At that moment, far away, in an impossible land, a blonde-haired girl gazed into the heavens. She stood atop a colossal dragon, the creature sunbathing upon a rocky outcropping in the cold air. The girl, tall and lean with a wiry strength, reached up, and removed a wide-brimmed hat, letting her golden hair spill freely over her shoulders. Her hazel-brown eyes reflected the swirling sky above. Perched on her head, large, worn aviation goggles caught the faint light, their golden rims glinting faintly.

  The dragon beneath her shifted, its enormous body creating a low rumble as it adjusted its wings. Its scales glinted like polished obsidian, each sharp enough to cut through steel.

  On the ground beside the dragon, crouched low, was a shadowy figure dressed entirely in black. Her fluffy black tail flicked lazily behind her as her piercing yellow eyes scanned the horizon.

  She adjusted her gloves, “They’re here,” the girl in black said, her voice soft yet commanding. “Do you want me to hold it?”

  The blonde-haired girl held the stolen scroll of paper tightly in her hands. She glanced over her shoulder. In the distance, a group of dark, winged figures hurtled toward them, cutting through the sky at breakneck speed. Their silhouettes grew larger with each passing second. A spark of mischief lit up her face. “They’re really mad, huh?” Without waiting for a reply, she jammed the scroll in her pocket and tapped the dragon’s neck. The beast roared, and in one fluid motion, it leaped into the air, its wings snapping open with a thunderous clap. The dragon soared higher, twisting and turning as it wove through towering cloud formations.

  Without missing a beat, the girl in black knelt, and began using her hands to dig at the ground. Within seconds, she had dug a sizeable hole, and sank into the rocky terrain, dirt and dust covering her until she was fully concealed. The figures flying overhead paid her no mind, their attention solely fixed on the dragon and its rider.

  Under the earth, she thought, ‘It’s funny. That piece of paper, that prophecy they chase… they’ve read it, and so have we. They fight, but in the end, it’s just delaying the inevitable.’

  The winged figures followed without hesitation, their movements unnervingly fluid. The dragon dove and rolled, but the pursuers remained close, their speed and agility making them impossible to shake.

  The dragon broke through the last of the clouds, revealing a sprawling mountain village nestled among the snow-capped peaks. Snow blanketed the rooftops and narrow pathways, the entire village was nestled in the heart of a rugged, unforgiving landscape. Weathered homes, prayer flags fluttering in the icy wind, and villagers bustling about their daily lives.

  The dragon descended, skimming low over the rooftops. Villagers screamed and scattered as the beast roared past, its massive form blotting out the sun. The blonde-haired girl leaped off its back, landing gracefully on the roof of a small house. She didn’t stop moving, her boots pounding against the wood as she sprinted across the village, weaving through narrow alleyways and startled crowds.

  The pursuing figures tore through the sky above, their dark forms casting ominous shadows over the village. They didn’t hesitate, smashing through buildings and scattering debris in their wake. The villagers’ cries filled the air, but the blonde-haired girl didn’t slow down. She vaulted over fences, barreled through doorways, dashed across courtyards, and darted through homes.

  On the far edge of the village, she reached a sheer cliff. Without hesitation, she dove off. The wind roared past her, tearing at her clothes and hair, but her expression remained calm, even confident. For a moment, she was free-falling, the ground rushing up to meet her.

  As she fell, the dragon swooped in from below, its timing flawless. She landed squarely on its back, gripping its scales tightly as it soared upward once more. The beast roared, the sound echoing off the mountain peaks as it climbed higher into the sky.

  The winged figures hesitated at the cliff’s edge, momentarily losing sight of their target as the dragon vanished into a dense bank of clouds.

  The blonde-haired girl exhaled slowly, her grip on the dragon relaxing slightly. She glanced over her shoulder, a sly smile tugging at her lips. “Nice try,” she muttered. Then, to the dragon, she said, “Let’s go.”

  The dragon growled in response, banking hard and vanishing into the endless horizon.

  The kitchen was dim, lit only by the soft amber glow of a single hanging bulb. Kaly sat at the cold marble table, her head propped up by her hand as she struggled to stay awake. Her eyes were half-lidded, and her thoughts drifted aimlessly as she stared at the empty plate in front of her.

