Centshuu, Ripply, Mosey, and Kove stepped away for a moment, giving some space between themselves and Avery which was what Shieve was waiting for to join the fray."What's going on?" Shieve asked once he huddled up with them and they all looked at him but with disapproving stares."You know what this means, right, Centshuu?" Mosey asked and they all took their attention away from Shieve."Yes, of course I do. If what the pug says is true then this could be big for us" Centshuu replied enthusiastically."Emphasis on IF," Shieve remarked and then Centshuu looked at him discouragingly which made him look and feel embarrassed."Don't mind him, Centshuu. You of all people know how hard it is to control his mouth. Let's just focus on what's at hand and decide what our next move is going to be. So, what's it gonna be?" Ripply asked, making Centshuu take focus away from Shieve and look at the rest then grimaced."Gimme a second" Centshuu said then separated from the rest and went to Avery whi
Mosey stretched his hand, saying as he walked closer to Avery "Alright pug, you heard the boss, so give me your hand. It's time to get up so we can high tail out of this fucking maze"Once he got beside Avery, Mosey grabbed onto the tired young man's arm and was about to pull him up when Avery's eyes widened and he said in a panic "No, no, don't pull me up so fast. My leg is broken—huh?!"Avery was shocked. He looked down at his legs when Mosey ignored what he was saying and pulled him to his feet only to discover that his leg wasn't broken like he thought. ('My leg, it's fine? Wait, why did I feel like I had broken it?') Avery asked himself, for some reason having flashes of him landing on a metallic structure and breaking his leg. ('Hmm, was I wrong?')Mosey looked at Avery with annoyance and asked aggressively "What are you complaining about, pug?! Is there something wrong with you that we don't know about?! If there is, then you better spit it out now before I find out later!"A
After walking in front of everyone for five minutes straight, Ripply who was three paces behind Centshuu and had gotten enough of keeping a watchful eye on Avery took his focus to Centshuu and grunted."Hey, Centshuu, a word," Ripply said as he increased his pace to meet up with Centshuu and walk beside him."Sure, Ripply. What is it?" Centshuu asked as Ripply finally got beside him.".." Ripply was interrupted before he could say anything."Are you finally done with staring at the pug over and over again?" Centshuu asked sarcastically and Rippy's eyes widened in surprise."How did you know I was doing that?" Ripply who had always been a few paces behind Centshuu asked. He was shocked because Centshuu never once looked back so how did he catch him in the act, he wondered. Centshuu chuckled"Come on now. We've been a team for how many years? You and Kove might have been doing your thing before I, Mosey, and Shieve came along but I think we've all known each other long enough for me to
The march continued for hours. Daylight turned to moonlight and the thick canopy of tree leaves did its best to obscure how much light came through to light up their path.For a while, they all walked in near darkness but their eyes had already adjusted to the conditions so it was fine. Following Centshuu had enabled Avery to travel the forest without coming in contact with any wild animals which he would have if left on his own and for that he was grateful.They continued on their path to the exit until finally, they approached one of the forest's openings where the luminescence of the moon up above was more appreciated. "Look alive boys, we're finally getting out of this damn maze," Centshuu said to cheer them up."Finally! This fucking forest can kiss my ass" Shieve commented while Kove and Ripply just quietly walked. From the back of the line, Mosey said to Avery: "Good going pug, you were able to keep up till now. I won't lie, with how weak you look, I thought you were going to
Step after step, Avery and the team of five climbed up the slope toward their long-awaited destination. Deep inside his heart, Avery couldn't wait to get there, wherever "there" was.Since waking up hours ago, all he had seen were shrubs, grass, leaves, animals, and trees. However, now he was about to encounter a form of civilization in this new world he had found himself in, and he couldn't wait for the culture shock.As they moved further from the forest, Avery began to experience something that Centshuu had warned him about – the intense cold at night. Although he had always felt the cold, it had never been to this degree. Now, he finally understood the validity of Centshuu's words.Within the forest, the thick canopy of leaves and the dense trees acted as natural windbreakers, tempering the intensity of the cold breeze. However, outside the forest, the cold became unbearable.To protect himself from the biting cold, Avery clasped the collar of Centshuu's jacket, fastening it shut
Standing in front of the isolated structure that crowned the slope, the melodic strains of instruments and dulcet vocals from within serenaded Avery's ears like a gentle breeze. It was an enchanting welcome to all, yet Avery, still caught off guard, furrowed his brows."A brothel? So all this time, I've been journeying to a brothel without even knowing it?" Avery remarked."What's the problem, pug? Never been to a brothel before, or perhaps you have, but had a nasty experience?" Centshuu teased, but suddenly, his expression abruptly changed to one of alarm."What's wrong?" Avery inquired, puzzled by Centshuu's sudden reaction."I just realized a serious blunder on my part, and I can't believe I didn't think of it sooner. In my defense, I guess I was kind of distracted by other concerns but it's a good thing I caught on before we went in. Pug, how old are you?" Centshuu asked, his concern for Avery's innocence evident.Avery pondered for a moment before recalling the needed memory to an
