Chapter 30: Picking up the pieces
As he falls, Jace is able to roll himself over to view the ground below. In a moment of panic and genius, he swaps his arm to Burst and begins to let out a consistent expulsion of fire until he’s able to slow his descent and land perfectly on the ground with no trouble. Who knew humans could land like rockets too? Jace looks around at the shiny sidewalks and pristine roads before dropping to his knees. He places his arms on the ground in front of him and begins to cry. His tears run down his face and plink off of the chrome. Soon, drops of water form surround him as a steady stream of rain accumulates around him.
Jace: “Why would someone do that?”
He stands up and hunches over. With a sigh, he begins to walk back home. When he reaches the cliffside of Above, he can now see the results of the orbital laser. Rozay is now open for everyone to see…and completely flattened. There’s no curves, no ridges, nothing. Jace finds the staircase nearby and walks down them before ultimately returning to Bluestone. He opens the tavern door.
Owner: “You don’t look good, kid. What happened? Where is everybody?”
Jace: “They’re gone.”
The tavern owner stops and hesitates before speaking again.
Owner: “What do you mean by gone?”
Jace: “I watched them all change and run away. They aren’t themselves anymore.”
Owner: “Sounds rough, kid. What’re you gonna do now?”
Jace: “I…don’t know.”
He continues to walk forwards and up the steps. He reaches the apartment door and opens it. He gently closes it and throws his body onto one of the couches. The rain has gotten louder since earlier as it can be clearly heard on the windowsill. That’s the only noise in the apartment currently. No more laughs, no more screaming, no more…anything. It’s just Jace and all of the items that have been collected over the past week. He turns his head to the wall and notices the photos of everyone.
He sighs again and rolls over, so his head can be tucked into the couch. Minutes pass, then hours, then eventually days. Jace only leaves the room to eat. Other than that, he’s holed himself up in the dark apartment room. Three days later, there’s a knock on Jace’s door.
Jace: “Hello?”
Owner: “Have you seen the news?”
Jace: “No, why?”
Owner: “It’s Henry.”
Jace’s eyes widen as he rushes back inside the apartment. He swings his arms through his jacket and runs downstairs. On the TV, a massive colosseum can be seen. It looks like it was built…on Rozay?
Jace: “What’s this all about?”
Owner: “He’s hosting a tournament. If you want to see him, I’d suggest starting there.”
Jace: “Got it. Thank you.”
Owner: “Absolutely, kid. I still don’t understand what happened, but I’m willing to help in any way I can.”
Jace: “I'll remember that. Thank you for everything this week.”
Jace smiles weakly and leaves the tavern. He makes his way up to Rozay and sure enough, a colosseum stands in his way. He walks closer to it and talks to the receptionist.
Receptionist: “Hello! Are you here to watch, or to fight?”
Jace: “Fight.”
Receptionist: “Daring today, aren’t we? What’s your name?”
Jace: “Jace Knight.”
The receptionist pauses and looks Jace up and down. Yup, that’s the description they were given. They tap another receptionist and tell them about the special guest. The other one walks off into the colosseum.
Receptionist: “We’re setting up your match now. You get to go first.”
Jace: “First? Who the hell already wants to fight me?”
Receptionist: “The owner and champion: Henry.”
Jace’s eyes widened with fear. He’s been depressed and holed up for days and now he has to fight one of his best friends. What will he be like? Will they still be friends? The other receptionist walks out and motions for Jace to enter. As he steps towards the middle of the arena, the announcer begins to hype up the audience.
Announcer: “GOOD AFTERNOON, ROZAY ROCKS! ARE YOU READY FOR A ROZAY RUMBLE UNLIKE ANYTHING SEEN BEFORE!?”
The audience erupts into cheer. They want violence and they want it NOW.
Announcer: “GOOD! NOW TO INTRODUCE OUR FIGHTERS: ON THE LEFT SIDE IS THE NEWCOMER. THE MAN WITH THE POWER OF THE WORLD WITHIN HIS ARM. JACE KNIGHT!”
The audience quiets down a bit, but they’re still excited for the carnage.
Announcer: “NOW, THE ONE YOU’VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR. PLEASE WELCOME TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ARENA, HENRY…GRIMES!”
Fireworks are set off at the right side of the arena as the man of the hour walks out. Jace clenches his fist as Henry can only smile his sharp-tooth grin. He enters the arena and the crowd goes absolutely wild. They begin to cheer his name as he stands in front of Jace.
Henry: “You really think you can beat me?”
Jace: “Henry, it’s me. I don’t know what’s happened to you, but-”
Henry: “I remember who you are, Jace. That’s why I want to fight.”
Jace: “Why?”
Henry: “You’re strong. I never thought I could beat you, but I wanna change that today.”
Jace: “That won’t be happening. Instead, I’ll be taking you home as good as new. Whatever Jack has you in right now, I’ll break it.”
Henry: “Aww, do you not like the new me?”
Jace: “Absolutely not. I want my friend back.”
Henry: “Fine, then let’s rumble. A reminder though: this is a battle to the death.”
Jace: “I’m not killing you.”
Henry: “We’ll see about that.”