Broker

The cracked window shuddered as the breeze rushed through it. Bits of debris scattered about the room jostled now and then while the building creaked. Steel pillars held up the rusted ceiling, bits of the sheet metal above worn down by the elements and revealing the stars twinkling in the sky. The faint light provided a bare minimum illumination that shone down on the remnants of abandoned furniture. A pair of boots crunched against glass as he walked into the room, stopping in front of a worn couch.

He sat down, reaching into the backpack laying on the couch and pulled out a bottle of beer. A shrill sound broke the muted atmosphere, and the top of the bottle slid off of the bottle to shatter on the ground. He took a long gulp and pulled out his phone, tapping it a few times. He set the bottle down and reached into the backpack again, retrieving a small projector that he set up on the ground at his feet. It hissed to life and the large brick wall turned into one big image of an arena bathed in light.

He sipped his beer again while the sound kicked in.

“Next up! Armory versus Hao for a spot in the Final Match!” the voice of Amos Carter came out of his phone. “In a wild turn of events, Armory’s brother, Glint, is in the very next match! Could we see the twins take one another on for the grand prize?”

He snorted. “Like a Heroic could beat a Mythic. It’ll be Armory against Sol. That mirror bitch will get his ass melted.”

The crowd roared through the speakers and his lips formed a line. Kinda shit that only the brats are allowed to participate. That should be me on stage, winnin’ that first prize for home. A second awakening, huh? Fuck those losers, I want one.

His phone rang and he scowled, the image on the projection turning to that of the face of his handler. The guy had a thick black beard and old man eyes. He sighed and tapped the phone to answer the call. “What?” he demanded. “I’m watchin’ the game, man. Imma little busy.”

“First Wind,” the gravelly voice came back. “You’re done, then?”

“Yeah, ‘mdone,” he slurred. “The villains putta fight, but it ain’t no problem for me. They made a mess, though,” he chuckled and sipped at his beer. “Gonna have to send a fuckin’ nuke to beat this dero.”

“They made a mess?” his handler asked.

He frowned, leaning forward a little and setting his bottle on the ground. “Yeah. Izzat a problem, mate?” he asked evenly. “Want me to swing by Sydney and we can yak? Face to face? I can be there in a few hours if’n you like.”

There was a long pause. “No, that won’t be necessary. I’ll make sure the media knows the villains were at fault for the damages…” the old man trailed off.

“Spit it out.”

“Prosecutor Firth is here in Sydney. She’s ostensibly here to deal with Chernovna, but she has visited my office at least once to ask about you,” his handler said.

He groaned. He was already sobering up. “Man! Everybody’s havin’ fun back at home, and I’m in this shit hole. You got anything closer to Australia?”

“I’m more concerned about her questions, Luca.”

“I don’t give a shit about Firth. She’s a chicken shit who didn’t have the ovaries to go pro and join us Internationals,” Luca snarled and threw his bottle at the wall. “It ain’t my fault she’s gotta compensate for being a coward by bothering the rest of us with her bullshit rules.”

“Are you drinking?”

“The fuck do you care?” Luca grunted. “Just do your job and get rid of her, and I’ll do my job. Now, do you got another assignment for me or not?”

“Well… it’s not flashy.”

“Not interested.”

“Hold on,” his handler said. “It’ll get you close to the ASTA events.”

“Oh? I’m listening,” he said, grabbing another bottle and sheering it open. There was a pause on the phone call as the shrill sound probably wasn’t fun listening to on the other end. “Speak up, man, I ain’t got all day. I’m missing the match.”

“The US Rep wants an International to bodyguard Chernovna. She’s pushing back right now, but all evidence is pointing towards something going down at the event. We’re letting it play out to see if one of Ishtar’s people makes a move,” his handler said. “If she’s really targeting Chernovna, we want at least one powerhouse ready to take her people down.”

Luca grinned. “How many of us are signed up?”

“A few - Qilin is on the short list. You want in?”

“Put me in, coach,” Luca chuckled. “Make sure to get me at the top of the list, if you can. You’re buddies with the US Rep, right?”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

“Great. Fuck off,” Luca grunted and hung up. The static image of his handlers face flickered before turning back to the competition. It was a panning shot of an empty arena with the words ‘Armory Advances’ at the bottom. Luca spat and threw his fresh bottle of beer at the wall. “Shit, I missed it. Droggo fuck wouldn’t shut up.”

He got to his feet and wandered to the door leading out of the abandoned building while he waited, pushing it open and stepping outside. The breeze washed over his face, and he took it in while he leaned on the balcony railing. Beyond it was a scene of utter devastation. A small town that had once been the home of factories and people was reduced to nothing but scraps and rubble. The jungle beyond it was upturned and ruined, swaths of precious rainforest despoiled.

He grinned. “Let’s see you beat my storms now, Ishtar.”

