Chapter 244 - Deviants

3:15 PM, the day before the Tournament. 

A few people went sprinting across galvanize and jumping from rooftop to rooftop. They were fast on their feet. They swiftly made their way toward two buildings in the distance. 

They were reporters, making their way toward the real citizens of the colony. Only they were strict with the survival of mankind, and other races alike. 

They dropped down from very last building and drew toward an alley in the distance. The alley was a trifle dark, and cool. It was only cool because of Spike, one of the three great rebels.

Spike's body was almost completely covered in frost. He stepped out of the darkness, and inched toward the four reporters who had only just arrived.

Spike's eyes were completely white. There were no pupils present from what the reporters could tell. 

"Speak," Spike said with a sonorous voice meshed well with a wheeze.

A reporter moved forth after having seen that his comrades had not. He performed a quick bow. His name was Noel. He was consciously an elf with those long ears that protruded out left and right like mirrors in a car. 

"Spike, sir, we've come with word." Noel said, removing his hood.

"We'll speak then," Spike said.

Noel cleared his throat. "There was an attack at the gates!"

"Don't shout, boy," Spike said, "the others are in the back fast asleep. You don't want to disturb them. We need energy for tonight." He folded his frosty arms. "An attack on the gates, you say? So that's what the was commotion about earlier, huh?"

"Yeah," Noel said, "there was a tank, and many soldiers at the gates."

Another reporter stepped forth. "The Wizard and a stranger was there as well!"

"The shouting," Spike said, "enough of it."

"Sorry," the other reporter quailed.

Spike shook his head. "What tragedies were unveiled now?"

"Deaths," Noel said, "every single gate guard was slaughtered coldly."

Spike furrowed his brows. "Are you serious? What did the Wizard do about it?"

"The W-Wizard," Noel's eyes widened, "he was responsible. He ... ordered the stranger to kill the guards."

"That's insane," Spike said. "He just had them all killed? Why did he do that?"

"The guards refused to let the tank and the soldiers past the gate," the other reporter said. "So, they were all killed."

Spike grimaced. "That's not like the guards. They'd never oppose the Wizard. They even refused to join us in our crusade."

Noel frowned. "What will we do now?"

"We will fight," said someone in the darkness of the alley. He slowly walked out, revealing himself. His name was Aidan and he was the leader of this whole campaign—the one who had founded the deviation of the Wizard and his tournament.

Aidan stopped. "Our fight begins when the sun falls."

Aidan was tall with crimson red eyes. His jet blck hair had red edges as well.

Spike turned to him. "Brother," he said, "you're awake."

"My sleep was disturbed." Aidan leaned against the wall.

"Have you heard?" Spike asked. "All of the guards at the gate were killed. I believe there were one hundred and thirteen gate guards in total."

"Yes," Aidan said, "I'm well aware."

"Why'd he he kill them?"

Two other figures stepped out from the darkness. The tallest was Freak, and the other was Marlon. Marlon had to provide bait in order to get Freak to not report his consorting with the deviants to Franklin. The bait was a pet rat; somehow that worked just fine.

Freak caressed the rat on his back, and stopped.

Marlon also stopped. He wore a thick jacket for the cold prompted by Spike, and he wore chemical on his skin to eliminate Aidan's warmth. Marlon was evolving. He now had little baby wings of a hawk protruding from his back; they had virtually ruined his new jacket.

Marlon jammed his hands into his pockets. "The Wizard had the man by the name of Alexandro kill the guards because they refused to let a man by the name of Midas in. He's a very powerful man, it would seem."

Spike turned to Marlon. He was their best spy. He heard and saw everything. Staggering stealth he possessed as well. 

"We should truly attack tonight," Spike said. "Leverage the time we've got. Most will be asleep."

"I want in," Freak said.

"I'm not interested in the destruction of the tournament grounds," Marlon said. "As I said before, I'm only working with you to get rid of the Wizard and his two toys, Jin and Kaylie. They're the real threats."

