Descendence
The Catalyst Stories
Edge & Crystal’s Story
The Perfect Pair
Previously On The Catalyst Challenge:
Day 14:
The Meeting At Convex
Edge travels to Northern District to attend a meeting that claims to have located the first machine. Upon arriving at the Convex Theatre, Edge finds out this rumour is true. A meeting led by Drasius Porter discusses that they have located a Dimension Portal in the bowels of the building, and inside may house the first of twenty-five Catalyst machines.
When posed to find groups to create strategies, Edge meets Crystal Inos. Being a two-warrior team, they are assigned to Drasius’ team, which includes Aries Ziller, and Ray Harvesnar. During this meeting, Aries expresses his distaste of selfish humans, and Ray expresses his desire to achieve freedom by any means.
Day 15:
The First Machine - Catalyst RUIN
Drasius leads a group of close to one hundred humans into the depths of the Convex Theatre, where they all cross into the Dimension Portal. Upon entering the other side, they arrive in a pure white room with bright travelling blue lights. Waiting for them on the other side is the first of twenty-five machines, Catalyst RUIN.
The first stage of the Catalyst Challenge begins as these warriors take on the might of RUIN. As the fight progresses, many are slain by the machine, but they are able to exploit its weaknesses and begin to gain the upper hand.
Willing to put his life on the line, Drasius suffers a fatal hit from the machine, and on the verge of death, pleads with Edge to do whatever it takes to get the humans to band together and defeat the Catalyst Challenge.
Together, Edge, Crystal, Ray, Aries, and many other warriors destroy RUIN, with Edge landing the final blow.
In the aftermath, Edge creates the lie of believing the humans will never be able to defeat the machines after this display of combat today. He challenges everyone present to prove him wrong, and that they cannot hope to achieve his level of strength.
The humans, now united in proving him wrong, brand Edge as ‘The Mercenary.’
* * *
‘Day 16’
Crystal woke up earlier than most of the other warriors, yet she had opted for a lay-in due to the circumstances of what happened yesterday.
After defeating Catalyst RUIN, a group of warriors who had attended decided it be best if anyone who would struggle to return to their homes, stay at the theatre for the night.
Most of it had been in celebration, which Crystal had decided to keep out of mostly. The only time she joined in was when the remnants raised a toast to the life of Drasius. Out of respect for what he had started, Crystal had raised her hand to him. His death had kick-started a revolution, in the long run, he had unknowingly set her and others on a path.
There were a few moments she thought about that strange man she had met. Edge hadn’t stayed, he seemed to have gone off back home after the battle. Crystal had briefly caught up with him in the foyer, where he seemed happy about the act he committed. She had seen right through him, realising quickly that Edge had created a lie in telling the humans they stood no chance in the future. The atmosphere that night had been filled with warriors wanting to prove him wrong, and even more threatening talk. But Edge’s lie had ignited a fire in all of them, but it wasn’t his lies that ignited Crystal.
The way he seemed to handle himself was strange. Crystal had only looked into his eyes a few times, but whenever she had, she felt the same emotions she shared deep down. She was looking at a scared man who didn’t feel completely in control of his actions, and who had seen things already that would scar him for years to come. She felt just like that, maybe that was why she hadn’t outright rejected his proposal of teaming up against the machine.
The battle itself had taught Crystal that she could indeed stand with a blade by her side. While her technique wasn’t perfect, it was already leagues better than most. She was one of those still alive at least.
But waking up that morning in the same theatre room she had attended the meeting, Crystal didn’t waste time in gathering her things and making her way back to Rich District. Alex was probably worried sick about her, she’d been gone for about two days now. She hadn’t expected it to take this long, she didn’t expect time to prepare.
News spread far across Convexity even before the barrier had been raised, and as Crystal walked down the streets of Northern District, she could see people emerging from their homes, beginning to talk to their neighbours.
“Did you hear? The first machine was in the theatre!”
“I know, I heard a group of people actually managed to take it down.”
“Julie’s son went there, but I don’t know if he came back.”
“Oh, I hope he does.”
Despite the solemn feel, Crystal gave a small smile to herself as she overheard the glimmers of hope in people’s voices. As she drew closer to the District gate, which led straight into Rich District, a sight caught her eyes that filled her with worry.
The gate was closed, but it seemed to be around midday right now. There were Human Legion guards posted by the gate, all in full uniform. Crystal hadn’t seen any wearing full military gear in a few weeks. There was a group of people standing around too, observing and chattering amongst themselves. While Crystal couldn’t get around to the front, she moved forward and tapped someone’s shoulder. They turned around curious of her actions.
“Sorry to bother you, but what’s going on?” she asked.
The woman seemed to relax at the question and told Crystal the situation.
“They’ve put all District connections on lockdown. Legion orders apparently, from the big guys.” she explained.
Crystal looked back up at the gate. They were locking down any connection to Districts? Did that mean she was now stuck here in Northern District? That wasn’t good, especially given what had happened. Come to think of it, was what happened yesterday why this had happened?
