Chapter 136
The Wheels Turn
Asha and Sylas sat on a small wall gating a tall, thick tree. It resided in a park-like enclosure, surrounded by several fountains and garden-like flowery bushes. Both were still reeling from the shock of where they landed and what they'd discovered, Sylas actually more so than her.
After all, the capital of the Kingdom was his ultimate goal--this place was where he was designed to go, Valen by his side, and conquer it. He thought the first ti hed see the place would be from a distant hill, in front of a massive army, while the drums of war continued to belt out the hymn into the world. Not... like this.
It didnt feel earned in the slightest; he rely walked through a vortex in the middle of nowhere and poof... he landed at his ultimate destination. And whats more, it was completely different from what he imagined. Though he did envision a proper, large city, it was much, much larger in reality than in his imagination. Furthermore, the buildings were far taller and they seed to have architectural districts of all things.
Additionally, there also seed to be different cultures existing within the city. Unlike the far north, where everything, including the people, was pale and clothed up to the necks, the people in the city had quite a few shades to them. However, the shades didnt seem to get too dark, as Ashas vision of the people with obsidian skin didnt encompass the city from the looks of it.
More so than the skin, what stood out were the types of clothes that people wore--anything from ordinary, brown garbs that don't stand out to lavish, multi-layered gowns, everything was visible on the streets. It was difficult to truly describe the city's culture--in part because he spent less than half an hour in it, but in part, because it seed to be much larger than he anticipated.
... what... what should we do now? Asha posited the question, breaking the long silence between the two.
Fuck if I know, Sylas replied with a frustrated sigh, rubbing the bridge of his nose. I had plans of eventually getting here during one of the loops just to check things out, but those plans were for the distant future, once I had a few more hidden cards to play. As it stands right now, I dont think I have enough leverage to et anyone of importance. Also, did you realize sothing.
What?
Theres no snow.
... right!! Asha exclaid, heaving her head back and looking up. Its... clear! The sky is clear! though a few passersby gave them strange looks, neither was of the mind to pay attention to them.
I have an insane idea.
... unlike your usual completely normal and non-insane ones? she looked at him strangely.
No, no, compared to this one, he said.
Alright, what it is?
What if we didnt just travel through space, he said. But also... ti.
What do you an?
I an, he continued. What if we arent in... today, but in the past?
...
See? Insane! he gestured a blown mind with his fingers while Asha continued to stare at him.
And insanely wrong.
H-huh?
Were definitely in, how you put it, today.
How can you be sure?
Because I can still feel the Gods normally.
...
...
Right, forgot about those, he chuckled. And you forget I ever said anything.
Its a skill I acquired after spending ti with you. You talk so much a person is in need of forgetting so things.
I can hurt, you know? Just because my body is resilient doesnt an my soul is.
Victims words aside, she said. Cant you just bust into the Palace and start asking questions?
Well, if I had a death wish, maybe, Sylas said. Im strong, but not that strong. Since people aren't gawking at us incessantly, am I to guess you changed your hair color for them?"
Hm, she nodded. Despite the diversity in the city, Sylas was yet to see another woman not aged sixty that had snow-white hair. Hey, maybe if I change it back, well draw enough attention so that the King will accept our audience!
Or, or, and Im just spitballing here, he said. Youll get locked up in a dungeon and executed on so trumped-up charges because you look too strange.
Hurt goes both ways, you know? she mumbled.
Hey, hey, I think youre beautiful, he said. But I grew to think that. The first ti I saw you, I thought you were a ghost who ca to haunt .
How you think that is good is beyond . But, fine, Ill remain ordinary-looking. Seeing how youre killing all my ideas, you must have a grand one of your own.
"... I don't. I really don't," he sighed. "If I had known we'd be getting here, I would have planned for it. Maybe gotten sothing from Valen that I can use as proof or sothing. As it stands right now, the best we can do is probably just roam about and passively listen to things. Hey, excuse !" Sylas suddenly stopped one of the people passing by.
Hm? it was a woman who seed to be in her forties, sporting dark hair with bangs that nearly covered her eyes.
My, uh, my wife and I are new in town, he said with a smile. And weve been looking for an inn for a while, but, well, were both directional morons so here we are. Do you perhaps know where the nearest inn is?
... youre new in town, you say?
Yeah.
The best inn for the newcors is nearby, the woman said. I pass by it on my way ho. Want to co with?
Sure! Sylas ignored the alarms in his head and the warning signs and replied with a smile, pulling Ashas hand into his own and dragging her along. As per usual, whenever the two were around strangers, she shut down, her head lowered. Can I ask for your na?
Its Mila, the woman replied.
Its a pleasure, Mila, Sylas said. I am Gilbottageng, better know as Gibby by my friends, and this is my wife, Sheesheshashana, while Asha nearly held herself back from laughing, the woman glanced back at the two oddly. We just call her Shana. I know our nas might sound strange, but theyre actually very normal where were from. For instance, my sisters na is Kikakkeelettata.
