Tournament of Souls

Book 3 of The Soul Saga

Chapter 1

The Tournament

“Why are our names on the news?”

A sole question amidst the chaos that was breakfast, yet one that made Meredith Childs sit at attention. Her long black hair whipped about, slapping her best friend, Edwin “Eddie” Montgomery, in the face as she looked for where he was getting the information from. He didn’t mind, but the boy seated on her other side certainly did.

“Mera, you want to not hit us with your-oh…”

Whatever Emil Baroné was going to say was cut off. All three of them at the breakfast table were transfixed on the television screen; one that near no one else in the room paid any mind to. Perhaps it was because most of what was there was known information. Perhaps it was because those around them had no vested interest.

More likely, however, Meredith figured it was because each and every person in the dining hall was nothing less than a full-fledged Guardian. All of them had passed their trials and worked in service of the upstanding Guardian Corps, and had no need to care about the names of four teenagers on the screen. Especially when each of those teenagers was nothing more than a mere candidate, still in the midst of their trials to become Guardians, themselves.

“Pick your jaws from the floor, idiots.”

Meredith’s eye twitched, but she didn’t acknowledge the ever-annoying presence of one Vivian Lacroix. Granted, her blonde-haired rival didn’t make it easy, sitting directly opposite her at the table and glaring at the tray of food she’d carried. It was a downgrade from the high-class cuisine the rich girl was used to, but she still appeared content enough to bite into an apple and turn her own gaze to the screen.

True to Eddie’s initial observation, splashed across the screen were their four names, all underneath a single and obvious banner.

DETAILS ABOUT THE ALCHEMIC SETTLEMENT REVEALED

“Are they still talking about that?” Vivian asked, chewing her apple. Eddie leaned forward to get a better glimpse, brushing aside some of his brown bangs to clear his sight. Emil remained where he was, wrapping his frayed scarf around himself. The only thing that had improved there was that his scarf had been cleaned, but his mood certainly hadn’t, for he spoke with a huff.

“I guess it’s big news.” Emil reached for his own tray and began to munch on a piece of toast, glaring at the television. “Why it’s getting more coverage than the attack on the Metropolis is the real mystery. No one was really hurt except for…”

Emil slid his hazel eyes over to Meredith, but she was already well-set on ignoring him. Her feet were already bringing her to stand and approach the television. Eddie, clearly done with his own mediocre breakfast, followed. The other two of their party were less enthused about standing, and didn’t do so, opting for calling after them.

“Hey, where are you going, trash?” Vivian said, her voice being lost to the hubbub of Guardians around them. “I thought we had a sparring match set for today, since they finally seem to be done interrogating us or forcing us to cohabit the same damn room. Hey! Idiot!”

“Training? Really? Can’t we just, I don’t know, chill, Viv?” Emil’s subsequent yelp told Meredith that Vivian had kicked him for his usage of that name. “You’re just interested in that weapon of hers anyway. You’re so transparent. Why are you sitting here anyway? Go somewhere else.”

“Where else? You idiots are the only ones I know.”

“You mean daddy doesn’t have-”

Whatever Emil was going to say, Meredith didn’t hear it. She knew it would only bring Vivian’s unbridled wrath upon the boy, and was something she didn’t care to deal with. Her focus was entirely on the news report coming through, and after dodging through the chatting Guardians, she finally found herself near enough to actually hear what was being said.

That, in and of itself, was downright surreal.

The whole circumstance she was in was surreal.

“The Guardian Corps has today announced that investigations into the events at the alchemic settlement have been completed,” the news anchor said, shuffling papers with a bright smile. Her fellow anchor sat next to her, looking positively giddy, though Meredith wasn’t sure any of what had happened called for it. “In a joint statement with the Alchemists’ Guild, further light has been shed upon what occurred a week ago.”

At her message, the screen changed (though the banner didn’t) and the familiar face of the one Meredith knew as guild master of the Alchemists’ Guild appeared on screen. He wasn’t alone, joined by the very well-known leader of the Guardian Corps, Marcus. Both were upright, if wearing grave expressions as they addressed those that had gathered for their statement. Upon quick perusal of the screen, Meredith could see this wasn’t live, but had occurred just that morning, even if it was impossible to tell with the eternal night that shrouded the alchemic settlement.

This picture finally drew the eyes of some milling Guardians, joining the best friends in their viewing.

