“It’s just down this way”

“Oh, thanks.”

Sans fixated on the guard’s heels as he followed along. The pathway they traveled was a meandering trail of weathered stone that led from the royal palace and branched outward throughout the city.

Within a few short minutes, a brightly lit structure loomed from around the corner. The entrance to the building was desolate, save for a lone pair of guards standing on either side of the wooden double doors that separated the revelry from the quiet city roads.

“There it is, The Grand Stein.”

They approached the two guards, who immediately stood at attention, giving Sans a swift glance over.

“Who are you? Where is your invitation?”

One of them barked out.

“Invitation? I was invited by Prince Marlow, but he didn’t give me an invitation. His personal guard was supposed to meet me here.”

Sans shot back at them. Seeing as he was personally invited, there was no reason to stand on ceremony.

“His personal guard? Chenbo? I don’t recall-”

“Wait, he’s the alchemist!”

The other guard, who had remained silent until now, interjected with a brilliant smile.

“He’s the alchemist? He looks nothing of the sort! He’s far too young!”

“You idiot.”

All while maintaining his smile, he bonked the first man on the head.

“Have you not heard? Forget it, just go fetch Prince Marlow.”

“Uh, right away…”

The moment the doors opened, a blast of music, laughter, and joyous cacophony assaulted their ears. The guard slipped through, leaving his companion at the entrance.

“You really are young, just like the rumors said.”

The guard eyed Sans up and down. At the same time, Sans merely gave an innocent shrug.

“Hey, is it true?”

“Is what true?”

“You know…”

The guard leaned in closer, his eyes shifting from side to side.

“That you’re wearing a disguise. The one I serve is a lady of the court, and she said-“

The door blasted open, interrupting the guard.

“Myy sssavior! Come inside! Come!”

Prince Marlow stormed out the door. His eyes roamed the skies aimlessly, while his rosy cheeks and slurred speech suggested how his night had been going.

“Guess I’ll be entering then.”

Sans gave the guard a light nod, following Prince Marlow inside.

“Terribly sorry. I relieved Chenbo of standing watch for you because I thought he could use a break. It all worked out in the end!”

The prince exclaimed as a group of men circled around them. He snapped his fingers twice in the air before extending his hand out.

“Take me back to the lounge! I have some unfinished business there.”

Sans followed the prince, taking in the magnificent design of the taverns interior. High arches defined the connecting rooms, and scintillant glass windows decorated the walls. An earthy scent hung in the air, but it was easily overtaken by the pungent odor of alcohol and other fermented beverages.

Well dress men paraded around with heads held high, often times while eyeing a woman that had caught their eye. Naturally, for every one woman there were at least three men, a detail that didn’t go missed considering the glances shared between competitors.

Why continue to talk to her when the woman is clearly not interested?

Sans snorted in amusement as he observed a particular nobleman theatrically wave his arms, seemingly engrossed in some wild and incomprehensible story. The woman wore a full length dress, dyed in a deep shade of red with lacy frills at the hem. Her disinterested frown was almost iconic as she tried to avert her eyes from the fool before her.

“Are you interested in her?”

A deep voice sounded from the side, snapping Sans’ attention away from the spectacle. It was a guard from the prince’s entourage.

“Excuse me?”

He responded with apparent confusion.

“If you’re interested in that woman there, we could fetch her for you.”

The guard explained with a gesture toward the aloof woman. Sans quickly waved his hands in a dismissive motion.

“No, no, I was just… thinking about other things.”

“Of course. Just let us know if someone catches your eye and-“

“No need, really.”

Sans cut off the guard without hesitation. Even if someone did spark his intrigue, he had less experience than that nobleman from before in pursuing women. It was an impossible outcome no matter what way he looked at it.

A waste of time, surely. Even the prince isn’t wasting his time with a woman, so why would others?

“We’re here, Prince Marlow.”

The man in front announced as he guided the prince forward.

“I’m back! Where were we? Ladies?”

Without hesitation, the prince was immediately seated on a long couch, where two woman waited patiently with an empty spot conveniently in between them. They wore loose robes and sultry expressions as they welcomed the prince back.

Sans was rendered speechless as he watched the prince ditch him almost instantaneously.

“My dear prince, you didn’t finish telling your story!”

“Why did you leave us? You’re the prince, just have other people do things for you.”

