I woke up this morning to a pit of dread in my stomach. I knew what I had to do, I just worried the Colonel had caught on, that he knew I had his credentials and would ruin one of the biggest advantages I had in dealing with both him and the civvie.

  I shook my head, the time for worrying had passed. I rolled over, retrieving my stream and putting in the final matches for the tournament later. The colonel had made no changes at all over the last few days, so I assume when he had made his changes, he thought that would be the end of it.

  I tried to make my changes as subtle as possible, only moving contestants one space at most if I deemed the matchup unsatisfactory. But I was relieved to see that Zach was facing off against Boris in the final match of the day, so I didn’t need to tip my hand too badly.

  I looked over the changes, feeling anxiety crawl up my spine and whisper doubt into my ear before I shook it away. I clicked save and got ready for the day.

  I went with Slava to the stadium, like usual. He seemed unusually quiet today, as if in deep contemplation. When we arrived, he hopped out and held the door for me before the driver could, bowing as if this was a movie.

  I laughed at his antics, and he joked with me the whole way to the high-rankers booth, which overlooked the entire stadium. But his usual sense of humour seemed slightly more… forced today, as if he had something else on his mind. Probably the tournament, or he had had another argument with Mother.

  We arrived at the high rankers booth, and as always it was beautiful, with a fully stocked bar and D to B rank wait staff on hand to make sure all our needs were met. There were pool tables with large pictures dotting the area of past victories and bitter defeats, with a large glass pane overlooking the platform where the matches would take place.

  I always enjoyed coming here, with its comfortable seating and lively atmosphere. I pulled the mask on as I walked through the door. I scanned the crowd to see the sleeveless high rankers the year above us sitting together, the lieutenant who was assisting the civvie sitting slightly apart from the rest of them. Only about a third of all the high-rankers on Kaleidos were here, which was actually quite a few. Finally, I saw my high rankers sitting together, Viktor and Calder seemingly relaxed, while Bongi and Selena seemed almost… uneasy.

  I was trying to figure out why so many high-rankers were here, but my jaw almost hit the floor as my eyes landed on the last people I would ever expect to see at the ascension tournament. Mother was chatting with Vasili, and Slava walked past me to join them not a moment later.

  Mother never came to watch the B ranks. The most interest she would show in their tournament was theorizing about who would be the most suited to ascend and keeping tabs on their progress.

  I was so stunned I stopped walking. But I recovered quickly, walking towards her. She stopped talking at my approach, turning to face me as Vasili gave me a respectful nod.

  “Good morning, mother.”

  “Good morning. I am glad to see you here, I will come find you later when the important match starts,” was all she said before she turned and started talking with Vasili again.

  Slava gave me a pitying smile, before clapping me gently on the shoulder. I took this as my cue to leave, feeling both happy that she didn’t harbour any resentment from our last disagreement… and almost disappointed that she hadn’t. Was I the only one that cared?

  I tried to clear my thoughts as I walked back to my high rankers.

  “Good morning,” I said as I sat down.

  They all greeted me in turn, Selena smiling at me warmly as she winked badly. I hid my smile as Calder drummed his hands against the table and leaned forward, “So, were we successful? Did he notice?”

  I checked my stream for the fourth time that morning. And, thankfully, my changes had stayed. I shook my head, “No. He hasn’t noticed.”

  “Cool,” he said with a grin.

  I saw him look to his father, who gave Calder a wink and a subtle thumbs-up before turning back to his conversation with a few others around his table. I assume this was just a friendly gesture, but what could they be planning?

  We made idle small talk, and I was almost startled when the bang of fireworks erupted just outside the window, signaling the start of the tournament.

  I smiled as I walked to the large glass pane, merely so I could see one of the most famous high-rankers walk onto the stage.

  Major Shange, fitted in black with what looked like a pattern of bubbles going around her back to make a big O, the only indication of the real power she had. She was the reason Mother could have the tournament in the first place.

  “Welcome to the annual Ascension tournament! We are so delighted to have all of you join us,” she said with a wide smile.

  The crowd roared so loudly that you could almost think that the stadium was full.

  Of the two, the B ranker’s tournament was the only one that could be seen as necessary, as it sought to address the shortage of combat-focused high rankers. And yet, it didn’t see much attention from the broader public. Almost ironic that of the two tournaments, the one less needed was more popular.

  When I asked Mother why she let it continue, she had thought for a moment and then said, “money is always necessary. We can use it to stockpile and assist with economic growth, daughter.”

  It was a little embarrassing to admit, but I enjoyed the B-rank tournament more. After all, only this one had someone who looked genuinely happy to win.

  “We are here to watch the birth of the next high ranker!” Major Shange continued, smoke swirling around the large platform she stood upon.

  “You know the rules! The winner can only be declared when someone surrenders or is no longer able to fight! But you didn’t come here to hear me prattle, now did you? So without further ado, let the tournament… Begin!” she screamed into the microphone, fireworks and sparklers erupting behind her, emphasizing her words. She always had a penchant for the theatrical.

