Volume II Chapter One: The start of the show

Adjusting the tie on my collar, I slide on my gloves and top hat with a practiced ease. The door swings open, and Eira strolls in, yawning loudly. "Yo, you ready?" she asks, flopping onto the couch. Stretching out, she declares, "Cause I ain't helping."

I smirk at her typical nonchalance. Approaching the mirror, I give myself a once-over. "It's show time," I mutter to my reflection. The suit I'm donning is nothing short of striking—a sharp contrast of black and white, accentuated by a sleek, flowing cape that adds an air of drama. The black top hat sits perfectly atop my head, complementing the suit's sophisticated aura. My cane, a sleek black with intricate silver designs at the base, feels right in my hand. And the gloves—one white, one black—add a unique touch to the ensemble.

Hmmm... I'm looking clean. Gloves, check. Top hat, check. Insane suit, check. Socks, check. Shoes, check. Cape, check. It's Eira's suit covering the outfit underneath that pulls the whole look together. Without it, I'd probably resemble a clown. But as it is, I look sharp and professional.

Turning to Eira, I sigh and head out. It's a good thing Darius lent me these artifacts. "Knowing that crazy old man, he's probably just bored," I muse. The amount he's invested is the reason shit's gonna go crazy. 

As I stride confidently, spinning my cane and whistling a tune, I tap my earpiece. "Yo, Zeke, how's it going?" I inquire casually.

Zeke's laughter crackles through the earpiece. "Hmhmhmhmhmhm... What is this artifact of yours? The amount of mana it's consumed is insane. One week straight consuming mana nonstop, even that crazy old man fed it some aura, and it hasn't blown itself to pieces... I'll buy it."

"You're aware you can't use it, so stop asking," I remind him, maintaining a calm tone. I'm sure this crazy fucker already tried using it multiple times. 

Zeke's laughter echoes again, tinged with his typical sadistic amusement. "I didn't think you'd be able to plan this better than me..."

A sense of pride swells within me. "I'm a pro when it comes to this," I respond confidently. "Tell everyone I'll be there soon. We'll start the auction in no time."

As I'm about to step out, a blur of motion catches my eye. It's Ash, darting past like he's got a horde of demons on his tail. Instinctively, I reach out and snag him mid-zoom. He's light as a feather, dangling from my grasp. "Boss, let me go! She's after me! Please, just let go!" he pleads, wriggling like a fish out of water.

Before I can even ask, Des strolls in, her cheeks puffed up in anger. It's like watching two kids who can't get along, despite living under the same roof for a while now. She's glaring daggers at Ash, then turns those big, accusing eyes on me. "Kaelllll!" she whines, tugging at my arm like she's trying to get a parent's attention. "Ash keeps stealing, this is the fourth time this week I've had to take the blame for him!" she accuses, still shooting daggers at him.

Ash, the little scamp, tries to flash me an innocent smile. "Don't listen to her, Boss! S-She's lying! Why would I steal when I work for you?" His smile is about as convincing as a two-dollar bill.

Rubbing my eyes, I've had enough of their squabble. I toss Ash back at Des, like returning a mischievous puppy to its owner. "Do what you want, just make sure he stays alive," I say, already walking away. I don't have time for their childish antics. They need to sort it out themselves.

As I'm about to leave, Ash's scream echoes behind me. "B-Boss, Help!" But I keep walking, popping my neck. Let them handle it. They need to learn to solve their own problems, or they won't last a day in this crazy ass world.

-

Whistling a tune, I stroll down the quiet street. The sky above is stormy, clouds roiling like dark, turbulent waves. "Perfect night for a bit of chaos," I mumble, feeling the electricity in the air. It's always good to have such harsh weather—it adds a sense of drama to everything.

As I walk, Mike falls into step beside me. We do the usual fist bump—a simple, yet solid greeting between us. "How's it going?" he asks, a casual tilt to his voice.

