Crimson Core

“I am sorry about that,” Kai apologized.

“Don’t think much of it.”

After some time of silently eating, Kai knew he had to do something. The awkward silence was becoming unbearable. “So…You haven’t told me about the different academies.”

“Yes, that’s true, but my food would get cold, after eating I will tell you about it, alright?” Chelsea picked up the cooked Phoenix flesh after she had finished talking. She was kind of engrossed in her meal.

“All alright then,” Kai said as he used the fork to stab the dead Phoenix, it smelled nice but not as nice as human blood.

It didn’t take long before he started having difficulties in cutting the Phoenix up, and was utterly frustrated. The knives the bistro provided were not sharp, not in the slightest.

“Hahaha, Kai what are you doing?” Kai looked up to catch sight of Chelsea laughing hysterically, whilst maintaining her ladylike demeanor.

“What? The flesh is tough!” Kai said playfully.

Chelsea clapped her hands, and a wait-person came running towards the couple. “Milady, what can I help you with?” The wait person bowed.

“Could you take this meal and cut it up nicely?” Chelsea pointed at my plate of Phoenix flesh.

“Of course,”

The wait-person took the plate placed it on the trolley and walked into the chamber’s private kitchen. Before long, almost immediately, the wait-person came out of the kitchen and stood in her place. Immediately after the female wait person stood in her place, another wait-person walked into the kitchen and came out pushing the trolley carrying Kai’s meal. He got to their table and opened the platter, and the Phoenix flesh was neatly cut.

He placed the platter on the table, bowed and walked away.

“That was fast!” Kai was simply amazed, his eyes were wide in utter amazement.

“Hahaha, you could say that. Erm…Kai eat your meal quickly there are a lot of places we haven’t seen.” Chelsea was done with her meal and was now looking at him with eyes that could only belong to a child longing for something.

“What?”

“Nothing much, anyone ever told you that you are handsome?” Chelsea asked in a rather unintentional but flirty way.

“Not as much as you.” he answered before digging into his meal.

“What do you mean? You have insulted me! I am a woman how can I be handsome?” Kai was dumb stuck at this point, he could not make if she was serious or joking.

“Pft—” Kai almost choked. “—I didn’t mean it that way, I mean you are beautiful, I thought you would get it.”

What she said next, was simply off the charts. “So, you are saying I am daft?!” She looked rather very serious as she spoke those words, with her hands on her chin she looked simply menacing.

At this time, Kai almost had a convulsion. ‘What is this girl thinking?’ he, at this point was very conflicted and confused on the next course of action; the furrow of his brows, the shock in his eyes showed it all. “I never meant it that way, I am sorry.”

He had to refrain from saying any more words to save his arse. He wasn’t sure as to what next Chelsea would twist up if he tried to explain himself.

“Hahaha, I got you, did I not?” the next moment, Chelsea’s hysterical-but-lady-like laughter filled the beautiful restaurant penthouse.

“You really don’t know how to play.” Kai said with an awkward smile.

Soon Kai was done with the meal, and Chelsea paid a total of 180,000 Crimson stones. Outside the pavilion, He felt weird in his stomach as his body tried to digest animal blood.

“Chelsea, I have a question.” Kai asked.

“Ask.”

“I ate a raw Phoenix, how come you paid full price?” He just had to ask.

“Well, it’s not the Phoenix meat that costs that much, you are at the Grand Fish Pavilion that’s why it costs that much. Come on walk faster I have something to tell you.”

“That’s a weird reason.” Kai hastened his steps to catch up to Chelsea’s side.

“So, about the tests…” Chelsea chipped in after Kai caught up.

“Yes, I am all ears.”

“The Academy of the Western Continent was ranked first during time immemorial. You would have simply got 1 point in all your qualities to get admitted. You would be taught magic based on the type of essence your body collects, there are four main types of essence the body takes and it divides the mages into the Aeromancers that control the wind. The Terramancers control earth elements, like metal and other earth elements. Next are the Hydromancers that control water and Pyromancers, they control fire."

