Wicked Game of Chase
Alibaba suddenly got dragged into the bushes and was forced to hide and stay still as a group of red-haired people came into sight. He wanted to inquire Sieghart about it but stopped himself when he saw the gladiator's troubled look. With Elesis in grave danger, it was crucial to avoid unnecessary battles and keep moving, he understood, yet they couldn't progress with the six red-haired deciding to stop and check the area.
"I'm sure I saw someone around here." a tall, tan woman with a tiny ponytail said, fiddling scarlet strands as she looked around. "He could be the one who released that ominous presence. I couldn't have just imagined it." she insisted, placing her hands over her hips.
"Yes, I'm sure you didn't." one with a scar on his left cheek scoffed.
"Shut up, Lo'lo'! I wasn't asking your opinion!" Myron snarled, but quickly reverts back to a ladylike posture. "I mean, let's just scout the area to make sure."
"I do sense someone's presence." one wearing a kind expression claimed. He then proceeded to walk around the area, to which the others followed suit.
Sieghart was partly relieved when the red-haired party went to the opposite direction, but he knew they'll soon find them if they stayed in proximity.
"Alibaba, we're going to part from here." Sieghart whispered, his eyes never leaving the red-haired strangers.
"But why?" Alibaba grumbled, his tone practically objecting.
"We're racing against time here." Sieghart simply said, carefully placing Elesis by Alibaba's side. "I honestly don't trust you but for now, I'll be counting on you."
"What?" the blonde swordsman already had a grasp on what Sieghart wanted done but he still felt the need to ask the man, almost hoping he could come up with some other plan.
"Alibaba, please save Elesis." the gladiator looked at the man, his obsidian eyes filled with sorrow despite his firm voice. "I'll distract them while you run with all your strength, understand?"
"But- !"
"I'll make sure none of them gets past me." Sieghart looked straight at Alibaba with a stern face, his tone unyielding.
By then, Alibaba understood the man was set to do whatever it takes to get Elesis treated. Sieghart didn't seem to be backing out from his plan, nor was he even willing to hear his argument. With a decisive nod, Alibaba took Elesis in his arms and prepared to leave.
"Just so you know, if you neglect Elesis- If anything happens to Elesis, I will blame you for it, so do me a favor and do your part well." Sieghart only smirked before waving a hand to him, a signal for him to go ahead and escape.
As Alibaba felt responsible for Elesis's condition and Sieghart's sacrifice, he decided to take it slow and sneak his way away from the place. The gladiator didn't seem to mind with his full attention taken by the red-haired party who were already walking back to their position. Later, Alibaba was already running along the trees, making the terrain give him the stealth advantage.
Unfortunately, the man with a kind expression possessed such sharp hearing, immediately responding to the quick, light footsteps Alibaba created.
Sieghart anticipated this and quickly jumped out of his hiding, his blade forthwith meeting the other. The man, surprised, managed to block the blade with his own, pulling back on recoil.
"So, the rat has finally revealed himself." the tan woman with a little ponytail proclaimed, advancing forward as she fiddled with her hair.
"I don't think he's alone. I heard quick footsteps just ahead." Muu Alexius stated. He glanced at his men, directing them to follow the 'rat's companions'.
With a nod, two of the red-haired proceeded to advance, but were instantly blocked off by the man clad in black.
Sieghart performed a somersault, swinging his gladius in a circular motion and finished with a kick, knocking one opponent on the ground. Swiftly, he used his opponent's body as trampoline and leapt towards the other one, grabbing her by the neck then slamming her on the ground.
"Yaqut! Razol!" Myron screamed. The two addressed quickly got up to their feet and pulled back.
"Sorry but, the path behind me is off limits." Sieghart smirked, lifting his gladius to his shoulder.
"You bastard!" Myron was enraged, and although Lo'lo' hadn't spoken for a while, he was preparing himself to lunge at the man. As the two was about to charge at him, Muu motioned to them, halting them. The woman asked why, but was only told to calm down by the man.
"Quick question." he began. "Where did you come from?"
Sieghart let out a short laugh. "Does it really matter?"
"Yes. We were currently on our way to check the cause of a dark vortex that formed somewhere by the borderland this late afternoon. Do you have any knowledge about this?"
"And if I did?" Sieghart scoffed.
