Sitting down after that kind of fight felt like stepping into heaven after walking barefoot on hellfire. My chest still felt like it was made of crumpled metal and each time I tried to breathe, it was like someone stuffed weights inside my ribs. The bench was cold and I didn't even care. I let my whole weight sink into it.
Radellei sat beside me, one leg crossed over the other with her sand swirling lazily in a soft halo around her wrists. She was healing me the way she always did. Warm pulses rolled through my chest, chasing away that stabbing burn Owino's punches had left behind.
"You are an extremely fast learner. We just took down our first duo ranked higher than us. Two more and we will reach the next crystal stage."
I winced, pressing my palm against my ribs.
"Fast learner? I'm just fast at getting my ass beat."
She snorted, shaking her head slightly.
"And still standing after a sun punch to the chest. That counts for something."
I reached up and peeled off my mask. The damn thing felt like it had fused to my skin. When the air hit my face, I could finally breathe properly again. Last time I checked the mirror, I had brown eyes instead of silver. Radellei glanced at me as if she noticed it too.
"That mask really hides you well. Where did you even get it?"
"Secret."
"Of course it is. Everything about you is either 'classified' or 'you would not believe me.' Well, Void Resonamce beings are naturally secretive"
I was about to reply — probably something witty about mystery being part of my charm — when a voice broke through the background hum of arena noise.
"Not bad, Neon Nomads."
We both turned. Phyri Rameses was holding two cans of some colored energy drink. Her dark hair shimmered faintly under the artificial lights and her green eyes had that detached, cool sharpness that made it impossible to guess what she was really thinking. She tossed one can to me and the other to Radellei.
"We watched your match. Honestly, did not expect that kind of coordination from a fresh duo."
"Appreciate it," I said, catching the can mid-air and cracking it open. The fizz hit my throat like carbonation and battery acid but it was cold, and that was all I cared about. I took a long sip, then sighed. "Still feel like dying, though."
Radellei laughed softly beside me. "Speak for yourself. I don't even feel tired."
"Because you hid in a sand dome while I was getting roasted alive!"
Her lips twitched. "That is called tactical positioning, Phaser. Learn it."
Phyri smiled faintly. It a quick, blink-and-you'll-miss-it kind of smile, then she stretched.
"My next solo's starting in a few minutes. Don't bother watching it. ou two should rest."
Radellei gave her a polite nod. "We will catch you later then. Good luck."
Phyri started to leave but paused mid-step.
"Luck's for those who need it. I don't need luck."
She said quietly, without turning back, then disappeared into the corridor leading to the fighter prep rooms. When she was gone, I looked at Radellei.
"She's kind of strange, isn't she?"
Radellei didn't hesitate. "She is. Always has been. Phyri's… distant, even from the other Rameses sisters."
I leaned back, letting the metal of the bench cool my spine.
"Makes sense. You ever notice how she fights like she's punishing herself for something?"
Radellei gave me a side glance. "You notice a lot for someone who claims to never pay attention."
"Occupational hazard."
The hum of the arena outside dimmed as the next match started somewhere far off. The muffled roars of the crowd were almost soothing.
"Two more wins and we move up to the next crystal stage. You ready for that?"
"Ready's a strong word," I said, draining what was left of the energy drink. "But I'll fake it till it's true."
That's when I noticed movement ahead. A tall woman in a slick violet blazer, her posture all professional polish was heading straight for us. She's the receptionist who had registered us yesterday as the duo Neon Nomads. She approached with a subtle smile.
"Lone Nomad. Princess Radellei. Excellent match today. If you don't mind, could you follow me? There's someone who'd like to speak with you."
Radellei and I exchanged a glance. No words were needed.
She stood first, her sand vanishing from her wrists. I slipped my mask on again and we followed the woman through the maze of metallic corridors humming with power. My ribs still ached, but my mind was sharper than ever. Whoever wanted to see us after that fight, it wasn't just a casual "good job."
Radellei caught my look and smirked.
"Think it's good news?"
"It's never good news when someone says 'follow me.'"
"So pessimistic."
"Hey, I'm being cautious here."
She chuckled under her breath as we turned the corner. The faint echo of the roaring crowd faded behind us.
-----
The elevator ride felt like it went on forever. The receptionist stood ahead of us, her hands folded behind her back. Radellei stood to my left. I could feel her gaze flicker to me a few times, probably wondering what kind of mess we were about to step into. I had no clue either, but my gut told me this wasn't your everyday "congratulations" meeting.
When the elevator finally stopped, it opened to a hallway carpeted in gold and black. Every few meters, holographic panels displayed live feeds of the dueling arenas. We followed the receptionist down that long hall until we reached a pair of massive doors. They slid open with a quiet hiss and that's when we stepped into one of the most luxurious offices I'd ever seen.
