Chapter 577: The Champion, and His Spoils
Chapter 577: The Champion, and His Spoils
The ferry ride back to the main island felt longer than the morning crossing. My body ached in places I didn’t know could ache. My ribs screamed with every wave that rocked the boat. My muscles had given up complaining hours ago and settled into a dull throb that promised worse things tomorrow.
Natalia sat pressed against my left side. Her head rested on my shoulder. Her breathing had slowed into something close to sleep. The white streaks in her purple hair caught the moonlight streaming through the windows.
Emi occupied my right side. Her healing aura hummed constantly, a warm presence that dulled the worst of the pain without eliminating it entirely. Her sapphire hair tickled my neck when the boat swayed.
Skylar sat across from us. Her violet eyes watched the dark water through the window. Her hood was up. Her knives were hidden somewhere on her person. She hadn’t said much since the ceremony ended.
"You’re thinking too loud."
I glanced at her. "Didn’t realize thoughts had volume."
"Yours do. Like someone shouting in an empty room."
"What am I thinking about?"
"Veronica’s offer. Reyna’s dinner. Natalia’s jealousy. The dinner Reyna won. The complications that keep multiplying. Whether you can actually handle everything you’ve set in motion."
"That’s a lot of thinking."
"You’re a complicated person."
Maki materialized on my lap in cat form. Her fur was soft against my hands. Her purring vibrated through my chest.
"Master is always thinking. Makes his face look constipated."
"Thanks for that."
"Maki is helpful."
Natalia stirred against my shoulder. Her eyes opened slowly. Purple irises found mine in the dim light.
"Are we there yet?"
"Twenty more minutes."
"Good. I’m going back to sleep."
She burrowed deeper into my side. Her hand found mine under the blanket someone had draped over us. Her fingers intertwined with mine. Cold from her ring. Warm from her skin.
The ferry docked at the private pier near Onyx House. The team disembarked in various states of exhaustion. Marco carried Juan over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. Jaime walked shirtless despite the cold wind. Isabelle moved with the same grace she always did, apparently immune to fatigue.
Braxton waited at the end of the pier. His synth-cigarette glowed in the darkness. His scarred face showed nothing.
"Good work today."
Three words. From Braxton, that counted as a standing ovation.
"Thanks, Coach."
"Don’t let it go to your head."
"Too late."
He almost smiled. The expression looked uncomfortable on his face.
The walk to Onyx House took forever. My legs had stopped cooperating around the halfway point. Natalia and Emi supported me between them, each taking an arm over their shoulders. The position pressed their bodies against mine. Soft curves and warm skin and the faint scent of perfume mixing with sweat and exhaustion.
"This is pathetic."
"You fought three matches today. Won a tournament. Saved your rival from being crushed. Pathetic is the last word I’d use."
"Natalia would use it."
"Natalia would also freeze anyone who suggested it." Her voice came from my other side. "I’m not carrying you because you’re weak. I’m carrying you because you’re mine and I take care of what’s mine."
"That’s almost romantic."
"It’s possessive. There’s a difference."
Onyx House rose from the darkness like a familiar friend. The windows glowed with warm light. Smoke drifted from the chimney. The sound of celebration leaked through the walls.
We entered to chaos.
Marco had somehow acquired a massive cake. Jaime had stripped completely naked and was flexing in front of the fireplace. Juan remained unconscious on the couch. Hikari hung upside down from the chandelier while Raphael tried to coax her down. Jacob and Monica stood in the corner having what appeared to be a very intense conversation about houseplant psychology.
Akari spotted me first.
"THE CHAMPION RETURNS!"
She launched herself across the room. I barely caught her. The impact sent fresh pain through my ribs but I didn’t let it show.
"Forty-seven thousand credits. After taxes. Because of you."
"Happy to contribute to your gambling addiction."
"It’s not gambling if you always win."
"That’s exactly what gambling addicts say."
She kissed my cheek. Quick and friendly and slightly manic from the high of financial victory.
Cel appeared at my elbow. Her expensive suit remained immaculate despite the day’s chaos. Noah lurked behind her like a shadow.
"My sister sends her congratulations. She was impressed by your performance."
"Seraphina was impressed?"
"She said you showed unexpected tactical awareness for someone of your background. Coming from her, that’s practically a marriage proposal."
"I’ll pass."
"Wise. She would destroy you."
Soomin approached cautiously. Her gradient-blue eyes flickered gold for a moment before settling back. Her cheeks turned pink when she got within three feet of me.
"C-congratulations on your victory."
"Thanks, Soomin."
"You were very impressive. When you saved Reyna. Even though she’s your rival. That was noble."
"Don’t spread that around. I have a reputation to maintain."
She giggled. The sound was like wind chimes in a summer breeze.
Malachi appeared from somewhere. His dark eyes held something that might have been respect.
"You fought well."
"High praise from you."
"Don’t get used to it."
He melted back into the shadows.
The celebration continued around me. Food appeared from somewhere. Drinks materialized. Music played from speakers I couldn’t locate. The team that had bet everything on a C-Rank nobody celebrated their vindication.
I found myself on the couch between Natalia and Emi. Maki claimed my lap in cat form. Skylar sat on the armrest to my left. The position surrounded me with warm bodies and soft curves and the scent of women who had somehow decided I was worth their time.
Nel’s voice whispered through our bond.
The Audience is very satisfied with today’s entertainment. Apollo is particularly pleased with the dramatic tension between you and Reyna. Nike has marked your quest as complete with full rewards deposited. The Protagonist title is now active and will begin influencing narrative probability within the next twenty-four hours.