Island Serapis

[Sea]

Serapis #29
@Gambit ​

Gambit continues to think through what he needs to do in order to achieve even with a single win. Gambit seems to have thought of every possible angle, but he did not seem to test every single one. That said it is only on the 14th round, with so many possible theories it would be foolish to say each one is conducted in an exhaustive manner to be conclusive in any way within such a small number. But Gambit’s current theory would run on the fact that the rounds are destined to be like this, no matter how Gambit played it out he is guaranteed a specific result as it is already predetermined through fate. Gambit would start to contemplate on his life throes and woes. He would call upon the Soul and Thanatos once more; he would play rock.

As the 14th round is played, both Gambit and the Soul would play their hands, the Prince bluffed and played paper instead – but he would find the soul would play paper as well, as if the bluff is ignored. This resulted in a tie once more, as what it should been based on the pattern. Gambit’s theory seems to be either correct, but if that’s the case how many rounds of games would he need to play in order to even get 1 win if the games are truly determined from the get go? 50? 100? Or is there something more simplistic in terms of the catch that Gambit may have thought about it but did not truly catch on? Perhaps something more sinister? The soul readied itself for the 15th round, a cue would be played once Gambit is ready once more?

 

[Gambit]

Data science has failed during the 1st round when he played PAPER. When he employed historical performance in the 2nd round, it also failed as they both played ROCK. In the 3rd round, he retained ROCK following the same analysis; he lost. Until he decided to just play it until he wins in the next round, but the result was a draw between SCISSORS.

The 5th round continued where Gambit first thought of something is off about the even rounds. He never thought of anything outside that theory. He played ROCK simply and lost. The 6th round would eventually fall to another tie between PAPERS. It would be followed by another loss when he played SCISSORS in the 7th. Losing patience in the 7th round, he even speculated that it had something to do with the voice as the soul cued, wrong, for he lost against ROCK. And then another tie between SCISSORS in the 8th round.

9th round, he reverted to his scientific data and thinking and continued to lose against the soul when he played PAPER. And as the game reached 2 digits in rounds, the players drew another tie of ROCKS. The game continued with another loss in the 11th round, even after theorizing that it might have something to do with the reaction speed. And yet, he would find himself losing again as the soul would only play the hand sign that would fit in. The next round would be just the same.

In the 13th round, the prince even thought of changing hand signs and using the other hand to trick the opponent only to bring him to another loss. The 14th round would bring him to yet another failure. A tie between PAPERS after a bluff.

H-H-He's like reading my mind. Reading every move I threw. I can't believe that this ghost is even faster than me. Ha. Ha. Ha.

He's reading my mind.

What if?

What if I speak my mind out loud so he could read only one hand sign throughout the game or what if I just stop thinking?

That's right. He's probably reading my mind right now and all I have to do is cloud my thoughts with the most hideous weapon in this world.

**** Naked girls. Naked girls. Naked girls. Naked girls. Naked girls. ****

Gambit's thoughts became occupied with naked girls, thousands of them. And at this point, he's not even focusing on the game anymore, he would just throw what seems to be the hand sign that would fit against the opponent's pick.

His first attempt would be PAPER but then again, he should see that the ghost is shifting to scissors so he would instead keep the rock pick.

 

[Sea]

Serapis #30
@Gambit ​

The Prince think and think, and finally he would arrive at the conclusion that Thanatos is mind reading. Whether it is true or not however, the Prince would quickly test out his theory – his mind wandered to his base primal thoughts. Guys literally only wants one thing and it’s disgusting. Naked girls. Gambit flooded his thoughts with mental images of naked woman. A strategy to cloud his mind such that the Thanatos couldn’t penetrate his thoughts and figure it out, not only that the prince would further simply not even bother thinking about his draw, only to play paper on the 15th round. And with that, the soul would play rock.

