9/21 - Underground town - Proxy’s room - morning

Forcing yourself to get up early in the morning is kind of a pain, but when you need to, you need to. I’ve taken a shower, groomed my hair, and got dressed in my usual outfit. Waiting for someone to knock on that door is kinda tiring, so I decided to catch up on some drawing. My skill is still at the level I expect it to be, but I wanna get better at it.

A few light knocks on my door to give it my immediate attention. I throw my black book on the bed as I go to the door. Opening it, Richard, Nunnalé, and Vella are here.

“Sup, Proxy,” Richard greets me. “We ran into Vella on the way here, she told us we’re having breakfast in the banquet hall.”

“Sounds like we’re in for a feast, right, buddy?”

“I don’t like eating too much in the morning, so I’ll only have a bit.”

We leave to go to the banquet hall. As we do, Nunnalé and Vella are leading the way, meanwhile, Richard and I are behind them.

“Remember what we talked about last night?” I whisper to him.

“Yeah, I do.”

Before I went to sleep, I spoke to Richard about my talk with Vella and how I think something is wrong with her, so I want to see if we can do anything.

“I think she’s lying about something, so I need you to point it out to me when you pick something up.”

“Got it, but you need to bring up the topic. Since she’s able to suppress her emotions, I don’t know if I’ll be able to pick it up at first.”

“Gotcha.”

Okay, then all I need to do is just get the topic going and he’ll have his prime time opportunity to read her, got it.

“Proxy, what did you feel for her to make you feel tense?”

“Shit man, I was choking on the intensity of it. Like someone was forcing something down my throat… But to put a feeling to it: it was dreadful."

Remembering it is enough to send shivers down my spine.

"Hmm, okay, got it. Though, I don’t know what caused this dreadful feeling, but I’ll be on the lookout.”

“Good. That being said, I wonder what’s for breakfast.”

“Have no idea, hopefully, it isn’t too lavish.”

“Are you serious?”

“What, I just think eating something a bit much during breakfast is too much.”

“You don’t seem to have a problem when I serve you up a lot of stuff.”

“That’s different. If I don’t eat it, you might complain about it.”

“No, I wouldn’t.”

“The one time you did, you went on a rant about how your art was being suppressed.”

“I was only joking, geez. Keep taking things seriously, and your hairline is gonna recede early.”

“Shut up!”

“Okay, okay, no need to yell in my ear."

Still though, what should I ask Vella? Asking her about murderers might be a good idea. Then again, I might not get what I want since she seems to be good at hiding her emotions. This is gonna be tough.

Underground town - banquet hall - morning

Entering with everyone else who came here, we enter the place like a herd of people being led by a shepherd. Everyone takes a seat at the tables. Meanwhile, Richard, Nunnalé, Vella, and I sit together.

"Proxy, get a conversation going, I'll be waiting to read her words. I’ll let you know when I pick something up"

"Got it."

Okay, let's do this.

"Yo, Vell."

"Yes?"

I shoot a glance at Richard, nothing from him. I thought calling her Vell would trigger something, but nothing. Okay, let's use our main weapon.

"So, Vell, about yesterday, about what you told me."

"Oh, that? Don't worry, I was simply just trying to scare you. Did I?"

“Nah, I’m scared of nothing. I can watch several horror movies without losing any sleep."

"That's amazing! What are horror movies?"

"That's not important. So are you sure that it was to just scare me?"

"I am absolutely sure."

Darting my eyes toward Richard, nothing, he still picked up nothing. What the hell is this? Even if I can't read people like he can, I sure as shit know she was feeling a certain way yesterday. Should I just come out and say it? Screw it, why not? Subtlety isn't my strong suit anyway.

"Vell, just be straight with me, you were acting strangely yesterday, and I think you know that."

"I was?"

"Yeah, I mean, that look you gave me last night wasn't ordinary. So just tell me."

"I seriously have no idea what you mean."

Seriously, come on, even an idiot can pick up on this stuff!

"Vella, you--"

"Hey, Proxy, can you answer something for me real quick?" Richard asks as he turns me around on my seat.

"What is it, buddy?"

