MG roulette (salamander)

MGR3
It had finally finished the encyclopedia given to me though this game. Apparently people where supposed to get the book in the mail the day after the watched the video of that wizard. But most just went a head and pushed without waiting on what could be useful information. I felt sorry for someone who clicked blindly and got something unpleasant.

So I clicked the button and waited for the result.

*Salamander*

“Nuts” I thought to myself. “This is gonna be a problem.”

“Fight time!” came a loud shout shout from behind me as the heat in the room rose considerably. I turn to see her in all her scaled glory, tail blazing with fire giving a shine to the plate armour she wore covering all but her reptilian hands and feet. Whiling a sword in her hand and her eyes full of eagerness. Long maroon coloured hair flowed loosely around her tanned face.

“Sorry, not today and not with me.” was my short reply.

“What?” said flatly as the fire on her tail cuts out completely as she gained a look of irritation.

“I have no problems with your kind, but I am no warrior. So unless you want a duel with a man with no training I'm am not a appropriate person.”

 “Smooth.” I thought to myself as I remembered my speech, it was something I had planned it I ever came across a lizard woman or one of their 'cousins'. I can probably defend myself like most people but in against a trained fighter its a different story.

Clearly she wasn't buying it “But if you are no warrior, what is that?” She says with a annoyed tone as she points a clawed hand to my bokken against the wall.

“A prop, Its never been used as a weapon, true it is a actual training sword but I bought it because it looked cool and nothing else.” At this point I was hoping she would understand this and leave (how did she get in here anyway?) without her being disappointed to much.

The salamander stared at me in silence with a blank expression on her face, I was unsure what to make of the situation until her hands started to shake, uh oh.

“Enough” she whispered, breaking the silence.

“eh?”

“Too long” she growled out. Smoke started to rise from her tail. “Every time Its the same, always `I'm too weak` or `I'm not a fighter` or some other excuse, time after time without even a single punch thrown. Do you have any idea how boring that is when there is no fighting? How annoying it gets when the only response I get out of people is a no?”

No more! I don't care who you are or how good you are! You are not the first to refuse me but you sure as hell will be the last!” she shouted with increasing anger as fire once more erupted from her tail as the blade in “So get up! Defend yourself! I'm not going anywhere and I want my fight!”

“But I said I didn't-” I tried to protest as I rose from my chair, but it only served to infuriate her further.

“what did I just say?  I'm not budging 'till I get my duel!”

I have a bad history with anger and it was tacking a lot to remain as calm as possible but this woman was trying my patience. “If you would just listen to-”

“come on, even a  coward like you can go a few rounds right?”

“...what did you just call me?”

“what I call all who refuse to fight me, cowards that are too scared to lift to finger.” She replied simply.

“Is that so?” You can call me a lot of things but a coward isn't one of them. My anger was reaching boiling point. “If you are trying to anger me then your on the right track, but it still refuse to fight you.” I said with gritted teeth.

“If you refuse to start then I will!” she shouted out as lunged at be me with a slash of her blade. I tried to dodge the swing and gained a cut on my right arm for my trouble. She on the other hand had got her sword lodged in my bedroom wall. After several tugs to pull it out no no success, she let out a grunt of annoyance and used her feet to kick the sword up, freeing the blade but ripping some the walls plaster with it.

“See! If you can dodge like a man then you can fight like one!” she exclaimed happily with a accusing finger.

“The answer is still no! Now would you please leave my house?” my tone was less then pleasant but at this point I didn't care. I didn't want to deal with this and while some part of my brain was telling me to plant a fist in her head another just wanted this to end.

Instead of replying the salamander returned to staring at me silently for a moment as if trying to figure something out. Then her face turned to a expression I can only describe as sinister as she picked up her sword and sheathed it before her look turned to one of indifference, that gleam in her eyes not completely gone.