A victory. Out of three. But a victory nonetheless. The Prince has figured the catch, that Thanatos is simply mind reading. While the game forces the Prince not to use powers and violence to play the game, it seems to be biased against Gambit – nothing is said whereby the games would be played fairly unfortunately. Whether this would continue in the remaining games would be up to Thanatos. But for now, the catch is caught. Thanatos started to laugh, a first perhaps even for the Prince.

“Thy finally understand how to play the games!”

As if waiting for the Prince to figure all these out. Thanatos perhaps found some fun with the mind games he has set up, or at least the tenacity showed by Gambit made this a lot more interesting than he thought it would’ve been. Thanatos would then spoke once more, this time with a bit more energy.

“Rock shalt be played.”

The soul would retract its hand, with Thanatos proclaiming that rock shall be played. The same way which Gambit has pulled earlier. Will it be a bluff? Or is Thanatos serious in giving a free win to the Prince? This is a mind game after all. Once Gambit is readied, the 16th round would be played.

 

[Gambit]

At last, the prince claimed the victor in this game of chance. A series of trials and errors. A sequence of theories and speculations. It was a cheat after all.

Gambit would not comment on the fact that he unraveled the mystery behind his losses nor would he think anything against it for he knew what it would entail. Instead, he would display a facade after Thanatos laughed and commended him for finally understanding the game. With a scowl on his face, Gambit responded.

"Let's get this rolling Thanatos!"

The opponent voiced out what he's playing next, a ROCK! May it be a bluff or not, the pirate didn't even care less for he was still bound by the same army of thoughts.

*** NAKED GIRLS ****** NAKED GIRLS ****** NAKED GIRLS ****** NAKED GIRLS ****** NAKED GIRLS ****** NAKED GIRLS ****** NAKED GIRLS ****** NAKED GIRLS ****** NAKED GIRLS ****** NAKED GIRLS ****** NAKED GIRLS ****** NAKED GIRLS ****** NAKED GIRLS ****** NAKED GIRLS ***

A plethora of them!

With that in mind, Gambit would toss his fist against the ghost, and after the cue, his right fist would play PAPER as if calling the bluff. Albeit, in terms of scientific studies, most of the opponents that suggested a pick would eventually be playing such. Most of the opponents that lost against a PAPER would adapt to the winning hand sign so that he could play the other way around. Clearly, Death is playing mind games here but Gambit is no longer playing with his mind. All is but instinct.

 

[Sea]

Serapis #31
@Gambit ​

The Prince and the Soul played their hand, and what is the result would not be a surprise. Thanatos said he would play Rock, and Death did. A rock vs a paper would prompt the Prince to yet another victory. Two wins now drawn for the Prince – a far easier victory than getting his first one. With only one victory left, the Prince could likely almost taste not just victory but sees the end of the light for the first game. Unbeknownst to the Prince however, Thanatos has stopped reading the Prince’s mind, knowing full well of what the Prince would do. But there’s only one win left. The soul would retract its hand and waited for Gambit to do so.

Would Thanatos give yet another completely different mind games for the final round? Forcing a different strategy? Or would Thanatos finally decide to play the game as it is intended? With the next cue is to be played the 17th round begins. Death itself started to smile, devious but otherwise not of any threat.

 

[Gambit]

The 16th round began with Death trying to bluff or disorient the Prince; however, having realized the situation, the latter would resort to his prior experience that most players, the experienced more specifically would suggest a throw but would, later on, fulfill it in hopes that the opponent would not fall it and try to counter it.

Gambit called the bluff instead. Playing paper, he gathered his second win.

With that, the 17th round would begin in no time. The soul retracted his hand and the prince would once again do the same.

The cue was pitched. Landayan clouded his head once more with thousands of endearing women. And whether Thanatos' smile meant anything, the pirate playing the game of chance didn't care less.

In conjunction with the swing of the ghost's fist, Gambit would unleash a Rock.

Will the prince finally win the first of four games? Or will it continue forever? Only fate knows.

