Well, since Seito and I like having 2 round robins going on at once and one of ours just ended, here we go again! Welcome to Vita Aeterna!

Curious about what a round robin is?

Check here to find out.

----

One of the oldest legends of the land involve a great king named Fieron. His reign was full of prosperity and he spent his life amassing great riches, but as he grew older and more feeble, he only desired one treasure: The Goblet of Aeter. It was said that anyone who drank from the goblet would never die. It was the equivalent to Earth's holy grail.

However, The Celestials were against the creation of the Goblet in the first place. They knew that eternal life wasn't a blessing, but a curse. They punished the man who forged the goblet, an artisan name Tiveyo, condemning him to a life of slavery to the Celestials. They were unable to destroy the Goblet, so they pooled their powers and broke it into seven pieces and kept the seven locked in a vault in the highest tower in their realm.

But Tiveyo was clever and angry at the Celestials for his enslavement. After years of careful planning, he was able to find the vault and steal the seven pieces. He tried to escape the Celestials, but was killed with lightning from one of their hands. As he was falling to the ground, the seven pieces he carried in his arms, spilled out and fell to the planet, scattering as they fell.

They have never since been reunited. But it is said that should they all be assembled once more, the Goblet of Aeter will once more be whole and whoever drinks, shall never die.

----

Ages later, one man has determined that this legend is no mere story. Having tracked where he believes each piece is, yet being too old himself to go chasing around the world for them, he has invited 21 young men and women, offering them great reward should they be the winners of the "game" he has set for them. These people don't know why they were chosen or who the man is - he only answers to the name, "The Benefactor." They don't know what the artifacts are or his reasoning behind acquiring them.

All they know is they've been invited to a grand estate by an old, eccentric art collector, for a feast and maybe something else, though the invitation itself was vague.

Our story opens as limos arrive at the estate. The sky is clear, the stars are shining. A brisk chill is in the air.

Ayame stretched her limbs as she got out of the limo. She straighted and smooth out her long black dress before checking her hair. Ayame opened her invitation again. "The Benefactor" promised a great prize in exchange for playing a "game". Ayame frowned. She didn't like the sound of it, but the game had pipped her interest really. Even since BITs had died out like a fad, she was missing the dangerous element in her life. Not to mention was quite curious how this person discovered her as the invitation was addressed not to Ayame Ookami but Ayame Tensai, a last name she left behind long ago.

She pocketed the invitation away in her purse, her hands brushing against a silver ball. Ayame smiled to herself. It was okay. Even if this was trap, she was confident that she would make it out alive.

------------------

Another black limo pulled into the driveway. This time five people had climbed out of it: three woman and two men. The first out was a slender woman with long white hair and bright sapphire blue eyes. Following her was an eldery lady, shorter and older but exactly the same. A small girl followed her grandmother out, with the same white hair and bright purple eyes. Her brother, a young boy with white hair and pale green eyes climbed out after her. Finally the oldest, an old man with white hair and cold black eyes left the car. This was the Usuyuki Family.

The head of the family, Yobu had recieved an interesting invitation from a mysterious man. Having been unable to find out the identity, Yobu decided to bring his family along to the event. His wife Yumi was here to observe while the three grandchildren Seika, Saya, and Sai would be the ones to take part in the "game." Each grandchild was skilled in the family martial art and Yobu expected nothing short of prefection from them. (Something Yumi disagree with constantly).

The eldest grandchild, Seika had fought the most about coming. Once the heir to the family name, Yobu disown her for being failure. Only years later, to have Seika grow to be the strongest in the family. His own stubborn nature refuses to reinstate her as the heir. Seika however doesn't mind; she could care less about being the heir.

The second oldest, Sai, was much like his grandfather. A stubborn stick in the mud, Sai is the current declared heir with his sister, Saya, being next.

With tension high between them, the Usuyuki Family entered the mansion.

"Ah, so this is where the old coot lives," a young man drawled as he stepped out of his limo. He rolled his eyes at the obscene display of wealth - gold plated doors and windows, servants, the limos coming and going. Jay Van Zandt wasn't impressed in the least. The only reason he accepted the invitation is because his research on the Benefactor had pulled up some interesting things...the old man had invested money in a lot of things, yet his real name was never given and his picture never taken. He even read about how photographs of the man had actually been taken, but had disappeared before ever reaching the public eye. Jay wondered what he had to hide.

He had almost tossed the thing in the trash, likening each participant in the game to be nothing more to the Benefactor than a couple of mice running after some cheese. He wondered what kind of people would be so desperate for a little money that they would stoop to that level? That's when the idea for a story was born. He decided to go and participate in this little game, expose the truth behind the man who called himself the Benefactor, and write an article about all the money hungry idiots who would be sent who knew where at the old coot's whim.

A limo pulled up right after his and he looked down at it, a sardonic grin on his face. "And here's another one," he mumbled to himself as a young woman stepped out. She had long red hair and sparkling hazel eyes. Jay raised an eyebrow. If all the idiots looked like this one, this definitely wouldn't be a bad move at all.

She walked up the steps and smiled shyly at him and he saw her name on the invitation she held. Namina Andrade. He stopped her as she walked past and she looked down in surprise at the hand on her arm.

"Just thought I should meet a fellow mouse," he said. "Jay Van Zandt's the name."

Mina gave him a strange look at the word mouse and said with a slight accent, "That's great." She pulled her arm away and continued to walk through the door, leaving Jay gaping at her in surprise.

How very rude! Mina thought, frowning as she walked away from the young man. A mouse? What was that about? Her frown melted away as she stepped into the mansion and was replaced by a very pleasant smile.

"You sure you want to do this?"

Twins got out of the next limo... though they didn't look exactly like twins. One had long blue hair and golden eyes while the other had golden hair and blue eyes. Mirror reflections. The blue hair one nodded. Sighing, the golden haired one replied. "Really Kit, this doesn't sound like a good idea."

