“And if she steals enough of our speed?” asked Naomi.
“Precisely. She can freeze you in place. I imagine the effect is faster if she focuses on just one of you, instead of both, but…” Lianshi shrugged.
Naomi frowned at where the other three Flame Vaults stood. “So Yuze will fill the area with razor webs while Dakshina slows us down. Jaks will play support, enhancing them and taking punishment.”
“They’ll try to beat you by wearing you down and freezing you,” agreed Leonis. “You’ll need to win quickly. A long fight will only play to their strengths.”
A large, handsome man clapped his hands and moved to the center of the caldera. A mane of golden hair hung down past his shoulders, and his jovial face was framed by a thick beard. Scorio recognized him from the Imogen battle - Valdun, the Dread Blaze who’d summoned flying horses and escorted the other Great Souls into combat.
“Attention, one and all!” Valdun’s voice boomed inside the caldera. “We are gathered here today to witness a formal Testament! Always an exciting event, but made even more thrilling due to who’s taking part today: Scorio and Naomi, Flame Vaults that have already accomplished some astonishing deeds. I, Pyre Lord Valdun, will be adjudicating the bout, and it is my duty to ensure that the contest remains amicable and that no contestants are seriously injured. Now, everyone involved in the bout, please come forward.”
“Good luck,” whispered Lianshi, reaching out to touch Scorio’s elbow.
Leonis made a fist, then stepped back.
Another pang of pain. Scorio smiled tightly, but as he turned away the feeling of camaraderie that had begun to build between them died. If they’d truly been their companions, one of them would have offered to fight alongside them, three against three.
But no.
The Leonis and Lianshi who’d have fearlessly thrown themselves into combat by their sides were dead.
These were just their well-wishing reincarnations.
Naomi raised her chin. “Let’s show them what we’re capable of.”
“Yeah,” whispered Scorio, and putting his pain aside, walked alongside her out into the open.
Chapter 11
Valdun beamed as Scorio and Naomi made their way through the crowd to stand by his side.
“Scorio!” The man’s boom was almost too much. “I never thanked you for your timely assistance in defeating Imogen the Woe.” He beamed out at the crowd, which immediately set to whispering. “We all did the best we could, but it took you and an Imperator to drive her away. Incredible.”
Jaks’ grin was dying on her face.
“Thank you,” said Scorio quietly. “Congratulations on making Pyre Lord.”
Valdun swept his hand through his golden locks. “My thanks in turn. Now, I’ll be judging this Testament. It’s obviously your and Naomi’s first. I’ll explain the rules, and then we’ll get right to it.”
Dakshina and Yuze had also drawn close. Yuze looked slightly panicked, his already pale face now ivory, his freckles stark, his shoulders rising and falling, while Dakshina appeared magnificently indifferent to the proceedings, her eyes heavy-lidded, her focus on her nails.
“The battle allows the usage of all powers as long as they are not lethal in nature or overtly used to kill. You may not ignite your Heart till the bout begins. And remember, you’ll have an audience watching from various locations around the sides of the caldera, so don’t harm them, either.”
Naomi glanced about them. The upper walls of the caldera were pocked with windows. “People watch at their own risk.”
“Too true. All understand the dangers involved, but still, I’ll frown on your recklessly or purposefully endangering the audience. If I get sufficiently upset about it, I’ll end the bout and award the victory to the other team.”
“Right,” said Jaks firmly.
“Now, the aim is to incapacitate or force the other team to surrender. We’ve some potent healing pills on hand, but you’ll need to pay for those after the fact. That being said, both parties understand that this is still a potentially lethal fight. You enter it freely and understand the risks.”
Everyone nodded.
“Finally, the losers of the Testament will sign a limited Heart Oath stating that they owe a small favor set within very clear boundaries to the winning team.”
Jaks’ eyes gleamed, Yuze grew still, and even Dakshina flicked her gaze up.
If they expected Scorio to act shocked or angry, they were disappointed. He simply nodded. “I’m not familiar with the contract. Can I read it?”
“Of course.” Valdun extended his arm, and Amity ambled over, a heavy scroll tube under his arm.
“You just arrived and already you’re getting busy,” grinned Amity. “Here’s the Heart Oath.” He opened the scroll tube and drew it forth.
Scorio and Naomi unrolled it and saw that it was quite lengthy.
“Go ahead and read it in full,” said Valdun. “No Heart Oath should be entered into lightly. The consequences can be deadly.”
Scorio and Naomi retreated to the side of the caldera and sat down to read the scroll. It was much as Lianshi had described. The Heart Oath couldn’t involve extreme, dangerous, or unreasonable demands, and should be achievable without causing significant harm or risk to the obligated party. It couldn’t involve actions that directly opposed or harmed the interests of the Iron Tyrant, and couldn’t require the obligated party to break any other preexisting oaths or commitments.
The key element was that in case of disputes or disagreements about the nature of the fulfillment of the oath, the Iron Tyrant could be appealed to as a neutral third person to arbitrate and make a binding decision.
Naomi snorted. “Because the man who crafted this contract is clearly going to be neutral about how it’s enforced.”
Scorio rolled the scroll back up. “What do you think?”
“Doesn’t matter what it says. We’re not going to lose.” Naomi rose to her feet. “Ready?”
Scorio laughed huskily. “Fine. The terms work for me, regardless. And I have to give it to Jaks. She played this nicely. I’m sufficiently annoyed that I’m happy to risk having to sign this thing.”
They returned to the center, where Valdun and the others regrouped.
Jaks smiled impishly. “Second thoughts, Scorio? Don’t feel bad if you want to back out. Not everyone’s ready for a fight against real opponents like us.”
“Real opponents like you three?” Naomi smiled pityingly. “Oh, Jaks. What a wonderful, dreamlike world you live in. Unfortunately, it’s time to wake up.”
Jaks thrust out her chin. “Talk is cheap, Naomi. You don’t know what you’re up against. But we’re happy to give you an education.”
“She doesn’t know what that word means, Jaks.” Dakshina’s tone was mild. “Remember? She was kicked out of the Academy.”
“Oh. That’s right. Hey!” Jaks beamed. “Maybe now you’ll finally get to learn all the things you missed out on.”
“Bad move,” said Scorio. “I can see why you might have thought it a good idea to insult her, but now?” He turned to consider where Naomi had gone still, and winced. “Now you’ve made her angry.”
“Well boo hoo,” began Jaks, but Scorio stepped in close and his presence caused her to clam shut.
“And I’m very protective of my friends.” His words were just a whisper as he glared down at her. “You’ve no idea.”
Jaks dry swallowed and stepped back. “Alright, enough with the flirting. Let’s get this over with.”
“Agreed,” said Valdun cheerfully. “Clear the caldera! Each team must move to the far side. I’ve helpfully designated your starting areas with chalk.”
“Chalk?” Amity laughed. “You’re getting better at this.”
Valdun winked at him.
The crowd dispersed into the tunnels, and voices echoed from above as people climbed to the viewing galleries. Scorio and Naomi walked to their starting zone, which was a white-chalked rectangle some five yards wide and set flush against the wall.