Colored Rink: The G.A.M.E.Z. Duology, #1

By E Darkwood

G's: Where beauty in death, is a requirement.

 

With a name like G.A.M.E.Z. everyone thought it was a joke. But it was a joke that worked; they tuned in. And it became the biggest brains and brawn competition on the planet thanks largely to its deadly punchline.

 

Mayla and Denton are two young zan who dream of competing in the G.A.M.E.Z. despite the risk because even when the chances of winning are practically nonexistent, sometimes all that's left is to try.

 

One chance.

One dream.

One bickering team.

It's all or nothing when you enter, the G.A.M.E.Z.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Other
• Release date: Jan 18, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386071150

Book preview

What is this?

This is a fiction book found under the categories of epic fantasy, romance and 'teen and young adult' first written as a submission for the Kindle Scout program; which goes to show that when you shoot for your dreams, sometimes you hit and sometimes you miss.

By reading this book, you will learn about the most popular form of deadly entertainment on Zanarik, known as the G.A.M.E.Z. and the journey of our protagonists as they try to participate and win.

If that premise sounds interesting to you, then this is the book for you. If it doesn't appeal to you, then you might consider looking into another title, perhaps even another by this author. There are many possibilities.

Thank you for reading.

Table of Contents

What is this?

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Other books by this author

Colored Rink takes place on a planet much like Earth,

but on Zanarik magic is part of everyday life.

20

This is the story of how I took a gamble and from it, was born a Dream.

Are you willing to listen?

~^~~^ ~^~^

Now, because I'm a guy with a pulse, everyone assumes I'm a G-head...

They'd be right.

Since I can remember, I've been a Fan of the G.A.M.E.Z.

Who wouldn't be?

They're an Elite Competition where only The Best of The Best walks away with the title of Champ and the singular prizes that come with it.

The action, and The Performance.

To have the chance to stand on that life altering stage and show everyone what I can do. To do that, I'd do just about anything.

^~^~^ ~^~^

When people hear that I'm from Zanarik, they usually follow it up by asking if I'm a G-head.

What can I say? I'll own it, I'm 1000% into the G's. No question.

Thing is, when I tell them I want in, it's always: Who's your fighter?

YOUSOILEDLANGORIANMANGUSI'MTHEFIGHTER!!!

Mind you, I usually try to keep my yells in my own head when I'm with people I've just met, but every now and again they make it to the outside, scaring the living flarb out of whoever asked. Making it one less person I could pair with.

Tough for them. Not my fault I came out precious looking. It's just looks. Get Over It.

Whatever, I don't really care because I pack a punch. I like packing a punch.

Problem is when people manage to dodge my punches before they land, then it usually ends with a lift and toss.

GGAAAH!!

Why'd I have to be such a tiny thing?

Well, no, that's not it. I don't mind my size. Height-wise I'm even a little on the tall side for a zan girl. The problem is that no matter how much I train, all I can manage is lean muscle. Which means, I can lift a fighter twice my size no sweat, but I'll always get passed over when it comes time to pair up, because everybody wants the muscles on muscles fighters. Leaving me as last pick.

Unless, it's to be a dancer... yay.

~^~~^ ~^~^

You see, my biggest problem is that for your average Zan male, I'm on the short side. Which is strike one, for being a Fighter.

Strike two, is that I also can't bulk up past a Dancer's threshold to save my life.

Strike three? I don't want to be a Fighter.

Adding insult to injury, neither of the first two strikes, is a strike, for a Dancer. Dancer's need to be nimble and so being short and slight are usually advantages.

However, I'm not slight looking enough, to be a Dancer... Or so I've heard, over and over again.

But as much as I hear it, when I see myself; I see a guy who's 'average', which in terms of the G.A.M.E.Z. means that I can only be a Fighter... yay.

Now, don't misinterpret, I don't mind fighting. I know it's a pivotal part of a fight competition, which is why in my own way I give them their due by rendering them Fighters instead of fighters.

But as much as I can respect the position. As much as I appreciate its importance in the greater scope, to me, it's always been about the moves, about The Routine, and all the moves worth doing, go to the Dancer.

Fists, anybody can do, but grace, now that takes a sophistication not many posses.

^~^~^ ~^~^

I've tried dancing, and I like it just fine and I'm even ut at it, but what I'm really after is the rush of combat. The thrill of going into a brawl where you don't know where things will swing and you have to make split-second decisions to answer to your opponents's moves. Doing everything it takes to come out on top. That's what the G's are all about to me.

I can appreciate a good performance just like anyone else watching, but sashaying across the arena while the others battle, isn't exactly my idea of a fun time.

