—— ? ——

  —- SYSTEM NOTICE—

  > Echoed Record-Shard - Partial

  > Subject: Tomakith Regalas

  > Original Caster: Sylira, Goddess of Living Records

  > Description: This Echoed Record Fragment was created through the skill of ? ?. A Record-shard is the saved output from an identification skill. Shards classification varies based on information withheld.

  > Classifications:

  >> Obscured ( Most or all information withheld.)

  >> Partial ( Minor information withheld.)

  >> Full ( Information unaltered. )

  ——————————

  > Name: Tomakith Regalas

  > Race: Hollow Warped

  > Level: 237

  > Affiliations: Hollowers - None

  > Stats:

  >> Body / Mind / Soul / Essence (Unknown - Unstable)

  > Skills:

  >> Hollowing Consumption - Taboo - Unstable

  >> Soul Compression - Taboo - Unstable

  >> Soul Graft - Taboo - Unstable

  >> Anima Sight (Rare) - Unstable

  >> Anima Control (Rare) - Unstable

  >> Predators Sight (Legendary) - Unstable

  >> Skills hidden: 72

  > Titles:

  >> Hollowed One

  >> Soul Eater

  >> Merciless

  >> Wind Strider of Merglaf (Stolen Title - Fragmented)

  >> Titles hidden: 31

  > Divine Curses: 14 - Hidden.

  > Description:

  >> Tomakith Regalas was once human. Little is known of his origin, or his life before becoming a hollower. What is known comes from the ruins he left behind, the testimonies of the few who escaped him. First known sighting was by a trader as he fled from a small village on [ Realm Withheld ]. Every member of that village perished, most bodies brutalized in combat. The ones not involved in combat met a worst fate, their bodies still ‘alive’ but empty. Husks. Over the following years,[ Realm Withheld ] had multiple sightings of the man, but never in time to quell his rampage.

  In total seven hundred and eighty-four beings were consumed by Tomakith Regalas before he was captured by the Church of Sylira.

  ——————————

  Simon just stared at the prompt for several long moments. Marden was saying he was one of these psychos? really? There was absolutely no way he was serious right?

  He dismissed the prompt and met Marden’s eyes, Simon’s face covered in disbelief.

  “Really? This is what you think I am? One of these… Hollowers?!”

  “You are claiming you are not?” Marden asked.

  “No shit. I didn’t even know a group like this existed until I read that damn thing.” Simon looked behind Marden and searched the faces of the councilors. Their emotions were a mix, some were contemplative, others disgusted. Brian looked deep in thought, his face filled with concern.

  “Then how do you explain your curses and abilities?” Marden pressed.

  Simon rubbed his head through his hood. The bunny ears flopped as he did so. Stupid outfit.

  “Because I got absolutely fucked over.” Simon replied, his jaw tight. “The gods offered as patrons were complete and utter pricks. Starting with that asshole Varrax.”

  That got a reaction from people. Many of the councilors recoiled at his casual blasphemy.

  “I would be careful with the words you say.” Marden said quietly.

  It seemed most of the councilors shared his sentiment. Hell, Maelis had regained that ‘I’m going to murder someone’ body language.

  “Hah.” Simon scoffed. “No thanks. When the world is unfair you don’t just ‘take it.’ Sure, I probably should hold my tongue, but that ship sailed a loooong time ago.”

  He sighed. “Look, when I was dragged out of a hospital basement my life went from zero to negative one hundred in hours. The first ‘patron’ the system offered me was the supreme dick Varrax.”

  Simon turned to face the crowd. “Do you know what the ‘martial god’ requires to get his boon?” He shook his head. “Nothing much, just absolute control over your entire existence! You just need to run around and do everything he says, no questions allowed.”

  Simon clenched teeth, his fists balling as he remembered that encounter.

  “And I can say that for a fact. The asshole said ‘kneel or else’. So I asked questions. That pissed him off. Hell, even the system chimed in to let me know that my ‘limits’ would be set by that god.”

  Simon turned his fierce gaze back on Marden. “So yeah, I said no fucking thank you.” He paused. “That’s when Varrax threw me into a fucking mountain. I turned to pulp.”

  Marden’s eyes went wide.

  “Oh but don’t worry, since apparently the good old ‘system’ protects you during that phase. I got to experience my body being rebuilt from a pool of liquid.” He shook his head. “I wouldn’t recommend the experience. I will say it did set the tone for this new reality.”

  Simon took a few steps, his mind buzzing as the memories he had ignored surfaced.

  “Then I got put in front of a big wheel of fortune with every god on it. The system spun that thing and I got thrown in with Asshole Second in command, Melodian.”

  At that moment the instrument in his hand shimmered out of existence, as if fleeing from his disapproval of the god of bards.

