Chapter 3
“HELLO, EVERYBODY!” The announcer’s voice boomed throughout the stadium. “Are you ready for a night of nonstop action? Let’s make some noise!”
The crowd cheered in response. People were waving banners in the air, waiting for their favorite fighter. Others had face-painted their whole body and were screaming so loud their faces were red. The stadium was ringing with excitement as they awaited the first fighters. Slowly, the lights dimmed til everything was dark except the ring in the middle.
“Coming from the right, we have the returning Blood Omen!” The shouts and cheers around the room echoed as the lights moved to a curtain. “Standing at 6’8 and 300lbs, he is back hungry for blood! Ready to crush anyone on his journey to champion! Welcome back, Blood Omen!’ The announcer raised his hands, pointing to the curtain as it rose.
A man, more like a beast, came barreling out from behind the curtain. His shaved head gleamed under the arena lights, and a jagged scar carved across his left brow told stories of battles past. His piercing, dark, and unyielding eyes seemed to burn with an intensity that dared anyone to step into his path. Blood Omen’s expression was grim, almost predatory as if he could already taste the chaos of the fight ahead.
Clad in a midnight-black robe trimmed with crimson, the name "Blood Omen" stitched boldly across the back, he radiated menace. The crowd roared as he threw back the hood, revealing a face chiseled like stone, his jaw set with unshakable determination. Each step he took toward the ring seemed to shake the earth, his presence alone enough to send chills down the spines of opponents and fans alike.
The man stepped into the ring, removed his robe, and circled it, his body littered with tattoos. He then screamed and growled chaotically, hyping the fans up.
The announcer made his way to the other side of the stadium and stood in front of the curtain. “What’s your name?” He whispered to the person behind the curtain.”
“The Human Spider.”
The announcer scoffed. “That’s it, kid?” The person behind the curtain didn’t respond, so the announcer returned to the center.
“On our right, we have a new contender today, but don’t underestimate them. Let’s make some noise for the daunting, the infamous, the unsettling Spider-Man!” The crowd booed as the curtain began to roll up, revealing a person with a red beanie covering their face with eye cutouts, a red tank top with a spider in the center, and dark blue pants. They didn’t look up at the crowd mocking them as they walked at a slow, steady pace, only focusing on the man on the man, now sitting on a stool, getting his neck rubbed by his coach.
They jumped over the ropes to the ring and pounded their boxing gloves together. The ref noticed and walked up to Spider-man. “No gloves.” The masked figure’s eyes widened, but they nodded and tossed their gloves out of the stadium.
The ref nodded at the two fighters to make their way to the center of the ring. The two never stopped glaring at each other as the ref got between them and began listing the rules. “This is a three-minute fight, no more, no less. Anything is allowed, but once your opponent is down, you must back away. Remember, anything that happens in this ring is liable to you—got it?” The ref looked at the fighters, who both grunted in response. “Good. Now, get to your side of the ring.” He pushed the fighters back, and they headed to their sides.
Once the bell went off, they pushed off the ropes and began to circle each other. Blood Omen decided to rush at the smaller fighter and swung at their head. With a burst of speed, Spider-Man ducked under the blow, their feet moving so fast they were a blur and slid around him with uncanny agility. The crowd gasped as the masked fighter tapped his ribs with a quick jab—not powerful, but fast enough to make him stumble in confusion.
Blood Omen roared, swinging his arms like sledgehammers. The Spider danced around him; their movements were fluid and precise, and every dodge taunted the giant. They darted in close, slamming their fist into his side. Blood Omen grunted and turned, trying to catch them, but they were already gone, leaping over him in a graceful arc and landing behind him.
“Come on, big guy,” Spider-Man quipped, cracking their knuckles. “That all you got?”
