The Kaijins chief Bastien, took the spear hed just killed the mutated gator with, and tossed it back to his attendant that had initially thrown it to him. It was clear that the spear was ant only for the finishing blow, hed intended to beat it barehanded first. He wiped his brow of sweat, and leapt up the edge of the pit, grabbing it with his hands then launching his body to land directly in front of .
Angela and her Ren squaddie flinched, but I remained in place, eting Bastiens gaze. There were few people I could look directly in the eye, but he was almost exactly my height, and his muscles made him about two of wide.
He raised an eyebrow and turned to the patrol that had guided us to him, saying several words in Kaijin to her. She responded briefly, then he turned to , looking up and down and smirking.
Youve co to challenge ?
I nodded. Yes. I gestured to the pit. Want to hop back in there with and get this over with? We can do full kit, spears, barehanded, clubs, hell we can take turns throwing gators at each other if you want.
Bastien and his peoples eyes widened as I spoke and I heard Angela chuckle as I spoke, though I hadnt been joking.
Bastien himself let out a booming laugh when I finished speaking. You are bold, challenging in spite of our clear difference in strength. Luckily for you, I am in a good mood after my exercise. He moved away, grabbing a small piece of cloth and wiping the sweat from himself. As you have challenged , I will decide how we shall asure our strength.
He looked performatively thoughtful for a mont, and I took a mont to check his class using my Eyes of the Law ability. I was grateful to find that unlike so Kaijin, he was in the system. Id had a hunch when hed spoken perfect english, literacy and language was one of the primary purposes of the system after all. His class was Actor. I watched him, seeing his musculature ripple as he gesticulated to everyone, that made about as much sense as it didnt.
He turned around, to face . We shall have a three fold challenge. Strength cannot be asured by only one thod after all.
I cracked my neck and adjusted my hat. Na them. three was more than I wouldve preferred, but eting them head on was likely to be the quickest way through this.
Bastien gestured to the gator. First, we shall which of has the greatest appetite. All know that ones appetite is a sign of their strength.
I looked down at the gator and found myself running my tongue over my sharp teeth. I could eat. I responded simply.
If you defeat in this way, then we will move onto the next challenge.
No best of three? asked Angela. He has to beat you at all of them?
Bastien nodded. How else will he have truly defeated ? He turned to the crowd. Prepare the beast for a feast He smiled and looked at , Well need more than one actually. Im feeling hungry today.
It took several hours for the food to be prepared. Two more gators were hunted, butchered, seasoned, and placed on a fire to roast. The Kaijin were very particular about their food, so while I was frustrated by the amount of ti everything was taking, I wasnt surprised. Since I was forced to wait either way, I slept for two hours. It was the first ti Id rested since the attack on the Remnants, and my murder of the Republics prophet. Id been pushing myself hard, and even my enhanced stamina and ability to strengthen myself with radiation wasnt going to be enough to keep going forever.
My sleep was dreamless and satisfying, but not long enough. I was awoken by Angelas pet Ren. My eyes snapped open and I grabbed his hand where hed nudged . I released him once I realized it was him. Whats your na? I asked as I brought myself to my feet. I had grown tired of referring to him in my mind as different variations of Ren blank, with the blank filled in by whatever term seed prevalent at the ti.
He squeezed his hand, hiding that Id hurt it by placing it behind himself. I am Leandros Longblade. He looked at expecting more questions.
I just nodded and sat up. I had chosen to nap against a nearby tree. I had little concern that the Kaijin would attack or rob . They could be tough upon the first eting, but their hospitality once you were allowed into their territory as a guest was legendary. I still slept with my gun grasped in one hand, but that was a habit at this point. Sotis I even did it when I was fast asleep on my boat.
I followed my nose toward the scent of cooking at. My mouth watered, as I approached, and the inside of my nose burned from the heavy spices in which the at had been cooked. The Kaijin I passed by would point, mutter at one another in Kaijin, and laugh. It didnt feel like it was because they werent used to seeing a deadman, their leader was one after all, it was because they thought I was going to lose. That bothered more than I expected.
