Kismet’s Tale

      The Nullers left the area silently. I don’t like drawing blood. Never been one, but doesn’t mean I won’t do it, he thought. The gun needs to be better than this.

Mavin leaned on the railing. Place was always empty, barely anyone would come here other than the few who wanted to get away from the bustle of the city. Null is moving, and if the Magi is hunting them down, then I don’t know what to do.

The ‘memories’ told him of Rene and Kristine’s stories. Of course, there were other memories that belonged to someone who only looked through a third person view, a spectator who knew nothing other than what he was reading and seeing. He hated the fact that the information was incomplete and that the theory that he had about all of it manifesting into one single reality was becoming true.

It was a melting pot of conflicts. He already understood that he couldn’t be everywhere. Mavin wasn’t confident enough that he could cover all the aspects that would spell trouble. It was an impossibility. He had always thought about gathering his own people to prevent them, but there was no legitimate excuse to bring the Hounds of Lazon to fight.

They’ll believe that I had control over them, but they are needed in the South to prevent any of the alpha demifiends and the dangerous ones still hiding in the mountains to come to the main cities. The roads are still not cleared, Mavin thought.

People need motivation to react. They do what they do in accordance to their desire and goals. I made myself look like a threat, a person who is dangerous. All things considered, them engaging in a conversation instead of attacking me wholeheartedly made my life easier. I guess what I did back then is still helping.

But the reputation that he had made only worked within the City and the people who knew him. Good thing that they are afraid of the Ghost of Dinia. Not that everyone knows I was the shooter. That, I didn’t expect.

Mavin wiped his fingers on the railing. There was coldness in the air that made it calming and relaxing. Nothing but the sound of waves meeting the sand and rocks on the shore. Further in the horizon there were small hills of icebergs floating across the seas. The lighthouse continued to break through the dense fog with the light on the top. From the distance, there were icebreakers who were heading to the icebergs, and one of the ships was an icebreaker equipped with ordinance to break these dangerous floating ices. To leave them alone in the sea route was dangerous. A trading vessel sailing blind could cost the Empire millions in damages if one of them hit the icebergs. 

The ironclad ships that were following this group of icebreakers surrounded the iceberg not long. Mavin watched mindlessly, admiring the powerful vessels rigging the icebergs with explosives, tactically placing the explosives in the weakest points of the iceberg.

Steady your mind, don’t let yourself break. There is still a lot to do, and I need to make sure that the Webman, and Holmians remain a steady ally of Lazon. Mavin pocketed his hands. The planes having a long air-time will make a difference. If we have the Vulcans being used as convenient construction units. We could settle the problems in Lazon, build structures, and defensive formation. I need to check the mountain defenses once I get back home. Logain will keep our borders still up. The treaty went right, but it’s so volatile that any diplomatic problem will undo it. Old Tom leading Marcus and the others will make it right.

“There’s so much more to do!” Mavin bellowed loudly, like a child who refused to obey the orders of his parents. He held his head, rubbed it, and body-shaking growls escaped out of him. Then as if a switch was flipped. His shoulders relaxed. He wiped his face and sharpened his gaze. We can rest later. Just need to keep moving forward, and find a way to deal. Null’s problem should be the Magi, there’s a chance that they’d be hunting down Null. Once they make enough trouble, the Imperial Proctors are going to have a time of their life looking for them.

Mavin tried to ransack his brain for information. But he didn’t have the memory to use. No information other than the blurry mess of a memory. He wonders if it was fortunate enough that the one who saw the ‘memory’ knows the memories and events of this world better than the name of that person’s countries. He actually believes that the man wouldn’t even name all the ‘presidents’ of his nation, but can recount all the information that he considers important when it becomes the world.

No, no, don’t think of that possibility. Nothing good comes to that other than hurting your heart again, Mavin thought as his mind started to go in the direction that he rather not to.

There was a sudden explosion that brought a shockwave to the view area where he was standing on. The iceberg that once floated, was not scattered into pieces, the tiny fragments either floating or sinking at the bottom of the sea. The dense fog that once covered the shoreline vanished for a moment, it didn’t take long for the fog to roll back in. Mavin looked up in the sky. Night is settling in, I need to go back home, spend too much time on leading them around.

Mavin started in the direction of his car. Good thing that the lighthouse people aren’t spotting with scopes. I knew it was right to bring a silenced pistol. I should thank Rose, then again, she might ask for a favor if I do so. Mavin shook his head. No, better that she doesn’t get thanked. She’s the type that would try to place a string on you if you allow her to do so.

With thought inside his mind, he continued walking to the car he parked.

 

*****

 

He drove his car on the three-lane road. The headlight of his car shone brightly, clearing a path through the dense fog.

Cold and warm met during this time of the night. He had something about the local landmass, south east of the demifiend region, directly facing the mouth of pustalo, was the original nest of the demifiends. That place was filled with demifiends who were larger and robust than the demifiends that they drove out of the South of Lazon.

