West Drop, Sunflower Lounge:
While Liana was calling Neely, Jaquan picked through the heavier pieces of the crew’s luggage. According to Justice, fighters in these tournaments “preferred victory over pride.” Jaquan didn’t know exactly what this meant. Perhaps they trained nonstop. Maybe they just avoided publicity. Either way, they were probably stronger than the fighters he was used to in the arena. If Jaquan was going to have a chance against these new fighters, he would have to become stronger.
Jaquan got several long strong chains out of his bags. They were some of the many weapon modifiers he used with all his weapons. By combining the different parts, he was usually able to make the perfect weapon for the variety of fights. Today, the chains had a separate purpose.
After a bit of planning, the luggage was lined up and tied together into a larger package. He then padded his shoulders, looped his arms into the chains, and carried the heap on his back.
Walking with the pack was a lot harder than he remembered. It didn’t look at all glorious, but the feeling was quite nostalgic. He hadn’t done this training since before he was the Circuit Champion. Since then, he rose to the top and relied on more measurable training tactics. However, those times were gone.
By choosing this path, he had renounced his championship. The World Circuit was all he knew for the longest and it was great being on the top. However, two Holy Talent users had told him this was the best road. He changed paths with a good amount of assurance but knew the consequences.
There was little chance that he would be welcomed back into the World Championship Circuit. Those that promoted him would have nothing to do with him. So now, all he had was his friends and the leftover winnings from his past fights. However, the weight on his back reminded him of the freedom this path had given him.
He struggled to make it out of the building, while his companions walked easily in front of him. Jaquan’s efforts made the load exceptionally lighter for the other two. Justice carried a few bags leaving Liana’s hands free to continue her call. Quite unfair given that her powered mech suit had a communicator installed. All she had to do was talk to speak with Neely.
How did I do this so easily? Jaquan couldn’t help but think to himself as he staggered out of the door. He knew that he looked silly. He also knew that the news casters would not know anything about his side of the story.
The media was having too grand a time dragging his name through the mud. However, that was expected from a group of sensationalists. It made a bit more sense to him that the stronger fighters were unknown. At times, Jaquan wished to be a broke and unknown rather than a rich media target.
The news crews seemed to only make money from what people read. People only read stories that seemed exciting enough to finish reading. The stories didn’t have to be true, only true enough.
For “authentic stories”; they haunted people going though celebrations, ruining the spirit; and hounded people going through tragedy, never giving them time to heal. Granted reporters would apologize for incorrect information, but apologies were never as entertaining. Most of the public only remembered the original report.
Today, stories about former Circuit Champion Jaquan Zu’s “cowardice” gave them ratings. Knowing Orien Quan, the story will be in the forefront of the news until the next Circuit Championship fight. Apparently, people wanted to hear it. It wouldn’t be long before the story would appear again.
By the time Jaquan reached his friends on the street, Liana was finished talking with Neely. She told him something about the two adventurers staying there for the night. That was so much like them. They were best friends and trouble makers long before Jaquan had met them. Neely and Catlin could take care of themselves. However, they were still on a side quest when he preferred them to be near.
He and his whole crew knew that Orien Quan would do something like this. He used the media and the media seemed to enjoy being used. Jaquan had a counter plan but with the two still looking for their reporter, it seems to have failed.
Just as well. He still hated reporters.