After a relaxing day at the hotsprings, the group made their way around the city. Shyako had nineteen cities within its domain and the city they were in, Tankoma, was the capital.
While they were walking around town, Sayu told them about the history of their kingdom. Of course, Elliot knew the gist of it.
Back when the Son that built Shyako was looking for a domain where he will built his castle, he had found a bath within the mountains. He searched for a source and had found a beautiful underwater lake where the springs co from. Below the lake was a magical volcano that was constantly erupting, but with magical hotspring lava instead of hot lava.
It was then that the Son made his decision to start his kingdom there. He built the castle, invited citizens, and created his own empire. With all his achievents, the Athyst Maiden was with him. He was one of the few who thinks as the Maiden as his own mother, while the others treated the Maidens as slaves.
The ntion of the Maiden made Elliot think about how he still hasn't seen the Athyst Maiden. He wanted to ask Sayu, but he wanted it to be at a perfect mont.
What he knew is that the Maidens were already corrupted by Malice. The Queen's darkness wasn't as potent as the Abyss, but she could still corrupt an ancient and powerful magic. It just goes to show how she was growing more powerful every day that passes.
"This is where we sell our best mocho," Sayu said. "A desert made from powdered rice. It's chewy, soft, and absolutely delicious."
"Let's go then!" Ed cheered. "I want to eat delicious!"
The day continued on like that. Sayu would take them to stalls and they would eat the traditional food being sold there. Elliot had wanted to ask the question, but he keeps on missing.
It was sunset when he found himself in the castle's lobby. He was sitting in the sofa with the others while reading the book Ilwoo gave him.
"You're really into that book," Lance comnted. "You've been reading that since the other day."
"I need to have information," Elliot said. "Information that we could use to negotiate. And have you noticed"
"Shyako isn't as progressive in terms of technology like the other kingdoms," Ed suddenly butted in, sitting in between the two. "We explored all around the city, but I haven't seen not one airship or carriages moving on their own. I feel like those vehicles are only found in a single kingdom."
"I bet it's either where the Diamond or Erald Maiden is," Lance pointed out. "Speaking of, I thought we were going to see the Athyst Maiden today. That's odd."
"That's what I wanted to say before you butted in, Ed," Elliot scoffed, garnering the attention of their friends. "It's odd how we haven't been introduced to the Maiden when it's the biggest part of their history. From Ilwoo's book, the Maidens have always been ntioned in almost every page."
"Maybe she's resting," Connor shrugged. "You know how won are. They are always"
Florencia smacked his head before he could finish, "We're always what?"
Christina was holding her friend, pulling her away from lunging on Connor, "Flo, stop."
"You're a kid," Connor said. "Not exactly a woman yet, so you're out of this."
"You're getting off topic," Elliot groaned, leaning in closer to them. "There's sothing wrong with Shayko and we will find out soon enough."
"We will?" Ed scrunched his face. "They seem to be very good people. And they're willing to partner with us. Why try and break that bond?"
"That's not the point here," Elliot said. "You know how so people just act like their kind to get on your good side. I think Shyako is doing the sa."
"Elliot, you're overthinking," Connor said. "I know this is about the dream, but maybe Ed is right. Maybe we need to trust more. We have been betrayed a lot of tis before, but that shouldn't an we have to not trust anyone again."
"Let's just see where everything goes first," Lance said. "We will know what their true intention is when the ti cos. And until then, we have to raise our guards and always keep an eye open."
Elliot had no choice but to nod. Now that he's hearing it from the others, it seed like he may have been mistaken all along. Sayu and the emperor was always there for them in case they needed anything. Maybe the allegations regarding the East was all hoax.
After all, the East had closed its borders for years. How could anyone just know what was going on?
"Yeah, you're right," Elliot said with a sigh. "They don't seem to be that bad."
"That's right," Ed grinned. "Now, Sayu gave a couple of bottles of this rice wine. Let us drink!"
It was midnight. The girls were in their room while the boys were at the living room, drunk and tired. All but two people.
Elliot sat in the floor, holding the glass and staring at it. "This place is great, isn't it?"
"It is," Viper said from the window. He was watching the joyful city slowly lose its lights and charm. It was almost 2 in the morning and the people were packing up and calling it a day. "And I cannot thank you enough for giving this opportunity. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I'd go as far as here."
Elliot shook his head. "You're walking a path that was made by you. I didn't laid down the bricks, you did. I basically gave you so, and you did the rest."
"But still"
"How is your affinity?" Elliot cut him off, changing the topic. "The Monolith Vemom skill set, is it good?"
"It is," Viper grinned, his eyes glimring in happiness. "After all my research and the tests I took, I discovered that my original affinity is enhancent of poison magic. The system only gave passive skills that enhances poison and its effect, but never an offensive one."
"The choice I made was right," Elliot smiled proudly. "Please take care of those skills."
Viper nodded and grinned. Elliot's eyes were slowly getting droopy. He was flailing his head as he finally felt the alcohol reach his system.
"But Mr. Elliot," Viper suddenly spoke. "About our dreams I couldn't help but feel odd about it."
"It was a coincidence," Elliot said, yawning as his body slowly reached the floor. "I couldn't even rember everything clearly. I just"
With that, Elliot's head landed on Lance's lap. They were now snoring loudly, with the othet three all scrambled in the sofa and the floor.
Viper sighed and stepped away from the window, only to feel a sudden tense feeling. Everything felt cold. The lights got dark and the floor started creeking. He watched the boys who were sleeping in the living room, but they were unbothered by the sound.
The entire room shook, making Viper yell in fear. He brandished his sword and raised it, trying to defend himself from the dangers around him. He felt sothing approach him, but he couldn't pinpoint what. It was ominous, but it was hidden. Sothing under his nose, but was invisible in his eyes.
"Show yourself!" Viper yelled. "Show yourself and fight fairly."
The shaking stopped, making Viper's shoulder relax. He took a few steps back to the window and his eyes widened after seeing the city beca the barren lands he saw the night before. "What is happening?"
When Viper turned back, the emperor's bones greeted him. He could only yell in shock and slash his sword, cutting the bones in half. "Stay away!"
The bones fell to the ground and shattered like glass. The clothes the emperor was wearing turned to ash and slowly, the shattered bones followed.
Viper didn't know what to do. He leaped to the living room and shook Elliot violently, but his hope was blown by the wind when his seniors' bodies were turned to a bag of potatoes.
"This isn't funny!" Viper yelled. "What are you doing to ?! Why ?!"
"Because you can negate ," a whisper like voice spoke from behind him.
Viper spun and slashed his sword, gasping in regret after he saw the monkey who was chasing him in the baths earlier.
The shaking stopped, the lights brightened, and the sack of potatoes returned to his friends. Viper fell to his knees, eyes wide and were staring at the decapitated monkey in front of him.
"Viper!" Elliot ran to him and shook his body. His voice awoke the others, making them run behind Elliot. "Viper, what happened?"
The boy was trembling. He pointed at the ground where the corpse was.
"What's the matter?" Elliot asked. "Hey."
He made the younger boy look at him. Viper started to tear up and looked back at where the monkey was, only to see that it wasn't there anymore.
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