Part 1: Fight

In the coming days I will be posting a short series of scenes with the intent to complete the series around the time the next build of Inheritance is released.  These stories were generously written by the talented LFNPark.

Hope you all enjoy!

Part 1: Fight

It was an awful place. I think it used to be a gymnasium for a school, but it obviously hadn’t been used for a long time. The people were pressed together around the fenced area, barbed wire run in between the gaps. Some were yelling, impatient for the fight to begin while others huddled together, placing wagers on what would happen. I think this place used to be a gymnasium for a school, but it obviously hadn’t been used for a long time. 

They were small time; anyone who held any true weight had placed their wagers hours ago before the “ring” had even been set up. I guess calling it a ring is a generous way to put it considering I’d seen better setups in a petting zoo…. 

I pulled my hood up, slipping between the bodies until I was touching the fencing. I saw Howie, the filthy scum, waiting near the door to the ring. Looking at his grey eyes and square head made feel so much disappointment… I could’ve easily taken the Titan off his hands for a substantial sum, but instead here I am manipulating him and the others to obtain--no, you’re not your father Maki. This isn’t about acquiring a product. This is saving a life from a bunch of fools who can’t see what is being thrown away….so I made those fools dance. They think they’re in for an easy win against a silly rich girl from overseas.  

The fools should know better than to bet against me. They obviously haven’t done anything but the most basic research. Had they, my name would’ve popped up easily back in the states. 

I saw her enter the ring. The Titan. She is easily two feet taller than myself. My breath caught in my throat as I gazed at her; she looks like her muscles were chiseled from caramel marble akin to a greek god. Her only imperfections were her numerous scars, but that just added an exotic appeal to her, like a warrior goddess fresh from her conquest. Her hair was ebony and tied back, a simple tight shirt over her black sports bra keeping her breasts in place and tight black shorts…Simple clothes for a massive fighter. 

She is magnificent to this day. 

She walked to the other side of the enclosure, pacing slowly. 

I doubt she’d even recognize me if she saw me at that point. I’d only seen her in the presence of Howie, but the first time I saw her I knew two things: Howie had no idea of her true worth, and that I wanted her. Wanting her was a familiar thing; Her natural aura, her poise, those eyes that just bore straight to your core….so attractive. As far as Howie, this was common: most Masters have no idea what they have under their noses. I’d kept tabs on Howard looking for an opportunity...I did not expect one like this. 

The moment the four other fighters entered the enclosure, I saw the Titan’s demeanour change. There was confusion now...I wondered if Howie told her there’d be four. Officially, this match was listed as a battle royale….Official being such a loose word in this case…. 

 I felt anger in my chest when I saw Howie slip a knife to one of the male fighters. I saw the Titan see it too, and her normally stoic visage breaks. It makes my heart ache, I must admit.  I felt fear creep into my mind; I’d wagered a substantial amount on the Titan, all of it hinging on her winning against four combatants...the knife could be the point of which my fate turns. There were no rounds in this fight; it will go until only one remains standing. They circled her like a pack of wolves… 

When they pounced, the Titan struck. 

She surged forward with a quickness that belied her size, catching one of the women with a massive kick that sent them sprawling. One of the men jumped onto her back, driving quick punches into her side as the one in the knife caughts her arm with a shallow cut.  

I watched her battle desperately, but the numbers kept catching up to her. The Titan’s blows stun every opponent she connected with, but the others jump in. It’s obvious the man with the knife had little experience with it; he kept going for quick slashes rather than stabs. I admit I felt apprehension as she wasn’t doing well at that point. 

They dragged her down to her knees, two clutching her arms as the third wrapped an arm around her neck. The man with the knife dashed forward and I saw the blade slice towards her face as she thrashed wildly… 

Her scream echoed through the place, blood flowing down her face from where the right eye had been. I admit I cried out too, my hands covering my face in horror. At that point the man finally got the idea and stabbed her, the blade lodging in the side of her chest. My heart sank, for I thought I’d made a serious miscalculation…something magnificent was about to be lost... 

I should have more faith. 

The Titan’s scream was replaced with a primordial, guttural cacophany that sent shivers up my spine. Something snapped in her; I could hear it in that bellow that rolled through the area like a tidal wave. The man’s stab was too close; it had struck her breast rather than the chest. I saw the Titan grab one of the girls holding her arm and fling her like a rag doll into the man with the knife before gripping the other girl on her arm by the neck, wrenching her into a vicious headlock as the man on the Titan’s back kept punching. The sickening crack of breaking bones drove the crowd into a frenzy as the poor woman fell from the Titan’s embrace like a limp noodle, her neck tilted at an unnatural angle. 

The Titan flung herself backwards into the barbwire lining the fencing and raked the man on her against it. His grip loosened enough for her to reach back, grabbing him by the head to sling him over her shoulder and onto the concrete with a sickening thud. 

