One Week Ago
Ryuu trudges through the harsh winter night, occasionally glancing up to take in the seemingly infinite sky above.
Cold winds blow across the open plains, sending flurries of snow whipping into his face as he stomps across the soft expanse.
He’s been traveling for almost a month now, without much food or rest, and is following his rumbling stomach toward the nearest settlement he can find.
Before long, a village appears on the horizon with the smell of fresh food and a promise of warmth, fueling the rest of Ryuu’s journey.
He makes his way to the edge of the village, appreciating its somewhat small size, before being attracted to a bustling tavern nearby.
Although his brain is clouded from hunger, the weary traveler manages to make out “The Empty Barrel” on an old sign above the door.
As he pushes his way inside, he’s greeted by the intense aroma of fresh bread and honeyed mead, nearly causing him to drool, then spots the only available seat.
After several “excuse me’s” and “sorry’s”, he plops down at the bar and looks all around him at the different dishes on each table.
While subconsciously reaching out for his neighbor’s meal, his maneuver is interrupted with-
“Hey there, what can I get for you?”
Ryuu glances up from his neighbor’s plate to find a young woman beaming at him and quickly straightens up, playing it off as best as he can.
“Yes, uh, I’m terribly hungry… Oh, and thirsty. I’ll take an order of the cheapest things you’ve got.”
The waitress gives a slight grin and replies, “Comin’ right up!” Within a few minutes, a plate of steaming roast and a mug of mead are placed in front of him, and although his stomach is basically jumping out of his mouth for the food, he protests.
“There must be some mistake. I asked for the cheapest you had.”
“Oh no, this is no mistake,” the waitress replies with a wink.
“Consider it my treat. In exchange, tell me a little about yourself.”
“Well then, what do you want to know?” Ryuu asks, his cheeks already stuffed.
“I want to know what a guy like you is doing in the Northern Reaches, and better yet, what brought you to this little village of ours. Am I troubling you?”
“A little, but I’d be happy to talk after my meal.”
With that, the young waitress moves on to handle other customers while Ryuu finishes his meal.
After days without any sustenance, he didn’t really care what he got to eat, but the roast causes tears to well up in his eyes as he digs in.
He soon washes it down with mead, letting out a sigh of satisfaction not even three minutes later.
As he gets up from his chair, he eventually spots the waitress’s brown hair bobbing across the room.
The two of them lock eyes, and just like that, Ryuu is following her into a small break area where they can talk.
“Are you sure it’s okay for me to be back here?” he asks.
“I’d rather not get you into trouble after what you did for me.”
“Don’t worry about it, it’s no biggie. Besides, there aren’t many chances for a village girl like me to run into someone as interesting as you.”
“Let me guess, you want to know what a guy that looks like me is doing in this region?”
“Well of course! I mean, hair white as snow, naturally tan skin… That combination of features is usually found deep in the Southern Reaches. So I’m curious, what are you doing all the way up here in Bexter?”
“I’m assuming Bexter is the name of this village? Regardless, I don’t really have a reason for being here. Besides the food and drink, that is. As for why I’m in the Northern Reaches, that’s because I’ve always been here.”
The waitress leans back against a small desk, her fingers twirling in her hair as she asks, “So you were born up here? That’s weird, I’ve never heard of someone like you being around.” While saying that, she looks Ryuu up and down, taking in his appearance again as if it’s something out of a story book: hair as white and soft as powdered snow, naturally tan skin hiding beneath a black undershirt and trousers, and a white jacket that looks like it’s seen better days.
The most striking feature, she concludes, is his pale yellow eyes.
They’re not quite dead inside, but she gets the feeling that if she stared into them too long, she’d be swallowed up.
Ryuu notices this.
“Stare all you want, but I’m afraid I don’t have a different explanation for you. I’ve been in the Northern Reaches for as long as I can remember, and I’ve definitely never traveled far enough to see the Southern Reaches.”
“Hmm, well I guess-”
CRASH!
“Huh, is something going on out there?”
“Oh, it’s probably nothing. Just some of the villagers getting rowdy at night, as always,” the waitress replies.
” Let me break it up real quick!
I’ll be right back!”
Ryuu watches her scurry out of the break room while he moves to sit in a nearby chair, but stops mid-motion as he hears more noise and screaming.
He pokes his head out of the break room, expecting to find a couple of village men having a disagreement, but feels his pulse jump at the sight before him.
The inside of The Empty Barrel is trashed, with broken tables and splintered floorboards littering the room.
The waitress that he had been talking with is now being held off of the ground by her hair, and a rough-looking man with a scar across the bridge of his nose continues to yell into her face.
“What do you mean you won’t serve me?!” the scarred man shouts.
“I’m a payin’ customer, which means you should be whippin’ me up somethin’ to eat with a smile! Right?!”
“I-I’m sorry sir! You can’t just smash a path to the bar and-”
Thump!
The man throws her across the room, but Ryuu darts out of the break room and catches her before she can hit the wall.
“What’s the big idea, throwing someone around like that?” he asks with a tilt of his head.
“Huh?” The man mumbles.
“Where the hell did you come from?”
“Like I said, I’ve always been here.”
“What the hell are you ramblin’ on about?! Just get out of my way, you damn fool!”
The ruffian steps towards him with an outstretched arm, but when he tries to move the white-haired man, nothing happens.
Ryuu stands unyielding–much to the man’s astonishment–as he sets the waitress down gently and turns to face the troublemaker again.
“Alright, pal,” he smirks.
“I guess you’ll do. Help me work off this meal.”
Before the scarred man can fully process his meaning, Ryuu’s fist lights up with an intense white glow and crashes into his face.
