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King of Lies

Karkas was injured.

His body numbed. He endured a lot of trials, mostly painful, but he endured, but then, he was hurt, both physically and mentally. He never would have thought that Asran, the Fa'ar who manipulated people and lying to get his way, was actually far demented than he let on.

Trap design had been something that eluded so many people, especially on how the mechanism work. Some were intended to hamper progress. Others were designed to kill instantly. Some, however, were more demented and immoral, as if the one designing it was a creature from hell.

But it was even worse when the traps were not designed to kill, but to torture.

Karkas doubted that a manipulative Fa'ar would designed some of the most despicable traps the croc had ever seen. But, he could be wrong. The world had been full of crazy people, and everyone still living to that day had a little mad in them. The future belongs to the mad, as they said, and everyone Karkas met were either too mad to even reason or having a little mad in them.

But what he saw...what he endured...back then, started to strain his limits. Ironically, despite of it being all choices and games, there were no one killed. Karkas's wounds came from the obviously dangerous ones. But if they were intended to kill, the design was poor. They were simply to distract the people who came in. The real test were the trials, and they were even worse.

Limping and climbing the stairs, Karkas's mind was fixated into one thing: kill Asran. He had enough of choices, and he had enough of being helpless. He would end it right there, killing the one Fa'ar who had gone too far to climb to the top.

But he had no more energy left. He could not continue, not after seeing such atrocities unfolded in front of him. He had never imagined something that's not ending in gruesome death could be so twisted. Karkas was fine with death and gore, but that? He would prefer to die.

His spent strength finally took a toll on him. He collapsed in front of the stair leading to the next floor. His senses numb. He was exhausted. Taking too much time enduring the trials finally made the croc stopped. He was so exhausted, he couldn't even see a figure running towards him. A Fa'ar, who he thought dead, was in front of his eyes when he passed out.

Karkas didn't know how long he was out, but when he woke up, the whole place was darker, and he was surrounded by allies, with one new person he didn't know. He quickly woke up after remembering his goal, with Narati calming him down.

"Where am I?" asked Karkas. "Where the fuck am I?!"

"Calm down, Karkas. You're safe now."

"No, I'm not! It's so close now. I will kill Asran. No...I must kill Asran. He's a parasite, a fucking...psycho! I have to kill him. Those people don't need to suffer for him. He needs to die!"

"Karkas, you're not making any sense. What are you rambling about?"

Karkas never would've thought that his indifferent personality could be broken by the trials, all of which were bombarding him mentally to the point that he became erratic, emotional, and very angry.

"You didn't see it. You didn't see those victims being thrown in there, violated in such ways that they lost their dignity. I...I can't imagine how someone wanted to do that."

"What did you see? What happened back there?"

"I must choose, between one bad choice...to another. I can't believe this is happening to me." Karkas then looked towards the three of them. "But how did you get up here and stay alright?"

"Uh...we flew up." Narati then point towards the manticore. "The martichora can fly."

"Oh, you little...."

"It's not like I'm trying to waste time going through what you've been through, right? And besides, he can fly! You don't see a beast race who can fly every time."

"Those flying rats can."

"First off, those are bats, and second, I don't think they have bat-peoples around here. Anyway, are you sure you're okay?"

"I can at least walk," said Karkas while standing up. "It's time for some payback."

Akandi and the manticore nodded, and they walked away from the two of them. But, Karkas was stopped by Narati, who said, "I know it's in your best interest to kill him, but don't you think it's a little bit too easy?"

"Say that to the torture I just endured. What do you know about it, anyway?"

"I'm a Fa'ar."

"Oh...right. But still, that wasn't what you've been through every day. I need to end this, so things like that will never happen to anyone again."

Narati looked at Karkas for a moment before saying, "I've never seen you being noble before. Is it because of us?"

"I've always liked to help people...a long time ago," said Karkas. "When everything ends...I might return back to the old ways, but I'm not sure when."