I reached an area of swamp that had been cleared. There was a massive table in the center of it, covered in gator at, with large pitchers of water on either side. I also noticed smaller tables and small fires arrayed all around it. It seed that a few more of Angelas n had joined her, as I saw several of them eating, talking, or finding a good place to sit and watch the upcoming contest. Angela herself approached as I began walking toward one end of the table.
I was expecting to just watch you slug it out with this guy. You sure you can with this? Yourewell, as skinny as a radcatthat starved to death.
I stopped to look at her. The Khan put you in charge of motivating people? I asked.
Those idiots just care about pride and pussy, easy to get them moving. Youve got half a brain from what Ive seen though. I just want to know if Im going to bring you back with good news for the Khan or bad news.
I went to take my seat at one end of the table, feeling drool start to pool in my mouth as I looked at the food. I looked over to Angela. Good news.
She nodded, and went to take a seat and get a plate of her own. I noticed Leandros, red in the face, pouring water down his throat as quickly as possible while so Kaijin around him laughed and one patted him on the back.
Bastien entered the clearing, leaping down from a nearby tree-hut. He remained shirtless, wearing only a pair of thick shorts and a necklace of gator teeth that ended in a small skull hanging against his chest. He moved over to the side of the table opposite , and sat down. He spoke Kaijin, in the cadence of a speech, as he did so and the crowd laughed and cheered in equal asure.
I cut him off. Rules? I asked, flexing my fingers.
He chuckled, clearly confident. We eat, if we break for more than a sip of water, we lose. You may choose a judge, and I shall as well.
I looked over to Leandros, who was starting to cool down, and pointed. You, youre my judge.
He drank another cup of water, then nodded. I shall perform this duty with honor. He went to stand at the center of the table, and the Chiefs choice stood opposite.
Bastien lifted a large steak with his hand, and I did the sa. Lets begin! He opened his mouth revealing an impressive set of teeth, but not as sharp or long as my own, and bit down.
I did the sa. The at was rich and flavorful. The spices were heavy, and I wasnt sure if that was a strategic choice to try and make the food too hot for to handle, or simply the way they preferred to eat. Either way, it didnt matter. After the bite Id had of the First, a spicy al wasnt enough to deter .
We tore into the at with furor, the sounds of our eating more akin to wild beasts tearing apart prey than civilized people enjoying a prepared al. Idve preferred to eat the at raw, but it didnt matter. It could taste like bile and Id still have had a job to do.
We made it through several pounds of at without slowing, and at one point I looked up to make eye contact with Bastien, and I saw surprise on his face. He had clearly expected an easy victory. He redoubled his efforts, and I did the sa. I ran out of food within reach, and stood up, walking next to the table and tearing into the at as I moved. The Chief started to do the sa and we began closing in on one another. We moved by inches, each pound of at bringing us closer to one another until we were close enough to be hit by one anothers spittle. In the end we both reached for a final steak at the sa ti. We both tore at it, and it broke in half, with perhaps a sliver more of at on my end. I shoved it into my mouth and forced it down.
Bastien, whod clearly slowed, chewed his portion carefully then swallowed. We both looked at the table. It was clear, but for the stains left behind where the at had been. We looked at the judges.
Leandros looked a little pale, and green. Clearly the sight of us eating hadnt sat well with him, particularly not with the combination of the food hed had trouble with earlier. He pointed at . Donovan ate more. I believe him to be the winner.
Bastien looked to the judge hed selected.
She looked apologetic, then pointed to as well.
The Kaijin booed and cursed in their muddy tongue, but the Horde mbers let out a roaring cheer that nearly overtook them in spite of their smaller number.
Leandros looked at . Do you consider my duty fulfilled?
I nodded.
He gave a slight bow, took a few steps away, and vomited into a bush.
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