[3 Hours Before]

  Being incognito wasn’t exactly new to Kael. After all, he had been a mercenary ever since he was 17. Stealing, stealth and infiltration was his bread and butter. He might be a prodigy , but he started off by stealing books from nobles to learn.

  The music changed to slow ember, Kael disguised as waiter maneuvered his way among nobles to floor 3. Serving snacks, collecting wine, he blended into his role quite well.

  He eyed Aeris and Edric on the dance floor, their dance although awkward in a few places looked quite peaceful.

  Those two sure make a good pair, lucky. Kael thought as he cleaned a table.

  “They say relics of House Veyra are being sold” said by a group of gossiping men. They were quite far from Kael, but since he is a prodigy. He could do something nifty things, by manipulating air.

  He used his wind attribute to enhance his hearing, using it he got some intel on the situation like— some were talking about the relics, others about the weapons and a few were gossiping about slaves.

  He has never met the girl nor seen Xantha except for the drawing by Edric. But the fact that they spoke so casually unsettled him.

  These nobles are all the same, using money to show off really—

  “Waiter, get me a glass.” A noble lady demanded flicking her finger.

  “Sure thing ma’am” responding like any waiter he did his duty. Using his magic he adjusted his voice , afterall sound travels through air.

  The song changed, he sees Edric and Aeris moving out of the dance floor. At the same time he noticed the man with navy blue coat and Ronan talking.

  Kael was cautious of Ronan, he had trained with Aeris for two days and seeing her reaction made him wary of her. Unfortunately he couldn’t use his ability to hear there conversation and he couldn’t go to the upper floors without being unnoticed.

  For now, he waited until the time came.

  Time passed by, and some nobles went through the hall. Saying their goodbyes they exited, the musicians packed up and the servants were cleaning up.

  Others however, went through doors in secret. Kael had mapped the rough layout the past night in secret. Upon arriving here he made note of any oddities in his layout, from them he noticed that the servants room on the 4th floor had been made to accommodate guests, mainly the group of veterans.

  The door should lead to a hallway with several rooms, if he is right the guards also travel from that hallway. So there must be some door or entrance to the auction venue.

  The only problem was, unlike Edric he can’t just phase through walls. But he didn’t fret as he had a plan.

  So the plan is, once they start turning the lights off. The guards will shift position, so I just have to dull my presence and when the time is right. Swish through them like the wind .

  The last couple were leaving, and the servants started turning the lights off. Kael went to a servant's room, took his magic bag and changed clothes. Then all he did was wait, he stood on a dark corner on the fourth floor. He can’t turn invisible but at least he can make his presence close to zero.

  When will that guard move, this is making my back hurt.

  Fortunately , he didn’t have to wait too long. A second guard opened the door from inside, while they he chatted with the other guard. Kael used this chance to slip through. At the moment he concentrated his mana, and like a cool breeze he passed through.

  Inside, there was a long hall with several doors on the left. If he saw right, a guard came from the far end, that is the destination. The inside was dark with only the moon light illuminating it. Kael moves through the shadows passing though guards.

  Here , I thought the guards would pose a problem. If things go like this, we can slip through and be rescued here without any notice. Oh what this… Kael noticed the door to one the halls wasn’t close probably. He went closer , leaned in his ears to listen.

  “Do you think the governor got what it takes,” a deep voice with a rough Accent is heard through the door.

  “Keep it down, someone will hear you,” another person said.

  “Hmph, atleast he promised to give us a few items. Especially the ones from the dump called— House Veyra.”

  Veyra? Here? How , it's been three years.

  “True, ya hear the other items are quite interesting.”

  “Yes, especially the slaves. The ones artificially made are the most interesting.”

  “Imagine my army with 100 of those. hahaha”

  The two men chuckled as they clicked their glass, and Kael left the site promptly. Listening to them anymore will make me kill them.

  He located the door, stepped right through. Immediately his world swirled before coming back to focus. He was on a set of spiraling stairs, winding down to what he assumes is the auction hall.

  Teleportation magic alway makes me nauseous. He thought as he made his way walked his way down, while being extremely careful.

  Mid way there was a metal door , he contemplated for a moment on whether to break the door or continue following the stairs. Noise wouldn’t be good , especially with how quiet it is , so he continued.

  Eventually, he found another door, only this time it was open.

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  Looks like this is the only way,

  The insides were more of a labyrinth, various halls, doors and as he went deeper, he met patrolling guards.

