Chapter 112: Competing for Kestrel
Ren swiftly took down his first opponent in a single move. The moment he stepped into the bustling arena, he confidently knocked his rival onto the ground. The defeated alpha remained motionless, needing help to be taken out.
The chatter in the packed arena stopped for a brief moment, replaced by a heavy silence.
Ren was a recent addition to the Royal Guard, and he’d mostly been assigned outside tasks. So, many were unfamiliar with him.
"Who’s that guy?" someone whispered.
"Did you see that? One move, and he’s down!" another person exclaimed.
"That’s Ren Sloan," a third voice piped up. "Recruited directly by the boss and the deputy leader."
"Oh, right! He led the squad into the Erdtree’s Polluted Zone recently," someone recalled.
"Why did he go all out? Was he holding onto some kind of grudge?" another wondered aloud.
In the center of the arena, Ren casually played with a small knife. Its blade gleamed white and pristine, as he hadn’t even had to use it. He stood there, his gaze fixed on the knife, flipping it expertly between his fingers. He ignored Brandon, the constant buzz from the crowd, and even the beta on the elevated platform.
It wasn’t until another alpha challenger entered the arena that Ren paused his knife play and shifted his attention. The opponent hesitated, intimidated by Ren’s intense gaze.
"Hey, chill. This is just a friendly spar for a mission spot, not a serious duel or anything..." the opponent tried to ease the tension.
...
With each win Ren achieved, the doubtful whispers from the spectators transformed into roaring applause, showing respect and awe for the dominant competitor.
Kestrel’s tendrils had been observing Ren keenly, their ends hovering over the edge excitedly.
"Look at Little Fish. So adorable."
"I had a feeling he’d show up."
"Why didn’t they choose him from the start? I knew he’d be up for it."
"Hey, Little Fish."
"Do you reckon he’s the top alpha here?"
"I can’t say if he’s the toughest, but he’s surely the sweetest."
"All I want is that fish, seriously."
"Same here."
"For me, it’s only the fish. The rest don’t matter."
They wriggled and squirmed, energetically rooting for their favorite contenders, proclaiming they wouldn’t root for any other psychic incarnation.
Soon, Ren faced his next rival: a formidable female alpha.
The ensuing bout was intense, as both alphas demonstrated their strengths. In the heat of the battle, they unleashed their psychic incarnations.
From Ren emerged a colossal orca, its ghostly call echoing like a powerful ocean surge.
Equally impressive, the female alpha’s psychic form was an ancient, plush creature, a panda with characteristic black rings around its eyes.
Seeing the panda, Kestrel’s extensions cried out in delight:
"Adorable!"
"What a surprise!"
"I wanna pet it."
"Can we hang out?"
"Let’s take it back with us."
"Absolutely, we can."
The tendrils seemed to be easily swayed, quickly forgetting their previous cheer for Ren.
In the arena, the orca and panda clashed fiercely. The panda rolled and tumbled, while the orca charged with force. Both exuded raw power. The battle was like watching an ocean titan taking on a mountain guardian. They grappled and snarled, with dirt and smoke swirling around them, making the winner hard to predict.
The tendrils, true to their fickle nature, kept switching sides:
"Oh, look! The panda rolled twice. Do it again!"
"Still rooting for the orca, though. Listen to it!"
In the midst of the clash, young Olivia couldn’t keep up with Ren and conceded, but there was a touch of sadness in her eyes.
Once the dust had settled and she’d withdrawn her psychic incarnation, she approached the stands to speak to Kestrel. "Hi, I’m Olivia Duke," she introduced herself, extending a hand. Even with a layer of grime on her face from the battle, her spirited eyes and bright smile shone through.
Kestrel took her hand, feeling its strength and warmth. Olivia, with her short cropped hair, glowing tanned skin, and athletic build, emanated energy and confidence.
"I might have lost, but maybe we can team up?" she suggested, pointing at herself. "I mean, think about it. I’m a girl, totally into guys. If we partnered up, we’d surely vibe well and I’d save you from a lot of hassles."
While Kestrel found Olivia’s proposal and the adorable panda tempting, her decision wavered when she met Ren’s eyes.