"... I know Hoshi."

Hoshi and Kit were two of the same sides of the coin. They were unusual for normal people. Abilities that people dream of, were theirs for the taking. Kit possessed the ability to feel/sense negative emotions (a curse more then a blessing), foreseen events (though only by a few minutes), speak into the minds of others, and the ability to control darkness.

Hoshi on the other hand, had the ability to speak to spirits, and control over stars and light. It was quite odd indeed. But understandable once people began to know the whole story.

The two noticed a man covered in white head to toe, walk in before them. Kit frowned. That man was dangerous.

--------------

'It would seem', Ita mused to himself, 'that I've gotten myself into trouble again.'

Well it wasn't really trouble... yet. But Ita knew it was. He had a received an interesting invitation. At first he thought about throwing it away, but then he got word that the famous Usuyuki Family was going. Now if a family that powerful was interested, then Ita was curious as well.

When he arrived though, he knew instantly it was going to be trouble. There was just something off about this entire thing. He greatly debated getting back into the limo and telling the driver to drop him off at home. But already his mind was reeling in the different possibilities. It wouldn't hurt to stick around and at least see what the old man was offering right?

An elderly gentleman waited in the wings as his guests arrived. He was eager to set them upon their tasks and he knew they would not refuse. They wouldn't be here in the first place if they weren't the least bit curious. And $7,000,000 in itself could be quite convincing. But if any of the number still wasn't convinced...

Well, he wouldn't think of that! He didn't want to harm any of this number. They were selected for a reason, but there were a few among them that he really questioned if they truly belonged.

"Are the...alternative plans...ready?" he asked the young man standing next to him, his voice raspy and low.

"Yes sir," the man said, his face completely devoid of emotion. "Are you certain you're willing to have that on your shoulders?"

"I'm hoping it doesn't come to that," the old man replied. "But if need be, then yes. Knowledge of the game must not reach anyone outside these walls."

"I can understand not allowing those who are unwilling to play, to ever leave. But what will keep any of the rest from talking to anyone out there once they do leave on the search?"

"Beyond threat of disqualification?" the old man raised an eyebrow and then reached in his pocket, drawing out a small item that looked like a pearl. He gestured for the younger man to follow him to where a goblet of wine sat on a tray. He dropped the pearl in and it bubbled and fizzed. "After the toast, we'll tell them just what was in the wine."

"A secrecy bead!" the young man's eyes widened. "I had only read about those!"

"My friend," the old man smiled. "That's only scratching the surface." He pulled back the curtain on the balcony in the grand hall, but they were still hidden from view. The old man looked at each person there and said, "It looks like we're expecting two more. Go greet the guests, make them comfortable, and when the last two arrive, we'll bar the exits and then let the game begin."

((I count 11 characters))

Ayame lazily looked around. There weren't a large number of people. No more then twenty guests, not including the guards she's seen around. She shifted her weight into a more comfortable position. There was something off about this entire situation. A game was a game, but with this level, there was far too much at stake.

She sipped the red wine quickly, draining the glass. Her eyes wandered to the pair of twins. Both took a glass of wine, but while the golden hair one drank it, the blue hair one turned around and dumped into the potted plant next to her. Those already half drunk, the golden hair repeated the motion. Ayame, paled, surely that didn't mean. She silently cursed to herself, glaring at empty glass. She was hating this more and more.

-------------

"This is interesting," Ita muttered to himself. He was standing next to the oldest Usuyuki grandchildren.

Seika didn't reply to him, still seething at the fact that she had been dragged here. "So... you don't look like you want to be," Ita started. Trying to make idle conversation with the girl. Seika glance at him, before returning to her previous state and ignoring him.

'Ouch. Looks like the iciness of the Usuyuki family runs in all the family members,' Ita thought to himself.

Seika deciding she didn't want his company anymore, walked away.

"Ouch, looks like you just got rejected."

Ita turned to see a young man standing next to him. "You mean just like how Ms. Namina Andrade rejected you?"

"Touche. Jay Van Zandt. Pleasure to meet you... Mr."

"Ita."

Jay's eyebrow raised. "Oh? No last name?"

"None that you need to know."

"Ah, the mysterious type, eh?" Jay laughed. "Hey! Whatever works, right? Well then, Ita, it looks like we'll be competing against each other." Jay looked around the room, sizing up the rest of the competition. In truth, he could care less about the money, having a sizable inheritance in his possession already. He had to laugh at the serious expression on Ita's face and the refusal to give a last name. So dramatic! he thought. But he wasn't surprised. Everyone here seemed to be wary of each other and he supposed the money had everything to do with it. "You wonder what people will stoop to in order to secure the prize for themselves?" he mused out loud to Ita.

The young man raised his eyebrow. "What do you mean?" he asked slowly.

"I hear it's a great fortune. And money's been known to cause problems for people in the past. For instance, that girl that just rejected you. She looks sweet on the outside, but who knows what she's capable of? Who knows what any of us are capable of?"

Ita turned to face Jay and crossed his arms. "And just what are you capable of?" he asked. He decided he didn't like this Van Zandt guy at all.

Jay merely shrugged and grinned, repeating what Ita had said earlier. "It's nothing that you need to know. Maybe nothing at all. Maybe more than you might think. Depends on how great the prize is." His eyes shifted to where Mina stood. A dark haired man had handed her a drink and said something that caused petite redhead to laugh. Jay noticed how perfect her smile was.

At that instant, there were a dozen loud clicks as bars slid down, locking in front of each window in the grand hall. Jay turned and saw that the doors had all been shut. He watched as a young woman pulled on the handle of one of them and found it locked. A cry of protest arose from the guests.

Jay was quite enjoying himself. He decided to start with the conspiracy theories. "Well, Mr. Ita. Either this is serious business or else someone just easily kidnapped some of the most important people in the country."

