AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You realize that sounds off-putting, don’t you?”
“Phase 3?”
“Better. What will I have to do? Bring rain to break a drought? Inspire artists?”
Dr. Edmonds looked at me with pity. “Nothing as lofty as that. Are you familiar with MMA fighting?”
“They compete like boxers but with martial arts moves.”
“MMA is a more versatile sport than boxing. It’s full-contact combat where the fighters are permitted to use a variety of techniques and skills adopted from other sports.”
“Except we’ll be using the technique and skills of our elixir-given god.”
This smile brightened his otherwise dull face. “Yes.”
I glanced at the empty tube. “This is all for entertainment.”
“And science. That’s the beauty of my arrangement with Mr. Magnarella. We each get something valuable out of the experience.”
Unease spread through my limbs. “That’s all I have to do? One god fight and then I’m finished?”
“That’s it.”
I didn’t want to hurt anybody, nor did I want anybody to hurt me.
“We try to evenly match the participants if that’s a concern. We wouldn’t give your opponent Athena and you Hephaestus, for example.”
“How thoughtful.”
“You disapprove.”
“I think there’s a lot more good you could do in the world with an elixir like this. It seems a shame to waste it on entertaining a bunch of losers for profit.”
Dr. Edmonds scrutinized me. “You and I are in agreement on that score.”
I sighed, resigned to see this farce through for Dusty’s sake, as well as my bank account’s. “How does it work?”
“When the time comes, you’ll drink the elixir and then be escorted directly to the ring. You should feel the changes begin at the sound of the bell that signals the start of the match.”
“Then I won’t know which god’s abilities I’ve acquired until I’m on the mat?”
“Correct. We find it levels the playing field if neither participant knows in advance.”
“Unless they study all the potential gods between the patch test and the fight.”
“You and I both know that would take far more time than the participants have.”
Unless you had a grandfather who instilled that knowledge in you from a young age. “What if I get someone like Apollo? I can’t exactly play the lyre until my opponent drops dead of boredom.”
His mouth quirked. “Try to retain your sense of humor. The crowd will eat it up. If you can get them to cheer for you, it’ll help boost your confidence.”
A lack of self-esteem generally wasn’t one of my issues. Of course, without knowing which deity I’d be up against, I had to admit my confidence was beginning to wane.
“Imani will be with you in a moment to remove your patches.” Dr. Edmonds exited the room with his tablet, no doubt eager to share the positive results with his boss.
The doctor’s revelation disturbed me on multiple levels. A god fight seemed like a very bad idea. Dusty turning into a swan was the best thing that could’ve happened to her.
The door opened, and Imani returned to the room. “Congratulations. I understand you passed.”
