“Hahaha, what a time to be alive. Oh I thank the great Aetur for blessing me on this day!” Gorilla shouted from the rooftops above the plaza.

The square itself and its populace had become a myriad of panic and terror. 

“Fheitgr! Fheitgr! Run!” echoed around the plaza. 

Adriana and Abraham on stage began issuing orders to the nearby guards. Guards futilely directed traffic, doing their utmost to evacuate everyone in a calm and orderly fashion. It was pointless. The plaza was packed to the brim and this level of chaos only made everything significantly more difficult to organise. Four tall but thin archways located on the North, West, East and South ends of the plaza served as the exits to the plaza.  Citizens stormed each corridor desperately seeking escape. 

Piotr sighed.

What I’d give to be able to just ignore all this anarchy and kill this blubbering Fheitgr fool. Duty calls I suppose. Let’s start with alleviating some build up.

A blue aura enveloped groups of citizens in patches. People soared through the air as they were hoisted upwards by their waist.

Thankfully some of you are wearing belts, how fortunate, Piotr thought.

“What’s happening?! Help me!” screamed the airborne citizens.

“My good citizens, if you would be so kind as to relax. I assure you this level of discomfort will cease shortly!” Piotr announced.

Metal railings that served as shutters for windows in the plaza suddenly twisted and bent, forming makeshift ladders that lead inside the buildings surrounding the plaza. Luckily every open window was now vacant.

“If some of you would be so gracious to enter the nearby buildings and leave in a calm and orderly fashion!” Piotr instructed.

The airborne citizens were safely placed inside every window, displaying the path forward. To Christi’s surprise, people listened and the chaos began to subside slightly. It was incredible how level headed the man always remained. Christi looked around, unable to spot Sam or Ratchet. Using all her strength she fought to continue standing amidst all the jostling. Stray elbows and arms stabbed her sides.

Christi watched as Piotr withdrew metal sheets from his trenchcoat and moulded them into a slew of spiked arrows. He floated in the air before releasing his arrows. The projectiles accelerated towards the large burly man standing ready on the plaza rooftop. He reacted quickly, adeptly dodging each missile, all the while he laughed giddily.

He’s so quick, Christi thought 

Piotr set himself down about ten metres from the man. Raindrops pittered his trench coat. 

“You want your rematch, I’ll allow it, but not here. These people needn’t be caught in our squabble. We’ll fight elsewhere,” said Piotr.

Gorilla’s smile broadened deeper, the man was ecstatic, “So be it, I’m content as long as I’m allowed my rematch.”

“Follow me then,” Piotr said solemnly, waving his hand.

He floated over the rooftops and Gorilla gleefully followed. Christi watched as the two disappeared from her vision.

What was he thinking? There could be more warriors lying in wait. I need to help him.

Christi wrestled inwards through the crowd and climbed the stage. Surveying her surroundings she looked for a route out. The Yharnam Tree and its plentiful branches caught her eye. She had an idea. She began to climb the tree. Luckily the tree trunk wasn’t as slippery as she had expected. Save for a couple slips here and there she persevered and reached a thick branch that extended to the nearby plaza rooftop.

Here goes nothing, she gulped.

The girl ran and leapt from the branch, landing clumsily on the ceramic tiling. Her feet began to slide, so she plunged her metallic fist into the roof and anchored herself. Collecting herself she ran in the direction Piotr and the warrior had left in. Searching the horizon frantically she spotted two figures, one floating and the other following closely behind. They were headed in the direction of the pier.

I’m coming, Piotr, she said to herself as she bounded from adjacent street rooftops.

Ratchet and Sam, like Christi, had managed to escape the plaza. The two had spotted Christi clambering the Yharnam Tree to reach the rooftops of the plaza square. Dodging and weaving through the streets the pair chased the girl.

“Where’s she going?” Ratchet said under his ragged breath.

“I’m not sure but I would assume Christi is currently pursuing Piotr and the warrior he faced before,” Sam said.

“That’s one of the two men he faced? I thought Piotr took care of them?!” Ratchet shouted.

“Fheitgr don’t stay down for very long unfortunately, they’re known to recover incredibly quickly. I fear this may perhaps prove more troublesome than I first conceived. Quickly my friend, we must hurry!”. 

“I’m running as fast as I can!” replied Ratchet. 

Piotr led the man to the empty pier. He couldn’t have chosen a more suitable spot. He set himself down in an open seating area that was in the shape of an octagon. Varying heights of benches rose above one another, all overlooking an elevated circular wooden dial. The rain pelted down harder now, transforming into a heavy downpour.

Now to squash this bug, before anyone else gets hurt.

Gorilla ripped free his hooded clothing revealing a black vest and powerful frame that was accentuated by his chiselled muscles. He belted out another laugh, a wicked smile blurred his scarred face.

“Is this good enough for you then? Come Piotr Henlein. Grant me the pleasure I seek. Let us have a wonderful fight, one that the great Aetur will proudly acknowledge!”

Piotr stared at him, so loud and unruly. He hated the Fheitgr. Battle crazed maniacs who’s hunger could never be sated. Piotr remembered his days before the Pioneers. He had fought, scratched and clawed for everything he needed to survive. Despite it all, he wanted for nothing, just the means to live. 