Ita was unfazed by the idea of being locked in. He was pretty sure this was a game and he was pretty sure that at least half the group of people here, posessed the means of getting out here. Take the Usuyuki family for example again. Their martial art style was so old and powerful, that cutting through steal was child's play. Ita, too, could do the same having a style just like former ninja family.

He also knew that not everyone was here for money. He glanced at the young woman known as Ayame Ookami. While she looked slightly difference, it wasn't hard to tell that she was owner and mastermind to the advance robotics creation, known as BITs. In other words, she was loaded and money was not an issue. Turning back to the ever so powerful Usuyuki Family, being a former ninja clan that was created centuries ago, they also didn't have a motive for money. Ita too, being from another ninja clan (one the Usuyuki family didn't know of) had a good fortune back home.

But he wouldn't put it pass any of them to try something dirty. The Ayame girl had a high level of IQ and her own street fighting style. The Usuyuki family probably wouldn't since their ethics deal alot with honor and pride, but they were still capable of doing something underhand. The twins Ita passed in the hallway, gave him the creeps. Jay, on the other hand, nothing about the man screamed danger.... yet.

Still, it was best to be wary of everyone. If he was lucky he could make a rocky alliance with the Usuyuki Family.

"I say it's serious business," Ita replied.

Jay looked at him mild surprised. "You're not worried that this isn't some big trap?"

Ita gave him a 'I-know-more-about-this-then-you-do' grin and didn't answer him.

---------

'This better not be another kidnapping attempt,' Ayame thought to herself. She didn't like the idea of being caged in.

--------

"Well, this isn't impressive," Hoshi said dryly.

'We can always leave through the shadows,' Kit spoke into her mind.

"This old man better have a good reason for locking us up," Hoshi quietly.

The Benefactor's protege slowly descended the spiral staircase in the main hall and the lights dimmed slightly. All eyes went to him and there were many hushed whispers among the guests:

Is that him?

I thought he was supposed to be older!

He's quite handsome, isn't he?

The dark-haired, young man stopped at the base of the stairs and extended his arms in welcome. "Greetings!" he called out. "I thank you all for coming tonight. I apologize for the extra security." He pointed to the windows. "Reinforced titanium," he commented, glancing at the Usuyuki family. Knowing their abilities, anything less would have been pointless. "But this is more to keep unwelcome visitors out than keep you in," he lied and then spoke another untruth. "Call me Benefactor. Ben, if you like." He grinned. "I am your host for the game," he said, his eyes briefly meeting the old man's, well hidden in the rafters.

Mina frowned when he said this. She had always heard that the philanthropist was quite old. This man couldn't be more than 4 or 5 years older than she was. She noticed a few others looking just as puzzled.

Ben walked through the crowd, toward the back of the room. He held a small device in his hand and pressed a few buttons. A large screen descended from the ceiling and the lights further dimmed as the screen illuminated. "Seven objects," he said, his voice ringing out in the room. "Scattered all over the world. Seven million dollars to the one who can find them and bring them back here." He turned and looked at the guests. "You've been invited on a scavenger hunt on the grandest scale. One that will take you to the most exotic locations. It doesn't matter how you get there or what you do, as long as you find the object. You're about to see the world as you've never seen it before and have an experience of a lifetime...one you'll definitely never forget." A few men in servers uniforms meandered through the crowd, handing large white envelopes to each of the guests as Ben continued to speak.

"In your envelope, you will find seven clues. Decipher them as best as you can and they should lead you straight to the seven objects. A word of caution, however...you must not speak of the game to anyone outside of this room. You will be disqualified if so. There are also a few instructions and tips listed...vehicles you might want to use, items you might want to take along, and things of that sort. Also, a little bit more about the hunt."


Ben paused "Of course, should more than one person bring back the objects, as no doubt will happen, there will be a special tie-breaking event here to determine the final winner. But we'll cross that bridge when we get there. For now, eat! There's plenty of food. And drink. Get to know your fellow competitors. That is, assuming all will be competing and I don't see any reason why you wouldn't. This is an idea I had many months ago and I do hope you all get as much out of this experience as possible. My friends teased me about it, said it was foolish. But I've been fortunate to see much of what's out there," he gestured toward the window. "It is my desire that others might as well. You've all been randomly selected to participate."

His eyes narrowed at the crowd. "But should you choose not to, please step forward and follow me." He waited to see if anyone would step out. Upstairs, in the rafters, the old man did the same, his jaw tense.

Hoshi was the only one brave enough to ask. "What happens if we choose not to participate?"

Ben smiled. "Then you'll be asked to leave the game and you forfeit your chances to win the prize."

Hoshi crossed her arms and glared at the man. "Don't take me for a fool. You locked us in here, which means you have no intention of letting any of leave unless we agree to play this game, doesn't it?" She didn't need Kit's foresight to know they weren't being given much an choice. Hoshi knew it was a bad idea coming here. She heard whispers from the guestsaround her.

Ben didn't answer her. "That's enough, Hoshi," Kit whispered. "We'll play," she told Ben. She glanced at the rafters.

'I don't know what game you're trying to play,' Kit's voice snarled in the old man's head. 'But do not think you can just push around like pieces on a chessboard. You will regret it.' The old man took a step back. He knew the twins possessed unusual abilities, but being able to speak telepathy, he didn't know they had such a skill.

Ayame meanwhile was wheeling in the informations. 7 pieces shattered, spread across the world, that sounded familiar. She wanted to ask what the seven pieces were but knew it would be pointless. There was no way she would get an answer and if her hunch was right, she wanted nothing to do with these insane quest. But the girl, the golden hair twin, made an excellent point. She doubt she would be allowed to leave with such information anyways.

"Knew it," Ita muttered.

"Knew what?" Jay asked.

"Knew something," Ita said. He'll let Jay make his own decision on what he thought Ita knew. Ita knew this was going to be trouble. He knew he was getting himself into trouble. So why was he still here? So many questions to ask.

