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Time Trials
Round 4
The Value of a Half-Life
Part I

I feel her grip release me.  Letting go of her fear of loss.  Letting go of the loneliness she had.  Letting other emotions pour in.

Ethereal eyes shined with a joy that contrasted with the dreary cemetery.  The eeriness of the dead dissipates as she flies about in glee.  Flying with a smile that said that everything would be alright.  One I wish would never leave.

Suddenly, she stops right in front in front me.  The smile is gone, but in its place, the naïve curiosity of a child.

She asks why I am here.

I say that I was out on a walk.

She asks why I do not tell the truth.

I look on with surprise, but quickly turn away.

She floats over to meet my face.

I turn again to look at the tree.

She goes to meet my face once more

I do not bother to turn this time.

She asks me once more with concern in her voice.  Blue eyes plead as they peer into my soul.

I close my eyes and take a breath.  I open my eyes, but do not meet hers.  My sight focuses on what hangs from the tree.

"Because I am not truly alive," I say...

_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_

I- I- I bloody failed.  Couldn't even keep a simple goddamn promise. Couldn't even keep her safe.  She's alone.  Couldn't even do that. Can't even use divination to find her.  Don't deserve to live.

Can't even drown my sorrows.  The stuff is- is too weak!  Don't they have anything stronger?  The hell is the bartender anyway?  Need the liquor to keep the visions away.  Why's it so damn loud in here?

Who the hell am I kidding.  I don't give a bleedin' fuck anymore.  Not to this tournament, not to the judges, not to the gods, and especially not the Oracle.  I couldn't even save Fiona.  I mean, she's the one who's really alive.  That arse, Drake, wasn't even trying to go after her.  It's me they wanted!  Only took her to get to me, dammit!

_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_

I- I- I drank myself to sleep at the bar, didn't I?  Friggin' hurts.  Come on, Dedrick, need to stay coherent and sober enough to order more liquor.  Need something for this hangover first.  Now where the he- Oh, someone left me sports drink and a bacon sandwich.  Doubt is was the bartender, considering he pissed in one of my drinks.  Arse.

I suppose I should apologize for my loosely coherent thoughts, but bloody hell do I hate hangovers.   At least I didn't wind up in someone's bed or anything.  Not like I really care at this point.

As I reached for the drink, I noticed something draped over my arm.  A blanket, but who would-?

The sound of soft snoring quickly catches my attention.  At least it's soft enough to where my head isn't throbbing from the volume.  The sight of black hair with a white stripe catches my eye.

“Ms. Flagith?”  I quietly muttered to myself.  But why?  We barely even spoke to each other.  Heh, I guess that's just who she is.

I silently reached out and quickly consumed the meal Ms. Flagith prepared for me.  Memories slowly seeped into my mind as I watched her peacefully rest.  She reminds me of my adoptive mother and sister.  All kind souls care deeply for their children and others. You better be taking care of Drem, Dervish.

More memories began to rush through my mind.  The good, the bad, and the horrid things I said to the assassin last night, but namely, Fiona. That innocent smile and naïve attitude of wanting to help everyone. Heh, seems all the women in my life seem to have similar personalities.  All of 'em have those same loving eyes, and Ms. Flagith is making couple more sets of those eyes.  Damn.

I looked back at my drink and stared at it as if it had all the answers to the world.  Those eyes won't be around if I simply try to drink the pain away.  Since when did it ever make the pain go away?  Only those eyes ever made the pain go away.  And those eyes won't be around if the Bel come out on top.

Tsk. What a crappy resolve I have.  Only living to save those that have those kind of eyes.  No, that isn't quite right.  The people whom those eyes belong to that I want to save.  The eyes that saved me. The same eyes that wish save everyone.  The same eyes that actually cared if I existed.

I'd gladly let the worlds burn to save those eyes, to save Fiona, but she'd never forgive me if I let that happen.  No, she wouldn't even blame me, she'd blame herself.  And that is unforgivable.

