Marthosh was looking young like one would guess from his face and voice, though his demeanor was of someone who grew up in a tough world and adjusted to it accordingly. For a human in this Gate, it was nothing short of normal. Not even an adult, living in the Helltrim City all his life, and knowing what this place was about, he was what one would describe as a youth full of life, even in this place.
One would wonder how he even managed this sort of attitude, assuming this place didn't take humans nearly as well as the Surface. Most Hells wouldn't adapt that well to humans apart from very rare instances that worked through reputation, or specific circumstances.
Marthosh was weak like any youngster would be, unless his position was sensitive, or he was a Blessed human. In that case, things could be very different, though near impossible in this case. Murai could tell he was native to this world and weak, obviously by his eyes alone. If anything would change it, it might be the company named Lost Brothers, which could be a major and influential business if it sought him out when others didn't. If it employed humans, affording and protecting such people, they could be either stupid or powerful. Not both.
Murai didn't know what to think when he looked at this kid. Who was he, why did he keep asking him questions, or where did he come from?
At least he felt the sincerity that beamed like a lovely hearty honesty out of him. His Soul Read picked it up so he even forgot about smacking him away. Instead, he kept his interest at bay, unwilling to test his spirit or hurt him in any way. He kept glancing at him from his lower position, wondering how to deal with this talkative guy, yet still lying on his back with a stuffed belly.
Now what? Murai thought. A business seems like excessive work for me. And he looks like a brat who seeks the sky, unwilling, or too willing to go to the unknown length for it. He has some hopes, yet he is nervously bearing his eyes on me for something, lest he seeks the others around the tavern. Do they watch him like an eyesore because of his human origin, or because he is with me? Well, that devil was whatever. Oh well, this is something that Lisa can deal with ease, I suppose. I wonder when she will come back after dealing with her findings.
Then, Murai sighed, wriggled his torso, and shot his beak up, facing the ceiling. A nap was due until the other plate would arrive.
Marthosh seemed surprised to see his napping action, as he was expecting at least some answer. He opened his mouth, leaned onward to glance at him from the corner of the table, and waved his hand at that sleeping duck.
“S-sir? B-busines? Any? Hello? Wakey wakey...” He tried as much as he could, but it was to no avail. It was like speaking to a wall.
And no wall was ever enough against a member of Lost Brothers. It was against the rules! The business was taking its priority, so Marthosh clutched his fists and leaned back to the cushioned chair.
Unwilling to give up, he waited for another opportunity that might arrive sooner or later. It wasn't up to him, so he adjusted his attire consisting of some neat shirt that was close to a cheap suit, and waited until Murai would awake, or for that ghost that might come back sooner rather than later.
Rumors were true, after all. A Blessed Anatidae was walking in the Hellscape, bearing nothing normal on its own, yet the shaken world waited for nothing or something, or for time to return and turn once more.
Remaining at the table proved to be quite an ordeal that Marthosh hadn't expected. Watched and ridiculed by demons from all sides, ostracized by some snarky comments, some of them were nearly physical, but no one dared to make a move to this table. Only those very brave did it so far, obvious by that old devil and Marthosh who was a devout worker. All sorts of interested parties didn't want to stop Murai's meal. It wasn't clever, they knew. Or it might be because this city itself was sensitive to troubles, or was it because this Hellhole was taking its businesses seriously?
Most bid for more time and waited for Murai to make its moves, or for Mindarch to start their blissful chance.
Around the tavern, demons laughed at Marthosh, pointing fingers that his End was coming, yet those words slowly disappeared when Murai left him alone. Then, some pointed out that he was lucky that Anatidae went to sleep and that he should run away when he could.
The next meal was yet to come, even after twenty minutes of this situation that startled the surrounding demons, gave many onlookers some fun, and many quick visitors glanced at this sight. A human kid sat before a sleeping Anatidae, folding his arms against his chest and pretending he wasn't there. It didn't work against others, but he at least thought of himself as stone. That worked wonderfully. His boss said that if one was confident, fewer things mattered. But when one wasn't, pretending to be a stone meant sturdy defense. Would a stone care for some taunts or words? Not at all. Marthosh knew it.