"I'm sure you will, Karkas. What I mean, however, is that isn't it too easy for him to just drop dead and that's it?"

"Easier to kill him than let him live. Are you suggesting to let him live?"

"No! Yes, but not totally free."

This made Karkas and Narati silent, with the confused croc said, "Say what again?"

"We can let him live, but he's not going to be free."

"Are you telling me to enslave him? I thought you, of all people, hated that."

"I hated how it turned to profit, not because of it being fun," said Narati. A mischievous smile started to form at the corner of his face. "And besides...I have other things in mind to teach him a lesson."

Karkas realized what he feared was true. Narati grew up too much, and he knew too much darkness of the world that it started to corrupt his morality. Karkas knew the start of it, and he tried to avoid it at all time. But he was conflicted. Part of him wanted him to grow, while other wanted him to live out his life normally. He didn't want Narati to become like Asran, for if that happened, he had no choice but to kill him there and now.

But he could be thinking too much. It could be because Narati looked like Asran, and he was Fa'ar, so he might be overreacting. Or it could be that he just woke up, and his mind was still hazy.

That was when Narati whispered something to him that calmed him down. After relaying a plan, Karkas also smiled and said, "I hope you know what you're doing. I'm in with you. After all, killing won't do everyone justice."

"See? I knew you'll go with me."

"But I hope he's not as smart as you, or we're fucked."

"What can he do in front of you and that martichora?"

"How can you trust that...thing anyway?"

"Trust me. I know when someone's lying."

"I sure hope you do. Otherwise, we're fucked up."

Narati nodded and turned away, walking towards where the manticore and Akandi was waiting, with Karkas following through.

The next floor they came in wasn't all that dark. It was very well lit, except that it was decorated with everything you might found in a fetish club. Things ranging from cuffs and rubber suits were laying around everywhere like they were discarded, except they were not. Muffled sounds of people doing stuffs could be heard on that floor, and it made the group uneasy (except Narati, who proceeded to take some of the things he could take).

This disturbed Karkas a lot, possibly because it wasn't his style, and because of the torture he just endured. He just realized that the trials were something certain people liked, and it certainly was something that Asran liked. It was his own secret. His passion.

But somehow, what disturbed Karkas even more was Narati, who was clearly enjoying looting the floor. His face said it all. He liked it. Somehow, as Karkas thought, this was what happened when he was abducted by the spiders. It awakened something perverse in him that Karkas didn't want to know, yet unable to prevent. He wondered if Narati and Asran was similar after all?

"No. They may share interest, but they are not the same," thought Karkas. "He's a good Fa'ar. I know he is. He may be acting like a Fa'ar right now, but he is not Asran number two."

They walked to the next floor, somehow the last floor that they could find. This place wasn't as dark as before, and was well-lit with glass as wall. From there, they could see the sun setting. The four of them looked at the sun for a while, contemplating their journey and their hardships, before continuing.

But then, Narati stopped them, holding his hand aside. He walked forward, intending to test if there was a trap. Using the butt of his lance, he tapped the stair step in front of him. It quickly exploded into ice shards, but did not hit anyone else.

"Runic trap," said Narati while walking back. "One wrong move and we'll lose our legs."

"But how?" said Akandi. "He's a Fa'ar."

"Someone might've done it for him. He may be a recluse, but he's resourceful."

"My, my. I'm sad," said Asran's voice. "Calling me a recluse is somewhat rude. I have friends, you know."

"Friends?" said Karkas, growling. "You're a fiend. You're nothing but a fraudster! Friend? What a fucking joke. Your fucking world ends now, Asran!"

"Ah, but I won't end it now, for I have, in my possession, a friend I can trust. Aren't you, my little mage?"

There was a muffled sound near Asran.

"Oh, by the way. He's a little...preoccupied. I'm surprised that she can still use runic magic. After a little persuasion, I guess even a Collective mage would fall."

"A Collective mage?" said Akandi. He quickly stepped forward, and in doing so, activated a rune. But then, it did not explode. His face, however, was that of surprise and contempt. Being furless made him more expressive. The manticore beside him even noticed his anger.