"And what happens to those who fail to return with the pieces?" Ita asked. "They just leave without money? Or you planning to kill us, or have our competitors kill us?"

Ben laughed. "Ita, isn't it? How preposterous! Kill? Of course not." Of that, he wasn't lying. He didn't answer Ita's question, however. "And you, Miss Hoshi. As I said before, those bars are to keep people out, not you in." He then allowed his smile to fade. "It pains me that this is being received this way. It's a harmless adventure. We're not planning on killing anyone. I..." he sighed and shook his head and met the eye of Mina, who was standing not five feet away from them. The look on his handsome face stirred up feelings of sympathy within the young woman. His expression was almost one of pleading.

"I'll participate," she spoke up, her softly accented voice rising above the crowd. "It sounds exciting."

Ben's eyes lit up and he strode to Mina, picking up her hand and laying a gentlemanly kiss on it, causing her to blush. "Miss Namina Andrade, you are a jewel!"

"Call me Mina," she giggled nervously.

"As the first agreed participant, please allow me to supply you with an airship."

"That's not necessary!"

"Oh no, I insist." He lowered his voice to just above a whisper. "It is my way of saying thank you for your trust."

"I have no reason not to trust you," she replied, her voice equally low, a flush creeping up her cheeks.

Ben put his hand on his heart and smiled. "And that is all I ask. It means the world, truly."

Jay watched the exchange with a not-so-amused look on his face. He gave Ita a light jab in the ribs before speaking up, his drawl a sharp contrast to Mina's soft accent. "Count me in too! Why not?" he spread his arms and winked at Mina, who looked back at him, expressionless.

"Thank you, Mr. Van Zandt," Ben said and Jay looked briefly disappointed that he hadn't been offered one of the Benefactor's airships as well.

----

Upstairs, the old man, the real Benefactor smiled to himself. After the first two acceptances, the others would quickly agree. Humans were always like that. All it took was one and the rest followed like sheep. Not that they truly had a choice in the matter. In his mind, the moment they accepted his invitation was the moment they agreed to participate and there was no going back now.

He drew back the curtain just a little and looked down at the crowd. He was still concealed, but he saw both the twins now looking up at him. One of them whispered to the other and pointed. He let the curtains fall back and withdrew from the rafters. Ben could handle things at this point. But for now, it wouldn't do to have one of those two revealing his presence. Part of him regretted selecting them, as it seemed they would be more trouble than worth, but the other part couldn't wait to see how they would play.

As he walked away, he was just as troubled as Ben had pretended to be. Yes, he was merely using these humans to do what he couldn't, what Ben wasn't allowed to do, and yes, there would eventually come a point where their role in life would have to change as a result of the game. But he still liked and respected each player for various reasons. They would not have been selected had he not valued each and every one of them. It acutally hurt his feelings that they thought so ill of him.

'Lies,' Ita thought. 'He dodge the question which means it probably will happen. They're trying to keep us in the dark.' Those twins, they knew it as well and he had no doubt in his mind that many others did as well. Mina nad Jay were fools to accept so quickly.

Still at the same time there was no escape. As Hoshi said, there was a high chance of them being killed if they leave and Ita wasn't ready to test his combat skills against a couple hundred gunmen.

--------

'I knew this was a bad idea. He lying.'

'So it was. That was the risk we took.'

'So what shall we do? Leave? Those bars might keep the rest in, but I doubt they can hold us.'

'I want to see how this plays out.... and that old man might be the key to returning to Redams'

'You seriously want to return?'

'..... to them, no. To your world, of course.'

'*sigh* there's no point in arguing about this with you is there?'

'No. Besides there was something in the wine that they gave us earlier. I don't know what effect it'll have on you if we do leave.'

'As long this game doesn't hurt you fine. I know you're still sensitive to the last "game" you were stuck in.'

The look on Kit's face darken. Hoshi hit a nerve, but her twin was right. The last game she was in, corrupted her so greatly.

'If the old man does anything weird, I will him myself,' Kit told her twin. She glanced back up at the rafters where the old man, the real benefactor was standing.

---------------

A cruel twisted smile appeared on man in white's face. He chuckled softly to himself. His laughter ringing with an insanity vibe in it. This would be the perfect game. The prize money, the seven pieces, those would be excellent bonus prizes. Unlike everyone else in the room, he already knew that the seven pieces. Due to... a complication, he had been able to obtain them himself.

The real prize however, lied with young lady in the black dress, Miss Ayame Ookami.

This game, he would win.

Mina watched as Ben mingled through the crowd. She had a thoughtful look on her face and smiled as she remembered him taking her hand and laying the kiss on it. He was quite the charmer! She jumped when Jay spoke up behind her, "I'd watch that one."

"Oh believe me, I am," she laughed as she turned around. "And what a sight he is."

"I didn't mean it that way," Jay suppressed the urge to roll his eyes. "There's something odd about him, though. About the whole situation."

"It didn't seem to stop you from agreeing to participate."

"Only cause I..." he amended what he was going to say, "...only cause I thought you could use someone watching your back."

Mina raised an eyebrow. "You think I need looking after?"

"It couldn't hurt. Look around. Between you and me, I don't think much anyone in here is very trustworthy. There're a lot of secrets in this room, if you know what I mean."

Mina's eyes widened with innocence and she put her hand to her breast. "You surely can't believe that!"

"I do," Jay said, as if confiding something very important with the young woman. "Don't think for an instant that any of these would hesitate to do whatever it took to get ahead. I'd hate to see someone as sweet as you fall into danger."

"Oh!" Mina looked flustered. "You make it all sound so frightening."

Jay puffed up his chest in the attempt to seem protective and heroic. "It could be, but I just want you to know, I do have your back."

"Thank you," she said and held out her hand. He took it and gave it a squeeze and she smiled. She coughed daintily. "If you'll excuse me...Mr. Vincent, was it?"

