Chapter Text
“...VICTORY!” Valk’s voice echoed throughout the arena, and the crowd erupted, cheering and celebrating from the stands.
Dom’s voice swiftly followed, “Our passionate Blue team ends up winning the match! That's a point to each member.”
“That was an electrifying match! Both teams had such incredible strategies!” Valk continued rambling about the several combinations and tactics throughout the match, before being halted by Dom.
“Alright, hahah… Anyway, congrats to the Phighters. The audience will be escorted out of Banlands after a quick intermission. Stay in your lanes, folks!”
Several minutes passed, as the audience continued talking amongst themselves, about how cool the Phighters looked in the match, the dangerous hazards in the arena, and such. This continued as they were led out of the stands in rows. Amongst them was a small demon, anxiously trying to slip through the crowd. The crushing pressure surrounding her was too much, and her only instinct was to get out as fast as she could. Spotting a small space in between the layers of the stands, she quickly ducked and entered the opening, enduring the moment of claustrophobia, before emerging underneath, where the supports for the stands met the ground.
Unbeknownst to her, this was actually a part of the arena, and in the midst of traversing the uneven, rocky earth, trying to find a way around the crowd, she found herself lifted into the air against her will, met with the sight of a large metallic hammer, and a blindfolded face. The towering figure grinned in intimation, teeth almost glistening in the low light, earning a terrified squeal from the smaller demon.
“What’s this? Some kinda bug?” The unfamiliar face bared its teeth, letting out a husky breath.
The small girl kicked her feet about anxiously, stumbling over her sentences.
"I-I'm sorry! I must've been too far from the crowd- I was part of the audience, really!" She trembled, her eyes welling up with golden tears.
This earned a surprised click of the tongue from the man, “Whatcha doing all the way down here then, puny runt! Unless you wanna be locked up like the rest of ‘em?!”
The girl squealed again, immediately pleading as if her life was on the line, “No- nonono!!! Please no! I got lost, it's my fault, I'm sorry!”
The man stayed silent for a few seconds, sucking his teeth. “Tch, such a scared lil’ thing. No place round ‘ere’s fit for you. Shouldn't you be goin’ cryin’ to momma right about now?”
“My Godmother’s not here- She’s too busy!” Fireflies continued to fall from her eyes, almost blinding her view. Suddenly, she was dropped to the floor, yet not harshly enough to harm her.
The man sighed at the mention of a Godmother, instead of a traditional parent, “Look, I don't do this all’a time, but you look like ya need some discipline. What’s your name, kid?”
“L-Lightblox…” Lightblox’s eyes comedically welled up once again, like a weak little puppy - that’s what she was, really.
“Lightblox… Got it. I’m sure you've heard about me and my many gruelling endeavours - only the mighty Ban Hammer could achieve such feats, after all!” Ban Hammer grinned ear-to-ear as he recalled his escapades. Lightblox could only stare in confusion.
Ban Hammer cleared his throat, “Anyway, I’m sure it’d be an honour to revel under the power of a demi-god, right?
“...Y-yeees?” Lightblox mumbled, still baffled by the subject at hand.
“C'mon kid, at least show a bit of understanding of what's going on here! I ain't gonna line it all out for ya!”
Eventually, many of the other team members took notice of the interaction, and a boy dressed in blue approached the two. He wielded a large slingshot over his shoulder.
“Heyo! Who’s this little pipsqueak? I’m sure Ban Hammer gave you a scare. You get lost in the crowd or something?” He piped up, as Lightblox gazed up at him in wonder.
“Lightblox…” She chirped, her nerves calming slightly.
“Lightblox, eh? I’m Slingshot!” Slingshot replied, moving a hand to his hip in a comical fashion.
Ban Hammer scowled seeing Slingshot take a much friendlier approach to a dangerous arena hazard, despite the latter remaining cheerful and oblivious.
He butted in, and attempted to elaborate, “She isn’t supposed to be here. I’m getting her outta here before she ends up as prison food.”
He said, as Lightblox’s face went pale, and she swallowed thickly.
“Well, what if she was admiring your skills? Maybe she was looking to work under you, like a little apprentice. How does that sound? I can tell you’ve been wanting one, hah.” Slingshot laughed as he mentioned the idea.
