Saitules, Vermilia

[Pixel]

- Saitules, Vermilia -

- Saitules, Vermilia is the capital of Vermilia and is the home to many aristocrats and high ranking public officials, & rich business men. Saitules like the rest of Vermilia is well fortified with large walls around the city, but unlike it in the fact of appearance. It has magnificent, old, stone castles, large gothic chapels & estates owned by the powerful & wealthy.

Vermilia is ruled by the wealthy, so there is much power to gain in Saitules, Vermilia or much to lose. For its politicians are corrupt with power. Forsaking the poor, many of which are farmers or enlisted into the military, to be eventually used as cannon fodder.

Thriving in the city are deadly shadows. Rumors are spreading throughout the city that a web of Assassins resides in the city....

[Pixel]

- Accerso Lux Lucis Noctu -

- The wind ripped at Noctu’s face as he sat peacefully perched upon the top of the chapel in the darkness while he watched a old man walk slowly down the street. Noctu slowly moved his hand toward his chest. As his hand grasped Interficio Nocte, he felt calm and a sense of peace within himself, a peace that only the night could provide for him. Then he closed his eyes & remembered his mentors last words, “Noctu, the night can be an assassin’s greatest weapon, & greatest shield….”

Noctu’s hand glowed & tingled as the anti-matter from his hand slowly seeped into the knife. Then, Noctu opened his eyes and threw the knife. It cut through the air as it silently started to turn…

“Hmmm, who’s there?” The old man turned around and suddenly opened his mouth in shock. The old man looked down, he fell to his knees, grasping his chest, trying to stop the bleeding from the hole in his heart, and saw a hooded figure standing over him. Straining to speak he quietly said “Help me….” The sound of metal bearing against metal filled the Old Man’s ears, then, he fell to the ground.

Noctu looked at the Old Man, checked his pulse to make sure he was dead to fulfill his contract, and then made his way back up to his perch on the top of the Chapel as the sound of the Guards horses drew near. He watched them inspect the body, then watched them leave as they vanished into the horizon and then closed his eyes as the night soothed his soul...

[Yurian]

"Arrival time for the destination Saitules, Vermilia will be reached in approximately one hour," an overhead speaker announced.

The train ran smoothly as Eris walked past the rows of passengers to the cafeteria. Inside was a narrow walkway, each side housing a variety of brief entertainment wares. At the end was a small window, to which on the opposite side was a food clerk.

"I'd like two of those," Eris said politely, pointing to the menu pasted on the counter.

"Okay, that would be seven dolares, ma'am" the clerk responded. After she had paid the amount, the clerk followed with a short nod. "It will take approximately five minutes."

"Thanks." Another customer was waiting behind, and Eris stepped aside for him to order. She met the eyes of a salesman and smiled, before looking out the window. The bright white clouds seemed to mirror the endless grassland beneath them. She thought about her parents for a moment. What were they doing right now? The thought of whether she valued them more than Soren crossed her mind, before she pushed it out. How could she compare them like that?

"Ma'am?" The clerk called out to Eris. "Your sandwiches."

"Thanks," Eris smiled. Taking the bag in her hand, she proceeded to head back to the table.

"Two dead and forty-seven were injured by the bombing this morning in the capital building of Lao, Aanshent, Viridia," the voice from a three dimensional projector reported. Eris looked to her left to find the small device sitting on a salesman's counter; the semi-transparent monitor was hovering above the small circular projector balanced on the surface. Several buttons surrounded the projector, indicating the various teliwaves available. She had forgotten to bring her own, but decided that she would probably not have used it anyway.

The news cast continued: "Laoen officials have determined the bombings to be from a group of Freedom Power Rebel Terrorists who have apparently been in hiding and planning within the city for over three months. Although they have fled the area, investigators have uncovered their identities. It is unknown, however, whether these are real or not. In either case, they have not been released." An image of a burning building replaced the reporter for a moment, followed by a series of blacked out sillouettes.

"The war between Viridia and The Freedom Power Rebel Terrorists began almost ten years ago since the notorious John Kyberg rose to tyrranical power." The surplus of information was obviously catered to the Red Unity population, one that was just superficially interested in the events ocurring halfway around the world. "Despite that, the motto "World Peace is just a false salvation" - the raison d'etre of The Rebel Terrorists - already began over three hundred years prior since the first anti-World Peace insurgents. Blue Alliance and Gurei officials are expressing rising concern towards these trouble-doers, but for now, no official planning statements have been released."

[Rophe]

Sethys Wright

Sethys stood before the great wooden doors of the church. It was clearly an old building, the doors, despite blackening with age, were still as sturdy as they had been the day they were made. How many times had he stood here? At dawn, dusk, in rain and sun he had stood here. Staring at the gates.

