‘Looks pretty different in the day,’ Jake thought as he made his way through the district-Little Opulenca, it was called. While it still had that air of bloody decadence, it was much more subdued, replaced with that of perfume. Gone was the sound of booming music, replaced by the sound of overlapping chatter. People dressed in various fanciful outfits lined the streets, seemingly enjoying the atmosphere. He never really understood how people took pleasure in how people enjoyed a change in scenery. He could understand why in a psychological sense; it gave a sense of control. However, it just seemed…strange. Putting so much emphasis on a design philosophy just seemed like a major hassle.

‘Eh, it doesn't really matter,’ he thought as he continued towards the Bleeding Blackout. It was just a pattern that he noticed.

As he stepped through the doors, he was met with a much different view than last night. Rather than a nightclub, it seemed more like a high class restaurant. Gone were the multicolored lights, replaced by the lighting of torches and candles. Making his way to the bar, he noticed something. Some of the staff seemed to flinch and tense up whenever he passed them.

“O-oh, it’s you,” a bartender stuttered, fear in their eyes.

So they remember him.

“Maxim’s office. Take me there,” Jake said, tilting his head towards the back. He needed a guide for the layout, since there wasn't a map anywhere he could find.

Rapidly nodding, the bartender set down the glass that they were cleaning before making their way to the back, with Jake following behind them.

As they went down the flight of stairs, Jake noticed something. The bartender seemed to occasionally glance his way whenever they thought he wasn't aware, as if he'd disappear from sight. That they weren't hallucinating their previous meeting, that the feeling of unease had a source.

It was smart, to say the least.

“H-here it is, sir,” the bartender eventually said, stopping in front of a deep gray door. Lightly rapping their knuckles against the metallic seeming wood, they quickly bolted past him, leaving him in front of the door. As the door suddenly swung open, he was met with Maxim sitting at a desk, a small smile on his face.

“Well, if it isn’t my favorite stoic. Take a seat,” Maxim said, pointing . It seemed like he already knew that Jake was in the general area.

Something to keep note of.

“Give me the contract,” Jake said as he sat down. He needed to see if there would be any irregularities and possible obstacles to his goal.

"Well, you're clearly impatient," Maxim muttered before setting a stack of paper down on the desk, alongside a pen.

Picking up the contract, he quickly scanned through the entire contract. It seemed similar to an NDA that would be used by corporations to hide information. However, other than that, it seemed rather lax. It even gave him the ability to cancel it whenever.

“What's the catch with this?” Jake asked. Everything in it seemed too beneficial, too in his favor. There had to be some type of risk in order to make these benefits viable.

“Well, you're gonna have to go through a procedure in order for you to fully be a part of our thing,” Maxim said, confirming Jake's assumptions.

"And the changes are drastic enough to be worth these benefits?" Jake asked. Seeing the man nod, Jake closed his eyes as he weighed the options. The benefits he would be given are useful, allowing him to grow faster at an exponential rate. However, he had no solid information on just what exactly the operation entailed.

'Nothing ventured, nothing gained,' Jake thought. Filling out his information on the final page, he set the pen down once he was done before handing over the contract.

Taking the contract of his hand, Maxim closed his eyes as the contract bursted into azure flames.

‘Magic, huh?’ Jake thought as the paper turned into ash. Seeing the practice done in person was much different than through a screen. It felt like the air around it shifted, becoming richer.

“Alright then, that’s squared off,” Maxim said as the last of the contract was burned away before turning to him, "Glad to have you on board. Got any questions?"

Might as well take the opportunity.

“That technique yesterday. How did you do it?” Jake asked. He knew the storyline fully, but not the world itself.

“…You’ve never seen an Art before, have you?” Maxim asked, surprise on his face. Arts must be a rather well known thing, if Jake asking it was seen as unexpected.

“Not really, no. It wasn't really a thing where I'm from. I assume they're like Skills,” Jake said, shaking his head. It wasn't exactly false; something like Arts were never covered in any content related to Blades Of Passion. It seemed similar to Skills, but much more active.

“Eh, sorta. It's more ways of fighting and thinking into physical form that isn't a book,” Maxim said, shrugging his shoulders.

“How do I get one?” Jake asked. Getting his hand on a few of them would allow him to understand how to counteract certain things that he'd be dealing with in the future.

