Chapter 19:

  A Fool's Pn

  (Minor Side Character, Yuki, POV)

  "You're fucking shitting me..." a young, feminine voice with the vulgarity of a sailor, "No fucking way. Not doing it. You can shove it up your ass."

  Sitting on a crate in a warehouse somewhere in City W was a group of seven individuals. One of them was the owner of the voice who spoke. A spunky girl who loved the pop-punk fashion, heavier on the punk. Her blonde hair shaved and braided on the left side of her head, while the rest was tied back in a high ponytail with bangs hanging down the right side.

  Yuki Hanamura was the representative of the guild, Clouds. She was a bit of an eccentric, but so was everyone else who was there for the meeting. Michael Lawrence, a bulky man with short, dark and extremely curly hair leaned back against one of the support pilrs with his arms crossed. Wearing a bck tank top and cargo pants, his keen hazel eyes scanned the others. He was silent, and also a part of Clouds.

  "Come on, Yuki," another woman spoke up, her voice sensual, taunting, "You're not telling me you're scared, are you?"

  "Damn fucking right I am," Yuki shot back, her tongue sharp, "You should be too, Hana. You're fucking stupid if you think this is a good idea."

  Hana scoffed, rolling her emerald eyes from where she sat in a chair that was personally pulled out from her inventory. She never went anywhere without its high, arched back and padded crimson cushions. She was resplendent in a dark green dress which shimmered in the light of the warehouse and accentuated her honey-like skin.

  Hana was an Enchantress, and someone quite proud of that fact. She took extremely good care of herself, seen from how luscious and luxurious her long, wavy auburn hair was. Reminiscent of a certain cartoon singer who fell in love with a rabbit.

  Next to Hana was a bodyguard of sorts. He only ever went as "Steel", his features covered from head to toe by lightweight armor. Even his eyes were hidden behind a completely bnk, light blue metallic mask. He was silent and deadly, and never far from Hana, the Guild Leader of Silence.

  Silence, much like Clouds, had been called to this meeting. They weren't the only ones. The other three in the room, sitting on some crates off to the side, watched on with feigned disinterest. The Thompson Triplets. Brown hair, blue-eyed, and athletically lean all of them. They used to be acrobats, and this came out in their skills as Pyers.

  They had been a semi-popur and slightly famous trio. Though, underneath their popurity y a sadistic urge. They loved killing. So much so that they've made it a game. For those who knew, the Trio were infamous PK'ers. Pyer Killers.

  This had led to them being shunned and subsequently ousted from the guild they had been a part of. The reason why all of them were gathered here today. The Hawks Guild. Each of them had been contacted by one Bryan Callister. A bounty had been pced on someone, and that someone was on the screen before them.

  Auburn hair with a silver streak, eyes like a nebu, and of a retively lean build. He was seen kissing someone they all knew. Elizabeth Falcrest. The War Goddess. The Ethereal Fme. Affectionately and disdainfully referred to as Hades in some circles for the ghostly blue-green fmes she was known to wield.

  "I don't give a fuck what they're offering," Yuki continued, "We're not doing it. They should have told us who it was. You want to cross the fucking queen? You all have a death wish."

  "Oh, come now, Yuki," Hana coaxed in that all too sweet voice of hers, "It isn't that bad. Besides, she'll be preoccupied with the Wild Zone. She won't be around. We do this right, and-"

  "And we'll all fucking die, our guilds included," Yuki snapped, practically growling as she spoke, "You're all okay with this? Bunch of dumbasses."

  "Watch your tone, Yuki," Hana's eyebrow twitched, her emerald gaze like ice, "I've been courteous so far, but if you keep being disrespectful..."

  "You'll what, bitch?" Yuki's own opal jewels for eyes sharpened, the tension palpable, "You and I both know how it ended st time. You've never worn your hair up since."

  As if to prove a point, a gust of wind blew through the warehouse, blowing Hana's hair ever so slightly. Behind the beautiful waves of auburn y a thin line down the right side of Hana's face. From temple to chin, it was a nasty, wicked scar.

  Like spiderwebs under the skin, dark lines spyed out from the thin line. It was a gift, courtesy of Yuki. It wasn't the first time they had been at odds with each other. Both were considered beautiful in their own rights, but Hana funted it more. She had grown jealous of Yuki and through a series of confrontations which led to a fight. It ended in what most would consider a draw, but that scar proved one thing. Yuki had gotten the upper hand.

