The City of Lust

No one tried to stay together.

Even after exchanging names and the possible danger within the city, the group began to drift apart…

They didn’t speak, didn’t offer to pair up or form a plan to survive this world. As a matter of fact, Kai even seemed so excited to fulfill his lust!

Farrah said as she watched how they simply turned and walked in different directions…

She noticed that Ciara lingered near the edge of the station, arms wrapped around herself, before slipping into a narrow alley lit by flickering pink neon.

Nathan adjusted his tie and walked with stiff steps toward a towering building with rotating gears.

Steve muttered something under his breath and disappeared down a side street while his hands were in his pockets.

Teresa, on the other hand, stood still for a long moment, whispering a prayer, then followed the scent of incense drifting from a nearby chapel-like structure.

There was nothing Farrah could do since she couldn’t trust them either…

They were all afraid. That much was obvious.

For whatever reason, none of them wanted to be vulnerable again.

‘Right… There’s that rule.’ Farrah understood. One of the rules had made it clear…

[ 1. Only the Cursed may enter the Game.

Those whose names are written upon the Statue of Avarra shall be pulled into the Trials.

You cannot summon yourself, nor refuse the call once chosen. ]

Someone had written their names.

Someone had cursed them.

And if betrayal had brought them here… why would they trust anyone now?

Shane remained beside her, silent for a moment as he watched the others vanish into the city’s haze. Then he turned to her.

“I figured we’d stick together…” he said quietly.

Farrah didn’t answer right away. She looked at him… really looked at him.

Same calm eyes. Same steady voice. The same man who used to leave her notes in her lunchbox. The man who used to hold her hand when she couldn’t sleep after a night shift. The man who, one day, simply stopped trying.

They had broken up. Not with screaming or betrayal.

It was just silence… distance and the slow erosion of something that once felt unshakable.

And now here he was. Expecting something.

“Who do you think cursed you?” she asked.

Shane didn’t expect the sudden question…

“What?”

“Who wrote your name on the statue?” Farrah repeated with a serious voice.

“I don’t know,” he said while frowning.

“I’ve thought about it, but… I really don’t know.”

Farrah’s voice dropped. “Aren’t you the one who wrote mine?”

Shane’s expression didn’t change, but his jaw tightened. “No. I didn’t.”

She stared at him, trying to read the truth in his face.

But the rules clearly stated that lies would weaken you. If he was lying, he’d pay for it eventually…

Still… could she trust him?

Could she afford to?

Farrah looked away. “I’d like to be alone.”

Shane hesitated. “Farrah…”

She didn’t wait for him to finish. She just turned and walked.

Still, he respected her choice and didn’t follow.

This might be their last time to be together, but she had to be firm with her decision…

***

Soon, Farrah stepped off the station platform and into the city.

As soon as she did so, she noticed the movements of other people or residents of this city… She saw them wander around with their silhouettes blurred by steam and neon lights.

Farrah also noticed that the air was thick with heat and perfume… There was the scent of roses and rust that she might have to get used to.

It was uncomfortable, but it was bearable.

‘Hmmm… Is that it?’

The scent of roses was probably due to the nearby shop with its doorway marked:

[ The Velvet Hour. All desires welcome. ]

Farrah just ignored that as she turned her attention elsewhere.

“Now… How do I survive for a month here?” She muttered to herself as she suddenly felt hungry.

Whoosh~

A sudden steam hissed from vents in the ground, and it was curling around her legs like smoke from a dying fire.

This time, it felt really uncomfortable, so she moved quickly…

As she walked, the Crimson City unfolded before her like some sort of hallucination. Massive towers of brass and copper could be seen overhead… Pipes ran along the buildings like veins, and there were numerous signs in strange, shifting languages above doorways.

Some of these signs were inviting, but some were warning…

Clank… Clank… Clank…

A tram passed overhead on a suspended rail, and Farrah could only look at it in awe.

She then passed a storefront where mannequins stood behind fogged glass… They were dressed in silk and leather.

‘So this is their fashion here?’

However, a sign above read…

[ The Skin You Deserve. ]

Seeing that suspicious signage, she just kept walking.

She then passed a fountain shaped like a heart… However, instead of water, it pumped a thick, red liquid that shimmered like wine.

A plaque at its base read…

[ Indulge. You’ve earned it. ]

Farrah’s stomach turned, so once again, she kept walking… hoping to find a place where she could safely fill her stomach…

Thankfully, it didn’t take that long before she finally found a decent place.