Nightmare Mythos

After going through the stone hallway of the Castle Hearth to find a bathroom, Cesar finally found one at the end of the hallway. Without waiting for even another second, he entered inside and started relieving himself.

After just a full minute, he went to wash his hands where a huge mirror was on the wall.

Hearing only the water pouring down from the faucet, Cesar was all dead silent before his left eye started to glow faintly.

When his gaze fell into the mirror, Cesar spotted countless eyes looking at him in the walls, completely camouflaged. Without the Eyes of Deceit, he wouldn't have been able to look or even be aware of them. Find adventures at empire

'So that's it, huh.'

Removing the faint glow of his eyes simultaneously, Cesar saw the dreaded situation come back to normal.

It almost appeared like he wasn't aware of their presence when, in fact, someone from his mind continued blabbering the people that were hiding in the walls.

"I told you, didn't I? A lots of them are already trailing you. Now this makes me even more suspicious since the security that this castle boasts almost seems like a joke to me."

Cedeit was the one who warned him about this situation before leaving Deane and Baron from the second floor.

Of course, he didn't come unprepared as he was readying his key to escape from these people.

He wasn't going to fight them in here in case something came up. Even if he had the knowledge and details regarding Castle Hearth, he preferred the terrain where he was dominant on it or just equal on grounds.

If they still didn't make their move, so be it.

Cesar left the bathroom, completely making it look like he was the same as he had entered inside. -However, it is different now.

'Let's focus...'

Cesar mused inwardly, his guard still up as always. -He confidently takes his step forward as he comes to the main hall since the event is starting.

"Greetings gentlemen and ladies, this is the Mayor of Dawn Breaker, Nicholo Feen, as your host for today's banquet,"

A man who was old enough to be called a senior, spoke in such a calm demeanor as he added,

"Today holds a very wonderful day. As we know a year ago, a tragic event had befallen humanity. City of Wheels. As you know, only a few of them managed to get back from the dreaded Mansion. Facing Nightmares, Corrupted Humans, a Heretic and even The Void, these people managed to claw their way back to us."

Nicholo paused, "But there's a single person who was all talks when talking about that specific event. No, this is not just rumors but the survivors themselves vouched for this. Do you know what they said?"

Nicholo acted as if he was pondering the words he had to put before adding, "Who is Cesar Sparrow? Why Mr. Sparrow, a student from the academy, who was the sole reason for their escape, followed them outside? Where was he, amongst the people he had saved from that place?"

Nicholo remembered the speech he had memorized earlier and jiggled his memory before acting upon it, "Sadly, there's no Cesar Sparrow that came with them. A day passed since their escape, and no signs of his presence showed up from within the City of Wheels. Hence a search for this Hero started to become widespread. However, days, weeks, and months had passed, still no signs. What happened to the Hero of Wheels?"

Nicholo sighed as he added with a grave tone, "All rumors pointed out that he's sacrificed himself to save more lives. This! This act alone deserves countless medals for this young lad. But in the end, are all these sacrifices really worth it if you're dead?"

Nicholo took a dramatic pause as if he was letting the audience think deeply about the words he had stated. At the right moment, he continued, his tone rising and in fervor.

"But just a month ago, it was received that Hero of Wheels was spotted. The burning hopes that Cesar Sparrow disappeared alongside that Mansion have been rekindled once more. The Hero that everyone thought died has appeared on us again,"

Nicholo pointed his hand at the side and introduced himself with a smile, "Let's welcome the main character of this today's banquet, Hero of Wheels, Cesar Sparrow!"

The attendees clapped their hands as they saw Cesar walking towards the stage. If everyone was receiving that kind of recognition, they would've already smiled and waved to those people but Cesar was different.

He will not trust any of those people who came here to take advantage of him or kill him.

Receiving the mic from Nicholo, Cesar tapped it once to test if it was working before grumbling to it.

"Uhhhhhh…"

Annoying the hell out of some people hearing his voice since he didn't appear professional at all, Cesar smirked and stated solemnly.

"You are very good. I commend your way of doing things which I also can't help but be impressed in the same way,"

His starting words confused most of the attendees, not understanding what it meant. After all, they thought he would give a good starting speech.

Cesar, on the other hand, had long passed on thinking this was a normal banquet.

"But anyways, let's not dwell on that matter. Let's talk about the stupid title you've given to me, shall we?"

Cesar went forward to the audience as he raised a brow, "A fucking hero? Do you really classify me like that? Does being the Hero of Wheels mean anything? In fact, where the hell this hero came, actually? A symbol of peace, power? Don't make me laugh. Being called like that gives me the funny feelings."

Chatter—!

Completely unbothered by the whispers coming from the audience, Cesar continued his impromptu speech that was just coming to his mind.

"I'm no Hero, don't give me that bullshit. I saved no one nor sacrificed myself to someone. Give this fucking stupid title out of me, I don't want to do anything of this crap,"

Cesar paused as he shrugged his shoulders, "Now, give me my fucking rewards. Staying here any second longer makes me want to tear this place down,"