Meet The Eyes

Zera couldn't believe that they actually let them into Heaven's Gate, it has been rumoured that only the extremely wealthy have passed that gate, and by that means, some royal people from foreign nations, but that is only rumour, of course… so them getting in felt like a once in a million chance that might never happen again in their lifetime. 

Gate, painted red, large, and made of pure metal. It opened and they walked past. A massive chandelier with candles gave a vivid orange tint to the red room, warmer than outside and far cleaner, wine and food covered a vast table they walked by, it was the room where the rich can only enter, and there could be no doubt about it. Zera saw such luxury in her life, yet it didn't startle her, of course, she stopped multiple times, but it wasn't out of excitement, but rather a hollow feeling. After all, she saw her mother dying and there was nothing, and since she always wondered what a life of luxury would be like, but once her eyes wandered the mansion, perhaps everything the people of her allies ever dream of lay there, she looked at it wasn't as great as she imagined.

"Destiny…" She whispered. 

Before she knew it, the troupe stood in a large hall with some very little furniture, afar there lay a very dazzling chair probably because it was where the chandelier light mostly reached, while the corner they stood was a very dull place with only a sofa that was sided towards the balcony that was mostly attached to the whole hall, it became perplexing whether it is terrace or hall. Besides the red sofa was a table and on it were some things Zera has never seen in her life before but heard rumours about, and if her speculation was correct, it was hookah. As her view wanders across she could see every ounce of The Red Light District, it sure was breathtaking. A City, covered in red, there sat a figure on the sofa viewing all that from the comfy red sofa. "Madam Rosy. I have brought some strangers without your permission, however, they have some links to Captain Alika, hence, you were the best image I could think of." Zera couldn't believe her ears, Ark's accent completely changed, she sounded formal and solid with her speech, which makes Zera quite tense. The sofa was facing the balcony, hence none of them could take a glance as all of them stood opposing. 

She let out a long breath of hookah. "Did they pay?" Ark hesitated a little. "No, madam." She took another smoke and exhaled it wide. "I have told you this many times, Ark… never bring any random folk here. We have some image to show." In the darkness she stood up and walked toward the balcony, she had a pair of anklets and it chimed with each of her steps. "Go to alley four, there is some commotion there." It was impossible that a normal human could gaze down that below, and yet… Ark blinked, with a long pause, she has been with Rose for a long time, which is why she knows what are the Empress's habits, she knows it all too well. "Aye." Yet without a single ounce of doubt, Ark withdrew with hasty steps from the same gate they entered, and with her absence, a silence arose in the air. Some gales of wind blew and Rose began to walk. Her anklet tinkles echoed along with her steps. "Alika…" Says Rose. "So the legend still lives… it has been a few years since I've heard that name… thought he might be dead…" Her blissful voice felt like the smell of flowers, unseen yet delightful. It yanks the people into its emotion. It kind of makes Zera think of Athena. The tingling steps stop, at a far-placed throne. "Come here…" She calls the troupe with a euphoric voice to a spot where the chandelier brightens the most. A throne, gold plated and made from a luxurious red fibre, with carved luxurious gems. And so their eyes were finally able to gaze upon the known Empress of the Red Light District and with just a mere glimpse at her, eternity could swear that she was the most beautiful human one could find on the surface of mankind. Her lavender eyes were beautiful and yet anguished within hollow irises. Her dark skin shines upon the torches behind her throne while her silky red hair gives the view like volcanic lava, but the clothes she wears could take any young man's breath away, red pieces of cloth barely wrapping her slim physique and her thin fabric trousers that eyes could penetrate her thighs. If Zera didn't meet Athena, she surely could believe there is no other as gorgeous and keenly created by God as Rose. She couldn't take her eyes off of her for a few silent minutes. 

"Please take a seat." 