Crystal knew she wouldn’t be able to persuade Legion guards, or get close to talk to them, and even then the answer wouldn’t be much different. Turning back, Crystal huffed in frustration as she started to make her way back into the District.
How was she going to get home now? If the link to Northern and Rich was locked, she didn’t have much else to go. But as she left, her ears perked up at someone’s words.
“Ah, screw this. I heard they didn’t lock down the gate that leads to the Catalyst District. Might as well risk that route...”
* * *
Crystal had taken that civilian upon their words. She didn’t travel with anyone, but at this rate, the only way she was getting home was to travel across the In-Between Points that led to Rich District.
As the civilian said, the gate between Northern and Catalyst District wasn’t being guarded, and Crystal wasn’t the only one leaving as she did. Others were scrambling through quickly in case their exit was blocked, where they were going, Crystal didn’t care. As she watched them follow the road down towards Catalyst District, Crystal darted between the mass of forest trees on her right. She then dived deep into the In-Between Point in the city, hoping to move through quickly to get home.
* * *
Edge woke up in the contents of his old bedroom, in his old home, where he had been staying with his sister, Lunar.
Being back here felt like a regression, and Edge was still honestly recovering from the previous day. How could he have been so stupid to put such a mark on his back like that? When Drasius had begged him with his final breath to unite the humans, he couldn’t possibly have meant this.
The truth was Edge knew this was the better option deep down. Humans fed off the negativity of others, whether it was to send them down that same path or to try and prove that negativity wrong. Edge knew he had made some enemies in that room, but now it was time for them to prove him wrong. He just hoped that was the worst of what would come of things. Being proven wrong was exactly what he wanted, nothing more, nothing less.
Edge didn’t want to spend too much more time back here at home. Part of him had prayed Lunar would be waiting inside, but instead, all he had found was a home now trashed with goods stolen.
While he believed he should have been here to protect it, Edge also wanted to get as far away from this place as possible. He wanted to leave Northern District, get back home and away from the likes of people like that Aries.
While Edge had proven Aries’ point yesterday, he knew Aries had also lost a dear friend in that fight. It was a conflicting thought when it came to all that.
Edge packed up his things, and with his sword by his side, he left the old house. Maybe one day he’d be able to come back, but he hoped that day never came.
Leaving the house gave Edge a feeling of emptiness despite his better living conditions in Rich District. Still no sign of Lunar, but Edge expected entirely now that she was outside the city limits with Sparda. They were probably together right now.
“No, don’t think about that.” Edge thought to himself as he opened the front gate and began to make his way through the streets towards the gate to Rich District.
Like many others, Edge was met with the news of a major lockdown. Luckily for him, Edge already knew a route he could take. He’d need to diverge into the In-Between Point, and that would get him back around to Rich District.
He tried not to stick around, just in case anyone from yesterday was nearby. If someone recognised him, he didn’t need that trouble either way.
Edge left quickly, exiting out into the roads between Northern District and Catalyst District.
Part of him was curious to see what the days had done to that place, where it had all started. But instead, he took his detour into the forests around him. There was no telling how bad it could be in there...
* * *
How had Crystal gotten herself into something like this?
She was panting, her thin longsword drawn and poised ahead of her. Also ahead of, a snarling, saliva teeth dripping wolf. It held its body up high, its grey fur almost standing as it growled at Crystal. If she hadn’t heard the rustle of the environment around her, the wolf would have made short work of her. No harm had come to her body, her quick movements had caught the predator slightly off guard, but now they were at a standoff.
Crystal felt the urge to just take off and run, but she couldn’t hope to outpace the wolf’s four-legged sprint if she tried. A large bark caused her to step back in slight fear. She had fought a machine yesterday, and now she was almost cowering over a wolf? But she was all alone here, there were no longer many humans around her who shared the same opponent. She had no way to drawback without opening herself to death.
But in her mind now, Crystal remembered that if she was to die, then it would be as a warrior. Her brow lowered as she stepped back forward, thrusting her sword forward slightly to the wolf, as a warning. It raised its head, following the weapon, but it did not stutter back, instead, it barked again, before leaping forward towards her. With a swift dive, Crystal rolled by the wolf’s pounce, raising herself quickly as the wolf turned back to its prey. It bounced forward again to her, swiping with its paw. Crystal raised her blade, the paw crashing against the flat side of the blade. With another snarl, the wolf’s jaw moved to wrap itself around her sword.
Crystal felt it pull and tug away at her strength. It was like holding a toy for a playful dog, except this was no game. The jaw and teeth tightened as Crystal felt the wolf shake its head in anger, trying to pry away that defense. It was successful, and Crystal yelped as her sword left her hand. She fell back in shock, landing just in time to see the wolf turning back to her. She noticed trickles of blood leaking from its mouth it had not been phased by the potential and dealt pain. As the wolf drew back ready to pounce on its now open opponent, Crystal felt a slight tear rise in her eye.
