Siren's Elegy Volume 1: Orphans of Ashen Earth

Chapter 29: Exit Strategy

August 01, 4021 09:14 [Matriarch 04- Makeshift Arena]

The lower floor of the arena was enveloped in a blue aura, bathing the place in azure light. Indra's flames of darkness dissipated into nothing. As the smoke cleared, the silhouette of a tall figure was given form. Tengri stood between them, blocking Kaluza's fist with an open palm while keeping a firm grip on the hilt of a dagger, embedded deep within Indra's arm. Indra looked surprised, pulling back reflexively. Dark blood pooled out from the open wound, dripping down to his fingertips.

"Sorry, I can't have you killing each other just yet," Tengri stated with an apathetic inflection. "Both of you should get to the infirmary. Unfortunately, you're going to miss the other matches."

You could have stopped it before it ever reached this point. Indra scowled.

Tengri requested for Jin and Grisha to preside over the remaining matches while he escorted Kaluza and Indra to the hospital. Jin scoffed, leaping over the railing to the first floor with Grisha. The latter seated herself on her side so she could continue to lounge about lazily, much to Jin's chagrin. Before the next match started, three panels opened along an untouched portion of the wall, housing a set of small cleaning drones. The drones popped out of the opening, quickly clearing away debris and repairing the rest of the arena, retiling the flooring and laying an adhesive paste along cracks in the concrete. They brought out a drying unit to fix the adhesive, subsequently returning to their original location.

The Crow followed Tengri, slinging Indra's arm over his shoulders while Tengri looked after Kaluza as they exited the arena. Indra winced, taking shaky breaths with each step.

"What did this have to do with Shakti?" he asked, visibly irate.

Tengri looked bemused, irritating Indra further. "I thought you of all people would understand."

Indra ruminated over the day's events, settling on the most logical conclusion. "You didn't stop the fight until we both used Shakti."

The Hyena grinned.

"I figured as much," Indra sighed.

Kaluza stared at them, puzzled. "What are you two talking about?"

"Think of Shakti like a set of gears. When you put the teeth of two gears together and spin them in opposite directions, they produce torque without much resistance. Shakti is similar in that principle where you take two users of different affinities and pit them against one another, profoundly increasing their growth and attunement with Shakti."

"What about users with the same affinities? Wouldn't the gears stop moving since they're rotating in the same direction?" Kaluza asked.

"Now you're getting it. Shakti users of the same affinities wouldn't see significant growth if they were to face one another. In fact, if pushed to their limits, gears rotating in the same direction will break their teeth. I'll let you draw your own conclusions from there."

Indra grimaced. He did not want to find out what that meant, figuring it best to avoid pointless fights with his new teammates.

"Regardless, I'm impressed by what I saw from you two. You'll be strong contenders for promotion if you keep up the pace."

Indra pondered for a moment. There was something he'd been meaning to ask regarding the promotion ladder.

"How come we're getting promoted straight to the Hyenas? What about the Crows and the Owls?" He eyed the Crow, suspicious.

Tengri's face darkened. "All of us earned our stripes serving in either the Crow or Owl Divisions. We paid our dues in full. However, circumstances have changed at a much faster rate than we had anticipated, so we need all able-bodied soldiers at the ready. That means pushing younger recruits up the pipeline in terms of the rank that they bear, though that also means assuming the responsibilities that come with the title."