Death's Gambling

by Martin Länger

  Gwyn’s eyes got wider and wider with every following word.

  “Let me be your guiding light, little lamb, in this long and dark night. Personally, I don't care much about what is going on outside, but if you want to find answers, I will honor our bet and aid you. I will prepare our merchants to let them join you on their way to another city – The city of Pride, Magnus.”

  “Another Lord's city - You mean another deadly sin?” Gwyn asked without pause.

  “Exactly. He is also someone who tolerates humans in his city, while having the most extensive library this world has ever seen,” he gloated .“It will be an experience that will change your life forever, and I cannot wait to see how much more interesting you will become.” Lust side glanced at his aspect. “It will truly be fascinating…” he followed up with a whisper to himself.

  “One more thing.” Gwyn became greedy, trying to push his luck, thinking he had some sort of advantage. “What about those people?” He pointed at the folks on the stairs “Aren't they human as well? Where are their aspects?”

  “Bwahaha pal, these aren't humans,” Passionare chortled next to him, as he took over charge, while Lust laid back.

  “These are Personas. So-called facets of life. You can think of them as the different masks humans put on in their daily lives. They are created by human thoughts and emotions and make up most of the population in the subconsciousness. Each having their own unique traits depending on where they are born. Only humans, who eventually find their way here, have an aspect with them, though I don't know why,” Passionare recited, almost like a child who had to repeat the same verses of a poem over and over again to his parent.

  “Fantastico,” Lust applauded as soon as Passionare finished. “You truly never disappoint me, my dear.”

  “Of course not, my Lord,” the big man grinned, flexing his muscles to appeal to his Lord.

  “W-wow,” Gwyn was awestruck, slowly extending his arm forward, trying to touch one of the Personas that were still out of reach.

  “Don't.” Delirias grabbed his arm and shook his head. “Calm down. We are not through, yet.”

  “Now to you, little aspect,” the Lord suddenly directed his attention to Delirias, as he let go of Gwyn’s arm. “It's been quite some time since I've seen the scourge,” he pointed at his arms, right at the spot where Delirias tried to hide his chains.

  “How do you know about my ability? Do you know who forced that onto me?!” Delirias was surprised and somehow angry, a look Gwyn had yet to see from his aspect.

  Lord Lust chuckled, holding his stomach, careful not to roll from his throne.

  “You aspects really are quite arrogant, but don't worry I won't spoil your fun. This is something that you two lovebirds have to go through on your own,” the Lord answered with a waving hand gesture, meaning no harm.

  “ I'm looking forward to meeting you again, Gwyn. Newfound hope of my freshly fueled desire. Lost lamb that crawls through the darkness, be on your way and take over the world before you return to me on your knees begging me to fill you up with my mercy. I bid you farewell, so don't think cruel of me. Games are essential to the enjoyment of life, one's existence as you might call it, don't you agree?!” A devilish smile appeared on the beautiful Lord's face before he snapped his fingers together and a female guard appeared at his side.

  It was a Persona that could've easily passed as one of the Personas living in this city, with a slightly higher tone in muscle definition and additional clothing.

  “Bring this youngling back up to speed with what my cutie Pridy is doing right now and everything else that might interest him, will you, my sweetheart?” He caressed the chin of the female guard. “And you, Passionare, come to me. I might not like it, but it seems that we have to intervene in what's going on outside,” he instructed the big man on Gwyn’s right, while the female guard jumped down to their side.

  “Bring him to one of the group of merchants that are preparing for their travels.“, Lord Lust ordered her. Passionare wanted to follow but was instructed with another mission, whereas Gwyn could not hear everything, because he was already escorted from the room.

  “Our world might be in more danger than I previously thought…” was the last sentence he heard before Gwyn went through the door, entering the long corridor again.

  “We didn't really have any say in the matter, huh?” Gwyn seemed almost disappointed in the fact that he wasn't allowed to stay longer.