This was the end for her now, but deep down, the knowledge she had at least tried to survive this Challenge, maybe this wasn’t too bad...
The wolf barked as it moved to pounce and Crystal shut her eyes tight as she embraced death...
Crystal heard the sound of a roar, but then it was joined by another sound, a voice, that grew loud. She then heard the wolf yelp, and whine, before hearing the sound of steel thrusting itself into flesh. Then there was only silence.
She didn’t open her eyes straight away, just in case. Footsteps approached her and when she finally opened her eyes, she saw someone step close to her.
Crystal saw a hand extend itself towards her. As she looked up, the light through the tree blocked her vision a bit, that was until the figure blocked the light.
“Need a hand?”
It was that man from yesterday, and the day before at the theatre. Edge was his name, Crystal remembered. She didn’t expect to see him again so soon. He was extending his hand to her, he must have been the one who had arrived and taken care of that predator. With slight reluctance but grateful for his help, she took his hand.
As Edge helped her up, she swept her hair back. Crystal noticed the wolf a few feet away from them. It was bleeding, clearly deceased, a large mark, no doubt where Edge’s sword had been plunged deep inside.
“You okay?”
Crystal’s head snapped back to Edge, who seemed a little confused as if he was trying to remember something.
“Huh? Yeah, thanks. Thanks for, dealing with that thing.” she muttered.
Edge looked back at the wolf. “Oh, no problem. Wasn’t too bad, seemed focused on you.”
He looked back and they both stared at one another for a moment.
“Something in your eye?” Crystal asked.
Edge shook his head as he seemed to come back to his sense. “No, sorry...” He then stood up straight as he put away his sword.
“Crystal, right?” he said.
Crystal nodded with a small smile. “Nice to know you remember me, Edge.”
Edge gave a small amused huff before looking around.
“You on a hunt or something?”
Crystal shook her head as she passed by Edge now, moving to pick up her sword. “Nope. Just trying to get home.” Crystal picked up her sword, which was stained slightly in the blood of the wolf’s mouth.
“Which way is home for you then?” asked Edge.
Crystal gave him a raised brow as she turned. “Bit of a personal question, don’t you think?”
Edge stepped back and raised his hands. “Oh no, not like, I just meant, maybe you’re going the same way as me?” he replied.
Crystal tried not to smile at his stutter, she was really only playing around.
“I was heading back to Rich District. The whole place is on lockdown so, figured I’d cut through here. Thought it would be safe.”
Edge nodded as he looked a little brighter all of a sudden. “Well, I’m heading to Rich District too.”
“You live there?” she asked.
“Sure do.”
“Really?”
Edge raised his brow. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing. Just, you don’t look...”
“Rich?”
“I wasn’t going to say that...” muttered Crystal.
Edge shook his head with a smile. “It’s fine. I actually come from Northern, but I grew up in the Rich District. Family had a place there, so I’m staying there.”
Crystal nodded as she put her sword away in its sheath.
“Oh right. Were they okay with you coming out here to take on that machine?” she asked.
She saw Edge falter for a moment, his smile vanishing as he looked down.
“Sorry. Are they-”
“No. They’re outside I think, outside the barrier I mean. I think they got out.” he replied quickly.
There was a moment of silence as they both looked down. “I’m sure they’re okay.” assured Crystal.
Edge nodded.
Stretching her arms now, Crystal began to walk by Edge again, back the way she had been heading before the wolf had attacked. “Well, I better be going. Thanks, for dealing with the wolf, I guess I’ll-”
“You sure you don’t want help, getting home?” Crystal’s eyes locked onto Edge’s own.
“You don’t think I can take care of myself?” she asked.
Edge shook his head in response. “Not saying that. But, two blades are better than one these days, as long as its someone you trust.”
Crystal gave him an odd look. “You barely know me.”
“You know how to handle yourself though. For someone who isn’t an official warrior, you showed that machine a thing or two.”
Crystal nodded her head in a sarcastic manner.
“And we’re heading the same way, although I’d recommend maybe not going this route now.” Edge pondered, looking at the dead wolf.
“Why’s that?” asked Crystal.
Edge’s eyes were still clinging to the wolf, a memory flashing through his mind of the first night. “I’ve dealt with wolves before. One alone means others might not be too far off. We’d be risking a family gathering if we stayed in the In-Between Point.” he explained.
“I never even said if I was tagging along with you.” Crystal reminded him.
Edge proceeded to shrug, which caught her a little off guard suddenly. Before she knew it, he was already walking away.
“Have it your way then. Just be careful if you’re going to keep moving.”
As Edge began to vanish through the trees, Crystal felt the daunting feeling of the forest surround her again, and in that spur of the moment, she felt her feet move as if by themselves while calling out.
“Hey, wait up!”
