The Power of Linksite

"I'd say," came a low voice, produced by a giant man on the oppisite side of the Mayor. His skin was black as the cave's shadows. Wearing a crown of long, black feathers; a toothpick twirling between his lips. His bushy eyebrows dance, "I've been looking for a new wife … one to replace the one I have now."

The Mayor rolled his eyes, "they're much too you for you …"

"Nonsense," He bellowed, "three of my wives are much younger than them … and if they can bleed, they can bare, and I need me some great warrior sons." He eyeballed Lyolis bear-head crown. "And I believe you'd give me quite the little grizzley."

She turned away, only find Bonejaq sharp nose catching Tonsi's scent. His long hair like a serpent coiled in his lap while a horse tail hung from his neck. 

"I know that smell," Bonejaq closed his eyes, drawing a large breath. "You're that Womberwheel girl … I've got a bone to pick with your father!"

Tonsi seemed less afraid and more annoyed. Even with the large, giant of a man, looming over her, eyeing her like meat. The man shivered from her icy touch, pushing against his chest that was bare and rounded as boulders. 

"Then take that up with my father …" Tonsi pushed him back into his seat. "His quarrels are not mine!"

Lyolis's lips twisted upward. She always believed she had a strength within her. A beast ready to break free, tear through skin, and give her the power she desired … but it never came. Only the fear that displayed her weakness. 

Suddenly she felt it; Her skin hot and veins pulsing, beating with the pounding of her heart. For too long she's stayed quiet. For too long she'd allowed others to dictate her life. And for too long she'd sat aside while others did her bidding. With a whip of her head, Lyolis faced the man. Brows furrowed. Nose wrinkled. Eyes golden-black. A grizzly had awoken within her. 

"You are no man … only an animal. One that will never have my respect. Nor the prowess to take my hand.  Now, be the good crow you are, and stay quiet. I've got no time for the likes of you."

The Mayor placed a limp hand against his chest, snickery. "Such sass you have child. My. My. Am I impressed." He turned towards the man. "Baxter, do as the child said and leave her be. And you, Yurk, keep your nose to yourself. You both disgust me …"

Baxter smirked and the toothpick snapped between his lips. He spat the pieces then pulled another from his feathered hide, pushing it between his lips. Lyolis turned away raising her chin.

"Wow!" Tonsi said, "where did that come from?"

"I have no idea …" Lyolis said. I've just been through a lot as of late. And I needed to … express myself."

"Express yourself," Tonsi giggled. "Is that what you would call it? You just talked down Baxter … the man responsible for taking your Brusk'Kab. Don't you remember? Rynan and Zoar had told us this much … he's the one that owns the bar."

Lyolis kept her eyes on her, "and how about you?" She smirked. "You just told off Bonejaq the Yurk overlord. You must be proud of yourself."

Tonsi shrugged, "nah … I just don't take kindly to people smelling my hair." They giggled. 

Lyolis stopped. Her eyes growing to moons. There was more beast fury left within her, ready to expel out onto the Mayor. And with the new confidence she gained tearing down Baxter, there was no stopping her. 

"Mayor Thompkins," Lyolis said sharply. He drew his attention onto her, amused. Hands folded under his chin. "I've heard rumors that you've come into possession of a bear …"

The Mayor smirked, "you've heard or you saw?"

Lyolis's eyes narrowed. She was surprised by his response, but there was no turning back now. "I saw possess a bear … one that belonged to my people … stolen from our lands … and we wished her return."

"You speak of your Brusk'kab," He said casually. "Indeed I've claimed her, with no recollection of who she belonged to prior. Therefore I see no reason to return her … she is now my property."

"If you wish to remain friendly with the Cyoakians ..."

The Mayor chuckled, glaring at the girl. "I've allied with the true Cyoakians of the north."

"You mean the Howl Chief?"

"But of course, my dear … I tried to negotiate with your mother and father, but we couldn't find common ground." He shook his head. "Therefore, I equipped the Howl Chief with the weapons he needs to back Totem … With the help of of that man over there." He pointed across the cave at a man with black scales flickery in the light. "He provided the guns and I provided the buyers …"

Lyolis frowned, feeling faint. "But … but why?"

"Because, you see, child … There's an evil far greater than me. And if Texionya does not learn to unite we will be consumed by it." He lowered his head. "Many will hate me today … but by the end they will learn to love me." Lyolis bit her lip. "Because I'm the hope for this godforsaken wasteland … For now, it's time to have some fun." He picked up a bell from his podium and gave it a gentle ring. "My friends! It is time to unlock the boxes in front of you."

Lyolis felt afraid. Her courage vanquished, she turned towards the box that was black with golden embroidery. Her hand trembling she stuck the key inside, and with a turn, clicked it open. The lid popped, flipping open; a black glowing viel inside. 

She took the veil into her hand. The glass oddly warm while the contents inside, thick and dark as oil. 

The Mayor popped the cork from his own. "By consuming this viel, you will take control of one of the prisoners in Sundown City … a prisoner who would've been hung for their crimes. With their control, you will use them to kill the gunslingers until they find the trinket that will end the games." 

"Kill the gunslingers …" Lyolis looked to Tonsi, both trembling with fear.

Tonsi whispered, "We have to help them."

"A toast!" The Mayor smirked. "May the best gunslinger win …" There were cheer then the others consumed their veils. 

Lyolis reached out a hand out, grabbing the Mayor's arm, keeping him from his drink. He turned towards her, frowning. "I want to make you a wager …"

The Mayor raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "No wager is big enough for me—"

"If I win, you return our Brusk'Kab."

"And if you lose?"

Lyolis lowered her chin, "I will get my parents to agree to whatever it is you desire."

The Mayor smirked and chuckled, "interesting … very interesting … And who would be your champion."

"A man," Lyolis said, the one the Mayor hated. "Jostice Beatpost."

The Mayor leaped in his chair, silent. He brushed his shirt and nodded. "I'll take that wager … Cheers!"

Their veils clicked, "Cheers." Lyolis popped her cork  and together they flooded their mouths with the warm, sticky liquid; the taste of sweet dirt hanging on her tongue. Lyolis coughed. "Disgusting," she shivered.

Tonsi was gagging next to her, "Yuck! We probably shouldn't of drank that—"

Suddenly Tonsi's pale face faded and Lyolis's world went black. She was unsure if she fainted, but something felt different. Lyolis looked around, only blackness around her. 

"Hello!" She yelled, only producing a heinous, high-pitched scream. Around her, other bodies swayed beside her, too dark to see what, all crammed together in their small, dark confinement.

What is this, she thought, what's become of me? "Hello!" No words came out. Only the heinous cry. 

She took a breath and gagged, the reek of decay and feces burning in her nose; a stench of a hundred battlefields. She gagged again. 

This isn't me, she thought, moving her hands down a slender, boney frame. I'm trapped in somebody else's body ...