Glatorian Comics

2009 - Glatorian Comic 4: Before the Storm

Adapted by Michael Larson. Edited by Jeff Douglas.

Crotesius gunned the Cendox V1’s throttle. Scodonius pushed his Kaxium V3 to its limits. In his cycle’s sidecar, Kirbraz gave the motor an extra push. The two vehicles screamed as the gap between them quickly vanished.

“We’ll see who’s laughing when they have to scrape you two up off the sand,” Crotesius shouted above his engine’s roar.

“Better turn, Crotesius, or you’re going to have to patch the Cendox up… again,” Scodonius shot back, his course not wavering.

“You turn—The best way to train for the arena is to practice winning.”

“And you need the practice, friend!”

The vehicles hurtled toward each other, but before Crotesius’ spikes could clash with Scodonius’ and Kirbraz’s, the Kaxium exploded into its two components—the main and side cars. As they shot apart, the Fire Agori’s Cendox V1 just barely made it through the gap.

“Here—practice recovering from this move!” Scodonius called, as his vehicle glided safely to the side.

The Kaxium had the advantages in size and armor, but the Cendox had a few advantages of his own. Crotesius’ vehicle was designed for speed and maneuverability. Its rear tracks and front blades allow it to move easily through soft sand, and its booster engines gave it an extra burst of power.

“If you insist!” the Fire Agori remarked. Triggering those boosters, he threw his bike into a powerslide. In the arc of the turn, he aimed his Thornax Launcher on the front of his opponent’s vehicle. The explosion slammed into the front of the vehicle, causing the back to lift off the ground as it tumble end over end. With a cry of surprise, Scodonius was thrown from the vehicle.

Scodonius picked himself up out of the sand and checked himself to see if he was injured. With his partner defeated, Kirbraz slowed to a halt.

Crotesius also slid to a stop. His vehicle leaned to one side, where he dropped a leg to steady it. “So… want to try again? Atero may be wrecked, but I’m betting we’re going to be needed for matches soon, anyway.”

Scodonius picked himself up and moved to right the Kaxium body. “More likely, defense, if the Skrall go after our villages next.”

Kirbraz frowned. “What are they waiting for?” the Water Agori asked. “They destroy Atero, and then… nothing.”

“They got Atero because it was undefended,” Scodonius replied. With a heave, he pulled the Kaxium’s upright and boarded it again. “They don't have the guts to hit a village where there are Glatorian and Agori waiting.”

The shadows shifted on the rocks above as two pairs of red eyes narrowed. The Skrall scouts to whom they belonged quietly crept back and disappeared again among the darkened ridge.

“Trust me,” Scodonius finished, “we’ve seen the last of the Skrall.”