 I shuddered when I saw her pick the man up by the head and his tights, slinging him like a duffel bag against the fencing once more, the barbed wire biting into his flesh as his head bounced from the fencing to the ground. The Titan flinched when she felt the remaining woman drive a knee into her side. She ducked under the Titan’s swing and delivered two solid jabs…. I felt sorry for that girl. She wasn’t prepared when that didn’t even slow the Titan down. She was running on adrenaline and rage; pain just wasn’t registering. The Titan’s massive hand swung down and grasped the girl by the hair, jerking her to the left as the man with the knife came back into the fight. The TItan shoved her into the standing man, then drove her heel forward into the woman’s chest, sending both of them backward. 

The other man should’ve stayed down. Instead, the poor fool decided to strike the Titan in her ribs. Good blows, but she was too deep into her berserker rage to register broken ribs. She simply turned and tackled the man, her fists raining down on him until he stopped moving….and then for a bit longer until her hands were covered in his blood and his face was a pulpy mass. 

She grabbed the fallen man by his arm and used his body as another projectile at the remaining man and woman. They scrambled out of the way...I winced when the woman scrambled right into the Titan’s waiting fist. I swear it looked like her face exploded in blood and teeth; she crumpled in a heap and didn’t get back up. It made my stomach do a bit of a flip. 

The man with the knife looked positively terrified, but the Titan didn’t care. She advanced on him, weaving around his knife slashes until she caught his wrist in her hand. 

I admit I felt satisfaction when I heard his bones start breaking. He cried out, but she silenced him by grabbing his throat and squeezing...squeezing…his feet kicked uselessly as she lifted him from the ground. 

I thought for sure his eyes would pop from his skull, but that ended when she jerked his head, a loud snap echoing throughout the place before the crowd erupted. 

The Titan stood amongst the carnage for a moment, the concrete covered in blood and broken bodies. I saw her chest heaving, her face a crimson mask and her shirt in bloody tatters….The angry snarl quickly fading from her face to be replaced with confusion. She exited quickly, heading back as the crowd cheered. 

I was already moving by the time she had disappeared. I slipped through the crowd with practiced ease until I was next to the door back to the lockers. In the hallway,I watched the Titan stagger back towards a locker room with blood trailing behind her. I picked up the duffel bag I’d stowed in one of the trash cans earlier and waited outside...I knew he’d be here. 

He didn’t disappoint. Howie came around a corner, a black pistol in his hand. I held my phone in 

my hand and clicked the recording button. 

“Howie.” I greeted him with a smug smile, even as he raised the gun towards me. The fool still had the safety on. “Oh, put that away. You won’t shoot me.” 

“Really now?” His voice was seething, his rage apparent. I sauntered closer, my smile never leaving my face. 

“Really. My death won’t end your debt to me, darling. I have an offer that will, however.” I can see the doubt in his eyes. 

“Oh, now I’ve piqued your interest.” I chuckle, pushing his gun down. He glares at me, the gun twitching at his side. 

“I’ve no money left.” 

“I am well aware, darling. Lucky for you, I’ve no interest in money you don’t have. Instead, I’d like a life.” My smile faded as I replaced it with a menacing glare, making sure my eyes never left his. I could see the fear there, lurking behind the anger...this man knew who I was, and what I was capable of. 

“You will turn around. You will leave this building. You will never talk to the Titan again. You will never see her again willingly. From this moment on, you will stay out of her life. Do this and your debt is gone.” I made sure my usual bubbly tone was gone, replaced with something dark and threatening.  

The look on his face….so precious. He was so confused. 

“You want the girl? She’s not worth half what I owe you….” He thought I was up to something. I could tell. I guess I had to turn the screws a little more. 

“I want her life. Do you think I’m stupid? You came back here to kill her not because she went against what you wanted, but because you’re scared. You’re scared of her because her brother died on your watch, and you don’t know if she holds that against you.” I moved closer, my voice going lower. “You’re scared because she just
destroyed

four fighters in brutal fashion. You’re scared because she saw you slip the knife to one of them. You’re scared she will kill you, and you know what, darling?” I spit the word out like it’s sour in my mouth. I could hear sounds coming from the locker room, but he didn’t notice as I held his attention like a helpless moth before the flames. 

 “I’m not so sure
I 

won’t, the longer you stand there. I’m not pleased with you, Howie. I don’t like dealing with people who mistreat their charges, and what you’ve done tonight? You disgust me. You
enrage

me. You will leave her be, or I will bring such eldritch horror raining down on you as 

to plague all of your bloodline long after you’re gone. Besides, there’s at least five very influential people you owe debts now, myself included. It would be easier for you if it were just four.” I saw him gulp as my smile returned. 

“....You did this. You helped her win.” I laughed in his face. 

“No, you fool. I didn’t need to stoop to your level. I made my wagers and let the fates decide. You tried to cheat, but I relied on something far greater. Something you should have before you decided to be a coward.” I turned my back to him, sick of staring at his square head. He was silent as I walked towards the locker door, but I decided to rub it in his face just a little more. I looked back at him as I put a hand on the door knob. 

“I had faith in her.”