"(Don't do anything stupid, furless cat)," said the manticore, even though he knew his language was foreign to Akandi. "(He's not someone who you can fight with emotion)."

"Somehow, I understand what the martichora is saying, Akandi," said Narati. "Don't do anything rash. We can't..."

"He has my lover," said Akandi, hand balled into fist. "This rune...I should've known. Only one person uses this brand of magic. So that fucker's the one, huh. I'm coming for you, Asran. I will get my love back, and you know it!"

"Before that, however, pass the last of my trials, and you will find the thing you sought of. Now, forgive me. I must attend to my...entertainment."

"Your fucking entertainment ends now, As..."

"Stop it!"

Narati's commanding shout stopped Karkas and Akandi from proceeding. His eyes glared at them with such intensity that it was impossible. Karkas had never seen this side of Narati before. He became a leader by this point, and someone who's very capable of that. He seemed so different with those eyes. Even a small rat person became someone big if he had a resolve.

"He's trying to trick you two into getting caught into another trap," said Narati with assured voice. "He has planned so many ways to get rid of anyone, and his taunting wasn't hollow. He was trying to goad you to get caught."

"But..."

"I'm not the one who will take us up there. Martichora."

"(Yes?)"

"We need your wings, now more than before," said Narati while gesturing to his wings. "I don't know if you understand, but I want you to take us up there."

"(I guess he wants me to take all of us up there)," said the manticore to himself. "(Three, huh? I hope my muscles are still working properly)."

The manticore gestured them to get to his back, except Karkas, who the manticore grabbed. He then readied himself, and ran towards the glass. He was late to realize that the glass was tempered, and too thick to be ram through by himself. But then, Akandi and Narati, on top of him, had another plan.

Using explosive fire magic, Akandi enchanted the tip of Narati lance, who then, with full determination, thrusted it towards the glass. The enchantment worked perfectly, as it shattered the glass in an instant, opening them to the strong breeze from that height and the outside world once more. The manticore quickly opened his wings, and they flew upward, with the upward draft that helped them propel upward.

The manticore was clearly an expert in flying, for he quickly dashed forward towards Asran's penthouse, which was clearly on top of the building. Using the same trick, they went through the glass into a greenhouse of sort, though it felt so different. There was a thick scent that made them felt so weak and relaxed, yet nauseated.

"Fuck. I'm gonna throw up," said Karkas while holding his vomit. "What the fuck are these?"

Akandi approached the plant. "Green Giselle," he said.

"Green Giselle?"

"Some used it as herbs, others to get high, including the Collectives during trance sessions." He picked one of the five-fingered leaf and sniffed it. "I personally didn't like the smell, but after some sessions, I'm okay with it. The question is. How does Asran obtain Green Giselle if not from some rogue Collective?"

"What happened to them?"

"They all die...in a ritualistic self-sacrifice," said Akandi. "You might be familiar with it."

"It's not me. It's...Aranis. My friend."

"I figured so. We cannot stay here. We must find Asran, rescue my lover, and end all this."

"Let's do so. Karkas...will you be fine?"

"That little fucker's smart," said Karkas in between holding his vomit. "Fuck. To think that he got this whole place laced with them..."

"Indeed, they are," said Asran's voice, but now it wasn't from any source. "Green Giselles are nausea-inducing, especially to those whose smelling senses are three times more powerful than a Fa'ar."

"Asran," said Narati. From the haze, came a small Fa'ar, roughly higher than Narati, but still small. He looked a lot like Narati, except a detail. His eyes were dark red in color, and the tip of his tail was cut. He also lost one of his fingers, as Narati noticed.

"I congratulate you for getting this far," said Asran. "And I must say. You seem to gather a lot of people, Fa'ar."

"The name's Narati, by the way," said Narati. "You seem pretty calm for someone who's outnumbered."