“This is a solemn, but hopeful, day for our settlement,” the guild master spoke. “Thanks to the efforts of the Guardian Corps, many of our citizens were saved in the attack on our home. We lost but one man, great though that loss was. While several were injured, and many homes and craft-stations were destroyed, we remain in hope. We can rebuild, and it is thanks to the heroic actions that took place. Unfortunately, owing to our now scattered nature, we will be withdrawing from the upcoming event that has been part of a growing agreement between ourselves, the Corps, Lacardia and the Metropolis’s Home Guard.”

“Wonder what that’s about?”

“I haven’t heard anything.”

“Hey, newbies! Suit up! Training time!” Meredith jerked, thinking the person giving the orders was addressing herself, but the two Guardians nearby offered a sigh that indicated who it was for. By the time Meredith had calmed her nerves and looked back at the screen, Marcus was speaking.

“The situation at the settlement was lamentable, particularly on the heels of the Metropolis attack,” Marcus said, hands behind his back. “However, as a result of this, the face of the enemy is revealed. The ones behind the Beastmaster that wreaked havoc in the Metropolis have shown themselves, and we have taken both the Beastmaster and his comrade into custody. We have not yet obtained information from their sealed lips, but we are aware of their goal: to obtain weapons of great power. To that end, I will employ the Corps’ best Guardians to find more about their ranks and put a stop to them.

“As for our enemy’s identity…you’d know them well: the World Restoration Order.”

That declaration caused an immediate uproar in the sea of reporters, though hardly anyone in the dining hall gave a reaction. They all knew the score. They’d seen Caleb the Beastmaster and Gaius the Devourer, two priests of the World Restoration Order, brought in to the prison. The face of the enemy wasn’t a surprise at all to the Guardian Corps, and perhaps that was for the best.

“What of the Renegades? And the rumors of trial candidates who were involved?”

That, and other questions like it, flew around the press junket, all directed at the stoic Marcus. He waited for the cavalcade of interrogation to end before he raised his hand and attempted to address all further issues.

“The Renegades aided the leader of Tempest Squad, Captain Raymond Childs, in escorting citizens from the settlement and out of danger. They engaged in combat with some members of the Order and helped us to take the cultists into custody. Without them, I’m not sure the level of success we would have seen,” Marcus said. His gaze was piercing, even through the screen, and the press hung on his every word. And his next words made Meredith and Eddie hang even further, finally breaching the subject that was themselves. “Alongside them, much gratitude should be offered to the brave teenagers and trial candidates that fought alongside Captain Childs. We owe a debt of gratitude to Meredith Childs, Edwin Montgomery, Vivian Lacroix and Emil Baroné for their actions, though I ask you not to disturb them or their families. In the meantime, we have them at Corps Castle for further aid in discovering the Order’s true intentions.”

That last part was half-news to Meredith.

While she was more than aware that they were being kept at Corps Castle, the headquarters of the illustrious Guardian Corps, she hadn’t known they were still there for further questioning. Not after a whole week of it. Already her brain was hurting at the thought of more.

From how it had happened, to what had happened, to the gleaming blade she held, it had been a field of questions after questions. The sword, in particular, was a point of interest that Marcus never really let go of, same as Vivian’s bow. Neither were all that surprised: holding to the Legendary Weapons known as the Earth-Splitter and the Bow of Torrents was bound to attract attention. It certainly held hers as she thought about the blade, resting in her room, and the soul that was inside it. The soul she spoke with, all thanks to her developing magic.

“I wouldn’t worry, Mera,” Eddie said, his arms folded as he watched the press conference wrapping up. “It looks like the Chief Commander just said that to justify why we’re still here.”

“Why are we still here? I’m feeling stir-crazy! There’s only so much of Vivian I can take!” Meredith said in exasperation. Eddie chuckled, patting her on the back in consolation. “If it’s not an insult, she’s asking me to fight her to ‘prove she’s better than an old blade’. Between that and still trying to fix my sword from the damage it took, I’m ready to scream. They won’t even let us go anywhere! I thought the main base of the Corps would be exciting but it’s not, and I wanna get back to trials.”

“Don’t sound like a petulant child, sis. Makes you look bad.”

“Ray!” Meredith ignored the continuing news report to whip around and face the welcoming form of her brother, Captain Raymond Childs of Tempest Squad. Four years older, and far more skilled, her brother looked as fit as could be, despite having spent the last week convalescing from their battle with the Order. “You’ve been discharged?!”

“Fit for duty, it would seem. Would’ve been released earlier, but Emily fusses too much.”

