Another 48 hours had gone by since Matthew and Theodore participated in a late-night feast in the presence of Isabella and Alaric. Isabella and Alaric sat quietly in the room, watching as Matthew and Theodore devoured the varieties of cuisine laid out in front of them.
They each ate enough food to feed six men, stuffing themselves to the brim. Not long after they finished dining, the two of them passed out again, not waking up until two mornings later.
Feeling energetic, Theodore woke up and immediately sat up. A feeling of déjà vu enveloped him as he struggled to keep his eyes open due to the sunlight that illuminated the room.
Looking to his left, Theodore saw that Matthew was already up, seemingly counting the contents of the satchel again. Theodore couldn't understand why Matthew was doing this and thought to ask later.
Apart from Matthew, who was lightly muttering numbers as his hands rummaged through the satchel, the rhythmic songs of birds filled Theodore's ears, giving him a sense of warmth, one that didn't last long.
If he were still in Araya, Theodore was certain that he wouldn't have much trouble enjoying this warmth. But for the first time in his life, he was in another city. He wasn't even sure if they were still in the same state.
Nonetheless, he doubted if they were still in the same state. The distance and time they covered in the train fueled his doubt.
Theodore was unsure of how to feel. He had always wanted to leave Araya, but now that he was out of there, he felt somewhat homesick and reluctant to return, despite the dangers that came with it. Despite never having known his family and not knowing what exactly a true home felt like, he still considered Araya a place that gave him some semblance of that feeling.
Another thing that had Theodore feeling unrest was the situation they were in, not with the Church of Death, but with the Resistance. He couldn't understand why they had been treating him and Matthew well, despite not knowing them.
From the furniture in the room, Theodore could observe that it was of high quality and not something one would see in any nursery or apothecary. Even the bed and duvet they had rested on were of high quality.
He couldn't help but feel like he would have to pay for all of this, and these were things that he couldn't afford on a normal day.
'Or did Lilly pay for all of this? If she did, then it is a bit understandable. Even though she and Alaric seem to be part of the Resistance... is it okay for her to exploit the man's wealth?' Theodore wondered.
The thought of finding a way out of here lingered in his mind.
'What does Matthew think about this whole thing?' He wondered.
On the other side of the room, while Theodore was lost in thought, Matthew noticed that he had woken up and waited until Theodore looked like he was done thinking before he spoke up.
"What were you thinking of?" He questioned, seated by the edge of the bed.
"Well… I feel a bit uneasy; they have treated us fairly."
"True, don't you think it's weird? And we haven't seen Lilly since." Matthew concurred.
"What do you suggest we do?"
"We? No, no, no." Matthew shook his head as he said. "While I appreciate the companionship, going through all that we went through together, I am more of a lone wolf." He added.
Theodore unconsciously bobbed his head, he understood Matthew, and he wasn't even trying to. This feeling made him feel weird. "So, what are you going to do?" Theodore probed.
"Sneak out of here when no one is paying attention. I already had plans to flee Araya about ten days ago, I have other objectives to tend to, and I don't think I want to do them under the supervision of anyone." Matthew replied.
Theodore wondered if he should also do the same, but he didn't think it would be so easy to escape their watch. He was sure that they would want something in return from either him or Matthew, or even both of them.
Rat-tat-tat!
A subtle knock came from the door of the room, interrupting the boys. The two of them exchanged a glance before responding to the knock.
"Who's that?"
"Come in,"
Theodore turned to look at Matthew, wondering why he permitted whoever was behind to enter… but then, it wasn't a place owned by him so what rights did he have to restrict whoever was behind the door?
"It's me, Isabella." The door opened, and the attractive Isabella stepped into the room with a bright smile on her face. "I heard your voices and came to check up on you boys. You have been asleep for two days."
"I had a feeling like that… I knew that I had passed out when I couldn't remember what happened after I finished eating." Matthew uttered.
Even Theodore wasn't surprised.
"How do you boys feel now?" Isabella asked.
"Like I can scale a building," Matthew answered, staring at Isabella, admiring her beauty.
Isabella chuckled at Matthew's response. "Well, that's certainly energetic. I hope you both had a good rest. I wanted to inform you that a tailor has already taken your measurements and prepared a set of clothes for each of you. I thought you might want to freshen up and change into something more comfortable."
Matthew and Theodore exchanged glances, not expecting such hospitality.
"Thank you, Isabella. We appreciate it," Theodore said, his uneasiness growing with the unexpected kindness they were receiving.