The old wound across his nose is reopened as he’s sent flying out of the tavern door (or what’s left of it) and crashes into the snow–bloody and unconscious.
Ryuu’s face still has a small smirk on it for a moment, then he realizes the man isn’t getting up and face-palms.
“Dammit, not again!”
He hurriedly empties out his pockets before leaving all of the change he has atop the bar and yelling, “Sorry about this!” as he dashes out of The Empty Barrel.
The waitress is still in a daze at this sudden chain of events–as well as the rest of the villagers–but manages to catch a glimpse of Ryuu taking money from the scarred man’s pockets before running off.
******
Present Time
Clashing steel.
Crowds jeering.
The smell of blood.
Visions of battle and bloodshed fill Ryuu’s mind as he tosses and turns, then his eyes snap open to the sound of wind whistling through a crack in a window.
He wakes to find himself in a small room, and the bed he’s in–if it can be called one–barely supports his weight.
After shaking the nightmares from his head, Ryuu stands and gets ready, lacing up his combat boots before walking out the door.
The next room is larger, with a fireplace burning against the wall and a few other people milling about.
He nods his head at a larger man (whom he had paid last night for his stay) and leaves the roadside inn.
It’s been a month since the traveler left his home and began his aimless wandering around the Northern Reaches.
His main goal has been to find a new home, but what that new home should look like is something he can’t seem to decide on.
So, he travels toward the east, making his way across rolling hills and wide, frozen rivers, as well as stopping at an inn every now and then.
Eventually, a settlement comes into view from across a shallow valley, and Ryuu heads straight for it.
This landmark seems to be a place of importance, with high walls circling the perimeter and armed guards at each entrance.
Before long, he reaches the outer walls and stands in line behind several people, most of whom seem to be here for trade or the like.
Covered wagons and large backpacks adorn everyone entering the walls, which makes him feel a little out of place with just the clothes on his back, but soon enough, it’s his turn.
“State your business,” one of the guards orders.
Ryuu shrugs.
“I wanna check this place out. It seems pretty big.”
“Are you playing some kind of prank on me, foreigner?”
“No? I just want to get through the walls. Is that a problem?”
The guard sighs and shakes his head.
“Listen buddy, this here is the capital of the Northern Reaches. The grand city of Mahora is beyond these walls, and we need to be sure you won’t cause any trouble while inside. Now show me some proper identification so we can move along.”
Ryuu tilts his head, a blank expression on his face as he processes the request.
Just as the guard is about to get fed up and send him packing, a voice calls out from behind the traveler.
“He’s with me.”
Both men turn toward the voice and freeze.
A large, gilded carriage slows to a stop, with six heavily armored soldiers accompanying it.
Ryuu squints his eyes to try and make out who’s speaking, but the bright sun glinting off of the gold trim blinds him.
“I repeat, he’s with me.”
One of the soldiers opens the door of the carriage and moves aside with a bow of their head.
A woman around her mid-twenties soon steps out, her presence commanding the respect of everyone in the vicinity.
Ryuu’s eyes widen just a fraction at the sight of her: sleek platinum blonde hair that falls straight and frames her porcelain-like face, contrasting with her tan military-style coat and knee-length skirt.
An ornate rapier is fastened to her hip, which, when paired with her ruby-red irises, gives off a dangerous impression.
“Lady Ilene?!” the guard exclaims.
He hastily lowers his head as he continues, “Please excuse me, I wasn’t aware that this man was a guest of yours.”
The woman, Lady Ilene, steps forward several paces and rests her hand on Ryuu’s shoulder.
“That’s quite alright. You couldn’t have known. Now then, if you’ll excuse us.”
Ryuu is suddenly guided onto the carriage by the strange woman and takes a seat across from her on a plush cushion.
He keeps his cool until the moment the door is shut and the two of them start gently moving along.
“Am I in some kind of trouble?” he blurts out.
“I don’t know what I’ve done to upset you, Your Ladyshipness, but I humbly apologize.” He then bows his head deeply, trying to imitate the soldier from before.
After staying in that position for a few moments with no response, he looks up to find her staring at him.
“Raise your head.”
He complies, straightening up on his cushion as the carriage passes through the walls of Mahora.
Despite his growing sense of curiosity, he doesn’t dare to look out of the window, instead keeping his eyes locked with the noblewoman’s as he waits for her to continue.
“Your ladyshipness…was it?” she muses.
“I appreciate the gesture, but I think both of us will be more comfortable if you speak normally.”
“Oh, sure. Was it really that obvious?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“Well, what should I call you then? Lady Ilene?”
She gives a slight nod.
“Good. I will say, aside from your less-than-adequate knowledge on being subservient, you seem to have a decent brain between your ears. It helped that you played along with my little performance so well back there.”
“I’ll just take the compliment, I guess. Since we’re talking about it now, could you tell me what’s going on?”
“We’re on our way to a favorite spot of mine within the Gold District. I’ll answer any questions you have there, so for now, I’d like you to tell me about yourself.”
“It doesn’t seem like I have much say in the matter.”
He leans back on his hands and continues, “My name is Ryuu. I’ve been traveling the Northern Reaches for no reason in particular, and today, I stumbled upon this city and tried to get in. I didn’t have anything to use as identification, so you were a big help.”
“Ryuu… I’ll remember that. You said you’ve been traveling the Northern Reaches. How long have you been moving on foot, and where did you leave from?”
He sighs.
“Before I answer that, I need to know why you care. I’m not one to share very much with people I don’t know. No matter how pretty of a face you put on.”
Lady Ilene stifles a laugh at this, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear and replying, “If you must know, I’ve been tailing you since Bexter.”