At some point, the old devil and shrouded figure aside from him left this place after confirming what they wanted. That plate was indeed identical and Murai was the same.
Marthosh was a patient little guy with enough thick skin to remain in place. His aforementioned business didn't come with ease or clarity, but a rule and task that came quickly from his boss. Anything or anyone had a price; business had its stakes, closer to the individuals, or upcoming talk. Mumbling something under his bent head and resting hands on his forearm, he ignored everyone and everything. No stone would get overturned right now.
His patience seemed to pay off, meeting a fortune when things made no sense to him. Soon, Lisa flew back into the Hellhole Tavern, returning with nothing but the pouch in hand and ring around her wrist. Appearing as normal as she could, it didn't work that well when demons backed away from her flight, eyesight, or waves of her glistering and magnificent meter-long body. Some of them even screamed like children when they saw her, quickly scramming away from the tavern. If even a child considered her a Fairy, why couldn't these fools?
Lisa wondered if she should Shape her appearance a little bit, just in case of this Gate, but could she do that? Was she willing to not be her preferred and perfected appearance? Not one bit. The only thing that made sense to change was her size. Her demeanor and face remained. This was the closest she was to her former self, posing as a memory of her past that was fueling her present. It was out of the question for her to change. For a ghostly Soul Render, she could ask for more, but to whom? Like Marthosh a while ago, she bid for time too.
Others should adjust their heads to seek or get used to her instead. It wasn't her problem if others thought of her as something she wasn't. She was far worse than some Fairy for godly sakes.
Lisa didn't care for the sight of others; she had her targets that were much more promising. Especially when some measly demons escaped her gaze out of nothing but their instincts. She was looking nasty in some eyes, and dangerous or curious in others. Yet, unknown to them all, it was still a front that went to their hearts.
She wouldn't hurt almost anyone in her current form, but if soul and sona were concerned, she could hurt someone for sure. She held the pouch in her stressed hand, looking for Murai with a serious ashen face. Perhaps it was an aftereffect of her azure and ghostly image, akin to a fog made of sona, or was she worried about something? She looked prettier in a bigger size, and her eyes and face were blazing in their colorful waves. Even Marthosh thought of her as someone.... pretty. That was for a second until he realized his job.
Lisa didn't care for her face, as long as it was the one she knew. Fear or worries still reached her when needed. And she had enough worries to spend it for others.
“Who do we have here?” Lisa asked Marthosh, floating behind him like a ghost. “A little boy wants to eat? Wanna cut that duck into small pieces or little pieces so you could eat him whole? He wouldn't mind it, I think.” She asked a ridiculous question that Marthosh took with surprise and mumbled a scream because he didn't take her closer proximity that well.
Sneaking beside him, Lisa almost touched his face and used her sona. Marthosh jolted his eyes wide as he winced at the end of the table. His inexperience got hold of him only for a moment, leaving his face and mouth open. No one laughed or scrutinized him this time around, for most were gone or looking away. He adjusted his clothes and touched his neck before calming down after a quick sigh. He calmed considerably in just a single second.
Lisa observed him for a fool, questioning his very existence that pointed to Murai who still slept, or to the Token which was still on the table, untouched. Marthosh noticed the pouch in her hand and her appearance that was so vivid in his eyes, that he took her for a nightmare next.
Not the worst one he had seen, he knew.
For a second, he lost his composure “My apologies. Oh, right. A Blessed has their Life Companions. That should be you, I presume?”
“Perhaps,” Lisa said coldly, squinting her eyes and floating closer to him, jerking his hands, steps, body itself, and eyes that went aside. He could no longer retreat further. Cornered between an Anatidae and Soul Render, he wasn't even aware of what kind of situation was around him.
Yet he found his voice, remembering the voice of his boss that he took for Laws.
Laughing out loud, he slapped his palms together and got back on track. “Right! Forget this please and that too. I am a humble servant who seeks guidance and the business of others. A lackey, if you may say. I am here to talk business as a member of...“
“Shut up,” Lisa said. “What are you here for? Him or his situation? That Token?” she pointed at Murai, obvious that her questions surrounded Murai as a whole.
