Chapter Text
Seven months later.
Smii7y had his sword held out in front of him. He glared at his opponent, who stood across from him with his own sword held out in front of him. The deep blue and gold sword was the polar opposite of Smii7y’s. Smii7y’s sword was white. Veins of blood red were etched into the blade. Seven green emeralds were embedded into the hilt.
They were having a face-off in dense woods to hide their explosions of power they were about to use. The two swordsmen were waiting for the other to make a move to find a mistake and claim an easy victory. Blue lightning charged up Kryoz's blade, and his eyes narrowed on Smii7y.
Smii7y’s eyes glowed green as lights waved in his vision, seeing Kryoz's move. Kryoz was quick, using the air to make himself even faster, lunging at Smii7y.
Smii7y blocked and side-stepped, going for Kryoz's open backside. Ghostly red lights swung off Kryoz's sword, coming straight at Smii7y. They passed through him harmlessly, but the sword that was milliseconds away from following would not. Smii7y stepped back, avoiding Kryoz's blade as his ability predicted. Kryoz pivoted to defend his open side.
A wave of weakness hit Smii7y like a tsunami, nearly causing him to stumble back. Kryoz's aura was strong, and he tried to suppress him to get Smii7y to make a mistake. Smii7y felt an irresistible urge to give up and surrender. A part of Kryoz's aura ability to triumph over opponents.
If that was how Kryoz wanted to play, that's how Smii7y would play. He dodged Kryoz's follow-up attack by stepping into the ghost space. Time and space moved differently in the ghost space. Smii7y could move without time in the real world being affected. Instead of pulling his consciousness back to his body, where he'd return to the real world, he pulled his body to where he was in the ghost space, which was behind Kryoz. In an instant, he popped behind Kryoz, ready to deal a powerful attack.
This was Kryoz's weakness. He couldn't handle teleporters very well when they could attack him from all angles. Smii7y yelped as a wave of water from a nearby stream swept his feet out from underneath him. He quickly leaped into the ghost space as Kryoz spun around to attack him. He teleported a few meters from Kryoz to put some space between them. Smii7y was hit with another aura pulse that caused his ability to fumble.
He couldn't predict Kryoz quickly closing the gap, knocking Smii7y’s sword out of his hand, and getting hit in the chest with a powerful gust of air that knocked him back. His sword was flung out of reach, impaling itself into the earth. A blue sword was pointed down at Smii7y's chest. Kryoz glared down his sword at Smii7y with blue glowing eyes, keeping Smii7y from teleporting away by crushing Smii7y’s aura with his own.
Smii7y groaned, “I hate that fucking aura shit.” A smile spread across Kryoz's face as his eyes stopped glowing. Smii7y felt Kryoz's aura lift off his own.
Smii7y’s sword vanished from the soil, trailing back towards his body with red, white, and green tendrils of light. Kryoz's sword popped out of existence, and he reached his hand down to Smii7y.
“You were really predictable in that fight. I thought that was your thing.” Kryoz teased. Smii7y rolled his eyes but smiled as he took Kryoz's hand. Kryoz lifted Smii7y back to his feet.
“When you go up against someone who can control the air, water, suppress your aura, and has years of sword training on you with a sword and an iffy teleportation power, we can talk about my prediction ability being shit.” Smii7y countered. Kryoz laughed. They joined six other people who were standing by the creek Kryoz had manipulated earlier.
Droid and Pezzy had crossed expressions. Grizzy and Puffer were the opposite with gleeful grins. Grizzy was triumphantly counting green dollar bills.
Smii7y snorted a laugh, “Did you guys place bets?”
“Yes.” Droid lamented. He sat with Pezzy against a tree. Kryoz laughed.
“You'd think the guy who can see things before they happen would win a fight against someone who can't.” Pezzy retorted bitterly.
Blarg was leaning against the tree, “I told you that Kryoz's aura could stop that.”
“And I did.” Kryoz grinned at Smii7y. Smii7y rolled his eyes.
“You ready, Grizzy?” Puffer asked.
“Yes! I'm going to kick your ass!” Grizzy sneered, pocketing the cash. Puffer chuckled with disagreement. They walked out into the clearing, summoning their weapons. Puffer summoned his two familiars, Spike and Joel.
“Anything, Adelie?” Kryoz asked, looking up at the branches of the tree. Above, a non-human being sat cross-legged on a thick branch like a bird. He had dark skin and pointed ears. Pristine lavender bird wings were attached to his shoulder blades.
