Gentle Mountain

## Glitchtale

*"I've heard a lot about you, Seyv. Or should I call you by your title? The Gentle Mountain?"*
―Osiris the Victorious to Seyv Dypal
***Gentle Mountain*** is a prequel story that provides depth into Seyv Dypal, a character that will appear in *Meropos*. It was written by Devour.

## Plot

Years ago, Seyv Dypal was framed for murder and incarcerated, and this unfortunate ordeal ultimately ruined his former life. However, later during his imprisonment, the law allowed Seyv to participate in gladiatorial fights at Ames's Battle Arena with a reduction in his sentence as payment. After fighting in countless events in the colosseum, Seyv became a formidable combatant, winning every single one of his matches and earning the title of the unbeatable Gentle Mountain, admired by a parade of fans.

Soon after his early release, Seyv continued to engage in these battles as a job to earn payment in gold, so that he can lend it as charity for Traitless families living in poverty, while he chooses to reside in his old prison cell. One day, he is set to battle against an undefeated opponent, Osiris the Victorious, who has been trained by Roman from Kurago to be ruthless in conflict. While Seyv is openly impressed by his Justice skills, the Gentle Mountain Integrity is able to effortlessly defend himself then strike down his opponent to defeat, making him an example of how ruthlessness is not necessary for victory in a fight.

Following a friendly conversation with his boss, Ames, Seyv heads to the boarded-up outskirts of the city where a Traitless community inhabits, having been given these homes by King Ozrich Maekrik a while back before he suddenly stopped providing welfare. He visits a Traitless Mother and has dinner with her, during which her pet cat shows him affection. The mother is embittered towards the King's inactivity for their sake, and soon, Seyv shows his generosity by handing over his gold winnings. His friend is initially reluctant to accept it until Seyv reveals his Traited nature, showcasing how he, like many of the Traited, strive in aiding the outcast citizens who cannot wield a SOUL Trait. In spite of all his efforts, Seyv knows that they are not enough to counter the whole inequality crisis.

The next day, Seyv meets an unfortunate change in direction of his gladiator career. Since Ames has failed to pay his debts to Ozrich, a Wicked Ringleader working under the King has claimed temporary ownership of the Arena to earn the profit to fulfill those debts. In order to achieve the required payment, the Ringleader has forced Seyv to participate in death matches against Traitless criminals slated for execution, which would attract a wide audience of oppressors against the powerless people, much to his immense chagrin. Seyv is left with no choice but to comply, and in the process, he would lose his moral integrity, the path of life he has been reforming since his first ever match.

When the day arrives, Seyv has already started losing his Integrity magic, and the auditorium is completely filled with Traited humans who actively despise the Traitless, eager to witness a brutal execution, sickening Seyv. The opposing team of fearful Five Traitless Criminals are armed with barely useful Arnicite weapons, making this battle utterly unfair. Seyv, dejected, refuses to proceed with an attack, knowing he would have only faced punishment for not abiding to enter the match. The Ringleader, wishing to excite his crowd, offers the criminals a pardon for killing Seyv, and they immediately disobey in disgust, choosing to stand by the side of their good-willed supporter even at the cost of their lives, an incredibly bold act that recharges Seyv's Integrity.