Bad Blood

Assayah and Kenchi were standing inside a local tavern. Nakamura was already pretty drunk and was giggling abruptly. Assayah said, "I told you that we shouldn't bring him here. He can't handle alcohol very well." Kenchi said, "He was the one who forced us to take him to a tavern." Assayah said, "Now, bring him to our hideout. I am not going to carry him." Assayah disappeared. Kenchi took Nakamura on his shoulders and carried him to their hideout. Nakamura smiled, "Why are you carrying me, idiot? I'm not a baby. I can still walk very perfectly." Kenchi said, "You already fell three times on your way to the lavatory. Keep quiet." Nakamura smiled, "Why didn't you drink? You used to drink quite a lot back in the days." Kenchi said, "I quit alcohol. Things were hectic in the Monastery and I had to be the responsible one there." Nakamura smiled, "Good. Alcohol is very bad. Total evil."

Kenchi asked, "Then, why did you drink so much?" Nakamura laughed, "Even I have my sorrows, my friend. That day, Assayah told me about his girlfriend, Samantha. She is dead and that upsets him. He wants to avenge her death and kill her killer. I also want to avenge someone, someone for love. Don't I deserve love too?" Kenchi asked, "Why are you saying all this all of a sudden?" Nakamura smiled, "Because I am not heartless like Xao Chang. Maybe, he loves something too. Something that he has been trying to get for centuries. The Blood Spear. I am not saying that I want to be the romantic guy in some fantasy novel. I just want to feel loved." Kenchi smiled, "I never felt any need for romance in my life. My life has been good for centuries. I don't need this bullshit love."

Nakamura smiled, "You will. You definitely will. Believe me when I say. There is only emptiness and sorrow at the bottom of the Monastery. A loop filled with deafening silence." Kenchi smiled, "Did you find someone "special" down there?" Nakamura laughed, "Definitely not down there, you idiot. There is only dust and heat at the core of the Earth. I saw a pretty girl once when I was raiding through the villages of old Namaria. She was not that good-looking or had an attractive body, but her eyes were filled with innocence and fear. Maybe, she was hiding something or someone from me. I was strictly ordered to kill as many opposer as possible, but for some reason, my conscience didn't allow me to proceed. I asked in my sweetest voice, "What is your name?"

The girl signaled that she was mute. Maybe, she was lying or maybe she told the truth, but I believed her and went away thinking that murdering an innocent mute girl was not necessary. I slowly threw a small shiv towards her and went away. I know that a small shiv is not going to save her from the attackers, but it might give her a little chance to fight. She might have survived one more day or maybe she died the next moment, I don't know but that act of kindness has been embedded in my consciousness since that day. So, when Assayah said that he is fighting for a reason, it made my emotions resurface." Kenchi said, "Sleep tight, boss. tomorrow is going to be a long day." Nakamura asked, "Why" Kenchi replied, "Tomorrow, we are going to meet Kystion." Nakamura smiled, "Oh, yes. I completely forgot about that idiot. Why does he want to fight wars at such a ripe age?" Kenchi smiled, "Maybe, he wants to re-live his youth days. he was quite a mighty warrior in his days."

Nakamura sighed, "He was strong. but not mighty. He couldn't even defeat Gongamtei." Kenchi said, "I don't blame him. Gongamtei is very powerful and when he gets angry, he pretty much becomes invincible." Nakamura laughed, "Yes. I have witnessed his anger. Where is that fucker nowadays?" Kenchi said, "I don't know. He has been away from the Monastery for a while." Nakamura said, "Fine. Now, let me sleep." Kenchi bowed and closed the door behind him. Kenchi went to a local shop and asked, "Where will I find a girl?" The shopkeeper looked at him and said, "Are you drunk, motherfucker? Who the hell asks for a girl so straightforward? Bug off, pervert." Kenchi looked at the shopkeeper and then looked here and there. He took out a dagger and slit his throat. He smiled, "Manners makes the man." He exchanged clothes with the shopkeeper and took all the money from the counter and walked towards the nearest brothel.

He opened the door and entered inside. He looked around as beautiful females were looking at him. Some were just looking at his clothes which were not that rich looking and others were trying to woo him with their ample bosoms. Kenchi was not a stranger to sexual desires, but right now his mind was occupied with tension and fear. Many years ago, during the First War, he hid a powerful weapon in one brothel which he used to visit. The brothel belonged to an elf named Elvansia, who most probably was not alive now.

Kenchi looked at the structure of the brothel which was quite similar to the one he was looking for. Kenchi asked a prostitute, "How old is this brothel?" The prostitute looked at him and said angrily, "Do you want to fuck this brothel, idiot? Ask someone else." The prostitute was about to go when Kenchi said, "I have this for you. If you want more, come with me." The prostitute looked at the gold coin which was more expensive than the entire brothel. The prostitute looked at him and smiled, "Let's go. But, I will charge extra for home services." Kenchi smiled, "I pay more than extra." The prostitute followed Kenchi as they entered an old building. The prostitute asked, "Are you sure you want to fuck me here? This place looks very barren."

