Chapter 560: Marked
"Tell me what you know about the marked," Laz asked in a somewhat commanding voice. He was making a gamble, one that he hoped would work.
"I’m sorry sir. I am not allowed to disclose the identity of any of the others, even if you are another marked," the young lady leading Laz replied with an apologetic look. Laz noticed that the outfit she was wearing matched the same one the woman at the door had on, a black leather top and black leather pants with boots. While it was tight in many places, it didn’t scream sexual the way Laz thought this place might display itself. Also of note was the red robed figures were standing both at the entrance and around the halls Laz was led through, as though they were guards posted for security purposes.
"No no. I meant more in a general aspect," Laz said, clarifying his question.
"Oh? Ah. Yes sir. I heard that it is also common for those who are marked to not understand what such a thing means as their gods don’t consider it just some mundane thing. While we call it marked as a way of classifying all those who have been branded by their gods, the actual usage of such a thing is different for each deity. Even if the intent and eventual use differs, the one thing that remains the same is that marking a person takes a large toll on the god as tying the karma of a mortal to a god is neither simple nor something done in haste. Once one is tied to the god they serve, the connection can not be cut off unless it is agreed to by both parties. In such cases, it is usually the god who abandons the mortal as either they disappointed their god to such a degree that the god would no longer want to care for them or had gone out of control so much that they are no longer of use. There is also a third reason that while it sounds grand, isn’t and hardly ever happens," the girl responded while still leading Laz along. The twisting hallways and somewhat dim lighting seemed to be leading them deeper and deeper into the underground.
"And what is that?" Laz asked, knowing that there was far more going on than he knew as he understood the point of this trip was to make him lost. What’s more, the girl leading the way seemed highly out of place and unnatural in this surrounding, although Laz couldn’t put his finger on the why of it.
"If the one branded by the god is strong enough to threaten the god the are bonded to," she said, before turning one final corner.
The massive domed hall opened in front of him, light by hundreds of fire like lights along the walls but also floating along the ceiling. Laid out everywhere were dozens of plush red couches and chairs currently occupied by what could only be described as over a hundred people at first glance. While that was amazing enough, along the base of the wall were hundreds of small cages, many empty, but many containing rather beautiful males and females of all ages and colors. Seeing this, Laz held on as his rage almost boiled, but he found none of them to be either too young, or their situations to be dire in any way shape or form. In fact, each of them had a small seat within the cage along with some food and drink. None of them seemed like they were in a bad situation as people constantly walked in front of them to either talk with the occupants or to look briefly before moving on.
"Your control is astounding sir," Laz’s guide said with a smile.
"How so?" Laz asked, turning to look back at her.
"Many who come here see this and can’t help but break into a heated boil, be it due to lust or rage at the sight of the grand gathering. For you, although you seemed surprised, neither your temperature nor energy fluctuations changed at all. I must say I am impressed," the said, looking over Laz once again with a new gaze.
Her face was young while her body was well developed. But the strange part about her was that there wasn’t anything that stood out. Her brown eyes and dark brown hair seemed rather bland compared to the bright greens, pinks, blues and purples of the other guides who were still standing around. Even the bright gold of the woman who greeted him at the door made more of an impression on Laz when he saw her. He breasts were developed, but not huge. More average than anything else. While her body was toned, as could be seen from the skin tight leather, her other assets could only be described as average.
Looking at her, Laz finally understand just how big of a deception she was putting on.
"You have good eyes, very good eyes in fact. And what’s more... everything about you is as plain as a random person walking on the street in a crowd. Not a single thing stands out about you nor would draw attention. If it wasn’t for the suit, I wouldn’t even think you were a part of this temple. And yet... you’ve betrayed yourself time and time again," Laz said with a laugh, thinking back on everything since the first moment she bowed to him.
"Oh? My guests thinks that I am more than what I seem?" the young woman said with a smile.
