But I actually don't need the money.
Afterall my next destination can provide all the neccesary need.
I guess you can said it one of the benefit of being a higher ranking.
My next destination, is the main Confluence base to the east of the forgotten city.
Entering an ominous forest, this place remind me of that time I stop the intruder. Well technically it did happend here. The image kind of vivid. But I still can recall somewhat of what happend that day.
Since that incident happend, the organisation been more careful about hosting such event.
Lingering on the same thought I realise something.
"Wait, don't tell me the organisation doesn't consider such outcome might happend?"
No way such organisation like the confluence overlook such thing. That would be really stupid.
Unless the organisation did expected such outcome to happend or maybe it the work of someone from inside.
'Hmm, the second seems more reasonable. Afterall a few supposely traitor did got turn to mush.'
Speaking of which I did left one of the infiltrator alive for interrogation purpose.
Reaching closer to the base I finally spotted the guards.
There is more of them this time around. With better equipment to.
And from the look of it, a better overall skill too.
I was stop on my track.
No suprise there. I haven't show I was part of the org yet.
Slipping my hand inside my pocket I pull a coin.
It had been specifically design, to not only match my rank but also my identity to the organisation.
Showing the coin to the guard, the all pull away to the side letting me enter the base.
Walking past them a sense of familiarity hit me.
Yes, I once work here... When I was nothing but a droplet.
That was quite a while ago.
As I step foot inside I was greeted by a couple of attendees.
"May we know your purpose today sir?"
They ask politely bowing down.
I stare them for a bit... Before I finally spoke.
'Glad I didn't work up front back then'
"I am looking to stay here for a day. A warm clothes and meals would be appreciated. I am also looking to have a bit of tour later this evening."
"If you don't mind can you kindly tell us where you tour taking places sir?"
Such question is to be expected. This is one of the main base of the confluence. Certain area is going to be restricted.
"No worry. I only want to take a look at the ballroom for a bit"
The two individual nodded as they carry my language to my assign room.
While following the two. I caugh a glimpse of other high ranking member.. not that it matter much, just something I had to kept in mind, that it not only me who stay here from time to time.
Shortly we arrive to my room. It not big but more than enought for one person.
Putting my stuff inside. They said they will return with a dry clothes and meal for me.
My head turn to the side.
"..."
"Hmm"
"I look a lot older when my skin shrink"
I said looking over my own reflection.
Taking off my wet clothes I was partially left naked.
And I sit once again. Watching my own reflection.
"Mori"
That was the name I had adopted.
The name of a character I been trying to find out more about.
The more I think of it.
Has it always been this difficult?
I don't think I have trouble regarding my own self before.
I knew who I am, what I am and why I am.
And yet, what make this one so different all of the sudden.
To certain extend base of this journey I been back tracking. I had come to a few conclusion to certain aspect of myself playing this role of Mori.
And all of it can be trace back to when I first threw away my original goal.
'A normal mundane life.'
It all started from ther-.... No. It start from Miss Arlen more specifically.
Everything I done so far is to get close to her. Searching for any clues regarding her whereabout. Entering the underground tournament, joining the confluence and climbing the ranking it had always been about her.
And as if that certain gear move inside of me. A lot of other thing I buried starting to appear more frequently.
Why?
Is the shift really that big? Or am I undermining her important to me?
...
Wait... Important?
Why is she important in the first place?
What am I truly seeking from her?
I lay my back again the wall. Staring at the light piercing my window.
It was her curse right? That what start me on this journey. Her curse, the cursing flame.
The flame that burn in crimson hue. It was fascinating, beautiful and warm. It burn like no other.
Then I was hit by a long silence. My thought stop and so my movement.
Had the madness finally caught to me after all this years?
Because that make no sense.
That is not an answer. That is more of an excuse.
I knew I had fascination with curses. It like my second nature. Yet that wouldn't explain why I go this far.
Weird, this is weird.
Before my mind can think any longer, a sudden knock on my door.
"Sir, your meal and clothes are ready."
'Wait, what time is it?'
My head instinctively turn to the window.
Staring at the light, it is shining orange.
"Huh? Had I been staying still that long"
"Sir?"
"Just left it outside. I will take it myself"
Hearing the sound of footstep leaving.
I finally took a deep breath.
'No, I don't think I can answer that question for certain. Not now atleast. There is still to much gap regarding Mori before I can come with a solid conclusion'.
With that made up in mind, I turn to the door. Opening it and what left infront is a cart with my meal and dry clothes.
*Later that evening.
I was escorted by one of the attendees for my small detour to the ballroom.
Speaking of which, it the only memories that not vivid for me. I remember a lot of stuff happening that day, because it was extraordinary and there is a lot I need to care about.
We soon reach the gate separating the ballroom from the outside.
It look like we aren't the only one visiting too.
As soon as the gate open, I caught a face of someone that didn't show up, on the event the last time
And ours eyes lock onto each other.
Naturally, I when on one knee.
