OBS Chapter 46: Talk
Chapter 46: Talk
The fire crackled softly, sending sparks into the night air. The scent of roasted deer meat hung heavy around the camp, mingling with the earthy smell of pine and damp soil. Xavier sat cross‑legged near the flames, a strip of venison in his hand, chewing slowly as his thoughts drifted back to Darakos and the brutal lesson he had endured. His thoughts were also on the quest he was given, anticipating the reward.
Aria sat opposite him, her silver aura faint but steady, the glow reflecting off her calm features. Seliora was beside her, her presence commanding even in silence, the strange device she had used earlier resting on the ground near her feet. She tore into her portion of meat with deliberate grace, her eyes occasionally flicking toward Xavier as if measuring him.
After a long silence, Seliora spoke, her voice low but firm. "Are you leaving tomorrow?"
Xavier looked up from the fire, his jaw tightening. "Yes. I have business to finish in Mayfair." His tone carried weight, the kind of resolve that left no room for doubt.
Seliora nodded once, as if she had expected the answer. "Then I’ll drop you there in my carriage. It’s safer than walking into the city alone."
Xavier’s gaze softened slightly. "Thank you."
The fire popped, sending a burst of sparks upward. For a moment, the three sat in silence, the only sound the crackle of flames and the distant rustle of the forest. But Xavier’s mind was restless. He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing as he asked, "Seliora... what’s the name of the city where the black race lives?"
Aria’s head turned sharply, her silver eyes widening at the question. Seliora, however, did not flinch. She studied Xavier for a long moment, her expression unreadable, before answering.
"I’ll only tell you," she said slowly, "if you’ve made a name for yourself. If you prove you’re more than just another shadow wandering the world. That city is not for the weak, nor for those who stumble blindly. Earn your place, Xavier, and then you’ll know its name."
Xavier’s jaw tightened, his breath steadying. He wanted to press her, but something in her tone told him it would be useless. She had drawn a line, and he would have to cross it through deeds, not words.
Seliora reached into her cloak and pulled out something wrapped in cloth. She unfolded it carefully, revealing a mask—smooth, dark, its design simple yet sharp, with faint etchings that shimmered in the firelight. She held it out to him.
"Wear this," she said. "So people won’t notice you’re black. Mayfair is not ready for what you are. Too many eyes, too many whispers. This mask will keep you hidden until the time is right."
Xavier stared at it, the firelight dancing across its surface. He reached out slowly, his fingers brushing against the cool material, and then took it from her hands. He held it up, studying the faint etchings, the way it seemed to hum with quiet energy.
His voice was low, steady. "I accept it."
Seliora’s lips curled into the faintest smile, though her eyes remained sharp. "Good. You’ll need it."
Aria watched silently, her silver aura flickering faintly as she studied Xavier. She said nothing, but her gaze carried both concern and trust.
Xavier lowered the mask into his lap, his fingers tightening around it. The fire crackled, the forest whispered, and the night stretched on. He knew the path ahead would be brutal, uncertain, filled with shadows. But with the mask in his hands and resolve burning in his chest, he felt ready to face whatever awaited him in Mayfair.
The flames danced higher, casting long shadows across their faces, and the silence between them was heavy with unspoken truths.
Xavier then remembered Lyra, he glanced at the unconscious woman again. Seliora had knocked her out again after the crazed woman had started her rambling. He wondered what he should do with her. He turned to Seliora, deciding to ask her.
"Lyra," he spoke, tearing another piece of deer meat. "What do we do about her?"
Seliora chewed and swallowed before she replied. "We’re gonna leave her here."
"What?" Xavier was shocked.
"You heard me."
"I thought you would have a better idea than that." Xavier pointed out. "We can’t just leave her here. It doesn’t feel right."
"Look," Seliora dropped her meat on the wood and stared at him. "She’s dangerous. She’s obsessed with black people. And she won’t hesitate to kill you or me if she had the chance. We should leave her out here.....chained."
Xavier stared at her for a moment before he simply nodded and turned away.
Seliora got up, dusting her clothes. "It’s time to turn in. We start moving at dawn. I have my own mission to complete."
She walked away, and Aria turned in for the night but not before saying good night. Xavier sat for a few minutes before he sighed and turned in. Aria followed suit, entering her own tent while Xavier went to his.
As he lay down on the ground, he began go think about his past life. Everything was normal there, he had a real thing going on. He was happy, really happy. He was just on track to become an MMA fighter but now it was all over. Everything he had worked hard for gone in an instant, all because of a stupid dead body that had trapped them.
Xavier turned over and closed his eyes, there was nothing he could do about it now. He wasn’t even sure if there was a chance of ever going back. But one thing he had already set his mind on.
Revenge.
He was going to have revenge. Everybody that had betrayed him would pay with their lives. He was going to kill all of them. Every single one of them. The goddess was going go bd last. That bitch sill pay for what she did. She had orchestrated his downfall the moment she found he was F-rank and now he was going to love that despair he’ll see on her face.