“How about no?” I snorted in reply.

  His wide grin slowly faded and he glared at me with feverous confusion.

  “Why not?!” he demanded.

  I slapped his fingers with my tail, forcing him to release me. Landing on my feet, I hopped backward and brushed the flecks of ash from my shoulders. The bastard had burnt my clothes and I could smell the smoke trailing between his hands.

  “Because,” I said before glaring in his direction. “I’m tired, I do not have the mental energy to deal with this tonight.”

  “I can help!” Galarion interjected.

  “No, Galarion. Not what I meant. Just keep scanning his thoughts in case he decides to attack me,” I replied.

  “Okay!”

  My words were unwelcome, and more of the flames started to spill outward. Igas was only a couple of feet away with his foot raised. Teddy held him back and I caught his look. I shook my head.

  Not yet. Wait and see, maybe this can end peacefully.

  “Then we can fight tomorrow!” the stranger shouted.

  My eyes narrowed. “You’re the weirdo who keeps staring at our booth, aren’t you.”

  “Yes!”

  My jaw nearly dropped.

  At least he’s straightforward.

  “Why?”

  He cocked his head. “What do you mean?”

  I groaned. “I mean what do you want? Why me?”

  The wide smile returned, showcasing his tusks as he strangled the air excitedly. “Because I’ve been searching for you! Now that I’ve found you, we can finally fight!”

  A twitching started in my right eye that was hard to quell.

  I’m cursed. I have to be.

  “Why are you searching for me?”

  Just as quick, the grin disappeared, replaced by a puppy-like confusion. He cocked his head and stared at me with wide eyes.

  “Why wouldn’t I be?”

  If I didn’t think it’d cause more trouble than it was worth, I would scream.

  Slowly, I thumped the couch with my tail and breathed through calming breaths. “That’s what I’m asking you. I have zero idea who you are, and I’m not expecting anyone. So again, why the fuck are you looking for me?”

  The broad-shouldered stranger straightened, his expression sobering as he stood. The flames along his fingers faded and he crossed his arms over his wide chest. Despite expecting annoyance or some kind of indignant anger at my words, he instead displayed an expression that was… Sincerely apologetic?

  “I see. That explains a lot. Forgive me for my earlier actions, I did not mean to cause such confusion.” He bowed low, dipping below my waist. “Let us restart the conversation with introductions. Again, forgive me for the inconvenience, chosen one.”

  Broken Tower reacted exactly as I felt. The whiplash from the insane weirdo standing before me caused their mouths to fall open. Isaac rubbed his temples while Igas downed his drink in one gulp. Eodyne looked thoroughly done with the situation while Teddy and Celenae barely maintained their polite half-smiles.

  Fuck it. I’m not doing this standing.

  “Igas. Give me something strong. Make it burn,” I groaned as I flopped onto the couch.

  He nodded numbly while shaking his head. He turned back to the bar and started preparing a drink while the rest pretended to be busy.

  “Galarion?”

  “Sincere regret! Anger at someone else! And… Embarrassment!” he bubbled.

  “I’m guessing you already know my name then?” I said.

  He stood up and moved to the opposite couch. He filled the seat and then some.

  “Not at all.”

  I swear to all tha-

  “But I know of you,” he continued. “But before I say more, how well do you trust the people in this room?”

  “With my life,” I said instantly.

  He nodded. “Good. Then is it safe to assume they know of your secret?”

  “Yes…”

  “Then let me be frank.” His voice turned serious and his eyes blazed with amber light. It reminded me too much of a pair of beastkin eyes, but thankfully my mask kept my discomfort hidden. “I may not know who you are. But I know what you are.”

  “And that is?”

  He leaned forward, the grin emerging for a third time. “Fate-touched. Chosen. A scion… A… Reborn!”

  The near manic excitement colored his mana, the heat rushing outward like a sharp punch that engulfed the room. I tensed, readying for an attack but none came. He sat eerily still, unmoving. His eyes were bonfires, glowing with just as much intensity.

  A heartbeat passed.

  Who the fuck was this guy? Why did he know what I was? And frankly, how do I get rid of him?

  A scratching prick started at the back of my head. In an instant, Galarion flexed and siphoned the headache away. It was barely a drop of discomfort that I experienced throughout the day, but it was enough.

  “Zog, right? Or was that an alias?” I asked.

  “A shortening. My full name is Zogrul Vez Morktuk”

  Celenae’s eyes widened, but she was busy leafing through a book she conjured.

  “Do you prefer Zogrul or Zog?”

  “Either is fine,” he grinned.

  “Zog then. Listen Zog. I don’t know how you know what I am, but frankly I don’t give a shit right now. You want a fight? You’re in the tournament, we can have our fight there.”

  He frowned. “But in the arena you are holding back. I don’t want a training session for grunts, I want a fight. A real fight with everything you have.”

  I stood up and signaled to Walter. “Then find me after the tournament. Just not today.”

  Walter appeared next to the couch. He remained expressionless while bowing. “If you’d follow me sir.”

  Zog stood up, fire beginning to cascade down his arms. I ignored him and headed toward the bar where Igas waited with a tall drink.

  “Don’t you want to fight too? I know you do, you can’t deny it! You’re mana reeks of bloodlust during the matches, surely you want to fight without crippling yourself?”

  I sighed and turned around. “How?”

  “How?”

