Wheels of Fate, BoF II novelization.
Summary: Novelization of Breath of Fire II: Shimei no Ko (The Destined Child). Some events altered. Strong language will be in play.
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, they belong to Capcom, as the game does. I own nothing, hear ye, lawyers. But that doesn't gets you the permission to publish this as a book without the proper written and legally signed consent of whoever holds the copyright.
Chapter 04: Hard Work Pays.
Mid-day. Back streets. Colossea.
This is very odd, Ryu mused as he wandered the streets of Colossea. Surely in a town as big as this, there has to be someone who worships the Dragon God? But I can't find a statue or a shrine anywhere.
He had arrived a few hours after the sun had risen, amazed by how energetic he felt thanks to the mandragora root. After booking a room at one of the cheaper inns – just in time, too, judging by the number of people that had come while he was resting in the inn's common room – he had decided to go for a walk and find one of Ladon's statues. He'd listen to the local gossip while he was at it, and see if there was any obvious news on the bat-winged girl.
But all he'd found was graffiti on the lower-class houses and talk of the latest Battle Show. One slogan had caught his attention more than the others: burn marks on a stone wall, with 'Eat at Joker's' painted across them in what looked suspiciously like dried blood. The words reminded him of the thieves with their distinctive Joker Gang hoods who had broken into the farmstead. Was the Joker Gang trying to expand its sphere of influence northwards?
Suddenly he realized that during his walk, he'd ended up outside the Church of St. Eva. On a whim, he decided to pay his respects to the god his father had worshipped so strongly. He gently pushed open one of the massive doors, slipped inside and took a seat at one of the pews.
"The Lord Eva and His children . . . transcend?" he mumbled. It had been many long years since he had last spoken the teachings of St. Eva, and his memory was failing him. "Transcend . . . darkness . . . Um . . ." It was no good. He'd just have to improvise something. In duly respectful tones, he asked for the successful capture of the thief, without injury to himself or Bosch and so on.
After it was clear that he'd finished, a priest who'd been standing nearby took a seat next to him. Despite being not overly muscular or carrying a weapon, Ryu sensed that the man was a warrior of sorts. His priest's robe hung loosely over clothes designed to endure harsh travel. The look in his blue eyes matched the expression he'd often seen in the eyes of his father, who had been a renowned magician.
"That was a horrible prayer," the priest laughed as Ryu felt the Dragon's Tear glow orange. "St. Eva must be shaking his head."
"A preacher I once knew told me that it isn't the words that matter, but how much of your heart you put into your prayers." Ryu smiled a little sadly, remembering the lessons he'd had with his father. He'd enjoyed them, although he'd liked praying the Dragon God with his mother more.
"This is true, of course. And your name is?"
"Ryu Bateson," he answered. "From the Ranger's Guild of Newhaven."
"Ah, then I'm pleased to make your acquaintance, Master Bateson. I am Ray Braddock, a humble priest of the Church of St. Eva." They shook hands. "And how, if I am not prying too much into your personal life, do you know a preacher of our church. I do not mean to cause offense, but you don't look like a regular."
"It's a long story . . ." said Ryu, a little hesitantly.
"I can listen, if you're willing to talk." Ray's face radiated nothing but good cheer and kindness. The Dragon's Tear flickered over to yellow, and he decided that he could trust Ray.
"My father, Ganer Bateson, was the preacher for Gate, the town where I grew up. He was also a powerful magician, but he disappeared many years ago. Do you know him?"
"I am sorry, Ryu," Ray said apologetically, "but this is the first time that I have heard his name. However, if I hear anything, I give you my word that I will let you know."
"Thank you, Father Ray."
"Please," Ray chuckled, "there's no need for the 'Father'. You are about nineteen or twenty? I am only a few years older, and you're making me feel like an old man."
"Alright, just Ray it is then. In your travels, have you seen or heard anything about a woman with the wings of a bat?"
