CHAPTER 16

They are chanting for the Nexus... What is it? A couple of meters away from me, a sort of bird-man with blue feathers and a beak instead of a nose is perched on the railing. I don't think it's worth asking him. Even less the woman with the fiery red skin who has just lit her hands like torches. She screams like a madwoman and if she doesn't turn me into a burning ember, it's a miracle.

A young man steps into the arena, I note the amber skin and exotic features. The defined shoulders heave as he raises a kind of spear with a silver crescent for a tip. At this point it takes me little to put two and two together: I am about to witness a fight, or something like that.

After Yaku, the infatuated crowd begins to call out another name: Savannah.

I’m not sure if it’s a woman or a boy. I wouldn’t put him over twenty-five, though. His skin is so pale it looks like a vague lavender, touched by white hair that reaches halfway down his back. Right there, where two black, arched stumps stick out. They look like the remains of wings with a few feathers still hanging from them. He has an emaciated body, his skin attached to the pulsating muscles on his chest, which are tied in a white band.

Her eyes shine with a purple light, as she raises both arms to reserve a double middle finger to everyone. Whistles, shouts and insults rise in response, but she doesn't seem to care. In fact, she dedicates a rather heartfelt spit to that mess.

I can only see Yaku’s profile, but his face shows no emotion. He waits for Savannah to finish insulting the community and only when she is in front of him does he nod. He steps back with one foot and raises his elbow, moving into a guard position.

The girl - as I have chosen to think of her - remains still, her gaze fixed on him and her hands clenched into fists.

“Let the fight begin!” declares Calypso, surrounded by her nymphs.

The two challengers study each other, moving in a circle with studied steps. I wonder how Savannah can hope to survive against such a monster. And I mean monstrum in the Latin sense, since its appearance is anything but unpleasant.

“Oh God,” I mutter, as the duel begins.

I am not prepared for what I am seeing, yet I am sucked in. All my attention is focused on that surreal scene. Yaku launches himself at the mutant in a series of whirling attacks that she dodges with an otherworldly grace. I am enraptured by the fluidity and precision of her movements, it is pure grace. Savannah's is a sinuous and calculated dance, if she had wings she would have been truly invincible.

In those conditions, however, there is little she can do against the reach and sharp edge of the spear that stalks her. In the hands of the warrior it is an instrument of death that he makes almost divine. His physique, solid, but with long-limbed muscles does not seem to make the slightest effort to bombard his challenger with attacks.

Savannah approaches and retreats like a shadow. Finally, she rushes at the warrior with quick dodges and counters, trying to take advantage of the gaps in his defense. With skill and speed, she exploits every opening, landing precise and fast strikes.

"Yeah... like that, good. Now right... Shit, don't back down."

If I could just tell her what moves to make, maybe she could win. I can see, no, predict Yaku's moves. How can Savannah not see that?

“Looks like you have a favorite.”

Calypso's voice makes me jump, I hadn't noticed she had come closer.

“It’s an unequal fight, she’s unarmed and wingless,” I reply tensely.

"The law of nature is not merciful, the weakest succumbs."

Irritation makes my heart beat faster and I shoot her a fiery look.

"And you've got yourself a useless mouth to feed, right?"

The goddess smiles candidly. “I see you are also very intelligent.”

"I don't need your compliments."

I admit I feel a little Quod right now. I would gladly hold that delicate neck in my hands. I've been superficial before, but that won't happen again.

"Whatever... Too bad Emanuele is missing the show. Is everything okay between you?"

I return my gaze to the fight. “I won’t talk to you about this.”

The fight is an explosion of energy and cunning. The warrior tries to impose his strength and technical superiority with the spear, while the challenger proves to be a brave and insidious opponent. She evades his attacks with surprising dexterity and even manages to snatch the spear from his hand. The way she did it fascinates me: she created a lever that would have broken Yaku's wrist if he had not let go.

The advantage is short-lived, however. The mutant is unable to use that weapon, and when she tries to strike her, Yaku has an easy time taking it back.

Calypso comes closer to my ear.

"The essence of the shapeshifter is betrayal and delusion. Think carefully before you give him your complete trust."

Despite Yaku's poisoned blows, the challenger manages to move quickly enough to avoid serious injury. She uses her body's agility to escape the weapon's reach, leaving the other at a disadvantage.

"If you think I'll listen to your advice, you're deluded. I know what happened between you and it's resentment that gives voice to your words."

I only then realize that I said it in Greek. In fact, I don't usually construct such grand sentences.

Calypso raises her eyebrows in admiration. “It seems that underestimating you is a mistake, child. I will not be the one to do it.”

As the fight continues, Yaku uses the long reach and sharp edge of his spear, anticipating the movements of his increasingly tired opponent.

"Better for you."

With a swift and powerful stride, the warrior manages to strike the challenger with a precise and decisive blow. The sharp tip of the sharp crescent penetrates Savannah's defense, inflicting a deep wound on her side.