It only took them a couple of steps from the extremes of the cobblestone tile to the brothel's entrance. Once at the doors, despite their size, they were easy to open, symbolizing the welcoming embrace of the establishment they protect. Once opened, and its obstruction was made obsolete, the music emanating from deep within the establishment became louder and more appreciated by the ears.Following the angelic voice and the accompanying perfectly tuned instruments like a map leading to a well-desired treasure, Avery, Centshuu and everyone else walked into the Velvet Serpent and closed the door behind themselves.They were in a short passageway that led from the closed entrance door to the main part of the building. In front of them was a silk drapery that blocked the visuals of everything happening on the other side, but regardless, the audio coming through was as clear as day.A mixture of erotic noises could be heard in the distance, but unlike Avery who was new to all of this, Cent
With a glint of admiration in his eyes, Crlentshuu smirked."Where did you hear that?" He asked and Bell paused from her dress fixing.She looked at Centshuu then flicked her eyes to Ripply behind him. With a condescending tone, she said "Don't forget who brought you here the first time while you were still a nobody recruit. We were friends or should I say friendly a long time before he gave you your current spot, leader"Centshuu looked at Ripply behind him and smirked, however, his eyes hinted at how surprised he was to hear the reveal."You don't say," Centshuu said to Ripply whose response was a blank stare. He then turned back to the beautiful lady who had fixed her dress enough to leave it alone and stand straight."Well, we're friendly too, aren't we? Since we are, you should know that that was a bad joke on my part—" he said but she cut him off."Just like with all my other guests, I know exactly what brings your group of miscreants back to The Velvet Serpent, but, what I would
Just as Alexander stepped outside the hall, he scanned the area for Blessing and saw her standing in the distance.He also saw some students talking to her but from how bashful and uncomfortable she looked, he could tell that the conversation being had was something she didn’t want to talk about. “Hey, Ble—“ Alexander called out, raising his hand to get her attention but was interrupted.“Alexander”Alexander stopped and groaned after hearing his name.He turned in the direction he had heard the voice come from, already knowing who it was because he recognized the voice. After all, it hadn’t been more than an hour since he last heard it.“Princess” Alexander said after looking at her from head to toe, wondering what she wanted. She was leaning on the wall of the exam hall, legs crossed and arms behind her back.“So you remembered my name after hearing me tell it to the invigilator” she smiled.“I have a really good memory so remembering wasn’t a challenge. Also, it’s an easy name to
(“Crystal? What crystal is he talking about? And Foci? What the hell is that supposed to be? Is it like a title or something?”) Avery asked himself and then placed his hand on his chin.(“Hmm, does the Crystal he was talking about have anything to do with the gemstone on my forehead? But wait, Shieve also talked about crushing crystal so it should be something different from the gem on my forehead, right? Speaking of gemstones, I wonder what this thing on my forehead is all about. I think I remember a time I didn’t have it so when did it get stuck on my head and why can’t I pull it off?”) Avery asked himself as from underneath his hair he pulled on the gemstone on his forehead.It didn’t budge.He stopped messing with the jewelry when he looked at Vox and his friends being carried out of the premises by Centshuu, Ripply, Kove, Mosey, and then Shieve who was only confident because Avery had physically and mentally crippled them.Vox was trying to say something but Centshuu who was the
All he and everyone else wanted to see was the other side of Vox’s head. The part that used to be on the floor and covered in the blood.Now that his friends had helped him sit up, everyone who was at the right angle could see what the condition of that part of Vox’s head was.With the amount of blood that had leaked from his body, if the wound was on that side of his head then it could only be seen as a miracle that he wasn’t dead yet.Emphasis on yet.“So all that blood is from his mouth and not a broken skull. That’s good.” Centshuu commented.After confirming, Centshuu smirked and looked at Avery.“See that, Ave. The bastard is fine— well, as fine as he can be after that punch. It could have been worse but the thing to note is that it isn’t so you’re good. Nobody died and you’re not a murderer so chill” Centshuu said.After seeing that Vox was alive and also hearing Centshuu’s words of reassurance, Avery finally calmed down.“You see. Don’t go getting carried away again and most i