"You'll have to answer a few questions."
"If I refuse?"
Muu swung his sword, his blade slicing through the air swiftly, sending a projectile aerial slash towards Sieghart. Fortunately, the gladiator was able to block it but was pushed back by its sheer force, his back met with a hard tree.
"I never said it has to be voluntary." Muu simply stated. He approached the man whilst wielding his weapon threateningly.
"What if I didn't know anything about it?" Sieghart asked. He picked himself up and dusted his pants.
"Unlikely." Muu delivered another projectile slash to which Sieghart blocked once again, but was blown through a couple of trees by its power. "Your being here meant you've been near the area for a time. The vortex was large and impossible to go unnoticed."
Sieghart coughed up blood as he landed against solid ground. He was out of breath, but was still brimming with energy. He gripped his sword and stood tall, waiting for his opponent to make his move once more.
Muu cautiously approached the man. He was controlling himself from using his Djinn's abilities to avoid draining his own magoi too fast. In a flash, Muu was right in front Sieghart, sword raised. As he swung down his blade, he was surprised it didn't touch the raven-haired man instead, he was even counterattacking.
Muu blocked the counter but Sieghart continued attacking, pushing back the red-haired. Swinging his gladius thrice, Sieghart drove his blade to the ground and ended it with a flying kick which took Muu by surprise, resulting to him getting knocked off a distance.
Sieghart wasn't finished. He dashed towards the airborne Muu and followed up a wide slash as he was close, but his blade was stopped by an arm donned with metal gauntlet.
"That's enough from you, punk!" Lo'lo' forcefully swung his arm, making Sieghart rebound. With a burst of speed, he caught up to the airborne gladiator and delivered a downward blow, pummeling down the man into the ground.
Muu Alexius was caught by Myron and prevented him from colliding against the earth. Suggesting they attack the man altogether, Myron took up her stance to follow Lo'lo's advance. Muu agreed to this, seeing as how the man was proving to be a challenge to them but strongly emphasized that they take him alive for questioning.
The rest of the Fanalis Corps began their barrage of assaults towards the highlander, to which he responded quickly and even managed to return a few blows. Sieghart performed a wide swing, fending off two of the red-haired but one managed to get close to him. He tumbled backwards, swiftly dragging his gladius to the ground upon landing. Swinging his blade upwards, he sent a huge purple wave energy forward whilst receiving a punch from one of the combatants. His attack hit the woman with scars upon her body but the rest managed to dodge.
Sieghart wiped the blood dripping from the corner of his mouth, dashing forward once more swinging his gladius violently as to meet his opponents' blades. Soon, he was faced against Muu to which Sieghart heartily welcomed. The highlander performed two mighty uppercuts engulfed in purple flames, sending Myron and another flying while Muu only staggered back. Yaqut, Razol, and Lo'lo' surrounded him by then, triple teaming him.
In an attempt to avoid taking heavy hits from the three, Sieghart released a bit of his darkness, conjuring up an orb that drew in his opponents. As the three was caught up with the strange gravity pull they were experiencing, Sieghart performed a circular slash and then raised his gladius, summoning furious swirls of dark flames around him.
The trio endured the punishing blows, standing their grounds as they desperately defended themselves. Their skin and flesh were torn, sliced and cut by the seemingly bladed flame. Once it was over, the gladiator was nowhere near them and was already engaging Muu Alexius and the remaining two red-haired.
Sieghart decided to utilize his darkness. He didn't necessarily needed to be in a rage in order to abuse it, and he could easily control his darkness in a fight. After two spinning slashes imbued with dark flames, Sieghart hammered his blade into the ground producing a burst of dark flames explode around him. The force knocked back all enemies, leaving Sieghart room to execute Muu Alexius who he deemed to be the leader of the group.
The Fanalis Corps captain was quick to get back on his feet, fully prepared to receive Sieghart's blade. Only, Sieghart stomped on his foot, causing the man to flinch for a brief second, but giving the highlander ample time to bring down his gladius for a decisive strike.
Sieghart's blade pierced through the man's metal cuirass, blood seeping out from where the blade impaled him. But Sieghart was shocked to see shoulder-length red hair, for his target had longer one. He couldn't even understand why he was seeing the man's back, when it was clear Muu Alexius was prepared to take his blow head-on.
