Chapter 13: A Game for the First Herald

A week has passed, and Aine and Daegal are still residing in Mercatura Town. Aine was taking a break from adventuring for a while. Aine had discovered many different types of shops during her stay.

But it would seem that her stay is coming to an end. Yesterday, Daegal alerted Aine that they would leave Mercatura Town for Pulchra tomorrow. So, this is her last full day in Mercatura. She decided that she would go out and walk around the town.

She walked down from her room and arrived at the inn lobby. Before she left the inn, a guard greeted her. It was the same guard from a few days ago who was with the receptionist.

"Milady, pardon me, but can I have a word with you?" Asked the guard as he jogged towards Aine from behind.

"Oh? Sure, what is it?" Asked Aine.

"The name is Cyrus; I am the guard assigned to this inn, and I have a request to make to Herald Abaddon," said Cyrus, the guard.

A request? To Abaddon? How Intriguing.

"I'm asking milady this because milady seemed close with the Herald," said Cyrus.

"Oh, sure, by the way, just call me Aine," said Aine.

"Right, Aine, I want to be transferred," he said.

"Transferred?"

"Yeah, I don't want to be assigned to this inn anymore."

Cyrus seemed hesitant with his questions. It seemed like a very tall offer, and Aine knew nothing about how this continent's military system functioned.

"And where do you want to be transferred?" Asked Aine.

"Moon Village," he replied.

"Moon Village? But why?" Asked Aine, confused.

Why Moon Village, of all places? Isn't he basically living in luxury here in Mercatura? Why would he want to lower his quality of life by transferring to a village in Pauperis?

"Why Moon Village?" Asked Aine.

"Well, this might be very selfish of me, especially as a member of the guards, but I want to be closer to my mother," said Cyrus.

"Your mother lives in Moon Village?" Asked Aine.

"Yes, she does; she lives in an old house, and I haven't seen her in years," said Cyrus.

An old house? Hmm, that sounds familiar.

"So please, can I trouble you with this selfish request?" Asked Cyrus.

"The thing is, Abaddon's left Mercatura already," said Aine.

"What? Damn, I missed my chance," said Cyrus, pissed.

"But, wait, I know where he is; he's in Pulchra City."

Just then, Daegal walked into the inn carrying a basket of goods.

"Oh, hey, Aine," said Daegal.

"Daegal, can we perhaps bring him with us to Pulchra City?" Asked Aine.

"Wait, wait, wait; I can't just do that," said Cyrus.

"I don't have a problem with it; the more, the merrier," said Daegal.

"See, you're good," said Aine.

"There will be a fee, though," said Daegal.

Spoken like a true trader. Always finding an opportunity to earn money wherever he goes.

"A fee, huh?" Cyrus said hesitantly.

"Why does he need to join us anyway? Fill me in," said Daegal.

Aine filled Daegal in on Cyrus' situation.

"I see, so he wants to take over Pedophile Village," said Daegal.

"It's Moon Village," said Cyrus, trying to correct Daegal.

"That's what I said, Pedophile Village," replied Daegal.

Hold on a second; Aine just realized something important. She has a way to contact him directly: the necklace Abaddon gave her.

"Wait, I can contact him if you want," said Aine.

"Wait, I thought you said he had left already," said Cyrus.

"He has, but I can just scream through this necklace," said Aine.

"Aine, do you know how psychopathic you sound right now?" Asked Daegal.

She grabbed the gem of the necklace by her palms and placed it right in front of her mouth.

"Abaddon, do you hear me? Abaddon? Please answer!" Aine said to the necklace.

Meanwhile, in Pulchra City, Abaddon was about to have an audience with Deimos. Right as he was about to enter, he heard a certain voice.

"Abaddon? Please answer!" Said Aine's voice.

"Aine?" Said Abaddon.

"Herald Abaddon, please enter the hall," said a diplomat standing next to Abaddon.

"Uhh, give me 5 minutes; stall him," said Abaddon.

"Wait, you're just going to leave me here? Abaddon?" Said the diplomat as the door to the hall opened.

Abaddon walked to the side, where he could not be seen by Deimos even when the door was open.

"Aine? What's wrong?" Said Abaddon.

"I have someone who is volunteering himself to be the General of Moon Village," said Aine.