Oh how selfish you Fheitgr are, he raged. A familiar feeling consumed him. Bloodlust, how nostalgic.

“Come Piotr Henlein, face me Korill of tribe Fier!” 

“I’ll kill you this time,” Piotr said coldly.

“Haha! That’s the spirit!” shouted Korill. 

Same as before, enhance your reflexes. Move quickly and precisely. Control the battlefield.

Piotr blinked and next thing he knew Korill was upon him. Piotr pulled himself back sliding across the slippery surface of the pier. It didn’t matter. Korill continued his onslaught.

He’s trying to overwhelm me. Time to up the pace then.

Piotr surged his mana, greatly enhancing his speed. Evading each rapid strike he danced around the pier. Even with his enhanced capabilities he struggled to avoid Korill’s close quarters combat. For every strike he dodged he would suffer the brunt of two in return. 

I can’t keep this up, Piotr thought

He prepared two metal sheets on either side of his lower abdomen inside his coat, ready. He retreated again, this time however he leapt backwards into the air. Just high enough for Korill to snap his right fist into Piotr’s lower left abdomen. Piotr let himself go with the impact, he clutched at where he had been hit. 

Thankfully he was fine, he had braced for the impact accordingly. It was a risk but it had paid off. Korill yelled in agony as a metal spike impaled his right fist. A hole poked through Piotr’s coat where the spike had punctured Korill’s fist.

Piotr raised his hand and manipulated the spike, he dragged it up towards Korill’s wrist and twisted. Blood and muscle revealed itself to the wet conditions. Korill grunted before gripping the spike and ripping it free. 

Good that’s one less thing to worry about in close quarters, Piotr sighed in relief.

Korill hurled the spike back towards Piotr, the spike halted midair. Piotr propelled himself from the spike, darting upwards and slipping more sheets of metal from his trenchcoat. Projectiles rained down with Piotr as he descended towards Korill. Korill growled, he darted between the spikes. A spike nicked a pocket on Korill’s left leg. Suddenly a black hazy gas exploded on the pier below Piotr.

Is that his affinity?

Piotr lowered himself to the pier. He scanned his surroundings, a hazy black smoke enveloped him. The smoke felt alive.

Can’t say his affinity exactly compliments him, Piotr thought.

The smoke next to him split. Through reduced visibility he recognised the large silhouette, it was Korill. A firm hand clasped the collar of his coat, and he was thrown from the smoke. Korill growled loudly like a feral animal. 

He was enjoying the fight just a few moments ago, now he seems angry. Why? 

Piotr propped himself to his feet, Korill emerged from the shadows. His face was stern, he inhaled and relaxed.

“Forgive me I disgraced our duel, bringing such a cowardly weapon to a fight like this. Please collect yourself and let us resume. I will best you with my own strength”, Korill said.

That wasn’t his affinity then? Yet it felt like an affinity.

“How kind of you,” Piotr said before standing up.

Korill smiled, he bowed low with his arms outstretched. Ready to pounce.

“Piotr!” he turned to see Christi, behind her were Sam and Ratchet. 

“Stay back!” he barked towards the group.

Korill sprang forward. He hesitated at the girl’s cry. He dug his feet into the ground but his momentum continued. He collided with Piotr, sending the man reeling backwards. Piotr crashed into a nearby bench, his body ached, he should’ve been dead by now. Enhancing his durability and reflexes was taking its toll on his body. Korill spun towards the trio.

“Leave! We are in the middle of a duel, do not disturb us!” Korill fumed. 

Christi charged forward, Korill smiled as he noticed the girl’s features.

“Fheitgr, what a surprise.”

Christi connected with a punch, Korill’s face soured.

“You’re not Fheitgr, you’re weak. How disappointing”.

Korill felt a tug on his neck as Ratchet attempted to choke the man. Korill shook him off and Ratchet flopped to the ground. 

“I don’t like picking on the weak but if you insist on interrupting our duel then I must remove you” Korill said solemnly.

He drew his fist back.

No, no, no, Christi screamed in her head.

Christi saw the falling rubble, heard Alex’s familiar voice. Rage and fire burned inside her, she felt her muscles grow stronger. Mana surged through her body. Her left arm exploded with power, steam vociferated. Springing forward her left fist slammed into the back of Korill’s head. 

Punch after punch she continued wailing on him. He slumped to the ground. It was as if time had stopped, everyone remained frozen in place. To Christi’s surprise Korill turned over, and she approached her foe. 

“Come here child,” he said weakly. 

Christi found her body complying, she knelt at his side. He ripped free a pendant hidden beneath his vest and placed it into Christi’s right hand. He brought her close, even now a smile plastered his face. His eyes leaked blood. 

“Forgive me, I mistook you as weak. There it is, the look of a Fheitgr warrior, glorious. Remember my name child, Korill of Tribe Fier. The warrior you slew. Embrace it child. That killer instinct and strength that accompanies it.”

Korill’s eyes dilated grey and he drew his last breath. Christi observed the pendant. The symbol resembled a flame. Her left arm was coated in crimson blood. Rich red like her flames. She felt… strong.