Atasaia

We make our way to the entrance of the castle. We join on the path with the other Atasaias. Each of them is self-reserved. They don't walk in pairs like us. It just shows how isolated these people are. They should be, cuz Daemons are their meal.

Then there is a sound of sniffing behind us. "There is a Daemon amongst us," the sniffing guy says. He's so thin and frail like a shed skin of a snake. "Would you mind if I have a taste?"

He gets too close to Algron and then both of them draw their guns, pointing at each other's faces. The frail guy has two long rifles filled with Angelus Light like Algron's.

"Just one bite," the thin Atasaia says, smirking. His fangs are tainted with nicotine. "no need for this much violence."

"One touch and your brain will splatter," Algron threatens.

Are they gonna cause a scene here? With so many other people around us, stray bullets will surely hit someone. Their glares are intense and none of them wants to look away as it would be a sign of submission.

Then they laugh.

"What?" I ask, flabbergasted.

"Algron!" the thin guy chuckles as both of them lower their guns.

"Darick!"

Then they hug like brothers. "You've become fat!"

"And you're thin as a stick."

They walk side by side while I trail behind. Darick notices me. "Lazarus! How you doin'?"

Since Lazarus—the name of my disguise is a quiet man and has never talked back to him, I stay quiet and look ahead.

"Still snobby as always," he chuckles. "That's how I know everythin's fine!" Then he turns his attention to Algron. Thank goodness. . . "Reverted into a Daemon again, are ya?" he remarks. "You know Queen Carmilla will force you to become an Atasaia again."

"I'll revoke and relapse as many times as I can. I don't want the Rave Queen to catch me and wipe us out."

"Right. . . you are tasked for surveying that bitch."

I'm a bit disgruntled by that. And why am I caring? It's not like she means something to me. We have no emotional connection whatsoever.

Darick continues with his rant. "Why won't Her Grace, Carmilla get rid of her once and for all? Our kind will be better off with that Daemon bitch rotting in the soil. Queen Carmilla can lead us there and we'll win—simple as that."

"That would be unwise, Brother," Algron reasons. "The Rave Queen has amassed significant strength throughout the century. And her growth is not stopping there. As a candidate for the Divine Trinity Quest, she's a force not to be taken lightly."

"And that Divine Trinity Quest. . . only a fool would dream of completing that. "

Who does he think he is? I bet Zaori can end him with a single flick of her finger. And he wouldn't even be a match for Lucy.

"You're right, Brother." Algron taps his back.

I bet he's lying. He even advised me about it. Yeah, all of this is just a farce. We have to blend in and get along with the others. Remember that our goal is to find Nisha and get the hell out of here.

Not even for a bit, I find this place worth beholding. I feel sinister auras everywhere. I know some of them because of the memory I got from Lazarus, the name of this Frame. Thousands of murdered souls—their victims, cursing around them. I can't see but feel their sinister curses. However, none of these killers seem to care. Or do they? Their faces look like they have gone through aggravating torment. Maybe they can feel their victims and just pretend they can't.

*Gulp*

Sucks to be them, I guess. But one thing is for sure, Algron is not like them. He's. . . His aura, it is bright. Like the souls that are trailing him are full of gratitude they cannot express. They wish to speak, but their ethereal throats could not do it.

We have to walk a long staircase to get to the gate of the castle where thousands of Atasaias are already waiting. I hope there, we will find Nisha. This place is not a fun place to be.

The long climb is done. We're here in the courtyard with other Atasaias, waiting for the castle gate to open. Algron nods covertly at me. He means that we should start searching for her. To not stand out, I walk slowly in the crowd, my head bowed down, and my eyes sharpened.

Where is she? This is gonna take longer. There are too many people. My time runs out when the gate clamors as it opens. Everyone starts to walk. I have no choice but to follow. Algron too. I see him in the distance to the right. His red skin and giant stature are hard to miss even in this dense crowd.

Ahead, they are lining up as they enter. There are four very long lines. What is happening there? I lean to the side to see. Before passing through the gate, they have to lift their upper clothes for inspection. Why do they have to do that?

Hmm. . . wait a minute!

They're checking for the navels! Or slots—as they're called! It's gonna be obvious that I'm inherently an Anthropa because of my closed middle slot. And Lazarus isn't a Frame user! I'm dead! I can't step out of line because they'll suspect me. My turn is nearing! What do I do?!

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👋A QUICK SAY FROM THE AUTHOR👇

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