“Don't you already have one? You used it during the fight,” Maxim asked, causing him to pause his thoughts.

As Jake mentally went over the fight, he could recognize where that assumption came from. He did have a rather static fighting stance, especially when using certain Skills. Something he had to rectify soon, since it would cause issues.

"No, that was just me using Skills," Jake said, watching as Maxim seemed to process the implications of his statement.

"...You know what? We'll cover that later. Right now, Jill will take you to the armory to pick out some weapons," Maxim said, clapping his hands together.

'That explains the presence in the corner,' Jake thought before turning in his seat to see Jill leaning against the wall, a smirk on her face.

"Follow me," Jill said before walking out of the office, Jake following shortly behind her.

"You know, a part of me is curious to see how you do in the arena," Jill said as the two of them made their way through the various hallways.

"I'll manage," Jake responded, shrugging. It most likely wasn't anything different from what he knew. Fight to win within the rules.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"Well, I want to see your Masquerade," Jill hummed, putting her hands behind her head.

"What exactly is that?" Jake asked. Another term he never heard.

"You probably heard of it as Martial Soul. It's basically the same thing," Jill said, waving it off.

He had heard of the belief of the 'Martial Soul'. It served as a center point for two of the main cast. Alongside that, it was just referenced a good amount, mainly whenever the training area was accessed.

The will to oppose the world, to instead to move fate towards one's own vision. To come into conflict with reality itself and prove that will through force.

"Here we are," Jill said, stopping in front of a steel door. Pressing what seemed to be a key code into a numpad next to it, the door hissed open, the sound of hydraulics echoing through the hallway.

Stepping into the room, he was met with an army’s worth in weapons.Making his way around the room, he silently went through what would be the best choice.

He was going to be a gladiator, so he would need something that would be considered entertaining to that audience. So, ranged weapons would have to be discarded. While safe, he knew that it would get repetitive for an audience, which would cause issues.So melee would be the way he would have to lean into.

'This would work,' he thought, picking out a pair of gauntlets. Since they acted as both defense and a weapon, they would be useful. Not only that, but considering that people often enjoyed combat sports, it seemed the best choice.

Stepping out of the room, he saw Jill standing next to the door, messing around on her Harcell. Once she noticed that he was no longer in the room, he saw the phone in her hand seemingly turn into smoke before dissipating.

Strange.

"Alright then. Now, we're gonna go meet up with Maxim," Jill said before walking off, humming.

As the two of them made their way to meet up with Maxim, Jake started to notice a faint scent. It was that of pure ethanol and something similar to hydrogen peroxide. As the smell grew stronger, he found himself standing in front of what seemed to be a hospital door.

"Go on in. I'll be out here," Jill said, giving him a small smile.

Swinging the doors open, he was met with a rather odd machine. Looking similar to that of a coffin, various tubes stuck out of the metal apparatus with what seemed to be monitoring equipment surrounding it. Next to that machine stood Maxim and who seemed to be the person overseeing the procedure. As the two of them turned their heads in his direction, he saw confusion on the face of the medical personnel, with recognition on Maxim.

"Well, that was quick," Maxim said, making his way towards him.

"Sir, who're you talking to?" the medical practitioner asked as they looked around.

"Gimme a bit," Jake said as he saw Maxim look at him in confusion. Putting the gauntlet he picked out in Maxim’s hands, he walked over to the medical professional before poking their cheek. As he saw their gaze turn from confusion to that of recognition and shock.

"Who are you?! How'd you get in here?!" the M.P shouted, jumping back.

"He's the person that'll be going under, so calm down," Maxim explained, resting his hand on their shoulder. Hearing that, the M.P’s demeanor quickly shifted, professionalism seeming to take control.

"Well then. Please, step into the device so we can get ready," they said, their voice calm.

As the apparatus hissed open, Jake stepped into the coffin like device, arms at his side. As the front of the device began to close, he found himself staring in darkness. Letting out a small breath, he closed his eyes as he felt himself begin to sink.

----------------------------------------

Opening his eyes, he found himself sitting in a rather familiar office. Everywhere he looked, there was nothing but pallid white the space. In front of him, however, was someone he knew rather well.

"Welcome back, Mr. Cole," the faceless being said, continuing to fill out the endless stack of paperwork.

