The end of the tunnel was visible. They'd run out of water and food about an hour ago, and they were fatigued. 'They' as in Daegal and Aine. Abaddon doesn't require any form of sustenance to stay alive.
"Finally, we've arrived," said Daegal.
They exited the cave to be greeted with an elysian-looking world. Beautifully paved paths, lush and well-maintained forests, and grand-looking lamp posts. The forest was so well maintained that it looked more like a park than a wild forest.
In the distance, islands with orange-glowing ores on their sides could be seen levitating over the landscape. Waterfalls were falling from the floating island; the waters that flowed were luminescent and glowed a deep blue.
Over the dark horizon could be seen the city lights from this continent's capital-Pulchra City.
"Woah, this is day and night compared to Pauperis," said Aine.
"I know; my breath is always taken away when I see this view," said Daegal.
It looked nothing like Pauperis. The old and run-down cottages were replaced with luxurious wooden huts that look like they cost an arm and a leg.
They continued going through the very well-maintained forest. The hedges on the side of the road work as barriers. Guards could be seen on the side of the road walking to their posts while having a chat.
"Did you hear? The Captain assigned to Moon Village was killed by his own villagers," said one of the guards.
"I heard he was pelted by rocks; what a gruesome fate. The people he swore to protect ended up killing him," said the other guard.
The guards passed the carriage, and their conversation could not be intelligible anymore.
"Little did those guys know that that fucking captain tried to make me his wife," Aine said in an annoyed tone.
"Ah, I se-, Wait, He tried to do what?" Asked Abaddon as he did a double take.
"His wife?!" Shouted Daegal.
It seems everyone was uninformed about Aine's other incident in Moon Village.
"And he got pelted by rocks? How did that even happen?" Asked Daegal.
"Well, whatever happened, it sounds like more work for me. Now I'll have to assign another captain to Moon Village," said Abaddon.
"Can you pick one who isn't a borderline pedophile and doesn't have a harem?" Said Aine.
"P-Pedophile?! The P Word? He is the P?!" Shouted Daegal in utter dismay.
"The harem part is quite normal, though. A lot of powerful people have multiple wives," said Abaddon.
Aine looked at Abaddon with a bombastic side eye in sheer disbelief.
"W-Well, I'm not excusing his actions. Pedophilia is pretty bad," said Abaddon, trying to calm Aine down.
Now clarified and updated, their journey continues as they now head for the continent's capital-Pulchra City. Before continuing to the capital, they stopped in the first town of Pulchra.
"Here it is, the first town of Pulchra," said Daegal.
"Also known as Mercatura Town," said Abaddon.
Mercatura Town is often referred to as the first town of Pulchra due to its very close proximity to the tunnel. It is located northeast of the tunnel exit and southwest of Pulchra City. The town is the biggest hub for consumer goods on this continent. Other than retailing consumer goods, there are also a plethora of other shops and low-to-mid-class auction houses.
They passed through a very luxurious arc that welcomed them to the town. The streets of Mercatura were bustling with consumers and roadside shops. Even trying to get the carriage through the sea of consumers was proving to be quite the challenge.
"Please, people, make way!" shouted Daegal.
The carriage was moving at a snail's pace due to the obstructions in the way. It also seemed like Daegal's polite request to tell the people to make way was being ignored.
"At this rate, we're never making it to the inn," said Daegal.
"Don't worry, I can calm this sea," said Abaddon.
Abaddon and Daegal swapped seats. Abaddon stood up on the driver's seat and began shouting at the masses.
"PEASANTS! GET OUT OF MY WAY!!" He shouted.
The whole market went silent as they began trembling in fear. The crowd began clearing a path for the carriage to pass. Abaddon looked back at Aine and Daegal, who were inside the carriage.
"Problem solved. Now, after you guys check in at the inn, we can go out for a meal," Abaddon said calmly.
Daegal got back in the driver's seat, and they went to the nearby inn. The inn had a stable next to it where carriages and horses could be kept while their owners rested.
Daegal got Amber and his carriage inside and headed into the inn. They all entered the inn to see an old lady at the reception desk; there was also a young guard next to the reception desk.
"Herald Abaddon, it's an honor," said the young guard as he bowed.
"At ease, I'm not here on official business," said Abaddon.
Daegal walked up to the reception desk, wanting to book a room.
"Hello, I would like to book three rooms," said Daegal.
"Wait, no, just two," interrupted Abaddon.
"Two?" Aine said, confused.
"I have business to attend to after our feast, so I can't stick around," said Abaddon.