  “At first.” Simon continued. “He wasn’t all that bad. But then he discovered that I have the musical ability of a toddler with oven mitts. Hell, my singing voice gets worse when I actually hit the notes.”

  That got a few nervous laughs. Kurda nodded sagely, his face serious.

  “So, that’s when Melodian went all Bob Ross saying ‘oh, anyone can be an artist. They just need time!’ That’s how I found myself chucked into a weird ‘training’ ground for years. Weird ass time magic or something made it only take twenty-four hours.”

  Simon stared at Marden. “Guess what?” He paused, but before Marden could respond continued. “It did jack shit. Years went by, and when his avatar took over my god damned BODY, I finally had enough. I broke free, then spent the remaining time getting revenge. So yeah, shocker, I got cursed again.”

  Simon gestured dramatically. “Back to the wheel! Spin baby spin! Spun right back on to the smug god of bards through a twist of cosmic bullshit. Apparently, three times is the limit of the oh so powerful ‘system’, so he had to give me a boon.”

  Energy surged through Simon.

  *POP!*

  A tuba materialized, its metallic surface shimmering in the setting rays of the sun. It clanged onto the stage, Simon refusing to even touch the damn thing.

  “This was what he gave me as a boon. A horrible skill that summons random instruments. That’s what I got out of the integration.” He spat the next words. “So, fuck you. This is the hand I was dealt. I might be one of the unluckiest assholes in this new world, but I’m not some damned cultist.”

  Simon crossed his arms, his bunny ears flopping in the slight breeze of the evening.

  “So when you ask me to explain my ‘curses’ and ‘abilities’?” Simon leaned forward. “Two gods cursed me. One tried to control me. One tried to force talent into me. Both failed spectacularly. That’s it. That’s the story.”

  Silence swept over the plaza. The crowd just watched, their eyes moving between the corpse covered Simon and Marden.

  Marden let out a long breath. “You expect us to believe that?”

  Simon shrugged. “It’s what happened, regardless if you believe it.”

  “It’s a tale of lunacy.” Marden’s voice rose. “I had hoped you would at least attempt to believably lie, instead of spinning some story made-up on the spot. One would think you would have a better explanation prepared. ” Marden sighed, then shook his head. “I guess I shouldn’t have expected anything better from someone like you. We can add liar to your list.”

  Simon’s blood boiled. He took a quick step and lifted the tuba, then pivoted. “Want to say that again?” He growled, taking a threatening step.

  Behind Simon, two of the Royal Guards jumped onto the stage.

  Marden spoke again.

  “You’re a liar. And you aren’t even good at it. Spinning such an unbelievable tale. Did you think it would confuse these good people?”

  Rage rippled through Simon. He subconsciously activated Anima Control and tensed to slap this piece of shit of a man.

  “There it is.” Marden gave a smug smile. “Living Bindings.”

  Before Simon could move translucent glowing bandages erupted from the ground around him. They snaked across his body and snarled his legs, causing him to stumble to a knee. The bindings lashed around him, then went taut as they bound him to the ground.

  Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

  Simon opened his mouth to yell at the pompous dick, but Marden flicked his wrist. A bandage whipped up and gagged him, killing the words in his mouth.

  “Enough out of you. You said your ‘truth’.” Marden spat.

  “Counciolor Marden, is this necessary?” Serel’s voice chimed out.

  The healer turned to her. “You saw him, he was approaching me with violence. I’m not hurting him, merely holding him for a moment.”

  “Yet you were taunting him to engage.” Serel’s eyes were hard, her tone flat. “Anyone could see that.”

  “I was.” Marden stated. “But you heard what he said, did you not?”

  Marden faced the crowd. “The ability Simon Starfall just used. ‘Anima Control’” The healer gestured toward the floating diamond. “An ability shared between him and the hollower.”

  Simon felt a cold chill run down his spine. Oh shit. That’s what he had been trying to do.

  And Simon had just crashed right into the trap, like an idiot.

  Serel was silent as she fell into contemplation. Marden stepped forward, moving in front of Simon.

  The healer stared down at him, his face mimicking compassion. He turned that face to the crowd.

  “Now, I understand this is all sudden. Perhaps this man is telling the truth, unbelievable as it is.” That false compassion tinged with sadness. “But, the risk of this is too great to ignore. Hollowers are hunted across the realms. The punishment they receive is immediate, and drastic. But more importantly, if a community is found to have harbored a Hollower.”

  Marden grew serious.

  “They share that punishment.”

  He turned to the council.

  “So, that is why I must propose a solution. We cannot risk our community for this man. He has already shown to have shared traits with Hollowers. Knowing this, would the divine look on us with grace?”

  Marden shook his head.

  “They will not. If it is found that Simon Starfall a Hollower and we knew. The repercussions could doom us all.”

  Murmurs lit the crowd. Serel stepped forward again.