Behind these gates lay the grand Aurelian Church. All sorts of treasures lay within that could fetch a meagre sum at an auction, but to his own, great surprise, he did not care. For there was a greater treasure behind the doors than gold plates and candlesticks.

The Library.

All of his research, his searches, led him here. It would seem obvious, would it not, that information of the nature Sethys required would be hidden here. Where else? But before he did not know what he was looking for, now he did.

Sethys had spent the last two years searching for any information he could on the subject, the greatest hidden treasure in history, the greatest find in the world. The Ship City.

Suddenly Sethys awoke from his entrancement and realised that it was raining.
'Well, as good a time as ever, I suppose,'
He ran into the shelter of the doors and checked his pocket, feeling the reassuring jangle of heavy, iron keys he inserted one into the huge lock and pushed the door with all his strength.

[Yurian]

Eris scratched her head while watching the news report.

Why would the terrorists want to disrupt the World Peace? She understood that there were long bred tensions between The Blue Alliance and The Red Unity, but now the arguments are hardly remembered. In fact, she thought that the majority of citizens - Blue or Red - didn't even know of these arguments. Perhaps it was more of a political expenditure.

"Soren. I brought some sandwiches," Eris said, interrupting the silent face.

"Oh! Thanks," Soren turned around. He smiled taking the bag in his hand, before rummaging around to pick out a meal. The light outside the window suddenly darkened, and the two friends looked outside to find the sky turn a dreary grey. Soon enough, the rain followed the wind, and large wet droplets splattered against the glass.

To Eris, it was kind of peaceful actually, knowing that they were comfortable inside the train. She could imagine Saitules coming up in the distance. It was a long time since she went there, much less left Extence at all. It seemed that Soren, however, was still lost in thought. An unopened sandwich bundle was grapsed in his hand as he stared into the sky.

[Rophe]

Sethys sat alone in the library, despite knowing full well that the section had restricted access to all but a few people he was still wary. He had located the book he was looking for and opened it at random. The dust covered, leather cover fell heavily on the table and the pages lay open at what seemed to be a floorplan of a city, labelled in undecipherable text.
Sethys turned a few pages and found some text he could understand, it was classic Auriel talk, he caught dreams mentioned a few times, along with 'Ultimate Relevation's and talk of Arks but not yet what he was looking for.
Suddenly he heard a noise, saw a light. He blew out his candle and shoved the leather bound book into his bag. He closed his eyes and cleared his mind, the intruder on his research was getting closer, the light getting bright between bookcases, he breathed deeply.
And leapt.
Once, onto a bookshelf opposite, twice onto the opposite wall and landed atop one of the tall cases, narrowly wedged between wood and the stone of the high ceiling. A man appeared round the corner holding a candle, he was old and shuffled along as though weighed down by the years of his life. Sethys prayed that the old man would not notice him and breathed a sigh of relief as he grabbed a book and sat down to read.
'What's this? Is anyone there?' The man had noticed the still smoking wick of the candle on the table. He felt a slight breeze and Sethys had gone, his prize safely tucked away in his pack.

[Rophe]

A day later, Sethys had translated as much as he could and had decided on a plan of action. Not generally one to get over-excited he was surprised to find himself laughing and cheering inside his rented room over a small backstreet inn.
After the landlady had requested he keep it down he began to write up notices, they read:

Looking For:
Skilled Adventurers wishing to seek untold treasures and
uncover the greatest secret this planet has ever known. It
will be dangerous and I cannot assure safety. If you wish
to learn more:
Smuggler's Gate Inn, Izquierda, Viridia

Happy, he sealed them in envelopes and sent them off to past aquaintances to put them up around the cities of Second Earth. He quickly packed his few belongings and left his room with a note and a clip of cash for the landlady.

He soon arrived at the airport and entred through the double doors that lead to the departure lounge. The place was busy and full of people, being moved like cattle by the guards to the correct waiting areas. He stopped halfway down a corridor to the annoyance of a man behind him who grunted a curseword and shuffled on. One of the guards noticed this and noticed that Sethys was attempting to open a door onto the runway that was restricted to the public.

'Excuse me sir, what are you doing? Oh, Mr Wright, I didn't realise it was you,' The guard smiled at Sethys and opened the door.
'Don't worry about it Steve, just going for a fly,' He stuffed a few notes into the guard's pocket, 'For the kids,' The guard smiled again and watched Sethys walk towards an airship a little way from the rest before closing the door.

As Sethys reached the small, private airship he greeted his co-pilot and boarded. It would be a long flight to Viridia, not helped by the limited access to Blue territory. Sethys sat back and began the take-off procedures.

