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  “At first, I was curious to see how defective you were. But the more you speak, the more I want to kill you.” Shadow pointed at Paul and then Ryan. “Cut the carotid artery in his neck, and hold him upside down. Then kill his manager.”

  “Wait.” Paul remembered Siren’s comment about having a common goal for justice. His feet dangled in the air. “You changed and protected the world by winning Divine Might. Inspired by you, I want to do the same.” A hot, uncontrollable burp rose out of his mouth.

  Ryan cupped his own mouth with a tight hand.

  Shadow waved his hand at the guard. “What do you intend to do?” The guard loosened its grip on Paul’s neck.

  “I wish to demilitarize Forever Spring to secure territory for Azurian refugees,” Paul said, inhaling deeply. “I wish to end Utopian persecution in the entire solar system, including ending Crimson’s invasion of Azure. And lastly, I wish to free Ryan’s family from imprisonment. I wish for all of this by winning your beloved sport, if I cannot convince you otherwise.”

  Shadow remained stoic. “Anything else?”

  Paul took a deep breath as the burning water vapors exited his nostrils. “No, sir.”

  Shadow pointed at the floor. The guard threw Paul down on his side.

  Ryan paced back and forth. The guard returned behind the desk.

  Paul hunched over and coughed, swallowing with great difficulty. Siren massaged his neck with her gentle fingers. Ryan knelt down to help him to his feet.

  Shadow placed his arms behind his back and wandered around. “Convince me otherwise? I like how you chose the path of least resistance of entering Divine Might. Let me ask you something. Under whose authority was Kaiser permitted to tamper with God’s power?” He turned to Paul. “We believe in the same God but live differently under him. We must live by his terms, not by an engineer’s technology.”

  How could Shadow believe in God while possessing a murderous soul? “We needed to prevent extinction. But regardless, you can’t justify genocide.”

  Ryan drank several glasses of water.

  Shadow’s voice grew deeper. “If you think committing genocide is wrong, then how about all of the people Kaiser abandoned, those who weren’t compatible with Cellular Infinity? I had a wife.”

  Paul looked away from Shadow as he stood up. His tainted image of Kaiser bothered him. Was Shadow telling the truth? “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  With wide eyes, Ryan froze while drinking water.

  Shadow lifted his hands in front of him and clenched his fists. “After my wife died in my arms from Cellular Infinity, I survived all of God’s tests, just like the book of Job. And you know what I learned at the end of it all?”

  Shadow seemed to be waiting for his response, but Paul was speechless.

  Shadow stared at his hands. “I learned that I had committed a sin by trying to be immortal.” He marched toward Paul and growled close to his face. “I have the conviction that I have the God-given authority to protect our true, unadulterated morals, even if it means instigating the genocide of an entire demonic, nonhuman race. I know my place in the universe. I don’t have to convince you of who you truly are. Soon enough, you will convince yourself.”

  Paul felt Shadow’s nose touching his cheek as saliva sprayed from his mouth at every word. He could not understand why Shadow viewed Utopians as demons. Although he knew there was no way of convincing Shadow to have mercy, he could not help but defend his people. In a low mumble, he said, “You speak of us as if we’re evil-hearted. We’re a loving and peaceful people.”

  Videos of Paul testing out the Variance suit appeared imposed over the window. Shadow walked away and straightened his coat. “Instead of killing you now, I’d like to see you die in Divine Might as entertainment. It’s what you’re asking for, right? Might as well put your death and inferior technology to use by boosting ratings and generating profits. I’ll allow you to participate in a nine-match series.”

  “Yes.” Ryan slammed his hands together in a single clap. Shadow looked at him with a raised brow. “Pardon me.”

  Siren looked at Paul’s calendar. “That doesn’t leave enough time for the championships.”

  Paul shrugged. They were lucky to enter the sport. “Thank you.”

