While Herring and Haeji walked out to go buy a sweet effervescent drink. Ryo had gotten out of the corridor as he searched for the necromancer.  

What could he possibly want other than elves? Ryo thought as he hurriedly rushed to find the necromancer as he returned to the infirmary.

Hexice marched back and forth, five paces and a turn on his toes. His legs kicked into the air with each stride. He inhaled a hiss. “How unnerving. If only Pathalias and Rekēr had broken Breloq’s contract to those Rune Mages’s bloodline, I wouldn’t be in such a state.” His legs stopped for a moment as his hand touched the blood tattoo. With a sigh, he continued his rant.

“Hate to eavesdrop,” Pathalias’s voice rumbled into Hexice’s mind, “But I can’t help, but to intervene in the negative talk about me.”

Hexice stopped once more. “I said it, so that it could be heard. I want that pact to be broken now.”

“I believe ‘now’ is not a good time for Ryan,” Pathalias commented. “And for the final time, I need Rekēr to do so.”

“I couldn’t care less for that human, or any human for that matter,” Hexice grunted. His spade eye darkened as if it were absorbing the surrounding light. The memory of Ryan’s fate popped into his mind. “If only he wasn’t tied to Breloq-” His eye caught sight of Ryo.

“Hexice,” Pathalias called, “What did you see?”

“A secondary cause to this mess.” 

Hexice tailed Ryo, ignoring Pathalias’s further talk.

Meanwhile, a mysterious man walked the hall of the infirmary. He stopped at its door. Slightly tilting his head to read the sign, he placed his hand on the handle. He halted as a couple of people walked by. But once they passed, he entered the room.

“This…” He uttered, raising his arms. “Similar to an elf’s.” His heart quickened as he approached Ryan who was unconscious, recovering from his battle. “He must be a half-elf.” His hand hovered above Ryan’s face. “What a rare find.”

A blade stood next to the man’s neck as its holder spoke, “Leave the human alone.”

“A human,” the man repeated, disregarding the other person. “Impossible. Yet, that makes it more rare if not unique, don’t you agree Ryo?” He reached farther to touch Ryan.

“Nulekai!” Ryo roared, striking his sword.

Nulekai evaded the attack, missing his chance with the human. Ryo chased Nulekai away from Ryan, standing between the human and the necromancer. 

"That child must have more power than one elf if you are protecting it," Nulekai speculated. 

Ryo pointed his sword at Nulekai. "He is an innocent bystander, a being from another world. He has nothing to do with us. This feud is between us only." 

"Another world?" Nulekai sounded delighted. "That world must also be teeming with powers like him then." 

Ryo lunged. Nulekai dove forward. The blade scratched his cheek. Nulekai's hand pushed forward, aiming for Ryo's face. Ryo stepped away, arching his back to avoid the contact. 

"I don't think so," Hexice announced as his arm replaced Ryo's face. Nulekai gripped onto the porcelain limb. His head jolted towards the deity. "Nice to meet you too." 

Nulekai's free hand swiped at Ryo. Hexice kicked it. 

"What are you?" The necromancer growled. He tightened his grip. "You're not a human." 

"Neither an elf." 

Hexice spun, breaking their hold. His skirt slapped Nulekai's upper half. 

At that moment, Ryan woke. Hexice diverted his attention. Nulekai took that instance to flee. Ryo started to chase, but Hexice stopped him. The elf glared at the deity. The deity kept his silent glance at the human. The elf conceded as he turned to check the human.

“What’s going on?” Ryan asked.

“You missed the party,” Hexice replied.

“And escaped death,” Ryo added.

Ryan’s eyes shifted between Ryo and Hexice. Hexice shrugged, and nodded with confirmation. After, they explained the situation to Ryan.

Haeji had ordered a strawberry chocolate boba, while Herring had bought coconut boba as he sipped through a straw. His first impression of the bubbly tea seemed childish, but he had to admit that the beverage tasted sweet, "Not bad." 

Haeji felt her bladder getting full from drinking a lot of drinks. "Herring, do you mind holding this for me." Haeji entrusts her strawberry boba to him, "You better not take a sip from mine or I'll punch you." She warned him after she pointed her index finger and her middle at her heterochromatic eyes respectively then pointed at him with an I'm-watching-you hand gesture before she ran to find the bathroom. Ratu was broke, he already spent the money that he previously stole to get a meaty quesadilla. He needed a drink. 

Water.

Ratu repeated in his head like a mantra as his throat felt dry.

He then saw a glass bottle of alcohol and went up to steal, but the owner of the beverage already picked it up for another swig. Ratu's eyes darted around for something else to snatch.

After Haeji opened the stall, the toilet flushed. She washed her hands while she considered fighting in the match.

"Hey madam? I will fight in your redemption round. Who will I be fighting against?" Haeji queried as she looked at her.

"Your opponent will be assigned once you enter the platform." The Hostess said with a smile of a nice grandma.

"Oh...kay." Haeji slurred as she gave a confused glance.

She checked on the bandage on her stomach and replaced it with a new one Nour gave her. A bandage with cat faces on it.