“Nothing yet. Perhaps you may need to try different combinations.” Adelie said from his perch, “Now this fight will be interesting.” He eyed Puffer's and Grizzy's fight with anticipation.
“Then we will have another go.” Kryoz said.
Smii7y groaned miserably, “Can't you train with someone else? Blarg can teleport, too, you know.”
“I thought you two trained together because you guys are like each other's weakness.” Droid said.
“More like just my weakness.” Smii7y grumbled unhappily.
“I thought they fought for dominance.” Pezzy grinned teasingly. A spray of water from the creek moved unnaturally, twisting in the air to land on top of Pezzy's head, drenching him in water. Droid, Blarg, and Smii7y erupted into laughter.
“What the fuck?!” Pezzy exclaimed, jumping to his feet.
Blarg's face lit up like a firework, “Teleporter versus teleporter.” Pezzy was frantically trying to get his hair to dry out and kept checking it in the camera of his phone. Smii7y gave Blarg a mischievous grin, and he returned it.
“I don't know. Smii7y would probably see anything you would do. You can't suppress his aura.” Kryoz said, ignoring the death glares Pezzy was still giving him.
“We don't know until we try. I need an easy victory.” Smii7y said confidently.
“Oh!” Blarg protested, “Those are fighting words, Smii7y.”
“It's not a competition.” Adelie said above them, watching the fight between Grizzy and Puffer.
Droid gasped, “We should do a competition!”
“Yes!” Pezzy agreed.
“Come on. It will just be Smii7y and Kryoz in the end, and then Kryoz will win because Smii7y has a weak ass aura.” Blarg replied.
“Hey!” Smii7y protested.
“I bet I can get to the finals! We should! A training exercise!” Pezzy smiled at Kryoz.
Kryoz shrugged, “I mean, Blarg already predicted how this is going to end, so I'm fine with it. I thought predictions were your thing.” Kryoz jabbed at Smii7y.
“And I predict that you are going to wake up with a bucket of water dumped on your head.” Smii7y returned.
“Wohoo! Grizzy! Puffer! We are going to do a competition!” Droid shouted, getting their attention.
“That sounds fun!” Puffer called and tripped Grizzy up with the end of his spear.
Adelie rolled his eyes, “Humans…”
“Adelie. You should join us. We have odd numbers.” Droid said. He formed a tablet from his ability, and a chart came up with their names and who they would battle on the screen.
“No thanks. My power isn't designed for fighting.” Adelie said. Grizzy and Puffer joined them.
“We could just have a battle of three, and the winner moves on to the finals.” Smii7y offered.
“Okay. I like that.” Droid controlled the tablet to change the chart and randomly assign their names to the chart. Smii7y saw his name in the trio fight with Grizzy and Droid.
Kryoz and Pezzy were in another bracket. Blarg and Puffer sneered at each other, seeing their names in the competing brackets.
“Oh, fuck.” Pezzy muttered, grimacing at his opponent.
“You seem nervous, Pezzy.” Kryoz taunted with a grin.
Pezzy's eyes narrowed, “Y'know what? I'm going to kick your ass.”
Grizzy threw his arms around Droid's and Smii7y's shoulders, almost knocking them both over, “Are we first?”
“We will be after Puffer and Blarg. Kryoz and Pezzy are the first round.” Droid said.
“Don't be stupid and kill each other, alright?” Kryoz said.
“Aye aye, captain!” Puffer joked.
“Bring it!” Pezzy challenged.
“Yeah, Pezzy! Kick his ass!” Smii7y cheered. Pezzy and Kryoz walked out into the clearing.
“Pezzy is going to get his ass beat.” Puffer said lightly with a laugh.
“Definitely.” Smii7y agreed.
“I believe in him. Go for his legs, Pezzy!” Droid called out to the blond.
A pink glowing bow appeared in Pezzy's hand. He didn't need arrows or a quiver since the energy arrows appeared in the bow when the string was drawn back.
“This might be a good combination for both of them. Kryoz will need to be wary of Pezzy's speed and ability to change his size, while Pezzy will have to be fast to avoid Kryoz's powerful attacks.” Adelie assessed.
“Could he wear Kryoz out?” Grizzy asked.
“He very well could. That may be one of the only ways to defeat Kryoz.” Adelie said.
“It's a pain in the ass. Kryoz is extremely good at pacing himself. He had to be.” Blarg responded.
“And don't forget his aura.” Smii7y agreed.