“No, no, no.” Marthos waved his hands in defense forward, taking a small glimpse at her. “Don't get me wrong—name' Marthosh by the way—I am just hoping to have some form of understanding with you first before coming to a proper business, miss..?” Marthosh talked in one sensible tone without stuttering, which was surprising to him more than once. The training paid off, it seemed.
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Unbothered by her appearance or origin, he pretended to be someone experienced. It worked in such a situation the best.
Lisa was a little surprised by his thick skin and his overall demeanor. It reminded him of someone. By age too. “Oh, you have quite some steam for a kid. Calm down before I will chomp your head off, kiddo. I went to the Longing Merchant for the starting information gathering, and this sleeping duck before you can't even put a sentence together. Unless you want to bear the weight of a mountain, of course. I don't recommend it by the way. Feels like a mountain pressing on a rock. Don't do that, please.”
“Uh...” Marthosh didn't know how to respond to that, so he went ahead with the conversation since it seemed this one at least made some sense. “Alright. B-but... Longing Merchants? Why worry about their ridicule? Lost Brothers are far cheaper and much better.”
Lisa smiled for a second and changed her mind about something when she heard his words. “Who says that, other than a lackey of Lost Brothers? Do you mind if you prove your usefulness for me and your business?” Lisa asked as her smirk widened. The boy no older than an adult was before her like a snack, free of restraint or any restrictions.
She flew closer, eyeing him with her glistering appearance and waves of her sona wavered ever so closely forward. She was a hand away from his face with hers, and this helpless boy couldn't escape.
“So? Do you mind to talk or take your business somewhere else? Considering the situation of the entire world right now, I would rather not run around the fire and hope to stop its flames. I need some genuine help this time around. Some of you might do just fine, I think.”
Marthosh took her words much better than she expected. “Oh, no worries. It is expected on this day that some doubts and worries go how they could. Then, this and that... it is rather confusing, so bear with me. I can talk however you wish, but sure enough, business is still a business. I am required to talk about it as business partners with my boss. If you agree to visit our company, I can...”
“Don't run that way.” Lisa reminded him. “Reason. Give them or get lost.”
“I wanted a confirmation so I could take it to him. I swear it's legit! My boss gave me the task of fetching.... that...” he glanced at Murai in unwillingness and didn't mention Lisa. She wasn't in the picture because of something. “To me... alone, this was a mission, but you are here and others aren't causing trouble. So...” Marthosh explained and, in a matter of fact and logic, almost begged to let his boss work with them instead. He was required for this; he didn't even know what his boss wanted from this very unique opportunity or work.
“Then, what you can provide without your boss? A company is something when others besides the boss do something. Without it, it seems like a mistake that speaks for itself. It seems your company isn't worth all that much,” Lisa laughed at his face. “Young human kid, pathless fool, barely managing the effort to keep his heart straight. At least you are better than some demons. Those have their instincts. You have yours as a human, so you might take it as a compliment or a weakness. Could I slap you? Maybe that would turn this into something else. Wait. Touching your soul sounds even works, eh?”
Lisa chuckled and flared her sona. She pretended to seize the opportunity and shocked this youth even more.
Marthosh blinked and yelped, but nothing happened. Lisa sighed and Marthosh didn't find anything offensive in her words. He realized how wrong he was before, so he began to talk. “I won't inquire about your situation, but we require some bits and everyone does know yours. Blessed comes at many tides, so when Encounter follows it behind, going near this place, everything is aflame. This business can be helpful, I think. The boss could tell more. He is the one who purchased the views from the upper Gates, including some bits from the Surface. It wasn't cheap. He knows what he does.”
“It might end for your entire company. Do you think you have what it takes to get it? You seem to know our situation, and I now know what goes above. Not here, however. I don't know what changed in this Gate and its Sectors, or what the Hunt is going to be like when the world isn't spinning right.”
“We can help with that,” Marthost quickly said. “And.... of course, we can help and take this gamble with you in sign of agreement, or other things.”
“Why?”
“Why not? Demons won't bear such weight as you do, but our company isn't like that. So what if danger goes at us, or if others don't want to take it in the simple principle of this Gate? It isn't only about this Gate too, or chance. No dangers come with lacking means. Nothing grows then.”
