The gathering was held in the City of Lamberg, more specifically, located in the more richer area of the city.
A mysterious figure shrouded in a shadowy cloak, his face obscured. A fortunate thing, for his face was not very dignified at the moment.
Kios slowly walked towards a greystone wall. The alleyway was situated between a prestigious restaurant and an aquarium.
He paused, and looked at his heavily bandaged hands. And then very stiffly, he knocked on the wall.
"Ardin"
A ripple appeared on the greystone wall, as if it was a liquid. Kios passed through it, and felt no resistance as he was met with darkness on the other side. He reached for a small bronze token in his cloak, he pulled it out it and it glowed a faint orange.
A crack appeared on the bronze token which was engraved on with the Lambergian symbol of Extraordinary.
神奇
The bronze token turned into a fine dust, which Kios shook off. The pitch black around him pulled back, revealing a fine white marble floor, and a giant red curtain in front of him.
A small wooden table, placed upon it was a golden face mask — drooping eyelids, and a very exaggerated frown. Mask of Gloom. Kios pulled his hood back and placed the mask on his face.
Pulling back the massive red curtain, which which was held by two marble columns — a myriad of bright lights made Kios instinctively close his eyes. He opened them again, too see hundreds of scarlet curtains, all placed along the wall.
The room was cylindrical, and the curtains was placed on the walls vertically. He could see that most of them were open, with a cloaked figure wearing a golden mask of either Gloom or Joy peeking through.
Facing down, he saw the circular marble stage. A bright yellowish light from seemingly the roof projected downwards, illuminating the giant chamber.
A figure dressed in a smart white notch tailcoat with white dress pants. Placed on top of their head was a white fedora with a white feather. Their face was covered with a blank golden mask.
They spread their arms, "Welcome to the Theatre. Everyone here is someone beyond ordinary, extraordinary!"
Their voice was rich and smooth, slightly feminine. Although Kios did not get the feeling that it was a man.
'A eunuch?'
Kios sighed softly as he watched the suited figure.
"Behind each curtain holds a story, a magnificent one. Good stories must always have obstacles, that is why, my dear stories, we hold these gatherings." They put their arms down and smoothed their suit.
"Stories must be told, and the best way to tell a story are through items. Share you stories, let your magnificent adventures speak through the items you share. Those who wish to read these magnificent stories can offer a story in return."
"And I know that all of you have such magnificent stories, otherwise you would not be here!" They laughed.
"We will now go down from each row, please wait your turn, and don't all make an offer at once. I know good stories are irresistible, but please, have some courtesy"
The figure bowed their head, and stood up perfectly still. However this time, the figure was completely frozen. Even when Kios blurred his eyes, he could not see any aura coming from the figure.
"Tongue of a Succubus, I'm seeking gold, or a a strong heat resistance elixir that works for an hour." The person from the highest curtain spoke, the mask distorted the voice, making their voice a unnaturally deep.
'Useless item, unless…well there are some who are interested in such…items. Though it is quite rare, at least 1,500 soni. A strong heat resistance potion is equally as rare'
The theatre was silent, the figure receded back into the curtain. Giving way the masked figure beneath them.
"Information on the whereabouts of Alastor Mammon. I'm willing to pay 10,000 soni if the lead is accurate."
'The heir of the Mammon family? Being from such a powerful family he wouldn't have a bounty on him unless he did something big'
'10,000 soni just for a lead? Just how much is the bounty on him?
"Mammon, eh? The brat killed his parents and fled, so I heard. The bounty isn't sanctioned, whoever put it on him probably wants to use him to get into the Mammon treasury."
"The Mammon treasury, the demon-spawn have been hoarding countless treasures. True to their ancestor of Greed"
Many where quite interested on the topic of the Mammon boy, including Kios.
"It seems many of you are interested in finding the Mammon boy, and for that you'll need a very good way of tracking him! I humbly request 45,000 soni in exchange for a Dalstan Goldhound!"
"F*ck off!"
"F*ck your shi*ty dog!"
They receded back into their curtain, their Mask of Gloom still poking out.
'Some people simply like enraging the masses, it brings great joy to them. I'll admit, I find it funny as well…'
A Goldhound did have excellent tracking capabilities, but it only worked off scent, and the common price for one in the black market was a mere 3,000 soni.
"I have an enchanted Anarian spear, high-grade bronze, it can fly back to it's owner, but be warned — if you don't catch it you might find yourself pierced. I wish to exchange for a sheet of Ruvian steel."
Kios glanced at his dagger which was currently sheathed in Kios's left pocket. 'Ruvian steel acts as a conduit for flames. By feeding off spirituality, it can produce purifying flames. You can make powerful weapons using it'
Many where interested, yet none where in possession of the famed steel. Kios could count almost 60 curtains.
'Let's just hope someone has something interesting'
"High-grade light charms, imbued with a powerful light spell. Purifying and healing effects, can light up very large spaces. I have six of them, 5,000 soni each."
"But…I'm willing to exchange all of them for something…interesting"
'What you think is interesting is subjective, moron' Kios lampooned. 'I am in need of some light-charms, especially after dealing with that dammed skeleton. But I am not spending 5,000 soni just for one, and I have a feeling that the book has some secrets'
"30,000 soni, done" The figure below Kios peeked out. Kios could faint hear a rattle of coins, before the seller confirmed it.
The charm seller held out a large bulging wooden sack, and nodded towards the buyers direction.
And so the exchanging went…
"I seek 10 ml of liquid redspore, willing to exchange with a scroll on intermediate level familiar summoning"
'Who even uses familiars anymore?'
"Advanced alchemy kit complete with an alembic, retort, crucible and ingredients such as sunroots, flesh clay and vials of elicin, silasian and erneric. I seek an advanced spell book with a focus on blood magic"
'I always wanted an alchemy kit…'
"Trapped adult blue-spotted arachnid, seeking wings of a mutated elder bat."
'I don't like insects, well, the insects that don't have any good effects'
"A staff of dryad-enchanted wood and a conduit of Iternus ice, seeking conducted cufflinks"
'A magical staff of rare materials in exchange for cufflinks that make your punches heavier…wizard to boxer?'
"A pair of infernal daggers, they inflict depression and cause spiritual pain to those struck. They can also produce hellfire, at the risk of burning yourself. Ah, I forgot to mention that they also occasionally cause hallucinations and ravings. I seek…well, as the one before said, something interesting"
"I have a Tongue of a Succ—
"I have a cursed book found from the remnants of an ancient castle which was guarded by a corrupted skeleton priest who killed and absorbed an entire Ghengz tribe." Kios's voice boomed, altered by the mask.
"B-but the tongue…" Kios could hear a faint mumble.
"That's…interesting" Kios could hear the seller say.
"You can have the daggers"
Kios reached into his cloak, and set the book onto the wooden table from which he obtained his mask. The cover of the book was a musty emerald green.
The book flashed with a colourful rainbow light, the table underneath shaking slightly. A pair of crimson-steeled daggers appeared next to the table with a burst of rainbow light, but the book was still at the table.
Suddenly, on the centre stage, the white suited figure lifted their head, and faced Kios's curtain.
"A story that cannot be shared. Should not be shared…"
The rainbow light emanating from the book disappeared.
It was still there.
"I haven't got anything…" Alastor said from behind his mask, he had laid the daggers on the table, the rainbow light took them away, yet there was no book on his table.
Other noticed that their host had unfrozen. The suited figure looked directly as Kios.
"You are not welcome here anymore."
Kios was blinded by an orange light, he lost his balance and fell on the ground, yet it was not marble he fell on, but stone.