How did I end up in such a ridiculous predicament?

The Divine Flameless sky boundless, a near black empty void reflecting the dubious nature of my uncertain future. Reach for it and it shall grab hold of you. Strangle you. May it bind you in its clutches and erase what remains, leaving only the inevitability of your loneliness. And as I look into my palm, grasping a blue topaz with front row V.I.P tickets alone without the shop Orc man by my side, the thoughts of how I ended up in this quandary left me able to respond with a melancholic sigh.

Had it been misfortune or had the God Amos abandoned my prayers?

After giving the Orc Man an aggressive nudge to tend to his partner rather than amuse himself at this frankly over extravagant party, my “job” transmuted from financial bodyguard to errand boy. His sly bribery is beyond my comprehension. However, this lustrous natural emerald from the higher floors of the dungeon served as a compensation for my efforts, so my complaints shall fall on deafen ears.

Approaching a large colosseum, I notice that the surrounding crowd has increased several thousand-fold. It was as if the entire town and its shop owners were here to celebrate, but for what I cannot find out.

The Elf Woman mentioned the ‘Psalm of Éze’, which could be a special occasion, but I don’t think I can answer questions about this town’s culture because of my limited knowledge. Despite my many travels here I have never stayed past Divine Flame set and by this time I am home tinkering with gems late into the next Divine Flame Rise before training my skills so the life of Éze at this time is a mystery to me as a tourist from a foreign land.

To say that it was unique was an understatement. The people held aquamarine stones, its only use being its bright luminescence, and an orange topaz ticket, unlike my blue humming hymns of what I could only discern worship as they covered their heads in hoods disappearing into the colosseum. Ten pathways of this abnormal sight spanning from one end to another and somehow, all of them held orange topaz and none like my own.

Was I the victim of a trick? Was this ticket a fake? What if this is my punishment for him assuming I hurt his partner? What do I do? Do I run? Do I turn and escape? Even if I did, the forest is far more dangerous at Divine Flame Rest than any other time, and the likelihood of escaping unharmed is impossible. I don’t know the layout of Éze well enough to hide, so what can I do?

“Ticket. Next.” I hear from in front. “Ticket. Next.”

What had I gotten myself into? Without hesitation, I absorb two R.Rubies to restore my prana and have the jadeite blade held with my left hand. Being surrounded meant taking the traditional road out would lead to an immediate capture and with Éze’s citizen’s strength, it would be swift as well. Then I spot a perching spot on my left, slowly moving behind me, and note several other locations in my mind for my potential escape. If a scenario arises, I can mark my blade with [Sinful Stalker] and combine it with [Agile Blade], [Crescent dash] and [Sinful Stalker] to leave.

“Ticket. Next.”

Only three more in front of me. Two vantage points from my current location, as the others are too far away. The cavern-like ceiling above now covers me as the surrounding aquamarine stones become increasingly brighter. Ten guards who look to be part of the lieutenant division with one individual standing out and, to add to the never-ending misfortune, he stood three people in front of me.

A boy with a similar build to my own had three emerald stars on his shoulders and chest, a Vice Admiral and one short of a famed Four-Star Admiral.

Why was someone so regal dealing with a task as ordinary as ticket checking?

His appearance was strange as well, just like the strange speaking guard from earlier today. Rather than stone, his appearance was far more ghastly, ghastly, similar to when Sin Flames contact liquid spells known as the Divine Element. White like the clouds above, yet free as the wind, yet similar enough to a person who, at a glance, none would be the wiser.

“Ticket. Next.”

Two more. Should I make my escape now or hold off? From what I know of the shop owners, I doubt this ticket would be a forgery. And yet. And yet. Something in my core could not accept the years together as truth and denied it.

“Ticket. Next.”

The time was nigh. If I wanted to make my escape, then it had to be now.

“Ticket. Ne—.” I turn away and ready my blade to throw, but the white wind surrounds me and two hands on my shoulder, holding me still in place. “Ticket. Slowly.”

On my left hip, my blade, the right, my ticket. Tremors booming throughout my core terrified to make any sudden movement. With no other options, I sheathe my blade and carefully hand him my blue topaz, ensuring I do not accidentally alarm him.

“Guards!” He shouts, straightening me finer than marble like pillars as three royal guards approach. A red one of the left, green on the right, and yellow down the middle. The yellow also is the shortest of the trio.

All I could think about was if the Orc shop owner had somehow forged his ticket and now I am facing the ramifications of that illegal act. My core traumatically shook as if I were in front of the serpent’s gaze once again, trapped and unable to flee.

“Your command Vice Admiral.” The yellow guard says, but as soon as their eye catches the blue topaz, all three salutes, then surround me. “Understood.”

No vantage points. No openings. No options.

Every direction a terrible fate awaits and the fool, it had ensnared, me.

Accepting my fate, I shut my eyes, fearing what was to come, however, nothing. The Vice Admiral’s hands were firm and grip tight but nowhere near the deadly vice hold, I expected to come. He lets me go, looking at me dead on as I could only face the ground pressured by his stare. And when he walks past me, I hear a whisper in my ear.