The two women moaned and purred at either side of Prince Marlow. They gently pulled at his upper robes as they complained.

“Ahah, my lovely ladies. Well I’m back now. I had to fetch our guest of honor!”

Prince Marlow pointed in a random direction.

“He’s the reason we can party in peace tonight!”

A short moment later a guard pushed his arm in Sans’ direction. Sans let out a sigh and shook his head.

What am I doing here?

He found an empty seat and rested his head on his palm with a pensive look. One of the women glanced in his direction and flashed him a wink. The next moment, the two women began kneading the prince’s chest.

“Keep telling us story!”

“Yea, you never finished telling us how you became blind.”

Sans rolled his eyes upon realizing what he was in for.

“So there I was, having just been rejected once again by the beautiful Helda… I stormed out the building, ready to tear down the walls one by one. The next thing I knew, I stood face to face with the most pedestrian man I had ever seen. The dumb look on his face was practically begging for the back of my hand, but… you know how I am ladies. I abstained, saving him the embarrassment.”

Prince Marlow grinned as he pulled the two women closer inward. Each of them batted their eyes and drew circles on his chest with stray fingers.

I’m pretty sure I could slap this man out of existence.

Sans gave the prince a strange look, but the arrogant man was none the wiser.

“It was then that I saw her. Those precious lips were like winter kissed strawberries, hiding beneath that ragged hood of hers. I knew I had met my match. I immediately asked her name, but I was met with silence…”

Prince Marlow adopted and distant and woeful look, almost pitiful. Hearing the prince’s description, Sans felt in odd twist in his gut, almost like a paralyzing urge to kill something.

I feel sick… why? He’s only saying good things about her. Ugh…

Sans soothed the side of head. The world somehow felt more disorienting than before.

“How could she ignore our wonderful prince?”

The two women pouted their lips in anger.

“Yea! She must not have been that great-“

“Hush ladies, hush. Don’t speak of things you don’t understand. Due to my well-natured upbringing, I knew she was playing coy. Rather, all I asked for next was a smile. A smile to brighten my future, something that I would cherish for the rest of my life.”

His silly face melted like a dreamy pool of honey.

“And that’s when I saw it. The last sight I was to ever see!”

Sans shook his head.

It must pain him every day to have gone blind in such a manner. I almost feel bad for him.

“Like a dazzling star, imprinting it’s brilliant light into my brain forever. Wherever I look, all I see is her and that ever so precious smile! Isn’t it the best?!”

Sans’ face crumpled awkwardly.

He likes being blind?! What?!

“She’s such a lucky girl, to be thought of by our dear prince. Every day and every night, how lovely.”

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The lighter haired woman swooned over the prince as she wiggled deeper into his embrace. The other woman, not to be outdone, mimicked her actions. Prince Marlow merely chuckled. One of the women poked his side.

“But still… it’s a shame you won’t ever be able to gaze upon my body. I wish you would call me beautiful!”

“Me too! It’s not fair that you’re blind now! I hate that woman.”

“Hush, hush, not to worry! Our amazing alchemist friend is here to save the day! I’ll even tell you a secret, come closer.”

The two girls inched their faces closer, and just as they came into reach, he planted a passionate kiss on each of their lips.

Alright, time to go.

Sans stood up at this moment, realizing the prince’s intentions for the women.

Did he just forget that he invited me to sit with them? What a weird guy.

He wandered off, observing the segregated batches of partygoers like an outsider. Guards and noblemen alike paraded around in a drunken stupor. Some danced, while others sang, but each and every one of them wore rosy cheeks and bellowed with infectious laughter. The place was loud, too loud. So loud that one had trouble hearing their own thoughts.

I don’t belong here.

Sans wore a wry smile as he pushed his way toward the exit, but before he could get too far—a sturdy hand gripped his wrist.

“Finally, found you!”

Chenbo shouted above the noise, catching Sans by surprise.

He was without his helmet, and equally so without his normal suit of armor. Rather, he was smartly dressed as if it were a formal occasion. The sleeves of his collared shirt were rolled up, revealing his toned forearms. A strong hint of alcohol rolled off his breath, but it would have been more strange if he hadn’t been drinking. His mouth was pulled back into a confident grin.

“Come this way, I have some people for you to meet.”

Without further explanation, Chenbo pulled Sans along through the shifting crowds.

