A Story of Evil

Chapter 33: The Friend

Gossip is one of the favorite pastime for those within the Void's slums. Without much to do nor food to eat, they simply focused on the lives of other people. Talking nonstop from the rising of the sun to its setting. And at that very moment, two farmers were doing that very act.

"Hey have you heard of the news?" The man with the rake said.

"What news?" The other man with a sickle said.

"King Jubilee has been sobber for a while now."

"We're talking about the same King Jubilee right? You know, king of all bars and lord of all gambling?"

"Is there anyone else? Anyway, word on the street is that he hasn't touched a bottle of alcohol for three days. The traders who came back from the inner walls gave that news."

"Pshhh yeah right. As if our dear king could last that long without any liquor running through his veins."

"But think about it. What could make him stop from his drinking spree right?"

The two were in the middle of work. They were doing their jobs but, because of their chatter, they were only able to produce the bare minimum results. This made another worker a bit irritated; the young Cain Bloodbourne.

He was just nearby, a few meters away from them at that. He was minding his own business and doing his work but, with the mention of King Jubilee, he couldn't help but eavesdrop. After all, he knew exactly who it was that could produce that result.

"Sol what the hell are you doing in there?" Cain thought to himself, remembering how the King personally accepted Solomon as the fifth Titan.

"But what if it's got something to do withyou knowa chance of winning in the Culling." The gossiper said which was the same thing running through Cain's mind.

"Huh? Did all of King Jubilee's wasted liquor get poured on you or something?" The other man said, using his sickle to cut down a bunch of plants.

"How can we have a chance of winning if we don't even have a useful and well-trained titan?" He furthered, thinking that the Void domain would be on the last place once again.

"But that would explain a lot right? Maybe King Jubilee has been keeping a close eye on a Void Titan and, this interest was probably strong enough to make him forget about his vices."

"Hahaha! You crazy sonnovabitch, trying to act like a detective now?"

"I mean, it's not that impossible."

"You know what else isn't impossible? Getting powers all of a sudden and winning an underdog bet." At the mention of these words, the doubting worker had an idea.

"In fact, why don't we make a bet? If we get at least the ninth place instead of the last one, then I'll pay you a month's worth of earnings."

"Whoa, hold on. I didn't ask for something like "

"Fine." Cain cut right through the conversation of the gossipers. Standing right in front of the two.

"Do you even know what we're talking about kid?"

"I do. And I can bet our whole house on that chance the Void domain getting first place."

"What"

"HEY IT'S THAT KID ON THE LIVE BROADCAST!" The other man said.

"Oh yeah. I remember now, he's the idiot who supported the orphan into getting picked. Hahaha bunch of death courting children."

"You're also the son of Arthur Bloodbourne, right? The same man whom that orphan put to prison?" News spreads like wildfire within the slums and, juicy gossips like this was quicker to be relayed.

"Yes sir and, with my father gone, I have taken full custody of all our belongings." It was true, the oldest boy in the family completely takes ownership of everything in the house in the event that the father goes absent in any way possible.

"Now, do you want to continue that bet?" Cain was angry. Not at the two but at himself who did something stupid because of Sol. He wanted to believe that Sol had a plan just like he always did and, gambled on this belief alone. Remembering the words of his friend which always brought him to greater heights:

"Trust me."

The two men were shocked. Yet, this was only momentary because the next thing that came was a burst of laughter. Not only form the two but from the other workers around them. Grouping together with Cain and the two gossipers at the middle.

"Well, looks like everyone wants dibs on the prize." The doubting man said, with everyone else giving looks of approval.

"What do you say kid? Wanna continue the bet?"

"Yes. In fact, I'll even bargain all my organs for it." Cain didn't understand why he was so audacious at that moment. It was as if Sol's spirit was inside of him.

"You got a deal kid. Let's shake on that." The man said offering his hand. But as soon as Cain reached for it, the man pulled his hand away and punched with the other. Knocking Cain down the ground as the bystanders all laughed at him.

"Let me make this clear kid, never disrespect us like that again." The man furthered, stepping on Cain's head and pressing it down the ground.

"G-Go fuck yourselves." Cain furthered and, this was all the initiative needed by the group to beat him down. At least, that was what they intended before the guard suddenly appeared.

"Alright break it up boys. You're not getting any pay if your stay idle for too long." The guard continued, breaking the crowd with one last reminder being given to Cain.

"Make sure to take care of your house and your body. We're gonna get everything from you soon."

At this the group final dispersed. Cain was still on the ground but instead of any fear or nervousness, what he had was an excited smile. The same kind of thrill he felt whenever Solomon was with him.

"Honestly Cain, you should be more careful with what you do." Cain knew whose voice it was. The man who broke the crowd was none other than Grumps.

"I just wanted to give them a piece of my mind." The boy said, groaning as he began feeling the pain from the punch.

"Yeah well they gave you a piece of their fist huh?"

"And a boot." Cain corrected.

"Just get back to work boy. I won't be saving your ass a second time." Grumps said, going back to his station.

Nobody believe in Sol. Nobody thought that the orphan could actually win nor did the Voids think this would be possible with any other child within their domain. Cain hated it. He didn't know if it was because Solomon was included in the Culling or, if he finally gained some newfound resolution. But he wanted to believe, just like Eve and his mother, that Sol could really win in the Culling.

"Sol, you better win." Cain said, picking up his tools and going back to work.