[Yurian]

"The time is now 25 o'clock. The destination Saitules, Vermilia has arrived. It is currently raining, so please be careful in your travels." The train slowed to a stop. The rain had considerably lightened since about an hour ago.

"Soren," Eris prompted. "Let's go." He hadn't talked since she had gotten the sandwiches. Indeed, he hadn't even opened his mouth; the packet still lay in his hand. She took it from him, and placed it inside her small traveling case.

"Okay. Where are we staying?"

"I think we're staying at the Concentra Hotel," Eris replied, standing up. She looked outside to find a blue trainstation, its tiled grey stone walls grand and imposing. Shadowed travelers seemed to float here and there. All of a sudden, the train - it's soft wooden benches, friendly salesman, and warm atmosphere - felt like a refuge from the outside world. It felt like home.

It was cold outside, although it was summer. Along with a cold wet wall, the storm had brought along with it an impersonal feeling of idleness and unimportance.

As the two trekked towards the front of the train station, bright flourescent signs contrasted against the gothic architecture. It was interesting, but impersonal.

"Taxi!" Eris yelled. She clutched Soren's arm, and pulled him along to the magnet-car that pulled to stop in front of them. Although they jumped into the warm conditioned vehicle, the cold feeling still remained.

"Where to?"

"Concentra Hotel, please."

"Okay." The car sped forward. Outside, the blue Saitules looked on in sleepy ignorance. Medieval structures loomed on either side of the road, while the slow rain fell upon the shadowed citizens walking back and forth. Eris thought she could see the Vermilian Capital Building in the distance.

"Here you are ma'am." The driver turned his head around for the fee.

"Thanks," Eris replied, handing over the dolares. They were in front of the Concentra Hotel, a cathedral like structure supported by a myriad of up and down stairs. Orange lighting from the building offered a warm refuge from the cold outside.

[Yurian]

"Hey!" A big friendly hand clamped onto Eris' shoulder. She turned around to find her Coach grinning at her.

"Hi Coach Naughton!" Eris bowed in respect.

"Hey Coach," Soren grinned, scratching his head. The three persons laughed in the warmly lit lobby room of the hotel. The strong stone walls were graced by comforting paintings, ornaments, and fresh flowers. Visitors were laughing and conversing; indeed, they were persons now, standing still and living.

"I've already checked you two in," Naughton said, nodding at the two of them. "I'll get a courier to send your stuff up as well. I'm sure you two are hungry. What do you want to eat?"

"A woont!" Soren joked. Eris looked at him in surprise. It wasn't his use of terms - he always joked about eating that big ugly cow-like animal - but his sudden change of behavior. It was comforting now that he seemed back to normal; she smiled. "Actually, I wouldn't mind eating one of those bugger's right now." A perverse grin stretched across his face.

"If that's the case, we can always try ouf Campbell's Den," Naughton laughed. He ruffled Soren's head. "You two have a big event coming up, so enjoy thing's now while you can. Here, I'll take your stuff to get it sent up." The big man received the belongings, before walking over to the counter.

"I bought you a sandwich you know," Eris said sarcastically.

"Oh yeah! I'll eat it right now," Soren replied.

"It's in my bag, silly."

"Oh yeah...aha." The two laughed; it had been a while since they felt so carefree.

[Pixel]

- It was dawn. The sun was starting to break through the clouds, the birds were starting to sing, and the grass was wet with dew. The warmth of the sun was starting to heat up the roof of the chapel and Noctu slowly opened his eyes and he squinted at the sun as he slowly got up and jumped drown from the roof of the Chapel into the quiet alley.

The city was already awake, people ran through the streets, guards walking slowly, as if they were actually doing something of importance, & the homeless staring wearily at the rest of the citizens. Noctu had nothing planned for the day, he did not have to meet with his contact for the completed contract untill dusk. With nothing in mind to do, he started to wander the streets.

Whilst he wandered, Noctu noticed that the town seemed to be teeming with unusual activity. Interested, he stopped to ask a nearby beggar.

Noctu knelt down and tapped the beggar on the shoulder, "Excuse me, Sir, why is the town so...."

"Active? Rumor has it that a man was murdered last night. So, the guard has scheduled a town meeting at three o'clock. Apparently, they suspected that a assassin was involved and plan to find out who it was." Replied the beggar.

"Thank you for the information." Said Noctu, trying not to gag from the smell of alcohol emanating from the beggar.

"I could really care less, with the way the town is governed, it is already dead...to me anyway." The beggar's voice started to trail off as he passed out, obviously drunk.