It’s amazing how he can navigate this place. It’s more like the people are unconsciously getting out of his way due to his massive size. How did he get so big anyway?

….

“In honor of my new disciple! Another round! Give’r here!”

A jolly voice cried out. It wasn’t loud in volume, but mysteriously it seemed to enter all ears without being affected by the booming party. Chenbo pulled Sans closer and pointed toward the source.

“That there is Master Tonfe. A good man, but his drinking is a little out of hand.”

Tonfe was a rotund man, whose belly seemed to be more liquid than meat. A wine barrel as large as the man himself was tucked beneath a single arm, and from his merry laughter and glowing eyes—it was easy to see that he was the true winner of this extravagant party.

“And that’s what sets the good prince apart from his father! That pompous scrooge would never deliver-hic! A party like this! More wine!”

He slammed the wine barrel on the floor and punched a hole through the top. Sitting beside the barrel, he lifted the entire thing with ease, gulping down its delicious and intoxicating juice by the mouthful. His curling beard dripped with purple liquids, but mysteriously—no mess was created. It was as if the wine evaporated before ever reaching the floor.

That man is not simple…

Sans narrowed his eyes as he watched Tonfe sprawl his legs outward like an overgrown toddler. Just as Sans shifted to turn away, he noticed Tonfe roll an eye toward him. It was an innocent and curious squint, but it was enough to send chills down Sans’ spine.

Fortunately, it didn’t last long as Sans was pulled away by Chenbo.

“Master Tonfe recently found a disciple here on floor one, which is pretty incredible.”

Chenbo spoke into Sans’ ear as they walked.

“Finding a disciple is incredible?”

Sans asked as he followed along. He had never been in a position to consider the relationships of master and disciple before. If anything, the closest thing he could compare with was Kaima within his memories.

“No, the disciple is incredible. You may not know, but Master Tonfe is a visitor from the tenth floor. He’s a true expert through and through, albeit… a little eccentric. To catch his eye, you would have to be pretty incredible. A one in a million talent.”

One in a million talent? I wonder how strong his disciple is.

Sans couldn’t help but scan Tonfe’s location once more, searching for anyone who stood out above the others. Chenbo chuckled as if he could read his mind.

“You won’t find the disciple here. Apparently he doesn’t do well with socializing and decided to continue training. If I weren’t under oath to be here, I would have chosen the same.”

After passing through many halls and other populated rooms, the environment became much more muted than before. It was the backrooms, places where people weren’t normally meant to be.

Certain doors were left ajar, allowing Sans to see barrels upon barrels holding unknown liquids within. Occasionally, a burly man would come by and hoist a barrel over the shoulder, before taking it away to the more dense areas.

“What are we doing back here?”

“Oh, this is where the real party is—for us anyway. Those noblemen out there are boring and snooty, but don’t let them know I said that. While they play their reptilian song and dance, we’ll be in good company instead.”

A short time later, Sans could make out the roar of laughter floating down the hall. Chenbo’s step quickened, and after turning another corner they were present a much more down to earth crowd.

At the center of the room was a large circular table and seated around it was a collection of grinning men. Each man sported a beard more grizzled than the other as if it were a competition of rugged appearances and ruthless personalities.

“Sans, meet my comrades! Each come from different walks of life. Some are the private servants of noblemen or women, while others are part of the prince’s guard.”

Chenbo gestured toward them with a hearty grin.

“Chenbo is back! Let us begin the game!”

One of them slammed two tankards of frothing liquid onto the table. He glanced from side to side in excitement as the two beside him slapped him on the back in agreement.

“The game!”

“Game?”

Sans asked Chenbo, watching as his friend took a seat at the table. Chenbo patted the empty chair next to him.

“It’s a drinking game, want to join? Be warned though, these cranky old bastards are pretty tough to beat.”

Before he could respond, two sturdy hands were placed on Sans’ shoulders and guided him to the chair.

“Of course he’s joining!”

A robust man shouted from behind.

“Oi! Burgess! You join us too!”

Chenbo slapped Burgess’ hands away from Sans before beckoning him over. Sans glanced behind him, coming face to face with a man so tall that it seemed his head could break through the ceiling should he jump. His beard striped with streaks of grey and black, and his long hair curled past his shoulders. He had bushy eyebrows and a scar that ran diagonally through his lips.