* * *
Knowing there were wolf packs out there meant that Edge had to travel to the one place that deep down still drove fear through his heart. Even with Crystal by his side, the unknown situation that was the Catalyst District made his palms sweat.
Crystal didn’t seem too keen on travelling inside that District either, but it was like she said.
“We don’t know when the Districts will open again, and I don’t really want to stay hanging around in Northern District.”
Others may have taken that as an insult of a rich girl claiming it was too poor a setting, but Edge saw it more as a need to distance themselves from what had transpired yesterday. Yet they still tried to make conversation to distract themselves from what was coming.
“There was a toast in Drasius’ honour last night. I can’t believe he sacrificed himself like that.” sighed Crystal.
The memory of his death flashed through Edge’s head, how Drasius had asked him to unite the humans...what Edge had become in the process.
“Drasius knew what he was getting into. He was a soldier, we all knew what could happen.” Edge replied.
“Yeah. Who knows when we’ll find the next machine.”
Edge had wondered on that briefly too. The Dimension Portal was claimed to have vanished as soon as every human exited the room where the machine had been destroyed. Did that mean it would re-open there again when the next machine was ready? There had been no sign of the second machine while they were inside that strange space. With the District lockdown as well, it could be out there right now, waiting to be found and entered.
“We’ll just have to wait to see the results of this lockdown. Word travels fast in Convexity, it didn’t take that rumour of the meeting long to spread. Hopefully, the proper authorities start getting involved now.” Edge hoped.
Both of them stood at a stop as they reached the entrance to Catalyst District. Along the outer metal white wall, they could see the vast amounts of graffiti that had been sprayed across.
“TRAITORS”
“CATALYST SCUM”
“HUMANS RULE”
“KEEP OUT! KEEP SAFE!”
“That’s a charming one.” mocked Crystal, pointing at a piece of writing above the entrance. Edge looked up, squinting slightly to make out the mess of the chosen font. When he realised what it said, he looked back down. A bit too vulgar for his liking. He simply began to walk into the District. There was no other option now, they just had to go inside.
* * *
In Northern District, there had been up-sided vehicles, homes broken into, goods and garbage scattered across the street. But that all looked tame compared to the state of Catalyst District now.
It was clear that whatever riots and scrambles had occurred after the announcement that day, had continued within these streets. The many high rising skyscrapers all bore broken windows, their glass laying scattered and shattered among the roads. Fire hydrants on the corners of roads ripped from the ground, but no water issued from its contents. Cars and vans that had been stripped or parts, destroyed, burnt. The whole District seemed to scream as if it was now a danger zone.
The memories of that first day came back to haunt both Edge and Crystal as they proceeded to make their way into this once great city. Upon entering, both of them noticed the easiest route they could take was blocked off. Some sort of explosion must have gone off, because the building to their right had completely crumbled away, creating a mesh of stonework that lay across the road and piled back up against the outer wall. It meant they’d at least need to move down the street.
“Wonder what happened there.” said Crystal as they passed the wreckage.
“Lots of things happened that day.” Edge replied.
Crystal gave off a sombre look as they moved down the street. “Nothing says it happened on that day...”
They came to a crossroads up ahead, and as Crystal continued to walk down the centre of the road, Edge made his move towards the right side of the pavement. Crystal shot him an odd glare until he ushered her over. Both of them were now against the wall, and they edged their way to the corner of the street.
“Why are you acting so-” Crystal’s mouth was shut as Edge held his hand up. While she wanted to call him out on his rudeness, she could tell by his face something serious had caught his attention.
Edge was peaking around the corner, taking note of the sight. The road to the right, people were standing there. Unlike Crystal, who in her cropped brown jacket and bright blue jeans seemed quite well kept, they appeared more like Edge, or rather a more drastic version of his attire.
A group of men wearing black and brown coats, which some seemed to been torn to shreds. They didn’t seem to match clothing-wise, but everywhere Edge looked, something was cut from each piece. But they were also talking, debating.
“We’ve been here all day, the whole place is picked clean!”
“You’ve looked in a few damn stores. It’s only been two weeks, no way this place is picked clean you idiot. Keep searching!”
Edge leaned back around to face Crystal.
“Looks like we might need to take a detour.” he suggested.
Crystal, however, had a stern look now. “Or we could, you know?”
“I don’t know...what are you suggesting?” Edge asked in confusion.
Crystal made a notice with her hands. “Take them out.”
Edge almost scoffed as he peaked back around to see if the group was heading their way. Luckily they were heading down the street.
“Just because we took out a machine, doesn’t mean we’re invincible.” he replied.
Crystal huffed and crossed her arms. “But we’ll be in here longer.” she complained.
Edge tapped his nose with a small grin. “Longer, but safer. We’ll try and find a way around them.” Edge could already tell by those voices these men were no peacekeepers. They seemed dirty, shoddy, and unwell in places. Edge has his suspicions of where they came from, and he didn’t want to get involved.
When the coast seemed clear, Edge and Crystal jogged across the street and headed deeper into the centre of the District.