"I almost forgot you're taking part in the tournament tomorrow," Spike furrowed his brows, "that makes you the only deviant with some enthusiasm for the well infamous event among us deviants."

"Yes, it does," Marlon said with narrowed eyes. "I'm partaking to have a go at Jin."

"Jin Pierce is a threat," Aidan said, "so I can understand where you're from with such an incentive. However, nothing will stop me from combusting the tournament grounds as a whole." His eyes flared.

Marlon hadn't said anything. It was best he did not because had he spoken, the leader of the Deviants would not have liked his words at all. 

"Thank you for your understanding, Marlon," Spike said. "The time will come. For now, we must lay low. The Wizard's scouts are looking for us after what we've done yesterday. But tonight, we will get rid of this problem that is wrecking this federation!"

***

The Wizard and Alexandro sat down at the dining table with Midas and Victor. They wanted to be alone but walls of the room were crowded with leaning soldiers. A few of Midas' soldiers, and a few of Victor's. 

Victor had arrived to the Government house via instant transmission: the use of one of his comrade's teleportation. He sat at the dining table, dressed in white alone. Even his hair was white. 

Midas kept grinning golden teeth. His teeth was constantly displayed. Victor was a trifle thrown off by them, but he bothered not say a word about his discomfort. 

There were cups before every man at the dining table. Even Alexandro had his own. In these fancy glasses, there was a golden liquid provided by Midas.

"Everyone, marvel at the ornate greatness in your cups," Midas said sonorously. 

The Wizard looks down at his cup. The cup was filled with sparkles and a golden liquid of which Victor questioned the digestibility. 

He feigned laughter. "Why, Midas, what do you call this ... " he hissed extensively, "beverage?"

"Ehhhh," Midas looked at him, "it is called ehm Golden Piss."

Victor gasped slightly. "You're not going to have us drink it, are you?" 

"It is not piss," Midas cackled, "I was only, ahhh, joking."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. It is merely 24K gold in the form of a liquid. It's perfectly edible, I can, ahhh, warrant that."

There was a box in the middle of the wooden table. The Wizard kept glimpsing particularly at this black box. He knew exactly what was in it yet it bothered him excessively. 

"Wizard," Victor looked over at the Wizard. "I have something to say to tell you. I've brought you thirty candidates from my area of residence. They will all partake in the tournament." He picked up the glass from on the table.

"I figured you'd bring your own people too," the Wizard said, "you're Victor. I don't have a problem with that besides the fact that I can't probably match the candidates with each other when there constantly drop-outs and new entries."

"I do expect you to take care of that though," Victor sipped his golden beverage. 

"Yes, I will take care of it. Don't you worry."

"Mmmm, this is admittedly a bit savory, Midas. However, it just tastes like Pear soft-drink."

"That's because it is, ahh, pear soft-drank. Can you not see the gaseous bubbles?"

"Are you serious?"

"I am joking, I am joking!"

Victor looked at the Wizard again, smiling softly. "I am happy to offer my hand in assistance. My men will make sure the tournament is perfect for tomorrow."

"Same here," Midas said, "I've already started, ehhh, altering and fixing things."

The Wizard smiled. "I am grateful."

"You better not fail," Victor said, "the Queen will be attending this event—and if you do fail, she might just have this place destroyed because of her disappointment. Everything needs to be perfect."

The Wizard frowned. New people kept getting interested in seeing the tournament. Soon he would not even be able to accommodate them all.

"I will not disappoint," the Wizard said.

"That's what I want to hear," Victor said. "As you may know, I rule one of the domes as well. The President is still alive and well—once he dies, I'll be elected. I'm happy to offer space ..." he smirked, "for some of your citizens there in the clear dome. The ones who impress me, that is."

The Wizard frowned. He expected Victor to truly do the same as Midas. We were about to monopolize his own colony. The federation he's built. Word of this to tournament shouldn't have gotten out to the world.

Midas grinned widely. "Now we must reveal the trophy for the winners!" He slid the box accross the table.

The Wizard caught it before it fell off the edge.

Midas smirked widely. His eyes glowed. "Open it ... Wizard."