A few days go by as they reach the entrance of the Kingdom. Massive walls made of stone & iron surround the entire outskirts of the Kingdom. It looks almost endless. The smell hits Alatar and Mira like a boulder hitting a carriage, the devasting smell of rotten food mixed with sewage, all drowned in pissed. They begin to step through into the Kingdom.
"By the Gods, this place is putrid! I've been around the nobles of this Kingdom, and they didn't have even a scent of this on them." Mira says, pulling Alatar's jacket around her nose to block the smell. Alatar sniffs the air, letting out a grunt.
"Wha-what are you sniffing around for?" Mira asks, utterly confused at this animal of a man; at least, that's what she thinks about him. "Demons, but the smell in this kingdom is making it more difficult than it has to be to sniff them out," Alatar says, rubbing his nose.
Mira looked around at all the civilians; some hung around the corners and alleyways drinking from dented-up metal cups, and others seemed to be offering themselves up for service or selling a substance. Even the ones seemingly moving about their day, Mira can sense that even they are shady in some shape or form. "Anyone here could be a demon..." She says, covering herself even more with his jacket.
Alatar glances at her and sighs softly. "Let's get you somewhere more comfortable. Right now, I'll have you just walking around with rags. Besides, you fit right in the Slums."
Mira's face turns red. "I am not one of these shady rats! nor will I let myself look like them any longer, especially because of that rude comment you said!" She stared up at Alatar, flustered.
"It's true; right now, you fit in with them, which means people will keep their eyes off you. You'll have eyes everywhere if you start strutting off in a fancy dress. I don't have the money to get you something that expensive." Alatar says, replying to her, his tone never changing.
Mira doesn't reply as she puts the hood on Alatar's jacket on her head.
They head deeper into the Iron Kingdom, The Industrial District, a place filled with massive factories shooting black smoke into the sky as the air grows thicker and more polluted. The area is filled with chaotic activity as they see laborers working in God's forsaken environments, developing weapons, immense machinery, and other materials made for the Kingdom.
Since entering the Kingdom, they finally spot guards patrolling and managing the area. They wear clean, shiny iron armor, their faces are plump with fat, and their hair is pristine. They were barking orders and assaulting civilians in broad daylight. "Alatar, we have to stop them. They shouldn't be treating the people like this!" she says, looking disgusted by the guards' actions.
Alatar looks over, grabbing Mira by her wrist as he continues, "No, they are not of my concern. My only concern is killing demons." A voice speaks inside Alatar's head. "She's slowing you down. Drop her off at the nearest tavern and start hunting. Nightfall is upon us." Alatar acknowledges the voice but says nothing in return, feeling Mira's stare at his back.
Leaving the Industrial District, the shopping center, where civilians from both the Slums and the workers from the Industrial District come to barter and exchange goods. Multiple shops, from clothing stores to a blacksmith shop, are located at the far end of the center, right next to a tavern called Iron Anvil's Inn. "Here we are. You'll be staying until I can find us a faster mode of transportation to get you to your home." Alatar said right in front of the tavern.
Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.
"Very well, this is better than sleeping on the ground outside." She says. As they enter the tavern, Mira sees that it has a theme similar to the Industrial District but with a touch of elegance. The walls are made with weathered bricks adorned with ironwork accents, with pipes exposing downward from the ceiling, which gives Mira a rustic charm that brings her the comfort of her home. She wanders to the back of the tavern, heading to the bar and leaving Alatar behind.
Alatar notices subtle signs in the tavern, unsure of what they mean. Alatar walks behind Mira, overhearing her conversation with the tavern keeper. "I'll say, the refinement of this place is indeed something that surprises me in a place like this!" She says with quirky excitement. "How did you manage to keep this place so lively, not to mention clean, for all these years?"
The man behind the counter gives off a hearty laugh. Alatar looks down at him, seeing that he is of average height with a burly but stocky build. His fuzzy orange hair is slicked back into a ponytail. "I appreciate the kind words! This is the first time I've seen you two. Where are yah from?" He says with a smile, replying to Mira. Alatar interjects, "We're from the Bronze, just moving through as we try to make it to the Diamond Kingdom; we're looking for a place to crash at for a few nights until I get the money needed to get ahold of a carriage."
"Ah, a couple of Bronzers. We don't see much of you folk coming through here, but regardless, we can hold you two tonight. It'll be 5 Ohms Coins a night here." He says, reaching behind the counter and pulling out a key. Alatar pulls a pouch from his pocket and gives the man 50 Ohms Coins. "This should cover the food as well," Alatar says, taking the key as the man takes the coins.
"Oh, by the way, my name is Elias Stoneforge. But you can call me Elias. I'll show you to your room." He says, gesturing for them to follow him as he heads upstairs.
They head upstairs to a room at the very end of the hallway. Alatar unlocks it as Elias gently places his hand on his shoulder. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to come down and ask for help," he says, giving Mira and Alatar a slight nod as he heads back downstairs.
Mira sits on the bed and sighs, "Finally, an actual bed to sit on. I was getting sick and tired of sitting on the dirt." She stretches as she lays down fully and unwinds. Alatar walks over, taking the jacket from her. She looks at him dumbfounded. "R-Rude! You could've just asked nicely, and I would have given it to you.." She says, rolling under the covers.
Alatar puts on the jacket and opens the window. "Stay here, and don't cause any trouble. I should be back soon." Mira looks at him. Where are you going?" she asks, sitting up slightly. Alatar puts his hood up and starts to climb out of the window. "Hunting," he says as he flips upwards out of the window and starts to climb the side of the building. Alatar reaches the top of the building, looking around.
"You smell that, Alatar? We're a bit higher now, and past all the pollution, I can smell something.." The voice inside Alatar's head says to him in a dark, malignant tone. Alatar closes his eyes as he takes a deep breath. "Transmutation: Longstride." He starts to chant and make different hand signs as his body glows a dark orange, with the energy moving toward his legs and then disappearing. Alatar squats down and leaps all the way to the Enclave District.
Soaring through the sky, he lands on the side of a towering building, seemingly made of marble and iron. He takes out his blade, stabbing into the side of the building as he begins to fall. The blade barely holds as it gets wedged between a gargoyle of iron. It's unintentionally become his salvation as he flips himself up. "You REALLY need to work on your landing Sailton." The voice inside his head says as Alatar begins to scale the building. He reaches the top with the air becoming clearer. He breathes through his nose as the scent of sulfur and brimstone fills him with hate. "Use your eyes and locate where they are." The voice in Alatar's head says as his eyes glow orange as he peers over the Kingdom; black mist covers almost the entire Kingdom, seemingly adding to the misery and grime that already contaminates it.
He observes until he notices a temple deeply overlaid in the black mist, almost blocking it entirely, "There it is, Alatar." Alatar positions himself just right as he prepares to dive toward the temple. "Let the hunt begin," he says, angrily gritting his teeth.