"Yaqut!" Muu's voice shattered Sieghart's confusion. There was only one explanation, and that was someone else besides Muu took the blow.
Sieghart quickly stepped back, pulling out his blade from the man. He was quickly met with an angry fist by courtesy of Lo'lo', to which he was sent flying afterwards. Soon, he found himself on the defensive as he took blows after blows, heavier than the previous ones and more aggressive than earlier.
"Yaqut! Why?!" Muu was mortified upon seeing a comrade take a blow meant for him.
The man in question only smiled. "Captain, I'm fine. It's just my back." Yaqut fell down on his knees, clutching his chest and coughing up blood.
Muu was furious. He called another red-haired to look after Yaqut before rushing towards Sieghart who was currently engaging three of his men.
Sieghart struggled to neutralize the three, especially Lo'lo', who seemed to posses more raw power than the women. His blows were notably heavier compared to the two, he even inferred they were stronger than their leader's. Fending off Lo'lo's attacks took more effort in Sieghart's part, causing him to receive a few blows from the other two from time to time. He prioritized killing off the stronger man before entertaining the extra flies, to which Myron realized, making her seethe in anger.
Gesturing to the other two, Myron took the lead onto attacking Sieghart. Later, Muu joined the fight, and that's when Myron carried out a critical blow, impaling Sieghart with her blade through his right side. She wasn't even satisfied with that. Boiling in both anger and excitement, she forcefully drove her sword through his body, her blade piercing the bark of the tree that was behind Sieghart.
"Myron, that's enough. I clearly said not to kill him." Muu flatly stated, lowering his weapon. The other two Fanalis remained in their position, observing Sieghart.
Myron seemed to fail hearing her brother's words, completely ravished by the sight before her. Sieghart's face was contorted with pain, his hands slightly shaking but his grip on his sword was still steady. Blood dripped from her blade, and his body shuddered every time he took a deep breath. Myron decided watching Sieghart in such a pitiful state was one of the most exhilarating things she could ever experience, because the man kept exuding strength in spite of it.
Sieghart slowly lifted his left hand and placed it over the hilt of Myron's sword. This surprised her, prompting her to grind her blade against the man. Sieghart winced in pain but kept his grip on the hilt, alarming the rest of the Fanalis Corps prompting them to take their stance and prepare.
"Myron, below you!" Muu immediately grabbed Myron by her shoulder, forcibly pulling her away from Sieghart who was about to cut her arm off with his gladius. Lo'lo' and Razol also reacted, with Lo'lo' blocking the blade with his arm whilst holding his wrist, and Razol holding Myron's sword in place whilst pointing her blade against Sieghart's neck.
Myron fell back as she released her hold on her sword. Muu supported her weight, reminding her not to let her guard down at any situation. This embarrassed her, causing her face to redden whilst pulling away from the man.
"Sorry, brother." she meekly said before regaining a fierce expression, shooting a glare at her offender.
Sieghart smirked as his eyes glided from Lo'lo' to Razol. He was confident he could defeat them but they proved to be a challenge even for him. The highlander already exhausted most of his strength, as his rage eats up too much stamina. Number was never a problem against Sieghart, but if all of them were equally skilled, it's a different story.
"Surrender now or you'll die." Muu stated, glaring at the man.
Sieghart laughed. "Are you kidding me? Die? Really-"
A punch over his stomach replaced his laughter with a groan, blood spilling out of his mouth.
"Shut up, you bastard." Lo'lo' growled.
Sieghart giggled lightly before fading into a stop. Taking a deep breath and closing his eyes, the man muttered, "You better hold tight."
The two felt a sinister aura enveloping them. In response, they released the man and pulled back, watching carefully as dark flames engulfed his hands. With a strong kick on the ground, Sieghart charged forward, making the sword on his waist plunge deeper into his body but also pulling it out from the tree he was pinned at. After the charge, a violent burst occurred, stunning the Fanalis Corps.
"I got a trivia for you kids!" Sieghart shouted in glee, his whole body covered with thin purplish aura, his face decorated with a feral look.
The Fanalis Corps braced themselves for what was coming. Muu decided it was time he use his Djinn weapon equip and gestured to the rest to use their household vessels. If they wanted to contain the man, they understood they had to practically put him in a near-death state, otherwise they were the ones losing a limb or two, or worse, their lives.
