They Called Me FIVE

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The stage has been set.

The selection will commence.

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Participants from different realms are summoned.

Candidates for Eklektos has been sent to their positions.

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The entity at jurisdiction has eliminated blessings from candidates and mana from Seeker's.

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Eklektos are penaltied for failed mission.

1. Failing to save enslaved human souls from Faeries.

2. Failing to gather all the Twelve Chosen Ones in the specified span of time.

3. Inappropriate use of blessing. Exploitation. Improper use of forbidden magic. Utilizing innocent souls.

4. Causing one of Eklektos' death due to Seeker's no sense of urgency to find the other Eklektos.

Penalty! A.O demands penalty. Majority of A.Os warrants penalty. Blessing will no longer manifest in Eklektos's bodies. Eklektos will now fight to regain the blessing they take for granted. Seeker must shoulder half of the punishment.

One A.O. voted for Seeker's permanent death.

One A.O. objects to Seeker's permanent death.

Mediator requested for the casting of votes for A.O.s to decide the fate of Seeker's life.

Host permitted for the casting of votes.

The tablet of votes commence.

YES for Seeker's permanent death.

NO for Seeker's permanent death.

One A.O votes YES

Two A.O votes NO

Five A.O votes YES

Five A.O votes NO

Ten A.O votes YES

Fourteen A.O votes NO

Twenty-one A.O votes YES

Final votes: Twenty- one YES | Fourteen NO

Entity counted votes.

Entity accepted decision.

Entity draws Life Extinction.

Commencing...

Commencing...

Commencing...

Buffing 25%....

Buffing 76%....

Recharging complete.

Order extraction.

"Erase the Seeker's body from existence."

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In the screen, a young boy of not more than fifteen lay sprawled in the ground. The Seeker protecting him. Struggling is useless.

The Seeker has received warnings. The Seeker anticipated this will happen. Dreams came to him. Dreams instructing him what shall happen in the next few days. Dreams pertaining to his death.

The gods and goddesses did not allow him to make any move to stop the inevitable. The gift of the gods enabling to navigate Eklektos's whereabouts stop functioning because of Seeker's insubordination.

He did not fulfill what was expected of him. Being exposed to fights with Faeries together with Eklektos affected his brain. His sense for his duty has started to fade.

He's aware someone is whispering to his dreams. He's aware someone is controlling him in the background. Even go as far as influencing power to the gift of the gods just to control their next destination. But he's powerless against this 'someone'.

And the same 'someone' tipped off the Faeries to their location. Someone drive Alpha Beast to betrayal. Someone purposely cause the summon of a demon to attack Seven and Sam. Someone purposely draw the attention of that god to reveal themselves to that inn.

Seeker has his suspicion. But he did not act upon it. Because someone has leverage over him. Seeker is not sure of Someone's identity. But he's aware someone has been watching them. Following them. Envious? No. They lay dormant. Waiting. For that perfect moment to reveal themselves. To be one of the traveling groups. Someone is prepared and set the path which they must take. In order for these grand schemes to commence.

Seeker is sure of one thing...

That someone is one of his gathered Eklektos.

That much is true after the happenings now. And he has no way of fighting off someone. Nor the fate that's been set upon his path. Because someone...has influence...over the entities that is trying to kill Five and him.

Seeker takes into consideration Five's weird behaviors. His quirky attitude. What if he is that someone? Five has death as his blessing. Controlling behind the scene.... was Five capable of that? Or is Five actually one of the victims someone pulled and tug to act according to someone's plan?

Seeker has that thought going over his head. Seeker concluded the latter is the most plausible than the first. Seeker is aware Five is stupid. Five lacks brain. He has potential. Five's death blessing can do many many things. But Five lacks knowledge. Five lacks maturity.

A little part of Seeker felt relief for the punishment to commence. He knows what brutality awaits for his gathered Eklektos. He see it in his dreams. He undergo the same when he applied to become one of the Rankers.