"I picked up on something just now."

"When?"

"When she said, 'I was'."

"What was it?"

"Anxiety."

Why the hell would she feel anxious? Unless…

"Richard, no more subtlety, we're being outright about it."

"Are you sure? Then again, if we go on the offensive…"

"Then her defense will crumble."

Turning around, I get ready to unload questions onto her.

"Okay, Vell, we wanna know something."

"What is it?"

"Is there something wrong?"

"Why would you think that?"

"Well, I just think it's odd, the way you spoke about murderers yesterday, as if you were familiar with them."

"Huh? Oh, I, umm… You're right, it is weird."

"Did something happen between you and one?"

"What?"

"Did you meet one, or did one…"

"N-no, I never did… It's just… Nothing, nothing at all."

"It's building, Proxy," Richard whispers.

Okay then, time to open the lid on this.

"Vella, something is the matter, isn't there?"

"No, no there is not… Please, don't ask any further."

The smile that she shows all the time is starting to seem fake to me… Damnit, why do I feel frustrated? What the hell am I doing, I’m just forcing her to open up to me. Forget it, I'm just being nosey at this point.

"Fine, I'll stop. But Vella, you're my friend, if there is something wrong, you can tell me. And if you have a beef with someone, just tell me, I'll kick their ass!"

Once again, she drops her smile, appearing stunned.

She lowers her head. "You shouldn't say such things."

"Why not?"

"Because I don't deserve such a favor."

"The hell does that mean?"

"Just as it sounds, I don't deserve it."

"That doesn't make any sense. You…"

"Ladies and gentlemen, I hope you all are having a good morning."

The loud voice is coming from the stage. A man shows himself. He has a bit of green in his hair, and he has some broad-ass shoulders.

"You all who are new here do not know me. Allow me to enunciate who I am! I am Mr. Walter! It is a pleasure to be acquainted with you all!"

The girls clap for him as he bows.

"Who is that guy, Vell?"

"That's… Mr. Walter. He's an assistant to the elder. He’s the one who brings in food and supplies for us."

Just this guy alone?

"What is this?” Richard mutters to himself, being taken back by something.

"What is it?" I ask him.

"Nothing."

"Today, I am here to give a splendorous greeting to our guest. You who are from the outside, we are honored to meet you. I hope you all have a wondrous time, and may the girls take care of you… Actually, that's rather short, may I speak about myself? Yes? Good!"

Nobody said anything though… He goes on about himself. I noticed that most of the girls are laser-focused on Walter, even Vella. Some of the girls who came from the kitchen are handing out drinks to everyone… Hey, hold on a moment, I just noticed Vella is wearing something on her shoulder. It's covering the upper half of her bicep and her shoulder; it escaped my notice until now.

"Vella, why are you wearing that?"

"This? Well, I just thought it would be a nice change of pace."

"I think it looks sweet. It looks so nice, let me feel it."

"N-no!"

She recoils from me as I was about to touch her shoulder thing. She's making a face I have never seen before; pure terror.

"I-I'm sorry… I just can't let you."

"Why not?"

"Because, I… Um, can't…"

Richard gets closer to me. "Proxy, I sensed something. Just now, it was panic, mixed in with terror."

Why is she scared? It's not like I haven't seen her shoulder before. Then again, what if it's hiding something? Looking at it, it has belts below her arm, so it's not a part of the outfit. Plus, we did go out, and she told me that it's against the rules.

"Vella, show me your shoulder," I outright ask.

She jumps at the request, seeming even more scared. "W-why would you--"

"Please, and if it's nothing, I will apologize from here, all the way to Timbuktu. But please, show it to me."

She slinks back, going limp as she puts a hand on her shoulder.

"I… I just can't…"

I think I already know where this is going, so if I'm gonna take a guess, then I'm gonna do it now. And if I get a reaction out of her, Richard will pick it up. So, I'm gonna take a wild guess.

"Is there a wound under there, proof that you got hit?"

Her face goes pale, eyes and eyebrows widen as her mouth gapes open.

"No, there isn't!"

My gaze goes toward Richard. It's all on him now, confirm it.