Sometimes I wish there was a halfway mark somewhere. I know that dancing has its own thrill, but it just doesn't compare to the high of PURE BATTLE and since I can only have one, then I'm a fighter!

All the way.

~^~~^ ~^~^

I admire Dancing. I'm even decent at it. I've memorized all the moves in the G.A.M.E.Z.'s Official Intergalactic Choreography Handbook current edition and I can tell you each step with minute detail.

The problem is, my coordination goes missing in front of a crowd.

I could draw you the exact position for over a thousand different moves, but executing them while someone is watching. Gulp.

I'm not a total wreck, but I'm also nowhere near good enough to compete. Not even close. Spectators, or no spectators.

Which is a shame, because I actually do like to dance. I might even say I love it.

The rhythm, the style, the intricate patterns, it's all a wonderful, ethereal dream; I can never reach.

It might not even be such an impossible dream, if only I found the right partner. But as things stand there's only the one option and I don't want to be a Fighter.

I'm not extraordinary, so I can't be a Dancer.

That is just a fact, but that doesn't keep me from practicing everyday, hoping for a miracle.

Trying to improve enough to get it.

If I can't be one or the other, and be Good at it, I don't stand a chance to make a Team. At least not one that could actually pass The Trials, let alone make it to the G.A.M.E.Z.

So I'm stuck, wishing I could join, but knowing I'm lacking...

^~^~^ ~^~^

I've had almost a ridiculous amount of teammates over the years, but it always boils down to the same thing: They want a dancer, and I want to fight.

I can't help it. Even if I stick to the routine, my eyes always end up wandering to the action and next thing you know, I'm pummeling someone to the ground.

What can I say? You just can't tempt a girl like that and expect her to sit still. At least not this girl.

Not my fault not all my partners know when to duck.

~^~~^ ~^~^

I don't often get asked to partner, but it's not only because I'm not a popular Dancer, it's also because I've come to only accept, when it's with a Fighter.

I tried being the Fighter, but it's not a great fit, thus the other person needs to fill in that role to complete our duo.

I chose to be the Dancer. I prefer being the Dancer. But though I like it better, it's not quite right either.

If I'm being honest, I like both roles for the same reason.

It's the precision of executing a move, the fulfillment of completing The Routine perfectly, that is what I live for.

That, is what the G.A.M.E.Z. are about in my eyes. Roles, I've often thought, are simply something to be tolerated as a necessary evil.

^~^~^ ~^~^

I've had a few dancers who've paired with me, but the thing about dancers is, they just dance.

I mean, I know that's their job, but can't they like get outta the way?

Well, I know it's part of a fighter's job to protect the dancers and that's fine, but if you're gonna just stand there and pose then, good luck to you. I'm NOT waiting around on you when I could be pounding away on the other side.

Yea... When I can get to be a fighter, it usually ends with me fighting solo and that doesn't make for a popular fighter. Not by a long shot.

At this point, the only person who'd probably still pair with me is Denton. And even though he's been my friend since like, birth, and he's about the only person who might be more of a G-head than I am, he's about as popular a dancer, as I am a fighter.

Not exactly a great way to get those audience points.

Speaking'a Denton, I feel bad for him. He has even less luck with pairs, than I do. Whats worse, when he pairs with someone, they always quit on him.

If he's the fighter, his dancer will usually complain they feel exposed, even when Denton does his job.

With a fighter, Denton takes too long to pose and there's only so much a fighter can take before they decide to hurry up their own dancer... Not that I've done that or anything, just saying...

Having a dancer who can do their own thing and not get in the way. It's like my dream pair. If only he didn't freeze up, we might stand a chance.

Oh well, back to looking for a pair. Heard that asking around on for someone on Xarthil might work, seeing as they're a single sex species known for dancers I think my chances might be really good, even if I might have to wait a while for my  pair to get to Zanarik.

Maybe we could meet halfway? A couple hundred years is a long time to wait, but I'll do it if that's what I gotta do to fight.

~^~~^ ~^~^

It's only a few days until I get my License and I know I should be thrilled, but I can't help but dwell on how instead of being happy about the possibilities it brings, I'm only thinking about the possibilities it can't give me.

I stop walking when something shiny on the ground catches my eye.

It's a farth; someone must have dropped it. I bend to pick it up and I'm suddenly hit with a fancy-filled idea.

You know what they say about finding a farth; it means you'll have good luck, so why not?

I take it in my hand, put it into proper position, and I flip it into the air.

As I watch it spin round and round, the promise I've made to myself echoes in my mind: If it lands on lark, I'll take The Trials; if it doesn't, I'll move on. I'll find another dream.