Funny isn't it?  It wasn't some big speech, revelation, nor something else that's just as dramatic to get off my arse.  All that was needed was those goddamn eyes and some memories with them.  Probably helps that I vented all of my anger last night.  Besides, it doesn't matter if I die trying, I'm not even the one who was actually living.

With one last swig of my drink, I gently ruffle Ms. Flagith's hair in an attempt to wake her.  The action was successful as her loving eyes fluttered open and gave out a soft yawn.

“Dedrick?”  She asked groggily as she covered her mouth to hide another yawn. “Are you feeling better now, dear?”

“My hangover is gone for the most part, if that's what you mean.”  I replied nonchalantly.

My answer didn't seem to satisfy her as she gave me a stern look.  How is it that people with those eyes see right through me?

“No. No, I'm not,” Looking at the empty bottle of my drink as I answered solemnly.  “Never am.”

“It's about Fiona, isn't it?”  I could only nod as I silently stared at the bottle.  “You really care for her, don't you?”

“More than you know,” my voice becoming much quieter as I spoke.

“You know she wouldn't want you to do this to yourself, dear.”

“I know,” a whisper barely left my mouth.

A pause of silence filled the room as we simply sat on our respective barstools.  I could only assume she realized she wasn't going to get much out of me with where the conversation was going.  It didn't take her long to try a different approach, though.

“Tell me, dear, why would they want Fiona?  To what purpose would they even have for her?”

“I- I don't know.”  Why am I so uncertain?  Think clearly Dedrick!  “The best explanation I can think of is to get to me.  The Bel have no use for ectoplasmic entities.”  Nothing was said for a few moments before I spoke to clarify.  “Ghosts.”

“Ah. Continue on, dear.”

“As for why they want me, I haven't a clue.  I'm nothing special beyond being a seer and a detective.  They didn't seem to take any real interest in me until now.  I- I just don't know.”

“I really don't know anything about the Bel, but perhaps you did something  to catch their attention?  Maybe made them angry or something?”

“Nothing that I can really think of.  Though I took down three Aztec gods, it was largely due in part to the lantern.  It wasn't even of my own power.  I survived getting the crap beaten out of me in Rome, but that was due to the Sosdov.  The only other incident was when the Null attacked me in the restaurant.  For some reason, it ignored the other people in the room and didn't erase me-”

I stopped as a thought suddenly occurred to me.  Something that couldn't, nor shouldn't make sense.  Then again, the Null shouldn't exist.  They are essentially nothing.

“-Or couldn't.”  My mind raced faster than the speed of light as I sifted through information and played with theories.  I came to one conclusion.  One that shook me to the core with dread.  It shouldn't be true, but it's the only answer.  Now there's only one thing left to do.

“Ms. Flagith, I'm going to need you to make and acquire some things for me.  It is imperative I get them as soon as possible.”  I jump to my feet as idea after idea passes through my mind as I formulate my plans.

“U-um.  Certainly.”  Taken aback by my sudden change of demeanor.  “What is it you need?”

“First off, I'm going to need some scissors, shaving cream, a razor, the Empress card from the Oracle, and a fast acting hair growth tonic-”

_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_

“-So be careful.  The Bels are powerful beings,”  I warned Ms. Brinks as we waited for the semi-finals to begin.  “If your brother, Drake, has joined them, I shudder to think of what he may be capable of now.  And... If you could keep an eye out for her...”  My voice drifting off as Ms. Brinks looked at me with a mixture of worry and surprise.

“What?  How do you-?”  Caddie was interrupted by a loud, shrill voice.

“Alright, Maggots!  Time to cut the chit-chat.  We've got a lot to discuss and not all the much time left to do it.”  The oh so intimidating Apaco announced with an a poor attempt to project her presence.

Dear, Fortuna, what is with these people and their puns?

“Heheh.  Time.”

Please kill me.

“We've got a round to run.”

