Chereads / Emovere / Chapter 3 - Turn 2: A Restless Mind Is An Easy Target For Deception

Chapter 3 - Turn 2: A Restless Mind Is An Easy Target For Deception

The soft melody of a piano filled The Council's House. Flowers lined the vestibule, some wrapping the staircases, while others were pinned to the wall. 

"I've never felt…so relaxed before. I wanna stay focused, but shit it's hard when these flowers feel so calming. It's as if my body only wants me to be relaxed!"

They continued to follow Servus until they reached a long hallway. It, like the rest of the house, was all white and filled up with flowers that lined with ginormous windows. As they walked through the hallway they began to feel the air get colder. Felichs noticed a group of seven individuals sitting at a table in the middle of a garden. Each of them were covered from head to toe in white garments. The one thing that stood out though were the mask consisting of different colors: lilac, pink, orange, navy blue, yellow, red, but the one that stuck out the most was a mask that was all white. Suddenly, Felichs stopped dead in their tracks as chills ran down their spine. They could feel every pair of eyes staring dead at them.

"Ooouu, is that them? Are they the one? They're so beautiful" 

"BWAHAHA Pauper, eh? You sure know how to pick 'em?"

"V, I'm still not so sure of them…" 

"Pahaha, don't fret Alba, I'm more than sure. Matter of fact I'd bet it on the flowers of Eirini. Also Please refrain from saying too much, that one is very, very special."

"I hope you enjoy your room, my dear."

Although Felichs wasn't able to see their faces they knew which one was Tournament. The two stared each other down. Neither moving an inch. The intensity of these two made the hairs on everyone's body stand straight up. As the situation grew more intense small cracks started to form in the windows and on the ground. Felichs began to reach for their knife and Tournament started to remove their gloves.

"I've never seen you get this intense, I like it!" Giggled the smaller one as vines began to wrap around their legs.

"BWAHAHA! Maybe they aren't just some brat from the slums after all." The tallest figure chuckled as he swung around his axe. "Maybe they're not a pipsqueak after all! They might even be as fun as though two were."

"You two calm yourselves. This clash might be too much for you two, heck I don't even think I stand a chance either." The one named Alba with a curvaceous figure chastised before turning towards Sevus, "And you…,you stupid mongrel. Remove them at once or else!"

He could feel his heart pound even harder, as if it were being forcefully pumped."P-p-please, y-y-you mustn't interrupt t-t-them. What is this I'm feeling, it feels…hot…the intensity alone could burn this house down… Dear Eirini, I could only imagine what would happen if these two clashed."

Servus grabbed Felichs by the shoulders and took them to their room with haste. It was a beautiful large, white room with brilliant chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Everything in the room was white, from the blankets on the bed to the carpet on the floor. There was also a table against the wall with different types of food and drinks. 

"Is this what heaven looks like...THE FOOD! IT'S BEAUTIFUL! So…uh, the food. Who's it...uh you know...who's it for?" Felichs asked drooling on the inside hoping they could have some.

"Haha! It's for you, my boy. Well, you and your roommates, so make sure to save them some."

"Baked! Mashed! Chopped! Even these weird sticks look so good! Who knew you could use potatoes in so many fantastic ways" Felichs thought ignoring the 'boy' comment made by Servus, as drool burst out of their mouth like a broken dam.

"Ibe neber hab foo dih goob," Felichs said as they continued stuffing their cheeks.

Servus broke out into a burst of loud laughter. "I don't think I've ever seen someone so happy to for food. Although, I guess to someone who's been in your shoes their whole life this must be the best meal you've ever had huh?"

"No. The best meals were the ones I ate with my mom."

"Ah don't fret my dear. I've already had a year's supply of food sent her way. So eat to your heart's content." Assured Tournament as they entered the room. "As for you Servus, your duties are needed elsewhere. Please leave us alone."

Felichs stared Tournament dead in their eyes, the rage fuming in them once again. "A new mask? Three colors this time. Are they the same person as the one all-white masked individual or is their more of these mask wearing freaks."