"Just like Gilbert?"

"Exactly like Gilbert." Chelsea affirmed, before she continued, The rare ones are the Ergomancers that control light. Their opposite is even rarer the Umbramancers they use dark essence for their magic. There has been only one Umbramancer, Lomu the king of darkness, he had reportedly died of essence exhaustion while trying to protect his only brother the progenitor of the Saguimancers, formally known as the blood clan they use blood essence to make magic. They were vicious, that’s a story for another day. Are you still following what I am saying?” Chelsea asked as they still walked down the road, she had talked for a long time.

“Of course, of course, I get it. Please go on.”

“All alright.” Chelsea continued, “All these elemental magic and other magic aspects are taught in all the academies. Next is the Northern Continent’s academy it is ranked fourth and you would have to get at least 1.5 points, overall to get admitted. After that we have the southern continent’s academy which is ranked 3rd, you would have to get at least 2 points overall to get admitted. Next is the Eastern Academy which is ranked 2nd and you would have to get at least 2.5 points overall to get admitted into the school. Then lastly we have the Central Continent’s academy is ranked first you would have to get 3.5 points overall to get admitted as well.” It was clear that Chelsea had done her research.

The rest of the day was well spent. Kai and Chelsea, mostly it was Chelsea who had the time of her life, He was just a bodyguard, to say the least.

At this point, the day was over, and it was getting late and the sun was already setting, painting the formally blue skies, crimson orange. They had to head home but there were no more carriages for rent even for the city Lord’s daughter Chelsea; they were stranded.

“Chelsea what are we going to do now?” Kai asked. Chelsea wasn’t much of an outdoor person, so staying outside this long made her nervous, it was clear by the way she was biting her lower lip.

Chelsea looked around for a bit before answering, “I know a bush part that leads to the mansion from here.”

“Where?”

“Over there.” following Chelsea’s hand, it was pointed to a dark and gloomy forest path that would normally be a scene in a horror movie.

It felt as though there were tiny invisible eyes staring at their souls; the entire forest path had an eerie vibe to it. The trees were high and tall, they seemed to be looking down on them. There were few branches on the trees, mostly at the top, increasing their gloomy nature.

“Let’s go. Don’t be such a wuss, it’s scary but it is not risky we would be home in no time, let’s go.” Chelsea tugged at Kai into joining her to enter the forest path that supposedly led to her house.

For some reason she acted like she wasn't scared... maybe she wasn't

They entered the forest path. It was just quiet. Kai could hear Chelsea’s breathing as though she was breathing down his neck when she was walking beside him.

The occasional sounds of insects accompanied their walk.

They had walked for some time, Kai was about to ask her if she was sure of where she was going when they heard it. The sound of an animal roaring, it was the most terrifying thing Chelsea had ever heard in her entire life.

—ROAR—

“I thought you said this forest path was safe!?” Kai shouted to Chelsea.

It didn’t take long before they let their legs take control. They ran as fast as their legs would let them; it was the most natural thing they could do. The adrenaline in their blood was building up at an alarming rate.

This was a flight or fight moment, actually they had no chance of fighting, making it a flight-only moment. They had been running for some time. The sun had almost set, making the forest was getting even darker. The worst thing happened; Chelsea tripped.

“Chelsea can you still run?!” Kai asked as he came closer to where Chelsea lay on the ground.

“Kai, I have my bone sticking out of my Leg!” Chelsea screamed in horror as she experienced agonizing pain. The pain was unlike anything she had ever felt, the sight of seeing her bone stick out her leg was simply unreal. It was as if she was looking at leg that didn’t belong to her.

Chelsea’s bone was sticking out of her leg, and she was losing blood. Not so surprisingly, Kai had the urge to lick the blood coming out of her injuries…But he snapped out of it before things could get out of hand.

“Kai, go straight ahead the manor should be at least a mile away.” Chelsea urged.