They made their way around twisting roads, underneath highway passes, and even darted through the occasional alleyway. Edge made sure they didn’t travel in a straight path for too long. Either way, this whole trek was a risk. They could be caught by the wrong people at any moment.
Edge wondered if anyone still lived in the city, there were plenty of places to stay, but at the same time, he understood if the outer limits of the city, which was where they were right now, were more baron. It was reinforced whenever they passed a broken window that showed the unfortunate case of someone’s body hanging over the windowsill.
Even though she made no effort to mention it, Edge could hear the occasional noise of sadness from Crystal. He didn’t want to see death either, but after the previous day against Catalyst RUIN, he’d seen a fair enough share.
Moving through another alleyway, he noticed Crystal catch up alongside him.
“Are you sure you know your way through here?” she asked, her head darting around.
Edge nodded to reassure her. “Don’t worry, I wouldn’t have gone so far in if I didn’t know.” The truth was he didn’t know, but he knew they weren’t lost. But just in case that result came into view, Edge started to pace them to head to the outer wall of the city. If they could reach that, then they’d be able to simply follow it around to the exit that would lead them to Rich District. Of course, then it was a deciding factor on whether they went through the In-Between Point canyons, or travelled through to Western District. If it was a city-wide lockdown then they’d have to travel through the canyons, which Edge wasn’t fond of that idea, but it may be their only choice.
As they turned the corner, they bore witness to an empty road. “Okay this way, should be a few more blocks till we reach the exit.” Edge said. With Crystal right behind him, they continued their walk, but as they reached the bottom of the road, they both froze.
“We’ll check a few more streets and then-”
A group of men, similarly dressed to the ones Edge had seen earlier, had entered their road. As soon as they caught the eyesight of Edge and Crystal, they stopped. For a moment there was an exchange of each party observing what was in front of them, and then their seeming leader walked forward. He had brown hair poking out of a dark grey bandanna that covered his head.
“My, my, what are you two doing out here?” he asked with a sneer. Edge wasn’t sure how to react, did he just tell them the truth?
“We’re just making our way back to our home District, that’s all.” piped up Crystal. She’d answered for him, but the response was the one Edge dreaded.
“I see. So where you both from then? Bit well dressed for the Eastside, ain’t ya?” he grinned. His buddies behind him began to snicker and chatter, not enough for either Edge or Crystal to hear.
“We’re from-”
“We’re from the West District.” said Edge. Crystal shot him a quick look, but Edge stood his ground. These guys were looters, and if they knew the destination was Rich District, then that might give them enough reason.
“Dressed pretty well for it, well one of them anyway.” called back one of the other men in the group.
Crystal felt her body shivered as she saw the man study her body, from head to toe.
“Yeah, one of you is quite the looker, the other could do with some new clothes. Then again, we could too.” laughed their leader.
Crystal was trying hard not to respond in disgust, whereas Edge stepped forward.
“We need to get moving so if you wouldn’t mind-”
The leader rushed up to Edge now, putting his hand on his chest, and while not forcefully pushing back, wasn’t allowed Edge to keep walking either.
“Hey what’s the rush, buddy? Look I get it, nice guy like yourself wanting to impress your date over there, but the big boys are here now.” he said.
Edge’s brow furrowed down to him now, insulted by what he had just implied. Crystal, on the other hand, poked her head around Edge’s shoulder.
“We’re not actually together, like, we're not a thing.”
Edge closed his eyes with a small sigh. The group of men suddenly seemed to perk up.
“Oh I see, so you’re single then?” piped up their leader, as he began to move around Edge, towards Crystal.
As he did, Edge could hear Crystal stepping back and stuttering slightly. “W-well, yeah but, that’s not-”
The leader’s smirk vanished quickly as now, Edge’s hand reached out and pushed against his chest. He stumbled back lightly as he shot Edge a glare now.
“What er...what do you think you’re doing there, buddy?” he asked.
Edge stood in front of Crystal, now putting his arm in front of her, shielding her.
“Take that as a warning. We just want to pass through, no trouble.” he urged.
The group of men were slowly making their way towards them both now, some of them with hands behind their back.
The leader gave a sly grin as he bought up a small knife from behind his back.
“Sorry, buddy. But you’ve gone and found trouble now. I’d walk away solo if I were you, unless-”
“Unless what?” Crystal had stepped beside Edge now, drawing her sword and aiming it at the bandit. As he stepped back, his allies all revealed small weapons of their own, pacing towards him.
“Wrong move little lady.” he snarled. They began to try and surround Edge and Crystal, all giving off small laughter as they drew in close. The numbers caused Crystal to falter back slightly, leaving Edge to lead again.
“You can’t take all of us.” smirked the leader.
Edge simply stared, trying to keep his composure.
“You’re right, we probably can’t take you all...”
