v - At the Edge of Destiny
X found herself in a large, white room, her eyes immediately drawn to the grand, ornate door in front of her.
What is this place...?
Curious, she reached out and opened the door. A floating streak hovered on the other side, revealing lavish walls in the otherwise plain space.
She followed it cautiously. The hallways seemed endless.
Before long, the streak led her to a grand dining table, piled high with food. The delicious aroma hit her, and her stomach growled.
"If this is the afterlife, I should have died ages ago," she muttered, sitting down.
She started eating. Each bite tasted better than the last. By the time she finished, she could barely move. She took a drink and sighed.
Ugh, I really needed that...
Her eyes drifted up to the massive chandelier sparkling overhead, casting a soft glow over the room.
It was then that X noticed the others at the table. Korin sat nearby, flanked by a man and a woman, but her gaze froze when it landed on the last person—Saelys.
A memory hit her hard—the moment she had passed out in the cell.
"You?!" X exclaimed, jumping to her feet. "What the hell did you do to me?" She strode toward Saelys, her fists clenched.
Unfazed, Saelys lounged in her chair, a smirk playing on her lips. "You mean me saving your life? You don't have to stand up to thank me," she replied, not even glancing at X. Korin quickly stepped in between them, raising a hand.
"You're the reason I almost died in the first place!" X shouted, her voice laced with anger.
Korin held her back firmly. "This isn't the time or place."
Queen Aesaelin cleared her throat, drawing X's attention. "Now that you're here and clearly bursting with energy, just as Saelys said you would be, let's get back to the matter at hand. I'm Queen Aesaelin of Sancuster. Sir Vanwaven here," she gestured to the man at her right, "informed me of your escape from the mine. Though many of those who fled were dangerous criminals, and almost all the guards perished during your attempt…" She paused, her expression grave. "I thank you for assisting in the rescue of my trusted protector."
"Glad I could help," X replied, heading back to her seat.
The queen continued, "If there's anything I can do for you within my power, please ask."
"I need you to repair a robot. You know, one of those metal men?" X responded, her tone direct.
The queen nodded. "I'm familiar. I might know someone who can assist you. But first…" She clapped her hands, summoning a guard. He approached with bags of gold, distributing them to Korin, X, and Saelys.
"Whoa, I've never had this much money," Korin said, his eyes wide with disbelief.
Saelys smirked, glancing at her share. "Not bad, but I was expecting a bit more, to be honest."
X inspected the gold, brow furrowing. "I'm not used to your currency. Can I buy a set of Ethral armor with this?"
Vanwaven chimed in, "More like four sets, but we can give you one for free instead." The queen nodded in agreement. "With that settled, let me introduce you to the man who can help you with your robot."
The queen led them down a dimly lit hallway to a room deep within the castle. As the door creaked open, a man sat inside, hunched over a blaster rifle. The room was a chaotic mix of weapons and robotic parts strewn across every surface, the faint whirring of machinery echoing softly in the background. Immediately, Korin's eyes lit up with excitement as he rushed over to investigate the intricate designs and components.
The man noticed their arrival and, with a quick flick of his wrist, slid over on his rolling stool.
"Ah, Your Highness," he began, eyes gleaming. "I've had a breakthrough with the—"
"Later," the queen cut him off, her voice firm. "This is Sontonati. He worked for the previous king and was responsible for deconstructing the alien technology we received. If he can't fix your robot, then it's a lost cause."
Sontonati chuckled, leaning back slightly. "Please, Your Highness, your praise is hardly enough," he joked.
The queen remained unmoved. "I'll leave you to it," she said, turning to leave with Vanwaven at her side.
As the door closed behind them, Sontonati turned his attention to X, his gaze scanning her curiously.
"Wow, an alien," he said, closely inspecting X.
X pushed him back. "You're too close."
He slid over to Saelys. "And you... a real-life witch, walking in the flesh, in the city. Just imagine what we could learn from each other."
X interrupted before he could continue. "I have a robot that needs repairs."
Sontonati's focus returned to her. "Where is it?" he asked, a hint of excitement in his voice.
"I don't have him with me right now. I'll bring him in later today," X replied coolly.
"Very well," Sontonati said, his lips curling into a sly smile. "Though some people say I'm better at breaking robots than fixing them."