—

Sonya closed her eyes and watched the hallway cameras through her technopathy. The medical dolls were taking Hao off to be cleaned up and treated. With Da-Som on the scene, it wouldn’t be more than a few minutes before he was back on his feet. The fight had been short and vicious, with Hao demonstrating some interesting attacks. He’s a cultivator. I should look into putting him in contact with Chunhua. I wonder if she still wants to try awakening people with that trick she and Ishtar worked out. She smirked. Maybe she can start her own sect like in those novels. That would be cool.

Sonya paused and furrowed her brows. Wait… is that how it worked in the Great One’s era? I didn’t really get into those details with Ghost Pandora or the trio in my mindscape, but it’s entirely possible. If that’s the case… She rubbed her chin thoughtfully as Hao disappeared into the treatment room. Were abilities taught back then? Passed down? Her eyes widened. Is that why Broker reacted so strangely when I made that deal with Erebus?

When she met Spice King Erebus in the past, he had made a deal with her to ensure that his powers would be passed down to his son, Saleh, in the case of his death. Sonya had been fascinated that Broker had not only responded well to the deal, but even streamlined it. It seems like something an Arbiter would be asked to assist with, now that I’m thinking about it. How curious.

“...Sol versus Glint! This is the match that will decide the pair up for the finals, folks! With everything on the line, both Heroes are ready to pull out all the stops. After this, there will be a final match to decide third place!”

Amos’ voice drew her out of her thoughts, and she sat up to watch. Glint and Sol stepped up onto the field and shook hands briefly before going over to their respective starting positions. She sensed Leiandra lean forward with interest as the Mythic and Heroic faced one another. When the buzzer sounded, the action was fast. Sol threw out both hands in a lightning fast movement and bolts of light erupted from them. He was already on the move, doing his short distance teleports when the bolts struck a pair of floating metal disks and reflected out to dissipate against the barrier set up around the stands.

Sol reappeared at Glint’s side and threw a glowing fist forward just as another disk appeared in his path. The disk was… strange. There was an eerie feeling to it that she recognized. She’d felt that odd feeling only once before. It feels like… Qilin?Why? Her eyes went wide. This kid!

Sol smashed the mirror as Glint leaped away. That odd feeling rippled out for a moment and seemed to hang in the air as Sol moved to pursue only to trip over his feet. He hit the ground hard and scrambled to move as two metal disks spun towards him like buzz saws. He rolled out of the way only for one to catch him on the sleeve, pinning him. The feeling faded. Seven seconds. The misfortune lasted for seven seconds.

BRRZZZZ!

Sol’s hand was in the air with the sign of surrender, a spinning blade an inch from his nose. 

“WHAT AN UPSET!” Amos shouted. “Sol has given up the fight! What on Earth was that strange thing Glint pulled off there! Either way, it doesn’t matter! Glint goes on to the finals! The twins will have their one-on-one match!”.

The crowd roared, the stadium quite literally shaking beneath the reaction to the surprise turn-around. Sonya crossed her arms and glanced towards Amos, who nodded. He’d inform Hao of who he was going up against next. The match had been shorter than expected, but that was fine; Da-Som was good at his job.

“Was that… luck manipulation?” Leiandra asked, genuinely shocked.

“Seven seconds of bad luck,” Amos commented. “That’s one nasty trick to keep in your pocket.”

“Does it only affect movement, though?” Sonya asked thoughtfully. “If so, then I wonder about Glint’s ability to handle his sister. Those rockets won’t get bounced away by his mirrors.”

Leiandra hummed. “You’re right.”

Amos stiffened and turned to Sonya. “Hao just threw the match. He doesn’t think he has a chance against Sol.”

Sonya pursed her lips before letting out a popping sigh. “Alright, that’s his choice. Shame. I wanted to see more of him. I was considering getting him in touch with Chunhua, but if he doesn’t have the spine to-”

“Is it cowardice to back out of an obvious losing battle?” Leiandra asked her. “I think he’s just being smart and not wasting his time and that of the audience.”

Sonya glanced back at the Prosecutor and gave her an assessing look. She grinned at the woman before settling back into her seat. “Alright, I’ll hook him up.”

“Glint and Armory are ready,” Amos said.

Sonya slid forward with a grin, tapping the microphone. Then it’s time for the real show to begin. 

–

Sowards twitched in his seat, clenching his fists and forcing himself to relax. His knee bounced, his nerves getting the better of him. Politics was one thing. He could keep his cool in that sort of setting, but this was not something he had any frame of reference to begin to manage. He rubbed his thumb into his palm to calm himself and shot a glance at the guildmasters, who were waiting patiently. None of them looked his way.

Sonya’s voice came over the speakers. “I have some news, folks. Hero Hao has decided to forfeit the third place match. We are moving straight into the finals.”

There were some raised voices of discontent, but more people were cheering that the final match was on its way. People wanted to see the twins duke it out. Sowards already knew how it would go. Armory was a powerful combatant, but her win-lose rate against her brother during training was a pretty clear indicator. Glint would come out on top. He shook his head and checked his phone. It was blowing up with messages from his superiors, who were furious about Sol’s defeat.