She then leans forward, her eyes boring into Ryuu.
“You made quite an impression on the villagers. Defeating a B-Rank Outlaw with one punch? That’s not something you hear about every day.”
He rubs his chin, sifting through his memories until he mutters “Oh,” with a small grin.
“That nose scar guy? I overestimated him a little and thought he’d be able to take a hit. Did he die?”
This brings a knowing smirk to the Lady’s face.
She moves back to a neutral position, brushing out her skirt and replying, “No, he was taken into custody and relocated somewhere he can rest for a long time. He was a wanted man, after all.”
“Right, you mentioned something about a “B-Rank Outlaw”. Am I supposed to know what that means?”
“In due time. As I mentioned before, we’ll begin our discussion in earnest once we arrive.”
He shrugs in response, lying across the seat of the carriage as it continues smoothly through the streets of the capital.
Lady Ilene doesn’t chastise him for this behavior.
Instead, she watches him intently.
After several more minutes of riding in silence, the carriage slows to an easy stop, and the door is opened by one of the accompanying soldiers.
“After you,” she says while gesturing toward the door.
Ryuu hops out of the carriage, then moves aside for her to step out as well.
He looks around at the city: towering buildings, flashing lights, and a sea of people that never seems to end.
He gets lost in the wonder of it all for a moment–this city is unlike anything he’s seen before–but he’s quickly brought back to his senses by Lady Ilene’s words.
“Shall we be on our way? I’ve taken the pleasure of bringing you all the way here, so I’d be happy if you went along with my whims for now.”
He considers mentioning that he’s already been doing that, but decides it’s in his best interest to just follow along.
“So, where are we exactly?”
“This is the Gold District: the most prestigious and luxurious area within the Northern Reaches. There are other districts within the capital, but this is where all of the best attractions are.”
She dismisses the carriage-guarding soldiers for the time being, watching them leave for a second, before leading Ryuu down the road.
“You can be anywhere within this district in under twenty minutes on foot. It’s a very purposeful design, one that hopes to breed neighborly love and a strong sense of community, and so far it works. For the past two-hundred and fifty years, we’ve been a national hub of growth and prosperity.”
She glances over her shoulder at Ryuu.
“Impressive, isn’t it?”
“Sounds made-up to me, but if it works for you then whatever. What was it like before two-hundred and fifty years ago?”
“…Ah, we’ve arrived.”
The Lady stops at the foot of a staircase burrowed into a hillside.
She gestures upward and continues, “Welcome to the Golden Club, my favorite place in all of Mahora.”
Ryuu cranes his neck as she talks, his gaze landing on a large, peripteral temple that appears to be made from solid gold.
“It definitely stands out, but what’s inside?”
“Follow me.”
The two of them climb the winding stairs, Ryuu’s eyes wandering around the city as they rise higher and higher.
Reaching the top of the stairs brings them to the temple’s entryway, an open concept that allows them to look directly inside.
The only things serving as “walls” are the golden columns holding the temple together around the perimeter.
He follows her inside with his hands in his pockets, catching a familiar sensation as he crosses into the threshold.
His senses begin to sharpen as he realizes he’s hearing faint shouts beneath him, then he turns toward Lady Ilene, finding her with a slightly more relaxed look on her face.
“What kind of place is this?”
She doesn’t yet answer, instead moving toward one of the far columns and tapping the toe of her boot on the ground three times.
After a few moments, a section of the floor springs open directly in front of them.
“I have a feeling you’ll want to see what’s below here.”
Ryuu follows her closely down the hidden stairs and into the darkness, lit only by some kind of stone or jewel every dozen feet.
They walk for five minutes or so, before reaching a large metal door with engravings of people fighting large beasts.
He watches the noblewoman press her hand to the door and mutter some words, then a faint glow emits from her hand before the door begins rumbling.
It slides into the ground with ease, making surprisingly little noise as it finally settles.
The view beyond sets Ryuu’s blood aflame, and memories he had been trying to repress come flooding back all at once.
“Once again, welcome to the Golden Club! An underground arena where people battle for fame and fortune!” Lady Ilene exclaims with a wide sweep of her arms.
“This is what I wanted you to see, a place where someone like you can cut loose!”
He takes a step forward, his eyes darting in every direction as he anxiously studies his surroundings.
Towering crowds of people, money flying through the air like rain, and most importantly, the giant arena in the middle of the immense underground chamber.
Everywhere he looks, Ryuu spots people that most would never expect to catch in this kind of violent atmosphere, though this is something he thinks of as natural.
“This is certainly something, Lady Ilene,” he observes with an even tone.
“I can’t believe all these people managed to squeeze down here.”
She gives him another light smile.
“The entrance we came through is only available to certain people, so don’t go around telling anybody.”
They walk deeper into the chamber, stopping at some guard rails to peer down at the layout.
The underground arena known as the “Golden Club” is designed for the show to be visible from any seat, without fail; it’s shaped as if someone carved a sphere out of the center of the earth.
The giant arena where the battles take place is located at the bottom of the sphere, with seats and walkways decorating the chamber from the ringside up to the ceiling.
As the two new arrivals peer over the railing, Lady Ilene dives back into her spiel.
“Although you didn’t give me as much as I had hoped for, from the little discussion we had in my carriage I was able to deduce that you’re a man longing for battle. Whether it’s in your blood, or a learned habit, I can’t say. What I do know is that if you’re left to your own devices, you’ll eventually become someone that I have to hunt down.”
“Hunt down? You mean like that nose scar guy?”