  Steel stepped forward instinctively, only to be stopped by Hana holding her hand up. Hana watched Yuki carefully for what felt like an eternity. Michael watched Hana and Steel carefully, though his posture was rexed. It looked like a fight would break out at any moment, only being prevented by someone else speaking up. Those who had remained silent this entire time.

  "If you don't want to, leave," one of the triplets spoke, their voice almost cackling from the madness of the hunt inside of them, "More money for us."

  "And it's Bryan," another spoke, their voices incredibly simir, "You think he'll let it go if we don't?"

  "I ain't scared of no fucking pretty boy," Yuki scoffed, shaking her head, "If you want to suck his dick, then fine, but don't bme me when you get burned."

  "Elizabeth will be in the Wild Zone," the st of the trio spoke in agreement with Hana, "He only has one guard, who isn't even a Pyer."

  "They're right," Hana spoke up smugly, as if she had won, "There's no record of them in the Pyers Association, and she has no records of entering a dungeon."

  "Her records are probably sealed," Michael spoke up for the first time, his voice calm and deep; measured, "If any of you would use your brains, you'd know that Hades isn't someone without a pn. You'd think she'd leave him with only a non-pyer as a guard?"

  "Finally, some fucking sense!" Yuki excimed, throwing her hands up in exasperation, "Even if she isn't a Pyer, that woman wouldn't leave someone she's shone interest in unprotected. She knows she has enemies. Aegis is most likely watching that boy like a hawk."

  "Forget Aegis. All the more reason to send a message," Hana sighed, shaking her head, "She's been on her high horse for too long. Funting herself as if she's the top dog."

  "Because she is the top fucking dog!" Yuki couldn't take this bullshit any longer, "Whatever, you're just jealous Bryan has a thing for her. You've wanted to jump his dick for years now. Did he promise to put out if you do this, or what?"

  The effect of Yuki's taunt was immediate. A poisonous green aura erupted from Hana, breaking several crates and the ground around her.

  "Watch your words, Yuki," Hana threatened calmly, "I won't forget this."

  "Bitch, please," Yuki scoffed, ughing as she shook her head, "You won't be able to remember when you're dead."

  Jumping down from her crate, she motioned to Michael.

  "Let's go, we're done here," Yuki began walking away, only to stop and gnce back, her eyes like ice, "I thought I'd warn you as a professional courtesy, but you can't cure stupid."

  With that, Yuki and Michael left the five of them alone. Each of them had a reason for being there, but none more than those five. The Trio had hope to be reinstated into the Hawks Guild, even if just unofficially. Hana had been promised money and for her guild to be raised higher in the rankings, along with Bryan's own admiration.

  Yuki had gone out of curiosity. Clouds did take assassination requests, but they tried to be as legit as possible. Only those who knew of them were able to use what was known as the Cloud's Shadow. A unit of specialized assassins within Clouds. It was a simple name but got the point across. Though, just because you knew of them, didn't mean they had to accept the request.

  They had standards, and they were trying to survive. If she had known that that bastard Bryan had set his sights on The War Goddess's boy toy, she would have refused immediately and had never gone to the meeting. Just being associated with the meeting put her and the entirety of Clouds in danger.

  "...What are you going to do?" Michael asked quietly as they left, gncing down at her.

  For as stoic as he was, Michael had anxiety in his eyes and a slight shakiness to his voice.

  "Not a fucking thing," Yuki replied, reaching into her inventory to pull out an ice-cold drink, "Cut all ties with Silence. Destroy all records of any affiliation. We were never here."

  "Are you sure?" Michael sounded doubtful, unsure and Yuki couldn't bme him.

  Cracking the drink open, it was a nice fruit punch, her favorite. She downed the drink as she thought, rubbing the back of her head in annoyance.

  "Fuck! I don't know," Yuki shook her head, sighing heavily, "I'm sure they probably already know, but like...send an anonymous tip or something? Make them aware, at least. Might just save our asses..."

  "At once, Captain," Michael saluted, hand to chest before, like a wisp, disappeared from her side.

  Yuki shielded her eyes from the sun as she looked to the sky. Not a single cloud in sight. A bad omen for sure. She just hoped that it was not meant for her.

  -----

  (A few days ter, Lucas's POV)

  I wandered the new apartment, exploring its depths and the different rooms, imagining what life would and could be like here. It felt strange without Elizabeth, though Azure and Maya made it slightly more bearable. Despite only meeting her not too long ago, it felt like Elizabeth and me have known each other and been together for all our lives.