In the thick speechless hush, her hand gestures to a sofa before with her lovely berceuse voice. Athena walked and took a seat and beside her sat Zera while Hatim chose to stand behind them. The silence remains prominent however it wasn't utterly quiet as the fire of torches spark every second. "So, why have you come here?" Rose broke the silence and asked. "What does the Legend of Marina need from me?" Athena let out a long breath. "A war is arriving." Athena knew this one perhaps would not be as simple as manipulating Captain Alika. "Today, more than half of the soldiers were slain by barbaric pirates from the East, and I am affirmative you may know who is the principle behind all this…" Rose did not emit a single word. "The Land of Dev has a spy within Marina Navy!" Zera looked at Athena startled and couldn't believe her ears. "Someone—"

"Hey, have we ever met before?" Rose interrupts Athena's words. Zera swirls her eyes back at Rose, even more, astonished by the fact that she showed no interest in what Athena just said. "I am amused, you see, here you are sitting before me in a mysterious black cloak and yet… I don't feel any hostility or suspicion and I can't even tell if you're a man or a woman…" Rose sneered with her lavender eyes. "What is that fabric made of? I would love to acquire it." The moment came to a heavy pause. "Tonight, if the Navy of Marina falls, there will be nothing to be acquired. There will be ashes, nothing more, nothing less." Hatim stood behind them, crossed arms. 

'Nothing more than ashes…'

"If the navy falls…" Rose whispered. "Well if only, don't worry they are led by a powerful figure. Captain Alika won't let us down."

"He is a coward. Perhaps you know relatively better than anyone…" Athena's Choice of Words still stood strong even before a foe she knew nothing about. Rose frowned her brows, now the Empress understood the person sitting before her is no ordinary figure. "You know it?" She had a smirk. "Frankly I am amused, never thought he would let his guard down…" She glances over them, the young child, a lad, and this mysterious figure. There was no proceeding with this, and she can't let them go knowing they know two substantial pieces of information, although not sure whether they had any evidence, although, no one would believe them over the legend of the city. But there was more to that…

A smile arises upon her charismatic red lips. It has been ages since she had some little leisure as all her clients are mostly the people who come in need or some for their want. But more than that, Rose, of course, was reasonably eager to know these people, they seemed odd, especially the black cloak one, to truly couldn't tell whether he is a man or woman for her to be curious. As much as Empress is respected by numerous, she also has been disliked by a lot of people, and it's not because of her dynasty, after all, she provided countless jobs to the young ladies in different countries and make their lantern of homes bright, but because there was a loathed habit of her; whenever she set her eyes on something, she will get it, no matter the cost even if its money, people or even her name, she always is ready to give anything for her want. "Let's play a game." Nothing made any sense at this point. They came here for the purpose to save countless lives yet Rose, the empress of Marina has yet to show any interest, rather up until now, she is just fooling around with them. It, of course, did get on Zera's nerves but nothing she can do since they may not be seen but there are tons of guards here, she could see some shadows lurking around, once again, there was nothing the young one could do but she can believe in her companions, from the point she has met Athena she could tell everything she has done up until now was for a purpose, everything as if enlightened beforehand that is leading them to as thin as the hair of a path. Her eyes had hope in her when she looked at Athena, she would believe in her. "Game…" Athena's tone sure may seem doubtful, trying to deduce  Rose's bold words. The lady of Olympia let out a breath. "What shall be regarded to have for me?" A vicious smile curled to her magnificent beauty. "Well, if you win, I perhaps can help you with your concerns."