  A soft creak broke the silence, pulling her attention toward the dark hallway leading deeper into the house. From the shadows, a familiar silhouette emerged. Kaly’s face lit up as she sat up straight. “Ivy!” she grinned, her voice filled with relief.

  “No, just me,” a voice answered.

  Kaly blinked as the figure stepped into view, her long blonde hair shimmering even in the dim light. She had revealing sharp, striking features and unmistakable hazel brown eyes. She looked around the room as if she owned the place, her casual confidence almost unsettling.

  “You…” Kaly’s grin faltered. “You look identical to her sometimes,” she muttered, still disoriented. “Do you know where Ivy is?”

  Lilith shrugged nonchalantly, strolling over to the fridge and pulling it open. The cool light spilled out, casting a strange red glow across the kitchen. “Nope. Off doing whatever, I assume,” she said, switching to the freezer, and rummaging through the contents. After a moment, she pulled out a frosty golden champagne bottle and held it up with a triumphant smile. “Ah, perfect.” Lilith grabbed two wine glasses from a cabinet and turned back to Kaly. “Wanna help me finish this?” She asked, already pouring the bubbly liquid into the glasses.

  “Am I allowed? They have weird rules here. According to Tobi, there’s, like… legal gatekeeping on ages for drinking that stuff.”

  Lilith looked left. Lilith looked right. “I don’t see anyone. Who’s gonna stop you?”

  Kaly chuckled softly, but something about the scene felt off. Her surroundings seemed oddly perfect—too sharp, too pristine. A faint chill ran down her spine as she looked at Lilith again. ‘I’m with Ivy’s mom right now. I’ve never even met her…’

  The thought sent a wave of unease washing over her, but then she realized: ‘It’s a dream.’ She had known it all along, but somewhere deep down, something feel felt off. Dreams were rare for her, fleeting when they did come. Usually, though, they were hell. But she decided that she was going to try to enjoy this one for once.

  “A dream? Are you sure?” Lilith asked, as if reading her thoughts.

  “I-” Kaly blinked, caught off-guard. “What?”

  Lilith held up a glass.

  The scene in her dream shifted.

  They were now leaning on the edge of an infinity pool, the horizon stretching out before them in a painting-like image of rolling hills. The water lapped gently against the pool’s edge, reflecting the stars above. Kaly swirled her drink lazily, staring out at the breathtaking view. “Look at me,” she held up her arm, “I’m blue, so most people think it’s weird. You see it in their eyes, because they always stare.”

  Lilith chuckled softly, taking a sip from her glass. “Well, I’m used to it. Not being blue, of course, but people thinking I'm weird. Most people never noticed me, anyway. Hell, the thought of ever having kids or someone settling down with me was a total fantasy for multiple reasons…” She grinned, her hazel eyes twinkling with a mischievous gleam.

  Kaly studied her for a moment, looking her up and down, ‘She really looks so much like Ivy,’ her lips curling into a thoughtful smile. “That’s not possible,” Kaly said finally, shaking her head. “You’re gorgeous.”

  Lilith tilted her head, a sly grin playing on her lips. She gave a light shake of her head before taking another sip from her glass. “Flattery,” she said, her tone dripping with playful sarcasm. “Here, how about this,” she pushed herself into the center of the pool, “Some unrelated advice: People don’t really change. The best predictor of someone’s future actions is their past.”

  Kaly frowned, her brow knitting together. “You don’t really believe that, do you?”

  Lilith shrugged. “Belief’s got nothing to do with it. It’s just how the world works.”

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  Kaly found herself staring into the sky, the dream’s comforting warmth beginning to shift again. Lilith’s presence felt more distant now, her words echoing faintly as if spoken from far away.

  A few days later.

  The muffled thud of fists pounding against the door jolted Ivy awake. She groaned, rubbing her eyes, and glanced around the small hotel room. Morning light filtered through the blinds, illuminating the scattered training gear and half-empty water bottles on the floor.

  Beside her, Kaly was sprawled out, face buried in the pillow, one of her arms dangling off the side of the bed, the other three tucked under the blanket. She was out cold, still recovering from their brutal training session earlier that morning.

  The knocking didn’t let up. It was persistent, heavy. Ivy swung her legs off the bed, “I’m coming, I’m coming!” she muttered, stumbling toward the door.

  She swung it open to reveal a group of sharply dressed men in black suits, their eyes hidden behind sleek sunglasses. In front of them stood a bald, heavyset black man with a muscular frame. “Ivy.”