@Sea

 

[Sea]

Serapis #32
@Gambit ​

The round is played. The Prince decided to play the same strategy once more, utilizing what is essentially down to luck at this point. And the Prince would play rock, the same as the previous one. And with that, the Prince would see the result of his draw. Scissors. The Prince has managed to claim his final victory. 3 wins has been achieved and thus the game would be over. The soul in which the Prince has played against with, started to dissipate into thin air. A sigh of relief perhaps? For the Prince has managed to outsmart Death for the first game. With it, this means that 3 more games with Thanatos remains. And perhaps each more daunting than the last. But for now the Prince would rest easier knowing that he is 25% of the way there.

Moments later, Thanatos would stand up – the door behind the prince would open and from there, one would notice the sudden change in the atmosphere, the entirety of the mansion is lighted up. Perhaps the maid whom left the area have started to work on the chores? Regardless of the case, Thanatos would finally spoke again, starting the 2nd game for the Prince.

“Thou shalt find three maids. Fates they are called. Thou must find out their identities. However...”

Thanatos paused for a moment, gesturing his hands over the Prince from a distance. Green mist would gather by his hand before a green circular energy would wrap around the Prince’s neck painlessly.

“Thou shalt not ask for their name. If thou dost. Thou will lose consciousness and memories of the answer.”

Once done, Thanatos would suddenly dissipate into the wind slowly, his voice would echo throughout the room as he gave the final set of instructions, allowing the Prince to explore the rest of the mansion as he desires so. How would Gambit strategize for this game? Is this even a mind game of any sort? What tricks is being played?

“Once thou is ready, thou shalt return to this room.”

 

[Gambit]

At last, the Prince managed to claim his first victory of four games the God of Death has set for him. He inhaled deeply before sighing all the stresses out. The cigar in his mouth seemed to have died without him realizing it. So he drew one once more. A fucking chain smoker he is.

One down, he thought. But this is only the first one. Three more to go. What will be the next game? Dice? Chess? Who's bigger? What?!

And as he thought of all that, Thanatos spoke. Explaining the second game. Gambit would look around the entire hall, lit all of sudden by the host.

Find three maids? Fates? Wait! Could it be that?

As Gambit processed what Thanatos was saying, the latter suddenly cast another spell on him, wrapping his neck with a greenish energy in which he explained to be capable of taking away his conciousness and short memory. He continued, elaborating and iterating further the restrictions of the game that no name should be asked of the maidens.

The prince would continue to look around and even gave himself the liberty of exploring the mansion. I know something about these so-called Fates. If they couldn't be asked of their names. What will be the key in identifying them?

Think Gambit, think.

After puffing his cigar for three seconds in one go, he turned his back and returned to Thanatos.

"Let's do this. Where can I find these maids?"

 

[Sea]

Serapis #33
@Gambit ​

The Prince would think carefully of the words that Thanatos spoke, how would he think of a method to identify the sisters without asking for their identification? Yet his problem seems to be less of how but where for him. The Prince would try to speak to Thanatos for their location, but he would find no response as Thanatos seems to have disappeared, whether he is actively ignoring is Gambit is debatable but for now the Prince would have to explore the mansion on his own. Behind him stood the same door that he came in from, and should the Prince now takes a closer look around the mansion, the building itself is quite clean and well-lit, featuring a seemly mix of white and red wall. Should the Prince return to the main hall where the stairs he would now find a chandelier on the ceiling, showing a mix of coziness and nobility in terms of the mansion’s interior design.

​

From there, no one else seems to be around – the mansion is quite large, thus it would definitely take a bit of exploration, perhaps even more clues and history regarding the Fates and Thanatos could be found around the mansion? But for now, where would the Prince wants to explore? To search for any of the Fates?

 

[Gambit]

The Prince entered the second game of four and that is to identify the Fates without asking for their identities. A difficult task in all honesty. How can one actually know who he/she meets or talks to without asking for their names? But this is another set of Thanatos' mind games and Gambit is trapped within his own territory. He has to triumph.

He asked Thanatos about the Fates' locations but instead of providing an ideal answer, Death vanished like a mist. Nowhere to be found.