"Number's not everything, Narati. Quality is. You are a Fa'ar, so you know this kind of game."

"I'm not here playing games, Asran. I'm here to talk."

"Talk? After all you've been through, you want to talk?" said Asran while feigning confusion.

"Yeah. Talk. Aren't you capable of doing that? Have you lived in this place for so long, you forgot civilization?"

"For starters, you are an enemy, but I guess you do have your own reasons," said Asran. "But will your companions care?"

"They are incapacitated, and right now, I'm the only one who is not trying to kill you on sight," replied Narati. "And besides. A talk means less bloodshed, and I think you are someone who don't want that, huh?"

Asran then stayed silent. In the haze, it was hard to make out his expression, but Narati knew that he was thinking. Was this a trap, or a genuine talk? That was when the second part of his plan worked.

"Look, if you don't want to talk, then so be it. Besides, these three are incapacitated. You don't have a better time to get them."

Hearing this made Karkas surprised, but then remembered that this was what Narati was planning, and acted with it in the midst of his sickness.

"What.... the fuck are you doing...Narati?" said Karkas. Narati turned towards him and he smiled and winked, meaning that he understood. The problem, however, was with Akandi and the manticore.

"Are you joking?" said Akandi. "Narati, this is not the time for jokes! We need to finish this right now! He's vulnerable. I can burn this whole place down with my magic. You just..."

"Then prove it," said Asran. "Prove that you mean those words."

"You have sedatives I can use?"

There were suddenly shots of darts that went past Narati and hit Akandi and the manticore. It was fast-acting, and caused Akandi to become drowsy. Narati was surprised at the accuracy of it in the middle of the haze.

"Narati, you fucking...traitor...," said Akandi while he collapsed and started snoring. The manticore made a growl, apparently of contempt, before he, too, collapsed. There was no shot for Karkas (possibly because of the thickness of his scales).

"Now, for Karkas, since he's weakened, I don't think he'll mind being restrained, right?" said Asran. "I'll suck away the smokes in the meantime. Make sure he's locked tight."

The shadow of the Fa'ar vanished in the smoke, leaving Narati and Karkas alone. Narati quickly pulled out a handcuff, big enough for Karkas, and a ball gag designed for maws like a croc.

"Is that...really necessary?" said Karkas, between disgust and embarassment. "I can barely hold throwing up..."

"Look, he needs to believe that I'm on his side," said Narati while helping Karkas to put his hands into the handcuffs. He then did the same with his legs. "I'm sorry about Akandi and martichora, but for now...bear with it, okay?"

"You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

"To be honest with you, I do. Now open your mouth. He's going to suck in the haze any seconds now.

Narati managed to lock the ball gag to Karkas's mouth before the whole place became clear, and Narati could finally see Asran in his entirety. Aside from those obvious physical characteristics Narati could see, it was apparent that Asran was also an experienced fighter, and not playing behind his lies. That tranq gun was shot from a pistol heavily modified to be compatible with the syringe-like ammunition. While Narati doubted that Asran would have technical expertise like him, it was clear that Asran, like most Fa'ars, was naturally smart and cunning, in addition to being a sharpshooter.

Upon the haze clearing, it was clear that the 'Asran' standing in front of him was, in any mean, an illusion. It quickly faded out, and the real one stood out from behind the cover. He then approached Narati and Karkas, who growled despite of being gagged.

"Yeah, I still remember you, Karkas," said Asran while locking a collar around Karkas's neck. It quickly shocked Karkas, in the manner similar to the manticore.

"He told me about you a lot," said Narati while approaching Akandi's sleeping body. "But in the end, I never thought you to be so well-prepared."

"Things are not as easy back then with Karkas, you know. I became notorious, and thus I locked myself in this place, rarely getting out except necessary. But I guess it's like another side of the coin. I don't fancy going around. I let them get in here. Of course, I have agents, but Narati...you're not one of them."