“So we’ve heard,” Meredith said. She wasted no time in offering a hug to her brother before drawing back and looking him over. He seemed better than before, though some bruises lingered, and that gave her great relief. “Jay’s been around. Even got me a scabbard to fit my new sword. Can’t exactly hang it on my belt anymore.”

“And your old sword?”

“Work in progress.” Raymond nodded, pushing his glasses up and running a hand through his black hair, spiking it slightly. That movement finally attracted attention from those around the hall, and many of the Guardians either snapped into a salute or broke out into applause, finally realizing their famed captain was in their midst.

“Congratulations on recovery, Captain Childs!”

“You and Tempest Squad are marvelous, captain!”

“We should do a joint operation. Tempest Squad and Quake Squad could do some damage.”

Well-wishes continued in streams as the Guardians around the spacious dining hall began to mob Raymond. As ever, Meredith’s brother took the words and greetings graciously, proving that he was fit for whatever mission Tempest Squad would be given next. Meredith giggled a little and determined that her time with her brother was over. She turned back towards where Emil and Vivian were still seated, each looking away from each other with grimaces that indicated pain.

“In other news, the Lacardian Ministry for Research and Development has arrived on site for the impending gathering, beginning to prepare for an upcoming great event!” the other news anchor announced. He looked giddy, his voice booming like a sportscaster that just witnessed a great reversal during a game. Meredith was uninterested, though Eddie was transfixed to the screen at the mere mention of the magic state. She rolled her eyes and grabbed her best friend, dragging him away and back towards their table.

With most Guardians mobbing Raymond, the space of the dining hall became more open, letting Meredith suck it in without feeling overwhelmed as she had every other morning. Under other circumstances, she’d have felt like this was a dream come true.

She was in Corps Castle! The main base of the Guardian Corps! It was something she’d dreamed of and strode for and had traveled for nearly two months trying to obtain. However, the circumstances under which she’d found herself there made it feel less like an achievement and more like a punishment. Reaching Vivian and Emil doubled that, with their icy glares and clasped bruised shins.

“You two are idiots,” she commented, earning a nasty glower from Vivian. More hubbub entered the hall, and Meredith sighed. Vivian’s tray was empty, indicating a completion of breakfast and their ticket out of the hall. Although, it wasn’t like they had any other place to go. “Guess it’s back to the prison, then.”

“For someone who’s always so excited about the Corps, you seem positively depressed, Mera,” Eddie said, the chortle under his voice making Meredith’s eye twitch. “Though I do wonder when they’ll let us do more than sit around and play cards all day, or head to the training room.”

“Yeah, kinda boring,” Emil said. He wrapped his scarf around his face, hiding the scowl beneath it as the quartet made tracks from the dining hall and into the corridors beyond. Like the place of meals, the hallways were swarmed with Guardians, some carrying weapons or other devices, hurrying here and there.

The sight would have been fascinating…if it wasn’t the same one she’d seen day in and day out the last week. Her lips twisted, Meredith lamented her feelings of apathy towards the goings-on of the Guardian Corps, something she never thought she’d experience. Maybe it was that she was still a mere observer. Or it was having been confined to a few key areas. Either way, Meredith was bored.

So were her reluctant companions, evidenced by Vivian’s heavy sigh when the quartet finished ascending some stairs to their guest quarters and stood outside.

“This is lame…How come Max got away without interrogation?” Vivian said, her voice biting in regards to her absent attendant. She took a card out and swiped it through the control panel outside their room. The door slid open, permitting the two girls entrance as the boys remained outside.

“Probably because he was only slightly involved? Who knows, Viv. Stop complaining.” Meredith dodged the pillow thrown at her head from Vivian’s simple bed. Their whole room was simple, providing just enough for them to sleep comfortably, with a window letting the light of sunset in during the evenings. Meredith didn’t care so much about the room, having grown used to it, but did look to grab the blade resting against her current nightstand. The soul inside it was thrumming, especially compared to the rusted and cracked blade that her mother had made for her. She expelled another sigh at the sight of that. “There must be a reason we’ve been kept here, and all we can do in the meantime is keep training for when Marcus lets us continue the trials.”

“Yeah…the trials…” Vivian’s scowl would have been permanent if it was etched any deeper. Meredith couldn’t blame her; despite the girl’s insistence on getting the best rank possible on every trial, she’d struggled as of late, with no reprieve in sight. “This is pointless. Marcus has no need to keep us here; not after that performance at the settlement.”

“That why you’ve been training as much as you can, Viv?” Emil asked, poking his head in the room. Another pillow was flung, this one hitting the dirty-blond’s face. Her act of aggression giving her a satisfied smile, Vivian grabbed her bow and began to leave. Meredith followed right after, clutching the sheathed Earth-Splitter in her hands.

