Chereads / The Beneath. / Chapter 42 - CHAPTER FORTY-ONE: Dead-City Royalty

Chapter 42 - CHAPTER FORTY-ONE: Dead-City Royalty

-Two Months Later-

["Day Of The Trails"]

(Crowd Mumbles)

("OH YEAH!!! AM DEFINETLY MAKING IT THIS TIME AROUND!!!")

(Crowd Mumbles)

("I wonder what trials we'll get??")

(Crowd Mumbles)

("You idiot! Don't you know the trials are the same everytime??")

(Crowd Mumbles)

("Really??")

(Crowd Mumbles)

("Yeah the only question is are you tough enough to rank in the second trial.")

(Crowd Mumbles)

"…"

"Two months…"

Xavier thinks

"Two months…"

"…"

"OF ABSOLUTE SHITTY FOOD AND BEING THAT NARCISSIT'S LAP DOG!!!!"

He cries on the inside!!

"If I'd known it was going to be like this I'd have never agreed to that offer."

He thinks as he traverses the crowd, hooded.

"Not only that but that idiot doesn't even have any real power!"

"I mean what was the point of all that hyping?"

Xavier laments

"A meeting with my remaining family?"

"Being a member of the Blades he lied about everything!!!"

Xavier thinks

"Still though…"

"…"

The last two months of Xavier's stay in the beneath had been filled with nothing but ass whooping's and being Yasser's errand boy.

Ofcourse initially he'd figured Yasser for being a cool mentor similar to Jeremy.

But man was that far off the mark.

The guy cares about nothing but himself

And his so called 'training', was literally just Yasser pounding on him every day.

The man never held back either!!!

Honestly this was a let down on all fronts.

He failed to secure a meeting with the Siyah family.

And also just conveniently left out the part were Xavier would have to partake in the Blade trials.

Trials…

That are held every four years!

And what do you know?

It just so happens that this year is the fourth year of the current Squad's reign.

Their last year.

If he didn't know any better he'd think Yasser 'planned' it this way.

Anyway beatings and psycho mentor aside, today is the first day of the trials

And just like he heard this place is packed.

Apparently they're supposed to wait here at the 'formal circle' for one of the leaving squad members to divulge the rules of the first trial.

"I swear to God if it's that narcissistic idiot again…"

("BAM!!!!")

"Hey watch where ya going!!!"

"Ah sorry…"

Xavier says ashamedly having bumped into someone and fallen back

"…"

"HUH?"

The guy says looking Xavier over

"HUH?!?!"

"…"

"AAAAAAHHHH ITS YOU!!!!"

The pair shout in unison!

"What the hell are you doing here?!?!?"

"So the boyfriend decides to act big huh??"

"…"

Aldread.

The guy who was hung up on Rin for most of the time since Xavier came into the Beneath

He had gone silent since Rin left so Xavier thought it had something to do with her.

But seeing him now it was obvious.

He was preparing.

"Tsk."

"What are you doing here street rat."

Aldread says snivelling

"I could ask you the same thing… Bully."

Xavier responds

"Shouldn't you be with your girlfriend??"

He asks annoyingly

"We both know Rin isn't around anymore."

Xavier responds.

"…"

"…"

"Tsk."

"Just stay out of my way!"

Aldread says before walking off.

That's right Rin had finally left.

The only thing that narcissist said that turned out to be true was that Rin was indeed safe.

Xavier had met her a couple of times after the incident with Murdock.

She didn't seem to be particularly affected by it, but Xavier knew something was still fundamentally wrong with her ever since.

Still, Rin was Rin.

And he was glad he managed to keep one person safe.

Albeit not by himself

Rin was gone after the first month.

Apparently her mother had decided to get married to one of her customers

A big timer from the 'city that blossoms pink all year.'

As much as he missed her he understood that she was at least safe.

And that's all that mattered.

Now more especially since Xavier had decided to plunge his life into the darkness…

Well, at least he thought he had.

Yasser is a weird man after all.

"…"

"Maybe I'll get to see Rin one day."