"Is it the captain thing?" Asked Daegal.
"Yes, and more. I was kind of on hiatus when I was trapped in the barrier with Aine," said Abaddon.
The receptionist looked perplexed.
"So, two rooms?" Asked the old lady receptionist politely.
"Yes, two of your finest rooms," said Daegal.
"And I'm paying," said Abaddon.
"Well, I was going to pay, but if he wants to pay, then he's paying," said Daegal.
Daegal booked two rooms. One for him and the other for Aine. Aine was finally able to settle down. As Aine made her way to her room, the young guard from before was mumbling under his breath.
"She's quite fine, getting a chance with one of Abaddon's associates. I think I'm going to have a good time," he said.
Aine entered the room booked for her; it was on the 3rd floor of the inn.
She closed the door to her room and jumped on the bed. The bed was fluffy and bouncy. Not even the bed in Martha's spare room was this comfortable. She looked around her room.
Other than the bed, there was a bedside table with a lamp on it. There was a coat hanger right next to the entrance and a kerosene lamp on the bedside table. There was also a really nice grandfather clock right next to the window.
She laid down on the bed, almost falling asleep. Everything was just so calm; she hadn't experienced this level of peace since the first night she had been in this world. Without even noticing it, her eyes turned heavy.
She could hear two voices: a male voice and a female one.
"As you can see..." said the male voice that quickly faded away.
"...waking up?" Said a female voice fading in.
"...pupils are reacting, see?" Said the male voice again.
The female voice began to weep. It sounded like tears of joy. But before Aine could process any more information, she was suddenly pulled out of her dream by loud knocking noises.
She sprung awake; she had fallen asleep on the very comfortable bed. Someone was knocking on her door.
"Hey Aine, come on, don't tell me you've fallen asleep," said Daegal as he was knocking on the door.
"Uhm, sorry, I'm coming right now," said Aine as she quickly got down from the bed.
She rushed to the door and opened it.
"Geez, come on, Abaddon's waiting in the lobby," said Daegal.
Daegal walked down the stairs as Aine was locking the door to her room. They reconvened in the lobby and began discussing what they should have for their last meal together. Even the gremlin was there; it was just standing politely next to Abaddon.
"Sorry, we took a while," said Daegal.
"It's no problem; now there's a really nice tavern near here," said Abaddon.
"Ooh, let's go; I am starving," said Aine.
Abaddon waved the receptionist and guard goodbye, and they left the inn. They walked down the streets of Mercatura Town. Abaddon's presence was definitely intimidating; kids were crying and adults were scurrying away.
Aine was looking around as they walked. The people looked genuinely frightened after seeing Abaddon.
"Hey, Abaddon, is this normal for you?" Asked Aine.
"Normal? Yeah, pretty much," answered Abaddon.
"You mean people running away from you are normal?" Asked Daegal.
"It's just how it is, anyway; the tavern is just down the street," said Abaddon.
The tavern looked really nice from the outside; there was even a line in front of the tavern. The moment Abaddon came into view of the people waiting in line, they all immediately ran away.
Abaddon, without thinking, just went into the tavern, while Daegal and Aine were blown away by that reaction from the people.
"This can't be normal," said Aine.
"No, it most definitely isn't," said Daegal.
They can't believe that Abaddon was so nonchalant, given that literally everyone was scared of him. Aine and Daegal then entered the tavern, only to see the entire staff of the tavern bowing at Abaddon. While the customers were visibly scared.
"What the fuck is going on?" Daegal was absolutely lost.
"Herald Abaddon, we thank you for visiting our humble tavern," said the receptionist while bowing.
"At ease, I'm here with some of my associates," said Abaddon.
Abaddon took a seat and waved at Daegal and Aine to come over there. Daegal and Aine walked past the customers, who were looking at them with disgust.
"Abaddon, there is no way you aren't disturbed by this," said Aine as she took her seat.
"Aine, they're just showing deference," said Abaddon.
"This is more than deference! They're scared of you!" Said Daegal.
"What can I do? Realistically speaking, what can I do about it? I can't just tell them to stop being scared," said Abaddon.
Abaddon's statement was indeed factual, and he realistically can't do anything about it. It's not like he can just tell the masses to stop being afraid of him. The stigma of heralds being scary has already been solidified long ago, probably not by Abaddon himself.
"Anyways, that aside, let's order," said Abaddon.
A steward came to their table to take their orders. Aine ordered the salmon-chopped salad, while Daegal went for the mushroom stew again. Abaddon ordered literally everything that contained any semblance of meat.
