Eternal Myth of Arcana

PAnddise City,

We entered an enshrouded in a strange darkness. The city had eerie and horror vibes to it with tall black gothic buildings. As for the citizens of this city, the situation is even worse. This place seems to be a paradise for criminals and rogue deviants. People from different races, like humans, Elves, and dwarves could be seen.

"We are going to that building, the one in the middle," Fernandez said as he pointed towards the massive gothic tower in the middle. A massive crimson-red banner hung on the walls of the tower with a beautiful engraved golden rose on its surface.

I silently nodded as I followed behind him. Sarah also seems to be unaware of the purpose behind the visit.

We passed through the bustling streets of the city, and I saw some famous criminal faces that occasionally appear on the news, too. To my surprise, I also saw a brothel when we passed by the street where naked people wandered here and there. Few are shamelessly doing the deeds in the open and, even worse, enjoying it in public.

One particular dark alleyway sure left a deep impression of disgust on us as we saw live cannibalism in front of our eyes, and what surprised us the most was that both were being eaten and the one who was eating... we were enjoying the moment. How...why...we have no idea, but it is damn over the top, even though I killed people and never felt any regret doing that. Sarah even ended up throwing up on the spot. This was the moment I realized why this city is called Paradise...it's indeed a paradise for all the degenerates of society.

Thanks to the healing potions that we have, we took a few sips to ease our minds, but like me and Sarah, Fernandez did not budge at all which means he had seen worse things than this.

'...'

I looked around and only reached one conclusion...danger! This place is dangerous! Webarenonly safe because of Fernandez. If its just me or Sarah, we wouldn't even survive a single day in this place.

Soon, we reached the building where a 7-foot-tall and massive bald man clad in a dark suit stood at the door. His face is hidden behind a half-mask.

"You dare block my way, brat?" Fernandez spoke with a grin on his face.

"Tsk..." the bald man stepped aside, but his gaze was filled with bloodlust.

We entered the building where a white-haired man was waving at us...or, more specifically, at Fernando. He had a weirdly cheerful smile on his face, and his looks were exceptional. Thin, handsome face and fair white flawless skin with unique, attractive charm. He gazed at us with his bluish-white, beautiful, mesmerizing eyes.

'Zypher Rhinehart?!'

I remember seeing him on the news as he is currently a Tier 9, the most powerful deviant within the United Federation under the Council. He is appointed as the head of the council, which shows the level of power and authority this man enjoys.

Rhinehart family itself is one of three great houses, along with the Nerona Family and the Vermont family.

"Yo man! What's up?!" Zypher spoke as he waved his hand at Fernandez.

"What about the business?" Fernandez asked.

Zypher gave him a cheeky smile and pointed upwards.

"Ey Sarah, my buddy~ how are you? And...who is this kid eh~" Zypher shifted attention to Sarah and asked as he pointed to me with a strange cheeky smile plastered on his face.

"I'm fine, and no, we are not dating. You know me, big bro. We just picked him up along the way." Sarah said nonchalantly.

"You kids wait in that room until we come back. By the way, there will be a servant, so ask him if you need anything." Fernandez said as he and Zypher entered the elevator.

***

I was sitting on the sofa and looked at the beautiful ceiling above my head.

"Baah! It's so boring here..." Sarah spoke in an annoyed tone as she looked at me and then at the ceiling.

*Tring*Tring*

Unable to control myself anymore, I rang the service bell, and soon, an old butler-looking MSN entered the room.

"You called for my service, young sir and madam?" He spoke politely.

"Ice cream, give me at least 20 packs as soon as you can. Make sure to bring the good and big ones" I said.

"Sure, young sir. What about you, young miss?" He asked.

"Bring me roasted meat...a lot of roasted meat!" Sarah spoke with a drooling face as she didn't shy away from stating her demand. Well, she doesn't seem to be the shy one to begin with.

"Sure. Your ice cream and roasted meat will be here in a few munited. We will also send some juices for some taste," the butler said and then left the room, only returning five minutes later as the servants put the icy cold packs of ice cream on the table along with fresh juices and Roasted meat.

"Please enjoy your stay, Young sir and Miss. Feel free to call me if you need anything" he said and left the place along with all the other servants.

I'm sure they won't try to do anything funny with Fernandez and Zypher around. So I hurriedly grabbed the ice cream pack and devoured it.

