*Please read the Author Thoughts at the end. Enjoy*
The others simply decided to take his word for now.
"Fine, we'll try, but don't think I won't smack Sampo if he tries something 'funny' again," said Stelle, giving her bat a tiny swing up and down just to show what fate awaits him.
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves, friends. I, Sampo Koski, shall be your guide and help you get in contact with Wildfire. Follow me, my dear friends."
With that, he took the lead and started walking in a seemingly random direction, yet he took the turns in a calculated manner through the labyrinth that is the Underworld. Mark's eyes darted to the buildings—houses with multiple stories—yet they were pretty worn out by time. The entire world was in a state of chaos, and yet Cocolia had divided the people. Whatever it was that the Stellaron had offered her, Mark couldn't figure out how it would play out.
"I just need to reach that moment. But what the hell will I do then? I promised Serval that I wouldn't let her down, and yet I have no idea how to do it..."
Pitiful was his attempt at prying his mind away from those thoughts, for nothing worked in his favor. He kept looking around at the people, taking in the poor state of the Underworld, silently admiring their persistance and tenacity. Despite everything that had happened to them, they were living and making the most of what they had.
"They sure have it rough down here..."
Besides him, Stelle gave him a curious glance, wondering about what was going on in his mind. Ever since his first slip-up with his feelings being too noticeable, he made sure to hide them even better behind a face sculpted out of stone, never budging nor showing emotion. She fell in step with him, hands clasped behind her back as she leaned a bit closer, her golden eyes staring up at him.
"Hey, Mark, is everything alright up there? You seem out of it."
Mark chuckled, shrugging.
"Yeah, guess I'm just thinking a bit about this... city, whatever I should call it... it's a pretty odd place, yet the people are resilient... it's to be appreciated, truth be told."
She nodded, standing straight as they followed Sampo, who was glancing around confusedly as they reached what seemed to be their destination.
"I guess you're right. Living here must be tough, and yet here they are, kids and adults alike, surviving. It's one more reason to find the Stellaron and make sure things return to normal."
Before Mark could reply, Sampo's confused voice rang out.
"Where's Joshua?"
Meanwhile, March was staring at a wagon of orange-hued crystals.
"What are those shiny rocks?"
Sampo glanced her way, forgetting about Joshua for a moment.
"Oh, that's Geomarrow, an exothermic ore. The underground and the surface are sealed off, and yet the transport line is still running. We send Geomarrow up, and they send resources back. At least in theory."
He took on a more contemplative look.
"Most undergrounders are miners, so this is what they mine for a living. Without this ore, we would have frozen long ago. Anyway, let's keep moving; the person I was looking for isn't here."
The group began walking away, yet Mark had to satisfy his curiosity. He grabbed a chunk of the ore just to see how it felt to the touch.
"Hm, something like coal, I take it. You burn it somehow, or cause a specific reaction, and it gives out heat. I like the way it looks, though. Perhaps it could find more value as some sort of ore used in jewelry. Alas, no way to know about what other worlds have."
With that, he tossed the chunk of ore back inside and followed the group. Again, Sampo got an empty lead.
"Damn it, old Oleg isn't here. Where is everyone?"
March was slowly getting pissed again.
"Are you leading us on another wild goose chase?"
"No, trust me, I wouldn't dare."
Meanwhile, Dan Heng and Mark were staring at the huge building in the distance, light-colored like the Geomarrow ore, glowing dimly through what Mark assumed were some glass-like panels.
"The Furnace Core... it's what connects the Underworld to the outside... yet it was sealed off. An elevator of sorts, I take it. Also, judging by the name, it must also be something used to generate heat. Furnace..."
Mark's mumbling didn't fall on deaf ears. Sampo was quick to pick it up, and so were the members of the Express.
"Well, my friend, you sure seem to have done your homework on the subject. Yes, you are right about it; alas, nothing travels up and down anymore."
Dan Heng gave Sampo a sharp glare.
"Except you."
Sampo grew defensive, trying to brush it aside, yet it was clear as day that no lies would work.
"Yeah, Sampo does do some interesting things... I gotta admit. Masked Fools, sure..."
Mark's gaze lingered on the side of his eyes, staring intently at Sampo.