  “You should be glad, kiddo,” Delirias white grin glowed in the dim lights. “This will be our first real lead. Let's tear this world upside down with a smile.”

  Chapter 10 – A Candle in the Darkness

  Meanwhile, in the second district of the first plateau, many were still celebrating with tablets of various foods and drinks. Enormous bonfires and lights were flaming up around the metropole. The citizens, according to the rules of the city, where happily dancing around, delightfully watching each other eating, and exchanging kisses. In between the frivolous feasts were two flames of a different kind, burning up in the already heated atmosphere. Through the untamed flames and excited Personas, a young woman carved her own path. With a stern and fast pace, she walked ahead, pursued by a man who was persuading her to stop.

  The words, “Emily, please wait,” followed by, “why won't you stand still for a moment?” could be heard everywhere.

  The crowds were able to see a handsome man in neat, tightly dressed garments chasing after the lady. His long red-brown cape, buttoned up on his shoulders with two golden cufflinks in the form of blossom, was fluttering behind him. Likewise, his long dark brown hair was aptly tied together to a ponytail. Beneath his garments, a black cuirass could be seen that fitted his toned body form perfectly, as every ripple of his abdominal muscles was clearly visible. Near one of the flaming bonfires, the young lady eventually paused enough for her pursuer to catch up to her.

  “Emily…” the man said again discouraged and somewhat annoyed.

  “Don't start this again, Gieldan,” she answered, and with a tug she snatched away the first mug she saw, finishing what was inside on the spot. “Psshawww, that’s the stuff!” she snorted, satisfied. “Exactly what I needed after a day like this,” she said joyfully.

  Meanwhile, the owner of the mug came forward, as he saw the two standing next to the bonfire. Next to the handsome man he could see a young woman, also graced with long hair and a ponytail, with bright brown colors. She had a delicate face with narrow cheekbones, and sensual lips decorated her face, which was brought to completion by her deep, dark brown eyes. Even though the first signs of wrinkles and bags underneath her eyes were starting to show, her gaze remained wild and determined. They immediately struck fear in the eyes of the mug-owner.

  “H-hey! That was mine, you know?! Give it back,” he mumbled, but before he could even think of another sentence, the imposing looking guy was already turning his head towards him, matching the intimidating look of the woman. His steel blue eyes were staring at him, making him feel as if they were piercing his soul, like an arrow shot from miles away. From the outsider's perspective, it seemed like both of them were a couple, since both of them seemed close, attractive and about the same height.

  Only upon further inspection, the mug owner saw the two daggers hanging from the belt of the man. They almost looked like swords to him with their blades pointing in different directions. Akin the form of a tree branch, many blades stemmed from a thick dagger in the middle, separated from each other, engraved with red insignias in a golden gloss.

  “A-ahah … y-you know what, I'm fine, really. You can keep it. I didn't say anything,” the guy lost his courage, and his shaking legs were already taking him backward.

  “Don't be like that, big guy. Here, catch!” The woman took the mug and threw it right into his hands. “Just get yourself another one, and all of us are happy. You couldn't have finished this one on your own anyway.”

  “A-as you say, Madam,” he shouted and ran back to the crowd at
the bar.

  “Hm, he didn't look like a Persona from this city,” Emily wondered.

  The man next to her was shaking his head in shame.

  “What is it?” she asked aghast.

  “It's nothing. I think that's what I have to expect from a woman without manne- Ouch! Why are you doing this,” were his exact words, after Emily smacked him on the back of his head with the striking resemblance of a martial arts punch.

  “Be careful what you say, Gieldan. Just because you're my personal pretty boy, and we're sharing the same hairstyle, doesn't mean you can be a mean aspect.”

  “I don't know what's supposed to be mean about that…” bubbled Gieldan, somewhat huffy, to himself.

  Emily started to laugh out loud as she saw Gieldan’s pouting cheeks, which also seemed to calm down the aspect. Even though he wasn't human, he could never resist the contagious laughter that Emily held deep within her heart. He always had to smile with her.

