CHAPTER 02
UNFORESEEN CHANCE
Despite their appearances, the six personages who had their fists pointed at the heavens, appeared stronger than they were known to be. The old crow and the little girl from before were the first ones to raise their fists. One after another, dozens of people imitated those two.
The little girl's glances laid on those members of the crowd who were yet to raise their fists, and she even stood on toes, hoping she would be seen by more. Couple seconds passed, but the number of fists raised in the air stayed pretty much the same. Her brows knitted and her lower lip extended up and out.
Allda, Syam, and Fidelis were in their seats, and were more interested in discerning the actions of the masses that filled the Central Hall, for all intents and purposes.
One man among the crowd gathered the strength in his legs and stepped ahead. "A real Martial may grow through all the grounding, but we are not Martials. We are all freaking Hollows! To be precise, we belong at the bottom even among the Hollows, who themselves have no face value. Forget about becoming a Martial Child, the children who go to this test won't even live to tell the tale." Hearing his words, some parts of the crowd were agitated. The one who just opinionated was a member of the Court Stage[1], and a High Judge nonetheless.
"Like it or not, our decision is final," The voices of the three clan heads sounded as resolute as before, and pierced through the shallying winds which floated about in the hall. It made the murmuring mouths stop in a brake. And silence filled the hall. The crows that crashed into the walls before, now soared away at full pace, blustering in an obscure tongue.
"So this is the year..." Burton clenched his fists in a reticent fashion, while the source of amazement was still visible on his visage. It has finally come.
There were three-thousand and one-hundred registered sects in total in the Loosh Continent.
"Did I hear it correctly?" Allda couldn't help but put forward a query. "You got the tickets of the Shambala Sect, Clan Head Picazo?"
"Yes, merchant Allda." Picazo gave a teasing glance, "Would you still want to consider leaving the clan?"
"W-What are you saying?" Allda beat his burly chest with his pygmy palm. "How can Pudota family walk out of Faceless clan? That doesn't happen as long as the sun keeps rising in our East."
"And you, Mr. Syam?" Picazo glanced at that guy, giving him crawls of discontent.
"Aha-ha-ha, I was just joking," Syam laughed it off as he waved his picturesque hand fan.
The nearby crowd looked at his shameless face, and could only sigh.
"Clan Head Kwame, is this real?" Sariyu couldn't help herself into not asking her bit.
Kwame glanced at Picazo who threw the cards at those three. When the envelopes fell into their hands, they quickly opened those, only to get their eyes enlarged. The symbol of a curling red dragon that spat fire, appeared standing up and out from the card, but if one observed with keen eyes, the word Shambala could be seen subtly hidden in the fire, and those words seemed to be moving to some degree.
"Is this fire..?" Lirzod placed his finger on the fire when his skin got burnt at the contact, and he immediately let go of the card. "Heavens, what just..." Though the burn didn't even leave a mark on his skin, it wasn't a threatening one, but it was still enough to give him an incredulity.
"That card is no ordinary card, you deserve what you got," Sinario sniggered, but after a nudge from Picazo, he controlled himself. "Ahem, be more careful with it, fool!"
"Che," Lirzod looked at Sinario. Yeah, continue to keep waiting for the right time to mock me. I allowed it to happen until today, but it will change from today. "Why doesn't Clan Head Sinario show me how it's done?"
"Hmph, you are asking for more than you deserve," Sinario sat back in his seat.
Lirzod closed his nose. He pulls out the word 'deserve,' every time, right out of his ass.
"What's wrong?" Sinario narrowed his eyes.
"Nothing, I think someone just farted," He glanced at Burton.
"Why the heck are you eyeballing at me?" Burton was quick in waving his hand and then looking away.
"Who else but a nut-savvy like you will fart?" Sariyu voiced her opinion.
"Hmph, if I farted, I would openly admit. Not like you."
"You mean I'm the one who farted?"
"Who knows? Women eat the same food as men, but they fart in silent unlike men… which some people may think to be a good thing, but silent farts are the stinkiest and deadliest farts!"
"I don't know about women, but I don't fart!"
"Oh, yeah. You aren't a human. I forgot. My bad. But, if I'm correct… cows fart more than humans, right?"
Sariyu ground her teeth, and redness surfaced in her eyes. "Did you just call me a cow?" Her hand formed into a feverish fist, and loomed into Lizard's face.
