[03] City Sector

[Kaden]

It was a funny thing, being the victor while the opponent walked away virtually unscathed. Every inch of the courier’s face hurt, but he won, right? That was usually a good thing. He could either dwell on the fact that it hurt to smile, frown, blink, breathe, smell, and talk – Kaden would have sworn that even hearing hurt – or he could focus on the positive.

“I’m the best… around,” the courier declared. “No one’s ever going to bring me down.”

As it turned out, the fight had been an effective release. And, truth be told, it couldn’t have ended better, really. He got the release he needed without the guilt of having to beat up some random person. Win-win, right? Almost. The second interference of Dante’s Abyss host was an… annoying thing. As Kaden climbed to his feet, slowly, he spent a moment gingerly touching his face.

“Hey Damon,” he finally said. “I know you can see me. Does watching a couple of guys go at it get you off? Go ahead and clean up, I’ll give you a minute.” True to his word, Kaden paused for a moment, taking the time to orient himself and begin a slow walk in the direction of the City Sector bunker.

“I know people like you,” Kaden started again. “People like you, they think they’re better than those around them. You think you can hide behind a little game, playing puppet master, watching everyone being forced to play your little game.” The courier shook his head. “Pathetic. I’m not mad, though, well… not really mad. I feel bad for you. Yeah, I’m stuck here in this fucked up game, and you have my pity.”

From the Forest Sector, Sophia, Ashe, and Kaden had known where they were going. It made the trip to the City Sector bunker particularly efficient. Vincent had struck at Kaden only a few blocks away from the refuge. Something the courier was grateful for. It would be nice to sit back, relax, and ice down every inch of his rapidly swelling face.

“And you know why?” the youth continued. “I know people like you. You’ve got nothing. People like you have nothing. I bet your own life is spent dancing around for someone else’s amusement. Maybe a boss, maybe a woman -- more likely man, but hey, no judgment here – but definitely someone. I understand, I do. If I were that fucking impotent, I’d want to watch a bunch of kids being forced to play in my little game, too. No, really, it sounds healthy.”

As Kaden walked into the City Sector bunker, he became distinctly aware of his collar doing nothing. Previously, there had been a little series of beeps, or flashing lights or… something. As Kaden looked around the bunker, he noticed a folded piece of paper propped up on a table. It been the same table that he and Ashe had enjoyed a delicious plate of waffles.

"Dear honored guests,

This bunker is no longer Active. Participants will need to travel to another bunker in order to reset their collars. I apologize for any inconvenience.

Regards, Your Humble Host,

Damon Dukes"

“Hahahaha,” Kaden laughed. It was hard not to, really. “Normally I’d be kind of annoyed, but you actually just helped prove my point, Damon. You’re too chicken shit to actually confront me, so you watch from the sidelines while you try to exert what little control you have. Don’t worry, though, this tournament won’t last forever. You’ll be back to acting like the limp little bitch you are soon enough.”

While it was clear that Kaden would have to move on, he took a moment to grab a bag of supplies before heading off. Another courier bag filled with essentials. He knew that he wouldn’t be able to use the Forest Bunker, having just used it, so that left Kaden with either the Arctic or Mountain Sectors as possible destinations. While he was confident in his jacket’s performance, he wasn’t about to willing head anywhere with “Arctic” built into the name.

“You can keep trying to push me. In fact, I welcome it; I know you need it.” As Kaden left, he slipped Dukes’ note into the door frame of the bunker and wrote Mountain on it with a pen he had retrieved from his bunker. “I’m done bending to his masturbatory game of yours, so go ahead and do your worst, Damon.”

Beginning his trek towards the Mountain Sector, Kaden took a last look towards the bunker. He wouldn’t have been able to put it into words if someone had asked, but it felt as though he were leaving something behind. The calm that had settled over the courier during his fight had persisted through Damon’s control and through Vincent’s beating.

In his mind, the courier liked to think that he had magically transcended the frustrations and concerns that had been plaguing him. Though, he couldn’t deny the possibility that he had become so enraged that he had gone full-circle and couldn’t even tell anymore. Regardless, a sense of freedom had been instilled in him. He was stuck in the game, regardless of what happened, but that didn’t mean he had to wallow in sorrow.

As with his trek to the City, getting to the Mountain bunker was a fairly easy task when he knew where he was and had a map to consult every few minutes. The supplies that the courier brought with him went largely unused, but that was hardly the worst thing that could have happened. As he pushed open the door to the bunker, Kaden actually smiled at his collar’s beep as he crossed the threshold.

Kaden has left the City Sector and entered the Mountain Sector

Kaden has entered the Mountain Sector Bunker