  “I still can't believe you stormed out of the throne room like that,” he added almost sounding proud.

  “Well, of course. He couldn't have been serious. I would've loved to stay a little longer, but that was too much, even for me. It's only expected that I would need a drink or two afterward,” she explained as the two started moving again.

  After a few stops in different shops and festivals, Emily found something in a boutique that caught her eye. She disappeared for a few moments until reappearing with a joyful snickering, dressed in a red garment that almost doubled as a cuirass, with a skirt reaching as far as her knees. A little matching cape was stitched in as well, while a thick brown belt kept it all tightly together. The outfit looked like a feather pattern, just like the one on her gray ankle-high boots.

  “Look what they gave me, after I've impressed them with my dazzling charm. Finally out of those dirty clothes.” A breath of relief came from Emily who dusted herself off from head to toe and seemed quite proud of her accomplishment.

  “Now that you're saying it,” Gieldan mentioned, as he eyeballed her as if he was looking at her for the first time. “You really don't look half bad, if you try especially hard.”

  A second time Emily went in for the hit, but this time Gieldan evaded gracefully. With a pirouette he grabbed her by the arm, holding her close to his body.

  Emily noticed that he didn't just do it to mess with her and they started to whisper to each other while she was leaned onto his chest, “What's happening Gieldan?”

  “It's another one of us.”

  “A human?” she asked curiously.

  “Yes, but more importantly, a human with an aspect. Not even remotely inconspicuously…” he said with a smile. “This way,” he followed up all while pointing in the general direction of their target as discreetly as possible.

  “How should we proceed Emily? Hm?! EMILY?!”

  In the blink of an eye, just as he took his eyes off his partner, she went missing. Trying to locate her he immediately froze upon realizing what had happened.

  “Heeeey, you there! Heeeey!” Emily screamed over the whole place, enjoying every second of it. “Come, let us drink together!” she shouted while sprinting and waving to the person across the street.

  “This can't be real,” Gieldan revolted. “Where did I go wrong in life?” A strong gust followed, and he built himself up again at Emily's side, who was coming to a halt in front of the person.

  A petite lady presented herself before them with short black locks and two big spectacle lenses, which she put into place as her green eyes examined the pair.

  “C-can I-i help you somehow?” she stuttered, intimidated.

  “Hi, I'm Emily. Nice to meet you,” said the happy looking woman, while reaching her hand out to her. Right at that moment, Gieldan threw himself in between, as a loud clang, coming from steel hitting on steel, resounded through the area.

  “I'm almost impressed by your second rate aspect,” a voice echoed behind the small woman that had been greeted by Emily.

  “As I said, not very inconspicuously. You should really be more careful, Emily – not every human out there is your friend,” Gieldan repeated himself.

  “Chuhuhu,” laughed the voice. “Do you accuse us of evil intentions?! Don't make me laugh. I merely protect what is mine.”

  Quickly the situation took on a turn for the worse, while the bystanding Personas were already starting to get excited about the brewing conflict. Everyone could feel what kind of threatening aura was coming from them, each with the desire to protect their human partners at all costs. Gieldan stood in front of Emily, while each of his muscles tensed up. His oscillated, long daggers were glistening in the light from the torches around them. Holding them across his face made them look like branched blades as if to imitate a shield made out of thorns.

  “Tz-tz, how barbaric,” the voice taunted their opponent.

  “Reveal yourself,” Emily’s aspect responded with a determined voice.

  “Hey guys, calm down, okay? I don't want any trouble. I was simply overjoyed to meet another human,” Emily blustered behind Gieldan’s back, as she tried to conciliate.

  “Pah. Olivia, my beautiful angel, will you allow me to rip them to shreds before we leave them to their fate?”

  “B-but…” the petite girl hesitated. “I don't believe they want us any harm, Ansia.”

