Aster lands in a another world where he finds himself on the private property of a crime syndicate. Initially he isn't accepted, but it is his goal to rise up the ranks and get recognition within the syndicate as it's the only thing he has!
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The quartet in the rescue party continue trudging along, the same way as before, but with obvious changes that their journey brought out. Aster's frustration had all but dissipated, instead, he was prepared for the worst, and wasn't going to let his anger get in the way of another trial. Fleur's legs had returned to their original state, only this time she had energy to spare. If a long drawn out battle was to occur, she wouldn't lose the will to fight.
To the right of the pair, was Craaq and Sulena, the former of which had seemingly gone through the most drastic change. As Craaq moved through their route to the Renegard mansion, his face, hair and ears were completely exposed, but he walked with confidence instead of fear. Sulena hadn't faced a trial of her own and doubted she would, being outside the syndicate. Although he was aware of this fact, she was still proud of her newfound friends and wished them luck in the last trial.
"So, that warning huh?", Aster remarked, thinking back to what Violet said. "I definitely think the Renegards have something they're not telling us…", responded Fleur with clear suspicion in her eyes. "I can just tell there's going to be a fight…", Craaq commented, slightly fearful. "Don't worry.", states Sulena in a reassuring tone. "From what I've seen in the previous trials, I know you can win!", she reveled.
"Thank you Sulena, but I'm still worried.", remarked Aster, slightly shaken. "A fight in the final trial is bad enough, but if there's another unexpected incident, likewhat happened the auction...I can't even begin to imagine.", he stated, his eyes were filled with fear. "Let's hope this time is different.", Sulena said. As they continued on their journey, the sun set once again, the group's footsteps echoed around as evening turned to night. As it got darker, in the distance, they could see faint candlelight.
"The Renegard mansion, over there!", called out Craaq, pointing to the lights. Fleur rubbed her arms in anxiety, Aster put his arm around her to keep her calm. "Aster, why'd you do that?", she questioned, unsure of his opinion of her. "You're worried, I can tell.", he informed her. "I just hope Rou's okay…", she replied. Aster comforted the elf girl, "He will be, he's the last person I can see beaten and bruised. Mentally on the other hand…".
"I don't even want to think about what's going on in his head right now…", Fleur mumbled, her stress all consuming. Craaq went up to the concerned pair, "Then we just have to show him that we care!", he remarked. "You're quite the optimist, young Craaq.", Sulena pointed out, making Craaq chuckle. "It's the right thing to do when people are anxious.", he added. Upon the end of their conversation, the quartet had approached the mansion. The gates opened upon their entrance.
"Where's the forth trial?!", called out a ticked off Aster. He continued, "Bring it on you bastards! Give Rou back!", he yelled towards the building, hoping they'd listen. "I don't think it's worth shouting about Aster.", Craaq interfered. "Maybe the trial has already started and we don't even know it.", he warned. The doors to the mansion creaked as someone stepped out, Aster, Fleur, Craaq and Sulena readied their weapons as they began to show themselves.
"So you made it to the end? I see…", the man's face was visible now, and as soon as each syndicate member saw him, their fear was averted. The young figure that was stood at the entrance was Rou, completely unharmed. Aster, Fleur and Craaq immediately ran over to greet the capo, "You're okay? I'm so relieved!", Craaq expressed. "We knew you'd manage to escape!", added Aster.
Rou looked slightly different from when they last saw him, he was wearing blue attire with a hooded cloak topped with animal fur, but it was certainly him. His expression didn't change, which made the group slightly suspicious, but they didn't refrain from trying to reassure him. "If you're stressed, don't be afraid to tell us.", Fleur exclaimed awkwardly. He didn't speak, he remained completely still and solemn. After a minute of confusion, someone else came out of the mansion, an older woman with blue hair in a ponytail and orange eyes, it was clearly Eve Renegard.
"Rou, please make sure those Okumura fools are disposed of. I have to see to a carriage outside.", she announced. Aster's mood went from hope to blind rage, "What did you do to him?!", he screamed. Eve laughed at the boy's lack of knowledge, "I did nothing young man, this is all him. Enjoy your trial.", she informed before leaving. "No, Rou!", Fleur ran up to the blue haired man, but he immediately froze her in place.
"Where's Demitris?", growled Rou. Aster got in a stance to fight of the man, "What happened to you Rou?! We can tall this out!", he declared. "That isn't what I need, where's Demitris?!", he shouted once again. "I don't know what on Earth got you in this state, and I know what happened at the auction, but if you want to die, then die you shall!", Aster responded. "Bring it on, after everything you did, everything that happened, you deserve this as well!". Rou raised his hand and created a huge icicle, ready to attack Aster.
Fleur was sobbing, not from the ice at her feet but from Rou's mental state. As she witnessed the final trial about to start, something that hasn't happened in months begins to occur, she began to picture what exactly was going on in Rou's mind, he was relaying the events that had occurred before he was kidnapped. She had to find out what was going on. Using her usually broken ability, she looked into her fellow cap's thoughts, trying to see what see can find.
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