• Chapter #60: [That Place of Madness]

The tournaments proceeded on it’s usual manner, and as summary to the current day’s events, the winning contestants were as followed:

In Station 1, Class A was the only remaining team.

In Station 4, Class B had been declared the winner, and in Station 5, Class L emerged victorious.

But perhaps what hyped up the audience the most, is the upcoming battle between Class D and Class S, respective winners of the Stations 2 and 3.

Class L had surprised the audience quite a bit, as they gave the Class B a hard fought victory against them. However, Class B’s struggles were eventually cut off by Class A, as they swiftly eliminated Class B from the tournament… And now, it was finally time for the main event:

Class D of Station 2 against the Class S of Station 3.

“And here it is folks! The main event of today!!!”, The announcer roared, which was immediately matched by the cries and cheers of the audiences. In the arena, Gypsy and Allen looked at each other. Despite their aces, they know that winning against Class S will be an uphill and rugged journey.

Gypsy then moved his gaze to the 3RD Prince, who held an eerie smile as he observed Gypsy’s teammates. Abbey Tempest Aylward, the azure green haired prince scanned each of the members of Class D.

Notably, he sighed lightly upon gazing at Mely before moving on to Randeir. The Prince then looked at Allen, who awkwardly smiled and waved at him, although he was more focused on ‘Jack The Ripper’, Allen’s Tales Summon. Finally, his eyes landed on Gypsy. The commonly blank eyes the he held glinted in interest, which seemed to be caught by the former, who immediately became wary of him.

The Prince’s glee just grew. “Two Royals, each hiding their power. I wonder who’s trump will outmatch the other?”, Abbey spoke in a gentle, but riddle like manner.

It wasn’t unnoticed either, as the audience immediately had their attention. “It seems like there’s something to look forward into this match!”, One of the announcers cried, with the audience cheering in response.

“Hohoho! It seems that things will truly heat up!”, Another spoke with glee.

“Isn’t that right? It looks like both teams will finally stop holding back!”, Announcer James grinned at the two teams.

“Your Majesty, I’m afraid that you are overestimating me.”, Gypsy said, frowning at the Prince’s words, before smiling curtly at the royal blood.

“Gypsy Veda, I shall look forward to your ‘cards’.”, The Prince said, ignoring Gypsy's statement, before he turned back to his group to give out orders.

“Make sure not to hold back.” Gypsy observed calculatively. The man isn’t normal, then again, most of Class S aren’t normal…

Allen sighed as he removed his gaze from the Prince. For a moment, he thought on where to look, before he settled on Class A. Immediately, Silk came into view. He couldn’t help but lightly flinch internally as he saw the look on Silk’s face, as if he was her lover and couldn’t wait for him to win the competition. Still, he sent the girl a friendly smile and wave.

He tried to look around his own team, with Gypsy giving out instructions and the others listening. Mely though, stared at him affectionately, which made him sigh one more time. Allen was brought out of his musing by a dark presence and silhouette which appeared behind his back. Looking at the figure, he couldn’t help but shiver at his summon that returned to his side.

‘Everytime I look at him… It’s like those I’ve failed have come to haunt me…' A sudden thought he struck his mind as he stared at his summon. However, he immediately brushed it off and steeled himself.

‘I am here now…' ‘I can’t afford to relax… Or think like this…' Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath before turning to the reaper with much confidence. He then put on a smile.

“Sir Jack, I am looking forward to our battle…”, He said, as the summon nodded respectfully to him.

[Kaide PoV]

As the main event unfolded, the words of the Black Zodiac leader still lingered at the back of my mind. I also observed the Class S, and quite impressive indeed.

Despite looking like random people, each emitted an aura of danger that reminded people of strength that does not lie on appearance. And perhaps the one who held the darkest presence, was the Prince.

The guy just reeked of something strange, and I could tell even without my abilities. His gaze looked like he was staring into the souls of each one he looks at. His power simply exceeded the others, even in his own class. His gaze settled to me, it was like a scientist observing it’s subject. Not likeable one bit. He then mumbled out something… It wasn’t noticeable to the others, but it was very clear to me.

“I see you, Otherworlder…” I bristled internally at the remark, my eyes narrowing slightly.

This guy… He knows something… And seems to also hold an interest towards Gypsy, even more than to me.

I internally sighed, as I gathered my thoughts. My mission is nearing it’s end, I already have the knowledge of those [Tears Of Corruption] being created from the black stones, which came from Plotter’s world. However, it appears that the Ancient Gods wanted me to solve the problem myself. My thoughts shifted to another matter, the Noble’s Oblige, an organization that’s surprisingly made with good intentions, although they have a rather uncanny implementation, pretty much from my investigation on how the people on the black stone mine had acted.

There was something more though, as the medicine that Silk Walter possessed were not actually bought by her, but rather, was delivered to her, from a group within the Noble’s Oblige. The Noble’s Prestige… Quite possibly, they are my real targets here, the ones who are spreading those annoying and troublesome tears. To end the mission, I need to find the individual who brought those stones here, and also probably destroy the organization.

They’re giving me the parasitic Hydra vibes anyway, I am no captain with a shield.

Closing my eyes, I organized and shelved my thoughts away, as the announcers had announced that the contenders are to be summoned to the selected arena…

[3RD Person PoV]

The place become drenched in cold mist and water, with deteriorated chunks of walls that are covered in earth and vegetation. The chosen arena was an abandoned kingdom, in the middle of the night. The entire place was dark, even with the moonlight hitting the ground softly, as if the surroundings sucked all light away. In one place, an individual grinned and let out an eerie laugh. He liked the place. It perfectly blended with him.

The 3RD Prince held out his palm, a serpent slithering on it. His white teeth glinted with his smile, and his shadows shifted, turning into crimson as it surrounded him and felt the place. The rest of the Class S could only shiver and look at the Prince uncomfortably…

Gpysy looks at the impromptu map of the place created by his summon, analyzing all the information that he has on their location. As he observes the rest of his summons's information, before whispering to it.

“Never turn to the last page, except when I truly need it.’

He then let out a laugh, thinking that the place truly suited them. Allen grinned, as he thought of something. Despite of darkness, it reminded him of a certain place opposite to this, where people’s purpose were only to chase the light. He let out a sigh, before looking at his admirer, who was smiling at him. However, there was something different. It was one of those times where her expression appeared odd, as if her smile had a different ‘purpose’, her eyes sometimes also becoming blank…it was void.

He moved on, observing his summon who was also busy scanning the place, away from them. He seemed to be enchanted by the place, and the rest could only sweat on how the summon greatly fitted on the chosen arena...

Away from them, Kaide spun his knife, it’s silver glint brushing past the dark place. He continued to walk on the street, his red eyes scanning everywhere. His cloak brushed the ground, and he eerily smiled. He stopped walking as the pocket watch on his pocket dinged, before it begun to tick.

It was time that Kaide showed on why the fear of ‘Jack The Ripper’ struck terror on the people since a long time ago…

[Umbral City]

[Arena Set; Participants restricted in magic power and control… Psychological amplifications now in effect…]

[A Kingdom that was once a shrine of the Lady of Joy, in which humanity had destroyed in it’s betrayal, has surfaced once more. Curses plagued this land after the Era of Enlightenment. Abandoned by time and the world, it’s history describes on how dark humanity can truly be.]

[Now, for those humans who stay here, will reveal their true nature…they will bring their true self, their outmost filth and darkness in their humanity.]

As I observed the description of the city, I could feel Miyanase becoming unsettled within my shadow. I kept calm, but the worst of this place haven’t been wrought yet… As those who stay here become consumed by insanity…

[•END•]