"Van Zandt. Jay."

"Jay," she repeated. "Excuse me." With a soft smile, she stepped away from the man and wove her way through the crowds. The smile grew more smug the further she walked away.

Mina Andrade wasn't the helpless damsel she led everyone else to believe. The act quite worked to her advantage, however, as she had already acquired a free airship and the loyalty of the loud man, not to mention what secrets she had absorbed from both him and Ben when her fingers had made contact with theirs. It was a skill all the Larron kept hidden. In fact, Mina didn't advertise she was Larron at all and her Tarvo surname and accent further added to her masquerade.

Jay had been virtually transparent and Mina was floored by how quickly his secrets had rushed into her thoughts while Ben's had been merely a trickle. She wasn't sure how to process the information she had gleaned from Ben just yet...it didn't make sense and was indeed quite confusing. It would take some time before the answers would come to her.

Ita shook his head. Jay was certainly way over his head. Those who act innocent were probably the most dangerous of all. No one here would be someone without some sort of ability to defend themselves.

Still an airship would be handy...

'Perhaps I'll catch a ride, and if I'm lucky I'll just be able to take the whole thing.' Ita mused to himself. He mind wheeled and the possiblities. Just survive through the game, no need to overly panic about the prize money.

----------

'These two.'

Hoshi's eyebrow raised as Kit just randomly pointed at two of the seven clues.

Kit continued to explain. 'These are the ones the others will figure out last. There are two of us, and with our abilities, we should be able to get to them first. That way we'll have two pieces for ourselves by the time everyone else figures out those clues.'

'Well that makes sense. And what are we doing about the old man?'

'Leave him for now. It's our trump card.'

"Guess who got in the good graces of a certain lovely redhead," Jay smirked. Ita sighed. It seems Jay was now considering him his new best friend or something with the way he was always around.

"Is that so?" Ita replied, not turning to Jay, but rather still observing everyone in the room.

"You might take some notes. It could help you get in good with that Seika girl."

"I have no desire to get in good with Seika."

"Sure you don't," Jay winked. "You have to admit, she is pretty."

"I hadn't noticed," Ita replied, not interested in continuing the conversation.

"You ought to take another look." He paused and took a breath. "You know, I was thinking, it wouldn't hurt to have allies in this game. You know, someone who's willing to watch your back."

At this, Ita finally turned to face the journalist. "Are you saying that to everyone in here?" he asked, unable to keep silent. "Look, I heard you with Mina."

"What? No! Of course not. But with the grand scale of the game, don't you think it'd be more advantageous to look out for each other than to go it all alone?" Jay pointed at the twins. "Look at those two, huddling over their clue card. Do you honestly think they'd part ways? I don't think so. There you go. Automatic advantage over the rest of us."

"You're really getting into this, aren't you?" Ita shook his head.

"Hey, I don't do anything without the intent to win." And indeed, Jay had won very much in his lifetime. More than journalism awards, he had won many athletic competitions and still held a record in the Tri-Province decathlon. If there was anything he would bring to the competition, not possessing any supernatural abilities like some of the rest of the guests, his strength and endurance abilities exceeded those of most of the rest of the guests. It would take a lot to break him down.

"I see," Ita crossed his arms. "So it's safe to assume that you'll have your allies until a point where you have to get rid of them so you'll win. Count me out of that."

"Ita, I may want to win, but I have my integrity too. If I say something, I mean it. I'm not a liar like the rest of the people in this room."

"Ah. Thanks."

Jay held up his hands. "Oh no, I didn't mean you! That's why I came to you. You seem honest. Mina too. That's why I approached her. A girl like that...she's about as straight as they come."

"I'll think about it," he replied, dismissing Jay as he turned his back to him. He decided to mingle and perhaps speak to some of the others. As he glided past Mina, he whispered, "I understand you have a traveling companion already? Very smooth, Miss Andrade."

Mina turned her head slightly and said, "Come again?" She watched as Ita's eyes shifted back to Jay, who was fixing himself a plate of food, and understanding dawned on her face. "I never committed to anyone traveling with me, least of all him. He seems like he means well, but I never once invited him along."

"You might want to let him know that at some point." Ita smiled as he walked away.

'A stubborn mule,' Ita concluded. Those were the prefect words to describe Jay. The man was not going to give up and Miss Mina, just gained herself an interesting headache.

Still if he was to team up with someone, it would be someone he could tolerate and Jay had an interesting way of getting on his nerves. Of course thinking like that also ruled out half the guest. The only ones he would consider would be either Miss Ayame or Miss Seika. Since Usuyuki Sai and Saya were both young, hardheaded and pain to deal with.

Speaking of Seika, Ita found himself standing next to the quiet girl. She was brooding, unhappy to be here but not saying a word about it. Her eyes flashed dangerously as Ita invaded her comfort zone, but made no moves to reject or acknowledge his existance.

Ita sighed softly to himself. This was not going to be an easy task. Perhaps he was better off fending it with Jay or better yet by himself.

---------------

Seika glanced around the room, carrying taking in her surroundings. The doors and windows might have been reinforced, but cutting through the wall or even the roof might be easier.

Nearly all the guests set off her danger sense and she was wary to mingle with any of them. Which was why she had hid in the back of the room, watching and examining everything.

It was there that the the black hair man (who she learned was called Ita) joined her again. 'What does he want?' she thought darkly to herself. It's almost as if he was trying to follow her. Seika didn't like it.

She told grandfather that she didn't want to come. This just further proved her point.

Upstairs, in a locked room, the true Benefactor stood in front of a large object shaped like an hourglass. He dropped in a glowing blue bead bearing the name, Namina Andrade. He spoke aloud, for the benefit of the ones listening on the stars: his people that he longed to return to. Reuniting the pieces of the Goblet of Aeter and rounding up twenty new servants for the Celestials was all that remained of his penance and his exile would be ended. "Namina Andrade. Goes by Mina. She's Larron by birth, but masquerades as a Tarvo. Persuasion and secret-gathering. Mirelle, I think she'd do particularly well in your service. She reminds me of you," he added, glancing out the window at one particularly bright star that began to twinkle.