"Pahaha! Well if it isn't my good friend Felichs, how are we today? I hope you enjoy your stay, my dear and feel free to ask any questions you may have or roam around if you want, this isn't prison after all." 

"Good friend eh? And here I thought friends gave each other their names, or at least give each other nicknames." 

"As witty as ever now aren't you my dear? Well, don't worry yourself with that. Soon you will know everything you've ever wanted to know. For now, I promise you're in safe hands and if there's anything you need, all you have to do is ring that bell over there on the table." Stated Tournament pointing at the rose-shaped bell. "Oh and another thing, you will be having 4 other roommates, so please do get along. I wouldn't want anything happening to any of you."

"Actually, before you go I gotta ask a question. Why are you doing this?" 

"Hm? And what ever could you possibly mean? I simply wanted to make sure you felt as comfortable as possible. Although now that I look think about it, it must feel off being in such a luxurious environment after well…ah! I meant no offense my dear, honestly."

"No…I mean, why are you holding Tournouá Tou Ménos? You said you don't like violence and war, yet it's pretty obvious what'll happen if someone wins that drug. A lot of people are going to die and even more will die after that, because no matter who wins, one person being happy isn't enough. Every other miserable person will come together and do whatever they can to take that person's happiness. Matter of fact how could someone be happy in this in forsaken world even with the help of a drug? That happiness would soon fadeaway. So what the hell are you ACTUALLY planning?! Tell me right now! Stormed Felichs.

A smirk grew on Tournament's face, "You're even more special than I could have ever imagined my dear. You're perfect." 

"I was just thinkin' the same thang." A deep voice said from behind Tournament. "This like creatin' one of them contest to win billion of dollas. There ain't no way on Eirini's green earth that winner walks out alive. Hell, you'd be insane to wanna win this crap. But yuh already know why I'm here so let's cut to the chase. I wanna to kick your ass and then kick his ass too!"

"Oh is that so? What could little ol; me have possibly done-"

"Now don't play dumb yuh sonna bitch! You know exactly what yuh did!" Interrupted the tall dark-skinned man.

"Wait, wait, wait, who the heck are you and what are you doing here? And what gives you the right to interrupt me — let alone put your hands on someone that I already called dibs on!"

"I think I'll just excuse myself while you two get aquatinted then, yeah? Oh, and Solis. I'll have Servus bring Nox to you immediately." Said Tournament before exiting the room. "I would also like to offer my apologies. I only wanted to make sure you came as well."

"Shit, this guy's tall — he had to duck just to enter the room! Kinda reminds me of a caveman though with that beard touching his chest and all. Speaking of which why does he have so many scars? Military maybe? He does wear a uniform of sorts, although it's all ripped up, so ima guess he probably just stole it off a body or something. His eyes are beautiful though, I've never seen anything so golden before! And he has dreads too?! Everybody's so lucky!" 

"Dang nab it…ARGH! I hate that crazy bastard." 

"You and me both, guess that makes us friends. So, if you want we can take turns kicking that wack job's ass." Felichs responded as they grinned devilishly.

"Only if yuh lemme get the first punch."

"Deal. By the way there's food here and it's not poisoned, at least I don't think it is."

"Don't think? Now why ina hell wouldn't yuh know if it was poisoned or not?" Questioned Solis as he scratched his beard.

"Aye now, I may be poor but I ain't stupid! I mean never ate poison so I wouldn't REALLY know how it tasted." 

"A wise fella eh? Wait…are yuh a fella or a lady or a-" 

"Hehe. How about we worry about that later?"

"Yeah, I'm more interested in knowing how some youngin' got mixed up in this mess. Funny nuff they kinda 'mind me of that Tournament fella, couldn't tell if either one pissed standin' up or sittin' down. Strange world we're livin' in. Eh whatever, not my place to judge anyone."

"Well, I can guarantee you it's not as interestin' as whatever your story is." Responded Felichs as they hopped onto one of the beds.

