The City

The yells were deafening.

Thousands of screams awaited them when they made it through the gate. The yells starting at a gentle air piecing volume and rising to deafening proportions the more people made it through the gate.

Spider almost had to do a double take at the sheer amount of people. Anywhere he dragged his eyes he could find a person screaming at the top of the lungs. Balconies in the distance crowded with so many people that it seemed comical.

Storefronts filled to the brim with elderly who sat in chairs raising their cane in delight. Gamblers with complaints or praises lingering in front of crystal boxes that showed the violence outside. Incoming peddlers rushing forward to give out thier goods for just a 'ever so small price' for only the most dignified. Some even offering goods for free with the add on of a small card and their ever so gratefulness if the young master could visit their shop later. Scantily dressed woman approached with seductive gazes and some simply pulling down the hem of their bodice with a wink.

It was a sight to see.

"So this is the welcome huh. I could get used to this. "

"We finally fucking made it! "

"God I give thanks. "

"I told you we'd make it. "

"Finally!"

"Darling, we've done it "

The responses were many.

It was not taken humbly. All around I saw sloppy faces full of , well I wasn't sure if there was a word for the level of happiness they had right now.

All they had suffered, all the death they had seen, was all for this moment.

This was the welcome for the Deadly Dream.

It was worth noting though, despite how loudly they yelled, or how much they looked, or how close they came. No one dared to be uncouth, in fact when Spider looked close he could see underneath all the excitement and grand gestures thier was something else lingering beneath the eyes of the citizens of Lethos.

Wariness.

Spider clenched his hands. This , this place wasn't everything it seemed.

"Hey Spider, look " A soft hug wrapped his right arm. He looked down to see Nella with a face of glee. On her ears lay two pink ruby rings that shined when struck by the sun.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

A peddler stood a few feet away rubbing his hands suspiciously a sly grin on his face.

"Young Master, she looks amazing no, you should come by my shop get some accessories for the lady warrior some time. For now these are free of charge. Good offer, yes? Yes of course it is. I have best offers in town. Here take my card. "

A small red and green paper made its way into my palm. With his other hand he sneakily offered me a small porcelain vial with a wink.

"For thee nighttime activities sir. "

With a small flurry it found its way into my sleeve.

"Very good. Very good. My name is Vaneer. You come by sometime yes. "

Then the peddler was off, another figure blending into the many that swarmed them. The pandemonium would last a little longer before a sound would bring it to a stop.

"Hohohohoh. Have you youngins had enough?" The voice wasn't spoken loudly and yet it boomed in the ears of everyone below.

Spider looked above. Floating far above him, were the three Examiners on their platform of stone. The old man in the tiger mask gently stroking his beard that showed through his mask.

As the platform lowered, the streets emptied at a rapid pace. Peddlers, gamblers with propositions and prostitutes alike clearing out as the man's laugh got closer. It seemed whoever the man was.

He had a reputation.

"Come now, youngins. I have things to do, and places to be, let us get you all home. " The man looked to his left at the maskless swordswoman.

"Come now, Dia. Lead these youngins to the mansion for me. "

"Tsk, got it sir. "

With a large leap from fifty feet above the woman landed on the ground heavily, shattering stone beneath her feet.

"Don't take too long now, hohohohoh. "

The platform floated away leaving fourty people looking expectantly at the swordswoman.

The woman looked back, eyes fim and full of annoyance.

"C'mon , anyone who isn't with us when I arrive , is out. "

Immediately a few sleezy faces who were making their way to seductive gazes on the street turned and made their way back.

"Tsk, always some jumping the gun. " Then without a word she began walking down the grand streets.

Spider followed.

---------------

The roads of Lethos were stocked with attractions.

Fire breathing chickens were used to roast thickets of meat on sticks. Wine dripped out of clouds that followed the gaze of grizzled old mages that directed them with the point of gnarled fingertips. Buildings that were held not by structure but on the backs of turtles walked the streets.

Like all good things, eventually the road came to an end. Fanciful attractions falling away as the street became more and more empty.

Until it gave view to the biggest building Spider had ever seen.

With wood of white stone of black and a trim of gold, it looked almost closer to a palace than it did a building. It was the type of building that would have attracted all the attention in the world if not for what lied in front of its gates.

"Hey Spider." Nella said to his right.

"Did you know giants still existed? "