"Oh, really? That's great! Every general I've asked has begged me not to assign them," said Abaddon.

"That gem is fucked," said Daegal.

"You're fucked," said Cyrus.

"You want to meet him? Sure!" Said Aine as she waved for Cyrus to come closer.

"Uhm, greetings, Lieutenant Cyrus here," said Cyrus awkwardly.

"Lieutenant, I see you are volunteering for the position," said Abaddon.

"Yes, sir, that is correct."

"Well, I don't have time to do an interview now. You'll have to visit me," said Abaddon.

"Is that a yes?" Asked Cyrus.

"Maybe no one is stepping up, so I am out of options. Visit me, and we'll talk," said Abaddon.

"Anyways, I have to go now; goodbye, Aine," said Abaddon.

"Bye, Abaddon, thanks," said Aine.

The gem stopped glowing, and Abaddon's voice got cut out.

"So, about the fee," said Daegal as he placed his hands on Cyrus' shoulder.

"Thank you so much, Aine," said Cyrus as he pushed Daegal's hand off his shoulder.

"You're welcome, so you wanna come with us?" Asked Aine.

"Oh, what a well-mannered young lady! Of course I would love to join you," said Cyrus.

"A-Alright, we leave tomorrow," said Aine.

"Hey! My carriage, my fee," said Daegal.

It seems Daegal was serious about that fee.

"Alright, Alright, how much do I owe?" Asked Cyrus.

"10 Fickens," said Daegal.

"Bitch, fuck no, that's five times more expensive than regular transit, you dirty old man," said Cyrus.

"Hey, Daegal! Don't extort him!" Said Aine.

"Fine, fine, four fickens," said Daegal.

"Uhmmm, Deal," said Cyrus as he shook hands with Daegal.

Daegal and Cyrus shook on it and solidified their deal. They will leave tomorrow for Pulchra City.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to my room," said Daegal as he went up the stairs.

Aine and Cyrus watched him walk up the stairs in a sort of egotistical manner.

"Dick," said Cyrus.

"He's not usually like this," said Aine.

"Maybe he was just trying to look good for the Herald," said Cyrus in passing.

"Anyways, thanks for your help, Aine; I'll see you tomorrow in this lobby," said Cyrus.

"Alright, see you then!" Aine said as she walked out of the inn.

Aine walked out of the inn to walk the streets of Mercatura one last time. Aine had adapted pretty well to the lifestyle of Pulchra. Most of the people here are very well dressed. Aine's outfit, however, still kind of stands out.

Aine's current outfit consisted of a black trench coat with purple highlights. Her undergarment was black, as were her heels, which still reached up to her knees. The coloring of the coat was changed last night when she was tampering with it with her magic.

There were pockets in the lower half of her trench coat. She also has a belt that goes around her hip that secures the trench coat. The belt also functioned as a utility belt. She took off the sling from the sling bag that was given to her and hung the bag part on her belt.

Her undergarment still had a turtleneck and even a choker around her neck where the turtleneck ended. The necklace Abaddon gave her was hung around her neck. The gem of the necklace hung as low as her chest.

It was a weird outfit since most women in Pulchra wear really luxurious dresses and have their hair braided. Aine's outfit had no semblance of a dress, and her hair can't really be braided since it's too short.

Sticking out, however, had its own set of perks. Because of her strange outfit, people immediately think that she's an important person. Since most people who dress unconventionally are usually either really powerful fighters or really influential diplomats.

So, she's been really enjoying the special treatment she's been getting. From discounts to people overall bowing their heads when passing her. However, none of them were to the point of being scared of Aine. The heralds must have done something pretty bad to result in such a reaction.

She walked down the streets of Mercatura one last time before leaving. The streets were lit adequately. However, she didn't see that many lamp posts, and it also seemed like the paving blocks on the street were glowing.

She looked down on the paving blocks as she walked; they were indeed luminescent. It emanated a soft white glow that lit up the streets of Mercatura. The town was so bright from all the lights in its shops that you forgot that the sky is eternally void.

After visiting a lot more shops and having dinner, Aine eventually decided to return to the inn. She entered the inn; Cyrus was not in his post. Aine went up the stairs and headed for her room.