“Fine, I'll leave.” She said in a uncomfortably flat voice. She slow walked to my window and tore down a curtain, and wrapped it around herself like a makeshift cloak.

“Oi! What are you doing!”

“Are you seriously going to tell me that a woman with clawed hands and feet can walk the streets here without turning a few heads? And lets not forget the flaming tail.” she replied with a annoyed tone as her tail gave a little wave.

“No, you right just leave. The sooner we're done here the better.” in my mind is was sighing with relief

“Oh where not done” she said simply as she opened the window. “I simply don't want to been seen...yet.”

Alarm bells rang in my head at that. “Dammit I knew it wouldn't be easy.” “what to you mean 'yet'?” my voice was a mix of nerves and anger.

“I told you I will get my fight. I'll be back and I'm going to make you regret refusing me now.” And with a low chuckle she jumped out the window. “Mark my words, either I get my duel, or the world will see you as the coward your making yourself look like right now.” she then ran off into the night.

I sat back down on my chair and gave another sigh. “Well I'm still in one peace” I thought to my self, “she seemed so eager about getting me to fight her, why?” I took a look at the the broken wall and torn curtain. “How am I going to explain this to mum? Can't exactly say a lizard woman with a flaming tail trashed it...”

(A week later.)

It has been a week since the Salamander had been in my house. With a well placed poster I manages to hide the hole in my wall, but I had to take down the curtain as not draw my mother's attention. I had no intention of telling anyone about this despite 3M's thing about keeping secrets.

Ever since The encounter with her I would glance at the bokken propped up against the wall. Wondering if I actually should have taken her up on her offer and should not have been so adamant about saying no. then I would shake my head a reassure my self that I made thee right decision.

My attention was bought to my phone as it rung out and I answered it without checking the number. “Hello?”

“So what's this I hear about a fight?” It was my mother.

“...Wait what?” I replied in shock “There's no way she's talking about that is she?” I thought.

“There's some strange cloaked woman in the park with a pair of swords and a sign with your face on it labelled `Opponent`. She's apparently been there for two days yelling about how she was promised a fight with you.”

“God dammit! So that was her plan!” I shouted. With her doing that and be not showing up I'll gain the reputation as some cowardly fool. I gritted my teeth as her words rung in my head.

“Mark my words, either I get my duel or the world will see you as the coward your making yourself look like right now.”

Mum had heard heard my outburst though the phone. “So you do know her... is that why that `cloak` of hers looks like your curtain? This wouldn't happen to be related to the ruined wall now is it?”

“How did you even- ugh, don't worry about that right now, I'm heading to the park now.” I said as I hung up and got ready to get out while cursing myself, She was right about me regretting refusing her the first time.

I grabbed my bokken and headed out the door. On my march to the park I slowed to a halt as I tried to clam myself. What am I thinking? What the hell I was going to do? She Is still a Salamander, I am not a fighter and I still want no god damn part of this!

“Well then, are you ready for the fight?”

Hearing a voice behind me, I turned around to see 3M just as he appeared in the video. Anger took place within me as I looked at the cause of this.

Spreading out his arms 3M spoke in a sinister voice. “Yes, me!”

“What?” Was my only reply.

“Oh! Sorry” 3M said with a uneasy chuckle as he face-palmed. “It's just that every time I show up to one of you the first thing they do is point at me and shout `You!` and I wanted to do something interesting for once, so please forgive my assumption.

“How do you even know about the fight?” I ask curiously.

“Tengu network”

“Tengu network?” I parroted. I had also read about them in that book. Intelligent harpies with a thirst for knowledge. But how did this `network` work exactly?

“Irrelevant.” brushing my confusion to the side, he continued. “You didn't answer my question boy.”

“No I'm not ready, I don't even want to fight!” I grounded out. “Seeing as you're here, cant you just magic her away or something?”

“Sorry my boy, that is something I cannot do.”

“Why?”

