3:14 am - Communal Bath 16…
“Well well well. This is not what I expected.”
“I know right? I can’t believe our little hotshot here’s like this!”
Avali felt her brow twitch as a stream of warm water drenched her head from above, driving away the mountain of bubbles that had gathered in her hair. Accompanying the soap’s departure was also a stream of grime and dirt that had accumulated over the years. In a strange way, she felt almost sad to see the filth go. Difficult did not begin to describe how life was for a woman, even moreso a girl in the slums, and that cover had kept her under the radar for years.
Now, it was all going away, gathering in a pool of murky water before flowing into the drains, never to be seen again.
Avali raised her head, clearing the lingering bubbles from her face and looking at herself in the mirror. As she did, Lavenna, who had been helping wash her hair, beamed at her.
“Is this really your hair’s natural colour?” The Kitsune’s tails wagged and her fox ears perked up, ecstatic. “It’s such a pretty pink! Like those flowers…um, ‘sakura’! In the Estria Archipelago.”
“Can you not make a big deal out of it?” Avali grumbled, ruffling her shoulder-length hair and causing water to fly everywhere. “It’s not that weird.”
“There a lot of people with pink hair in Araka? Actually, where is Araka? I’ve heard of it but I’ve never been.”
June, who had been sitting in the large rectangular bath nearby answered the fox’s question. “Araka’s in Estria. It’s the central trading hub of the mainland that’s actually very well connected with the Archipelago. Funny you should mention their sakura flowers. As for the pink hair, I don’t think it’s common in any of the four continents.”
The youngest of the three shot the mage a look. “How do you know so much about Araka? I thought you were locked up in a mage tower in Wisteris for most of your life.”
“That’s correct, but it’s also why I had so much time to study about Estria. The Grand Magisters of Redstone were obsessed with the East.” June explained, relaxing her head against the rounded stone bank of the pool. “They wanted to obtain ‘cultivation methods’. A better way for mages to refine mana and manifest Egos, or so I was told.”
“How’d you get on with that?” Lavenna chimed in, gathering more soap in her hands to continue washing Avali’s hair. There were still dirt residues in spite of the rigorous cleaning.
“Cultivation methods worth using are rare even amongst the nobility of Estria.” June replied. “Needless to say, nothing of substance came out of it and that's partially why I was evicted.”
“So pretty much the result of ninety percent of all research.” The fox remarked, smirking as the mage let out a small laugh of amusement.
“I guess so. Looking back, I’m pretty thankful. I got a free pass out of that dreary place filled with creepy old hags. Now I get to work on myself, which isn’t so bad.” The dark-haired human said. “But anyway, onto the more important things at hand. Any idea how you got that hair colour?”
Avali sighed as the attention was directed on her again, matched by another dunking of fortunately warm water that soaked her still muddy body. The slumrat shook her head, splashing drops of liquid and bits of filth everywhere. “Not a clue. Parents, I guess.”
“How edgy.” Lavenna remarked, filling yet another bucket.
“Huh? What about you then? What’s with your boney hair?” Avali retorted and was rewarded with another flood of water washing over her body. The girl glared as the fox woman replied without a hint of remorse or fear.
“This is also a natural colour.” Lavenna chirped, her tails swaying left and right. Over time, Avali had noted that this only occurred when the Kitsune was in a good mood. “I guess you could say it’s my Soul’s colour rather than something to do with bloodline…probably. My kind doesn’t exactly work like normal animals. We’re special.”
This seemed to pique June’s interest, stirring the scholar hidden within the mage. “How do you Kitsune procreate? I read that your kind drag men away for such purposes. Since none have survived to tell the tale, I just took it as fact.”
The snow-haired beauty scoffed, waving her hand dismissively. “Seven Hells no. I mean, we only really ‘seduce’ men because they fall prey to beauty easily. Beyond eating the mana of mortals though, it’s not like we have any use for them.”
“As for your question, I think the best way is just to use our stored mana to make a ‘copy’.” Lavenna pointed to her fluffy limbs. “One tail sacrificed for one child, or so I read in the Skyward Sect’s manuscripts and figured intinctively. My mum ran off when I was a cub so no help there. The other option is to do it the ‘normal’ way. No tails gone if I just birth a child like every other mammal. But that only works if I can find someone I like, and if that someone has enough mana to sustain themselves through the ‘process’.”
Avali shot the fox a look. “So… Zexus?”
Lavenna raised her bucket. “Who else?”
