“Who did you get us seats with? We've got such a good view?” Corin inquires trying to fortify herself against the fear she feels from being in the presence of her. 

She nods. Sitting next to her is Azeal eating popcorn eyes glued to what’s happening. He chances her a glance. A shush and winks. 

“Oh great.” Corin states.

“So how’s the new book?” She inquires but Azeal shushes her aggressively. He’s not trying to get into that right now. Maybe later…

“Shouldn’t he be taking care of this?” Corin inquires. 

“If he takes care of this then you’ll all be damned for eternity. He’s giving you a fighting chance. Be grateful.” She replies. 

Corin gulps.

——————————————-

Locke stands at the end of the road here. Across from a gargantuan interdimensional space demon. It's got all these tongues and they’re gonna have to fight each other…

Yuck. Locke thinks to himself. You’re an obnoxious thing aren’t you? Do I really have to fight you? You really are a violent inconsolable kretin?

The thing lashes out at him instantly with one of its tentacles. Shooting through his chest, an instant kill…

It would seem. 

The crowd oohs and ahhs 

But the image of Locke flickers and disappears showing Locke behind it unscathed. 

They all cheer. 

I guess not. Locke thinks to himself as he thumbs his glasses back to his face. Blows some air to push away his bangs from his eyes. Hmmm what’s a good word for this I’m looking for… 

“Disaster.” Locke states as he brings his swords up and in each hand to eye level. They glow a pitch black. Dust and anything unbolted are being sucked into it and disappearing. Incinerating. Deforming. Just obliterating. 

————-

“Hmmm…” she mumbles to herself she can’t keep her teeth from showing again. How annoying. Such wonderful words. What a marvel indeed. 

———-

Nora flinches at the sight of the weapons. They’re pure destruction. The type of thing nothing could survive from.

“I’ve really done it. You’re all so powerful.” She marvels. 

“Yeah well, he ain’t nothin’ I’d have already beaten it ten times over by now. I’d probably let it get me a few times just to show it I’m that much superior than it.” Tye states outloud boasting. 

“Pipe down. I’ve too much money on this to listen to nobody say stupid things.” The creature states. 

“Ya know you can go back to your seat, you don’t like hearing me.” Tye complains back. 

“Oh no, my apologies. Please please continue.” It apologizes. 

Brent gives Tye an affirmative humph. 

“At Least he knows.” Tye feels sated.

“You’re really stronger than that?” Nora inquires. 

“I don’t know what deal he’s made to do all that bullshit. I know I’m better. I just know it.” Tye affirms. Thumbing to himself. Then laughs. “Kick it’s but hurry up I’m sick of all this!”

———————————

Locke can feel head screaming. 

She’s got her claws into you?! She’s not allowed. You’re mine. She’s not allowed to pull your strings, only me! 

She begins laughing hysterically from the balcony. 

We can share him….

Locke can clearly hear “She’s” voice in his head. Distinctly different than Heads voice. 

No!!!!!!!!!!

Locke smirks. Calm down ladies. I’ve work to do…

Silence again. Save for the snickering from She and the soft sobbing sounds of Head. 

Wonderful… Locke thinks to himself. Damsels in distress and an old god who doesn’t know it’s dead… god slayer is definitely a title befitting the greatest martial artist ever. Thank you for this opportunity.

Another attack of tendrils appears from all locations. Near infinite spring up from the ground and crashing down towards Locke’s current location. He isn’t there anymore; they miss and hit into barriers set up for the match to protect the crowd. They ohh and ahhh. 

Locke is running on of the tentacles towards the creature's center mass but he can feel himself sinking. So he sends his swords into it. Cutting through it and absorbing. Deleting. Cutting himself a path.

I need no more power than that’s my own. I’m the ultimate fighter. He thinks to himself as he leaps into the air. The tentacles follow trying to catch him prone but it’s just a mirage again. Locke stands still and tall mere feet from the creature. 

“That point of step is to do it in as little movements as possible. To go too long is to prove me wrong. Too short and it’s boring. The middle ground is where I’ve found the best exploration for a destination.” Locke states aloud as he plunges his swords into the beings many eyes that serve as its body. 

“Nightmare!?” It screams aloud. 

Yes that’s what this thing is made of. Collectively. People's worst dreams. Cast out into infinity coming together to assault what created it. 

“Goodnight then. Sweet dreams. Rest…” Locke states. Nothing. Oh shit I mean… “Obliteration!”

“Yes!” She screams standing tall cheering.

The swords activate, the pull of its gravity sucking the monstrosity into the blades. Swirling mass suddenly collapses into gas and expands outward hiding from sight all anything around Locke within the shielded arena battle ground. Though if viewed from the audience’s perspective a clear indicator of infrared-like aura illuminates the locations of Locke and his assailant.

Everyone cheers.

The miasma enshrouds him, drawing him into a realm of dreams, of memories. He is a child again. Alone in his bedroom afraid of the darker than normal shadow in his bedroom closet. The fish aquarium hums a constant tone from its filter. His goldfish Gluey, swims aimlessly in its planted abode. As bubbles from the bubbler occupy its attention. The fish tank lights the only illumination. Shadows cast as the fish swims past across the back bedroom wall leading into the closet. Sucking in and growing darker, more malevolent. 