Xavier thinks.

(Crowd Mumbles)

("Is that who I think it is?")

(Crowd Mumbles)

("Yeah it is.")

(Crowd Mumbles)

("Damn I forgot they were competing this year too")

(Crowd Mumbles)

("Well nothing we can do time to leave.")

(Crowd Mumbles)

("Aaaaah!!! It really is her am a big fan!!!")

"…"

"What's going on??"

Xavier thinks moving forward to see what all the commotion is about.

'The Five Senses of Siyah'

Generals who had helped the first Damion, Valdis Siyah take over the northern part of the continent.

And eventually the continent as whole.

These generals would forever be synonymous with the name Siyah and follow the generational heads of years to come.

As time would have it the task of carrying out the orders of the Siyah would be passed down from generation to generation

All the way.

To the current crops representing their families now.

And even though each family's strengths have either waned or grown over the years

One thing is for certain

There isn't a year when the 'senses' failed the trials.

(Crowd Mumbles)

("Is that?")

(Crowd Mumbles)

("It is.")

-Cassey Raine-

17 years old.

Second child and second son of the current head of the House Raine.

… Cassius Raine …

The Raine household was initially specialized in Tracking and Guerrilla warfare tactics.

Easily distinguishable by their striking dark emerald green eyes and hair to match.

They were dubbed as the sense of scent for their remarkable noses and keen senses.

The current crop has lost much purpose due to the absence of wars.

However,

Their abilities in tracking are still well valued for quick locating of targets for elimination designated by the client.

And lands fertile or ripe enough to be taken and used for the sake of residents of the inner domes.

And ofcourse,

The Siyah.

The current partaker of this trial, is somewhat uninspired though.

Dare I say…

Lazy.

(Crowd Mumbles)

("I guess they really are going to be here…")

(Crowd Mumbles)

("Hey look over there!!!!")

-Lillith Cane-

14 years old.

Third child and second daughter of the current head of House Cane

… Larissa Cane ….

The Cane household was initially the Jack of all trades of the olden era.

Distinguishable by their bright red eyes, and hair to match

They were dubbed simply that,

The Jack of All Trades.

The Cane household was capable of just about anything on the field.

Guerrilla warfare, tracking?

Combat specialization, Assassination?

You name it.

And because of that the moniker sense of taste was gifted onto them due to their ability to try and adapting to a variety of things

(Like tasting at different foods at ease) l0_0l/

The only defect they ever faced was just that.

Being a jack of all trades

Simply put, they were masters of no single field.

Currently, their importance has grown.

Their resourcefulness in all fields, making them one of the strongest and most reputable families of the current era.

With the current partaker of this trail being a highly respectable and well trained member of all the Beneath's forces

(Crowd Mumbles)

("HEY! HEY! HEY NOW!!! That little devil is here too??")

(Crowd Mumbles)

("Two members of 'Sense' families ? The hell is this?!?!!?")

(Crowd Mumbles)

("It's unfair I says, Unfair!!!!")

(Crowd Mumbles)

("Crap don't tell me he's here's too!")

-Jimmy Blanche-

18 years' old

Sixth child and 3rd son of the current head of the Blanche household

…. Jedidiah Blanche …

The Blanche household was initially specialized in weapon management/ procurement and hand to hand combat.

Distinguishable by their faded blonde hair and eyes to match.

Members of their household were dubbed the sense of touch, due to their overly sensitive sense of feel and quick reactions.

Of all the family's that were dubbed senses, the Blanche family was the only one that never waned in strength or lost importance

Instead they only grew.

Both in strength and in size and became the most important household to the Siyah cause.

Their prowess in weapon management and hand-to-hand combat proving more vital now in the age of mercenaries than before. While their size alone contributes to over a third of the Siyah army and defence forces.

The current partaker of this trial, while being the sixth born child of the family head is nowhere near that number in strength.

Instead he is dubbed a genius and is a high candidate to be the new sense of sight following the trails.

(Crowd Mumbles)

("I can't believe this year.")