With a sigh, I decided to add one last jab at Apaco before I left.  May as well get my last shot at it.  “Looks like it's time for this ship to sail before Ms. Flatchest see me.  And Ms. Brinks, please tell Ms. Mikaya that I'm sorry for opening those wounds and not wear that smile as a facade, it does not look right unless it's real.” Tilting my green flat cap over my eyes as I walked away with one last warning.  I briefly heard the sound of Apaco's voice screaming at me as I made my way to Father Time and my opponents.

Heh, had to do that one last time.  Never gets old no matter how many times I do that to her.  Wish I had more time to mess with Apaco.

My train of thought was halted by me bumping into a figure smaller than myself.  Looking down, I noticed a small girl in a black hoodie and skirt, a strange combination of dress if I say so myself.  However, what was really odd about her was her pale skin and the fact she lacked a nose.  How does she even breathe?  Oh, right, mutant leech. Forgot about that.

“You really shouldn't fear the other for what they are little one, nor should fear losing others simply because they know more than one person.”  Patting some dust off my green Soviet uniform.

What? Just because I act like a jackass to most people doesn't mean I have a soft spot of children.

I watch as her eyes blinked several times with those fearful eyes of hers. The mixture of fear and confusion was apparent on her face as she slowly backed away, never taking her eyes off me, much like a scared animal.  Actually, she looked more like I had found out every dirty little secret in her mind and was revealing it to the world.

“You'll wind up alone again if you push people away like you did.  Now, come on,”  I gestured for her to follow me.  “We have a tournament to compete in.  No sense in remaining lost as you have been for the past hour or so.”

The little leech girl simply eyed me with suspicion as she silently followed me to the meeting room.  Then again, with what I have said so far, who could blame her?  I was not trying to fix her personal problems with her companion, as that responsibility lies with Pete himself, but simply plant the thought in her mind.  No more, no less.

Upon entering the room, my eyes came upon three individuals waiting for us in the room.  My eye caught sight of the Oracle, quietly sipping tea at a table with Father Time, who seemed to be laughing at an inside joke.  Pacing about the room with a distressed look upon his face was my opponent, Pete, wearing a similar uniform to the one I wore, but lacked a rifle to be slung over his shoulder and a pistol at his hip.  A relieved expression washed over his face as he caught sight of us, but held a tinge of sadness as Lavina flinched away from him.

“Ah! It seems the final two contestants have arrived!”  Came Father Time's jubilant voice as he stood with cane in hand and something I could not make out in the other.  “Welcome to the semi-finals, dear contestants.  As you know, this won't be a scavenger hunt like the previous rounds.  This round is a race to the finish!  Or more specially, escape from Chernobyl!”

Why is it I'm always put in the most dangerous of places?  It always is a life or death situation for me.

“Oh, and Mr. Spectre, you forgot this last night,”  Tossing the object I could not identify towards me.

It wasn't until it covered half the distance between Father Time and myself that I realized what the object was, my odd lantern.  I caught my lantern with surprising ease, causing Father Time to raise an eyebrow in amusement.

“And Reaper says he forgives you for what you did last night,” Giving a small chuckle as he seemed to be recalling the memory he spoke of. “He simply asks that you take better care of your lantern and not try to use it the way you did when you got back.”

And it suddenly occurs to me my memory may have some gaps from before I woke up.  Considering the mental state I was in, I can understand why.

“Remember, there is no set finish line.  You're objective is to simply escape the radiation zone of the fallout once the nuclear reactor fails. Also,”  Father Time's seemed to lose some of its joy tone as the atmosphere became unmistakably serious.  “I must warn you all that there is another danger this round.  You will more than likely come across humans that lack faces.  Avoid them at any cost.”

In a blink of an eye, the atmosphere changed back to its once relax mood. This really is a side of him I didn't expect to actually see.  I suppose even he can get serious when it comes down to it.

“Now, without further ado, let semi-finals begin!” Giving one last shout before we all disappeared with a flash.