"Haaa...I feel...so damn good now!" I couldn't help but scream in joy as I finally managed to get some ice cream down my throat after wandering inside a damn dungeon for three fucking days. Now, I felt refreshed as if something soft and squishy comforted my soul.

'This is the magic of ice cream... hehe...'

I thought in excitement.

"You like ice cream that much?!" Sarah asked as she looked at me attacking the pack like a predator.

'What are you looking at, brat? You look no different than me!' I screamed in my mind as I noticed her weird expression. I think failed to notice the two big roasted meat chunks held in her hands and her dirty mouth.

"What do YOU know kid? Ice cream is life...you get it? It's life!" I said what I felt bluntly. If I like something then I like it and do not shy away from my preferences. I wasn't the one who would deny his liking about something because others may find it weird. Besides, I have a much bigger reason to like Ice cream...as it reminds me of my past life that kept me fueled to become something more than that so that I won't end up repeating the mistakes of my past life.

"Hmph, You are no older than me, you stupid monkey!" Sarah spoke with an angry expression.

*zoom*

Just as we were bickering among ourselves, a sudden and heavy pressure descended upon us. I couldn't help but feel scared for the first time. A feeling of fear and darkness enveloped my heart that I didn't feel in the moment when I fought with that lunatic in the dungeon. This was something different...as if a Grimm repair itself was approaching me to claim my life.

Sarah was no different than me as she also sweated buckets, and her eyes were wide open because of the fearful aura.

I couldn't help but gulp an entire pack of ice cream in one go to put my mind at ease a little.

Soon, we saw the source of our fear as a woman clad in all-black, beautiful, seductive dress laces with sparkling diamonds that shone like stars. Her face was covered behind an oni mask with the words 'Death' carved on it.

"Hmm..." she halted her steps and then looked at us from the corridor.

*gulp*

I gulped another pack of ice cream out of desperation and fear.

She turned toward us as she entered the room. With each step she took in our direction, the heavy and cold feeling increased so that even breathing became a difficult task to accomplish.

'The...fuck...does this...woman...want?!'

I questioned within my mind as I saw the woman with such a dreadful and pressuring aura approaching me.

"What is your name little one?" She asked. A melodious tone as she looked at me. Her face came close to me I could see her big cleavage a few inches away from my face. She exuded a strange flowery fragrance.

"Ethan...holmes" I answered the lady.

"You...become mine and I will give you whatever you want." She spoke as she looked at me. I couldn't see her expression but her predatory gaze made me shiver.

'Is she being sarcastic or genuinely mean it?'

I wondered at her words, and it made me question my own self-confidence for a bit.

"No...I refuse." I refused her 'offer' as I found her too dominant in both behavior and power. It hurts my pride lady! Besides, her actions don't match her words at all.

*woosh*

Suddenly, I felt at ease as the heavy and dreadful pressure disappeared. Sarah also sighed in relief as we both tried to catch our breaths.

"Huff...Huff...Huff..."

"Ey Hana, you damn badie~ why are you bullying a few kids, eh?" I heard Zypher's voice as he appeared right behind me.

I could also see a faint illusory barrier between me and the lady referred to as Hana by Zypher.

"Him. I want him, or the deal is canceled," she stated as her gaze remained on me. She didn't seem to care about Zypher at all.

"Eh?"

"..."

'Why would you want a weakling like me anyway?! Don't tell me you are into young kids...'

I thought as I shifted my gaze back and forth between Zypher and her. I hope that Zypher will save me from this predicament.

"Sure, you can have him but only on one condition," Zypher said as he looked at me and then Hana with a smile.

'This bastard...what the fuck do you think I am?!'

I screamed in my mind, but I also knew that he was not throwing me away that easily. But still, it hurt me that powerful people once again dealt with me, and all I could do was watch and accept. I need to become powerful...powerful enough to let others dictate my life.

"Speak," Hana spoke as she tried to touch the illusory barrier.

"Four years. You will not pursue him for four years, and until then, he will stay in the academy under my protection. You can rest assured about that. Someone that belongs to you will not be harmed."

Zypher stated, but I could see her gaze getting annoyed as she finally shifted her gaze from me toward Zypher.

"And why should I listen to your condition when I can take right here and now?" She spoke with a serious tone laced with intense murderous intent.

"Hehehe~ then I will kill you and destroy the entire Paradise city, simple~", Zypher said such a dangerous thing with a cheerful tone that made me question who's the bad guy here.