A Martial Arts Tournament
1074 Words
“How does the earth look like?” asked Marium.
Zohaifa swallowed the food in his mouth and answered, “It doesn’t look much different from Cant World actually. We humans look the same as Cants do. The trees are green, the sky is blue, just like Cant world.”
“Oh, exactly no difference at all?” Marium asked.
“Nope.”
“We have the same biomes?”
“Probably. Ocean biome, mountains, forest, desert, all these are available on Earth too.”
“What about the mushroom biome?” asked Marium.
“What?!” Zohaifa asked with a bit of confusion.
“You know, the biome where giant mushrooms grow? Or the windy biome, where the wind is always blowing fast and frequently tornados are spawning? Or the Cactus biome where there is nothing but Cacti?”
Zohaifa forgot to chew his food for a minute hearing the names of all these biomes. Then he gulped fast and said, “Whoa! I never knew such biomes exist. We definitely don’t have them on Earth.”
“Oh! I guess there is a difference after all,” nodded Marium
“Actually there are a bit more differences too. The animals, the plants, these are different from earth slightly. And the fact that we earthlings can’t use elements.”
“Earth sounds like a safer version of Cant world,” Marium stated.
“Boring version to be honest,” added Zohaifa.
They both laughed together.
Lapis came back the next day. Zohaifa observed him closely that day, trying to notice any difference, but there wasn’t any key difference. The training continued like usual.
Two months passed. Lapis took a three-to-four day break every month. They were having the last day of their training after which Lapis is going to drop Marium back to her home and give a progress report to Lazuli.
“So, are you two ready to show your performance after three months of training?” asked Lapis like a commander.
“Yes sir!” answered Zohaifa and Marium like soldiers.
“Then, go forth!” commanded Lapis.
Both of them tied the boulder on their back with full energy and enthusiasm. They reached the top of the hill in just six hours. They proudly stared at the clouds lying on the ground waiting for their sweat of effort to dry off.
But the ending of the training meant that it was time for Marium to go back to Yellow City. The journey to Yellow City began. Zohiafa accompanied by Lapis and Marium finally reached Yellow city by midnight. The city was hidden inside a forest. The city was fairly normal and similar to the cities of Earth. Thus Zohaifa felt nostalgic walking down the street.
He was taken finally to the gate of Lapis's sister’s place. There were guards ensuring security. They could finely recognize Lapis. The house of his sister was five floored, which wasn't much considering her being the president. But that lacking was covered up by the width of the house. The area it covered was astonishingly huge.
It took a fair bit of time for them to find Lazuli's room. The house was filled up with well-behaved polite maids and servants. No pictures were hanging on the wall strangely. Neither were any decorations present. It was plain and simple like the rest of the city. When Lapis finally met his sister, he gave a report of Marium's training.
She was a blonde woman of 25 years, beautiful in appearance, wearing a similar dress as Marium.
"As expected, you designed a good training. I like the results," said his sister in gratitude. Lapis only laughed politely. Then she asked, indicating Zohiafa,
"Who is this kid?"
"His name is Zohaifa. He had a tough going. So I thought I would give him company."
"And how would that benefit us?"
"Come on. Don't be like that. Be a little more Cant. Where is your Cantinity?"
She then spoke to Zohaifa without a smile, "I am Lazuli. I've already heard your name. How do you wish to repay what my brother has done to you?"
"Lazuli!" scolded Lapis, "I helped him by my own wish. You need not interfere!"
"Fine then," said Lazuli with a sigh.
"Have you heard about the martial arts tournament that will be held at Yellow City this year?" Lazuli asked while taking a sip from the teacup.
They are sitting in a living room among many in Lazuli's palace. Zohaifa and Marium are sitting together on a sofa just beside them. Both of them were talking to each other about where Zohaifa will go now. Zohaifa doesn't want to stay anymore after the humiliation, but he also wants to prove himself. So he doesn’t want to go either.
"No," answered Lapis but with a bit of curiosity.
"Winning it will be of huge profit. I didn't know there was someone so rich and martial arts-loving in Yellow City that he would arrange a tournament with such a prize," continued Lazuli.
"And how much might it be?"
"The prize money is close to 15% of my total money. The news likely hasn't spread out of Yellow City. Thus we have a marvelous opportunity to win this."
"Won't it be harder for you to win if I take part there?"
"Yeah, but it doesn't bother me if you win the prize. We are members of the same family after all."
"You already know me very well and can bet your life on the fact that I will easily give the money to you if you want it."
Lazuli only smiled, implying that that's exactly what she will do.
"Sorry but I am not into martial arts anymore. Try me again if there is a fitness contest. I will happily join then."
"But…."
"No buts. My word is final."
"I will join," said Zohaifa breaking the shell of silence he was in ever since the humiliation. "I will give you all the money if I win. This will be how I repay you."
Lazuli mockingly grinned at him and replied, "You think you can win! I only asked Lapis because his strength is similar to mine."
"I can understand that. He has trained me, after all. But won't our chance of victory rise by at least 1% if I compete? Luck is also a matter, right?"
Lazuli remained silent for a second and thought about it.
- Writer
