Shadows of Atlantis: Emergence of the Engi (12 page)

As he entered, the referee gave a brief reminder of the rules and left the sphere so the match could begin. Eiris stood with his holographic pulse blades in his hands as Reizen stood still, with his eyes fixed intensely on him. Once Eiris got into an attacking posture, Reizen’s eyes began burning in an intimidating red glow. He then reached with both hands behind his back and revealed two black tangible holographic whips as they slowly unraveled to the arena floor.

Everyone in the stadium was roaring and cheering louder than any other match. Eiris then began to realize how big this was for both guilds. As the horn sounded, Reizen continued to stand still, focused on Eiris. Seeing he wasn’t going to make the first move, Eiris bonded two water globs and sent them at him.

Reizen barely moved as the globs flew past him and hit the wall. He then bonded yellow flames, turning his whips into fire and whipping two waves of flame directly into Eiris’ chest. Eiris flew back on impact and was amazed at how hot Reizen’s fire was, burning through his bioflex suit. Catching Eiris off guard, Reizen followed that move with a firenado kick and sent Eiris flying again.

In searing pain, Eiris’ eyes glowed purple as he bonded large blue flames and sent them at Reizen. Reizen simply held out his hand and absorbed the flames with an orange hue, making everyone marvel at his power. Sensing Reizen was about to attack again Eiris used his martial arts tricking training and dodged the attack, hitting Reizen with a powerful jet of water.

Reizen was caught off guard and fell to the ground! The crowed that had been cheering so loudly was momentarily hushed into a stunned silence. Angered, Reizen’s eyes burned red as he quickly got up and disappeared as he bonded shadow. He created a smokescreen that Eiris couldn’t see through. Unable to bond shadow at his own will, Eiris’ eyes glowed purple as he bonded blue fire on his pulse blades, giving him a dim light source.

Suddenly a violent red flaming whip tore into his pectoral as another one hit his suit, making him shout in pain. Eiris then sliced a wave of blue flame in front of him hoping to hit Reizen, but instead was met by a barrage of green flames that knocked him down for a second time. When he got up, Reizen was waiting with a flaming kick, downing him for the third time and ending the match.

Signaling the match was over, the referee came in and helped Eiris up as Reizen victoriously walked off with a vicious glare. The others came rushing over as Eiris was tended to by the medical personnel not far from the arena. Eiris’ bioflexium suit was torn across his chest from Reizen’s firebonding.

“You alright?” asked Azonei worriedly.

“Mm. Yeah, I’m ok.” grimaced Eiris.

“That was awesome!” shouted Kezzy as she punched Eiris on the shoulder, making him grimace again.

“Ouch!” he yelled. “What do you mean? I lost.” he added dejectedly.

“What she means is that yes, while your gauntlet record may show that you’ve lost, you’ve accomplished something that no one else ever has.” informed Dex excitedly.

“What’s that?” he asked, wincing at the medical personnel’s efforts at first aid.

“You grounded Reizen.” smiled Glover as he walked over to them. “Your performance was very impressive. It’s given our guild a desperately needed hope for future competitions. So, I’ve decided to make you co-captain of the Blue Storm Guild. That is, if you will accept this responsibility.”

“I………. I don’t know what to say.” replied Eiris as the others gasped in surprise.

“You can start by saying yes.” smiled Glover.

“Um………. yeah sure.” grinned Eiris in obvious pain.

“Good. I look forward to all of the incredible things you’ll do in coming months.” smiled Glover as he walked off.

“That’s amazing Eiris. This makes you the first fresh start to ever become a guild leader! Reizen didn’t even do that!” exalted Kezzy.

“Well deserved my friend.” beamed Dex.

“Ditto.” nodded Azonei with a smile.

The others congratulated Eiris and walked over to watch other matches while the medical personnel finished working on his wound. Then he gave Eiris a recommendation.

“I put a temporary cooling patch on your wound but I suggest you immediately go over to the medical wing and get a full treatment. Other than that, you’re good to go.” said the medic as he packed his things up.

Eiris followed the medic’s advice and went to the medical wing after speaking to a few Blue Storm members. He was greeted and congratulated by dozens of admirers on the way. Entering the building, he was quickly processed and sent to an empty examination room. As he waited on the examination bed, he was surprised to see who walked in with a doctor’s lab coat.

Wearing smart glasses, Dr. Dahlia Arabella walked in with a kind smile. Stunned with admiration, Eiris couldn’t take his eyes off of her. He had wondered why he didn’t see her in the gauntlet arena.

“Hello Mr. Penatia.” she smiled.

“............Oh. Um, hey. Uh, you can call me Eiris by the way.” he smiled in reply.

“Dr. Everson sent me the details about your wounds. May I take a look?”

“Um. Uh yeah, yeah sure.” stammered Eiris nervously as he removed his bioflex shirt, revealing his intensely muscular torso.

He was so self-conscious around Dahlia-how could he ever deal with her being his doctor? He stole a glimpse of her face as she examined his wounds and realized she was blushing! This at once put him more at ease.

“Thank you.” she suddenly said.

“Um……. for what?” asked a nervous Eiris.

“For sticking up for me on the Lost Island.” she smiled.

“Oh. You’re very welcome.” he smiled in return.

“You have beautiful Turan markings.” noted Dahlia as she examined the black tattoo-like markings covering his arms like sleeves.

“Thanks. I’m not sure I fully understand them yet.” Eiris replied.

“They’re like a written genetic code, but on the outside.” she explained as she continued to examine his wounds.

“That makes a lot of sense actually. I didn’t know you were in medical school.”

