A carriage ride brought us all to the outskirts of the Entertainment District where we walked the rest of the way, a stark contrast to the familiar streets near the Den. Here, everything was vibrant, opulent, and theatrical. The district was a mesmerizing display of wealth, allure, and glamour.
As we disembarked, the first thing that struck us was the stimulating hue that seemed to coat everything—the buildings, the cobblestone streets, and even the sky itself, tinted by the ever-present glow of numerous vibrant lights.
A sea of opulent buildings adorned with bright signs and shimmering lights stretched before us. The streets were alive with performers, vendors, and patrons seeking entertainment. Laughter and music filled the air, creating an illusion of grandeur.
The Entertainment District was a place that had sprung to life over two centuries ago, around the same time the underground markets for arcanists had begun their rise. It was also during this era that the Anti-Arcanist Law of 1686 came into effect, casting a shadow over our kind. The District had flourished amidst the chaos, providing a haven for those who wished to escape, albeit temporarily as enforcers continued to roam the streets.
Our group strolled through the vibrant streets, purposefully listening for any whispers or murmurs about the underground markets. Fleur, Lucas, Caius, and I observed the environment, taking in the extravagance, the lavish costumes of street performers, and the almost magical, reddish-pink glow that coated everything.
It was a district that beckoned you with its allure, promising excitement and escape from the mundane. But beneath the glamour, it concealed its own secrets, just as we concealed ours.
Fleur, the most experienced among us, took the lead. She glanced at Lucas and then at me, her gaze unwavering. "We need to cover more ground. Lucas, you take the eastern side of the district. Elias, you head west. Caius, you scout around this area here. Keep your eyes and ears open for any leads."
Lucas nodded without hesitation, his gaze lingering on me for a moment.
I hesitated for a moment, my gaze shifting to Caius, who had been enthralled by the vibrant surroundings. His eyes sparkled with curiosity, drawn to the entertainment and glamour that surrounded us.
Lucas spun around and started walking off already. “We’ll meet back at the Red Anchor Bar in three hours,” he said as he was already walking away into the pink-coloured district.
Eventually, I nodded towards Fleur in agreement. "Understood."
Caius snapped out of his momentary distraction from the bright lights and chimed in enthusiastically, "Aye, Captain Fleur! I’m on it."
His comical salute brought a chuckle from Fleur. "Alright, team. Let's get to work."
With our roles assigned, we each set off in different directions, the lively and extravagant Entertainment District surrounding us.
Momentarily I took a turn and glanced back towards the direction Fleur was taking. My thoughts lingered on the underground market's location. Back where we encountered King. I guess Fleur didn’t want us going that way any further.
I pulled out my pocket watch and checked the time. Three hours from now, at 11:30 a.m., we were to reconvene at the Red Anchor Bar. My steps began to carry me further inland, into the heart of the district, and the sights, sounds, and environment around me continued to captivate me.
The Entertainment District was a sensory overload of extravagance, a place where indulgence knew no bounds.
The streets were lined with flamboyant performers, each vying for the attention of the passing crowds. Dancers twirled in elaborate costumes, and musicians filled the air with enchanting melodies. It was a world of opulence and decadence.
As I navigated the bustling streets, I couldn't help but eavesdrop on the conversations of the people around me. They spoke of extravagant parties and lavish gatherings, of rumours and scandals that seemed to be the lifeblood of this district.
"My friend," a man boasted to his companion passing by, "I swear, I had the luck of the gods last night. I couldn't lose if I tried."
His companion chuckled, clapping him on the back. "You must have found a fortune, then. A lucky streak like that doesn't come often."
"Did you hear about the new shipment from the eastern continent?" one person inquired, the mention of exotic goods catching my attention.
"Aye, they say it's bringing rare spices. Might be a good time to stock up," another replied.
"Indeed, but you know how those prices can skyrocket." Their voices held a note of caution, a reminder that even in a district of excess, prudence was still a virtue.
A group of well-dressed men and women gathered near a high-end boutique, their voices filled with excitement. "Just wait until you see the dresses they have on display at the Rose Emporium. I heard they're using imported silks."
The women exchanged delighted looks, their eyes alight with anticipation. "Silks, you say? How exquisite! I simply must see them for myself."
Their chatter was a testament to the district's allure, where even the most refined tastes could be satisfied. This indeed was a district of luxury.
Pushing my musings aside, I navigated the crowded labyrinth of people, my senses alert and my gaze sharp.