  It took her several seconds to recognize the man knocking. “Machita!”

  “Wow, you’ve grown. You’re almost as tall as I am, now.” he said.

  Ivy smirked, crossing her arms. “What are you doing here? Last time I saw you, was in Dubai.”

  “Yeah, and you made me a lot of money that night, bruh,” Machita replied, lifting his sunglasses to his forehead. “That’s why I’m here. Got some business to talk with you.”

  Ivy glanced back into the room, hearing Kaly stirring, she lifted herself up, squinting towards them. She figured that whatever was happening, Ivy could handle it, and she laid back down.

  Machita’s jaw dropped and his eyes widened as he looked past Ivy into the room. The rest of his group looked just as stunned. Ivy sighed, stepping into the hallway, and pulling the door shut behind her.

  “She was blue and had four arms…” Machita was stunned.

  “Yup. So does the NFC want me to do something?”

  They moved to the hotel restaurant, where Machita ordered coffee for himself, and a massive breakfast plate for Ivy.

  “First off, congrats again on winning the last tournament,” he began. “It wasn’t just the fight itself that impressed people—it was your style, your raw talent. You’ve got something special, Ivy. The NFC knows it, I know it, and most importantly, the fans know it.”

  Ivy took a bite of the warm food, “Thanks!”

  Machita smiled, “I’ve always liked your attitude, Ivy. So here’s the deal: The NFC wants you to perform again! There’s going to be a special event held in a few weeks.”

  “I’m going to go back to Dubai?”

  “Nah, this place you’re fighting in is going to make Dubai look like some third-world shithole.”

  “Wow,” Ivy nodded, thinking. “There’s going to be another tournament, and I will fight the winner?”

  “Well, no.” Machita said, “They’ll explain everything when you arrive, but what I can tell you is that you’re gonna be on a team.”

  “How is that gonna work?”

  Machita shrugged and grinned, “You’ll see.” Finishing off his coffee, he said, “So, look, that girl in your room, is she strong?”

  A slow grin crept across Ivy’s face, “Oh yeah!”

  “Do you know if she’ll be willing to join you? I assume so since it looks like you guys are…friends?”

  “Yeah, she’ll be there…Will I get paid again?”

  “I know there’s something special if you win.”

  Ivy’s eyes lit up, “Like what?”

  “Like I said, I’ll discuss the contract stuff with you later, alright? Chill.” Machita nodded, “Alright, well, I’ll let you know... Speaking of which…” He pulled out his phone and slid it across the table. “Do you even have one of these?”

  “Oh! Yeah! I bought one, and it’s been dead. I keep forgetting I have it, so I don’t ever charge it.”

  “Here’s the deal,” Machita continued. “Keep it fully charged. Keep it on you at all times. Cause Me or someone else may need to get ahold of you for whatever reason. If you’re actually serious about being in the NFC, there’s a lot to be gained by going above and beyond participation-wise. That’s just what I suggest.”

  Several days later.

  Ivy adjusted her tie as they walked, glancing over at Kaly, who was fussing with the hem of her dress. “You sure you’re good with this outfit? I could ask them if they have something else.”

  Kaly huffed, brushing invisible dust off the silky fabric. “It’s fine. It’s just…Why are they making us wear this at all? I don’t get it. It doesn’t even look like anything, I would ever wear.”

  “I thought you wanted to wear the veil.”

  “I’m talking about my dress.”

  Ivy shrugged, “Appearences, I guess. I don’t really get it.”

  They rounded the corner.

  Machita stood by the open limo door, a grin splitting his face. “About time you two showed up. Get in.”

  Ivy climbed in first, immediately spotting the luxurious leather seats. She picked a spot and leaned back casually, then glanced at Kaly as she stepped inside. Without a word, Ivy extended her leg and used her foot to nudge another chair closer for Kaly.

  Kaly smiled softly as she sat down.

  Machita climbed in last, chuckling as he shut the door. “Alright, you two. No backing out now.”

  The limo slowed to a stop in front of the NFC headquarters, a towering skyscraper with glowing logos projected into the sky. Outside, a massive crowd had gathered—paparazzi, reporters, and fans all jockeying for position to catch a glimpse of the fighters entering the building.

  As the limo doors opened, the crowd erupted when they saw who was inside.

  “IVY! IVY!”

