Who was I kidding? It's obvious Leona beat Carol—it was like pitting a coughing baby against a hydrogen bomb. No chance. Ah shit, I sound like Kenji now.

  Finally, I'm still waiting for the final; it's going to be interesting. But still, I can't shake the feeling that the worst awaits me, especially if I win. I've never seen a Cog that wasn't deemed a threat; most were arrested, and some even eradicated. From what I can tell, the Brigade doesn't seem like the type to do that; I remember seeing some posters with the slogan "Caring for the vulnerable under the protection of the turtle.” As for the Order of Prevalence, I don't doubt that there are sensible souls there, but most of them would be capable of it, especially with what they say about their commander, like a child that was given too much.

  Will I really stay sane after becoming a Cog? If not… forgive me, Lotus. And Thomas… I failed you…

  "Hey, beauty." Leona's voice brought me back to reality. "How long are you going to stay there? We have a dance planned, remember?"

  “Whuh?” My brain was still performing software updates. “What dance?”

  "Well, the hothead over here is going to move so much it'll look like a dance, almost like a 'Bullet Dance’ if you will." Leona laughed.

  "Okay, okay, stop, enough, Romeo," I grumbled as I struggled to stand up. I blame that whip grabbing my leg in the previous fight.

  Returning to the familiar arena, the announcer resumes. “With a slight delay on Aubrey's part, we'll begin with the final!” The audience cheers. “To recap: we have the fiery Aubrey Magnum, hitting with the force of a semi-truck! And Leona Keen, the most stylish gunslinger in Gearopolis!”

  "I love you, Leona!" I heard Kenji say this from the audience. I get that she must be a role model for him, but doesn't he ever get tired of praising her?

  “Enter the heat of battle.” The announcer proclaimed. “Go for it!”

  Bang! The round had barely started and I almost died—luckily, the shot only grazed me. Whatever it was, that's no ordinary bullet.

  "Got scared, cactus?" Leona said with a soft smile as smoke billowed from the barrel of her revolver. The smell wasn't gunpowder, but a scent reminiscent of copper. "This won't kill you, it just hurts like a wasp sting." Okay, that's a relief. But I still hate wasps.

  I tried to lunge forward to attack her, but she jumped as fast as a cricket, and before I knew it, she was beside me and struck me in the ribs with the butt of her gun.

  I knelt on the floor in pain, my hand on my ribs. I shouldn't have done that, because Leona quickly emptied the barrel of her gun while I was lying there.

  My God, that hurt. It really felt like a whole hive attacked me. My whole chest was burning. I couldn't take it anymore and I laid down on the floor.

  "So that's why they say you should never bring a knife to a gunfight." Leona laughed. "You think that's bad? I can tone it down… only if you beg!” This woman drives me crazy…

  Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  "Shut up." I groaned. "I can handle myself. Do you want to take me by the hand too?"

  "It seems Aubrey doesn't know how to fight against firearms. So, Leona wins the first round!" The announcer interjected. "What is this, a Western or a rom-com?" The audience burst into laughter.

  Time for evaluation: Leona's aim is good, especially for someone who does a thousand and one somersaults when shooting; but that's only because the opponent stands still, admiring her movements, as I had seen in her fight against Carotol. In other words, if I maintain the movement, it will be much more difficult to hit me.

  But honestly? I just wanted a fight I could win on the first try, without this nonsense of getting beaten up before having to analyze the opponent.

  “Second round.” The announcer talks again. “Fighters ready. Engage!”

  Now I have to be quick on my feet, as if they were as light as a feather. So I advance again, now going from side to side like a flea, and as I had guessed, Leona is missing every shot as she leaps backward, leaving only burn marks on the ground.

  After I closed the distance, Leona tried to hit me with the butt of her gun again, but I raised my fist in time, parrying the blow and taking one of her revolvers away.

  Taking advantage of the opening, I landed a punch right on her face, stunning her, and sent her flying against the wall with a roundhouse kick. Leona then slid to the floor and sat there, knocked out.

  "Did you turn into a gecko?" I crossed my arms and spat on the floor, laughing. "Because you stuck to the wall like one!"

  "She may be arrogant" said the announcer "but there's no denying it: Aubrey adapts like water, always finding a way!” Hah, I'm going to win this tournament for sure.

  I also liked that nickname… cactus…

  “One to one. Prepare to attack… now!”

  "Want to see a magic trick, honey?" Leona said. "Then check this out!" She then shot the spotlights and the lights went out, as if I had fallen into a black hole. Now you just fucked me over. Understandably, the audience was startled.

  "Leona has just given Aubrey a huge disadvantage by shooting at the stadium lights," the announcer said, "so please wait until the technical issues are resolved. In the meantime, place your bets!"

  Great, now I can't see anything—Stop complaining and think, Aubrey. That's exactly the kind of attitude that leads to your downfall. Okay, just pay attention to the sounds.

  She might try to be gentle, but socks don't matter if you step hard, especially since this wood tends to creak. One step to the right, another to the left, getting closer and closer… and now she's right… here!

  And as I sweep the floor, I find Leona's position, who shoots in my direction but misses. With a combo of punches, she's knocked down and the lights come back on the moment she hits the ground.

  "There's no way!" Exclaimed the announcer as the audience erupted in applause. "Aubrey simply won't stop, managing to devise a strategy even before being knocked out! And that's why not just anyone can take advantage of the darkness."

  "Hey, lesbian" I called to Leona "what's the point of blinding me if you can't see a thing yourself?"

  "There was a problem with my equipment." Leona sighed, embarrassed. "These goggles were supposed to have night vision, but they malfunctioned." She then stood up, pointing the gun at me, still smiling, but her smile was fading. "Now, show some respect toward my name, will you?"

  Kenji is the only child here. I won't fall for this so easily.

  "Match point for Aubrey! Ready your cartridges… and shoot!"

  But before either of us could do anything, the gate burst open with a chilling breeze, and a figure cast a shadow through the entrance.

  "Shit" Leona growled “it's Kassidy."

  "Don't worry, gunslinger." He said in a firm but cold voice. "I'm more than aware that you wouldn't volunteer to become a Cog. My problem is with the rogue over here." My heart sank. Is he talking about me? I'm so dead.