Description
body div#devskin0 hr { }

Time Trials
Round 4
The Value of a Half-Life
Part I

I feel her grip release me.  Letting go of her fear of loss.  Letting go of the loneliness she had.  Letting other emotions pour in.

Ethereal eyes shined with a joy that contrasted with the dreary cemetery.  The eeriness of the dead dissipates as she flies about in glee.  Flying with a smile that said that everything would be alright.  One I wish would never leave.

Suddenly, she stops right in front in front me.  The smile is gone, but in its place, the naïve curiosity of a child.

She asks why I am here.

I say that I was out on a walk.

She asks why I do not tell the truth.

I look on with surprise, but quickly turn away.

She floats over to meet my face.

I turn again to look at the tree.

She goes to meet my face once more

I do not bother to turn this time.

She asks me once more with concern in her voice.  Blue eyes plead as they peer into my soul.

I close my eyes and take a breath.  I open my eyes, but do not meet hers.  My sight focuses on what hangs from the tree.

"Because I am not truly alive," I say...

_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_

I- I- I bloody failed.  Couldn't even keep a simple goddamn promise. Couldn't even keep her safe.  She's alone.  Couldn't even do that. Can't even use divination to find her.  Don't deserve to live.

Can't even drown my sorrows.  The stuff is- is too weak!  Don't they have anything stronger?  The hell is the bartender anyway?  Need the liquor to keep the visions away.  Why's it so damn loud in here?

Who the hell am I kidding.  I don't give a bleedin' fuck anymore.  Not to this tournament, not to the judges, not to the gods, and especially not the Oracle.  I couldn't even save Fiona.  I mean, she's the one who's really alive.  That arse, Drake, wasn't even trying to go after her.  It's me they wanted!  Only took her to get to me, dammit!

_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_

I- I- I drank myself to sleep at the bar, didn't I?  Friggin' hurts.  Come on, Dedrick, need to stay coherent and sober enough to order more liquor.  Need something for this hangover first.  Now where the he- Oh, someone left me sports drink and a bacon sandwich.  Doubt is was the bartender, considering he pissed in one of my drinks.  Arse.

I suppose I should apologize for my loosely coherent thoughts, but bloody hell do I hate hangovers.   At least I didn't wind up in someone's bed or anything.  Not like I really care at this point.

As I reached for the drink, I noticed something draped over my arm.  A blanket, but who would-?

The sound of soft snoring quickly catches my attention.  At least it's soft enough to where my head isn't throbbing from the volume.  The sight of black hair with a white stripe catches my eye.

“Ms. Flagith?”  I quietly muttered to myself.  But why?  We barely even spoke to each other.  Heh, I guess that's just who she is.

I silently reached out and quickly consumed the meal Ms. Flagith prepared for me.  Memories slowly seeped into my mind as I watched her peacefully rest.  She reminds me of my adoptive mother and sister.  All kind souls care deeply for their children and others. You better be taking care of Drem, Dervish.

More memories began to rush through my mind.  The good, the bad, and the horrid things I said to the assassin last night, but namely, Fiona. That innocent smile and naïve attitude of wanting to help everyone. Heh, seems all the women in my life seem to have similar personalities.  All of 'em have those same loving eyes, and Ms. Flagith is making couple more sets of those eyes.  Damn.

I looked back at my drink and stared at it as if it had all the answers to the world.  Those eyes won't be around if I simply try to drink the pain away.  Since when did it ever make the pain go away?  Only those eyes ever made the pain go away.  And those eyes won't be around if the Bel come out on top.

Tsk. What a crappy resolve I have.  Only living to save those that have those kind of eyes.  No, that isn't quite right.  The people whom those eyes belong to that I want to save.  The eyes that saved me. The same eyes that wish save everyone.  The same eyes that actually cared if I existed.

I'd gladly let the worlds burn to save those eyes, to save Fiona, but she'd never forgive me if I let that happen.  No, she wouldn't even blame me, she'd blame herself.  And that is unforgivable.