Isabella smiled warmly. "You're welcome, dear. Just follow me when you're ready. The bathroom is just down the hall."
As Isabella led them out of the room, they found themselves in a hallway adorned with intricately designed doors, each locked securely. The atmosphere was subtle and somewhat luxurious, the soft glow of ornate lamps casting a warm ambiance.
Isabella guided them to the bathroom, where they could freshen up. As they entered, the boys noticed the gleaming marble countertops and the polished fixtures, adding to the overall opulence of the mansion.
After a refreshing shower and a change into tailored clothes, the boys emerged from the bathroom, feeling rejuvenated. Matthew donned a brown, high-quality leather trench coat that reached his calves, paired with a brown two-piece suit consisting of the monkey jacket and trousers. His ensemble was completed with a crisp white shirt, exuding a sense of rugged elegance.
Theodore, dressed in a matching style, wore the same brown two-piece suit with a monkey jacket and trousers. The only difference was the red tie and a hat that sat on his afro, a subtle touch of individuality. Both boys looked sharp and refined, their appearance contrasting with the uncertain thoughts lingering in their minds.
As they made their way back to the room, the luxurious hallway seemed to embrace them, a stark contrast to the grim reality they faced. The locked doors stood as silent guardians, concealing secrets within the mansion's depths.
Matthew's admiration for Isabella had taken a different turn, and the unexpected warmth of hospitality raised Theodore's suspicions further. The tailored clothes and the lavish surroundings painted a picture of comfort, but the underlying uncertainty persisted.
The boys couldn't shake the feeling that this mansion held secrets, and that they were mere pawns in a game whose rules eluded them. As they approached the room, Theodore's unrest deepened, and Matthew's resolve to escape intensified.
'I wonder if Lilly is behind this door.' Theodore thought. Subconsciously, he felt that he would be safer around Lilly, or at least, he had more semblance of trust for her than he did for Isabella and Alaric.
The door creaked open, revealing a sunlit parlor adorned with plush chairs and shelves housing an impressive collection of books. Alaric, seated in a comfortable chair by an opened window, was engrossed in a book, the sunlight casting a warm glow on the pages. Isabella, following Alaric's order, left the room to call for his apprentice.
"Please, have a seat, gentlemen," Alaric gestured toward the inviting chairs. "Brunch will be prepared for you shortly. Is there anything specific you prefer?"
Matthew and Theodore exchanged glances before settling into the chairs. "Just surprise us," Matthew replied, eyeing the shelves filled with intriguing titles.
As Isabella exited, Alaric's attention shifted to his guests. "I'm afraid Lilly is currently in a briefing. She should be done shortly," he informed them, lowering his book and focusing on the two young men.
Curiosity burning in his eyes, Theodore couldn't resist probing further. "Where are we, exactly? And what's this Resistance about?"
Alaric, evading the direct question, leaned back. "Ah, Lilly mentioned she would prefer to explain that herself. It's quite a story, you see."
Theodore frowned, not entirely satisfied with the response. Before he could press further, Isabella returned, a subtle nod from Alaric directing her to leave once more.
As she exited, Alaric glanced at Matthew and Theodore. "You're in the University of Science and Machines in Eldoria, quite a distance from Araya."
Theodore's mind buzzed with questions, and he couldn't hold back. "But what is the Resistance? Why are we here?"
Alaric rose, indicating that they should follow him. "Let's discuss this on the way. Lilly will fill you in when we meet her. For now, let me show you around."
They stepped out into a large backyard, into the brisk air, greeted by the sight of personal soldiers engaged in various forms of training. The rhythmic clash of weapons, the crackle of gunfire, and even the mystical hum of magic filled the air.
Matthew observed the training with a mix of surprise and fascination. "What's all this? It's like a training ground."
Alaric nodded, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Indeed. We believe in being prepared. Close combat, firearms, magic—our soldiers are proficient in various disciplines."
Theodore couldn't help but express his amazement. "Magic? You're training people in magic?" He truly wanted to learn more about magic but chose to hold himself back.
Alaric chuckled. "Magic is as real as any other skill. Some individuals here possess a natural affinity for it, and we help them hone their abilities."
'Abiet the backlash from indulging in it, everything about it is enjoyable.' Alaric thought to himself.
As they continued through the training grounds, Alaric shared little insights into the Resistance's philosophy and goals. The journey was quite enlightening for the boys.