In his mind, he raced through his emotions. Edge thought back to the past few days. The thieves that had broken into his home, the battle against RUIN, meeting Aries, Ray, and Crystal. He remembered Drasius’ death, being granted the title of the Mercenary. His hand was clenched, and when he took one last deep breath, Edge raised his hand, before opening his palm as he aimed it at the floor.
“But can you catch us?” A burst of flame soared from Edge’s hand and collided with the concrete road below. The bandits all cried out, as did Crystal, as they leapt back as the flames coated the road.
Before Crystal could even observe the fire, she felt Edge take her arm.
“Run!”
The next moment she felt her legs pick up speed as Edge pulled her around and began to breakneck sprint down the street. When she realised fully what had just happened, she began to join him, quickly catching up as they turned the corner of the road. In the distance, Edge could just make out the voices of the bandits.
“Bastard! Don’t just stand there! Get after them!”
“I didn’t know you could use fire magic!” cried Crystal as they continued down the next street.
“Neither did I!” Edge wheezed, he quickly took her arm again as they darted into an alleyway.
“Wow, you sure are full of taking risks aren’t you!” Crystal snapped as she let him take her arm.
The alley was tight, and Edge let Crystal run ahead. He could hear footsteps behind, that group was fast clearly. As Crystal was up ahead, she saw the alley dart in two directions.
“Which way!?” she cried.
“Just pick a direction, we’ll deal with it!” Edge called back.
He looked back in time to see the bandits scrambling to move through the alley. A disadvantage of numbers to be sure. When he looked back, Edge saw Crystal turn left, to which he followed quickly. They appeared on another street, and Edge darted past Crystal as he took the lead again.
“Good choice!”
Crystal couldn’t help but grin as she ran to catch up. They continued right down the next street, then took another right. This would take them back down the crossroads they were at when they had run into that ground.
“Which way now!?” Crystal called out as Edge looked to the left as their destination.
“Head lef-awe crap!” Edge felt himself skid to a halt as he saw two men appear from beyond the right corner. Two of the bandits had stayed behind to cut them off. Edge felt Crystal bump into him forcefully and as he stumbled he called out.
“Hey!”
“Sorry! They’re still following us! Why did you stop-awe crap!” she cried as she noticed the men ahead.
Edge’s head quickly darted left and right, trying to figure out a way out. There was only one option.
“Into that building, quick!” Edge pointed to their left, and Crystal noticed a building where the doors seemed to have been blown off of their hinges. She would have argued had it not been for the situation and the fact Edge was already darting inside. Crystal quickly followed, hoping Edge knew what he was doing.
Neither of them had time to figure out what establishment they had broken through into, but it seemed to be some sort of apartment complex. Edge and Crystal continued their run by heading straight up the stairs.
“So what’s your plan, get to the top and jump!?” Crystal mocked as Edge looked around on the upper floor.
“Not exactly...” Edge muttered.
There were rows of doors that no doubt led to occupation rooms, but the doors to the building itself, they were all wide open. Taking her arm again, Edge moved them inside one of the rooms. He could hear the bandits downstairs as Crystal protested.
“Stop grabbing me, I know how to run!” she snapped.
“They’ve gone upstairs, head them off!”
As they entered the apartment room, Edge let go of Crystal, moving through the living area and hopping over the furniture towards the large glass windows at the other end. He heard the door slam behind him, no doubt Crystal heading the bandits off for a short while.
Edge ran straight towards the window, and heard Crystal call him out as to what the hell he thought he was doing, but too late. Edge jumped up, attempting to crash through the window to land back down into the streets below. But instead, he felt his body crunch against the window, before he fell back with a grunt. He heard Crystal move past him swearing as she seemed to pick up a small table sitting beside the sofa in the centre of the room. Swinging around, Crystal threw the small table at the window, which shattered instantly, causing the glass to shoot out into the city. Edge got up quickly as he heard the bandits barging away at the door.
“They’ve barricaded it!”
“You idiot, you didn’t even try opening it!”
Edge rushed past Crystal and hopped down to the street. He landed but felt a sure surge of pain in his legs as he did, not enough to hurt them, but he hadn’t been able to stick the landing without throwing his hand into the glass. He turned back and looked up, Crystal was still standing there, just looking down.
“Crystal! Jump!”
Crystal stood frozen, it wasn’t even that high, but her sudden anxiety had just taken her over. She couldn’t do it, she couldn’t jump down. The bandits were still trying to get into the room, and then she heard the door burst open. But through all the noise, she looked down and saw Edge, and she could hear his words.
“Jump! I’ll catch you! You can trust me!”
Crystal didn’t know what caused her to have faith, but she felt herself hop out of the window just before the bandits could grab her. As she fell, she tried to keep straight and as she landed, she felt Edge catch her. Her head snapped up to meet Edge’s eyes as he caught her, and the two exchanged a quick sigh of relief with a smile, before looking back at the bandits who stood above.
“Get back downstairs quickly, don’t let them get away. I swear if they do!”
Edge turned back to Crystal, his hands still on her hips from catching her, and her hands still on his.
