Chapter 7

AESOP

Matches are always tiring, especially for someone like me.

For someone who lived through every day of his life like a dead man, nothing gets more irritating than having to wake up first thing in the morning and having your name being displayed in the big ass monitor as one of the players of this brutal match.

First of all, each and every of us gets to play at least one match per day, not to mention all the aftermaths we get to endure.

I still had it pretty clear in my head the moment I was asked to play in a match for the first time.

The feel of having the hunters' weapons carving scars on your skin, letting the crimson coppery substance pour out as if it is the end of the line, making any necessary healing impossible.

I am aware all the hunters out there are not allowed of doing on-the-spot killing even with their bloodlust eyes, but they absolutely have no idea that the easy win is actually on their side.

Hunters have no idea what it feels like to be sat on one of the rocket chairs.

It is pure hell, especially if you have bleeding cuts.

I can hardly believe everyone actually survived, despite all the circumstances.

That was the exact same thing I had in my mind before the match I just finished a few minutes ago.

It was different. Something different.

So when I made my way back to the main lobby unharmed, the first thing that greeted me was William and the rest's expressions.

They look like they just witnessed a baby being born before their eyes.

I had figured out that was going to happen in the first place, but again I wasn't in the mood for any talks - well I never am, I hate being social- and I was so worked up from all the running I had during the match.

All the running was for nothing, but it was worth it.

Him. That smile.

Locking myself in my room, I lied down on my bed and recalled everything.

"Aesop, Helena, Emily, let's all do our respective roles as best as we can for the sake of winning. Remember, keep an eye on the hunter!"

Martha, as usual, acts as the lead of the match. Guess that's what you get for someone that is military-trained.

I headed out, my eyes looking for a cipher. I surely hope none of the ladies are following me.

I looked into my back and guess what, Helena is tailing me, the distinctive tap coming from her cane.

"Just let me do it on my own. I'm good." I said, but she does not budge.

"Em told me to keep an eye on you. You had only recovered a few hours ago. And besides, I am a fast decoder. That will make your work easier!"

Sometimes her skills make me wonder whether she is actually blind or not.

I was in the middle of decoding when a ray of light flashed from my right side, revealing the hunter.

He swung his sword at Helena, terror-shocking her as impact.

Wait. I have never seen him before.

Who is he?

I moved my position, trying to at least get a glimpse of his appearance, and that was when my eyes met with that of his stare.

Those orbs of blue in his eyes.

Everything was pretty much of a blur by then, and the next thing I know is that he had tied me in a balloon.

Shit. Not again.

Using the energy left in me, I struggled, freeing myself of his grasp.

"Don't do that, boy. You're hurting yourself." The hunter said, reaching for the dungeon, which is now visible in front of us.

"I'm sorry I had to tie you. You were zoning out."

He then untied the rope attached to my waist, and crouched over towards me.

"Now go."

I was still staring at the new hunter when he started walking away.

"Wait!" I said, hoping for him to hear me.

"What is it, Aesop Carl?"

The strands of hair on my neck stood on end as he said my full name.

He must have caught the expression on my face since he now had his hand placed on my shoulders.

"It's fine. I won't hurt you. Now go!"

A simple word of thanks was the last thing I said to him before letting myself jump into the underground door.

"Aesop Carl! Are you listening?!"

"Huh?! Eli?! What are you doing here?! How did you--"

"I'm supposed to be the one asking you! You went into my room, locked it, and curled up right here on my bed! You tell me what's wrong!"

I bit the insides of my cheeks. I guess everything from the match was still going places inside my head that I ended up going into the seer's room instead of mine, which is exactly next to his.

"My bad. Sorry." I said in a low tone.

"How many times do I have to tell you to just put that mask on everytime you smile?! It gives me the creeps!" Eli said, giving me his pissed look, but he failed to do so, since a slight laugh escaped his lips.

That's Eli for you.

Everyone here keeps on saying that Eli and I would make good friends since we are seen to always talk to each other the most, but to me we are nothing than just average friends.

I happen to be able to keep all the convos I have with him going because of the way he understands me.

"Ha. What happened to all the scolding earlier?" I teased.

"Oh shut it!"

"By the way, how are things going with Vera? She's still annoying as hell is it? How's Naib?"

"Oh well, it is the way it is. Naib's fine. In fact, the one that is actually something to be concerned about is you, dude!"

I swallowed hard.

"That match earlier... who is that hunter? He.... spared you! No one has ever done that before!"

I knew it.

"Did you... see everything?" I asked, averting his gaze.

"Dude, how can anyone not notice that big ass monitor showing everything in detail?!"

I pinched the bridges of my nose. I myself have no idea either.

"I don't know why he spared me. He went hard on everyone but me."

The seer shook his head.

"Weird...."

"I better head back now..." I said, standing up. I was starting to feel woozy and tired from everything earlier.

"Okay. Don't get into Naib's bedroom!" Eli yelled as I closed his door.

"Ow... my poor head..." I muttered to myself as I laid down in my bed.

And yes, I had double-checked to make sure that it is my own bedroom that I'm in and not that of Eli and Naib's.

I was starting to drift off when I felt something on the insides of my grey jacket.

Could this be something from that hunter?

Just as I thought.

I opened it up to see a small portrait of me during my decoding with something written on it.

I apologize for having to tie you in that balloon. Pretty sure it was painful. But anyway, take this as an apology. Hope to see you in the next matches!

-Joseph the Photographer.

I had my eyes glued on it, my heart beating faster than it was.

So his name is Joseph.

A spark of happiness then flashed inside me.

Just.... what is this feeling?