Hours passed and finally, the port could be seen. A port that spanned dozens of kilometres in width. It was a trade hotspot and the main point of commerce in the whole continent due to the harsh terrain elsewhere. Most of the coastal areas of Crimson were too hot. Further up, Windbourne was even well defended from the sea by its tall mountains. Northern aquabourne was practically a frozen wasteland and southern aquabourne was too humid and half sunk to properly maintain trade. And the central region was naturally landlocked, surrounded by all the other regions. So only stonebourne currently had the ability to trade.
As Markis approached Yen Port, in Stonebourne City, Special Agent Delta and his agents were preparing for a reconnaissance mission.
"Immoriens and his group have not given any signs… we need to investigate to discern if they are still on the run… captured…" Delta said
"Or dead." Delta one finished
The rest of the agents remained silent… knowing that given how many days had already passed, the last option was most likely one.
"Let's move." Agent Delta said, making ways toward the southern coastal temple
As they travelled, Markus' company were docking the ship.
Winston was already on the dock, sweet talking a toll officer with a bag of coin.
"So just put it under sea merchant." Winston said finishing up his conversation as Julia led Markus to him
"All done?" Julia asked
"Yes. Now, let's find you a master." Winston said as he led them to the underworld in Yen Port.
The trio roamed the streets to eventually reach an opera house. One that doubled as an auction house for items and people alike.
Winston walked in like he had done it dozens of times and the guards seemed to be familiar with him.
'Considering their looks he must be a frequent patron.' Markus thought as he analysed how easily they entered the auction house and made their way to the director's office
"Winston, it's been a while. What have you brought me now?" The director asked, an overweight man in his fifties wearing a tailored suit. His balding head and crooked smile and nose were certainly eyesores but he was well liked for his business negotiation.
"Mr Director, I bring you young talent from the Crimson region. This is Markus Windwave, a teenager who was the student council president of the Tuatri Academy student body." Winston said, presenting Markus
"Oho— and he behaves well for you to keep him free like this. How did you manage to get him?" The director asked
"Fished him from the sea." Winston replied with a smile
"Well kid- you struck out. Many others would've treated you far worse." The director said
Markus rolled his eyes
"Well take him from here. We have an auction in a week, why don't you stick around until then and receive your gold? Naturally Markus here would remain in our custody." The director said
"Works for us." Winston said, shaking his hand
"Come in." The director commanded the guards
"Take him to the 'waiting room'." The director said, looking at Markus
"Yes sir." The two guards in black suits said as they approached Markus
Markus shot them a glance.
'Elites huh? This place is clearly distinguished. I just need to remain calm and stick to the plan.' Markus thought
The two guards took out essence suppressing chains.
'Just great.' Markus thought as he let them
With his essence suppressed, he felt incredibly weaker. He could not see through his essence, could not sense emotions and threats— he might as well have been blind.
"Farewell kid." Winston said with his back turned
Markus was led down the halls to the 'waiting room' which was a decrepit filthy and dark prison cell. One among many cells with many other people for sale.
After a while, Markus finally let his guard down…
In the darkness, he could not be seen. His weakness could not be seen. So away from anyone sight… the seemingly cold special agent was crying.
Besides a few sniffles, he could not be heard. He wanted it that way. He just wanted a few moments for himself.
He was after all just a teen who had to face down a deity's avatar. A teen who tried to save his subordinates and failed. A teen who had been easily killed only to come back to life on a pirate ship where he saw the corpses of his subordinates and act like nothing happened. He was then stuck on an outlaw ship where he was starved and kept dehydrated. A teen who had been told he would be sold like a thing to be toyed with… or worse. And now, he was imprisoned in a cell not even fit for animals, awaiting an auction that would decide his immediate future.
So he cried himself to sleep in the squalid cell.
Several hours later, he was awoken by the clatter of trays.
'What's this?' Markus asked as he got up to feel around
He stumbled his hands over a mysterious paste and cup of water on a wooden tray.
He drank the water but did not touch the food.
"You need to eat. Without essence your body needs to eat to be able to work as normal." The voice inside his head said
Markus shot the food a glance and kicked it against the cell bars, clattering the tray.
"If you don't want your food, I'll have it." A voice from the neighbouring cell said in Centralese
Markus looked in the direction of the voice but saw nothing. He went toward the tray and slid it toward the cell.
"Much obliged. But what's an educated kid like you doing in a place like this?" The voice asked, a man's voice
"How do you know I'm young?" Markus asked coarsely, his voice still affected from his cries
"Your sniffles are pitched higher than most adults. But what gave it away was that you actually trusted me to push your food here, any adult in your situation would just ignore me." The man said
"Just eat the food and leave me alone." Markus said, going back to sleep
Several more hours passed… or maybe days. He was tired. He simply woke up from time to time with the clatter of trays and drank water.
After a few meals however… he stomach was growling.
So without a choice, he ate the mysterious food paste.
