Elyas waved excitedly as a familiar figure approached through the crowd - his mother. Though her eyes were tinged with sadness from recent events, she managed a warm smile as she embraced her son.
"I'm glad you're enjoying the festival," she said, her voice strained but loving. "Your father would have wanted us to experience these joys."
Elyas nodded solemnly, the memory of his father's passing still fresh and painful. But at this moment, surrounded by the vibrant sights and sounds, he allowed himself a brief detachment from grief.
It was then that Hollow approached. Elyas' mother's expression brightened slightly as she recognized the man.
" It's good to see you again, Mister Hollow," she said, the warmth in her voice evident. "Thank you for accompanying my son to the festival."
"You're welcome," he replies with his usual monotone voice.
An awkward silence fell over the trio, the festive atmosphere seeming almost at odds with the weight of unspoken burdens they each carried. Finally, Elyas broke the tension.
"Mister Hollow was just going to tell me about his search for answers," he said, looking at Hollow expectantly.
The enigmatic man's gaze flickered between Elyas and his mother, weighing the merits of divulging more than was prudent. After a moment, he shook his head.
"Another time, perhaps," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "I must attend to other matters."
Elyas opened his mouth to protest, but his mother placed a gentle hand on his arm, silencing him with a look.
"Of course," she said with a nod of understanding. "I hope you enjoy the festival."
Hollow offered a small nod in return before turning and melting into the crowd. Elyas watched him go, a mix of frustration and admiration evident on his face.
It was time to focus on his mission.
*****************************
The lively sounds of the festival faded into the background as Hollow stepped into a dimly lit tavern nearby. He made his way to the worn wooden bar, taking a seat on one of the stools.
The bartender, a tan grizzled man with a deeply lined face, fixed his new customer with a keen eye while drying a glass with a white rag.
"What'll it be, Sir?"
"Whiskey, neat," Hollow replied, his voice low.
With a practiced flick of his wrist, the bartender snagged a bottle from the rows behind him and poured a healthy serving of the amber liquid into a glass. As he slid it across the bartop, Hollow pushed some credits towards him.
The bartender paused, eyeing the money for a moment before sweeping it into his palm.
He pocketed the credits, then leaned forward, elbows on the bar as he began polishing another glass. His gaze met the man's inscrutable stare.
"I'll trade some coin for information," Hollow said frankly.
"I've heard rumors about unusual dealings surrounding the King and the Twin Suns Order."
The bartender continued his activity as he spoke in a low, practiced tone.
"There have been multiple rumors during the last few months about the descent of many travelers on the planet, unusual for this time of the year," he said, eyes flicking around briefly before returning his focus to the glass in his hands.
"Most of these rumors are about how these people were never seen again after their first day in the city."
Hollow's eyes narrowed slightly at this revelation. The bartender set the polished glass aside and snagged another, wiping it slowly with the dingy rag.
"Do you know where they were last seen?" he asked.
The bartender shook his head, tossing the rag over his shoulder.
"And what of the Order?", hollow asked, wondering if they were related to all of this somehow.
The bartender stayed silent. It was clear on his face that he was waiting for more money. After all, he doesn't get a chance to profit this much of a nosy customer every day.
"Here," he passed him another sum, "Now, what of the order."
Hollow didn't like to repeat himself, but he was patient. He knew that if he wanted to continue his mission, he needed to gather more intel.
The bartender smiled as he collected the money, then replied: "The Order's officers have been saying their captain has changed since the last expedition."
"What expedition?" Hollow pressed.
"Project Oasis," he said, "A project to build another city on the planet aside from Babylon. The King organized multiple expeditions led by the Order of the Twin Suns with the company of a team of scientists to find a suitable terrain that still contains traces of water, fit for civilization."
Hollow listened intently, hoping to connect these new threads to the tapestry of clues he'd already gathered. But the links eluded him for now - he was still lacking a crucial piece of the puzzle.
"Was the expedition a success?" he asked finally.
The bartender shook his head, his expression grim. "Don't rightly know. Ain't heard much about it since they all came back."
Hollow drained his glass, mulling over this new information.
Just what had occurred on those expeditions into the Sumerian wastes?
And what role did the newly arrived off-world visitors play in all this?
The truth was still far from Hollow's grasp.
Stepping back out into the bustling festival plaza once again, Hollow scanned the crowds, searching for any sign of the shady figures he had noticed previously in the black market.
He had a good memory, almost perfect if one can say so. One look at a person was enough for him to remember them.
But there was no trace of anyone he had been hoping to find amidst the crowds of the celebration.
Just as he was about to give up his search in the venue and look somewhere else, something caught his eye - a solitary figure making his way toward the edge of the plaza, moving against the tide of the crowd unnaturally, almost suspiciously- at least in hollow's eyes.
His gaze sharpened as he recognized the unmistakable shock of white hair and the glint of golden armor. It was the Captain of the Twin Suns Order himself.
Why was the captain retreating from the scene all by himself?
He didn't look like he was patrolling the area, that's for sure.
It was a rare opportunity, one that mustn't be wasted. Hollow didn't hesitate. He slipped into the crowd, maintaining a cautious distance as he trailed the Captain's path.
The man moved with purposeful strides, seemingly oblivious to the celebratory chaos unfolding all around him. Hollow matched the Captain's pace, to remain undetected amidst the press of bodies.
They weaved through vendors hawking exotic fare, sidestepped whirling dancers, and navigated past groups of revelers consumed by drink and merriment. All the while, the Captain's course remained steady and direct - he was clearly headed somewhere specific.
The Captain's white hair was like a beacon, allowing Hollow to track his quarry's progress through the winding alleyways and corridors. He moved deeper into the city, far from the loud festival, each turning leading them further into the unknown and farther from The Great Tower of Babylon that was at the center of the city.
Just when Hollow wondered where this mysterious path would end, the Captain paused in a secluded backstreet. Hollow flattened himself against the nearest wall, his stance ready for the worst.
Had the Captain detected his pursuit? Hollow's senses were on high alert, scanning for potential ambushes or other threats.
But then a cloaked figure emerged from the shadows of a recessed doorway. The Captain turned to face this newcomer, his hand dropping to the hilt of his crimson halberd in a clear warning.
"You're late," the Captain growled, his deep voice reverberating in the stillness.
"Apologies, but the circumstances required...precautions," the cloaked stranger replied, their voice was unmistakably that of a man. "I trust you were not followed, captain?"
"Heh, Of course not," he let out a mocking laugh.
"So, did you run into any problems?", the captain inquired with a serious look.
"It has been a hassle to get past the U.C.C.'s watchful eyes."
He was talking about the Universal Concord Corporation, shortly referred to as U.C.C., a widely known influential organization that holds interastral authority, and acts to ensure lasting peace throughout the cosmos.
Little did the shady man know that those same eyes were spying on their conversation as they spoke.
"I understand, but I trust you have completed your task, I'm I right?" asked the captain.
"Yes, the item is arriving tomorrow, I suggest you collect it before the king is aware."
What?
The king wasn't the one involved in this?
Was there a third party of some sort?
This new information added more complexity to the whole picture.
"The item must be secured swiftly and brought to the rendezvous point," the captain commanded authoritatively, "The rest of our...associates are awaiting its arrival."
The stranger gave an assuring nod. "Consider it done."
The Captain remained motionless for a moment, his shoulders rising and falling with a deep, steadying breath. Then he too turned and strode away, his cape flaring behind him.
The stranger, however, went in the opposite way.
Hollow decided to follow him.