The punishment is the same with the 100 tests. Seeker begins to suspect the creator of hundred tests and the creator for this punishment is the same being.

The environment and set up is the same. His feet turn cold staring at the merciless eyes of what Five calls Blue Man sitting in their thrones.

Seeker knows better. He once set foot in these chilly walls. Being at the mercy of these statues. And he knows what kind of hell Five and the others will see on the other side.

Seeker raised himself before he could crush Five with his weight. The crystal piercing his chest deepens. He's losing blood. He's losing consciousness. His limbs are numb.

He can't tell Five about someone. The leverage. He had to remember the leverage. One slip of the tongue and his family back in magical realm will suffer...

He can't let them be harmed by godly blessing. Not when their positions are tight because of the Rank Ruler's misdirected rage.

As much as it pained him he will not see them again... he must do what he has to do... to serve his purpose. As the Seeker of these kids.

"Five...." he managed to croak. Looks like his bravado won't last long. This mana crystal has ingrained curse. Curse to crush his bones. He occasionally bit his tongue as the curse go down to break the bones of his legs. Making him internally bleed.

His knees are already fractured. He cannot stand up.

"In a fight without blessings or magic. Remember to use whatever object in your surrounding as a weapon. A secret to a fight is not about strength. Its about how much pain you inflict...to make your opponent unable to stand. Aim for vital points. And never..."

He used his last bit of strength to grab Five in his shoulder. Grabbing the boy's eyes to his gaze. They locked. He made sure Five will never forget this moment.

He see the confusion etch on it. And a little fear. Seeker's heart pangs with regret he's unable to teach Five anything.

"Never ever...show mercy to your opponents. Even if they are someone you knew."

The fear grew in Five's eyes.

Even if he failed because of someone. Still, he must fulfill his role. As this little boy's only teacher.

He see the coming of another beam. He grab the hilt of his crossword and slam the butt to Five's temple.

Blood lined Five's scalp. Seeker slowly forced himself to get up. He drew out his sword. He was born a Ranker. He will die as a Ranker.

He will clear this entrance stage for Five. This is the only thing he can give... for his student's wellbeing.

Because he will not be there to see him grow.

Seeker take a step forward. And every bones react. In fact it was only because of his skin he was able to stand on two feet. He bit his lip until it bleeds.

He take a deep breath. He ignored all the pain that gets in his way and charge. The entity watch him with mock glee.

They were ready for him. The tallest man in the center. The ringleader of the group...had his hand outstretch. As if it's measuring Seeker's height with his finger and still find the Seeker too small.

Seeker takes advantage of them lowering their guard. The announcement has declared for his death.

Seeker will die... at the hands of these ugly entities. He comes across the foot of the ringleader's throne.

He rounded to the back. Taking advantage of the rearview. Seeker is aware the entities did not see him. They are too prideful to stand down from their throne.

He did not expect he will be proven wrong. The entity at the left make a gesture of pulling invisible string from the air.

Seeker is hauled off from his feet. He's suddenly floating in the air. Something thin and sharp wrap itself towards his limbs.

He was punched out of air and slammed to the center. Hovering in dead space for the entities amusement.

Seeker is hung like a ragged doll. The entity on the left slightly raise his finger. The string tying Seeker's leg forced him to raise his left leg. High. Too high.

He felt his limbs will be torn apart. The pull of strings went farther from his height. His mind almost went out of his head when the excruciating pain torture him.

He heard the ugly crunch of both skin and bones detach from his body. Blood spill out. Draining his life every second.

This pain is different from the excruciating pain he's been through. Because this is permanent. His limbs will never grew back. This is the time when he will die.

He felt ashamed of himself. The laughter of the entities rang out of the hall. He was determined to clear this path for Five...

Guess that will not happen.

A gigantic hand fold itself around his body. He closed his eyes. Takes a deep breath. Did not even dare to exhale as the hand squeezed the life out him.

Turning off the candle from his eyes.

And he knew he met his end at last.