I met up with Aria outside and noticed her sitting on a wooden stool outside. She was sharpening her sword and I could see her hidden wrath within the reflection of her blade. I walked toward her and placed my hand on her shoulder.
Aria stopped sharpening her sword. "Everything has me thinking now...What is Tempest up to...and most importantly, what is Suxen trying to do. Fixing these trivial issues isn't going to get us to the truth."
"Negative." Eve said as she floated toward us.
I looked back and noticed Addis leaning against a tree. He let an apple hit his head then caught the apple. I smiled then he looked away with a slight smile.
"What do you mean negative? Suxen is known, he is after Claudio! After us! Dearie Corps! We need to kill him now." Aria said then stood up.
"Negative. Claudio isn't strong enough and not even Addis has enough information on this guy. Luke Rose is mysterious and we all know he works with the Omega Angels as well. That could only mean he sent them as turncoats for a bigger plan. But also we let Claudio build bonds with these nations and his Angel Soul grows stronger." Eve explained.
"As Alpha says as the Primordial Genesis Angel, 'Sex isn't bad, it is a gift, a blessing that should be used with care and deep connections.'" Addis said.
"Yeah, that...that voice thing you do is crazy. Look you're gonna have to go into detail with that as we head over there...and after we get something to eat." I said.
Addis shrugged and walked forward. "You're paying."
I watched him walk off then smiled. I caught up to him and crossed my arms. "Anyway, about what Alpha said...why is that important?"
"When Arabella told you to save her Darlings...she means to actually save them." Addis said.
"Yeah, I'm aware of that." I said.
"Think of when you first met Vanessa." Addis said.
I took a minute to think for a bit then closed my eyes. Visions of my first date with her and it clicked to me. "About her telling me I have to pay $150 to see her around or something?"
"Exactly, you weren't saving them. Only prolonging their inescapable fate. The only woman you actually manage to save...is Daisy. That in itself overrides your poor performance." Addis said.
I looked at Addis then grunted softly. "It all makes sense...Wait—"
"Don't worry, Arabella knows ways around the Contract. She's keeping everyone alive off her own ability...Desire Manifestation." Addis said.
"Rapunzel is testing you, but be warned...going down my route is more painful, but they will be saved." Addis said.
I nodded then looked at Dearie then looked down. Dearie landed on my shoulder and closed her eyes. Eve gently landed on Addis's head.
__________________________
After getting something to eat, we all travelled along a path. Addis showed off his animal lordship and summoned bucks strong enough to carry us. He winked at me and chuckled softly. I shook my head and smiled. Aria watched our interactions then tilted her head.
"As the Incarnation of Nexus, you have a role to play. That starts with bonding with nature and mastering Animal Lordship and Nature Lordship." Addis said.
"Right. Gotcha, Sensei." I called out with a soft chuckle.
"Royal Greens is the best for learning to bond with Nature, Animals, and Spirits. This is the perfect time to bond with all three and that will make you stronger. Maybe you're learn more about that day of the accident." Addis said.
I was about to ask how he knew about it, but then I remembered that he was there in a sense. It was a huge incident as well, so word did get out. I also think about that incident a lot.
We continued down the forest then learned to the nature sounds. We heard it growing silent and silent then Dearie made a warning sound.
[Warning: New Darling Nearby.]
[Name: Detre Springstone]
[Age: 24]
[Birthday: March 11th]
[Occupation: The White Magician]
[Hobbies: Protecting Her Princess, Learning new Spells, Praying to Alpha]
[Price: $4000]
"That Money...That Price. It is the instant free button but the catch is she's only free for that moment you're with her. Do not spend cash when the Opportunity arrives. She's hostile so the options aren't there." Addis said.
"Coming to East Spring as if you own the location. What would you wanderers want with East Princess Springstone." A woman said then a powerful wind blew.
I noticed a beautiful babe. She wasn't just any elf, she was a Dark Elf and I knew Dark Elves are always ones to flaunt their beauty. Her beautiful complexion, her glowing golden eyes and the way she stood. Even her white robes and hat flowed with the wind in a sexy way.
"We come in peace." Addis said then dodged an energy blast headed toward him.
Eve held onto Addis's hair and grunted. "Hey what's the big idea?! We didn't even do anything!"
"I just don't trust you. Your presences are the issue. Such high level Spiritual Energy is causing stress and as of right now I see you as threats." The woman said then placed her hand on her hips.
I stared at the woman then grunted when I noticed an interface appear in front of her.
[Do you want to save her?]
[Yes - $4000]
[No - Kill]
'What the hell? What the heck is this?!' I thought to myself.
"Calm down. That's just The Man, speaking to you. The Devil of the Earth is trying to trick you. Trust me, pick no." Addis said.
I picked no then I noticed a red meter go up above Detre's head. I was still confused and stayed on edge. "We aren't threats! We were sent by Rapunzel as she's dealing with high priority threats. You should know Addis, helps keep the peace around here."
"Never seen that man in my life." Detre said.
I looked at Addis then he shrugged. I sighed and shook my head. I looked at Detre. "What will it take for you to move out the way..?"
"Make me." Detre said then prepared her staff.
I scoffed then sighed. "Step back. I'll take her alone."
"You are not made like that." Addis said.
"Who's not?" I asked.
"I give you...Mmm...ten minutes max." Addis said.
I held my hand out.
"You two are not serious betting at this time." Dearie said.
"I agree. Gambling is—"
"Gambling a simple wager is not Greed. It doesn't even scratch the surface." Addis said then shook my hand.