  Knowing she was a regressor, this made sense. Though, for me who only knew this life, it always felt so surreal. I had no real memories of those lives, and yet it was like I had lived those as well. Those dreams I once had were already quite fuzzy. The only thing that stuck with me is how sad Elizabeth's smile had grown.

  My only goal was to ensure that smile became free of sorrow. To be repced by bliss. I had no idea how I would do it, but I would try my best. It's all I could do.

  The whole thing about my dreams becoming distant now were that they felt a part of me. My head twisting in pain as memories became jumbled. Almost immediately, Maya was there with a gss of water and pills to ease the pain.

  "...Thanks," I told her quietly, taking the gss of water and downing the pills with a rge swig, "Sorry."

  "For what, Sir?" Maya inquired, taking the now empty gss back from me.

  "I don't know," I told her with a slight chuckle, "I just felt like I had to say it. You're always taking care of me. It's not a bother?"

  "Not at all, Sir," Maya stated with a slight smile and shake of her head, "You'll have to just get used to it."

  "I guess so," I sighed with a smile of my own, "This is all new to me. Anything I should know? Etiquette?"

  "You don't have to worry about that," Maya responded, petting Azure who flew over to her for a moment before returning to my shoulder, "Just be yourself."

  "Myself, huh?" I thought about it for a while, wondering just who I even was.

  Just a kid who grew up in the Midwest before moving to the East Coast. Nothing special about me. I mean who, besides narcissists, really thought they were truly special. Sure, there was confidence, but I'm talking about something more than that.

  Maybe it was just my own bias. I tried living by the golden rule. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. So, I always tried being kind and nice when I could. After all, no one wants to be treated badly.

  There were always assholes in the world, unfortunately. The first person who came to mind was my old boss, and the second was that rude bastard, Bryan Callister. Just thinking about him caused my mood to sour.

  If only I were a Pyer, then I might be the one with Elizabeth right now instead of him. At least I'd be able to keep an eye on that slimy bastard. I wasn't jealous or anything. It was more that I felt bad she had to deal with his bullshit.

  Since non-Pyers were forbidden from entering dungeons and Wild Zones, it wasn't like I could do anything to help her even if I wanted to. Though, there were still fools who tried, believing that they could awaken into Pyers by doing so. Idiots.

  "Damn it..." I could only sigh in frustration, spying myself back on the rge couch of the living room, "Maybe a monster might eat him..."

  I almost chuckled at the thought. It was morbid, and honestly surprised me that I wished such ill-will on someone, but he just rubbed me the wrong way. Something told me he wouldn't back off, and I knew Elizabeth. She would not hesitate if he kept pushing.

  A yandere was a yandere, after all.

  "Sir, I don't mean to interrupt, but the car is ready whenever you are," Maya spoke politely.

  "Thanks, I honestly almost forgot," I felt a little foolish, as this was something I had pnned, "As my mother would say, I might lose my head if it wasn't attached to my shoulders."

  Laughing lightly, I sat up and stretched. I was already feeling restless, but today would be the day I finally did something for Elizabeth. Of course, I did feel a little guilty. Pulling out my wallet, I looked upon the bck card with the golden letters A.U. upon its surface.

  "What's hers is yours, Sir," Maya interrupted my thoughts, knowing exactly what I was thinking, "Don't feel ashamed for using it."

  "...I said I'd try, okay?" I mused, standing up as I returned the wallet to my pocket, giving Maya a wry smile, "I swear you two can read minds."

  "Not at all, Sir," Maya replied professionally, though a slight smirk curled the corner of her lips, "You're just easy to read."

  I blushed slightly, knowing that it wasn't exactly not true, but she didn't have to say it like that! Sighing, I couldn't honestly be mad. It was all in good fun and I quite liked the banter we had. It made me feel close to her. After all, I had felt like there was some distance between us since I first met her, but that distance felt like it was getting shorter.

  With Azure on my shoulder, and Maya leading the way, we headed for the car. I felt a bit strange, wearing the same clothing that Elizabeth had gotten me, but Maya had insisted that I wear it if we go outside. A precaution of sorts. Thankfully, it was almost always clean.

  Maya did say that more were being made, which I didn't even want to think of. It was so much money. So much, that it made my head spin, and so I was better off not thinking about it and just going with the flow. It was all I could do not to get swept up in this massive current of change.

