The Other Side/Rise Of The Crow

The city of Borba is like Goliath's equivalent of Las Vegas. As we enter the city there are thousands of people walking around and there are other people in the streets trying to sell them something.

"Ah, you look like a young group with some money to splurge! Why don't you come into the Borba's Casino in the gambling district? Where you can gamble to your heart's content!" A sly-looking Scavian man asks.​ ​

"Nope, back away from them! They have much more important things to do than to gamble their money away! Shoo!" Kira shouts as the man runs away.

"Hey! That actually sounded like fun, we could've at least checked it out!" Jack yells at Kira as she lets out a huge sigh.

"Ah, to be young and so naive. Years ago when I first arrived here, I fell for the money trap curse of Borba. At first it was harmless, I only spent a couple of hundred gold and didn't really take the games seriously. But then, I actually got lucky! And once you strike gold once you start to get cocky and think you can do it again. By the time I left out of the casino, I was dead broke… " Kira laments as she clenches her fist.

"Wow, considering how well you handle your money now I'd never expect that." Layla points out.

"You live and you learn. But enough about all of that, let me show you around so you get a lay of the land!" Kira motions as we all follow her.

We walk further through the city and stop in a district in the middle of the city that seems to lead to many key landmarks. All around us we can see signs, shops, restaurants, dancers in the street, and musicians playing music as well. This just further confirms that humans and Frodians are so similar.

"This is the mid-point district which connects to every other major district in the city! On the left-right over there is the gambling district home to the Borba Casino and pretty much all types of gambling games where you can win coin prizes. Like I said before if you value saving your money I'd stay far away from there!" Kira warns us as Jack looks at it with admiration.

"Hmph, I know where I'll be spending my free time… " Jack whispers as he smirks at me.

"Count me in… " I whisper back as we both chuckle quietly.

"On the far right is the love district. I don't think I have to explain to you guys what's going on down there, especially after you saw The Hawks entertainment district. All I can say is if you don't want to end up in jail keep your asses away from there! Thankfully that place is 17 and older so you can't go over there anyway!" Kira commands as Jack immediately looks over at me again.

"That sounds like the perfect place for gentlemen of our stature. Right, Crow?" Jack whispers as he elbows my stomach playfully.

"Shut it, you idiot. You know Mari will kill me." I respond as Mari shoots an icy glare at me.

"Everything okay back there Crow?" Mari asks with an evil grin on her face.

"Yep, we're all good!" I reply as her glare makes me shiver in fear.

"And lastly, there's the sports district which is straight ahead of us. This is the district where all of you will be staying and also where we'll be meeting with the other Academies for the start of The Games. There are loads of different competitions and games being held there daily and you can make some good money if you win any of them. This is the place I went to pay off my debts and make my money back when I went broke. The entry fees are low but the payout is high! This is the only place I'd say it's worth it to spend a little bit of coin!" Kira explains as we all nod our heads.

"Now we're speaking my language! I hope they actually have some worthy competitors down there!" Layla responds as she eagerly spins her short sword.

"If it's a game I can win, then I gotta master it!" Sachi adds as she looks really intrigued by this district.

"Anyway, I have to head back to the gate of the city and greet Master Elyon and his group. You guys have about an hour before the opening ceremony begins which will be at the Adora Coliseum in the sports district. Try to burn some time and stay out of trouble! And don't you dare be late, that ceremony is vital." Kira waves as she walks away from us.

"So what should we do? All of the districts sound pretty fun to me! I was thinking of going to the gambling district and right after blowing off some money at the love district! Then to finish my grand plan off I'll knock some heads off in the sports district." Jack shouts his voice full of excitement.

"Did you just ignore every single word she said? You know we can't go to the Love District!" Layla yells angrily.

"Also Jack, there's no way you can do all of that with only an hour to spare! We have to make it to the ceremony on time!" Mari reminds Jack as he facepalms.

"Ugh, you guys are the most boring set of teenagers I've seen in my life! Let loose a bit, Goliath is already too depressing for us not to have some fun here and there!" Jack responds his voice full of frustration.

"Jack, just relax bro. You'll have plenty of time to do all of that crap on your own time but we're kind of the clock right now. Why don't we all just head straight to the sports district and blow off some steam? It'll be a nice warm-up before the games begin!" I suggest as the tension finally eases down.

"Sounds like a plan to me!" Mari agrees.

"Yeah, I like the sound of that actually! I have a little bit of coin to spend!" Layla adds.

"Seems you're outvoted, Jack!" Sachi jokes as she jumps on his back and laughs.

"Fine! You all win!" Jack admits begrudgingly.

We all head into the sports district and participate in many of their games winning quite easily on most of them. Layla and I play a throwing knife game where we both win 1,000 gold coins each. Mari does a spell casting game where she wins 3,000 gold coins. Jack cleans up winning 5,000 gold coins from an arm-wrestling contest. And now Sachi is about to compete in a target shooting game with 10,000 gold coins on the line.

"Go Sachi! Show these people how perfect your aim is!" Mari cheers as we all watch Sachi from the side.

"No need to cheer for her, you know she's got this! I think her aim might actually be better than Aliah's now." Layla comments her voice full of confidence.

"Huh? I wonder who that is?" I ask as I notice a Windian girl with a black hood on walks right next to Sachi and pulls a bow out.

"Hmm, I can tell by your attire that you're from one of the other academies! What's your name?" The Windian girl asks.

"Sachi. And yeah I got to Adora Academy." Sachi replies as she casually hits a bullseye with her bow.

"I see, your aim is quite immaculate Sachi! It seems your being taught well at the number one academy in Goliath!" The Windian girl compliments as she shoots an arrow and hits a bullseye as well.

Out of nowhere everyone starts crowing around both of them to watch this battle of archery.

"Your shooting is quite fierce, it's not really my style but I can respect it. By the way, you still haven't told me your name. It's quite rude to ask for something from a stranger and not return to the favor." Sachi observes as she shoots another bullseye.

"Oh my, where are my manners? My name is Mine and I actually attend Midna academy which is not too far from Umbra!" Mine answers as she shoots three bullseyes in a row.

"Crap!" Sachi yells as she tries to hit three bullseyes in response but misses each one.

"And the winner is Mine!" The game master announces as everyone cheers.

"Hmm, that proved to be quite disappointing! I expected a lot more out of Adora academy and even more from a Chosen Child!" Mine calls out as everyone gasps.

"How did you know?" Sachi asks her eyes full of anger.

"Your scent, you smell like a Frodian but not all the way! I guess that goes to show that being full-blooded is far more superior! Why don't you head back to whatever world you came from, we need way more reliable people if we hope to save Goliath!" Midna laughs as Sachi looks really upset.

Suddenly, Mari and Layla both approach Mine and they do not look happy.

"Say another word… " Layla threatens as she starts unleashing her Taqa.

"We dare you… " Mari adds in as she stands in front of Sachi.

"Hmph, whatever. Your little friends won't be there to save you when the games start!" Mine sneers as she walks away.

"Ugh, that little!" Jack shouts his voice full of frustration.

"Are you good Sachi? She took that competition a little too far." Mari asks as she rubs her shoulders.

"No I'm not… " Sachi replies as she grins.

"Huh? Sachi?" Layla asks as she backs away from her.

"She just declared war on me! And now I'm really angry! She'll regret the day she started some crap with me! Just all of you watch!" Sachi declares as she clenches her fists.

"We know you will! She has no idea what's coming to her!" Jack agrees as we all smile.

"Let's get going, the ceremony should be starting soon!" I remind everyone as we walk to the large coliseum in the distance.