The Death God

Becoming Acquaintances

For the past day, Jax had been looking for any clues on how to find the Info Broker, but ended up with nothing.

"He really meant it when he said I can't find him unless he wants to be found." Jax thought to himself. Just as he was about to give up, he saw a familiar figure dressed in black in a nearby alleyway. The figure was the Info Broker he was trying to find. The Info Broker also saw him, but just stood there. Jax wanted to talk to him, so he walked closer, but the figure walked further into the alley. Jax followed the figure. The figure kept walking further away from the crowd of people in the market until there was no one else in sight.

"You've been looking for me." He said.

"I have, but didn't find anything."

"Of course not. Only a few people have talked to me more than once."

"And i'm guessing i'm one of them?"

"Naturally. Anyway, business."

"The first Trial, what is it." Jax took out 10 gold coins, but Azreal didn't accept them and looked at Jax.

"If you actually go to the academy, you would know." At this reply, Jax got a little embarrassed and looked away.

"And the next trials?"

"Still planning them."

"No payment for this question?"

"For something as useless as this? No." Jax had nothing to say. Although he planned to ask questions about the trial, he knew that he could just go to the academy to find out, so he didn't bother. After a few seconds of awkwardness for Jax, the figure spoke.

"You can call me Azreal." Azreal handed a gem to Jax.

"This is?"

"Crush it and i'll feel it. For information purposes only."

"And if someone else crushed it first?"

"I'll give you a new one."

"Right. Thanks."

"No need, this is for my own interest."

"What do you mean?" Azreal extended his hand.

"Although I won't reveal any information about myself, my motives are a different story."

"How much?"

"How much information do you want?" Jax reflected and gave Azreal 20 coins.

"Think of it as investing in a new talent. I know you will accomplish great things, I know you will seek me out again." Jax was silent for awhile. He replied with some suspicions.

"And if I don't?"

"I know you will. After all, I know someone who can help you with your curse." Jax's suspicions turned into surprise.

"You know someone who can help me?" Jax wasn't surprised he knew about the curse, but knowing there was a method to dispel it did.

"Of course."

"How do I know I can trust you?"

"You don't."

"Then, why go through all this trouble?"

"For personal matters."

"What's the condition?"

"You're smart. The condition is to entertain me."

"Entertain you?"

"Yes."

"You're an interesting fellow and you're strong. So i'm sure you'll find a way."

"And if I can't entertain you?"

"I'll make the curse stronger. So how about it? Do you dare take the gamble?" Jax pondered.

"I still can't completely trust his words, but I don't have any other leads. And there's also my friends. What will they think?" Azreal waited for an answer. It took awhile, but Jax decided.

"I'll take the gamble." Azreal smiled behind his mask.

"Good, I look forward to it." And just like that, he disappeared into the shadows. Jax thought of how mysterious Azreal was.

"Azreal, just who are you?" He pondered.

"Yo Jax, we finally found you, how you been?" A familiar voice sounded out behind him. It was his best friend, Talien. Jax turned around with a smile and saw two familiar faces.

"Talien. Helen. Its good to see you two. Where were you guys?"

"We just arrived." Back in another part of the continent, the three split up because Jax wanted to visit him parents.

"And here I thought you would've arrived earlier."

"We stopped a few times, anyway, who was that you were talking to?"

"An Info Broker."

"Man you're doing some shady business."

"Shut up." Both of them started laughing. Helen interrupted them.

"You bought a room for us right?"

"Oh, yea, lets go." Jax led them to the tavern they were going to stay at and chatted along the way.

"Right, we should probably register for the academy today."

"I'm so happy Master gave us these recommendations." Helen beamed. The three all trained under the same master.

"If it weren't for these recommendations, I don't think we could even register." Talien laughed. They arrived at the tavern and Jax showed them around. At the end of the tour, Helen thought of something.

"We should register at the academy and find out more information about the Trial of Kings and Queens that's happening in a week."

"Yea."

"For sure." Jax and Talien replied. They headed towards Martial Academy, not knowing they were being followed by some people with evil intentions.