Hawks Effect_Dangerous Reunion Read online

  Rael Wissdorf · Nicholas Hede · Frank J. Williams III

  Hawks Effect

  Volume 1 · Episode 3

  Dangerous Reunion

  Trivocum Verlag

  TRIVOCUM PRESS

  Copyright © 2017 by Rael Wissdorf, Nicholas Hede, Frank Williams III

  ISBN: 978-3-946797-050

  All Rights Reserved

  First Print Edition: January 2018

  Edited by Nehemiah Inverse

  Cover Art by Sarah Richter

  www.sarah-richter-illustration.de

  The author's website:

  hawks-effect.com

  Chapter 1

  The Arena swirled with commotion as crowds of people from all walks of life moved up and down the corridors, stopping at brightly colored concession stands to purchase food and drink, or at the well known flashing fist signs of the wagering kiosks to place their bets, or collect their winnings. Some of them huddled around the brightly lit monitors declaring the names of various combatants scheduled for the evening matches. Digital signage counted down the time before the next combatants were scheduled to battle. As time became short, men rushed urgently to the counters to lay down money on their favorites. Larger monitors prominently located, showed the fight statistics for both warriors, and as the countdown was ending, giant pennants unfurled just below the skybox levels with the digitally enhanced visages of both combatants facing each other in multiple poses.

  A deep gonging tone echoed through every speaker in the stadium signaling that it was time for the next fight to begin. Spectators quickly rushed back to their seats with some spilling food and drink in their haste. The subdued lighting darkened even more, and a bright spotlight highlighted the center of the Arena floor. The crowd noise reduced to a murmur as a chubby man in a black suit and bow tie emerged from a side panel and stepped into the light. He held a microphone in his hand and his hearty voice echoed over the loudspeakers, shaking the stadium walls.

  “La-deeees and gentlemen! It’s time for more gladiatorial action! And have we got a show for you!” He paused as the crowd roared its approval. “Introducing first, emerging from the red portal, we present to you once again, the ever popular, and might I add extremely sexy, Li’lllll Dorrr-oh!”

  He stretched out the syllables of her name with his throaty voice, to the delight of the crowd, as a short intro video of her past victories played on the monitors around the stadium. Moments later, the red portal slowly opened, and fireworks exploded into the air on either side as the diminutive warrior strode out into the light, walking through a shower of streamers and confetti fluttering down from above as she smiled brightly and waved to the crowd.

  Instantly the men in the assemblage went wild as she emerged wearing a black sumo styled Kesho-mawashi which had its front apron modified to barely cover her breasts, hanging halfway down her thighs, while the rear of the garment left her buttocks exposed, save for a bright blue g-string. A gust of air swept through the Arena floor lifting the material in front enough to reveal a flash of her skimpy panties. A number of men seated in front row seats located directly behind her, whistled at the woman, while others yelled out lewd remarks about what they wanted to do to her if they had the chance. Doro turned toward them and wiggled her body seductively before blowing the loudest of them a kiss.

  “Did you see that, you sorry asses?” A loud blocky man in the crowd roared to his buddies. “She wants me!”

  “In your dreams you bastard,” his weasel-faced buddy replied. “She was clearly looking at me!”

  “What can you do to her with your little wanger?” the braggart roared.

  A shouting match ensued between the two, but before it came to blows, several black-garbed members of Arena Security descended upon them, pulled them apart, and told them to keep quiet or leave.

  Doro smiled as she walked away from them shaking her head. Men were so easy to manipulate. It was the same old story time and time again, but she was used to it. After much practice and experience, she really knew how to work the crowd.

  She had to, in order to stay alive.

  As the roar of the masses began to wane, the announcer continued.

  “But has our little dynamo met her match tonight?” A host of Boos answered him from the crowd. “Her opponent emerging from the blue portal is none other than Athena’s own creation, the red-tongued demon himself, Aaaaaaa-ka-sheeee-tah!"