I can't help but smirk. "You know how it is. Things are about to get real fucking crazy. Thanks for helping me out," I reply, appreciating the rare, solid alliance.

Mike returns the smirk, his eyes gleaming in the dim light. "It's better than dealing with that bastard Zeke. Plus, you gave me the heads up about Queen Celeste visiting Sir Darius. Saved me a ton of headaches, man."

I nod, my thoughts drifting to Queen Celeste. The Bloody Queen, they call her. A title she's earned, and one she wears like a cloak of power. It's thanks to her predictable unpredictability that I've managed to build this unlikely friendship with Mike. He might act all strict and by-the-book, but off-duty, the guy's surprisingly laid back.

"How are your kids? Still mad about switching schools?" I ask, genuinely curious.

Mike rubs his head, a hint of weariness in his eyes. "Those two are a handful. Still giving me hell for that decision," he sighs.

I pat his back in a gesture of solidarity. "Good luck with that," I chuckle.

As we approach the teleportation platform, Mike gives me one final fist bump. "Don't screw this up, Kael. Sir Darius won't be forgiving if things go south," he says with a laugh, though there's a serious undertone to his words.

"Wouldn't dream of it," I reply confidently. As the platform activates, I feel the familiar sensation of teleportation, the world around me blurring into streams of light. "Here's to a night of controlled chaos," I say looking up. 

Appearing in the large room, I take a moment to soak in the details. The place feels like a mix between a fortress and an underground wizard's lair. The massive magic circle etched into the stone floor gives off a faint glow, adding an eerie ambiance. Everything around is stone, sculpted so cleanly it almost looks like art. The room is illuminated by these huge, floating bubble-shaped lamps that cast a soft, otherworldly light.

An employee of Darius approaches me with a wave. "Please follow me. Sir Darius has been waiting for you, he wants to talk to you," he says, his tone respectful yet urgent.

"Ugh..." I sigh inwardly. I had a feeling this was coming. Might as well get it over with. We ascend a set of stairs, each step taking us into a more refined part of the building. The stone gives way to polished wood, and the air seems to grow warmer.

Entering a room, I find Darius lounging casually, a drink in hand, laughing heartily at Lysandra. "Hahahahaha!" He tosses his drink aside, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "You seriously didn't cause a scene at school? Kid, I know you're lying."

Lysandra, clearly irked, lunges at him with a full-force punch, only to recoil in pain, clutching her arm. "Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! What the hell are you made of, old man!? Shit! You're tougher than my dad!" she yells, her tough exterior cracking a bit.

Darius chuckles, turning his attention to me. "Kael, good job taking care of this girl. I can see she's improved," he says, a note of approval in his voice.

I sigh and take a seat across from him, pulling Lysandra up by the hair to sit next to me. "She is a handful..." I admit, watching her try to act tough, despite the pain.

Lysandra grumbles, her cheeks puffed up in frustration. "I didn't cause any scene, I even helped you..." she insists, though her tone suggests otherwise.

Darius leans forward, his demeanor shifting to a more serious tone. "Alright, boy, show me what I've invested in," he says calmly, his eyes locked on me.

I stand, relieved he's not using his aura to intimidate this time. I reach into my pouch and carefully pull out a ten-foot-long box.

Gazing at the box, a sense of eager anticipation rises within me. The container itself is an exquisite piece, fashioned from pure Elarian obsidian. Its surface is ornately etched with an array of runes, each adding a touch of opulence and enigma. "This is it, the grand unveiling," I muse inwardly, a grin stretching across my face. "Let's see what Eira has truly accomplished with this."

As I lift the lid of the box, my eyes widen in sheer admiration. Inside lies the Dragon's Eye sniper, a remarkable fusion of aesthetic beauty and practical design. The body of the sniper is enveloped in a metallic deep crimson-red hue, complemented by sophisticated black and silver linings that trace its elegant form. Measuring an imposing 8 feet, its structure is sleek yet commanding.