“Shit,” I curse under my breath.

Despite the mutant’s efforts to avoid the attacks, the warrior continues to push forward relentlessly. I follow his thrusts with all my being, gripping the handrail in front of me as if I were him. Finally, Savannah falls to her knees, her bloody hand on her injured side.

The crowd cheers the warrior on to deliver the final blow, but when he raises his spear, a thick silence falls over the cave. I can't breathe, I think my heart has stopped, too.

Yaku looks at her and Calypso raises her hand. I know what her decision will be. Am I willing to accept it?

The goddess lowers her arm with a clean gesture but, at the same time, I scream with all my strength.

"No! Stop!"

A howl of amazement emerges from the crowd and a light is shot at me, blinding me.

“Well, we have our second challenger!” Calypso declares, spreading her arms to welcome the outpouring of enthusiasm that follows her words.

I feel like I'm dying. "What?"

The goddess's eyes shine, struck by the cold, dazzling light.

“It’s the rules of the Nexus, my dear. You asked to spare the loser. So now you’re the challenger.”

Yaku lowers his spear and Savannah falls to her side. A group of mutants pick her up and carry her away, while the warrior looks up at me.

"But I can't do it!"

A pang grips my stomach and my voice is a hoarse, desperate scream.

Calypso winks at me. “Look on the bright side, I’ll be the one to decide who survives in the end.”

I can't respond because someone grabs my arms and drags me towards a metal ladder. They throw me onto the track and if I don't fall to the ground it's a miracle.

I see Yaku advancing towards me. He looks at me as if I were prey. His eyes are cold, merciless.

He's going to kill me, I'm fucked.

The whole place is filled with shouts, stomping feet, applause and whistles. All I can do is stare at Yaku's pecs rippling as he gets into his guard position.

I have decided: I will fall to my knees and beg for mercy. This way it will end without agony.

It seems like a great idea, when I think about it. So I do it without thinking twice.

And thank goodness.

If I hadn't prostrated myself, the crowd would surely be playing ball with my head. I can even feel the rush of air as the blade grazes my hair. I narrowly avoided it, literally.

Now, at the very least, he will cut me in half from top to bottom, butcher style with a lamb chop. I roll onto my side as the blade finds the floor where I belong. The screech of the blade makes my hair stand on end. I press my palms into the ground and slide toward his knees. His stance is solid, balanced, but even an elephant recoils when a mouse is underfoot. I entwine my legs with his as he does so, and even though I know I will break, the plan works. The warrior loses his balance and falls on his back.

I can see the shock in his wide eyes, too. So mister emotionless isn’t so emotionless after all. The problem is that I’m wrapped around him now and I have no idea what to do. Yaku does, though. In a nanosecond he’s on top of me with his hand pressed to my neck. He’s so close his hair is brushing my cheeks. I can see his white teeth under the brief smile he gives himself, but if that’s a look of victory he’s mistaken.

The elbow is weak if you hit it on the inside joint, at least that's what I've seen in self-defense videos on Tik-Tok. But I have to hurry, before my face explodes from the blood that can't drain. I put all my strength into it and I don't know which saint I have to thank, when his arm bends and now?

Hey, I live in Rome, not that I'm an expert in street fighting... but a nose that close demands a headbutt. I once saw a classmate of mine who did very well against a bully who was tormenting him, although he had to explain it to the principal afterwards.

I lift my head and my forehead hits his face already free falling on mine. The crack is exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. Now I've really pissed him off.

So much so that, while holding his bleeding nose, he releases his grip on the spear on the ground to slap me. I thought the story of the stars was a comic book thing, but no, I see them all. I don't know why I don't pass out, but I lose the air in my lungs and I don't know what's happening anymore. My body reacts on pure instinct. I kick the spear away and he dives to retrieve it, freeing me from his grip.

I stagger to my feet, my lip throbbing and I can taste the metallic taste of blood on my tongue.

It's not a game, it never was. I hear the crowd applauding and cheering. Wait a minute, is that my name they're cheering?

Yaku raises his lips in a grimace of anger. Far from cold, this boy has fire inside. Small detail: I am the one who risks being incinerated by it.

He gets back on guard and does something I didn't expect. He talks to me.

“I underestimated you. I apologize.” His voice is deep, with a slight South American accent.

I part my lips and raise my eyebrows. I want to tell him that instead of an apology, I’d be fine with ending it all, but I don’t have time. He whirls his weapon and lunges at me. I can only dodge, once and then again. It’s like I’m dancing, it’s like I’m… Savannah.

I repeat the movements I saw the mutant do, each time with more awareness. There is a part of my mind that is clear, calm, calculating. I remember perfectly every dodge and also how Yaku was resistant to fatigue. I will not beat him hoping he will tire. But I must be patient, I must wait until I am in the same position that Savannah used to leverage the spear. When I have it in my hands, then it will be my turn to lead this dance.