Ban Hammer hesitated, seemingly stuck in thought for a moment. He then looked back down at Lightblox, and spoke in an apprehensive tone. “I wouldn't consider this thing the type to take on such a big role, but… are ya up for it?”
It was visible that Lightblox wasn't completely against the idea, but her anxiety prevented her from voicing her own opinion in the moment. She could only muster a disorientated nod, but thankfully, that was all the confirmation the two needed.
Slingshot responded first, “See? Told you! She’s just got a couple nerves, that's all.”
“Very well…” Ban Hammer scoffed, “Imma have to get permission from your guardian first though. Ask her to drop me a visit, will ya?”
Lightblox mumbled in response, “O-okay, I can do that… I think.”
Slingshot nodded in approval, and he turned as he jumped upwards, his shoes dispersing the air around his feet, which let him walk on it with ease. Doing so also sent sand and dirt in Ban Hammer’s direction, visibly angering him.
“Ugh, knock it off.”
“Hah, my bad.” He laughed, taking heavy leaps through the air.
— — — — —
Lightblox, with Ghostdeeri’s permission and Traffic’s encouragement, did indeed end up visiting Banlands once again. Catching sight of Ban Hammer at the centre of the arena, she meekly approached him, ensuring some distance left between the two. Ban Hammer noticed the footsteps, albeit quiet, from afar, and turned in a calm but defensive stance.
“Who- …Right! It’s you. Whatcha doin’ back here? Prepping for your first day on the job?”
“I… Um..” Lightbox stuttered, seemingly contemplating what to say. Ban Hammer took notice of this almost immediately, breaking out into a light chuckle.
“Hah! Relax, bud. You’re only little. Your Godmother, or whatever, wouldn't be too happy if I straight-up extorted ya, would she? Hahah…” He said, gripping his hammer as he grinned.
“O-Okay… But yep! I’m ready.” Lightbox replied, with some new-found confidence.
“Great! Now then let's see… I’m pretty busy with the criminals around here today, so you could go down to Crossroads for me and pick up a few things… Also, there’s this demon I’ve been looking for, you could see if they’re somewhere around there… Weird colourful attire, big box head, y’know? Oh- And, and…”
Eventually, after a long while of explaining various daily chores he wanted off of his shoulders, Ban Hammer finished going through what he had remembered.
“That's about it. Think you're up to it, squirt?”
Lightbox gulped rereading the long list of errands she had written down on a small notepad, but tried to remain calm, and not let her anxiety get the best of her.
“Y-yes! I mean- I think so.” She said in a shaky tone.
“Great! I’ll see you later then. Duty calls!” Ban Hammer waved his weapon in the air as he left. Lightblox contemplated once more, inhaling deeply as she whispered some words of encouragement to herself.
— — — — —
Arriving at crossroads, Lightblox carried out the various tasks she had noted: some vague, while others very specific, eventually taking a break near the centre of the city’s tall tower. Spotting Traffic’s stand, she approached it, soon realising the many civilians surrounding it were all speaking to Traffic at once.
“Alright, alright! Man, just take it. Jeez.” Traffic spoke, handing over a small card while sounding slightly irritated at the customer. He looked over at Lightblox, and his demeanour calmed a little.
“Oh, ‘sup kid. How’s the big guy doin’?”
“He gave me some tasks to do around here…” She began, “What was that person doing?”
“N-nothin’, it's aight. Jus’ some entitled weirdo tryna pry a Title before handin’ over da cash. No biggie.”
“Okay… I have to get back to this now, so- um… buh bye.” Lightblox muttered as she headed off, after a nod.
“See ya-” Traffic started, before interrupting himself, “Oi, mitts off the stand, dude!”
— — — — —
After many hours checking off her listed tasks, Lightblox returned to Banlands. She stood at the centre of the arena once more, staring up at the massive statue on full display.
“Is this..?”
“Yours truly? Of course! Made all for me, as it should be!” Ban Hammer’s smug laugh echoed throughout Banlands, earning a surprised squeak from Lightblox.