  And so, the first two contestants walked out. I had had to sacrifice Nina to Marnus, even though I had considered her to go up against Boris on the minuscule chance he beat Zach. And, let’s just say I was almost worried she would win.

  Her ability prevented her body from dissipating force. So where a bullet was dangerous because it applied force over a small area, she would walk through it like she was brushing off a bug.

  She had a long, serrated dagger and, somehow, she had acquired body armour. I was unsure of her parentage or backing, but the body armour was more than enough proof she was receiving some amount of assistance.

  I saw Marnus hadn’t brought the gun I had Bongi deliver to him the other day. Good, he was following the plan to the letter, walking in unarmed. A runt like him wouldn’t receive weaponry—at least, that’s what everyone would assume. I saw no need to give away our advantage so soon.

  I saw him wave meekly towards the crowd, probably greeting his parents. Then he looked at the booth, and I saw only fear in his face. I raised my hand, imitating Colonel Walker from the other day. This seemed to placate him, as he raised his hand back, then turned to face Nina. My high rankers fell in beside me not a moment later, all of them eager to see the result.

  “Boys, you know the drill. He will ascend to be the sixth high ranker among us, but he will rise no further. It falls to one of you to remind him that he is still a B rank, regardless of what cloak he wears,” I said to the others. Bongi and Viktor nodded grimly, aware of the need to establish the hierarchy. But Calder… Calder grinned as if he could not wait to get his hands on him.

  This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

  “Let’s see some action!” the Major roared, and the crowd roared right back at her. The match started with Major Shange tapping her left shoulder as she stepped off the raised platform. She lifted her arm, and what can only be described as a massive see-through bubble with a black tint formed around the entire platform.

  Her ability was one of the most powerful on the island, despite her being just an A ranker. If caught in the bubble, you could do as you wished. Kick, scream, maim whoever was trapped with you, it didn’t matter. Because the moment she dropped it, you would be standing where you started, completely untouched. Her own little time loop, locked in a bubble.

  Nina raced forward as soon as the bubble was completed, her eyes almost desperate to cross the distance between them. No such luck, the platform is one hundred meters by fifty meters, and even her blessed legs couldn't cover the distance fast enough.

  Or so one would think, but Marnus just stood there. Staring at her. He waited until the last possible moment before he tapped his shoulder, and disappeared into the ground, leaving a hole where he had just been standing. Nina looked around, her eyes wide, before she too tapped her left shoulder. Then she started running back and forth, seemingly trying to keep her feet off the ground.

  If you weren’t paying attention, you wouldn’t see the head that popped out of the ground right in the corner of the platform, watching her. The moment she stopped moving, his head disappeared.

  I hadn’t realized that he would be useful for scouting. This only reinforced the need for him to join the high-rankers.

  His hand reached out of the ground just behind her, like a zombie rising from the grave, and then he grabbed her ankle. She only had time to squeal, before he pulled her into the hole. Marnus only half buried himself, the top of his head leaving a large wake behind him as he raced forward, cement and rock flying every which way as Nina was dragged behind him.

  He didn’t leave enough space for her to fit, so she was being squeezed dangerously the entire time she was being dragged, her durability allowing her to break the concrete he was dragging her through.

  He had dragged her up, then down, then back up the platform. By the third turn, she started screaming, her ability pushed far beyond his limit. He let go immediately, springing out of the ground, his eyes never leaving her as he created some distance. But she just lay there, sprawled in the shallow trench he’d carved into the platform.

  Slava would say she showed heart, because despite her ruined legs she tried to stand, rolling onto her stomach to try and lift herself up.

  He didn’t give her the chance, racing over and jumping onto her back almost gently, wrapping his arm around her neck, and a moment later, she went limp.

  He laid her down almost tenderly, before he rose to his feet, his chest rising and falling with deep breaths. I must remember he must increase his stamina, otherwise he was flawless. Not a single mistake was made during his entire performance.

  The announcer had been detailing the fight, her usual demeanor chipper and upbeat, and I listened to her closing remark, “Well, that’s all folks. Got to say, in all my time doing this, I’ve never seen such a violent contestant. Watch this one because I think we have a future high ranker on our hands here,” she finished with a wink to the camera.

  The bubble went down, and all of a sudden Marnus and Nina were standing across from each other. Nina seemed confused, getting back into her fighting stance as if ready to start. The Major looked at her with a sad smile and shook her head.

  Nina looked even more confused at the Major's behavior, and then realization dawned on her face as she looked sharply from Marnus to the polite clapping of the crowd. She burst into tears, and ran off the stage.

  Major Shange didn’t even look at her, just smiled at Marnus as he walked past, his face white with guilt. He won. That’s all that matters.

  The Major seemed both bothered and unbothered, as if she were both the victor and the defeated. With a grin and a sigh, she said, “ And the next contestants are…”

  I went to sit down, the other matches were not nearly as important. My other two contestants who I might have to elevate if anything went wrong won their matches handily.