"Tch! He just vanished like that. How rude."

Left without a clue nor a passage to where he could start, the pirate prince looked around the vast mansion. He uttered, "it really takes me back."

Gambit remembered the times when he was still living in the kingdom, within a gigantic castle of Hiraya. He pictured all the ornaments, the expensive lighting & chandeliers, fireplaces, thick decorated walls, and fancy ceilings. "This mansion is quite smaller but somewhat it's familiar. Servants' bedrooms and dormitories are normally in garrets and occasionally basements. In newly built mansions. But I couldn't see any basements here. I should try looking on the ground floor first."

With that analogy, Gambit would explore the ground floor. From where he stood, underneath the chandelier, he would go to the hallway on his right. "Let's start here."

Gambit braved the right hallway, puffing a cigar as he went.

 

[Sea]

Serapis #34
@Gambit ​

The Prince would take it upon himself to explore the mansion on his own, left with no further hints or answers to his next destination. He would have to find the sisters himself. As the man would return to the main hallway, he decided upon himself to go on the right side of the mansion of the first floor based on the logical reasoning that servants and what not would likely be on the ground floor as a basement doesn’t seem to exist in this mansion. As such Gambit would walk on the right corridor, a decent distance could be easily covered and before long a large door stood between Gambit’s way. On his side are windows whereby the Prince could easily peek out to look, which if he does he may notice a garden on the other side of the mansion but for now, should Gambit open the door he would find a large dining room. Well-furnished and well-decorated, truly a room for the nobility.

​

But aside from the look of a well-designed room, the explosive fragrant smell of something cooking could be smelt quite immediately. Beyond the dining room is where the smell came from, the kitchen. The kitchen did not have doors, but someone must be cooking inside. Should Gambit check on the kitchen further, it would show a more humbled area, yet busy as things are cooking, boiling. But no one seems to be around. What is going on? Should Gambit explore the kitchen further? Would Gambit be willing to check it out? After all he is in Thanatos’s home. Who knows what trickery has Thanatos set the Prince up for?

​

 

[Gambit]

Gambit took the right side of the mansion's ground floor based on his conclusion that servants often assemble in this area. Walking on the right corridor, he would come across a large door. Out of the windows encasing the wall, a thematic garden would be spotted. He moved on, opening the very door. An elegant dining room dashed before his eyes. Classy enough to humble the prince.

Entering the room, he would be welcome by the aroma emanating from the kitchen. A testament that someone was preparing dinner. In his mind, this could be a hint that the servants are there, waiting for his arrival. And so he took a visit. There, he would find a pot placed on the stove where the smell originated from. However, there was nobody. He looked around. None.

Gambit resorted to using his echolocation in order to locate anyone or feel their presence but to no avail. He couldn't even spot the exact location of Thanatos, the former maid, as well as T-Bag, Reynolds, and Demeter. It appears that his demonic powers are concealed in this area of the Underworld.

He puffed his cigar, almost about to die, one last time before tossing it over to the embers of the stove, "Anybody here?"

 

[Sea]

Serapis #35
@Gambit ​

The humble kitchen, someone was cooking. But yet there is no one. Perhaps the cook has been called into attention elsewhere? Gambit attempted to use echolocation to try and find quite literally anyone, but to no avail. The mansion is indeed unique. The domain of Thanatos is not as easy as it would look. As the Prince asked for any response, he would be met with none. Throwing a cigar into the stove, the cigar would land as it quickly burns out. Just seconds afterwards, the pot would start rumble, as if the food is about to be ready. Bubbles start to form around the edge of the pot – but in a second it blackish-purple mist would start to emanate slowly from the pot. The rumbling grew stronger and stronger, something is about to happen!

Just then, more purple mist would start to pour out from pot as a large massive hand would erupt from the pot, launching towards Gambit at horrifying speeds, its strength seemly unfathomably strong, a strength that not even the strongest person in the world could match. If Gambit is grabbed by the hand, he would find himself feeling absolutely crushed as the hand would tighten his grip on its victim. Yet even should Gambit manage to dodge it, the large size of the hand means it can easily cover the room in a swing.