Sieghart stood tall and proud wearing a Cheshire grin on his face, his figure exuding pure malice and boundless power.
"I can't die."
=/=
Alibaba was following the path up north, leading to Remano's walls. The night was getting deeper and his surroundings darker that it put him on high alerts for hostiles. He was already out of breath, but forced himself to keep running. It wasn't he expected Sieghart to fall in battle and he ends up getting tailed, but because Elesis's life was fading away. He didn't know how he would face the highlander if he fails to save the red knight.
Fortunately, he spotted a caravan just ahead, and the gods seemed to have favored Elesis that night, as the person the cart was transporting was a medical practitioner together with his assistant. Alibaba pleaded for their help, to which they were hesitant because of their current appearance. Alibaba went to explain they were attacked by bandits and that was the result. Coming into terms, they agreed to help out and also offered them a ride.
When they arrived at the capital, the sun was about to rise. Alibaba stayed up all night observing Elesis. Seeing how her skin slowly regained their color, Alibaba was relieved. The doctor didn't charge them, he even offered to let Elesis stay at his clinic since it will take a while before she wakes up.
"She lost a lot of blood. It was lucky you found us out here." the good doctor claimed. He went by the name Ikusa, and explained he was a resident of Remano and was just about to return to the capital after gathering supplies from Naporlia.
"She had the easiest to find blood type, and we just restocked with blood bags. It seems you truly are blessed despite the hardship you faced." Ikusa's assistant, Ganga, stated.
Alibaba was grateful to them. He then explained he was going to compete in the Colosseum and will be able to pay them afterwards. As Elesis was going to stay in their clinic, he decided to stay there too for the time being.
After fixing up Elesis in a hospital bed, Alibaba bade her goodbye as he needed to find the Yambala's gladiator school, promising the unconscious redhead to return soon.
Later, Alibaba went to the training grounds but was met by a girl named Toto at the gates. Without a letter of invitation, the girl claimed he was not allowed to join them. Alibaba tried to convince her that he was attacked by bandits and got robbed, but instead of agreeing to his story, the girl challenged him to a duel, declaring that if he's able to beat her, then he passes and will be allowed to join.
Of course Alibaba accepted, but due to the lack of sleep and exhaustion from last night, he found himself too tired to wield his sword properly. He hadn't even had breakfast yet, as he thought that, Toto delivered a strike and sent him flying.
After the duel, he ended up in the middle of town, broke and weary. But some old friends, the Nando Brothers, found him and took him to the casino they owned. Surprised, Alibaba congratulated them and gave them his gratitude for letting him sleep on a comfy bed while he was knocked out. He tried to move out but couldn't as he was too hungry. The Nando Brothers then took him to their casino to eat. Grateful, Alibaba ate to his heart's content while he listened about slaves living in the Reim Empire.
Later, Alibaba met Shambal who shamefully lost everything in gambling. In a conversation, Shambal asked him to have a rematch with Toto, to which the blonde accepted, quickly proceeding to battle.
Alibaba was skilled, gaining the upper hand just as they started, until Toto displayed a special ability which utilizes one's magoi. As she displayed her ability of Magoi Manipulation, she revealed that she and Shambal were from the Yambal Gladiators. Soon, the battle ended in Alibaba's favor. Despite getting banged up, he cut Toto's armor which revealed her naked body, making Shambal stop the duel and accepting Alibaba into the Colosseum.
=/=
Lady Scheherazade watched Alibaba's fight at the Reim Colosseum. Muu Alexius also came there to report, but first expressed how he was impressed by the blonde's fight against Garda, one of the ferocious beasts they had in the Colosseum.
"But you don't like gladiators fighting, right? What brought you to this place, Lady Scheherazade?"
"He...has an air around him that has piqued my interest." the lady in question simply stated.
"Is that what you call the rukh's guidance? I can't understand it all that much, though..." Muu lifted his arm across his chest, gesturing his respects towards the high priestess.
After a light chat, Muu proceeded with his report. "I have seen the status of the borderlands." he looked at the lady and continued on, "Nothing was left of it."
Scheherazade visibly flinched when she heard the man. Still, she remained quiet.
