Warm, blinding yellow lights from the windows illuminated the streets with a mellow blaze. Chatter from adults bloomed, echoing over the walls. Then, the sound of crickets chirping from the wild environment swept around the city's perimeter.
Asahi, Aletha, Isa, and Kali wove their way out of the raucous tavern and into the tranquil streets, where houses huddled together in a patchwork of glowing windows.
"So… boring!"
Aletha shuffled forward like a zombie, groaning and whining, while Asahi dissected the strange encounter with the others.
"How did you know that catastrophe was happening?"
Being precarious about her reply, Isa glanced around, checking if anyone was passing by. Luckily, only the moonlight greeted them. She wiped a sigh of relief, then responded as she walked up the alley stairs.
"It's complicated. I'm connected with those vines—so is Kali. You saw The Sealed Beatific. It's a magical essence. It's never supposed to rampage or attack."
Asahi glanced back at Kali and Aletha, then looked ahead to the street. A few colorful carriages sat parked on the sides. He spotted wooden booths and frolicking trees. Some building windows glowed yellow. Behind them, silhouettes of people moved about, likely resuming their everyday lives.
The buildings pressed so tightly together that alleyways became rare, slivers of shadow. Their heights rose and fell, shaping a jagged skyline. To Asahi, this design was clever—and protective.
"Amazing."
It was clear to him that this city pulsed with far more life than Pladtioa ever had.
And to be informed that a particular 'festival' is happening tomorrow just made Asahi even more suspicious of the encounter with the vines.
* * *
Arriving at the staircase to the residential area, Asahi paused. Steady streams wove through clean, paved streets. He gazed at the life-filled, green mountains circling the city. The vibrant landscape sparked his insatiable curiosity. It seemed to beg him to explore beyond.
"Alright, you two should be safe here. This is the farthest place in Linuxinia city. Beyond those natural walls is the rest of Linuxinia,
Isa chuckled softly, her silky green hair catching the midnight breeze as Kali and Aletha entered the busy inn. She continued speaking, her gaze following them.
"You'd be surprised at how beautiful this country really is. Anyway, it was nice to meet you. You have some potential to help the people of this nation. Say, could you do me a favor?"
Asahi glanced down from the looming building behind him, his focus fixed on the green-haired girl. Crickets sang, a restless breeze swept the deserted streets, and distant wolves howled beneath the full moon. His voice was heavy with exhaustion. "Yes...?"
"Please, take care of Kali. With all your life."
Asahi raised an eyebrow, confident he would do it even if Isa never asked.
"Okay! Ha... I mean, I've been doing that before. So, of course, I will!"
Isa's smile turned into a serious look.
"No, that's not what I meant."
Asahi instinctively stepped back, ending up with his bottom pressed against the ferns arranged on the stairway near the front door.
"Huh?"
Isa's sharp glare searched Asahi, her fists clenched as she fought for composure.
"Don't kill her. I know who you are; I'm not stupid."
Asahi's eyes widened in disbelief.
"What?!"
Isa grabbed Asahi's neck, clenching it tightly. A wrathful look burned in her emerald eyes.
"I MEAN IT! Don't hurt her, let nothing kill her, and don't destroy this nation."
Asahi replied with a tone of genuine confusion.
"W... What do you mean? I don't have the power to do that."
Without warning, Isa clenched her fingers around Asahi's neck and choked him. He pushed him against the sliding door with incomprehensible rage and screamed with her eyes trembling in wrath.
"I know what you did to my world several millennia ago, don't play dumb! Kali is the only one left. I'm only nice to you, so you won't destroy anything."
"Ack!"
Asahi strained to push Isa away, but her grip felt like it was stuck with super glue. Isa squinted, teeth bared, rage burning in her gaze.
You're a powerful Ruler, yet you won't defend yourself. But if you let anything happen to Kali, I will find a way to kill you.
She slammed Asahi to the ground and released his grip on his neck, stomping on his hand while Kali and Aletha reserved their rooms for the night. As a carriage slowly arrived, Isa turned her head away from Asahi and warned him.
"And even then, if that doesn't succeed, then The Blink will surely do it. Now, get your pathetic self up and never speak to me again. I will not come anywhere near you unless you show me that you no longer have your powers. Or maybe... I'll make a different choice."
As Asahi backed up to the front door, hearing Devlin's voice shout from the carriage arriving in the distance, Isa requested Asahi.