"Again, I must apologize, Ryu. I have not heard of such a woman. Perhaps in Wyndia . . ." Ray paused for a second and glanced at the only other worshipper within earshot, sitting a few pews behind them. The man's eyes were closed and he seemed deep in prayer, but Ray lowered his voice anyway.
"As a man of faith, I should not condone this, but . . . it is the unfortunate truth that as the day draws to an end, many gather at the pubs and indulge in the evils of drink. If you were to listen there, you may find something useful to you."
"After I filter through the drunken ranting, right?" Ryu replied dryly. He smiled. "Thank you for your help."
"It was a pleasure, truly. I must go oversee some of the church business now, though. I hope we meet again someday."
Ray stood, brushing dust off his robes, and walked towards the back rooms of the chapel. Several women giggled as he passed them and shot him admiring – and more than admiring – glances from beneath lowered lashes. Ryu ignored them, rolling his eyes as he left the church.
On his way back to the inn, he decided to stop by the entrance to the Arena. In hindsight, it was a bad idea, as the surrounding area was packed and the only way in would be to grab his sword and hack his way through. That course of action was promptly discarded. But there was a large board nearby with announcements on it, and it was possible to get to it without being crushed to death.
The main poster showed the combatants in the most popular upcoming battle. 'Lin, the Dynamite Cutie! Vs. Bunyan, the Lumberjack!'
Both nicknames are odd, Ryu thought, a little derisively, but what was stranger was that only one of the fighters had a portrait painted on the board. Lin was depicted as an attractive female Woren, all feral grin and blazing eyes. But there was nothing to show what sort of person Bunyan was.
"Out of the way!" someone yelled, and he moved aside to allow a work crew through. It seemed that either the Colosseum wasn't finished being built yet, or major sections of it were under repair. Workers of all Clans swarmed over the white stone pillars like ants, passing up materials and slowly pushing the damaged section inside back into place.
One man in particular caught his interest: a Shell Clansman, twice the size of his human coworkers. Like all Shell, he resembled a humanoid armadillo, although muscles bulged across his arms and shoulders. Ryu's eyes widened as the man picked up an enormous steel girder as easily as he himself might have picked up a toothpick.
He's seriously strong, Ryu thought. But it's rare to find a Shell clansman on this side of the world. Maybe there's not much work available in his hometown? Anyway, I'll think thrice before getting into any sort of brawl with him! His fists are larger than my head!
This last thought was reinforced as one of the other workers asked the large man to demolish a nearby wall. He made short work of it, using a combination of one-two punches to make the wall collapse in a matter of seconds. Ryu gulped and continued down the road.
That was a bit of an understatement, wasn't it?
The air was inundated with dust stirred up by countless passing feet. Ryu dug through his pack to find his water-bottle and have a drink, but as he was returning it, he caught sight of a glint of gold beneath his supplies. Finding an out of the way corner, he pulled it out.
It was a heavy golden coin, with intricate fish patterns on one side and the Manillo emblem on the other. It had been dropped by one of the flying imps he'd fought on the way, but he'd forgotten about it because of the battle with the Joker hoods.
Looks like a trip to the bank is in order, he thought. They should know what this is, right? And it'll kill some time before sundown.
Late afternoon. Manillo Inter-oceanic Bank. Colossea.
It took a while, but finally Ryu managed to locate the Colossea branch of the Manillo bank. The first floor of the building was a store for travel goods, with the bank located on the second floor. Ryu had missed the sign the first time he'd gone past, and had had to double back.
"Good afternoon, sir," said the clerk, a purple-scaled Manillo, as he reached the top of the stairs. "Welcome to the M.I.B. Please, take a seat."
"Thank you, but this shouldn't take long. My name is Ryu Bateson, and I came here because I wanted to ask what this coin is." He pulled the coin from his pack and placed it on the desk in front of the clerk.
The clerk's eyes, already wide with the peculiar bulginess belonging to fish across the world, widened further until they looked as though they might fall out of his head. Ryu stifled his laughter as with the help of a jeweler's monocle, the clerk oohed and aahed over the designs. Finally, the clerk put down the coin.
