Upon returning, Kihet and the others saw severed bodies scattered around the docks. At the edge of the district, a Lycanthrope who bore the eyes of a feral beast was seen pinned to the ground by many man catchers. He was put under restraints and a muzzle was placed over his snout.

The first to push through the crowd was Tama. “Rogus, what happened?!”

As she approached, the wall of guards pushed her back. “Stay back, Mixrel. Don’t interfere.”

While Tama tried to gain as much information from the guards, Lily studied the scene. She saw a fresh scar drawn across the dock. The corpses were beyond it which likely suggested it was there to serve as a warning before the incident.

Lily prodded around curious as to how Rogus was incited. With her keen eyes, she spotted an opened suitcase. A bit more searching, she discovered a finger. This part wasn’t bloodied and was oddly familiar. She searched through her photographic memory, attempting to remember who it was.

“Kihet, come here!”

“What did you find?”

“This.” Lily pointed to a finger. “There’s no blood and it seems to be the reason why Rogus attacked those victims.”

“Is it from someone he knows?”

“I think this finger belongs to the other Lycan running the tavern where we first came into Pamalyra.”

The other Lycanthrope who ran the tavern? Kihet did remembered a elderly Lycanthrope shouting at Douglas back then. He never got a clear look, but it must’ve been Douglas and Rogus’ mother as she egged Douglas back to work when it was suddenly busy.

“Now it makes sense, but…” He saw the guards drag Rogus away. “This matter is more than we can handle ourselves. We don’t have any standings in this country to do anything yet.”

“What should we do?”

“Let’s get the money to have Scalemen accepted into the country first.”

Kihet pocketed the severed finger in a small bag. He figured it would be easier for him to give an explanation to Tama.

Soon, they were forced to evacuate the area.

Kihet gave one last glance at the scene from where he stood. An unsettling feeling washed over him as he caught a glimpse of a pile of familiar glitter. The substances he observed also caught Salith’s eye to which she was very familiar and not fond of discovering it here.

Pixie dust.

It resembled sand, but much finer and powdery. Its golden dust were created by Pixies who belonged to the country called Sanctuary. Victims with damaged or weak mental minds are easily succumbed to its mind controlling capabilities. However, Pixies could only create Pixie dust when their lives were endangered to escape from harm.

Kihet couldn’t forget Pixie Dust played a huge role to trigger the apocalypse a decade prior. Many Xu and Rozzosea’s citizens were abducted, tortured until their mind broke only to have Pixie Dust to turn them into mindless minions.

“You see it too?” Salith asked.

“I can’t forget it even if I want to.” Kihet frowned. “This just got personal.”

“I agree. Should I look around?”

“If you do, take Aten with you. Insectoids are immune to being mind controlled.”

“That’d be convenient.” Salith strolled over to Aten, giving him a gently push on his back. “Aten, right? Salith’s the name. I’ve got permission from Kihet to bring you with me. I need your help to look for something.”

[Context?] Aten asked.

“Saw some Pixie Dust.”

At the mention of the illicit substance, Aten understood her intentions. The Vivirian also had his share of encounters of Pixie Dust in Vivrus. Luckily, the insectoid race were immune to mind controlling methods thanks to the hive’s secret ability so long as a Queen was alive.

Before he set off, Aten flashed his writing slate towards Kihet.

[Where meet?]

“At the harbor by nightfall.”

Aten gave a great big nod and following Salith, the two disappeared into the crowd.

Meanwhile, hanging at the edge of the quarantined zone, Tama intently observed the guards conducting their investigation.

Lily approached the Mixrel to console on her, but Kihet silently gestured Tama be left alone. He handed Tama the severed finger. For now, the two stood by Tama until she collected herself.

“It’s my fault.” Tama muttered. “I got Douglas’ family into my mess.”

“Is this related to the help you want from me?”

“There’s no other reason for Douglas’ family to be targeted other than that. I need to find Douglas and help Rogus right nyow.”

“One step at a time. Rushing won’t get us anywhere.” Kihet seized Tama’s arm before she was able to run off.

“There’s nyo time! Pamalyrian trials have death sentences for the smallest misdemeanors! Rogus is clearly going to be put on death row after that mess!”

“Listen. I’m not about to let Rogus die either. I have a plan. Go collect information about Douglas’ whereabouts now. I’ll do something about Rogus’ situation.”

“You just got here today. What can you do?” Tama questioned.

“Connections. Just like you, I might know the right person to save Rogus.” Kihet exchanged a look with Lily. “Go with Tama. Make sure she doesn’t get into trouble when you two look for clues of Douglas’ whereabouts.”

“En! Leave it to me. Will you be alright alone?”

“I can manage. At most, I’ll only be rudely stared at.”

“Can you really save Rogus?” Tama sincerely asked.

