Chapter 361

Layali shivered in place and watched the dog-faced woman work. "Just relax, woof. This has only the smallest sting, our master always keeps his word, woof woof." The curious woman was dressed in a maid outfit befitting her race, and other than her frequent little woof noises, she seemed every inch an ordinary woman.

"I know you said, but it's still scary seeing my blood come out…" Layali said as she watched another jar fill. There were multiple samples of skin, hair, and blood taken from her for the crystalline eyed man's use, though what he planned on doing with it, Layali had no idea.

All he'd said was 'study'. And all he asked was, 'Will I have regular access to the subject?' And that was that. The chair on which she now sat was at least, very comfortable, and other than the brief sting of the leach, and eerie sight of it being drained into a container before being reapplied, she felt no pain at all.

And the snacks… She reached for the little round object the other maid referred to as a 'sugar cookie' and shoved it into her mouth where the flavor exploded, Layali's cheeks puffed, and the taste made her want to weep for joy as her heart danced in her chest.

"Cute." The maid holding the snack tray said, and applied a sticker with a number on it, directly to Layali's cheek. It seemed almost like a compulsion, but the straight faced maid with the silver tray seemed to be showing some kind of affection.

For hours, other than the frequent use of leeches and the frequent taking of samples from her, to include an application of crystals and various harmless spells that had a wide array of effects… including making her grow cat ears at one point… she was treated like she imagined royalty must be.

She chewed her cookies and kicked her feet back and forth, then reached for the tray held by the one called 'CZ' and took a cup of rich looking red liquid. She looked down at it, "This isn't blood… right, miss CZ?"

"No. It is called 'fruit punch', the supreme beings say it is a popular drink with children." CZ answered, and Layali brought the silver cup to her lips and tilted it up. The flavor assaulted her senses and she began to gulp deep, audibly, and drained it to the last drop… save for the red ring of it that formed around her lips. "It's soooo goood!" She squealed with excitement before another child entered the large, cozy bedroom in which her 'contributions' took place.

This one dressed in red and black, she carried a parasol over her shoulder and moved with the dainty grace of a royal lady. "How is it coming?" The pale, perfect child asked of the others.

"Well. She is comfortable and happy, and we have nearly all the samples we will need before returning her. Woof." Pestonya answered and gently pried another leech free.

"So pretty…" Layali whispered at the doll-like existence that was Shalltear Bloodfallen.

Shalltear gave a dainty blush and said, "So observant." Then added, "Demiurge asked me to take a small sample through my own skills. Then after we're done, we'll then seal away any unpleasant memories again, and take her back to Arwintar."

"You sealed my memory? Wait, is that why I can't remember coming here, just talking with Miss Omega and then being here?" Layali asked and furrowed her brow, "I don't know if I like that."

"We've been ordered to treat you with the utmost care and gentleness as a contributor to the future of the Allfather's realm. So, we're sealing any memory of the last few hours that is unpleasant. You will remember the snacks, the treats, the cozy chair, the warm room and dessert… then you will be back with the ones you call mama and papa and know that you kept them safe. Doesn't that sound nice? It's only a few minutes, and you forget things all the time anyway, this is no different." Shalltear said as she approached and handed her parasol to Pestonya.

"I still don't know…" Layali's lips scrunched left and right as she thought that over.

"Trade for more ice cream?" CZ asked, and Layali began to bob her head up and down like mad.

"Yes, please!" She squealed.

Minutes later, she had what she wanted, a heaping cream colored bowl filled with multiple scoops, she shoved the spoon in over and over again, licked up every bit of the chocolate syrup, and sucked on the cherries until she squished them with her tongue.

"Okay… a deal's a deal. Do it, if it keeps mama and papa alive and together, I'll do anything." Layali said, then her eyes went wide as the pain hit.

The porcelain doll was on her, the feel of teeth clamping down tore through her body, and her eyes began to close.

…Then Layali's eyes flew open and she shot up in bed. Her head all but spun around as she tried to recall where she was. "A dream, all a dream? What…? No…" She reached down to touch her arm, and the flavor was still on her tongue. "It was real, but then… I think I'm forgetting something… what was it… what was it…?" She put her hand to her forehead and looked down the length of the warm blanket that rested at her waist. "No… it doesn't matter. I got what I wanted, that's all I care about now." She mumbled and got up out of bed to stretch.

On the bed, Zesshi and Brain were still asleep, so she went to where they lay, climbed in, and curled up between them both. 'Just a few more minutes…' She thought, and closed her eyes one more time before they all had to be up.

"Come at me!" Cerebrate snapped at the trembling youth in front of him. The sands of the arena were warm, but while they were dry around Cerebrate, the young man was rapidly drenching the sands in sweat. "Come on! Do you think I have all day, you coward?!" The adamantite adventurer scowled, another pathetic boy who was 'the best in his village' borrowing his father's old army sword and coming after the throne… 'He's the fourth one this morning.'

None of the first four had adequate armor, but even if they had, they lacked adequate training.

"Fine!" Cerebrate shouted and strode forward against the young village boy with his sword clenched tense in nervous fingers… the sure-handed Cerebrate slashed only once when he came within reach, the jugular was severed… and the young boy died to the sound of boos from the crowd.

'What I wouldn't give to have met that one when he was about nine years younger…' Cerebrate mourned as he swept his sword out to scatter the blood and turn the brown sands a rusty red.

"Village trash should not be here!" Cerebrate's booming voice went out to the crowd, but more importantly, to his opponents waiting in the wings.

"Do I have to wipe out a village worth of village idiots before I get somebody that lasts more than one damn swing of my sword?!" Cerebrate thrust his sword into the sands with the tip down and crossed his arms in defiance. "Pathetic! Just pa-thet-ic!" He snapped as the young boys who worked in the arena ran across the sands, grabbed the young man's corpse by the ankles, and dragged the limp body away.

"Bring me something worth fighting, and you will be entertained!" Cerebrate shouted at the booing spectators of many nations, then snatched his sword up by the grip, sheathed it, and left his position to wait for his turn to come again.