"Enough!" Kwame's voice echoed all around the hall, and made her stop. "If you two want to quarrel, do it afterwards. Not now."
"S-Sorry, Clan Head Kwame," Sariyu joined her fists and bowed to the clan heads.
At that time, Lirzod glanced at Burton, his face tilted down, and a cheeky smile forged on his face, "Your father's the laziest ass of the clan."
"Still better than your father's!" Burton snorted.
"Stop it, you two," Sariyu intervened, as she picked up Lirzod's card off the floor. "The fire painting on this card is obviously not ordinary... Handle it with more respect." She handed it to Lirzod, and gave a secret glare and said in a low voice, "I'll get back at you afterwards, Bare Butt brat."
"You are not eligible to say that," Lirzod glanced at her chest. "Why did you hide it there? Didn't it burn your boob?"
"Shut that vulgar mouth of yours," Sariyu stuffed her handkerchief in his mouth.
Lirzod almost puked as he pulled that out. "Uwah... This thing is filled with your sweat and snot. How dare you stuff it in my mouth!" He tried to put it in her mouth, but she stepped back twice and made distance from him. "Your mouth is ten times vulgar than mine. It needs to be shut down the most!"
Kwame shook his head and put his palm over his face. "They don't have a slightest respect for this Center Hall."
"You can't expect more from the youth of yours," Sinario teasingly snorted at the other two clan heads.
Seeing those three young ones still quarreling in such a way, the busy crowd felt even more displeased.
Allda lit another cigar. "It's unbelievable that we managed to get the cards of Shambala Sect, but even so, there's a zero-percent chance for us to make an impact given how these three are cooperating."
"Right you are..." Syam folded his fan. "Needless to say, your words are on the money this time. Without a doubt, Shambala Sect exams will be unlike any other sect exams. Failure will likely mean death."
"D-Death?" The entire crowd was stunned, and so was Burton to an extent. For ten straight years, he had participated in ten entrance examinations of ten different sects that ranked over three thousand in the continent. All those sects were ranked in the last hundred, and he made it out safely from those Sect Tests. But the thought never crossed his mind that the top sects would have such cruel methods to take in students.
As far as Burton was concerned, he was willing to join even the last ranked sect of the continent, as that would elevate his clan status at least by a hundred times. Such was the effect of having a single Martial Child in one clan. However, everything changed when the clan heads announced the name of the sect. It was a lifetime chance, that he had been waiting for, and most likely been preparing for. He stared at his father, who shot back an indifferent glance.
Like sects... Clans, tribes, clades, groups and other such organizations were also ranked together in the continent as assemblies, and the Faceless clan wasn't even given a rank. There were a total of exactly ten thousand ranks for Assemblies[2], and the rest were not ranked. Almost one-hundred and eighty-nine thousand clans existed on the Loosh Continent, and it could be said that only the ranked clans truly thrived.
Despite their glaring weaknesses, the unranked clans, tribes, and groups were so headstrong, that they formed a Beta-ranking system among themselves. All the unranked Assemblies competed depending on their social, political and economic status. Among the beta rankings, Faceless clan's rank was one-hundred and sixty-seven thousand, and a bit more.
If one were to spread the news that such a clan got an entrance ticket to the Sects Test of the Shambala Sect, nobody in their right mind would believe. Only because the legit entry cards were shown, the Faceless clan members could chew the fat off the hefty words of their clan heads.
"Does the three of you dare to take such a test?" Allda chortled. "As a martial hollow, I can't even imagine how the tests will be. This seems like a curse in disguise to me. I can only hope I'm not on the money this time around."
Burton seemed hesitant. Do you even have to ask? I wouldn't be shocked even if the entries of the Sect Test themselves are Martial Childs. It's the most powerful sect of the continent, we are talking about... I am but an ant among all the other ants of this backwater clan. This is just too much. A moment later, his lips curled up a little. That's what you lot would think I would say. But...
Sariyu clutched her dress as she stared at the ground. What should I do? I don't want to die so young... Her polished nails began to discolor at a slow and an unnoticeable pace.
As far as one could tell, Lirzod clenched his fists, trying to control the slight shaking movements of his hands, which made some think in one way, but the clan heads thought of it in a varied way.
