The soldiers brought Gustav and others to one of the buildings. It had a sign but they were unable to read it. The interior was fancy and matched that of top-class hotels. The furniture however was made out of unknown materials. They were led into a cell and told to wait.
“They could’ve at least removed these ropes.”
Damini complained and sat on the floor.
“After crushing them while tied up they would be suicidal to take these off.”
Ryder sat beside her and rest his head on her shoulder.
“I got too worked up today, I’m going to sleep.”
“Yeah, you do that, Ryder. We can’t afford for you to get too stressed out.”
Ryder nodded at Gustav and started sleeping on Damini’s shoulder.
“General, should I ask Alfa to cut these ropes?”
Gina whispered in Gustav’s ear.
“Nah, the situation hasn’t gotten dire yet.”
“Oh, it hasn’t?”
Kelz walked into the cell room. The guards there saluted her.
“You guys can go now.”
“Yes, Ma’am!”
The guards left and Kelz took a seat on a chair in front of the cell.
“Kelz Tiama, we meet again.”
“Yes, we have, Gustav Fernandez. I’m here to interrogate you as promised.”
“Well, I’m not one to turn down a conversation with a woman such as yourself.”
“I never knew watching your parent flirt with someone would make my skin crawl like this.”
Damini mumbled. Roxanne nodded in agreement.
“Gustav, what’s your reason for coming here? I know you didn’t surrender. I doubt Janx and Magnax can take down your group.”
“Was it that obvious? And here I thought we were good actors.”
“Answer the question, please.”
“It isn’t anything really. I was searching for something and wanted the help of your people.”
“Are you saying you didn’t want to get violent?”
“That’s right.”
Gustav put his hand over his heart.
“Old age has made me see that violence isn’t the answer, it's relying on the kindness of others.”
His lips curled up.
“And I make it my duty to return the kindness shown to me ten folds.”
“I see. Depending on what you seek it may be possible to help you.”
“Will that be alright? We’re Outsiders. I’m sure your people have a grudge against our kind for attacking your home decades ago.”
“We do have a grudge, but some grudges can be forgotten if they are replaced with feelings of gratitude.”
Gustav and Kelz stared at each other in silence for nearly a minute. The silence was broken by Gustav.
“I’m looking for medicine that can cure any illness and possibly extend one’s life.
“This medicine is for you, is it? After all, no man who wished to live longer would come to this place. You must wish to save another.”
“That’s right.”
“What is your relation to this person?”
“I prefer not to say.”
Kelz frowned.
“But I’ll tell you this.”
The smile fell from Gustav’s face.
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
“There is no limit to how far I’m willing to go for them. Do you understand what I’m trying to say, Kelz Tiama?”
Kelz smiled.
“Loud and clear.”
Gustav started smiling again.
“That’s great. So, are you willing to help me?”
“I wish I could, but some circumstances prevent me from doing so.”
“Circumstances? Like?”
“The fact you’re Outsiders is a big obstacle. Normally, you would all be killed after intense interrogation on the possibility of reinforcements. Another one would be the location of what you’re seeking.”
Gustav’s eyes narrowed.
“So there is a medicine like what I’m searching for.”
“There is, but it’s in the hands of some terrifying people.”
“Do you mean the gods on the island above?”
“That’s right.”
“I see.”
Gustav nodded.
“So you want us to help you take down those above?”
Kelz’s smile slowly turned into a grin. She didn’t say anything, but that was an answer by itself.
“So in order for us to get a miracle we need to kill gods?”
Gustav turned to his soldiers.
“Sounds like a fair trade to me.”
Damini said.
“Gods, huh? I’m kinda curious.”
Gina added.
“I’m an atheist so…”
Raphael shrugged.
“Becoming a godslayer doesn’t sound too bad.”
Chul was eager.
“Meh, we’ve done worst.”
Roxanne was indifferent. Gustav turned back to Kelz.
“Alright, we have a deal.”
“Good.”
Kelz stood up.
“So are you going to let us out?”
“I can’t do that. You’ll have to bust out yourself. Once you do, I’ll have Janx and Magnax pick you up.”
“So they were in on it?”
Kelz smirked.
“You’re really not a good actor, Gustav Fernandez.”
Kelz left the room and the guards returned. Gustav moved away from the bars and walked over to his soldiers.
“So what do we do now?”
Gina asked.
“The sun should be setting soon.”
Everyone looked at each other and nodded.
Less than an hour later, the sun set. Guards were stationed inside watching the cell, outside the door, and several places in the vicinity.