The teens exited and shuffled past the few Guardians in the upper halls, towards the sole training room on the floor. It was one that was never used, far as Meredith could tell from her time in there, either as a result of the Corps’ busy schedule or because it was restricted to guests…which she supposed they were, even if none of them felt like it. Whatever it was, Meredith found its blank space, sans the racks of weapons and padded dimensions, too familiar for her current tastes.

“Edwin, you and me. Let’s spar. Emil, if your pathetic magic wants to take part, I won’t say no. Need a warmup to beat her into the ground.”

“Viv, your mind is too one-track.”

“Not like we have anything better to do, Emil,” Eddie said. He was rolling up his sleeves, an orb of fire in one hand and a globe of water in the other. Meredith chuckled, shaking her head at her best friend’s willingness to battle it out with the overbearing Vivian. Not that she was surprised by now; since Eddie had grown by leaps and bounds with his multi-element magic, he had been more than willing to spar with the enchantment-based Vivian or the gravity-using Emil.

As for Meredith, she set her mouth into a thin frown and turned to the one area of the training room where she could sit, preparing to use her own magic.

She’d barely sat when her soul reached out, connecting to that of the Earth-Splitter, and she entered into a void of white. Everything vanished around her, except for the lone figure that stood there, waiting. His hands were behind his back, bringing focus to his green eyes, outlined by his clean-cut brunet locks. Outfitted in traveler’s clothes, the man turned with his ever-stern expression.

“You’re getting faster.”

“Of course. Not like there’s been anything else to do but practice my magic. And I’m familiar with your soul,” Meredith said.

He chuckled. Then, he approached, his soul growing clearer in vision. Every step was filled with purpose, each movement underlying the intent that existed inside the soul of Terrill Jacobs the Earth-Splitter. Meredith knew him far too little, but from their brief moments of connection, she could tell his soul was unshakable and undeterred. Soon, he stopped in front of her.

“Yet you hesitate. Is it the fear?”

Fear. Meredith hated that word. Like a bitter aftertaste, it lingered in her mind, made her limbs tremble. Just as Vivian trained to forget, Meredith remembered the fear in the settlement. It had rendered her near useless. Weak.

However, this had nothing to do with that.

“It’s more…I’m not sure how to truly and effectively use my magic in combat.” Terrill cocked his head to the side, hand placed to his clean-shaven chin. His appearance hadn’t changed once since they’d first conversed a week ago, but Meredith didn’t let the observation distract her from continuing to explain. “I see Eddie, Vivian and Emil…and they just…use it. There’s no thinking. It’s immediate.”

“They have very basic magic. Well…at least I think it’s basic. Magic was very different in my day and age.”

“Your day and age? What was your day and age?” Terrill sent her a look of consternation and she pouted. She sat in the void, folding her arms and legs. “Oh, come on. You refuse to tell me anything about yourself. I don’t like it.”

“Last I checked, you connected with my soul to get stronger. That’s what we agreed.”

“I wanted answers, too.”

“Answers come with strength.” Meredith’s eyes narrowed, her nose wrinkling in irritation. “You need to focus on your present, not the past. For now, just focus on improving your magic.”

“How do I do that? How can I make my magic an extension of myself like the others do?” Meredith asked. She saw fit to drop the previous subject, knowing that she wouldn’t get anywhere. Instead, she focused on her soul, and using the magic of other souls. “Using your magic is easy, but what if I don’t have you there? I don’t want to violate anyone else’s soul, and my reaction times asking for the souls around me would just distract me.”

“Change your style, then.” The suggestion was blunt and borderline unhelpful.

“Easy for you to say. You were, what, some expert warrior? Enough that the other Legendary Weapons seem to speak highly of you. Probably easy for you to change up your style.”

“Not really. I’m as inflexible as earth,” Terrill said. It was the first bit of humor he ever showed on his face, causing Meredith to snort. “But you’re not. You’re faster on your feet and your magic itself begs for variability. Maybe if you extend variability to your general combat style, it can bleed into your magic. The ability to confound with a swift shift would benefit you.”

Meredith bit her lip, considering Terrill’s advice.

It wasn’t bad advice, but she wasn’t entirely sure how she’d be able to handle a sudden shift in her form. Integrating magic was hard enough, but throwing that on top of it just seemed more complicated than it was worth. However, thinking on her companions sparring a few feet away, particularly Vivian, she thought it possible. It was just finding the right style. “What do you have in mind?”