Lisa didn't find his answer wrong. “Fine. Fine. What does this boss of yours have in mind then? Information gathering is my first requirement in taking business with you. What kind are you proficient with? As you know, my side will go deep into this temple, while the Encounter is a whole different mess that... wait, I think I am getting some pictures of where this is going.”
“All kinds must be there then,” Marthosh said firmly and overcame his previous fear completely. Lisa also retracted her creeping sona. “From the topics of the gangs, Provinces, Sectors, your custom needs, and to the other end of this Hellscape, or more. Lost Brothers deals with many related and interesting things that will help you. I swear on it.”
“End of the Gate? You think I believe you need so much?”
“That... I mean. We know what we know. I mean, my boss gets it all. Not me. He knows a lot of things even without being a legend of this Gate. But he is human grown into this place and took this place like a storm. I think I can speak for him in this manner. How about it? I will lead you to him right away. Then, you will change your mind.” Marthosh said in excitement befitting his personality.
“Not so fast, I am not over this. Why in the world you are insistent on this... mess? It isn't sensible, counting on him.” Lisa once again pointed at Murai.
Marthosh expected these doubts. He already answered them too.
“We take pride in taking task impossible to solve. Some fail, some do not. And—I dare to say that with honesty and imploring agitation—your situation is right at our alley.” His polite work of speech returned, and it showed in his voice.
“Which means?” Lisa asked coldly.
“No idea,” he said with a confident smile. “As I've said, my boss sent me here to enquire about the situation and get you if you wanted some help. It seems you do?”
“Oh? He did?” Lisa was impressed. “Last question then. Have you talked to him?” She insisted on getting her point to sleeping Murai.
“I've tried my best. He seemed... preoccupied with something very important.”
“Then grab him and let's talk somewhere else,” Lisa ordered and decided to take things into her own hands. Murai wouldn't complain. She already decided on a couple of things herself after uncovering the truth, so it was time to move. “This place isn't how it used to be, or perhaps everything is the same? Insane... with the world above in shambles? What happened...or how?”
“G-grab? I mean...” Marthosh hesitated, his hands trembling.
“What? Afraid of a sleeping duck?” she said mockingly. “I don't think he bites when he sleeps. Probably. Not to the extent of leaving a bone behind at least. It won't hurt that much. Perhaps take some gauntlet or gloves. Maybe a net? Do you fish?”
“No... Not afraid! I am not afraid. Not one bit. No way.” Marthosh said in agitation after hearing her mockery that moved his heart. He hyped himself to take this into his own hands. Her confirmation gave him unnatural confidence. He got to his feet, grabbed Murai by his hoodie, and didn't know what else to do. It went far too easily. Just a single motion and he had a duck in his hand.
Above the sofa and peacefully sleeping in the air, Murai was oblivious like a little chick in the middle of a wolf's den. He remained sleeping, much to his gladness that he never took for granted.
Marthosh took a deep breath, not even aware of how many gazes around this tavern were locked onto him. It was a den of monsters, gangs, and also the military, but usually, Order was absent. It seemed the world above still affected this Gate to a large degree, or it might be the work of something else. Levandis ruled over her subjects and all Gates, so perhaps the lack of it wasn't really a problem.
Many clashes happened daily, even in this place that housed many lives. Why did the battles happen? Was it the Chaos that caused them, or the beings that wanted it? Lisa knew that acts of men, demons, and Divides acted with no rules. This world won't clutch it constantly. Living beings decided them. Most of the time anyway.
In this Gate, there were some rules for Challengers, though, for denizens living in this place, they could be mere excuses that one could forget if one was familiar with certain punishments. For true Surface Challengers, rules acted as warnings and precautions.
Nearly a hundred stares were on Marthosh, who accomplished something insane by picking Murai up and not taking it as punishment from this little Anatidae.
He was a brazen young man, so he took Murai under his armpit and hurried to the exit before he would wake up. He had his fears, but he believed that he would be faster than the end of his sleep.
He even left Lisa in the dust, surprised by this youngster's flexibility and quick learning. She nodded to herself, figuring that helpful physical hands worked wonders.
“Excuse us then.” Lisa mocked some onlookers, and gave thanks to the bartender, before noticing a quivering goblin around the corner of the kitchen.
“E-excuse me?” he forced a moan when she turned in his direction; his feet quivered, yet hands went up in defense.
