Prominence, page 23
We entered around half-past ten in the morning, and the fights were already taking place. The tiered seating wasn’t full yet, but it was a giant arena. A huge black cage was the fighting pit.
The two fighters were at each other.
We walked toward one of the boxes. The guys kept following us as Ben kept greeting people on his way there.
The steps came up that led to the first box, and Ben took them. We entered a vast area with loads of leather sofas looking down on the metal cage.
They had the best seats, if you asked me, and could see everything in detail. It was even streamed on a big screen TV.
A giant bar covered the back and names like the SandMaster and the Wale were engraved in silver plates.
My gaze landed on the Weapon Wielder.
“Are they streaming it live?” Will asked Ben as my eyes landed on Connor and Matias sitting at the back, on white leather sofas.
They waved at us.
“No, it’s just for the crowd as it’s hard to see what is happening inside because of the iron cage,” Ben replied, and Will and Cade already stared at who was fighting.
I didn’t know these Shield members at all. Meaning they’d just started out or they weren’t famous at all.
We all plopped down on the sofas next to Connor and Matias. Then we all wished Will happy birthday before a waiter came and brought Ben a giant bucket filled with ice and stuffed with beers and drinks.
Ben had mentioned something about snacks.
“You guys know who is fighting?” Simon questioned.
“The one guy, Lu, graduated last year from Beaumond. It’s his first try; I’m actually curious to see where he is going to end. Grayer is an old player, but he doesn’t usually get far,” Matias answered.
“So it’s got nothing to do with age or anything?” Cade wanted to know.
“Nope, you see that,” Connor pointed at a board with the two of their faces, “it’s how they choose who will fight against each other. This is lot one. Your aim is to get to lot three.”
We all nodded.
I wasn’t into fighting that much, but whatever Will wanted for his birthday was good for me.
“The interesting fights happen in the third lot.”
“Something I discovered when you said the aim is to get to lot three,” I said.
“Stop chatting up my girl,” Ben said and handed me a drink.
Connor flipped him off, and Ben laughed.
We all started talking about random things and just celebrating Will’s birthday.
One fight after another got called, and I saw here and there a couple of names that I’d seen before. Like O’Toole.
I sighed when he was chosen, and Ben looked at me.
“I’m sorry, but it’s O’Toole.”
Connor laughed at the way Ben stared at me.
“I have to worry about O’Toole now, Max?”
“No. He is just so perfect.”
Ben finally laughed.
“His face is flawless, like he should be a god. I mean, look at him.” I pointed at the screen that showed the bronze glow to his skin.
He was tall but not big, and his dark skin almost glowed like gold. He was handsome too, way too beautiful to fight in this ring. His dreads were braided perfectly and laid like a bunch of snakes on his shoulders.
I took a deep breath and looked at Ben who thought it was hilarious. “You are impossible.”
“It’s O’Toole. What is he doing in there?”
“He has a heart of gold, but without his ability, a piss poor fighter.”
“No! You serious?”
“His ability makes him dangerous,” Ben replied.
We watched the first few punches, and I kept shrinking into Ben as O’Toole was really getting a beating.
He did get a few good kicks and punches in.
“You need to see his sister then if you think he is beautiful,” Connor pointed out.
“He has a sister?” I asked.
“Yes, Max, he is half a wolf.”
“Really, I thought he was half vampire/half dragon.”
“Half werewolf/half vampire.”
“Horrible combination,” Ben said. “Possessive as hell.”
O’Toole headbutted the guy. He was vicious, I didn’t care what anyone said, and to my surprise, he won.
“He never makes it to lot two, you’ll see,” Ben quipped.
“Okay, so all of them just fight until they get to lot three?” I asked.
“Oh no, fresh fighters come in lots two and three.”
“So they have to fight fresh fighters? How do they choose who is in lots two and three?”
“Best of the best, Max,” Ben said. “If you win lot three, you are automatically placed in lot three, if you lose in lot three, first round, you automatically get placed in lot two. The rest are all lot one.”
“That doesn’t seem fair.”
“Why do you think this club is the one that ranks them? You win in that rank, you build a name for yourself.”
I think I was starting to finally grasp how this fighting game worked, but still, it was a bit barbaric.
The day progressed. We got all sorts of treats and baskets filled with tiny burgers and sandwiches.
The guys ate like beasts, but food and drink just kept coming.
Around three it was time for the second lot and Will’s cake.
We all sang and took videos and pictures as he blew out his candles.
“Edward Charles vs Phineas Luwidsky.”
“Commander Charles is fighting?” Scar pushed herself up the sofa and rushed to the window.
Storm laughed as Scar looked back at her. The corners of her mouth pulled downward.
“Of course, he is fighting,” Matias said. “The dude is training future Shield members.”
“Why is he in lot two?” Scar asked.
“Because he lost last year, first round lot three.”
“I’m rooting for you, Commander,” Scar screamed, making us all laugh.
We watched the TV screen as we really struggled to see through the metal of the cage. If Commander Charles was here, it meant that Gabriel was here too.