Another bead began to glow and he picked it up. "Jay Van Zandt. Journalist. Extreme athleticism, great strength. He's under the impression that he's going to be writing an expose, but is actually getting sucked in to the whole competition aspect. Open and actually honest...definitely a worker for the Fields of Corvus."

Another star blinked wildly and the Benefactor held his hand to his head, wincing in pain. "I'm not telling you what to do. Merely making suggestions! All I meant was Corvus is one of the most back-breaking jobs, but Jay would be the most able, of any of them, to withstand it. Where you place him, I don't care!" The star faded slightly and the Benefactor dropped the bead into the hourglass.

Another one began to glow, this one an angry red hue. He picked it up and looked at the name. "Janea Whitscomb. Renowned lyre player. Has the ability to call objects into being with her song." He felt disappointment at the first rejection. "That would have been a useful skill. She would have had no problems doing well." No matter! She'd simply be taken to the Celestials sooner than the rest of them. "Service in the lower levels of the Palace of Lacerta is my recommendation." He tossed the bead in a separate container as yet another bead glowed red. He gave another sigh and shook his head.

"It'd be so much easier if I could simply just send all twenty and let Ben retrieve the pieces of Aeter himself." He paused as he listened for the Celestials' answer. "I know he can't touch them! If Equuleus hadn't cursed Tiveyo's line..." he shook his head and several stars streaked across the sky. "I'm meaning no disrespect," he added quickly, but the stars continued to flash their annoyance.

Suddenly, another blue glowing bead caught his eye and he smiled at the acceptance. Tossing the red bead into the smaller container, he picked the blue one up. "Let's see...who do we have next...?"

---

"I'm very sorry to hear of your decisions," Ben said sincerely to Janea and a tall bearded man named Garon. "If you'll follow me, I'll show you to your rides." He added over his shoulder. "I do appreciate you coming out tonight. It's been a privilege having you as my guest. And who knows? Perhaps we'll meet again someday." He led the two down a long corridor to a set of double doors. Opening them wide, there sat a limo on the other side. He opened the door and helped Janea in, shaking Garon's hand as well. "Farewell!" he said and the two gave and appreciative, cheerful wave. As soon as he shut the door, the vehicle vanished just as a shooting star could be seen overhead.

Ben gazed up at the place it had been and his smile faded. Such a shame! They were in for a very rude awakening, never to see their families or homes again. Once in the service of the Celestials, the most powerful beings in the universe, there was no leaving it.

He should know.

He turned on his heel and walked back to the Great Hall.

"So... what do you think about this game so far?" Ita asked, attempting again to make idle conversation.

Seika glared at him. She really didn't want to deal with him. He was the only one in the room so far that made her both feel at ease and uneasy at the same time.

"I think it's a waste of time."

Ayame joined them. Seika edged away slightly, waiting for the next moment to escape since Ayame would be more then enough for distraction.

"Hmmm you Miss Usuyuki?" Ita asked.

Seika cursed him. So much for escaping. It would be entirely rude to leave now that she was dragged into the conversation. "I think it's foolish and something that sounds like a bad trap," she muttered.

"Sounds about right," said Ayame cheerfully.

"The whole thing sounds fishy, but it's not like we can just up and leave either," said Ita.

"So we best just survive then," Ayame concluded.

----------------

Jay was loving the food. It was just perfect excellent and there was the last piece of cake just waiting for him. Well it was until Hoshi picked it up.

Jay stared at the golden hair twin for a moment. Shocked that someone had taken that last piece of cake. Hoshi stared back at him.

Suddenly Hoshi smiled. "You wanted this piece of cake?" she asked innocently.

Jay nodded and reached out to grab it. Hoshi whisked it out of his reach. "Sorry, I grabbed it first."

By that time Ben had joined them. "Miss Hoshi, Mr. Jay. please no arguing about the cake. The chefs are bringing more out as we speak."

A chef handed Jay an entire plate while Hoshi stared at Ben. She had a puzzled looked. "By any chance do you know a young woman with long flowing hair and bright blue eyes?" she asked.

Ben blinked, taken back by the question. He sure to.... but how did she know?

Hoshi shook her head. "Never mind," she said, walking away to join Kit again.

Ben frowned as Hoshi walked away. There was something about her and the other twin that was strange, but he couldn't say what it was. He wasn't privy to that sort of information like The Benefactor was. He wasn't privy to much knowledge at all. Perhaps that's why he was enjoying this assignment so much...because for once, he was the one people looked to, not the one they bossed around.

He walked toward the staircase and stepped up just a little until he was heads above the remaining guests. He cleared his throat and began to speak and when he did, all heads shifted his way. "I regret to say we've had two guests who decided not to participate after all. They've been well compensated for their time tonight and have been shown safely home. If there is anyone else who is not going to participate in the game, please tell me now. Otherwise, we'll have a toast." He looked around the room and waited, but no one stepped forward. This caused him to smile broadly. "Wonderful! I am so excited about this and I do hope it brings you great enjoyment and adventure. The game will officially begin first thing in the morning. Make that mid-morning, so you all can enjoy yourselves here a little longer tonight and then get a good night's rest." Ben held up his wine glass and waited as the guests did the same. A few of them looked reluctant, but followed suit.

"To the game and to all of you. May the stars guide your path." He raised his glass further and then drank and watched as everyone did the same.

----

Upstairs, the Benefactor dropped the last glowing blue bead into the hourglass and sealed it. He was pleased that only two people had declined. He carried the hourglass to the window and offered it up to the stars. Four shooting stars streaked across the sky and the hourglass dematerialized. The claims had been made. These men and women would serve the Celestials, no matter what happened in the game. There was only one way they could gain their freedom and now that the hourglass was with the Celestials, that couldn't happen on this realm.