“How about dual-wielding?”

“No way.” One blade plus magic was fine enough, thank you very much.

“Then a backhanded approach. Change the way you use your blade. I once had a friend who would change the hold of his blades for different strikes. Not sure how well my form now would help that, but I think we could get it to work with you.”

“You had friends?” Terrill’s consternation caused Meredith to offer a sheepish smile. Still, she began thinking that the idea had merit. To suddenly switch the orientation of her blade and the way she held it…that kind of snap-flow could certainly orient her mind the right way. “Not a bad idea. You’ll help me do it?”

“Won’t be immediate, but sure,” Terrill agreed. He looked satisfied, as if the goal of training her was something he was looking forward to. She was, too. His promise of helping her get stronger, to push away the fear, fueled her. “Oh, and you might want to pay attention.”

“Huh?” Meredith cut off her Soul Vision, the image of Terrill vanishing from her mind just in time to see Vivian’s open palm come sailing for the top of her head. She blocked it.

“I’m warmed up. Now, let’s fight, trash.”

“You could stand to be nicer when asking a favor, Viv.” Meredith threw the hand off her and stood, clasping the Earth-Splitter. Despite its seemingly unwieldy proportions, it was light in her hand and easy to use, buoyed by the soul inside it. She flipped it a couple times in her hands as she tested switching the way she could hold it, causing Vivian to step back. As she did so, a whooshing invaded their ears, the door to the training room opening.

“Ooh, do we have a fight on our hands?” The new voice put a halt to all other proceedings and the four teens in the room, including a momentarily sparring Eddie and Emil, stopped and looked to the new arrivals.

A woman had entered the room, quite a bit older than each of them, but certainly not old, and commanding attention effortlessly. Meredith found herself drawn to her, finding her familiar, but unable to place just how. Instead, she took to observing this arrival that sported a giddy grin at the thought of a battle about to go down. Not that there was much to observe: the woman was dressed very simply with knee-length shorts and a form-fitting shirt, obscured by the breastplate she wore. Naturally, said breastplate had the insignia of the Guardian Corps, two crossed swords and six circles, emblazoned upon it. It was all very understated, except for her flowing blonde hair that reached her waist; a blonde with such a sheen that it appeared almost white, reflecting the ambient lighting of the room.

Still, she paled in comparison to the man that entered the room behind her, bedecked in his own armor and looking all too much the part of a disciplinarian.

“I would certainly hope our guests could refrain from fighting each other for the moment. There’s an order to things,” he said. Meredith found herself standing more at attention, and Vivian was the same. Eddie and Emil looked less concerned but still treated the entering man with respect.

“Oh, don’t be a stick in the mud, Chief Commander. Nothing better than a good dust-up. Whaddaya say, guys?” the woman said. She was so flippant with Chief Commander Marcus that Meredith wondered whether she was a Guardian at all. Marcus, whose presence was felt, didn’t seem to mind. All he did was pat her shoulder and finish approaching the at-attention teens. They remained silent.

“Dust-up or no, that’s not the reason we’re here.”

“Why are we here?” Emil asked suddenly. Meredith and Vivian shot him a look of incredulity, reminding him to show respect in this one man’s presence. Marcus halted his progression to stand in front of the teens, observing them. “I thought interrogations finished, so is there a reason you’re keeping us here? And while you’re at it, what’s the big idea of putting our names in the news?”

Marcus watched Emil a moment longer and then chuckled. “My apologies, Mr. Baroné. I’m aware of the contentious relations with your parents, but details stave off rumors, and I did not want unhealthy rumors cropping up about the events in the settlement. Not with what is about to occur.”

“And what is about to occur, sir?” Vivian asked, never dropping her salute. Marcus watched her, showing the smallest modicum of surprise that the blonde could hold respect for so long or, perhaps, for anyone.

“Well, Miss Lacroix, if you’ve been paying attention to the news lately, you’d know that we’ve been working tirelessly at outfitting the stadium where the Trial of Power takes place,” Marcus informed the group. They had all gathered now, dropping their salutes but remaining at rapt attention. Marcus’s own companion appeared bored, picking at her ear while she waited for the explanation to start and finish. “This has been part of the deal we’ve negotiated with Lacardia.”

“Oh, cut to the chase, Marcus. I’m not here as a rulebook,” the woman snapped. Patience was clearly not her strong suit. Marcus chortled.