“Alright, I guess it’s time to go.”
Gustav sprung to his feet.
“Alfa, take out the guards and cut everyone’s ropes.”
“Ok, Gina.”
Alfa opened her mouth and two lights flashed. With a groan, both guards hit the ground. A blade ejected from Alfa’s arm and cut the water ropes around her. She then pulled out the blade and cut everyone’s ropes.
“Thank you, Alfa. Having you around makes things a lot easier.”
Gustav took the sleeping Ryder off the ground and flung him over his shoulder. Chul and Damini walked over to the unconscious guards and started searching their bodies. Chul took their guns while Damini took their blades.
“What’s with these people’s obsession with phoenixes?”
Damini mumbled while examining the Phoenix designs on the blades.
“Serpents too.”
Chul was examining the serpent-shaped guns.
“Alright, we’re leaving this building in two minutes. So get ready.”
Gustav said while walking to the door. He showed five, then four, three, two, one. He pulled open the door.
“Wha?!”
The guards standing there were caught off guard as Roxanne and Raphael rushed them. Roxanne slammed one guard into the ground. Raphael grabbed the other by the face and threw him into the cell room. Damini spun them with a kick and walked past them. She and Chul walked out of the room. Raphael had Roxanne had already taken out several more guards nearby. Damini joined up with Raphael while Chul moved with Roxanne.
“Alfa, check if you can hack into the surveillance system and erase the last minute.”
“I’ll see what I can do, Gina.”
Alfa moved to an abstract-looking camera and immediately tried connecting to it.
“I’m sorry, but I’m unable to figure out how this works.”
“Can you destroy them, Alfa?”
“I can.”
“Then destroy all the cameras before we enter their range them.”
“Ok.”
Alfa followed Gina’s orders and started attacking the cameras. Gina sprinted to catch up with the others. Gustav walked with unhurried steps examining his surroundings.
“Their technology is similar to ours but a bit different in some parts.”
He knocked a wall.
“It’s hard but has elasticity. Is it like memory foam?”
He cruised through the buildings while his soldiers took out every guard they could find. He arrived at the entrance where the others were waiting for him. He walked through the doorway.
“You guys took longer than expected.”
Outside, Janx and Magnax were waiting for them.
“I was admiring the architecture and technology.”
“It’s good you’re having fun.”
Janx threw a cloak at him.
“Put that on, it will create an illusion you’re one of our people.”
Magnax gave the rest similar cloaks.
“Let’s get moving before the real guards come.”
“Real guards? Are you saying Kelz placed fake guards to watch us?”
“Not fake, just rookies.”
Janx answered.
“I see. I must thank her.”
The two led the group through the city.
“You guys don’t use vehicles?”
Gina asked while looking around.
“Do you mean those metal things you people ride on? We don’t. We walk or run wherever we go to continuously train our bodies. Sometimes we ride flying beasts.”
Magnax answered.
“How admirable. If it weren’t for us eating the heavenly creatures, we wouldn’t be able to lay a hand on you guys.”
Gustav said.
“We’re nothing. The powerful ones are the warriors like Madam Kelz.”
“Oh, her?”
Gustav grinned.
“Yeah, I don’t think I can hope to beat her.”
“That’s the first I’ve heard you admit someone’s stronger than you.”
Roxanne and the others looked at Gustav in shock.
“Well, it’s the first time I’ve met another person who can make me feel small.”
“That’s the natural response to her.”
Janx said.
“Are you saying she’s special?”
“You’ll understand when she tells you herself.”
They took the group to a mansion at the eastern edge of the city. The gates had the symbol of a phoenix entangling with a serpent on it.
“We’re taking the secret entrance.”
The two led them to a bush. They moved the bush and lifted a block revealing a secret entrance underneath. They opened the door and gestured for Gustav’s group to enter. They entered while Janx and Magnax moved the bush back and closed the door.
Gustav and the others were inside a well-lit passage. They followed the two down the passage until they arrived at a door. Janx and Magnax cut their hands and placed them on the door. It lit up before opening. They walked inside and the others followed.
“Welcome, Gustav Fernandez and his soldiers.”
They were greeted by Kelz who was sitting in a chair. They were inside a room filled with books, scrolls, and parchments. It was like an ancient library.
“Since we’re going to be cooperating, it’s only natural for me to properly introduce myself.”
Kelz crossed her legs and leaned back in her chair.
“My name is Kelz Tiama Octivius, the one true goddess and rightful ruler of these lands.”