“Yes, like him. As I mentioned, he was a B-Rank Outlaw that I had tracked to the small village of Bexter. He was wanted for abandoning his military post and various other war crimes, but by the time I found him, he needed immediate treatment. When I asked around, the villagers were more than happy to point me in your direction, and I’m sure it’s no secret that you’re not hard to pick out of a crowd.”
“I was wondering when you were gonna make a comment on my looks.”
“I”m simply stating the facts.
Personally, I couldn’t care less what you look like.
What matters is that you clearly have some hidden strength that you don’t want to show for some reason, given that you ran from Bexter despite doing no wrong.
If that was the end of it, then I’d just write you off as some brute, but the way you carry yourself… It’s clear to me that you’re downplaying your intelligence as well.
In conclusion, I’ve decided to judge you as a man with immense potential that, until recently, was trapped in a limiting cage.
Am I wrong?”
Ryuu stares back at her for a few moments, judging how much he should divulge without knowing her true agenda.
“I guess you’ve basically hit the nail on the head; I’m impressed. You did miss the mark on one thing, though.”
“Oh? And what would that be?”
“I was never trapped. I simply had no reason to leave.”
“…I see. Then, why did you?”
Ryuu turns his attention to the arena, watching two men clash repeatedly with swords almost too large for their bodies.
“I had no other choice. My place there no longer existed. It couldn’t be called a home any longer.”
His fist clenches for a second before he turns to face her again.
“I need you to tell me exactly who you are, in detail. What are your plans with me, and what are you getting out of this?”
She sighs and turns around, leaning back against the railing.
“Of course, where are my manners? I am Lady Ilene Mahora, first and only daughter of the Duke of Mahora.”
Ryuu raises a brow.
“A duke? Not a king?”
“The only king on this continent resides in the Sacred Land, between the borders of the Northern and Southern Reaches. A duke, a duchess, or ideally both, resides in the major cities of each region, ruling the land how they see fit.”
She shrugs.
“So long as they don’t step on the toes of the king, of course.”
“That makes sense… I guess.”
“Anyway, as a duke’s daughter, I have a lot of responsibilities on my shoulders, and the time for the Succession Election is almost upon us. I need to prove that I’m the better choice. No matter what.”
Lady Ilene seems to get lost in thought for a moment, then snaps back to reality and quickly throws on a perfect smile.
“Now then, as for why I’m scouting you… It’s simple. I need someone capable in my corner that I can know for certain won’t leave my side at the first whisper of a better offer, or some extravagant reward. I’m willing to give you whatever you want: a place to stay, access to this area–you name it. In exchange, I want you to work with me in earnest. Even if it’s only until the election period ends.”
Ryuu lets her words sink in as he processes them over and over again.
He watches her closely as he does so, searching for anything that may suggest she’s hiding something, but ultimately, he concludes that this crazy offer is legitimate.
“Why me? You’ve given me your dressed-up speech and all, but I’m still lost on what makes you think you can trust a random man you’ve just met.”
Her eyes narrow slightly as she answers, “As I said, I’ve judged you to be extremely valuable, but you’re unpolished. If I hadn’t brought you in when I did, you would have roamed these lands forever, until you’d eventually become an Outlaw I would have to bring in. Or kill.”
She stares directly into his eyes as she takes a step closer, red and yellow irises meeting unwaveringly.
“I can guide you down a proper path, one that allows you to explore your options and grow how you see fit. For a broke and homeless wanderer like you, I’m sure this sounds like a dream come true.”
Ryuu grins a bit.
“Wow, you’re really trying to drive it home now, aren’t you? But I guess you’re right; it’s too good to be true.”
He glances towards the arena again, where the two swordsmen from before are still battling it out.
“I’d like to make an amendment to this deal, if you don’t mind.”
“Speak.”
He turns back to her with his signature, devilish smirk.
“Let me fight for it. I don’t feel right signing myself off to you until I’ve shown you a little of what I can do.”
A familiar white light emits from his body, visible but constrained, as he continues, “You say I’m unpolished, but the fight I’ve been watching below has been a disgrace. All of these people are seriously betting on this?”
Lady Ilene’s hand inches toward her rapier out of instinct.
“Aura?”
She forces her hand to stop, quickly regathering herself before replying with a wry smile.
“Yes, I think that’s a great idea. In fact, I’ll set it up right now.”
She immediately struts down a nearby walkway and leaves Ryuu alone to think for a short while.
What have I gotten myself into?
He ponders everything that had gotten him to this point.
His journey certainly hasn’t been long thus far, but he’s aware that he’s stepping into something much bigger than himself.
He pushes it to the back of his mind as the Lady herself returns, her face lit up with what seems to be good news.
“You’re all set for the next round. They’re about to clean the arena from the last battle, so get ready.”
“That quickly? What did you do, bribe the officials?”
“I’m Lady Ilene, remember? Changing the schedule of an untaxed event is quite simple.”
The moment she finishes, the entire arena floor pulses and casts a blinding light over the chamber.
Ryuu shields his eyes and exclaims, “What’s happening?!”
“The cleaning,” Lady Ilene responds with a straight face.
“What the hell are they cleaning with?! Fire?!”
“Magic.”
“Very funny, now can we be serious for a moment? My head’s gonna explode!”
This brings what may be the first genuine smile Ryuu has seen from his new acquaintance.
She quickly hides her laugh behind her hand.
“You’re serious. Oh, this is even better than I thought. You truly have been caged up all this time, haven’t you?”
She then holds her hand up, palm facing the ceiling, as a bright red light begins to manifest.
It forms a small orb, hovering above her hand with a controlled radiation of power.
“Magic is real, very real. Your world is about to expand beyond anything you’ve ever dreamt of, Ryuu.”
She lets the light dissipate and continues, “Before that though, your match is up.”