Blood Omen’s face twisted in fury as he lunged, his massive arms swinging in a wide arc. This time, Spider met him head-on. They ducked low, driving an uppercut into his stomach with a force that shook the arena. Blood Omen staggered, his knees buckling for a moment before he caught himself. He charged again, but Spider-Man vaulted off the cage wall, flipping over his head and landing a spinning kick to his jaw.
The crowd exploded as Blood Omen stumbled backward, his lip split, blood dripping onto the canvas. Spider didn’t let up. They pressed forward with a flurry of punches, fists blurring as they struck like pistons.
Blood Omen emancipated the next punch, grabbing Spider’s fist and twisting to a point where they screamed and fell to the grab. He used this opportunity to knee them in the stomach and lay a heavy punch on their face, knocking the masked fighter to the ground with a loud bang.
Blood began to pool from the mask as the Spider staggered to find their footing. Blood Omen didn’t waste any time and grabbed them by their mask and yank them up, holding them while he knocked several punches to the face and ended it with a kick to the ribs. Spider-man groaned as they dropped to the ground, keeping an arm to their ribs.
“I’m about to crush you, Spider.” Blood Omen’s thick accent remarked as he went to grab them by the legs.
Spider-Man used the last of their strength to kick his head and stumbled to the opposite side of the ring. Holding their hands up, they waited for Blood Omen to charge, and just as he did, they dodged him and put their final effort into an uppercut. Blood Omen’s massive frame lifted slightly off the canvas before crashing down like a felled tree, his eyes rolling back as he hit the mat with a resounding thud.
Spider-man looked down at the beast below them and forced themself not to go down with him. The referee rushed over and pushed Spider away from the unconscious man. Not being able to hear his shouting as he raised their arm, looking into the stadium, the people cheered with shocked faces as they looked down at the scene before them. The announcer was also evidently shocked, and he anxiously adjusted his tie.
“I believe we have our new champion, everybody! The Spider-Man!” The stadium whistled and cheered, but the Spider couldn’t hear it. The only sound they could hear was the ringing circling their ears and the thump of the pounding in their head.
“I think I’m gonna-” Spider-Man dropped to the floor.
Vi blinked and sat up from the hard surface she was lying on.
“Hey, kid. You alright?” A fat Italian man in a worn-out wife-beater looked up from counting his money. “You lasted much longer in that ring than I expected. And you won, which is,” He whistled. “pretty incredible.” The man looked back down and counted his money again.
Vi stood up from the concrete floor and stretched in her bloodied clothes and mask. “Um, thanks, I guess. Can I have my money now?”
“Getting straight to the point. I like it.” He chuckled and nodded her toward his desk. Grabbing two bills and handing it to her.
“This is two hundred bucks. The ad said $3000.” Vi glared at the man.
“Look,” He paused and pulled out a cigar from one of his cabinets. “the crowd loves yah. Love this whole… masked persona thing. You come back and win three more fights, I’ll give ya the money, but until then, this is all you’re gettin’.”
Vi scoffed. “So all it takes is three more matches of getting my face beaten in, and I get the money I was promised?”
“You got it, kid.”
Vi turned toward the door with scorn on her face and jerked the door open.
“Next fight’s this Saturday.” Vi heard as she slammed the office door shut.
“Vi? What the fuck happened to your face?” Mylo asked as he saw Vi on the couch with frozen peas pressed against her face.
“Fell down some stairs.”
“Bullshit. You’re not that retarded.”
Vi groaned as her black eye started to throb, and she felt blood trickle down her face from a scrape on her cheek. “Can you hand me a paper towel?”
Mylo didn’t respond, so he grabbed the roll and approached her. “Jesus, your face looks even worse standing in front of you. Did you get run over again or something?”
Vi put the frozen peas down and held the paper towel onto her cheek. Her other hand was clutching her (what she guessed was broken) ribs. “No, Mylo, I did not get run over again. Where’s Pow and Clag? We have to go soon.”