"Hello, Mors," Jake said, giving a small nod. It had been a while since he was here, the last time being when he was 23 and on the road.

"The room is to the left of the Hallway. The Door is on your right," Mors said, pointing a finger towards the door.

Giving a small nod, Jake got up from his seat before making his way to the exit. As he stepped through the door, he found himself in the Hallway.

As he went down the path given to him, the sound of his footsteps echoing against the snow-white walls, he found himself in front of a door.

Stepping into the room, he found himself in a corridor. Torches lined the walls, the flames colorless.

As he made his way through the hallway, he found himself in what seemed to be an empty church. Looking around, his eyes landed on an altar. Stepping closer, a pair of gauntlets alongside an iron mask sat atop it, the metal a shining white. Taking the mask from the altar, it suddenly disappeared from his hand, the gauntlets disappearing as well. Feeling a slight shift of weight on his body, he looked down to see the stark white gauntlets covering his forearms. As he sat down in one of the pews, he watched as the gauntlets began to sink into his skin, as if being consumed by quicksand. As it did so, he saw the lights from the torches begin to dim.

You have what you seek. Leave.

Leaning back, he closed his eyes as darkness consumed him.

----------------------------------------

Hearing the hiss of hydraulics, Jake opened his eyes to see Maxim and the M.P looking over him. Stepping out of the capsule, he noticed that everything seemed a bit sharper. The chill of the air, the smell of disinfectant, the feeling of his heart beating against his ribcage. Everything felt…deeper, in a way.

"Yo, you alright? No voices in your head that weren't there already?" Maxim asked, concern clear in his voice.

Shaking his head, Jake suddenly felt…off. It was like there was a sudden weight on his mind. Closing his eyes, he focused his attention on that sensation. As he did so, words that were both foreign and familiar came to his mind.

Shatter the bone and remake thyself.

Break your foes with your claws and fangs.

Wield undaunting force and your reign will be eternal.

Opening his eyes, he brought his hand to his face, feeling the same cool steel as before. Looking himself over, he saw the same pallid metal wrap his arms. However, moving his hands aside, he saw that it wrapped his legs as well, taking the form of greaves.

'Don't exactly feel completely different,' he thought as he tested out his new form. His body seemed to be lighter and his response system seemed to be a half-second faster, but other than that, it seemed the same as before.

"Well, ain't that something. You look like an evil spirit and I mean in it a good way," Maxim said, patting him on the back.

Willing the pale metal away, Jake gave the man a small nod. It seemed like second nature to him, as if it was always there to begin with. That he only needed some way to access it, however limited it was.

"Alright, I'll contact you in a week. Get used to your powers by then," Maxim said, giving him a small smile.

Giving him a slight nod, Jake made his way out of the room before walking off. He had an idea of where exactly he was going to test it out. At least the mask would block out dangerous odors.

----------------------------------------

Watching the kid walk off, Maxim let out a shaky breath as he leaned against the wall. As he looked back at just what he witnessed, he felt that ever-so-familiar chill run down his body.

Hearing the sound of the door slamming opening, he saw Jill dash towards him, fear clear in her eyes.

"Maxim, what’s wrong?!" Jill asked, a slight shake in her voice. Hearing that, he felt a part of him cringe in embarrassment. He was supposed to be her mentor, yet he was like this?

“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me,” he said, giving her a small smile. She shouldn’t need to freak out about him. Seeing her reluctantly step back, he brought himself back to bear, slowing down his rapidly beating hearts.

“Just…what was that?” Adrianna asked, her body stiff. Hearing that question, he felt himself brought back to a meeting with his father. The oath he made not just to him, but to the Matriarch rang in his mind.

“We must stay as the people’s stories and myths. If not, they will no longer be able to fend for themselves, with stagnation taking root. They are not sheep to be herded, but children to be taught.”

"I'll tell you later. Both of you, take the day off," Maxim said, his voice calm. As he watched the two of them reluctantly leave, he closed his eyes as he felt himself sink to the floor. That was why he felt so familiar.

He couldn’t believe he met a stray Cousin, of all things. Not just that, he seemed to be of that branch of the family. A branch that he knew he had to tell the Matriarch about.

Everything was going so well for him. He was able to leave his family behind. .

Yet, his family came to him instead.