"Tomorrow, return to that basement—alone. Prove you're worthy to investigate The Sealed Beatific with me. Maybe then I won't be so hostile."
Asahi nodded slowly, coughing and watching Drimi, Devlin, Sally, and the rest of the crew race toward the hotel.
"Okay... f-fine."
Isa grunted, vanishing into the shadows as she sprinted away from the hotel. Asahi, bewildered by her outburst, felt his curiosity fester with each strange encounter.
Just as Asahi could enter the glass doors, he heard a familiar voice shout behind him.
"Hey, feces face! Why are you all the way over here?! We've been looking for you and Aletha for hours!"
Asahi knew the only person who called him that name.
"Devlin... thank heavens you're here."
He exhaled in relief as his loyal friends approached, all smiling. A tall woman with long, silky black hair, warm amethyst eyes, and a dark mask shouted at Asahi as she hustled her crew to escort their luggage to the hotel.
"Oh, so this is where you and your sister have been running off. I'm surprised! This is the farthest place in Linuxinia city! I guess you two had some fun looking around, I see."
Asahi scratched his head, hiding the events that truly happened with a false smile.
"Y...Yeah... we did. Heh heh."
Drimi nodded and clapped her hands; her movements made her appear to be in a happy mood. Not just Drimi but even Sally, Phthonus, and Devlin looked joyful.
(I guess they have been wandering around, too.)
While Asahi stood still, thinking silently, Drimi ordered everyone out of the carriage with her powerful voice.
"Alright, crew, get that luggage inside—this hotel, not that one!" As the crew moved the luggage, Drimi winked at Asahi, poking his shoulder. "Don't worry about the bill, Asahi. It's all on me. All three nights."
Asahi nodded, a yawn escaping as the weight of exhaustion pulled him down. Each step felt heavier, his eyelids drooping with every moment. He mumbled, shuffling toward the counter.
"O... Okay..."
* * *
"Your room will be on the third floor, Room Number fifty-three. Have a great night!"
"You... too."
The crew was waiting in line. Their hefty luggage was either in their hands or dragged on the floor.
Asahi picked up the card handed to him by the young man behind the polished oak counter and slowly made his way through the lobby, noting the striking black and white tiled floors, delicate flower arrangements, inviting armchairs, and the gleaming chandelier.
As he approached the tall staircase, Asahi commented in his mind.
(This place looks like luxury. How could Drimi afford it? Is she secretly wealthy?)
His gray eyes wandered the elegant hallways, where golden numbers gleamed on doors and green-patterned wallpaper stretched above plush carpets. Paintings adorned every wall, capturing landscapes both familiar and fantastical: a mountain curving inward, a waterfall suspended in midair.
"Is this really what this nation looks like? Strange."
Asahi continued up the staircase and shrugged, seeing Aletha "painfully trotting" her way up to her room. As Asahi reached the third floor, he whispered to himself.
(After today, all I need is a quiet room, a book, and rest. My ideal paradise.)
. . .
Asahi held on to the sleek golden doorknob and slowly turned it, pushing the door and seeing his bedroom in front of him.
(What did Isa mean? I don't remember doing anything—is she lying?)
Before entering his room, he heard a calm, gentle, and soothing voice behind him.
"Oh, bro? You're on this floor, too? My room number is fifty-two."
It was a white-haired youth hunched over like an old lady. Even her eyes looked as if they were about to shut at any moment. Asahi scratched his head and stepped back into his hotel room, replying while he yawned continuously.
"Yeah... I need to get some rest. I only had one hour of sleep in Drimi's boat."
Aletha nodded and reached for her door handle, stretching her arms and slamming her head against the door.
"Yeah... I guess you're right."
A silence formed.
"Well... I'll see you tomorrow."
Before Aletha closed the door, Asahi hastily yelled from across the hallway.
"Oh, sis, one more thing!"
Aletha's eyes twitched, staring at the bed just a few steps away.
"What?!"
Asahi's heart raced just thinking about Isa's threat; he wanted Aletha to do nothing with it and stay safe in this place. So, Asahi informed her with the kindest voice he could make.
"I'll be gone tomorrow morning. I promise it won't be long. Just wait in your room until I return. I'll be back as soon as you know."
"*yawn* Got it…."
Aletha nodded her head silently, yawned, and collapsed on the floor as the door slowly shut. Asahi couldn't help but chuckle, seeing how clumsy she was at that moment.
(Goodness, Aletha. You can be silly sometimes.)
