(Lumina is in Timey-Wimey Ball right now. She can continue conversing with Keith but she's also at the next day at the gym raid. Sorry for the confusion.)

[center][h2]Luminous Citadel[/h2][/center]

[center][h3]Dungeons[/h3][/center]

[center]~~~ [@CitrusArms] ~~~[/center]

[quote=Lumina Lusteria]"Z'at you, Kieth? I've got some questions t' ask you. Nothin' to do with your bein' in here, mind yuh. Just wanted to know more about why you're so eager to leave the city. You mentioned some kind of catastrophy, before, hadn't you?"[/quote]

Keith tilted his head."[color=9e0b0f]Why are you talking like that? You just look silly, you know?[/color]"

"[color=9e0b0f]Anyway, yeah, disaster's coming. I was supposed to be way away from here several pa-- days ago but one thing led to another and now here I am.[/color]" Keith said. "[color=9e0b0f]Although, I am promised release after this so it's bye-bye Razelia soon anyway.[/color]"

"[color=9e0b0f]And you guys better not renege that deal![/color]" Keith suddenly shouted. "[color=9e0b0f]Or else! Or else... you'll, uhh, you'll hear from my lawyer![/color]"

"[color=9e0b0f]Oh and to save you some time so you can head over and beat the crap out of Orlov, no, I don't know the details of the upcoming catastrophy.[/color]" The mercenary continued. "[color=9e0b0f]All I know is, it's happening soon. How do I know that? You see...[/color]" Keith began whispering. "[color=9e0b0f]...I'm actually Athos from the future.[/color]" The guards banged a weapon at the bars, startling Keith away.

"[color=9e0b0f]Jeez! Can't you guys take a joke?[/color]" The mercenary crossed his arms. "[color=9e0b0f]Anyway, yeah, I don't know the details so don't bother asking. Just know that whatever's coming, you can't stop it. Well, maybe you can but do you even know what's going to cause the disaster? Hell, I don't know what's the cause.[/color]"

"[color=9e0b0f]Long story short, kid, get out of here as soon as possible. Before you get caught up in whatever s***show's coming.[/color]" Keith leaned back. "[color=9e0b0f]Now, got any more questions?[/color]"

[hr]
[hr]

[center][h2]Northern Gate Town[/h2][/center]

[center][h3]Suspicious Gym[/h3][/center]

[center]~~~ [@CitrusArms], [@smoken] ~~~[/center]

A small task force made of the Athos' investigators and several knights and guardsmen of Zauberheim had gathered discreetly near a conspicuous gym. According to Keith, this place was a front for the drug operation. While normal gym activities happened during regular hours, shadier things happened at night. It was closed right now but the force had the authorization to barge in and act like they own the place.

Keith noted that they would encounter the mastermind here, a blonde woman named Annabelle Orlov. The prisoner advised that they arrest her soon since she likely already knew the authorities were on to her and might bail out of Zauberheim to evade capture.

Sir Vitalion was known to [u]Halleine[/u] but he was familiar to the investigators as the knight who fought with them against Keith and Hisana in the attempt to apprehend Juan de la Cruz.

[quote=Halleine Castoran][color=7ea7d8]"No idea what to expect? Kind of concerning when you say that for a mere doping den. But it is really concerning when they say a pack of the most wanted rogues are running it.

I'l be curious though, what do you have that makes you... ready?"[/color][/quote]

"[color=lightyellow]Well, I can swing my sword and shoot beams of light from my palms.[/color]" Vitalion joked. "[color=lightyellow]But I'm serious though. I have fought a member of this 'doping den' and she was quite capable. Likely a veteran mercenary.[/color]"

"[color=lightyellow]Now that we're all here, I'd normally start with introductions but I'm afraid we don't have time for it. The kingpin, well, queenpin of this operation might be leaving soon so we cannot dawdle.[/color]" The Head Captain looked at the gym. It was a plain gym with 'Kill Moves' marked above the entrance. Quite large in size and the structure itself was mostly made of stone. It was inconspicuous in every single way.

"[color=lightyellow]So how do you all want to do this? Do we go in quietly or just kick open the front doors?[/color]"

[center][h2]Seraph Academy[/h2][/center]

[center][h3]Main Arena[/h3][/center]

[center]~~~ [@Rune_Alchemist] ~~~[/center]

[quote=Seleth Thenri][color=0076a3]"Varjan? Doping? ...that is difficult to believe, Knight. Why would a prodigy need drugs? And why tell me, not those running the tournament?"[/color][/quote]

"[color=6ecff6]They will not believe me, madam.[/color]" The Lot Knight replied. "[color=6ecff6]More than that, they may just see it as an attempt to besmirch the boy's name... and invite unnecessary trouble to my kingdom.[/color]"

"[color=6ecff6]I don't think he is a regular user, however.[/color]" The knight added. "[color=6ecff6]He did not seem... used to it. It looked it was his first time.[/color]" The Lot Knight looked to the arena. "[color=6ecff6]I think he used the drugs because he fears you. You defeated the Princess, after all. An unexpected turn of events. I think that rattled him, made him try to guarantee his victory against you.[/color]"

"[color=6ecff6]But... that is just what I believe. You are pretty close to Varjan, why don't you ask him?[/color]" The knight joked.

[quote=Seleth Thenri][color=0076a3]"Not much to be done about it now. Thank you for the warning, Knight. I shall attempt to be cautious."[/color][/quote]

"[color=6ecff6]You can attempt more than that, Dark Elf.[/color]" The Lot Knight stopped you.

"[color=6ecff6]Varjan has ingested and imbibed a lot of drugs. I mean, a LOT of drugs. More than an average person can handle.[/color]" The knight said. "[color=6ecff6]Varjan may not be an average person but that can't be good for his being. He may be standing there at the moment but he's going to burn out sooner or later.[/color]"

"[color=6ecff6]That's your key to victory, Dark Elf. Forgive me but I doubt you could beat him in a straight fight.[/color]" The Lot Knight continued his advice. "[color=6ecff6]What you have to do is outlast him. Hold out until he burns out. It shall not be easy, I admit, but it's the best shot you have.[/color]" The knight then bowed. "[color=6ecff6]I thank you for listening to me. Heed my words, Dark Elf, and may your goddess be with you.[/color]"

You and the Lot Knight parted ways with you heading off to face Varjan truly this time.

Your eyes adjust to the brightness as you enter the arena itself. It was a large, round platform with glyphs and markings on the floor. Surrounding the arena were the immense and filled to the brim audience seats. The loud murmurs grew louder when you appeared. The confluence of thousands of words made them just sound like babble so attempting to make them out was futile.

At the fore was your opponent, the infamous Varjan Caldeyron, the boy prodigy who breezed through the tournament. He did not look much different from the last time-- No, that was not true. There, you saw on his cheek, a dark blue color drawn like roots of a tree. It was then you realized those were his veins, as if some evil corruption had tainted his blood and was now flowing freely inside him. You also noticed he was panting and a little bit jittery but his glare was focused on you.

The referee quieted the crowd and explained the rules of the fight. You already heard it before and likely so did, Varjan. "[color=fff79a]And without further ado, BEGIN![/color]"

Varjan quickly thrust his arms towards the sky and the bright, sunny day immediately turned dark. The crowds went with an 'Ooohh...' as the rumbling of thunder came with the gray clouds. Varjan turned back to you, waiting for you to make your first move.