UNMENTIONABLE CHAOS

Noisy, damp, and smoke-filled corridors lead to the underground world. It got warmer and warmer the further down Mika traveled. Loiters stood around, watching her every step like a vulture to roadkill. It’s dark outside with low lighting in the immediate areas. Little shops gave light to the wet ground.

“It’s literally a different world under here.”

Mika started to get nervous in the unfamiliar territory. 

“I’ve never really been anywhere without Nieko by her side. Regardless, I’m still determined to carry out my mission!” 

Mika finally reached the door of the Risky Dome.

“Alright, I’ll just explain to them our situation, and they should understand…right?”

Mika attempted to give herself a pep talk before approaching the intimidating-looking man standing in front of the entrance doors.

“Hey, Ummm…is this the Risky Dome?”

“Can’t you read?”

The brute pointed to the sign looming above the building, shining as bright as the moon.

“Oh yeah…of course, it is silly of me.”

Mika felt embarrassed for asking an obvious question.

“So is there a fee to get in or—”

“Just walk through the doors already. This is a public space, not an illegal venue that comes with a password or anything. I’m just here to make sure no crazies make their way in to disturb everyone’s good time.”

“Oh…well, thank you, and I…thank you.”

Mika hurried through the corridor to run away from her awkward encounter.

Engulfed in darkness throughout the corridors, hints of light stream from neon signs and annoying advertisements. Mika noticed people standing against the walls in short glimpses. Some stared at Mika as she passed by, overhearing them snickering and whispering about her.

“What’s a cute little princess doing in a place like this? Is she lost or something?”

“I’m pretty sure she knows nothing about this lifestyle. She must be here to see someone she’s dating.”

“I hate when weak-looking people think they can just come here and act like they belong in our world.”

Mika can’t help but frown at the misinformed snickering happening around her. She finally reached the light at the end of the tunnel. Mika can hear the excitement and energy from the crowd on the other side.

“Here goes nothing.”

Mika pushed through the double doors.

Inside she is greeted with smog and smoke from vapers and smokers. She coughed to save her lungs as she noticed the massive arena. The site is shaped like a concert hall or an amphitheater. The seatings were raised higher than the ring below, like watching animals in a cage.

“For some reason, this place reminds me of something I’ve seen? That’s odd.”

Mika finally spotted the front desk after endless searching through the dense crowds.

“Finally, and just a few minutes to spare.”

After surfing through the slew of yelling and screaming fans, Mika finally reached the desk. She tripped on some junk on the sticky floors and sat on some gum. 

“Ewwwww! This floor is disgusting.”

She gathered her barrings and abruptly greeted the front desk representative as she fell towards the counter. He looked at her with a raised eyebrow.

“Hey….Mr. Rep, is this where we sign up for fights?” Mika said, smiling her innocent smile.

The rep looked Mika up and down before speaking.

“You must be in the wrong place, princess. This place is for people who love rough housing and cussing until their hearts are content. I’ll call someone to escort you out safely.” 

The Rep motioned for someone to come over and take Mika away.

“Wait, I came here as a favor for a friend, not to fight in a match!”

“Well, why did you have to come here for your scared little friend? Why didn’t they come here themself?”

“She’s unwell right now, and I wanted to postpone her fight with Trixa—“

“Trixa! Trixa the Terrible! Oh, No, she doesn’t cancel her fights, nor does she like to be told any bad news. She once put a guy and a girl in the hospital because they ran out of Chili Cheese Norittos at the Nacho Planet upstairs. You best believe I won’t be the one to tell her about this match getting canceled!” 

The Rep grabbed his towels and went back to wiping glass cups and monitoring the current fight, trying to ignore Mika’s existence.

“Fine, then I’ll tell  Trixa the Terrible myself. Please just tell me where I can find her,” Mika’s determination started to leak out of her eyes.

The Rep leaned to look Mika directly in the eyes.

“I’m not sure if you have a death wish or just plain ignorant of the danger you cauldron be in.”

Things got quiet for a moment before he spoke again.