“That blade remains sheathed for the entire duration. Nod once if you understand.”

And as instructed, I nod once.

“Take him to his seat. This boy is a valued guest. If a single speck I shall be out of place or a crumb of discomfort meets him, I personally will deliberate your punishment.”

“Yes, Vice Admiral!” the royal guards yell in unison.

A look of disdain smears the Vice Admirals as if the three had offended him somehow and he confronts the middle guard face to face. They were so close that a knifes edge gave more room for comfort. Tension fills the air as the three guards stand motionless, their gazes fixed ahead, while the Vice Admiral confronts the middle guard directly with a look of disdain. Meanwhile, people see his wispy doppelgänger checking ticket, unbothered by the happenings, and more focused on the events inside the colosseum.

“Repeat my words, cadet! What are my orders!” He yells vigorously at the yellow guard.

“Take him to his seat! He is valu—”

“Did I say to speak your mind?! I said, to repeat my words. That means WORD! FOR! WORD! UNDERSTAND!”

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

“YES VICE ADMIRAL!”

“That’s yes Sir Vice Admiral!”

“YES, SIR VICE ADMIRAL!”

“Good. Continue.”

“Take him to his seat. We value this boy.”

“Stop! You,” the Vice Admiral points the red guard, “Continue from where he left off.”

“This boy is a v—”

“Am I deaf? Or perhaps you three are trying to be insubordinate.” Then he cuts them off.

“Sorry, sir?” The green guard asks.

“Did I ask you, cadet? You speak when I permit so. Are we clear?”

“Yes.”

“Are we clear?!”

“Yes, Sir Vice Admiral!”

With a blink, the Vice Admiral pulls the green guard’s face to face with another wispy doppelgänger.

“Are. We. Clear, cadet.”

The green guard says nothing.

Satisfied, the Vice Admiral lets the green guard go but anger in his eyes visceral, flowing out of his body like Sin Flare had burnt him to a crisp.

“Ill prepared, undisciplined and shameful lot you are. To tarnish our brothers in arms with your carelessness deserves immediate execution if I had my way. However, this is not my decision to make. Leave at once and I’ll tend to you three on Divine Flame Rise.” Then he turns his attention to me, shaking my core. “Honored guest, follow me, I shall escort you myself.”

A guard replaces his doppelgänger at the ticket line, and he marches forward, hands perfectly straight down, swinging in exact cadence to his steps. He turns with his left foot no matter the direction, and his eyes peer straight ahead fixated on nothing even down the staircase, and yet the pressure exuded felt everywhere, all at once.

I cannot decipher his intents nor understand the purpose of why I am so far beneath the arena. If musical, as the hymns suggest, then wouldn’t a spot near a balcony be more acceptable? There’s a mystery of the Vice Admiral’s ability that I cannot figure out no matter how I try. Elf Women and Orc Men have a core at the center of the body that serves as what my mo—, never mind. They would be akin to souls for a flesh being, if destroyed or heavily damaged through the outer layer meant the end and source of life being the prana that we recover through the air and R.Rubies. Immortal we may not be, but long lasting is an accurate label.

However, the Vice Admiral exuded something else. Thicker than skin of a Serpent and dense equivalent to an Orc Man despite its size while flowing freely like the prana of an Elf Woman.

Perplexing.

I reach for my knife, and he stops in place, slightly tilting his head towards mine.

“Must I…” And the white air returns covering the light brown walls in its color “Tend to you as well.”

I let go, and the white air disappears as we continue to down the long flight of stairs. It must have been at least a half tick of the Divine Flare to reach the bottom.

Eventually, we reach a black stone door in what I assume to be the basement of the arena. Small with only a wall in front four steps forward but packed densely with the refined flow of sapphire prana. Enough to restore my energy for decades, nigh a millennium, if rationed.

The Vice Admiral reluctantly opens the door and signals with a bow, ushering me inside.

The resident of that ticket’s address will receive the merchandise. Do try to enjoy the show. Honored guest. “

Whatever they planned, they had already ensnared me long ago, so attempting to escape from my current position would be futile. With the merchandise taken care of, my mission was complete, so I stood still in that black compact room, awaiting what was next to come. A thought came to mind that surprised me.

Hilda.

Is she okay? Did that experience taint the rays of Divine Flame gleaming from her prana? What if she no longer had adventures because of those two?

And the question my core wanted to know the most.

Had she remembered me? What had I done for her? Will we meet again?

We only met briefly, but that brilliance had clearly sparked something in my chest.

Adoration? Obsession? Love? Respect? Admiration? Envy? Joy?

I knew well not to fuel this curiosity. But try as I may, she is stuck in my mind. This lingering smoldering embers of longing wishing to experience that presence again, if only once more. A lie my core told to convince me to succumb to my desire as if I met her again. I doubt I could bear it for a single time, and I allowed that temptation to overcome my restraint.

Addiction for attention? Perhaps it is.

Then. Again. Pathetic disposable creature like I would kill them again. Would kill her in my poor attempt to befriend. Kill everyone in Éze because I reached my hand out too far.