  When Kate walked out to her fight, she did so carrying a large table, two chairs and two assault rifles strapped to her back. The crowd laughed at her. But her opponent, Diana, looked terrified, holding an umbrella in one hand and a kitchen knife in the other.

  When the match started, Diana tapped her left shoulder, pointed her umbrella at Kate, and shot forward. Umbrella’s allowed her to fly, and the longer she was in the air the faster she became. I was impressed, she was making a smart move by trying to close the distance as quickly as possible, even though her eyes clawed with desperation.

  It didn’t matter, Kate had come prepared. She simply dropped the amalgamation of objects behind her as she pulled one rope as hard as possible. The rope in her hand seemingly completed a knot. Then she turned, tapped her left shoulder, and ran for her life.

  Despite not being in the air for long, Diana was plenty quick already, and her face twisted in triumph when she was a meter from Kate’s back.

  Then—she stopped, abruptly.

  I saw the amalgamation of things Kate had gathered simply… stand up. It used the chairs for legs, the table for the body, and the guns for arms. Kate's puppet had managed to loop one of the gun straps around her ankle.

  Diana screamed as the thing brought her in closer, hugging her body even as she was held upside down. It placed one of the gun arms to her head as Kate approached since she had stopped retreating long ago.

  Diana surrendered. Kate advanced.

  Richard versed Philip in the next match that mattered. Philip’s telekinesis was strong, but it was purely combat-focused. It worked similarly to a very powerful shove, able to throw an entire adult male a few feet into the air, and make them hover for a few moments before they came crashing down.

  Average for combat, almost entirely useless in every other endeavor I can think of. I worried for Richard, but he was wearing the body armor as instructed, and his face was the picture of determination.

  I saw him scan the crowd, and wave to some shieldman at the gate. They beamed with pride, nodding their encouragement. Richard stood up straighter, hiding his smile behind a scoff, before he ran over to the major.

  He whispered something in her ear, and with every word he spoke her grin grew wider, her eyes growing greedy before nodding her ascent. He ran back to his place, and both of them were ready.

  “This is a brave one! I hope all of you watch him for the rest of the tournament because I know who I’m supporting!” she said with unadulterated glee as she started the match.

  Both contestants immediately tapped their left shoulder as soon as the bubble closed, but Philip was able to get his ability off first. He simply waved his hand upward, and Richard flew high into the air, screaming the whole way up. Philip walked smugly towards him, saying something I couldn’t hear as he pointed his arm in Richard's direction as he advanced.

  Usually, I would think that he would just drop him, but Philip came to stand right underneath Richard before he waved his hand downward. Richard shot toward the floor with a furious speed, and I swear I felt the impact even through the bubble.

  Richard lay there for a moment, looking up at the sky. Philip turned around and held his arms up as if he were impressive. I saw Philip walk towards Major Shange as she stood just outside the bubble, shouting something I couldn’t hear but was almost certainly some version of, “I’ve won, open the bubble already!”

  Philip continued on his little victory parade, his back to Richard the whole while, even as he rose from his knees to his feet.

  I could almost hear Philip's smugness die as he turned back toward Richard, who stood not a meter behind him with a gun pointed at his face, Richard wiping away some blood from his mouth even as he nudged his floating spear into the back of Philip’s neck.

  I could almost hear him growl surrender from up here. And so, Richard advanced.

  While the other matches were important, none mattered more than the last. Why? Simple. It was time for Zach to beat the civvie.

  “It’s been a long day with some truly incredible matches, but they saved the best for last.” Major Shange’s voice echoed off the walls of the stadium.

  “You have all heard tell of a man from the slums, without money, backing, or pants. And yet, somehow, he became blessed. And as if to prove his luck, this outrageous man even holds the general’s favour,” she said into the microphone, letting the words hang in the air.

  When the silence felt suffocating, she leaned into the microphone with a grin, “Shall we see what makes this man so special?”

  The crowd erupted—boos, jeers, and threats rained down on the platform, and food followed not long after.

  I gripped my chair tightly as I got up, coming to stand at my earlier spot. Only Selena and Bongi joined me, for the others seemed to be mingling with their parents. Even now I could hear Calder’s father roar with laughter at one of his son's jokes. Viktor seemed to be… chatting? With his father, by sharing a table with him even as Vasili just stared at Viktor, not moving a muscle. Viktor looked pleased with the arrangement, so I saw no need to assist.

  I was both furious and pleased. Furious at the Major for almost flattering Boris, even if it was sarcastic. But pleased—extremely pleased—at the crowd's reaction. Even now, they chanted murderer, murderer, the echo resounding throughout the stadium.

  Then he was walking out, anger on his face as he looked at the crowd, like somehow they were in the wrong.

  Zach came out next, both of them approaching the platform. I was pleased to see he was using every piece of equipment Bongi and Viktor had acquired for him. He had a pistol with two spare magazines, a long serrated dagger attached to his hip, and even a grenade strapped to his belt. Oh, and of course a helmet and body armor. One could never be too safe.

  I almost smiled, for the victory was even more of a foregone conclusion. Why?

  The civvie had only a shield.