The Game Before the Fall

Chapter 36: Rescue? (Part 3)

Ardent Friend:

"Well... this is unexpected," I opened my eyes to be back in the comfortable room I had woken up with Vanter before. This time however a girl sat beside me, her chair leaned back with her shoes propped on the bed side table. She casually blew a piece of gum in her mouth forming a bubble till it popped. To describe her, neon pink rock. She didn't look like anyone I had seen in the clan before. Pink highlighted hair, a slight Asian appearance and a torn denim jacket and jeans. If it weren't for her purple hued eyes, I'd never have guessed her relation.

"Sup," she smiled.

"Honestly I expected a jail cell and torture," I leaned up to a sitting position. "Is that still coming or have I somehow lucked out."

"You lucked out," the girl laughed. She was probably around Erin's age and judging from the presence I felt from her, she was maybe as capable as Kai before he had suddenly reached the prowess of a Master.

I took in my surroundings again. It really was the same room I had woken up in before. The signs of Vanter and I waking up were still present.

"Before we continue, I'm Ardent," I introduced myself.

"Stella," the girl popped another bubble of gum.

"Pleasure to meet you Stella. Now from what I can theorise, the fact I'm not chained up, I'm guessing there's more politics going on here than I know."

"That's about right," she nodded with a smirk. "And because what you did just now, you tipped the balance to be a bit more even."

"What I did?" I looked at her curiously.

She nodded again, "You hurt the Clan Leader, and not just a little bit but basically wrecked his right arm. The Clan Leader tells us what we do but it doesn't mean there's those who don't agree. Thing is, we're ruled by power. No one could stand a chance against that guy. Now however, he's hurt enough to stand up to."

"For how long?" I asked. The injury he received wasn't even truly from me, not that I would say so. It was side effect from when he touched me while I was channelling the Void.

"Not long honestly, a day if that." She smiled, enjoying our conversation, "The Clan Leader broke the rules by kidnapping you. Our side is using that as leverage, but we're bound to be overturned once he's healthy again. He'll issue a duel we can't win and then probably have you put in chains. Then the torture will start."

"You said that a bit too happily for my liking," I frowned. I had experienced torture before... and it wasn't something I wanted to feel again.

"Sorry," Stella laughed. "I just keep thinking of that old bastards shocked face. He probably hasn't felt pain like that since the Princess ditched."

"You mean Zen?"

"Yep," her eyes shone in admiration. "She's my genuine Hero. Honestly, I wanted her to stay and take over the clan, though getting out was probably better for her. That old bastard of a Clan Leader took one of her punches to the jaw and actually started to bleed."

"Is that really impressive?"

"You bet. The Clan Leader practices a technique called the Immaculate Body. He's almost impossible to hurt. Thus, why you shook everyone up with what you did."

"I see," I nodded. When it came to using the Void, it didn't matter how hard or strong something was. A cut would cut. If I played my cards right, I actually may have a chance against the Clan Leader. Now however he knew what to expect and it wouldn't come so easily. "I can't help but sense a dislike of the Clan Leader from you."