"What has he done?" Amarok pointed at the figure in the cell. It was a teenager like him, looking extraordinarily handsome and completely out of place for this area.
He was chained by the neck, hands, and legs, playing on his lap with a little beast. They looked like nothing existed for them.
Amarok was startled, stumbling back in fright as the little beast turned to face him. It had one part of its body completely decomposed and looked like it was not meant to be alive.
Despite that, the other part of its body looked healthy and beaming with life. Amarok vomited everything he ate in disgust.
"Everyone has the same reaction. Why are you so rude? Miki is my friend," the youth said, taking the beast in his hands.
Amarok and the youth's eyes met. His eyes were bestial but not aggressive. Amarok could feel his blood boiling as if his body was being excited.
The youth stood up, trying to approach the bars, but the chains started shimmering, forcing him back to his seat.
"This is Grimancy; he is a victim of a curse. Every time he touches a beast corpse, he can bring it back to life in this deformed state. Fortunately, it works only for animals," Midrel explained.
"But that's not a crime, is it?" Amarok was confused. He finally understood why he felt that tingling sensation when their eyes met. They bore the same burden of a curse.
"No, it's not. But his power makes him dangerous. Do you have any idea of what will happen if he lands his hands on a powerful monster carcass? Let's say a Darko dragon," Midrel said seriously.
Amarok's eyes flashed with understanding. In that case, Grimancy could easily turn into an invincible foe. In that case, he would become a serious threat to the peace of Elysium. Amarok had seen for himself a Darko dragon, so he knew how frightening it could be, and that was just its will.
"I can't do that even if I want. It only works for little beasts. The amount of energy I will require to control a Darko dragon is astronomical. It's not easy to control the dead," Grimancy said honestly.
"You always say the same thing, but we don't know for sure. We can't take the risk," Midrel said indifferently.
"You mean he hasn't done anything wrong yet he is here?" Amarok couldn't believe his ears. Remembering the words of the Darko dragon on the Fire Mountain, he couldn't help but laugh bitterly.
"Some of us are simply not born under the right star," Midrel added.
"So is this why you brought me here?" he asked; he could feel his heart ache, mixed with all sorts of emotions.
"It was nice to meet you, Amarok. I hope we have a chance to meet outside one day. I am certain we could be good friends," Grimancy said with a disarming smile.
"Let's go," Midrel took the lead. Amarok glanced at the figure in the cell one last time before leaving.
This day, Amarok worked all day with Midrel. He would also spend all his free time chatting with Grimancy whenever he could. He learned a lot about curses and how they functioned in Elysium. Apart from that, Amarok liked spending time with Grimancy not only to learn but also because he was a great person.
All his friends, except Mist and Silvia, will sometime join them. Grimancy went crazy the first time he saw Lyra. She looked unreal; he had never seen someone like her.
The first thing he did was ask her out before remembering he couldn't leave this place. They had a laugh that shook their stomachs.
Lyra kindly rejected, saying she already had someone. Everyone was curious, but she didn't say more.
Despite where he was, Grimancy was very interesting and friendly. Leaning on the cold cell walls, he chatted with Amarok.
"What is the first thing you will do if you ever go out?" Amarok suddenly asked.
Grimancy looked genuinely shocked. The little Miki in his hand kept giggling. Amarok was already used to it. All he had to do was not look at it.
"Hope is a feeling that is as sweet as its bitter," Grimancy said with a bitter smile. Leave this place? He gazed at the familiar ceiling. He had spent almost all his life here. The thought of ever leaving this place had indeed crossed his mind a few times, but as he grew up, he came to accept his reality.
"If everything was always sweet or always bitter, we wouldn't enjoy anything anymore," a genuine smile bloomed on Amarok's face.
Grimancy's eyes flickered. "Then I guess I will help you find it," Grimancy said, lowering his head with a timid voice.
Amarok was a little surprised. "I knew it the moment we met. In your eyes," Grimancy said. The runes on Amarok's body bloomed. A wild and dark red energy shifted outward. "If I can find it, then maybe you too can be helped," Amarok said with determination.
Grimancy stared in awe; he didn't know exactly what Amarok's curse was but knew it was much more frightening. The aura it gave was way too familiar to him. It was that of death.
He couldn't help but wonder how Amarok could keep his smile. "Don't you feel lonely?" Grimancy asked.
Amarok fell silent for a second; he did sometimes, but Neo was always there reassuring him that he wasn't alone. Amarok shook his head, his smile even brighter. "I have many friends," he said in a low voice.
"Then would you like to be my friend?" Grimancy asked with bright eyes.
"Let's make a deal. If I find a cure, I will help you," Amarok said.
Grimancy nodded; their eyes met as if a silent agreement was made.
Time flew by. Alden city was calm. The open town event was fast approaching. Everyone anticipated it, including them.
...
"Venifer, what are we still waiting for?" Swain asked, crushing a stone in his arm. The crunching sound echoed continuously.
"Everything is ready, Veni," Lian said, standing by his side, her mesmerizing eyes and body a delight.
"We await your orders," Naseric said.
"Shhh... Can you hear it?" Venifer suddenly said, placing his palm on the ground.
"What?" Their eyes all darted towards him. A smile bloomed on his face. "Their cries of agony," he murmured, putting on his hood.