Chapter 49: Chapter 49 – Childhood Trauma

Somewhere unknown…

Four individuals stood in a circle. Long flowing robes shrouded them in a black that seemed to blend in with the darkness at every movement. Like steam billowing from a boiling kettle.

They attached empty glass jars to their hips. The dense glass that looked to be made from thick crystal shimmered under the flickering candlelight. Masks with horns adorned to the forehead were stuck to their faces like someone had glued them on. However, it was the markings scored within their eyes that exuded an unease that would fill anyone that witnessed it with trepidation. The markings squirmed, and their eyes were red and raw, bloodied veins branched out like a tributary river and sprawled over the rest of their eyes.

One person raised his hand as a droplet of blood seeped out from within their eye. He wiped it away with his sleeve that was mottled with a large dark-brown coloured patch. The drop of scarlet blood eventually turned into the same colour as it dried.

“How is the preparation coming along?” One man said, his mask had a crown that was perched on top of the horns.

“Bishop.” Another man bowed, his mask held an enormous savage grin that crawled from one ear to the other. “We are ready to make our move whenever you command it.”

“The symbiote awaits our souls.” The crowned man stood with his hands behind his back, as if he owned the entire world. Tha mana within the room swirled at his command. “Gather the Altered Corps.”

At his command, the robed people bowed and then vanished.

The crowned man willed a black mist to swirl in front of him as his hand sifted through it like a malleable cloud. He untied the glass bottle by his waist and fiddled around with the crystal container.

“Soon, the nobles won’t be the only ones with the grace of Legendary Classes.” Through the gaps in his savage mask, a grin appeared.

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Astrid glanced out at the sky above. For the first time in what felt forever, dark stratus clouds sprawled from one end of the sky to the other. The once excitable sun’s rays were hampered behind them. Locked away for another day.

Astrid glanced at Leena as she held her metallic umbrella above her head. She bound her short, dull-blonde hair into a ponytail. With a pretty nose and lips to match it, her looks wouldn’t lose to any of the nobles that lauded themselves as the second coming. She was wearing a new dress this time. Well, it couldn’t really be called a dress. Her shirt was cut short at the sleeves, displaying her muscled and toned arms. The skirt was split in the middle, and only travelled down to her knees. Someone stitched metal plates firmly into the fabric. Instead of tights, she wore form fitting black trousers that formed to her legs like a second skin.

“Is that a new design?” Astrid said, checking the dress out.

“It is my lady.” Leena smiled and lifted the dress’ hem. “They asked me to receive it as my new uniform.”

“It looks good,” Astrid said. “I want one like it. Let’s stop off at Master Rumaisia's place.”

“Once you’ve set your mind on something, it has to be done right away, doesn’t it, my lady?”

“Of course, you’ve known me forever now,” Astrid said. “I can’t stand waiting around.”

“Of that much, I’m aware.” Freya said from the side.

She had freshly covered her face in a light powdered make-up that accentuated her pretty facial features. But it couldn’t hide her heroic aura, despite her not being a fighter. She had a rare class, although Astrid didn’t know exactly how rare it was, as she was always stingy with that information. She knew she was powerful in her own right. Her ability to gain friends and make everyone adore her was something that made Astrid feel sick.

Freya clutched a pretty blue purse of fine material. It was covered in a myriad of white sea crystals that sparkled despite the lack of sun. Someone intricately embedded them into the material’s surface to create the Sinwen badge. Two spears that interlocked over a large shield.

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“How can you wear something like that?” Astrid said, glancing at the bag.

Freya said, “I can get one made for you if you’d like?” She smiled, her pearly white teeth on display.

“I’d rather not.” Astrid continued. “I would destroy it within five minutes.”

“Yes, because knowing you, you would use it as a flying discus.” Freya joked.

Leena giggled. “More like a weapon.”

“You’re right.” Freya’s shoulders trembled. “Although, now she has levitation powers instead of throwing pots and pans around with her little stubby arms. The monsters throughout the world should tremble in their fish-skin.”

Astrid glared at her cousin. “That’s when I was a child!”

“And now you’re just a child with superpowers,” Freya said.

“You–”

“Hey, aren’t they your friends from when you were younger?” Freya pointed her chin to a group of young men and women loitering around the shopping district. Just based on looks, they appeared to be a couple of years older than Astrid. They displayed new, fancy equipment within their arms as they gaudily showed them off to everyone that passed by.

“Friends?” Astrid thought for a second. Her eyes flashed a weakness that transformed into rage in the next second. “They're no friends of mine.”

Once Astrid approached, the so-called friends all turned to her as their faces lit up in excitement.

One young man was the first to approach without hesitation. Edward Dixon. Long middle-parted hair brushed up against his broad shoulders. A thin, silver chain kept his hair in place. A crystal blue gem embedded in the middle of the chain as it rested on his forehead. He was wearing a loose fitted shirt that bloomed with a myriad of colours. He secured a new longsword with an intricately detailed hilt at his waist.

Just from a fleeting glance, she could tell it was at least a rare quality. Focusing on it and using Identify, she noticed that something was blocking her vision. A blocking stone was hugging his wrist, but she knew it wasn’t that. She guessed the sword had some sort of magical enchantment on it that blocked her skill.

Although in reality, she didn’t blame him, nor anyone, for hiding their information. Who knew who would use it against them? After all, she had experienced it firsthand down in the clustered town below. If Fletcher and his posse held more information on them, she doubted her team would have been able to handle them so efficiently.

“Astrid, it’s been a while.” Edward flashed a complicated smile.

“Thankfully, it has.” Astrid nodded. Her heart bubbled with an intense heat.

 

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