The Venerate Order

Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Strafe

Castle Bell Royal was destroying the competition. We had to wait until the afternoon for our match because Castle Bell Royal was still playing against Bhaught United. Let me just say, it was an ugly game to watch. Castle Bell Royal crushed the underdogs 51-10. The starting Masterback on Bhaught United suffered a nasty leg break at the beginning of the second quarter, and things just tumbled downhill for them after that. Castle Bell was the real deal, and I heard they had dealt a similar defeat to their last opponent as well, something like 45-21 in the first round.

Their play was as spectacular as their uniforms. They were covered in Royal Armor except for their forearms and hands! I asked Charity if that was legal, and she told me that the armor was fake, it was just padded with chrome paint. I laughed and told her that I still didn't want to be clipped by any of them!

After the stomping of Bhaught United by Castle Bell Royal, we suited up against Jenion SilverStones in the Violet Division Championship. Jenion was known for having extremely quick Guards and we had to rely on playing good defense and our Forwards to win the game.

The game was full of excitement but once the third quarter hit, we stayed in control of the match and ended up winning 28-17. Roya scored twice and Charity managed to pass to three different scorers. The crowd went wild after we won. We were ranked number eight in the tournament and went on to beat the second and sixth-seeded teams. The next day, we were set to play for the national championship against Castle Bell Royal. Our confidence was running high and we felt unstoppable. Captain Cali was sure enjoying our victories; he had every Rodin Pirate who wasn't playing bet their money on us, and he was making a small fortune.

We were treated by the King himself to a grand meal that was delivered to our quarters. At first, a few of the players thought the food could've been poisoned, but when Brutus smelled it and gave us the okay, everyone except Rousseau dug in. The meal was incredible; freshly picked local berries that glowed in neon colors, roasted meat with mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, and a local dessert called Swoosh which tasted like cheesecake. It was probably the best meal I had since my journey began.

I got undressed and laid sideways in my bed. Brutus laid next to me as I pulled out a picture of him, Yessa, Gain, and me back home in New Santa Barbara. It got me feeling homesick and even brought a tear to my eye. Something in my heart told me that it would never be the same as it was before. Even though the picture was recent, it felt like it had been taken in a different lifetime.

Roya opened my door and sat next to me and rubbed her fingers up and down my chest. I still had a tear in my eye, "You're always catching me at the strangest times."

"We must always be there for each other, Strafe, until this journey is done," Roya assuaged as she kissed the back of my neck. She leaned over and saw the picture I was looking at and asked about it, "Is that her?"

"Yup. I have no idea where she is. All I know is the damn Senti are involved. How did they get to Gain!? What is his deal?" I explained to her.

"We'll find them. I promise you," Brutus said as he rubbed his face against mine, "You should get some sleep; we've got the championship match tomorrow!"

"Yeah, I hear ya. We're gonna kick their asses!" I smiled.

She moved in to kiss me, but I kept thinking about Yessa and gently pulled away. Guilt from sleeping with her was setting in. "I'm sorry Roya," I said.

"No, I understand. It was...wrong of me to do this. Please forgive me," Roya replied.

She turned around, but I grabbed her hand, "You don't have to leave."

"You afraid of the dark, Strafe-Sah? You have Brutus-Sah to protect you," Roya said.

"Yeah, but who's going to protect him?" I joked back.

She smiled and sat down on the bed. I needed to be near someone, just like she did. Even just hugging someone can heal the deepest of wounds.

She looked into my eyes, "Strafe, when this tournament is over, we must go to my country, Zindaqe. I am fearing for their safety."

"But I thought we were going to the World Nations to ask for help," I asked as I pushed up off my back.

"Strafe, the thing is, I know that the Senti will attack my country next. We are...protecting a Guardian Key," she admitted.

"Shit," I said as I rub my face, "You're certain of this? How do they know where these damn things are?"

"Guardian Keys are linked to one another, and only those with Guardian Powers are able to activate and use them. The Senti are moving from country to country in search of them, and I fear that my home is in danger," Roya explained.

I stroked her hair and looked into her eyes, "I'll talk to Rousseau and tell him that's where we need to go. I was hoping to see how you lived here on Eternia," I assuaged.

"Strafe," Roya said.

"Yes?" I replied.

"They have Yessa there too."