  “How do you know what I am? I could be a nobody and you’re completely wrong about everything.”

  Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

  “Not a chance,” he snapped.

  “Then how?”

  Instead of words, he gestured with his hand and a rainbow dot appeared at the edges of my vision. I willed it open, and allowed the prompt through.

  Seeker of Calamity:

  

• A desire befit for fools and the insane. Revel in the chaos and endure. Hone thy senses and bare your fangs, for the hunt has just begun.
• For those who chase the storm shall find themselves under catastrophe’s ire.
• Grants Access to [Chaotic Echo].
• [Chaotic Echo]: A divination sense that pulls at your soul. Latches onto the greatest source of -Chaos-.
• [CONSIDER THYSELF WARNED]

  I willed the prompt to minimize after sending the image to Galarion. He tapped my ear and I collected myself. Through steady breaths, I read through the text a second time, tasting the ash on my tongue.

  Weird warnings aside, he shared that perk without hesitation. But this still doesn’t explain how he knows what I am.

  Another prompt appeared and I let it through. As my eyes scanned the text, my stomach dropped.

  Scion of Mulshagaragura

  

• You've become the favored heir of the god Mulshagaragura. With his power flowing through your veins, you share some of his powers.
• Your body is strengthened.
• Your senses are honed.
• Your spirit

  It varied heavily from my own, but the first word was unmistakable.

  Galarion understood my desire and casted the tether over to the bar.

  “Teddy. He’s a scion. Back down, I’ll han-”

  “No.” He tapped the counter twice and laid his hands flat, mana flaring beneath his palms. “Remember our conversation, Cyrus. Don’t insult us.”

  I wanted to smile and shake him violently.

  “Fine. Don’t say I didn’t warn yah.”

  “Is that enough of an answer?” Zog smirked.

  “Unfortunately,” I grumbled.

  “Good!” He stood up and clapped his hands and rubbed his palms. “Then you’ll fight?”

  Another headache came and Galarion sucked it away. It didn’t stop my heart from thumping, nor the anger from creeping its way into my veins.

  “No! No. I’m not fucking fight you. Take your god, shove it up your meaty ass and let me sleep. You want to fight, win your matches and fight me in the arena! You heard the arena master, I’m still allowed. Now leave me alone!”

  “Sir. It is time for you to take your leave. Allow me to escort you out,” Walter interrupted.

  Zog ignored the butler and stepped toward me. “Fight me. If you win, I’ll leave you alone. Turn tusk and leave this city, this kingdom, even the continent if you desire!”

  Get off my ass!

  The gremlin rattled its cage. I could hear its cackle with every thump, straining my control. My familiar shifted around, blanketing me with his mana but it still wasn’t enough.

  Mana twisted and weaved, thrumming in my soul. But as I raised my hand, I paused.

  Fuck. That’s exactly what he wants… Fuck you.

  I turned away but Zog reached for me.

  Mana exploded and blanketed the room.

  Zog froze midstep.

  Two knives poked at his throat while a greatsword hung over his neck, ready to free his head from his shoulders. Barriers encased his limbs, trapping them between solid planes of crystal while an arrow screamed at the air aimed at his head.

  Teddy summoned his shield and mace, stepping forward while Walter lowered his raised fists. Walter politely stepped back and let Teddy through.

  Zog’s gaze flickered around the room. The bastard chuckled, earning a drop of blood to spill down Isaac’s dagger. His fingers flexed but my senses detected no signs of mana.

  “Move and I’ll stab you. Godly bastard or not,” Isaac growled.

  Zog grunted and opened his mouth before he froze. It was brief, barely more than a flicker but I detected a blip of divine pressure appear above his head.

  “Teddy. I sensed divine energy. Be careful.” I said.

  “Understood. My parents should be on their way.”

  I gritted my teeth and waited for Zog. He briefly closed his eyes and nodded, allowing more blood to spill, forcing Isaac to readjust.

  “Fucking lunatics,” he cursed.

  Zog’s fingers closed into a fist, and he slowly lowered his arm. As he reached his side, Eodyne arrow raised in pitch as the arrow elongated into a bolt longer than her arm.

  “Summon your mana and you’ll die,” she warned.

  “I understand,” Zog said, sounding serious. He closed his eyes and sucked air between his teeth. “It seems I made a mistake in coming here today. I apologize for my actions. My senses… Got the best of me.”

  “Then leave, before you lose your head,” I spat.

  His eyes continued to burn, but the raging inferno from before was now a dull-red ember. Yet the intensity hadn’t left. I could see it even without Galarion updating me on his thoughts. He wasn’t going to give up.

  “I want you to fight me,” he said.

  “Oh for the love of-” Isaac began.

  Zog cleared his throat. “I want to fight you. But I understand the errors in my ways. And further antagonizing you is not my intention. So I will wait in the arena, but first let me offer you compensation for my actions as an apology.”

  “Not interested,” I replied.

  “I understand but this is information I’ve been told is important to you and your friends.”

  Another stab, another headache pulled away. Galarion sighed in content but the elation over mind-food lacked its usual explosiveness. He trilled in a staccato of chimes while sending his concern through the link. But as much as I wanted to walk away, I knew I couldn’t.

  “What?” I sighed, too tired to muster heat into my voice.

  Zog nodded.. “I have information concerning a felkin. One named Lezka.”

  Damnit.