"That's… Vella, you're lying."

There it is!

"No, you're wrong, I…"

"I'm completely right. I can read the emotion coming from your words. The emotions I feel are absolute dread and terror!"

"Who did it, Vella? Was it the elder!?"

Now that she learned about Richard's ability, she's staying closed-mouthed.

I point to the dude on the stage. "Was it that guy?" Again, nothing. Fine, I guess this is as far as we're getting. "Okay, I get it, you can't talk… Then I'll go ask that dude!"

I get up from the table. Richard gets up too.

"Don't stop me," I tell him.

"Who says I was? But I don't think we should be going to him. If we should be toward anyone, it should be the Elder."

Yeah, if anyone would be enforcing the rules, it would be the elder of this town.

"Alright then, I'm going."

"Not alone, I'm coming too. Nunnalé, stay here with Vella."

"I shall come with you."

"No, I need you to wait here with Vella, we'll be back."

"Very well, I shall await your return."

Alright then, let's stop sitting here and get to that elder chick. Right when we're about to run out of the hall, Vella runs toward us, stopping short in front of us.

"The elder is busy! You can't go see her!"

"What would that be?"

"She's just busy, so you can't!"

This burns me to see her this desperate. I don't know if what I'm doing is the right thing, but I can't just stand here, knowing someone hit a friend of mine. That's just not gonna happen!

"Richard, remember the drill split tactic?"

"Yeah, we're going for it?"

"You bet."

"What are you--"

"Sorry, Vell."

In the blink of an eye, the two of us jump to opposite sides, only to dart forward. Their eyes are on us, but that doesn't matter right now. We're off to go see this elder, and she better have some goddamn answers.

Underground town - tower - morning

Running up the stairs, nobody is in sight. I was expecting something to pop up to stop us, but with nothing stopping us, we're gonna make it to the elder's room. Wonder what she's really like; maybe some bitter old bag? Yeah, now that's right on the mark.

"Proxy, we're almost there!"

"Yeah, I'm just about ready to kick in that door!"

Making it to the final floor, we stop to take a look around. There's nothing on the other end.

“Let’s rock this thing, come on!”

“Behind you.”

As we charge to the door, getting ready to kick it in on approach, my sense goes off. On our left, a halberd is coming down. I push Richard back and I jump forward, rolling away from the surprise attack. My back hits the door, stopping my momentum. I jump to my feet, ready to fight the son of a bitch that’s ready to throw down.

“W-what the hell!?”

The dude in front of me is built like a monster, not only that, but he’s big as shit! What the hell do they feed this guy!?

“Who are you two?”

“None of your business. We’re here to see the elder.”

“I am sorry, but she is busy.”

“It’ll take a second.”

“I said she is busy. Please, go back to the banquet hall, or I will have to use force.

This guy is real big, which makes it almost intimidating to fight him. But, his big figure plays to a disadvantage. What is it? Obviously, speed! I go for the door behind me. I’m close to it, so even if he chases after me, I doubt he’s going to be able to catch me. Right as I’m about to push it open, something wraps around my arm. A chain? It tightens as my arm is being tugged into another direction. Then, althogether, my whole body is lifted off the ground, as if I weigh nothing at all. My body is swung around in the air. I’m going too fast, it feels like my brain, my organs, and all the bones inside are about to come out of my body. Shit, this is bad, real bad!

“Go away!”

Finally, he releases me from his chains grip. I’m flying toward Richard, who’s ready to catch me. We hit the floor, getting sprawled out on it. Luckily, Richard caught me, so I didn’t suffer any major injuries.

“Richard, you cool?”

“I guess so, but that really hurt.”

"Sorry, buddy."

The big guy turns his attention to us, spinning around the chain in his hand. It whistles as he spins it through the air.

"I'm sorry, but I'll have to ask you boys to sleep for a bit."

"Bring it on, you blob of tard! We'll kick your ass, then see the elder."

"So be it…"

The heat of the moment is getting to my head, causing all irrelevant thoughts to be pushed out, my footing to become firm, and my vision narrows toward that big bastard. Yeah, this is good, this is how I should be getting ready.

