The Soul Bar was full of restless hubbub as all its customers surrounded the injured soldier. "Gentlemen, move aside, let the medics do their job." the voice of the owner, Maron boomed. Following which, the masses divided into two, clearing a path. Two men ran in, holding a stretcher. The soldier was carefully placed on it before they quickly ran upwards, vanishing into the 2nd floor.
And just like that, the lively atmosphere of the bar quickly turned into a grim silence. Before long, Maron clapped his hands. "Everyone, the bar will be closed for a few hours, since as you can see, we have an emergency on our hands. I humbly request for you all to return later."
"Sure, Maron. Take good care of the guy, I'll go and inform the army." Said the man who was helping the soldier. Maron replied with a pleasant smile. "Haha, no need for that. I've already sent someone to do so."
Delighted, the man replied. "Hehe, as expected of you. Alright, see you later then." With that said, everyone started to leave one by one until the same 16-teethed geezer remained, he took a look at Tufail Tigor and winked at him. Tufail, in turn, felt his stomach churn, but still, he gave a thumbs up to that geezer.
Now, the bar was empty with only the medics and barmaids remaining in the room where the wounded soldier was carried. Maron exchanged gazes with Tufail and asked. "What do you think, cap'?"
The latter took a big deep sigh. "Don't know, don't care." He replied with barely any concern. "Mhm, so you are going to let the only heir of Messi die?"
Tufail gritted his teeth in annoyance. "For fuck's sake, Maron."
"Cap'…"
"Maron! I said enough. I have nothing to do with this filthy continent. If you further sass me, I'll assume that you don't want me to stay here any longer." His tone a stark contrast with his jovial attitude before.
"I apologize, Cap'. Please, forget what I said." Relented Maron as he turned towards the room. Tufail remained in the main hall alone, after some uneasy thoughts that lingered in his mind, he stood up and headed towards the wine rack before tilting a dirty, molded bottle at the very bottom corner. Immediately, a passage opened, leading to the basement.
He moved in before the passage closed behind him, arriving at an unclean room with spider webs all around the walls. Only three things were inside this room. A closet with nothing but clothes, a tattered bed and lastly, a casket.
It was a long casket with multiple red coloured ropes and bandages tying it up tightly. Tufail looked at it from far before throwing himself on the bed. It felt like the casket was calling him, filling him with an irresistible urge to open it. However, he resisted. "I won't do it."
He was still lying on the bed, lost in deep contemplation, when suddenly, he heard a furor in the hall. He quickly stood up with a jump and went towards the stairs, different from the one he had come down here from. They were moveable loft stairs, long and vertical, leading directly to the 2nd floor. Tufail climbed it to reach the top before pushing the trapdoor and finding Maron already there, looking at him.
"What is this noise? He asked. "The soldier has woken up." Answered Maron.
The loft stairs connected the rooms of Maron and Tufail. Most people didn't know Tufail's residence. Some even speculated he lived in the streets while others claimed he lived on the hill, not too far away from the city.
But nobody knew, he was actually living in the Soul Bar's basement. As Tufail came out from the trapdoor. He stated. "I want to meet him."
Maron nodded his head and went outside, ordering every worker to leave the bar. As the owner, his orders were absolute, thus everyone did as he told without delay. Before long, the old owner of the bar and its infamous drunk clown entered the room where the soldier in bandages was sitting.
He stared at the duo and asked in a panic. "Did you call Blood Drunk Halber?"
"He is not here but I can convey your message to him." Replied Tufail. "No, no, I ca-can't. Please, ca-call him." The soldier stuttered.
Maron stepped forward and sat beside the soldier. "You can trust him. I can guarantee that he is a trustworthy man. I'm assuming that time is short, be wise and don't waste it." This soldier was not present when Commander Bahlol had come, he was unaware that Tufail was Blood Drunk Halberd.
Hearing that, the soldier shuddered, and after but a moment of consideration, he opened his mouth. "Commander Bahlol has been imprisoned, his li-life is in danger, please help him!" He pleaded. Maron gently nodded his head. "Take it easy, we will definitely help him, tell us exactly what happened."
The soldier took out something from his pants, something he had hidden in his underwear. Tufail's eyes widened and Maron's reaction was the same as well. "Fire Fate Pome!" Mumbled Maron in surprise.