A Demon has a hundred motives for whatever he does, and ninety nine of them, at least, are malevolent.
Pablo's motive with Flashy was to use him to get his things done.
And Flashy agreed to stay with Pablo as well. Life was good for now.
Pablo didn't know what future held for him as in front of him, a huge entrance gate was erected.
"Welcome to the City." Flashy announced with a wide grin.
Pablo looked around and he saw no one.
Not counting Cupid, only he and Flashy were present in front of the gate.
Not only that, there were no more huts around as well. The place was as secluded as it could be.
"Why is it only us here? No one wants to go inside the city?" Pablo asked.
"Oh. It's because the people of slums aren't allowed inside the city. So no one bothers to come here."
"Fair enough." Pablo could understand why that was. The privileged would not like to live among the people of slums.
Nevertheless, Pablo stepped forward and touched the huge brown door.
"This is quite sturdy and tall for some reason. How does it open?"
"Open? What are you talking about? It's a wall. It doesn't open." Flashy revealed.
Pablo's brows twitched. "It's a wall? Wait…"
Pablo roamed his eyes and he finally looked carefully at the sight in front of him.
The thick, long brown wall which he mistook as a huge door for some reason, spanned as far as he could see.
"Now that I see it, it's really not a door. It's like…" Pablo looked at Flashy and they both said the next words in unison.
"A boundary."
Pablo moved back from the door and stood beside Flashy. Cupid was floating at Pablo's right side.
"How did you even think of it as a door?" Flashy asked.
"It's because of you. You said 'Welcome to the city' with such vigor I thought it was a door."
"My bad."
"But if it's like a border, then how did you arrive here? The way I see it, I am sure this is the backside of the City. The real entrance must be in the front."
"Yes. This is the backside of the city. And like I said, my dad threw me to the slums… literally."
"You mean to say, your father, from inside the city, held you and threw you right here?"
"Yeah. He is strong alright." Flashy said and he said that with pride.
'He likes his father. I see.' Pablo noted that and asked the main thing :
"Let's go inside then. You can jump that high, right?"
"I can. Yes. But there are some things you need to know before entering."
"I am listening."
Flashy nodded. "First of all, people from the slums need a pass and a badge to enter this city. They can't get inside without that. And also, the maximum amount of time they can spend inside the city is one week. They won't be allowed to stay inside forever. There can be exceptions but it rarely happens."
'It's like a visa. Makes sense.' Pablo understood but he didn't want to stay only for one week inside the city.
"Can't I just go inside and act like nothing happened? I don't plan to stay inside just for one week."
"I knew you would say that." Flashy said, smiling. "We will surely jump this wall without a badge and pass. It's a hassle to get a pass and badge anyway. They ask about your purpose, your goal. When people from Desper need their Ego tested only then they bother to get a pass. Otherwise, they don't give a damn. My father used to tell me all this in hopes I will take interest in such works."
"That's nice and all. I will change my clothes and become decent but what if someone figured out I am from the slum? I mean, there must be some kind of security inside."
"Well, yes, soldiers patrol the city often and then there are some people from the military too. They do all that. I don't know further as I never cared that much."
"I see. So I have to appear like I am a member of the city since I have no pass and badge. An address, an origin should be needed. Fine. I will manage." Pablo made up his mind. He would handle it.
"Great. So let's go." Flashy showed his back to Pablo and bent down again.
"Not yet. First you jump and check if there are any soldiers around. I don't want to take useless risks."
"Oh right. You are sharp as usual." Flashy praised.
'That's just common sense though.' Pablo thought but didn't say out loud. Flashy revering him was good for him.
"Just go and check." He said and Flashy bent his knees.
WHOOSH!
He jumped and in just a second, he was standing on the top of the wall.
"He probably jumped a hundred feet high. And I have a feeling he could jump higher than that." Pablo commented.
"You will also get your Ego soon. And also, people who Awakened their Ego get a boost on their physical stats as well. Like muscles and stamina. They get strong." Cupid shared some things about Ego and Pablo listened closely.
"Altor created a fantasy world. That's for sure." He remarked and Flashy came down on the ground again.
"The path is clear. No one is present. We can go." He said.
Pablo nodded. "Let's go then. Morning is about to arrive as well."
He sat on Flashy's back and…
WHOOSH!
Flashy took off in the air and the next second, they were at the top of the wall.
Pablo looked down and flinched. 'I would die if I fell from here.'
"Hold tight." Flashy said and without any wait, he jumped again.
Pablo really held tight and in one second, they were finally inside the city again.
Pablo got down from Flashy's back.
"The landing didn't make any sound. I was afraid you would get me caught. But I was wrong. Good work."
"Hehe. Jumping is the only thing I am good at. I know how to land and jump without making a sound." Flashy liked Pablo's praise and he wanted to hear more but Pablo was looking around.
"At least, there are no huts anymore." He said.
"Garbage too." Cupid shared her thoughts.
"Anyway, we will sightsee later. First comes the clothes." Pablo started running towards the first house he saw.
Flashy and Cupid followed him.
Pablo stopped in front of the house, it was small but bigger and stronger than the huts.
He stood in front of the normal door of the house but he didn't go inside.
"Why did you stop? A soldier will see us. The door is open too. Let's just go."
"Exactly. The door is already open. It's night and the door of a house is open. It's wrong in many ways."
"But we still need to go inside!" Flashy insisted but Pablo remained still.
He won't risk his life. He was weak right now and weak people die first.
So, before moving forward, Pablo would make sure of his safety.
'Angel, you go inside and check.' He chose Cupid for that. Only she could remain undetected.
But little did he know…
"I won't. I am not allowed to help you. I am only an overseer. You are on your own."
Pablo clenched his jaw. 'You are very lucky I can't touch you.'
"Hehe." Cupid let out a smug smile and Pablo had no choice but to ignore her.
He turned his head behind.
"Flashy," He said. "You come forward. You will stay in the front."
"Wha-why? I am a coward. I can't do that." Flashy also refused.
"You told me you would do anything I say. It's time to do that. Your father would feel ashamed if he finds his son isn't man enough to stand by his words."
"That's…" Flashy didn't say anything further. Pablo striked up a chord that rang inside him.
"Don't worry, you won't die," Pablo said and his voice turned in a whisper... "Probably."
Flashy didn't hear the last part and came forward.
"If I die, tell my dad I was brave." He said and finally stood in front of Pablo.
'If you die, I'll look for someone else.'
"Yes. I will tell him. Now walk." Pablo said, pushing Flashy's back.
"You are the worst." Cupid heard Pablo's thoughts.
'I will think in another language from now on.'
"You wish. I know all the languages. It's the perk of being an Angel."
'Uprawniona suka.'
"What? How dare you say that? I will write that down. Just you wait." Cupid fumed with anger.
'So you can really understand. What a pain.'
Pablo stopped paying attention to Cupid and Flashy also started walking inside the house.
Pablo followed behind him and he was perfectly covered behind Flashy. He would not hesitate to use the man as a meatshield.
Flashy slowly walked with silent steps and reached deeper inside the house.
Pablo followed him with silent steps as well but after walking for a while, Flashy abruptly stopped.
Pablo peeked from Flashy's shoulders and saw that Flashy stopped just at the entrance of the hall of the house.
"What happened?" He asked Flashy in a low voice.
"Well, it seems," Flashy spoke and slowly side stepped, making Pablo see for himself.
"We are not the only guests here."