Asahi raised his voice as he watched his sister slowly drag herself to the bed.
"Good night, sis!"
As Aletha's body was placed onto the bed, she raised her arm and gave a thumbs-up before her room door closed.
"Good... night."
(SLAM)
* * *
At dawn, sunlight spilled into the room as Asahi sprang from bed, snatching up his notebook, pen, and belongings before dashing for the door. Rest was forgotten; only the basement mattered now.
The rising sun cast a rosy hue across the morning sky. Golden fingers of sunlight lit up the clouds, bringing with them a flurry of early-morning activity.
As Asahi sprinted down the stairs, without notifying anyone that he had left, he pulled out his notebook and wrote on it while traveling across the slightly busy streets.
[My experience last night in that hotel room went better than expected. The bed felt incredibly comfortable, even the sheets. I could even see the entire city outside my window, well... only a portion. I slept nicely, too, with minimal distractions and few paranoid nightmares. Before I went to bed, I was still writing and questioning what could have been the reason for the vine monsters. I guess today's the day to explore, well... that is if I'm still alive.]
Clusters of carriages, both grand and humble, rolled through the morning streets, joined by other curious vehicles. Asahi paid them no mind; his only goal was to reach the basement as quickly as possible.
"Hey, watch where you're going!"
[Is it still night? I can hardly tell anymore. I haven't eaten breakfast, and that smell from those diners is NOT helping. I feel so energized suddenly; could it be that I got more than just an hour of sleep?!]
"Stop reading that book, kid, and look where you're going!"
Asahi bolted out from the crowd of people and raced across the narrow, winding sidewalks.
[I'm just a few blocks away from that particular basement. The sky looked so beautiful all of a sudden. Even the sunrise looks fantastic from far away. Alright, enough goofing around. Isa could have been sputtering complete nonsense for all I know.]
When he saw those two ground doors on his left, Asahi felt a familiar sense push up against him. He turned to his left and saw what looked like magenta-colored streaks floating in the air, swerving downwards and phasing through the two doors.
"Aiyana."
After approaching the two doorways, Asahi took a deep breath and grabbed the two silver handles, impatient for Isa's arrival.
A flicker of bitterness shadowed his face. The doors groaned open, unveiling a staircase tangled in wild greenery. Asahi drew a deep breath and stepped down, his own breath echoing against the cold stone walls.
"Is this really a great idea? I didn't even think about telling Kali and the others that I was going there. Oh well, it's too late now."
Despite his mental warnings, Asahi ignored them and persisted further down the stairs, seeing a faint green light flicker at the bottom of the staircase.
He released a quiet yawn and extended his arms, premeditatedly sliding his fingers across the walls, trying to stay awake.
After each step Asahi took down the stairs, the more the aura of Aiyana grew clearer. He could see multiple magenta streaks illuminate the staircase, almost begging him to continue. Asahi rubbed his arms uneasily and murmured as he saw the crooked wooden door in front of him.
"This place feels very ominous..."
He investigated every corner of the vegetation-infested room, from the toppled bookshelves and shattered tables to the tossed chairs and barely dimmed lanterns.
But to no avail, there was no sign of Aiyana anywhere. He felt a cold shiver run down his back as his eyes met the crooked door.
Asahi's fight-or-flight response urged him to get out of this place, but his curiosity told him otherwise. He slowly advanced toward the crooked door, and suddenly, a loud shuffle sounded out behind him.
"Hey."
He quickly turned back; his eyes shrank in shock, and all of his body was paralyzed. Asahi shouted while trying to locate the source of the noise.
"Who's there?!"
Asahi turned his head over to the corner.
"Hey! Come on out and reveal yourself!"
Before Asahi could even think about leaving the area, a young, feminine figure appeared in front of him, with long, silky shamrock hair, glistening emerald eyes, and pale skin.
"Don't even think you can run from this now."
Asahi flinched.
"W... Who's there?!"
A silhouette flew in rapid directions. Luckily enough, the faint light from up the staircase was strong enough to illuminate just a portion, revealing the figure.
Asahi saw a green-haired girl recklessly leaping toward the broken corner of the room, yanking one of the twisting green vines, and forcing her feet down through the misplaced grass. Her palms created a green light, illuminating her entire figure and most of the room. She summoned her two magical daggers and sliced the vegetation, swallowing Asahi's feet. The girl whispered.
"Stay put."
He gulped and nodded his head, helpless and afraid of what had happened. Intrusive thoughts emerged in his mind.