And where are you from exactly? the woman asked.
Ah, a small, isolated village up north, Sylas replied. We headed out earlier this year before the winter, chasing the dreams.
Well, youve co to the right place, the woman said as they left the garden-like area and entered a set of narrow alleyways. Cathia is full of opportunities.
Really?! Thats great! Sylas continued to play the role of an ignorant and excited tourist, pretending not to notice where they were going. Truth be told, I was worried Shana and I would be forced out quickly and that thered be no opportunities for us. But your reassurance really puts my mind at ease.
Im glad, the woman said. Here we are, she said, pointing at a building that looked about as much as an inn as a volcano looks like a spa. Do you want to help you sign in?
You would do that?! even Asha, by now, seed to have realized sothing was off. However, she had absolute trust in Sylas--the man was a snake, that much shed learned a long ti ago. Though he was generally nice to her and seed to thrive in a role of a goof in the castle, he was no fool. People in the city are really nice!
"Yeah. Follow along," the woman said as the trio entered the building. A strong stench of alcohol quickly assailed their nostrils as it beca apparent that they had walked into so kind of a bar. There were dozen or so people inside, seated around the rough and rugged tables, and most stopped whatever they were doing and focused on the newcors, inspecting them. "Master Cha, I have so young folk looking for a room here."
"Oh?" a man behind the bar seed to be in his late sixties and, appearances-wise, looked like a warm and cuddly old man ready to spread wisdom. However, Sylas had many, many experiences with n like this back on Earth--and though a good chunk of those mories had long since floated away, so still remained rooted. All of his instincts were screaming that the man was bad news, but he wasn't afraid. In fact, he was entirely comfortable; this was the kind of world that he grew up in.
The key difference was that, while he didnt have a lot of agency back on Earth, that was different now--he could easily kill everyone in this room within thirty seconds and barely break a sweat.
You two looking for a room? the man asked with a wide smile.
Yes! Sylas replied with a similar one. I--I am a bit embarrassed but... is... is it possible to pay in labor? I... I may not look it, but I can lift things. And my wifes a real good cook. luckily, Sylas was wearing quite baggy clothes as those were the kind he packed the most of when they headed into the mountains. Otherwise, others might have seen through his lies by now.
Of course, of course. Theres always work to be done around here, the man continued to smile. Im afraid, however, we arent in need of a cook.
Hm?
But theres other work for your wife.
Like what?
"Well, hmm. She ain't much, but a brothel--" before the old man could finish the sentence, Sylas reached out and grabbed his throat, pulled him forward, and slamd his head against the counter. Others didn't even yet have a chance to process what happened when Sylas lifted the old man's now-bleeding head and grasped his throat even tighter until it was apparent that the man was choking.
"How about I send you to a brothel instead?" gone was the llow and excited voice, replaced instead by a cold and emotionless one. "I'm sure sobody out there would get their bits off on seeing an old man shove an iron pipe up his ass."
What the hell are you doing?!!! the rest of the room awoke right then, standing up and drawing out their weapons.
"Pipe down," Sylas' cold and frigid voice, compared with the deathly atmosphere he was exuding, silenced the room imdiately. Even the old man, who was whimpering until a mont ago, grew silent. Decades of experience were telling him that if they said or did one wrong thing... everyone in the room would die. "Now, I'm in a very forgiving mood today. So, you're gonna tell these brainless goons to scram, and you and I are goin' to have a chat over a few drinks. Hopefully, by the ti these morons return with more numbers, we'll have been done and I can use 'em to stretch my muscles. What you say?"
F-f-fine, the old man mumbled, coughing up a mouthful of blood. Scram, you lot! Hear ? Scram! And dont co back! though he knew that his warning would fall on deaf ears, he still hoped it would ring true with at least a few of them. The entire bar emptied within a few seconds save for Sylas, Asha, the old man, and, strangely, the woman that led them here.
... you two dont look alike, Sylas comnted, letting go of the old man who imdiately pulled back. The woman rushed over and started looking at the wound while Sylas reached from behind the counter and grabbed so ale for himself. He took you under his wing? Saved you while you were a kid?
Who are you?!! she asked angrily. Though it was clear she wanted to reach for the dagger at her waist, the old man stopped her.
... you dont get to use that tone with , bitch, Sylas warned. If you want your head on your neck still, youll shut the fuck up and let the grownups talk. Understand?
You--
Understand?!
She understands, she understands! the old man exclaid quickly.
Good, Sylas cold atmosphere vanished abruptly, as though it was never there. The sudden change in attitude shocked both the old man and the woman, though Asha seed completely unaffected. Shed seen him like this before, after all. Instead, while letting him do the talking, she poured herself so wine and sipped it slowly. Now then, let us chat.
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