Level Up: Voidwalker

Chapter 23: Artemis Olympaea

Atlas stopped fighting the slavers as they quickly grabbed him and tied him up as the leader spoke, ''Smart, maybe if you're good, you two will be bought together, but I don't know if that would be any better.''

When Atlas heard the man's words, he didn't reply; he just watched him with narrowed eyes, causing the leader to laugh. ''It doesn't matter anyway; that's your lot in life now, boy,'' he said before looking at the surrounding men. ''Take them to the ship, and no one will touch them. You know the Thalassian Nobles love pure youngsters.''

''Yeah, their twisted fucks, bossman,'' the slaver who was holding Atlas's rope commented. ''How can they find children attractive? They are sick in the head.''

The leader nodded, ''Yes, they are Johnny. Now stop talking, and let's get out of here before the Guardians arrive.''

After that, they were taken to the docks and loaded onto rowboats. When Amethyst was in the boat, she woke up and grabbed his hand, which comforted him, but Atlas spotted Biric and his family hiding in a nearby bush.

He could see Neryssa had tears in her eyes, but soon enough, the rowboat started moving toward a massive metal ship in the middle of Wintercove Bay, surrounded by several fierce-looking vessels.

Atlas took in the ships, and they didn't have sails but were sleek; people were running around on deck as an elevator-like machine lowered to the water where they pulled up. The clamps grabbed the rowboat before pulling it up.

'I wonder if we can escape during the journey to wherever we're going,' Atlas thought as they stopped at the top.

More boats appeared beside them, carrying other villagers the slavers had caught. Everyone was pushed on board as the leader announced, ''Ladies and gentlemen. We have caught a southern phoenix and a high elf. Payday will triple, but we must reach Slaver's Bay within a week due to the auction.''

Upon hearing this, Atlas became intrigued, but the leader interrupted his thoughts with a slap on his back, saying in a playful tone, "We'll assign you two to guard the Princess. It'll be safer that way."

He chuckled, adding, "Once we reach Slavers Bay, I might consider purchasing you both and turning you into gladiators. You could fetch quite a sum, lad."

''Didn't you promise your slavers triple pay?'' Atlas retorted.

''I'm a rich man, boy,'' the leader smiled before holding his hand out. ''I'm Leo Al-Zahiri. The most fearsome slaver to ever roam the twelve seas.''

Atlas ignored the hand, ''Why are you trying to make friends with a child, old man? My parents told me I should ignore stranger's sweet words,'' he said in a fake suspicious tone, causing Amethyst to giggle.

Leo bellowed out laughing before ruffling Atlas's hair, ''You cheeky little shit. I like you, and that is even more reason to buy you and your little girlfriend.''

After speaking, Leo turned to a woman and said, ''Misha, make sure these two are fed and warm.''

''Yes, boss,'' the woman saluted before rushing off.

Atlas looked around only to see that the slavers were too professional, which made him suspicious. He turned his gaze to Leo, ''What kingdom are you from? It's clear you're not slavers but professional sailors.''

Now, Atlas had an unobstructed view of the man before him, towering at an impressive seven feet in height. His complexion boasted a copper shade, while a voluminous white beard resembling Santa's framed a set of striking light blue eyes. However, it was the pointed elf-like ears that seized Atlas's focus.

'An elf?' he pondered silently.

Atlas shrugged because he had not received an answer, but soon, Leo spoke, ''Smart boy, but stop being nosy. It is not good for you.''

After that, they were led into the belly of the ship, where hundreds of sailors went about their business. Atlas examined the vessel, noting its simple construction, but he could feel the mana radiating from the metal.

The group descended the first set of steps and entered a long corridor with dozens of soldier metal doors. Leo gave Atlas and Amethyst a gentle push. "Come on, lovebirds, let's take you to the royal suite," he said with a chuckle.

They were made to walk for twenty minutes until they reached a door that a guard opened after saluting Leo by hitting his chest, which the older man returned. Atlas saw a staircase leading down to a row of strong-looking cages where several people were locked up.

Atlas noticed one had a young woman inside who was staring at him with wide brown eyes, and Leo pushed them toward the cage as he spoke in a cheerful tone, ''Princess! I have new friends for you, but you mustn't bully them, as the two will become my gladiators.''

''Shut up, you Achaemenidian dog,'' the woman spat with venom.