Figures, thought Noctu. If anyone in this town knows what is going on, its a drunk beggar. Well, I Guess I have a meeting to attend to.

Noctu then made his way to the center of town eager to hear how the guard would explain this....

[Yurian]

It was the morning of the Vermilian Contest; it was a different morning from the soft pleasant Extence Tournament that Eris had participated in back home. The feeling was just different; it was as if they entered a foreign land - an enemy land - where the bets were upon the home team. Despite that, the city was bustling with excited chatter, a stark contrast to the blue drizzling silence that was swept over the sky yesterday afternoon.

She looked at Soren; he seemed nervous, but excited at the same time.

"Are you ready?" he asked, noticing her glance.

"Yeah," she replied, with a smile. He squinted his eyes as his cheek bones expanded to form a grin. She felt like grabbing his face and poking it around.

It was several hours before the contest would begin. Waan, Supreme Monarch of the Red Unity, would be coming in soon to greet the contestants. Now, they were waiting somewhat patiently below the stadium.

"What are your expectations, Mr. Creed?" A reporter was interviewing one of the competitors. He was a young and lean man with a still boyish face. Apparently, he was considered the genius of the Saitules city competitors.

"I expect to win," the mouth responded in serious concentration. "I've trained long and hard for this tournament; it is under the gracious Synee Waan that I shall hold my allegiance too." The sentence seemed to stop, before a "Of course I wish the best of luck to the other competitors." It was a sincere remark, although it seemed more prepared than from the person.

"Ohlver Creed, the son of G-United's Kenmon Creed, is one of the most anticipated competitors in this year's Vermilian Contest, held in Saitules, Vermilia. May we all wish him luck!"

Soren frowned. "What an idiot."

"I don't think so; he seems like a pretty nice person," Eris expressed. "He wouldn't be interviewed just because he's a good competitor; his Father's probably one of the main reasons why he's getting so much media attention."

"Yeah. I guess...I'm gonna beat'im though!" Soren looked at Eris with a wry grin; he clenched his fist.

"Please stand and welcome The Gracious Synee Waan," a voice announced. Soren and Eris looked over to the side as the red robed figure floated in.

[Yurian]

"Stand up," Eris whispered at Soren. The entire group of competitors, coaches, parents, friends, and reporters located in the under-arena area bowed to the Supreme Monarch. Cameras flicked and flashed, taking down the event into history.

"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen," the man said. He extended his arm in an open gesture of warmth. A calm but tired smile formed around his mouth. "Before the competition begins, I would like to say that I am extremely proud of you young individuals: you are the destiny of The Red Unity. In fact, you are the destiny of Second Earth."

"He looks like a doll," Soren whispered to Eris. Waan was dressed in his typical but heavy attire; it seemed like a humongous width of thick, heavy red cloth was draped around his body. His head and feet seemed like small pins sticking out of the bundle.

"Don't say that," Eris whispered fiercly. She looked back at the Monarch.

"I have seen some of you performed, and indeed I am impressed by your effort and your ability. Someday, hopefully, this rigorous and violent sport will be meant only for a sport - a gathering place to grow and learn about others - and not a pretext for violence. With this in mind, I stress again that you young individuals are the emissaries to a hopeful future. It is your burden to hold this important necessity of a better world. I am here as a servant to your mission; I will help guide you on the steps to ensuring our World Peace.

On a current note, The Blue Alliance has been consistently under attack by the Freedom Power Rebel Terrorists. Although we may be halfway around the world, and seemingly powerless to influencing their situation, it is a priority to extend our hands as humans. Pray for their safety and hope."

A silence followed, as everybody bowed their heads in sync with the Monarch. Eris could feel some sort of tension as the message was relayed; it appeared as though not everyone was agreeing. She understood Waan, however; they were still people. We all are still people of Second Earth.

"I would like to meet each of you personally before the competition begins. For now, though, best of ability to your endeavors." The man bowed; when he looked up, his face - despite the almost angelic skin and white blonde hair - seemed gaunt and tired. Fatigued.

Claps followed the short speech, and reporters began to describe the situation again to the cameras. Waan proceeded forward to shake hands with the first competitor.

[Pixel]

- When Noctu arrived at the meeting in the town square, he was suprised. More people showed up that he expected. Seeing as the meeting was about to start, he leaned up against the corner of the nearest building, and listened.

The Guard captain, Julius, walked slowly up to the podium. He then looked upon the crowd, ready to speak, waiting for the crowds undevoted attention. Jesus, that armor must weight a ton, and in this heat...I am glad my job is unofficial.

