Although he left the palace with a smile on his face. Cyrus prepared himself for the weight of responsibility that burned heavily in his pocket. However from the moment he reached the city center of Eirdu with Adam that feeling dissipated with little resistance. The wonder of Akkad was rooted in its magical atmosphere. It was an old city and it carried itself in the same manner. The people who lived there and breathed life into it were just the latest inhabitants to occupy the space. He felt small, whether it was when he walked with his father, Antares or Cirella. He was just one of many.

Eirdu was different. This place made him feel important. That he mattered. The merchant city held a vibrancy and liveliness that he did not know a place could muster. Every direction he turned, someone was trying to sell him something. Whether it be clothes, food or trinkets from distant lands as the merchants had explained. He was the center of attention, for he had the coin to spend. Merchants regaled him with stories about their journey across Aurum, people dressed in the finest robes, conversed and haggled with each other over prices. The speed in which things worked here was at different pace than he was familiar with and he found it difficult to keep up.

And yet he enjoyed every second of it. With Adam as his kind and wise guide, they navigated the merchant streets of Eirdu with a casualness only attributed to its most veteran of inhabitants. They ate fruit under open verandas attached to people's homes. They watched as men wrestled in the streets while people cheered on. Women on several attempts tried to coax them to buy silk clothes only meant for kings and queens. Children proved to be the most difficult of merchants to overcome, their fast hands and even faster words filled their ears with soothing praises, while they tried to hold on to their coin.

Eirdu demanded coin, it was the only rule that seemed to matter and Cyrus forced himself to exercise caution at the behest of Adam. Most importantly what he learned during his journey across the lively city, was the prevalence of gambling. People of all backgrounds, nobles and the common folk were engaged in it to some capacity. Cyrus's father had warned him of the pitfalls of gambling for it only took one bad hand, one bad play and one could never leave that life behind. However here gambling was the life blood of Eirdu, it went hand in hand with the merchants and the treasures they offered. He saw people gamble for items, gamble for money, gamble for food. The longer he experienced the city the more he wondered if the pouch of gold coins that were gifted to him by Persephone mattered, if a simple bet proved more rewarding than spending coin itself.

Adam on the other hand was completely enamored with seeing his home through the eyes of Cyrus. This was the only city he had ever known, and long had grown accustomed to the unique way of life that could only be found in Eirdu. However it was not until he traversed it with Cyrus did he truly see how different it was. He had always thought Eirdu would pale in comparison to the great and ancient city of Akkad that was as old as it was mystical. But seeing his friend struggle to keep up filled him with pride, that his home could compare to even the most famed and storied of cities. He was glad that Lord Aster asked him personally to show Cyrus around. This would be a day he would never forget, a day he never wanted to end.

"Spear some coin young lords?"

The boys stopped mid conversation to turn to the beggar who raised his cup towards them. The man was barefoot and looked disheveled. It was a cool day, yes, but nowhere cold enough to justify the man being wrapped in so many layers. Each one was as dirty as the last. Despite his face covered by his hood, Cyrus could tell the man was Stygian by his exposed feet and hands. He was taken aback by the fact that one of his kin was a beggar. He knew of other wayward and discarded Stygian children who crawled within the dark alleyways of Akkad. However by the time those children had grown, many dedicated themselves to find work and easily were able to pull themselves out of the filth. To see a grown Stygian like this was surprising to say the least. The boy turned to Adam for an explanation.

"It is the nature of Eirdu," he whispered. "If there are to be winners, there also has to be losers. Here whether you are Stygian, human or other, you can lose it all."

"Really?"

Adam nodded, "It never used to be like this. Stygians were often given a lot of leeway in their losses and could even have it cancelled for the right favors. It all changed when Lord Xenon was given the city by the late king, he put a stop to all of that. Everyone must pay their dues, no matter their status."

Cyrus looked at the beggar again wanting to offer mercy and reached into his pocket. He instinctively pulled out the death's head coin and it burned in his hand reminding him it was no ordinary coin and put it away. Instead he reached into the pouch that Persephone had given him and chose to give the beggar one of those coins.

"...Many thanks my lord. You are kind." The beggar bowed his head in gratitude.

"Come along!" Adam tapped his shoulder. "There are more things I want to show you."

The servant boy cheerfully marched on ahead but when he turned to see Cyrus meekly following he stopped in his tracks.