"Well!" he exclaimed. "This is certainly a rarity. In ancient times, our people used a stamp card symbol to do business, based on the fish they received -"
"Fish?"
"Yes, yes, they used to do commerce in terms of fish, because of a curse on our Clan that made us die if we ate a fish we had caught ourselves. Because of this, we learned that we had to integrate ourselves with the rest of the world."
"And the coin?" Ryu asked patiently.
"Ah, it is a seal that, when fueled by magic, leaves a print on things. Paper is the most common, of course, but more traditional Manillo often use sheets of seaweed while underwater. You see?"
The clerk took a piece of paper from his drawer, concentrated briefly and placed the seal on the paper. When he lifted it again, the design had been imprinted onto the paper in grey lines that glowed faintly. "Once marked, the paper becomes waterproof and can only receive seal-prints. No ink of any kind." To demonstrate, he dipped the paper into the aquarium behind him and pulled it out again. The paper was completely dry and undamaged.
"Of course, these use a high amount of magic and are thus impractical. Lighter, more mana-efficient seals are used by our traders nowadays, but these are kept in a museum in Prima for historical interest. If you are interested, the M.I.B. can pay you for this one."
"How much does the bank pay?" Ryu asked, definitely interested. Extra money always came in handy.
"Ten thousand zenny each," the clerk stated matter-of-factly, as if such a large sum were everyday business.
Ryu's jaw dropped. Someone up there must be watching over me, he thought, and I think I know who. "Yes, I am interested. I only have the one, though."
"Wonderful! However, there is one small problem: this office doesn't have enough hard zenny to pay your request in full. We can, though, make an arrangement of sorts. Should you open an account in our bank, you can deposit funds at any of our branches without cost. There is also no fee for having money stored in the bank and we even pay annual interest on the balance if you do business with us. I can give you two thousand zenny now, if you need cash, and deposit the remainder in your account."
"Well, it all seems good to me. I'll open an account, but I'd like to check the contract first if you don't mind."
"Of course." The clerk took out two rolls of parchment from the same drawer. The first he handed to Ryu, who scanned it and found nothing beyond what he had been told. He picked up a quill, dipped it into the inkstand on the clerk's desk and signed his name on the dotted line.
After this, the clerk poured a tiny amount of ink into a small tray.
"Press your finger into the ink, and then against the paper," he instructed. Ryu did so, leaving identical black imprints next to his signature on the contract and on the second piece of parchment, now revealed to be otherwise blank. The clerk stamped his own seal-ring on both scrolls, the soft glow of magic illuminating it briefly.
"Now the rolled-up scroll here can only be written upon by our people," he told Ryu, "those with proper clearance as employees of the Bank, and only when you – and you personally, you can't send anyone else to access your account – request a transaction. When money is deposited, the total will appear at the bottom here. The contract will stay in Prima for safekeeping."
The clerk gave him a smile as he passed across a blank seal-ring. "This is your own personal seal. A design appropriate to your magic will appear the first time you use it. However, if you can't use magic, then simply press your finger against it like the inking earlier. It is not quite as effective as using your own magic, but it is a viable substitute."
Ryu knew that the money would be safe, even without the elaborate protections. There were few things more stupid than trying to steal money from the M.I.B. – poking a sleeping dragon was the only thing more stupid he could think of at the moment… Well, painting a mustache in the dragon god statue, and getting caught by the priestess would be another one. The Manillo didn't look kindly upon thieves, and they didn't easily forget.
"One final question, sir, and then you're free to go. Are you married?"
Ryu's face immediately turned a vivid scarlet. "N-no, I'm not," he stuttered.
"Ah, I see." What exactly he saw, he didn't expand on. "Then can you tell me your parents' names and current residence?"
"Why do you need to know?" Ryu asked, thrown off-balance by the questions.
