Fairy Tale

Charlie continues to learn about Empis’s history from Hamey and Eye, who by now has warmed to him. Empis was once a monarchy ruled by royals who had godlike powers. King Jan and Queen Cova Gallien were fair and kind rulers. They had seven children, including Leah. Their eldest son, Robert, was to take the throne after Jan’s death, while the youngest, Elden, was sidelined by his family because he had several birth defects. During the Gallien rule, monarch butterflies covered the city and were considered good luck omens. After Elden took revenge on his family and cast them out of the city, he walked through the streets with upturned palms. Each time he raised his hand, dead butterflies rained from the skies, earning him the name Flight Killer. The prisoners are shocked to hear that Charlie saw live monarchs near the city.

Soon afterward, the night soldiers bring in another whole person, a hulking, brutal man named Cla. Cla is the 32nd whole person in the dungeon, meaning that the Fair One can now begin. The winner of the tournament must go up against Red Molly. If they survive that fight, they will face Hana and certain death.