The lounge of the Argemenes VIP section was classier than Thales expected. Thales sat on one of the couchs, still bandaged from his fight with Ceryon. He hadn't even had the chance to breathe since the duel ended and his brother but now he sat in a room too refined for a man who had just decapitated his own brother.
A small hand tugged on his sleeve. He looked down.
September's wide pink eyes gleamed with excitement as she leaned toward him, nearly bouncing on the couch.
"Thales, you're really cool! You killed him so well! You made him suffer too! How did you do that? Did it hurt when you cut his leg? How come his head flew that high? Were you mad? Are you stronger now? Are you stronger than Phaser? Are you—"
"Whoa, whoa. Uh—uhm—wait, hold on—"
But she was already talking again, clapping her hands together.
"I saw it! Everyone was screaming but I was clapping! You were so awesome! You went 'swoosh!' and 'shhhkk!' and then—pfft—his head went flying! It was so dramatic!"
Thales turned to Phaser, completely bewildered.
"Is your sister supposed to talk about decapitation and suffering that casually?"
Phaser was lounging against the armrest with one leg crossed, sipping tea like he didn't have a care in the world.
"She's been like that since she learned what a guillotine was when she was three. It's best not to ask questions."
"Unbelievable."
"I know. We tried to get her into painting. She painted executions instead."
September puffed her cheeks. "It's art!"
"She's—uh—energetic, I'll give her that."
A calm voice chimed in from the far corner.
"Energetic is one word for it."
Thales turned and nearly jumped to his feet. Xaessia was standing behind him, her crimson hair tied up. But next to her stood Richer, Phaser's father. He stood with an easy grace, hands in his pockets and a faint smirk tugging at his lips that looked exactly like Phaser's.
Thales immediately straightened and bowed his head.
"Lord Argemenes. It's an honor to meet you in person, sir."
Richer waved a hand lazily. "No need for that 'Lord' nonsense. You're Thales Erdict, right? I've heard a bit about you. I'm glad you're friends with my son. It's good to see him surrounding himself with people who can actually fight back."
Thales blinked, unsure how to respond to that, then chuckled nervously.
"He's helped me a lot, actually. Especially during the Trials. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have gotten the Azure Sword."
Richer raised an eyebrow and turned toward Phaser. "Is that true?"
"Yeah. I mean, I helped. He did most of the work. He almost died in the desert though."
Richer laughed quietly too. "My children really have gotten stronger. I suppose you both have Primal Synsiline Treasures now?"
Phaser nodded. "We do."
Thales sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. He didn't expect to see the father of the Argemenes here. And why was he so young? He looked like he was in twenties!
"As much as I appreciate the hospitality, I can't participate in the dark circuits anymore."
Phaser frowned. "What?"
"Since I killed Ceryon, the Roman Empire's council eliminated me from all future duels. They said if they let me continue, it would involve the House of Erdict's internal affairs. Basically, they don't want the mess."
"So what now?"
Thales let out a low breath, looking at Xaessia.
"Now? Nothing. I have no home. Not that I was ever welcome in that estate anyway…"
For a long moment, the room was quiet except for the soft hum of the lights. Then Xaessia tilted her head.
"Then live with us."
"What?"
"The Argemenes have more rooms than we know what to do with. Live with us."
He hesitated. "If the House of Erdict hears about that—"
Richer interrupted with a smirk, walking over to pour himself a cup of tea.
"And what are they going to do, exactly? Call you back? Demand you return to the people who laughed while you were suffering in the arena?"
Thales froze.
"You need a place to breathe, boy. You just revealed the Azure Sword to the world and you've made every major House eye you like a trophy. You'd be a fool to wander out there alone."
He handed him a cup of tea.
"Stay with us. You're under the support of the House of Argemenes. That means you're family, at least until you decide otherwise."
Thales took the cup slowly, looking down into the pale reflection of his face in the tea.
"Thank you. Really. I don't know how to repay you."
"It's nothing. You're friends with my children. That's reason enough. Besides, I like watching ambitious kids break the world order a little."
Thales laughed quietly. "You sound a lot like Phaser."
"That's because I taught him everything he knows."
September, still sitting next to Thales, tilted her head. "Hey, Thales?"
"Yeah?"
"Are you strong enough to beat my brother now?"
Thales smiled weakly. He couldn't lie to a cute child like her.
"No, not yet. I'm still too weak."
September crossed her arms seriously. "Then he's stronger!"
Xaessia leaned forward. "Correction. I'm stronger."
September gasped with a scandalized look. "Liar! You're just my sister!"
Xaessia's eyes narrowed playfully.
"Want to test that theory, little brat?"
"Maybe I will!"
The two sisters glared at each other like cats preparing to pounce. Thales was caught between them, unsure whether to laugh or move away before furniture started flying. Phaser, who had been quietly scrolling through a tablet, sighed deeply.
"Alright, stop it, both of you. For the record, we are actually equally strong."
"You sure about that?"
"Yeah. Pretty sure. I've run the numbers."
"You've… run the numbers?"
It was true. In Masquerade of Dreams: Shattered, Xaessiarerich was released as a playable character during the Third Dominia Quest. Her gameplay was insane with beautiful animations, overpowered AoEs and six-star character designs. Ninety-eight percent of players rolled her. She was his main Fluxer.
"Yes. If we fought right now, it would be a tie."
Thales chuckled. "You sound pretty sure."
"I am. I know exactly how strong she is. And I know how strong I am. That's why there's no point in fighting."
Xaessia smiled faintly. "That's the most mature thing you've said all week."
Phaser sighed. "Don't make me regret it."
September giggled, kicking her feet against the couch.
"You guys are funny! Can we spar now? I wanna see Thales use the swoosh sword again!"
Thales groaned, leaning back. "Please don't call it that."
"Too late. That's what she's calling it now."
Phaser grinned, sipping his tea.
"Welcome to the family, Thales. You'll get used to the chaos soon enough. Though I wonder why they're always talking about death and suffering like it's normal for them..."