Locke squeaks, fearful, his youthful heart so near to him once more a flutter. Afraid of the dark and what might lurk behind his closet’s just open door. A growl escapes, and Locke’s belly quakes. 

“Dad?” He asks aloud as if trying to summon forth his super hero savior but nothing answers. 

Then…

”MMMmrmrmmrmmm..” it grumbles. It sounds oh so very hungry.

Locke flinches, pulling his blankets up to his eyes. He nearly cries. The fear of it all, the voice confirming its existence. The unnatural way the darkness beats in rhythm casting ever darker shades of black abyss in his closet doorway. 

“Help.” A voice can be heard. Calling out from his bedroom closet door. “Help me!”

She sounds frail. Alone, so scared.

Locke hears the words but he wouldn’t dare. He’s all Locked up with fear and his emotions. This voice is otherworldly and scary… he’s so small and she’s so far away. Locke’s toes curl and the hairs on his neck stand tall. 

”Hello?” Locke quakes. “Who’s there?”

”Please, help me!” The voice begs again as the shadows do condense even darker now casting into the closet door. “Help me!”

Shivering like he’s never shivered before Locke gulps deeply. Searching and finding the smallest amount of courage which still lingers in his heart. He knows he’s no warrior, or even that smart. His teeth chatter and his knees buckle but she sounds like she’s in pain. She sounds like she needs help. 

Locke demands himself to move forward. To temper his fears. He might be small but she seems so near. He will be brave and he will be strong. He steps upon the floor and walks to that closet door. As he inches ever closer his heartbeat does intensify. Yet, he denies retreat and demands something more. He will not let his fear defeat him. Someone needs him.

Reaching out to the door is when it happens, the creature returns. The vail is broken for an instant as it lurches to consume the now grown Locke. Open mauw and in shock. As it’s gaseous form consolidates before him rushing to him his wide eyes do not flinch but squint. A slight smile breaks his face as he swooshes upward with his still clutched swords in hand. Driving the fiend back for but a moment. ‘Twas all he ever really needed, as he jumps into its belly full force pushing the blades again in. 

The beast Screams in agony from this infraction. Two Swords buried deep in its reconstituted stomach. The crowd cheers! Yet it doesn’t seem to do much more than annoy the monster as it sends a tendril lashing out where Locke once was.

”The hell? Nothing seems to be working…” Locke laments as he catches his Breath some distance away. Using this chance to take a glance around. He spots Brent watching, then Nora in awe, and Tye unimpressed. His eyes shoot to the floating stands and to She, Corin, and Azeal. Azeal seems unimpressed. Popping popcorn into his mouth. Their eyes catch and then he hears it again.

”Help me!” The voice calls out. It still sends shivers down his spine. Azeal’s eyebrow raises ever so slightly and a thought strikes Locke.

”Huh…” He shifts his gaze back to the Creature as it conjoils before him. Not having moved an inch in the moments that have passed but feeling its gaze ever heavily still. Locke puffs his bangs away from his eyes as he pushes his glasses back into position. Refocusing at the center of the creature then to its feet… It’s feet.. It has feet, they look human.. its form wraps around the ankles and it’s mostly covered up but for mere moments as the mass roils it comes into view again.

Locke looks back to Azeal who now seems slightly amused.

”I see…” Locke states adjusting himself upright. Now prepared for this fight.

Azeal’s lips move ever so slightly, a whisper, meant only for Locke.

”So you’ve finally noticed? Still going to destroy it?”

Locke looks to his hands and the glow of his sword's steel. They drip of the same sort of matter the monster congeals. It shocks him, the clarity of this sudden realization. Am I just the same as that? 

The thought takes him aback. He feels his weight shift as tension runs through him down to his toes. Chancing one more glance to Azeal. Who’s eyes peer at him knowingly.

“Some battles aren’t fought…” Azeal’s whispers. 

”With swords.” Locke answers to himself. He takes a deep breath. “How do I?”

”Admit you need help? Guidance? You only need to ask.”

”Help me save her?” Locke states.

”You’ve power to do it, do it yourself.”

What can destruction save? I don’t mean to kill her. Locke thinks to himself. Unsure of what to do now. 

Azeal watches.

Locke looks at his swords once more, then drops them to the floor. The crowd murmurs. The beast screams. Excited to see Locke throw away his defenses. It lunges.

Locke looks at his hands. Now that the swords are gone the matter dissipates, in its place a warm glow illuminated by a light from his fingertips. His heart stirs and the warmth of it pulses through him. Casting away the shadow that once held them. Locke tempers his heart as the creature closes the gap and lunges forward into its mauw, hands outstretched. Finger tips glowing a pure light. Dissolving away any darkness that tries to draw near it. Shielding him as he swims into the creatures abyss.