With perfect timing, the magical cleaning of the arena is completed.
Lady Ilene guides him down the walkways toward the bottom floor of the Golden Club, people jeering and passing around money the entire way.
They stop just outside of the small, sturdy wall that surrounds the arena, then take a moment to make sure Ryuu is prepared.
“Just so you know, this only ends when one of you concedes or can no longer fight. If you think you’re going to die at any point, give up.”
“So you’re saying there’s nothing off-limits?”
“Yes, although I’m not sure-”
“Fine with me. I won’t hold back.”
Before she can retort, the crowd erupts with cheers.
From the other side of the arena, a man comes into view–tall and muscular with scars all over his body.
He hefts a large, spiked mace over his shoulder, and his chest is proudly exposed.
“Hahahaha! Who dares to challenge the great Rolf in battle?!” the man exclaims.
“Show yourself, before I have to chase ya down and make this even worse!”
The spectators roar louder at his words and begin chanting “Rolf the Ripper! Rolf the Ripper!” Ryuu rolls his eyes at this and glances at Lady Ilene, almost as if to say, ‘This guy?’ but steps into the arena anyway.
She calls after him, “Do you need a weapon or anything?”
He simply waves from ahead, keeping his eyes locked on the opponent in front of him.
After coming within five paces of Rolf, he stops, staring at the man a full head taller than him, possessing arms that look like they’ve been packed with boulders.
“I’m Ryuu, your opponent for now. I look forward to a good match.”
He gives a slight bow of his head, but stops mid-motion as Rolf lets out a hearty laugh.
“Hahahaha! So you’re the one? This ain’t gonna be a fight, pipsqueak, so I hope you’ve got nobody waiting on ya at home.”
Ryuu grits his teeth, flexing his fingers by his hips, but keeps his cool and steps back while an announcer’s voice rings out from somewhere above.
“Attention, Golden Club members! Tonight we have quite the spectacle before us! A fan favorite, Rolf the Ripper, has finally returned from serving his jail time, and he’s thirsty for blood!”
This earns another round of cheering from them, the air itself vibrating from all of the noise.
“And his opponent, an unknown warrior with backing from the Illusive Sword themself, the man known as Ryuu!”
Instead of cheering this time, murmurs and quizzical glances fly around the chamber.
“The Illusive Sword?”
“We haven’t seen them fight in months. Now they decide to endorse a new face?”
“I don’t care who they bring out, my money’s on Rolf!”
Talk begins circulating at light speed, until the announcer shouts, “Okay everybody! Now that you’ve been introduced, cast your bets! Who will walk out the winner? Rolf the Ripper, or Ryuu?!”
The usual money-handling process kicks off without a hitch, and even Lady Ilene makes a sneaky bet on Ryuu.
After a few moments, the noise dies and the two men stare each other down.
Nobody moves, they simply size each other up as the announcer speaks once more.
“Now then, without further ado… Let the battle begin!”
Ryuu immediately bends his knees, and a switch flips inside of him that can be felt in the crowd by the more seasoned warriors.
Rolf doesn’t seem to notice, or perhaps doesn’t care, and beelines toward his opponent with his mace raised high above his head.
As the felon approaches, Ryuu waits for the last possible moment to roll to the side, letting the mace’s momentum carry it into the floor with a loud smash.
The impact shoots dust into the air and clouds Rolf’s view, causing him to wildly swing around.
Meanwhile, the white-haired fighter moves through the dust like a phantom, inching closer and closer without making his presence known.
In a flash of white light, his opponent is sent tumbling across the floor and out of the dust cloud.
“Gah! What the hell was that?!”
Rolf pushes himself back to his feet with a grunt and holds his mace in front of him.
“Come out and fight me like a man!”
“If you say so.”
The dust swirls as something emerges from its hold and speeds toward the Ripper, to which he responds by launching another powerful overhead swing.
He bludgeons what he thinks is Ryuu into the ground, swinging over and over again with a murderous glaze over his eyes, but when the dust clears, there’s only a white jacket torn to shreds.
Just as he figures out he’s been fooled, Rolf hears “Over here, jackass,” from behind him.
Ryuu maneuvers into Rolf’s blind spot and lands a devastating front kick.
His boot emits white light (called aura by Lady Ilene) that blasts a shock wave through Rolf’s spine on impact, shattering a few ribs and sending him down face-first.
He coughs and groans as he hits the dirt floor, but soon realizes this is just the beginning.
The same boot that kicked him now comes down on his right elbow, leaving it bent at a weird angle, and causing him to drop his mace.
“SHIT! YA GODDAMN PUNK! I’M GONNA-”
CRACK!
The fan-favorite howls in pain as his left knee is the next to go, while Ryuu stands over him with an intense focus.
He forms a deliberate, perfect fist, covering it in aura as he asks, “Feel like giving up?”
Rolf manages to snap back, “As if!!” in between his sobs and wailing, struggling pitifully beneath his opponent’s boot.
“I figured as much.”
Ryuu sharply exhales as he brings his fist down with enough force to create a crater in the arena, sending out a large wave of dust.
It obstructs the view of the entire chamber like a thick veil.
The spectators wait with dry mouths and shaky hands, all but knowing what kind of bloody mess they’ll get to see once the dust clears.
Each second feels like an eternity for the people that bet large amounts of money on Rolf, thinking they had come across an easy payout.
The dust finally settles, and the reality of the scene is a bit different than expected.
Ryuu stands victorious over Rolf, unscathed and seemingly unbothered by the amount of attention on him.
Rolf lies unconscious at the center of the crater, foaming at the mouth with his eyes rolled in the back of his head.