“Several reasons actually and I'll explain as we walk to the place.” he said as he walked past me and I begrudgingly turned to follow. “The first is that for the most part this is out of my direct control. Second is that if I let send her back simply because you're unsatisfied with the result of the game give the whole system in place a bad name.” true to how he seemed in the video he gave a  a small chuckle.

“And the third thing?” I asked as we got to the park gates. Almost to the site

“Simple, the game may be at random but I believe what you get, you get for a reason. Just like how there's a reason you actually want to fight her.”

“No I don't” I said in protest.

3M's reply was a bellowing laugh. “Oh please child, I met you on the way to the park with that wooden sword in your hands. If you really didn't want to fight you would have stayed home and I seriously believe that reputation doesn't mean as much to you as you think it does. If you ask me it's just a excuse to stop yourself from getting you hands dirty. And before you say anything keep in mind I know you action patters for the last 4 years.”

“How do you kno-”

“Tengu network.”

I stared to think to myself. He wasn't wrong, I had prided myself on compromising and finding the least offensive result in what I do even if it was seen as backing out. And if that's the case why should I take offence to being called a coward?

He then put a hand on my shoulder stopping both of us. “look boy, that woman obviously sees something in you that you don't, it wouldn't hurt to try to get to know her. Who knows? You might be surprised.”

“Fine I get your point, I'll go though with the fight.” I said with a sigh. “But wait, why are you here, giving me a pep talk surly isn't the only reason”

“Why else? I'm here to watch the fight. Who do you think gave her that sign to use?”

That explained what my mother had mentioned. “Let me guess, Tengu network?”

“Yep! You'd be amazed how easy management is with those ladies.” 3M spoke with pride.

I didn't reply as we had made it to the gathering an in park centre, a small crowd had gathered here  surrounding the salamander, who was had apparently taken a break from broad casting the and was leaning on her sign, the handle having been lodged into the ground. Her back was facing us so I was sure she didn't know I was there yet.

Before I got to her my mother showed up at my side. “I want to know what the hells going on, why does this woman have clawed hands and who's this masked guy?” she spoke glancing at 3M.

“This is the super wizard that is essentially the case of all this.” I answered.

“So what is with this girl?”

“Don't worry about it mum, I'll tell you later.” I said as I walked in my soon to me opponent's direction.

“I must say that's a new one.” The blue wizard mentioned in a thinking pose.

“What is?”

“Being called `super wizard`, can't recollect if anyone's called me that before and I remember all my nicknames.”

“whatever, lets just start this thing”. I said I walked though the crowd ended up right behind the fiery woman, leaving my mum and 3M to watch for the sidelines.

“Close enough” I thought to myself. “I'm here.” I spoke out loud and clear.

She wasn't expecting that as she jerked upright and turned around. She locked eyes with me and we each stared at each other until her gaze softened and a smile came across her lips. It was unlike the battle-lustful smile or the sinister one she had while planning this but a small refreshing smile.

“I wasn't wrong, you actually showed up.” She almost whispered out. Before she threw her cloak to the side, revealing her armour, tail and `ear's`, the murmurs from thee crowd increasing as her full form was revealed . She then unbuckled her upper plate and tossed it aside. Leaving her in a black vest. “You have no idea how long I've been waiting for this.”

“I know, you said it when we first met.” I said as a took off my jacket. “I've got a question for you before we begin.”

“Go ahead.” she said as she unsheathed a wooden sword. I assumed she got it from 3M.

“Why me? Why not somebody else that can fight?”

silence reigned between us for a minute before she assumes a fighting stance. “Win or lose, I shall tell you after our duel.”

“Okay.” a nodded to her and brought up my bokken in a simple stance. Mentally I was freaking out, how do I even fight against her? I took a deep breath to stop the shaking and stared my opponent down.

As if a bell had rung she launched at me and swung downwards at my head. And in response I put the bokken up to block. While my defence was successful I found that her strength was unreal, as it took more then it should have to not get knocked down. After a few seconds of resisting the oppression she jumped away and charged again this time aiming low with a one handed swing.