"Those of you who are present are the ones that WE, the Guard, must speak too & put our trust in, the reason being that there has been a recent spike in crime in the past month, and there was a recent number of killings as well. One occurred just last night." Julius looked down at the podium, he was searching for words. "The man killed last night was estimated to be well over 60, we found no reason for the killing other than a rash killing, out of anger or a planned killing, essentially a contract killing." Julius now looked directly over the crowd, surveying them closely, as if he was looking for a suspect. "If the killing was indeed a contract killing or an assassination, this could pose a problem. As you all know the Vermilian Tournament is beginning in a matter of days." Julius now looked down at the podium once more and started to talk with increased vigor. "This means that YOU, as citizens of Saitules, have been called to action! be on the lookout for anything...out of the ordinary or strange. We will depend on you in the pending weeks for support to help US find the killer and stop him before anymore lives are taken. Now, be alert as you walk the streets and do not hesitate to call a guard if need be, that is all." Julius slowly walked down from the podium and off of the stage, just as he walked on it. He then walked to the other guards and pulled one aside from the group.

"Gabronth, keep an eye on the man in the back, leaning against the building" said Julius as he walked away.

"Yes Sir!" Gabronth was astonished. Julius never trusted his work to anyone but himself. Still amazed, he mounted his horse and scanned the dissipating crowd for the suspect, but could not find him. Confused, he rode over to the building. Gabronth sat in the street, turning his horse clockwise looking in every direction but it looked as if the suspect was gone. "Shit, Julius will kill me if I cannot find that guy....Guess I will follow the rest of the crowd and hope he turns up..."

Noctu stood in the alley, as he watched Gabronth ride away. Guess Julius thought I looked like a suspect. Maybe I should blend in with crowds better in the future.......Noticing the setting sun, Noctu briskly made his way through the maze of alleys back to the chapel to pick up the dead drop from his last contract...

[Yurian]

He seemed like a nice person, Waan. Something about his appearence seemed as if he was hiding some great burden; behind the friendly face seemed a tired and fatigued conscience.

Eris sat on her bed, looking out the window. There was a full moon: bright, beautiful, but brief. She felt as if just by looking at it, she could escape from reality - from the burdens of trying to live up to expectations. She turned around on the mattress and looked at Soren; he was already asleep, facing the other side.

Waan didn't seem to remember his visit to Soren - perhaps he visited all the other competitors at Extence to congratulate them. He was probably too busy. He only just wished her best of ability, before moving on to the next competitor. Despite that, Eris thought him admirable for handling such a difficult occupation.

The official contest would begin in about three days.

She turned off the lamp, before getting into bed.

Darkness.

[Yurian]

Why is he always looking at me like that?

The surrounding area focused as it looked at the face in front.

Soren? No. It is Soren. No. It's not.

A sudden realization swept over.

Who am I?

"Isn't it beautiful?" The words came out from an unidentifiable source. Although it was calming, there was a feeling of surprise. The view swerved around suddenly and a small hazy moon came into sight. Below it was a landscape of shadowed skyscrapers, their small windows vaguely lit.

"Yeah," a melancholy voice answered. Again the perspective swerved around and the man's face came back into focus. It looked like a forced smile. It looked like he had betrayed something deliberately, but powerlessly. A feeling of anguish swept over.

I don't know why he keeps looking like that...

The viewer's body suddenly rushed with warmth as it rushed forward to clasp the man's face. He looked surprised, but comforted. This time, his smile was genuine.

But there were tears breaking out uncontrollably.

Darkness.

[Yurian]

Soft light.

"Good morning." The voice seemed to come out from below.

"Good morning," the face in front smiled. He was sitting on the bed; apparently he had been looking at - at me.

"What would you like for breakfast?" I asked.

"I don't know..." I got out of bed, scratching my head. I turned around to find him looking at me again.

"I can make scrambled eggs?"

"Okay." A smile.

Darkness.

[Yurian]

It was very impersonal, the act of putting me in the chamber. The personnel were dressed in faceless yellow overblown bodysuits; their movements seemed robotic, and their dark plastic masks added to that incompassionate countenance.

Although the temperature was relatively warm, I quivered from some cold feeling. A bead of sweat dribbled down my shaved head. My naked body was pressed against the metal body tomb. Like I was crucified, my arms were stretched out - clamped down - and my feet were tightly bound by an overwhelming foot clamp. I stared out at the personnel as they stepped back and surveyed their finished work. Then, the clear glass lid closed down in front of me.

I was alone in complete silence. No. I was not alone. I still had him - he is alive. He is my life's reason. I can picture him in my head.

My lips bent upward into a content smile, and it felt as if some sort of liquid was pouring down my cheeks. I sniffled - it was the only sound in that compressed chamber.

