Karin: Maybe you should learn about your curse too…I…it might help.

Before Karin could make another point, she stopped right there. Every conversation started this way, and every conversation ended the same way. What’s the point, what’s the point, what’s the fucking point. She knew deep down, nothing good would come from it yet she continued to pester anyway. She’d hope that at some point, he’d change his mind. Or at least saw things from her point of view. But alas, their relationship was strained, the only things binding the two is blood and their last name. She didn’t want to leave him. He didn’t want to leave her. Lee always felt bad about how the conversations would end but didn’t know how to lighten up the mood.

Soon, he stopped going to the academy and just focused on swordsman training. He wanted nothing to do with the curse placed on him. Like hell would he want to know more about it? He felt as if he did, he’d give it more power. He’d still train in the ways of the sword, felt that it was the only thing that kept him sane, kept him under control. When he reached the advance classes, it was then he was formally introduced to Ken, one of the few people who came to extract him and Karin from the previous world. As soon as Ken recognized him, he ran up to him and reintroduced himself.

Ken: Hey if it isn’t Mr. Lee Von Solari.

He extended his hand to Lee to formally introduce himself. Ken had sparkling emerald eyes and a wild orange mohawk to boot. He almost nearly matched Lee’s height and was decked out with studded earrings, necklaces and rings. God does this kid own a jewelry store? Lee once thought to himself.

Lee: K-ken…right?

Ken looked around to see that people had already left the dojo.

Ken: Why don’t we chill out together? At a pub. My treat.

Before Lee could answer, Ken was already dragging him along. They ended up in an Irish Pub called the Lucky Leprechauns ran by, well, leprechauns and dwarves. Some were short and muscular while others were just stout. Some were jolly, setting up dance routines and greeting customers with a big ol’ smile that would ease them while others were just plain rude. They were the ones to attend to Ken and Lee. They weren’t fond of either of them. Even after they ordered their pint glasses of Guinness.

Ken: So, how’s your time here in Eiridelium? Made any friends yet?

He started waving at them as they leered back at him.

Lee: I don’t think they like us.

Ken: They aren’t fond of most people. Well, what about me?

Ken took a huge sip, knocking back about half the glass. Whether it was liquid courage or the need to be frank, Ken didn’t hold back a single thought that ever conjured in his head.  

Ken: You know, you’re on a new world. Your past life isn’t going to come back and haunt you. Not physically at least. No one’s going to use you or anything. No one even knows that you’re some rich kid that inherited his wealth from dear old dad and no one’s gonna use you. Watch, hey! Gulliven, you care this kid’s rich?

Lee rolled his eyes. He drank his whole pint just so he could leave but Gulliven insisted that he drink another.

Ken: To be fair, I used to work at the Dragon’s Nest before I joined the Corps. I read your profile. Left the family at 15, came back to a shitshow at 18. Bounced around from friend’s house to friend’s house only because once they found out you didn’t have any of daddy’s money, they’d kick you out. Abandon you. You were basically on your own for the most part. Karin helped out when she could but she’s like what? Younger than you by a couple of years?

Lee: Two and a half.

He gripped onto the pint glass, tightly. Cracks started forming. Gulliven noticed and glared at him.

Lee: Seems like you know me already. So, why bother trying to get along with me? Pity? My sister set you up to be my friend?

Ken shook his head at all the answers.

Ken: Your file doesn’t tell me the whole story. Just tells me enough that your insecure and refuse to let anyone in your life because of whatever traumatic even that occurred.

The glass broke in his hands, tiny droplets of blood dripping down at the hardwood floor. Ken stopped Gulliven from coming over to kick Lee out. There had been a rule at the bar, no fighting, no breaking glass, no exceptions. But apparently, Ken kinda bended the rules for that.

Ken: It kinda did. Kinda why we came out to get you. But you know, your sister likes to remember you fondly. Never once heard her say shit about whatever’s been plaguing your head. All she likes to talk about the good old days. How you used to cook for her and your mom cause your mom couldn’t cause the disease left her weak and unable to move around much. She’d talk about how you only learned how to play the piano just to fill the house with music, so she thought to play the violin to accompany you. Made your mom happy.