"Also, I found a few magic tools scattered around the vicinity with a few corpses which looked to me like they were outsiders. They may have come from Magnostadt."
Lady Scheherazade sighed. She stood up and lightly patted Muu's forehead. "That was a scary face, Muu. I like it when you smile."
This caused the man to loosen up. Watching in admiration, Muu listened as the high priestess expressed her determination to protect their empire from looming threats such as Magnostadt and Kou, and even against the unknown entity that entered their borderlands.
"I heard...you caught someone." the lady asked. "And that Yaqut...got severely injured."
Muu stiffened. He bowed his head to hide his frustration from the priestess. "Yes. The man we caught put up a fight but we still managed. We chained him down in the dungeon for questioning but he didn't seem to be willing to cooperate."
Lady Scheherazade paused for a while before declaring her desire to meet the person. Muu Alexius was against it but the lady insisted. "I won't go alone. And you'll be there to protect me, Muu."
Soon, Muu and Lady Scheherazade was in front of a barred cell. They could see a lone figure behind it, seating with his legs crossed and his arms spread due to the thick chains cuffing both his wrists to the wall. There was a faint smell of copper in the air as the blood over Sieghart's body dried.
Admittedly, Sieghart was pleasantly surprised about finding out how he was chained and imprisoned, but what amused the highlander most, was the fact that his grave wound on his right was tended and his stomach wrapped neatly in a bandage. Despite this, he refused to give them information, considering his current position.
"Ah, more visitors! How delightful!" Sieghart shouted, his voice echoing throughout the dungeon.
"You-!" Muu's retort was halted with Scheherazade gesturing to him.
"My apologies. I am Lady Scheherazade, the high priestess of Reim. I've come to meet you. May we know your name?"
Sieghart was piqued as he heard the girl's introduction. He raised his head, staring at the girl clad in white. She looked holy, he'll give her that, but otherwise, he sensed nothing special about her.
"I heard you were a Magi." Sieghart stated. "I don't see any difference."
"Preposterous!"
"Muu, calm down." the priestess stepped closer to the cell, her face almost touching the metal bars. "Who are you? Why did you mention my being a Magi?"
"I heard a Magi was something special. Is there by any chance, not one, but more of your kind?" Sieghart's tone sounded like he already knew the answer, which piqued the priestess's curiosity.
"That's true. There are currently four of us."
"I knew it." Sieghart muttered to himself. He concluded the kid with Alibaba was a Magi, and probably the one they were after too. He groaned in frustration as he realized how he just let their target slip by him.
"I have answered your question. Please answer mine. Who are you?"
There was silence. Sieghart never planned to give them any information, not even his name.
"Legend." Sieghart smirked, telling himself clever as the word slipped out smoothly from his mouth.
"Legend?" Muu repeated, his tone laced with a mix of shock and disgust.
Lady Scheherazade paid no mind to the oddness of the name she was given and pressed on. "Sir Legend, may I ask you to share what you know about the event that occurred yesterday at the borderland?"
"I don't know."
"Stop lying and tell the truth! The High Priestess herself came down here to ask you personally. You should be honored!" Muu told their prisoner.
Sieghart snorted. "I already said I don't know."
"Why, you-"
"Then, may I ask to where you are headed?"
"What if I tell you? Will you let me go freely?" Sieghart spoke in a derisive tone.
"I cannot promise that, but yes, I may." the lady flatly replied.
This shocked Muu Alexius, promptly telling the priestess of her naivety, to which the lady chose to ignore.
Sieghart was confused. He didn't understand the girl's motives for asking the question yet her offer sounded quite enticing.
"If that's the case, I might as well tell you, huh?" Sieghart's lips curled up in amusement as he said, "I'm headed to an arena, where I could fight to the death to my heart's content."
Muu threw a piercing glare at their prisoner, biting back the words he wanted to bark at the man.
"I see. You are a warrior, perhaps?" the lady could not hide her unease upon the man's revelation, her forehead slightly wrinkling at the thought of battle.
"A gladiator. I was told there was a Colosseum in this nation."
Sieghart hoped he'd be able to find both Alibaba and Elesis safe and sound in the said capital city of Reim. Unaware of the place he was in, he assumed he was at least somewhere near the city. He knew it stupid to just brashly escape and kill on sight whilst searching for a meager two persons so his best bet was to become famous as a gladiator in the Colosseum, make his name known as quickly as possible and let them know where to find him.
