Upon walking into the giant auction hall, Cordayl is handed a tablet that directs him to his seat after he attaches the black device.
Finding his seat, Cordayl is kind of surprised by the unexpected head nods he is now getting from some of the white glove members as he makes it to his seat.
Cordayl gets comfortable and notices that the screen on the tablet now has different screens for the attendees to view all the objects and stuff up for sale.
They have everything from mystical weapons down to old past century fine china.
Looking at the corner of the tablet, Cordayl notices that he has an available balance to place his bets with, which confuses him because he came in with no money.
"A reward for your display in the ceremony. As you saw, not everyone makes it out alive, so if you survive, you are paid for your bravery and success." The man says sliding next to Cordayl.
"Getting paid by the enemy? Not the most ironic thing to ever happen." Cordayl mentions as the lights start to dim.
"Have you seen anything you'd want to buy?" The man ask, scrolling through the catalog.
"A couple of items look useful. This book bag that magically can hold anything seems handy." Cordayl says, scrolling through as well. Finding a tab titled 'pets,'
Cordayl scrolls through and looks at all the creatures they have for sale. Cordayl freezes as he sees one of the creatures being offered at the auction.
The short man notices the change in Cordayl's body language and ask him what's wrong. Looking at Cordayl's screen, the man compliments Cordayl in his exotic taste.
Cordayl's seat darkens as his aura begins to spill out.
Feeling the atmosphere change, the man begs, "Cordayl, calm down. These kinds of events sell exotic pets like this all the time. Don't take it personally."
"That's not a pet. It's my friend." Cordayl states, anger rising.
"A friend? How? They live in the deepest part of the ocean. Can you even swim?" The man asks.
"That doesn't matter. She's not walking out of here in chains. Not while I'm breathing."
"I told you Cordayl this isn't the place to start a fight. Look, you have more than the asking price. Just buy her yourself and free her later. Just calm down, please. There are eyes on you as we speak," the man pleads.
Cordayl notices that there are several people around him with evil in their eyes, waiting for him to cause a scene.
Cordayl takes a deep breath and agrees, leaning back in his chair as the auction finally begins.
Cordayl sits there in anticipation as the auction slowly takes place. Bid after bid, sale after sale, Cordayl sits there until the one thing he has been waiting for arrives.
"Next up, we have the pet selection." The auctioneer announces.
Cordayl sits up and waits until the name he has been waiting to hear is up for sale.
As different exotic beings and animals are being sold left and right, Cordayl's heart pounds as finally they are on the one thing he has been waiting for.
"This next piece, ladies and gentlemen, is a rare find out of the ancient city of Atlanta. Both beautiful and unique, she will make an excellent addition to any manor. Only requirement is a full tank of saltwater and you will be the envy of all in your circle. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the mermaid, Tabitha!"
The crowd is in awe at the actual sight of a mermaid and instantly bidding begins.
"I got 500,000. 1 million, 1.5, 2." The auctioneer announces as the bids roll in. Cordayl punches the bid button on his screen, trying his best to outbid the last.
Everyone seems to want Eursala, and Cordayl finds that he is slowly eating through his earnings, trying to buy her freedom.
"Highest bid is now 12 million." The auctioneer shouts, to which Cordayl quickly ups the bid. "Now 12.5." The crowd seems to lose spirit as Cordayl's bid is too much to top.
"Going once, twice… I got 13 million now." Cordayl is shocked, as he was certain he had just won the bidding. Increasing his bid to 18.5 million, Cordayl hopes that this is enough, but he is soon disappointed as the bid hits 19 million.
Growing impatient, Cordayl throws his all into the ring and ups the bid to 20 million. The crowd is astounded at the sudden increase, and wait for the final announcement that Cordayl has won the bid.
"20 million going once, going twice… so-". The auctioneer stops as a bid of 25 million suddenly comes onto the screen.
The crowd oooohs at the power move, but Cordayl's jaw drops as he is now out of funds to pay for Eursala's freedom.
"Going once, going twice… Sold! To buyer number 47. Your prize will be sent to your room." The auctioneer announces.
Cordayl snaps the tablet in half in a quiet rage. Scanning the area to locate who outbid him, he becomes angrier when he can not make out the victor.
"What room is he talking about?" Cordayl asks the man.
"The VIPs get their own room at these events. We got here today, they have been here all weekend. I'm sorry, Cordayl, but she just got bought by one of the untouchables. Best to just forget about her," the short man tells him.
"No one is untouchable." Cordayl grits, scaring the man with his look.
"Maybe not for you, but it would be an extremely dumb move on your part. At least right now. Play the long game and try to find her later. This still isn't the time to start a fight." The man tells him.
"You seem to forget that I don't give a damn." Cordayl reminds him. "I have declared war on these people. And they have just sold my friend as if she were a decoration, and you expect me to sit still? You have been helpful, so I will help you. Get out of here as soon as you can. Because once this starts, I will feel no remorse for any rich assholes caught in the mayhem." Cordayl warns him.
The man sighs, "Youngins these days. Look, Rambo, just sit cool for now. After the auction, find out where room 47 is and do what you want. That will buy me plenty of time to get out. But I still want to try to win a couple of items. At least do me that favor for getting your angry ass in here." The man asks Cordayl.
"This is the last favor I do you," Cordayl tells him as he gets up and leaves the auction hall.
Cordayl walks away to get something to drink. Waiting while the man makes his beverage, a gentleman walks up besides him. Cordayl ignores him, but the man slides him a card.