As he walked away from the window, he couldn't help but hope that somehow they would discover that way, however. It was hard enough seeing what servitude did to Ben and would do to him again after tomorrow afternoon when he was forced to return to the land of the Celestials. The Benefactor was doing all he could to return there and receive his youth and eternal life again, but his time on the planet's surface had helped him truly appreciate the human spirit.

Hoshi blinked at the strange wording. 'May the stars guide you' that something a Dream would say. Or a nightmare... or someone connected to the stars.... why do I have this growing feeling that I'm REALLY gonna hate this?'

'Relax,' Kit's voice rang in her head. 'Cause if you don't relax, I'm not going to either and I'm already reaching breaking point one, which means I feel like blowing up this entire house. Oh and by the way, avoid that Mina girl or at least don't touch her.'

Hoshi grumbled. 'I'm trying I'm trying. It's better off to just get this game started already so that I don't have to be all edgy all the time. Beside do you know how many spirits are floating around this place? The clearest one is near Ben. Strange girl, didn't notice me. '

'I can feel them.' Kit replied, rubbing her forehead. Tension was high in this place and the negative emotions levels were at an all time high. She would be throwing up soon if she didn't leave to get fresh air. It was also the reason why she didn't eat or drink anything either. (aside from her paranoia that everything was drugged.) Both didn't bother to touch the glasses of wine for the toast.

'Shall I go ask to see if we'll be let outside now?' Hoshi asked. The rest of her trail thoughts became a dark mutter, promising to hurt two men in charge of the game.

Mina thought of what Ita said about Jay thinking he would be riding with her and while she had originally planned to travel on her own, the more she thought about it, the more she decided it might be really nice to have a strong young man who obviously would do pretty much anything she asked. One thing she had learned by secret-gathering from him was that he was really straightforward. She didn't think deception was really a concept he grasped too well. It could be nice to have someone like that on her side.

Her eye wandered to where a middle-aged man with a dark beard, sat all by himself near the food table. He was studying the clue card and looking up every so often, evidently trying to decipher the clues. Mina pretended not to notice him and indeed, he was one of those kinds of people who typically do get overlooked by the crowd.

She saw something dawn in the man's eyes and his mouth fall into a smile. Hmm... she thought and then had an idea.

She walked gracefully toward the food table and when she was only a few feet from the man, stumbled and fell. "Oh!" she cried.

The man looked up, surprised, and immediately leapt to his feet. "Are you alright?" he asked, extending his hand to help her up.

She took his offered hand and at the minute their palms touched, words and images flooded her mind, the thoughts of the man just prior to her fall:

Desert of unending night
Final blow of deadly fight
Fourteen eyes and fourteen hands
Swallowed by unforgiving lands.

Unending night...desert...could be near the poles in the winter, but no, that's not a desert unless it's a desert of snow, but there've never been any fights by the poles. Night, night...black as night...desert black as night...Of course! The obsidian sands of Margolin! There was a fight there...when was it? Years in the past. And it certainly is desolate there. Unforgiving land. Yes! But who are the fourteen eyes and hands? People? Skeletons? Art of some sort? Perhaps statues. Were there any statues in Margolin? Buried perhaps as a result of a battle?

Mina looked up at the man adoringly as he pulled her to her feet. "Thank you so much. Oh how embarrassing!" She blushed furiously and put her hand to her chest.

The man laughed and said, "Oh no, don't be embarrassed. I think I'm the only one who saw anyhow. And who hasn't stumbled before?" He pointed to her high-heeled shoes. "Especially wearing those. I don't envy you women one bit!"

Mina smiled and replied, "We do what we must for beauty's sake. Thank you so much," she said graciously. "I didn't mean to interrupt what you were doing."

The man waved his hand. "No worries at all!" He sat down again, the clue card in his hand, and a big smile on his face. As Mina walked away, her smile was just as big, but for a different reason.

She walked right up to Jay and laid a hand on his shoulder. "Mr. Van Zandt, you were interested in traveling with me, is that right?"

Jay turned around and nodded. "Certainly!"

Mina pulled out the clue card and leaning in close to Jay, pointed to the first one. "Do you know anything about the Deserts of Margolin?" she whispered, her voice inaudible to anyone standing further away. "Something about statues perhaps? Fourteen eyes and fourteen hands..."

Jay's eyes widened and he whispered back. "You figured one out already? Let me see...Of course! Desert of unending night has to be Margolin. And I do remember doing a story about ten statues that were buried in rubble and never seen again. It wasn't fourteen, though."

"Could your information have been slightly wrong or incomplete, perhaps?" Mina pressed. "Do you have any idea where this might be?"

"I suppose it could have been wrong since it happened long before written records and lots of things can change from person to person telling the tales. The worst battles were on the Eastern side of the desert and there are a few nomadic tribes still out there. They're not very friendly, though. It could be kind of dangerous. But yes! Miss Andrade, you're a genius! It seems so obvious now. Have you figured out any of the rest of them yet?"

"Not yet, but the night's still young," Mina grinned, glancing back toward the bearded man in the corner.

Hoshi couldn't find herself able to walk near Ben with the spirit lingering so close. Made her feel ill. Kit wasn't fairing any better but managed to get close to Ben.

"Ben," Kit spoke softly.

"What can I do for you Miss Kit?" Ben asked for her cheerfully.

"Are we allowed to "go outside" yet?" Kit asked.

"No no, I'm afraid not," Ben replied without missing a beat. He couldn't let anyone leave, especially the twins.

"Then can you open up a room that is far away from this room as possible," Kit spoke. "Hoshi and I aren't feeling well and some fresh air and place to lie down would be nice."

'And to be put bluntly,' she spoke into his mind. 'There will NOT be a ballroom here if you don't.'

