Author's Note:
Here's a snall chapter that we made in the in between time we had to write.
Honestly the lines are way to pack just to get a simple gift
[ Mantle Slums, Beetle Fighting Arena ]
The dilapidated alleyways of Mantle's slums stretch out like forgotten veins in the ice-cold streets.
A small, gritty arena has been carved out in an open warehouse-like space, where a few dim lights flicker overhead.
The air is thick with smoke, the stench of sweat and alcohol mixing with the scent of cheap food.
The crowd, mostly rowdy workers, criminals, and a few drifters, eagerly surround a crude, circular ring marked with chalk.
In the center of the ring, two enormous Hercules beetles stand poised, their massive horns clashing as they prepare for battle.
The beetles, nearly the size of a man, are a testament to the brutal and dangerous hobby that has taken root in Mantle's underbelly—beetle fighting.
Akira, Amethyst, and Onyx sit around a rickety table set up by the ring, their eyes fixed on the battle ahead.
The three of them are not here for just the entertainment; they're here for something much more dangerous: the thrill of gambling.
Akira leans back in his chair, cigarette dangling loosely between his fingers.
His purple aura flickers faintly under his skin as he observes the scene with a cynical detachment.
He's dressed in his usual attire—his black vest, spiked bracelets, and his long coat hanging casually behind his chair.
Akira (voice low, calm, and taunting): "High stakes, high rewards. Let's see if this is going to be worth my time... or if it's just another desperate gamble for some quick coin."
He flicks the ashes off his cigarette, his eyes gleaming as he watches the two beetles lock horns in the ring.
Amethyst, seated next to Akira, adjusts her black leather jacket with a slight smirk, her red-highlighted hair cascading over her shoulder.
She taps her ear-piece lightly as though testing its connection to Akira's systems, though she already knows it's working fine.
Her fingers are restless, tapping the table rhythmically as she watches the beetles clash.
Amethyst (grinning, her voice a sharp contrast to Akira's demeanor): "Please, Akira, you're making it sound like you care about the outcome.
We both know you're just here to see which one of these overgrown insects bites the dust first. Don't worry—either way, we'll walk away richer."
Her red eyes flash as she watches one of the beetles push the other back, the sounds of the crowd's cheers filling the air.
Amethyst (mocking): "Who're you betting on this time? That one looks like it's on its last legs. What happened to your 'high-risk' bets?"
Onyx, seated next to Amethyst, watches the beetles with a vicious gleam in his reddish-brown eyes.
His gray hair falls messily around his face, but his posture is straight, almost predatory. His hands flex as if he's itching for a fight, the thought of watching something struggle stirring a dangerous hunger within him.
Onyx (gruff, with a chuckle): "Akira's right, though. It's all about the thrill. Doesn't matter if it's a beetle or a man—we'll crush them all eventually.
This little gamble? Just another way to keep things interesting."
His eyes follow the beetles' fight with unrelenting focus, his lips curling into a grin as one of the beetles starts to gain an advantage.
Onyx (mocking the other beetle):
"Look at that one. So weak, so fragile. Not even worth the effort."
Akira (smirking) "Amethyst, Onyx, you're both too eager to underestimate the smaller beetle.
Sometimes the underdog has more bite than you think. That's the beauty of high risk—either you win big or you lose big."
Akira watches the beetles' horns lock again, the tension palpable.
He adjusts the cigarette in his hand, looking over at the handler of the beetles—an older, rough-looking man with a scar across his face.
Akira (taunting): "I'll bet 50 lien that the smaller beetle takes the win. The other one's already showing signs of fatigue. You can feel it, can't you?"
Amethyst (rolling her eyes, smirking confidently):
"50 lien on that one? You're as unpredictable as ever, Akira. I'll match that with a safe bet on the bigger one. It's all about the brute force, and this one's practically a walking tank."
She crosses her arms, her red eyes flicking back to Akira.
Amethyst: "You're betting against the odds, but... let's see how long that 'dark determination' of yours will last."
Onyx (suddenly leaning forward, his eyes burning with anticipation): "Akira's right. That smaller beetle... it's moving with a lot of grace. It's almost like it knows how to avoid a direct hit."
He snarls under his breath as one of the beetles manages to knock the other back with a powerful strike of its horns, sending a spray of dirt into the air.
Onyx (raising an eyebrow): "I'll take your bet, Akira. The bigger one's stronger, but the smaller one's faster. Let's see how this turns out."
[ The Match Intensifies ]
The crowd grows louder as the two beetles continue to clash, their horns locking and scraping against each other. The smaller beetle dodges and weaves with surprising agility, while the larger beetle slams its opponent back with brute strength. With each round, the tension builds.
Akira (leaning forward, voice low and calculating):
"This is getting interesting. The smaller one is managing to keep up, but it's wearing out faster. Still... it's got a trick or two left."
His purple aura flickers brighter as his attention sharpens. He stands up, flicking his cigarette away, and casually strolls to the edge of the ring, observing the beetles like a predator studying its prey.
Akira: "Let's see how far you can push it, little beetle. The real fun is just about to begin."
Amethyst: (chuckling as she watches the larger beetle rear back for a powerful strike):
"Looks like your little underdog is about to fall, Akira. Time to pay up."
Her smirk is all confidence, the red glow of her eyes gleaming as she watches the larger beetle prepare to deal a decisive blow.
Onyx (grinning darkly as the beetles clash once more, his eyes gleaming with bloodlust):
"This is getting good! Whoever wins, I get to enjoy the aftermath."
His tail flicks behind him restlessly, almost as if the fight itself is getting his adrenaline going.
The beetles' horns lock once more, the smaller beetle, seemingly on the brink of collapse, shifts its weight, pushing against the larger one with a surprising amount of force. The crowd gasps as the larger beetle stumbles, its horn cracking.
Akira(smirking as the crowd reacts): "Now that's what I call a comeback. Looks like the underdog's got more bite than expected."
Amethyst (eyes wide for a moment, then quickly masking her surprise with a smirk):
"Well, well, Akira. You actually called it. But don't get too cocky. It's not over yet."
Onyx (grinning with bloodlust as the smaller beetle pushes its opponent back): "That's it... finish it!"
The larger beetle lets out a screech as its horn snaps off entirely, sending it tumbling to the ground in defeat. The crowd erupts into cheers, and the handler waves the smaller beetle's flag in victory.
Akira (standing with his arms crossed ):
"Looks like I was right after all. The dark horse always wins... at least when you know how to read the odds."
He glances back at Amethyst and Onyx, a satisfied smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
Akira: "Time to collect."
Amethyst (with a playful yet begrudging smile):
"Alright, alright, you win this round. But don't think I'll always let you get the upper hand."
Onyx (laughing darkly as he rises from his seat):
"Next time, I'll crush them all I'll place a huge bet
The trio stands together, their bets paid, and the slum's dark underground arena quiets for just a moment—before the next round of bets begins.