Glass pierced Lee’s skin causing more blood to spill.

Ken: Is it because you blame yourself for what happened with your sister.

Lee slammed his fist on the table, some of it becoming a demon’s hand.

Lee: Yes! Okay? I wanted her to get mad at me, I needed her to punish me because no one else is around to do so. She’s my only sister and I couldn’t protect her. I couldn’t be there for her. I wasn’t enough.

His eyes teared up a bit. He shook them off then glared at Ken who smirked a bit.

Lee: What the fuck are you smiling about?

Ken took a deep breath and calmly spoke.

Ken: Like, the one of the two blonde girls that was with me? Alexis? Mom died when she was super young. Dad died in her teens on a mission. Ben and Danny grew up in an orphanage. And Terra’s family turned into demons.

Ken chugged the rest of his glass and requested another.

Ken: It’s why you and Karin are so compatible in this world. More so than the few others. They’ve recently started escaping in little pockets. Started plaguing other parts of the galaxies. But yeah…just one day, all of a sudden, they just turned. Had no choice but to execute them.

Ken put down the funds to pay for the bill, and any damages caused.

Ken: Don’t sweat it…just hear me out. Count yourself lucky. You moved to a new world; you get to leave your old one behind. Leave the past behind you. And all the shit that goes along with it. It ain’t easy, but helluva lot better than dragging it all with you. Also, join the Corps. Pretty sure your skills and what not will get you far. Plus, beats living the rest of your days in that castle of yours in a mundane state.

Lee sat there to ponder the conversation after Ken left. He asked Gulliven for a broom and a dustpan to clean up after himself. Gulliven had one of the workers patch him up as to not get more blood on the table. He then gave more than enough to fix up the area. He took Ken’s advice about joining the Corps a few days later. He learned the exam consisted of a survival test: the longer you can survive wave after wave of demons and monsters alike, the higher you rank. He entered in a dome that had many displays and windows all around. Spectators came along to watch as they always did. They came to judge, inspect, and overall, find some entertainment in who was going to end up on the top ten board. Making higher ranks meant high risk jobs and a bit of fame and glory. As Lee stood in the middle of the dome in some armor with a singular rapier, sheathed in its scabbard, he felt his heart beat with a mix of anxiousness and excitement. Before he started, a holy man appeared in Greek robes. He wore spartan sandals and his hair was an amber color, eyes of a sage hue. He extended his hand and introduced himself as Kingdra, the leader of the Corps and co-leader of the Dragon’s Nest.

Lee: It’s a pleasure to meet you.
Kingdra: So, you are aware of the rules?
Lee: It’s basically an endurance test, right?
Kingdra: Exactomundo! But also, not correct! It’s better explained as so: The more monsters or demons you are able to skillfully kill or even evade the higher your rank will go. The more damage you take, the lower your rank goes. It doesn’t end until either I give the signal or until you drop. But, if you drop, you’re basically lowering your own rank.
Lee: S-sounds like fun.
Kingdra: Right?? Anywho! Use anything and everything and good luck! Make it a good fight.

As Kingdra made his exit, he gave the thumbs up letting the proctors know that the trials have started. Lee took a couple of deep breaths as an amalgamation of monsters and demons swarmed in the dome. He patiently stood still at the center of it all, waiting for them to come in.

He unsheathed his rapier as it was wrapped around in flames. He swung it sideways, flames following the movements. The flames were then redirected towards the oncoming opponents, leaving them in ashes. Creatures with blades for claws pounced at the opening Lee supposedly left but were easily dodged. He danced around the battlefield, as if moving like a leaf in the wind. When the fires ceased from the rapier, he dragged it onto the floor, lifting the earth under him and creating a shell. Footsteps rushed towards him, each monster bashing their entire bodies at the earth. He muttered ancient words under his breath then focused in on every movement felt. Forming the earth all around, he created spikes that then bombarded the surrounding enemies. Blood splattered all around, his killing intent spiked. Each monster or demon he faced and killed caused it to rise higher and higher than ever before. In the midst of the blood bath, he heard the voices. Voices he never thought would come back to haunt him.