“Very well.” Marcus placed his hands behind his back and observed each teen in kind. “As a result of negotiations with the many different factions, such as Lacardia, the Alchemists’ Guild and even the Metropolis’s Home Guard, the Guardian Corps has founded what we are to call the first-ever Alliance Games!”

“Games?”

“Alliance?” The questions had come simultaneously, from the girls and then the boys. Marcus didn’t wait for their confusion to abate.

“Precisely.” Like it was scripted, the chief commander began to stride back and forth, carrying all his dignity and presence with him. “This was initially meant to be a mere herald of the successful negotiations with Lacardia. However, in light of what occurred a week ago, we believe a greater sign of positivity is needed with the tournament, especially since the Alchemists’ Guild is pulling out to focus on restoration. Already changes have been made to account for four teams to take part: one from Lacardia, one from the Home Guard and a civilian team that will be determined upon making it through the prelims.”

“That’s only three, commander,” the woman said. She had her hand on her hips and was sending a chastising frown her commander’s way. “You’re confusing them more than helping.”

“Am I? I suppose I have the tendency to make things more complicated…”

Meredith said nothing, but she had to agree with the woman: she was confused by what Marcus was saying. Picking up on that very confusion, Marcus’s female companion decided to stop beating around the bush.

“So, look, kids, here’s what it is,” she began. Her hand traveled up, running through her hair. The air lifted it, tied into a bun, while the woman wore a scrutinizing and direct look upon her face. “The Alliance Games, as the Corps will announce tomorrow, is going to be a massive tournament, combining the best of both trials: the Trial of Power and the Trial of Teamwork. To that end, for the week this tournament will be running, both trials will be completely closed down. All the world’s attention is going to be focused on this one event. All eyes drawn to the Metropolis. Broadcast worldwide! Stadium packed! Thrilling battles! Exciting events!

“And only one team can win! Will it be Lacardia? The Home Guard? The civilians who make it in? Or will it be us, the Guardian Corps? Only the tournament will tell, but the winners will earn the prestige and notoriety that comes with it. Plus, for any trial candidates, or those interested, the winner will earn an S-Rank on both represented trials.”

“It’s a peace offering, so to speak,” Marcus said. “Between the Metropolis attack and last week’s events, the people need something to enjoy. Something to remind them that, as a world, we can be of one mind and body for an era of peace.”

Meredith found herself nodding, but still not putting the pieces together. Her excitement was ramping up at the woman’s explanation, at least. A joint-trial with thrilling battles? Her hands were downright twitching with the anticipation.

Eddie was more logical about the deal.

“So…what does that have to do with us, though? Especially since you haven’t officially announced it yet.”

The two commanders shared yet another look. Marcus answered. “I’d have thought it obvious, Mr. Montgomery. We want you four to be the team that represents the Guardian Corps.”

Silence. Blinking.

Then, their jaws dropped.

“Wait, what?” Vivian screeched. “A team? Representing the Corps? Why? How? Why?”

“You’re repeating yourself, Viv,” Emil drawled. He looked unhappy, folding his arms and looking to Marcus. “So, this is why you released our names.”

“Oh, grow up. They would have come out eventually,” the woman spoke. She was stretching now, earning all of their attentions, including Marcus’s. The chief commander rolled his eyes. “This way, we can at least justify having you represent the Corps. Plus, Marcus wants to take a more vested sponsorship in promising trial candidates. That’s why I’m along as chaperone and coach.”

“A decision I’m beginning to doubt…”

“Don’t be like that, Marcus! Roy’s busy emceeing the event, you-know-who is off on her own stuff and you need to stay here to guard the base. I’m a great coach! Don’t forget that I helped train Raymond, your prize captain!” the woman said, slapping her commander on the shoulder. Meredith perked up, now more interested than ever in the woman before her. “And we’ll have to see how much training they need. This isn’t just about fighting, or a beat-em-up. They’ll need to be crafty, synergistic and ready for all sorts of events before them.

“And that’s why I want you to fight me! Show me what you have so I can see it with my own eyes. Are you four worthy of representing the Guardian Corps?”

“Amelia, can you hold for just a moment? This tournament-”

“No can do, commander. I’m itching to throw down since I’ve been holed up here. Let’s rumble!”

Now, at last, things came together in Meredith’s mind, her grip tightening on her sword. She knew where she’d seen this woman before, though she wasn’t one often seen. So did Vivian, the girl preparing a battle stance.

For as the woman drew circular blades from her side and extended them outwards, her identity was fully revealed.

Ready to fight them was Amelia Chavez, one of the Big Three of the Guardian Corps’ commanders.