“It’s just….”
“Marvelous?”
“Beautiful!!” Looking at this scene, that was the only word I can use to describe this scene in front of me. It was a symphony of colors. A blend of reality with art. An intersection of architecture with the mind of a crazy, a lunatic! How can someone make this? How, just how? How did they even come up with this?
“Ah that reaction! It’s always worth coming through that entry point just to see the reaction of newcomers. Glad you liked it!” Dramatically, she swirled her right hand, and taking a step back with her left leg, bowed. Drama Queen.
“It sure was worth the hustle,” looking at her, I whispered “Thanks”
“You’re welcome, now let’s get to work. I’m sure you have some questions, so ask them while we talk and I might not answer all of them in consideration of the time limit. Let’s go” It was hard keeping track of her mood. One second she’ll be enjoying herself, and the other she'll be as stern as a military instructor.
Knowing better than to defy her in these instances, I followed her quietly as she walked towards a flight of stairs I discarded earlier. These were moving downwards towards the ground floor. Which was even better since he was inching to travel around a bit right now.
But some questions needed to be answered, and the curiosity was higher than a simple desire to travel.
“Can you tell me what those glowing lights were? They look like moss and I’d agree I’ve seen my fair share of glowing moss, but definitely not in those colors. Not to mention how did they craft them in the way they did? I mean around the pipes and the floor. Does our artificers even have that kind of level of knowledge?” I asked the first question that bothered me.
Although it was endlessly amusing to watch those pretty lights, it still kinda put me off seeing this high technology all of a sudden in a city I basically prided myself in knowing everything about.
“To answer the question you really wanted to know, No. Our artificers are not equipped to deal with something like this. Well I think I should say, they ‘weren’t’. It’s all due to the new trade deals made by the Schultz Empire.
“You must know how the Emperor is claimed to be the greatest genius this world has seen and has developed his empire way beyond what could be considered the current technological era. Not only that, but he’s generous enough to share his knowledge. If you ever get a chance to visit the empire, try not to get scammed.
“Anyway, as far as I know, the different colors of moss are naturally occurring. Something having to do with pH levels of the underground varying vastly in places, the oxygen levels, and many other natural factors; you get the gist.” she spoke rapidly as she descended. By the time she was done speaking her part, we were already on the ground floor and into the streets.
I have to say, the streets were actually more crowded than I expected them to be. Not to mention much more boisterous. People moved in all kinds of charades. Some bothered to hide, while some probably disdained the idea, given how they were moving around with their shirts.
“Stay close and keep an eye out” Aline warned and moved ahead.
The roads were wide, with tall buildings flanking both sides. An interesting fact, some of the buildings seem to be growing from the ground, as in they had their ground floor, underground. How they did that and why felt endlessly confusing and amusing to me.
But some buildings were indeed normal, so I guess not everything is a mystery here.
The road was not any less beautiful. The road divided into two wide lanes, had trees growing through them at the center. The trees were glowing! They were covered with soft golden moss and were glowing like a huge lantern!
It was such a beautiful scene, but the moss being moss can only light up the place to a certain extent. It left some connected alleys and corners hidden and they were certainly ‘properly’ used, given how many grunts, threats, and moans I heard from them.
‘Who would’ve thought you could use moss so extensively huh?’ I mused internally as I continued following Aline.
We walked for a few more minutes in silence before we encountered a roundabout, which split the road in 5 directions in the shape of a pentagon. Three of them were relatively narrower and consisted of a single lane, whereas the last one was just as wide as the original.
It amused me a lot. The idea of a roundabout and no carriages. What do they even need it for? For people walking? But it’s really weird how there are no carriages here, do they all just walk all the time?
Unacquainted with my inner musings, Aline took a path to the left, one which was narrow, and kept walking as she called out to me.
“This is the lower market. Although we won’t find the more confidential news here, my informant at this level should be enough. I’ll show you the lower floors someday else.”
‘Lower floors huh…. is that the reason for the buildings? So this is not really the ground floor either’ I looked at my feet for a second as I thought. It was an amusing thought, but the structure of the undercity suddenly got more intriguing to me.
As I kept walking, I continued to inspect the area around me and find things and people I never thought I would. There were stores selling drugs in the open, food with meat of unknown and dubious origins (I was sure I saw a human spine hanging in the background), tattoo shops, and girls walking around in revealing and flirtatious clothes as they beckoned for people in their establishment - the scent of aphrodisiac, cologne, and lavender was rich there.
There were huge bars, establishments calling themselves ‘research labs’ (I can only guess what they researched), gambling dens, casinos and so much more. To me, someone who barely survived at the docks, had seen poverty and much of this, this was not a disturbing sight.
Instead it felt more…. lavish. I won’t say there are none of them at the top, but it’s not so energetic there. There’s this weird vibrancy in the air. The smell of money everywhere. People felt too alive. And free. At the top, it looked like they were bound. Pretentious.
But there was something missing…. It felt too savage. I don’t know how to put it in words, but they were way too free. It didn’t sit right with me. It was like I could read them like an open book. There was no fun in that.
