"Welcome to the Continental Dome!" Spheris was greeted by a particularly funny-looking man. He had an oversized nose and bushy brows that seemed to have a life on their own. A patchwork of mismatched clothing draped his frame, and if not for the Duke's totem on his shirt, he would have looked like a walking jumble sale.
Spheris and Cerene gradually alighted from the caravel which then drove away.
"I'm under specific orders by the Duke, Lord Bellunder to bring you to his chambers." The man then turned to Cerene. "For you, Miss Mauldyrie. Please follow the lady to your left, she will take you to Lord Mauldyrie's chambers."
Cerene glanced at the woman who also wore a totem, but hers bore the insignia of the Third Wing. "See you out there... champ," she said to Spheris before following the lady and disappearing behind a fleet of caravels.
The funny man cleared his throat, stealing Spheris's attention from the female Avatar. "I understand how it is being young... it's easy to be... friendly."
Spheris raised a brow.
"But don't forget that the rest of the Representatives are not your friends. This is a competition. If you destroy the realm, and come out as champion, our Wing will be heavily blessed and we will be the true Capitol of the Continent."
"I see," Spheris sighed.
"Now, come on! The Duke awaits," he pivoted and began to walk down the long robust path into a grand door. "My name is Oson, by the way. Oson Breadottor. I am the Ducal Courier for the Duke. I carry out his tasks and assignments in his honor."
Spheris didn't seem to care. 'So like an errand boy?' he thought.
"This is your first time in the Dome, yes?" Oson asked. "What do you make of it so far?"
He hadn't seen much of it, but the Dome was certainly a titanic structure. It towered high above him, almost at 160 feet, stretching into the sky like a colossal guardian of the realm.
The walls were constructed from imposing brown melburn stone with intricate carvings and engravings showing the different insignia of the Five Wings.
Golden platings gleamed in the sunlight, tracing along the edges and at its apex, spires pierced above, threatening to reach the heavens. Spheris only wondered how many years it must have taken to complete the structure.
"It was just as I expected," he simply replied.
"Well, here we are!" Oson announced. They stood before a golden door with two marshals by the sides, wielding their pistolets doughtily. Spheris eyed them, having a strange feeling that they both recognised him.
"Open the door, you dumb shits! He's here to see the Duke!" Oson ordered.
The two marshals tentatively pushed the door open, revealing a majestic intimidating room.
"My lord!" the courier called in respect.
"Oson," Duke Bellunder replied, coming into frame in his royal glory. His eyes caught Spheris behind the loyal courier and he seemed satisfied. "You may leave."
"Yes, my lord," Oson bowed and scurried out of the chamber. Spheris watched him leave and then, it was just him and the Duke of the First Wing.
They both remained in silence for a moment, understanding the complexities that had led to this particular moment between them. Then, the Duke slowly walked to his seat and took it, the air seeming to acknowledge his regard.
"Take a seat," he imposed, motioning on the wooden chair in front of his ornate table. Spheris obeyed and slowly sat before the Duke.
"Reports tell me that you had a fine training in Endswatch?"
'Reports?' Spheris thought suspiciously. "I did," he replied.
"So you can harness your powers? What about Influences? Have you unlocked any?"
"I have not." Spheris folded his arms.
"So what can you do?"
Spheris extended his right hand and conjured the ball of dark mist, showing it to the Duke who wasn't exactly sure what to think.
He leaned forward, taking a good look at the swirling ball, a curious glint in his eyes. "And what is it?" he asked Spheris.
"A ball of dark mist."
"What does it do?"
"I don't know," Spheris shrugged. "It's just mist."
A sigh of disappointment escaped the Duke. "Is that it?" He asked, leaning back.
"Yes." The mist then dissipated.
"I see." Bellunder nodded. "Well, the other Avatars are not much higher than you in terms of level. You are all under the same rank as well... You will grow."
Spheris was taken aback by the Duke's calmness. "You don't seem disappointed."