What is going on? Did Gambit made a mistake by throwing a cigar into the stove? How will Gambit deal with this sudden change in situation? What’s this hand is Gambit seeing? The kitchen would quickly become a chaotic mess. But one thing Gambit would hopefully remember by then, no violence.

“Muahahahaha!”

The voice came from the pot; the voice he would recognize all too well. Hades.

 

[Gambit]

Gambit has now found himself wandering in the kitchen. He was hoping somebody would respond to his call. But it seemed nobody was there. And after the last puff on his cigar, he threw the butt into the burning stove.

The pot was boiling. He would take a peek. Walking toward it, he uttered, "They just left the stove open. What a me-"

"Huh?!?", he took a little step back.

His eyes widened in shock as the pot suddenly began to rumble. Gambit is knowledgeable in terms of cooking and he was certain that what he was seeing was something off. Then he resumed his way to the stove, hesitating though.

Suddenly, the rumbling came wilder when he was about a meter away from it! And as clueless as he has always been, he would be caught off guard by the abrupt burst of purple mist. Directly streaming from the pot, the mist took the form of a massive hand, almost the size of the kitchen. Exploring the gap between the flaring stove and the prince at breakneck speed, the conjured ghast grabbed his body.

"Shit!"

The wandering prince grabbed the evil hand but he was struck by its insurmountable sturdiness. The more he retaliated, the more it tightened its grip.

"Gwah!"

*CRUSHES"

Fighting for his survival, Landayan would attempt to burst into bats; Alas, and just like his prior Echolocation attempt, another vampirism ability would be rendered useless within this realm. Demonic ridicule would boom across the room.

"You son of bitch!"

"HADEEEEEEEES!"

 

[Sea]

Serapis #36
@Gambit ​

The Prince taken by surprise from the sudden developments would quickly find himself caught by the hand. The Prince attempted to survive through the crushing-like grasp of the hand by dispersing himself into a swarms of bat, but it was to no avail. Yet the hand would stop tightening its grip, only to hold the Prince in place. Soon, the mist would slowly lift the pot’s cover as two bright red eyes would peek out a little. Is that Hades? Gambit would feel the grip slightly loosen, his life is no longer at immediate danger. But the laugh of Hades would quickly turn into words, words directed straight at the Prince – a multitude of the same ghastly voices accompanying the mist as it spoke as if it’s all around the Prince at almost the same time.

“YOU ARE JUST A PAWN LANDAYAN.”

“YOUR LIFE HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A TOOL IN MY PLAN! DO YOU THINK THAT YOU CAN KILL ME?!”

“DIEEEEE LANDAYAN! HAHAHAHA!”

The purple mist would start to pour out more and more, quickly covering the room in a scentless but hot smoke. The Prince would start to feel nauseous, faint. A precarious situation has seemed to hit Gambit. But back in his head, a small but whispering voice could be heard but the words cannot be discerned as it felt like someone is calling him out to him from a far distance. But the small, yet far away voice would be simply being drowned out by Hades’ voice. Gambit would see the room start to distort, chaos surrounds the room as the kitchen started to crack away. Is this reality? Or a trick by Thanatos? Every second of hesitation narrows Gambit’s choices to what he can or could no longer do. There is no room for second chances.

 

[Gambit]

The enormous ghastly hand swathed Gambit with such force it almost broke his bones. He struggled to unloose it. But it stopped constricting. Holding him in place, the pot lifted its cover up, teasing bright red eyes. Thereon, Hades' maniac laugh would turn into words. Mocking the prince in three different forms.

"Grrr!!!"

"I will kill you!"

Threatening the king of Underworld, the prince started to feel discomfort as the room started to be filled with mist. A silent voice could be heard from elsewhere. He wasn't sure of it. And before losing his consciousness. "Wa-what did you d-"

The airspace surrounding him suddenly distorted. Shattering like glasses.

