Chapter 31: Grey Wolf
The ceiling lit up, and once again Xin has confirmed that demons liked everything colorful. Then, from the seamless door leading to outside a silhouette emerged. A Wolf-man, thought the boy with a surprising calmness. He wasn't as high as the six-legged beast, however, his presence was much stronger. His fur was grey, and that was probably enough to distinguish its kind, but Xin has never been proficient in that. What was interesting, he was dressed in leather armor; beasts, even Beast-man rarely use it, for different reasons. They can't produce it for the lack of required tools and knowledge, their bodies are strong in themselves, most of them, especially wolves, prefer mobility and so on. But this one seemed just like a human with a different head. He also had a knife on his belt, a machete - Xin distinguished after several steps. Weapons are also rarely used, for beasts have claws.
Well, most of them. When the wolf walked near enough, he raised his palm and Xin immediately fell to the ground, heavily gasping. He looked up and saw that this one had his claws severed, brutally.
"Big-bee, Wu, tell me how did they get here." His voice was surprisingly calm and pleasant, even a bit quiet as if he was suppressing it.
"YES." The Six-legged beast leaned as if trying to kneel.
"I DON'T NOW."
"…"
"…"
"We… don't know." Said the lizard and lowered his head.
"I see." The wolf nodded and looked down at Maha. She, in turn, was staring at him, intensively. For a second Xin was afraid that he hit her for that, sever her little head with that knife of his, - that picture was awfully vivid in his imagination and he even prepared to run forward, - but the wolf only nodded, again.
"I see."
Suddenly, a strange sparkle appeared in the wolf's blue eyes. Or was it just Xin's imagination? He looked at Maha for confirmation, but her expression was as still.
"Go to the… Seventh floor, north. Guard the prison."
"Y-yes."
"UNDERSTOOD." Both the lizard and the walking hive retreated without a second glance. Surprising subordination for beasts, Xin thought while clenching the floor and his teeth, trying to resist the burning pain in his chest.
When the guards finally left the wolf once again cast a look at him and Maha.
"Are you demons?" He suddenly asked. Xin had no strength to be surprised but he saw Maha's brows twitch a bit.
"Yes," She said. "But he is only a child."
"Child…" The wolf seemed thinking about something.
"Follow me." He said and headed right into the wall. That slight gap in time was enough for Xin and Maha to look at each other for a slight discussion.
"I'm not sure how much does he know. We heal physical injuries faster than humans and don't feel pain unless our Demonic Crystal is damaged. I will try lowering your pain, but you have to endure."
Xin felt cold sensation spread across his chest. Yes, it was easier but not by much. Barely, but he managed to stand up. He didn't dare to ask more from Maha for she already appeared exhausted.
"What should we do?"
He thought with a shine.
"For now, listen to him. However, be cautious. We shan't communicate for now, It might give him suspicion." She transmitted to him and also stepper through the wall. Xin followed and staggered, and with pure willpower kept his footing. The pain lessened, but the weakness did not. He breathed in and went through the wall.
What followed was a maze of identical corridors and winding staircases and lights, so beautiful at the beginning and so head spinning and vomit-inducing by the third floor. And there was much, much more than three floors. Sometimes there were decorations on the walls, some broken some intact and there was so many of them that he couldn't remember any. Xin finally agreed with Ying Zheng, gaudy, gaudy and tasteless. Why couldn't they make just one stair?
Anyway, he kept his thoughts for himself like everyone in their little company. To be honest, he was getting tired of looking at the people's backs. When will he grow up and lead others?
Soon, he hoped and cursed Ying Zheng in his mind for not being here.
…
After a considerable amount of time, they finally reached whatever room they were going to. Xin looked around: it was as humble as the entire pyramid, only a colorless and very large, a house-sized crystal in the middle and some others illuminating around.
The ceiling was much higher; he could barely it see despite all those lamps.
The wolf sat with his back to the middle-crystal, Maha sat just before him and Xin collapsed next to her.
"Can you say how did you get here?" Asked the wolf, his expression calm.
"Array misfired." Said Maha. "I and my apprentice were in the capital, heading toward the Northern Lands, but suddenly appeared here. And I don't know where here is."
She looked calm and composed, and what she said was enough to Xin to grasp the act they were doing. He also should learn to lie like that, the boy noted.
"I see, you are on the Peninsula of Turtle Back, that how it was called back then."
"Turtle Back?" The girl frowned and Xin opened his eyes wide. Maybe too wide.
"Yes, but I must apologize. We can't send you back now." The wolf stroked his clawless palm.
"If you don't know how to use Teleportation Array I can do it myself. You will be rewarded." Her voice sounded harsh and straightforward, maybe even urgent.
Now Xin was surprised. Was that really an act? Or was she…
"I can't." The wolf shook his head.
"We need your help."
"Help?"
"I can't explain it here." The wolf gazed over the ceiling.
"I promise that we will help you, but later. First, I will send you to my brother. He wants to see you. But then you will be freed, I'm willing to sign a Light Contract for that."
Maha's expression suddenly changed, Xin never saw her so surprised.
"Are you serious?"
…
…
…
Seven Floor. North. A special place in a way, it was quite different from the rest of the pyramid. Once, it was prison quarters, designed specially to stop anyone from getting out. Many light arrays and complicated structure guarded this place sternly. Also, if you step outside of you will find a great view of three large mountains and river flowing and twisting to them amides the green, and white and blue.
However, right now Wu couldn't appreciate that scenery in the slightest. His legs were pathetically struggling in the air while his long, strong tongue was tied around his body and going up when a man in a black garb was holding its end and smiling, sometimes lightly, but so painfully swinging.
"Well, I hope now you'll speak more eagerly. Say, when exactly the two "shorties" left?"
"Two, two weekshh ago…"
Good thing his physiology allowed him to speak with his tongue out. Otherwise, the already saw what a slow answer can lead to…
"Good! Now the next question, where they were taken to?"
"To the Great Chity, in the North-Southshh, near Croshh Riversh!"
"That's a good answer!" The man said, but contrary to his words, Wu suddenly crashed to the wall.
"Well, what shall I do with you now?" Ying Zheng started slowly pulling the half-conscious lizard by its tongue.
"Generally I'm against killing but you are man-eaters, right? But that's a natural thing… Oh, I Know."
Wu felt pleasant finally touching the soling ground. He looked at the poor Big-bee whose body was only half-visible with the other part crashed into the wall of the pyramid. His legs were still trembling, but whether it was because he was trying to get out, or still the momentum from the impact – that he couldn't tell. Ying Zheng clenched on of his legs and with one move took him out. Then he drew Wu closer and took both of them to a large black hole in the ground.
"You know guys, while I was in that cute little prison, I've found a peculiar and rare Devil-Eye tree. Yes, I see you getting pale here. This one is almost six thousand years old and it is very hungry. I'm kind of disappointed her with that, but you two look like highly-nutritious products. However, I'm a just person, so I won't seal the hole. In case you'll manage to get out, your luck then. Bye."
Before any of them could say anything Wu and Big-bee flew into the darkness. At some point, several twigs surrounded them…
"Now then." Ying Zheng rubbed his nasal bridge
"I wonder if that nymphet really has betrayed me."