I watch as the large walls of Candline City grow closer. Thankfully I’ve been allowed a reprieve from my potato sack ways, and we are now walking at a normal speed towards the city.

The city itself is something you would see in old-world tales of what the future may be like. Flying magitech pervading the air, with large towers made of steel that seem to reach t6he cloud.

It’s quite the contrast to Justice City, where every thing looked rustic and old-world medieval.

Around us are endless hills filled to the brim with farmland. The closer to the city we get, the more high-tech and expensive looking the crops become.

Excited about the prospect of finally venturing outside to a new city, I barrage the trio with questions.

“Have you guys ever been here before? What’s it like? What do I need to look out for?”

“Kid relax we’ll talk about it more once we actually make into the city, which might I add, will be a bit difficult.”

“Why will it be difficult?”

“Do you really think the Empire doesn’t know that we plan on heading here? Obviously they’ll have increased security in the city closest to Justice with a jump pad.”

“Oh…”

“Oh, is right Rowan my boy. Don’t worry though, I have a plan for when we reach the gate.”

“We’re going through the gate? Why not just go through the sewers again?”

“You think we’ll be as lucky as we were last time? No chance. Not only will they be ready for that, seeing as that what we did last time while killing a bunch of them, they’ll use the exact same type of trap that got us surrounded last time. I bet there isn’t an inch in that sewer that isn’t filled with those type of traps, whatever they were.”

“Ok well I don’t think they’ll just let us through, they must know our names and description by now right?”

“That’s why we’ll be wearing these!” He says, pulling two suits of armor out of a special bag.

“Uh ok, but what about the other two?”

“They don’t need ‘em, they weren’t involved in our little heist, so the truthtellers won’t have their information!”

“Ok but why would they just let us through without showing our facing if their looking for us so bad?”

“You’ll see Rowan my boy! You’ll see!”

We walk towards the end of the line to get into the city. The line is moving at a snails pace, which is to be expected with the amount of security I see at the gate.

Soldiers are at the gate in swarms, question every single person that enters or leaves. Truthtellers are with them, with their white robes and embroidered symbol of an eye in a mouth on their shoulders.

“Uh Uncle Moren, I don’t mean to doubt you but how the hell are we gonna get passed the truthtellers?”

“Just trust me kid, and don’t say a single word. Don’t even nod your head if they ask you a question, just let me do all the talking.”

“If you say so…”

Garut and Gael are directly behind us, but are acting as if they are separate from our group.

We eventually make it to the front of the line, and as expected we are questioned immediately by a truthteller.

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“Why are you hiding your face?”

I look over at Uncle Moren nervously behind my helmet.

“We are the sanctioned guards of progenitor Maria Steel! You shall allow us to pass at once!” Uncle Moren shouts.

The soldiers immediately look at the truthteller.

“He’s telling the truth but…” the truthteller says suspiciously.

Just as I begin to think Uncle Moren’s ‘plan’ wont work, we immediately hear a powerful voice from behind the group of soldiers shout out,

“No buts! Let them through! We cannot afford to offend the Steels!”

Stepping forward is a large, what seems to be high-ranking officer.

“And please gentlemen, tell Maria Antonio Gavoli sends his regards.” He says in an attempt to seems regal.

“Will do good sir.” Uncle Moren says dramatically.

We then begin to walk confidently through the gate.

“Wait!” I hear behind me.

I turn around nervously to see the officer staring at us.

“What would be the names of you fine gentlemen?”

Beads of sweat pour down my face as I wait with bated breath at what Uncle Moren will say.

“I am Sir Gale, and my companion here is Sir Wyle.” Uncle Moren once again says confidently.

“I see…” The officer says while in thought.

“If that is all, then we must be on our way, gentlemen.”

We once again confidently turn around and begin walking away. Once we are far enough away, I finally relax.

“How did yo-.” Before I can finish my sentence, Uncle Moren slaps my back.

“Wyle, please quite the chatter my friend! Our mission requires no dilly dallying on our part! Wouldn’t want to Disappoint Lady Steel, now would we?”

My thoughts run a million miles a minute, trying to comprehend what he means. Finally it clicks.

‘We’re being followed.’ I say mentally.

I move my eyes around without moving my head in hopes of finding our pursuers. Gazing over at Uncle Moren doesn’t give me much either, as I can’t see what he’s thinking behind the helmet.

We continue walking for five or so minutes throughout the city, with no particular destination in mind.

Finally after what seems like hours, Uncle Moren stops. Before I can ask what’s wrong, he says,

“Ok kid looks like we’re clear, I think Gael and Garut got to them. We already discussed a meeting point beforehand, so for now we’ll meet them there to not attract to much attention.”

I breath a sigh of relief.

‘I don’t think my heart can take anymore of this.’ I say to myself.

While we walk I ask Uncle Moren something that’s been bugging me.

“How did you manage to fool the truthtellers? I thought that was impossible.”

“Oh please,” Uncle Moren says scoffing, “the Empire just wants you to think it’s impossible. While I will say it’s not easy, I have a truth core, and one of the things I can do with that is bend the truth to my will.”

“So a truth core and a sight aspect huh. What an odd combination.” I say surprised.

“Not really, in fact almost every single truthteller you see also has a truth core and some sort of sensing aspect. Where I differ is what my core resonates with. While a truthteller might resonate with finding the truth, I resonate with seeing every facet of the world around me and using that to aid in my deception. It also helps that my Deception mastery is my highest by far.”

With my curiosity satiated, we continue to walk until we reach a run down inn called The Traveler’s Rest. The sign is almost falling apart and the wood is rotting is several places along the wall.

“You sure this is the place Uncle Moren? Not to doubt your expertise, but this place doesn’t exactly scream welcoming.”

“We’re fugitives Rowan my boy! You really think you can be picky now? Also the owner of this place is, shall I say a coworker. He helps agents like myself, Garut, and Gael funnel you guys through the jump pad.”

“Wait your not coming with me?” I say confused.

He sighs before saying,

“Afraid not kiddo, as much as I would like to be there with you when you become something great, I’ll only hold you back unfortunately. I mean look at me, I’ve given up on getting any stronger, but you, you’re going places kid, I can tell. That’s not just me saying that either, it’s literally an aspect of my cultivation to see talent, and you’ve got it in spades.”

“I guess…”

“Besides, wasn’t that the original plan anyways? To leave this sketchy old guy behind, find your path, get stronger, all that?”

“I suppose so, where are you gonna go then?” I ask curiously.

“Dunno, wherever the Kingdom wants me I suppose. Won’t be able to this kind of work anymore, what with the criminal status and all that.”

“About that, why did we even do all those stupid missions if your supposed to be some sort of spy or whatever. I mean I doubt you need the money.”

“Ha! Don’t need the money, he says! Rowan my boy, I’ll always need the money. I can never have enough of that stuff! Also what better way to train you than sending you out into the real world, doing some dirty work! Sure the last mission didn’t pan out perfectly, but we made it out fine in the end didn’t we?”

“Well either way, won’t the kingdom be upset that your mission got ruined?”

“Ah they can go fuck themselves, they don’t give a rat’s ass about me or you. No superpower does or will. You’d be good to remember that.”

Finally we walk in and, contrary to my expectations, the inside of the place is actually nice. Polished vinyl flooring, clean tables, and a wonderful smell wafting through the air from the kitchen.

“MOREN YOU ASSHOLE! HOW DARE YOU COME BACK HERE!”