  The blue panel opposite Lil’ Doro slid open, and amidst the blast of fireworks and thick smoke thundered heavy footsteps. Soon a large figure lumbered into view. The creature named Akashita stood eight feet tall, broad of limb, and every place his skin was exposed was covered with thick brown hair. He slowly strode up the ramp, stopped at its apex and raised his furry arms up to the crowd, a wide toothy smile splitting his large face. A long oversized red tongue parted his lips and licked wickedly at the spectators, as he turned his heavy head back and forth scanning them all.

  This time the crowd reaction was mixed, as half of the assemblage cheered while the other half booed, hurling taunts and insults at him with relish. The crowd roared as the overhead screens showed a replay of the juggernaut slamming an unlucky opponent’s head against the iron wall, with a shower of crimson exploding from behind it. Known for his brutal style of combat, Akashita was a crowd favorite for a different reason.

  He was the one they all loved to hate.

  As the two combatants approached the center of the Arena floor, the announcer turned and exited the area. A small panel within a section of the steel walls slid aside to reveal a short set of stairs leading to his private chamber. As customary, both fighters stopped twenty yards from each other, turned toward the royal purple section that was set apart from the rest of the luxury boxes and waited. Soon the lights dimmed and a deep gonging tone rang out into the air and immediately everyone in the cavernous Arena fell silent. Seconds later, twenty black robed guards emerged from a portal within the box with weapons drawn and formed a cordon down the center. As they stood ramrod straight in their formation, two figures emerged and walked between them toward the single row of seats at the edge of the viewing area.

  In her grimy locker room, Laurina Hawks watched with interest from the rectangular slit in the wall, as the spotlight played on the two newcomers as they seated themselves in the center of the row. Her eyes narrowed as she recognized the impossibly beautiful face of the woman who had imprisoned her, smiling smugly as she raised a hand out to the crowd like a benevolent queen.

  “That fucking tart!” she growled aloud.

  She looked at her escort who took a seat after Athena had settled in hers. The only thing she could discern about her companion was that the person was a tall male who moved with an air of confidence born of experience. He wore a heavy black robe, with a large hood that was drawn over his head obscuring his features and leaving his face in shadow except for the thin black goatee that covered his chin. An air of mystery surrounded him like a shroud.

  The Arena lights came up slightly as another gong split the silence. The crowd came to life and applauded the Arena’s mistress, while murmuring excitedly, anticipating the start of the night’s entertainment.

  As the spectators settled in, the two combatants warmed up, with Lil Doro performing stretches, while Akashita as was his custom, performed a few feats of strength. Two men walked over to him struggling as they carried a heavy six-inch thick steel bar. The creature plucked it from them with one hand, grabbed it with his other, and with a loud roar, bent it down the middle. The crowd gasped as he held the now horseshoe-shaped metal aloft, before nonchalantly tossing the bar back to the two men,
who promptly fell under its weight. One sharp growl from him cause the two men to quickly regain their feet and scramble from his presence; the ends of the bar furrowing the sandy floor of the Arena as they hastily dragged it away. Satisfied, Akashita roared and flexed his bulging biceps to the cheers of the crowd. When the noise died down, he smiled and crossed his arms, gazing straight at his smaller opponent as he did so.

  Li’l Doro stared back soberly as if she were considering the wisdom of fleeing from the sight of the hairy monster before her. Suddenly, she reared back and growled, mocking his roar as she did so. When she finished, the perky warrior smiled back sweetly, and in a demonstration of her disdain, promptly turned around, and vigorously wiggled her hips at him. She then bent over and smacked the cheeks of her buttocks to the delight of the crowd. Every monitor in the Arena was filled with a close up of her naked bottom as the flesh reverberated at each strike. The massive warrior stared at her in slack-jawed disbelief at her show of disrespect. Lil’ Doro giggled at him, before placing a hand over her mouth like a naughty child who had been caught in the act.

  A deep mechanized voice echoed from the loudspeakers: “Let the contest begin!”