"If you three are willing to dare it, we won't object," Picazo's gaze pierced into the hearts of those three and the crowd alike. His attire was one thing, but his subduing voice and his eagle-eyed gaze, outstared and outvoiced everybody else, and none could make direct eye contact with him for a prolonged period.
"Just look at them," Syam lifted his shoulders in a sigh and shook his head. "Their faces are drowning in sweat. But I guess, they can't be blamed. Anyone Hollow would shit in their pants if asked to take part in such a test. These three have already done well by managing to stand still."
"Yeah, not bad I guess," Allda forced out a smile, as he nodded. Screw this. I thought they'll back away. But it's not working. I tried my best for you, Tarqa.
On the face of it, the two beside him wavered, but Lirzod began to laugh out loud, puzzling everyone. He placed his hands on his waist and proudly lifted his chin up a bit. "As the sole surviving heir of the Basha family and the likely future head of our Faceless clan, I couldn't ask for anything less!" He raised his hand that forged into a fist. "So what if it's Shambala Sect? Don't the people there breathe, eat, sleep and shit like us?"
Everyone was stunned by all means upon hearing such words coming out of someone they least expected to.
"Are you out of your mind?" Syam swiftly opened his hand fan and took a flung at Lirzod, "This isn't the time to show off, stupid lad! Shove your fake spirit down where you pulled it out from!"
Lirzod bent back, and avoided from getting scarred by the fan in his face. But his hand stretched out and grabbed the tip of the flying-away fan. "I'm not faking it, pointy-chin uncle Syam," Lirzod resolutely said, as he blew the air onto himself, taking care of the sweat gathered on his visage. "I promise you, if I pass the test, and become powerful, I will repair that chin of yours."
"You cheeky little brat..." Syam stood from his seat. "You are going way overboard. You think passing a Sect Test is as easy as catching a fan?"
"I never said that. All this while, I was just speaking my mind, that's all," Lirzod said and then shouted, as he addressed everyone in the hall. "I am taking this test whether you lot want it or not." His words made everyone think for a moment. But he secretly began to smile within himself. He-he, fools. Who gives a damn about Shambala Sect? All I care is to meet the foreign beauties that take part in the Sect Test. Passing the Sect Test is a secondary thing. Though the situation arrived a bit earlier than I imagined, I'm not missing this one in a lifetime chance. I'm going to thoroughly make my eyes feast on the colors that attend this test for sure. His thoughts ran wild and the expression on his face changed weirdly, to that of a monkey trying to smile after drinking a gallon of wine.
Burton's brows knitted a little bit. "Hmph, you are underestimating the danger this test will possess. I wouldn't want to waste my life by taking part in it, but I wouldn't want to live as someone who didn't dare enter a test that you entered in."
"Oh..." Lirzod glanced at Burton. Che, I won't let this bastard disturb my honeymoon trip. "Are you sure about that? Why don't you first check your pants for poop?"
His words made some sections of the crowd burst out in laughter.
"I'm not scared, punk," Burton rebuked, "I'm just healthily afraid that's all."
"Healthily afraid? The heck, that's supposed to mean?"
"Count me in as well," Sariyu plucked the fan out of Lirzod's hands and put it to use for herself.
"I care not whether you come or not, but give me my fan back!" Lirzod tried to fetch it back, but she didn't make it easy for him. "I have dozens like those in my home. I will let you take it." Unable to get the fan back, Lirzod could only look away. This devil as well? No, no, I can't let her participate, no matter what. His thoughts alone made a significant amount of happiness escape out of his body.
"Yeah, keep diverting..." She blew air through her noise.
He turned his head towards her and forced out a smile. "If you participate and die, I can't live the rest of my life without you."
"In that case, you can jump into my final fire[3]."
"If you insist it, then so be it," Lirzod waved his hand. Che, she seemed to have fixed her thoughts. It's impossible to change her mind now. My sweet journey... Must I say goodbye to you? He was almost in tears.
"Are they serious? The three of them are participating?" Unable to stop the habit, Syam used his empty hand to blow some air into his face. "If they all die, then there's literally no future to our Faceless clan. We must think again about this, clan heads!" Till that moment, Syam didn't feel the need to intervene as he expected at least one of those three to back out, but given how his expectations were kind of betrayed, he couldn't just stay silent anymore.
