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Condemned To Death
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15th September, 1507
John showed Seren the town and explained the different things to keep in mind while down here. Seren could roughly guess that the town was 1/3 the size of Chimera Vale, but it was still quite big.
After showing Seren around, John asked politely, “Sir, is there anything else you would like of me?”
Seren thought for a moment then asked, “Where can I buy relics?”
John replied, “Relics are only sold by the Ravens so the prices will tend to be a bit higher than if you were to buy from the Academy or other shops on the surface. I’m not sure if sir that kind of money…”. John’s voice trailed off as he watched Seren’s reaction.
Seren didn’t react as he observed John with cold eyes before reaching into his pocket and pulling out a white stone. He tossed the stone to John who caught it immediately.
“This is your advance payment,” Seren said without an ounce of emotion in his voice.
“Hehe, I apologize for my rude behaviour. I will take you to the best shop that I know of” John replied in a humble voice.
…
As Seren made his way towards the shop, his gaze was drawn to an imposing structure looming in the distance, its sheer size dwarfing the surrounding buildings. Curiosity piqued, he turned to John and inquired, "What's that building over there?"
John's voice carried a hint of reverence as he explained, "That is the headquarters of the Ravens. All the punishers and prisoners are kept there for protection. If you were to be convicted of a crime, you would likely face execution or be confined deep underground within its walls."
A tinge of admiration crept into John's tone as he continued, "I've also heard rumors about a giant relic kept sealed inside. This relic is said to have created the large-scale space warp law around the town, allowing people to enter and exit easily without having to dig a tunnel every time they want to leave or come into town."
John's professionalism slipped away, replaced by the enthusiasm of a true enthusiast, his voice laced with excitement as he delved deeper into the subject.
Seren also found himself drawn into the captivating tales and speculations surrounding the Ravens, his interest piqued by the intriguing rumors.
"I recently heard a conspiracy theory that the phantasmagorians were the reason why that giant relic ended up in this place," John added, his voice tinged with intrigue.
Seren raised an eyebrow at the unfamiliar term 'phantasmagorians,' but he refrained from asking for clarification, not wanting to appear naive or inexperienced in front of John. He had witnessed firsthand the cruelty that some individuals could inflict upon those perceived as weaker than them, and he had no intention of revealing any vulnerability that might make him a target for exploitation or worse.
…
"Alright, this is the best shop in the town," John introduced as they stood on the street in front of an imposing structure.
The shop's exterior exuded an air of grandeur, with intricate carvings adorning the tall stone columns that surrounded it, and multiple spires reaching towards the sky. Through the windows, Seren could discern that the interior, in stark contrast to the medieval-style architecture displayed on the outside, was largely composed of pristine marble. Long banners hung from the top of the building, depicting a flying raven with dark red eyes, a symbol that seemed to hold significance in this place.
The area was bustling with activity, as multiple people streamed in and out of the shop, while carriages lined the street, their occupants unloading wooden boxes with practiced efficiency. The building itself towered over its surroundings, boasting an impressive four floors.
Seren's gaze was drawn to three individuals standing guard around one of the carriages, their eyes constantly scanning the surroundings with a vigilant gaze. They wore dark-tailored suits and long woollen coats that fell to their knees, paired with smooth blue ties. Each guard donned a matching fedora, casting shadows over their eyes and adding an air of mystery to their presence. Their polished shoes clicked authoritatively on the cobblestones as they ensured that none of the passersby ventured too close.
Seren could already guess their identities, for at the base of each of their ties, there was an unmistakable emblem that depicted a black raven.
John didn't utter a word as he led Seren into the building, his hand resting behind his back in a casual yet purposeful manner. As Seren pushed open the door, he was greeted by a surprisingly simple interior – a marble floor, red sofas at the center of the larger shop, and shelves with glass fronts. Inside these shelves, a myriad of objects were displayed, ranging from a purple leaf to a human hand, each item more intriguing than the last. In the distance, Seren could make out a giant spiraling staircase that led to the second floor.
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"Quite the shop, isn't it?" John commented, a smile playing on his lips.
Seren remained silent, simply handing over the last soul stone, which John accepted with a nod before bidding farewell and departing.
Seren now found himself alone, observing the diverse array of individuals within the shop, some adorned with masks, others without, as they observed the relics through the glass shelves or engaged in heated discussions with the shopkeepers. Suddenly, a loud, angry voice pierced through the ambient noise, drawing Seren's attention.
"Hey, I said why did you suddenly increase the prices of relics by 10 soul stones?" a burly man with unkempt hair demanded, his tone laced with annoyance as he addressed the receptionist, who attempted to placate him.
"Sir, please calm down," the receptionist implored, her voice apologetic. "The higher-ups have said there were some supply chain issues, and it caused a shortage of relics."
"CALM DOWN?! YOU WANT ME TO CALM DOWN WHEN YOU'RE ASKING ME TO FORK OVER MORE MONEY FOR THE SAME SHIT!" the burly man bellowed, his anger escalating rapidly.
