'…it's a bit further than I thought! But it's a weird feeling that the more I walk, the less I feel tired!!' says in his mind. He took countless turns, the walls didn't change much from one another, same length and same size.
After some more turns… He reaches his destination!
'…No more narrow passages! I was starting to think there are only those… Is there anyone in here?' Levon takes cautious steps in this open space. '…it's quite large actually, these must be seats and tables for players to sit on. It's like a resting stop…
There are even some plants and flowers, they look dark though… How do they grow with no sunlig...Oh yeah! stupid me… Still applying the physical laws in here.'
"Welcome to our shop, Mr. Levon Graham!". Suddenly says someone as the lights get turned on immediately!
Hearing his name, Levon gets nervous! '…H..How do they know my name?!!'
"I'm here! Look in front…"
Levon gets his head up, towards a medium size kiosk built on the front wall…There stood a man inside, with a smile on his face.
'..Who's that?' Levon quickly looks above to the sign which says. "Apertio Restaurant"!
'…Restaurant? They have restaurants in here?!' Levon becomes less nervous and more curious, he takes some other slow steps towards him and asks."…How do you know my name?"
"Hahahahaha! It is there on top of your head… Anyone can see it but you!" Replies the old man.
Levon didn't expect that. '…Really?! There is nothing such as this in what I've read…' He asks another question. "And who are you? Are you a player as well?"
"Hmmmm, maybe! But that's irrelevant… Come sit down, you're my first client since a very very long time." He says as he puts on his cooking clothes.
Levon keeps on approaching… "..Since a very long time? Does that mean there were other players here before today?"
"…My name is Karam, have you ever tasted Syrian food?" Asks the chef.
Levon stops approaching near the entry and replies. "No, I'm not hungry… Answer my question."
Karam. "You will be hungry once you taste it, I assure you…"
Levon does not reply this time, he's only looking dead serious towards the man. The latter notices and makes his remark. "…It seems like you're in a bad mood, what happened? Did you lose some challenges?
Or could it be that you're just that type of people…"
Levon wanted to remain silent yet again, but the last part urged him to ask back. "..What people?"
Karam. "You know, the people who cannot fake anything. They're rare…
I already like you Mr. Levon! Sit down, I'll answer some of your question… But on return, you'll have to eat my Syrian food, and even pay for it. Do we have a deal?"
Levon gets weirded by this man. '...He speaks quickly and differently than others! But if he's going to be a source of information then I should bear with that…I don't know what was that about "those people" though…' Graham indeed takes a seat, then nods with his head declaring that the deal is accepted!
After some moments of silence, Levon admits to himself that the smell of this food being prepared is good! '…I'm not that hungry, but this smell makes me want to have a bite…
How do they pay in here though? They have some sort of currency!? I didn't read about that also… '
Karam breaks the silence. "…You know, I haven't cooked for a while.
Food doesn't get expired in here, but skill certainly does." He continues. "…You should've seen me in my hay days, even in times of war people would come to me from different parts of the world to eat what my hands prepare.
Food is the only one thing that beats fear…Eeeh! Bad and good old days…
Here it is Mr. Levon, quick isn't it? I hope you'll enjoy your meal!" He puts the two dishes in front of him.
Levon stares at the food for a moment, then suddenly asks. "Times of war… Do you mean the war against the western empire?"
Karam for the first time, remains silent! He had his back turned as he cleaned his cooking tools… Seeing that he got no answer, Graham looks back at the food… This time the smell was too hypnotizing it made him take the first bite!
'…It could've been poisonous, yet I chose to eat it regardless…
I have to say that it tastes extremely…Good!' One bite after the other, Levon filled his stomach… He realized his strength and health improved on a faster rate with each bite! And figured that this is also one of the other ways to regain it.
"…I didn't think youngsters such as you know about the war." Karam says, with a different tone than previously used.
"…We don't, I only knew about it very recently from sources unavailable for the rest." Replies Levon.
Karam. "I see… you're quite the deal then Mr. Levon.
…They were terrible days, it is pretty ironic to know that it was fought for this same game you lots are playing so nonchalantly…" He turns his face back to look at Levon and adds. "…Isn't it?"
The young man had no answer for that, he instinctively looked down at the plate. 'Oh…I finished it already?'
Karam. "Good food gets finished fast, but I'll still ask you. How was it?"
Levon. "It's good…"
Karam reaches to the plates and puts them in the dishwasher. He then faces Levon, with no smiles this time. "Now, for your first question. I already told you my name, I'm simply the man responsible for this place. I prepare food for the players and organize them when they're here. The only rule here is, no duels allowed!
I know you want to know more about me, if I'm not a player then who can I be? And if I am then why am I taking this position… but it isn't for your best interest yet. In fact, I already spoke more than I should have…Maybe the reason why is I haven't talked to anybody else in quite a while.
Which brings me to your other question…No, there were no other players yesterday.
And to answer another question you have yet to ask, in order to pay for anything in Aedificium, there are coins called Flouss. You're already given a sum of them at the start, you gain more by doing special challenges.
Anything else?"
Levon. "…I'd like to know why wasn't this mentioned in the guidelines given by this watch?"
Karam smiles after hearing the question. "You'll find out that many things aren't mentioned there. Many things…"
A brief silence followed what was just said, Levon already knew that his questions won't be answered directly. But this was quite enough for the moment. It's time to depart for now…
"…How much for the food?" Levon asks.
The old man looks at the young one, quite thoroughly, as if he knows him on a personal level and tells him. "…Consider this one a gift from me, for being the first.
Are you leaving now?"
Levon, gets off the chair and stands on his feet. "Yes… I have a challenge awaiting me."
Karam. "Fighting some psema, right?"
"Yeah…" Levon says as he's checking the map to know where his challenge is located.
Karam. "Good luck, make sure to come back here some other time… I'll answer some other questions you'll have."
"…Alright." Says Levon as he's leaving. Karam kept following him with his eyes until he disappeared behind the labyrinth's walls… Sadness was clear on his look. He sat down, crossed his hands and rested his chin on top of them as he thought to himself…
'…Levon Graham, I didn't think we'll meet so long yet so soon. Even if I couldn't see your name, I would've still recognized you from that distinct face and look. You took me so far back in time…when I first met that wonderful man.
But you're not there yet, you got a long way to go before that...'