Those close enough to the bottom of the Golden Club are able to make out the indentation of a fist on the ground next to his face, shedding some light on what had happened.
A majority of the spectators simply sit in silence from shock and awe, and the rest aren’t doing much better.
Thankfully, the heavy atmosphere is soon broken by the announcer’s voice.
“Our winner is… Ryuu! The mysterious man recommended by one of our legends has defeated Rolf the Ripper!”
The spectators are jolted back to life, and the underground chamber explodes with noise.
“Did you see that?! He kicked Rolf’s ass like it was nothing!”
“That guy has to be A-Rank, don’t you think?”
“They said his name was Ryuu… I better keep my eye out.”
Ryuu ignores the commotion and moves out of the arena as medics and other professionals run toward the unconscious man.
He scans the crowd for Lady Ilene as he walks back up the steps, a good amount of people yelling and cursing at him over lost bets.
The moment he begins to grow impatient, he feels an arm loop around his elbow.
“Follow me.”
He recognizes the voice and follows the direction he’s pulled in, but he can’t see the person guiding him, nor the arm around his own.
After several minutes of pushing through crowds and avoiding a few thrown objects, he reaches the top level of the chamber where he had entered before.
“You’re Lady Ilene, right?” he inquires, after looking around for any pursuers.
For a moment there’s no answer, then the air shimmers in front of him, and Lady Ilene appears as if she was there the entire time.
Her eyes cut through the darkness like small embers as she steps into the light, closer to Ryuu.
“Yes, it’s me. As much as I’d love to stick around and chat, I don’t think you’re very welcome here at the moment.”
With that, she turns back to the large metal door they had entered from and lowers it again.
******
The two of them navigate back up the hidden stairs and onto the hilltop temple of the Golden Club.
It had been early in the afternoon when Ryuu first arrived at the capital, but now the sun is already half-finished setting beyond the horizon.
The view from the temple gives the Gold District a different vibe at night.
All of the gold decorating the buildings and streets no longer shines.
Instead, the city is lit by bright stones and signage.
“What is all of that?” Ryuu asks.
“Don’t tell me, more magic?”
Lady Ilene nods.
“Correct. Mana, the source of our magic, is pulled from the atmosphere by the gold adorning the city, and used to power our lives. Gold is one of the best conductors of mana. The absolute best mana conductor is much harder to find than gold, so it’s only popular among those that can afford it.”
“I’m still having a hard time believing all of this magic stuff. I know that you were invisible, and that whatever cleaned the arena was definitely beyond me, but it just seems too surreal.”
She smirks at his logic and replies, “Says the man wielding aura as if it’s second-nature.”
“…”
“…”
“Okay, not much I can say to counter that.”
He runs a hand through his hair.
Besides, magic being real would explain what happened back then…
“So, magic is real, and this energy that I use is called aura. Are those the universal terms, or am I gonna look stupid again in the future?”
“I can’t say you won’t embarrass yourself in the future, but yes, that is the widely accepted terminology.”
She moves one step closer and continues, “The way you said that implies you didn’t know that it was called aura. Just what kind of upbringing did you have to be able to wield it so effectively, despite being unlearned?”
Ryuu closes his eyes for a moment, remembering the burning fire, the bodies he had to climb over, and that man….
“My name is Ryuu,” he begins.
“I’m twenty years old, and stand around five foot ten inches tall. I’ve lived in the Northern Reaches for as long as I know, and I’ve spent most of my life fighting. Every day was a battle for survival, until a month ago, that is, and somewhere in the middle of that, I awakened this energy you call aura. I’ve never been taught how to use it or what it is, I just know that I’m a lot stronger with it.”
Lady Ilene waits to make sure he’s finished before asking, “What made you decide to come clean now?”
“I don’t want to run anymore. I need to fight. I wanted to show you that you were right. If I continue fighting like I have been, without proper control over my strength, I’ll eventually do something I can’t reverse.”
He straightens his back, moving close enough that the two of them are face-to-face before he makes his statement.
“I’m accepting your offer to assist you with whatever you’re doing to prepare for the Succession Election you mentioned. You want to buy my potential? I’ll sell it, but I have my conditions.”
The Lady narrows her eyes, keeping her reply short and sweet.
“Tell me.”
“I want to be trained. I’m talking about world knowledge, aura, magic, all of it. I refuse to stay ignorant of the world I live in.”
“That was the plan.”
“I’ll need a place to stay indefinitely. I don’t care if it’s crap or not, but if I’m going to be attached to you, then I’m assuming it’ll have to be on the nicer side.”
“Of course.”
“Lastly, can I just call you by your name? Addressing you by your title every time I want to talk to you is gonna get on my nerves.”
“You would dare to act so familiar with nobility?” she questions with a playful tone.
“I would have to ask for something equally as valuable, you know.”
He shakes his head.
“Fine, if that’s what it takes.”
“I want you to tell me where you grew up.
Not just “In the Northern Reaches”, the exact location.”
Ryuu slides his hands into his pockets to hide his clenching fists.
He debates whether or not he should be truthful, then reasons that this is the best chance he’s got at achieving his goal.
“…The Pit of Keld.”
Lady Ilene’s face visibly pales at his words, her voice dropping to a near whisper.
“Don’t lie to me. There’s no way a child could have ever survived in a place like that.”
She shakily inhales.
“Even if I want to believe you, that place is almost like a myth. Not to mention–”
“Yeah, I get it,” he cuts in.
“I would hear snippets of information from people coming in and out, so I’m aware that to most people the Pit is something akin to an old tale meant to keep people in line.”
Ryuu tilts his head upward, letting himself get lost in the countless stars above.