"...yet fool only in name, am I right?"
Sampo's gaze intensified briefly, for a mere second, yet Mark was able to catch it. Both of them began laughing, much to everyone's confusion.
"Oh, my friend, you sure say some wildly confusing things."
Mark nodded along, patting Sampo on the shoulder.
"I sure do. I sure do. Gotta keep things interesting, you know?"
With that, Sampo began pacing again, hopefully leading them to the right place this time. Mark had a tiny smirk on his face as he was able to strike true with his words. The piece of knowledge had fallen to him randomly, yet he had to endure the slight headache and dizziness that came with forcing the tiny bit of information back into place.
"Seems like I can sort of forcefully recall things, yet it comes with a price. If this tiny bit of information was enough to cause me this headache and vertigo, then I guess using too much at once would knock me out cold most probably... maybe even kill me."
After a few minutes of walking, they came across Bronya surrounded by a bunch of people wielding some weird spear-like weapons, with a few of them having rifles slung over their backs. While everyone was trying to figure out what to do, thinking of not attracting too much attention, Mark stepped forward, not putting much thought into it.
With a whistle, he got everyone's attention.
"Ey, everyone, just back off. You're on the wrong turf. This is Wildfire ground, so get the fuck away, Vagrants."
They all turned to watch him, and someone pointed their gun at him. Mark didn't budge, despite the vein on his neck pulsing twice as fast from the rush of adrenaline.
"Yeah? Or what are you going to do?"
Mark sighed and just waited for it, pretending to check the time on his wrist despite not having a watch on. Soon, out of thin air, with a bunch of butterflies surrounding her, a girl appeared out of thin air, cutting the gun with ease using a scythe. Infuriated, she spoke up.
"You dare try to attack someone on our turf?"
Mark smirked from the back, pointing a finger at them.
"Told you to get the fuck out. You didn't listen to me? Maybe you'll listen to her."
She glanced his way, noticing Sampo in the back, who tried to brush it all off.
"Phew, thank you, Seele, for the help. These thugs have no idea trying to attack someone on Wildfi-"
She cut him off.
"Oh, shut it, Sampo. This has 'you' written all over it. The last thing we need is a side order of Koski."
Mark chuckled and gave a nod.
"Well, since we've finally met who we were looking for, how about we discuss some issues here and there? I'm pretty sure with all the trouble you're facing, a helping hand would be appreciated, right?"
She regarded him with a stern expression, her short stature not helping the threatening gaze at all. Her eyes tried to pierce him and read beneath, yet doing that wouldn't be easy with him. She brushed a strand of hair away from her eyes.
She relented and glanced over to Bronya.
"I hear a Silvermane Guard is paying the underground a visit. Is that you?"
Bronya snapped back, pretty annoyed and frustrated.
"You kidnapped me and brought me to the underground. What is the meaning of this?"
Mark noticed that her gun was slung over her hip, yet she didn't reach for it. Perhaps even she knew how useless it was in front of Seele.
Seele scoffed, mimicking her tone in a mocking manner.
"Listen to her. 'What is the meaning of this?'... she still thinks she's an Overworld princess."
Mark took a step between them.
"Calm down, both of you. I'll explain what the hell is going on in here, ok? But first, you two need to hold your horses. You might find it hard to believe, but you share more things in common than you'd like to admit."
Mark's words carried another tinge of the future that was yet to be uncovered, traces of the past lingering in it about the connection that the two share. He wiped his nose with the inside of his palm before the blood could come out.
"Who do you think you are to order us around?" scoffed Seele, crossing her arms. Mark sighed and nearly facepalmed.
"Who am I? Doesn't fucking matter, but what DOES matter is how you two, supposed 'important' to both your regions, are acting like kids right now. Seriously, I know you're both young and all, but come on... stop acting like that. You both have responsibilities and the like; both need to ensure that your people are safe, and both are in charge. So, for one DAMNED MINUTE, you two shut the fuck up and let me explain."
His outburst was unexpected, even to himself. Somehow, the frustration he was trying to keep under control had managed to break free and express itself pretty colorfully. To everyone's surprise, however, they both relented and stood silently, waiting for him to speak.
"Well... that was easy..."