  Akashita’s face darkened in fury as he clenched his fists at his sides and let out a terrible howl. Without warning, he launched himself toward his opponent at surprising speed; each massive footfall hit the sandy floor like an earthquake. Defiantly, Doro stood unmoving in his path, maintaining her childlike smile. She lifted a hand and examined her fingernails nonchalantly, flicking away a speck of dirt while paying the charging creature no heed. The crowd grew quiet the closer he advanced, hushed in nervous anticipation of the impending collision. At the very instant he lunged forward with his arms extended to grab her throat, Doro sidestepped him, and with a well-placed foot, tripped up Akashita, sending him staggering, and off balanced. Falling forward, the creature collided hard into the steel wall behind her, striking with enough force to knock the wind out of him before he slammed unceremoniously onto the Arena floor. He sat there dazed for a moment, while Doro turned towards the center of the Arena, holding her arms high in the air, and basking in the cheers of the crowd.

  From her peephole Laurina watched the battle unfold. As Akashita got up on one knee, Lil’ Doro ran over to him and launched into a series of rapid-fire punches that seem to strike the big man from every direction. Her arms were a blur, hitting her opponent with everything from open-palmed strikes to full fisted blows. When he lifted up a massive arm to ward off the blows to his face, a flurry of blows struck his ribs and midsection. The thumping from the punches echoed in the air like a percussionist performing a drum solo. One particularly brutal blow caught him directly in the solar-plexus, knocking the wind out of him. As the large warrior clutched his chest, the diminutive woman stuck a solid blow to his temple, dazing him once again. As Akashita pitched forward, Doro vaulted atop his shoulders, straddling his neck. Leaning forward, she drove the big man downward, until he landed face first on the Arena floor.

  The crowd of spectators cheered loudly as Doro lifted her arms once again, while seated on Akashita’s head. The cheers turned to loud laughter as the little warrior got up and once again patted her buttocks and pointed to her opponent. Satisfied, she turned away, making her way to the center of the Arena.

  After watching her newfound friend in action, Laurina couldn’t help but be impressed.

  Well, I’ll be buggered! That girl is a little dynamo. And she said she wasn’t that great of a fighter.

  While watching Lil’ Doro bask in the glow of her public, something in the crowd caught her eye. Gazing toward the Arena’ luxury box directly across from her, she caught sight of Athena, perched in her overly lavish armchair. She was still wearing the same black latex dress she wore while subjecting her to all of the tests in the lab.

  At that moment, Laurina wanted very much to break her neck.

  As she concentrated on the mistress of the Arena, she felt pressure developing behind her eyes, and a warm flush washed over her face. Suddenly she could see Athena as if she were standing ten meters away!

  Blinking twice to be sure that she wasn’t mistaken, Laurina’s eyes held all the confirmation that she needed.

  First my legs, and now my eyes. Somehow being in this bloody world is affecting my body, and bringing out these weird special powers in me. Good thing they seem to come on at convenient times. Well, mostly.

  Laurina turned her attention to the man seated on Athena’s left. His features were almost completely in shadow due to the hood of his heavy black robe. It reminded her of the style worn by monks, although in her mind, robes that dark were not a good omen. She saw that the pair had begun speaking to one another, and concentrated on their moving lips. Within seconds the voices of the two rose to a whisper. Moments later, she could hear their words with impeccable clarity.

  “Li’l Doro has made quite a profit for the Arena.” the robed man offered.

  “Indeed,” Athena said, crossing her legs and sipping her drink. “She is well worth the money.”

  “So what other surprises have you cooked up for the great unwashed tonight my dear?”

  “An execution for one,” she replied matter-of-factly. “Well, it might as well be.”

  The tall man sighed before speaking.

  “I’ll try not to be too bored.”