Funny isn't it?  It wasn't some big speech, revelation, nor something else that's just as dramatic to get off my arse.  All that was needed was those goddamn eyes and some memories with them.  Probably helps that I vented all of my anger last night.  Besides, it doesn't matter if I die trying, I'm not even the one who was actually living.

With one last swig of my drink, I gently ruffle Ms. Flagith's hair in an attempt to wake her.  The action was successful as her loving eyes fluttered open and gave out a soft yawn.

“Dedrick?”  She asked groggily as she covered her mouth to hide another yawn. “Are you feeling better now, dear?”

“My hangover is gone for the most part, if that's what you mean.”  I replied nonchalantly.

My answer didn't seem to satisfy her as she gave me a stern look.  How is it that people with those eyes see right through me?

“No. No, I'm not,” Looking at the empty bottle of my drink as I answered solemnly.  “Never am.”

“It's about Fiona, isn't it?”  I could only nod as I silently stared at the bottle.  “You really care for her, don't you?”

“More than you know,” my voice becoming much quieter as I spoke.

“You know she wouldn't want you to do this to yourself, dear.”

“I know,” a whisper barely left my mouth.

A pause of silence filled the room as we simply sat on our respective barstools.  I could only assume she realized she wasn't going to get much out of me with where the conversation was going.  It didn't take her long to try a different approach, though.

“Tell me, dear, why would they want Fiona?  To what purpose would they even have for her?”

“I- I don't know.”  Why am I so uncertain?  Think clearly Dedrick!  “The best explanation I can think of is to get to me.  The Bel have no use for ectoplasmic entities.”  Nothing was said for a few moments before I spoke to clarify.  “Ghosts.”

“Ah. Continue on, dear.”

“As for why they want me, I haven't a clue.  I'm nothing special beyond being a seer and a detective.  They didn't seem to take any real interest in me until now.  I- I just don't know.”

“I really don't know anything about the Bel, but perhaps you did something  to catch their attention?  Maybe made them angry or something?”

“Nothing that I can really think of.  Though I took down three Aztec gods, it was largely due in part to the lantern.  It wasn't even of my own power.  I survived getting the crap beaten out of me in Rome, but that was due to the Sosdov.  The only other incident was when the Null attacked me in the restaurant.  For some reason, it ignored the other people in the room and didn't erase me-”

I stopped as a thought suddenly occurred to me.  Something that couldn't, nor shouldn't make sense.  Then again, the Null shouldn't exist.  They are essentially nothing.

“-Or couldn't.”  My mind raced faster than the speed of light as I sifted through information and played with theories.  I came to one conclusion.  One that shook me to the core with dread.  It shouldn't be true, but it's the only answer.  Now there's only one thing left to do.

“Ms. Flagith, I'm going to need you to make and acquire some things for me.  It is imperative I get them as soon as possible.”  I jump to my feet as idea after idea passes through my mind as I formulate my plans.

“U-um.  Certainly.”  Taken aback by my sudden change of demeanor.  “What is it you need?”

“First off, I'm going to need some scissors, shaving cream, a razor, the Empress card from the Oracle, and a fast acting hair growth tonic-”

_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_

“-So be careful.  The Bels are powerful beings,”  I warned Ms. Brinks as we waited for the semi-finals to begin.  “If your brother, Drake, has joined them, I shudder to think of what he may be capable of now.  And... If you could keep an eye out for her...”  My voice drifting off as Ms. Brinks looked at me with a mixture of worry and surprise.

“What?  How do you-?”  Caddie was interrupted by a loud, shrill voice.

“Alright, Maggots!  Time to cut the chit-chat.  We've got a lot to discuss and not all the much time left to do it.”  The oh so intimidating Apaco announced with an a poor attempt to project her presence.

Dear, Fortuna, what is with these people and their puns?

“Heheh.  Time.”

Please kill me.

“We've got a round to run.”

