai and Amara against fighters from some group called The Crystal Takers. What are they trying to accomplish?”
Her grip on the pen tightened. Whatever it was, she knew she couldn’t ignore it.
Titian shook his head, trying to shake off the uneasy feeling that lingered. “Whatever. Back to the matter at hand. I want to see if they’re strong enough to hold their ground if any of the major kingdoms come after them. Good call on getting The Crystal Takers. Which members did you pick?” He cracked his shoulder as he glanced at Howard.
Howard levitated midair, sitting in a cross-legged position, completely relaxed. “Robert Younger and Luca Wellington. Robert will handle Dontai, and Luca will go against Amara,” he replied, his voice calm and calculated.
Titian nodded, a grin creeping onto his face. “Those two, huh? Solid picks.”
He couldn’t help but recall his first meeting with Luca.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
Flashback
Luca stood over a trembling girl, his fists bloodied. She whimpered beneath him, clutching her sides in pain. He wiped his hands on his pants and scoffed. “I warned you not to hit me,” he muttered, his voice cold and detached.
Titian’s silhouette appeared at the mouth of the alley, his steps echoing as he walked closer. “Whoa. So, it’s true,” Titian said, his tone somewhere between amusement and disdain. “You’re the guy who gets women so pissed they swing at you, and then you beat them up under the excuse of ‘self-defense.’ That’s… well, it’s something.”
Luca turned sharply, his eyes narrowing at the stranger. “Who the hell do you think you are, talking to me like that? You think you’ve got me all figured out?”
Titian smirked, his hands sliding casually into his pockets. “Me? I’m just a scout looking for talent. The Lust Kingdom’s gates could use someone interesting. Let’s just say I’m here to test you. But for the record, I hate bullies who prey on the weak.”
Luca cracked his knuckles, his lip curling in defiance. “Big talk. Let’s see if you can back it up.”
Moments Later
Luca lay sprawled on the ground, his body battered and bruised. Titian loomed over him, casually sucking on a toothpick as if the fight had been nothing more than a minor inconvenience.
“You lost,” Titian said, his smirk unwavering. “But you’ve got potential. You’re interesting, and I like interesting. Let’s keep in touch.”
Luca groaned, his chest heaving as he gasped for breath. “I just lost to a monster…”
Present
Amara arrived at Bolt Lake, her eyes scanning the still and serene surroundings. The water shimmered beneath the pale light, casting an almost dreamlike glow. Yet, the tranquility only heightened her unease. She frowned, looking over her shoulder and around the empty area. “Nobody’s here… What’s going on?”
A ripple broke the surface of the water, and Luca emerged, his silhouette dark and menacing. Water dripped off his body as he casually lit a cigarette, the glowing ember contrasting sharply with the dim surroundings. “I’m here,” he said, his voice calm yet cold.
Amara instinctively took a step back, her eyes narrowing. “Uh… sir? You’re way too old for me,” she said, trying to diffuse the tension with a lighthearted jab.
Luca smirked, ignoring her words. He raised a hand, conjuring glowing chains that shot toward her like snakes. “Binding Chains,” he said. The chains wrapped around her limbs, sparking with electricity that coursed through her body.
Amara let out a sharp cry, struggling against the restraints. “W-what the hell is this?!” She fumbled for her black card, desperately trying to call for help. Before she could activate it, Luca’s telekinesis yanked it from her grip. The card hovered in the air briefly before crumpling like paper in an invisible vice.
“What do you want from me?!” she snapped, anger flickering in her voice as she glared at him.
Luca’s smirk deepened, his eyes narrowing with cruel amusement. “Oh, you’re getting mad? That’s good. Wanna hit me?” he taunted, stepping closer. His presence was suffocating, his tone designed to worm its way into her head.
Amara held her hands up defensively, her voice steady despite the fear building inside her. “I don’t want any trouble.”
“You’re Amara Winterborn, right?” Luca said, his voice dropping low and taunting. “Tell me, how does it feel knowing your father died with a card shoved into his neck?”
Her eyes widened in shock, and her control wavered. Rage surged through her, and she shoved Luca to create space.
His grin widened, and he stumbled back slightly for effect. “You hit me! That’s assault! Guess I’ll have to defend myself,” he sneered, his voice loud and mocking. Without hesitation, he lunged at her with a predatory gleam in his eyes.
Back on the Mountain
Titian stood on the peak, cracking his shoulder and rolling his neck. A faint smirk played on his lips. “Luca should be starting with Amara by now. That just leaves Robert,” he muttered.
Flashback
Robert sat slouched on a throne, a seat he had no right to claim, surrounded by unconscious bodies littering the floor like discarded dolls. His posture radiated arrogance, his piercing eyes daring anyone to challenge him.
Titian strolled into the room, unfazed by the carnage. “You’re causing quite the headache, Robert,” he said casually. “I’m gonna need you to back off from the Lust Kingdom. Things are already tight without you meddling.”
Robert’s response was instant—a blur of motion as he dashed forward, his fist swinging for Titian’s head. “Don’t command me!” he growled, his voice dripping with defiance.
Moments Later
Robert knelt on the ground, battered and broken, his once-defiant spirit reduced to pleading gasps. Titian reclined on the throne, twirling a toothpick in his mouth, looking down at the defeated man like a cat playing with its prey.
“You’re like a dog, Robert,” Titian said with a chuckle. “Always barking but begging for forgiveness once you’re put in your place. I like you. Join me.”
