D'aliah and Kalan sit at Ms Shay'an's dinner table, extending near both ends of the hall, a meal for dozens of guests sits in front of the three of them. D'aliah looks across the table at Kalan, who has his coat resting on the back of his seat while he sits in an orange-pink, sand-coloured waistcoat and top. Geometric patterns weave amongst his fabrics, similar to the tight dress D'aliah is wearing. It shares the colours of the sands too.

D'aliah glances beside her to see Ms Shay'an pouring a drink into her golden chalice. "Still angry, girl?" Ms Shay'an takes notice of her gawking.

She is. Her blood still boils at the sight of Ms Shay'an. All that rings through her mind is the slap that crossed her face. She wants to get back at her for it. She needs to be put in her place.

"Allow the food to calm your nerves," She adds, chuckling as she sips her drink.

Kalan pours himself a bowl of soup, reaching for spiced bread he breaks a few pieces and starts chewing away at his meal. He'd probably say something like "There's no point in being angry with an empty stomach," D'aliah thinks to herself, trying to find an outlet for her frustration.

She reaches over for the plated fish, pouring a nearby sauce onto it as she adds vegetables to her dish. The fish is already de-boned, and her utensil slides through its fluffy, soft texture- cooked to perfection. The standard she'd have at the castle, and the technique used to steam the fish is the same back home. She can't help but scrape the food down alongside Kalan. It's been more than a day since they last ate, why should she be angry and hungry?

"So, both of ya had your memories swayn' by Al'chem?" Ms Shay'an asks.

"We heard a serum is made here that can help us," Kalan responds with a full mouth.

"You know nothin' of the Al'chem used to take 'em?"

Neither of them responds.

"I suppose you wouldn't remember anyway," Ms Shay'an concludes. "I have a doctor who's a master in Al'chem too. I can have him take a look at ya,"

"What's in it for you?" D'aliah asks, scoffing at the offer that was presented so innocently.

"The both of ya have to fight for me in the tournament comin' up,"

D'aliah reaches for the dining knife beside her plate, rapidly thrusting her arm to throw it at Ms Shay'an- But at full extension, her arm freezes. Unable to release the blade or her arm.

"What is this?" D'aliah panics as she feels an invisible grip prying deep into her arm.

"Al'chem," Ms Shay'an responds, "It's clear you know little about it,"

D'aliah glances at Kalan, who's stopped eating his food and now stares at D'aliah's suspended arm. His eyebrows are crossed with a worrisome look.

"It's a simple geometry," Ms Shay'an adds as she lowers the collar of her outfit to reveal a symbol branded above her breasts. "Your people were created with an Al'chem far more advanced than the symbols we have today, but I can still dream of course,"

"You've bound the Al'chem to your body?" Kalan asks.

"Yes," She responds, lifting her collar back up and glaring at D'aliah. "Many people would have me killed. I would prefer it be difficult for them,"

D'aliah's arm drops, crashing into the table as the knife clangs against the floor. She can move it, but it's numb and weak. "What are the symbols' conditions?" She asks, rubbing her numbed arm to ease the blood flow.

"I'm sure you'd love to know," Ms Shay'an giggles as she sips from her chalice- She hasn't had a single bite of food since they sat down. "If you want my help, it will come at a cost,"

"You intend to release us once the tournament ends?" Kalan asks.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

"No," Ms Shay'an responds bluntly, "But, I reward those who do as they're told,"

D'aliah and Kalan look over at one another in sync. Pausing and glaring into each other's eyes, they're both considering it. She can tell by the look of confidence on his face. Fighting is their best bet, something they're both capable of.

"What is the nature of this tournament?" Kalan asks.

"A series of five events will take place. The length of the tournament depends on how many highborn submit teams to compete,"

"Teams?" D'aliah asks.

"You will be competin' with three more fighters. Amon, Cass, Kar'ver and ya'll will be my first team,"

"You have more than one?" D'aliah inquires.

"Two. It encourages other highborn to submit multiple teams as well- which makes the pot more… Excitin',"

"So this is nothing more than entertainment to you?" D'aliah scoffs.

"I'd have thought Valantians be more empathic, considering ya origins,"

"You're the type of savage our people were freed from. It is in my 'origins' to have you killed for the sake of your people," D'aliah pushes, glaring at Ms Shay'an's grey, hollow pupils.

"Would you like to try again?" She chuckles, "My people are overjoyed. Didn't ya hear the cheerin' on ya way down here?"

They both say nothing as they recall the echoes of celebration that could even be heard above the city and travelling amongst the dunes. It doesn't make sense. Does the gambling act as a sedative for them to forget their issue? Why wouldn't their be mass protesting to a system such as this?

"My people bet on the games too. It is how many make their livin',"

"Would you prefer we compete?" Kalan asks D'aliah.

She takes a moment to think about it. Honestly, she'd prefer not to- But, if it's anything like the duel she'd just won, it'll be quite straightforward. Killing Ms Shay'an and leaving is not the option she'd thought it was. It will be tough for them to just leave here- and she can't leave without the serum. She'd rather fight to get her memories back than simply remain a slave.

"It is the best option," D'aliah concludes.

"What do you want?" He iterates, trying to get a more conclusive response.

"I want my memories back," She responds, already aware of her answer.

Kalan squints his eyes to read the expression on her face as he slowly nods his head, confirming the words match the emotion.

"Then we will compete," He says, still nodding at her.

"Excellent," Ms Shay'an says with joy, "Then before the tournament, I will have my doctor check on ya'll. If he concludes that you can be cured, I will give ya the serum… But, only if ya win me the tournament,"

D'aliah slams her fist against the table, briefly rattling all the food and cutlery. "Serpent!" She yells. "I've had enough of your conditions,"

Ms Shay'an is unshaken by D'aliahs burst of rage. She simply leans back into her chair, taking another sip from her chalice as she holds eye contact with D'aliah.

Who does this lady think she is? She's just another highborn coward, using her wealth to control others. And what of this Al'chem? D'aliah's knowledge of it may be limited, but she knows that binding Al'chem to the body is criminal in all nations of Luná.

"You're not in a position to negotiate, girl. Have you forgotten that you were exiled from your home?" Ms Shay'an hisses, "Sure, your nation is hesitant to take the lives of its residents- But it has given you away. Discarded, like a mole on one's back. I don't have to be as generous as I have been,"

She looks into D'aliah's eyes with a nonchalant, subtle smile spreading across her face- Her ego can't be shaken. "So then, Valantian. Will you be fightin' in my games, or cleanin' my floors?"

Everything in D'aliah wants to try killing this lady again. Is it futile? Without understanding the conditions of her Al'chem, she will just be stopped in her tracks again. She looks over to Kalan, who is still committed to D'aliah's decision. It's comforting to know he will back any decision she makes… Even the stupid ones. She nods at Kalan before turning back to look into Ms Shay'an's emotionless eyes.

"Fine," D'aliah scoffs, "We will fight in your tournament,"

"Excellent!" Ms Shay'an celebrates, taking a sip of her drink, "The viewers are going to love ya'll,"

Kalan returns to his meal, prompting D'aliah to follow suit. From a Noble household to fighting in the games of gamblers, D'aliah's straying further away from the familiar. But this is all temporary- A minor setback in the pursuit of her memories. Once she gets them back, they will both leave and return to Valantis. They can be the bond they were destined to be, and this void she feels will be whole again…

"The First City, also known as the city of Shay'an, is a gambling city in which teams of fighters compete in tournaments throughout the rotation. Those who know of the games believe the greatest fighters on Luná are called to it by the Ab'solut."

- The A'shic records