Ratu had been looking around for cups and bottles inside the trash cans but they were all empty.

"Jeez what would Wen think???" Haeji screamed inwardly as she ruffled her hair.

Chill Haeji, you can do this. You can WIN this. Win this for Joon. Haeji thought to herself as she straightened her hair, and looked at herself in the mirror, determined. She straightened her jacket and walked out of the bathroom.

Where is Ruben? Where'd he go? He hadn't seen the rotund redhead after he went to get his refund. No, he's finding the prize money. He wouldn't leave me here. Ratu distracted himself from the thirst. He'll come watch me fight this time.

Haeji came out of the restroom while Herring waited for her, holding her strawberry boba. He had already finished drinking his coconut boba and headed to look for the trashcan.

Ratu kept searching when Herring threw an empty medium sized plastic cup into the trash cup as it landed on Ratu's head then fell into the rest of the trash.

The little thief got out of the trash and spotted Herring walking up to Haeji. She saw the boba he had in his hand as he returned the sweet beverage to her.

"Thanks." Haeji said before she took a sip of her boba. Ratu ran up to them.

"Mmmmmmm." Haeji hummed as she slurped on the sweet drink. She closed her eyes as she savoured the taste before Ratu took the boba from her while she had the straw in her mouth as she sucked on their through it while Ratu took off the plastic lid and drank it down to the last drop.

"MY BOBA!" Haeji whined.

"Don't worry, I'll buy you another one." Herring offered. 

"Forget it! The match is going to start anyway." Haeji groaned before she headed back to watch the next match.

"In the next round we have two contenders, both of them came from the streets and had to take what they could get. Pickpocketing shouldn't be an option nor a profession, they are both gathered here to make a change. Only one of them will have that chance." The host said in a more serious tone. "Stay tuned to watch the match between Hwa Hae Ji and Ratu." The host announced before Erica cut the scene to commercial. 

The Cinnabarian sneaked into the back entrance of the stadium as he searched for Ratu, he walked down the halls before he heard footsteps. As he was about to move forward, something compelled him to follow the shrouded man with a staff. The light tap of the footsteps got farther away. He deviated his search to catch up to the sound of the wooden staff as he tiptoed cautiously as he followed the shrouded man into the darkness. Ruben saw a light come out of the door as Warlin opened it, the elderly wizard entered the dressing room to see his destitute imperial majesty sitting on a recliner swathed in rags, dressed as a homeless bum. Dark chestnut eyes took a look at Warlin's aged frame and grey beard. 

"I apologize for the inconvenience." Warlin's course wrinkled hand passed a cup of tea to the Emperor's scarred, partially gloved ones.

The Emperor's parched lips took a sip of tea made out of ginseng and ginger, then lowered the cup to his lap. "This is nothing compared to the deprived state I had to live in." He took another swig of tea while Ruben II was outside the dressing room, eavesdropping on their conversation.

"I have searched for any trace of Gilgamien, sire, but alas, there was no sign of him. Not even the rogue necromancers could scratch the surface of where his remains are buried." 

"Fret not, Warlin, even without Gilgamien, we can still take control of the Gladatorium. I only need one champion to step forward to commence my revenge. The host will rue the day she crossed me. Once I take over, Nat will scurry away like the rat she is, and the penguin will perish for destroying my pet." The Emperor stated, while Ruben took a step back from the dressing room.

No way I'm letting Ratu fight. Forget the prize money! I'm getting the lil pipsqueak outta here. Ruben's mind raced as he made a run for it.

"A young summoner casted a potent rune spell to break Mirror from my trance--" 

Ruben ran out of the halls and looked for the arena and past the flyer that informed where the Redemption Round was being held. 

The Gauntlet 8:00PM
at the Underground floor.

"--Fortunately I managed to bring you here in time before the glassy gladiator could find help--"

The arena was vacant, the spectator seats were empty, and only the stars of the night sky lightened the light sky like glimmering freckles. Only Ruben's freckles paled at the sight of Mirror.

"--If I hadn't shapeshifted into one of the security guards in time, he would've ratted us out--"

Mirror's silvery form shapeshifted to look just like him. The only difference was that Ruben's brown eyes showed fear and bewilderment while his mirrored image showed arrogance and malice.

"--now Mirror is back under my control." Warlin rambled.

"It's impressive that you managed to keep someone like Mirror under your control. He took down twelve demons in seconds--" 

The dopplegänger's eyes glinted with a warped perception as he closed in on Ruben while the Cinnabarian took his stance.

"--and your reflexes are not as sharp as it used to be. How did you subdue him?" The Emperor enquired.

"Simple," Warlin started. Ruben swung his fist to punch while his adversary not only mimicked the attack accurately, but he also hit harder as Ruben's knuckles bled from the impact. "One of his offspring helped me." 

Ruben hissed from the pain before the dooplegänger rushed in to give him a headbutt that struck the bridge of his nose and knocked him out. Ruben fell to the ground unconscious as the Mirror hybrid reverted back into his original form and squatted down to take a good look at him.

"Enjoy the Glasgow kiss, laddie." Glasgow responded in his Scottish accent as gave a devious smirk at Ruben.