X didn't respond, her expression unchanging. From the far side of the room, Korin spoke up.
"Are you trying to fit this robot into Ethral armor?" he asked, his voice filled with curiosity.
Sontonati's eyes lit up as he rolled over to Korin's side, eager to explain his work. "Ethral armor is a fascinating challenge," he said, gesturing to the schematics pinned to the wall. "It's not just about reinforcement; the armor must be lightweight yet incredibly durable. The key is to integrate the Ethral ore's unique properties, which enhance energy absorption and deflection against energy-based attacks."
Korin nodded, absorbing the information. "And you're using the alien tech to help with that?"
"Exactly!" Sontonati replied enthusiastically. "I've been studying the energy conduits in this blaster rifle. If we can replicate their design, we might enhance the armor's capacity to channel energy. Think of it—an armor that not only protects but can redirect energy back at an attacker!"
The two quickly became engrossed in their shared passion for machinery, discussing the intricacies of alien tech and Ethral engineering. Sontonati sketched ideas on a nearby workbench, his hands moving animatedly as he spoke.
With that, X and Saelys were left standing together, a palpable tension crackling in the air.
"I'm off," Saelys said, turning with a smirk before striding away.
"Like I care where you end up," X shot back, her voice laced with irritation as she followed her.
Saelys glanced over her shoulder, eyes gleaming with mischief. "I didn't notice you there; I thought there were three men in that room."
"Shut up, your breath stinks," X retorted, wrinkling her nose in disgust.
"Then stop following me," Saelys quipped, quickening her pace, a taunting grin on her face.
"You're the one behind me, dumbass," X fired back, frustration boiling over.
Suddenly, they both surged forward, racing through the winding hallways toward the exit. Each step fueled by a mix of adrenaline and rivalry.
They burst out of the castle, gasping for breath and exchanged dirty looks before veering off in opposite directions.
"Hey, you two," a voice called out, stopping the girls in their tracks. They turned and saw Vanwaven sitting on the castle steps, exchanging glances filled with distain as they approached him.
"I need you to collect my sword from a shop in town called the Squishy Hyde," he instructed, his gaze shifting to X. "Saelys, you'll show her the way."
"Why do I have to go with her?" the girls protested in unison.
Vanwaven waved his hand dismissively, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth as he began to walk away. "Because you enjoy living in the castle."
As they walked through the bustling streets of Sancuster, X stared intently at Saelys.
"You'll die if you touch me," Saelys suddenly spoke up, her tone cold.
"Like anyone would want to touch you," X shot back without missing a beat. "I'm just wondering why your skin is yellow."
"Didn't you hear Korin's buddy? I'm a witch," Saelys answered with a hint of pride.
X rolled her eyes. "Whatever, keep your secrets. This is what I get for trying to be friendly," she muttered under her breath.
Saelys sighed, her expression softening as she began to reminisce. "There's a tradition in my village," she explained. "Baby girls are dedicated to the witches and raised on toxic herbs and poisonous animals. One of the results is yellow skin. Most girls don't survive the ritual, but even attempting it brings honor to their families."
X blinked, surprised. "Wow, that's actually pretty cool. I was hoping it was some terminal illness, though."
"Cool is underselling it," Saelys replied smugly, her lips curling into a smirk.
X narrowed her eyes, her curiosity returning. "So, does that have something to do with what you did in the cell?"
Saelys didn't respond, her pace quickening as she started to pull ahead.
X frowned and continued, "It couldn't be something on your body because you didn't touch me, and it couldn't be the floor because the prisoners in different cells died…"
"Let's just forget about that," Saelys interrupted sharply, cutting off the conversation.
X stopped in her tracks, deep in thought. Something wasn't adding up.
"What now?" Saelys asked, turning to face her after walking a few paces ahead.
X's expression changed as the pieces started to fall into place. "Saelys… where did the gas come from?"
Saelys' face flushed red. Without another word, she picked up her pace, trying to slip away.
"Saelys!" X called after her, quickening her steps.
"I was desperate!" Saelys shouted, her voice cracking as she broke into a run.
Before X knew it, she was sprinting after Saelys through the winding streets of Sancuster, dodging merchants and weaving through the crowd. Until finally, they reached the Squishy Hyde.
"We're here," Saelys said, panting as she leaned against the doorframe.
"Huh, I guess we are," X replied, slightly winded herself.