I had no time to react to that and took the hit to my thigh, with a grunt of pain I fell to one knee and ducked deeper to dodge another strike. I looked back up and at her, as I pushed myself back up. Se came at me again, once more looking to aim for my bad thigh, I thought I was ready for her but it turns out to be a feint as she decided to hit me in the stomach with a stab.

I was sent rolling backward due to the strength of her blow. The fight continued like this for several minuets, an exchange of blows that usually left me with a new bruise every time I was sent to the grass. As I slowly rose I stated to think up a plan. `Okay, breathe, going in slash happy is stupid. I may not be able to beat her in power or speed but if it work around my blocking maybe I can get a hit in. Even then,how does she respond to me on the offensive?`

With a plan in mind I ran forward and aimed for her side. In another show of strength she blocked and didn't even budge. So I decided to try and sweep her. I was surprisingly successful as she fell down with a yelp of surprise. With her on the ground I tried to stab down on her chest to wind her but she kicked me in the chest, making me stagger back as she got up.

Once more she lunged at me with a swing aimed at my arm, thinking fast I managed to once more block the blow with my sword with one hand, a mistake that almost put my left wrist out of use. Good thing it didn't though, didn't need this fight being more one sided as it already seemed to be. Suppressing the pain as best as I could backed out of her next slash. Letting her next swing almost hit my shoulder, if she was using a real blade, there would have been a tear in my sleeve.

After a few more slashes one swing had left her open so I went for a punch with my free arm. it turned out that she had the same idea and we ended up hitting each other in the gut. the salamander stumbled back as I dropped to a knee from the pain. We both glared each other down as we caught our breath, the salamander was looking at me with a neutral expression with her tail-fire burning bright in the afternoon air. She then looked at my sword arm and then back into my eyes. “I thought you said you wasn't a trained warrior? You're holding your own pretty well, or where you lying to escape our fight?”

“I didn't lie. I've had no training, but you wanted a fight.” I said as my breathing slowed down and I held my bokken ready. “And even if I'm unprepared, I want to still give my best. Plus...” I gave her a grin “any thing less would leave you unsatisfied, right?”

The fiery lizard woman stared at me in shock and then let out a bellowing roar of laughter, the fire growing even greater and her clawed hands twitching in excitement. I looked on in awe at the spectacle, it was something I could only describe as beautiful.

“Yes! This is it! This is what I wanted.” She shouted skyward “I knew it! You could have made any excuse to still try and get out but you choose to fight me! And now you're enjoying this too!” It occurred to me that she was right, I was enjoying this! This was giving me a rush I hadn't felt in ages. I didn't just wanted to fight her more. She returned to a ready stance and she looked at me with joy I her eyes. “Come on! Lets continue, I know your not done!”

“Agreed” was my reply as we charged at earth other for another in-fight.

After the that thee fight was one huge blur, it wasn't as bad I had predicted as a trained warrior fighting a guy with no training or true skill went. I still got a battering , but I held my own and lasted long enough to even hit her a few times. I was happy, I felt alive. If any thing I was so into the fight that by the time she had me on the floor with her sword pointing at my neck the only thing that snapped me out was the clapping of the crowd.

Looking around my self as I sat up and the flame-tailed woman sheathed her wooden sword, the people where obviously pleased with the fight the say and my mum was looking at me with a mix of pride and annoyance.

3M took this opportunity to address the crowd. “Well wasn't that exiting ladies and gentlemen? But alas there is no more to see here, so if you would please carry on with your day I would be grateful.”

As if following a order, the crowd had quickly dispersed, leaving the only occupants of the park centre being 3M, my mother, the salamander and myself, still on the ground.

I stood up to look at the salamander and saw that she was staring at me, not only that but the flames on her tail where like a violent inferno of swirling red and orange that was stating to give off a full glow with the darkening sky.