‘I wonder if it’s gonna be better below’ Looking down again I mused myself with the thought and decided to visit it someday. Maybe they’ll live up to my expectations, maybe they won’t.
The one thing I loved about this place was how bright it all was. And everything was lit by the same moss I saw everywhere. Some people used the bands I saw of moss earlier or some just splashed it across their walls, but they used it regardless. And in so many colors as in a kaleidoscope. It was overwhelming but I liked it. It was beautiful.
So when it turned dark all of a sudden, I starkly felt it.
Looking at the completely dark and dilapidated two-story building in front of me, which among the other flashy bright buildings stood out like a firefly in the forest, I stood there for a few seconds and I could feel Aline stopping and standing beside me too.
“Have you ever heard about the Inquisition members who went insane?” she asked.
“They said they overdosed on pain killers, NSAIDs, and other analgesics, being driven by their emotions, and have reached a point mentally where they can no longer come back.” I replied.
“This is where they are locked in. You can’t leave such….monsters out in the open and the only punishment worthy of them is to be expelled from the order and to rot underground without ever witnessing the sun again. Always remember the mantra, Oliver, if you don’t wanna be stuck here forever.” she said solemnly as she turned around to walk further.
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I too was about to walk away, but then something stirred within me. It felt like a jolt that traveled across my left hand and into my eyes as I turned around and looked back at the building. Particularly to a window on the first floor as something caught my eye. Someone stood at the window!
Our eyes met and for a second I felt a wave of fear, dread, and…. enthusiasm pass through the man and crash onto me as his eyes opened wide, puss flowed through the wounds on his face and he shouted manically “He’s not here!! He’s not here!! You are all dead!! Go away!!!
“He’s not here!!
“HE’S NOT HERE!!!
“LOOK IN THE OPEN!!!
“LOOK IN THE OP-“
Before he could’ve spoken more, an endless amount of pus oozed out of his face and covered his head. It drowned him and yet it didn’t stop. It covered his entire body. The pus an unstoppable torrent invaded his body and it bloated beyond belief.
His skin took a sickening white tone as his veins turned white and pus flowed from every inch of his being, tearing through the skin and saturating his bones, mixing with his blood and his eyes as they lost their color and turned a sick yellow.
His guttural and choking wails suffocated the undercity as everything turned quiet and everyone paid their complete attention to the man dying in front of their eyes.
“Let’s go! Quickly!” Aline hissed beside me as she tugged at my sleeves and made me lose my stupor.
‘Huh?’ Suddenly out of my daze, I closed my mouth which hung unconsciously as I blinked and followed behind Alien without thinking, trying to blend in the crowd. It was harder said than done, as I could feel gazes following me and I was sure my profile would have found its way to every information broker in the undercity by the evening.
Moving through various alleys, Aline finally stopped in an alley facing another crowded road and it was evident the news hadn’t traveled here yet. Then she looked at me and I knew she was angry at me.
“What did you do? And why did you stay there to stare at him like a duck!?” she snapped in a barely controlled voice.
“I don’t know…. for a second I just felt my body hijacked. I was gonna follow you, but then all of a sudden a jolt passed through me and I felt compelled to look back. And the man who stood there singled me out and started shouting before dying the way he did. As for after that, I’m sorry. I lost control of my emotions for a second there” I explained before apologizing since part of it was my mistake.
Contrary to my expectations, after hearing me Aline didn’t continue with her chide but took on a contemplative look as she started twirling her hair around her fingers. Something she usually does when she’s thinking hard about something. After a solid minute, she spoke again.
“You’re not the first one who has felt compelled to do something against their wishes in the history of the order. There have been a few recorded cases, but the compulsion they experienced wasn’t as aggressive as yours. It was more like a suggestion but can easily be dismissed. But no one ever does so. It’s a boon” she said.
“What kind of boon?” I asked.
“It’s a hint. A hint for our case. And could possibly be what leads us to solving the case. I don’t know how he could’ve been a clue to our case, but we’ll be fools to dismiss it. Let’s get out of here after meeting my guy and discuss this. Have you bought your notepad and pen?” she asked, I nodded “Good, note down whatever he said and what he looked like before he died from memory. And anything you found suspicious and worth noting”
With that, she turned away and started twirling her hair around her finger. Occasionally she’d let out a chuckle and then go back to her serious contemplation. Meanwhile, I noted what I thought was important.
There was something I hadn’t told Aline, nor did I plan to write it in my notes. Nor cause I prefer keeping secrets, especially in such an important case, but….. I was afraid.
In the instant when I shared that elusive connection with the man, I felt something. A presence. It felt endless, it weighed endlessly on me and I thought I would be crushed under. I felt suffocated. I knew I couldn’t die and yet for the first time in years, I knew I would die. If I ever so much as made a move I would be crushed just like the ant I was.
I don’t know if I escaped its perception or if it let me go, but I don’t wanna tempt fate. I don’t wanna die. That’s the only truth, has been since I joined the order, and will be forever.
“Are you done?” Aline asked looking back at me.
“…yes” With that, I closed the pen and tucked it and the notepad back in my coat pocket.
“Let’s go then. Hehe, today’s been quite an adventure but let’s get the thing we came here for done and leave.” Alien chuckled and beckoned me to follow.