"Richard, follow my lead."

"I'm behind you."

Okay, if it comes down to a fight, then sign me the hell up! I've been itching to punch something anyway.

Underground town - banquet hall - morning

The hall is whispering about Proxy and Richard’s sudden leave of the banquet hall. It seems as though they were having a heated argument with Proxy’s escort.

“Brother,” Marie calls me. “...where do you think they’re going?”

“I cannot happen a guess as to where, but maybe his escort could.”

“Let’s go talk to her then.”

“Agreed.”

As we get up from our seats, Vezra halts us. “I’m sorry, but you can’t speak with her right now.”

“Why not?”

“I’m sorry, but you cannot. I must ask you to sit down.”

“Vezra, is something the matter?” Marie asks.

“No, nothing is wrong at all, but I must ask you to not…”

“Oh my, what is happening here? Vezra, are you bothering the guests?” the man on stage asks.

“No, sir, I am…”

“She’s not bothering us, we are the bother,” I correct him.

“Oh my, such an unexpected answer, marvelous, simply marvelous. May I know your name, kind sir?”

“Alexander, that is what you may refer to me as.”

“Alexander…? Such a grand name, how grand!”

He’s quite the advocate for positive words, I kind of like that.

“We’re concerned about our allies and about one of their escorts. May we speak with her?”

“About what?”

“About what just happened.”

“By all means, go for it. But remember, treat a lady with respect.”

“Of course.”

I pass through without any problems, but Marie stopped by Vezra, who whispers something to her. Unfortunately, I cannot hear what she is saying to her.

“Vezra, may I ask what you are telling our guest?”

“Nothing, sir.”

“Then you should not touch them without permission?”

“Again, I am sorry.”

She lets my sister go, sitting on her seat with a sullen and frightened face.

Marie walks next to me as we make our way to Vella. “Brother, something is clearly wrong here.”

“What do you mean?”

“Vezra told me something, she was begging me not to check out Vella’s shoulder.”

“Why?”

“She wouldn’t tell me.”

Yes, that is quite suspicious, and looking at Vella, she has something covering her shoulder, as if she’s hiding something from us… I do not like this, not one bit. Regardless, we approach Vella, who has a mortified look about her, as if the world is ending in this very instance.

“Excuse me, my name is Alexander, this is my sister, Marie. I know that this might come off as a bit forward, but may we see what is under your shoulder cover?”

Her expression fills with even more terror from my request.

“No, no, no, no! I cannot! I mustn’t!”

“Whoa, calm down…”

Marie tries her best to calm her to yield some results. She slumps her shoulders, going dull in expression and body, imitating a puppet with its strings cut. Then, as if she slips on a mask, her mouth curls up, taking on a smile.

“I’m sorry, I was acting out, please forgive me.”

What the…? Why is she acting like this? Something is most definitely wrong here…

“Vella, are you acting,” I ask her.

“Acting? I have no idea what you mean. I am smiling because that is what good people do.”

“What the… Brother, what’s wrong with her?”

“I don’t know, but this is too suspicious.”

“If I may interject,” Nunnalé asks us.

“Of course, please tell us what you must,” I give her my permission to speak.

“My master and Proxy suspected there to be a wound under her shoulder cover. Furthermore”

Our eyes dart to her cover. If they think that’s true, then I have no reason to not believe them.

“Let’s see for ourselves then.”

Marie, moving as swift as a shadow, grabs Vella’s arm, undoing the strap to her shoulder cover. Covered by it, are terrible wounds that scar the skin, red, linear wounds.

Vella’s composer is compromised from her secret being exposed. Terror takes over her face as she desperately escapes from us.

“Brother, those are whip lashings!”

A fire lights in me, a fire that is not tranquil, but burning hot with fury. I turn to the man on stage, who is still grinning.

“I wish for an explanation about this!”

“About what?”

“About these wounds on this young girl’s shoulder!”

“Ah, that,” he says as if those were an afterthought. “...That is quite simple, those are lashings for a sinner, quite simple, truly simple, truthly simple! For it is the truly righteous who have to punish the wicked, incredibly, truly simple!”