A duel of dance

Be my number one fanatic

Santigold

A dance duel you can imagine, i don't know, people dancing at a ball or a party. Or a tap dance duel. Waltz.

I had no idea if we were still at the Elysium or in some other plane. But, if we were in Meluilos Erlee, we were pretty fucked up.

A dance duel, is a ritual that involves grace, beauty and performance in your movements. While you annihilate your enemies.

Many bards from both continents have specialized in this technique, both to offer their services to noble families and also as a show of power. Some even work as a bodyguard and, in bakeries, strange as it seems.

I think my father already thought of hiring some, but this art also attracts a lot of bandits. It would be very bad for the reputation of the village if something happened there.

Summing up, fighting someone who practices this art was one of my very nightmares.

— Shit… That's cool and we are so fucked. — I told Jiah, while watching the king go down the stairs, along with an explosion of screaming fangirls. Fireworks broke out, giant televisions showed all possible angles for his arrival, along with loud rock.

He didn't seem to be more than 15 years old but he still posed with such elegance. The ceremonial scarf glowed orange at the tips, along with its long blue cover and gold fillets. The red tiefling tail played with people as he was passing through, greeting, kissing babies and signing autographs.

One of the people from the crew, a Half-Elf, with snowy hair, walked up to us and without saying anything, made a movement with his hands and cleaned up the mess that was Jiah. He looked up and down at me and apparently liked what he saw.

— For the look on your faces, i bet that you already know what's up. — He said, with a voice specifically of a spoiled rich child. I've punched many of those guys in the face.

— Are we gonna have to fight… — I looked over his shoulder to see the king, who was taking pictures with the crowd. — This guy?

— HOT-DOGS! — Screamed Jiah, for no reason.

— Yes, and i'm here to give you the rules.

An awkward moment of silence passed.

— NO RULES!

— Indeed, big guy. — He pointed to the crowd and the giant televisions. — Just give them a show.

One of the televisions, zoomed in on a girl in a suit, hands on her hips, hair stuck in a ponytail. Shit. If my father saw me now… Proud of even more pissed off? Whatever it is, i don't care.

— L, MY GUY!!!! — The king shouted at the elf, pulling him into a hug that L was apparently finding very uncomfortable. — How, are you my man!?

— I'm…

— Good! — He patted L on the back and turned to us. — Ah! And i believe, that you're the chosen ones?

He had a Three Streams accent. Do i hate that place? I hate everything that it's put in front of me! Curved horns glowing in orange along with the scarf? Pass. Red beautiful eyes and brown skin…

Aham! PASS!

— Yeah… — I looked into his soul, for him to see that i have no patience for cuteness. And i also crossed my arms to give more effect.

— Well, what are we waiting for then? — He raised a hand and leaned over. — I invite you, to dinner!

He stayed in that position for a few seconds until L explained.

— He needs you to accept.

Jiah hit his chest and sniffed.

— Sure, i am always up to beat something. Or someone.

He raised his head smiling and looked at me.

— We will discuss the terms.

And in a yellow clouded smoke, he disappeared.

— rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!! I WANT PUNCH HIM SO BAD! DO YOU KNOW HOW TO DANCE, RIGHT BIG GUY!?

Jiah nod his head, beating his fists. I looked at the castle entrance and we walked towards the carpet.

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When we entered the main hall i had to put my arms over my eyes. They got used to the light revealing a huge hall, completely made of crystal. The floor, clearly showed my ugliness, along with the walls and the ceiling.

We walked forward until we entered what looked like an arena. A banquet table stood in the center currently empty. There was a crowd on the benches above, screaming, cheering, as if they were about to see a competition. I located Lynch, Simon and Risdo or whatever his name is, in the first archbreak.

Risdo was wearing a hat and an eye patch (at that point i already accepted anything, he's a talking horse, king…?) and Lynch and Simon waved their flags when they saw me and Jiah.

I sat in the opposite corner of the table and Jiah sat next to me. The audience was crazy when the king appeared far away in the upper corner of the table. When he spoke, the arena seemed to carry his voice, at the same time, making the crowd quiet.

— I ask my guests, what are their names? Where did they come from? Tell me your story and i shall tell mine's! — The rock that accompanied us to the table, was now being replaced by a soft violin. Unseen Servants brought food and drink nonstops, there were at least a good number of different recipes there.

— CHOCOLATE!!! — Demanded Jiah, being bombarded by chocolate bags coming from nowhere now.

— Uh… My name it's Beatrice… I'm here to save my friend…? — I introduced myself, while a barbecue dish flew in front of me, wishing to enter.

— Yeah, yeah, but tell me your story! — He put his shoulders on the table and looked at me curiously. — I live on stories. Literally.

Jiah looked at me with wide eyes and a mouthful of chocolate.

— Are you gonna eat our souls? — I asked innocently, along with a laugh from the audience.

— You see, i could, but i think this is… — He turned the silverware in his hand, searching for the right word. — Old-fashioned…

He took a bite of a piece of pineapple and drank the liquid in the bowl, looking at me anxiously. I took a piece of floating meat and spoke with my mouth full.

— My full name is Beatrice Thunderhawk. I'm from Thunderville. — I looked at the televisions. — My dad sucks.

One of the crew team whispered something in his ear briefly, he made a signal of dismissal, and turned his attention back to me.

— You're a Thunderhawk… — He tilted his head forward. — Hmm… Why i don't feel the presence on you?

— Yeah… Long story. — He gave a brief chuckle. I showed him the tatoo. — Black sheep of the family.

His cloak shone in a more orange tone. I don't think it took much for him to know that i am a failure.

I ate another piece of meat.

— And… What about you!? — Said the king, looking up and down at Jiah with some curiosity. I looked down. A werewolf was more interesting than me. Of course.

— YOU SUCK! — Screamed Jiah. Also, he was growling. I looked up and he was pinning the king with his eyes.

People shouted and cheered, already preparing for a fight. And the king? His cover shone and he just smiled.

I put my hand on the stick, in case he was…

Too late.

The music of the violins started to get more animated and in slow motion, electricity formed in the king's hand and sent a lightning bolt towards me, crossing the table, throwing dishes, meats in all directions. Jiah howled and

leaped towards the king, his huge claws showing. The lightning seemed to have a life of it's own, it curved like an injured animal, but pursued the prey with intent.

I took the stick from my waist and lifted it, not in time to have a blue explosion in my body, that i knew very well.