The two of them sat down and ate the luxurious food that was prepared for them. Afterward, they threw their trash away, then sat down and talked amongst each other.

"Damn, so that's how you ended up here...I'm sorry that happened." "Yeah, that's why I can't wait to get my hands on that bastard!" 

Three Days Ago

"WAHAHA! Yuh should've seen 'em Nox, they nostrils was flarin'." Solis howled as he took a big bite of the turkey leg. "Serves 'em right, kickin' little ol me out of Spes just cuz I got an unusual friend."

"Well when you're a friend of a wolf that's larger than most people, can you really be surprised?" 

"Eh, it don't matter what yuh looked like, them fellas woulda never accepted yuh. Them Spesians got no care for any outsiders, hell they barely care for their own. But ain't no point in cryin' over the past now is there? When NOW is the time that we feast my four-legged friend!

As Nox sat beside him, the two ate every last bite of the stolen food. While he was against Solis' actions, he never questioned his motives.

"I can tell something pains you brother. I hope one day you will forgive yourself." Nox thought to himself.

As the two ate, Nox's ears pointed towards the sky sensing danger. He let out a deafening howl, "Solis! We must move now! There's a disturbance in the forest!"

Solis responded in a just as deafening yell, "WAHAHA! First dinner and now dessert! What a perfect night, wouldn't you say Brother!"

The two leapt up and charged toward the disturbance. Nox and Solis were like brothers. Ever since Solis had saved Nox from a group of Spesian hunters, the two formed an unbreakable bond. Solis used to live in Heros, the capital of Spes, until he severed all ties with them. Heros was the last remaining city in Spes as the others had been destroyed during the peak of the wars. Because of this Heros had become a brutal city that forced its citizens to join in on the fight for Emovere. Solis' separation had more to do with his own experiences and less to do with their rejection of Nox, but his companion never tried touching the subject. With nowhere to go, he made a home in the forest with Nox. The wolf was hailed as the king of this forest, Sanctus Silva, so every other animal welcomed Solis. For their kindness, he vowed to help Nox protect the wildlife from harm. Eventually, the two learned how to work as a powerful duo mimicking each other's movements and making up for what the other lacked. Both had grown so close in fact, that they were able to understand each other's speech.They made their way through the forest as fast as they could. Nox would take the ground and Solis would jump from tree to tree as if he were an animal himself. The duo would switch positions, as it became a tactic to confuse enemies and cover their tracks. When they arrived to spot where Nox smelled the scent the strongest a difficult situation presented itself to the two.

"Now why the..." Nox said as he slowly crept forward.

"Hold on patna. Calm yuh self. We needa figure out why the heck yuh siblin' are fightin' each other"

As the two looked on, both grew more worried. The animals of Sanctus Silva haven't fought each other in years as a sign of respect for the fallen warriors of Spes. With the situation as unfamiliar as it was, both watched on from the bushes.As the wolves fought amongst each other, one stood out amongst the pack. One as black as night, took down the others one by one until there were two left. It  was barely able to stand as it had multiple bite and scratch marks, this is when Solis and Nox made their way out to approach it.

"There, there boy calm yuh self,. What's angerin' yuh?"

As Nox tended to the other,  he approached the wolf snarling at it. "Solis! That wolf's NOT native, get back!" 

"Eh? Whadda mean? I think yuh nose finally betrayed yuh patna."

"Oh, but quite the contrary my savage friend." A voice said aloud from behind a tree. "The furball is spot on."

"Eh? Who's there? Come out nice and slow now and maybe I'll let yuh live." 

"Oh? Well, I promise you when I say this, I mean no harm. I merely came to visit you. I have something very important for you." The person responded as they walked out from behind the tree with their arms raised.

"Yuh dress rather odd feller…or lady…? What's your name there?"

"Pahaha, I have many names depending on who you ask, some more untrue than others, but you can call me Tournament, creator of Tournouá Tou Ménos. As for my gender, is that really important? Sure you're a handsome man, but I don't think either of us will be having intercourse with each other at any point. So, why care what it is?

