Obstacle 47. Make a Bet
So the colusiums come alive. There is Locke and Corin and Nora waltzing into its center. Nobody is willing to admit it but everyone is watching it. They’ve all found something to watch for action. The crowd is made up of ghosts of old from every part of the cosmos. Everywhere you could possibly imagine.
They don’t get this that often. The one above has softened. He doesn’t like violence put on display like this. But since he’s asleep we’re gonna play dangerous….
Everyone in the crowd cheers as if they’ve been told gold is gonna fall from the sky.
“Welcome our champions!” Head shouts out over a speaker.
“On this corner we have…”
Nora, Tye, Locke, Brent Corin are transported instantly to this arena. The outside gates. Well I mean the booking place. The gods want them to make their bets.
“I’m supposed to be betting on myself?” Tye exclaims. He’s actually a guy again. “Holy shit I’m back in action!”
Locke is also back in his normal form. He seems so forlorn. He can see the coming disaster.
“Dude, why am I not back again?” Corin calls out? She looks around and everyone looks at her and chuckles.
“Are you saying?” Corin asks… then faints.
“She wasn’t prepared for this.” She states. Catching her and flying away. Resting her on one of the observation booths.
“I don’t understand what’s going on?” Nora asks.
“You see you’ve come in last. We’ve been waiting for this event to finally happen.” A creature tells them. It’s got feathers and a head. He's an older fella with wings.
“We’re gonna watch the best in history fight this mystery disaster…”
With that Locke’s blade hits the deck.
And before it is a cosmic horror. Of an olden god.
“You see, those trenticles will kill you and me but if he can just dodge it and slice through it I don't know he might do it.” The creature calls out.
The crowd cheers!
I’m sorry love they caught onto us it’s out of my control now… Head speaks into Locke’s ear.
“Whatever.” Locke admonishes. Clears his head. No matter where he stands it’s the land that he claims ahold of.
Huffing and puffing. And silence.
——————————
“So you’re going to make a bet?” The fluffy squirrel looking creature asks Corin.
“What?!” I don’t make bets on my friends.” Corin replies back. Then stops and asks. “Who’s he up against?”
“An alternate reality creature that changes things.” The squirrel replies.
“Okay well I put my bet on Locke.”
“Not smart. We’ve had a few of you Corins so far through it’s always the same. I’m hoping to god this isn’t going to be lame. Like seconds even…”
“Wait, didn't I just faint?” Corin is patting herself.
“You’re so stupid the gods won’t allow you to miss this. Put in your votes and come back and watch this disaster.
“Fine alright.” Corin replies, reaching into her pocket and finding a golden coin.
“Freshly minted from the factory you see. Special day it is.” The squirrel tells Corin as it takes the coin and places it into the cashier.
“Good.” She states as Corin is transported away to lay unceremoniously next to her. They’ve a high perch seat overlooking the festivities. “I wouldn’t want you to miss this. I do insist. I put my bet on Locke. I know you did too.”
“Uhhhh… yeah.” Corin replies as she collects herself next to this darkness she’s so terrified of.
She hmps
———————
Tye is arguing with the squirrel…
“What do you mean the best fighter in the universe?! That’s me? I should be fighting that thing. I place my bet on me.” Tye complains.
“That’s not a bet I’m allowed to take. You’re mistaken.” The Squirrel replies.
“No you’re mistaken I’ve clearly beaten him in our fights.” Tye replies.
“Doesn’t matter. Doesn’t fit.” The squirrel replies.
“You listen to me. I’ll bet on Locke because I’m too good to be made to fight such a lazy excuse for a monster!” Tye is pouting at the interdimensional Cthulhu like creature.
“It’s an interdimensional god of old from the abyss. You’d stand no chance whoever you are.” The squirrel replies, taking Tye’s bet and filing it away with Locke.
“Mother…” Tye screams to himself. Boiling. “I don’t know what’s going on but you better win this shit Locke and fast I hate everyone here.”
Tye is instantly teleported beside Nora and Brent who are already comfortably sitting in their assigned seats near the arena. They're close enough to Locke’s side to be heard by him.
“Hey Locke, beat it up real quick. Please, let’s get out of here!” Tye screams before sitting himself down. “Oh hi guys, this is rather unexpected…
“I don’t know what I’m seeing right now?… is it some kind of illusion? This can’t be really happening?” Nora replies.
“…” Brent can be heard saying.
“Move aside you big Goliath!” A small man creature calls out as it pushes past Brent. “I want to actually see the fight, forgive me I’ve seats behind you but you’re an obstacle I can’t ignore.” It states.
“Yeah no problem bro.” Tye intercedes for Brent who shrugs. Nora is out on guard.
“Oh calm down child. This has gone far beyond your two squabbling minor gods and demons. This aberration has appeared and someone needs to take care of it. It’s all your fault so it’s gonna have to be one of you.” The thing replies.
“Yeah well, Locke will do it.” Nora states confidently.
“Oh sure, maybe. I just wonder how many times.” He states.
“How many times?” Nora asks
“Yes, how many times will he die before he figures out how to banish a creature like that.” The thing states. “This should be good.”
“We just bet on Locke” Tye replies.
“Well that’s dumb. I bet in five thousand tries. It’s a stretch I know but I’ve got a feeling.” He states giving them a thumbs up.
“In five thousand tries?!” Nora retorts
“I’m on your side. It’s just. Look at it.” The creature points to the horror from another dimension. “And he’s only using swords… I might have been to zealous. Oh gosh she’s going to be so mad at me for wasting money like this…” he starts to fidget.
The crew gulps.
—————-
Locke my love. This is serious. That thing won’t just kill you. It’ll kill you continuously. They’re like that. They won’t let you die, they’ll make you die a thousand infinite times cu they’re jerks. They’re really the worst. You gotta beat it quickly. I don’t want to watch you suffer…
“Yeah whatever.” Locke states. Head seems to be on his side that’s good.
What about your abilities? Haven’t they manifested yet?
“Oh yeah” Locke states. Thinking about the magic words.
Magic words? Mine?
Uhm… this is gonna get ugly isn’t it? Locke thinks to himself. She can be heard snickering from her balcony side view. Locke can see her and Corin sitting there floating. Watching.
“Of course.” Locke states flatly.
A squirrel runs up to Locke. It’s got a top hat on and a side bag and a nice little clerk uniform.
“Excuse me. Locke, sir. Can I take your bet?” It asks.
“My bet?” Locke inquires.
“Yes, you see it’s a true mystery how long it’ll take you to defeat it. So we want to know how much you’re willing to bet. A bigger bet means a bigger payout ya know?” The squirrel replies.
“I don’t have anything to bet with.” Locke states as he pats himself down then feels the golden coin inside his pocket. “Huh… well I bet on myself.”
“That’s well and all sir but do you want to bet anything else? Anything more? Intangible? You can use your imagination.” The squirrel insists.
Locke stops and thinks for a minute.
Wait…
“I bet if I was able to use all my forms of step I’d be able to beat it first go.” Locke states.
“Brilliant. Oh I was hoping you’d say that. Okay, what’s your wager?” The squirrel replies.
……
“I’ll say the words Head wants to hear.” Locke replies.
“Oh so smart! Brilliant and acceptable.” The squirrel replies. “Goodluck. Don’t die… too much. I’ve got bets too ya know.” It replies before taking his coin and running away.
Crap. Locke thinks to himself as he walks towards the swords before the creature. It’s funny. As the bet is officially accepted he feels instantly more confident. So confident really. Like failure is an impossibility. He’d better be careful not to get too overconfident….