time for sleep...or is it?

“Woho! Mari! That was one hell of a victory! How did you even do that with your eyes closed? I mean daaaamn!”

Even through the poor, black and white connection, my brother’s face was positively beaming. I could only chuckle in response. I probably shouldn’t tell Zachs about the **** I went through for that victory.

We didn’t own a magic vision. In fact, when I set out towards the long voyage to Rasheul we didn’t even have enough gold to pay for my brothers travel expenses so that he could join me here.

This was the first time I saw his face in months.

The reason we could even talk now was because the major of our village invited him over to stay as long as he wanted.

“You got over 6000 coins for that last win, right? Sweet tits of a Frozen, your loaded, man, loaded!”, my brother laughed.

“Not that loaded”, I responded humbly. “I will transfer 10.000 Gold over to you by tomorrow. A bit more actually. Make good use of it and arrange preparation with Mr. Alphorne.”

The moment Zachs heard that his expression changed. “I get that you don’t want to travel with that much money, but is there a reason for the rush?”

“There is”, I nodded. “Of course I will try to avoid it but in the worst case scenario…”

“No.”

My brother flat out refused me.

“Zachs…”, I sighed. Well, it wasn’t as if I wasn’t expecting that.

“Don’t even attempt it”, he warned me. “If you send me any money I donate it to the government.”

My eyes bulged in shock. “A-Are you crazy! You might as well throw it out the window!”

My brother tends to be a jokster but when hes was serious about something it was impossible to change his mind. I could tell, he would absolutely go through with this threat. “Listen, Mari. What good is it if we find Ceri just to lose you? I don’ t want you fighting in these matches with an attitude that becoming a **** is ok.”

“Of course, I won’t.” I tried to defend myself.

“Good!” Evidently sensing the awkward atmosphere my brother quickly laughed it off and switched topics. “You know, why don’t you use a part of that money to buy Hebi-san a nice gift? Knowing her, she must be absolutely livid!”

I had to chuckle at the suggestion. “A gift, huh? Well, in a way, I already did”, I grinned at him. “Don’t worry, I’m enjoying my **** on her”

“Oh, of course you are” he winked at me. “Just don’t tease her too much, alright?”

…

Teasing?

Something in the way he worded that irked me. Maybe it was just the poor connection making it hard to read his sarcasm but...was he actually serious? The girls from earlier said something similar but they only knew Hebi-san for a few days. Zachs of all people should know better.

“Uh, Mari? Everything alright?”

…

“It’s nothing...I mean...it’s just...”, I hesitated, then sighed. “You don’t think Hebi-san has earned herself some proper payback?”

“Proper payback?” Zachs just stared at me as if he was completely lost. “Mari what are you talking about?”

The hell?

“What are YOU talking about?”, I spat back, unable to completely hide my irritation. “You know we are talking about Hebi-san. That Hebi-san, right? I mean you saw what she did to me during the qualifiers.”

“Yes?”, my brother made a somewhat puzzled expression. “She hypnotized you and **** you to surrender.”

Ok, what the hell is going on here? Why is my brother so nonchalant about what was complete and utter public humiliation?

No, wasn’t he always like that? Hebi-san bullied me for years and he just turned a blind eye towards it. Granted, I never told him outright, but he had to have known what was going on, right? I’m not blaming him for that. What could he have done with that leg of his? But still...

“Guess that was a bigger deal to you then I thought…”, he mumbled.

Of course it was!

Perhaps seeing my reaction, Zachs expression softened again. “Look, all I’m saying is, you defeated her. What’s in the past is in the past. Focus on the future.”

...

Is he just trying to not make a big fuss out of it? Trying to help me get over it?

“Whew! Mari! Relax! Take a deep breath! The pressure is clearly getting to you! You need to chill out!” My brother laughed again.

I heeded his advice and tried to calm myself down. He certainly wasn’t wrong about that. “Sorry, this last...month...I mean, week was just...very stressful.”

My brother nodded. “I can imagine. Hey, tomorrows only the draw for the semi’s, right? Use the rest of the day to get some R&R in! You clearly need it!”

I winced when I heard him bring that up. “Right..uh...about the draw tomorrow. It’s really nothing special, so you don’t have to watch it.”

“No way!”, he laughed. “Of course I tune in! The entire village will, I bet. They actually just installed a huge magic vision screen over at the market to broadcast the rest of the tournament. You have become a massive celebrity, Mr. Amber Assassin!”

Ha Ha Ha….yay.

…

..

.

After the call with my brother ended I went straight to bed. I will have to wake up early tomorrow after all. Aiju was apparently still angry at me and I had no idea what Sanakia was up to, meaning I had the large bed all to myself for a change.

Today was a long day. Hopefully the longest I will ever have to experience in my life.

But still.

I made it through another day, huh? Tomorrow will be...I rather not think about it. Then the day after tomorrow the semi finals. I will have to make it through them without surrendering. Either by getting myself killed or striking a deal with my opponent.

And then I’m done.

I’m close.