Present
Dontai stood in the park, his hands stuffed into his pockets as he scanned the area. His gut told him something was off, but he couldn’t pinpoint what.
Before he could react, a punch slammed into his ribs from behind, sending him staggering forward. He groaned, clutching his side as he whipped around to see his attacker.
Robert loomed over him, a wild grin stretched across his face. “Who are you?!” Dontai panted, his breath shaky as pain radiated through his body.
Robert laughed, the gap in his teeth giving his grin an unsettling edge. “It’s not about who I am. It’s about what you’re gonna do when I’m done grinding you into the dirt!” His voice was a booming challenge, filled with malice.
In the Classroom
Renita glanced out the window, her gaze fixed on the distant mountain. “So, they’re scouting Solstice City for contestants? Not exactly the sharpest tools in the shed.” She muttered, a sardonic smile tugging at her lips. “And a guy who’s into beating up girls is fighting Amara? Yeah, good luck with that.”
She doodled a stick figure of Amara on her notebook, shading in its messy hair with exaggerated strokes. “I don’t remember when, but I saw her once saving a freshman from being bullied by a bunch of seniors. Guess what I’m saying is… even honey badgers look cute until they start mauling something.”
At Bolt Lake
Amara had Luca pinned, her hand gripping the back of his neck like a parent restraining an unruly child. His face was red with rage and confusion as he struggled in her grasp. “Why are you trying to kidnap me?” she asked, her tone light but her grip unyielding.
Luca’s eyes widened as he felt the pressure tighten. “What the hell?!” he snarled, twisting and skidding free. He stumbled back, coughing, trying to regain composure.
“Can I go now?” Amara asked, her voice calm but tinged with nervous energy.
Growling, Luca lunged at her again, but she sidestepped smoothly. His momentum carried him forward, tripping and landing hard. “What is happening?!” he screamed internally, his pride crumbling.
Back in the Classroom
Renita bit the end of her pen, deep in thought. “By honey badger, I mean Amsa Winterborn—the late king of the Frostlands. He was amazing… and his murder hit a lot of people hard.” She paused, staring at her notebook. “Amsa’s strength was comparable to maybe King Liam,” she muttered under her breath, stealing another glance at the faraway mountain.
At Bolt Lake
Luca’s fists flew in rapid succession, each punch aimed squarely at Amara, but she dodged them with ease, her movements fluid and deliberate. Sweat began to bead on his forehead as frustration set in. “There’s never been a woman I couldn’t beat!” he barked, his voice cracking with desperation. “You’re all despicable!”
As he lunged again, a photograph slipped from Amara’s pocket, fluttering to the ground. Luca’s sharp eyes caught it—a picture of Amara, Cassius, and Akoni, smiling together.
He grinned wickedly. “Akoni’s your friend, huh? Did you know that little psycho killed his parents?”
Amara froze, her mind reeling at his words. Luca saw his chance and charged, fist raised. “Now I’ve got you!”
But before he could land the hit, Amara slammed him against a tree with a burst of strength, her ice magic coating his mouth and silencing him. Her eyes blazed with fury. “Don’t say his name like that!” she growled, her voice low and dangerous. For the first time, Luca saw the raw, unrelenting fire in her gaze—and he felt real fear.
In the Park
Robert slammed Dontai into the ground with a brutal thud. Dontai groaned, coughing as he tried to push himself up. “Who… are you?!” he gasped, clutching his ribs.
Robert laughed, the sound cruel and mocking. “It’s not about who I am. It’s about what I’m gonna do to you.” He cracked his knuckles. “There’s nothing these arms can’t slam.”
Dontai winced, lying on his back as realization struck. “Wait… so the secret admirer text wasn’t real?” he thought bitterly, his frustration mounting.
Back in the Classroom
Renita leaned her head against the window, spinning her pencil between her fingers. “Dontai’s tricky,” she murmured. “He’s a former bully victim, desperate for friends, and hates being touched. Mel told me he accidentally kicked Dontai once, and the guy just gave him this silent death glare. It was… weird.” She smirked. “Anyway, this Robert guy should watch out. A wizard without a wand is a hazard. And Dontai? He’s probably figuring out that the secret admirer thing was fake.”
Her pencil spun faster, mimicking the motion of Dontai’s torque magic.
In the Park
Dontai staggered to his feet, his expression a mixture of anger and hurt. “I thought someone wanted to be my friend!” he shouted, pointing at Robert. “But no—you had to ruin it! And now I’m missing school, where there’s potential for real friends! You’re the worst!”
Robert looked baffled. “What? Who cares? This last slam is gonna kill you!” He grabbed Dontai and hoisted him into the air, preparing to suplex him.
Back in the Classroom
Renita’s voice dropped to a whisper as she stared at her spinning pencil. “Torque: a twisting force that tends to cause rotation. That’s Dontai’s magic,” she muttered, a knowing smile forming on her lips.
In the Park
Midair, Dontai twisted his body, landing gracefully on his feet and breaking free from Robert’s grip. The motion was effortless, fluid.
Robert straightened, his cocky demeanor cracking as he noticed the change in Dontai’s stance. “His whole vibe… it’s different!” he muttered, uneasy.
Dontai’s body began to glow faintly green, his magic crackling in the air around him. He cracked his knuckles and leveled a fierce glare at Robert. “Get ready for a beatdown,” he said, his voice steady and brimming with confidence.