The island itself was walled by natural mountains even larger than the ones surrounding the South of Lazon. He had wanted to purge this island, but even his people didn’t want to agree to it. And they were the same people who would ask without question.

Mavin understood the risk of assaulting the demifiend nest. Nonetheless, the risk of letting the nest thrive and create more labyrinths is far dangerous. 

The road became clearer as he got nearer to the center of the city. He had traveled the long coastline road for half-an-hour before he entered the outer sections of the city. Cobblestoned streets, stone-walled houses with mansard roofs made of zinc. Neon lights populated the sidewalk and he saw many young men waiting in lounge bars. He recalled that there was a night spot in this part of the city. This should be Voilov, the entertainment district. I wonder if the girl in red is here?

Mavin decided to find a spot. He found it after a minute of dodging pedestrians and drunks. Looks like security is tight. There were soldiers roaming the neon-lit streets of Voilov. He left his parking spot, his eyes following the Vyanin river. It was the river that separated Voilov and Raugar district.

It took him three minutes to find the night spot that he recalled in his mind. On the violently bright neon signboard was the name ‘Velvet Club’ displayed in front of the building. He took a step to the line forming just outside. When he arrived in front of the bodyguard, he took out a badge and identification. Seeing his rank and the ‘Sir’ attached to his name. The bodyguard hastily saluted and let him inside the club without any more words. I guess they don’t want trouble for the Constable. Too bad, since I already know half of the secrets of this club.

The musty scent of wine and smoke entered his nostrils. In the center were the bartenders serving customers who enjoyed the strong drinks and jazz playing in the background. Most of the seats were supple leather booths, leather armchairs, and red curtains bathed in gold-foiled lighting, creating a warm dim shade over. On the first floor of the club were the party goers who thrived on the dance floor, dancing on the upbeat music and playing the games on the floor. He didn’t stay in the place and climbed down where he found a much more relaxed atmosphere. The night lounge decorated with lit lamps on the mahogany table and chair bathed in red light. On the stage there was a band playing. Mavin found a stool to sit by his lonesome self. The older gentleman handling the counter, slid a small tulip-like glass.

He took the glass, raised it, and nodded his head to the bartender. Guess they aren’t letting anyone young handle the bar. There was a different contrast compared to the young bartenders above the floor. He could barely hear the music above them. The hustle and hubbub seems drowned out, almost like a whisper.

He leaned slightly on the counter. His eyes following the stage where the stage glistened. A performer singing in a baritone voice. There wasn’t much reaction from the crowd, and most of them were busy in discussion. The music stopped? Changing the band?

A person with quite the bodacious body, white dress, and long black hair that reaches up to her waist. The crowd’s eyes simply gathered to this woman. The moment she placed a finger on the keys of her piano. There was this atmosphere that demanded everyone to listen and keep quiet. I feel like if I make a noise, they’d glare.

Mavin focused his eyes and ears on her music. For now, listen, let my thoughts go, just for today. Mavin knew that bottling them in was bad. Though there are flashes once in a while, there was not a time where he could freely think for himself. It was always about the self-imposed mission, a duty that he had chosen to do himself. I should thank Kohl for giving me hope.

No matter how many days passed. He enjoyed seeing that ‘hope’ manifest in front of him. They might think I’m crazy, if they know what my happiness comes from two people being reunited.

But to Mavin, that reunion represented the light he had been looking for in the darkness. That light that made him believe that there are changes. It might not sound much compared to what he had done to the South of Lazon, but in the end, he was only following the script that was meant for Lazon, the idea was going to happen sooner or later; he only made it happen earlier so that they could do better when the war comes. Even without Mavin Tomas’s input. Derrick Tomas would have done it. He had stolen the achievement that Derrick should have.

Even now he couldn't proudly raise his chest, knowing that the idea should have come from his cousin. Nonetheless, he didn’t mind it as much  now. Derrick was the family leader, and he was free from the burden. He might still be using the resources of the Tomas Family, but it was something that he needed and won’t refuse from Derrick. You don’t have to save the world, just a part of it. You can’t expect everything to be handled, but do your best, Mavin thought for himself. His ears were still on the wonderful tune coming out of the piano.

“Courtney, a voice said. “Please serve me the usual.”

“Drinking this, that's okay?”

“Shiona is killing it. I’d go up there soon.”

Sounds like she’s a singer, Mavin gave a glance at the woman in the red dress, showing off her alluring body. She wore quite a bold dress that showed much skin. Her shoulders were beautiful and that confident smirk accompanied by her red lips was mesmerizing. She smells good too, Mavin thought.

“Oh my, may I sit next to you?” the woman asked.

“I don’t mind,” Mavin said.

She scrutinized him with her eyes. “This must be your first time here.”

Mavin didn’t deny it. He took a sip of his glass. “I heard of this place before, never thought of coming here. Had time so I thought of stopping.”