“Claggor’s helping her pick out a new outfit she got from the mall yesterday. She said she doesn’t trust your opinion and wouldn’t let me touch new clothes with a ten-foot pole, whatever that means, which left Claggor.” Mylo returned to the kitchen, grabbed the milk quart, and drank straight from it. “You want something? Coffee? Water?”
“Nah, I’m good, but can you get tweedle dee and tweedle dum? If I’m late to math again, Mr. Hoskel is gonna kick my ass.”
“Yeah, I’ll-”
“Vi!” Jinx said in a sing-song voice. “Do you like my outfit? Ekko helped me pick it out yesterday.”
Vi faced her sister. “Yeah, it looks-”
“Vi! What did you do? Did you get run over again?” Jinx gasped and jumped onto the couch, looking over her sister.
“No, why does everyone keep saying that? It was one time four years ago.”
“Yet, your dumbass is the one that ran into ongoing traffic.” Claggor chimed in as he made himself a pot of coffee.
“Yeah, trying to get Powder’s monkey bombs she threw into the street.”
“Hey! Don’t blame this on me.” Jinx slapped Vi’s shoulder and glared at her.
Vi couldn’t help but laugh as Powder tried to intimidate her. “Ok, ok, I’m sorry.” She stood up slowly, pushing down a yelp as her ribs sharpened with pain. “Can we go now? I would like to be on time today.”
“Would you look at that, Ms. Vanderson decided to bless us with her presence today.” Hoskel said as he leaned back in his chair.
“Yeah, well, seeing your face isn’t exactly how I like to start my mornings.” Vi grumbled as she sat in her seat.
“Don’t push it, Vi. I have no problem giving you another detention.” He scolded as he made his way to the front of the classroom.
“Mr. Hoskel, I thought we were just having some playful banter. You know, ‘cause I’m your favorite student.” Vi smirked as she got out her folder and a pencil she found on the floor.
“Very funny, Vi.” Hoskel turned to the rest of the class. “Now, get out your homework and a red pen.”
Vi opened her folder and looked through it, knowing she didn’t do the homework anyway. Stupid fight. She cursed in her head.
“Ms. Vanderson, where is your homework?”
“My dog ate it.” Vi responded coolly.
Hoskel was in disbelief as he quirked an eyebrow. “Vi, I thought we were past lying in our relationship?”
“I’m not lying. Have you seen the dogs in Zaun?” Vi crossed her arms and sat back in her seat.
“Thankfully, no…” He looked around the class to see if anyone could vouch that Vi wasn’t lying, but everyone else in the AP calculus class was from Piltover. Hoskel sighed as he looked back at Vi. “Fine, but I want it by tomorrow. No exceptions.”
“Thanks, Torman. You’re the best.” Vi smiled mischievously.
He glared at her. “What have I told you about calling me by my first name?”
“Oh, crap. My bad. I won’t do it again.”
Hoskel sighed, not having the energy to reply. “Switch papers with your table partner so that we can begin grading. Also, Vi, your face is bleeding and dripping onto my desk. I’ll get you a pass for the nurse.”
On her way to nurse Renni’s office, Vi folded the pass Hoskel had given her into an origami bird. Powder showed her how to do it. Vi smiled before putting it away, dragging a hand against the lockers. Whistling a soft tune, she avoided the lines that divided floor tiles as she walked down the empty hallway.
“Vi? What happened to your face?” Vi looked up from the floor and saw Piltover’s princess walk up to her with a concerned look.
Vi gave her a deadpan look. “Why do you care?”
“Can I not ask a fellow student if they’ve been using their face to block punches?”
“Very funny.” Vi shot her a look before continuing to walk.
“But seriously,” Caitlyn caught up to her. “Why do you have a black eye, busted lip, and a cut-up cheek.”
“Life.”
“Life?”
“It’s just life for people who don’t watch the world around them from a tower.”
“I do not live in a tower.” Caitlyn scowled.
“Ok, then a manor on top of a hill looking down at the people of Zaun.” Vi retorted as she kicked a pencil lying in the hallway.
