22 Volume 1.21 House of Spades (1)

Tranquil was a village on the fringes of the kingdom of Myrtle. As the name implies, it was a humble village where people lived in peace and abundance.

Early in the morning, men were already in the fields, while most women looked after the livestock. Some were busy making clothing and weaving baskets to sell in the kingdom's market district which was half a day's travel from the village. And the youngsters were having a fun time with their friends.

The village had these occurrences on a daily basis. This regular basis way of life astounded a young monster, an ogre, who was lurking behind a tree, watching the children play. His skin was green, and he had two little horns on his head. As he watched the youngsters play, they filled his green slit eyes with wonder. There were ten youngsters playing.

The oldest boy faced the tree and shut his eyes. He began counting down from 10.

"Ten, Nine, Eight…"

The other kids searched for a hiding spot. The young monster continued to observe the youngsters. He stayed in his place until he noticed it was getting dark, at which period all the youngsters headed back home.

"See you again tomorrow!"

"Goodbye!"

The kids gave their farewells to each other with reluctance.

With a dissatisfied groan, the young monster made his way to the cave beneath the forest where he lived with his kin. He came to a halt. He noticed two ogres guarding the entrance. They appeared to be arguing. He moved quietly past them until he entered the cave.

From the front entrance of the cave, it branches out to several internal entrances. He kept moving to the left. He passed other ogres as he proceeded. However, they only ignored him until he arrived in his room. His room was a meager one at that, containing a wooden chest with colorful stones and junk items. He took two stones and ignited them with a torch. When his entire cave room was illuminated, it revealed an outstanding wall covered with various drawings and symbols. And, upon closer inspection, it was drawings about humans.

He picked another stone and began sketching on the wall. He illustrated the events that he witnessed today. It has been two weeks since their clan arrived here from the high mountains. Those weeks have been the most fascinating facet of the young ogre's existence. He gazed perfectly content at the wall after an hour. He sketched the youngsters earlier, specific to the one who was standing in front of the tree and counting. His round, enormous lips curved into a grin.

"Ten, Nine, Eight…"

The young ogre started mimicking the words he heard from those children.

"Goodbye,"

"See you later."

He shuddered with joy and leaped up and down after successfully saying those phrases. Then he sat down on the ground and studied his sketches. He laid down on the ground. "Humans," he said as he closed his eyes, looking forward to the next day.

***

'Another dream about, Ares.' Myrene opened her eyes slowly. She slowly raised her body and leaned on the carriage's right sidewall. Her gaze shifted to the small opening of the shabby black curtains of the carriage's metal bar door. It was still the same rocky road.

For the past week, she was currently locked inside a cage. Her hands trailed to the metal collar on her neck. This collar prevented her from using any magic. They also confiscated her daggers and other weapons. She winced when the carriage shook heavily again. It was really an uncomfortable ride and she could feel that her butt was getting swollen.

*Growl!*

The loud growls of the two huge drakes that were pulling the carriage boomed followed by another abrupt shaking.

Myrene managed to hold onto the bars of the carriage this time. After a few more agonizing trembling, the ride finally stabilized. She let out a deep and tired sigh and leaned against the wall again.

Myrene glanced at the dwindling sunlight that was peeking at the gap of the curtain of the carriage bars. 'What a sight, as if the light is even scared of approaching me now.'

A sad smile escaped her lips as her line of sight went to the translucent screen in front of her.

{Soul Bind has been activated.

Do you wish to bind Ares' Soul Magic to you?

Yes

No}

{When you accept Ares' Soul Magic, the dreams will finally be completed. You will receive his tale of regret to understand the reward of obtaining his soul magic.}

Myrene clenched her fist as she buried her head in her knees. 'Reward. Very typical set-up for a fantasy world.' This translucent screen didn't disappear and remained in front of her since that day.

The Soul Bind. One of the Gifts given to Myrene by the Angel of Life and Death. Myrene chose this because it was by far the most powerful gift in the choices.

Any beings who died in front of her, Myrene would be able to get only one of the most prized magic or skill of that being and make it her own.

But there were two conditions to be able to use this gift. First, Myrene should awaken her magic first. Second, that deceased person should have deep regret in their life. Though it doesn't mean that Myrene needed to fulfill those regrets.

It would become some sort of purification for the soul, where it could leave the world in peace. And all its regret would be absorbed by the Soul Bind System. It would become some sort of power source for the Soul Bind.

Ares' regret... Myrene was afraid to find out what it was, his regret. It was already enough for her to dream about that same dream of him, observing the behavior of humans. At least in that dream, Ares looked happy. And that regret would be probably him, teaching Myrene all the things she needed to know. As a consequence of it, he died in his own student's hands. Myrene was afraid that if she accepted Ares' Soul Magic, those scenes of that day would flash to her. She didn't want to see the second play of Ares' death or maybe her murdering someone with her own hands.

She glanced at her hands and her eyes widened when she saw blood flowing out from them. Her eyes widened, however, when she blinked, the blood was already gone. She calmed her palpitating heart.

'I must be tired to imagine such things.' Her thoughts were cut off when someone opened the curtains. She moved more inside the carriage and looked cautiously at the cloaked man that was unlocking the chains of her carriage bars.

"We have arrived, Your Highness." One of the cloaked men said. He started unlocking the cell.

***

Finally, after an entire week of traveling through the rocky roads, Myrene finally reached her destination together with the three cloaked men that conducted her naming ceremony before.

The cloaked man outstretched his hand to assist Myrene to go down the carriage. However, Myrene simply looked at it, not intending to reach it or go down. After a few moments, the cloaked man retreated his hand without saying anything and waved it. Soon dark energy started to surround Myrene. And it slowly and carefully brought her out of the carriage.

The first thing that caught Myrene's sight was the huge silver gate. Inside and ahead of it was a huge dark building. It looked like an old gothic-style school.

"Welcome to the House of Spades, your highness."