"Bank policy, I'm afraid. If something were to happen to you, Mammon forbid, we have the obligation to return anything in your account to your next-of-kin."
Ryu sighed. "Ganer and Valerie Bateson, of Gate." He didn't bother explaining that neither was there now. It wasn't as though he was planning on dying any time soon.
"Thank you very much, sir. I apologize if I made you feel uncomfortable."
"It's no problem. Thank you for your help."
Night. The Cat's Paw tavern. Colossea.
The bar was crowded, with people everywhere chattering, eating and drinking. Most of the patrons were Colosseum workers, here to relax and have some fun after a hard day, so there were many who were already quite drunk.
Ryu pulled up a chair in a slightly emptier area and tried to listen.
"That How'rd . . . is suc' a bastard, ya know?"
"Betcha fifty zenny I can drrrink more p-pints than you!"
"What, you've met Lin? The champion? You're so lucky! I heard she's never been defeated, right?"
Hmm. Interesting, but it's not really helping me find the bat-winged woman. Anything else?
"Hey, you know Rand over there?"
"The Shell Clan guy? Of course I do! He's the foreman. Nice guy, really."
"Well, I heard he has this neat trick where he rolls up into a ball and rolls across the countryside at crazy speed!"
Ryu glanced around the room and spotted Rand almost immediately. It seemed that he was a regular, given the fact that he was sitting on a well-worn tree stump rather than a chair or stool. He muttered something about needing a drink and a good meal, and Ryu smiled. It seemed that this could be the lead he was looking for.
"Hello. You're Rand, right?" he asked, moving over to stand next to the bar.
"Yes," Rand answered, in a deep voice. "Can I help you?"
"My name is Ryu Bateson, and I'm a Ranger from Newhaven. I heard that you needed some food and drink?"
Rand looked at him suspiciously, and then sighed. "Guess there's no point hiding it. I just paid off my tab, but I ran out of money. I can't cook a thing, and I've only got the basic necessities at home until payday next week."
"Well, I think I can fix that. What do you like eating? And how much?"
The suspicion came back with a glare. "Why are you doing this? What is it you want?"
Ryu sighed as well. "I wanted to ask you if you knew anything about the woman I'm looking for, seeing as how you're the foreman at the Colosseum, so I thought I'd start off by being friendly and buying you a drink."
"Oh. Alright then. I'm warning you though, it might leave you ruined."
"I'm all but ruined already," Ryu chuckled, "but I've got enough to get by and help another. As long you don't eat like a Woren, anyway."
Rand laughed. "Bring on the food, then!"
The bartender, who'd been listening to the conversation, sent one of the waitresses over with a jug of ale and four plates of roast beef and vegetables. One of these she handed to Ryu, while the other three she gave to Rand.
"Ah, that's much better now," said Rand after they'd finished eating. "My full name's Randall Marks, but everyone around here calls me Rand. Now, about this lady of yours . . . ?"
"She has wings like a bat, and she's as fast as an arrow. Dark blue hair. Have you seen or heard anything about someone like that?"
"Sorry, the only woman I know who'd even come close is the 'Dynamite Cutie'. But she definitely doesn't have wings. You could try asking her if she knows about your swift lady, though."
"And how do I do that?"
"You'd have to fight her first and ask her afterwards. But the challenger's place for the competition in two nights' time is already taken."
"By Bunyan of Howling Woods, if I remember correctly."
"Yes. He's no easy pickings if you're planning to ask him to take his place, though. I wish you luck." Rand smiled again, and Ryu felt the Dragon's Tear change to yellow-green. "Take care, and thanks for the food."
"You're welcome." Ryu paid his bill, tipped the waitress and left the drunken crowd behind him.
However, his progress back to the inn was impeded as he crashed into someone. There was a brief feeling of déjà vu as he managed to avoid falling but the other was sent flying backwards. He offered a hand to the cloaked figure.
"I'm sorry. I was in a hurry, and wasn't looking where I was going."