And then, something unexpected happened. I saw someone hurtling towards me through the crowd, their eyes wide with panic. People parted like the Red Sea before this person's frantic advance.
In their haste, they tripped over something, stumbling and falling right beside me. It happened so suddenly that I barely had time to react.
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As they fell, they dropped something, a scroll casing that rolled a few feet away. I crouched down, my eyes narrowing in recognition. The casing bore a familiar crest, one that I had most definitely seen before but couldn’t place.
The stranger scrambled to their feet with haste, snatching up the casing. Panic etched across their face, they continued running, disappearing into the sea of people before I could even glimpse their features.
But as I turned my gaze back to the spot where they had fallen, I noticed something else. The casing's knobby lid had fallen off in their haste. I bent down to pick it up, it was cold to the touch and had a glassy feel to it yet wasn’t cracked in the fall.
Then I remembered where I had seen something this familiar. Back when scouting with Lucas for Fritz in Miire I had stumbled on a scroll casing much like this one. With the quick glance I had, it had similar symbols and the emblem to that of the Barros Family. The one that Lucas had mentioned to be part of the government that passed the anti-arcanist law.
I decided that I would use the knobby lid to garner more information on that matter later. I was currently preoccupied with a different task. Leaving the scene, I put the lit in my jacket's inside pocket.
And then I finally heard a conversation that made my ears prick up more than usual.
"I swear, the Enforcer Captain from Goldeen was here last night," one voice speculated, hinting at intrigue and suspicion.
"I doubt it, you must've had too much Carmine Haze to drink last night," another dismissed, laughter accompanying their words.
Their words hung in the air, and I couldn't help but pause for a moment to listen further, pretending to inspect a nearby vendor's wares. The mention of the Enforcer Captain from Goldeen had caught my attention. It was something that shouldn't be taken lightly.
I strained to catch the rest of their conversation.
"I'm telling you, I saw him," the first man insisted, his voice trembling slightly. "I was just leaving The Rosy Dragon and I saw him pass by. He was here, asking questions, poking around the district. Wonder what's got him interested?"
The second man let out a sceptical laugh. "You've got quite the imagination, my friend. I bet it was all that afterglow haha.”
Their discussion continued, but I couldn't help but take their words with a grain of scepticism. The Entertainment District was known for its indulgence, and it wasn't uncommon for people to weave fantastical tales fueled by various intoxicants.
As I resumed my stroll through the district, their conversation lingered in my thoughts. The Enforcer Captain from Goldeen—why would he be here? What could have drawn his attention to this particular corner of the world?
The notion gnawed at me, but I knew better than to jump to conclusions. It was entirely possible that the story was nothing more than the product of an overactive imagination, fueled by a night of revelry.
I couldn't afford to be distracted by baseless rumours. Our mission was to investigate the underground markets, and that required focus and determination.
Walking around, my thoughts turned inward. I considered using my abilities to investigate further, to eavesdrop on conversations or glean information from the minds of those around me. But I quickly realized the flaw in my plan—I couldn't see scenes in motion.
My Watcher ability allowed me to perceive snapshots of events, and to glimpse into both the past and future, but I couldn't observe ongoing conversations or actions in real-time. It was a limitation that frustrated me, especially in situations like this where garnering information was vital.
I pondered the possibilities. If I were to advance to Tier 7: Visionary, would that negate this particular flaw in my abilities? Would I be able to witness events as they unfolded, and hear conversations as they were spoken? What advancements would this next tier grant me?
Lost in my contemplation, I almost didn't notice the tap on my shoulder. My senses snapped back to the present, and I turned to see who had interrupted my thoughts.
To my mild annoyance, it was Caius who stood there, a curious look on his face. He gestured towards a nearby street performer, a fire-breather, who was attracting a small crowd.
"Elias, you've got to see this! It's incredible!"
I sighed inwardly. Caius had always possessed an unbridled enthusiasm, and I guess he tended to get easily distracted by the looks of it too. In contrast, I was more focused on our mission, my mind consumed by thoughts of the underground markets and the Enforcers lurking around.
"Later, Caius," I replied, trying to sound patient. "We have work to do."
Caius nodded, his enthusiasm undiminished, and he wandered off to witness the spectacle. I watched him for a moment, his silhouette framed by the flickering flames of the fire-breather's performance.