He held a gun towards Narati. "Choose your words carefully, Fa'ar. I know a liar when I see one, and you're close to that. I know what our race is capable of, and doing this for the sake of tricking me must be your plan, isn't it?"

Narati looked towards Asran while trying to be as calm as possible. Karkas, meanwhile, turned from anger to worry. If Narati's bet missed, everyone would be captured. He just hoped Narati could be a better liar than Asran was.

After a tense stare, Asran chuckled and lifted his gun. "I might be too paranoid, given that you crashed through the window."

"You should, you know. It's akin to home invasion."

"To personally deliver these three to me? For someone like you, it's quite extreme. But who's not extreme these days? You, me, or anyone else. Just to remind you, though. On the first sign of suspicions, I won't hesitate. I shot someone in the back before, and this is nothing new."

"Was it Karkas?"

"Karkas was just one of many. If you're in this business, Narati, remember that everyone will turn on you one day or another. No one's innocent, especially in this era of cutthroat world. Nobody is completely honest, either."

"So, this is a game of trust, then?"

"Something like that. And besides, I have a feeling you also like something...exotic."

"You noticed, huh?"

"At least you're properly clothed. If you want some entertainment, you can go down some floors and see some, uh...volunteers having their wildest fantasies come true."

"Volunteers, or forced?"

"I'm not as bad as you might hear, but yeah...coming from me, you might need to be careful. I am called the king of lies back in my tribe, long before I made this place into a shelter."

"So, is that a warning that you don't trust me?"

"It might be, or it might not," said Asran while helping Narati with the cuffs on the manticore and Akandi. "And besides, you're getting the hang of it."

"For what?"

"The mind game, of course," said Asran. "Remember that this is a game of trust. One wrong move, and one of us loses. Like the game of chess, except with the basis of trust."

"For a liar and a manipulator, you seem to be more civilized than most."

"Civilized, huh?" Asran then stared towards the bound Karkas, then to a room at the end of the greenhouse. "Not so much as someone with technical expertise like you. The shock collar around the manticore's neck is quite delicate, but you deactivate it like it's nothing. Discounting a help from the cat mage, you're quite good with technology."

"How about you?"

"Me? I have a silver tongue, and a natural talent to lie," said Asran. "But none of those matters, if I don't ask for a reason, from you."

"From me?"

"As you can see, this trick to gain my trust by pretending to betray your allies is clichéd and predictable, but you seem to act perfectly, except one particular flaw."

"And what is that?"

"First rule of business. Never bring a weapon in a meeting, unless you don't trust them, which is what you're doing. I spy a detonator you tried your best to conceal in your hand. Judging from your light poach and backpack, I dare to say that you have wasted most of your explosives before you get here. That detonator, however, is for another reason."

"And that is?"

"The ball gag," said Asran while pointing towards Karkas, during which the croc made a confused muffled 'huh?'. "You put something on the ball that will detonate, blowing up Karkas and me, who is standing beside him. A croc's inner part is soft and vulnerable, and blowing up his mouth means death."

Karkas, who was surprised, looked towards Narati, who tried his best not to be unnerved by Asran's deductions. This part was the part that eluded Karkas, and even Narati. Not only that Asran was quite resourceful, he was also a natural detective. The croc thought that he was just a weak Fa'ar who relied on manipulative strategies to survive, but then he realized that he was also a dangerous genius, with a bad taste (at least for te croc).

Narati was also surprised that Asran was nothing like he thought he would be. He was calm, but not mockingly calm. He was calculating. He may not have an expertise in bombs or any technology, but he's good in seeing through people, and see things beyond what people might've seen. No wonder he was a sociopath; everything in his brain were either logic or conclusion.

"This is going to be a problem," thought Narati.

"I suggest you throw that detonator away, or anything that can detonate the explosive," said Asran while pointing his gun. "Bluffing your way out of this is not advised, either."

"You got me good," said Narati while throwing away the detonator and lifting both his hands. "So, what? Are you going to strip search me?"

"Something like that," said Asran while walking towards Narati. "Before I do, though...strip."