"ARGH!" I screamed. The sound echoed into silence. The warm liquid on my cheek poured out even more, but this time out of pain. I forced myself to see him, as I felt some sort of piercing clamp bore into my spinal cord. Things were numbing, and I could feel my vision fading...my touch fading...my hearing fading...my taste fading...

Only my thoughts were left. I think I was smiling.

Soon enough my thougts were fading...

Darkne-

"No..." Eris sat up. The whisper seemed to waft around the room like a sickening cry. Sweat dribbled through her hair and down onto her face. Even her shirt was soaking. She looked down quickly at her arms to find them trembling, then jerked her head to the side. He was still sleeping in the other bed.

She couldn't remember what had made her so nervous.

[Yurian]

Finally, the actual rounds would begin for the Vermilian Contest. It was a cold and foggy outside; the clouds, like billowing shields, blocked out the sun. It looked like it would rain.

"Ladies and Gentlemen!" Eris heard the announcer proudly present the Contest. Like the Extence Tournament, the contestants were held in rooms preventive from viewing current bouts. Because they were located behind the stadium in an entirely different building, even the terrain on which they were to fight on was not known.

The only thing that gave them a clue was the ringing cheers of the crowd.

"I welcome you to the annual Vermilian Contest. Please stand for the gracious Supreme Monarch Waan, and for the Vermilian Anthem." With the other competitors, Eris stood up. She wiggled around in her white leather jacket; her knees felt buckly beneath the tight elastic pants. Too bad Soren was in the other room.

"Vermilia would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous support to this year's contest," the announcer continued after the anthem had finished. Eris sat back down. She shuffled her feet slightly, feeling the double swords underneath her chair.

"...Last of all, we would like to thank you, Vermilian citizens and fans, for your generous support of this years Contest." Eris heard the crowd cheer from both the stadium and the loud speaker on the ceiling.

Like the other contestants, she stood up to begin warming up.

"Competitors," a woman announced on the separate building's loud speaker. Suddenly, the crowd's cheering was reduced to a faint din. "Contestants will be randomly selected. Please be ready in thirty mintues. Thank you." Suddenly the cheering broke through again.

Eris stretched her arms, closing her eyes to concentrate.

[Yurian]

"Eris Aepah and Koon Low," a voice from the overspeaker requested. Eris looked towards the sound, before sheating her swords on her back. A giddy excitement rushed through her, and she felt positive in her abilities.

"Eris," a man came up. It was her coach. "Just stay calm. Remember what we practiced: relax and release. Don't tense yourself."

"Got it." She smiled.

"Good girl," a smile returned. "Now go get'em."

"Ms. Aepah: please follow me." A suited man walked in front of her, leading her through the corridors. There were no stairs; apparently they were traveling underground to the stadium. Indeed, the cheering crowds and ecstaticness were growing louder as they neared the arena. They walked up a step of stairs, and suddenly there was bright light.

"Good ability, Ms. Aepah," the man nodded. Eris turned around to thank him, but the door was already closed. She hadn't even realized she had walked around in front of him.

"Please welcome Ms. Aepah of Extence and Mr. Low of Unered!" the commentator commended. The crowd upped its intensity as the two competitors walked out.

Eris blinked several times, trying to absorb the bright natural light. Slowly, shapes began to form in front of her: the curvature of the stands, the arena walls - something in the middle?

She suddenly sucked in her breath as she stared in the middle: a network of concrete blocks, at least five stories high, were grounded in the arena. Narrow passageways, corridors, and caves dug themselves within the grey structure. She could see the various dents and crumbling structures left by the previous competitors.

"Please proceed to the edge of the model," a referee's voice rang out from somewhere. The crowd suddenly silenced as they stretched forward to hear him. "Welcome to the sixth match, Ms. Aepah and Mr. Low."

[Yurian]

Eris bursted forward after the gunshot rang out. Unsheating the swords from her back, she quickly sprinted to the nearest concrete block structure.

The total concrete structures amassed to about a fourth mile in radius; complex intos and out ofs ran through the labyrinth of tunnels and hallways. Little room was left for the open edge of the stadium. It was a mystery as to how the crowd would be able to see any action.

After running up the vertical platform, Eris reached the top of one of the buildings. The wind whistled in her ears as she scanned the landscape of jutting grey monuments. There was no sign of the other opponent: sight was obscurred by myriad of possibilites and sound was negated by the roaring crowd. It was truly a more strategic competition than the one held in Extence. The only probable method of defeating her counterpart would probably be a surprise assault.

The problem was finding him first.

Expecting an open landscape like the tournament at Extence, Eris frowned at herself for wearing the white garments: the bright color would expose her in such a shadow emphasized arena. It would probably be best for her to remain near the higher areas of the concrete block arena, where the overcast skies would prevent the opponent from pinpointing her easily.