"Then you're in luck. You are currently in Remano, the capital city of Reim Empire where the famed Colosseum stands." Muu proceeded to enlighten Sieghart. With a sigh, he continued, "I guess this means you'd be set to fight in the arena as you wished."
"That's great but aren't you going to free me?"
"You are a criminal as you fought against the Fanalis Corps, part of the army of the Reim Empire. If you wish to be freed, you must win a thousand battles in the arena." Muu explained, glancing at Lady Scheherazade as he tried to understand how the lady felt about his declaration.
Sieghart fell silent after hearing the man. It wasn't like he'd given up, it's just he was glad he could still get a chance to make fame and get his message across the two, or maybe it would even reach the rest of the Chase. Sieghart was more than prepared to fight, be it tied down or weaponless, labeled as a criminal, treated as a prisoner and alienated by society, he will wipe the floor with every and any opponent he meets in that stage.
Scheherazade opened her bright blue eyes, staring intently at the bound raven-haired man. She could see the darkness emanating from him and the rukh surrounding him were dyed in pure black. She could feel his hatred, his frustration, his rage - the man before her has already fallen into depravity The priestess contemplated on her options as the silence stretched on, finally glancing back at Alexius Muu who patiently awaited her decision.
"Tomorrow, after the wild animal hunt in the morning, at noon break," the lady stared back at Sieghart who equally returned her gaze. Strengthening her resolve, she deemed his existence as a threat to the Empire she dearly loved, and so she firmly declared Sieghart be subjected to capital punishment. "You, Sir Legend, shall be thrown to the ferocious beasts as a form of execution."
Despite his surprise, Muu remained composed. Accepting the lady's decision was easier as he himself had deemed the man as dangerous to their land. He looked at Sieghart, anticipating a revolting response from the condemned.
Obsidian eyes looked ever so clearly as a playful smirk decorated his face. Sieghart said nothing, and remained still in place. The highlander wondered why he wasn't surprised with the lady's decision, yet he figured he already knew they were going to attempt to kill him one way or another. With that in mind, he couldn't fathom how they would pull it off, as death could only watch him from afar, unable to touch him.
Soon, Lady Scheherazade gestured at Muu and bade their prisoner farewell, but before she could even add a 'good luck', Sieghart beat her to it.
"Good luck to your 'ferocious beasts', milady."
=/=
Alibaba was eager to get back to the clinic after his fight in the Colosseum. He was gravely wounded, yes, but was treated vehemently by the Yambala gladiators. Still, he was advised to stay put and rest for a few more days before he could once again compete in the arena. Explaining he had somewhere important to go next, Alibaba left the training grounds.
The blonde didn't expect Elesis to be awake by then. The sun had already set when he arrived back at the clinic, and there he found Ikusa by the redhead's bedside. He heard chattering and upon recognizing Elesis's voice, Alibaba dashed to her side.
"Elesis! I'm so glad you're awake now!" he exclaimed, his eyes watery.
The red knight only drew up a small smile. Her eyes fell on Alibaba's left arm that was in a crutch, scrunching her face into a frown. "What happened to you?"
"Oh, this?" Alibaba playfully smiled and simply explained, "I got it from the arena. I had a battle this late afternoon."
"If you'd like, I can check on it." Ikusa offered, gesturing at the blonde.
Alibaba accepted the offer and proceeded to take a seat by the bed. "So, since when did you regain consciousness?"
"Just a little earlier, before you arrived." Elesis softly muttered.
"It's actually a miracle. I didn't expect her to open her eyes as early as today. In fact, I was expecting her to regain consciousness tomorrow night at best." the doctor explained, tidying up his medical toolbox. "Anyway, just stay in bed for a while longer, and no heavy meals or hard food either. You'll have to bear with soup and other soft meals."
As soon as Ikusa stood up and left the room, Ganga opened the door with a tray filled with food and fruits. She instructed Alibaba to feed Elesis with small portions of each meal, with him eating up the rest. Elesis insisted she could eat on her own and proceeded to sit up, holding a grunt of pain in. Despite Alibaba and Ganga's protests, the red knight stubbornly kept her facade and ate silently, ignoring their fuss.