290 Side Story- under the floating land

Amidst the bustling city of Eshmera, a man in a grey robe stood atop two wooden crates, his hand cupped over his throat to amplify his voice. His words resonated through the air, reaching the eager ears of the gathered crowd.

"Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed participants, and honored guests, welcome to the grand spectacle known as 'Chameleon's Maze'!" His voice boomed, commanding attention from all who listened.

Below, the city buzzed with excitement as eyes turned upwards to the massive projection in the sky.

The announcer continued, his words painting a vivid picture of the adventure that awaited. "Today, we stand upon the threshold of mystery and marvel, upon a floating canvas suspended in the vast expanse of the sky. Within 'Chameleon's Maze,' imagination knows no bounds and magic dances freely."

As he spoke, the crowd leaned in, captivated by his every word. The announcer described the maze with eloquence, portraying it as a realm of enchantment and intrigue, where every step held the promise of discovery.

"Stretching across the sky, our stage awaits—a circular marvel veiled in enigma. Nestled within lies our pièce de résistance—the maze itself, sprawling and vast, spanning acres of bewilderment."

His words stirred excitement in the hearts of the audience, igniting a sense of adventure that permeated the air.

With a flourish, the announcer concluded his speech, urging the participants to embark upon their odyssey of wonder and delight. As his voice faded, the crowd erupted into cheers, eager to witness the unfolding spectacle.

Amidst the crowd stood a woman, Anabelle Lockner, looking upwards towards the projection with a distant gaze.

Alder walked towards her, having met the fellow professor from Luminary College Of Magic once or twice before.

"You look nervous, Mrs. Lockner," he said as he stood beside her.

She did not respond as her eyes were glued to the sky, making Alder sigh in disappointment as he turned to leave, only to bump into someone.

"I am sorry," he apologized immediately.

"It's... no problem," the man whom he bumped into said. The man was tall and imposing with crimson eyes and ebony hair, wearing a robe that was tightly strapped with a wide belt around his waist.

"You don't look like you're from around here," said Alder as he noticed that the man was not alone but followed by a group of people.

They looked normal but foreign.

"Yeah, we are not," replied the man curtly before passing Alder, followed by the group of people he was with.

Alder looked around and saw Headmaster Amrose looking at him from a distance. Amrose gestured towards the man.

Amrose stared at him and then at the guy who had come and then mouthed an order that told Alder that he needs to follow the man.

Alder didn't ask anything as it's not a new thing that people tend to take advantage of such festivities to steal or do something that one might not be able to on a normal day.

Resigned to his duty, Alder trailed after the man and his companions, keeping a discreet distance as they navigated through the bustling streets of Eshmera. The man led them through winding alleyways and crowded thoroughfares, his purposeful stride betraying a sense of urgency.

As they ventured deeper into the city, Alder couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at the edges of his consciousness. There was something about the man's demeanor, an air of secrecy and intent, that set Alder on edge.

Eventually, they arrived at a secluded alley tucked away from the main thoroughfare. The man turned to face Alder, his crimson eyes glinting in the dim light.

"You can face me," said the man.

"You saw me, huh?" Alder gingerly walked out of the shadow.

"Humans, as dumb as they can be," the man remarked, brushing his hand through his long hair.

"Humans? You don't look like an elf yourself to me, and I've never seen a dwarf that small—not even beastmen with so little hair," Alder shrugged.

"I don't? Oh..." The man paused before a small burning smell arose as Alder saw that the man's robe was burning slowly.

"You humans are always so quick to jump to conclusions," the man remarked, his tone laced with amusement. He brushed his hand through his long hair, a small smirk playing at the corners of his lips.

Alder raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the man's cryptic response. "So, what are you then?"

The man chuckled softly, the sound echoing through the narrow alleyway. "Let's just say, I'm not exactly what I appear to be."

Before Alder could respond, he noticed a faint burning smell wafting through the air. His eyes widened as he watched the man's robe begin to smolder, revealing the sleek obsidian armor hidden beneath.

Alder took a step back, his heart pounding in his chest as he realized the gravity of the situation. "What are you?"

The man's crimson eyes gleamed in the dim light, a wicked smile playing on his lips. "Not worthy enough to know."

Alder sensed something behind him and immediately turned around, placing his hand on the neck of the man who was about to grab him. He punched the man in the face, but to his surprise, the head blew off with just a small amount of force.

Alder knew he hadn't put much strength into that punch, intending only to knock the man out, but...

"Stop messing with kids," a voice whispered in Alder's ear. Before he could react, his vision faded away.

As Alder's body hit the ground with a thumping sound, the severed head of the man who tried to punch him lay nearby, now a gooey mess of flesh and bone. Suddenly, the goo began to writhe and pulsate, as if alive. It twisted and contorted, forming makeshift limbs that dragged it closer to Alder's fallen form.

The man's voice echoed in the air, commanding the grotesque mass to move. With a sickening squelch, the gooey mess oozed over Alder's body, covering him completely. It began to chip away at his flesh, devouring it with an insatiable hunger.

Alder's body convulsed with spasms as the gooey mass consumed him, hollowing out his form until there was a hole large enough for it to enter. With a final, desperate surge, the gooey mass forced its way into Alder's body, and the hole immediately closed behind it.

Alder's eyes snapped open, their once vibrant color replaced by a dull, lifeless gaze. His movements were jerky and unnatural as he rose to his feet, his body contorted in strange and disturbing ways. With each step, he moved with purpose, driven by the dark force that now inhabited him.

"Go back," commanded the man.

Alder, now a mere puppet under the man's control, kneeled before him obediently. "Yes, Sir General Zephyrion," he replied with a hollow tone, devoid of his former self.