I mustn’t forget my curse. The plague that I am. As long as I survive, that is all I need.

*click*

The floor below me moves upwards.

The sudden pressure from below was heavy and ascent quickly. My body falls to its knees because of my disturbed balance and worst of all, I see four arms. Focusing with all my might not to faint, I grab my jadeite knife. Unsheathing the blade meant the Vice Admiral will have my head, but if I let go, then I will collapse.

*Cling* *Clang* *Clong*

Thud and screeches from above echoing down into the hole and lights so irritating I attempt to shield them, but it did little to help.

*Cling* *Clang* *Clong*

Banging, growing loathsome and louder with each passing second that covering my ears couldn’t help it from striking with each pulse.

*Cling* *Clang* *Clong*

It hurts. It stings. I’m going crazy. Stop it. Stop all of it!

*Cling* *Clang* *Clong*

Ahhhhh! Go away. Stay away!

*Cling* *Clang* *Clong*

Just like then. Just like them!

*Cling* *Clang* *Clong*

Orc Men!

*Cling* *Clang* *Clong*

Elf Women!

*Cling* *Clang* *Clong*

ERAAAAAAAH!!!

I am vaporized by the light above. My many blurry hands flash red as I am about to faint and imprisoned above by moonstones like bars of that prison.

Never again! I’ll never go back there! NEVER!

A silhouette of a blue-haired figure that overshadows the moonstones approaches as an army behind glowing embers prepares to attack and I unsheathe my knife to protect myself.

“AWAY WITH YOU! BACK! BACK I SAY!” I yell with what little strength I held. Each second felt like hours blowing past, like airs unknown. Searching desperately for the exit, I spot two pillars behind me.

I toss my knife with [Agile Blade] and with a [Crescent Dash] to create a gap between us, to throw the blade, [Baleful Hunt] to begin my ascent then [Sinful Stalker] to mark the knife and [Skill Cancel] into the Shadow activation of [Baleful Hunt] before catching the knife with [Titan’s Grip]. I scale the wall canceling skill one after the other on pure instinct and built in core memory the once I reached the top at roughly fifteen stories or Orc lengths make my escape.

When I finally came to my senses, I stood in the middle of the market in front of the Orc Man and Elf Woman’s store. Aware of my actions but with no control over any of them, I fell to my knees and took out a Ruby to restore my stamina. But even now, I could not emit a sigh of relief.

White air surrounds my feet, coming from the direction of the colosseum, and he appears.

“It seems I must tend to you as well.”

The Vice Admiral lifts his hand to make a fist and from below my legs, white air creates an enormous palm, mimicking his motions. With [Crescent Dash], I escape moments before it consumes me.

“Oh. Your combat speed should not be able and yet…” he swipes his hand in a cutting motion.

I look left and right, but no white air. The white air guillotine came from above. I toss my knife backwards behind me with [Agile Blade] marking it with [Sinful Stalker] and recapturing with [Titan’s Grip].

“Hm. Just who exactly are you? That rare of a ticket and that prowess of yours. Why do I not know of your rank?”

Because I don’t belong. Your military or this city. I am an outsider, no different from the king of yours. No place to call home and nowhere to settle.

“You choose to remain silent. Very well, as you do as you please, as will I.”

Suddenly the winds of white spin the both of us, like a vortex of walls obscuring the outside shops as I stood at its center. With both hands, I am forced to hold down the jadeite blade that lifts upwards in my hands barely.

“A threat to Éze will not go unrecognized. I shall detain you and bring you in for questioning, stranger.”

I sheath my jadeite knife, hoping that it will prevent it from flying off, but once again, I am on my knees. My vision darting from black obsidian to the white moonstone air.

Strength fading.

Core eroding.

Life flashing.

And as the last of my stamina fades, I fall to the wayside, unable to act. The image of them appears for a moment before returning to the approaching boots of the Vice Admiral.

Then it appears again.

That same silent projectile pushes the Vice Admiral all the way back to the colosseum, eviscerating him from my sight alongside his white air vortex. Immediately, my stamina restores, and I regain my strength.

“Move.” I hear from behind, to my surprise. Their deep androgynous voice is monotone indistinguishable from man or woman and when I turn around, their appearance matches. Dressed head to toe in strange clothing that I’ve never seen before. Their heads covered in a dark green flat beak obscuring their face, but I can tell their hair is green and a matching mask with goggles further hiding their appearance. Figure appearing dainty like that of Elf Women, however, their physicality in their build dense as Orc Men and in their hands a powerful-looking knife sized staff. I call it a staff because it was the only item I could equate it to in my eyes. Small and able to fit into their hands with ease, yet its heft was not to be underestimated. The staff slides it open to the left, ejecting some kind of Periwinkle Blue Tanzanite cylinder casing, and they inject another one, however, this time with a high-quality purified Sapphire tip. “Trunk leg’s waiting. Go.”

And with that, they toss me a large Sapphire gem similar to one left by the serpent in the forest, then stroll toward the Vice Admiral stash aimed.

Unable to retort, I run the other way towards the gate to make my escape, never once looking behind at my savior.