Tag Archives: Neely Yin

Champions of Battle: The Very Best – Opportunity #027

Jaquan stared speechless as Catlin and Neely rush off at Catlin’s whim.  He, Liana, and Justice had nothing to say that would help the two or change Catlin’s mind.  Understandably, Catlin felt a great deal of responsibility about Brisa’s situation.  She was going and Neely was going too; just… because he was.

As they watched Catlin and Neely run into the distance, one of Catlin’s abandoned bags fell over.  Neely left his bag as well.  Distracted from the spectacle, Liana grabbed both of Catlin’s larger bags.  It only seemed right since her suit greatly increased her already considerable strength.  This left Justice and Jaquan each of the remaining bags.

“Well, that just happened,” Jaquan said as he watched half of the BigBad Crew run off in frenzy.

Watching them run through the street, Justice couldn’t help but comment, “expected.”  He learned a little about Jaquan’s companions but expected was the best fitting word.

“Ironic,” Liana chimed in.  She added a few mechanical modifications to Neely’s armor during the shuttle trip.  It should help them in their task.  She had also seen Catlin modify Brisa’s armor in a fraction of the time with her enchants.  Catlin’s used immense power and concentration to help Brisa become a “warrior” in a few hours.  She used Neely’s Holy Talent boosted Empowerment Aura through the work and still almost changed into a dreaded Unholy Beast with all her work.  Brisa must have meant a lot to her.

Jaquan paused again watching Catlin and Neely run.  They were almost out of sight still frantically looking for the reporter.  The two that usually got into side adventures were off on another one.  Each adventure made them stronger so it made since to let them be for now.  “They should be fine,” Jaquan added.  Still, he’ll give them a call in a few hours.

The three followed the attendant to their assigned resting area to sit and relax.

—–

Brisa followed the mysterious warrior through the city.  It seemed he knew where he was going.  She learned his name was Kiley Qu and that he’d lived and trained in this city for a few years.  That was good because she was completely lost.  At best, she could find her way back to the Sword Mastery School.

Kiley was from a clan called Sour Grapes.  His clan was powerful though not the strongest.  His clan’s symbol, a black diamond with a bright yellow-orange circle in the center, was displayed proudly on his cape.  He was aware of Brisa’s recent escapade into the city.  Though he knew all the shortcuts, he made sure to stay on the main paths so she felt most comfortable.

As they walked, Brisa noticed that he disappeared from view every now and then.  She’d get distracted by something on the street and he’d be fading back into sight as she looked forward again.  It was a little disturbing.  It happened a few times before she had to stop and ask what was going on.

Kiley looked at her as though she should already know.  “There’s a cloaked tracker droid following you,” he said slightly annoyed.

Brisa looked behind her and all around.  There was nothing.  No evidence of anything, only the wind and traffic.

Kiley’s eyes flashed open with a sudden revelation, “You’re a new Adventurer aren’t you?”

“Well…  Umm…” Brisa was speechless.

She tried to hide it but, it was the only fact that could possibly explain everything.  She had awesome gear including a large powerful weapon that told all would-be attackers to be afraid, very afraid.  If she learned to use the gear, they would have great reason to be very afraid.  However, no part of her gear had been marked or repaired.  Therefore, it was unused.

Sour Grapes usually helped others in need.  Besides, he had nothing better to do today.  “Don’t worry,” Kiley said, “Just don’t charge off around some building at an enemy,” he smiled at Brisa’s confused look, “We should be fine.”

#1 – Opportunity #26 – Opportunity #28

Champions of Battle: The Very Best – Opportunity #26

Catlin rushed out of the rest area with Neely following close behind.  There was a slight chance that Brisa was still at the shuttle port.  Catlin scanned all of the people along the way just in case they passed her on the way.  She was certain that Brisa would rather not talk to her, or even see her now.  If she could see and know that everything was alright with Brisa, she would have peace of mind.

If anything had happened to Brisa, it was all her fault.  Catlin had to know for sure that Brisa was safe.  She convinced Brisa to wander the shuttle.  Though camouflage and deception was used, she like what she learned about Brisa.  She really wanted Brisa to succeed in her mission.  So, she convinced Brisa to look like a warrior.  Now, Brisa was in trouble because of it.

They had to find her.  Brisa could be trapped, stripped, robbed, and left to wander the back alleys to become a target for some ruffian.  In turn, the gear Catlin expertly made could be stolen by some insecure wannabe trying to get an edge.

The gear was enchanted to have many perks that would help Brisa get out of trouble.  But, how was Brisa to know?  Catlin had no time to demonstrate how to use the armor.  Brisa couldn’t know about the features much less how to use them.  There was a chance she learned one of them by now.  Would that be enough?

Not seeing any sign of her on the way they started questioning the idle citizens.  They would have noticed Brisa in her battle gear.  Even in a place like this, someone was bound to recognize that hideous mantis hood.  That and her short stature would leave a lasting impression on someone in town.