Leo laughed before speaking, ''It's hilarious just how wrong you are, Artemis; now be a good banished princess and teach these two the rules,'' he said while pushing Atlas and Amethyst into the prison cell.

The door was locked behind them, causing Amethyst to become depressed, but he hugged the phoenix girl, who soon calmed down. He hugged her until he felt a pair of eyes watching him.

Atlas turned to their cellmate. The young woman had wavy brown hair that traveled past her shoulders and big brown eyes that he found beautiful. She was a natural beauty adorned with freckles that danced across her cheeks and the bridge of her nose.

Her skin, otherwise flawless and fair, provided the perfect backdrop for these endearing spots, each one telling a story of sunny days and carefree moments. Atlas found her lips captivating, soft, and inviting, hinting at a tenderness.

She reminded him of the Greek warriors from the games back on Earth, which fascinated him. He shook his head and smiled at the young woman, ''Hello. I'm Atlas, and this is Amethyst.''

As their cellmate spoke, Atlas motioned at the phoenix girl hugging him; the woman smiled in return before introducing herself, ''I'm Artemis Olympaea.''

Atlas nodded just as she spoke again, ''What is your affinity, if you don't mind answering?''

''Void.''

Artemis's eyes widened even more, but a small smile appeared on her pretty face, ''Yes, he's the Azhar'Zul or Atelos, as you Olympaeans call him,'' Amethyst spoke while sitting beside Atlas, causing the other two to look at her.

She got embarrassed as Artemis smiled and said, ''A lover of history, I see? Are you from the Blue Dune or a local kingdom?''

''I was a part of the Flameheart Tribe, and we traveled around the southern part of the desert.''

Artemis's eyes widened, ''Have you met the Asadani Peoples?''

When Atlas heard the young woman's question, he grew curious and listened as Amethyst answered with a smile, ''Of course I have. My best friend Farida is Asadani.''

''Are the Azhar Tigers real?'' Artemis questioned as Atlas saw the childlike excitement in her eyes.

The phoenix girl shivered when she heard the name. ''Don't talk about them, please,'' she said quietly.

Artemis nodded. '' I'm Sorry. I forgot they are a bad omen to the people of the Blue Dune Desert,'' she apologized.

''What are you doing here? And what is this Atelos you called me?'' Atlas questions in a curious tone.

''Well, in my kingdom, they think you're the being who will fight against the treacherous queen who betrayed the realm's princess,'' Artemis answered while walking over to the only window in their cell.

She continued, ''It's a children's tale, but you know what they say about stories passed down the generations? They get added to over the years.''

Atlas nodded, ''Well, it doesn't surprise me, to be honest, as the people of Frostmark called me Valsonr, and Amethyst called me Azhar'Zul,'' he said while examining their cell.

The room held two beds and a table, with a bucket in the corner that made Atlas cringe. However, a small window offered a sliver of relief where Artemis stood, lost in thought.

Atlas rummaged through his storage and pulled out some bread and meat. Handing a portion to Amethyst, he then approached Artemis. "Would you like some food?" he offered.

She looked around the room, confused, making the two of them laugh as Atlas answered, ''I have a skill called Dimensional Storage that a trader gave me for saving his life.''

Artemis nodded before taking the offered food as she spoke, ''Atelos, what are your goals?''

When Atlas heard the woman's question, he thought, 'What do I want to do?'

After thinking for a few seconds before revealing his goals, he said, ''I want to live a full life of adventure and love, as I've never had that before, and also maybe have a family one day.''

Amethyst went bright red, causing Artemis to giggle, ''I assume you two are lovers?''

He nodded as the phoenix girl replied with an adorable smile, ''Yes.''

The woman nodded, ''This may be insensitive, but do you have the skill to see Amethyst?''

''Yes, it's called Cosmic Sight,'' she replied, unfazed by the question. ''It's only level 1 at the moment, but it allows me to see people as mana.''

A confused expression appeared on Artemis's face, but Amethyst explained, ''I was born blind and given the skill, but it only leveled up once since then, which is strange. Father believes that it has something to do with my soul.''

''So what happens when it reaches level ten?'' Atlas questioned.

Amethyst shrugged ''The tribe took me to Azraq City to see the Great Mother; she thinks it could unlock my potential, but we haven't found the reason behind its growth, so it's a mystery.''