I couldn’t take my eyes off the fight. Commander Charles was ruthless, kept hammering on this Phineas dude. Connor and Matias made grunting noises for every major shot Commander Charles gave the poor guy.
It was over in less than five minutes.
“This is where the fun starts.” Ben looked at me as I stared wide-eyed at the MC lifting Commander Charles’ hand in the air.
Dex was also in lot two. He was fast, and his jabs were all to the throat.
The guys kept cheering him. He wasn’t my favorite trainer, to be honest, and I would’ve loved seeing him get his ass handed to him.
A couple of big names were mentioned. O’Toole got called again and lost. He got badly hurt, and they had to carry him out of the cage.
“Sorry, Max, but the guy is a bit of a poofter without his ability,” Ben said.
“He is still a semi-god.”
“Ben,” someone yelled, and we all looked.
Christian Vortier stood at the bar wearing chinos and a button shirt. His golden blond hair was messy, more than usual, and he had a day-old stubble. Ben got up with Matias and Connor and rushed over to the bar as Amy shrieked in her inner voice.
The guy was handsome, but something told me that he knew that too. The guy was famous as he was King Xiou’s personal guard.
“He’s fighting too?” I asked Storm.
“Third lot, usually wins it too. If he wins tonight, it’s the fifth time.”
“Wow,” I said. “But Ben said there are like five winners.”
Storm nodded as Christian laughed at something Ben said. They were saying goodbye now and wishing him good luck with tonight’s fights.
“I didn’t know he fought,” Cade mentioned to Matias.
“He’s not the only one. Durel and Kengsington also fight.”
“Durel as in the Sand Master Durel?” Will asked.
“Lot three.”
Commander Charles’ name was called again, and we all watched. Something told me that Gabriel wasn’t in this lot. Otherwise his name would’ve been called a long time ago. Commander Charles fought against Reineer. The guy was also a celebrity Shield member, one of those who were on the recruit advertisement.
The two had a hard fight, and I cringed every time the commander got hit.
Reineer was relentless.
It was finally over, and Commander Charles had lost.
“He lost?” Scar looked at Ben.
“Reineer is lethal, Scar. You saw that.”
“It’s Edward fucking Charles.”
Amy laughed the loudest. “I just want to know where the hell Hendrix is.”
“Third tier,” the boys yelled.
“So he does fight?” Scar asked.
Oh man. He was a hooligan.
“Wins one of the spots too.”
“He is that good?” Amy questioned.
“He is Commander Lieutenant, Amy. Of course, he is that good. Otherwise he wouldn’t run the Selective program for the past three years.”
The fights continued, and Dex made it to the third round.
I almost had a heart attack when O’Toole came and said hello to Ben.
He introduced me to O’Toole, and I shook his hand.
Scar and Amy stared. The guy was radiant and had a tiny cut on his eyebrow from the fight.
The guys were speaking about upper hooks and jabs and who the guys had bet on. Scar kept bumping me not to stare, but I couldn’t help.
There was just something about O’Toole that pulled me in.
“Enjoy your evening,” O’Toole said.
“You leaving?” Ben asked.
“No, my party is over there.” He pointed at a group sitting behind the pillar.
“Enjoy.”
I tried to see who his sister was as Ben had said she was as gorgeous as her brother, but I couldn’t see her.
Ben laughed. “You are so curious.”
“I can’t help it.”
He planted his lips on me, and we carried on watching.
More and more fighters either before their fight or after their fight came to say hi to someone in this box. I hadn’t seen Commander Charles though.
Scar and Amy came with me to the bathroom.
When we came out, the place was packed, and we really struggled to get back to the box.
The guy announced that lot three and the main fighting events were about to start.
We finally reached the box; the first two fighters were already in the metal cage.
Everyone was watching this lot. Nobody was really speaking to each other, they were just cheering.
They were all skilled fighters too, so the fights lasted a bit longer.
Eventually a winner was called.
Dex was next, and he got to fight against Hayward. I had no idea who this guy was.
But Dex saw his ass in less than ten minutes.
Hayward was brutal.
Reineer was next. Fighting against Durel. He was King Montreal’s guard. I eyed his metal brass plate at the back.
Reineer tasted blood in less than five minutes. He was out by nine.
The guys cheered; they clearly didn’t like Reineer at all.
Connor had some booking system going on every round with bets.
The next fighters were announced.
It was Christian, and the MC called his name. They scrolled fast to choose the second fighter, and it landed on Gabriel Hendrix
“Oh fuck,” Connor said.
“Still betting on Christian, Ben?” O’Toole yelled.
“I stick with Christian,” Ben said, and Connor put Christian under Ben’s name.
“Fuck that; Hendrix,” Storm said.
“Against Christian?” Ben asked.
“Hendrix,” Storm repeated.
“Hendrix,” Amy yelled too, and Scar laughed. I didn’t bet.
I watched the TV as the camera landed on Christian.
“But he is cute,” Amy yelled, and Cade stared at her. She laughed and kissed him.
The other side gate opened, and Gabriel rushed up the stairs. The camera really loved him.
“Don’t take your eyes off him, it’s all he has to do,” Ben said.
