Eternal Elysium

Two figures were lying on the floor with their gaze locked with one another.

In their faces a single question remained.

'What just happened?'

One instance they were finally going to land their first strike, and the next they were on the cold floor.

"You two did pretty great." I said, bringing them out of their dazed looks.

"How did we end up here?" Myra asked, her voice shaking.

"Maybe you just slipped." I paused and looked at Ray. "You both slipped."

"...Yeah, we will believe that." Ray mumbled, standing up, his hand touched his abdomen, a sharp pain coming from it.

…When did he hit me? He groaned, gritting his teeth, and went to stand behind Myra, afraid his new boss might play some dirty tricks.

"You both need to work a bit more on your teamwork. Mr. Ray did good by bringing me to miss Myra's side. But after that none of you were able to keep up with rapid movements."

"...He sure knows his stuff." Myra muttered and then asked. "So, do we get the job?"

I glanced at Elda, who came running towards me.

She looked at me up and down. And then sighed in relief.

"What do you think? Should we hire them?" I asked, looking at Elda.

As all the attention shifted towards Elda, she froze.

Her eyes met with Myra and Ray, who gave her a tired look. If not for knowing better, someone might think they have been cheated on after the promise of getting a stable job.

"Um… Asher, to me they seemed to have done pretty well. Especially miss Myra! But comparing them with you looks unfair, don't you think?"

'Myra…? She was better?'

Confused, I looked at Ray for a few seconds, then calmly asked.

"So, you could see him clearly during the fight?"

"Yes… Was I not supposed to see him?"

'Just as I thought. Only I couldn't see him; otherwise such good teamwork didn't make sense.'

Glancing at Ray hidden behind Myra's tall figure, I smiled and asked.

"Do you both know each other?"

"Eh? No, I met him in the guild, and they selected us after many verifications or whatnot! I had lost hope in even coming here." Myra sighed, her voice etched with frustration.

"I see… So what are your abilities? I have a guess for Mr. Ray."

"Just call us by name. I am not used to this miss and mister thing!" Myra said, making a tisk-like sound.

"Oh, okay."

Speaking with awakeners in a way was much easier and normal for me. Since we mostly had talked with our fists, a kind of bond—a kinship—had appeared between us.

Was it due to respect or due to fear? Nobody can tell.

"My ability… it's to not be visible to one person only." Ray said, his eyes moving around the room.

'Just as I thought.'

"Oh, so that's why Asher was acting like he was searching for someone!" Myra, she said, clapping her hand.

Elda frowned and raised her brows, whispering.

"So weird."

"Hehe… He is weird, but he is a shy guy; don't worry." Myra said holding Ray by the shoulders. Both women seem to have reached a different conclusion than me.

Ray shivered under her grip and nodded frantically.

"Yes!"

Sigh…

'I am busy, and they are doing this.' I thought, shaking my head and stepping forward.

"What about you, Myra?"

"Ah, mine is not as exciting as this fellow."

"I still wish to hear it."

"Hmm, well, my ability doubled my second strike power, and after a number of attacks, I could do that electricity burst as well."

'So that was something similar to the charged orbs I created… Wait! Was she trying to kill me?!'

My face suddenly started to twitch. I rubbed my face and glanced at Elda.

"...Is everything okay? You look concerned." Elda asked with a concerned look.

Shaking my head, I said.

"... Humans are idiots, really dumb ones at that."

"I, I see." Elda nodded with a confused look.

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Sigh…

"Anyway, congratulations to Myra and Ray…" I smiled. "You both can start working tomorrow."

Their eyes lit up with joy and relief. They both looked at each other and nodded.

"But before that, there are a few things we need to discuss. Like your pay and your job descriptions. Follow Elda to the office, and she will get everything sorted out."

I said, trying to keep my cool.

"Great, thank you, Asher!" Myra exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Seeing them both leave together with Elda, my mind finally was at ease. Slowly I can place all my jobs in Elda and Albert's hands. They were very capable, and I was sure they could take care of anything in my absence.

My primary role was to provide support and insurance that nothing bad will happen so things can move smoothly. And I was making sure it would in every possible way I could.

Thinking as such with my head looking down, I sighed and left the workshop, heading straight for home.

Entering my room, I started to prepare for the ritual.

My plan is to create two types of charm today. I had brought a sufficient amount of materials to try several times in case of failure, but I sincerely hoped that wouldn't happen.

'I had spent a fortune on buying off these materials. Almost 50,000 R at that!'

I started to draw the runes slowly on the floor with a red chalk made from beast shards powder and flower paste. I had more than sufficient shards after that monster wave, so obtaining it was not an issue.

The first charm I was creating was called the charm of confusion.

The charm of confusion basically was a mental attack giving mind anguish and confusion to those who used it.

It was something that could give me split seconds in time of need when [Static] fails me. Just like how it happened during my fight with Victor.

A simple but effective power that in the right hand will be deadly. Combined with [Kairosflow], I could do wonders with it.

The runes were intricate and required extreme precision. I needed to double-check each marking and writing. One mistake could cost me my life.

'Placing the materials is the only thing left.'

Taking a deep breath, I looked at the intricately drawn circle and words. And placed the hex flower above the left circle. Then at the top was placed the blood of a monster with mind-related ability.