Kenchi smiled, "Barren places are the most beautiful places to do nasty stuff." The prostitute said, "I won't do anything dirty. Last time, I had to take three days off due to the pain." Kenchi smiled, "Open your clothes." The prostitute opened her clothes and looked at him. Kenchi smiled, "Lie down and close your eyes." The prostitute lied down and closed her eyes. Kenchi slowly created red smoke around her and then slowly whispered, "What is your name?" The prostitute said weakly, "Sophia." Kenchi said, "Good. Now, tell me Sophia. What do you know about Elvansia?" Sophia said, "I don't know about any Elvansia." Kenchi sighed, "Fine. Tell me what you know about the brothels? How many brothels are there?" Sophia said, "Maybe, six. I don't know. Many women have started doing service in their respective houses. So, I cannot exactly say how many women are selling themselves right now?" Kenchi sighed, "Fine. Tell me which brothel is the oldest?"

Sophia said, "Many brothels are old. The one in Gibson Town is almost four decade old. The one is Free United is almost six decades old. But, the one in the Elf Kingdom is standing since the First War." Kenchi said, "Tell me about the one in Elf Kingdom." Sophia said, "I don't know much. The prostitutes there work without any money. They believe that all men deserve sex and there should be no cost for it. But, not all men can enter there. Only the men who are from affluent families can go there. The brothel is still open to ordinary people who are at least educated to a decent level. It is named after the first owner of the brothel "Liliana" I know only this much." Kenchi mumbled, "Fine. But, I can't let you go like this." He put all the smoke inside her body and soon she started to burn. Kenchi smiled and went to his room.

Elgin was in the room looking at his newborn baby. Aliyah appeared and looked at the baby, "Congratulations. I never thought you would become a father. I hope you will become more responsible now." Aliyah picked up the baby and smiled, "His name will be Dorian Versalis. I would call him Diego." Elgin looked at Aliyah and said, "You have no right to name my son." Aliyah asked, "Why? I'm the godmother. Aren't I?" Elgin said, "Vexana is the godmother. You have no relation with my son." Aliyah asked sadly, "Why?" Elgin said angrily, "Why? You are asking the reason, bitch. Your pessimistic thinking killed Cindy. You let Kystion take her and you refrained me from doing anything. You killed Cindy. I cannot let the killer of my son's mother roam near him. I don't trust you any more."

Aliyah said, "Really? You forgot all the things I did for you. You are blaming me for the mistakes done by you." Elgin said angrily, "That's the thing, Aliyah. You think that you are always the right person and the whole world is wrong. You are such a bitch." Aliyah said, "I always tried to protect you guys from any dangers and troubles and now you are not even acknowledging my worth. You are so ungrateful." Elgin took Diego from Aliyah's arms and said, "Then, don't stay with this ungrateful person. Go away and make new friends." Aliyah asked, "What is your problem? Why are you acting so weird all of a sudden?"

Elgin said, "I'm acting weird? You are the one who has been weird for your life. You blamed people for your own shortcomings and now when I pointed out your truth, you are trying to justify yourself." Aliyah said, "Tell me, Elgin. What can I do to possibly make things right for you?" Elgin said, "Things have gotten worse beyond repair. I cannot forgive you. Go away. No one needs you." Aliyah said, "Where will I go? I cannot go anywhere until Alice kills Xao Chang." Elgin said, "Fine. I will take Diego and go to Namaria. When Kystion attacks, I will come. I can no longer stay here and see your selfish face everyday." Elgin formed a sphere around him and disappeared.

A tear rolled down from Aliyah's eye. Vexana said, "What's the point of crying now, Aliyah? You are reaping what you sowed." Aliyah looked at her and said, "You too are blaming me. What did I do wrong? Was I wrong when I said that Cindy will face difficulty delivering Elgin's baby? Was I wrong when I said that Cindy will never accept Elgin? Was I wrong when I warned him about the inevitable outcome of his mistake?"

Vexana said, "That's the problem with you. You think that you are the only wise person amongst us. You are just like your mother. Cold and unjust." Aliyah said, "Stop comparing me with that woman. She was heartless and didn't care about anyone except her." Vexana said calmly, "That is the truth you are not seeing, you blind idiot." Aliyah said, "My mother enjoyed belittling people but I don't belittle anyone. I just tell them to be careful. You perfectly know that the current situation is not good. Enemies are everywhere and if we don't act smart, our whole existence will come to an end."

Vexana asked, "Why are you so paranoid?" Aliyah said, "Why shouldn't I be? Alice is in a coma, Elgin is acting like a child and... " Vexana asked, "And what?" Aliyah said, "And Xao Chang has come." Vexana asked, "How do you know that?" Aliyah said, "I am not a fool, Vexana. I keep track of all things occurring around me." Vexana said, "He might be here, but still he will not attack so soon. He will have to wait for Alice to activate the Blood Spear with her blood during the ritual. I will have to enact extra protection around the palace now." Aliyah said, "Do whatever you want. But, in the end Alice's capability matters the most." Aliyah disappeared in purple smoke. Vexana sighed and walked outside the room.....