Kai, on the other hand didn’t even put her words to mind. How could he just leave her here? Her father would end his life if Kai left her there.

“I can’t. Let’s go. I would carry you home,” He moved towards her, in an attempt to lift Chelsea off the ground.

At this point, the roaring beast dashed out of the bushes and stopped a few arms length in front of them ready to pounce on the helpless couple. The beast had ferocious black eyes with red pupils that seemed to be unsteady. The silky black fur had a dangerous sheen in the moonlight. Its claws had a heart piercing shimmer to it. The beast’s froth was red, the kind of red that glows and when it dropped onto the ground it made sizzling sounds.

“Kai what are we going to do? It’s coming closer!”

Kai knew he had to do something about this. Chelsea’s screams and shouts acted as a catalyst, only to hasten his thinking.

“I am coming…”

Kai laid Chelsea there and walked towards the beast as it ran towards him. He had the aura of a crazed man, maniacally running to his death; Chelsea didn’t see his actions as brave but stupid.

“Kai!, no!!!” the screams of Chelsea’s disapproval filled Kai’s ears.

Nonetheless, he ignored Chelsea’s screams and kept on with his march towards the running beast. Fear and panic filled Kai’s soul, but he had to try. Something within him, instinctively felt that the ferocious beast before him could be killed.

It wasn’t long before his primordial instincts poured out, his fingers grew to turn into claws, his fangs followed suit and grew as well. All these happened within a short period, but In Chelsea’s eyes it seemed to take forever.

Then in the spilt moment after his defensive mechanism manifested, they collided. This fight was meant to be as between a human and a beast but now it was as that of two beasts; he looked nothing like a human except for the fact that he still walked on two legs. It didn’t take long before he slid under the beast as it jumped over him. It was a quick fight, and his claws were deep into the beast as it died in his hands after a few useless fits of trying to escape.

As soon as the fight ended, Kai still filled with adrenalin walked towards Chelsea. His smile of victory was somewhat brighter than the full moon up in the sky; to be true he still could not believe that he had won. Because the fight was over and there was no danger, his adrenalin levels dropped; before he got to where Chelsea lay he felt a sticky liquid run down his face and a slowly growing pain in his chest.

Kai sight blurred as he became light-headed, and his steps became unsteady. His legs could not hold up his weight any more, at that point the urge to walk towards Chelsea was all that occupied his mind as he fell to the ground hearing only Chelsea shout his name.

“Kai!!!”

Everything became dark… it was clear that something had gone terribly wrong: He had died.

Kai was not sure how much time had passed, but when he opened his eyes and all he saw was darkness… Deep black darkness.

He could not even see his own hands in this darkness. “Chelsea! Chelsea!! Chelsea!!!” he called, but was answered with eerie silence.

It didn’t take long before he began to panic. ‘How long will I be here?’ he asked himself.

“Don’t be too boisterous!” A gruff voice echoed as two red eyes lit open. The set of eyes looked as though they belonged to no beast he had ever had the privilege of knowing, it couldn’t be human, right?

“Who—who are you?” Kai asked the set of eyes, his blood rising. At least if he was going to die, he had to know what killed him.

“Hmm, you are not Salinger, who are you? Your blood smells like his.” The talking eyes ignored the question he had asked it. The voice sounded like it faked its curiosity, as if him dying had been planned.

Kai on the other hand, who had already been paralyzed by fear was too scared and in too much shock to feel offended.

“C— Can you tell me what happened to me?” He asked.

“I am the god of death and you just died.” The voice in the void talked about death as though it was some weightless phenomenon that could be ignored.

Those words that came out of the mouth of the voice in the void sounded so unreal, Kai simply could not believe his ears. “What? What do you mean I am dead?” This time Kai was really conflicted.

“You did die, but because you have my heart you came here, to my domain.” Although the pair of eyes spoke in the human tongue, Kai’s understanding of it was turned off after he heard that he had died. He simply could not wrap his head around the fact that he had just died.