"Tournouá Tou Ménos, eh? Yeah, I've hearda that. A buncha weirdos keep runnin' 'round through my home at the ass crack of dawn hollerin' bout it." 

"My apologies, I could've sworn I told them that I'd come here myself. After all, you're someone I felt was such a special person — someone I had to meet in person!" Gushed Tournament as they marveled over Solis, until slowly revealing a small box to them. "I do hope this'll make it up to you, my dear. And again I would love to extend my sincerest of apologies for my colleagues. This is sacred ground and as such, it should be respected by all of those who are its visitors.

He accepted the gift, but kept their attention on the person in front of them as they slowly opened the gift. Inside was two things: a letter with Solis' name on it and long, thin box. As he read over the note, Nox focused his large, blue eyes on Tournament who stood in front of them and the mysterious wolf who lay behind them.

"Brother…please keep your focus, I feel as though our current position is not an advantageous one."

As he neared the end of the note, Solis let out a soft chuckle before opening the other box. "How many of 'em...did yuh kill?" 

"I beg your pardon?" 

"I said, HOW MANY OF 'EM DID YUH KILL, YUH SONNA BITCH!" 

"So, this is how you choose to react? Honestly, I expected more from you. Then again, any man who would let someone scar his body, but not kill them isn't really a man to begin with." Tournament said as they pointed behind the duo. "Solid feel free to go all out."

To Solis and Nox's surprise, there was a rather large man in a suit walking towards them. He was a bald man with a white mustache and goatee that had yellow streaks in it. While he was roughly the same height as Solis, the aura surrounding the man, made him feel much bigger than he actually was. Nox eyes began to glow a bright blue. He charged towards him at blinding speeds, speeds that would make one think he could teleport. Solis pulled out an axe and readied himself for the wolf's onslaught. Nox was no slouch when it came to a fight, nor was he an idiot. As charged forward he swiped quickly at the man, scratching both his face and legs. The man swung his axe wildly, but Nox dodged the first strike, planted, then scratched the man's arm. He grimaced in pain for a split second, then smirked as he lunged at Nox again. This time though he faked his first strike which caused Nox to dodge, then went in for a crucial strike that almost severed Nox's leg. The wolf howled in pain as the man walked closer and stepped on the wolf's head.

"I cannot let this man win…for Solis' sake…" Nox whimpered as he tried to get back to his feet

He got up and charged at the man again, but due to his injury he couldn't reach top speed. Even so, Nox wasn't out of ideas.

"I hate to use this now, but I can't die. Not here, not now!" 

"Oh ho, just when I thought I'd seen it all, who knew YOU were here" Tournament chuckled to themself.

"Eh? Just what the heck are you planning?" Tournament took a few steps back before removing their mask and mouthing the words, "Solid my dear, don't die."

"I desired to see you just one more my time brother…but this is not an enemy I can be conservative against. I HAVE to do this." Nox snarled as his fur began to glow a bright blue like his eyes.

"MOOONSTRUUUM!"

"Damn it…I'll save you once again…Solid." 

They pointed Nox's way then mumbled something to themself causing his fur to change back to its original white as he slowly fell to the ground. Solid's entire body came out of shock as he charged towards the wolf. He began to cock his arm back ready to deliver the fatal blow, but stopped and turned around as he heard Solis yelling in anger.

"DON'T YOU FUCKING DARE! DON'T! DON'T! DON'T!" Solis yelled.

"Why don't you stop me then? I mean, you haven't even taken one step! You're a coward. Letting your friend fight battles for you. Hell, even now with your little buddy bleeding out you still stand there. You're worthless. You're weak. You don't deserve friends if you can't even fight to protect them.