  A wild roar snapped Laurina’s attention back to the Arena floor as Doro had begun to charge Akashita. The big man was dirty, bruised and battered while Doro had suffered little more than a bit of dust on her outfit. She sped toward her opponent, ran up his leg and delivered a side kick to his chin. He staggered back two steps from the contact, but reached out and caught Doro in the air. Heavy hands held her ankle tightly, as he spun her around and around overhead. Finally, he hurled her forward and let go, sending Doro flying through the air until she slammed hard into the steel wall, before dropping heavily to the sandy floor. Immediately the audience fell silent as Doro coughed up a mouthful of blood while trying to stand on wobbly legs. The strength seemed to drain from her body, as the small woman finally crumpled to the ground.

  “Noooo! Come on Doro, get up!” Laurina shouted through the slit in the wall. She desperately hoped that her erstwhile cellmate was just catching her breath, but as the moments passed, it became apparent that the little warrior was in a bad way. She ached to help her new friend, but there was nothing she could do for her while being shut up in the locker room. Akashita lifted his arms high in triumph, whipping his long red tongue from his mouth with pleasure as he awaited the applause of his supporters. While there were some who cheered for him, most of the gathered were fans of Lil’ Doro, and they booed resoundingly. Snarling back in response, the large warrior slowly walked over to the fallen woman. One look at her told him that his victory was complete. The smile that crept onto his overly large lips spread like fracturing stone.

  Doro tried in vain to rise, but she was hurt too badly. Blood trickled down the back of her neck from where her head made a partial impact on the metal wall, and her face was very pale. Her left arm was broken, and she had suffered massive internal injuries. Several of the vertebrae in her lower back had been shattered, and she was in so much pain that it hurt her to scream aloud. All she could manage to do was writhe around on the Arena’s dusty floor. As she lay helpless, Akashita’s shadow loomed over her, covering her in darkness, as he stood ready to land the killing blow. The gladiator lifted his head to the box where Athena resided, holding out his fist in a thumbs-down position in askance. The mistress of the Arena eyed him as she blithely sipped her drink but said nothing.

  “Bufffff!” yelled a man from the audience. A smattering of others echoed his call. Soon most everyone in the Arena took it up and began chanting slowly in a chorus.

  “Buff! Buff! Buff! Buff!”

  The chant began to pick up in speed and intensity as the Arena walls reverberated with the sound. After several moments went by, Athena set her glass down on the small silver tab
le nearby and rose regally from her seat. She walked to the railing surrounding her private box and scanned the crowd of the Arena. Catching sight of her standing, the spectators made even more noise, clapping their hands, and stomping their feet, in time with the beat of the chant, “Buff! Buff! Buff!” until their faces turned bright red from screaming for Doro, their champion.

  Like a benevolent deity, Athena smiled down toward the fallen woman and tapped the air three times in front of her. Instantly, small wispy clouds appeared in the air and floated toward the prone form of Lil’ Doro. The vapors swirled above her like a miniature storm, flashing a rainbow of colors within itself, while periodically releasing orange and blue lightning which struck her body repeatedly. The small woman was so injured, she barely responded, except to move one arm feebly. Suddenly the clouds condensed and spun more rapidly in the empty air, before descending and attaching themselves to her body. She moved spasmodically, jerking right and left as the strange power moved through her, glowing brightly over her arm, head, neck and lower spine. Soon the color returned to the smaller gladiator’s face and her flesh became warm. Its purpose fulfilled, the energy cloud lifted Li’l Doro to her feet, before coalescing within her beating heart, and then releasing itself in a blinding flash of power. When the light disappeared, the diminutive fighter appeared fully alert and totally healed of her injuries.

  “Bugger me,” breathed a wide-eyed Laurina as she watched from the peephole. “That’s unbelievable!”

  The crowd whistled and applauded wildly, happy that the Mistress of the Arena had granted their wish and spared Doro. Satisfied, Athena turned her back on the two combatants and returned to her seat.

  “That was awfully nice of you.” said the man in black gruffly. Athena turned to look at him and smiled.

  “You said it yourself; Li’l Doro has made quite a profit for the Arena. Why should I let my little cash cow go to waste?”