  Shadow pointed at the series information of the arenas and fighters. “Because of legalities, I have to state the contract details, even if you’re going to die in the first round.” He laughed, sighed, and continued. “You will start at the normal championship ladder. If you survive all events, you may proceed to the global championships. If you win the championships, your demands will be granted. If you lose a battle, none of your demands will be met. Our defense systems will obliterate any Azurian vessels approaching our atmosphere.”

  Ryan approached the window, observing the championship roster and stadiums. “We’ll take it.”

  Shadow nodded. “If you agree to this contract, submit an electronic signature to me through Visuals to receive your orders.”

  Paul sent his signature and stood in place.

  Ryan shook Shadow’s hand. “Thank you for your precious time. Paul, let’s go.”

  “Mr. Creed, your family says hello.” Shadow stood still, facing the window.

  Ryan shook his head and stepped away until he was a meter away from the doors. He returned and tugged Paul by the arm. He Audialed, “If we don’t leave now, he will void our contract and then kill us.”

  Paul pulled his arm away from Ryan and stepped toward Shadow. He wanted to change Shadow’s mind about Utopians. He put out his hand. “Again, I’m sorry about your loss. Thank you for giving us the opportunity.”

  Shadow shook Paul’s hand with a scoff. “Good luck.”

  Paul and Ryan exited the room and stepped into the rambunctious crowd. He looked back at the Crimson guards and then at Siren.

  Siren sighed. “I don’t have enough material on your body to gather data. Maybe next time, we can wear a Variance bodysuit.”

  “What a dick binder. Anyway, you made me nervous. You did well in there. I thought we were assed out.” Ryan patted Paul on the shoulder.

  Paul rubbed his neck. “How did I do well?”

  “We’re still alive.” Ryan wore a closed smile.

  Fireworks exploded in the center of the arena. The faces of all the champions and suits appeared on the holographic screens. Spectators roared along the balconies. Hundreds of terraformers created an energy field in the shape of a dome within the arena.

  Paul concentrated on Shadow’s words: “You will convince yourself.” He was confident about who he was. What did Shadow mean?

  A screen with growing green bars and numbers caught his attention.

  Ryan pointed. “That’s how much money’s involved in this game. Gambling and Divine Might are synonymous. People put their money on individual fighters, teams, and outcomes. Speaking of which”—he guided Paul to another screen—“it looks like it’s official. Congratulations.”

  Paul’s smiling face appeared on the screen. Words below his image announced his participation in the sport. Video from Ryan showed Paul using Variance, followed by comments and live feed from sports commentators and former fighters, but Ryan tugged him away from the screens.

  “I’m very surprised he sent you to the lower-tier matches. He underestimated you, just doesn’t care about you, or is using Divine Might as a distraction. Anyway, we have no time to waste. Your first match is coming up, and it’s right after the championships.” They entered the elevator. “This is the last chance to back out. Are you sure you want to do this?”

  Paul watched himself diverting energy from Ryan’s Frequency suit. Siren optimized Variance and he had successfully entered Divine Might. That was why he had left Azure, although the nine-match series was too long for his schedule. He had no other option.

  “I’m sure. Where is the first match?”
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  “Forever Summer.”

  6

  B1-S-CW

  PAUL AND RYAN EXITED their spaceship. Docked inside the Forever Summer arena, they made their way to registration. Paul kept his sphere by his side as it rolled on its own. Surprised spectators and arena staff pointed at the sphere and talked about him.

  They reached a guarded area for staff only. The soldiers checked them and pointed at the sphere. Ryan sent his credentials through Visuals, and the soldier waved them in.

  At one bay, a Controller fighter hovered before a closed steel gate. Two hundred drones moved on and off the suit. In another bay, a Legacy fighter tested different rockets and shield panels. The two suits towered over Paul, both possessing dented plates and scars from previous battles. Various sponsor logos littered their armored plates.

  They reached registration and found a man standing next to a small, rusty table. The man crossed his arms and chuckled at Ryan. “You son of a muthafuckin’ bitch. How are you doing? I thought you would be resting in peace by now.”

  Ryan patted the man’s muscular shoulder, and they shook hands. “I told Death that I plan to go out in style. And he agreed.” Both of them laughed, paused, and then laughed some more.