"At least you apologized," the figure replied. He couldn't tell whether they were male or female. A pair of bright eyes was the only thing he could clearly make out beneath the cloak's hood, but it seemed that their face was covered in bandages. "There are plenty who don't these days. Like those Joker Gang idiots."
"I know, I've seen them. A boorish bunch if you ask me."
"Aye. Well, I must be off. See ya, and be more careful when you're running next time!"
The figure dashed off towards the Arena, and for a second, he caught a glimpse of something that might have been a tail.
Who knows? he thought. There wasn't enough light and there were too many bandages. Weird, but it's a mystery that'll have to stay unsolved for the moment.
Early morning. Howling Woods. Genmel region.
Me and my brilliant ideas, Ryu thought to himself grimly. Hack and slash my way through forest harpies, bugbears and docaden trees – it ain't exactly my idea of fun. Just keep going. Bosch had better appreciate this.
The sky had clouded over, with lightning flashing ominously and thunder booming. Rain began to patter down and although the tree branches above him shielded the worst of it, the occasional drop still made its way through.
At least my cloak is waterproof.
He continued to make his way through the woods, his path vaguely illuminated by filtered sunlight and the nebulous glow of . . . something. Whether they were glow-worms, wisps or something else entirely he didn't know, but as long as they gave light, he didn't particularly care either.
Finally he reached a clearing in the trees with a small wooden hut to the right. A large bearded man stood nearby, chopping at one of the trees. Ryu's eyes widened as he drew closer - large wasn't exactly the word needed here. Not when 'humongous' was available. Ryu only just made it level with his chest, and he could see that the increased size was pure muscle. He knew better than to fall into the all-muscle-no-brain stereotype, but this was someone he was having serious doubts about fighting.
"Master Bunyan?" he called, leaving his sword sheathed. The man looked around with surprise, wiping his brow and putting aside the two-handed axe he'd been using.
"What are you doing here, kid?" Bunyan rumbled. "Looking for some training? You look to be on the scrawny side, so I think you need it."
"Thank you for the offer, but that's not why I'm here. I wanted to ask you for your place as challenger at the Arena tonight.
Bunyan blinked a few times, as if processing this. "You're kidding me, right?" he said at last.
"Afraid not. I need to do it for Ranger business."
"Ah, so you're a Ranger, huh? But since when did that old rogue Allen start taking in skinny kids like you?" He smiled. "I trained that fellow Bud. A good kid. Hard worker."
Ryu's spirits hit the ground. He'd never been able to legitimately best Bud in a brawl. The few times he had were only because of a few 'tricks' that might have qualified as cheating. Actually, he realized that he recognized Bunyan's weapon as being incredibly similar to Bud's – a double-bladed battleaxe wielded one-handed.
And now I'm going against his master. What a wise decision that was! Ryu thought sarcastically. You're gonna pay for this, Bosch, I swear.
"Well, I guess I could let you take my place if, and only if, you can beat me in a brawl. No armour, no weapons. The first one to either stun or make the other give up wins."
Ryu nodded, unbuckling various pieces of armour and leaving them together with his still-sheathed sword on the hut's small veranda. He moved back into clear ground and raised a hand to show he was ready.
"Begin!" Bunyan roared.
Ryu attacked first, going for the stomach before his opponent could get the chance to guard. Bunyan just parried the strike and punched him back. With a heavy oomph, Ryu flinched and fell back. It felt as though he'd been hit by a log rather than a first. Bunyan moved in for another hit, but Ryu had recovered and sidestepped under the swinging punch.
An opening! Ryu spun, hitting the older man square in the back with his elbow and sending him toppling forward into the soft mud.
"Smart move, kid," Bunyan taunted him, breathing a little heavily. "But you'll get tired before I will."
