Face Off

"My dear children. I'm so glad you're alive."

Piri stood in front of the five man Caretaker party. Donning the same outfit. She wore a sweet smile as she stared at James and the others.

'This many survived? How?' Piri thought. She couldn't mask the lights of incredulity in her eyes.

"Headmaster Piri, welcome. May I ask why you have journeyed all the way here?" Henriksen asked. A sheepish smile graced his lips.

Naturally, he had no way to wade off Piri's call of the siren. Just like him, the others found themselves mesmerized by Piri's presence.

"Oh... Henriksen, I almost didn't recognize you. Come, we have much to discuss," Piri said.

Saying nothing further, Piri and Henriksen walked into the cabin. Leaving James and the others behind. Meanwhile, the other Caretakers causally stared at the group. Unlike Piri, they wore their curiosity on their sleeves. They couldn't refrain from discussing among themselves.

The same moment Piri entered the cabin, her call no longer hypnotized the youths. At that same moment, their eyes turned bloodshot as they stared at the Caretakers. After all, they were the ones responsible for everything they had suffered so far.

However, none of them dared to attack the group. Although they were angry, none of them had suicidal tendencies. They knew the limits to their abilities. Coupled with the fact that Henriksen had causally warned them to never fight with a Caretaker. Stressing that no matter how weak they seemed, only death awaited those who took the bait.

Unlike the rest of the youths who glared at the Caretakers, James's eyes focused on the Cabin. Earlier, the system had warned him about Piri's arrival. Hence, he quickly deactivated his ability to hear while using Mana Manipulation to convert her words to letters.

That such a big character in Kynar came all the way to the Odon Forest surprised him.

'Why would she come all the way here? Is it because of the beast horde?' James thought.

Piri's presence had stirred his curiosity. From his point of view, something extraordinary had to happen for her to come.

Absorbed in his thoughts, James suddenly heard a deep voice, saying "Halflings, go stay somewhere else. Your presence irritates me."

One Caretaker pointed towards the Halfling in Aebalar's group and the other Halfling on board the ship. They meekly lowered their heads while turning to leave. Before they could leave, however, a hand blocked their path and a familiar voice followed.

"Ibane, you're not going anywhere, okay? Who cares if it irritates this fuck face? We should be the ones complaining. Breathing the same air as him is fucking repulsive... hehehe... Don't you think so, Goopi?" Aebalar said.

A deathly silence followed. Most of the youths and Caretakers stared at Aebalar in disbelief. Even Ibane, a Halfling, couldn't believe a demon stood up for him. He had already gotten used to being treated like dirt wherever he went. That a demon, one of the most exalted races in Skyhaven, would defend someone comparable to scum like him, left him confused.

The other Halfling, a crossbreed between a Beastman and an Elf, also stared at Aebalar in disbelief. And in her usual manner, Aebalar grinned back. Soaking in the reactions of everyone on board.

'She is indeed a psychopath... hahaha. This is fantastic. C'mon, fuck face. Are you going to let her curse you like that? Do something about it.' James thought. He, too, had a massive grin on his face. Albeit for different reasons.

He could see Goopi sticking out her littler arms from Aebalar's sleeves. She had both middle fingers raised up towards the Caretakers. James could barely stop himself from laughing.

'Did this brat just curse me?' Dacio couldn't believe his ears. Not only did mere Halflings disobey his orders, but a demon dared to insult him publicly, and in Kynar no less.

"What did you call me?" Dacio said. His eagle-like brown eyes focused solely on Aebalar. A deep crease had formed between his wrinkled forehead. While his lower lips constantly trembled.

At that moment, Goopi instantly retreated into Aebalar's sleeve. She had locked gazes with the enraged Caretaker.

"Hehehe... what a cruel world. He's not only ugly as shit, but also a deaf prick. That he can speak is a miracle in itself," Aebalar retorted.

The Jaws of the youths dropped, even the Halflings knew she had drifted into troubled waters. The gazes of the the other Caretakers also changed. Aebalar's confidence had piqued their interest.