With a sigh, I decided to add one last jab at Apaco before I left.  May as well get my last shot at it.  “Looks like it's time for this ship to sail before Ms. Flatchest see me.  And Ms. Brinks, please tell Ms. Mikaya that I'm sorry for opening those wounds and not wear that smile as a facade, it does not look right unless it's real.” Tilting my green flat cap over my eyes as I walked away with one last warning.  I briefly heard the sound of Apaco's voice screaming at me as I made my way to Father Time and my opponents.

Heh, had to do that one last time.  Never gets old no matter how many times I do that to her.  Wish I had more time to mess with Apaco.

My train of thought was halted by me bumping into a figure smaller than myself.  Looking down, I noticed a small girl in a black hoodie and skirt, a strange combination of dress if I say so myself.  However, what was really odd about her was her pale skin and the fact she lacked a nose.  How does she even breathe?  Oh, right, mutant leech. Forgot about that.

“You really shouldn't fear the other for what they are little one, nor should fear losing others simply because they know more than one person.”  Patting some dust off my green Soviet uniform.

What? Just because I act like a jackass to most people doesn't mean I have a soft spot of children.

I watch as her eyes blinked several times with those fearful eyes of hers. The mixture of fear and confusion was apparent on her face as she slowly backed away, never taking her eyes off me, much like a scared animal.  Actually, she looked more like I had found out every dirty little secret in her mind and was revealing it to the world.

“You'll wind up alone again if you push people away like you did.  Now, come on,”  I gestured for her to follow me.  “We have a tournament to compete in.  No sense in remaining lost as you have been for the past hour or so.”

The little leech girl simply eyed me with suspicion as she silently followed me to the meeting room.  Then again, with what I have said so far, who could blame her?  I was not trying to fix her personal problems with her companion, as that responsibility lies with Pete himself, but simply plant the thought in her mind.  No more, no less.

Upon entering the room, my eyes came upon three individuals waiting for us in the room.  My eye caught sight of the Oracle, quietly sipping tea at a table with Father Time, who seemed to be laughing at an inside joke.  Pacing about the room with a distressed look upon his face was my opponent, Pete, wearing a similar uniform to the one I wore, but lacked a rifle to be slung over his shoulder and a pistol at his hip.  A relieved expression washed over his face as he caught sight of us, but held a tinge of sadness as Lavina flinched away from him.

“Ah! It seems the final two contestants have arrived!”  Came Father Time's jubilant voice as he stood with cane in hand and something I could not make out in the other.  “Welcome to the semi-finals, dear contestants.  As you know, this won't be a scavenger hunt like the previous rounds.  This round is a race to the finish!  Or more specially, escape from Chernobyl!”

Why is it I'm always put in the most dangerous of places?  It always is a life or death situation for me.

“Oh, and Mr. Spectre, you forgot this last night,”  Tossing the object I could not identify towards me.

It wasn't until it covered half the distance between Father Time and myself that I realized what the object was, my odd lantern.  I caught my lantern with surprising ease, causing Father Time to raise an eyebrow in amusement.

“And Reaper says he forgives you for what you did last night,” Giving a small chuckle as he seemed to be recalling the memory he spoke of. “He simply asks that you take better care of your lantern and not try to use it the way you did when you got back.”

And it suddenly occurs to me my memory may have some gaps from before I woke up.  Considering the mental state I was in, I can understand why.

“Remember, there is no set finish line.  You're objective is to simply escape the radiation zone of the fallout once the nuclear reactor fails. Also,”  Father Time's seemed to lose some of its joy tone as the atmosphere became unmistakably serious.  “I must warn you all that there is another danger this round.  You will more than likely come across humans that lack faces.  Avoid them at any cost.”

In a blink of an eye, the atmosphere changed back to its once relax mood. This really is a side of him I didn't expect to actually see.  I suppose even he can get serious when it comes down to it.

“Now, without further ado, let semi-finals begin!” Giving one last shout before we all disappeared with a flash.