“You didn’t ask.” smiled Dahlia.

“Right. Well, it’s pretty xeno that you focus on healing rather than hurting.”.

“Thanks.” she replied.

“What’s your Maltese tiger’s name?”

“Nava’.” she replied as she began putting a teal ointment on his burns.

“What’s this?” he asked as she rubbed the ointment onto his chest.

“This is called unguent balm. It’s derived from an enzyme secreted from a rare species of kelp found in the Pluvian Sea called leeching kelp. The components within the enzyme speed up the healing process. Everything should be back to normal by tomorrow.” she explained.

“That’s great.” smiled Eiris in relief.

“I heard about your match with Reizen. It was very impressive.”

“Really? I feel like I could’ve done better.” he said with his eyes downcast.

“That’s good, because you’re right.” she smiled.

“What do you mean?”

“You were afraid.” replied Dahlia. “Fear leads to doubt and you were doubting your abilities. I could sense it back on the Lost Island. If I could, so could Reizen. You have to find a way to let go of that emotion. Or channel it.” she said.

“Channel? I didn’t know that was possible.”

“Most Undarians don’t, but there’s another way to bond. That way is the reason why the shadows are so powerful.” she said.

“Could you help me learn?” asked Eiris eagerly.

“Sure.” Dahlia replied. “Can you meet me at the sanctuary after Electroball practice tomorrow?”

“Yeah, definitely.”

“Okay.” she smiled.

“Okay.” he smiled in return.

After she put bandages over the treated wounds, she gave him a jar of the ointment. He thanked her for it and put his shirt back on. Eiris then said goodbye and went to his personal cube supposedly to study for the rest of the evening, but he found his attention drifting repeatedly to Dahlia and their practice session tomorrow.

“That was a good practice.” said Eiris as he continued to study his holobook.

“Indeed it was. Although I think I need to work on my turns in the rider lanes.” replied Dex.

“You turn pretty well; I didn’t see any flaws in your technique.” said Azonei.

“That’s a kind sentiment. You have my gratitude my friend. But, I have much to live up to. My older sister Ulora once led the Arnor Guild to an Electroball championship some years ago. She still holds most of the academy’s scoring and assisting records as a rider. By the way, what name did you decide for your Cerebral Falcon?” asked Dex.

“I named him Einstein because he’s so smart. Speaking of training, I’m headed to the VR simulator. Catch you guys later.” said Azonei as Einstein followed him out of the underwater library.

“This is such an amazing school. I never imagined a school that was both above and below water.” Eiris said gazing through the windows into the sea.

“Indeed it is.” replied Dex. “There’s something I’ve been wondering about. I can’t quite get a read on Kezzy.” he confided.

“Then stop trying to. Just ask her out already.” said Eiris.

“What………. I……. I’m not certain I understand what you’re referring to.” replied Dex nervously.

“It’s pretty obvious that you guys have feelings for each other. The constant arguing and fighting. On earth, most people would say you two behave like a married couple.” laughed Eiris.

“Ha, well I guess I have been trying very hard to keep my feelings concealed. It’s the strangest thing actually. I’m a Slyph, she’s a Turan. I’m far more calculated, whereas she’s well, quite unpredictable. It’s hard to decode the origins of this odd attraction we seem to have.” Dex said completely baffled.

“Haha, yeah. I know the feeling. On earth, people often say that opposites attract. I guess it’s true.” laughed Eiris.

“Despite their limitations, humans do seem to have an uncanny wisdom for things pertaining to love.” mused Dex.

“You should send her a holomessage.”

“As in right now?” asked Dex nervously. “I can’t think of the correct thing to send.” he said sounding defeated.

“Stop being so robotic. Use your human side. Feel the right thing to say. Like they taught us in social skills class.” said Eiris.

“Right.” He began to type out a message. “There. Bombs away.” Dex smiled as he pressed the send button.

“What’d you send?”

“You’ll see.” Dex grinned. “Anything new with your mystery girl?” he asked, changing the subject suddenly.

“Actually yeah. She’s a doctor here at the academy. She treated my burns yesterday. I’ll be meeting her at the sanctuary later for some extra bonding training.” replied Eiris.

“That’s interesting, I didn’t see that coming.”

“Yeah. Guess we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.”

“Certainly.” nodded Dex in agreement.

As they continued to study, Kezzy and Awesome came storming in the library.

“Really?! Do I like you? Yes, or no!? yelled Kezzy as Awesome walked over to be petted by Eiris.

“Um………...I……. I thought….” stuttered Dex.

“You…. you thought what Dex?” mocked Kezzy.

“............Nothing. I thought nothing.” said Dex dejected and completely embarrassed.

“You’re a dork.” Kezzy glared. “But,” her eyes softening into a smile, “yes, I like you.”

“Is that true?” Dex asked as his face lit up with joy.

“Yeah, it is.” Kezzy smiled. “But I’m warning you. You break my heart and I’ll delete your hard drive. Permanently.” she said with a terrifying stare.

“Fair enough.” he smiled nervously. “Grab a bite to eat?” he asked her.

“Sure. Later Eiris.” beamed Kezzy as they held hands, walking together out of the library.

Eiris watched them leave with an amused grin. He finished his studies and then went to change into his new captain’s bioflex suit. Walking through the Blue Storm Guild Zone, he got a message on his holowatch telling him to immediately report to Authore Masterson’s office. Somewhat alarmed, he drove over to the main building and made his way to the Dean’s office.

Walking in the large office, he was both surprised and disturbed to see who were already inside. Glover and Prince Paseo were standing in front of Authore Masterson’s desk.