"Excuse me?"

"I said strip," said Asran. "Throw away those leather, and show me your bare, furry body."

"Look, Asran, I'm not trying to be rude, but I don't want you molesting me in the wrong way. I'm 17."

"One glance is enough to know that you're barely an adult," said Asran while maintaining a distance. "Throw those weapons away, or I'll shoot you."

"And if I decide to blow myself up, along with everyone?"

"You won't do that."

"How can you be so sure?"

"You need to stay alive, to honor the dead," said Asran, which started to unnerve Narati. "That lance has the name 'Jek' written on it. It cannot be a relative, since it's not a common Fa'ar name. If it isn't a relative, then it's a friend. You are not adopted or a former slave. You wander around and get into trouble whenever possible. Jek can also imply Jek Barlow, a Loup bounty hunter notorious for getting jobs done, however gruesome it might be. There's no way that's his lance, since Jek's a sharpshooter, at least from the rumors. If it wasn't his, despite of the name, then there's only one conclusion.

"Jek Barlow was killed some times ago, and he's your friend. If that's the case, then you vowed yourself to stay alive, to honor him."

Narati made expressions of anger and surprise, which confirmed Asran's theory.

"I guess it's checkmate for you. Now you have two choices. Strip, and I'll make sure you live in here in relative comfort. Or not, and I'll put you downstairs, encased in rubber, and deprived of sensory input until you reach the limit. Either way, those clothes come off."

"You know, that's not bad," said Narati, trying to be composed. "But being your slave will be your last mistake, Asran. I will kill you."

"Then why don't you kill me right here, right now? I'm standing here. There's no tricks, only you and me."

Narati wanted to do that, but then realized a detail, something that Asran reminded him.

"You can't do it, because you are not sure if I'm lying or not," said Asran, chuckling. He then shocked Karkas, just because he could. "I have told you that I'm the king of lies, but am I? I could be king of honesty, or king of lies. Truth or dare, Narati. One choice will determine your fate, and mine."

"So, this game has become a truth or dare, huh?" said Narati. After much contemplation, he threw away the lance away. "Alright, you won. I guess I can't be sure."

Karkas made a muffled sound, trying to stop Narati to surrender, but he knew there was nothing he could do. Asran had been winning psychologically against Narati, who had a personal tragedy that was his current weakness. He may be strong, but upon mention of Jek, he would become erratic. He may not get triggered by the mentioning of 'slavery', but Jek's death had caused other problems, and Karkas realized that Asran had been using that fact against him.

Narati then threw his pouch and his backpack away, proceeding to take off his leather jacket, then his shirt. He slowly became embarrassed when he realized that he was basically doing a striptease in front of an audience, despite of it being Asran forcing him to do it. He was so sure that Asran was bluffing, but unlike the latter, he could not see any indication that he was bluffing or not. Asran had played this game for a long time.

But Narati was not ready to give up. He had one last trick of his sleeve, or what remained of it after he took off his shirt. He knew it would damage his dignity and even his respect to others, but there was no other way. He hated to use this, too, but everyone convinced him that doing it could cause confusion, regardless of race and gender. He needed to do it, even if he would be on the verge of passing out after doing so.

As he suspected, Asran approached him after he threw away the last part of his clothing: his loincloth. He was bare naked, with nothing covering his body except his fur. He was blushing, trying to cover his genitals, but he knew it was impossible, given how he _willingly_did it in front of Asran and Karkas.

Looking away as Asran approached him, he said, "I-I'm not comfortable naked like this."

"Yes, I understand, but I'm not gonna whip you," said Asran, smiling. He whistled and said, "Whoo. You seem to be well-fed enough. That's quite a healthy, lean body you got there. Your tail's also in perfect shape, too."

"Y-You think so?" said Narati. He tried to be as naturally embarrassed as possible, to get Asran off-guard.