  Is this registration?

  “This guy will change the world.” Ryan pulled Paul closer to the man. “I’m trying to, you know, make his first game memorable. I pulled some strings with the arena manager.” He gave the man a pocketful of currency. “Told him that we’re planning for a grand entrance for dramatic effect.”

  The man scratched his head and arms. “Dramatic?”

  Is he not familiar with the word?

  “Something that will make the crowd go wild.” Ryan waved his arms while whistling in acclamation.

  “Oh, dramatic.” Both of them laughed, paused, and then laughed some more. “You’re full of shit.”

  The man was not familiar with the word. Paul’s eyes grew.

  Ryan pointed at himself. “You know it. I just need you to do your magic with the barrier when the time is right.”

  The man patted Paul so hard that he took a few steps forward. “You got it. He’s ready to go. Bay four. I’ll let the boss know you’re registered.” He grabbed Paul by the shoulders and drew him close. “Your pussy ass better win. Shit for Brains here told me to bet heavy on you, and I put my brother and his family’s lives and property on the line. If you lose, you’re dead.” He let Paul go and brushed off Paul’s shoulders.

  Siren pointed at the man’s head. “He has manic-depressive disorder. He needs medical attention.”

  Paul was not sure how to respond to the man. “Yeah, my pussy ass will win. You know it.” He acclaimed.

  Ryan and the man laughed, this time with a continuous cackle, as Ryan pulled Paul away. He privately Audialed, “Leave the sphere here. Let’s go. This guy’s crazy.”

  They walked to the next bay over. Ryan guided Paul to park the sphere close to the gate’s seam. “We’re leaving it here. It’ll be safe. Follow me.” The sphere occupied a tiny space in the large bay.

  Back at the dock, Ryan entered the ship. Paul waited at the ramp. He thought he was supposed to stay at his bay. “Where are we going? Why am I leaving?”

  “We have to pick something up before the match.”

  It must have been important. Paul took his floating seat, and Ryan exited the arena toward space. They flew into the night sky, above the desert city and its lights.

  Paul watched Siren’s briefing of her upgrades, tactics, and research of the registered fighters while he panicked about leaving the bay.

  “Paul?” Siren tilted her head into his blank stare.

  “Yes?” He wanted to return to the arena.

  “If you truly believe that you’re fighting for your beliefs, then you shouldn’t quit.”

  What had made her say that? He remembered Shadow calling him not human before they arrived at the arena. “But I am human, right?”

  “More than I’ll ever be, and I’m designed to look and think like one. How do you think I feel?” She placed a hand on his shoulder and felt the weight of her hand.

  He smirked. “You’re right.”

  “Just to remind you, if you die, I die—and everyone else dies. So let’s make sure there’s no dying on our end.” Siren stopped her briefing as the interior turned black, and the ship exited the atmosphere.

  Ryan hovered next to Paul. “Father Kaiser wanted me to send a transmission before the first match to let him know things are working as planned. Add your attachments and messages to the link, and I’ll send everything to Azure. We only have time to wait for a single response. After that, it will be time for battle.”

  Paul loaded saved images and messages into the queue. He included scenic natural views, distraught faces of Xameeshee’s citizens, and videos of the Corda and Nyle incidents. He wanted his family to understand that for many, life was nowhere near perfection. Many people were nowhere close to having the amount of love and joy a Utopian child experienced in a mere day.

  Ryan sent the data and kept to his Visuals.

  Paul expected the last few minutes before battle to be intense. He thought Ryan would punch him, shake him up, or spin the ship around, all while conducting an exercise. However, for the first time since they had met, Ryan turned sentimental, almost Utopian-like. He didn’t use the word fuck, shit, or ass. Paul figured Ryan probably needed to relax.

  “Take a breather. Kaiser’s transmission will arrive in twenty minutes.” Ryan unlocked himself from the magnetic field and floated around the cockpit. “I love being here.”

  Paul remained locked. The somber environment felt awkward.