"What's wrong?" Adam did not hide the concern he had for his friend. "If it's about the beggar, it's alright. I know it can be a bit jarring for a Stygian to see another one of their kin so low. But it is common here, all follow the rules."

Cyrus shook his head. He scolded himself for forgetting the true reason why he came to the city center with Adam. He allowed himself to get swept up in the joy of the day, not remembering that he was currently in the middle of his trial set forth by Xenon. So much so he nearly gave an innocent man the death's head coin without thinking. Adam had done a wonderful job showing him the beauty of the city, but while they enjoyed themselves the day had moved along with frightening speed. The king's ward gazed at the sun blazing overhead. There were only a few more hours until the trial was over and he still had not even bothered to look for someone to give the coin to. Slowly but surely his anxiety bubbled with increasing speed. His movements slowed and eventually he stood rooted to the floor. He did not know what to do, Cyrus desperately wanted this all to be a terrible dream or mistake. And yet he knew better.

Adam placed a hand on his shoulder, "Cyrus what's wrong?" he waited for a response that did not come. "We're friends right? You can tell me." The reassurance in his voice was comforting.

He hesitated for a moment but nodded, slowly pulling his hand out of his pants. Adam was curious about the gold coin he briefly saw. It was as though when Cyrus realized what he was about to give away he quickly put it back. He watched as his friend unfurled his hand and the coin along with the skull etched on it was now visible.

At the sight of the death's head coin, Adam recoiled so much it terrified Cyrus. The boy turned a deathly white color and looked to struggle to breathe. His expression further compounded how important the coin was and for the first time, Cyrus saw genuine fear in the eyes of his friend and regret completely washed over him. His mannerisms were enough to tell him the severity and implication of what the coin represented and this was no dream, this was all too real and Cyrus would soon have a choice to make. He reached out for his friend to calm him.

"Stay back!" Adam yelled falling on his rear, "Please no I haven't done anything wrong!" The boy covered his face, tears welling in his eyes as he was unable to stop himself from shivering.

Cyrus was visibly shaken by the reaction of a person he had grown so fond of over the last day. His first friend he made outside of Akkad once looked at him with budding respect and admiration and now looked at him like he was a monster, frightened by his appearance and everything he represented. It was the first time he felt so alone since losing his father. He did not know what to say, instead just stood there looking into Adam's eyes.

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"Where did you get that?"

Cyrus turned to see the beggar they had just spoken to moments ago standing in front of him. He did not realize how tall he was until the man had stood up and towered over him. This time the beggar had pulled his hood back to reveal sandy hair just like Cyrus's. The main difference was that his hair was darker and a lot more full, his violet-peach eyes were slightly hidden behind them. His hairstyle reminded him of Guinevere's for a moment. This unknown man stood before him dirty and covered in grime and yet as handsome as any Stygian he had met. His indifferent demeanor gave him an uncomfortable feeling.

"L-Lord L-Lyrik?" Adam whispered softly.

Lyrik squinted his eyes, "Do I know you?" he did not bother waiting for a reply from the servant, instead turning his attention back to the Stygian boy in front of him. "You did not answer my question, child. Where did you get that death's head coin?"

"X-Xenon gave it to me." Cyrus felt compelled to answer.

Lyrik kissed his teeth. "You, leave us." he pointed at Adam who quickly rose to his feet and bowed.

Cyrus wanted to stop him, but the boy left them without so much as turning back towards him.

"Come along child," the Stygian Lord motioned.

"Where are we going?"

"Somewhere with preferably good food. I have not eaten in eleven days… I think. You are paying of course. And while I fill my belly, you will tell me how you managed to piss off the one Stygian everyone–the Elders included–go out of their way not to."

When he had first heard his name, Cyrus had pictured a Stygian similar to Xenon. The longer he talked to Aster and Kyron about him, he changed his opinion to a Stygian just as relaxed as they were. But now that he was in the presence of Lyrik Xerxes he quickly learned that this man was unlike any of the Stygians he had met before. He watched as he devoured his seventh plate of various meat broths and bread, without slowing down to catch his breath. As he talked he wondered if the man was paying attention at all, he focused so intently on his task, only ever stopping to ask for more food. The man who owned the outdoor tavern they now sat in, did not kick up a fuss or cause a scene. He just continued to do as he was commanded. A proud smile across his face as one of the famed Stygian lords of Eirdu inhaled plate after plate.

"I cannot tell if you are brave or stupid." Lyrik finally took a second to breathe, "Well all things considered you are still alive. So lucky would be more appropriate."

