Chapter 6: The holotrain
The operating room is dark and cold. The walls are black, giving the room a heavy, impersonal atmosphere. Kai has just been placed on a table—a massive iron block covered with a tatami mat.
A floating sphere, carried by small, silent propellers, approaches without a sound. A tiny prick—barely two millimeters. A fleeting burn on his skin. Then, everything blurs. Kai feels his body surrender to darkness.
He opens his eyes, more easily this time. It feels like waking up from a short nap. The anesthesia must not have been very strong.
And then he notices—the pain in his arm is completely gone. He's not confused, just slightly numb. He looks at his right bicep and, sure enough, the twenty-centimeter gash has been replaced by a black silicone line.
Am I going to have this for life? Just my luck.
He runs his fingers over the one-centimeter-thick seam, feeling the slight ridge on his skin. But since it's thin, he doesn't dwell on it for long.
His thoughts drift to Kirvan. Poor guy must have a huge black stripe across his chest… But he quickly stops thinking about it, feeling his face flush with warmth at the mere imagination of the image.
A mechanical sound pulls him from his thoughts. A humanoid droid approaches and starts speaking.
"The money owed to you has been transferred to your ORO bank account. A sum of 300 aurums has been deducted as participation and medical fees."
I figured it wouldn't be 100% free…
"Here is a paper copy of your reward."
A slip of paper emerges from a slot on the droid's forearm, and Kai takes it.
"You may now exit the arena building through this door."
Kai turns toward the door at the back of the room. The droid moves away, tidying up equipment still covered in blood. He stands up and walks toward the red door, reading the paper in his hands. On it, pictures of the fighters he faced, their names, and their respective worth are listed.
1 - Orvan – The frail one, like me…
Financial holdings: 75 aurums
Material possessions: 30 aurums
Total value: 105 aurums
2 - Gurran, aka "Redbeard." The colossus…
Financial holdings: 515 aurums
Material possessions: 250 aurums
Total value: 765 aurums
3 - Varrek, aka "The Executioner." He was tough.
Financial holdings: 743 aurums
Material possessions: 337
aurums
Total value: 1080 aurums
Total earnings: 1950 aurumsDeductions: -300 aurumsFinal amount received: 1650 aurums
1650 aurums! I never even imagined having that kind of money! Now we have more than enough to reach Utawa!
Kai reaches the door, opens it, and steps into the plaza in front of the dome, a few meters from the main entrance. There, Naelis is waiting impatiently, eager to leave. Kirvan is leaning against the wall beside the door, still reading his own note. From here, Kai can glimpse his total—1800 aurums.
Naelis, pacing restlessly, immediately steps forward.
"Kai! Do you feel okay? If you're having trouble walking or anything, just say so, alright? Because we need to hurry and catch the tram to Kawava station before dusk and the crowd rush. Being out in the streets at night here is dangerous."
"I can walk, I'm just a bit… tired." He massages his arm. "A lot happened today."
Kirvan steps forward and positions himself behind Kai.
"Naelis, take the lead. I'll watch Kai's back."
He places a hand on Kai's shoulder. Kai stiffens at the contact, a shiver running through him—whether from embarrassment, happiness, or both, he can't tell.
Kai turns to look at Kirvan, unsure whether to feel flattered or awkward.
"You sure? Isn't that a bother?"
"Not at all, don't worry."
Not at all? Is he… enjoying this? Looking after me? Why does everything he says make me want to hear more?
"Hey, you two! Let's go!" Naelis calls.
They move through the streets of the Derive, bathed in the orange glow of dusk, until they reach the tram stop nearby. The stop is inside a twelve-story tower, with a gaping hole in the center where the rails pass. The station itself is within this opening.
They enter and climb the stairs. The place is empty—no one takes the tram in this district. After a few minutes, the tram arrives—a battered white carriage with shattered windows, barely holding onto its rails. The doors close, and once again, the three of them are the only passengers inside.
The tram travels across the rooftops of Derive, giving them a view of their city—a sky-high garbage heap. They joke about it bitterly.
After twenty minutes, they arrive at the Kawava Hologare stop. It's nighttime now, but even in the dark, the wealth of this area is obvious. The streets are wide, and restaurants are open all around the station.
"They can afford to go to restaurants… I've never even been inside one," Kai murmurs, his voice trembling in disbelief.
"They're just rich brats, the offspring of the Golden Soldiers' founders. Privileged scum," Naelis spits, her voice laced with anger.
"Naelis!" Kirvan interrupts, voice low. "Calm down. People might hear you, and trust me, we don't want to make enemies among the privileged."
They make their way to the holotrain platforms, purchasing three tickets at 150 aurums each for a trip across Oro to the village of Utawa.
A floating train arrives at an insane speed—sleek, massive, pure white. Magnetic doors detach and hover a few meters above, allowing passengers to exit before new ones enter.
Naelis turns to the boys.
"Okay, we stay together. We can't draw attention to ourselves. Kirvan, keep an eye on Kai in case a Golden Soldier questions our right to be here. Even with tickets, look at how they're already staring at us. Dressed like this, we're a walking target for discrimination."
Kirvan places his hand on Kai's shoulder again, firmer this time. The danger is real now. His hand is warm—comforting. Another shiver runs down Kai's spine. Kirvan notices.
"Are you cold? Yeah… This winter is brutal."
Kai is sure Kirvan is pretending not to understand the real reason behind his reaction—judging by his sly smirk. It's infuriating, yet for some reason, Kai almost enjoys it.
They board the rear carriage—less crowded.
The carriage, about ten meters long, consists of two columns of double seats facing each other, separated by small tables. They take the back row. Even at the rear, the seats are all occupied.
Naelis sits by the window next to an old woman. Across from her, Kai takes the window seat, with Kirvan beside him in the aisle.
The old woman eyes Kai and Kirvan with disdain, shifting uncomfortably away from Naelis. From the next row, whispers reach their ears:
"Do you think they actually paid for their tickets?""I don't want to be caught in an attack by slum rats."
They try not to listen.
The seats are tight, and Kai feels Kirvan's thigh press against his. Somehow, it helps him relax, making him feel safe—even though it also makes him self-conscious.
Does this bother him? Maybe he just wants me to scoot over? But if I do and he wasn't even thinking about it, wouldn't that be weird?
From the corner of his eye, he glances at Kirvan—who, while staring at the ceiling, has a small, satisfied smile.
The carriage is silent, making the trio's presence feel even more out of place.
The train speeds into Oro's city center, slicing through the golden-lit night. At night, Oro is stunning—bathed in gold, a towering beacon of wealth.
One hour later, after a few stops, the train leaves the city behind, cutting through the dark countryside like a streak of steel and light.
Finally, at 3 AM, they arrive at the Utawa station.
Kirvan instinctively grabs Kai's hand, interlacing his fingers with his, guiding him through the station while following Naelis.
Kai feels Kirvan's warmth spread through his wrist, his arm—his entire body. But it only tangles his thoughts further.
What's happening to me? I've never felt like this before. Why is my heart racing?
Outside the station, Kirvan lets go, offering a small smile.
"We made it! Now let's hurry to 19 Korga."