“You little rat! Fine, I’ll even go first!”

Burgess bellowed before swiping one of the drinks on the table. The yellow liquid was emptied into his belly before one could blink!

“Now listen here you runts. I’ll tell you one truth and one lie. Guess which one is the truth. If you choose wrong, then take a drink! I’ll select someone after, and they start with a drink and so on. Last man standing wins!”

Burgess eyed Sans as he explained the game.

“Just get on with it old man!”

A stocky man called out with a toothy grin.

“Shut it boy. Alright then. When I was a wee lad of 20 years, I once slew a lone corehound out on the western lava fields. Or, did I once share drinks with the late King Olgren?”

“Shared drinks!”

“No! You obviously slew the corehound!”

“How could he beat a corehound at 20? He must have shared drinks!”

One by one the men made their guesses. Sans glanced at Chenbo, curious as to what he would choose.

“Hmm… I bet this menace actually killed a corehound. Corehound!”

Chenbo called out in determination. Seeing Chenbo’s answer, Sans gave an equivalent nod.

“I’ll pick corehound then.”

Burgess laughed before giving a sinister smile.

“I shared drinks with King Olgren! You little rats, how could I possibly beat a corehound at 20!”

“Damnit!”

“Burgess, my faith in you is dwindling…”

“How could you! That must have been over 50 years ago!”

“Nay, a 100 years ago!”

Each man who lost immediately chugged their respective drinks, including Chenbo. Sans watched them curiously before staring into his own glass.

I’m supposed to drink this? It smells strong.

He gave it a sip.

It’s bitter too. I don’t think I like it.

“Gaaahhh.”

Chenbo gasped for air before pushing away his empty tankard. He raised a brow toward Sans.

“The trick is to not think about it and just drink it fast. Also it gets easier once you’re a few glasses in.”

Sans let out a sigh before grasping the drink with two hands.

Down it goes then.

He shut his eyes and mindlessly chugged the drink without stopping a single time. As soon as it was empty, he pushed the glass away with a scrunched face.

“Bleh..”

A round of laughter was shared amongst the men around him. Somehow in the chaos of everything, a freshly filled glass was placed in front of him. He was only able to catch a glimpse of the maid’s burgundy cloak before his attention was grasped once more by his newfound company.

“I think he likes it!”

“Alright, Burgess picks who is next!”

Someone shouted and the men went silent, each one staring Burgess down as if preparing for battle.

“Ehh? Then I pick… Chenbo!”

Burgess pointed a meaty finger toward Chenbo, who merely sneered before gripping his new drink. With a smooth motion, the liquid disappeared without a trace and Chenbo sat back in his chair while licking his lips.

“Alright then. I was once burned to an inch of my life by lightning. Or, did I once defeat a horntail rabbit?”

Chenbo smirked as he gave a challenging gaze to all those around him.

“Is this a trick question? Obviously you can beat a horntail rabbit. It’s one of the easiest monster on the floor!”

“I also choose the rabbit!

“Me too, the rabbit!”

Each of the men gave the responses, leaving just Burgess and Sans.

“Hmm…”

Burgess gave Chenbo a pensive gaze, who stared back with complete neutrality.

“Did I ever tell you guys about the time that this lunatic almost died?”

His voice echoed across the room, capturing the interest of all the men present.

“Chenbo? What did he do this time?”

A man responded, and the other nodded sharing the same sentiment.

“In the woods, we were on a scouting mission for Prince Marlow. This was before the lad lost his eyesight. We accidentally stumbled into tribal grounds of an ogre clan. We ran hard and fast, but they were faster and almost caught up to us.”

Sans leaned in closer as he listened to Burgess’ tale. He glanced at Chenbo with a side eye, but his friend merely crossed his arms with an amused smile.

“Eventually I noticed, we weren’t dead yet! Which was odd, but that’s when I realized that Chenbo wasn’t beside me anymore. I turned back to find him waving an ogre’s arm into the air like a declaration of war. He had sliced it clean off from one of the pack leaders, and let me tell you, that certainly got their attention. They chased him off into the distance, but he was without fear. It was like the man had a death wish.”

The man next to Chenbo slapped him on the back.

“That’s Chenbo for ya!”

He called out as the others shouted in approval.

“What happened next?”

Ignoring the others, Sans asked Burgess in concern.