"My expectations were not high," Bellunder replied. "You are Heathian. You had no idea of any of this before becoming a part of it."
Spheris pouted. Fair enough, but it did sting a bit that the Duke expected very little of him. "And what of your son?" he asked. "Don't you think he could have done a better job?"
Bellunder didn't even acknowledge the question. "Do you realize the obligation that has befallen you, boy? Your act of thievery, do you see now what it has made you a part of?"
Of course he did! It was all he could ever think about some days. The way he would redo things if he was given a second chance to relive that day. Now, he was being sent into an unforgiving world where his death had never been more certain.
"I do," he replied.
Bellunder gave him a severe scrutiny as he straightened his shoulders. "We learnt a bit more about you and your escapade in the underground cavern from your friend, Nephta."
Spheris felt his eye twitch at the mention of her name.
"Apparently, you knew of the Gorgolith inside the dungeon. But you pretended not to, leading your fellow thieves straight to their death. It seems you are quite the cunning architect. A betrayer and a killer, she said."
Spheris's gaze seemed to darken. "Nephta told you that? Is she here?"
"Why?" the Duke shrugged. "Do you want to kill her?"
"I'm not a killer." Spheris retorted, his voice firm.
"Hm... well that's unfortunate to hear," Bellunder said with a lowered gaze. "Seeing that you are on a conquest in the Abyss."
'What does that mean?'
"I've survived a Level Two Hellbender," Spheris replied. "I'm certain I can find a way to kill one."
"True, but it is not the Hellbenders I am talking about."
Spheris cast a confused glance at the Duke, and Bellunder replied with a blank one. They both gazed at each other, as the realization of what the Duke meant slowly and emphatically dawned on Spheris.
He raised a brow in disbelief. "You ask of me to kill them? The other Avatars?"
"If it comes to it."
"To hell with that, I'm not killing anybody."
"Even if it meant your survival?" Bellunder challenged, cocking his head knowingly.
"What does that mean?"
"You are clever. I sense it in you," Bellunder said. "But you are much too naive about things concerning the Mystiqarium. Don't you know what the Convergence Ceremony is? There can only be one winner. One."
His gaze turned grave.
"Everyone knows that the chances of you all dying inside there is very high. But survival is possible, and if it is you and someone else remaining after it all, you will have to strike them down. That is the only way our Wing wins."
"I don't care about your Wing."
"But you do care about surviving," Bellunder pressed. "It's what you do, is it not? Surviving. Which is why I have learnt to grow some confidence that perhaps having you as our Representative might be in our favor.
"Believe me now, the same thing I am saying to you is being told to the other Representatives by their Dukes—their fathers—who they respect and obey. If you do not strike whoever comes in your way after it all, they will strike you first. That I can promise you."
Spheris felt a chill run down his spine as the Duke's words sank in. Survival. The word echoed in his mind, twisting and turning like a serpent of doubt. It was all he had ever cared about—all he still cared about.
His hands clenched into fists at his sides, his jaw set in determination. "Maybe you're right," he said. "But I'm not a pawn in this. Not for the Celestials, not for you. Whatever happens in that accursed place, I'll face it on my own terms, not yours."
"I see." Bellunder nodded purposefully.
"Besides, the other Avatars are much more stronger than I am. I much rather avoid them than fight them."
"Do not be so sure," Bellunder said.
Spheris's eyes glinted with curiosity. "What does that mean?"
With a loud order to 'bring it in' by Lord Bellunder, two marshals walked into the chamber, carrying what seemed like a coffin made of iron. They carefully placed it on the table by the corner of the wall and then left.
Spheris gazed at the structure, uncertain of what was happening. The Duke then got to his feet, motioning on Spheris to come with him. They both approached the box, Spheris being a bit more cautious than the Duke.
He watched him open the iron structure and as he peered inside, a look of disgust appeared on his face. "What the...? Is that...?"