Aine sat on her bed and reached into her bag. She looked at her bag of fickens. She only had two fickens left to her name. She closed the bag and put it back.

She laid down on her bed. She began losing herself in the void of thought.

"Come to think of it, I never got a job," said Aine to herself.

Her original goal all the way back then was to get a job at the adventurer's guild. But one thing led to another, and now she's somehow in Pulchra.

The past month has been a wild ride for her. Despite all that, she doesn't even know where she came from. How did she end up in the Forest of Dreams in the first place?

Now that she has a pretty decent understanding of this world, she wants to know her origins.

"After I get my criminal record sorted, I need to find where I came from," said Aine.

She slowly became more and more sleepy. Her eyelids were heavy, and she fell into a deep slumber. The world became quiet.

Until it wasn't. Footsteps could be heard. She tried to open her eyes. Her eyes don't dare see.

Her back against the wall. Her body didn't dare move. The air was as cold as winter. Was she alone?

Sirens rang in the distance. The sound of a door hinge creaking could be heard before her.

"Police! The burglar! He went over there!" A man cried.

"Let's go, men!" Said another man.

A lot of footsteps passed in front of her. She wants to know what's going on; she's scared. But her eyes still do not dare to see.

She screamed. She could open her eyes now. The world was dark. She was sitting on a bed. It seems like she woke up in a cold sweat.

Aine scratched her head.

"Just what was that?" Said Aine.

She did not want to go back to sleep; she had rested enough. The clock struck 3 AM. She was still wearing her trench coat and all her other accessories.

She quietly exited her room. She went down to the lobby. No one was there, not even the receptionist. Almost all the lights were turned off.

She wants to get some fresh air. She approached the door that led outside the inn. But before she could open it, someone greeted her from behind.

"Aine?" Said Cyrus.

"Cyrus! What are you doing up so early?" Asked Aine.

"I should be asking you that; I sometimes take morning shifts," said Cyrus.

"Oh, I see. Well..."

Aine was not really acting herself.

"Did you have a nightmare?" Asked Cyrus.

"Yeah..." replied Aine quietly.

"Hey, you're going on a walk, right? Let me join you," said Cyrus.

"O-Oh, sure," said Aine.

They both exited the inn and went on a walk. To Aine's surprise, the streets of Mercatura are never empty, no matter the time.

"Hey, Cyrus, can I talk to you?" Asked Aine.

"Sure, milady, about what?" Replied Cyrus.

As they walked, Aine told Cyrus everything about her dreams. However, she did leave out some details, like her lack of memories, her exile to the mountains, and having a criminal record.

"So it's recurring?" Asked Cyrus.

"It happens once in a while," said Aine.

"Does that mean it has a special meaning?" Asked Cyrus.

A hidden meaning to all those dreams? If a dream were to recur multiple times, that could mean that there is substantial meaning behind it.

"I've never thought of it like that," said Aine.

"Maybe it's like your past life or something, because you were mentioning things that sound quite alien," said Cyrus.

"Alien? Which one?"

"The loud ringing noise you keep hearing. We have sirens, but the one in your dreams sounds different," said Cyrus.

"The sirens in my dreams go, 'WAAAAHHHH'," said Aine.

"See? Our sirens sound more like horns. No horn can create a noise like that," said Cyrus.

Aine began thinking about it more.

"This could be the memories I lost," whispered Aine to herself.

"What was that?"

"Oh, nothing; I was just mumbling under my breath," said Aine.

They continued their walk. These dreams could very well be the memories Aine had lost. Those dreams are trying to tell Aine something.

Cyrus was also mumbling under his breath.

"Shit, I thought the streets would be empty at this time. I can't even get a chance," he said under his breath.

After a while, Cyrus continued their conversation.

"But don't let some dream ruin your mood; we're going to the Capital after this," said Cyrus.

"That's true; I am quite interested to see what the capital is like," said Aine.

Dawn breaks on Mercatura Town, although there isn't really a sun. The clock struck 6 a.m., and Daegal was still asleep. Aine and Cyrus decided to grab a bite at a nearby diner. The diner was only down the street from the inn.

They entered the just-opened diner. They took a seat and placed their orders. Aine ordered a full English breakfast, while Cyrus ordered a filet of fish.