Turning my attention back to the task at hand, I resumed my stroll through the district with Caius not far behind, keeping an ear out for any relevant information. It was then that I overheard a snippet of conversation down an alley, spoken in hushed tones by a pair of individuals who seemed to be deliberately concealing their discussion.
"...heard about the event happening soon?" a man whispered to his companion, his voice tinged with excitement.
The other leaned in closer, his curiosity piqued. "What event?"
I made myself more discreet and leaned against the wall next to the alley, just far away enough to hear amidst the vibrant district.
The first man grinned conspiratorially. "The underground event, of course. It's been ages since something like this happened."
My ears perked up at the mention of an "underground event." This was precisely the kind of lead we were looking for.
The man lowered his voice even further as if sharing a forbidden secret. "I heard it's in the hands of someone new, someone who's got connections. They say he's bringing in some top-notch products. But unfortunately, it’s invite only."
“By the gods of the abyss! Are you joking?” The other man said rather loudly.
“Shit, would you keep your voice down,” the first man whispered loudly.
With that, I decided to get out of there before they knew I was listening in.
As I turned away from the alley wall, I noticed Caius approaching once again with an eager look on his face. He had finally caught up to me during my brief eavesdropping.
"Elias, did you find anything interesting?" Caius asked, his eyes shining with curiosity.
I considered how to share this new lead without revealing too much. "Yes, Caius, I overheard something. It seems there's talk of an event happening soon. It's said to be quite exclusive, and the details are being kept hush-hush."
Caius's enthusiasm was palpable. "An event? What's it about?"
I glanced at my pocket watch, noting the time. "It's not been three hours since we split up, Caius. We still have some time before we need to regroup at the Red Anchor Bar. If you want, you can continue exploring and enjoy the district. I'll head to the bar first and wait for you there."
Caius grinned, clearly excited about the prospect of further exploration. "That sounds like a plan, Elias! I'll catch up with you later."
Thankfully Caius hadn’t had his fill of fun. This meant that I wouldn’t have to be the babysitter for the next half hour till the others showed up.
With Caius heading off to continue exploring the district, I made my way towards the Red Anchor Bar, which stood just on the outskirts of the Entertainment District. It was a quiet, unassuming place, a stark contrast to the vibrant chaos I had left behind.
Upon entering, I spotted Lucas sitting at the bar, engaged in conversation with someone I didn't immediately recognize. The other person, noticing my entrance, vacated the seat next to Lucas and began to make their way toward the exit.
As the individual drew closer, I remembered him as Erick, the Arcanist from Goldeen who had come to work at the Den along with Jo. The circumstances of his presence here in the Entertainment District piqued my curiosity.
Erick gave me a curt nod as he passed by, a faint but polite smile gracing his lips. I returned the nod in acknowledgment, though my mind was racing with questions. Why would Erick be here? Was he also on a mission, working like we were?
I took the seat next to Lucas, and we exchanged a wordless greeting, understanding that we were both early.
A short while later, Fleur walked into the bar, her presence drawing our attention. She approached us with a thoughtful expression. "No sign of Caius yet?"
I shook my head in response. "Not yet. He was quite taken by the Entertainment District, so he might be exploring a bit longer."
Fleur seemed unsurprised by Caius's enthusiasm for the district. She had likely anticipated his fascination with the extravagant surroundings.
She took a seat beside me, her gaze turning serious. "Any luck with gathering information?"
Lucas, who had been silent until now, shook his head. "Nothing concrete. It seems like everyone here is too busy indulging in the festivities to care about anything else. I couldn't find anyone talking about underground markets or anything related."
Fleur sighed, her disappointment evident. "It's the same for me. The district is a whirlwind of activity, but it's all just surface-level entertainment. No one seems to know or care about the underground markets from what it seems. Could these rumours even exist? Elias, what about you?"
Lucas's gaze then shifted to me, his eyes expectant.
I nodded, recounting what I had heard about the mysterious underground event. Fleur's eyes narrowed as she listened, her mind clearly at work.
"An underground event, you say?" She tapped her fingers thoughtfully on the bar's wooden surface. "That could be our lead. Elias, did you get any details about when and where it's happening?"
I shook my head regretfully. "No, they didn't mention specifics, and I didn't want to push my luck by lingering too long. But it's something worth looking into."
Fleur nodded in agreement. "Indeed, it is. Caius should be here soon, and then we'll discuss our next steps. It would probably be wise to just go back and tell Darius about this."