Uniquely, the sniper doesn't feature a traditional scope. Instead, it is crowned with a dark red orb. "Eira mentioned this orb alters when the weapon is in use," I inform Darius, noting his intrigued but puzzled expression. "It's not merely decorative; this orb will revolutionize how it's deployed in the field."

The design of the Dragon's Eye is clean, free from any visible runes or enchantments. "All the magic is internal," I add, my voice tinged with pride. "It maintains a sleek, uncluttered appearance. No extraneous details." I emphasize the sniper's exclusivity, "It's secured with multiple safeguards. It's virtually impossible to replicate."

Hoisting the Dragon's Eye, I gauge its heft and equilibrium. Despite its formidable weight, I manage to lift it effortlessly, courtesy of Darius's artifacts. "This piece is remarkably durable. Made from Mithrildite, it can double as a melee weapon without sustaining any damage," I explain. "Though that's merely an ancillary benefit."

I delve into the specifics of its firing mechanism. "There's a three-minute delay between shots. This interval is necessary for it to recharge and absorb ambient mana." I pause, allowing Darius to digest this information. "And its range," I continue, a smug smile playing on my lips, "extends to about a thousand miles. It's unmatched in its reach."

Darius's intrigue deepens. "A thousand miles? And it operates on mana? It can channel mana in a focused trajectory over such a distance?"

"Precisely," I confirm with a nod. "It operates with magic bullets, each created from a combination of internal runes, enchantments, and magic circles. But the truly exceptional feature," I pause for emphasis, "is the special bullets housed within the gun itself."

Darius's interest is evident as he leans in closer. "And these special bullets?"

"They're integrated into the gun, permanently," I explain, ensuring he understands the uniqueness of the design. "There are seven bullets in total, one for demonstration purposes during the auction, and the rest are part of the Dragon's Eye's core arsenal. They can't be removed or replaced."

I let that sink in for a moment before continuing. "Each bullet possesses distinct properties, enabling a variety of magical effects when fired. The synergy between the sniper's design and these bullets allows for unparalleled destructive capabilities."

Darius nods, clearly grasping the significance. "So, these bullets are a one-time use? And each has its own unique magic?"

"Exactly," I say, "Each bullet has been meticulously crafted for a specific purpose, enhancing the sniper's versatility and power. It's a one-shot wonder in every sense of the word."

As I replace the Dragon's Eye in its box, I meet Darius's gaze squarely. "This weapon isn't just a tool. It's a catalyst for change." I assert confidently, "We're on the brink of a whole new era. An era where traditional combat, where brute strength and flashy magic, take a back seat. I'm talking about reshaping the very nature of conflict, of hunting, of self-defense. And I'm going to be the one that controls it all."

Just as I'm about to bask in the gravity of my own statement, a sharp smack to the back of my head sends me tumbling forward. "Ow!" I exclaim, turning to see Lysandra, her hand still raised from the hit. "Stop talking like a crazy fucker," she scolds, her tone half-exasperated, half-amused.

Rubbing the sore spot on my head, I can't help but chuckle at her blunt interruption. Standing back up, I clear my throat. "Sorry about that," I mutter, feeling a tad sheepish. Guess I got a little carried away with the grandeur of it all.

Darius, ever the stoic, watches the exchange with an unreadable expression. He finally breaks the silence, his voice calm but carrying an underlying seriousness. "Kael, do you understand what you're about to start?"

I sigh, a bit annoyed by the moral undertone of his question. "Please, don't start with all the goody-two-shoes bullshit," I retort, walking towards the Dragon's Eye.

Leaning on the box, I lock eyes with Darius. "You, of all people, should know this was bound to happen. I'm just stepping in to rake in the profits," I say, my tone firm.

Darius lights a cigar, a wry smile playing on his lips. "Hahahahaha," he laughs heartily, turning to leave the room. "I knew it, you're all just as crazy." Raising his hand in a half-hearted wave without looking back, he adds, "You do you. I'm glad you know what you're getting yourself into." His laughter echoes down the corridor as he walks away.