Her eyes narrowed. "My… past?"
The murmurs of the guards in the room began to grow.
"Is this kid stupid?"
"Hah, seems like it. If I knew, I would've brought some snacks."
Lady April began to circle Sachi alone now.
"And what of my past do you know?"
Sachi closed his eyes. She had circled behind him at this point.
"I know about your relationship with-"
There it was.
The overwhelming hostile presence from Sachi's Foresight, aiming a quick jab at the back of his head.
Despite that, he could tell she was holding back. Her presence wasn't nearly as monstrous as Chronos'.
He craned his neck to the side, just narrowing avoiding the razor sharp nails of the woman. At least, he thought he did. A cut emerged on his cheek as blood began to drip.
"You're either the dumbest Champion I've met, or the bravest. And neither is a compliment."
'He is a Lesser Champion isn't he..? How did he dodge my strike?'
"You want my assistance? Fine, you may have it. If you can prove yourselves worthy. There are worlds of difference between a captain and a Major Champion."
She walked by Sachi. He struggled to control his breathing as she returned to her throne, her heels clicking along the tiled floor as she walked.
"In a few days, there will be a tournament - a series of games for prisoners like yourself. The winners will be set free, and the loser will die. If you truly want my help in taking down that prick Kaelthar, prove yourself in the tournament."
Sachi let out a deep breath. 'It's not like I have much of a choice.'
"Fine. We accept."
The slight smile crossed the woman's face. "The tournament begins in two days. Typically, each team will have four members. You are free to gather a fourth, or participate a member short. Vergo, escort them to the V.I.P guest room."
Vergo nodded and motioned for them to follow him back to the elevator. The group filled in as the buttons lit up, and the contraption began to descend.
"You're seriously messed up in the head, Sachihiro. Lady April trusts me the most as her right hand man, and even she wouldn't hesitate to kill me at the mention of her past."
Sachi didn't respond, he was too busy debating what he needs to do before the tournament.
"Sheesh, what a buzzkill."
The elevator clicked, and opened just a few floors below the top.
"This is your stop: Floor 36. You'd best remember it, I doubt anyone would be willing to escort you back here."
Dion raised an eyebrow as he browsed the room. It was nothing short of luxurious, even to the standards of Lady April's room.
"And this… is for 'prisoners'..?"
Vergo laughed. "Ha! We're all prisoners in a sense. That rain outside is part of Eyrndra's power - the Goddess of Water - it can read and keep track of anyone it touches. Their emotions, their intent, almost everything about you. You try to escape or break something and she'll know, and you won't be able to get away then. Especially not after the way you angered her."
That would explain the strange stench and magical drying.
"Good luck to you three, you're gonna need it."
With a wave, Vergo steps back into the elevator and the doors shut.
Dion laid Lyra down on the closest couch. "Well, that's not in the least bit terrifying. We've got two days before the tournament, what are the chances we just get to relax before then?"
Sachi walked by him to a bed in the far corner.
"None."
"She said it was a series of games, but didn't tell us what the games were. No matter what they are, they're likely going to involve combat, so we need to be ready."
He began to take off the armor he had been wearing since he found it in front of the gate, and placed the clover green bird softly onto the bed.
"But… we need to wait for Lyra to wake up. It couldn't hurt to relax just for a moment."
Truthfully, Sachi had never stayed in a room as luxurious as this one. He wanted to enjoy it as much as he could before his life was in danger again.
"Say, Sachi. You said that there were people who needed you back home. Were you some kind of big shot back from where you came from?"
"No. The opposite, actually. My mom is probably wondering where the hell I am now, though."
Dion sat down on the couch next to Lyra. "Yeah? Probably same here, except it's just my little brothers and sisters."
Sachi looked back at Dion while organizing his equipment. "You got a lot of 'em?"
Dion laughed. "Yeah, two brothers and two sisters. Our parents were so excited to have us all, until they actually had to raise us. We did any little thing that aggravated them and we'd be kicked out for the night. Hardly ever slept in that godforsaken house."
Sachi had hardly anything he could say. It felt offensive to try to match the trauma that Dion shared, considering his own past.
"What about you? You got siblings too?"
Sachi shook his head.
"No. Just my mom. My dad left when I was younger, but he's also the reason I'm any good with this sword."
Dion made an understanding noise and nodded his head.
"Is that why you're fighting then? Just to get back to your mom?"
"Is that not why you're fighting as well? To return to your brothers and sisters?"
Dion craned his neck back, staring into the ceiling.
"Well…"
A muffled grown emerged from Lyra as she struggled to push herself up.
"Ugh…"
She opened her eyes and glanced around the extraordinarily decorated room.
"Ah… I must be in heaven."
Her eyes glanced to the side and saw Dion, still wearing the unfitting metal helmet with a familiar falcon perched on top.
"You're here too..? You're much taller than I remember…"
"What!? I'm very much alive and I'm the same height I've always been!"
Serendelle couldn't help but laugh. Even Sachi couldn't hide the smile forming on his face. For the first time since he arrived in this strange world, Sachi felt he could finally relax, even if just for a moment.
'No matter what, we're going to win that tournament, and all of us will be able to go home.'
He stored that thought away, he didn't wish to spoil the moment.