Damn it, he's right, Ryu thought, saving his breath. He tried again, feinting to the right and rolling left underneath the swift attacks. This time, he slammed his clenched fists into his opponent's elbow. Bunyan's hand flew open, momentarily slowing him, but Ryu fell back clutching his stinging fingers. For a second, the pain didn't register as his feet suddenly left the ground and he was pitched backwards. Then his chest exploded into white-hot fire, burning his lungs as he tried to draw in gasping breaths.
This is insane! How much stamina does he have?
He managed, somehow, to dodge the next blows until he could breathe again. Not that it helped a lot. Ryu darted back and forth, striking where he could, taking hits when he couldn't avoid them. Bunyan was slightly wobbly on his feet, but it was nothing compared to the fatigue Ryu was feeling.
Finally it came. Exhausted beyond measure, Ryu saw the punch flying towards him and tried to move, but his feet weren't listening to him anymore. His head snapped back as Bunyan's fist caught him in the jaw and he bit his tongue, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. The follow-up knocked him across the clearing again, his flight halted abruptly and painfully by a tree.
For a few seconds, he lay there, watching the black flares dancing in front of his eyes. But he wasn't unconscious yet and while he was awake, he hadn't lost. Gritting his teeth and using the tree for support, Ryu managed to pull himself to his feet. The ground felt as though it would tip him over if he took a step and one eye was gummed shut by congealing blood, but he was back up.
"You . . . still wanna fight . . . huh, kid?" Bunyan puffed, but the mocking tone was belied by his condition. One arm was hanging limply at his side and he was bent over slightly. His attacks had been intended to damage the muscles and hinder movement in the long run, but it wasn't enough. Ryu knew that if he could just get in a few strong gut punches, Bunyan would probably admit defeat. But simply walking seemed as distant as the moon at this stage, let alone 'just' a couple of good hits.
"I need to . . . enter . . . that fight," Ryu replied resolutely. "So . . . yes . . ."
"You're . . . peskily persistent . . . you know that . . . ? But it's too late."
With a speed that didn't seem possible for someone of his size, Bunyan grinned and caught Ryu in a brawler's bear-hug. Ryu tried to free himself, to attack Bunyan, to do something, but the lumberjack was too strong. His chest was being crushed, he couldn't breathe, damn it! He's going to kill me! The spine-chilling pain. The nightmarish crunch of his rib snapping. His vision began to turn grey at the edges.
The last thought that passed Ryu's mind before he blacked out was stunned incredulity at the Dragon's Tear turning a bright yellow-green.
- o -
^This child? The Destined Child?^
^You're a disgrace to your kind, whelp! No, hatchling!^
^Wounded by a mere human. Pathetic! You are lazy, Destined Child!^
^Show me your true power!^
- o -
Bunyan looked startled as he lowered his blue-haired opponent to the ground. The kid had put up a good fight, although Bunyan had expected him to give up after that final blow. Still, he'd done well considering –
Suddenly, the air whooshed from his lungs as a punch came at him from nowhere. He stumbled back a few steps, looking incredulously at the boy he would've sworn was unconscious only moments before. Now, however, he was upright, feet firmly planted and hands raised in what he recognized as the "Double Dragon" stance of Highlander unarmed combat. Most chilling were his eyes, with a film of white covering both pupil and colouring.
Bunyan tried to bring up his arms to protect himself, but the kid moved like a blur. He scored strike after strike, effortlessly passing Bunyan's attempts to block, each time building up speed and strength to make his attacks all the more powerful. Still wondering what the hell was going on, Bunyan half-turned to dodge only to find the boy had anticipated the move and was directly in front of him. A booted kick slammed into his chest and just as he had done to his opponent, so now he was sent airborne until he hit the same tree.
Heh. How ironic, he thought as he knelt on hands and knees, wheezing. His pride had been wounded more than his body had, although he knew it would take a while before his injuries were fully healed. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see the kid moving closer, looking down at him with what he imagined was a sneer on his face.
In fact, Ryu was staring at the defeated Bunyan in puzzlement, trying to figure out the mysterious gap in his memory. One moment he'd been trying not to scream as Bunyan broke his ribs, and the next he was uninjured and victorious. He touched his side gingerly and was rewarded with nothing more than a slight twinge.