Despite the receptionist's efforts to maintain her professionalism, the situation was quickly spiraling out of control, leaving her flustered.
In a sudden burst of rage, the man attempted to grab the receptionist, but before he could make contact, a mysterious green vine materialized from nowhere, wrapping itself around his neck. The man instantly began choking, clawing desperately at the unyielding vine in a futile attempt to free himself.
In a desperate act, the man reached into his pocket, retrieved a black ball, and hurled it in front of himself. The ball ignited, emitting an ominous glow that suggested an imminent explosion.
Seren's instincts kicked into high gear, and he prepared to activate the Guard talisman, fearing the worst. The other people inside the shop, sensing the impending danger, also readied their own relics, their faces etched with anxiety.
Just as the ball seemed poised to detonate, a piece of paper came hurtling through the air at lightning speed, brushing past Seren and causing him to become momentarily distracted as he saw it enveloping the black ball entirely.
WHUMP!
The muffled sound and shockwave from the explosion reverberated through the shop, causing the shelves and sofas to vibrate violently. Seren, unable to activate his relic in time, found his ears ringing and his world spinning. He clung to a nearby sofa, struggling to regain his balance and make sense of the chaos unfolding around him.
Through his blurred vision, Seren witnessed some people falling to the ground, disoriented, while others, having successfully activated their relics, remained standing, their gazes fixed on the front of the shop.
Squinting through tired eyes, Seren observed a massive white wall erected in front of the burly man, who hung motionless in the air, suspended by the mysterious green vine. His eyes were rolled back, and he appeared to have lost consciousness, likely from being at the shockwave's epicenter.
In the aftermath of the explosion, a peculiar sight unfolded before Seren's eyes. Where the detonation had occurred, a white ball floated in the air, its surface riddled with countless cracks. Slowly, the ball disintegrated, its fragments scattering in the air.
After a few moments of respite, Seren finally regained his senses, his movements no longer hindered by the disorienting effects of the blast. He turned his gaze forward, witnessing the white paper wall crumple into a ball before it flew towards him at incredible speeds and hooting past his face.
Seren's eyes followed the trajectory of the paper ball, watching as it landed squarely in the palm of a man wearing a suit, a black fedora, and a blue tie – one of the Ravens he had observed guarding the carriage outside. The man appeared to be in his fifties, with streaks of gray hair adorning his eyebrows, and his cheeks bore the marks of numerous pockmarks. A grim expression was etched upon his features as he advanced slowly, his intense stare fixed upon the burly man who remained suspended in the air, the green vine still constricting his neck.
Seren's attention then shifted to the receptionist, her face contorted in terror before he noticed in the background a figure descending the spiral staircase with a calm, measured gait.
Clad in a red coat reminiscent of the Raven guard's attire, the man sported black hair and a yellow bowtie. From his hand, which rested on the staircase railing, Seren could see a green vine extending outward, connected to the one that held the unconscious burly man.
With an expressionless face, the man approached the terrified receptionist, whose hands trembled from the shock of the ordeal. Gently, he placed his hand on her shoulder, and a wave of tranquility seemed to wash over her as her terrified eyes calmed instantly.
As the man lifted his hand, the receptionist broke out of her reverie, looking around in confusion. Upon noticing the man in the red coat standing beside her, she freaked out momentarily before quickly bowing her head and addressing him in a panicked voice, "S-supervisor, what brings you down here?"
The supervisor remained silent, ignoring her query as he turned his attention to the unconscious burly man. Placing his right hand on the man's chest, he summoned forth a multitude of green vines that rapidly enveloped the burly man in a thick, cocoon-like encasement.
Thud
The cocoon fell to the floor, rolling to a stop beside the Raven guard.
"Deposit him to the prison," the man in the red coat ordered, his voice carrying an air of authority.
The Raven guard bowed deeply, his back forming a ninety-degree angle as he addressed the supervisor, "I apologize for my slip up. I should have been more careful and left a guard inside to protect the shop."
The supervisor remained silent, observing the guard's submissive posture who awaited his response patiently. After a tense twenty seconds, he finally spoke, "You can resign right now, or you can give up one month's worth of pay as compensation."
The guard's body trembled slightly at the ultimatum, and for a moment, he hesitated to respond. "Would you please reconsider?" he pleaded, his voice laced with fear and unease as he looked up, only to find that the man had already departed, leaving no trace of his presence.
Uncertainty clouded the guard's features as he contemplated his predicament. Drawing a troubled breath, he sorted through his thoughts before picking up the large cocoon and exiting through the front door.
The people within the shop remained silent, their gazes fixed on the guard as he departed. In his place, a new guard entered the shop, positioning himself beside the entrance, and facing the crowd that stared back at him in silence.
'...Awkward,' Seren thought, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes at the peculiar turn of events.
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Condemned To Death
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