Saelys glanced at her, her tone shifting to seriousness. "Hey, X, let's keep that cell incident between us, okay?"
"Don't worry. Your gross little secret's safe with me," X said with a smirk.
After catching their breath, they stepped into the shop. It was eerily quiet, with no one at the counter. Saelys cupped her hands and called out, "Hello? Anyone home? We're here to liberate some goods!"
X wandered toward a display and spotted a mask. Picking it up, she slipped it on and turned to Saelys, striking a playful pose.
"What do you think?"
Saelys eyed her critically. "Hmm, nah, I don't like it."
"That just makes me want it more," X said playfully.
Saelys shook her head and called out again, louder this time, "Hello, we're serious about this!"
Moments later, a man emerged from the backroom, wiping his hands on a cloth.
"Sontonati? What the hell are you doing here?" X exclaimed, her eyes widening in surprise.
The man sighed, clearly annoyed. "Have you ingrates never heard of twins before?"
The two girls exchanged shocked glances. Saelys leaned toward X, lowering her voice. "Sontonati must've sucked up all the personality."
The man narrowed his eyes, catching their whispered comment. "Did you come here just to waste my time?"
"Vanwaven sent us for his sword," X stated plainly.
"Sword?" The man scoffed. "I don't have any sword of his! That idiot still owes me for the last two, and you lackeys are going to clear his debt before I call the guards and report you for stealing!"
Saelys stepped forward, objecting, "Look, old man! That's none of our business!"
She turned to X. "Just pay for the dumb mask so we can get out of here."
"How much for the mask?" X asked.
"Thirty gold," the man replied without missing a beat.
"Thirty?! You're joshing us, and you know it!" Saelys countered.
"It's fine, Saelys," X said, already counting the gold and placing it in the man's hand.
As they turned to leave, Saelys glanced back, noticing the man's cheeky smile. She narrowed her eyes as they stepped out of the shop.
"You know you just got swindled, right?" Saelys said, her tone flat as she glanced at X.
"Yeah, you could be right... or maybe, I'm the one who swindled him," X replied, a sly grin spreading beneath the mask.
Saelys narrowed her eyes. "That stupid mask wouldn't be 30 gold if it was actually made of gold."
X chuckled, stepping closer. "What about these?" She opened her cloak, revealing a collection of daggers, a crossbow, and another mask strapped to her side.
"You stole these?" Saelys raised an eyebrow.
"Mhm," X nodded, clearly proud of herself.
Saelys blinked in disbelief, then her eyes widened. "Wait... ARE THOSE POISON DAGGERS?!" She snatched one up, inspecting it closely. "You put the poison in the hilt... and the potency doesn't even reduce when it's covered in blood!" Her excitement was impossible to contain.
"You like them?" X's grin widened under the mask. "I can sell them to you for 30 gold."
Saelys gave her a deadpan stare.
"Twenty gold?" X tried.
"For that much, I'd pay you to take off that mask," Saelys shot back, not missing a beat.
"Ten gold?" X asked, her voice hopeful.
"Deal." Saelys smirked. "I'll pay you when we get back."
"But you have the money with you," X protested, eyeing the pouch on Saelys' belt.
Before Saelys could respond, something at a nearby stall caught her attention. "Whoa..." Her eyes lit up as she rushed over to the botany stand. "You have conium? And how much for the ricinus?" Her voice rose with excitement. "What?! You have atropa too?! Give me all of it!"
By the time Saelys was done shopping, her arms were full of so many plants that her small frame was almost completely hidden.
"X, you're so big and strong," Saelys said sweetly, her voice suddenly taking on a sugary tone. "Do you mind helping me carry all this stuff?" She pouted, making her best pleading face.
X burst out laughing. "Oh, you were serious?" she asked, her laughter doubling.
"You can stop now." Saelys frowned, clearly irritated. "It was only funny the first time."
"Wanna see something cool?" Saelys asked, changing the subject.
"Sure, I guess," X shrugged, still trying to stifle her giggles.
Saelys carefully put her plants down and retrieved a tiny bottle from beneath her garment. She dabbed a bit of the liquid on her neckline before approaching a man nearby. X watched with curiosity. She couldn't make out what Saelys was saying, but it was clearly flirtatious—the way she laughed, stroked his arm, and played with her hair.