  Ryan added, “Give yourself this time to think of nothing else but the stars.”

  Paul observed space with complete focus. He pinpointed various stars and galaxies and read the data out of curiosity. Siren collected his findings and compared size, brightness, and distance, partly for entertainment and partly for preparation, in case Ryan needed the data.

  The nearest galaxy was Andromeda. A collision might take place four billion years from now. Typically, two galaxies colliding resembled a mating ritual in space, an intricate dance of energy that resulted in the creation of new stars and planets. It was like God’s way of showing love in space.

  Ryan locked his feet onto the floor and walked over to Paul. He shook Paul by the neck.

  “I have data on several stars if you need it,” Paul said, trying to loosen Ryan’s grip.

  Ryan ejected saliva all over Paul’s face as he screamed. “I don’t give a fuck about the stars! I want you to remember your mission! Why did you come here?”

  Paul remembered his family, their faces upon seeing him depart, and explosions within his forest. “To protect my family.”

  “Louder!” Ryan shook him harder.

  “To protect my family!” Paul’s body tensed. His heart rate skyrocketed. Siren prepared the Variance interfaces.

  Ryan brought up a video of a massive Crimson warship obliterating an entire forest with a single energy strike. “Your family and mankind will die if you fail to win this match. You will muster every single living cell in your body and win. Do you understand me? I don’t care if you’re missing body parts; you will fucking win.”

  Ryan slammed his hands on Paul’s shoulders. “In Divine Might, the only objective is to win. Failure to maintain focus will result in the vaporization of your wife and two daughters. Failure to maintain focus will result in the execution of my family. Failure to maintain focus will result in the end of mankind.” Ryan floated to the center of the cockpit and aimed the nose of the ship toward Xameeshee. “We’re about to fuck some shit up.”

  The ship entered the atmosphere in an aggressive descent. Fire surrounded the view. Paul tried to control his breathing. What had happened in Azure? How was his family? How was he supposed
to fight without his suit? Siren received battle data from the arena below.

  “The event’s starting. They’ve already made the introductions and are waiting for your arrival.” Siren summarized the strengths and weaknesses of the opponents. “Nyle is in this fight.” The fire cleared around them as they approached Forever Summer. “We should’ve stayed at the bay.”

  “The transmission was important. Ryan knows what he’s doing, I think.” Paul had no control over the situation. “I want to know what happened to my family.”

  “Thirty seconds. Get ready to jump.” Ryan pointed at the ramp.

  “Jump? Jump with what?” Paul looked around as the ship decelerated, and the skyscraper structures and arena became distinct. The brightly lit arena appeared small compared to the global championship arena. A few terraformers and incomplete and partially lit black skyscrapers surrounded the sand-filled arena. Holograms, some broken but most operational, lined the mismatched arena walls.

  Ryan wants me to jump out of the ship?

  Battle type: Drone survival. Platforms: Conventional warfare. Primary obstacle: Drones. Time: 30 minutes. Bonus: None. Restrictions: Boundaries. Report to bay four.

  The ramp opened, and the cockpit filled with turbulent air. Thousands of drones flew in a holding pattern in the arena below. Siren highlighted the rusty gates to bay four. The flight suit streamed away from Paul’s body and returned to the ship. Systems were ready for combat. Paul took in deep breaths to control his panic as he held on to the floor.

  Ryan pointed at the ramp. “Go, go, go!”

  Without hesitation, Paul crawled out of the ship and fell toward the arena. “What about the boundary?” Adrenaline kicked in, his body numb against the wind resistance.

  “They’re creating an opening. Marking.” Siren highlighted a hole in the energy field around his designated bay. “Activating suit.”

  He entered through the energy field. Cheers and horns sounded dull and hollow. Spotlights aimed at him as his Variance suit encapsulated him. Immediately, all the systems activated, and he pitched himself upright, breaking his speed with wings and thrusters. His feet, protected in a thick layer of armor and wide boots with springs for soles, pressed into the sand just as the massive clock at the end of the arena began its countdown.