As Kain approached the hall at the very top, he glanced around at the paintings and torches that adorned the wide spiral staircase.
"What's the reason this feast is even happening?"
"Hah," Derek chuckled. "We'll find out soon enough. As soon as the Old Eye shows up, he'll tell us all about it. I'm sure of it."
Kain turned around, seeing several silhouettes in expensive suits following them below. "What about the invitations?"
"Only one of us needs them. Enough! More business, less words!"
Step.
Stepping out of the dim aisle, the light from the chandeliers fell on their faces, lighting the way to tables full of food and drinks. The room was still fairly empty, but guests were coming up, and the pace only increased.
"Please, your invitations," a low, stern voice sounded from the side.
A man stood not far from the entrance with an emotionless face. Although everyone was in suits or dresses, he was wearing a long cloak reaching to the floor. The symbol of an owl with one eye was sewn on the cloak with silver threads.
'So, is he one of them?' Kain narrowed his eyes.
Yerez pulled a black card from his pocket, handing it to the man.
"Sure, I was afraid I'd forget. Good thing that didn't happen! Hahaha!"
There was no reaction from the guard.
"Mr. Yerez, we're glad to see you here today."
The man swept his gaze over the others for a second, stopping on Kain.
"The new Tainted?" he lifted his chin. "Don't lose the chance given to you by the runes. When you reach the Bearer Stage, then come and join us. If you're still alive by then, of course."
"Hah... I hope that's the case," Kain awkwardly guffawed as he walked on.
The three of them didn't need the cards. The runes clustering around them were enough to qualify them to be here.
"Well, if you want, you can stay with us, but I suggest you walk around, look around, and maybe even meet someone. Go for it!" Derek laughed.
There was no point in refusing. Especially since Kain was going to do it as soon as possible.
The longer he was with Derek and Greyna, the more he felt like a child.
Unfortunately for him, that phase was long past - now he had to think his way out of his difficult situation.
'How strange,' he glanced around the crowd.
'Greyna said I should see the other Tainted. Is there no one else like me among all the guests?' Kain shook his head. 'No, that can't be. I must be doing something wrong.'
The first thing that came to his mind was to squint, trying to see the invisible runes.
It worked.
"Holy..." Kain shuddered as he witnessed the beauty that he had previously been deprived of.
The white runes were streaming in an endless flow toward the three silhouettes in the corners of the hall. All of them were Tainted. Kain was not able to see the runes around Awakened yet.
He blinked, and the runes disappeared.
With a little practice, he could do it as freely as breathing.
'And? Do I just walk up to everyone and try to start a discussion?' Kain muttered internally. 'No, at best they'll look at me like a fool. At worst, they'll kick me out of here. Ruining my reputation at my first public event is not something I need if I want to survive.'
Unable to think of anything better to do, Kain took the apple and headed for the balcony. He needed to gather his thoughts.
'Damn, I just ran away. Gotta figure something out right away before the Old Eye gets here, then no one will be interested in me.'
With a loud crunch, he took a bite of the apple, looking up at the blue moon and the lights filling the Hollow Patch like hundreds of candles.
Step. Step. Step.
The sound of light footsteps caught his attention, making him turn around thinking Greyna went in search of him.
Yet Greyna was still chatting in the distance with Derek, but something made Kain's eyes go wide.
A young girl in a black cloths like flowing cloak, paying no attention to Kain she leaned against the edge, gazing at the scenery with boredom.
The cold wind blew across her pale cheeks, ruffling her spiky crimson hair, the tips swaying over her shoulders, a wistful depth filling her ruby eyes, creating a sight capable of mesmerizing any man looking for something special, something dangerous.
Had Kain fallen into this trap?
Who knows. But at that moment, it wasn't her beauty that caused his shock.
'That... Why are they like that?'
Kain gulped, watching the purple runes gathering around the unknown girl.
All runes around other Tainted were white as they should be, but... this girl was different.
"Who are you...?"
Unknowingly, those words escaped his lips.
The girl slowly turned around, running her bored gaze over him.
"Morbia, so... How long have you been here?"
Kain was caught off guard by her question. He didn't expect curiosity on her part considering the look on her face.
"Emh... I arrived a few minutes ago, as many guests do."
She shook her head.
"No, that's not what I'm talking about."
Then, Morbia held her hand out toward the hills disappearing into the skyline.
"When did you come to the Astral Dimension? A week? A month? Maybe you're one of those who weren't lucky enough to stay in this blighted place for a year?"
Silence.
Kain was speechless.
"Oh, from the way you're staring at me, you've either fallen in love or you've only been here a few days. You're still alive, I guess congrats are in order. Most people die on the first day."
Then, she rested her cheek on her hand.
"What's your name?"
"Kain... The runes surround you. Why are they like that? Are you special? Are you very strong?"
"Agh..." Morbia sighed heavily. "I wish it were so, but it's much simpler than that. You and I come from the same world, Kain. The inhabitants of the Astral Dimension don't see that difference, but we do. Hah, turns out I'm the first Contender and not the Tainted who you met? I'm honored."
Without saying anything else, Morbia walked back into the hall, leaving Kain alone with his thoughts and the brutal wind.
At that same moment, all of the crowd's attention heads toward the passageway. The silent man from Twilight Owl waved his hand:
"Ladies and gentlemen, let me announce some special guests!"
A girl with red hair entered the hall, and a knight followed behind, her loyal servant.
"Ignis of the Ash Feather and her knight - Roland!"