“I still need to bring him back to Douglas. Afterwards, Rogus said he’d introduce me to a smithy to make me a leg. I’m going to get that leg.”

“I see. Thanks, Grumpy one. Let’s go, Tomoe. I have a few ideas where to begin looking.”

“Right behind you!” Lily then waved to Kihet. “Be careful and don’t scare everyone you meet.”

“I’ll try, but you two be careful too. We’ll meet up with the others by the docks.”

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“En!”

Kihet watched until Tama and Lily ventured off. The moment they walked into the distant crowd, they disappeared into the sea of heads. It was unsettling to be left alone. He was always accompanied by someone ever since he accepted the role of the Oracle.

Was it bad Kihet already missed his friends?

“Now then. I got my things to do.”

Alone, Kihet donned on his hood set his eyes on the amphitheater. Thanks to it being a large structure, it was easy to navigate towards it.

Needless to say, walking to it was quite the distance. He was quick to find a passing carriage and paid for his fare to his destination.

Standing before “The Red Pit”, the sign showcasing the name of the arena, Kihet could see two red statues resembling claymore on both sides of its entrance. A flag could be seen on one of the statues that the Colosseum are recruiting participants for its gladiatorial shows.

Many small vendors had set up shop selling nicknacks, food and offered repairing services while potential contestants lined up to get registered.

Kihet decided to wait on the sidelines for a while before joining the line. There were others doing the same to scope out the competition. Once he had an idea of the few he should be wary of, he confidently stepped at the end of the line.

The people in line and onlookers made snide remarks about his disability. It was obvious no one took a participant with a missing foot and an eye seriously which Kihet found it favorable. If he were to lay low, under their radar, he would encounter fewer resistance until then.

“Next! You’re not a Pamalyrian. We don’t accept other kinds into the-.”

“I have a letter of recommendation.”

“Who would give a letter of recommendation to a…” After opening the letter, the accountant went silent. “I see. And your name?”

“Leave it anonymous.”

“Got it. We’ll give you an appropriate moniker on the day. Here’s your badge for the event day. Enter through the back tomorrow.”

“How many people registered?”

“We’re looking at about fifty plus participants. As usual, we’d need to cull the numbers. Having more than ten fights in one day would dull the audience’s attention. The Red Pit cannot be stained of its reputations as giving the best stimulus to our customers.”

“You renew fighters every day?”

“The colosseum is only opened twice a week. The reigning champion only shows up to fight once a month and there are many who pounce at the chance for the challenge.” The Accountant smirked. “By the way, sign here. We need your information for whom we should give your belongings to if you, by chance, became a casualty.”

“Is that so? What would happen if the reigning champion were to be defeated?”

“It’d become a new era for the Red Pit. Not that I can see anytime. If ya think if you can outlive the champion to take his spot, think again. He’s one of the Holy Races, the Enuis! His kind live almost forever!”

“Sure. Is this all?”

“Yer free to go. I won’t blame ya if you don’t show up.”

With badge in hand, Kihet securely put it in his pocket and moved away from the desk. He proceeded into the amphitheater to scout out the fighting pit.

Climbing to the highest floor, he was greeted by a grand view. The experience of standing within the megastructure was overwhelming, different from looking up at its exterior walls from ground floor.

Although it looked tall, it only contained three floors of staggered terraces. Each was completed with a roof over the audience’s head. Its thousands of steps served as seats perfectly surrounded the wide arena. The first and second layer were built entirely of terracotta bricks, but the third was entirely constructed of wood.

Carefully leaning on the rails, Kihet spotted two sets of staircase leading to the hypogeum. There were also two grand iron gates on opposing ends of the ovoid stage where they likely kept monsters or introduced duelists into the ring.

As for the pit, its scars conveyed many great battles it hosted. The arena was littered with craters, gashes, and debris. Thousands of blood stains scattered throughout its walls and ground.

“Did Vike sent ya to fight here?”

Kihet turned around and saw a female Mixrel accompanied by two hulking Lycanthropes. She wore the highest quality of silk robes and dazzling jewelry on every inch of her body, almost as if impersonating a member of a royal family. Her face was caked up with heavy makeup, far from traditional sand skirting fashion one usually saw Pamalyrians wear.

Kihet had thought about slipping past her bodyguards, but a late group of armed Beastmen climbed and idled by the staircase.

“Who’s asking?”

“If you know that old haggard mutt, you must know who I am.”

“No idea. Just got here today. What do you want?”

“What’s Vike up to? Why did he send you to fight in my Colosseum?”

“I used his letter to help me register. I was the one who wanted to participate.”

“What for?”

“Aside from money, I want a chance to fight the reigning champion.”

“Are you serious? In your current state?”