Adelie nodded, “Kryoz is extremely powerful. One of the strongest wielders I've ever seen.”
“That's hurtful.” Grizzy grumbled.
Droid grimaced, “I kinda feel bad for Pezzy now.”
“You should feel bad for me. I have to go against him next.” Puffer said with a cocky grin towards Blarg.
“Oh. Don't worry, Puffer. You won't be facing him. I will be.” Blarg returned.
“You all are like siblings.” Adelie chuckled.
“Siblings that are way too fucking strong for their own good.” Smii7y added.
Pezzy was the first to strike, firing an arrow at him. Kryoz swiped up, summoning his sword mid arc, and slashing the arrow in half. The energy arrows dispersed. Pezzy closed the gap between them in a light pink blur. He zipped around to Kryoz's back side to land a hit.
Pezzy's bow could extend blades at the ends for close combat. Of course, they weren't extended, so he wouldn't hurt Kryoz. His arrowheads could also change shape. Smii7y saw that the first one he fired was rounded and blunt to leave a bruise instead of impaling.
Kryoz sidestepped to evade Pezzy, but Pezzy was too fast, striking his shoulder. Pezzy's and Kryoz's eyes both glowed. Kryoz stepped away from him, but where Pezzy made contact with his shoulder, wisps of gold and blue lights trailed from Kryoz and into Pezzy's bow. Adelie gasped excitedly and stood up on his branch.
His eyes were glowing a light purple. “How fascinating?”
“What the hell did you do?” Kryoz asked.
Pezzy's eyes widened, “I don't know! Did I hurt you?”
“No. It just felt weird.” Kryoz rolled his shoulder. He held out his sword in front of him to continue their battle.
“What just happened?” Droid asked, looking up at Adelie.
“It makes much more sense now. Pezzy's ability relies on energy. His speed and size altercation sap much of his energy, especially if he isn't well.” Adelie never peeled his eyes from the fight. Kryoz was keeping Pezzy back with large swings of his sword. Pezzy shrank down to avoid one, going back to his regular size. He struck Kryoz on his back. More lights were drawn from Kryoz.
Smii7y tilted his head since the energy looked a lot like Kryoz's aura in the ghost space. Kryoz's eyes flashed blue as he spun around, but the air or water didn't move. Smii7y didn't feel his oppressive aura either.
“What the fuck are you doing?” Kryoz asked.
“I'm not sure.” Pezzy said, “I feel pretty great, though. You're about to lose, Kryoz.”
“Kryoz is like a walking bolt of energy, and Pezzy's weapon has adapted to supply his rapid energy consumption.” Adelie explained.
Smii7y laughed, “He's using Kryoz as a battery!” Blarg and Grizzy started laughing.
“And Kryoz can’t use his powers because Pezzy keeps stealing them. Who would've thought Pezzy would be Kryoz's match?” Puffer chuckled.
Adelie snickered, “Yes. Kryoz is a good challenge for you all to learn your abilities.”
“It's like we all need to go against Kryoz at once to give him a challenge.” Droid said.
“Don't give him the idea, or he'll have us all go against everyone at once.” Blarg replied.
Smii7y grimaced, “That sounds like an awful idea for me.”
“That might be a good idea for all of you. It is good to learn out of your comfort zone in a controlled environment instead of one where your life is in danger.” Adelie said.
“That's true. I'll tell Kryoz.” Droid said brightly.
“Noo!” Blarg, Grizzy, Puffer, and Smii7y all shouted at once. Droid erupted into laughter. A powerful wave of resistance washed over Smii7y, turning his attention back to the battle. Pezzy had been hit full force with Kryoz's suppressive pulse. He stumbled back, stunned.
The air twisted, blowing Pezzy off his already unbalanced feet. He yelped as he fell back. Kryoz pointed his sword down at Pezzy.
“Damnit.” Pezzy muttered.
Kryoz made his sword disappear, “What the hell were you doing? I couldn't use my powers.” He pulled Pezzy back onto his feet.
Pezzy's mouth dropped open, “Really?”
“Yes.” Adelie had swooped down from his branch. He landed before them gracefully on his wings.
“You were siphoning power from him to use for yourself. That officially makes you a Matterkeeper.” Adelie said.
“Really?! That's so cool! I didn't know I could do that!” Pezzy exclaimed, looking down at his hands.
“That's kind of the point of training, Pezzy.” Puffer said, joining them with the others.
“With some practice, you could probably win against all of us with an ability like that.” Droid said.