  “Hmpf. Fine,” The hostile voice sighed, annoyed, before finally revealing herself as she materialized before them. Long, black claws came first, attached to small hands and arms that were reaching out of a black cloud behind the girl named Olivia. It was her aspect, which was covered from top to bottom in a black wedding dress decorated with human skulls. It was tightly nestled around her body, underlining her feminine figure. A frightening gaze followed, fueled by arrogance looking down upon them, thanks to the prominent face, yellow eyes, and purple lips.

  Her long hair was blowing in the air, which looked like black wire, where two big horns with grooved indentations were coming out of. It wasn't the first time that Emily had met another human with an aspect, but something seemed different this time around. After Ansia fully materialized herself, her long claws were skimming alongside the thin linen-garb of Olivia, reaching her breasts, until sweeping over her chin and moved towards her lips.

  “I hope you don't doubt my abilities after all this time, Olivia,” she asked in an almost sniveling tone, unlike before.

  “No, but we don't even know them. They don't seem like the others.”

  “You're just too kindhearted, my sweet darling. You've seen how they treated us. First, they lie to earn your trust and then, when the first opportunity arrives, they stab you in the back. We don't need anyone else. We have us,” Ansia proclaimed, as she caressed Olivia’s face, admiring her black hair.

  Olivia gently pushed her aside and took her first few steps toward Emily. Even though it seemed like she had a lot of trouble doing so in making it seem natural, she eventually reached out to her hand as well.

  “My name is Olivia Falvaro, and this is my aspect Ansia, which you've probably noticed by now.” She nearly sounded confident, while Gieldan looked at her with distrust.

  “Not like you are worthy of even uttering my name,” the aspect snarked at them.

  Gieldan turned around. “Are you sure about this Emily?”

  “Yes. Trust me. If worse comes to worst, I'll just run,” she answered him with a bright smile. Gieldan proceeded in lowering his weapons, holstering them on his belt.

  “Alright then, if Emily trusts you, I will try to do the same. But, if I see one wrong move, your heads will roll,” he said unwillingly.

  It didn't take long for them to reconcile, and after properly introducing each other they visited one of the many pubs in the surrounding premise. Much to the dislike of Gieldan and Ansia, all of them were sitting tightly fit together on a tiny table. It almost seemed like they were about to clash when their eyes met, like a dog and a cat in bitter rivalry, with Ansia switching back and forth between him an
d her beloved Olivia. Gieldan snuffled and pretended not to care at all.

  “Haha, excuse him. He is a little hotheaded,” laughed Emily, as she patted his shoulder, which seemed to infuriate the aspect even more, making him turn around all by himself. This genuine moment made even Olivia chuckle a little, despite her being the most reserved out of all of them.

  She was smaller than Emily wearing not much besides her little blue robe with flat heels, which in turn made her black hair and green eyes pop out even more.

  “Hey, I want to be as honest as I can,” Emily interrupted the chuckling of Olivia. “The real reason that I'm so happy to see you is that I'm looking for answers. Can you help me with that, please?”

  “You see, Olivia? I told you so. They just want to use you,” Ansia objected, before falling back a few inches when Gieldan turned his head around.

  Olivia began to sigh. “Unfortunately you're not the only one. We all searched for answers as we arrived here. How we got here and how to escape.”

  “We? So there are more survivors?” Emily asked curiously.

  “That's the same question I've asked myself countless times before,” her head went down with these words as if she was scared by Emily’s reaction.

  “What do you mean? Did you get separated?”

  “HA! That worthless troupe of losers. Not even one of them appreciated my little Olivia. I hope they all died a miserable death,” Ansia piped up and snatched herself a big plate of food which she slammed onto their table. After a flinch from the black haired woman, she continued her explanation.

  “We were a larger group of humans… around twenty I think. As we realized that none of us knew how they got here, we decided to travel together,” Olivia tried to avoid eye contact as she told the story, trying to avert attention from herself while picking cherries of the freshly laid out plate. As Emily started to notice how uncomfortable she was, she started to smile.