“Oh, he distracted them long enough for me to join the main troupe. I found him standing atop an ogre’s corpse. His armor was bent and broken, and blood spewed out of the front of his helmet. Bahaha!”

Sans gave Chenbo a piercing stare and the man returned a weak smile.

“Not to worry. We got him all patched up! He’s as good as new! But for that reason… I choose-“

“Lightning.”

Sans completed Burgess’ sentence. He was already going to suggest lightning as he still remembered Chenbo’s tale about Firmament Mountain. However, Burgess’ story only confirmed his thoughts.

“I also choose lightning!”

Burgess called out with a wild look. Each man leaned closer toward Chenbo as everyone had now made their guess. Some even wore expressions of absolute concern upon finding Chenbo sitting in utter silence.

“Well? Out with it then!”

One of the more impatient men cried out nervously. The next moment, Chenbo cracked a crafty smirk.

“I have never once killed a horntail rabbit!”

He laughed loudly into the air as the majority of the room threw up their hands in frustration.

“This sly bastard!”

“How have you never killed a damned rabbit before?!”

“Not even for rabbit soup? This animal…”

Each and every one of them chugged their drinks simultaneous. None of them brought up the circumstances of his near-death experience, and only chose to comment or joke about his lack of a kill.

What more has he gone through, I wonder?

Sans tapped the side of his glass as he eyed Chenbo.

“Chenbo, you pick next!”

Burgess called out, but everyone already had a suspicion as to who he would pick. Every man in the room was already staring at Sans with intrigue, and Chenbo didn’t let them down.

“I pick Sans of course.”

Sans let out a sigh as he stared at the full glass before him.

Do I really have to drink this every time? Damnit…

He chose to empty his mind, and a short time later the drink had disappeared down his throat.

“Listen up then. I once jumped into a volcano so hot that you would burn to a crisp before reaching the lava. Or, have I kissed a girl?”

Sans smiled dangerously at Chenbo almost as if he were trying to up the ante.

“There’s no way right?”

“A volcano? How would you even survive?”

“Girl. Surely he’s kissed a girl.”

“I also pick girl.”

Burgess and Chenbo stared at Sans with narrowed brows and mouths agape.

“… Fuck. I pick girl.”

Chenbo spat out his answer, but surprisingly enough he immediately downed his new drink!

“Gah… you two are going to force me into an early grave. Girl!”

Burgess grumbled as he also drank from his glass.

“Why are they already drinking?”

One of the men asked uncertainly.

“Well which is it?!”

Another cried out upon seeing Chenbo’s brooding expression. Every man in the room stared at Sans with bated breath, but he returned them a mischievous smile.

“There’s no way…”

The men sat back in the chairs in despair, and just to confirm their suspicions. Sans’ voice floated into their ears like a haunting chant.

“I have never kissed a girl.”

One by one they threw their heads back in disbelief and drank their glasses empty.

“How does one even survive a volcano?”

Chenbo asked, not doubting the truth for even a second.

“I had a protective jewel, but I didn’t know it at the time. Believe me, I wouldn’t have gone in there by choice.”

Sans shook his head at the memory before giving Chenbo an inquisitive stare.

“Why did you drink before confirming the answer?”

Chenbo responded with a light chuckle and a wry smile.

“Because I already knew the answer, I just didn’t want to believe it true.”

“Alright you two, get a room already.”

Burgess deep voice immediately broke the heavy atmosphere and the cheers rang out once more.

“Sans, pick someone! Anyone!”

Someone cried out.

“Alright, you then.”

Sans pointed to a random man in the back before turning to Chenbo.

“How long did you say this party was going to last?”

“Prince Marlow said that the king and Advisor Karbone were away to attend an auction, which is in a three days’ time. It’s a monthly auction that only takes place in some mercantile world on the tenth floor… I don’t really understand it myself.”

Sans’ eyes lit up in understanding.

It must be an auction for the Solar Sandstone.

Chenbo shrugged before continuing.

“But you know what that means?”

He flashed a grin before elbowing Sans’ arm.

“It means we have three days’ time to take down Ole’ Burgess in this drinking game!”

Sans let out a long sigh, but internally he was content. Surrounded by the company of these merry men who only thought of drink, battle, and women; it was a strange experience. With personalities so large, it was almost as if he could melt into the crowd, like a wave amongst waves as they all rolled to shore.