'Ugh— I've eaten tastier dirt.' Markus thought as he chewed the paste.
Eventually though, Markus spoke.
"… got a question for you. Where do we… relieve ourselves?" Markus asked
"Do you think this stench here is from flowers? There's a bucket in a corner, if you can find it. But don't trip it over… or else— well you know." The man replied
The filthy cells… were filthy with human waste…
'I'm going to obliterate this place one day…' Markus swore as he went to look for the bucket
Time became a blur under the cover of darkness— but eventually… after enough time, guards came in and dragged people out.
Markus was among them. The stranger next to him was among them too.
Markus was taken to a room with dim light, but to him he felt like he was staring into the sun.
Then without warning, his combat suit was cut and he was left naked. As his clothes dropped, several jets of water shot toward him.
'What the hell—' Markus cursed as he beared the pressure
As he was finally cleaned, he was thrown a towel to dry himself.
Then, wrapping the towel around himself, Markus was told to follow two men in black suits and masks.
He was led to a changing room where a simple black tunic was laid out for him.
"Get changed and wait." They said as they left in the room.
The light from the candles was truly dazzling. Still, it was light. Each drop of wax was a testament of real time passing.
After a few more hours… he was finally taken out to a stage.
From behind a curtain, he could hear the director.
"Our next bidding subject is a special item. It is my pleasure to introduce you to Markus Windwave, a rank 4 expert of the wind." The director said as the curtain pulled back, unveiling Markus
"He is a young man no older than fifteen years old. He was recently the student president of the Tuatri Academy Student Council and was recruited by the royal palace two years ahead of his graduation. Bidding will begin at 150 thousand gold pieces." The director said
'Dayum— I don't really know a lot about the prices but you could buy estates with that much money. So to blow that much coin on a single purchase… these guys must be filthy rich nobles.' Markus analysed in an instant before the prices were shouted
"150 thousand by Number 38." The director said as he saw the licitation sign rise
"180 thousand." Number 49 said
"Two hundred." Number 11 said
"Two hundred and fifty." Number 23 said
"Five hundred thousand." Number 3 said
Markus eyes widened as he saw who it was
A man in a black outfit… with a crow mask. Before the crow, he could see him mouthing.
"Immoriens."
'Oh f*ck me— what were the chances!' Markus cursed as he prayed someone else would outbid the madman
"Half a million gold coins! Do I hear anyone else?" The director asked
'Oh come on… give me a break here—' Markus said in frustration
"No? Going once. Going twice!" The director said creating suspense
"Six hundred thousand." A mature woman's voice echoed as she raised licitation number one
She had a mature, well developed body. She was wearing a dark green dress with a matching coloured mask that had a vine pattern. She wore matching gloves that spanned from her fingers tips to her elbow.
'Yes!' Markus said in jubilation
"If it isn't Lady Ivy. Are you bidding for pleasure or research?" The man in the crow masked asked, calling her out
'Wait what—' Markus' jubilation froze and turned into something else… fear.
'Last time I got experimented on… maybe I do want the crow to win…' Markus admitted, now uncertain of who he wanted to hold his fate in his hands
"It does not concern you, crow." She replied with an amused tone
"650." The crow replied in turn
"Seven hundred thousand." Lady Ivy replied
"Tsk— mind letting someone else have the fun? 750." The crow replied
"You sure are persistent, crow. Tell you what though, if you can match me one more time, he's yours." Lady Ivy replied
'Uhoh—' Markus thought inwardly
"You wouldn't dare—" he replied
"One million gold coins." She said boldly
The silence was deafening. It was a stupid amount of money to spend on a single individual.
The man in the crow mask merely sighed.
"It's fine, you can keep him." He replied
"Was that so hard?" She said with a slight giggle
"S-sold!" The director announced
"Thank you. Now take those shackles off." She commanded
"A-are you sure, Lady Ivy?" The director asked
'I can't sense her rank without my essence… but if she's that confident and wealthy… she's a master…' Markus thought
"I won't repeat myself." She replied my coldly
The director took a step back and nodded toward the guards.
They approached with keys and undid the chains around his hands and feet.
As they did, a massive explosion of essence sent them stumbling back.
"Finally." Markus said softly
Then he looked up toward the woman who had just bought him.
"Thank you for spending so much money on me, but I'm afraid you won't be able to enjoy me." Markus said with a bow before using the wind's path to vanish.
He flew through a wall and ran into the underworld.
"Are you not going to go after him?" The man in the crow mask asked
"He won't get far." She said casually
Meanwhile Markus was running as fast as he could in the underworld. But he was not running away. He was running somewhere.
He went to an emergency station made for the special forces. He had to look for a simple upside down crown which seemed like a tall task. Thankfully, he had already found it when he made his way to the auction house with Winston and Julia.
It was a small shack attended to by an elderly man.
"Welcome young man." He said weakly as Markus rushed into his shack