*Splash*
The girl with dark pink hair scowled. “...How many fucking times are you going to do that?!”
“Obviously as many as it takes to get you clean. I wanna be able to see my reflection on your skin.” The fox japed, all smiles. “Also thinking about spraying you with rose perfume after this and putting on a neat little bow in your hair. Did you know you could buy all kinds of clothes and accessories in one of the new ‘shops’ that opened up on the cafeteria level?”
“... I hate you…”
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Black Box Red Block Control Room…
Takao tapped his fingers against the hard ironwood of his desk, his eyes transfixed on the dozen screens flashing before him. Each one was linked to a Livecapture Ego, displaying the real time images and audio of the happenings of Black Box. As a Seer and Watcher of Red Block, naturally his screens only had access to locations of said sector. That being the case, he had more than enough work cut out for him.
Ten thousand people was no small number, give or take the few that either died, became so incapacitated that they could no longer participate, or simply dropped out for this or that reason. Those who remained were the more promising lot, but only a few had shown hints of potential. One of these few was the man Takao had his eye on.
“Studying his holobracelet again?” The Seer ran a hand through his dark hair with an irritated frown, staring hard at the amber-eyed participant who sat in Training Hall 2. “What’s with this guy? Beyond training his body, advising 3,025 and 40,289, and taking care of himself, he hasn’t done much else. How is he ranked 726th?”
Preoccupied with his own thoughts, Takao had not sensed the approach of another until the figure was upon him.
“Working hard, Takao?”
The Seer jumped in his seat, his head swivelling back in fright at the giant of a man behind him. Despite the newcomer’s imposing figure, the younger Watcher’s heart settled as he breathed a sigh of relief. “Ataraxia’s tits, you scared the fucking shit out of me Vis.”
“Then please clean yourself up before continuing with your work, and try not to speak the Goddess’ name in vain.” The red-haired Overseer smiled, placing a porcelain mug steaming with a dark drink on his desk.
Takao rolled his eyes but accepted the aromatic coffee gratefully. While he took a sip of the liquid that all but burned his tongue, causing him to sputter from the pain, Vis took a sweeping glance at his monitoring displays.
“Things are progressing slower than predicted.” The Overseer stated, his hands in his coat pockets. “We had expected the numbers to reduce to ten thousand or so people at this point.”
“Well, what can you do? You got a bunch of morons and leeches mixed in there.” Takao reasoned in a casual tone, blowing his coffee. “From what I’ve seen in the past week, half of them are so stressed and focused on the matches that they haven’t even realised that they could drop out if they want. And when they do realise, they’ll stay anyway because of how the match system works.”
His superior shot him a scrutinizing look. After a moment of silence, he spoke in a deadpanned voice. “I guess you aren’t stupid then.”
“My intellect is above average, alright?!” Takao shouted in annoyance and pointed at one of his screens. “If you’re so smart, how about you figure out what 726 is doing?”
Vis followed his finger, the older man’s ruby eyes fixing on said monitor. The Overseer rubbed his chin, seemingly in thought. “726 huh… that’s the one Lady Athena asked us to make exceptions for. He is certainly peculiar.”
“Exactly! This whole time he’s just been doing all this basic ass shit. He’s literally done nothing special. Well, except for one-shotting that zombie which should’ve been able to tank at least one punch from a Troll, but you know what I mean. The point is, he’s just been slightly above exceptional. Good physical specs mean jack shit if he doesn’t use them. Honestly, if-” Takao was going to continue to rant, but quickly stopped when he noticed a womanly figure walk by in the dimly lit room. He could recognise her mane of auburn hair tied up in a thin yet long ponytail anywhere.
Before he could catch himself, he greeted his fellow Seer with a small wave. “H-Hey, Rose. Good morning.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, Takao cursed at himself inwardly, biting his lip hard. “What the fuck was that?! Did I just stutter? Goliath’s beard, am I some stupid teen?! Can’t even give a good morning normally.”
For better or worse, Rose did not acknowledge his greeting as usual. Instead, she simply made her way to her workstation and began her monitoring duties as the clock struck four in the morning. The cold woman never did speak much, always on her lonesome unless she had something to report to their Overseer.
While Takao scratched his head in annoyance at his embarrassing greeting, Vis remained focused on the participant named ‘Zexus’.
“He’s moving.” The redhead stated, drawing the Seer’s attention back to the monitor.