  “I hope you are not suggesting what I believe you are Councillor Marden.” She intoned. “While the information you have revealed is shocking, I am not willing to condemn a man based on rumors."

  Marden held up his hands. “You forget, Councilor Serel, that I vowed to my goddess to act in Simon’s best interest.”

  “Did you?” Serel asked, her tone one of unbelief. She gestured to Simon. “I cannot understand how having him bound like some rabid creature could possibly be in his best interest. Not to mention whatever it is that you are about to propose.”

  Simon saw Marden’s face twitch, a sly smile vanishing as quickly as it appeared.

  “One can imagine that attacking a Councilor could never end well.” Marden’s eyes danced across the stage. “I will waste no more of this assembly's time.”

  Behind the stage, a deep bell-like chime swept out from the system hub. It echoed through town like a proclamation.

  —- AREA NOTICE—-

  > VOTE CALLED

  > Creator: Marden Ragoren, Councilor.

  > Subject: Simon Starfall

  > Type: Civic Judgement.

  > Action: Banishment from Varnholt Artisan Enclave.

  > Duration: Permanent.

  > Requirements: Two thirds majority of residents or council.

  > Description: A vote has been called by a councilor on the basis of an imminent threat posed by a member of Varnholts residents. Should this vote pass, the subject of the vote will go into effect. A banished individual will be cut off from all system hub functions, but will maintain any skills or achievements gained while residing. The banished will have one hour to vacate the town surrounding the hub. If they attempt to return and are successful in entering the town, security will be informed of their presence and location while they remain.

  ——————————

  The notice appeared in front of Simon, but was also visible above the stage.

  Wait… what?!

  “This is my solution I propose. Whether or not we can trust this man I will leave is your choice. I will only urge caution.”

  With that Marden stepped off the center stage, standing near the end of the line of Councilors.

  Even if he wasn’t gagged, Simon wasn’t sure he would be able to speak. His mind raced in circles as he tried to comprehend just exactly what was happening.

  A second reverberating chime swept through town.

  —- AREA NOTICE—-

  > VOTE STARTED.

  > Time: 2m 00s … 1m 59s… 1m 58s…

  ——————————

  The seconds crawled by, each change to the notice agonizing.

  Yet, all Simon could do was watch.

  Finally, a third and final chime bellowed through Varnholt.

  —- AREA NOTICE—-

  > VOTE CONCLUDED

  > Status: Passed. ‘Simon Starfall’ has been banished from Varnholt Artisan Enclave

  > Results:

  >> Residents: 72% - Pass

  >> Council: 66.7% - Pass

  ——————————

  “This is rash.” an unexpected voice exclaimed. Maelis stepped forward. “Wouldn’t it be better to hold this… thing. So that we could collect a bounty? Banishment seems like a waste.” The Yoreboon looked enraged.

  Marden raised an eyebrow. “A surprising sentiment from you, smith. However, we lack the capability to hold him if he is what we fear.”

  The two stared off, Maelis clenching and unclenching his fists.

  “Oi’ don’t normally agree with Maelis,” Kurda stepped forward. “but he has a point. I could build yer’ a prison in no time, especially if this one” He gestured towards Maelis. “Agrees ter’ fabricate the metal workins’ required.”

  Marden shook his head firmly. “Even if you did, I could never vote for that outcome. To hold him would open him to attack now that his curses, and potential affiliation has been revealed. Who knows when we will be able to truly get to the bottom of his story. Every moment in a cell would put him in danger of retribution."

  The healer caught Simon’s eyes. “And that would go against my oath. Banishment is the only way one such as him could find salvation and turn away from his path.”

  This. Loophole using Motherfucker! Simon’s eyes burned. Oh yeah, I vow to my goddess, you can trust me! How am I so stupid!? Of course he has some way he can just slide right past his oath. Why didn’t I just run?!

  Simon couldn’t believe this. Just. Why?! This wasn’t happening right?!

  But it was.

  —- SYSTEM NOTICE—-

  > BANISHED

  > Description: A vote was cast that has resulted in banishment from the town: Varnholt Aristian Enclave. You have one hour to vacate the town. Attempting to return will notify members of Varnholt security of your location and position while within its walls. Any active defenses will target or repel you. Beware.

  > Time Remaining: 00h 59m 44s until banishment takes effect.

  ——————————

  Simon tried to parse through a plan. What was his next step? Where would he go? What would he do?

  On the stage, several individuals argued with Marden. Of the councilors gathered, only five of them had approached the healer. Brian, Serel, Kurda went back and forth about different solutions.

  Maelis had been a surprise. Didn’t that guy hate him?

  Had he voted against banishing him?

  Did it matter?

  A shadow fell over him and Simon looked up to see Dravlen standing over him.

  “Sorry kid.” The shadowy head of security whispered. “Not sure about all this bullshit, but I don’t think its true. I’ve got a decent eye for good people, and I would count you among them.”