"It's fact, and nothing to lie about," said Asran. He then pulled out handcuffs from his pouch. "Even if I trade with slavers, I don't go and sell you away. You might get yourself in more trouble than its worth. At least, for now, you're my prisoner, along with your friends. You belonged to a group, and they will be trying to find you and your friends. Until then, you might want to relax."

"Just one thing," said Narati. "There's something you need to know."

"Hmm?"

Narati then lunged towards Asran, who anticipated this, but was not fast enough to avoid it. But then, what he expected did not happen. Instead, something surprising caught him off-guard, making him confused.

Narati embraced Asran, and proceeded to kiss_him, not forcefully, but _passionately. This caused Karkas to froze in surprise. He didn't know Narati was different in many ways. He clearly was caught off-guard too, and was unable to find anyway to react in his bound state. He could only stare, dumbfounded, surprised by the development. What the hell is going on? He thought as he stared at the kiss. He had seen male on male kiss many times before, but seeing Narati doing it to Asran made him have a mixed reaction about it.

But then, he heard a click, and saw Narati breaking from the embrace and kiss, with Asran, still confused, tried to move his hands, but unable to. They had been cuffed behind him.

"Wow, what a kiss!" exclaimed Asran. "And very clever, Narati. Very clever indeed."

"Don't get the wrong idea. I'm not gay," said Narati while recovering his clothes.

"I guess I'm the one who got tricked, huh?" said Asran. "I admit. I did not expect that from you."

"Yeah, now give me the keys."

"Suit yourself. The keys are in my personal room."

Narati did not waste any time getting some of the restrains off Akandi and the manticore, who woke up after a while. Karkas, who was freed before them, confronted Narati about the bomb, during which Narati said, "Sorry...I didn't want it to be found that easily."

"You scared me to fucking death!" said Karkas. "You turned that thing into a bomb? You might blow my head if you're careless!"

"Yeah, I know."

After a lengthy explanation to both the manticore and Akandi (who were furious with the trickery), they both relented, knowing that it was required to make Asran to lose his guard. After the explanation, they all turned towards Asran, who was waiting for them, cuffed at the legs and the hands.

"So, I guess he's no longer a danger," said Akandi. "But I'm still not sure about his claim."

"Yeah, him being 'king of lies' and all that," said Karkas. "I say we end it, right here, right now."

"Oh, no you don't," said Narati. "We've agreed on this, Karkas. Let me do my things. You do yours. Akandi, I guess we need a bigger carriage."

"For what?"

"For the loot, of course!" said Narati. "And some souvenirs. And for the extra passengers."

There was a silence before Narati said, "Let's get going before he tries something nasty again."

After Akandi, Karkas, and the manticore walked away, doing what they tried to do in that building, Asran said, "Now what?"

"Now, kiss your little world goodbye," said Narati. "For after we get out of here, I will make you learn your lessons."

"What do you mean," said Asran, confused.

"I didn't tell Karkas about it, but I saw the 'trials' downstairs," said Narati, a mischievous smile started to form. "Let's see. Wanna get treated like that?"

This somehow made Asran surprised, and he became nervous.

"U-Uh...I don't think that's a good idea. I have a bright mind, you see. I can't get reduced into...them..."

"You won't, but at least you get a taste of what you will endure. No, it's not a reconditioning. Your mind is too precious to lose. I want you to be with the Wanderers, but you need to learn a lesson first, and you will get it soon enough...with some of my friends."

Narati looked around him. "You have quite a collection of rubber suits. I don't know it's possible to procure them in this time. Say...do you fancy wearing one?"

"Oh no, not that," said Asran while trying to get away from Narati. "Please. It's rubber. I will die of heatstroke!"

"No, you won't. Of course, I don't mean now." said Narati. "Or you want something shoved your butt hole?"

"Ah...fuck," said Asran, slumping in defeat. "And you want me to be your slave, huh, 'master'?"

"You played this game, before, huh? Nah, I don't want that. I want something awakened within you. Yes...your 'M' side."

Asran gulped.

"And I have someone in mind to make you think so."