[Mission: Defeat Detre!]
[Win Conditions: Last ten minutes against Detre.]
[Lose Conditions: You lose against Detre.]
"Easiest 10K of my life." I said.
Addis and Aria moved out of the way. Detre watched them and looked at me. The wind blew and the tension became heavier. The suspense was greater now. With the bet now in play, I have no choice but to go all out against The White Magician.
"So you will be the first victim?" Detre asked.
"Personally, I'm not letting her call me a victim." Addis said and crossed his arms.
'He sounds just like Anna. I miss her instigating.'
"I'm not going to be a victim, more like I going to be the suspect." I said.
"Yikes." Addis said. "That was corny."
I ignored and grunted softly. I pointed at Detre. "Let's just get this over with."
"Agreed." Detre said, twirling her wooden cane.
"Let's ride!" I said then rushed toward Detre.
I went for the first strike, but she dodged my attack then went for a counter but I blocked her attack. I kicked her away then dashed after her. Detre landed on her feet and dashed forward. We clashed then began to block and dodge each other's attacks.
"You're not so bad!" I said then dodged her next strike then jumped backwards.
"Hm. Your moves look familiar." Detre said and pointed her cane at me then the Wonder Shard in the middle of her cane shined. "Dodge this.."
She began firing bolts of magic at me and I braced myself. I began deflecting the bolts of magic by surrounding my hands with my energy. I summoned ten Light Blasts behind me then launched them at her.
Detre formed a shield in front of herself., blocking the Light Blasts then they exploded. I appeared behind her then kicked her away with a powerful kick. I dashed after her then knocked her further away with a spinning kick.
Addis watched and followed us. "Come on, this one is getting good."
Aria nodded and hurried after us. "His power got a sudden increase, what is that?"
"After yesterday, he heard the Voice of God, telling him to get up and fight. His Willpower tripled that night and he grew even stronger." Addis explained.
Detre landed on the the top of a boulder then looked down at me. I stopped and looked up at Detre. Detre smiled then looked serious. She dropped her cane then propelled herself toward me. I grunted and blocked her attack then slid backwards. I looked up, noticing Detre was gone.
"You can't fight what you can not see." Detre said then appeared behind me.
She struck my back with a power strike then kicked me away. She pressed a ball of nature energy against my back then it exploded, launching me away. She appeared in front of me and kneed my stomach. I coughed as I flew backwards, slamming into a tree. I landed on one knee then panted softly.
[Time Remaining: 5:32.30]
I stood up and took of my jacket then grunted as I began to draw power from within. White lightning crackled around my body then my silver aura surged powerfully around my body. I manifested my wings and spread them open.
"Let's go Dearie." I said.
"Serious Mode Activated." Dearie said.
"He's getting serious now, now this is interesting.." Addis chuckled.
I vanished and my afterimage appeared in front of Detre. Detre blocked the strike, but noticed the Live Decoy disappear then the real me appeared in front of her. I struck her stomach and a pulse of white energy escaped her back. Detre groaned as she was launched backwards. Detre flipped backwards then landed on her feet.
"Hmph, I'd better step it up as well.." Detre said then summoned her cane then twirled it and it became a sword.
I flew toward Detre and clashed with her using my Sacred Lotus. Detre smirked and pushed me back then slashed at me. I blocked the slash then began clashing with her rapidly. She parried my next attack then kicked me away. I spread my wings and stopped myself then grunted as I sloppily flew out the way of Detre's magic blasts.
"He can't fly too well, but he managed to dodge the magic blasts." Aria said and crossed her arms.
Detre readied her sword then noticed I landed on the ground. She noticed a shine then grunted as she swiftly dodged a Light Blast and looked back at the explosion. She looked back toward me and grunted as I struck her jaw with a powerful punch. Detre rolled backwards and recovered on one knee. I appeared in front of her and went for a finishing blow.
Detre flinched a bit then opened her eyes, seeing I stopped my attack. She watched as I held my hand out toward her. "What..?"
"I lasted ten minutes~ You lose~" I chuckled.
Detre was bewildered at my attitude then hesitantly took my hand. I gently pulled her up then caught her in my arms. Detre blushed as she looked at me.
[Detre's Trust Increased.]
She grunted and pushed herself off me. "Tch! Defeated by a VIP 5 Agent...East Princess Springstone is not going to be happy with my poor performance...but watch your back, Human. The worst has yet to come."
The high winds blew and she just disappeared with the wind. I watched a note float down and caught it. It had directions written down in it. Addis and Aria walked toward me.
"Well you actually did it, and used your charms...and guess what, by not spending money, you're saving her. Also here, you earned it." Addis said.
[Obtained VIP EXP +10000]
"That won't be the last we see of her and we have yet to even grow near the castle. It was nice seeing you have the faith of a one on one, now we clearly see that you need your Angel Mode to fight these beings." Aria said.
"That sounded like a sneak diss and I'm just gonna ignore it, but at least I didn't practically get one shot by Ryan of all people." I said.
Aria blushed and puffed her cheeks with embarrassment. "You weren't supposed to bring that up!"
Addis smiled and laughed a bit. "I remember that, you didn't even last a minute."
"You know that wasn't fair! He had Sacred Verses!" Aria said.
"Yeah alright." I chuckled as I walked off.
"You were there! Don't act like you didn't see that unfair shit!" Aria yelled as she hurried after me.
Addis smiled and followed us. 'I'll teach him how to really save them...He will soon know the truth...'