The steward arrived with their food, and they began chowing down. As they were eating, Aine felt like she was forgetting something or someone.
"I feel like I'm forgetting something," said Aine.
"Really?" Asked Daegal.
"Wait, where's the gremlin?" Asked Aine.
"Oh, the gremlin is just outside; don't worry," said Abaddon.
Aine wanted to check, but considering she was eating at that moment, she'll just take Abaddon's word for it.
They finished eating, and Abaddon asked for the check. He paid for the meal and gave a signal to Aine and Daegal. They all went outside the tavern. The gremlin was indeed just waiting outside with a blank look on its face.
The gremlin seemed different from the time in the mountain; it was far less talkative. Aine was concerned, but she remembered Abaddon's words about slaves.
"That was good," said Daegal.
"Alright, I guess that's it from me," said Abaddon.
"Are you going now?" Asked Daegal.
"Yeah, I have business to attend to," said Abaddon.
"Well, stay safe and take care of the gremlin," said Aine.
Abaddon smiled.
"I promise, I'll see you in Pulchra," said Abaddon.
Abaddon grabbed the gremlin, and they both turned into a single crow and flew away. Aine and Daegal waved goodbye. Aine's left hand was grasping the necklace Abaddon gave her as she waved with her right.
"We should head back to the inn," said Daegal.
"Yeah, we should," said Aine.
Daegal and Aine walk back to the inn while they chat. Aine went into her room and said goodnight to Daegal, whose room was next to her's. But before she called it a night, she wanted a bath. Thankfully, there was a bath inside the room.
She took a long dip in the warm bath. The soap was super bubbly, and it rejuvenated her skin. She got out of the bath after about 20 minutes and put on the undergarment. It loosened up and turned into some kind of pajama.
Aine walked out of the bathroom and jumped on the bed. She snuggled under the blanket and turned off the lights. She quickly fell asleep afterwards. It has been a while since she slept on an actual bed.
Meanwhile, Abaddon was approaching the Capitol of Pulchra City. It was a huge temple-like building that looked like the Parthenon from the outside. Abaddon landed in front of the Parthenon and changed back into his human form. The gremlin was right next to him.
"Master, you have company," said the gremlin.
"I sense it too; you should go," said Abaddon.
"But, Master," said the gremlin, shocked by Abaddon's order.
"It's fine; go wait at the usual spot," said Abaddon.
The gremlin bowed and left Abaddon alone. The gremlin went down the stairs that led to the Parthenon and disappeared into the darkness. Abaddon looked ahead and walked inside the Parthenon.
This Parthenon is located at the highest point of Pulchra City; it is also at the city's center. Although its height did not come close to rivaling the peak of the Obice Mountain Range, it was still one of the highest peaks on the whole continent. Tiny floating islands levitated around the Parthenon.
Abaddon walked inside the Parthenon. He looked around while walking in further.
"Well, well, well, look who finally decided to stop playing with his little friends," said a heinous female voice.
"Mistress Kali, good to see you're still minding your own business," said Abaddon sarcastically and snarkily.
"Good to see your humor survived the blizzard," said Kali.
A pale and slim woman came out of the shadows. Her black hair reached all the way to the floor. So long that it was dragging on the floor. She wore a scandalous dress that showed almost too much skin, only barely covering her breasts and hips.
"So, how's the relationship with Deimos?" Asked Abaddon.
"Better, not even the strongest of men can handle a round with me," said Kali mischievously.
"Sex, I assume?"
"Oh, please, it's only some husband and wife time."
Kali is Deimos' wife and the First Herald. Abaddon is the Second Herald, which means Kali is Abaddon's competition. She is also from the succubus race, so she is essentially fueled by intercourse.
"Oh, Abby, don't be like that. You'll have your turn soon," said Kali seductively.
"Not interested; now, if you'll excuse me, I have some business to attend to," said Abaddon as he walked away.
"Oh-ho-ho, I'll get that dick of yours one day," said Kali erotically.
"No, you won't, you succubus slut," rejected Abaddon from a distance.
Kali smiled sinisterly as she also walked back into the shadows of the Parthenon.
"Then, I'll have the honors of playing with your little friend," said Kali as she retreated to the shadows.
Abaddon continued walking deeper into the Parthenon, hoping to meet another Herald who could update him on the current situation. And to also sort Daegal's new store.
But for now, Abaddon's time in the limelight has come to an end. It's back to Aine and Daegal in Mercatura Town as their journey to Pulchra City continues.