What the hell happened here? he wondered.
But the memories could wait until later. Right now, he had to go and help Bunyan.
"Well, you beat me fair and square, kid," Bunyan sighed as they entered the one-room house. He motioned for Ryu to sit on the chair, while he sat on his bed. "This'll definitely be a battle I won't forget in a hurry! But if you've got a few hours spare, then stay here for a bit and I'll teach you a few tricks. There's something very different about you, boy, and knowing how to use it will be better for you and everyone around you."
The somber tone made Ryu turn and look at him. "You're talking about after I was knocked out, aren't you?" he said quietly.
Bunyan nodded. "You're a strong fighter, kid, but nothing special. When you'd lost, though, you . . . To be honest, it seemed like you'd become a different person altogether. Faster. Stronger. More confidence." Ryu's expression was blank, devoid of comprehension. "Ah. I'm guessing this is the first time something like this has happened, then. You're the only one who can figure out what triggers the change and whether you can use it or not, but for now I'll teach you what I can."
"Thank you, Master Bunyan," Ryu replied honestly. "I really appreciate it."
"The first thing is meditating. Meditating will help you to remain calm even in the direst of circumstances," Bunyan instructed. "If you meditate before resting, you will sleep unburdened by nightmares. And by meditating, you will come to know your inner self and become attuned with that self. Practice now for a while."
"How?"
Bunyan sighed, half-annoyance and half-tiredness. "Didn't anyone teach you anything remotely like this when you were learning? Find somewhere on the floor that's comfortable to sit. Let your mind relax, while still paying attention. Think about things that have happened or things that will happen soon. But don't stress over them. Treat the thoughts like works of art – hold them gently, turn them over and over, make a note of any small details you may have missed the first time."
Ryu sat cross-legged, one hand resting loosely on his sword hilt and the other across his knee. His armour chafed slightly at the elbows, but it wasn't a major problem. His mind drifted, floating on soft teal clouds, yet he could still see and hear what was happening with a startling clarity.
Hmm . . . things that have happened recently. Well, there's the bat-winged woman of course. And there's this . . . change, whatever it is. The memories of just before the incident were fuzzy, spiked by pain and the dark gulf of blacking out, but he seemed to recall hearing someone berating him for being lazy. Was it just trickery? Or had there actually been someone?
" . . . id . . . kid . . . . Kid! Snap out of it!"
Ryu looked up in astonishment to see Bunyan waving a hand in front of his face in concern. The sunlight poured in through the window, warming the wooden floorboards and showing him clearly how much time had passed.
"I've been sitting here for nearly an hour and a half?" he yelped.
"That's the last thing about meditation," said Bunyan. "You need to make you're always paying attention, otherwise you lose time or run the risk of being attacked. Are you properly awake now?"
"Y-yes." He was still feeling spooked over the feeling of hours slipping away in seconds, but he didn't mention it. Instead he stood up, trying vainly to massage some life back into his dead legs.
"The second thing is to remember the three rules of combat. I suppose it's too much to ask if Allen taught you about these?"
"No."
"The lazy slacker. Anyway, Rule No. 1 is 'Adapt or perish'. Easy enough – if a strategy you're using doesn't work, come up with something better. If you keep using the same old tricks, something or someone will catch up to you and kill you, so don't."
"What's No. 2?"
"Rule No. 2 is that 'in battle, you can either run, or you can fight'. Every single strategy and tactic ever created is a combination of these two ideas. It's much easier to make use of no. 1 if you keep this rule in mind.
"And finally, my personal favourite," he flashed Ryu a grin, "Rule No. 3, 'never be afraid to fight dirty.' The only unfair fight is the one you don't walk away from. This applies to pub-brawls, duels, fighting monsters, anything. If you've lost your weapons and the only way to defeat that bugbear is to knee it in the privates, then you'd better bloody do it because you'll die otherwise.