  -----

  (A while ter that same day, Lucas POV)

  I could never get used to the luxury I now found myself in. Back when I was a courier for the Pyers Association, I was making just enough to live and maybe a little extra. Which meant I bought things online from retailers that had deals, or from the local supermarket and convenience store. Nothing grand like this.

  Starfall Pza. A rge, open courtyard surrounded by shops on two sides. It was like an open mall, with multiple floors, but no ceiling. The shops were stacked up to three stories, with walkways that crisscrossed over the pza proper. A rge fountain with a golden statue depicting several falling stars was situated as the focal point of the pza.

  Pathways lined with well-trimmed, green bushes and flower beds made their way along the first floor to the various shops and other stores. People milled about everywhere, most of them congregating around the central fountain. There were tables set around the fountain for people to sit and talk, eat, and otherwise hang around.

  The buildings themselves were elegant and clean. Some gleaming with golden accents upon their edges, or shining from their name signs. It was a rich area. Only Pyers and the wealthy shopped here. It was a popur pce for those who could afford it.

  Despite my own financial means and circumstances up to this point, it wasn't my first time here. Though, every time I had come before, I had simply been a courier delivering packages or picking items up to be transported to guilds. Even now, I could see the familiar courier uniform on several individuals running around the pza, the Pyers Association messenger bag hung across their shoulders.

  It was almost nostalgic to see, knowing that not so long ago, I had also been making runs all over the pce on my bike or through various city transportation. It was the first time I was here not as a courier, but as a customer. Some of the couriers who recognized me gave a friendly smile and wave, while others looked confused not seeing me in uniform.

  There were a few, however, who looked at me quite jealously. I couldn't bme them. Most were too busy to check the news that often. Going home just to crash before their next shift. Those who did see the news knew exactly why I wasn't in uniform. Those were the ones who were jealous.

  I had to get used to such things. After all, I was the fiancé to the most well-known and beloved Pyer in the world. Not to mention, the object of many people's desires. I felt oddly proud of that fact. As if a part of me wanted to say "Damn right, she's mine. Weep, peasants." but maybe that was a bit too much.

  I was just happy, and who wouldn't be? Still, I came here with a pn, and I was determined to see it through.

  "Stay close to me, Sir," Maya instructed as she stepped up next to me, "It's crowded."

  "Well, it's a popur pce," I stated simply, "It's bound to be crowded, but...you're right. Let's try not to get separated. That being said, let's go!"

  Without thinking, I grabbed Maya by the wrist, which eventually led to me holding her hand as I practically pulled her through the crowds in my excitement. Maya had set up the appointment, and I didn't want to be te.

  "U-Uhm, Sir, you can let go," Maya spoke up after a moment, "I can keep up just fine."

  "Huh?" looking back, I noticed what I had done, and in a moment of flustered embarrassment, quickly released her hand, "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I didn't even think. My bad, Maya. Are you alright?"

  Maya adjusted herself as we stopped for a moment, her face completely stoic besides a slight tinge of pink to her cheeks. Clearing her throat, she nodded.

  "I'm fine, Sir," Maya spoke politely in that professional tone of hers, "I was just a bit surprised, is all. You must be excited."

  "...I am, yes," I couldn't help but grow even more embarrassed, blushing further, "I've been thinking about this for a long time. You have the measurements?"

  From within her pocket, Maya pulled out a card, upon which were drawn several circles with writing next to it. The writing stated "Elizabeth's Ring Size" with the measurements next to each of the diagrams. Holding a thumbs up, I could swear that Maya held a prideful glint in her eye.

  "Of course, Sir," Maya smiled, that glint in her eye sharpening as she grew quite smug, "Didn't notice a thing."

  "...Are you sure?" I asked doubtfully, knowing Elizabeth was quite keen.

  "You wound me, Sir," Maya feigned being hurt, "Who do you think I am? Ms. Falcrest is good, but I have my own skills."

  Rolling my eyes pyfully, I then narrowed them in at Maya who shifted under my gaze.

  "She gave them to you, didn't she?" I asked, causing Maya to flinch.

  "...Nooo," Maya stated unconvincingly, dragging her answer out, "Okay, maybe she did, Sir."

  "Mhm," I could only chuckle, shaking my head, "I'm not the only one who's easy to read."

  "Doubtful, Sir," Maya smirked, pcing the card back within the inside breast pocket of her uniform, "Now, we should hurry. Our appointment is soon."

  "Oh, shit, what time is it?" I quickly checked my phone to see that I only had a few more minutes, "Fuck! Let's go!"