It just appropriate to show respect, to the abyssal depth members of the Confluence.
The person standing infront of is none other then Sierge, the high Priestess.
"Oh? Aren't you the polite one."
She spoke under a soft tone.
Almost enchanting. Not sure if it effect of magic or something els but the feeling is quite different compare to someone like Columna.
The people around us seems abit hesitant on what to do.
But her words broke the awkwardness.
"It alright everyone, you don't have to show such devotion to me. Although, I appreciated your kind gesture new leaf, you can stand now"
As I stand on the spot she took a step away from me.
"Well, you had came here for a reason don't you? Don't mind us sharing a bit of space in this ballroom"
I answer in a small nod and took my leave toward the opposite way of where they were heading.
I didn't expect to meet Sierge here. From my own knowledge she always been the secretive and distance individual, even to the organisation.
'And yet here she was in flesh.'
Something pretty significant must had happend.
'Oh well it got nothing to do with me.'
I am here simply to recall my memories of the grand event.
I take a slow walk around the place. My eyes overlooking the design of every corner as my memories brought me back to past.
The most memoriable stuff is certainly when I first enter the ballroom. Words can't describe just how much emotions I was holding back at that moment.
Even when I already had expected it, I was still caught off guard. It look to be at that time, I was underestimating what kind of weight it bring.
Hence, Capitan Ska caught the present of curse leaking from me.
I did manage to make elaborated excuses but I doubt he the kind to take the word on face value. Still, it serve as a great reminder that I shouldn't had overlook in the future, when such occasion might arrive again one day.
Speaking of which, I did saw quite a lot of abyssal depth members during that time.
Mainly, the one who carry curses within them. Such as Ska, Columna and certainly miss Arlen herself.
There is also lot without one. My priority for them is a bit below, yet there are worthy enought to be remember.
Also, the leader to the Confluence also did leave quite the impression.
Her majesty, look to be some kind of royalty. I can't say for sure to which kingdom but the way she presented herself back then, just scream like one.
That calm and respectful demenour hiding her ruthlessness of a leader underneath, do sure make her an interesting character.
Not long after, I found myself at the centre of the ballroom. Overlooking the stairs.
That day, her majesty spoke about a new goal for the organisation. The one that suppose to bring a greater future to all of us.
And still even to this day I didn't bother to check it for myself.
Should I be caring the same goal as them?
No, my purpose is only miss Arlen... But I guess I can't really stay here for such reason alone. Then, I just had to hide my real intention.
Almost at the same time a voice spoken to me, interupting my thought as my focus shift to that person.
"Are you present during the day of the grand event, new leaf?"
The recognisable tone is hard to be mistaken for someone else but hers.
The high priestress, rumor say she had the ability to see unforseen future. Not really sure how the abilty would translate to the present.
Althought, I doubt it work like blind seer ability.
Atleast, she doesn't give off such impression.
'Wait doesn't that just mean she speaking to me for reason?'
Even thought it was not shown physically. I was mentally being on guard. If she even show a slight threat against my goal. Her future outcome wouldn't be a clean one, I can guarantee that even with her suppose ability.
I finally answer her question, after a small setback.
"Yes, I was but a mere 'Droplet' during the grand event, working as servant handing out drink and foods."
She stop beside me taking in the view I was overlooking.
"Then, you had quite the time to sight seeing. So, why had you came back here?"
He words left be speechless for a bit.
How should I answer her? With honestly? Or lies?
Does it really matter what my answer here..
Maybe. She an abyssal depth member after all. One bad word coming from her could make my future journey a dificult one.
I had to carefully considering the word coming from my mouth.
And so I spoke in deferential.
" My memories had always come as a blurry picture..."
But then I stop, ending my sentences short.
The sentence felt hard to escape from my mouth for some reason.
'Am I tense?'
I had no time to ponder tho, so I had to force the word out.
"... Priestess"
She didn't look at me but I can tell she is paying attention.
"To tell you the true, it hard for me to remember anything. What I find important and not, really play a role to what I can recall."
My gaze turn to the serounding.
"And you can said, I had come back here to fill in that missing pieces because now, I deem this memory from the past worthy to be remember"
In the spend of me speaking her cheerful face had turn almost blank.
Maybe she find my answer, a bit insipid for her taste. Nonetheless I end up giving her the truth to certain extand.
Before I knew it her blank facial, had turn to a soft smile.
She finally spoke.
"Interesting. You spoke like a person who understand himself really well and I would imagine there is more to it correct?... No need to be worry, I won't pry no longer. I think I did a right decision there"
'What does she meant by that?'
"Before we parted way. May I know your name stranger?"
My name? When was the last time someone had ask for my name. Identity is something I had long throw away but that was not the case no longer, because at the present I am chasing after one.
"You can call me Mori... It not my real name but the one that I had accepted"
She finally turn around, regrouping with the people she was with earlier.
"Even you nickname carry a certain meaning. I hope you find what you looking for, Mori"
And shortly she left the ballroom.