The food in Pulchra is undoubtedly of much higher quality than the ones in Pauperis. They were spoiled with choice, as Pulchra also offered a wider range of dishes. Most people in Pauperis rarely eat meat for breakfast due to its expensive nature and overall terrible quality when sold in Pauperian shops.

The Pulchreans make eating meat a habit. This is why finding people from Pulchra to work in Pauperis is incredibly challenging. Most of them basically have to be borderline blackmailed so they can be convinced to work in Pauperis.

Aine ate her fill, and so did Cyrus. The portion was so generous that Aine couldn't even finish it. This was, however, undoubtedly the best meal Aine had ever had.

"Check, please," said Cyrus.

A steward came to the table with the bill.

"That will be 13 Fickens," said the steward.

Aine just remembered something. She quickly opened her bag of fickens; there were only two left.

"Cyrus, I'm out of fickens," said Aine.

Cyrus sighed and said, "It's fine, I got it; you owe me though."

Cyrus decided to pay for Aine's meal too. Cyrus used his left hand to cover the disgusting smile he had on his face.

"It's fine, Cyrus; you know what they say: A good pussy is a thankful one," said Cyrus to himself.

Bearing a fake smile, Cyrus thanked the steward for the meal and looked at Aine, who was still sitting on the table.

"Sorry I had to make you pay; I'll pay it back to you someday," said Aine.

"No need to worry about it. We should get going now," said Cyrus, faking a smile.

They left the diner and headed back to the inn. But before that, Cyrus had something to say.

"Hey, Aine, wouldn't it be better if we just, I don't know, left Daegal?" Asked Cyrus.

"W-What? What are you talking about? We can't leave him; he also has business in Pulchra," said Aine.

"Ah, right, sorry about that; forget I ever said anything," said Cyrus.

Aine looked at Cyrus perplexedly. Nevertheless, they continued walking to the inn. Daegal was already outside the inn, preparing his carriage for the journey ahead. Amber, the horse, was also there, standing proudly next to Daegal.

"There you guys are; I was wondering where you guys went," said Daegal.

"Sorry, sorry, we are just having breakfast," said Aine.

"So, this is your carriage?" Asked Cyrus snarkily.

"Sure is, got a problem with that?" Retaliated Daegal in an equally snarky tone.

Cyrus walked up to the carriage. He brushed his fingers on the carriage.

"Cheaply made," said Cyrus.

"What was that? Are you asking for a fight?" Daegal said angrily.

"Of course not; I'm just saying your carriage is subpar at best," said Cyrus.

Daegal looked at Aine slightly angrily. Aine took it as a signal to stop the bickering.

"Guys, stop fighting! Cyrus, if you don't like the carriage, you can take another transport," said Aine.

"No, I do not; it will suffice for a future captain such as myself," said Cyrus egotistically as he entered the carriage.

Daegal scratched his head as he approached Aine.

"I told you we should've charged him 10," said Daegal.

Aine stayed quiet and also hopped on the carriage. Daegal mounted the carriage on Amber, hopped on the driver's seat, and got moving.

They are now leaving Mercatura and heading north to reach Pulchra City. Daegal was eating a piece of bread while he controlled the carriage.

"So, Aine, you said you were also from Pauperis," said Cyrus, trying to strike up a conversation.

"Yes, I am,; I was born in Moon Village too," said Aine.

Daegal looked back at Aine with confusion. Aine simply winked at Daegal. Daegal nodded multiple times slowly and looked back forward.

"Oh really? What a coincidence," said Cyrus.

"Yeah, it's quite a nice place," said Aine.

"And how did you meet Baba Yaga over there?" Asked Cyrus.

"Oh, Daegal? He helped my family get out of a tough situation once, and he's really close with my parents," said Aine.

Aine lies as naturally as she breathes.

"T-That's right, I wonder how your mother is doing right now? She's such a sweetheart," said Daegal, trying to play along.

"Uh-huh, hmm, what did he do?" Asked Cyrus.

Right as Aine was about to answer, Daegal butted in.

"That's none of your concern, is it?" Said Daegal.

"Zip it, you demented cunt; I'm trying to have a conversation with Miss Aine over here," said Cyrus.

"Woah, woah, woah, this is my carriage! You ain't swearing at me, you ungrateful fucker!" Shouted Daegal.