The farth continues its ascent and as I look on, it starts to come back down. I extend my hand to catch it and when I do, I quickly cover it with my other one.

I hold my breath and close my eyes.

This is it. This will change my life, one way or the other.

My life. I think about that.

What would my life be like if I didn't follow the G.A.M.E.Z.? I wouldn't have half the friends I do, for starters. I'd have saved my parents lots of frigles that could've been used on things not G-gear. I could of used all that time sitting just watching each year on something more productive, like, I don't know, accounting?

I let out a gasp when my harshest realization hits me.

I wouldn't have Mayla in my life. That's almost guaranteed.

I mean, I know we're neighbors so we would've met. But what bonded us For Life was the simple fact that we're both hardcore G-heads. No question.

We caught each other's attention with our premium G-gear and that started a heated debate consisting of the gurgles and hiccups that our infant selves could manage. But even though those incomprehensible noises grew louder and also slightly more intelligible as we grew older, the frequency of our squabbles never waned.

As it happens, that persistent habit is what convinces everyone that meets us that we're bickering siblings, which isn't helped any by the fact that we kind of look alike. Which is something else we fight about.

Oh well, that's just how it goes, some days I might even say I wouldn't change it for anything.

Even if we have found we have other interests we share, our friendship has always had its roots, its foundation in our shared passion for the G.A.M.E.Z. Punches and all, we're bound G-heads For Life.

The G.A.M.E.Z. are where it all started and what it all comes down to.

I gaze down at the covered farth.

Is fighting for my dreams worth risking my life?

I look around at my surroundings. I think of my current path. Aimless wandering.

I take the farth in a single hand and simply pocket it.

If not my Dreams, then what is worth it? If I die, then I'll at least go while giving it my all.

I change my course and resume walking. The next stop on this daunting new journey is Mayla's dome. If I'm doing this, then there's only one person I want to do it with.

She'll need some talking into it, but, I know this'll work. It has to.

Even if I have to drag her to The Trials, we're doing this.

I pick up my pace and soon I arrive to her dome. I walk to the door but I soon change my trajectory when I hear a familiar sound coming from around back.

I'm not surprised to hear Mayla training, but I feel a grin spread on my face with the budding idea of just how I can get The Right Answer from her.

I stop and do a quick stretch. Then I turn the corner and watch her until I've locked on her timing.

As she passes the mark I've set, I let out a breath and send a silent thought out into the realm of creation.

Wish me luck! I have a partner to catch.

19

^~^~^ ~^~^

I'm swiveling and preparing to launch myself into a midair tuck-roll when I feel a presence approaching me from behind.

When I catch a whiff of fighting sprit from it, I turn my launch's direction from going forwards to going towards my new enemy.

I'm a little surprised once I see who it is, but that doesn't keep me from springing off of Denton's raised arms and landing on the ground. As soon as I see that he's in it, to win it, I don't waste any more time. I go in for an uppercut, which he blocks, so I jump out of the way and onto a nearby platform.

Nice block. I shout down to him.

Nice leap. He answers, causing me to let out a short laugh.

"What's gotten into you? Huh, Dent? You decide you wanna be a fighter now?" I joke while I feel out my next move. I'm a better fighter, but I know he's one to watch out for.

No. I'll be the Dancer as long as you're the fighter. He answers.

I'm confused enough by his words, that I don't see him coming until he's almost on top of me.

I roll out of the way, but he still manages to catch one of my feet, causing me to slam down onto the floor.

Knowing I'm caught and that more troubles bound to be on the way. I kick with my other foot, but Denton knows me well enough to see it coming and so he moves away from my kick and instead yanks me into range so he can lock me in a clinch.

DARN IT DENT, GET OFF ME!! I yell as I try to get enough leverage to push off his weight.

Don't think so May, not until you say yes.

TO WHAT YOU VERTIGOCHALLENGEDWHAMBITT!? I ask as I keep struggling.

To being my partner. He whispers into my ear, causing me to shiver.

You're not serious. I answer, his tone causing me to lose some of my edge.

"I am. I'm old enough to enter in a few days and I don't want to spend the rest of my life wondering what if. I'm going for it and I want to do it with you."

I stop moving.

"We're not a good match Denton."

I roll my eyes because this is an argument we've had a zirrion times before.

"We've tried it. We're just too alike as people and not enough alike where it counts."

"On the field is where it counts May. In the arena. I know we can do it. I just know that between the two of us we can pull this off!"

I finally find the right spot and I push, bucking him off. I turn around to peer over the edge and I snap my fingers when I see that it's a miss.

Blasted Denton's like a lunx when it counts. Huh. He does always land on his feet, doesn't he?

"Why you suddenly so onboard for the trials?"