Michael met up with his uncle Max to discuss more about their soda business.
He decided to source all of their ingredients in Metropolis to save money. Now, the problem now was who they were going to get it from.
Since his uncle Max had been in Metropolis for a long time, Michael guessed that he had a lot of connections and sources that could solve this particular problem.
"I know a lot of companies that can get you the supplies. What kind do you need?"
To create soda, Michael needed carbonated water for the fizz, sugar to sweeten it up, caffeine to get that certain kick, phosphoric acid to add some bitterness and balance the flavor, and of course some other natural flavors to get that iconic taste of cola.
For the glass bottles, Michael just needed glass and metal to create that metal cap.
Of course, he knew that some of these ingredients weren't all that well known in this world and Metropolis as a whole. That was why he had ChatJK4 give him the basic components needed to create those ingredients.
"I need sugar, first and foremost."
Max's face lit up as soon as he heard that. "That's great! I know a guy whose company sells a lot of sugar and spices. I was in business with them a couple of years back, when the Vanderbilt business was at its peak. Come on, I'll take you there."
Max and Michael travelled through the streets of Metropolis and eventually landed on a different district altogether.
Michael noticed that the architecture of most buildings were similar to that of granaries in the countryside. The smell of wheat and spices were very pungent, probably because there were a lot of buildings whose sole purpose was to store herbs and other natural ingredients.
"This company is called Spice Vise. The owner and I go way back. Knowing him, he'll even give us a discount for the sugar," Max said as he led Michael to a tight alleyway in between a lot of stalls containing mounds and mounds of spices.
Despite the tightness of the path, there were a lot of people crowding the stalls. They bargained with the sellers about the price of the spices, threatening to go to another place if they didn't lower the price.
This place has a Middle Eastern vibe, Michael thought to himself. The fact that most of the people here had tanned skin made it even more familiar.
"They almost have complete control over this district," Max said with a hint of bragging, as if he was proud of his friend. "You must know them. They have a branch in the Upperwood District."
Michael did remember that Spice Vise were one of the biggest companies during the festival. He recalled that they were within the top 10 in a list containing the Quench company and the Pyramidic Cuisine.
"It's over here," Max said as they finally entered an open place, with the same bustling spice stalls but now wide enough for camel-like creatures carrying baskets of spiece to cross the streets.
Max led him to a large palace made out of limestone and was walled off from the rest of the district.
They approached the entrance with the name SPICE VISE chiseled on the archway.
It looked like they weren't the only ones visiting this place since there were a lot of people clamoring for the guards to open the gates and hear their plea.
"Looks like we have to wait in line," Michael muttered.
"Pssh," Max muttered. "Just watch this."
Max put two of his fingers into his mouth and whistled a rhythmic high-pitched sound that caught everyone's attention.
The guard wearing a loose white tunic at the top of the walls looked down in their direction, squinting.
Max waved his hand, laughing.
Once the guards caught sight of him, they also smiled and pointed at him as if they were long-lost friends.
The crowd parted to make way for the guards as they approached.
"Brother Max! It's been a long time since you've visited. You've broken my heart!" said the guard, hugging Max tightly.
"Hahaha," Max laughed, choosing not to say anything. He didn't want to tell him he couldn't visit because he had no money. "Is Vishna around? I'd like to speak with him."
The guard nodded. "Yes. He's a little bit busy right now dealing with some stuff, but I'm sure he's willing to talk with an old friend. Come!"
Michael followed Max and the guard closely behind as they were let inside the giant blocky palace made out of limestone.
As they ventured in, Max continued to have reunions with his old friends and introduced them to him. They greeted him with the same warmth and camaraderie as Max once they found out that he was his nephew.
Eventually, they reached the main room guarded by men wearing loose white clothes and wielding a shield and a spear by their side.
Their guide knocked on the door before opening it.
"Sir Vishna, Max Vanderbilt is here to see you."
Michael looked ahead and saw a middle-aged man who had an olive complexion and a bushy black beard.
"Max? I thought you were gone, you bastard!"
Despite his harsh words, Vishna opened his arms wide and welcomed Max as if he was a brother.
"By some miracle, I'm still here," Max said with a smile as he shook hands with Vishna.
"What brings you here?"
Max gestured for Michael to come closer. "This is my nephew, Michael Vanderbilt. Michael, this is Vishna. Right after I was scammed, he was the one who helped me keep my business afloat."
Immediately, Michael's perception of Spice Vise rocketed to the skies. It spoke a lot about a man if he was willing to help another man during his lowest points. And it looked like Vishna was a prime example.
"It's really good to see you again, my friend—"
It was in that moment that the sound of glass breaking echoed through the palace, followed by the sound of what sounded like an elephant screaming to the top of its lungs.
Vishna immediately opened his windows and looked down at the streets below.
There, everyone saw an elephant with a long tusk standing up on its hind legs as if it was spooked by something.
Its owner, the one holding its leash, was trying to get his mount to calm down. But no matter what he did, everything seemed to only scare the elephant even further to the point that it started thrashing its head around, destroying the spice stalls with its giant tusks.
The people near the elephant were screaming for help, afraid that they would get trampled by this beast. Everyone was trying to run away from the scene as fast as possible, but this had only caused a stampede in the streets because of the crowd.
"This is dangerous," Vishna muttered. "That Horned Elephant is a 6-star monster that can cause a lot of damage. They are usually very docile, but once they're angry, they can't be stopped."
Michael knew that he had to do something. His feet glowed as a magic circle appeared underneath his soles.
But just as he was about to move, someone else got there first.
They saw a figure jump down from the roofs above, somersaulting in the air before eventually landing perfectly on the elephant's back.