[Yurian]

Her eyes flicked back and forth, through the slits and openings that characterized the area. Her pupils pulsated as she scanned the area; the nearly invisible veins and arteries that usually circumscribed the human eyes were forcefully destroyed, allowing a vision so precise that it could see details and sense changes several times more acurately and closely than usual.

Something twinkled, and Eris immediately crouched down, forming her body into the narrow concrete pyramid she stood on. Her pupils expanded and her eyes widened, making her seem like an owl, discreetly watching for a movement of the prey. The something twinkled again, and her vision zoomed in, negating the reflection from the sun on the object.

It was a glass surface? Eris frowned at the object; she couldn't be wrong. She stared at it, trying to comprehend the existence of such an object here. Suddenly, an enlarged and distorted eye appeared within the glass, and Eris immediately drew her swords, before gliding down to investigate the thing.

[Yurian]

The wind ruffled against her hair, and Eris gripped her swords more tightly. She thought for a moment as she descended whether she would be attacked within midair. Either way, the glass surface - circular, like a magnifying glass - was coming closer. The eye suddenly disappeared from its center, replacing itself with an enlarged concrete texture.

As she landed, a flurry of sparks spit off of Eris' weapons while she repelled a thick missile of ice. It immediately shattered, the thousands of shards clinking onto the cold floor. She sprinted foward, her eyes constantly looking for the origin of the bullet. Nothing. Again it was only wind and dust. Where could he - or she - be? Was he/she just toying with her?

With that posibility in mind, she twisted around to look behind her. The magnifying glass was gone.

[Yurian]

Something felt strange; the ground was rumbling. Eris looked down, then up. Nothing?

"Argh!" She suddenly collapsed as the arena ground split into a labyrinth of distorted cracks. Her elbow scraped against the ground, and blood smeared onto the hard dusty floor. Frenzy consumed her mind as she immediately looked for the opponent.

It wasn't the opponent.

BOOM! She was thrust upwards, floating for a moment in the sky above the concrete structures. In a daze, she could see the crowds - the crowds were screaming, there was fire and dust everywhere.

Darkness.

[Yurian]

"Please follow the guardmen," the speaker above Soren's head spoke out calmly but urgently. In the background of the voice, Soren could hear screams, yells, and explosions; he stood up and looked around, his eyes blaring.

"Competitors," a suited man came in abrubtly. "Please follow me immediately. I will give instructions as to what you should do." Soren watched the other competitors follow the guardsman, before joining in line behind them. In his mind, he smiled; his heart pounded in excitement.

And then he suddenly frowned, his pupils dilating as if he could see into another vision. Eris.

[Yurian]

"There's a bombing currently going on," the guard said. "Stay close by; we're taking all of you out of the area."

Soren gasped as he walked outside of the building. The stadium in the distance burned in spiraling smoke. People were running out, their faces shocked underneath the masks of white dust.

"Maaamee!" A young boy stood still amongst the stream of running people, before being swept up by a passing woman.

"Sir!" Soren yelled as the guard motioned them to follow. "My friend is still in there! She's still inside!" The other competitors looked at him, before averting their eyes.

"The guards inside will take care of the situation," the suited man answered promptly. The gestured everyone to follow, and Soren jogged broodingly after them.

---

"Almost everyone has been evacuated, sir!" A suited guard saluted the red robed figure still standing in the stadium box. "The competitors are already leaving the prem-"

The voice was cut short as the speaker watched Waan drift down towards the middle of the stadium. It seemed as if a great current of wind was encircling the Monarch, and dust began to cloud around him.

As he landed on the pinnicle of one of the concrete 'buildings', Waan lifted his hands, and the great air force was suddenly quieted. The dust, as if being controlled by a million downward pulling threads, fell to the ground in a cloud of quiesence. Indeed, the whole stadium was silent; there were no movements or sounds. The raging fires were quenched, disappearing in an instant.

[Yurian]

It had been seven hours since the stadium was evacuated. Soren sat on the edge of his bed in the hotel room. It was quiet throughout the whole area surrounding the stadium. Occassionally a stray car would break the grey silence, only to quietly dissappear.

A knock interrupted his thoughtless meditation.

"Soren?" It was his coach. "Open the door." It sounded serious.

The distressed figure stared at the small door opposite his bed. He didn't want to answer it, but rather sit there. He wanted to do nothing.

"Soren. Are you in there?"

The figure stood up, stooping forward to gain something of a momentum. "Hi Coach." The man walked into the room, beckoning his student to sit back down.

