Warm water touched his skin and fell on the ceramic floor and the head of the small girl before him.

Her small body left itself showered by water dripping from the pipe and with closed eyes, she humed unknown melody. It was a familiar melody that made Hildebrant lower his gaze and observe her naked figure that looked like that of a ghost.

The mesmerizing, beautiful ghost that even for her young age already had unnatural beauty.

Such a thing was dangerous for a kid of her age and Hildebrant already heard from Himel girls and boys no matter where if they looked good could be sold for a good price.

More dangerous target, a better price tag.

For pirates and criminals, it was the best way to get money and protection.

How much would his family cost if he found them in some cage?

Would he be able to buy them?

He was still not sure if they were also captured by weird darkness but the more, he thought about it more unsure he was about what happened.

Why was it so similar to his mother's death?

Water continued to drip down his face and thoughts kept bombarding his mind until he turned the pipe down, and after taking the towel from the side he began to dry his body and then he also helped the girl to dry her hair.

Like a small animal without any shame, she just stood and let him touch her until her body was entirely dry.

Throughout the entire process, Hildebrant thought about the question he should ask Icarus but when his glance fell on the door his thought stopped.

Without his knowledge door turned crimson red and from under the gaps blood began to flow into the room, cowering the room until it began to fall into the sink that was one inch away from them.

Blood did nothing other than flow but just looking at her made Hildebrant shiver and flames in his body rage.

Even a girl who until then did nothing quickly took her clothes and cowered her body.

But then blood began to return behind the doors and when the blood disappeared doors turned back to the old brown color. There was no evidence that what happened was true and after some time staring at the door and making sure nothing would happen Hildebrant began to dress up into oversized clothes he found in one side of the bathroom.

Stolen story; please report.

This phenomenon was unexpected and made him want to run away immediately.

The girl must have thought the same because she started to dress up faster than he did and when both were dressed, they walked out and the first thing that entered their vision was rubbish and then Icarus sitting on the same couch he had before.

His hand held another flask, and his face looked a little tipsy.

"You are finally out, I thought you both drowned already."

With a laugh, Icarus took a sip from his drink, and the strong smell of an unknown substance stronger than he was holding before waffled into Hildebrant nose.

"Can you tell me…."

Hildebrant wanted to ask something but when he tried to remember what he wanted to ask his mind went blank and his mouth closed on their own. Even after a while of thinking he was not able to remember.

Icarus on the other hand turned his head to him with a smile.

"What would you like to know?"

His smile looked weird but even after pondering for some time, Hildebrant was unable to remember then his gaze shifted to the girl who tucked his clothes with weird expressions and trembling hands.

Why did she look so distressed?

"Don’t you want to know what is this place?"

Turning his head back to Icarus, Hildebrant tilted his head.

"Isn’t this some sort of ruin?"

He asked and then lifted the girl like he would his niece before sitting on the sofa next to the Icarus. Her entire body flicked before calming down and putting her head on his shoulder.

Icarus sneered when he observed her and took another sip of his drink.

"It is, but not entirely. Sanctuary is the place that was once home to a heretic called Julliana and holds a deep history with four Supremes and eight gods. Neighteen is good for a normal ascender."

Rising his eyebrows Hildebrant patted the girl back trying to make her sleep while also pondering Icarus's words.

He knew many things about the eight gods. Some learned through interaction with people, and some learned in school but almost nothing about the four Supremes or the person called Juliana.

"Do you mean eight orthodox deities?"

Icarus grinned.

"Of course, did other gods even exist?"

There was a sneer on his face when he said these words, but he did not elaborate and instead took another sip from his drink.

Hildebrant on the other hand waited patiently and after putting the flask down Icarus continued.

"They didn’t like her. No. It was more like she didn’t like them so she built this place where she could be safe from their influence and that is why the people who came here with her started to call it a sanctuary but as all stories go, she was discovered, and gods didn’t like what she was doing in slightest."

The girl in his hands began to snort and her chest touching his began to fall up and down in a calm manner patting her for the last time Hildebrant turned his head to Icarus with a kind smile.

"What happened after?"

Icarus smiled at him.

"Supremes happened and she fell, but you should know that history written by man is not always accurate Hill. It always changes depending on the winner."

Hildebrant nodded his head but the biggest question in his head remained.

"Why? Why did Hemri look so happy when he met me?"

Swirling liquid in flask Icarus sighed.

"Because in the last four years, you are the first human that stepped inside after the disappearance of Walldrifters."