Kihet boldly stepped up towards the Mixrel, his hands prepared to act the moment the bodyguards moved. He continued his pace forward while delivering a piercing glare which the bodyguards were unsure whether to take it as a threat or a warning.

Both fur and hair of Beastmen stood as they anxiously waited their boss’s orders. Their hands mimicked Kihet, hovering over the handle of their weapons, still sheathed.

“Want to bet?” Kihet asked.

The Mixrel looked into the void in Kihet’s pupil. It felt as though the darkness within Kihet’s eyes were the abyss and it was staring back with the uneasiness of the Mixrel’s soul being yank on.

“You might be too big of a fish for me reel in. I’ll be very interested to see how far you’ll climb up the ladder.” She smiled. “If you’re a fraction as good as I think, there’s hope for you.”

“So, who are you?”

Upon inquiring her name, two of her bodyguards brought out two baskets of pink rose petals and began tossing batches behind her.

“Remember my name, foreigner! I am Fatilda Samark. The Samark family owns many casinos, Colosseum, basically the entertainment district. It is the sole reason how Navargzan is flourishing and brimming brighter than the stars at night itself!”

Everyone else on the same terrace applauded while Kihet was unsure what to make of this. He wanted to leave this charade and began climbing over the rails.

“Woah! Wait, wait, wait! What are you doing after someone just introduced themselves?!”

“I’m leaving.”

“Jumping from this height can kill you! You’re going to scare off my tourists with your flattened corpse!”

“If you don’t have any other business with me, buzz off.”

“On the contrary I do. Regarding to the reason you want money, it’s obvious. You want to admit the parade of exiled Scalemen in Navargzan. That’s why you went to Vike, correct?”

Kihet was somewhat impressed how word got out so quickly. Then again, this was Pamalyra. Information circulates very quickly.

“I won’t stop you from trying to win the prize money, but Vike is a crafty old bastard. After admitting the Scalemen and giving them citizenship, I will be certain they won’t be given a place to stay.”

“I’m already aware of that. Are you implying you have a place for hundreds of Scalemen?”

“The entertainment district is my family’s. Since I am the family head, I can make more room if I simply have a need for new facilities or establishments. If it’s necessary, I can make arrangements. Just like my predecessors previously once had.”

“So your family had encountered a similar situation?”

“Did I say that? I don’t remember~.”

It was to say Kihet’s guts vaguely knew what Fatilda meant.

“Is it the Rozzalians?”

Kihet hoped to hear it was the Queen of Rozzosea who had disappeared before the calamity.

“Perhaps if you would divulge a piece of information about yourself, I might know a thing or two.”

“I’m acquainted with Vol.” Kihet answered as he opened the cap to his flask for a drink.

“You need to more specific than that. What’s your background?”

“Same as Vol’s.”

“So, an Enui. I now understand why your eager to fight and meet my beloved fiancé.”

“Pfffft!”

Kihet immediately spat a mouthful of water at the ground. Some droplets went down the wrong pipe. After clearing his throat, he looked up to find Fatilda’s unamused expression.

“Do you have a problem with that?”

“It took me by surprise. That’s all. Umm… congratulations? When are you two going to get married?”

“I’m still waiting for the day he proposes to me. Ever since he had become the reigning champion, we rarely see each other anymore! I’m sure he’s cheating on me with other women! I’ll put a leash around him once he’s dethroned and keep him by my side.”

“Right…”

“Holy Vol’s friend! I have a favor to ask of you!” Fatilda pointed her finger at Kihet. “His status as reigning champion is the reason why he has yet proposed to me. Dethrone him and I shall go to great lengths to raise an area for the Scalemen to safely reside in!”

“Sure. As long as you keep your promise.”

“Really?! Excellent!”

Kihet was aiming for the grand prize to begin with. For the first time on his journey, it really felt like luck shined onto him.

“But I have two conditions. One, you will tell me about a group of Rozzalians who came here before me. Two, I’ll want tickets for my friends to enter.”

“Done!”

“M-miss Samark, is it wise to willy nilly trust this stranger? I doubt his abilities to proceed up the ladder.” One of the bodyguards objected.

“He may just be the dark horse of this tournament. I will offer you another boon, foreigner. The Samark family will become his sponsor before he catches anyone’s attention.”

“What does being sponsored mean?” Kihet asked.

“You merely have to use equipment provided to you by the Samark family. However, every fight after the preliminary round, you are required to use a different weapon to advertise a variety of the Samark’s brand every day.”

“Wait, the tournament isn’t finished in one day? I have to fight multiple rounds?”

“It wouldn’t be an exciting fight if all duelists are tired out. All tournaments last at least a month long.”

“I don’t have that long. Is there a shortcut to shorten it?”

“I’ve yet seen an instance of that happen before. Just note it’s possible. Well, do your best.”