“Let’s go.”
Crystal nodded and they both began to run again.
Edge continued to try and guide them to the outer walls. They seemed to have lost the bandits, but whether they would manage to catch up was uncertain. Safety lay beyond this District, and Edge was making use of whatever turn he could to aid them.
Turning down one more alley, Edge thought it wise to lose them further down a wider path. The alley had one turn, to the right. Making it, Edge and Crystal exited out to the street again, but as they turned left down the path to what seemed like a victory, a sight met their eyes that caused them to stop.
A large wired fence, not an official make, but a wire linked fence coated in barbs. A mash-up of metal links and barbed wire blocked their way out.
“You’ve got to be kidding me...” groaned Crystal.
Footsteps behind them caused them to turn. Face to face once again with the bandits.
“There you are!” sneered the leader as they jogged up towards them. Crystal took a step back, but then she heard the sound of steel leaving a sheath. Looking over, she saw Edge step up, his long blade in hand.
“Looks like you’re getting your wish. But don’t kill them.”
Crystal drew her sword. “Seriously? With what they might do to us?”
Edge closed his eyes as he entered his stance. “They might try, but we’re all in the same situation here. This Challenge will take enough lives on its own, I’d rather not add to that pain.”
Crystal couldn’t believe she’d never considered that, but still, if she was forced too, she would take a life if it meant hers would be spared.
There were five bandits in total, which meant someone might have to deal with a higher count, but as the first bandit ran towards Edge, he dashed forward.
Edge was no strange to fighting human opponents, but not with a blade in his hands.
But while Edge had created this rule of not killing any human life, he knew the consequences it took to make that move. Sixth Sense Energy was a fascinating thing, and while it strengthened the senses and the body, and strengthened the defense that of a person too.
Sixth Sense Shielding was a natural function every human in the world had. A shield-like entity that protected the body from lethal harm, but not entirely. The strength of one’s Sixth Sense related to the strength of the shield that would protect them from damage. Should one have a strong Sixth Sense, they would be able to take the most brutal of attacks with no cuts nor wounds. Those with a weaker Sense could very well be cut down in a simple strike. Of course, this shield was not unbreakable. Should enough damage be done, the pain would breakthrough and it could lead to lethal injury or certain death.
Yet there was a strange addition to the cause of nature.
Should the intent of killing an enemy be on a person’s mind in combat, then the Sixth Sense Shielding would work as intended. It would do its best to resist the threat of danger until the body could no longer hold out. However, should an engagement be made, and the intent to not kill was there, the shield’s power would be boosted. The Sixth Sense between the attacker and the defender would almost work in unison to achieve the aim of a non-killing combat scenario. Of course, that too would sometimes fail, not everything is perfect.
But with Edge’s intent so far throughout the Challenge to not kill, that meant, as long as he kept his mind clear and aim true, he could attack with the blade, and inflict no wound onto his opponents. They would feel steel crash against their body, and they would feel pain, but not nearly as much as they would if they had no Sixth Sense Shielding. But Edge also had to be careful, because he didn’t know the strength that these people had. If they were so weak, his blade might just pass through them.
As the first bandit raised their knife towards him, however, Edge darted forward, blade in hand, and with quick speed, dispatched the attacker in front of him. They were cast back instantly, crying out in shock as they hit the road and clutched at their body, not mortally hurt, but in pain nonetheless.
As their leader screamed at his allies to attack Edge and Crystal, the three remaining bandits began to close in, their short weapons drawn.
Edge felt Crystal stand beside him now, her own sword drawn and poised to defend any attack.
Two bandits attempted a strike, but with the unmatched speed of the Unavenged Sheath, Edge was between them quickly, deflecting their shots. As the third closed in on the centre, Crystal used Edge’s defensive opportunity to create her own. Like water she moved past Edge, thrusting her sword through towards the third attacker, who like the very first who had met his match, was cast back in pain. It left them with two more opponents, and Edge and Crystal took one each, now locked in a short duel.
Crystal’s opponent was taller, more bulk on his bones, and a harder hitter. His knife had been cast aside by Edge’s deflections before, and now he was attempting to catch Crystal off guard with his fists. She backed away and using her sword to occasionally block against the fists of fury, one block finally caught him off guard. He growled as a small cut was created on knuckles, his Shielding beginning to fail him. Knowing he could die from a potential shot, Crystal’s knee raised itself towards the body, crushing into the lower body. The bandit wheezed as he bent down in gathering his air, but before he could, the hilt of Crystal’s blade came down upon his skull. He was planted into the road, with brandishing her sword with a smile at her victory.
While the other bandit was still armed, every strike he made was that of desperation. Edge wasn’t even attempting to deflect the strikes, he was simply moving around them, waiting for the right moment. Every swing the bandit’s voice grew louder, more frustrated that Edge seemed to be easily avoiding him. In a scream of fury, the bandit moved to raise his leg, an attempt at a strong kick to knock Edge off-balance. Edge side-stepped the boot, he’d felt too many of those recently, and as he flowed around the bandit, with his blade and swung. His movement created a full three-sixty spin, tilting upwards as he cast the next bandit aside. With the fodder down, all that was left was the bandit leader.