Where am I? What is happening to me?, he asked himself subconsciously.

 

[Sea]

Serapis #37
@Gambit ​

Discomfort started to grasp Gambit, causing him to seemly lose consciousness as Hades seems to have complete control of the situation. The Prince’s vision would slowly black out – the kitchen would start to shatter away into darkness as it happens. What Gambit would hear is the fading laughs of Hades’ voices. An empty darkness surrounds the Prince. Is he dead? What is going on? Perhaps a mistake of sorts? What about his destiny?

“Hey. Wake up.”

“Wake up!”

“Hey. Wake up!”

A new growing voice could slowly be heard. It started soft but as time goes by the voice became louder and louder, as if the someone is closer and closer to the Prince. Should the Prince forced his eyes open, he would notice the kitchen’s ceiling – a great fragrant smell continues to permeate around the room, but this time a face of a female could be seen sitting just besides the Prince, her hands on the shoulders of the Prince, likely shaking him awake prior. The face of the girl with white hair tied in a ponytail, sporting bright pinkish iris and wearing a maid uniform.

​

The kitchen would stand completely fine, not cracked from reality nor in a chaos. Something has happened to Gambit, but what has happened? The maid seems confused, but Gambit have found someone else aside from Thanatos.

 

[Gambit]

Lost in the dark, Gambit wandered. In that world, he would find Hades and his ghastly incantation surrounding him, seemingly pulling him down into the depths of the Underworld. A bottomless pit started to manifest from the false ground he was on. He endlessly fell. A vampire yet he is, unable to fly. "Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"

Nightmares continuously haunted the prince but in the real world, his body was struggling. His head shook left and right, disowning what was happening in the afterlife. "Get off me!", he said.

And then a voice was heard. A tiny voice from a foreign realm. Inside his dream, he saw his mother trying to reach him out of despair. "Landayan! Landayan! Wake up."

The scenery suddenly changed from Hell to Paradise. His homeland. There, he would see his childhood. A 4-year-old child playing in the vast meadow of Hiraya. His Queen would speak to him, "Careful now son. I don't want you to get hurt."

The young prince tripped and fell. Bruises on his skin. "Oh! Come on, my sweet little prince. I told you to be careful."

He cried. A typical young boy he was. His mother would lift him up, tidying away the dirt off his clothes. And then she hugged him. The flashback switched to when he was a 5-year-old boy. He had a fever. He was hallucinating. His mother rushed to his bedroom. "My love, my love, what's happening? Wake up! Oh! my dear boy."

Gambit heard his mother's heeding. But at the same time, he could feel the realness of her touch from someone from the real world. Shaking him to wake him up. A similar phrase would be said. He came back to reality. Tears in his eyes.

"Mother!"

Opening his eyes, he would notice soon how the kitchen was back to its original form. It's as if, nothing really occurred during his encounter with Hades. A fragrant smell would emanate across the room until a figure was finally recognized by the prince. A beautiful maiden emerged before his eyes.

The prince struggled to sit down. And when he did, his right hand would reach for the woman's left hand, holding it nicely. "Where is Hades?", he asked his left hand would touch his left temple, still feeling the effect of losing consciousness.

"Have you been here this whole time?"

"I. I need to locate the Fates Thanatos has instructed me to do. Please help me, time is of the essence. Or this whole world would be doomed by his hands.", he sincerely implored the maiden, she could see it in his eyes.

 

[Sea]

Serapis #38
@Gambit ​

The Prince’s unconscious mind seems to take upon dreams of his family, his childhood. A certain fear arose out of Gambit, his inner mind – his vulnerability laid bare. In a twist of situation from hopelessness, Gambit managed to catch himself back into reality as he wakes up in the middle of a kitchen. Yet despite the incredible situation that occurred with the Prince, Gambit still manages to find a way to try and get his way with ladies, perhaps a playboy till the end. But regardless of his actions, as he grasps the hand of the lady before him – quickly asking for the whereabouts of Hades, only a surprised look of confusion seems to be what drawn upon the maid. Further questions of whether she had been here the whole time, and that a quick word of Gambit to implore her to help him search for the Fates, otherwise the world would be in a perilous situation. An incredible stretch by the Prince.