"You can’t hide that air of smugness in your voice or that look on your face. As we walked, the guards stood straighter from the moment they saw you, as though in the presence of one far higher than themselves in station. As you led the way down the hallways, taking every twist and turn in stride, you forced yourself to a slower pace to prevent your hips and your chest from swaying while also muffling your footfalls. Your boots, while normal looking from the outside, are more of a high heel than anything any of the other guides are wearing. And yet despite that, while rigid and firm, your body still moves with a natural grace and swiftness. It’s almost to the point where even I would find it hard to match you in speed. Not impossible mind you... but it would take a hell of a lot of effort," Laz explained, looking the mysterious young woman in the eyes.
As he did so, the brown vanished, replaced by a prism of colors, shimmering, shining and fading, one after another, even several all at once. The golden eyes of Asura reacted almost immediately, fighting the corruption to a standstill as the colors finally faded into nothing.
They had been close enough that no one around them had noticed what happened, all except for the young man who was standing in front of a large glass ball that she had led Laz too when they entered the room.
"I know now why he warned me about you. You truly are the most dangerous one here tonight... for many reasons."
"You should trust your instincts as I find they are helpful in keeping one alive," Laz returned her threat, not the least bit worried.
"Mistress Ch..."
"Quiet!" the young woman said to the young man, putting a finger over her mouth as though telling him to not speak her name.
"Yes guide. Is this one to be granted the ball?"
"No need for that. The disturbance wouldn’t be worth the clean up. Just give him maximum privileges and mark it down as my call. No one will bother you for that," she ordered the young man with a soft voice.
Turning to face Laz.
"You are to be given free range of whatever you’d like in this place without limit as your entire expense will be handled by the temple. Anyone is available for your selection, however they must agree to it as the same rules apply to those who are paying as well. Refreshments are free of charge and while there is normally a charge for special medicines, once again your bill will be handled by the temple. Here is a pass for you as well. Your room is marked and coded and may only be opened with this pass as no one else, even those working for the temple may not enter without your permission. I do so hope you enjoy your time with us for this grand gathering as the main events will begin shortly."
"So then does this mean that even you are available free of cost to me?" Laz asked as she walked away, a smile on his face.
She paused for just a moment before turning back. While the other guides were sticking close to their guests, she was obviously not the same as the rest of them.
"I am so, but I should tell you of something else that others seem to not understand. While the cost is free for you and costs others those magical bills that you have that don’t belong to you, there is a hidden cost as well. Life is a precious resource, both for those who have much of it and more so for those who have little of it left. While engaging with a lust servant of this temple, doing so can only be fueled by the life within you. Do you want to bet whether your life force is stronger than mine?" the young woman said with a smile.
"Perhaps I’d surprise you? Perhaps... what I have to offer is far more than anything you’ve ever experienced before?" Laz said, reaching over to a tray and taking a drink that was being offered.
The cool liquid went down before becoming liquid fire. For the briefest of moments, Laz felt his lust rage, but it cooled just as quickly as it flared up.
"Interesting," the girl said, before waving the servant away. The drinks were only now being passed out, but Laz had been offered one first.
"At least tell me your name?" Laz asked, somewhat amused by this obvious provocation.
"I am known as Mistress Chrome, as what the servant would have called me before I interrupted him."
"An interesting name. And yet somehow misleading... hmm..."
"Oh? Then what do you think is the truth?"
"Chrome... no... ah... yes... your eyes. Chromatic? Hmm... I guess I shall call you Roma then. Afterall... Mistress Chromatic sounds... informal."
"Even my most prized servants wouldn’t dare to disrespect my name," Roma said with a frown.
"Well... I’m not them and I have no reason to bow to you either," Laz replied with a laugh.
"Every man will fall beneath my foot when I will it."
"A man would yes. So tell me then... what do you think I am?"
"Just another... Hmph. We shall settle this ’discussion’ another time," Roma said before walking off, leaving Laz laughing as he grabbed another drink.