Floor-to-ceiling windows looked out over the city of Nairobi and at the center of it all, behind a mahogany desk that probably cost more than most small ships, sat a man in his mid-forties. His skin was a deep, rich brown that gleamed under the light, his hair cropped close and his glasses framed sharp, observant eyes. He wore a dark suit with gold-thread patterns stitched subtly into the cuffs .
"Please. Sit."
We did.
"I've been waiting to meet you both," the man said, folding his hands on the desk. "I'm Wilder Clifford Onyango, number three Fluxer in Kenya, seven in Africa."
Radellei's eyes widened slightly. Even she knew that ranking meant this wasn't some bureaucratic paper-pusher. Wilder leaned back slightly, studying us.
"It's an honor to meet one of the princesses of the House of Rameses, and the heir to the House of Argemenes."
Radellei glanced at me sharply, but I just sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. Figures. With a wave of my hand, the mask shimmered off my face. My hair bled from muted black to crimson as my body returned to normal too.
"Not surprising you figured that out. You're too high up not to know."
Wilder chuckled softly. "Indeed. But I'm more impressed than anything. An Argemenes fighting in open duels, and without using your Concept Flux? Remarkable restraint."
"Why are we here, Mister Onyango?"
He smiled at that, like he respected her for getting to the point.
"Your match today broke every viewership record in the Spring Battles. Six hundred million Kenyan shillings were bet on your fight from across the world. Streams in Europe, South America, the United Empire, even the Asian Empire states saw your fight. The two of you brought in more revenue than last year's finals."
I blinked. "Wait, six hundred million?"
He nodded casually, as if that wasn't an insane amount. "Naturally, you'll receive your compensation soon. But that's not the reason you're here."
Radellei leaned forward slightly. "Then what is?"
"You two have potential that doesn't belong in your current rank. So I'll make this simple. I'm offering you the chance to advance two ranks higher, straight to Sapphire. You'll skip Citrine entirely."
The room went quiet. Radellei blinked, disbelief written all over her face.
"That's… not exactly a small jump."
"Exactly. But the way you fought today it's already beyond what Quartz duos are capable of. Frankly, if I keep pairing you against lower-ranked fighters, the crowd will get bored. You'll become predictable. And predictable doesn't sell."
There it was. The business angle. I exhaled sharply and leaned back in my chair.
"So it's about money and favor, then."
Wilder's lips twitched into a half-smile. "You catch on quick."
Radellei frowned. "Money and favor?"
"Think about it. The higher we rank, the higher the stakes. The more people bet, the more revenue he gets. And by helping us climb the ranks, he earns good will with the House of Rameses, and maybe Argemenes if they ever crawl out of hiding long enough to notice."
She hummed softly in thought. "So it's politics dressed as generosity."
Wilder chuckled at that. "You're not wrong. But I'll be honest. I'm not that greedy. Yes, money comes before morals in this business. Always has. But you two have piqued my curiosity."
He looked straight at me now, and for the first time, his smile dropped.
"An Argemenes fighting in the open? That's unheard of. Your House is the most secretive of the Twelve. I've seen Rameses, Erdicts, even the Phoenicians, but Argemenes? They're myths that walk in daylight only when they want the world to tremble."
"The Abyssal Houses hide too. It's not that rare."
"True, but the Abyssal Houses hide for power and their statuses as Human. The Argemenes hide for control. That's a different kind of danger."
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
"Mr Phasnovterich. I want to see your Concept Flux. I won't force you to use it in combat, of course, but I'm curious. I'm sure you realize, if I hadn't discovered who you were, dozens of House officials would have registered under false names just to fight you and reveal your Flux to the world."
Radellei's hand twitched slightly on her lap.
"You're saying he's safer because you know?"
"Exactly. So I'll make you a deal. I'll keep your identity completely hidden. The Neon Nomads remain anonymous to the public. You two keep fighting, winning and drawing in the crowd. You get the fame, I get the fortune and recognition. Everyone wins."
I studied him for a few seconds. The guy didn't flinch under my stare, which meant he was either telling the truth or was terrifyingly good at lying.
Radellei looked at me. "It's a dangerous deal."
"Yeah, but it's also the smartest one we've got right now. And honestly, I don't see any downsides here. If he fails to keep up his end of the deal, he'll just be putting himself at a very dangerous loss."
Wilder smiled again, standing from his seat. His presence filled the room without him needing to flare even a trace of Flux.
"Then it's settled. Welcome to the Sapphire Rank, Neon Nomads."
Radellei exhaled softly, maybe in disbelief. I just leaned forward and extended a hand. Wilder shook it firmly.
"Let's make the world remember your names."
"Oh, don't worry. They will."