Watching the screen for a long moment, Takao’s expression contorted into one of confusion and annoyance. “Huh? Where on the Inside is he going at this hour? Does this guy even sleep? I swear every time I look at the monitor, he’s awake.”
Vis did not answer, watching on in silence as the participant descended the stairs into the lower floors. A single thought ran through the Overseer’s mind then. “The ‘monster’ continues to sharpen his fangs in the dark. Is that why team D was specifically selected for the next match?”
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Zexus’ footsteps echoed against the concrete as he navigated the corridors. Passing door after the door, he would open one that appeared on his right. A familiar room greeted him, one filled with lounges and black screens.
He remained still by the exit as the door slammed shut behind him. His amber eyes shifted, taking in the space and focusing on the two people that stood on the other side by another gateway marked by lines of blue.
“Welcome.” The attendant on the right side greeted him with a friendly smile that just seemed eerie due to her unnaturally doll-like face. “What brings you here, participant 726? We are afraid it’s not yet time for the next scheduled match.”
Zexus inclined his head, a nod that served as both a respectful greeting and an acknowledgement of what the attendant had informed him. “I know. I’m not here for the match. I’m here for information.”
The attendants exchanged looks with one another. Their eyes widened for a split second in surprise before the two turned to him with eerie grins. “It seems one had listened. This delights us!”
“Go on and ask us your questions.” The right female stated.
“But be warned, not all shall receive answers.” The left attendant added on in perfect sync.
“You are privileged, ‘crow’.”
“But even you have limits.”
Zexus looked between them, a slight furrow in his brow. “Is that advice?”
“Take it as you will.”
“But if there is any advice you should take, it is this.”
The two paused, as if for dramatic effect, then spoke in harmony. “Know what you are struggling for and always bring out your best. You did not go to Black Box simply to win. You did not join the program just to hold back. You did not leave home just to be satisfied with what you are.”
“...” Zexus felt himself raise a brow, a little taken aback by the blunt words that seem to struck something deep within his heart - the feeling of doubt that had been creeping up on him ever since he had become engrossed in unravelling the rules of Black Box. Now, a light was shone upon it, drawing his focus to the question ‘why was he still here?’.
To win?
To fight?
Of course not.
He wanted more. He did not leave Hearthwood just to go back unchanged.
Zexus chuckled to himself, shaking his head. He could almost hear the cawing of a crow and the clicking of machines. They sounded so distant yet so close, grating on his ear as his blood boiled. “Ah…I’m hungry...”
Watching him, the attendants would continue to relay what he now knew to be a message. “If at any moment you feel unable to continue, you can always go home. Your current self is something to be proud of.”
“‘Go home’…” He was suddenly reminded of his conversation with Lavenna on the way across the walkway between Isles. “How tempting.”
Zexus narrowed his eyes, spotting the tethers of candlelight-coloured mana that linked the two attendants instead of the usual dull grey. They led upwards to a place he could not see and a person he knew all too well. A person that was perhaps a bit too kind, loving and doting.
“I’ll be better, mother. Even if you’re happy with what I am, it’s not good enough for me.” He wanted to voice his thoughts aloud, but was wary of those who were potentially monitoring him. His mother may have been related with those who managed the program, but the rules would still be applied equally to all participants. There was no need for him to take the risk of being penalised, especially since he knew that his mother would understand. He may have been moved, but he was no rash fool.
Thus, he opted for a mere nod and word of thanks.
At that, the smiles on the attendant’s faces were no longer unnerving, morphing into a familiar warmness before the strands of ethereal energy dissipated. They returned to their eerie demeanours soon after as if their Souls had been ripped out and replaced by ghostly possessions.
“Please feel free to ask your questions.”
*Click Click Click*
Approaching, Zexus’ eyes flashed with cold light as a strange ticking noise thrummed in his head. It was not the first time he heard it, but it was the loudest it had ever been. He had originally planned to ask simple questions, to test the waters, but his mother’s message had changed his mind.
He was in Black Box to become the strongest. There was no need to hold back.
“Tell me everything. The matches, the teams, the patrons, the system that governs this place. Don’t leave out any details.”
“Certainly.”
“But there is much to convey.” The leftside attendant held a finger to her cheek and puffed her cheeks, attempting to act cute.
“It would be best if you took a seat.” Her counterpart gestured to the seats around them.
“We hope we can satisfy your curiosity.”
Zexus dipped his head again, this time a bit lower while he kept his gaze locked on the two. “I appreciate any guidance you can provide.”