When I started this journey half a year ago. I never thought I would make it this far. It still felt unreal.

I closed my eyes and sighed.

Thanks to Femto I grew significantly stronger. Strong enough to subdue my childhood bully. And yet it is nowhere near enough. I saw Sylphid and Valkyries battle with my own eyes. Their immense power is insane. And Minerva just enslaved the embodiment of invincibility. It almost made me laugh.

Then there is the stuff with Ojou-sama. I completely forgot about her, but this carelessness is dangerous. Is what will happen tomorrow her parting gift or just the beginning of a new offensive? I had no idea.

And what the hell is the deal with Hebi-san? As much as I tried to ignore it, I just couldn’t. Everyone is acting so strange and that includes me. Should I talk to her tomorrow?

...

Yeah, right. After my “performance” tomorrow I doubt I will be in any state for a serious conversation.

...I couldn't sleep.

Too many thoughts swirled in my head. But that wasn’t all of it. While this technically was the longest day ever, I did also wake up at two in the afternoon. After getting the best rest in my life from Femto.

As everything that Devil does, this now feels more like a curse then a gift.

The door slowly creaked open. Ah, that must be Aiju or Sanakia. Good. I think I need some company.

“Are you still awake, Mari Beta?”

Oh, you have to be kidding me!

“Hebi-san?” I groaned internally. “I told you, you will not get the master bedroom.”

“Your insolence is not why we are here.” The Galmon slowly strutted towards my bed. “The maid provided us with information. She believed it imperative that you need to retire to your quarters at a bedtime most fitting for small children and should not be disturbed.”

“She got one part right”, I replied gruffly. “The do not disturb part.”

After what happened today Hebi-san should avoid me like the plague. Hasn’t she learned her lesson yet?

Instead of taking the hint, Hebi-san arrogantly flipped her hair back. “Foolish Mari Beta. Do you not realize it? We posses powers. Powers that can aid you to rest well.”

I almost laughed in her face. “Your kidding, right? There is absolutely no way I let you hypnotize me!”

“And why are you so averse to it?”, Hebi-san gazed at me with her cool eyes. “As a matter of fact the foolish girl with the tiny breasts has begged me to use my powers on you.”

Beatrice? Why in blazes would she...never mind this is Beatrice we are talking about. It’s probably another insane plan of hers. “Ok, umm...that’s nice and all but not thanks.”

“Do you not get it?”, Hebi-san hissed at me. “We are under a spell of absolute obedience!”

“and this stupid, fucking cockcage, you kinky cunt!”, added Gilbert unhelpfully.

“That is completely besides the point”, I shook my head. “I’m not giving you the satisfaction of controlling me ever again.”

“Are you that much of a coward, Mari Beta? Afraid, that we might enthrall you, despite the fact that there is no chance of us succeeding with this endeavor? How utterly pathetic! How dare you call yourself our thrall!”

There was no reason for me to listen to this.

I should just tell her to leave.

“But you don’t want to”, a voice whispered.

Right.

Because a small part of me still wanted to submit to her. It was nowhere near as strong as it used to be, but it was still there and I hated it.

“Besides, we did that often when we where younger, didn't we? And you seemed to enjoyed it greatly, fufufu.”

We clearly had a very different concept of enjoyment.

…

I should throw her out of the room. Or barring that, just have my fun with her. Maybe make her suck my dick again.

That would be the normal response.

But I was not normal.

That part of me that I wish wouldn't exist was looking forward to these blissful moments spend completely at Hebi-sans mercy. She humiliated me, put me through so many painful ordeals and yet...it wasn’t all pain and humiliation. Every now and then she would just put me under and let me experience pure bliss. There was always that small glimmer of compassion. In a weird, twisted way, Hebi-san cared for me.

Shit.

I want a break. A break from all of it. Just stop thinking for a little while and forget it all.

I want this.

No.

I need this.

…

“You will only doing it in order to help me sleep”, I double checked. “There will be no after effects. No trigger or anything of the sort. I will be perfectly back to my senses when I wake up tomorrow.”

“Naturally”, Hebi-san assured me. “In this you can trust us.”

Safety orders are installed. Hebi-san had to act according to my best interest. There should be no danger. Beatrice also agreed on this.

I’m not doing this because I want to. If I don’t do this I won’t get a wink of sleep tonight. That could be an issue. After all, there will be a battle tomorrow, of sorts, at least. This late in the game I can’t take any chances.

Right. I am in full control here. I’m merely making use of Hebi-san’s ability. There is nothing wrong with it. That is what a master does.

“Fine”, I agreed with a sigh. “You get to hypnotize me, just this once,”

Hebi-san smiled a smile of triumph. I was already regretting my decision, but that regret lasted only for a second. The moment our eyes interlocked I felt a mist slowly enter my brain.

Yes, it was a feeling I was quite familiar with. The process was gradual, but like sinking in quick sand, the moment it started it was already too late.

My free will was stripped away and there was nothing I could do to prevent it.

I submitted myself to my bully.

It was absolutely intoxicating.