Only James had a brighter smile than Aebalar. He felt like he was watching a show back on Earth. To him, there was nothing better than watching an enemy make more enemies.

'This is wonderful. C'mon, fuck face. Make her pay. Hahahaha...' James thought.

Contrary to his expectations, however, a faint smile formed on Dacio's thin lips and the fury in his eyes had disappeared.

"I will do everything in my power to make sure you get to the Village. I will definitely remember you," Dacio said. Saying nothing further, he closed his eyes.

Yoz, Rowan and some of the youths who stood close to Aebalar earlier had subconsciously distanced themselves from her. Only James, who had a deep frown on his face and the stunned Halflings remained.

"What's going on here? Why do I sense such a tensed atmosphere? We can't have that, okay? We should all get along."

Like a ghost, Piri suddenly appeared in front of the group. Her gaze constantly shifted between Aebalar and Dacio. She smiled warmly at Aebalar, which Aebalar reciprocated. Meanwhile, Dacio still had his eyes closed. However, he lowered his head.

"Children, I heard a lot happened during the selection. Henriksen has given me the general gist of the matter, but I would love to hear from you personally. I hope you will do me this little favor?" Piri said as she made a pinching motion with her thumb and index finger.

Without delay, the youths simultaneously nodded. Influenced by the call of the siren, no one could refuse her offer.

"I'm glad you all agree. So, who should go first?" Piri slowly scanned the group. Only stopping when she saw a familiar one.

'Wow! He's still alive? Is he just lucky, or there is more to it?' Piri's smile brightened as she stared at James. She remembered he was one of the few youths who survived from opening the dragon carved doors. She wasn't expecting to see him again. After all, he didn't look remarkable when they met.

'Fuck! Please don't remember me. Please don't remember me.' James silently prayed.

"Why don't we start with you," Piri said while pointing at James. "It's good to see you again. Please come with me," She added.

'Fuck!'

Silently, James and Piri walked towards the cabin.

***

Twenty minutes later.

James sat on a wooden stool while staring at Piri who paced around the room. Apart from a small table and two stools, no other furniture decorated the room. However, a familiar lilac glow filled the room.

"So, you're certain you didn't encounter a massive bird?" Piri asked. Pausing in her steps.

Over the last twenty minutes, James had recounted what he experienced in the Odon Forest. Obviously, leaving out anything that could make Piri take an interest in him. Which included the information she wanted and the issue with the damned soul and his corpses.

"Yes. I would definitely remember if I saw something like that. The beast horde mainly consisted of Vaporscreamers and Mangillas. Maybe it flew at a height not visible to my eyes. Who knows, maybe one of the others saw it," James said.

Silence greeted his words. From where he sat, he could see a slight frown on Piri's face. However, it disappeared as soon as it formed.

Just then, the glow of the moonlight stone disappeared. Instantly, James had a dazed expression on his face. He blankly stared at Piri, like someone trying to recollect what had just happened.

"You can leave now. You have done well," Piri said.

"Ummm... Headmaster Piri, you said you want to ask me some questions... did you change your mind?" James said, awkwardly scratching his head.

"Oh. No need for that. Meet the Caretakers, they will hand you something special. Do you understand?" Piri said. Her alluring smile had returned.

Like a love stricken idiot, James nodded.

"Alright. Choose anyone to enter next."

With a gentle nod, James rose to his feet. Wasting no time, he headed towards the exit of the room. As he walked, he frequently sneaked glances at Piri. Blushing as he did so. A moment later, only Piri remained in the room.

"That makes two of them. Henriksen and this Kaleb kid didn't see anything. Hopefully, one of the others encountered The Seeker," Piri muttered.

Her body trembled as she walked, while saliva poured from the corners of her mouth.

"Calm down, Piri. You have waited twenty years already. It doesn't matter if none of them saw it. The prophesied child will definitely come one day. And when that happens, you will be the greatest contributor to The Order."

Just then, a knock echoed within the room.

"Ummm... should we come in?" Aebalar's voice echoed.

Instantly, Piri returned to her normal self.

"Come in, dear."

Unknown to Piri, two damned souls quietly watched her from different locations within the room.