"I don't feel lucky," Cyrus murmured.

"Ah that's where you are wrong my little patron," he pointed a chicken leg at him. "One can only appreciate luck after they have seen what happens to those who do not have it." He bit into it savoring the rich flavor.

Cyrus played around with his plate of food. His appetite was something that had disappeared along with Adam. He could not get his reaction out of his head, the utter shock and horror on his face. He felt responsible for bringing him along on his trial. This was something that he was meant to do alone. But wanted the company, he wanted to feel as though someone would walk beside him and offer aid. It was a foolish idea that he now chastised himself for. He wondered how he could apologize to him, for filling him with such fright.

"Are you thinking about the servant boy?" Lyrik asked more focused on his meal.

Cyrus nodded.

"Why bother?"

"He is… my friend" there was little conviction in his voice.

"You showed him a death's head coin?" Lyrik downed his sixth beer. "What did you think was going to happen? He most likely thought you were going to give it to him."

"I wasn't! I would never!" Cyrus rose angry at the accusation.

He glared at Lyrik and then at the damned coin in his hand. It had caused him nothing but trouble since Xenon had handed it to him. It constantly felt heavy and burned whenever he touched it, as though reminding him of its presence each time he tried to forget. Something so tiny holding so much power did not make sense to him. It was as though from the very moment he received it he had been cursed. Lyrik had spoken of him having luck, if this was what luck felt like, Cyrus was desperate to return to the way his life had been before he discovered it. The boy anxiously wanted to get rid of the coin.

"So throw it," Lyrik offered, as though he read his mind. "If it is causing you this much grief, throw it away."

"I-I can't."

"Says, who?" the Stygian lord enquired.

There was a long silence before anything was said, Lyrik found interest in his meal again.

"Lord Lyrik! Do you have room for more?" the owner of the tavern approached with four more plates of steamed fish, meat and various vegetables.

"Do not mock me, Gazburn. You know my hunger is far from quenched."

Gazburn laughed a hearty laugh and bowed respectfully after placing the plates on the table. "It is to be expected, it has been a month since your last meal after all!"

"You haven't eaten in a month!?" Cyrus looked at Lyrik with utter shock. "How are you standing?" he examined the Stygian man in front of him who looked to be in good health outside of his dirty appearance.

"Has it been that long?" Lyrik thought for a moment. "Then has Antares come by yet?"

Cyrus glared at him, "Weren't you listening to my story?"

"Not particularly," he confessed. "I was only concerned with why Xenon gave you that coin, so I was not listening until you got to that part." Back to his food he went.

Cyrus had thought Xenon rude, but Lyrik was on an entirely different level.

"Do not take it to heart young lord," Gazburn winked while collecting the dirty plates. "Lord Lyrik is as free as the very clouds themselves. His attention and interests come and go like a summers breeze."

Cyrus sat back down on his chair somewhat understanding what the tavern owner was saying. He had begun to see why someone like this would get along with Xenon so well. With Aster and Kyron they were simply just too lazy and allowed the Lord of Eirdu to do whatever it was he liked. However with Lyrik, who seemed to be forgetful and at the very least aloof, he was someone that could easily fade into the background. No wonder Xenon had forgotten he existed, Cyrus was sure even Lyrik had to be reminded that he was alive. He forced himself to eat something, and silence returned between them.

Lyrik studied the curious boy who had granted him his first real meal in an entire month. Although he knew Xenon to be a petty and a very vindictive man when the moment called. He thought this a step too far even for him. To give the boy a death's head coin, of all things as a part of his test. The child had only just recently learned to walk, this was a trial beyond his scope or understanding. The Lord of Eirdu must have been in a really bad mood thought Lyrik, but more likely he felt as though the reason for such a test was that Xenon did not like being challenged. Especially by someone so weak, and someone regarded so highly by Antares. He had thought with Aster and Kyron present Xenon would have been more manageable but knowing them they must have shunned their responsibilities the moment he journeyed into Eirdu. Nevertheless their leader had been allowed to operate a bit too freely, it was time someone pulled back the leash and brought the beast to heel. More importantly, the bag of coins on Cyrus's hip continued to call his name and if the Stygian lord played his cards right, the boy might be inclined to compensate him.

"Cyprus was it?"

"Cyrus," he corrected angrily.

Satisfied with his meal, Lyrik turned his attention to the boy and leaned in closer, "Have you ever gambled?" he smirked.

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