Everything shifts to black save the aura the light casts around himself…

The campus is a buzz as the researchers have achieved all their glory. They’ve spent years doing this. The nation’s future relies on their very knowledge being imposed. So they set about this display and presentation to the masses before them…

“To connect the land's electrical grid with redundancy we did research called the seams study. We think that we can power the right side with the left side and then the right side can provide redundancy to the left and therefore fortify and protect this great nation's national grid.” The professor says, the engineer. The peer of all his peers he has been slaving away to get this right and nobody seems invested in this fight. 

 “By doing it this way we can refine our electrical grid and be stronger and we can even interlink into Canada and Mexico. By giving them power we enable them a stable ground to build upon.” The man continues. “It’s just that in this venue it takes the reduction of fossil fuels and the use of renewable resources. There is going to be a transitional phase and thus resistance is going to be happening.”

“Excuse me sir.” A man untethered and unbothered by the intellectual hierarchy complains. “Did you just say no coal and oil? Fossil fuels?”

“I say they will be phased out and here is the plan to power the future.” The intellectual replies. 

“No.” The man replies as he dials his phone and badged authority figures seem to materialize around him. “I’m talking to the next president and that doesn’t sound like it’s in the plan. You see he needs the votes of coal miners and oil getters you see.”

“What does that mean?!” The intellectual calls out 

“No funding.” He replies. 

Locke stands before this lost soul as they fall to their knees sobbing. 

The world is cut throat when you let them be that way. You’ve gotta be better at defending her…

She sobs as the beast ferments above her, hanging, ever looming eating at her heart’s dispare. Till Locke reaches forward and touches her hand “I see you. I hear you.”

Their eyes connect as the light engulfs them. Freeing her of her curse she falls into Locke’s arms, human again. They found her. Lost soul. Welcome home.

Azeal wipes a tear from his eye. He’s so proud he doesn’t have to see them damn themselves already. Good job. It was risky but it was the right decision. Better not do this type of thing too many times more often. He’ll have to pay closer attention. It’s just he got to such a good part of this new book. He’ll have to tell she all about it. She inquired after all. They’re kinda on a moments break from work. So what’s the big deal anyway?

—————

“By the gods, yes!” The creature screams before Brent, throwing its hands into the air, then turns and hugs the giant’s leg. “Oh thank you so much. I was going to be in so much trouble if I lost this.” He continues. “You see I can’t be selling my soul for just anything. Now I’ve got two coins. I can do almost anything trading them in.”

“Wait what?” Tye asks back. 

“These coins are a representation of your eternal soul. You know? You lose them and you’re in debt to the god who’s hosting the festivities. They’ve gotta be real sore knowing they gotta pay out big on this one.” The creature stops for a moment. “I hope they don’t default. I wonder who’s reality is going to be made to pay for this?” 

Everyone gulps. He waddles away no longer anxious with a chip in his step. 

“We’ll, anyway good day to you lot. Thanks so much.” The creature disappears as does the colosseum. And they return to where they were before. The hallway with the army of animated combatants. Tye and Brent back with a confused Feralis, I mean Bob, who wasn’t invited. 

——————————————————————————————-

“Well that was strange.” Corin states out loud still looking down the sights of her rifle. Pulling the trigger on one of the archer types.

“Did that really just happen?” Nora asks aloud. 

“I don’t know. Let’s not worry about it right now.” Corin states.

Locke can be seen falling over. He’s kind of all used up right now. His head is super foggy and he can’t really remember much other than he’s got a splitting headache and he feels like he’s just ran a thousand miles. 

“Shit you gotta grab him. I don’t think Locke’s okay right now.” Corin yells to Nora. 

Nora nods and dips her head recalling Locke to her side. He falls into her arms. Passing out and turning back into a girl. 

Obstacle 49. Finally

“She did amazing.” Nora stares at the unconscious Locke in wonder. “How did they know to let go of the swords?”

“Faith?” Corin chips back with a shrug. “Yeah well, keep focused, we're not done yet.” Corin continues on. Firing again at the things before them. Thankfully there aren’t many left. Thankfully she didn’t need more than one shot for each. Thankfully that little ordeal is over. 

———————————

Tye is beside himself. He’s so mad right now. He pats his pockets and feels two gold coins. He laughs aloud. 

Brent looks scared to death. 

“You didn’t…” Tye calls him out. 

“Did what?” Bob squacks. “What happened? You disappeared for a few moments there?”

“Uh, nothing. Brent you didn’t bet against Locke did you?” Tye replies. 

Brent signs to Tye:

Well you’re the more capable one and that thing looked really strong. I thought you were going to have to go out there and do it. So I bet you and Locke would beat it.

“Oh my god man. I both love you and hate you at the same time.” Tye hugs him. “It’s okay we’ll get it back don’t worry.”

….

“Actually. Here, have this one. I’ve got one and you can have this one to get yours back. I don’t need no stinking wishes like that. I’m the real champion around here don’t worry.” Tye states handing Brent one of those gold medallions.

“Oh my goodness how did you two get your hands on those?!” Bob squeaks. 

“None of your business Bob.” Tye replies. 

Brent has tears falling down his eyes. He’s so thankful to have Tye as his friend.