Moments later, Saelys returned with the man in tow, and he immediately started carrying all her purchases. Even though the load was clearly too heavy for him, he didn't seem to mind.
"Is this more of your witchcraft?" X asked, a hint of intrigue in her voice as she glanced at Saelys.
"Yup, you're looking at the real deal," Saelys replied, a smug smile playing on her lips.
X's curiosity was piqued. "Do you think I could learn to do some of that?" she asked, her eyes bright with anticipation.
"Are you trying to use it on Korin?" Saelys teased, raising an eyebrow.
"Of course not. It just seems easier than having to fight my way through hordes of men all the damn time," X retorted, her defensiveness evident in her voice.
Saelys leaned in slightly, her expression playful. "So what you're saying is you're not interested in Korin?"
X paused, lost in thought for a moment. "I mean, I don't think so. But I also think it would be a bit weird because his mom is practically my mum... Or would that make it easier?"
"What I'm saying is Korin is—"
Mid-sentence, X noticed that Saelys was nowhere in sight, nor was the man carrying her things. Confusion washed over her as she looked around.
"She probably found some weird plants again," X muttered to herself, sighing as she tried to suppress her irritation.
X made her way back to the castle, wandering through the bustling market as she searched for something interesting to spend her coin on.
Suddenly, a commotion caught her attention from an alleyway. Curious, she crept closer, trying to stay hidden in the shadows.
There, two thugs were beating up a drunk man, who lay stripped naked and dripping wet—a pitiful sight in the grime of the alley.
"Don't come back, you bastard!" one thug sneered, delivering a kick to the man sprawled on the ground. "Should've tossed you out ages ago!"
The other thug spat on him, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "Serves you right for makin' bets you can't pay."
"Looks like they threw him in the cage to pay off the rest of his debt," the first thug said, glancing back at the door.
"Who the hell would fight that? He's too wasted to even get up," the second thug scoffed.
"Shouldn't we haul him off somewhere? It's bad for business if he drops dead right here," the first thug suggested, frowning.
"Nah, he ain't gonna croak. The bastard's tougher than he looks," the second thug chuckled as they turned to enter the building, leaving the man to his fate.
X lingered for a moment, gathering her thoughts before finally approaching the door.
With a steady knock, she announced her presence.
The door viewer slid open, revealing a pair of sharp eyes behind it.
"Business?" the man asked curtly.
"I've come to fight," X replied without hesitation.
"Password?" he asked again, his voice flat.
X smirked. "It's either this, or I go back to spending time with your mother."
A brief pause followed.
"My mother's dead," the man replied, before the door viewer snapped shut.
X stood there for a moment, waiting. Nothing happened. The door remained closed.
"I guess it didn't work," she muttered to herself. Just as she turned to leave, she heard the creak of the door opening behind her.
She was led her through a quiet corridor toward a door at the end. He unlocked it, and as the door swung open, the noise of cheering fans hit her like a wave, almost deafening.
As she made her way toward the register, she glanced down and got a good look at the cage below. Two fighters were locked in battle, their movements fierce and unrelenting. The crowd surrounded the cage, packed so tightly that some were even climbing on the sides to get a better view.
At the check-in desk, the attendant eyed her briefly. "Leave all your weapons and armor here," she said.
X handed them over without a word.
"Including the mask," the attendant added.
"I'll keep the mask," X replied, her tone flat.
The attendant shrugged. "Suit yourself. Write your name here."
She picked up the pen and, with only a moment's thought, signed her alias.
With that done, she took her gold and made her way to the bookies.
"All of it on me," she said, handing over the bag of gold.
The bookie raised an eyebrow. "You sure about that?"
X leaned in slightly. "You'll have your answer when I come for my winnings."
It was now X's turn to fight. She entered the enclosed cage, the energy of the crowd palpable as fans reached their hands through the bars, eager for a touch.
The announcer's voice boomed, cutting through the excitement. "Remember, folks, the rules of the night are simple: winner stays! So place your bets accordingly. This one may be a woman, but she still stands a chance, following the current champion's grueling fight against the Bowel Eater. Alright, you rowdy lot, it's time to see some blood! Stepping up as the challenger, we've got the newcomer making waves—Hidden Dragon! And facing her, the champion of the pit, feared by many but conquered by none, a beast you all know—Steel Fang!"