"I…I don't want my brother to die…Damn it…If I charge forward I might not even make it in time, but if I wait too long Nox is for sure dead. I can't lettem suffer 'cause of me"

This was the one true weakness of Solis. The reason why Nox fought so hard. His indecisiveness was an issue for him ever since he was a young boy. Even when it came to the most minuscule of task, Solis always struggled. This same indecisiveness was what ultimately caused his father to be killed when Solis was a teenager. His father, Luna, was a member of the Spesian army, but never got any rank higher than a lowly foot-soldier. Solis on the other hand, because of his abnormal strength, became a general at the age of sixteen. In a skirmish against some bandits, his father had been captured and held ransom for twenty-four hours. The bandits wanted refuge in Spes, but the citizens didn't want them to be allowed in. This troubled Solis all day and night and when decision time came he was nowhere to be found. The then-acting-leader of Spes would decide for him and deny the bandits entry, resulting in his father's death. Solis went into a severe depressive state leaving scars on his body. Scars that cut deeper than a sword. He cursed the goddess and eventually left Spes and Heros behind.

"If only Dad was here, he'd know what to do." "

Pick your head up my child, you're not alone. I too was like you at one point, always afraid of what would happen if I messed up. I don't like anger because it can cause one to do horrible things to those we love. But I learned anger is not the true enemy, it's yourself. Let your anger show my dear, let it rip away that which holds you back and save my beautiful child." A voice whispered to Solis.

"Dad? Is that you?" 

"BWAHAHA, now the idiot's hearing things. BWAHAHA! Daddy's not coming to save you or your friend!" Solis started to pull at his hair as he huffed and puffed, his anger growing even more intense as tears continued to roll down his face. He thought about running again until he looked at Nox. His friend had blood gushing out of his mouth as his eyes began to roll back.

"nuff's a nuff." Solis exclaimed as he slammed his fist into the ground and charged at Solid but then the man did something unexpected. He threw the axe to the side, picked up Nox, and then bit into his neck, taking a chunk of the wolf's flesh out and swallowing it. Nox went limp and was thrown to the ground.

Splat

"BWAHAHA! You waited too long. Did you really think I was gonna give you the chance to save that puppy and fight me two versus one!" 

"..." Solis could do neither say nor do anything but stand there as the blood began to leak from Nox's profusely.

"What'll your next move be, Solis?" 

Solid started walking towards him when suddenly Solis' body began to shake.

"What the hell is going on? My body's killing me!" Solis screamed as he fell back to the ground.

His fingernails started to grow longer and became sharp as ever. The hair on his body grew everywhere and became jet-black. The structure of his head morphed into that of a mixture between a man and a wolf. There Solis stood, no longer a man but a werewolf, as he let out a great, ferocious howl! His vision momentarily went blurry as he heard the words whispered to him:

Wheel of Breath: Anger- "Moon Meets the Mountain"

"For the next thirty minutes become that of a werewolf. A savage creature that has run rampant through Europe for ages."

Solis, in a fit of unhinged anger charged at Solid. He tried dodging him, but Solis was too fast, faster than even Nox! His claws dug deep into him. He scratched and clawed away at him, then bit into his neck ripping a large chunk out akin to the actions just taken. Solid, barely alive, tried begging for mercy, but Solis cocked his arm back, then struck his hand into his stomach and crushed it. He repeatedly punched the man in his body destroying every organ in his torso. It was a bloody mess as the man lay in two pieces. His eyes were completely white with pools of blood seeping out as he reached toward Solis.

"You're still alive? Fine!

Before he could deliver the finishing blow, a hand grabbed his arm. It was Tournament's hand They shook their head in disagreement, then stabbed the bald man with a short blade. Solis was shocked as tears rolled down his fur. He got up and ran towards Nox, who was lying on the ground, gasping for air. He picked him up and held his best friend in his arms as he cursed the heavens for their cruelty. Tournament approached them both casually and offered their condolences.

"Why…?" 

"Hm? Why didn't I stop him? Why did I stab him? Or why are you a werewolf?"

"No. Why do you think you're getting out of here alive? 

"Pahaha, well that's simple. I can save your furry friend's life." 

"What do you mean you can save him?! Why would you!"

