The night sky was empty—boring even, in the sense that almost nothing was there with the exception of two violet-hued moons bezzled into the distant horizon.
With the absence of those two moons, the sky would be dark—with a pitch-black onyx like an abyss threatening to consume you whole.
Seated on a bench in the middle of the garden, Rue rested, slouched onto the backrest of the bench.
Shifting his gaze from one of the moons, he sighed and settled it on the small pond in front of him.
Rue's current complexion was solemnly hinted with nostalgia.
A nostalgia not commonly, if ever, seen in the expression of a person with his character.
Ever since he spawned into Terminus—escaping his cell and regaining his coveted freedom—his every waking moment had been filled with chaos.
He was always moving—on the run.
Running from beasts.
Running from a wall which stretched across the horizon, that would immediately kill you upon merely grazing it.
Ect…
And now here he was, waiting for the clock to strike midnight so he can appease his master and duel some nobody all because she had her pride hurt.
Silence…
It wasn't the deafening, heavy, or spine-chilling silence he had long grown used to, but a rare one he seldom had the chance to experience.
This silence was soothing like the warmth of a mother's humming.
It was the type that allowed you to close your eyes, take a deep breath, and clear your mind as you traced through your thoughts.
Rue finally had the chance to think, to consider things he hadn't had the chance to—to self-elaborate over his own issues.
And to finally see the world, not from the lens of a predator, a prey, a researcher, an inquisitor, a disciple, or a fearful man who hides behind a front of indifference.
None of those things.
He finally had the chance to see the world from the eyes of a mortal man.
There were still three hours until the first Trial, and with the minutes gratuitously passing like seconds, he wanted to make the most out of this short period of time.
Elevating his head once more, Rue watched the sky from the eyes of a mortal man.
'I've never really considered, or cared enough about it to notice it… but it seems that in some bizarre, twisted way, I really do miss Altheria.'
'How ironic, I miss the world that threw me out like a bastard child just because I managed to condense this blasted Initial.'
'...'
Several seconds of mental silence passed.
'But I guess it's not really people that I miss, but the world itself… I mean just look at the sky, it's such a mundane canvas lacking any of the real substance that should normally draw and bedazzle a person.'
'At least the night sky there was always so vibrant and interesting.'
'But this is just so pitifully boring.'
'Well…—'
"So," came Livia's voice from the other side of the bench, snapping Rue out of his mental jargon.
"What's up with that ugly look? It doesn't suit you," Livia expressed in an attempt to make some light fun.
Rue shrugged.
"Nothing really, just thinking."
Livia pursed her lips, amused. "Thinking, really?" she muttered with a light roll of her eye.
"Not to sound too bitchy, but you're not really the type to think," she said.
"Thanks for the compliment," Rue remarked dryly. "But it's nothing really, just some rare solace to think back and relax… even if—" he said, lifting his arms, stretching languidly.
His muscles rippled, pulsing with power, unseen behind the thick cloth of the kimono.
"I'm waiting for a Trial." he sarcastically mused.
Considering Rue's utterance for some seconds, Livia nodded, understanding the sentiment.
Scrutinizing the sky, Rue from his peripheral vision saw a silver panel summon before Livia.
Her fingers glided across the silver screen impossibly fast, as they danced across tabs. She would occasionally type books' worth of information in mere seconds before continuing to other tasks.
Stealing a glance at her face, he was met with the uncanny sight of her eyes rapidly snapping across the panel.
After several minutes of this entourage, Livia came to a finish.
Noticing her stop, Rue raised his brow.
"What was that about?"
"Nothing much. I had to do some work I've been procrastinating for the past two weeks," she said dismissively.
He gave a nod before returning sights to the sky.
'Appear,' Rue thought.
On command, a transparent orange panel appeared before him.
Looking at the top left corner, he read the time.
[23:20]
'Dismiss.' The panel flickered out of existence.
"It's almost midnight, we should start heading out soon," Rue said.
Hearing this, Livia nodded after glancing at the time.
"We will, but first let me see your hand," she suddenly asked.
"Why? Are you going to kiss it like you did that snake like a bastard?" he teased, offering his hand with a little expectant shake.
"Ha~ ha~ how funny," She said snidely.
Snapping her fingers, Livia summoned two silver-colored cylinder-shaped objects, both being a few centimeters in depth, placing them onto Rue's palm.
"These are your weapons for the first trial," she said matter-of-factly with a gentle smile.
Raising his hand eye-level, he carefully examined the weapons.
"What is this?" he questioned, noticing the lack of weaponry finesse from the objects.
"It's as I said they're your weapons," she said evenly, a flash of amusement crossing her eyes.
Rue stared deadpanned.
"Yeah, I already got that, but what are these tin cans, and how am I supposed to use them?" he replied.
"How simple," she mused teasingly. "Those 'tin cans' of yours are actually custom-coded installments—or keys—from yours truly, that you plug into the system hosting the simulation, and would be rendered for your usage," she explained.
"We're using a simulation?"
Livia gave a short nod.
"Of course we are. I'm the one who suggested it in the first place. If we were to have you both duel physically, then the likelihood of a binomial factor interfering would null the point of the duel—or simply your death," she finished.
'Honestly that's really cool… and in hindsight I guess it makes sense,' Rue reasoned.
"So what type of weapons are they?" he asked, stashing the keys into a small pouch slacked over his shoulder.
"I gave you a smaller-end battle axe, along with two hand-held railguns to seal the deal." she said with a smirk.
"Is ammunition a concern?" He asked.
Livia shook her head. "The system should provide you a given amount."
Several seconds passed before Livia spoke again.
"If that's all, then I'd we should start heading to the gathering hall." she announced, standing up.