The bell rang, and Steel Fang performed some intimidating acrobatics. X kept her distance, not willing to underestimate her opponent. Steel Fang closed in with a flurry of punches, but X dodged them all.
With a sudden burst of energy, she landed a clean overhand punch square to his face. Steel Fang crashed into the cage, knocked out cold.
The crowd erupted in a mixture of cheers and groans of disappointment. The announcer's voice exploded over the chaos, filled with excitement. "Ladies and gentlemen, what an unbelievable turn of events! With just one jaw-dropping blow, Hidden Dragon has sent Steel Fang crashing down! Can you feel the adrenaline in the air? This is the kind of heart-pounding action that can only be found right here in the pit! Who's ready for more? Let's keep this wild night going!"
X basked in the fans' excitement, the roar of their cheers washing over her. But it wasn't long before the next fighter was announced.
"Ladies and gents, it's time to turn up the heat! Entering the cage as the challenger, a fighter who's all bite and no bark, the powerhouse of pain—Death Fear!"
POW! The fight ended as quickly as the last.
"The time has come. The challenger, a name whispered in fear, a warrior known for leaving nothing but destruction in his wake—The Ravager!"
THWACK!
"In this very moment, two forces collide! The challenger, emerging from the shadows, a legend reborn in blood and fire—"
BAM!
"—the beast that no chains can hold—Abyss Walker!"
WHAM!
"—The Executioreaper!"
CRACK!
"—Blood Beast JR!"
KAPOW!
"The ground shakes, and the crowd holds its breath! The challenger, a myth whispered among warriors, a force unseen until now—Leviathan the Undying! And the champion, undefeated and unstoppable, standing tall on a twelve-fight winning run, wowing the crowd with her one-hit technique, it's the one, the only—Hidden Dragon!"
X reveled in the chants of the fans, their energy electrifying. But then, one of the thugs made his way through the crowd to her.
"The boss says you're hurting our bottom line. Make sure you lose this match, got it?" the thug said, his tone menacing.
"X's eyes met their boss's in the VIP section, where he sat among other crime bosses, his piercing stare unwavering as it connected with hers."
The bell rang, and just like before, she delivered a single, devastating blow that ended the fight.
She then stepped out of the cage, signaling her forfeit, and made her way to the bookie to collect her winnings, confidence radiating from her.
"Didn't you have a question for me?" she teased.
The bookie scoffed, pushing the bags of gold across the table. "Yeah, yeah, I remember. Just take your gold and foff."
X turned to leave, flicking a coin over her shoulder. "Buy your wife something decent for once," she said with a smirk.
As she made her way toward the door, a man stepped into her path, his eyes scanning her. "I saw what you did in there," he said, voice low. "There's bigger money to be made. If you're interest—"
X barely glanced at him. "Not interested," she said, shoving him aside as she continued walking.
"I've got an offer you can't refuse," the man called after her.
Without turning back, X shouted, "I refuse!" as she disappeared through the exit.
On her way back to the castle, a group of thugs confronted her, wielding swords and daggers. X raised an eyebrow, her expression steady.
"Is this how you treat all your fighters?" she asked, her voice dripping with disdain.
"Just those who don't do what they're told," one thug replied with a sneer.
She sighed, the weight of the moment settling around her. With a practiced motion, she unsheathed her sword, its blade glinting in the dim light.
"How about this: I won't kill anyone who can keep their hands to themselves," she warned, her tone cold and commanding.
One of the thugs half-turned to face the others, a smug grin on his face. "Who does this dumb bit—?"
In an instant, his head settled on the flat of X's sword, the smugness lingering as if he were still in the middle of his taunt.
Her face hardened, a chilling killing intent radiating from her as she began a slow countdown. "3, 2…"
Panic set in among the remaining thugs, and they scrambled away, the weight of her gaze pressing down on them.
"And just like that, my day's ruined," she said, casually flicking her wrist to discard the head as she continued on her way.
X arrived at the castle, carefully securing her gold before sinking into the inviting bed. She glanced around the dim room, her thoughts racing. 'I feel like I'm forgetting something,' she mused. 'But this bed is so comfortable. Whatever it is can wait until morning.'
Snuggling deeper beneath the covers, the thought drifted away as her eyes grew heavy. Soon, she succumbed to the soft embrace of sleep.