"Well, it was my client who tried to kill your friend and he didn't even finish the job. Your friend, what was his name? Nox? He seems like a prideful beast. Being forced to bleed out instead of instant death in combat is so dishonorable. Alas, I do have one request if you would, please look away. I'm shy." 

"You're right 'bout one thang. Nox is prideful, but he's ain't no beast. He's my brother, so if you even think you'll kill him without dying yourself, you're wrong." 

"As the Goddess Eirini is my witness, I will not harm your frie- I mean brother." Tournament said as they bowed. "So, please if you could."

Solis hesitated for a minute before agreeing and turning around.

"Oh, by the way, when you change back, you may want to cover yourself. I don't know if it'll happen, but I've heard in stories that when someone becomes a beast, especially a werewolf, they're usually naked when they turn back. Again, you're a handsome man but this probably isn't the best time for those for kind of actions." 

After a few minutes, Solis transformed back into a human, and like they had said he was indeed naked. He grabbed the shirt off of Solid and used it to cover up his genitalia. He turned around and to his surprise Tournament was no longer around, but neither was Nox.

"That bastard! I knew I shouldn't trust him." Solis said as he clenched his teeth.

"AWOOOOOO!"

Solis looked up and seen Nox atop a large rock. He looked much stronger than before as he charged towards Solis and the two embraced in a hug.

"I'm sorry…was my fault yuh got hurt. I promised...to protect yuh. To have yuh back...and I failed. You've been there for me...so many times and I..." 

"Raise your head you fool. It was I who also promised to protect you and failed. I was too careless. I thought I could take care of him on my own and I let my anger get the best of me. It was not only your fault. We both must better ourselves for the coming fights." Nox said as he scratched at his neck. "Our visitor left me a surprise. One that I reckon can only be removed by that them.

"The same collar that was in the box from Tournament now appeared wrapped his neck. He attempted to rip it off, but as he did it shocked them both. Nox fell to the ground as he howled in pain. Solis began searching around for any sign of Tournament, but only found the letter. He read through it again and knew what he needed to do.The next morning Solis and Nox woke up and began to head out, both sensing each other's rage. They took the long route to Perdita, which meant going around Spes. Had they gone through, Solis knew it would be a fuss to do so without conflict. Spes was roughly a three-day walk to Fortuna, for the normal individual, but for these two, they made it in two days.

"Just yuh wait, yuh piece of shit, you'll pay for what you've done." 

Upon arrival, they made their way straight to Fortuna. Seeing Nox, nobody said a word to the two, but the tension could be felt miles away.

"A Spesian in Perdita? Oh, this should be interesting right, Solid?" Said a young boy as he jumped for joy.

"BWAHAHA it'll be grand Aster! I can't wait to get my hands on those puppies again." 

"Pahaha, remember to play nice with the 'puppies' my dear, we can't have them dying just yet now can we? Especially you, Nox."

The three of them laughed as a thunderous bang rang through the walls of The Council's House. Solis and Nox knocked down the door and yelled out to Tournament. At first, nobody answered until a large man in a suit walked down the stairs. He said nothing. Solis was about to say something, but before he could both were knocked unconscious.

"Lowly mutt. Don't ever raise your voice to that which is higher than you. Get them out of my sight this instant."

Back To The Present

"So that's how you ended up here. I'm sorry about you and your brother. Where is he anyways?" 

"Parently not an easy process to remove that dang collar. That worker said they'd have it removed though and I made sure to 'mind em what would happen if he did anythang extra. 'Sides I'm wonderin' who that lil lady was. I didn't even hear her."

"You would think since you can turn into a wolf that you would've gained some better senses even when not being in that form." 

"Funny nuff I kinda did. That or I was just really hungry. Either way, I swear I smelled honey." 

"That's interesting because those seven were in a flower garden. Maybe it was one of them. Or maybe the chef knocked him out and he's not really as strong as he would appear to be. Whatever it is just keep watching your back."