"In the end, though, all of these rules are useless if you don't fight with a clear mind. Attain a state of detachment through meditation, and carry it through onto the battlefield. Then you will be able to fight swiftly and expertly. Continue to work hard and honestly and you'll achieve your goals."
"Thank you for the lessons, Master Bunyan," Ryu said when it was clear that Bunyan had finished speaking.
"You're welcome, kid. And since you won," Bunyan picked up something from his dresser and handed it to Ryu, "here, take this medallion. It's the one that the Arena gives to the fighters who make it as valid gladiators. It will allow you to enter, but you'll have to register under my name since all of the advertising was set up weeks ago."
Ryu smiled as he took the gleaming medallion. He still didn't really know why his injuries were healed, but at least he had what he needed now.
"Oh, and one last thing," said Bunyan as Ryu was about to walk out the door. He grinned widely. "My name's not weird! Make sure you tell those hicks from Colossea!"
Look who's talking about bumpkins, Ryu thought, but he turned and gave Bunyan a thumbs-up.
Early afternoon. The Cat's Paw tavern. Colossea.
"Hey, it's Ryu!" Rand greeted him as the blue-haired young man entered the tavern and took a seat next to him. "How are you?"
"I'm fine. Look at this." Ryu took out Bunyan's medallion and showed it to Rand.
"So you managed to beat Bunyan," Rand mused, "and now you're him for the tournament?"
"Yeah, and?"
"Oh, it's just that I was expecting a fight between a pretty girl and a weird guy."
"So . . . what?" Ryu replied, his puzzlement growing.
"Now it's a battle between a pretty girl and a pretty boy with a weird name!" Rand laughed loudly at the flustered look on Ryu's face.
"Ah, whatever. Now what?"
"Go to the Arena and see the receptionist there. She'll tell you what you need to do."
"Thanks, I'll do so."
"Good luck in your fight! I'll drop by your locker room later tomorrow."
- o -
^Hey, you! Some way to ask me to pay back a favor. Got my ass kicked back there thanks to that kid of yours.^
~Well, you should know it isn't wise to provoke one of my Clan, even if he is dormant.~
^One thing's for sure, the kid has one hell of a punch. You can count on him to kick some demon ass!^
~Anyway, thank you for helping me with this. Unfortunately, as I explained, that damn contract doesn't let me go myself.~
^No problem, Ladon. You helped me teach that fish Marlok a lesson.^
~So we're even now, Mammon?~
^Yep. Good luck with your ex . . . you'll need to work hard to get onto civil terms with her! Ahahaha!^
~Please, don't mention that. It's a hard topic.~
^Alright, sorry. Take care.^
End Chapter 04.
Author's Notes:
- Changed TagWoods name to 'Howling Woods'; the one-eyed trees howl eerily, thus the name.
- Baba is now called Bunyan. That NPC ruled in BoF III and IV, so I got my inspiration on him.
- Sorry if the fight was lame, but I liked Bunyan, so why kill him ? Plus, the 'master' approach of BoF III and IV is much better. Also... well, it helps the plot by making this twist :D
- Well I'm supposing Mammon to be a deity not of money... but of honest work and getting results based on that, 'prosperity' if you will. It just happens that since money is like an indicator of trade-able unit-of-work to change one type of good for another, he came in play like his Avatar... Bunyan. In BoF III, Bunyan is adamant about working hard and honestly to achieve something.
- Took the battle lessons from the fanfic "A second chance, A new darkness " by 'Red Mage 04', on .
- M.I.B: Manillo Inter-oceanic Bank. They rule the funding of the world... would you expect anything less from those greedy fishy-fishes? :) (Just don't threaten with turning them into shisu , sashimi or sushi :D) .
- Review and give a piece of your mind, please.
Special Thanks:
- Ryusui, for his Retranslation.
- Lady 'Kestre Wynde' from ; your proof-reading has helped me to understand about English language and improving the quality of my writing. Thank you very much.