He looked down at his feeble pocket knife, exchanging his glances at Crystal and Edge’s longswords.
“We own these streets, we own this place now. I ain’t letting a couple of rich pricks take it from us!” With a cry of anger, he sprinted forwards towards them, and picking his opponent, he chose Crystal. His speed was quite high, so much that Crystal felt herself hesitate only slightly. As he began to thrust his knife rapidly towards her, she felt Edge’s arm push her back.
His blade knocked the knife away, a look of fury etched across his face as the bandit looked into his eyes.
Regaining herself after stumbling back, Crystal called forward.
“Edge!”
Edge’s stance lowered, it was if something strange had taken him over like he knew what Crystal was about to do. The bandit was stumbling back too as he watched the woman rush over to Edge. Crystal leapt up, her right foot pushing onto Edge’s back. With a slight lift, Edge propelled Crystal up into the air, and as she fell back down, her blade’s tip collided with the thief’s torso, sending him skating back across the road. Crystal landed in almost perfect form, and as Edge stood up, he couldn’t deny he was impressed with her athletic ability.
But now they both stood in the road, surrounded by groaning bandits, each nursing where they had been hit.
“Not bad...” wheezed Crystal as she looked around.
Edge sheathed his sword as he turned to her. “Let’s get out of here.”
“Yeah.”
* * *
The rest of their journey was a peaceful one. After leaving the Catalyst District, they were faced with the choice of travelling to either the Western District or through the canyons to Rich District. There was a small debate on which route to take. They both knew the risk of each route, but in the end, they decided to see if the Western District was open in any way.
Upon arriving at the gates, they discovered the lockdown wasn’t as much in effect as they thought. Both Western District and Rich District were open to travel, and Edge and Crystal began to suspect the Legion had only interfered in creating a lockdown in Northern District due to the fact a machine had been destroyed.
The travel into Rich District was a quiet one, Crystal had expelled all her energy expressing how thrilling it had been taking on the bandits, whereas Edge had tried to act as natural as he could about the matter, he wasn’t one to display excitement about something like a fight to the death.
They walked through Rich District together, hearing the murmurs of civilians discussing the news of the machine’s demise. The whole District seemed a bit brighter in general as Crystal expressed her joy to the sounds of hope around them.
“We still have twenty-four more to go.” Edge reminded her.
“Alright, spoilsport.” Crystal mocked.
Their travels met their end at a splitting path, one going right, the other left, and upwards slight climb either route, but each had to take a different one.
“You sure you live around here, and you’re not just following me so you have a place to stay?” asked Crystal.
Edge gave an amused scoff as he shook his head. “Nope. I’m taking the left road.” There was a silence between them now. They both gave a light-hearted laugh as they looked down. As Crystal looked up, she swept her hair back out of her eyes.
“Well, thank you for your help today.” she said.
“It’s nothing. Two blades are better than one.” Edge replied.
There was another moment of silence, and then Crystal began to walk backward, away.
“Maybe I’ll see you again out there. Goodnight, Edge.”
Edge merely nodded in response, and as Crystal turned away to head up her end of the street, Edge stayed but for a moment. So far in this Challenge, he had been betrayed, robbed, beaten, almost killed, and yet this seemed to be one of the first positives of the Challenge. Crystal just seemed nice. Edge had gained the impression before she wasn’t a warrior, but her skills were nothing to neither knock or brag about. He felt they were both in the same place, and despite everything that had transpired and what it would mean for his future, he did hope he’d meet Crystal again. Edge turned away and began to make his way home, for some well-deserved rest.
* * *
Crystal made her way home quickly, and when she opened the workshop door, she was meant with a tight hug from Alex, who demanded she tell her everything about what had happened. Crystal did exactly that, explaining about the meeting, the machine, and the trip home.
“Bandits!? Did you take them all out? You go, girl!”
“Well, it wasn’t just me. I didn’t travel home alone. I had some help.” Crystal expressed, a little smile escaping her.
“Oh, I see.” Crystal felt Alex nudge her hard, to which she slapped her elbow away.
“Nothing like that you weirdo. Just another warrior I met at the meeting.”
Alex decided to drop the conversation point and began to go on about how the past few days had been for her with all the cleaning and how she had finally gone down to the river for a wash. As she spoke, Crystal’s mind occasionally kept drifting.
Drifting between the machine, the travelling, the thrill of fighting, and the people she had met.
She did hope to meet Edge again, she felt they were both in the same place. Neither warriors, but people who wished to overcome their fears and help aid in the fight.
She had been right all along.
Crystal’s place in the Catalyst Challenge was out there on the front line as a warrior.
Next Time:
Red’s Story
The Lost Student