(Crowd Mumbles)

("Right?")

(Crowd Mumbles)

("At this point even getting passed the first trial will be a hustle.")

(Crowd Mumbles)

("Nah, don't worry the 'Senses' are only interested in fighting amongst themselves.")

(Crowd Mumbles)

("Still though, it seems the senses aren't the only ones we have to worry about, look over there.")

-Honourable Mentions-

... Mu, Zex, A.K …

Mu.

Known all over the outer-lands as one of the deadliest mercenaries.

This 25-year-old is the leader and founder of the Mercs For Hire (MFH), the single biggest rival organisation to the Blades.

Often clad in a black mask with a sawed shut smiley face painted on it and trench coat.

She specializes in hand-to-hand and assassination forms of combat

However, her renown is due to her impressive strategic ability that led to the direct creation of her organisation.

Truly a genius of incredibly high foresight.

Her goal for entering the trials is an obvious one.

Be this year's sense of sight and merge the two organisations.

A.K

Continental renown as Mu's right hand.

He has followed and being with her since day one.

Much more of a brute and slugger.

He is often tasked with work that need not require any…

'Subtlety'.

This impressive man of brute strength, like his leader, dawns the black mask and trench coat.

His identity and age are unknown to the world.

His goal for entering the trials?

Make sure Mu has a clear path to victory.

Zex.

The newest member of the MFH

He's identity and abilities are currently unknown.

But one things for certain.

Mu wouldn't bring anyone she didn't think capable of helping her achieve.

(Crowd Mumbles)

("Am starting to think we should just settle for utility squads this year.")

(Crowd Mumbles)

("I hate to agree with you, but I think you're right.")

(Crowd Mumbles)

"…"

"Is everyone really that great?"

Xavier thinks a bit worried

"…"

"hm?"

Xavier exclaims when he notices Mu staring at him.

"…"

"Ah is something wrong?"

He thinks while looking to his sides before pointing back to himself in a gesture

However, just then Mu suddenly starts to rush toward him unexpectedly?!!

"What?"

"WHAT?!?!"

Xavier thinks in a panic but just before he can comprehend all that's happening…

!!!!!!!!!!!!BOOOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mu throws a hard right?!!!

(Crowd Mumbles)

("What the hell?!?!")

(Crowd Mumbles)

("Hey is he okay??")

"…"

The dust settles

"Huh?"

Xavier exclaims a little confused

"HUH?!?!"

Xavier exclaims when he realizes the punch was blocked for him!

But…

But who is the person that blocked it?'

And why.

"Hm."

"I see trash like you is still around."

Mu says to the person holding her fist.

"You can let go now."

"We both know this is a fight you won't win."

She says coldly

"…"

"Sierra Cloud."

She says as the slender girl who just blocked her fist lets it go slow

"Sierra?"

Xavier thinks

(Crowd Mumbles)

("She's here too?")

(Crowd Mumbles)

("So it seems…")

(Crowd Mumbles)

("But don't worry that family is nothing to worry about.")

(Crowd Mumbles)

("Yeah how embarrassing…")

(Crowd Mumbles)

"What's going on?"

Xavier thinks as he listens in on the crowd's whispers and watches the situation unfold.

"You'd be better served to stay out of my way Cloud girl."

Mu says

"We both know you're not cut out for this."

She says as she turns to leave

"…"

-silence-

"…"

"What was that all about?"

Xavier thinks

"…"

"Anyway I'd better say thank you at least."

"Things could have gotten tricky if she didn't show up."

He thinks

"Hey so uhm--"

Xavier begins to say but is cut off by Sierra who simply looks back at him.

Before leaving and moving forward.

"…"

"Rude."

Xavier thinks

"Ah whatever I might as well start to--"

(yawns)

"Haaaah…."

"Is this thing on?"

At that moment,

A feminine voice was blasted over a microphone and echoed the formal circle as everyone's attention was drawn to the stage.

And to the yawning redheaded beaut that occupied the centre stage.

The beginning of the trials perhaps?

"…"

"…"

-To Be Continued-