This choice: Friendly Matches with other Pandora Competitiors • Go Back...Chapter #8Pandorian Honour by: Unknown The moment James and Shadow stepped into the Arena, all parrying and thrusting ceased. Misterians gliding above landed on the glass floor immediately. It occurred to James that the Pandorians didn't receive many visitors, hence did not know how to react. Or alternatively, they were surprised that their competitors had arrived this early. It was really hard to tell, because the looks on their faces differed entirely.
"Where're you guys from?" A young boy asked curiously as he landed beside James. It then dawned upon James that this kid's accent was similar to his own. That kid was Earth-Born, and from his region too!
"Skyaira," Shadow replied tightly.
"Skyaira?!?!" The kid exclaimed. "NO WAY!"
James wondered what was there to be excited about. "Yep, we are. Traveled here for The Tests."
The boy instantly swiveled around to face a winged man behind him - his instructor-. "Gorion!" He yelled excitedly. "That's where the Questers go right?"
"Yes," the man replied calmly. "That is the capital city."
"NO WAY!" The boy laughed. "Whoa, you guys are cool! The Queen and Princess lives there! Pandora lives there too, eh? So does Shadorn! Awesome Questers!"
The moment the boy mentioned Shadorn's name, James looked to Shadow in another bout of shock. Shadow looked indifferent as always. But.... Again? Another mention of the Great Shadow! Was he an amazing Quester like his former Mentor, Pandora?
The moment James thought about the elderly Misterian, he began to notice something he hadn't noticed earlier. In the corner of the Arena, stood a colossal statue of a woman with ancient but wise green eyes. Jame's eyes lit up at once. PANDORA! Wasn't that her?
He didn't have to ask, because a winged woman noticed his wide-eyed staring. "That is Pandora," she smiled at him. "The Great Quester in which our city was renamed after."
"Yes," James breathed in awe. "She's... amazing."
"Oh?" The woman raised her eyebrows. "You have met her?"
"In the Skyairan Weaponry," he agreed.
The woman seemed to take that as an insult. "Pandora will always be a Pandorian at heart!" She declared firmly. "Always!"
Shadow rolled his eyes. "Rubbish," he countered. "She has dwelled in Skyaira for many years, and will be there for many years to come."
James didn't understand why Shadow had to make enemies with every single person he met. Honestly, could Shadow even put a nice word and a person's name in one sentence? Perhaps not.
The woman glared at Shadow, before recognition and awe crossed her features. "Shadorn?"
Shadow merely scowled.
The young boy jumped upon hearing that. "SHADORN?" He hollered. "QUEST MASTER?"
"Show some respect, Max," The boy's Mentor told him quietly.
But the boy wasn't listening. Instead, he did the opposite thing. Max scuttled towards Shadow quickly, before practically springing into him, trying to pin Shadow to the floor. Well of course, he failed. Shadow merely flailed for a minute, before throwing him off effortlessly. The only thing the boy succeeded in doing was making him really annoyed.
It was amusing. James grinned.
"What?" Shadow snarled, unamused.
"I want your respect!" The boy proclaimed. And James remembered Shadow offering him his hand - and respect- on the first day.
Shadow turned to his Mentor exasperatedly. "Your Charge is insane! I give no respect to Earth-Borns!"
The man merely grinned back at Shadow slyly.
The boy darted in front of Shadow once more. "They say you give your respect to the very Best! Shake my hand!" He commanded epically.
The winged woman just shook her head and laughed. James couldn't stop himself any longer. Maybe he'd get it from Shadow later, but for now, he was going to enjoy himself. So he joined in the hearty laughter.
The boy tackled Shadow again.
"Get off me!" Shadow gasped, apparently not used to this treatment. He side glanced Max's Mentor urgently. "Tell him to get off me!"
The man's grin broadened. "He will not," he shrugged. "You have to do as he says."
Max was really persistent. He wasn't even close to as good as Shadow was in combating. But he kept on jumping on Shadow. Being as short tempered as Shadow was, he gave in rather quickly. He finally reluctantly decided on offering Max a miserable pinky. Max took it happily anyway.
"One day!" Max declared. "I will have all your respect!"
James was about to tell Max that that would take at least four centuries, but before he could reply, someone slammed a blunt end of a spear into his side.
"What-?" James never finished his sentence as the very same spear flew at him again. He cursed, before dodging in time, the spear millimeters from his head. He didn't think, but just acted instinctively by pulling out the twin blades Pandora had entrusted him with.
The spear hesitated above him. "Pandora's blades?" someone gasped from above.
James finally grasped the opportunity to look at his attacker. It was the same woman who'd pointed Shadow out. What the?
"Yes," he panted in reply.
"You must have been... capable to earn it," she nodded in approval. "Prove it to me." Then she sent her spear flying at his rear end.
James dodged, barely missing it once more. "Hell!" He yelled breathlessly. "I don't wanna fight you!"
"Earn my respect," the woman smiled craftily. "This is the way of the Pandorians."
Hell, James couldn't care less about the way of the Pandorians. But he didn't tell her that. She seemed insulted enough when he'd mentioned Pandoria being in Skyaira. Sensitive. So he just tried to recall Pandoria's wise words as he dodged another thrust.
Oh yes, he had the advantage in the air. The power scale would tip there.
He felt a triumphant smirk form on his features. James spread his silver wings before spiraling up the arena. Unaware of her disadvantage, the woman took off after him confidently.
Free. Adrenalin rushed through his veins.
"Earn my respect!" James echoed back teasingly. "I'll tell you my name!"  indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
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