"AHHHH!"

The girl's scream trailed behind him as Norbert felt his back hit the slide. The two were encased in darkness as they plummeted down the slide. As expected, it opened up and started curving out, and the city underneath opened up to them. The sound of the screams dyed out as the girl could look out across the expanse and be slightly mystified like Norbert had been the first time he had seen it.

The rumours they must have heard are not compared to what was seen. As they started to angle out, Norbert watched as the two guards on the side gave him a single look before dismissing his presence. Brezan's earlier comment about his association with Vivienne was valid.

Standing up, Norbert picked up the girl as he moved off the slide, gently placing her down as he looked up it. He was waiting to see Korn come down and possibly catch the boy, or else he would launch himself off the railing; they were near and into the city.

Changing his vision to better see in the darkness that came with the undercity, Norbert watched the entrance, happy when the boy shot out of it. He was clad in his black cape, and only the slightly rainbow colouring showed through. He watched the terror on his face, eyes scrunched up tight so as not to see anything.

The boy rocketed down the chute, not slowing down with his feet reminding him of Norbert's first time. Taking a step away from the girl, Norbert leaned over, hand held out, ready to catch the boy. Just as his fingers grabbed him, something rushed over, clutching his leg, causing him to waver momentarily, spinning around with the boy's motion.

Falling into the chute, with two bodies on top of him and a ringing headache coming through as he felt liquid come down the back of his head. The energy was already healing it up before he could check, and a shake of his head caused any weariness to go away. Norbert looked at what was on him.

On his chest, the boy held onto him tightly. Norbert lifted the boy up and out of the chute, happy that nobody would be following after him, so he had a bit of time left.

Lifting his foot, the weight came with it as he saw the girl dangling from his appendage. Turning to the skeletal guards, not having moved an inch, Norbert assumed something happened to scare the girl, not that he blamed her.

With a groan of effort, Norbert hoisted himself out of the chute, watching as Korn looked over the city, Obsius finally coming down and landing on his shoulder. Norbert looked at the bird with a raised eyebrow; there was no need for navigation in these parts.

Hat somehow still on his head, Norbert turned to the girl, seeing that Korn was in the process of what he was planning on doing, inverting the coat around, the darkness of within taking the girl, with the slight bits of colour still showing, allowing Norbert to make them out if needed quickly.

Knowing he wouldn't be winning any hiding contests with his outfit, Norbert looked across, making out the casino he aimed for.

"That over there is our destination," Norbert said, squatting slightly down as he pointed over the expanse to the barely visible top of the glass cube.

The two of them tried to look for a moment but could not; with a shrug, Norbert grasped one of them in each of his hands, giving a quick nod to the guards, saying thanks for staying there. "I'll see you in a bit." Norbert gave them before walking off.

I wondered what face they would be making as they entered the city underneath.

***

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The uneventful passage through the city that Norbert was thankful for, not wanting to go through all the mess that previously appeared in the upper city. He walked up the steps, still holding onto each of the children Norbert had been designated for.

Passing the guards, Norbert tipped his hat as he walked through. I'm sure Elizabeth would have told them about his passage over here anyway.

Walking through the doors, Norbert was not surprised the place was busy even now. Would the Grimm even need to sleep, he thought to himself. Dismissing the silly thought, Norbert eyed the back wall he needed to walk through.

Getting past the crowded desk once more, Norbert made his way, dragging those over. Sure, people were watching him as he travelled across the country, but he was not blending in with those around him.

"Going to join us coin flipper?" Someone shouted out from the crowd.

Stopping for a moment, Norbert looked across. The voice came from one of the back tables. One of the attendants, as he continued to stare, realized he was a dealer Norbert had used before in this place.

"Not this time. I have too many errands today." Norbert replied, wondering how many people knew of his existence from the little gambling game he played.

Coming to the wall, both the kids pulled back slightly. Norbert leaned down, and now they had slightly more space. Norbert provided them, "It's an invisible door; just watch as I pass through. If you're scared, close your eyes." Norbert gave them a piece of advice

Instantly, the little girl scrunched her eyes up, and with that, Norbert started walking forward, dragging Korn with him. Entering the passageway, the torches were once more seen. Norbert looked out across the sights, seeing a small group of waiters on this side staring at him.

With a sheepish grin, Norbert stepped out of the way, allowing them to enter the casino's lowest floor one at a time.

With the passageway cleared, Norbert squeezed the girl's hand before looking around at the flickering passageway.

Making the usual debate, the right turn, thankful for the lack of guards on the stairwell as both didn't want to let go of his hand. Making the precarious way down, Norbert was happy when it finally opened up, seeing the portal currently being used as crates were moved out of them, no people, just the boxes pushed through.

Walking forward, the workers eyed him off momentarily as they stared at him. Norbert's cameo was the one he assumed was operating the portal network. "How long until a gate to Alasium is open?" Norbert asked.

The worker looked at Norbert momentarily, scrutinizing him until the light finally came on. "Oh, it's you, the one the boss said about." The zombie provided to Norbert, the flesh festering slightly on the skin. Looking Norbert up and down, he saw the two kids. "Just two?"

"Another hundred or so still waiting, doing two at a time from the Kreevss milling about in the upper." Norbert provided.

A grunt of agreement came, "Assumed to have them all move at once" The worker provided to Norbert.

Letting go of the kid's hand, Norbert smashed his fingers on the brow of his nose, trying to think of a possible solution to his current predicament.

An annoying voice from where the stairwell was. "I could look after them."

Norbert blew air out of his nose as he looked up, seeing Count von Count staring down at them. He slowly walked down the steps, dramatically taking one at a time.

Norbert watched as the two kids stared at the vampire, unsure what to make of them. "Eh, sure, why not?? Ready to be a babysitter for over a hundred?" Norbert asked Count von Count.

There was a slight pause in his step at the sound. "It will be fine, Count von Count", he whispered.

Norbert eyed the vampire with a half-smile, happy that something could rouse his friend. Turning to the two kids, Korn's face changed from the frightened kid to the leader he was trying to be. "Before anything, I know it's not part of the deal. But if that vampire causes any mischief or mayhem to you and doesn't keep anyone in line. I know some people," Norbert shouted so that everyone could hear his declaration to them.

Norbert looked at the two kids. "Now I best be off. There are still a lot more to pick up and place in this one's care," Norbert told them, directing the last bit to Count von Count, who was standing still.

Walking up to the vampire, who wrapped his arm over Norbert's neck and dragged him down, "Did you just threaten me" The vampire asked Norbert, seeing the fangs come out "I'm just trying to put at ease the little leader over there. I know out of the two of us who has more leverage on the other. I don't want my family to be killed or worse over something they never did"" Norbert explained to the vampire, patting him on the back and stepping forward, breaking from the vampire's grip.

Making his way up the few stairs to the spiral staircase, Norbert breathed out as he started walking up. Something that could have blown up in his face was now under control. He was hoping the next fifty or so times he trekked this would be easier.