As such we walked off the alley and crossed the road. Without stopping, Aline pushed her way into the bar, looked around for a moment, and went to sit at the table opposite the bartender. I followed.
“Hello Aline, I have been expecting you” the bartender greeted her first.
“Oh how lovely, I’m assuming you got news of what happened huh? And a regular for me and what do you want Oliver? Ah leave him, just give him a dewtone.” Aline gave an order for both of us after being impatient of seeing me hesitate for one second. One second.
“Just some rumors about a long, dark-haired lady with a white eyelash accompanying another similarly dark-haired young man who killed one of the crazies with a look and an open mouth. Quite a fascinating story it is, horror stuff even, don’t you think so Aline?” The bartender replied with a scrunched nose and disbelieving tone as if dismissing the rumor as a rumor while pouring us drinks. He even winked at me as he passed my glass.
It was a light blue drink, another reason for its name. The main reason being, that it’s made from the special beer that is only produced in the Anviqr Empire, and has the best taste when produced with the morning barley, hence the name. It’s a light beer and contains one of the lowest alcohol concentrations.
Whereas Aline’s drink was a light orange drink. A somewhat exotic choice as the Sunset Drop was one of the famous drinks of the Darlave Empire which has found its way into every city of the world due to its rich taste and accessibility of ingredients. A moderately alcoholic drink and she had that as a regular.
“Ah mere rumors, if we had that kind of power, surely we won’t be in the situation we are in right now and I won’t be here looking for you” Aline said with a smile while sucking at her drink through the straw.
“Of course, so why are you here Aline? Apart from giving me extra money?” The bartender returned his own smile as he asked.
“Do you know anything about the abandoned warehouses at the docks? I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but they used to be much more filled. Is it the government?” she asked.
“Heh, as if that’s hard to notice.” he said with a smirk and continued, ”Yes I have, and I don’t know how and why, but someone has been driving the vagrants in hordes. It’s not just the warehouses you know, many of the previous houses and factories the government turned a side eye on have recently become empty again. No one saw anything. It’s like all those people just vanished in the air. And it’s not the government, I made sure. Creepy stuff, I’d advise to stay away, but not like you’re gonna listen.”
“Hmm, interestingly creepy indeed.” she said, “Okay leaving that aside, what do you know about the guy who just died? Aside from his being crazy of course. Any notable record, or merit or demerit?”
“Let me look into it, I’ll let you know in a few days.” the bartender said.
“One last thing, do you know anything about drugs that can induce suicidal thoughts or tendencies in a person?” she asked, the smile still fixed on her face, but I could feel it marred by a strain.
The bartender didn’t say anything and just looked at her for a few seconds, before sighing and saying with a heavy tone “I’m sorry Aline, I’ve looked into the import and market flow of any such drugs, but I couldn’t find anything. I believe you’ll have to dig deeper”
“Goddamit!” she bellowed while smashing the glass at the counter, spilling the remaining drink. Immediately after hiding it perfectly she smiled and paid the bartender as said “Thank you for your help Vex, keep the change”
And with that, she turned around and walked out. Giving a last nod at Vex, I too followed her.
The remaining journey was spent in relative silence, where Aline chipped in from time to time to introduce something new. The return was bound to be different than how I came in, and I was relieved to find myself facing a normal staircase at one of the bars on the upper floor, which according to Aline would lead us to behind a wall in one of the empty alleys.
And so I started walking, which quickly turned into trying to keep up with Aline who had a mind-boggling stamina. After 10 minutes of climbing the stairs, we finally reached a platform and I took my time catching my breath as I eyed Aline who nonchalantly walked to the wall and pushed it tangentially.
The door as if on rails, opened up sideways. I don’t know why I envisioned sunlight behind the door when she reminded me it’s gonna be a dark alley, but I was really disappointed for a minute.
But I quickly washed it off and walked out with Aline who also closed the door behind her by grasping a crevice in the wall and pulling it.
“So Oliver, how was your first time?” she asked me with a mischievous smile as she dusted her hands and we walked towards the main road.
“I’m impressed, I guess it being with you added more beauty in my first time.” And I replied with my own mischievous answer.
“Haha, I’m glad you enjoyed it. Let’s do it someday else” she said
“Sure why not.”
----------------------------------------
Saying my farewell to Aline, we boarded different carriages and went opposite ways to our home. Only after entering my home did I realize how tired I was. And how empty the house looked all of a sudden.
“Meow meow!”
“Oh yes, I almost forgot about you, Mr. Royale! How was your day? I’m sorry it took me more time than I imagined it would. I hope you’re not too hungry. Let me pour you food quickly, just give me a second.” The sound of the silly cat brought a small sense of elation across me as I busied myself taking care of the cat I promised to take care of.
Quickly washing my hands and cleaning the cat bowl, I poured new food into it and sat on the kitchen floor, just looking at the black cat munching down its food. I don’t know how long I sat there, but when I woke up I found the bowl empty and Mr. Royale on my lap purring lightly.
With a gentle smile, I caressed his back and lost myself in my thoughts and the gentle purring of Mr. Royale.