After a few minutes, they eventually found an old street vender that remembered seeing someone that fit her description.  The pie maker saw her running into the city chasing another young lady.

Neely knew exactly what that meant, “That was probably the ganker.”

Catlin followed his logic, “Luring her into a trap.”

“She’s a smart girl though,” Neely said attempting to comfort Catlin, “We probably have plenty of time to find her.”

Was she that smart?  Catlin doubted his assessment though Neely was usually right his with guesses.  “We should still look for her.”  She still wished she could still track Brisa.  The bowtie heat signature wore off on the shuttle a long ago.  Also, the armor protected against such things.  They had to use the traditional slow way of finding Brisa.  Still, they had to find her.  If anything, Catlin needed to know that Brisa was alright and give the warning of prowlers.

—–

Brisa learned some basic moves from the trainers at the Sword Mastery School.  It was a little awkward borrowing a training sword to learn the moves.  It also seemed having to answer questions about learning short sword techniques when she was only armed with a huge maul and a pair of “daggers.”

Brisa loved her machete sized blades of enchantment.  She wanted to tell them about her amazing blades but she held back the urge.  They were rare and perhaps valuable enough to be stolen.  She would have no defense from the highly trained warriors in the school.  It would take little effort for them to muscle the weapons away from her if they knew the secret.

After getting her rudimentary training, she watched the skilled warriors practice again.  One particular fighter was flipping around radically, seemingly defying gravity at times.  Once or twice, he managed to change directions in the air.  He even threw his sword at the target and commanded the blade to return to his grip with a hand motion.

“How long before I can learn to do that,” she asked.

“Oh, I didn’t learn all the moves here,” he said “I’m using some moves combined with others from the Kinetic-Potential Talent School.”

“Wow.  Where is that?”

“Let me show you.”

#1 – Opportunity #25 – Opportunity #27

Champions of Battle: The Very Best – Opportunity #25

The BigBad Crew walked through the shade of the towering sunflowers.  The rectangular stone tiles were of varying colors but matched each other perfectly in size.  They were placed in a V-pattern all along the walkways.

The streets were lined with blue flowers about five centimeters tall.  The city had a nice clean look to it, much better than they expected.  The holographic images didn’t do it justice.  Jaquan and Justice took the lead while the others followed.  They each carried their own bags, taking in the sights as they headed for their destination.

During the flight, they had made reservations at the most elegant rest stop in West Drop.  The stop was annexed by a luxurious and secure hotel but they didn’t need to stay the night.  After a few hours, they would be on their way again.

As they walked, Jaquan kept asking Justice about the tournament.  Still convinced that he was the absolute best, he was looking for any oddity that an opponent could use to beat him.  His long championship streak was proof of his superior skill.  Yet, he had never done anything like this before.

The open invitation policy encouraged anyone from the street to join and fight.  How would a person off the street be able to beat me?  I’m a seasoned and trained champion.  Cheesy tactics came to mind.  If they used them well enough they could win.

The fighters in the tournament were one thing.  The basic structure of the brackets also confused Jaquan a little.  “What’s a coin elimination tournament,” he asked Justice.

Justice had to pull his eyes from a lovely walking flower to respond, “It’s simple really.  Everyone gets two coins.  Everyone fights at random, once per round.  Winner takes the coins.  Run out of coins and you’re out.”  He turned back and waved at the lady, but she ignored him.

That sounds simple enough.  Most of the scrubs would be eliminated early.  There was another problem Jaquan saw with this set up. “Won’t it get long at the end when there are only a few fighters left?”

“Oh, I forgot. Every other round, everyone gives up a coin in order to continue.  Be careful.  The coins disappear faster than you’d think.  Some of these fighters know some pretty rare techniques too.”

Jaquan had to admit he had one disadvantage.  There were at least eighty fighters in this tournament so far.  All had free access to his fight videos.  They could prepare for him while he knew nothing about any of them.  He had champion level skills though.  He could find a way to beat anyone.  He always did.

Approaching the rest area, they met the receptionist inside the door.  The rest zone matched the city perfectly.  Beautiful stones covered everything.  Everything was accented with the same small flowers that were found outside.

As they approached the desk, the receptionist asked, “Are you here for the tournament?”

Jaquan answered, “Yes.”

“I’m glad you are safe.  Someone has been attacking the fighters.  Please make sure that you do not wander the city alone.”

At that Catlin drops her bags and rushed ahead to the desk, “What do you mean.  All the fighters?”

“Not all of them.  It seems they are targeting the foreigners that arrived alone,” he replied, “Be very careful.”

In Brisa’s preparations, they made sure that she looked like the most fearsome of warriors.  Their goal was to avoid trouble but Brisa became a target anyway.  She never thought that a cheap fighter would turn to such tactics.  Now Brisa could be in real trouble.  It wasn’t just her fault, though.  She turned to Neely, “We have to make sure that Brisa is ok.”

“If you insist,” was his surrendered reply.

#1 – Opportunity #24 – Opportunity #26