"Eris is currently in hospital, Soren. Luckily, she's only received some minor scrapes and burns." A blank expression continued to listen. "Soren. The bad news is that this tournament is going to be cancelled."

"Oh..." A frown so miniscule followed, so much that it seemed as nothing had followed at all.

"Now for how long it's going to be cancelled, I don't know. Most likely, it can be picked back up soon. There have just been so many incidences." A pause followed, as if hiding some fact. "We'll be leaving tomorrow morning." The coach stared at the boy, waiting for some sort of response. Nothing came, and so the man stood up, clasping Soren's shoulder. "It's going to be all okay," the voice said, clearly misunderstanding the situation.

There wasn't anything to be 'okay' or 'not okay'. What was there to think about? It just seemed empty.

[Yurian]

It was crowded in the train as Soren felt himself being pushed around in the sandwich line.

"What would you like to order?"

"..."

"What would you like to order?"

"Oh! Um. Two Number 2s please." Soren looked at the fumbling cashier in front of him, then turned his head slightly. Behind him, the line - the crowd - was restless, tired, and quiet. A small but clear voice was coming from an unseen projector was rapidly conveying recent news.

"This is an emergency report. Right now, reporter Sandy Lin is standing just outside of the bombed Saitules Stadium. Sandy: What is the current situation in Saitules? I can see that the streets are quite empty."

"Well, Barbara: from what has been released from officials, Saitules Stadium which was hosting the acclaimed Vermilian Tournament yesterday was just bombed about eighteen hours ago by Freedom Power Rebels. There is a rumor that a suspect has been captured, but that has yet to be comfirmed. One thing is for certain, however: there are 54 confirmed deaths and over one hundred injuries from the pre-planned bombings. As you can see behind me, workers are still digging through the rubble. It's a miracle that our Excellence Synee Waan was able to prevent so much damage."

"It truly is, Sandy. He is a gift to our peoples."

"I certaintly agree. His Excellence has just left to an undisclosed location in an effort to work out the situation. In fact, at least 25% of Saitules' population has evacuated the city for safer areas and for thoughts on what to do next. Hopefully the situation will get better soon."

"Thank you Sandy. Please stay safe."

"Thank you Barbara."

"Wow. It certaintly is terrible. The Rebels are really gaining momentum. We now turn to His Goodness Rob Brown, Monarch of Domestic Defense."

[Pixel]

- The Air was cold and the night sky was dark. As Noctu ran through the alleyways, the air felt like a thousand daggers in his cheeks, it felt almost like he was being pushed up against a wall of spikes. On his sides the walls were a blur, and so were his thoughts. As an assassin Noctu killed people, he understood that, but, ever for a person in his profession, there was a line not to be crossed and he felt like he crossed it with his last contract. Killing an old, defenseless man, it was uncalled for. Noctu knew what had to be done.

His mind grew clearer just as the walls did as he slowed to a brisk walk. The Chapel was in his line of sight.

“Noctu I presume?” Said a man cloaked in the shadow of the building. He had a deep voice, and it was quite hoarse, obviously he had been waiting a while, and it was quite cold.

“Yes, I am Noctu.” Waiting for the moment of chance, Noctu focused, trying to keep an eye on the cloaked figure.

“Here is the package. The contents will tell you where your next assassination should take place and who it is. Also in it are the rewards for the last target.” The man looked down to the ground the kneeled as he drew a package from his cloak. With the package i hand, the man putout his hands, as if making a offering to a god.

“Thank you.” A slight smile crossed Noctu's face & It all happened in one swift fluid motion. The package was thrown to the ground all whilst Noctu had his other hand on the man’s mouth. As the sound of scraping metal filled the man’s ears, his eyes widened and bulged as the blade slid into and penetrated his jugular vein.

...Silence.

[Yurian]

"Good morning Barbara," the Monarch acknowledged.

"Good morning, Monarch. What is the situation within the government in accordance to the attack?"

"We have everything under control, but unfortunately there are still a lot of gaps to be filled. As said by Sandy, His Excellence is working hard to uncover and resolve the FPR problems. They are everywhere, however. It's very difficult to locate something that is always vanishing into thin air."

"Just to offer a possibility, Monarch, why would it be so difficult to take control of Viridia?"

"That's a good question. The answer is the Blue Alliance."

"I see what you mean."

"In fact - I doubt much of the general public even knows this - Azurrel is under direct attack from the Rebels. The terrorist problem is really an international issue that cannot be fixed with our current relations."

"Azurrel?!"

"Yes. Even though we share a common problem, the tactics and ideology of the Blue Alliance just don't meet a standard of cooperating with us."

"I understand. Thank you very much Monarch, and please be safe."

"Be safe as well, Barbara. Thank you."