"Was this all part of the plan? Is this secretly an execution in disguise?"
Just before he could ask any more, the ground beneath his feet trembled, his feet sank into the collapsing floor, and the mysterious girl quickly flew down with Asahi toward the sinking hole forming beneath the room.
His vision swept into darkness the moment he heard a familiar chiming voice bounce in his ear.
"Please, leave."
* * *
He felt his entire body swarmed with a disembodied force, a thick, grimy substance wrapping around his legs, and his eyes fogging up into a light green.
Suddenly, Asahi heard someone hollering in the distance.
"Hey, over here!"
The luminescent green vines wrapped around Asahi's legs swiftly noticed the mysterious girl.
"SCREE!"
The hostile vines hurriedly detached themselves from Asahi and slithered along a stone floor, trying to retreat back to where they came from, but the girl had already plunged her two daggers straight through their twining, thickening roots.
"You won't escape from me!"
As the vines vanish into dust, the forceful feeling, along with the green fog in his eyes, dissipates back to normality, forcing Asahi to come back on his feet. His vision was so blurry, he couldn't see anything beyond his hands. Abruptly, a voice echoed over the dark walls.
"It's even worse down here."
Asahi scratched his head and rubbed his eyes, hearing screams.
"There you are!"
Asahi gasped in shock, seeing the green-haired girl pointing the daggers straight at his chest. That hateful look burning in her fierce emerald eyes reminded Asahi of who she was. He pleaded while his heart pounded in his chest.
"Isa, don't hurt me! I did nothing!"
She sighed and shook her head, cutting the vines off Asahi's chest and backing away. Isa sneered at the white-haired boy and shrugged.
"Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you. Well... at least not YET."
Her pupils dilated, showing a shocked look on her face. Isa resumed while suspiciously glancing at Asahi.
"Say, why are you not using your flight powers when I clearly triggered so many events while doing so?"
Asahi's heart raced with anticipation. This was the moment to expose Isa's pure weakness in his magic. He hurriedly stepped forward, confidently, and raised his voice.
"Because I don't have my powers! If I did have my magic, I would have easily flown away from this place."
Isa crossed her arms and gave a suspicious look.
"Oh, really?"
Asahi hastily nodded, seeing the dagger's sharp, luminescent point closer to his chin.
"Y...Yes really. I'm weak. I'm powerless! That's what I have been trying to say the whole time last night, and you wouldn't give me a chance to breathe!"
Isa's face flushed red in embarrassment, knowing of her mistakes. She covered her mouth, and her voice notably got weaker than before.
"Oh... well, I-I apologize. I guess you're NOT the destroyer that I was thinking of. It's odd that you're appearance matches closely to theirs, though. Well..."
She scratched her head and whistled nervously, seeing Asahi's gray eyes squint in frustration.
"Look, I'm sorry, okay. I wouldn't have shown you this place if you had proven that to me sooner."
Asahi erupted.
"That's what I have been trying to show you! Wait a second..." he paused for a moment, analyzing his surroundings.
An unrelenting humidity swept over Asahi, making it feel like a tropical forest. His gray eyes found cracked blocks on the walls, with vines weaving their way across the dirt-stained windows.
"Where... are we?"
He saw the area outlined with water droplets, age, and ruin. Several corridors were dispatched around Asahi and Isa, each leading to a room or even more crossroads. The walls looked to have been here for a long time.
(Strange.)
Asahi scratched his head and looked upward, seeing the teal ceiling lights dangling and illuminating the room. He jolted to the windows and saw five to seven underground waterfalls flowing down to the darkness below.
A curious and inexplicable uneasiness began to grow within him. He turned to Isa, waving his hand at her and asking from across the room.
"Are we underground?! What is this place?"
Still embarrassed, Isa responded tremblingly while wiping droplets of sweat from her face.
"Were inside Linuxinia's Stronghold. It's a place teeming with vegetation and has a size that extends to every corner of the nation underground."
"So, you're saying this place is everywhere in the nation?"
Isa nodded slowly, returning to her normal, confident state.
"Indeed. This is where The Sealed Beatific thrives the most, but also the opposite is lurking here in well..."
Asahi raised an eyebrow and answered sarcastically.
"Yeah, and what's that?!"
Just before Isa could reply, a loud, distorted voice echoed across the halls.
"No... I...it can't be. Are you Asahi, one of the Adtraic Rulers we worshipped for thousands of years?!"