Caelestra, the Heavenly Continent Vol. 1

(non-official) The Beginning of a Twisted- Eventful Path Part Four

The beginning of a Twisted- Eventful Path

Part Four

Day had already started being replaced by night, the light in the sky pale, yet still pure white and gentle. The moon was starting to become visible as the unlucky- lovely trio stood on the sidewalk across the busy “night-club.” Even though I had hoped the place would be hard to find, and so Bast would give up, the big neon signs with arrows pointing to “Bloody Arena” were numerous and damned- ahem.

Even though normally in stories there is the one sane person amongst a group who asks intelligent, common-sense questions like: “Isn’t this illegal? Why are they so obvious?” there was no such person in our group, or at least anyone willing to speak the words. I, the only hope, was busy sulking (if anyone could actually notice) and looking pretty.

Why did I have to go amongst the dirty and vile persons who had tattoos all over, dirt marks that might have indicated them being run over by carriages, weird beards had indicated they might have run from the circus, and horrible clothes that did not fit the clean and beautiful environment of the city?

The city of light had always been so pure from my window, but the truth was that almost every city has the underground side, the part that only emerges at night, and this supposed club, actually a bloody arena cleverly called “Blood Arena,” was the highlight. Here people of all races were kidnapped- politely requested to take part in brutal- noble combat for the entertainment of poor, dirty masses and the pockets of recently rich, yet still dirty former mass-members.

“Yosh! Let’s go!” Bast pumped one fist into the air and exclaimed excitedly, before quickly stomping to the other side. He was not the type to consider a plan. He was the type to confront his problems head on and end up bringing unwanted trouble which was attributed to his idiocy- unluckiness.

I and Ryuu grudgingly followed him as he dragged us, or rather Ryuu. He had learned not to touch me after a couple bloody noses; or rather I had learned to follow so that he wouldn’t touch me.

There was a whole crowd waiting to get in, shouting so loud and  as they huddled together, pushing each other rudely,  that if I hadn’t heard my own shouts- beautiful notes, and Ryuu wasn’t so focused on his book (yes, he can read and walk, and I won’t even mention Bast), our ears would have exploded.

At first, the big, what I would later learn to be stereotypical, bodyguard would not let us in as he stood there with his arms imposingly crossed as Bast repeatedly hit his back playfully, smiling and laughing as he said: “Aww, come on! I know you want us in! How can’t you? Come on, buddy! Don’t tease.” But, the guy would not budge, not even moving his gaze as he stared straight ahead…until he met Ryuu’s gaze staring straight ahead.

This lasted for some seconds, Bast not noticing as he ranted on and on, hitting the guy’s back over and over, until I started to see a red mark showing through the dusty white T-shirt.  A trickle of sweat started to roll down the guy’s massive forehead as he tried with all his might to do what even dragons and the mighty sun had not managed. No one could win against Ryuu’s eyes (not that Bast was helping), even if he didn’t know what he was doing. To Ryuu, he was just analyzing the situation. Would they end up getting in, or would he be able to sneak away to read in peace?

At last, something saved the poor man before he would have no choice but to miserably lose to Ryuu – and miraculously, it came from Bast. “What about this? Aww, look at this face? Can you say no to it?”

Bast stopped slapping the man’s back, went behind me, and pulled my cheeks (unsuccessfully, since my expression is destined to remain blank) like an old and annoying aunt would. The guy’s eyes started into mine, and I stared back. Relieved he had escaped Ryuu’s gaze, and afraid of another confrontation (possibly with me), he sighed deeply and tiredly, saying a deep, gruff “Get in.” It was the first time he spoke. We got in.