Pezzy laughed excitedly, “I wonder if I could take energy from the rifts?”
“Hopefully, they won't come back for you to try. Your turn, Puffer and Blarg.” Kryoz said.
Puffer and Blarg remained in the field, while the others returned to the shade of the trees. Puffer already had his spear and his two familiars summoned. Joel, the two-and-a-half-meter-tall glowing blue skeleton, merged onto Puffer's body like armor. He'd need it for this fight.
Spike was a teal blue and magenta pufferfish that swam through the air like it was water. He could also inflate to the size of a large SUV with razor-sharp spines. Puffer's spear was mostly wood with designs carved into the shaft. The curved spearhead looked like it was made from bone. One side had serrated teeth to hook into its opponent.
The forest suddenly went dead silent. The birds stopped calling. The breeze quit blowing. The insects went still. The only sound was the bubbling creek. Droid yelped and scrambled back from his seated position on the grass. The ground below him had stirred.
A small section cracked apart, uprooting the grass. Long, yellowish-white sticks clawed themselves out of the ground. The thin bones weren't thicker than a pinky finger and shorter than a hand. The skeleton crawled out of the soil like a zombie. It was a zombie. A dead bird seemed to have been buried there, and now it was reanimated with glowing magenta spheres in its eye sockets. The flightless bird crept towards Puffer in the battlefield, who had glowing eyes.
More dead creatures stumbled out of the forest, bones clattering, and hisses of old ripping flesh. A few of the creatures hadn't fully decayed to the bones, leaving rotting flesh hanging from their skeletal frames. There were more birds, rodents, and even a few deer that all moved unnaturally towards Puffer like an undead army.
“I hate it when he does that. It's so creepy.” Droid muttered, hugging his knees. He flinched away from a snake that slithered past him. Its back was extremely jagged, like it had been broken in multiple places. The undead animals all stood behind Puffer, staring dead-eyed at their opponent. This was one of Puffer's new abilities that he learned from Joel.
Blarg looked unfazed by the zombie animal army. He had his bronze staff drawn. Swirl patterns were etched into the metal. At the ends were slits where blades could extend out.
“Your move.” Puffer said confidently.
“Probably shouldn't have let me do that.” In an instant, Blarg popped out of sight, appearing behind Puffer. He swung at his side so as not to hurt Puffer. One of Puffer's zombie deer collided with Blarg, keeping him from hitting Puffer and knocking him off his feet. Blarg popped away again before he fell, teleporting to Puffer's other side to strike him again.
Blarg was fast. Faster than Pezzy. He could self-teleport around so quickly that it looked like he was in multiple places at once. That is what he started doing since a dead rabbit had blocked his swing at Puffer again. He started teleporting around to whack all the skeletons. He hit one dead hedgehog so hard it flew over the trees and out of sight.
“Homerun.” Smii7y commented. Droid and Pezzy burst into laughter.
“Who do you think is gonna win?” Pezzy asked.
“Puffer. He has an endless supply of zombie skeletons.” Smii7y nodded.
“Only until he runs out of energy. If Blarg plays it right, he can tire Puffer out.” Kryoz countered.
“Unless he does that.” Pezzy nodded at the fight. Blarg had put some distance between himself and Puffer's undead army. He stumbled a bit, looking pale and sickly.
“Used your power a little too much, Blarg?” Puffer quipped.
“Shut the fuck up…” Blarg grumbled, “No one mention food.”
“Want some pretzels, Blarg?” Smii7y shouted. Puffer laughed.
Pezzy laughed, “How about a hamburger?”
Blarg went wide-eyed and turned away as the nausea did what it did best. They all turned away with disgusted sounds.
“I'd call that a loss, Blarg.” Kryoz said with a laugh.
“I fucking hate you guys. That was such interference.” Blarg grumbled as he wiped his mouth. He sauntered over, sprawling out in the grass to get his nausea to go away.
“I think Blarg has the worst side effects of us.” Droid chuckled. Blarg groaned miserably next to him.
“I guess that means I'm fighting Kryoz next.” Puffer said. Spike and Joel vanished, leaving a pile of bones and rotting corpses in the clearing.
“Did you have to make such a mess?” Grizzy asked, “And before I beat Droid's and Smii7y's asses!”
Smii7y rolled his eyes, “I don't even need to see the future to know how this is gonna go.” Smii7y started to walk into the clearing.
“Yeah. It's gonna go poorly for you.” Grizzy returned, following him. Droid stood up and followed them. Smii7y was so ready to put them in their place.