  [1 Hour Before]

  Where the hell is that place!

  Kael spent an entire hour, scouring across the place. With barely any luck on finding where Xantha is nor his father’s work.

  He did find many storage rooms, but either they were heavily guarded or the items weren’t there.

  He eventually sneaked into a dark room, he drank a small veil of darkness potion allowing him to see in the dark. As his eyes adjusted he saw— rows and rows of cages. Some covered in curtains meanwhile the others are open.

  One thing he found strange was how silent the entire room is. If this is the place where the livestock are stored there would be some noise. He took a closer look at a cage, in it he was a chained monster. The monster was tiny, had wings and a slimy texture.

  I’m no monster expert, but isn’t that a dragon slime? I think they use it’s skin to make potions. He took a closer look at the cage interior. Ah there it is, In the corners, magical devices were installed to block sound.

  It didn’t set right to ignore the pitiful beast, but there was no choice. He looked from cage-to-cage, looking under the cover and climbing on top. But no luck, half the creatures in this room were monsters and the rest were drugged mercenaries.

  Kael let out a silent sigh. Looks like going to the hall is the only option.

  He sneaked his way to the door on the other side, but then he heard a creaking sound from behind. He jumps to a dark corner, slowing down his breath and consoling his presence.

  Five men entered the room— two behind were guards, in the center with a deep dark suit was the governor. On his left is his butler wearing a tuxedo and a sword helt and on his right— a tall man wearing a leather jacket and metal boots— Cain.

  “Governor, this is where the creatures are stored.” the butler said.

  The governor nodded. “Has everything gone according to plan.” He rubbed his chin using his gloved hands.

  “Yes sir,so far problems have arisen. The bids have exceeded last year's total.”

  The governor chuckled in excitement as he walked , observing the cages. “We haven't even gone halfway yet.” His grin grew even more on the mere thought of money. His blue eyes widened in greed.

  “You sure are happy. Why did the boss send me here anyway, don’t you already have a gang to order around?” Cain asked, stretching his arms bored.

  “Extra insurance, you never know when a bug crawls through.” The governor said , his voice sinister. “I promised the syndicate some experiments.” he said pointing at a cage holding a drugged orc. “How’s the security?”

  “All good from what I checked.” Cain said. “By the way, when will you lift the lockdown? Trading has become a pain,” his voice with a hint of annoyance.

  “Soon, Soon, there's a few more heads to bury.” he said.

  Cain clicked his tongue. “Wasn’t the fall of Veyra enough, how long will she keep ordering you around?”

  The governor let out a deep sigh. “Nothing we can do until the king joins our side. That damn patriarch is annoying even in death.” he stomped his feet in a fit of rage.

  This is more than I bargained for. Damn it, when will they leave?

  Kael couldn’t last too long, hiding from the governor would have been fine. But to hide from Cain senses and the guards take a toll out of him. Time’s ticking down, Kael decides to sneak his way through the door.

  The governor and his men walked further inside, the doorway had become free. Kael waited till they were out of sight, took a deep breath and snuck out through the door.

  He breathed a sigh of relief, relaxed his shoulder but he couldn't loiter around for much longer.

  Now I have to just get into a hall, If I’m right the path to the halls should be here. He looks at his poorly made map, on a crumpled paper. He followed the path.

  The next corridor was narrower, lined with gem lights and cobblestones. The path sloped downwards echoing with faint murmurs— he could hear the faint auction crowd. He was almost there, as to whether this is the right hall was another question.

  I got maybe 30-40 minutes left , If I’m right. The livestock bids should start any minute now.

  He rushed his way down the path, cautious to not make any sound. He took one more step— then froze.

  He could feel a tingle of someone else.

  He immediately ducked into a small alcove, holding his breath. A second later, footseps echoed down the pathway behind him. Calm, unhurried… but with purpose.

  “Funny,” Cain’s voice, low and amused. “I swore I smelled something coming from this path. Guess my nose is wrong, since the storage room.”

  Kael cursed inside.

  Cain’s boots became louder and louder, then stopped just a few paces away.

  “You know” he continued, his tone casual. “The old governor warned us about pests, but I didn’t think I actually found one.”

  Kael didn’t respond. He concentrated, letting his mana settle around him, dampening his presence even further.

  Cain paused.

  The silence stretched.