“Oh, hah, sorry for scarin’ ya. You get all those tasks done?”
Lightbox nodded several times. “Y-yup! Every last one, just as you asked.”
“Good, good.” Ban Hammer took the list Lightblox had written, and seemed impressed by her integrity. “Nice job! You really took a weight off my shoulders today. You up for watchin the next Phight tomorrow?”
“I-I suppose. Where is it?”
“Right here! The audience will be seeing me beat the crap outta the other team! Sounds great, right?” He smiled, showing his teeth.
His grin unsettled Lightblox for a second. “U-uh, yes..?” She replied, obviously unsure of herself.
“That’s it, kid! Learn to be confident, it’d do someone like you real good. My momma would talk some sense into ya before you even knew it.”
Lightbox couldn't help but shudder at the mere mention of someone even taller, stronger, and scarier than Ban Hammer. Shaking off the anxiety at the front of her mind, she nodded in fearful agreement.
“I suppose I’ll be trainin’ for the rest of the day, so run along. Make sure to tell your li’ gearless buddy all about me!” He said, before making off in the other direction, hauling his weapon over his shoulder as he did.
Lightblox stood attempting to calm her nerves for a good while, before turning and making her own way out of the arena of Banlands. Before exiting, however, she caught sight of a small cage at the edge of the land. She continued, holding distance as she passed the cage, but as she did, a voice called out from within.
“Who’s this? You’re awfully small for someone who should be round here. Are you lost?”
Lightbox squeaked, her heart getting stuck in her throat. She then replied in stuttered phrases, “Wh- What? Who's there? What- Where?”
The voice chuckled, lightly, yet eerily, “Hehe, so scared. Poor little thing. Over here.”
Lightbox recognised the sound as coming from the cage to her right, turning to it in fear.
“F-from here?”
“Yep! Don’t worry, it’s just lil ol’ me in here!” The voice laughed again, and a short demon emerged from the darkness, leaning against the metal bars of the cage in a casual demeanour.
Lightbox kept her distance, only stepping a few inches closer to get a better look at the figure. His teal suit almost shimmered in the dim light, and the chains on his wrist clicked as he swayed. The familiarity of his appearance was visible in Lightbox’s eyes.
“Are you… that…” She pondered for another moment, before speaking again, “... Th-The Broker?”
“Oh, so you’re a good listener, are you?” The Broker’s one silver eye glistened, as if it was made of glass, as he spoke.
“Although. I’m sure that old man’s told you about me like, a hundred times already, hehe.”
Lightbox could only nod, keeping on hand to her chest for comfort. She winced as she recalled Ban Hammer’s various warnings about the Broker.
“What’s he got you all wrapped ‘round his finger for? I’m not sure a role under that bonehead would get you anywhere.”
“T-that’s not what’s going on here…” Lightbox stammered, “It…. has nothing to do with you.”
The broker’s tone dropped as he became more irritated, “Heh, such a puny little slave you are! I’m sure we could give you much better treatment than that big brute ever could.”
“Wh-what? Who’s… ‘we’?” Lightblox questioned, testing the Broker’s patience. His chains clanked as he moved closer, loosely wrapping his arms around the bars. He kept a grin up, however.
“Forget about it. All you need to know right now… is to keep your wits about you, kid.”
He chuckled once more, his voice dropping to a husky, sinister growl, “You're a valuable asset to us, Lightblox. Now just don't interfere, and I won't have to take drastic measures.”
This obviously frightened Lightblox, her body tensing as she stepped back. She could only mutter, “N-no! I’m not falling for that-!” before making off. The Broker could be heard laughing nonchalantly as she ran.
— — — — —
Making it to her house, Lightblox leaned back against the wall as she closed it behind her. unsure of her Godmother’s whereabouts, she locked the door before immediately taking the stairs to her room. There, she almost instantly went to sit down, exhausted having ran all the way home from the moment she got off of public transport.
She took a moment to breathe and collect her thoughts, before removing her helmet before her eyes could be damaged. Small flickers of light flitted about her as she looked up, using gravity to strain the golden tears down and off of her face. Wafting the many glowing lights out of her way, she tucked her head between her knees, and cried once again.