"My master would like to have a word with you after the auction. If you would meet him in this room, I promise it would be worth your time." The servant says.
"And if I don't?" Cordayl ask.
"I am sorry. I was only told to deliver this message. I do not speak for my master. He only says he promises it will be worth your time." The servant walks away as Cordayl is handed his drink.
Cordayl accepts it and shoots his drink. Picking the card up, Cordayl sees the room number and crushes it in his hand, seeing the number 47.
Cordayl makes his way through the halls after the auction is concluded. Dodging and slicing his way through the crowd, Cordayl finally makes his way to one of the workers who can help him.
Un-balling his fist, he hands the crumbled card to the worker. She instructs him to walk upstairs and give the card to the concierge for him to go where he is seeking.
Cordayl does as he is told, and the concierge tells him exactly where the room is.
When he gets to the door, it is opened for him before he can knock. "Please come in, Cordayl. Our master will arrive shortly. Would you like anything while you wait?" the servant asks him. Cordayl shakes his head and decides to survey the room.
Cordayl notices various items purchased during the auction, but he doesn't see the one he really wants to. Then the door is opened again and a man comes rushing in, undoing his tie.
"Apologies for my lateness, Cordayl. All these old heads want to frolic and brag about their purchases after every one of these events. It's so annoying, " the man states, taking off his gloves before accepting his drink.
Taking a swig, the man continues. "My name is Ajaccio. I know you are an impatient man, so I won't waste time. I need you to do a job for me." The man says, taking a seat across from Cordayl.
"And why would I do that? I plan to kill you all, remember?" Cordayl reminds him.
"Yes, you have made that very clear the last few months, even proving your danger here tonight. But regardless, I have a task only you can complete, and I have the only thing you bid for in the auction tonight," Ajaccio states.
Cordayl's eyes narrow as he glares at the man, but the tension is interrupted by a knock on the door. The servants open it and it is one of the workers from the auction, carefully bringing Eursala and the tank she is being held in into the room.
Cordayl locks eyes with Eursala, who's eyes light up seeing him. She rushes to the front of the glass, but is shocked upon touching the glass.
"Right on time. Please, sit her here next to me," Ajaccio orders, tipping the man before he leaves the room. "As I said before, I possess the one thing you bid for tonight. And I am willing to give it to you upon the completion of your task."
"And what's to stop me from killing everyone in this room and walking out with her?" Cordayl ask.
"Well obviously that is an option. I have two of the best fighters in the organization in this room, but on the chance you defeat them and then kill me, your chances of escape will be very slim.
"You have already proved capable of doing the impossible, but while you may escape, I promise she will not. Nor would your sponsor or either of the bimboes he is prancing around with. But none of that is necessary.
"Trust me Cordayl, you are not here by chance of a random invite. All of this has been planned. From you being here, to her being kidnapped. I have calculated this whole thing in order to get what I want, and I need your help to do so," Ajaccio tells him.
"And what is this mission that is so important neither of your 'best fighters' can do it?" Cordayl ask.
"Just a simple prison break. The prison is at the edge of Atlanta, but it should be a piece of cake for you. You have the ability to breath underwater and with your control of gravity, once you make it out, it will be an easy ascent back to the surface. Once I have the prisoner, you will have your friend, and we will go our separate ways," Ajaccio explains.
"Sounds simple enough. But what makes you think I still have the ability to breath underwater? It was a spell. What if the effects have worn off?" Cordayl questions.
"I am familiar with magic, Cordayl. I know the spell can only be undone by the one who casts it. So before I had her killed, I made sure Eursala's friend's spell was still in effect.
"Please understand you were hand-selected for this mission. You have no ties to this organization, you aren't an Atlantean, and the world already hates you. Adding a prison break to your rap sheet will just add to your infamy. Plus, you earn her freedom. What do you have to lose?" Ajaccio asks.
"Nothing, but what do you stand to gain?" Cordayl questions.
"Change. The current council of the white glove are losing perspective of what progress really is. They have grown old and comfortable with their seats and leave it to them, things will stay the way they are for the next 50 years.
"The man I want you to free is the only one ever to push their way of thinking and obtain a following that challenged them. He is a prisoner only because of his foresight and I believe that foresight is the future the glove needs to remain atop the world.
"Plus, as a bonus, I will pardon your sins so you may live life however you see fit," Ajaccio sweetness the deal.
"And I'm supposed to believe in your word?" Cordayl asks.
"What other choice do you have? You are surrounded above and below with people who want you exterminated from history and yet you are also sitting across from the one person with the plan and power to end the war.
"I mean, you clearly have the spirit to fight the war, but how many else will die before we are truly at a point of submission. The people in the council are ready to destroy the continent if it means your death as well. I'm offering you the chance of freedom. For you and her," Ajaccio states.
Cordayl looks at Eursala who's sad but hopeful eyes are locked onto him, but he still isn't sold.
"Look I'm being 100% honest. The girl will be freed and unharmed. I only had her kidnapped as a last effort to force you to do the job, but out of respect, I'm offering you a deal because what sense does her death serve me?" Ajaccio states.
"Fine, I'll do it. But I promise you, if you cross me in any way, your name moves to the top of my list." Cordayl tells him.
"Then we have a deal then?" Ajaccio asks, extending his hand to Cordayl.
Eursala watches as Cordayl shakes the man's hand in return, curious to what he just agreed to.