At the Gauntlet, Erica adjusted the camera while Natalie stood in view. She signalled the host before they returned live.

"Welcome back to the Redemption Round, to  my right we have a contender that came all the way from Daoitu to take her chance to win the prize for her brother." The host stretched her right arm as the spotlight hit Haeji, as her left blue eye and right purple eye glinted with fury as she glared at her opponent. "She gave her all against her match with June Lily, now she stands to fight for keeps."

You'll pay for robbing me, you miserable rat. It was one thing for you take my won at a wager—

"No! My boba!" Hwa Hae Ji whined before Ratu took the money that she betted on.

"Sweet." The red haired boy counted the money, won by won. Like taking candy from a babe. Ratu smirked.

—to steal my money while I was working out at the gym— 

Haeji walked towards the training gym that the Colosseum provided. She placed her won in her pocket. She opened the door to the gym. "Better get started training." She took off her jacket, placed it on the clothing rack and began to do push-ups. "1…..2…..3….4….5….6...7…" She counted, panting lacing each number. She got up and walked over to the wooden mannequin. She got into her fighting stance. She started to imagine someone throwing a punch directly at her face. She side-stepped and blocked where the fist would be, and used her right fist to punch the mannequin's head at the same time. The mannequin bent backwards but came back up at full speed. Haeji ducked, but then swung her arm in a cutting motion towards the mannequin's waist. The mannequin broke at the waist shortly after. "Not bad. For a girl!" His eyes then darted towards her jacket. "She put her money in there. I'm pretty sure she wouldn't mind someone as cute as me taking it." Ratu thought. He snuck into the room trying to take it as quickly as possible. "MEOW!" Mochi, who was sleeping on top of the table suddenly said. He quickly went back to sleep. He took the money and dashed out of there.

—and to steal my brother's locket at the infirmary.  

Ratu had stolen Joon's locket while he was recovering, he was about to leave the infirmary when Haeji got back and caught him red handed with the locket. She couldn't snatch the locket back because of the EMCuff as it sent her an electric shock to keep her from stealing. He took advantage of her circumstance and ran out snickering.

"But to steal my boba! Now that's unforgiveable!" Haeji glared at Ratu while he took the boba from her while she had the straw in her mouth as she sucked on their through it while Ratu took off the plastic lid and drank it down to the last drop.

Haeji raised her scythe as the blade glinted as the metallic surface reflected on its target.

"To my left, we have a young contender, a 10-year-old boy that came all the way from Mena to have another chance to fight once more." The spotlight hit Ratu as his eyes squinted as he looked up, shielding his eyes from the harsh lighting, "After the quick knockout from the Yamitzu master, Ratu returned to fight at the Redemption Round for a chance to win."

Ratu looked around the spectator seat, trying to spot Ruben amidst the crowd, but there was no sight of him.

"Let the match begin!" The host announced, as the clang of the gong was heard. Ratu swung his cudgel in his right hand and started to run towards Haeji. She swung her scythe and cut the cudgel in half.

Haeji ran towards Ratu, glaring daggers. Ratu looked back at Haeji, “This lady's gonna kill me!” Ratu thought as he ran to avoid her scythe. 

"Woahhh." The crowd shouted when Ratu bolted from the scythe when she nearly cut off his head, though she managed to cut his rat tail clean off.

"HOW COULD THEY LET A 14 YEAR OLD GIRL BEAT UP A SMALL CHILD????" One man spoke. "THAT'S CHILD ABUSE!!!" Another one said. Haeji huffed, "I'll show you child abuse." Ratu grabbed the scythe while Haeji was distracted. 

"Haha! I took your scythe." Ratu bragged as he blew a raspberry. She took out her katanas and ran over to Ratu. The two glanced at each other for a second and then started the attack. 

"Get ready lady!" Ratu yelled while appearing in front of her.

Ratu kicked her in the shin and swiped something from her. The money bag. "Haha!" Ratu scoffed before Haeji cut her own money bag with a slash of her katana.

Haeji swung her katana and repeatedly parried and swung her sword while Ratu dodged the attacks as fast as he could.

"Stand still!" Haeji yelled while Ratu dodged upon instinct before he found an opening and stole something.

"Give that back!" Haeji chased Ratu around the platform as it shifted to reveal automated axes to swing while Ratu dashed past it, hopped on to swing on the rope to the other side of the ramp while Haeji did the same to catch up to him.

As he looked at the photograph, he saw Haeji in the photo along with two men. "I wonder how much I could sell it?" Ratu muttered before Haeji stole the photograph back.

Ratu tried to steal it for another minute until she kicked him out of the platform, becoming the winner of the match.

"We now have a winner ladies and gentlemen!" The host announced before Herring whistled.

Ratu stood up from the ground and hobbled for a bit, "Ruben, I fought her as long as I could. Where are you?" He looked around the audience but he wasn't able to find him. Where is he anyway?

Ruben's unconscious body was dragged to the dressing room by two silvery skinned teenagers before each of them dropped one of Ruben's legs to the ground as the Emperor had finished drinking his tea.

"Exquisite." Emperor spoke as he was one step closer from reaching his goal.