“What are you waiting for? Aren’t you guys going to do something to help him? Do I have to ask for the people he calls his friends to help him again like last time?” Kenser said in a panic.Centshuu looked at her and then furrowed his eyebrows. “It’s you, bargirl. If I remember correctly, all of this started because the pug wanted to stand up for you” Centshuu said then turned to Avery who was sinking deeper into insanity.“Don’t you dare put this on me! This happened because Avery tried to protect you and everyone knows it. If you guys hadn’t carelessly stepped closer to these guys and antagonized them the way you did then Avery wouldn’t have had to step in and protect you. Doing something that might—“ Kenser said, looked at Vox and looked at Avery then swallowed her words. She didn’t want to say that Vox was dead because she didn’t know if hearing that would worsen Avery’s condition.“It’s my fault, huh?” Centshuu said and Kenser jolted She quickly covered her mouth. She realize
*BAM*The sound of Vox’s arrogant ass uniting with the hard waxed floor of the Velvet Serpent’s main hall reverberated in everyone’s ears. A sound only heard because the onstage live performance had halted the moment Bell made her appearance and kicked Vox and his friend out of her establishment. After all the training they’ve received, none of the girls could do something as disrespectful as continuing their performance, risking the possibility of stealing attention from the madam as she enforced her sovereignty and reprimanded the leader of some disrespectful guests.The same leader who got taught a lesson he would never forget by the young man from another world, adorned in tattered clothes and a borrowed jacket.The force Avery had punched Vox with not only sent him on a crash course between the cold hard floor and his rear end but, after the first impact, the momentum gained from the punch remained, causing the victim to skid a few feet backward until his back also met the floor
During the moment that Ripply warned Vox, Mikie, Fez, Kief, and Graham, to leave the Velvet Serpent peacefully or face expulsion and Vox reacted negatively by clenching his fists and vibrating with rage, causing his friends to fear for what he was going to do, Avery had gotten himself distracted.His mind was enthralled, pondering the truth of the decision made between Centshuu and Ripply and why it was so important that Centshuu felt it necessary to bring it up at that moment.For a moment, Avery took his eyes away from his recent adversaries and lowered his head to contemplate the intriguing topic.In those fleeting seconds of looking at the floor, Vox turned around, pretended to heed Ripply’s warning, and walked away. (‘Hmm. I wonder if when I become a part of the squad like Centshuu eluded to, would I be able to get the answer about the decision Ripply made between the both of—‘) Avery's thought halted when he noticed something from the corner of his eyes.Vox discreetly reached
These were all things they wondered about that caused their hearts to pound, and their fear wouldn’t subside until Vox finally acted./“Alright. I guess we’ll leave like the bitch wants”\ Vox replied, shocking but also relieving his friends who became happy, thinking that he cared more about them than his ego and pride.Centshuu, maintaining his poker face asked “What did he say, Ripply?”“The fuck leader of the fuck crew said they’d take their leave” Ripply answered.Centshuu grunted with concern. “I’m guessing he said more than that or else you wouldn’t still be this angry.”“Yeah. The bastard keeps testing my patience” Ripply replied.“Did he insult Bell or me?” Centshuu asked, knowing well that that was the only thing that would get Ripply angry enough to act and speak how he is now.“He did alright. He called her a bitch… to my face” Immediately and for a moment, Centshuu who had been keeping his cool, poker face and all, had a chip in his amour.His anger slipped right through
/“….you have until the count of five to get whatever trash-water nonsense you came here with. Once that’s done, you have half that time to discharge from the premises or else get thrown out. We won’t warn you a second time”\ Ripply declared.By the side, Makieth who was surprised to hear such brashness come from a calm-looking individual like Ripply couldn’t help when her mouth gapped unknowingly. On the other hand, Bell who had known Ripply for the longest smiled./It’s unbecoming for a lady as beautiful as yourself to look so lost. Correct yourself”\ Bell said as she helped Makieth close her mouth then went back to crossing both arms. “Still as foul-mouthed as always huh, Ripply. For a second there, I was starting to think that your time abroad had domesticated you too much but I guess I was wrong” Bell monologued, staring at Ripply with nostalgic eyes. Mosey discreetly glanced at Kove, the only one among them who might have understood exactly what Ripply said. “Do you think he d
Vox grimaced as he tried to remember what he had said about her and then like a bolt of lightning, it came to him./“You not only called me names in front of my workers and other guests but you also voiced your insulting assumptions of what I was doing in privacy with those two gentlemen. Your associate also insulted one of my girls which is the same thing as insulting me so Mr. VOX, tell me if there’s anything I’m missing”\ Vox cleared his throat /“Madam Bell, I accept to saying all that but I did so in the heat of the moment—“\ he said but was cut off again./“Mr. Vox, I’ll do you and your associates all the favor of clearing the amount you would have paid for the damage done to my establishment. Think of it as a final showcase of appreciation for your patronage so far but I won’t repeat myself. You and your associates should escort yourselves from the premises or else be forced out”\ Bell said, the anger in her voice becoming more apparent. Vox looked around where they were then