“But to me, it was home. I woke up, trained, and fought for my keep. It was essentially a hardcore version of the Golden Club. I was forced to develop a survival instinct, because most times, defeat meant death.”
He fixes his gaze back onto his acquaintance.
“You’re the only person I’ve shared this much with since leaving there. Can I expect you to uphold your end of the deal, Ilene?”
She places her hand over her heart.
“Of course you can. As a member of the Mahora family, I can assure you that I deliver on my oaths.”
He nods and holds his hand out toward her.
“I look forward to working with you. I’m sure I’ll be a handful, but you signed up for it.”
She accepts the handshake and replies, “I’m looking forward to this as well. You’ve more than caught my attention now, a feat few have had the pleasure of experiencing.”
******
The sun has now set as they walk the streets of the capital city.
Ryuu follows Ilene’s lead as he tries to take in as much information as possible.
He notices the stares of people passing on their way home from work or a day out, and at first he thinks it’s due to his appearance, but quickly realizes the reason is Ilene.
Her style and evident discipline make her stand out, even among the people of the Gold District, while he walks next to her with a feral gaze and guarded air around him.
In short, they’re an odd pairing.
“Where are we going now?” Ryuu asks.
“I don’t exactly enjoy being gawked at.”
Ilene continues walking while replying, “To a tailor around the corner. The Northern Reaches aren’t known for their warmth, and you threw away your jacket in your fight.”
“That’s pretty thoughtful of you, but there’s no way I can pay for anything in this city. Much less a tailor that you personally go to.”
“You think my thoughtfulness ends there? I’ll be paying, of course. I managed to make some decent spending money from betting on you.”
“What?!
You were acting like you thought I might lose before I went in, saying stuff like, “If you think you’re going to die at any point, just give up.””
She taps her temple.
“Meanwhile, I won enough money to pay for everything you need, and you got to show off like you wanted. Don’t make complaints now.”
Before he can try asking for some of the money, they round a corner and move across the busy road.
A two-story building with the classic gold trim of the district stands before them, the rest of it painted as black as a void.
Its robust frame and arched roof are reminiscent of an old gothic barn, and a sign above the double-door entrance reads “Sycamore’s Silks”.
The large display window next to the entrance shows price tags that Ryuu can hardly fathom, his mind blown from the price of a pair of gloves alone.
He follows Ilene inside, instantly catching the scent of ash and fresh linen.
The shop is more minimalist than he expected, with almost no clothing to be found, outside of the few pieces on display.
“Can I help you?”
Ryuu turns and watches a man walk out from a large curtain draped over the far wall.
He’s dressed in a dark, single-breasted suit, with sharp-frame glasses and hair that looks like it’s been doused in gel.
“Yes you can, Sycamore,” Ilene responds without missing a beat.
“Lady Ilene?” he corrects himself with a light bow.
“Where are my manners? What can I do for you today, my lady?”
“I would like you to make a suit jacket and dress slacks for my associate here. I want the full package: magic resistance, physical damage dampening, etc.”
“Of course, of course,” Sycamore mutters as he immediately moves closer to Ryuu.
“What about you, dear friend? Any preferences?”
“Not really. I don’t know enough about suits to make any calls here.”
He begins taking Ryuu’s measurements.
“Okay, okay, that’s no problem. Would you like a tie, or any kind of personal accessory?”
Ilene cuts in, “That won’t be necessary. Only the things we’ve discussed, please.”
Sycamore raises his hands in surrender, stepping back and replying, “This will just take a few minutes. Please feel free to browse while you wait.” He then hurries back behind the curtain while muttering sizes and details under his breath.
Ryuu turns his attention to Ilene.
“A few minutes? Correct me if I’m wrong, but wouldn’t it take at least a few weeks for this kind of thing?”
“Good point, we’ll make this your first lesson. If something seems illogical, or even impossible, what would the most common explanation be?”
“…Magic?”
She hums with satisfaction.
“Correct. Sycamore has a Talent for this line of work, so you don’t have to worry about the quality.”
“Is talent enough to tailor clothes in a few minutes?”
“Not talent, Talent.”
“You just repeated the word talent. What am I missing?”
“Talent, with a capital “T”, is the term used for one’s specific field of magic. All people born with the ability to manipulate mana have a Talent within them, although awakening that gift can happen as early as childhood, or never. Sycamore makes money with his Talent, the same as many people fortunate enough to be born with one.”
As she wraps up her explanation, Sycamore reemerges from the far wall with a large bag draped over his arms.
“Sorry for the wait, you two,” he says with a bow of his head.
“Here you are, one suit jacket and pair of dress slacks for this good gentleman.”
Ryuu accepts the bag with a nod, while Sycamore continues, “It comes with every added effect I can manage. Without making it explode, that is. Magic resistance, blunt force dampening, stab and slice resistance, thermoregulation… Oh, and it’s self-repairing.”
Ryuu feels the clothes in his arms get heavier with each listed effect, his mind numbing from the thought of how much they might cost.
“Thank you…” he manages to say with a straight face.
Ilene steps forward.
“How much do I owe you?”
“Thirty gold for the jacket, and twenty-three for the slacks.”
Ryuu’s knees buckle at the tailor’s words, yet Ilene simply pulls a pouch from the inside of her coat and fishes the coins out.
“Thank you for your business, Lady Ilene! Please, stop by again whenever you need!”
The pair exits the store, night now fully upon Mahora as they make their way down the main street of the district.
Ryuu holds his new clothes like they might combust with the slightest movement, while Ilene walks ahead of him at a brisk pace.
She glances at him over her shoulder, “Now that that’s taken care of, let’s get you to your new home.”
******
They arrive at the outside of a massive gate, surrounded by ten-foot walls made of some kind of gold-plated metal.