“Fuck, Ben, I don’t know. The two never fought against each other,” Connor spoke.
“Christian is going to kick his ass.”
The bell rang, and the fight started immediately. Gabriel was fast jabbing Christian in the throat. I couldn’t take my eyes off it as he didn’t give Christian any leeway and then the guy was on his knees.
Christian made a comeback though, and his blows were brutal, drawing blood from Gabe.
I didn’t like the beating at all. Then Gabe came in hard again.
Amy kept yelling orders at him as if he could hear her, making Cade laugh. Will just stared at her.
The fight was real, and both of them had drawn blood from the mouth, from eyebrows and lips.
Christian looked as if he had the upside. Ben cheered loud, and I wondered if he was doing it because Gabe had kissed me.
“Yes, don’t give him a chance,” Ben yelled.
Gabe fell down, and it felt as if I couldn’t breathe.
“Don’t turn—”
Storm jumped up as Gabriel was on him again, and he gave it to Christian.
“Fuck,” Ben yelled, and Amy screamed her little heart out.
Christian fell down, and Gabe was the one left standing. The crowd went crazy.
“Sorry, Ben,” O’Toole yelled.
“Yeah, yeah, it would teach me. Don’t tell him please; he will give us hell again.”
“He will give you hell; I bet for him.” Connor showed the slip, and Ben was the only one who’d bet on Christian.
My gaze flickered to the screen again. Christian and Gabe shook hands now, but Christian was out of the fight.
Ben couldn’t believe it.
Twenty-Seven
MAX
It took a while for Gabriel to fight again.
His name was called, and the guy they allocated him to fight against was Durel.
Everyone voiced it as he was another king’s guard and someone that had won since Ben’s father had held these charity events.
“Durel,” Connor said.
Matias nodded too. Everyone’s money was on Durel. Amy still said Hendrix. “I won’t bet against my commander,” Amy’s voice sounded scratchy from all the screaming.
“You go girl,” Scar cheered.
“We are with you, Commander Hendrix,” Simon yelled too.
“You know it,” Amy high-fived her brother, and I couldn’t contain my laughter.
Ben leaned closer to me. “Who are you betting on?”
“I don’t bet on anyone; this is barbaric.”
“Oh, c’mon, it’s fun.”
“You going to fight one day in that ring?”
“You bet, Connor and Matias too.”
“Hooligan.” I kissed him, and the kiss was sweet.
The fight started, and Durel gave it to Gabriel. But Gabriel didn’t back down. They were both relentless.
“It’s not even three minutes yet,” Connor said and started to get a bit worried.
Gabe was really taking a beating, and it put me on alert. I couldn’t watch this and told Ben that I needed to go to the bathroom.
Scar just gave me that look as I made my way out of the box.
I kept looking at the screens, passing so many onlookers who were cheering for either the Weapon Wielder or the Sand Master. Gabe was not giving up though. His endurance was insane, but this guy was like a gorilla on him, pounding hard.
I slipped into the bathroom, and the stalls were all full. There were women in there cheering Durel on.
I kept looking at Gabriel as he fell down like a sack of potatoes.
“C’mon, get up. Please, please, just get up,” I whispered.
He didn’t stir. Durel didn’t take his eyes off of Gabriel the way Christian had.
“No, no, no.” Get the fuck up!
I jumped as it felt as if my thoughts vibrated out of me and over the mic, echoing through the building.
What the fuck was that?
“No fucking way,” the one girl yelled, and I looked at the screen. Gabe was on his feet and moving toward Durel fast. I stared with an open mouth as he pounded him hard. He was the gorilla now and didn’t stop beating down on Durel.
Gabriel swung hard, and Durel fell to his knees and crashed to the floor.
I kept staring at Gabriel as he walked like a drunk person toward the side of the cage.
The crowd went crazy as Gabe was labeled the winner. I rushed back outside, and everyone just went ballistic around me. Gabe’s image kept flashing on the TV screen.
They didn’t show him in the ring anymore.
I couldn’t even see the gate. I kept worrying about my voice being all over the mic, but nobody spoke about it. They only mentioned how he’d come back and given Durel everything.
I finally reached the box, and Amy and Simon were giving it to the guys who’d bet against him.
Nobody spoke about the voice. Had nobody heard it? It was so loud.
“Did you see, Max, did you see?” Amy’s voice was practically gone.
“I was in the bathroom. I didn’t see. What happened?”
“He just stood up out of the ashes and beat Durel, boom,” Amy yelled, motioning the boom with her hands.
No voice telling him to get the fuck up; okay then? What the hell was that?
The guys cheered Ben on for hitting Hendrix and said that he was the best of all the guards as he was the only one standing that had beat this thing since Ben’s dad had started it.
Christian came into the box again, and he didn’t love the fact that he had lost.
Ben got up, and I tuned in.
“You had it. I had my money on you, dude,” Ben joked.
“Never bet against your training officer. I thought I had him.”
“Yeah, I told you, don’t turn your back on Gabe. Durel got it.”
“Durel still lost; what the fuck was that? It was like he got up and had new life breathed into him.”
“Yeah, I thought he was a goner, for sure.”