  THEN–

  *CLANG*

  A dagger slammed into the wall, mere inches away from Kael’s hiding spot, embedding itself in the stone. Kael darted out, spinning low and releasing a current of wind to increase distance between them.

  Things are never easy is it. He cursed inwardly.

  Cain side-stepped with ease.

  “Ah, wind magic. Though I recognised that scent in the air.”

  Kael lept back,landing lightly, eyes narrowed. He spinned his staff, braced himself to receive attacks.

  “Hmm… A staff, wind magic,” Cain rubbed his chin, thinking. “Ohh, aren't you that thief with the wind skill.”

  Kael’s eyes twitched, a smile grew on Cain’s face.

  “It’s been a while, looks like it’s my lucky day. I get to hunt down my prey.” Cain calmly and steadily, unsheathed his sword. “You know you are lucky to be the first of two people to get the upperhand of me.”

  Two? Who’s the other guy? Kael thought, reminiscing of his past encounter with Cain. Not something he wanted to remember.

  “I guess we can’t talk this out, can we,” Kael said.

  “I’ve been needing to practice some new skills, looks like I got a test dummy.”

  Out of option, Kael darted forward, striking first.

  A gust of wind launched him forward like a speeding bullet, with his staff towards Cain’s ribs. Cain blocked it with his forearms, metal-plated bracers absorbing the blow, then retaliated with a kick sliding Kael back.

  Kael caught himself mid air, twisting the air he landed softly.

  “You’ve gotten better boy,” Cain admitted, pacing forward slowly. “But you're in my territory now. You’ll be outnumbered in a few minutes, Since I like you I’ll give you an option. Give up now and I will spare your life.”

  “Do you always talk like that,” Kael didn’t falter. “ I’m not here to fight, but I’m not leaving empty handed.”

  Cain shrugged, “ Don’t say, i didn’t warn ya,”

  They circled each other now, tension thickened between them. Kael could feel magic crackling faintly in Cain’s body— he wasn’t just a brute. His aura was wild, barely restrained, like a volcano ready to erupt.

  Kael chalked up a plan in his head, he wasn’t expecting to win, that is if he can win. All he needed to do was go down the pathway and cause some noise to freak out the crowd. But if he needed to do that he needed an opening.

  With a single swift and efficient movement he took out a smoke grenade from his pouch and threw it, he spun the staff increasing its volume, engulfing the entire corridor.

  Kael runs down the path, but then two dagger aiming at his torso and legs are thrown. He does a sideways somersault, twirling in the air, pushing a gust of air to boost him.

  “Run all you want, but these petty tricks won’t stop me” Cain said, voice relaxed but intimidating.

  I know that. Come on just a little closer.

  He hoped from wall to wall, dodging the entourage of daggers and projectiles from Cain. His mana was almost running out, maybe one or two gusts of wind left. Cain however had plenty, his pace quickens , getting closer and closer towards Kael.

  Kael reached the backdoor of one of the halls, he made it. Whether it was the correct hall or not didn’t cross his mind, plus he didn’t have time.

  He takes out a small bomb from his pouch, throws it up, using his staff as a bat, he hits it towards a wall. Using the wind he aims at a crack.

  *BOOM*

  The explosion wasn’t big, but enough to cause disarray. Then–

  *Thwack*

  Cain caught up, knees Kael's face, knocking him back towards the hall. Kael staggers and tumbles on the floor.

  He shook his head to come to his senses, rolls left inorder to evade Cain's sword which struck the floor leaving a big crack. Kael uses his arms as support–twirls to land a kick to Cain’s torso.

  Cain blocks it with his hand, steps back. “Looks like it’s time for payback.”

  Calm, Calm down Kael. He relaxed his nerves for a quick second.

  Both of them lunge forward , exchanging parry’s and punches left and right. Kael bounced back and forth mid air, Cain however was quick and precise , swinging his sword at the right he stopped Kael’s antics.

  If the fight drags any longer, it will be Kael's loss. The steps of reinforcements echoed from the corridor, I need to leave now and fast.

  Kael used one last trick up his sleeve, wind wasn’t the only attribute he knew. He takes a step back, creating just enough distance, he takes his staff and strikes the ground. Immediately a wall arose blocking Cain's path. Kael then released another smoke bomb, then ran for the hall exit. But—

  It was so fast Kael couldn’t react—Cain hit Kael with his sword. A loud boom echoed through the hall, cracks formed on the stone wall and Kael flew like a ball towards the wall.

  [Back to the Present]