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Magnus’s jewel-like stare, eyes that you could see beauty in the cold solidity of, was returned with your own, and a scowl. “Then you already know my answer,” you told him. “I don’t intend to lose. Save your concerns for my enemy.”
“So be it.” Magnus said, taking a step back. “If you cannot be dissuaded, then at least take my own wishes to heart.”
…You couldn’t do that without running headlong against them as well. When the world challenged you, you fought. That was the way it worked. You had to be strong enough to never falter. To never have it take anything from you without a good, all-out fight for it. Yuliana didn’t have to be here…but you did.
To turn down so direct a challenge was not you. Regardless of danger. It wasn’t what you envisioned yourself as <span class="mu-i">having</span> to act. Especially with this match being one that, for that reason of prestige, challenged a piece of you that you <span class="mu-i">couldn’t</span> surrender. Even in battles of even or inferior strength, when the wills of warriors were tested and found wanting, they could be defeated even in a position where an onlooker would presume victory to be guaranteed.
This strength of will was what could never be lost if you were to be in command of your future, and it was time for it to be tested.
Yuliana had become small, a speck, near two hundred meters distant. Enough time to get to a good speed for this. Watching her unsteadily handle the motorcycle made you feel how she must have felt watching you try to cook. However, this contest was fairer than that. Even a shaky rider could grit their teeth and forge their resolve into hot, then hard steel, either form useful.
You lacked a watch to use for timing, so you stared west, waiting for Yuliana to start, the setting sun dyeing the clouds. Your goggles had enough tint to resist the sun’s last glare from going into your face.
The unmistakable sound came. Yet also, you heard it from…behind?
No distractions. Deal with one thing, then the other, you thought. Yuliana had waited enough. Time to go, you decided.
She had thought the same, as you both began moving at the same time. The VAM-6C bellowed beneath you, fully able to test the limits of its power on this long stretch of black road. When was the last time you’d been able to do this? Never. The dustlands didn’t have roads like this. Machines like this. Speed like this.
Exhilarating. You wished that Magnus would feel the same, like he let out sometimes back in Netilland.
>Go right for your opponent. Head on. Either she’d turn off or you were both history. (Requires Will Check- don’t worry, Anya is pretty hardheaded)
>Blow right by her. It would only be a small adjustment, but shocking enough that most people span out- or were psyched out. (Requires Maneuvering Check)
>Wait- behind you? Maybe you should put this off just for a moment and handle that…
>Other?