“I see,” she turned to the bartender. “Heard that, it seems we’re getting popular.”

The bartender remained quiet. “Here’s your usual, Arisa.” 

So her name is Arisa, Mavin thought. Red dress, the dangerous look, and those pairs on her chest. I guess she was the one. I wonder if Rene had started to visit this place.

The woman accepted the glass and leaned her elbow on the counter. “Thank you, Courtney,” she tapped her class on Mavin’s glass. “Cheers, right?”

The velvet club knows how to choose their singers, at least, Mavin thought.

“What do you think of her performance?”

“Lovely, couldn’t be better.”

“Do you like her song? Many comes here to listen to her play”

“She does her best. I do not have many opinions about music.”

Mavin looked at the crowd. Looks like she’s the start of this show. Good looks and good voice alongside those audacious breasts. Mavin scanned Arisa from top to bottom. What about her then? 

“Do people tell you that quite the stare?”

“No,” Mavin placed the glass. The bartender nodded, and filled the glass.

“Quick and intense,” she smiled. “Do you like what you’re seeing?”

“I do, actually,” he grinned back.

She nodded, smiled, and dragged her stool closer. “I thought soldier types would prefer the dance floor above.”

“I prefer it here, maybe one day I’d spend time there,” Mavin stirred his glass. “Are you singing soon?”

“Hmm, yes, but it seems that Shiona took the crowd’s heart. I’m afraid that I’d never get their hearts.”

“Well, she does sound and look amazing. Hmm, she has that grace that you’d want to listen to.”

“True, look at her, so lovingly playing that piano. She always complaints how her breasts are hindering her movements, what a liar.”

She looked at the back of the woman in white dress. “I wish my hair was as beautiful as hers.”

“Yours isn’t something to be scoffed at either,” Mavin naturally replied.

She looked at Mavin. Her eyes gazed at him. Mavin felt something stir as his face reflected on her eyes. That soul stirring gaze, yeah, she’s the one alright.

Mavin breathed out. She blinked, pleasantly surprised how Mavin broke the lock of their gaze. “My, this is interesting.”

“What is?”

“People usually don’t look away from my eyes.”

“You do have beautiful eyes,” Mavin said. A natural allure that makes you want to look at her eyes perpetually. I guess that’s why she always sings at the end of the world.

“This is a first,” she laughed seductively. “I never thought I’d meet someone, then again, maybe you aren’t fond of women?”

“Questioning the sexuality of a person just because he doesn’t look like you’d want to lick her clean?” Mavin smirked. “Quite the confidence you have there, sister.”

“Of course,” she pressed her breast forward. “I am confident in my own appeals.”

“Cheers to that then,” Mavin raised his glass and sipped on it. The bartender behind the counter looked like he was used to Arisa’s proudness. That ‘I am prettier than anyone here and I know it’ posture and the natural mannerism made her deadly to look at.

“It looks like I am up next,” Arisa said. She excused herself and left her glass on the counter. The woman named Shiona bid the crowd goodbye and sat on the stool that Arisa just sat on.

“Must be my lucky day today,” Mavin said. “To sit with two pretties.”

She blushed for a moment, before taking out a handkerchief, wiping the beads of sweat forming around her neck and arms. 

“Can you give me water, Courtney?”

“Certainly, what a fine performance, I may say.”

She took the water from Courtney while Arisa prepared herself on the stage. A band accompanied Arisa as she stood in the middle. She took the microphone and embraced the stand. She winked at her audience and began.

Soft, smoky , languid and dreamy, Mavin thought. Her voice was like a damn siren luring people to the depths of the sea. She took the ears of the crowd. Mavin blinked. She turned to the counter and took a sip of his glass. Courtney concocted another as he leaned the side of his head with his palm.

“She’s good.”

“Isn’t she?”

The woman named Shiona said. Mavin deeply looked at her. She started to become flustered as Mavin’s gaze stayed. “What is it?”

“Are you going to Turian? You look like you are.”

“Eh?”

“Turian is good, Holmia especially. But I suggest that you don’t go there yet. The Empire’s prospering, and you’ll miss out on it.”

She raised a brow. She looked like she wanted to ask something, but decided against it. “Thank you for the advice.”

Mavin continued looking at Arisa’s performance on the stage.  He was curious on what the nightspot looked like and if she was here. The soul stirring mistress that gave comfort to the heart through her song. She was here and the person she called her friend before they went to Holmia and met tragedy. I guess it’s too late to care about what may happen to them next. That if Miss Shiona listens.

Mavin paid his bill, bid Courtney and and Miss Shiona goodbye and left for the stairs. Then he stopped. He looked at the men entering the back of the lounge room. Oh, yeah, they always had a meeting down below here.

Mavin didn’t have any reason to interfere with the business of the ebony market unless it involved Vulcan Technology, so he left without looking back.