It sits in the center of the Gold District, serving as both a monument and deterrent.
Ilene walks up to a small device mounted next to the gate and presses her hand against it.
It emits a glow as soon as she does, then the gate chimes in accordance and opens without so much as a creak.
“Welcome to the Mahora Estate, home of the renowned Mahora Castle. You’ll be staying in the South-East Tower with me, unless you have a complaint?”
Ryuu shakes his head in response, lost in the grandeur that lies past the gate.
The property is rectangular, and stretches miles beyond the entrance, allowing plenty of room for fountains, shrubbery, and other fancy decor.
He’s guided to a hidden railroad track off to the side of the gate as he walks in, invisible unless you’re looking for it.
“It’s a few miles from here to the castle itself, so we’ll use this,” Ilene explains while gesturing toward a single railcar.
“Hop in.”
Ryuu opens the door and warily steps inside, the whole structure alien to him.
“How does this thing wor–?!”
He’s cut off as the railcar suddenly lurches forward, descending into an underground passageway faster than his body has ever moved before.
The stones of light that decorate the district are down here as well, providing a constant source of light in the otherwise dark tunnel.
“This rail is powered by mana, the same as any machine or strange contraption you’ll come across!” Ilene shouts over the noise.
“This technology was developed about a hundred years ago, but it’s still extremely expensive, so we can only implement it in small areas and points of interest!”
Ryuu finds himself unable to speak, nodding his head repeatedly as they speed toward the castle.
After several minutes of repetitive scenery, they emerge from the underground passageway and come to a stop behind a thick layer of trees.
He dizzily follows Ilene as she slides out of the railcar and makes her way through the treeline, only walking for a couple minutes before seeing it.
Mahora Castle stands before them, an enclosure castle surrounded by stone curtain walls in a square for further security.
When he glances up, he spots five golden spires reaching for the sky, with the center spire being both the largest and highest.
While the center spire seems to be located in the courtyard beyond the walls, the other four are placed on each corner of the curtain walls.
“We’re coming in awfully late,” Ryuu whispers.
“Are you sure nobody is gonna think I’m blackmailing you or something?”
“Don’t worry yourself. Nobody besides the Duke and a few old fools have the authority to question me here.”
He continues following Ilene as she makes her way toward the gatehouse, where several soldiers wait on standby.
The moment the two of them come into view, the guards incline their heads and exclaim, “Welcome back, Lady Ilene!”
She waves them off as if it’s a daily occurrence and waits for the gate to drop down, providing passage over a deep trench carved around the perimeter of the inner walls.
Within moments of her arrival, the entrance is opened, and she struts into the courtyard beyond the walls without wasting a second.
The white-haired stranger sticks close behind while sensing the stares of the soldiers on his back, a feeling he’s not sure he’ll ever get used to.
******
Ryuu has spent the entire day experiencing things he never imagined could exist, but he’s starting to truly believe Ilene now.
“Your world is about to expand beyond anything you’ve ever dreamt of, Ryuu,” she had said.
He finds himself replaying those words over and over in his mind.
This is good.
This is the kind of connection I need if I ever want to find him.
These thoughts are born from the sight of numerous ornate buildings decorating the inner courtyard.
The area boasts a mile-wide radius, and yet, there are enough buildings to make it almost seem crowded.
Different styles of architecture and blends of color give the feel of a found tribe–or a collection of families–rather than the expected noble estate.
The only detail they share, Ryuu notices, is the symbol of a golden eye above every door.
Ilene catches him staring and says, “The golden eye is the mark of the Mahora family, symbolizing my ancestors’ deep connection to magic and the possibilities it holds. I’ll admit, it used to creep me out when I was younger, but I’ve learned to appreciate it as I’ve grown.”
“It feels more like it’s saying “I’m always watching you.””
“I suppose that’s appropriate as well, but you’re with me. You’ve got nothing to worry about.”
“…”
They move to the right and navigate across a stone pathway that cuts through the courtyard, bringing them to the South-East Tower in the wall.
At this hour, most people are either asleep or on duty patrolling, leaving the pair free to roam up to the tower and enter without stopping.
The inside isn’t much to write home about: a stone staircase spirals upwards, branching off at different levels for rooms or access to the wall, while small stones cast light on the faded walls.
Ilene guides Ryuu up the staircase until they reach the top level.
“This is the floor I stay on, and now, so do you.”
She gestures to two halls on opposite sides of the floor.
“The west hall of this tower is mine, so no going there without my permission. The east hall will officially be yours starting tomorrow, but you’re free to stay there tonight as well. It hasn’t been used in a long time, so you’ll have to excuse any dust or grime for now.”
Ryuu nods and moves down the east hall, hearing, “Be up at first light, or you’ll be sorry,” from behind him.
He finds a single, heavy door at the end of the hall and pushes it open, revealing a massive four-poster bed against the center of the far wall.
As he walks in, he peers to his left and right, spotting a wooden chest, a chair, and a desk.
Their quality is high, even to his untrained eyes, but years of neglect have left them in a sorry state.
He then sets his bag of clothing on the desk and collapses onto the bed.
The bewildered traveler hasn’t felt this exhausted since leaving the Pit of Keld, but he’s not sure if it’s due to the activities, or the mental toll.
In just one day, he’s found himself in an agreement with an eccentric noblewoman, fighting for an underground audience of nobles, and learning magic is real.
Despite his worries of being too restless, Ryuu’s final thought before passing out is simply:
I didn’t get any dinner.
If you enjoyed this chapter, then I hope you’ll stick around to see how Ryuu’s world unfolds.
Along with Ilene, and future company, his long journey has only begun!