  “WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?”

  “MACHITA, WHAT’S HAPPENING?”

  “ARE YOU FIGHTING AGAIN?”

  Machita stepped out first, flanked by security guards who began parting the crowd. Ivy followed, her tall frame and tailored suit drawing gasps and flashes from cameras.

  Kaly emerged next, her sleek dress shimmering under the lights. The veil she wore sent whispers rippling through the crowd as they tried to catch a glimpse of her face.

  Ivy paused, momentarily stunned by the chaos. Her eyes widened in childlike wonder as she took it all in—the flashing lights, the chanting fans, the atmosphere buzzing in the air.

  “C’mon, guys, they’ll swallow you up,” Machita called over his shoulder, waving them forward.

  Ivy snapped out of it and followed, with Kaly close at her side. The security team cleared a path, but the paparazzi weren’t giving up easily.

  “Where’ve you been, Ivy?”

  “Are you here to schedule another fight?”

  “Who’s your friend? Another fighter?”

  Ivy barely registered the questions, too busy soaking in the moment. Kaly, meanwhile, kept her head down, her hands clenched into fists in her pockets.

  Once inside, the noise of the crowd faded, replaced by the sleek, hushed atmosphere of the NFC building. The receptionist nodded them through, and they followed Machita to a spacious conference room on one of the upper floors.

  A team of NFC officials awaited them, dressed in black suits and armed with thick portfolios.

  “Welcome back, Ivy,” one of them said, holding out his hand. “We’re thrilled to have you on board for this new event.”

  Ivy shook the hand, then took a seat at the long table, with Kaly sitting beside her and Machita standing behind them.

  One of the officials handed Ivy and Kaly sleek tablets. “Before we go over the contract, let’s brief you on the event.”

  The holographic screen on the wall lit up, displaying a detailed arena map.

  “Wow,” Ivy stared in awe, “How does that even work?”

  The arena was labeled as being two miles long, and over 70% of it was covered in a thick jungle.

  “This will be a team battle,” the official began. “The arena is divided into two lanes—top, and bottom. In the middle of each of these lanes is a ‘jungle’ ” He pointed to the top and bottom of the map, showing what looked like a massive humanoid statue on either end. “The objective is to destroy the opposing team’s deity at the center of their base.”

  You’ll be equipped with specialized suits that protect you from fatal injuries and allow you to respawn after being defeated. The match will last until one team is defeated.”

  “What do we get when we win?” Kaly asked. The official pointed to the tablet in front of her, telling her to scroll to the bottom of the contract. Kaly raised an eyebrow after reading it, “Anything?”

  “Hm?” Ivy quickly scrolled to the bottom of her page to see for herself.

  The official smiled, “To incentivize not only winning, but making sure everyone on either team tries their best, the MVPs from each team will receive the grand reward: anything they want.”

  Those words hung in the air for a moment before Ivy leaned back in her chair, a sly grin tugging at her lips. “I’m in!”

  “Are you sure about this?” Kaly hesitated, glancing at Ivy. She leaned in, “It seems too good to be true, right? How are they going to give us ‘anything?’”

  Ivy nodded, her confidence unwavering. “Absolutely, I’m sure.”

  “Before you sign,” the official started, “I should make this clear: Once we leave this room, do not speak about this event to anyone. In your contract is also an NDA, non-disclosure agreement, saying that you won’t talk about this.”

  Both girls looked at each other, confused. With that, they shrugged and signed the contract, sealing their fate in the upcoming battle.

  Outside of the conference room, Machita was waiting for them.

  “You got it done?” He asked.

  “Yeah! We both signed it!” Ivy grinned. “We’re gonna get anything!”

  As they walked back to the front doors of the NFC headquarters, Machita turned to go down another hallway.

  “Where are you going?” Ivy asked.

  “I’m off to Apris. There’s a helicopter waiting for me on the roof.”

  “What’s Apris?” Kaly asked.

  “You aren’t going to commentate our match?” Ivy asked.

  Machita shook his head, “That’s a bit…out of my jurisdiction, so to speak…But there’s an auction there in a few days that I bought tickets for a while back. Lemme tell ‘ya, getting ahold of a ticket before they’re gone is some bullshit.” As he was about to leave, he stopped, “By the way, they were serious back there. Don’t tell anyone about this.”

  “We won’t.” Kaly and Ivy said.