"If I win, I will take everything." Athena gave her choice of words as the smile on Rose's face dissolved. "Well if that's the fun, then if I win, I will take your servants." Rose pointed her lavender eyes at Zera. Shivers of terror run through Zera's spine. "Try…" Hatim breaks it clear and loud and Zera instantly whirls her black gapes at him. "She can not participate." Athena continued and Zera swirled towards her. "However, if you win, I shall grant you him." Rose wanders her eyes to Hatim. "Why would I take a young lad… I mean he's somewhat handsome…" She gazes into his eyes. "Okay, more than somewhat, but why would I?" Rose did have a reason. "He bore the name Warrior from the Paladins Island…" Suddenly a pause rose in the minute, Rose's eyes enlarged and without even uttering a word, her eyes told it how insanely impressed she was. "...I can not believe it… you got your hand on one of those beasts… they are not quite the slave type and their morals are very irritating…" There were no words for how much now she wanted the lad before her, after all, she had some notes on a new rising star at Paladins bearing the title Warrior. She could feel her fingers trembling from sheer excitement but her 'want' ceased more than that. "...hmm let's see, how about I accept the offer if you bet yourself as well…" Once again a lull suddenly emerges in the air. Rose knows this kind of folks, always ready to gamble with their people but never themselves and that was precisely accurate for the Lady of Olympia. Athena knows the value of her life for the time being, not because of egotism or selfishness, but because her duty remains of utmost importance to bring balance once again, hence she was unable to bet herself for some measly games. "I humbly decline." Athena calmly stated. "We may beg your pardon." She stood on her legs, prepared for their departure. "Make your choice, cloak, whether it's you, or the child…" Athena halts her steps. "...and remember, once you leave that gate, you might never walk in here again…" Rose played her cards well and steady, although she perhaps knew the outcome yet… 'Well, at least it was fun while it lasted.' Her lavender eyes swirl around the young child and she felt nothing but pity. Athena stood still for a brief second, and spun her head to Hatim, she didn't utter a word but merely looked in his eyes, she knew this man would sacrifice himself rather than let that happen. Hence, she carried on with her steps as Hatim too walked towards the gate behind her. "You are despicable!" With a shattering voice, she spelt the words. "You created this whole situation. Men of this city die every day, yet they don't give up, they fight so that you can live another day. You make the women of this city are suffering—"

"Making them suffer? That's what you call it?!" Rose breaks her silence after listening to the child rant. "You look down on us for what? Because we sell our body to make a living?!" Her expression grew annoyed yet her voice didn't occur loud. "You know nothing child… yeah many of us don't take pride in it, but there is not a single day where we are unfit to meet eyes with people like you, the self-proclaimed better people. Know this, child, if I allowed the women of this city to fight, they would demolish anything that looks down on them… The nobles made shit out of this country and left behind a mess that could not be restored… The City needed a lot of money to support the navy and our line of work devotes the largest portion to it. The women are fighting for this city as much as the men… So listen with open ears, little runt, never look down at us…" Despite Rose's voice not being loud, her every word felt throbbing and left Zera speechless, her eyes wide apart, confused and yet the slim sadness didn't flee from her heart as the image of that lady sitting on the balcony, waiting for her husband to come back struck in her head. She grabbed her chest and bowed her head down. "I am sorry… but if that's the case." Zera took a long breath, she then spun her eyes, overflowing with resolve back at Rose. "She can not bet me since I am not her servant or slave or anything like that…" Zera pointed her fingers at Athena. "But I am willing to bet myself!!" Surprised, Rose looks at Athena. "Hahaha!" She laughed savagely. "I see you want to ease yourself from guilt, oh lord you're so pathetic… But hey! Now that's something I look forward to… the commitment!" She claps with laughter and cares not any less for the speech she just gave. However, Hatim did not seem happy at all, he walked toward her with hasty steps and forcefully grabbed Zera's arm. "Ouch, you're hurting me!" She cried. "Do you have any idea what you are doing!?" Enraged Hatim spoke to her loudly. "I know you are worried, but this is for the sake of everyone, Hatim…" Beads of tears round up in her black gapes. "For once, let me be useful…" Those black gapes carried innocence and strive to achieve something on their own, to aspire to be morally correct even if it cost them everything. All of the sudden the quote of his brother wraps his thoughts. 

'There are no heroes…and yet…'  Hatim's eyes gleamed upon her determined expressions.

He let out a sigh and lapped a hand on his forehead. "You're an idiot." He seems exhausted. "If you fail, nothing will be enough to make up for it…" His eyes aimed at the Lady of Olympia and so with a magnificent gleam in her emerald eyes she reversed her steps and sat back on the red sofa. "Well, well, well, this is going to be the most fun I've had in years." With a vicious smirk, Rose started the game.