“Fine, but it’s your funeral, princess.”

“Wonderful, so where can I find Trixa?” Mika said eagerly as her eyes lit up.

“Well, she’s right behind you.”

Mika is greeted by a massive pair of hands, grabbing her arm and levitating her. She was confused by the elevation change until she realized Trixa’s face of rage. Mika felt the tension and became overwhelmed with fear staring into those deadly eyes. She fought to free herself, but nothing she did compare to the massive hands of Trixa.

“Trixa, what are you doing? Let go of me!”

“So your Nieko got scared and wanted to cancel our fight, huh?” Trixa grumbled.

“No, no, I didn’t come to cancel the fight. I wanted to move the date, that’s all.”

“Moving it is still canceling it for tonight. If your friend couldn’t keep the time, she should have chosen another day.”

“How was she supposed to know she would become unavailable?!” Mika started to get annoyed with the insults toward Nieko.

“Not my problem! Regardless, I may not fight your friend tonight, but I will have a fight.”

Mika looked around, hoping her intuition was incorrect.

“No, please, I don’t know anything about fighting. You can’t possibly mean me!”

“I don’t see anyone raising their hand and volunteering to fight me instead.”

“Now, Trixa, don’t you think you're going too far with this one? Just let the girl down. I’ll find you someone else to fight.” The Rep attempted to reason with Trixa.

Trixa looked at him with an evil glare.

“Do you want to take her place instead?!”

The Rep quickly looked at Mika.

“Good luck, princess. I have a family to feed at home!” 

The Rep went back to cleaning his cups quietly.

“Our match is starting soon. We should get down to the caged arena.” Trixa smirked at Mika.

Mika looked significantly uncomfortable, with no way to escape or break free. She started to think to herself as she closed her eyes as tight as possible.

“I don’t know what else to do….”

“I really need you right now.”

NIEKO

MIKA!

Nieko had abruptly woken up, looking around to remind herself that she was in a clinic. She looked down at her bruised right leg.

“Seems the doctor hasn’t come in here yet.”

She started to pull all of the wires and attachments from her body. She got out of bed and looked around for some meds and medical supplies, placing them into a bag. While scavenging the area, she heard footsteps down the hall. She rushed back to her bed, hiding her bag of goodies under her blanket. She went back to playing dead in her bed.

The nurse walked in with crutches and a bouquet of flowers, placing the items next to Nieko’s ride-side table. The nurse continued to rummage through a few things before turning to Nieko. The nurse picked up the blanket to check on Nieko’s bruised leg. Nieko watched them with one open. The nurse then opened a syringe before prepping Nieko’s leg.

The nurse readied to insert the needle, but their hand was stopped by a quick grab from Nieko’s quick reflexes.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?!”

The nurse calmly reacted without looking at Nieko.

“I’m just giving you some antibiotics for your leg.”

“But the doctor hasn’t come to examine me yet and—“ 

Nieko stopped when she noticed a tattoo on the nurse's wrist. Her eyes grew wide with realization.

“Who are you? Are you a hit man from that King who is itching to finally take me out?!”

“Zeth.”

Nieko calmed down as she loosened her grip.

“I was ordered to come here to deliver a message and support you on your travels. That is all.”

“Wait, were you the one who saved us back in Tepid Town?”

The nurse continued to administer the antibiotic shot into Nieko’s leg.

“Ah! Geez, I didn’t know it was so tender! What kind of shot was that anyway?!

“In the flowers is a note, a map to help you reach your next destination. The crutches should help you walk out of here before the doctor returns. The shot will have you healed in about 5-10 minutes.”

“Sounds like a Zeth special to me.”

The nurse started to leave the room, but Nieko grabbed their arm again.

“Wait…how is he, Zeth?”

“You shall know soon enough, but I must go now. Stay safe on your travels Miss Oziraye and best of luck from the great Doc Zeth the Wiz.”

The nurse made their swift exit.

Nieko sat for a moment before grabbing the card out of the flowers. She smiled, followed by a chuckle.

“Zeth, you really know how to make a girl wait.”