“What?” she demanded the unknown.
“I-it slept... What about the meal?” Goblin asked a good question after knowing that there was no way to take it in any way. Waking a sleeping Anatidae was out of the question or his pay grade. He would rather quit, but weirdly, cooks and even the owner of this tavern had a certain level of understanding so they forced him to wait.
The rest of the order was long ready, but because Murai slept, no one dared to come near him at all, even when bearing gifts.
Lisa forgot about the food completely, so she stored the food in a pouch capable of holding food for a couple of days at best. Usually, less, unless there were some freezing or special space properties inside that would make it stable. Usually, some gravity or air also helped with storing living things, or at least some food. In her case, she had fewer choices, with the best being the ring that had some neatness in it, as it was fairly well made and large in its inner structure.
But she didn't want to take some food into it. It would get eaten soon anyway if she knew Murai well enough.
Then, the cooks and the attendants all celebrated and felt gratifying accomplishments in their kitchen. Unbeknownst to the demons, a celebration festival was happening right beside them.
Out of the tavern, Lisa took the sight of this city in a new light, since she discovered quite a few things through her visit to the biggest company in terms of information gatherings. It cost some money, but it was well worth it. Longing Merchant Groub worked substantially across the Surface, so it had a large subsidiary in this Gate after paying quite a large toll to Levandis.
Profits and everything went hand in hand with that kind of business, but having a connection to this temple was worth it.
And Lisa knew they were valid, albeit expensive folks to deal with. But she got names and worthy information she would be even willing to get out of someone's memories, so when it went out of expenses that weren't even hers, she was happy with the results.
And she was glad. “So, where to?” she asked Marthosh who was jogging in place, hoping that the swaying motion would calm Murai down so he wouldn't wake up. Lisa doubted it helped, but she wasn't inclined to give him that fake or truthful news.
“Velvet District,” Marthosh said.
“That place? Are you a legit business? There is no place for shady stuff there at all.” Lisa asked in surprise.
“Define what is shady. Even the military is somewhat shady, let alone some gangs, clans, and families residing all over the place. They are all shady to a certain degree. Mind you, we do work with that in mind, within it, or around it, we hold a lot of work under the military too! Missions to the Surface included, but most of it goes around this Gate or others. Missions, I mean. Lost Brothers has many decades of experience, so we work with what we can.”
Lisa hummed in an impressed tone and inclined him to continue as they went ahead, one bearing a pouch, Token, and a ring, and the other a sleepy duck.
“I speak for my boss, so I must say there is nothing wrong with some history and what is worth a mention,” Marthosh nodded and went with steady steps toward his destination.
Lisa already got the picture she wanted, so she had nothing to lose by following his voice or steps ahead. If there was a lunatic that was clearly not obvious to this situation and Gates, yet still insistent or comfortable on getting involved with her and Murai's troubles, she would gladly involve anything or anyone. Or he might be a fool who was fine or someone who had nothing to lose.
Lisa did get enough from the Longing Merchant Groub to make a final and surprising decision. She trusted Marthos, but it wasn't enough to make her plans better. She had two hopes to bear: get Murai out of this place and let him survive to tell the tale. Both hopes were full of holes at the moment because the Challengers and their exit was a peculiar problem for her. Now, after discovering that the Ravine and the whole world weren't working as they should, things might turn worse.
For these hopes to work, many things were needed. That was why a private business was more reasonable when she thought about it, yet she found something she didn't expect. It was something that didn't even take that long or was hard to find.
It cost quite a hefty price that would provide very little benefits to most people, but for her, lost in the darkness for fifty years, it was excellent.
What kind of findings and discoveries let her be satisfied? Well, one bad thing was still the discovery of the happenings in the Surface and the Sky, but that was secondary right now. They had their purpose, so she took a look into the Hellscape as a whole and something new arrived.
She spent a small fortune on information gathering about the military of the current time, names of organization, private companies, and their general business practices or bosses. She also purchased news about some famous and old figures, which left her curious.
There were many potential choices for her to look for, yet one unexpectedly went ahead first, creating a distraction until it bore a sudden fruit. From one that she noted, rather than a generic merchant group with a long history, it was better to rely on someone who knew the world and moved on its own.