“Hahahahahaha!”

The maid laughs so hard out of a sudden, a sudden change of demeanour as if she would find the entirety of the situation nothing short of hilarious. Standing up slowly as the maid would gently attempt to set the man in front of her in a better position, the attempt at intimacy is completely ignored by her.

“Master told you so? Hahahahaha! I guess he is playing a game with you…! Don’t worry, the fate of the world isn’t hanging in balance, you can trust me on that!”

Whether Gambit would take the hand of the maid to sit up right or to stand up is up to him, for he would find the maid accommodating in either way he would choose to do so. Whether she believed that Gambit is trying to make a joke or is sincerely tricked by Thanatos, doesn’t seem to matter – for the lady seems to be more aware of what’s going on, perhaps too much of it.

“However, you should been more careful. I’m making something special in that pot – it contains powerful and special hallucinogenic effects; in which you seem to have stay too long around here. Powerful aroma eh? Don’t worry though, I gave you something cool to deal with it for a short while!”

“Mom and Hades eh? You know this thing that I’m cooking up, makes people hallucinate what they are secretly afraid of. It seems like you have something afraid of Hades, and your mother. Death perhaps? Or something else?”

“Though seems like this is too powerful… maybe I should add more of that… hmmm...”

The maid continues to chit chat away, but the secret of what’s in the pot have been revealed, or at least what has just happened. Is Gambit truly afraid of Hades? Or is he afraid of something else in line with him? Only Gambit himself could reflect upon what he has just experienced. But aside from that, the maid seems to have lost her focus on Gambit and started to get carried away with what else she could do with the pot. She also seemed to have completely ignored the question of whether she has been there all along. Not a big problem however. But Gambit’s line of questioning doesn’t seem to be effective at this moment, perhaps the maids aren’t easily tricked. Or at the very least, she might just be one of the Fates, especially given the way she spoke casually in regards to those whom seems to be her higher authority.

 

[Gambit]

Plucked from the depths of darkness, Prince Landayan has come back to his senses - for the most part at least. On his return, a woman was beside him. He then asked of Hades' whereabouts and if she'd been there all along. He even recalled his very objective and tried to implore the maid to aid his cause. Laughter - her response. But then, she asserted that the balance of the world remains.

The woman stood up, extending her hand for the prince to get back up. And so he would, gently he did whilst his right thumb would caress the back of her hand. He romantically stared at the woman. It is natural for Gambit to do just that. He just couldn't resist.

Standing face-to-face, the lady continued. She revealed the mystery behind the prior incident and what had caused it - the powerful aroma lying in the pot. He only knew a handful of people who could do such a trick: her beloved Reiju; her dear cousin and co-scientist of the crew, Manaka; and her mother, a living witch who specializes in weather control, medicine, and botany.

“However, you should been more careful. I’m making something special in that pot – it contains powerful and special hallucinogenic effects; in which you seem to have stay too long around here. Powerful aroma eh? Don’t worry though, I gave you something cool to deal with it for a short while!”

“Mom and Hades eh? You know this thing that I’m cooking up, makes people hallucinate what they are secretly afraid of. It seems like you have something afraid of Hades, and your mother. Death perhaps? Or something else?”

“Though seems like this is too powerful… maybe I should add more of that… hmmm...”

"In my dream, I saw my Queen Mother."

Gambit let go of the hand of the lady before drawing a cigar from his pants pocket. He would turn his back and would walk several steps until lying his back against the wall where he would do his first puff.

"All my life, I thought that my King Father never really cared for me, especially during my past failures. He would never acknowledge me and I learned why eventually."

The prince puffed once more, deeply inhaling the smoke into his lungs. It would take a while before the smoke was released and dispersed in the air. He continued, staring out at the ground, reminiscing everything.

