Between Darkness and Light (Altamira)
Shink, shink, shink.
The stone scraped along the golden surface of the blade, sharpening the dulling edges. After so many recent fights, it had to be done, after all. The once dulling blade of Apollo was now sharper then it had been before. All it took was a little time and effort to make sure the blade was nice and sharp. It was a big day after all. The time had finally come.
Shink... Click.
The blade clicked as it entered the sheathe and I looked at the sheathed blade in my hand, laying the weapon at my side. In my lap rested my second sword, Sapphire. The blade of the crystal weapon never dulled, no matter how much training I did or how hard the conditions I put it through. Mayhaps an edge of the crystal it was made of, but I didn't wonder too much about that.
I sat in my room, my jacket sitting on a chair not too far behind me. I had asked Reorx to rush order repair the armor, and he did so with the greatest of speed. My armor was ready to go, and was significantly tighter woven then before. I had to make sure that no projectile less dense then titanium, and even titanium I suppose, could pierce it. Still, that didn't prevent the fact that blades could slice through even the most dense material given enough force. Still, the only blades I had ever seen my soon to be opponent use were a dagger and a cutlass. However, it appeared she had a sword-like weapon on her back when last I had seen her, I didn't know for certain.
I looked at my gauntlets next. I had to have them relined thanks to my battles with Tsuukai and Mesfido burning away at the fibers under the chain mail beneath the plating. Well, now that my gauntlets were relined and cleaned of all burns, singes and other kinds of damage, they were ready to fight. I placed Mercury on the ground in front of me and looked at the swords, one on each side of me.
I sighed and removed my pendant from beneath my shirt. The pendant's glow had returned. I had used up all of my power in the battle with Tsuukai, but the pendant had revived its energy. I didn't have much time left before that fated battle, but I did have just enough time to think. Thinking is the only thing a person can truly do before they are truly ready to fight.
Since Zachary began his training, I've fought many strong rivals. Nikudemon, Johnny Bones, Rain (and his sister Raisha, much to my lack of desire to do so), Mesfido and Tsuukai. All were to ready myself for this moment. And right now, she's at her strongest, because she feels her most complete. Hard though her life is, she knows her job, and as much as I hate to admit it, that, despite him not being my favorite person, Johnny may help Cadenza. If he truly cares for her, then he won't do anything to hurt her. If he does, I'm sure she'll just beat him into the pavement.
My thoughts faded and I sat silently. I looked outside of my cabin, and the gathering began. Monkeys upon monkeys of brown fur had gathered outside of the door of my cabin, with a good friend of mine in the center. The albino monkey, Armond, walked towards me in his brilliant strides. He spoke a few words, and I smiled at him, resting my hand on his head, rubbing his fur, but also opening up my telepathic link with him.
So, my friend, come to wish me good luck? asked I.
Not at all, came his reply as he smiled, flashing his monkey teeth at me, I'm coming with you this time, Zorlo. I want to help you in this battle to come. What say I come with you? Armond asked, hopping onto my arm and running up my arm and sitting on my shoulder.
Sure, but if the battle gets too hot, please don't stay and get hurt. After all, without you, my friend, I'd be without a trustworthy assistant.
Naturally. However, you have yet to see why I am the monkey king, the albino monkey told me, and I smiled at him.
"Well, my friend, then let us be off," I told him as I stood up. As I rose, I grabbed the sheathes of my swords, spinning them around my fingers and sliding them onto my belt. I cast my metal lined jacket over my shoulders and picked up my gauntlets, stashing them in their proper pockets and began walking out. This battle to come would be intense, and I had to be ready.
My weapons were all ready to go, and as Armond and I left, the monkeys around us clapped vigorously. Apparently they knew what was about to happen. I'd chosen a battlefield finally, and now was the time to test out the skills I had been mastering since I had began my intensive training. I was finally ready to test out my training, and now I would see just how much I had grown.
The message was sent in the hands of one of Armond's friends, and it would be to Cadenza shortly. All she would have to do is meet me at the planned battlefield. Finally, I'd see if all my training had paid off.