"But of course!" Ben answered. He was little startled by Kit's talent. She could speak into minds of people... did that mean she could read them? It would be quite troublesome if it was. "There's one just down the hall that you can use."

---------------

A few minutes later, Hoshi and Kit sat on the edge of the bed. "Half an hour nap?" Hoshi suggested.

'Then we leave,' Kit spoke. 'The sooner we get started the better. Besides, no one said we couldn't get a headstart. Let's just hope no one else gets the same idea.'

"Hmmm by now nearly everyone has figured out the first clue the Deserts of Margolin," said Hoshi.

'Yes. We'll start from the hardest and work out way backwards.'

Jay was carrying two glasses of wine back to where Mina was sitting. He saw her talking to a man and then held out her hand, nodding and laughing when he shook it. When she noticed Jay, her eyes sparkled. He gave the man a look that said get lost and the man did. Sitting down next to her and handing her the wine, he asked. "Who was that?"

"I...didn't catch his name," she shrugged, "But I did figure out clue number 3!"

"Really?" Jay asked. "You're on fire tonight! What do you have?"

Emerald glow bursting deep
Time will find a place to sleep
Where the sun will never gaze
Even at the end of days.

"That has to be Aguaria." The underwater city cast a greenish glow and indeed it did seem as if time slept there. There were fish and other creatures all around that told of natural history.

Jay nodded. "I don't know why I didn't get that before! Mina, pass some of your logic skills to me!" he laughed.

Mina glanced at the man she had collected the secret from and then back to Jay. "Oh, it's nothing," she said modestly. "We still have five to decipher and it'd be a good thing if we could figure them all tonight so we could plan our trip accordingly. Plan the shortest route."

"I agree completely," Jay said, rising to his feet. "I need to ask Ben something, though. Have you seen him?"

Mina looked around and then pointed, "Over there." As jay stood up, she scanned the crowd, looking for the next person she could collect knowledge from.

"Thanks!" Jay said and walked away. As he passed Ita in the crowd, he leaned in and boasted, "We've got one and three already. How're you coming along?" Without waiting for an answer, he winked and continued on toward Ben.

Ita eyebrow raised. He guess he shouldn't mentioned that he just figured out one, two, and three as well.

Go no deeper then what you see
A place that is hidden by the trees
Death be friend and foe
Here light will cast no shadow

That was easily the Caves of Shallow. It was hidden in the Forest of Ryu. The cave has unique magnetic properities that interfered with any type of light casting it to short out. Fire didn't last long enough because of the wind that blew out the caves. No one had been able to explore more then ten feet into the cave with fear of getting lost. Ita silently debated his next move. Catch a ride with Mina and then race them to get object number 1? Or perhaps he should go towards number 2 instead and then catch a ride with them on number three?

He'll have to wait until Jay comes back to boast more to further decide. Ita shook his head. The man was far too trusting.

---------------

"Kit wake up."

Kit's eyes snapped open, alert and on guard. 'Time to go?'

Hoshi smirked. "Of course. Let's use your way, mines is far too flashy at this time of night."

The shadows gathered around them as Hoshi said that. They shifted and form into a long blanket that wrapped itself around the two twins. Then it fell away, retreating back its normal shape. The twins were gone, already heading to claim two of the pieces.

The Benefactor had closed his eyes and leaned against the balcony, quite feeling his age. He wanted nothing more than to be living back among the Celestials. It was so close, he could almost taste it. But not quite. Everything was so peaceful as the party was going on down in the Great Hall.

And then he felt the shift. His eyes snapped open and he immediately alerted his young assistant. Ben!

------

Inside the Great Hall, Ben stopped what he was doing, side-stepped Jay with a polite "Excuse me," and immediately headed for an exit. Curious and a little miffed that Ben seemed to have time to talk to all the ladies in the room, but not to him, Jay followed him. He could tell the young host was agitated, as he didn't notice the big, athletic man slip through the door right after him.

Jay kept in the shadows and followed Ben quite stealthily. It wasn't hard since the hallway was only dimly lit. He watched as Ben knocked on a door and then opened it. The young man cursed and began to speak. To whom, Jay couldn't tell. He only caught bits of what Ben was saying, as he kept his voice low.

"...twins...needed a rest...brought them to the room...Well, I didn't have a choice! You're already aware of their talents, I'm sure. It would have been nice to have been given a warning" He sounded bitter at this last bit. "How was I supposed to know they'd leave?"

Jay stiffened when he heard this. He continued to eavesdrop.

"...still showing them as participating or running? OK...well, that's good at least...but if anyone discovers they've gotten a head start...I know it doesn't matter who wins in the end...But how am I going to tell the others? Oh come now, those two aren't the most inconspicuous! Someone's bound to notice they've left already..."

Jay had heard enough. Clenching his fists, he emerged from his hiding place and marched right up to Ben who immediately became tight-lipped. Jay pushed the door open and looked inside the room, but there was no one there.

"Mr. Van Zandt..." Ben began.

"Don't 'Mr. Van Zandt' me! Who were you talking to?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Oh cut the innocent act! I heard you! And I heard what you said about the twins leaving already! That's not fair!"

"Look, Mr. Van Zandt, I'm looking into this, I assure you--"

But Ben's assurances were too late. Jay had already turned on his heel, heading back to the Great Hall. Ben followed him, calling his name, but Jay didn't stop. He pushed open the door and walked up to Mina, grabbing her arm.

"Jay!" she smiled. "Guess who figured out every clue but the last one!"

But Jay didn't smile back. He said, loud enough for Mina and everyone nearby to hear. "It won't matter. Those stupid twins have already flown. They're getting a head start while meanwhile, the rest of us are expected to wait til tomorrow morning."

Ben winced as protests thundered throughout the room. Even Mina joined in. "But that's not fair! That's cheating! They should be disqualified!" He held up his hands in the attempt to calm everyone down, but the protests only grew louder.