[16:40] 30 March, in Ensham, with Gherico
"I still can't comprehend why Vitra gave you another chance; you better not waste it, kids" His tone has changed; he was now treating us as equals.
"Here is your new certification to return when you complete the quest"
DJ handed Abello the new document and then exclaimed: "I'll lead you to the stables where you'll get the Royal Horses, and then I'll be free" DJ didn't appear very happy about babysitting us.
As we returned to the hallway, we encountered a man passing by. "Oh, Vitra has some visitors!" the man said. I let out a scream of fright since I didn't see him coming. "Lord Mayor! What a pleasure to meet you here" DJ said, adjusting his attitude. "Show some respect for him, kids. He's the richest man in Ensham as well as the family's main financier!"
We all greeted the man, he was an old man, wearing a white suit with golden embroidery. In his right hand, he held a pocket watch covered with precious gems. "It's 4:45 in the afternoon; I am sorry but I have to go evaluate some contracts. Have a nice day"
As he left, we headed towards the stairs. But this time, after climbing about six or seven floors of stairs, we smelled a faint, strange odor that gradually intensified, making even DJ hold his nose, covered by the black ski mask.
The stairs ended, and we found ourselves in front of a long hallway, but the atmosphere was completely different from the "modern and perfect" Royale House. The hallway was dark, old, and unkempt, and the temperature was chilly. As we stepped into the place, we felt puddles of dirty water on the floor.
"Um, DJ, what is this place?" I asked, putting my hand over my mouth after inhaling the awful smell.
DJ turned back, still covering his nose, and replied. "We are passing near the cells; it's an underground passage. We'll reach the stables very quickly"
Our silence was interrupted by a loud scream, followed by metallic sounds.
The hallway was narrow, so we had to walk in a single line, I was the last one.
It was the first time I felt so scared, being in someone's company.
I could swear I heard something running towards me several times, I kept turning my head back, afraid of not seeing my friends there.
I heard someone calling my name, I even felt a cold touch rubbing against my hair. As we proceeded, time seemed to slow down, and I gradually lost my balance, until I fell down to the ground.
I kept hearing the footsteps of my friends, walking away and leaving me there. I heard someone calling my name, and the voices grew numerous and more intense, becoming deafening. I tried to cover my ears with my hands and screamed, I was alone, and I felt my body paralyzed.
My head throbbed, and whenever I opened my eyes, I saw the walls moving and bending, everything seemed illogical.
Finally, something snapped me back to reality, I found myself against the wet wall of the hallway, in Orite's arms who was shaking me.
"Gherico! Are you okay now?" I looked at him and at the others, and everyone seemed shocked, even DJ. I placed my hand on my head, tears were falling out of my open eyes. I asked "How far is this damned exit…?" It was the first sentence that I said consciously.
DJ replied "We've been walking for only two minutes, we need to walk at least five more. We need to move. I don't like this place. This time, Gherico, go between me and Abello"
(Only two minutes??? I thought we've been walking for an hour)
We started walking again, and this time, I felt more comfortable. Abello put his hands on my shoulders and reassured me, saying:
"Don't worry, we'll be here, near you"
The exit was getting closer, and we could feel a strong humidity.
When we stepped outside, it was raining. It was directly connected to the tables, which were relatively empty except for three splendid horses, bearing the coats of arms of Ensham's city.
Orite was the first to try riding, while Abello and I approached DJ.
"Hey, we have a question, ever since we met. How did you figure out that we were all descendants?" Even through his ski mask, we could see DJ's smiling face. "It's thanks to one of my closest friends and his Chain. I can't explain more" he said, turning and waving from behind, as if bidding us goodbye. He walked away, heading back into the hallway. (How bold!)
"Okay guys, let's go to the first ring's gate" Abello said. "Finally, we each have a horse!" exclaimed Orite, who was already riding.
Soon, we reached the gate, and something unusual happened in the control area.
"Here are your Plates and your weapons, sir" The guards handed us our items. Between a plate and another, there was a piece of paper.
We read it after leaving the gate. "You should go visit my friend in Shiva, head to the sixth ring, and don't tell him that I told you about him, kids, or I'll find you and finish you with my own hands".
A little tear fell, I knew that deep down, that guy loved us.
"Is that a threat?" Orite said. "Probably, but at least we know where to start" Abello replied, mounting his horse as if he were a hero in a film, but then he said
"Can we get a souvenir?" Interrupting the glorious scene, then continued
"My sister lives in the fifth ring of Shiva. I'd like to stop by and say hello"
So we went to a souvenir shop.
While Abello was choosing which city-shaped trinket to buy, Orite and I waited outside.
"Gherico, have you ever been to Shiva? I've heard it's a big city, more than twice as big as Ensham" Orite asked while kicking a small rock down the street. "No, but I know it's a seven-rings-based city. I guess we'll find out once there"
A few minutes later, Abello emerged from the shop, holding a bag of various things. "Guys you won't believe how many deals there were in that shop!" Abello said while opening the bag.
"Abello you need to stop buying unnecessary things; that's why you're broke!" I said to him while handling a pair of little shears.
"Okay, okay, you may think these things are useless now, but for the price, it's a steal, and these items might be useful for our mission!" Abello replied.
(He is a hopeless case)
The trio continued their journey to Shiva, unaware that they would meet people who would change their lives forever, some for the better and others marking a sorrowful turning point.