It’s not my problem anymore, he thought with a growl and shut it off, getting to his feet. I have a new boss.

He pushed out of the stands and made his way back into the hallway, turning towards those same doors where the ASTA guards were standing. This time, though, they let him pass without issue. Ishtar really does have people in ASTA already. That’s terrifying, he thought as he entered the hall and walked past the locker room, making way to the stairs that led further beneath the arena. There, beneath the ground, was the safe room.

The crowd roared overhead and he heard Chernovna’s distant voice. Enjoy this while it lasts, bitch. You’re dead today.

The security guards in front of the safe room let him pass, and he slipped inside. He took a breath and felt the sensation of mana suffusing his body. It was exhilarating. It made him feel invincible. To think the light-touched got to experience this all the time. He grinned to himself; the price paid on the contract was worth the feeling of power running through his veins. He stopped in the heavily armored room and surveyed the group of grizzled men and women sitting on the couches inside. Criminals and killers.

Sowards thumbed the business card in his pocket. I can’t believe how easy it was. Her network is amazing. One call and all these killers are at my disposal. Charon and the underworld, huh? Maybe going villain won’t be so bad. A new ladder to climb without the nonsense of the Committee.

The buzzer rang in the distance, barely audible through the ground and thick walls. Muffled cheers and then a new sound – a vibration in the air. A heaviness followed by an itching inside of his skull. It seemed to know him and pulled back mercifully. The ground shook and alarms started to blare. 

ROOOAAAAHHHHHHH!

—

For the sake of the performance, Sonya had told Kingshark not to filter her and Amos out from his initial mental attack. She’d never experienced the full blunt force of his presence before, but the itching and pressure inside of her head was something she’d never forget. She felt something wet drip down her lips as sirens blared and a pre-recorded alert filled the arena.

“Intense Mana Reaction detected! This is a Carter Radar alert! Please remain calm. Heroes are being dispatched. Intense Mana Reaction detected! This is-”

Shouts were filling the stadium, and Sonya slumped a little bit as she reached up for her ear. Damn he’s not holding back. “Marta?” she croaked. “If you wouldn’t mind?”

She felt Marta unleash herself, her own presence a courageous balm that ferociously battered away the madness of Kingshark’s will. The shouting in the stadium eased almost immediately as the strong sense of protection and fierce determination replaced it. Sonya gasped when the pressure eased and got to her feet, going to check on Amos. He looked up at her with a weak frown, and she nodded at him before turning to Leiandra. The Prosecutor was wide-eyed and her hand had moved down to her suppression cuffs, thumb over the release.

“You alright?” Sonya asked.

“What was that?” Leiandra gasped.

“I think-”

H E R O E S !

The voice was like a thunderclap coming from the direction of the sea.

K I N G S H A R K  I S  H E R E !  F A C E  M E!

Sonya gave her best approximation of a smirk and wince. “Looks like we have our answer,” she said as the doors to the booth opened and her security hurried in. She turned to them. “Get the prosecutor downstairs,” she ordered. “I’ll be right down.”

For the first time, she saw shock on Leiandra’s face as the guards helped her to her feet. “What are you doing?”

“I’m just seeing Handmaiden off. Go. We’ll be right there. Amos knows a few tricks.”

Leiandra held her gaze, scowling, but nodded and turned away. “You aren’t rejecting security after this, Chernovna. We are having another conversation. Understood?”

Sonya nodded. “Have it your way,” she said and followed them out into the hall. The security team took Leiandra. She turned to Leiandra and held her gaze for a heartbeat before the doors shut. She shoved her hands into her pockets. “Amos, you know what to do,” she said. He nodded and hurried off while she waited. The sound of footsteps approaching spawned a grin on her face. “Nervous?” she called and turned to see Marta hustling towards her down the hall.

Marta stopped a few feet away and frowned at her. “I hate how you read me like that sometimes,” Marta grumbled, her cheeks red.

“No you don’t,” Sonya laughed.

Marta smiled and nodded. “You’re right.”

Sonya reached out and touched her friend over the heart, looking up into her eyes. “I have something for you. Don’t tell Amos, or he might get mad. I’m still working on his.”

Marta blinked at her. “What are you-”

Sonya closed her eyes and let the investment go through. She could have made a deal out of it, but she didn’t want to stress Marta’s body or take the extra time. She pulled her hand away and tilted her chin up. “Don’t use it today; you’ll have time to master it in the future. It should round out your build.”

Marta paused and looked down, then up at her. “Why?”

“I wanted to give you a gift first,” Sonya said with a shrug before reaching out to squeeze her beloved friend on the arm. “Congratulations, Marta.”

Marta’s eyes went wide, her face the picture of shock before it relaxed into a smile that shone like the setting sun. Warm, dazzling, and so unbelievably full of joy. That smile made everything all the more worth doing. “Thanks, Sonya.”

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