A spotlight shone down upon a pedestal located on the center of a dimly lit stage. On top of the pedestal was an item covered by a velvet red cloth.

A man walked on to the stage – he wore a Venetian carnival mask to cover his identity.

“Our final item for tonight’s auction is the most unique and rare item in all of Vallione Continent! Possibly, the most unique item in this entire world! It has been acquired with great difficulty by our expert mercenaries from the deepest depths of the Gate!”

Murmurs broke out amongst the audience which sat in the Opera like theater – everyone wore masks to hide their identity. This was most likely an underground auction.

“Without further ado! I present to you the Beast!” The host’s voice rang out across the theater as he removed the velvet cloth to reveal the auction item covered behind a glass case.

The theatre was in an uproar! A few women blushed, some screamed and some fainted. Men could be seen cursing under their breath and clutching their *precious* to make sure it was intact.

“What joke is this?” A man from the audience shouted out – he was boiling in anger. “You dare display someone’s amputated….*THAT THING*!”

Several of the other men also voiced their support – displaying *that* was in poor taste. Claiming it to be something from the depths of the Gate made it sound like a joke. They didn’t spend hundreds in gold coins in entry fee to be told *that* was the final item of the auction. Some people did not even bid in the earlier rounds just to save up for the final item but now seeing that thing they felt deceived.

Some men swore that they would be hounded by nightmares after this.

“Now calm down!” The host spoke in a cool voice – his voice had a certain smoothing effect. “If we did something like that we would only stain our reputation.”

The young man who had posed the question slowly sat back down.

“Let me assure you this is exactly what it seems to be yet it is not!” The auctioneer said.

His remark stirred up the curiosity of many – mostly women and some men.

“This is, in fact, very much alive!” The auctioneer spoke with a slight excitement as he removed the glass case.

Murmurs broke out amongst the audience – Alive? After being cut off? How?

The men still wore painful expressions – their curiosity had not been aroused in the slightest.

“Please let me demonstrate.” The auctioneer said as he pulled out a pink feather from his pocket and began stroking *it*.

The theatre of filled with gasps – of many women and few men. As they watched what unravelled in front of them. Just like the real thing – it came to life.

“Now let me assure you…” The auctioneer continued. “This is completely safe! We have tested it thoroughly and cleansed with the highest grade of Holy water several times. It requires minimum maintenance just water it with Holy Water every day like a plant and it will live vigorously.”

Holy water! It is a water imbued with magical properties - the highest grade is known to heal wounds and remove scars. A simple vial of Holy Water costs 250 gold coins! The interest of many (mostly women and some men) were locked on to the object.

“Now, I needn’t explain the possible uses for this…” The auctioneer said with wink. “The item is of perfect length and let me tell you, this item lasts for a very long long time. It is the perfect item for those discreet moments!”

There were some deep breaths and gulps amongst the audience.

“We will begin the auction had 10,000 gold coins!”

Most of the men’s eyes popped out – 10,000 for that? Isn’t that a bit too ridiculous. However, if it were their own they might be willing to part with millions to get it back.

“15,000!” Squealed a woman in the background as she waived her placard number like crazy.

Murmurs broke out – It jumped up by 50% in the first bid? This was only an indication that this was going to end ruthlessly.

“15,000 to placard 55!”

“20,000!” Roared a fat man.

“22,000!” another man shouted.

“25,000!” Another lady – jumping up and down like a rabbit.

“30,000!”

There were several gasps amongst the audience –mostly from men who weren’t bidding. Wasn’t this price a bit too much? However, these men didn’t intend to use the item or ever display the item (it would shame them to display it). To them, it was the same as worthless.

“50,000!” A lady said in a stern voice.

Several people in the audience turned around to see who it was – they couldn’t see her face but they could always guess – alas it was someone they did not recognize.

“55,000!” A young woman said angrily.

“60,000!” The previous bidder, increased the bid amount – she was perfectly calm.

Suddenly, the uninterested men realized this item was surprisingly popular – and it may not be the best mantel piece but it would certainly be the envy of women. Along those lines, the late bloomers also began seeing other *creative* uses for the item.

Needless to say the price sky rocketed after that.

“200,000!”

“300,000!”

“500,000!”

“1 Million!”

At this point even the auctioneer was baffled – he expected the item to be popular but this popular?

Several women and men nodded their head in dismay – it item was out of their reach.

“2 Million!” The lady with the stern voice spoke out.

Several gasps could be heard around the room – was this lady crazy?

Some people already suspected of her representing nobility or even royalty. Even, the auctioneer gulped as he looked at the item – this could be a life changer for him.

“The item is priced at 2 Million! Final calls!” The auctioneer spoke out as he recovered, seeing that there was no one else to make a bid, the auctioneer raised his hand towards the lady. “Sold to the woman holding placard number 03!”

There were several moans of disappointment amongst the audience.

The lady stood up and left quietly – the item would be delivered to her residence in complete secrecy.

***

That very night the item was delivered to large mansion. Several guards accompanied the delivering carriage – apparently there had been attempts to steal it.

The lady who made the purchase could be seen waiting at the back door. The men handed it over to her – it was still in the glass case wrapped in the velvet cloth.

The lady smiled after receiving it and rushed inside. She quickly removed it from the glass casing and placed it on the silver platter. She then hurried up the stairs of the mansion till she reached the master bedroom.

“Madame! I have brought to you the item I spoke of.”

“Bring it in.”

The platter was placed on the bed side table and the lady bowed before leaving.

“Finally…after so many years…” A wrinkly old woman appeared from behind the curtains of her bed. Her skin was stale and old – covered in warts. She was drooling as she picked up the item. She began stroking it – like a magic lantern ….

“Finally…” She said once more as she blew out the lights.

As everything went dark…

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA” Sora woke up screaming. Sora was shivering in cold sweat. [That was a nightmare right? That was a really really terrifying nightmare…tell me that was a nightmare! I need to get out of here immediately and find it !]

:froze:

The goblin doctor looked at Sora and sighed – this one is a weird one.

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Author's notes:

1. This chapter is dedicated to all you fans for making this FF the top FF for the month!