After a minuet or so of award silence and the woman still staring at me I decided to break the silence. “So...” I started. “Am I still a coward in your eye's?”

That small smile form the when I first saw her today returned. “No, you're not a coward.” her smile got brighter as she stepped towards me. “I can barely describe how I feel, that fight was amazing! I've felt every strike, every swing, every dodge. It was brilliant! I loved it! I... love you.”

That last like brought my thought process to a screeching halt. “I'm sorry what!?”

Her mood didn't drop a inch at my confusion. “I said I love you, I want to be with With you as your wife and spend the next of our lives together!”

At this my mother looked at 3M and said one word. “Explain.”

While 3M as telling my mother what I assumed was about the game. I talked to the salamander. “First of all what is your name?” I asked.

“Lara.” was her reply

“Fine I'm flattered you think that way Lara but I think is time you answered my question.”

The newly named Lara sat on the grass and motioned for me to sit next to her. I could tell she was trying to repress some thing what with her constant twitching. “when I started out in the world, I challenged any body I could, knights, guards, mercenaries you name you name it. Every time it was the same, push overs with no vale to their skills or seasoned warriors that knocked me out before I could draw my blade, then the refusals began.”

Her eyes filled with sadness at this point. “how could I enjoy a good fight if there was no fight to be had? Those where the worst of times, nobody to give a me a real bout, either they kept saying that the age of swords and fight was over or they just didn't want to get their hands dirty fighting `scaled scum`” she spat the last words with venom.

“So then I enlisted in the blue sage's game and met you, I was at the end of my rope when you also refused me, but then I say the look in your eyes when you dodged me. It wasn't fear or disgust, it was doubt.”

“Doubt?” I asked in confusion.

“That and restraint, I thought to myself if I could get just the right push you'd be willing to fight me.” Lara's twitching became more evident. “I had no idea that I'd  not only get my fight but a fight betted then any I've ever had, but the person I'd commit my life to.”

I sat there in silence for a minute and looked her over that fight had left me wanting more, more action, more training to get that action, more of fighting her. No, just more of her, I had no idea what it was, but I just wanted more of her in my life.

“I have to tank you.” I finally said. “If there was any thing that I've wanted right now its to do more things with you too, but do you truly want me? I told you I am no warrior.”

“You sure as hell fought like one, getting up time after time, taking hits like any soldier. one can all ways improve their skill. But passion cannot be faked. Besides, I thought I told you when we first met.” she said as she suddenly pulled be into a deep kiss, her clawed hands keeping my face in place until we separated. “That I don't care, sure there are many better than you, but you are my worthy opponent.” she whispered in my ear with conviction and kissed me again.

We both stood up from our spot and Lara went to retrieve her armour and steel blade. My mother had finished her talk with 3M and had a stressed look on her face as the super wizard disappeared with a puff of blue smoke and his now trademark laugh.

“So your engaged now I take it.”she said and groaned when I gave a blush and a nod. “Great, and just how are we going to explain this to the family?”

“No clue.”

“and when exactly where you going to tell me that a woman that's part lizard with a tail on fire was responsible for the damage to your room?”

“Never actually” was my reply as Lara came back with her armour back in place on her body.

“And you!” My mother said as she grabbed the salamander by the arm and started to drag her away.

“Hey! what did I do miss?” Lara said with worry as she was pulled along.

Mum then looked her in the eye. “If there is one thing I hate more then my son keeping secrets from me it's people who destroy curtains and put holes in the wall, I paid good money for those things and we've got to find a way for you to pay that back one way or another.”

As a followed behind my mother and a now panicking Lara, I lost myself in my own thoughts. Talk about a unexpected twist, was I feeling love a first sight or was I felling love at first duel? Either way I didn't want to worry about that right now, all I want to do was enjoy this.

And prepare my self for my next fight.