"So you see, our city has always been underground, we just built the surface city to throw off any threats that may come by. Luckily, we were able to avoid the most recent threat because of our false city, but the scouts informed us that there was a being able to control the Terrors or the evil creatures of our world. They were summoning gasters, numbers, and worst of all…"
Kara let out a scoff as she pointed a finger at a hanging poster that looked like propaganda while I scratched my head nervously. We were listening to a guy rattle on about Coronis Metro, and although I wanted to listen, Kara's anger was distracting me. I looked over at the poster she was pointing at and noticed that there were characters drawn, but the ones that stood out the most looked like knights of some sort. I raised an eyebrow and looked back at Kara curiously.
"The Mauve Knights." Kara gritted her teeth as the young man we were talking to nodded his head frantically.
"Our scouts suspected that someone of high status was at work, but we couldn't pinpoint a reason as to why someone would try to eradicate our civilization like that. We have paid our taxes and done everything that the capital requests of us and yet, something or someone tried to destroy us!" His fists clenched and his tone took on a more fearful one.
"Hey sir, get a grip on yourself. Think about it logically," I started and shook my head, "Clearly it wasn't someone of high status. Otherwise, they would have known about your city being underground and wouldn't have destroyed the one on the surface." I explained and watched his face soften into one of understanding. I looked at Kara who was nodding along as if she was agreeing with my statement.
"Quite possibly could be someone from your world, Perrin. And if that's the case," She pulled out one of her kunai with a glare in her eyes, "We need to put a stop to them." I smiled uneasily and waved my hand dismissively. "Y-Yeah, something to that degree at least…"
My world?
But aren't we…?
"Thank you for your valiance, new hero. Our town is counting on you. Although I am merely a peasant man, I think I speak for everyone when I say that your actions will be forever remembered." He looked at us with gleaming eyes and I couldn't help but smile. "Well, we'll definitely try our best. Do you know where we could find a map to start off with?" I asked and he pointed down the gravel pathway we were standing on, "Down there is the town hall. It's where you'll find all the information for Coronis Metro and the land of Syloris. It's currently closed on the inside, however, so you won't be able to talk with the mayor." The young man explained further while still gesturing towards down the path.
"Thanks sir, we'll take it from here!" I gave him a thumbs up before heading in the direction he had been showing us. Kara walked beside me with a complacent smile on her face, but with nothing to say. I didn't question it and decided to just take in all the sights while we walked.
There were people constantly walking, trying to get somewhere. They reminded me a lot like cars, seeing as there were just so many of them crossing paths and trying hard not to run into each other. I couldn't help but sigh at the reminder of home.
If there were cars in this place, these people would be dead in a matter of minutes!
We reached a tall building that closely resembled a Victorian mansion. It seemed a little out of place compared to the modern buildings and surface scrappers. In front of us stood a fairly sized bulletin board that read "Notice & Announcements" in big bold letters across the top. On the board itself there were several pin-ups that ranged from infographics, lists, and even brochures. But the one that had caught my attention was the large map in the center. My eyes widened at just how large the land of this kingdom was, but it was massive. Probably the size of Pangea even. At the top right hand corner were the words "Kingdom of Syloris" in some pretty calligraphy.
Damn, Syloris is massive, what the hell?!
"So we are here," Kara jabbed a finger at a colored image far from the place we were meant to be headed to before dragging it to a really big colored image in a diagonal direction, "And we need to be here." She let out a defeated sigh and scratched at her hair anxiously. "Ah! This is pointless! We won't ever make it in time!"
I looked over at her and raised an eyebrow, "Didn't know we had a time constraint, Kara." I watched her expression change and she laughed nervously, twirling strands of her hair and avoiding my questioning gaze. "We don't but… I really just wanna go back home!" She whined and clenched her fists tightly, her eyes glossing over with tears as she stared down at the ground beneath us. I frowned and placed a hand on her shoulder gently, "Hey…"
That's right. I hadn't taken her feelings into consideration. She was dragged here against her will and she practically has to risk her life for me now for who knows how long. I couldn't imagine what she was going through right now. The only thing I could really do for her is just… be there for her.
Her gaze met mine and I gave her a small smile while rubbing her shoulder gently, "We're going to get through this together. I'll do my best to get you home." I reassured her and could see a shadow of a smile forming.
"Thank you, Perrin." She took a step towards me after hesitating a bit and embraced me tightly. I wrapped an arm around her waist and returned the hug briefly. I cleared my throat with a small blush on my face, "Anyway…" She grew flustered and jumped back muttering a quiet "sorry" while looking away nervously.
She was cute when she was nervous. What if I really am a pervert?
I shook the thoughts from my head with an uneasy grin on my face before turning my attention back to the map. I gave it a once over and tried to find something that connected Coronis Metro with the other unknown provinces. I kept glancing over it repeatedly, focusing on different aspects of it while doing so. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Kara shuffling around and enthusiastically conversing with the common folk. She was relentless even when they flat out ignored her. I heaved a sigh and turned on my heel, the defeat finally settling in the pit of my stomach. Just as I was about to drag Kara back, the doors to the fancy house slammed open and a flock of giant birds flew out at high speeds. My eyes went wide and my body was stockstill. Do birds normally fly out of houses here? Are birds normally this big? Am I finally losing it? Thoughts raced my mind, but something pulled my head out of the endless void. Among the rampaging birds was a person flying with them. We briefly made eye contact, but one look alone was enough to discourage me from approaching them.
"Stop! Thief!! Somebody catch that lad! He's stolen the core!!" A rather short man came rushing out of the house in a panic. He waved what appeared to be a cane around at any stray birds that were lingering and shouted frantically.
"Perrin! Maybe that's a clue!" Kara ran up to me and tugged on my arm. I looked up from the swarm of birds circling high in the air to the girl actively trying to pull me in their direction and shook my head adamantly.
"Are you insane, woman?! Do I look like a bird to you? Insulting, truly, but nonetheless I am not a bird! And it doesn't look like you can just sprout wings and chase after them either so what's the deal?!" I gestured wildly between her and the birds to get my point across. It didn't seem to be working though.
Kara looked at me like I was the crazy one and I stared back at her dumbfounded. We were clearly on two separate wavelengths, but I doubt we ever would be in agreement. She then shot me a nasty glare and I gulped back in response, the hairs on my body raising out of sheer intimidation. I couldn't tell if I was scared, turned on, or both, but it was something. Without another word, she skillfully slipped two of her kunai from her garters and chucked them into the flock of birds that were still hovering in the area above us. I watched with awe in my eyes, the amount of raw strength she had in this world would clearly be an important asset. Especially seeing as she had actually hit something. Or someone, since the person I saw started falling from the sky and was doomed to meet the ground at any second now.