From afar, Ren seemed to have caught snippets of their conversation. He shot a brief, almost undetectable glance towards them before diverting his gaze. Standing alone with his knife, he looked oddly isolated and vulnerable.
Kestrel felt a twinge of remorse, as if she’d been caught doing something wrong, even though she couldn’t pinpoint the reason.
The ever-chirpy tendrils also toned down, offering an unusual reverence before their newfound favorite, the "panda."
Gently, Kestrel declined Olivia’s proposition.
However, Olivia, with her indomitable spirit, wasn’t discouraged. "Everyone’s curious about you. They all wonder how a beta fares in the Polluted Zone," she remarked, leaning next to Kestrel, both engrossed in watching the ongoing match.
"We have many Polluted Zones to explore in the future. Our paths might cross again," Kestrel responded. "We might team up someday."
Down on the arena, the culmination of the selection event was underway. Rakan, distinguished by his advanced prosthetic limbs, confidently strode to his position, preparing to confront Ren.
Despite the vast distance between them, a silent tension connected their gaze.
Ren instantly recognized him – that was the same man who had once knelt before Kestrel’s door, softly kissing her hand. At that time, he hadn’t yet acquired the mechanical arm and was missing a hand, looking frail and invoking pity.
Now, the guy turned out to be part of the royal guard, and had also fought his way to the final round of the selection tournament.
Bright lights from the rooftop highlighted the two alphas in the center of the arena. Both tall figures locked eyes, their focus making the surroundings feel even more intense.
"That killer whale’s got some serious moves, a top-tier fighter. Don’t let his quiet nature mislead you; he’s got a fire inside him, especially when he fights," Olivia whispered to Kestrel. "Captain Rakan though, he’s no pushover either. Honestly, with these two, it’s anyone’s game. Grab your popcorn; this is gonna be epic."
"What’s Rakan’s psychic incarnation?" Kestrel asked. She had previously met Rakan in the Erdtree’s Polluted Zone. Despite his miserable appearance, he had seemed undeniably tough, leaving a lasting mark on her memory.
"Just wait, it’s something to behold."
As if on cue, the hovering orca let out an alert call.
From behind Rakan, a tear in the fabric of space began to widen.
Emerging from it was an elegant, black horse with a singular long horn – It’s a majestic black unicorn. It strode forward with grace, letting out a crisp, melodious neigh.
Kestrel’s tendrils erupted in excitement:
"Wow!"
"It’s gorgeous."
"I’m totally feeling this."
"Look at that glossy coat!"
"I wanna hop on!"
"That horn looks hot..."
This final clash had both Ren and Rakan facing off after besting the best of the Royal Guard. Although they looked a bit rough around the edges and bore battle scars, neither seemed even remotely close to yielding.
Their psychic incarnations, the orca and the regal black unicorn, stood guard behind them, sizing up the competition.
Ren slipped off his gloves, allowing his blade to take on a mesmerizing crimson tint.
Rakan’s metallic arm made a distinctive sound, echoing with the weight of steel.
Looking straight at Ren, Rakan declared, "She’s been nothing but good to me. In treacherous places like the Eyehole, I’d put my life on the line for her."
Ren, who had been tight-lipped throughout previous battles, suddenly chuckled. Holding his eerie blade with the massive orca at his back, his laughter seemed like a sun-kissed peak amidst a snow-covered landscape.
"If that’s what you believe— then you’re mistaken," Ren retorted. "She isn’t looking for a shield; she wants an equal, a companion. Only those truly strong can walk beside her."
Softening his tone, Ren continued, "Guess you haven’t seen her in action, huh? Because I have."
The conviction in Ren’s words, a mix of challenge and slight ridicule, was quite unlike the tender and bashful demeanor he usually displayed around Kestrel.
The tendrils buzzed with conversation:
"Whoa, didn’t know Little Fish had it in him."
"He’s got some sass, huh?"
"I’m here for it."
"I bet he’s got a kick to his flavor now."
"Definitely tastes spicy, because he looks so hot."
"Kinda tempted to sneak down and get a taste!"
