The Krakos: Book Two of The Legend of the Artificer

Chapter 26

"Ready?" Grim asked as Tibalt checked his guns for the last time. Barrels were clear, enchantments weren't messed with, everything looked fine.

"Yeah, I'm ready," Tibalt replied and Grim hesitated.

"You have a plan, right?" Grim asked, and Tibalt's eyes flicked up to look at him. Grim looked... awkward, and weirdly small. Tibalt wanted to reach for him, but something stayed his hand.

"Not really, no," Tibalt admitted and Grim winced.

"Seriously? He's a savant, Tibalt."

"Mhm. You sent a savant after me," Tibalt pointed out and Grim's face colored.

"Innes is different."

"How so? I thought you didn't like zim."

"I dislike getting dragged into this. I don't dislike Innes. I just know a losing battle when I see one," Grim replied and Tibalt's lips tilted up.

"Well, isn't it good that you have me?" he asked and tilted up his head to look at him. Grim reached forward ever so slightly, and then pulled back.

"Alright. Be careful," he said and Tibalt tapped the barrel of his revolver against his chest.

"I'll be careful," he promised and Grim's brown eyes softened as he looked down at him.

"You haven't been careful so far," Grim pointed out and Tibalt snorted.

"Second guessing inviting me to your party?"

"My little brothers got us kidnapped by pirates once. Statistically speaking, you're doing much better."

"So that's what you were doing on the pirate ship."

"No, that time was Angel's fault, and not related to the kidnapping."

"You Farettis sure know how to build a network," Tibalt drawled and stood on his tiptoes to bump his forehead against Grim's. "I'll be fine. Promise."

"Make sure you kick his ass," Grim said and Tibalt's lips quirked up.

"I'll fuck him up," he promised and Grim squinted down at him.

"... Right."

"Ten seconds!" the mage at the end of the hall called and Tibalt tilted his head to listen to the roar of the crowd.

"Amazing how fast they organized this," he muttered. "I feel like a gladiator whoring myself out for entertainment."

"People are probably anticipating you getting ripped to shreds," Grim said and Tibalt rolled his eyes.

"I'm not familiar with alchemy, but I think I can handle---"

"Time! Head out, artificer!" the mage called and Tibalt hissed.

"If I go too far, just drag me out of there," he said and turned on his heel to walk off down the hall. "Trusting you, Grim!"

"Don't drag it out," Grim said and Tibalt waved over his shoulder as he flicked his braid back.

He just needed to stay calm. Teacher was with Angel. Elmer was somewhere in the audience. Grim was waiting at the end for him. All Tibalt had to do was end this and then they could all go back to Vengyll. Damn, he hadn't even enjoyed the beach. What a pain.

A few more steps, and he was through the massive entrance.

The arena was huge, with an arched ceiling made of glass and metal. Seats lined the walls, and Tibalt had to wonder just how much money the tower made that they could build and maintain this place. Apparently, it was mostly used for training, with mock tournaments between mages on the weekends. It evidently brought in a lot of money for them, and rarely had death battles like this, which was why basically the entire town turned out for it. Word traveled fast, but didn't these people have jobs? Annoying.