  A dagger snaked out from the Yoreboon’s cloak. Light glinted as it shot towards Simon.

  Simon flinched, his eyes closing for a moment, but then felt the pressure on him vanish. His eyes opened to seem shimmering motes of lights as shorn bandages drifted away.

  “Dravlen what are you doing?!” Marden yelled, his attention on the pair.

  The head of security just snorted. “Enacting the sentence you spelled out, Councilor Marden.” He held out a hand. Simon took it and was pulled to his feet.

  “Cant really banish the man if he just stays tied up can we?” Dravlen continued. “He should at least be allowed to collect his belongings before we go forward with this madness.”

  Dravlen didn’t wait for a response, instead gesturing to Simon.

  “Come along now. Before any more rash ideas are enacted.”

  Simon’s mind swirled, unsure of what he was going to do. He looked at Marden and the people surrounding him.

  What was he supposed to do?

  What.

  Just.

  What?!

  “Come on, Simon!” Kaelalin’s voice broke through his bewilderment. Simon turned to see the Frost-kin striding across the stage. Her eyes were filled with cold rage as she stared down Marden. “We’re leaving.”

  “Inventor Kaelalin, you were not invited to the st–” Marden began.

  There was a flash of movement. In a blink, Kaelalin dashed forward, long strides bringing her right in front of the healer. There was a flash of metal as a blade swept through the air, stopping inches from Kaelalin’s throat.

  “Step back.” Dravlen ordered, his dark blade touching the flesh of her neck.

  Kaelalin ignored him, her eyes on fire as she towered over the much shorter man. Marden’s face had turned white as his eyes locked on the dull construct in Kaelalin’s hand.

  “NOW.” Dravlen snapped. “I will end you, Kaelalin. You will not threaten the citizens of this town.”

  Kaelalin’s fury moved to Dravlen. “Yet you will let him MURDER someone?!” She turned toward Marden, then to the crowd. “You all realize that is what you are doing. Banishment means death. Where will he go? How will he survive?”

  With her final question, she stepped back. Dravlen followed her with the point of his blade.

  “A vote was passed. We will abide by it, despite how we feel.” Dravlen stated.

  Kaelalin searched his gaze, then looked at Marden. She spat.

  “Monster.”

  She whirled then stomped over to Simon.

  “Come on Simon, we’re leaving.”

  Simon followed. They jumped down and made their way out of the plaza. The crowd swept out of their way as they crossed and left. The only ones that followed them were Dravlen, and the royal Frost-kin guard.

  Simon shook his head as he walked. He needed to get himself together. Yes this whole situation was insane, but he needed to make a plan. Everything had changed. He needed to adapt.

  “Thanks.” He said to Kaelalin.

  “Don’t mention it.” She answered, her face still furious. “I cannot believe what just happened. I just cannot believe it.” Kaelalin looked at him. “How is this the solution? How is this fair?”

  Simon nodded.

  “It just came out of nowhere. I just… What the fuck?” He took a deep breath. “Man. I’m totally firing Emrick as my tailor.”

  “What?” Kaelalin’s face broke from confusion.

  Simon gave a weak grin. “Really hard to argue ‘‘I totally don’t kill people and suck their souls.” He gave a little twirl. “Wearing this.”

  Kaelalin froze mid step.

  Simon continued, his face a mask of mock contemplation. “Got any suggestions for another tailor? Need them to be more style oriented.” He rubbed the stubble on his chin. “Oooh I could do something that emits smoke, or like has massive wings. At least I could use the intimidation factor then.” His hand shot up and stroked one of hoods ears. “Yeah, the floppy ear thing screams ‘I’m completely insane’ more than anything.”

  “Simon.”

  “Yeah, Kaelalin?”

  “Would you quit acting like this is no big deal?!” Kaelalin snapped.

  Simon nodded. “No, you're right.” He bit his bottom lip. “No wings. Should go the billowing cape route instead.”

  Kaelalin stared, slack jawed.

  Simon grinned, then the false joy fell from his face. “Look. I’m just trying to roll with this okay?”

  Kaelalin clenched her jaw. She looked like she was ready to retort, but then she took in a deep breath. After a long exhale, she smiled back.

  “A cape would stupid.” She said, then started walking again.

  “What?!” Simon replied, his face aghast. He took several quick steps and caught up with her. “What’s wrong with a good billowing cape? I think it would look cool.”

  “Not on you.”

  “Why not?”

  Kaelalin just shook her head. “Because capes are for people who need attention. You have zero problems doing that all on your own.”

  “Not on purpose!” Simon sighed. “And that’s a relatively new thing I will have you know. On Earth I was very unremarkable.”

  “And you decided to change that habit?” Kaelalin snorted. “How’s that working out for you?”

  “Swimmingly.”

  —— ? ——

  Next chapter will be tomorrow, sunday :)