'Luckily Temple had some… but I still needed to pay 5000 R for every 50 ml.'

"...I am getting scammed if this doesn't work." I muttered, watching everything carefully.

At my right circle I placed dragon grass. It was used in medicines for several diseases, as it provides good vitality. There even exists a myth that those who take this with the correct ingredients can prolong their life by decades.

At last I took out a small transparent container filled with a mucus-like liquid. If one were to look deeply, they would notice something floating inside it.

They were eyes… small monster eyes. Ten of them at that. This was the reason why it took me so many days for the preparation of the rituals, as no one has this material.

The eyes belong to a rank 1 monster—a giant frog dwelling in mud and blood. I have no idea from where Castor was able to make it available, but it was anything but legal.

Opening the container lid, I hesitantly put my hand inside.

"Ugh, that's disgusting!"

Feeling shivers down my spine as my finger caught one of the eyes, I hastily placed them at their spot down below.

Cleaning my hand with a rough cloth, I sighed and stood up.

"Now the vessel."

I searched through my bracelet and summoned the newborn monster teeth. This was sturdy enough to not break on falling, but I can still break this in my hand.

So, it was perfect for using as the vessel of the charm.

Placing it at the center, I literally lit two candles at the corners of the runes and made the room dark by closing the curtains.

'Chant the name of a higher existence to create a connection with the World of Abstract.'

This was the final step.

There was also a requirement to place something that points to the higher existence, but I could ignore that since I myself was marked by her. Going on my knees, I started the prayer.

"Celestia who loves silver..."

"You are the ruler of Stars..."

"The divine judgment of heavens..."

"The beacon of Justice..."

"And the hope of civilizations."

With each chant I prayed the room went quieter and started to shiver uncontrollably. Suddenly my heart started to ache while all of a sudden some of my origin left my body.

I could not control it. Not at my level, but I felt its movements moving through my body like a slithering snake from my head to toe.

Gritting my teeth at the pain in my heart, my breath quickened.

"...I pray to you. Please open the gates to abstract."

The runes lit up in starlight, and the room started to quake. Squinting my eyes, I felt new colors were filling the room above the starlight. Red, blue, yellow, and even more that I didn't know the names of.

Space itself seems to have blended with the prayer.

Slowly the materials I had placed on the circles started to disintegrate—turning into dust and flying towards the flickering light of candles. The candles burned with an intense radiant heat and had almost melted themselves to the end.

As I watched this mystical scene unfold before my very eyes. The lights started to flicker and slowly vanish.

The teeth placed at the center were now glowing in a yellow hue.

Looking at it, I slowly whispered.

"Celestia"

As I said the word, everything came to a standstill.

Using the name at the end was to place the condition by which the charm could be used—a type of lock that needs a key to be opened; otherwise anyone could use it without my permission.

Now when I say 'Celestia' and crush the teeth, the charm will activate.

I could have called any name, but I chose 'Celestia' for two reasons. One was that no one was crazy enough to call the goddess by her name only and would consider it blasphemy.

The second reason was to show my gratefulness towards her. This was my first charm, so naming it after her should please her, right?

If not, I would get smitten by some random star at night.

'I need to do this four more times… and after that, create the second charm. The charm of light!'

*****

Bam!

Elric's fist hit the table, making a loud sound.

Sina flinched but didn't make a sound. She couldn't, not after failing again and again.

The other three figures sat in silence, not minding the noise Elric was making, and continued playing their game.

"Why?! Why for the bloody gods name are the Temple and Guild attacking us?!"

The raids that were being made and the losses all the merchants were taking were incomprehensible and senseless.

Elric has always avoided temple and guild eyes. He in the past has even let them take several profits he could have taken himself for goodwill alone—so that his relation with them would never strain and turn ugly.

"Did you provoke someone from the Temple?" A man with bronze skin asked, his eyes not moving from the game of cards.

"I am not mad to do that! And I don't think that brat has done this either. Temple won't move for merchants."

Temple, in some way, was above even royalty. They held the most influence in this world. From the guards that patrolled the city to the people working in guilds, everyone was under their influence.

Especially for a place like Atlas, where currently no noble house exists, so even public jurisdiction is under the Temple.

'Temple would get me soon!' Elric thought, his mind thinking of ways to get out of this predicament. But no way could be seen.

"I need to bring the artifacts outside the city." He muttered only to be denied immediately.

"No, that's not possible." The woman with skin similar to that of the man answered. "The risk is too high. In the contract it's clearly stated that we will only work if the mission is possible and not a death sentence for us."

Elric gritted his teeth. He understands what they meant, and logically it was the correct choice, but accepting it was a different thing altogether.

"Sina… even if you were to die. You will bring at least 5 artifacts outside of this godforsaken city."

Elric said, closing his eyes.

"Yes! I understand Elric." Sina accepted without any delay. Rather, she was happy to be given another chance.

"You all prepare for my escape… That's possible for you, right?" Elric asked, his voice shaking with exhaustion.

In his hand was a blue insignia with a blue crescent moon made over it. If he can give this to any noble house, he could at least start anew.

Hearing his words, the trio stopped; one of them sighed. He wore a black scarf over his neck, and his long black hair remained open.

"Alright, Lord Elric… but after that our contract is over."