Dungeons of the Underground, Hubyei
The Hubyei Underground was a closed-off point to the actual world. Hundreds of mining spots lay here supplying the city with its needs. Some factories even opened here, creating more work for those beneath the settlement.
It took one of the worst jobs to keep it up, slavery. No one in the settlement knew about the underground, but everyone underground once knew the world outside. But many wished they could, more than others at that.
"Gather around everyone," a young teen huddled out a group of kids ready to form a plan. The teen was very mischievous, being the arrogant kid of the whole underground. She planned to get the heck out of this hellscape.
The young teen might've been a slave, but she hid secrets; those she built up one day to see the outside one day. "If this goes to plan, we can get out of here and into the sunny world," she said as if she was up to something big. "It'll be great, trust me."
"But first, I have to know if you're in or not," she paused and waited for any objections from the kids. She sat patiently as the kids looked at each other, puzzled. They all looked nothing above fifteen, so a risky plan from her would've guaranteed extra trouble for all of them. It was the dungeons, for goodness' sake.
"Yanari, are you sure this is a good idea first?" a kid asked him before she thought.
"Yes, I'm sure," she finished, then continued. "Anyway, what we need to do is lure those guards, act injured or something, then I'll lead the way to freedom!"
"Why does it sound like we're doing all the work?" another kid contested.
"Why are so many questions being asked right now," she scolded them. "I've given you a mission move!"
"Ugh, fine." The kids reluctantly agreed, and they went according to Yanari's plans for a great distraction.
The underground dungeon was an old abandoned quarry found later after Typho established Hubyei. Many entrances led to the underground, but one led straight but to the city grounds. The big elevator straight up through the centre.
Two guards sat by the exit in a post, ready to tackle anyone who tried it. The kids approached the situation differently. Three by three they cut corners and went around some houses coming from the sides of the elevator. The first three kids from the right began:
"Hey sir, we need your help our equipment isn't working. We can't mine unless the tools work properly," one of them spoke but kept their heads down for their act.
"Where is it at?" the guard grunted before the kids led him away.
The other group of kids approached it...differently. One kid intentionally fell to create an alibi and played with it, "Sir, sir, help us. Our friend can't walk help us over there and we'll be on our way,"
"Have you done your portions for the day?" he hesitated.
"Yes sir," the children spoke before the alibi kid gave him a sad look.
"Alright! come with me," he led them inwards into the underground and gave way for Yanari to move up.
"Good job, kids!" Yanari ran up to the elevator and checked the boxed, finding it empty. She tapped the buttons, and the elevator made a looming sound as the box came down. She smiled heavily and pressed her hands together, ready to leave. Every second passing meant freedom was near; seeing the edge of the box coming down to the ground was satisfying until she saw her master.
"Oh, master, how nice to see you," she smiled.
"What are you up to, child?" the master's roared croaky and deep. Even for an elderly woman, it was deep. "I thought I told you to hit the mines!"
"Really?" she scoffed. "We get to it before my knees do,"
"Yes, madam,"
"Master! I am your master," the master protested. "Not anything else."
"Yes, master," she reluctantly agreed. As she walked away, the master longed to leave a mark on her. With her giant leather whip, she whipped the end and hit Yanari right below the eye towards the jawline. Yanari roared in pain.
-
In the ritual house, dead centre of the settlement was where the ceremony would take place. The house was actually a tall building with lots of room for all new children to find out their powers. The Magistrate dedicated the building to help new gifted people control their powers, even train with the best.
The ceremony wasn't a big party with the whole settlement coming to have fun. It was when a child would gain his or her powers and have a journey undecided by fate; only the choices would.
Nia wore nothing but protective suits just In case her powers were dangerous. She made her way into the ritual room where a whitewashed wall and a shining light beamed upon her.
"Close your eyes and let the light guide you," a servant in the ceremony whispered in her ear and just like that her body froze as her soul went searching for her asset.
The beam of light became brighter and brighter eventually making the reds in her eyes saturate into white colours transporting her soul into the astral world.
"Don't worry, Magistrate. She will find her asset," the officer who previously chased her mentioned.
"She better do, or she will no longer be with us," a servant spoke. In the Magistrate's reaction, he seemed hopeless.