"There's nothing more to think, Mr. Syam Yerram," Kwame folded his hands and stood relatively comfortable than before. "We've already spent all of our clan's savings just to get the entry tickets for the Shambala Sect. We should be thankful, that our younger generations didn't betray the hopes we put on them, at least until now."
"T-That's..." Syam was at a loss for the words. They've spent all the stock in the inventory? These bastards... Without even saying a word to me... He tried to calm himself. Well, I guess... Saying this to me wouldn't have benefited them in any way. It's understandable why they did it. But still, they made a rash decision, which is so unlike those three.
Allda on the other hand, completed his fourth cigar since the meeting started. Just what made the clan heads have such confidence on their young ones? Do they seriously believe they can make it back in one piece? He scratched his chin. Did they lose their minds?
Fidelis just wore an impalpable smile on his face, like he did for the most part of the meet.
"Does anybody else have an objection?" Kwame's voice echoed in the hall.
Most people just looked down, and none replied.
Despite Kwame's words, many members of the crowd, including Syam and Allda were still left with a bad taste in their mouths.
"It definitely is an unforeseen chance," Picazo began to step down through the staircase of the stage the clan heads were at. "But I don't get the reason, why you all are so unnerved about this situation. If we fail, we don't lose our face because we're already faceless. It's true that we may lose our three future leaders of the clan, but I'm sure that even in the absence of those three, someone from our clan will rise up to the situation and lead our clan. But even if one of those three managed to win, we'll climb the ladder of fame so fast and so high, that our clan will make history which otherwise wouldn't have been possible. Our clan's name will be known to everyone, be it on the ground, in the air, or on the seas. Our flame will flourish forever under the heavens. The stakes are definitely high, but this is how it should be. Nothing in this world comes for free. We did our best to get them the tickets, and now it's their duty to make our dreams come true."
The words of Picazo surprisingly picked up the mood of many people, and they all rose to each other's voice and began to shout similar words. "Yeah, rewards reflects risks."
One after another, everybody stood and shouted in unison, "Rewards reflects risks!" That was the motto of the Faceless clan. Sinario was the one who took the most risks, and Kwame assisted from behind when necessary. The rewards those two brought were utilized all across the clan as per the rules set by Picazo. Those three were the pillars of the Faceless clan, and though its rank may be among the lowest in the world, its people were still proud of their leaders, who had combinedly done countless commendable deeds for their clan.
The flag hoisted atop the building in the background of the clan heads had a smiling skull and wore two R-shaped earrings and an R-shaped necklace hanging at its trachea.
"Swannie[4], you can still withdraw and no one will laugh at you," Lirzod tried to remind Sariyu, but she paid him no attention.
Standing on the veranda grounds on the top floor of the building behind the clan heads were their wives. The skinny green-haired one was Issa Vesta. The platinum blonde and meaty one was Keira Basuvu. The golden-white-haired gorgeous one in the middle was Valli Basha.
They held each other's hand and worry could be seen on their faces, as they watched the ongoing scenario at the central hall. "I hoped none of them would be willing to go, but all of them ended up choosing otherwise," Valli touched her chest, as she tried to keep the rising pain in check.
"Don't worry, sister, Burton will take care of Lirzod," Issa's soft voice was pleasant to her, and the nearby sparrows that munched on the hanging rice grain stalk especially arranged for them, looked at those three once in a while.
"Yeah, let's hope they help each other and make good use of this chance," Keira's voice was a bit deep, befitting her figure.
"If they don't... We won't even get to see their dead bodies," A tear stroked a path on Valli's cheek, softening the skin further along its path. "I can't let him take this test."
"Get a hold of yourself, sister," The other two tried to comfort her.
"No, let go of me. I can't knowingly send my son to death!" She tried to force her way out, but those two tried their best to stop her.
"Hmm?" Lirzod just saw his mother, and his aunties watching in his direction from the veranda. Are they having fun? Geez, these housewives know not to hold back, even for the sake of maintaining some face befitting their position.
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[1] Court Stage: A open stage made of stone that lies in the shade of a big banyan tree. It's used for prosecuting criminals and other judiciaries of the clan.
[2] Assembly: It's a body formed for a purpose. Sects are also assemblies, but they are excluded and are ranked separately.
[3] Final Fire: The fire used to burn the dead body and help the soul ascend to the heavens.
[4] Swannie: A nickname Lirzod uses to call Sariyu. He also calls her Black Swan.
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Chapter Length: 3600+ words.
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