  Hurrying along, I swear I caught a glimpse of Maya smiling before my attention was on the path ahead of me. Making our way to near the end of the pza, we made it just in time to the jeweler I wanted to visit. They were considered the best in the business.

  Nestled in the far corner of Starfall Pza was a building that took up three stories by itself. A darkly painted building with two double doors and a rge sign above it, reading in fanciful golden letters: Starfall Atelier.

  Aptly named for the materials it used, as well as the Pza it was situated in. They had other locations, but not many. Starfall was to indicate how the world changed. It also held a sort of mysticism to it, and the Pyers seemed to like it.

  The materials this particur jeweler used was exactly how it sounded. Star metal. Material found in particur dungeons reting to space and magic. From my knowledge, there was one particurly popur dungeon for such materials, and it was monopolized by...

  Before I could finish that thought, the doors with their golden handles opened up to reveal four individuals wearing pristine uniforms. Dark blue pants for the men and skirts for the women. Dress shoes and a nice white shirt with a dark blue vest overtop. The vest was trimmed in gold, and they wore white gloves on their hands.

  Upon their heads, whether man or woman, they wore a side cap that was dark blue and trimmed in gold much like the vest. It was small, not covering the entire head, and reminded me a lot of a flight attendants cap. They all bowed to use, two on each side of the door.

  "Welcome, Sir Avington, Lady Maya," they greeted in unison.

  It was at this moment I knew the one who had a monopoly on that dungeon. A low groan escaped my lips from the realization. In my haste to find the best and get the best, I had completely overlooked one crucial detail. Starfall Atelier was a subsidiary of Aegis Unlimited.

  "...We weren't te at all, were we?" I asked Maya coyly, gncing at her from the corner of my eye.

  "I have no idea what you mean, Sir," Maya smirked, motioning for me to enter the store, "Let's not keep them waiting, shall we?"

  "Mhm, right," taking a deep breath, I felt foolish for having rushed here, knowing damn well now that they would have waited for as long as was required.

  I had wanted this to be a surprise for Elizabeth, but it seemed she might find out regardless. Not only was I using the card she gave me, but it was a store that her company owned. I couldn't help but sigh heavily as I made my way inside. I smiled when Azure nuzzled me, thinking that something was wrong.

  Inside, it was even more luxurious than the exterior. It was all professionally dispyed cases with various employees in the same uniform attending to them. They all greeted us as we made our way in. A warm, bright glow from the lighting gave the dark metal of the accessories a beautiful shimmer.

  Not all of them were made of this dark metal. Some star metal was like silver. Bits of moonlight that had been solidified. That's how they described it. The darker metal often had sheens or hues of purples, greens, and reds.

  "Don't worry, Sir," Maya stated as she came up behind me, "She has no idea."

  "That's what you said about the ring size..." I mumbled dejectedly.

  "Well, she knows you, Sir," Maya expined in a comforting tone as she tried to assure me, "That's why the card she gave you is for your own account that she's put assets into. To do with as you need. It's all secure, and as for the ring size..."

  Maya looked at me, and in that moment, I saw the twinkle in her eye. One that told me she got one over on me.

  "You...!" I pyfully smacked her in the arm, "Damn it, Maya. I was actually worried!"

  She ughed lightly, a sound I never got tired of as she nudged me back pyfully.

  "I do apologize, Sir," she said with a bit of mirth in her tone, "It was just too easy to fool you. As I said, you're easy to read."

  I grumbled to myself, feeling completely duped, but a lot more assured that this would be a surprise for Elizabeth.

  "Hey...Maya," I called to her quietly, causing her to gnce at me curiously, "Thank you. Truly. I appreciate the help. I couldn't have done this without you. She'd have seen right through me."

  "Maybe," Maya said with a slight shrug, "She can be blind when it comes to you, Sir. Though, she does know you too well. I did what I could, but..."

  She gave me a knowing look, one that I understood.

  "Damn it...you're right," I sighed, shaking my head, "She probably knows even if we didn't give it away."

  "Probably so, Sir," Maya stated as we were shown into a backroom to be consulted on what I was looking for.

  "Well, even so, thanks," I smiled, nudging her gratefully, "So, take the compliment."

  "...Very well, Sir," Maya replied quietly with a small smile, "You're welcome. I'm here to help."

  I felt at ease with Maya more and more. I was gd to have her with me. At least it made the wait for Elizabeth to return slightly less lonely.

  -----

  Nikushimi