"I was an orphan."

He paused for several seconds and looked up as he kept on sensationalizing his cigar, his companion for the longest time.

"My real father was the cousin of King Sapiro. His name was Kalakab. He revolted against the kingdom after learning about its deal with the Government of the World. But he and his forces were outnumbered. And soon death followed."

"My biological mother died after my birth."

"Since then, only the Queen would really endear me. She was my everything. And I still regret the day I left the kingdom. But what else is left there to stay? I was a disgrace, a disappointment."

Landayan rolled his left fist like an angry knuckle, blood dripping from within. "I was never afraid of anyone nor anything!"

And then more memories of the past came rolling as he uttered those last words. 30 years ago, he remembered a moment when he and his friends are wandering the dungeon of the castle. He was so afraid of the dark that his friends would laugh at him but his best friend was there, Kalasag - brother of Manaka. "Landayan! Don't be scared, I am here. Let's go."

A dear friend he was. Yet he would, later on, take his life.

The next day, the battle occurred. Landayan against his best friend. The two battled for hours, wielding weapons after weapons, acrobatic movements after acrobatic movements until Landayan had to resort to his newfound power, flames. The elven Kalasag couldn't defend himself very well against it but he was still resilient. And finally, he was cornered by the then prince, but he stopped. He wouldn't kill another. And that wasn't the rule, it was a deathmatch. "My friend, Landayan. Huff. Huff. We grew up together." At this point, he was already holding on to the prince's dagger. "Manaka... Please... Look after her... For me..." Before pulling Landayan's dagger into his body, concluding his own life.

"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!", Landayan wailed.

Not for long, he would start his swimming lessons. The boy couldn't even jump into the water. "Young master, jump! Don't be scared, I am here. Let's go."

The same master who taught him how to swim would tell him the many ways of Blacksmithing, including Alchemy. The only father figure he had growing up. He entrusted him with something he is yet to understand.

"Teacher!", the young prince Landayan called his teacher. "Why are we not talking about the 13th Blacksmith. Is it ominous to discuss the man?"

If only Gambit knew that the man he was asking about was his late biological father who planned a coup against the Kingdom in an attempt to overthrow the King and replace him.

"My lord, time will reveal. For now, let's focus on Alchemy.", his teacher said.

"Woah! That's great! What is Alchemy?", the prince asked.

"Listen, young man, you are about to become the 14th Royal Blacksmith and you need to equip yourself with all the lessons of the past. Alchemy is....", the teacher and 12 the Royal Blacksmith would speak about the hidden art of their tribe and substantial force in crafting their weapons' true form.

Another glimpse of the past retracted, he was lost in a forest, he was too scared that the wolves would eat him but he was later saved by the beasts. "Child of Elf! Don't be scared, I am here. Let's go."

Is Gambit really not scared of anything? He was, he is, and always has been. But he found ways to conquer those fears. He would brave his fears and become the fear itself.

He wandered the deep sea and almost drowned but he kept on trying until he took control of the sea and its unpredictable weather. A fine Navigator he's become.

He took conquest in Alchemy and pounding steels using the hammer. Ember and liquified metals and the sudden explosions of chemicals would devour his youth but he pushed through, living the name of a true Royal Blacksmith. A renowned Scientist he's been.

His company of beasts, eradicated before his eyes would trigger the Color of the Supreme in him. Will he ever unleash the gift he once had? [1] & [2].

I was afraid of being left alone. Those are thoughts that run free in his mind.

I am afraid of losing another comrade, a friend, or a family. I couldn't bear the thought of anyone dying before my very eyes once more.

Are we really not in control of our destiny? Our fate?

"I don't even know who I am. I need to discover who I really am. And most importantly, what is my purpose in this forsaken world?"

Gambit's past evolved around the room. His fears resonated like a booming voice inside a cave. But above all, who really is Landayan? Three decades wandering in the world and yet still longing to unravel his purpose in life. Or perhaps, Serapis holds the key to the chest that has been left locked for years.