Caitlyn scoffed. “Is that all you think of me as? A spoiled, rich girl who looks down on the world.”
“Pretty much.” Vi shrugged as they turned into another empty hallway.
“Unbelievable.” Caitlyn sneered in disbelief. “You know, I was just trying to be nice.”
“I don’t need your sympathy, Cupcake.”
“Cupcake? What is with that stupid nickname?”
“Because you’re so sweet, like a cupcake.” Vi responded sarcastically as she knocked on a door with Nurse Renni on a nameplate in the center.
“Vi! How nice seeing you again.” Nurse Renni smiled, then turned to Caitlyn. Her eyes widened in surprise. “And you brought Ms. Kiramman. What a surprise. She must’ve chaperoned you here, mm?” Nurse Renni opened the door wider to let the girls in.
“Nope, she just decided to come for a ride,” Vi said as she plopped onto the examination table. “for some reason.” Vi muttered the last part.
“Well, Caitlyn, you can wait in this chair while I see what’s wrong with Vi.” Nurse Renni gestured to the chairs by the door. Caitlyn nodded and sat down cross-legged.
“Now, let’s see what the problem- Oh, Vi! How did I not notice this when you walked in?” Nurse Renni rushed to grab a cotton ball from a jar to remove the dry blood on Vi’s face. “What happened to your beautiful face?”
“I fell down some stairs.” Vi mumbled as Nurse Renni began wiping the blood from her face. Vi could’ve sworn she heard a snort in the background.
“Violet Vanderson! You need to be more careful.” Nurse Renni scolded. “Look at you. Your left eye and lip make you look like a pufferfish. This looks just as bad as when you got hit by that car.” Vi winced as Nurse Renni pressed a little too hard on her lip.
“Why does everyone keep bringing that up?” Vi groaned.
“Perdon me, did I hear you got hit by a car?” Caitlyn was trying to push back a smile unsuccessfully.
“Oh yeah, it was awful. Poor thirteen-year-old Vi was all busted and bruised for weeks. It broke my heart seeing her like that.” Nurse Renni cooed, and even Vi had difficulty containing a laugh.
But Caitlyn clearly didn’t have as much restraint and broke into laughter. Laughing so hard, tears began to well in her eyes. As she laughed, it took everything in Vi not to break down with her.
“I’m…sorry…please… forgive… me.” Caitlyn said in between laughs.
“Yeah, laugh it up, piltie.”
Even Nurse Renni let out a laugh at that. “Ok, ok.” She said as the laughter died down. “Now, Vi, lay back so I can finish up.”
“Aye, so you and the Piltie Princess, uh?” Ekko nudged Vi’s shoulder as they walked out of school together. “Saw you two in the hallways, giggling and shit.”
“What? No!” Vi grimaced as she readjusted her backpack. “By the way, I do not giggle.”
“Listen, I don’t judge. It’s fine if you want a sugar momma. Just make sure you buy me stuff, too, alright?”
Vi scoffed and shook her head. “You’re unbelievable.” A small smile rested on her face as they walked down the stairs together.
“Hey, there she is now.” Ekko poked her bad rib, causing Vi to hunch over a little before straightening and looking to where Ekko was waving. A butler was holding open the back door to a sleet black car, holding out his hand for Caitlyn’s backpack as she was about to get in. “Yo, Kiramman!” Ekko shouted before Vi could cover his mouth.
Caitlyn looked up at the mention of her name and saw Ekko waving frantically at her and Vi glaring at him. Giggling slightly, she waved back.
“Wave back, moron.” Ekko said from the side of his mouth as he continued to wave. Vi sighed before holding her up slightly and giving a two-finger wave. Caitlyn looked away as the man in the suit said something to her and got into the car.
As they watched the car pull away, Ekko turned back to Vi. “So, you going to Deckard’s party tonight?”
“Hell yeah, man.”