Sex War

Chapter Twelve

June 3

A fortnight from that day, Jacqueline and I battled. I was phsyched. I was all ready and good.

I sat down. So "My apology to Ayame" meant that Zenith and Ayame had had a child, and it was a girl. Maybe the walls between men and women's hatred were falling after so many years. I thought it was weird, because the most respected men are the ones who break their oath. Ayame, Zenith, James, and Destiny.

My new outfit consisted of clothing I never before wore in my life. It was rubbery, and covered my entire body. It was gold, and a suit of armor over it.

The ceremonial horn blew. I walked out into a clearing in the forest. Torches of fire were at every corner. There were 10 in the arena on both sides, each flame a different rainbow color, and two were gold and silver, and one was white.

"Beginning of the 7th Dragonfire Game!" Zenith said. "This will be between Jacqueline,"

Boos erupted from the crowd.

"and Juliusianthew!"

Cheers erupted from the crowd.

Jacqueline held up her middle finger.

"Rules. (1) Kill the other opponent as you see fit. And (2) You can use the fire to burn your opponent."

I stared at Jacqueline. She wore the same thing. She looked, actually, dangerous, but she can't kill me.

"Charge!" Zenith cried.

I ran towards Jacqueline after grabbing the blue fire. I flew at her, and we crossed torches. I burned her hair, and she used the end to jab at me.

Then she spun in a circle and dropped her torch. It blazed in the air.

I reached through the fire and tried to grab her, but she grabbed another torch.

Then, I grabbed my white torch and threw it over her head. She ducked, and it started spewing fire, blocking off any chance to run back.

I grabbed her and started choking her, but she punched me and drew blood.

I kicked her in her stomach, and she coughed up blood.

I ran for her, and she backed up against the flames. I thrust at her, and she was partially burned.

Seeing that she was losing, Jacqueline grabbed her golden torch. I thought she was going to throw it at me. This time, she threw it... in the stands, around the place the Alans and Ogans sat with Zenith. And I'll admit, she had good aim.

It landed not 2 feet from Zenith. Everyone sitting by him ran away. Zenith was crying for help. The fire enveloped him, and he was covered in flames. No one dared touch him.

I broke the smirking Jacqueline's neck, and ran up to Zenith. The stands were on fire, so I had to avoid falling. I would land in a firey pit.

Zenith was frantic. He pulled off his cloak. He dropped it and rolled on the ground. He didn't notice me yet. I was trying to get his attention.

Everyone was trying to stop him from it, but the flames blocked them from him. He was helplessly trapped.

I grabbed Zenith. I shook him with my arms.

"No, Julius," he cried. "Don't burn yourself! You are the only hope! You are the new Aelphan-Omegaen. Take this role as your own. I'm going to die, and nothing can help me."

What? I'm not... old enough! Zenith is in his thirties! I'm barely an adult!

I said, "I'm... I'm not ready! I can't make the decisions, or command the troops! I'm 17!" And I wasn't! I was 17, for crying out loud!

"You can, Julius. The Neuters have spoken. and you will win. Remember when I said you were special?"

I held back my tears. "Yes, Zenith?"

"I meant that you would don the Aelphan-Omegaen's clothes. You would rule Utopia with Jason, Klein, and Kevin by your side. Will you accept? Promise me?"

How am I supposed to do that? It's impossible!

"Yes, Zenith," I answered.

He nodded, and his life emptying his spirit, shining his icy blue he smiled. For the very, last, time.

I rose up to get out of the fire. Sweat dripped off my face. I couldn't believe it! My hero, my guide, my favorite Prophet, my... father, was... dead. Gone forever. No longer in this world, but in Heaven.

Everyone crowded around me, hoping for good news. Felix and Jason, Zenith's kids, stared at me.

"Zenith," I began, "is dead."

Everyone started crying. I was among them. I wished Zenith would walk out of the fire and laugh at us people for our doubtfulness.

But he couldn't, because he didn't. So Zenith was... right. I was the Supreme Ruler of the MaleClan.

I could hope that he was right about my being Ruler of Utopia.