“Can you bring me back?” Kai asked.

“Hahaha, I could do that, but you have to do something for me; first, let’s deal with this darkness. A little light would be good,”

—Snap…snap—

The sound of fingers snapping twice echoed through out the place as lanterns lit all over what looked like an endless hall of statues. Each stature seemed to be of the same person but still strikingly different from each other; such perfect mastery of the art of sculpting could only be seen once in a life time. Although Kai was not much of a fan for art he seemed drawn in awe of what was before him; each stature looked so life-like.

—Snap—

Another snap was heard, and boom Kai was seated across a table from this being that looked like a man, dressed in otherworldly clothes. One word to describe him: Beautiful.

His hairstyle seemed to bring out his yellow eyes; his fangs seemed rather unnaturally white, flashing every time he spoke.

“So… you wish to go back, I have a way. Do you want to hear it?” the devilishly handsome man leaned back into his seat and placed his hands on his chin, having the air of a business man about to give a contact with fine print.

“Yes!”

“Excellent! Presently I am in dire need of something you have. In exchange, you would go back to your former life as though nothing happened.”

Anyone’s interest would be piqued if they heard those words; the chance to another life seemed to good to be true. “What is it that you want?”

“Hahaha, I like your enthusiasm, I was planning on throwing in other offers though. I wasn’t expecting it to be this easy.” the handsome man seemed to want Kai to ask for more things or at least that was what it seemed like.

“No, not really I want to go back to my life; she is waiting for me.” the panic in Kai’s eyes was very visible. He seemed really anxious to leave, like a mother wanting to go back home to her children.

“I see that you have someone special in your life, yes? Don’t worry you don’t have to answer that,” the handsome man seemed rather pleased, and the air of a business man that just got what he wanted at the cheapest rate possible was rather visible.

“What do you want?” the suppressed irritation in Kai’s voice was more than prominent, he wanted to go back and he wanted to go back now!

“How do I put this…” The man paused. “…I want your Soul.”

“My—my soul?” all the built up excitement and anxiousness to go home disappeared as soon as he heard those words. Kai knew this things he was to receive was not going to be cheap, but at the cost of his soul… he could only stutter trying to find words to accompany the shock he was experiencing.

“Yes, I need your soul.” Kai wanted to stand up but there was this pressure holding him down in his seat. The look in the man’s eyes seemed to be more threatening than requesting.

“How would I still be alive if you took my soul?” That was the million crimson stone question. The logic behind this simply didn’t make sense, how would he be living if he gave his soul to the man—being before him.

“Don’t worry about that, you’ll still be the same, you will still have your memories and some feelings…”

The pressure increased to the point Kai could no longer bear it. He was basically being forced into selling his soul to the devil. He was breaking apart, the pressure was simply unbearable.

Kai's left eyebrow was twitching, his thinking was beginning to get distorted.

“A— I—I, do it” he just could not bear the pain any longer.

“Excellent CHOICE!” The scene changed again as the man spoke, this time without the finger snapping.

This time they were in what looked like a sacrifice hall. He lay on a stone altar opposite the stone altar Kai laid on. The stone alters looked rather old or worn out as though they had not been used for a long time, but surprisingly the alter was clean and somewhat comfortable.

“SAFIT.” He cast a spell.

Strings of energy grew out of his body and immediately entered Kai’s body. At this point, Kai felt something leaving him and something else replacing what had gone. This went on for some time before Kai started to feel dizzy.

“Bye,” the man said as Kai closed his eyes. “I might be seeing you soon.”

The next moment Kai was assaulted by a blinding light on his shut eyes. The feeling of the sun on his face was more pleasant than painful, how much he missed the feeling of breathing. Kai’s head was laid on something soft and sweet-smelling, it was very comfortable— much like a pillow filled with prized feathers but also warm. He opened his eyes to see Chelsea’s teary eyes.

“Kai, mffh mffh, you are alive!”