"Well, I won't have to worry for long 'cause once that collar's off we're out of here." "I don't think you should do that." 

"Eh? Why so?" 

"You're the only person I have to talk to." 

"Very funny, but what's your real reason? You don't seem like the try-to-make-friends type, so what are you really getting at?" 

"Alright, alright you got me, I just got a bad feeling is all. I mean think about don't the whole situation seem weird? A random wolf appears in a forest it's not native to. Then Tournament and a random dude pull up. It just feels like if that psychopath went through all that to bring you here, then there's no way they're letting you just walk out. So, unless you're prepared to fight a whole house of who knows how many people, I'd suggest thinking things through a bit more.

"Ugh, hate that you're right. Nox'd say the same thang. Maybe that's why I've taken a'likin' to yuh." Solis said, reaching out his hand.

Felichs reached out to dap him up but Solis stopped them.

"My friend had a sayin' once, 'hands that are shook together never stood together' so that's why we interlocked fingers, then snapped them. I don't mind bein' betrayed 'cause it's happened many times 'fore. Just give me the respect to stab in the chest 'n not the back."

The two dapped each other up, interlocked fingers, then snapped them. Afterwards, Felichs told Solis about their encounter with Tournament.

"WAHAHA, well at least yuh ain't have to no axe-wielding manic. Guess I got yuh beat there, eh?" 

"Yeah, I just had to fight a psychotic doctor without some cool power activating mid-fight to help me. So, I guess I got you beat there, eh? 

"Looks like you're hidin' more than just gender of yours. So, your mom's military too? Sorry to hear that."

"Yeah…uh about that. Sorry for what happened to your home. If it means anything I could care less about war."

"Nah, I don't hold anything against yuh or yuh mama. Heck, y'all ain't the reason these wars started. And Spes ain't this peaceful state that many Spesians make it out to be…there's a lot of dirt in their history..."

Felichs looked at Solis who had walked over to the window. They could sense something was eating away at him but decided not to pry. Instead, they grabbed a towel and made their way to the bathroom.

"What the heck are all these knobs? Maybe if I turn this one right here?" 

The water came out real fast and hot, burning their hand. They turned it the other way and the ice cold water made their entire body shiver. A short spell of turning the knob back and forth went on until Solis walked in.

"WAHAHA! You're a quirky lil thang aren't yuh?"

Felichs was soaked and their face could no longer be seen as their hair covered it like a mask.

"You know…you're not the only dog here dude!"

"Aye, aye, aye 'lright I get it, lemme help yuh, yuh stray dog!"

Solis helped them dry the floor before showing them how to use the knobs and shower heads.

"Thanks. Ugh, maybe this pampered life isn't all it's cut out to be." 

Solis chuckled before exiting the room. Felichs sat on one of the seats in the shower as many thoughts raced through their mind.

"He's just a random stranger who could become a potential enemy, so what about this man draws me to him? Sure he's hot, like really hot, but he looks old enough to be my dad. Though that's not a bad thing, older dudes usually come with less to worry about. Argh shut up idiot , that's not important right now. I wonder if Mom's ever met him though? She was on the battlefield, so it's likely they crossed paths at least once. Probably not the best guy to bring home to her then. What the hell are you planning Tournament? You pick out a poor kid, a wack doctor, and two dogs? How are we special?"

"Hello again my dear Felichs. How are you feeling?" 

"Huh? Who's there? Wait. I know that voice. I've heard you before, so just who are you?" 

"Who I am doesn't matter anymore, because my purpose in life has long since passed. But yours has just begun. You need to save her." 

"Her? You mean my mom?" 

"Yes. Your mother may be sick, but not all hope is lost. First though, you need to conquer the challenges that have been placed in front of you...Be strong, Felichs. Do what is necessary, but please do not taint yourself like so many have before."

Felichs' mind was made up. They knew they had to do whatever it took to win Tournouá Tou Ménos. As they were exiting the shower, they heard what appeared to be a woman's voice, followed by a gunshot.