It seems Daegal and Cyrus have begun bickering once more. Cyrus was so incredibly impolite to Daegal. Why would he act like that toward him?

"Cyrus, can you stop being so offensive to Daegal?" Said Aine, annoyed.

"I'm sorry, milady, but I can't just let a beta like him boss me around," said Cyrus.

"Beta?! Who are you calling a beta?" Shouted Daegal.

"Cyrus! Stop!" Shouted Aine.

"Trust me, baby, I'll show you true pleasure," Cyrus said amorously.

They had already left town. Cyrus, Daegal, and Aine are pretty much stuck together until they make it to Pulchra City.

"Hey Daegal," said Cyrus.

Cyrus lunged at Daegal, locking his neck.

"Cyrus. Stop!" Shouted Aine as she tried to pull Cyrus off Daegal.

The carriage stopped moving. Cyrus turned around and jumped Aine instead. He rolled Aine around so she was flat on her stomach. Cyrus gripped the back of Aine's neck. He had pinned Aine to the ground.

Daegal was looking behind them in utter shock. Cyrus used his left hand to touch Aine's crotch. Aine screamed, and her face turned bright red. Cyrus began stroking it through the undergarment and eventually tried ripping it.

"You like that? There's plenty more where that came from," Cyrus said maniacally.

Aine tried to move, but it was no use. Cyrus turned Aine around and began suckling on her nipples through the undergarment.

"Get off her!" shouted Daegal as he tackled Cyrus.

They both fell out of the carriage through the back. Daegal was on top of Cyrus and began punching his face repeatedly. Cyrus had no interest in fighting. Cyrus quickly got out of Daegal's clutches and threw some punches back.

Daegal fell backward as Cyrus rushed back onto the carriage.

"I didn't want to come to this," said Daegal as he took out a knife from his back pocket.

Foam was beginning to build up around Cyrus' mouth. He quickly got back on the carriage, despite Aine's best efforts to fend him off. Aine tried to get up and run, but Cyrus grabbed her by the feet and dragged her back towards him.

Cyrus pinned Aine back down, this time with Aine's stomach flat on the ground. Aine's crotch was exposed, and this time Cyrus took full advantage of it. Cyrus tried to take his pants off. Aine began throwing stuff at Cyrus at arm's length. Cyrus began bleeding from the head. However, his drive showed no sign of stopping.

"Let go of her!" shouted Daegal as he threw his knife at Cyrus.

The knife stuck to Cyrus' right shoulder blade. Blood began to jet out of the wound. Daegal hopped on the carriage and drove the knife in deeper while twisting it to cause further damage.

The blood-covered Daegal pulled Cyrus off of Aine as Cyrus began to weaken from the blood loss. Cyrus' penis was already dangling at this point; it was erect and ready for intercourse. Daegal threw Cyrus out of the carriage.

"Let me!!" Cyrus shouted as he lay on the dirt while bleeding out.

Daegal got out of the carriage and pulled his knife out of Cyrus. As he pulled it out, Cyrus spat some blood out.

"Aine! Please! I know you want it!" shouted Cyrus while smiling maniacally.

"Fuck! You!" shouted Daegal as he kicked Cyrus' head.

Cyrus stopped moving. It seems that his perverted life is forfeit. Daegal was breathing heavily, tired from the fight. He was covered in blood.

"D-Daegal," said Aine, on the verge of tears.

"Aine? Are you okay?" asked Daegal as he rushed back onto the carriage.

Aine grabbed on to Daegal and began crying.

"I was so scared!" wept Aine.

"Hey, hey, It's okay; everything is okay now," said Daegal.

Aine clinched onto Daegal tightly as she continued to cry. Daegal took off Aine's necklace and began calling out to it.

"Abaddon, c-can you hear me? We need help," said Daegal in a shaky voice.

No response.

"Hey! Abaddon! Come on! Answer Me!" he shouted.

The necklace began to glow.

"Daegal? What's wrong? Where's Aine?" Asked Abaddon through the necklace.

"Abaddon! I'm scared!" shouted Aine as she cried.

"What's going on? Aine?" asked Abaddon.

"Come quickly! We're on the path between Mercatura and Pulchra City," said Daegal.