Underclass Hero;
Chapter 7
Blood, Sweat, and Tears.
OMGOSH~3 I just want to shout out a big THANK YOU! To everyone who reviewed and that I really appreciate it. I take all your advice to heart to help improve the reading experience for you :3 also I just got my laptop, meaning updates will be more frequent~
Disclaimer: I've run out of clever ways to say I don't own it, soo…I don't know it?
Levi was ecstatic as the horses began to pull the stagecoach through the gates, no more feeding chickens or brushing horses; they were on the road to Brightwall. Reaver sat across from Vic and Levi while the highway men rode on their horses in two groups of three, one leading and one following. Reaver dressed in a red velvet suit with black trimmings and shiny leather boots, Levi thought it was gaudy but the thick, long, fur coat the man wore was worse. Vic was dressed like a scholar, with a long navy coat that nearly touched the ground when he walked; it reminded Levi of a highway men's coat, but without so many buckles. His pants were black and so was the shirt he wore under the coat, he carried a dark leather bound book bag that had a ruby clasp, there were also rubies on his shiny buckled loafers. Levi sighed and examined his outfit once again; he was dressed in sky blue shorts that hung just below his knees, with a matching over coat both with yellow trimmings. The coat had long sleeves that folded over at the hands and had a yellow ribbon trim; it flared out like a dress and hung stiffly around his mid-thigh. His white socks were pulled up to his knees and made his feet look huge in the light colored loafers he was wearing. Reaver grabbed a champagne glass from the table that separated the two rows of seats and poured a glass for him, while Vic was studying a stack of papers intensely. Levi averted his attention to the outside world.
The trees passed in a slow haze, sparrows flew gaily around and through the branches singing as they did. A few rabbits could be seen for those who were looking, when a break in the trees came Levi jumped, up on the hill were a group of Hobbes running amuck; but they paid no attention to the stagecoach or riders. Levi strained his eyes to stay on the Hobbes as they traveled further away from them, giving up when they were too far gone. Instead he focused on peering deep into the trees and bushes, looking for any signs of other monsters that inhabited the forest. A few more kilometers down the road and something scurried in the bushes, Levi squinted through the rays of sun that broke through the tree branches. The sun was blocked and Levi gasped, the coach jerked to the side tossing Levi away from the window and knocking into Vic. Eyes were peering through the bushes, two sets maybe, but unquestionably eyes, glinting red in the rays of sun that peeked through. Vic scoffed and elbowed Levi back into his seat, Reaver lifted and eye brow, neither seemed much affected by the bumpy ride and much not much else was said on the matter. He returned to peering through the window, looking back to see if there was anyone. He caught glimpse of a Highway man and moved away from the window, locking his fingers together in his lap, deferring the eyes as a Hobbe or bandit.
Hours passed and nothing exciting happened, a few clouds gathered in the sky and thunder rumbled in the distance as they passed through the Brightwall gates. Villagers moved about their daily business as if a midnight velvet coach adjoined by its Highway men riders were nothing of importance. Their presence seemed to go unnoticed aside from the few children that gathered at the street sides, behind stone walls and peered upon them curiously. They reached the Academy with little hardship and Levi wondered how often Reaver visited here. The Academy itself was a grand structure, the cobble bricks used to build it some odd centuries ago still held strong. The stained glass windows reflected vibrant colors onto the small garden encasing the building. Vic was the first to exit the coach followed by Reaver whom did so with the utmost grace and poshness. His posture perfectly erect, shoulder squared, his cane clicked dignifiedly as he walked with a few of the hooded figures, who never actually entered the Academy and Vic. Levi trailed behind the trio and was the last to enter through the opened doors that eagerly welcomed guests, Academy staff and scholars lined the walls. Levi watched as Reaver parted and went about mingling. Most of the people flocking the rooms, if not staff or scholars; were all either posh, rich and dressed finely or tattered, dressing in moth-eaten rags and carried arm full of books everywhere. Levi didn't have much time to examine the occupants as Vic appeared out of the crowd and led him to one of the back rooms where a few men stood idly with their champagne chatting. Vic greeted them cheerfully and turned down the stairs where the produced an ancient looking key from his coat pocket and proceeded to unlock a door that looked as if it guarded some ancient forbidden knowledge. The men atop the stairs seemed happily drunk and paid no attention to it, dressed as a scholar allowed Vic freedom to move around as he pleased without question. Levi understood the meaning of the outfits. Vic pushed Levi through and closed the door behind him, the slight impact the door had with the frame seemed to boom inside the corridor they were now in. Dark and dank it smelt of mildew and rotting books. Levi followed Vic down the stairs and into a bigger room with shelves and shelves of books. Most of which were triple the age he was and well preserved, Vic motioned for Levi to keep up, their steps were softly muffled as they walked across the over newly carpeted floor. Golden chandeliers hung above giving off a radiant light and the walls were papered finely, the shelves made of polished oak.
"Where are we? And where are we going?" Levi questioned as they came to a door that broke off two ways by stair case and plummeted into unforgiving darkness where a strange fog seemed to reside.
"This is the oldest part of the Academy, some of the books date back to the Hero's and Guild days" Vic shuddered and he led Levi down the Left stair case, "The queen was the first to discover this place, did you know that?" He continued his way undeterred by the dim candle light that did nothing but build up wax. Levi listened attentively as Vic continued.
"Place used to be falling apart from the inside out, hard to believe the Queen of all people explored theses corridors first" He looked around and whistled, "Rumor that Hollow men still show up now and then, the place use to be crawling with them" He shuddered as they reached the bottom. Levi looked around, it was hard to imagine his mother in a place like this, let alone that she was the first to climb the steps or gaze upon the ancient books. Levi was never told of any of his mother's adventures in great detail, only that she saved the kingdom. A sting of pain and rejection coursed through him, how much did he actually know of her? Was she the kind, caring, loving, beautiful Queen and mother he knew her to be. Or was she the brave, fearless adventurer. Vic continued talking, pointing out the big open room that sat in the middle of this grand Academy.
"That right there is the heart of this very structure, this place dwells deeper than the dwellers that make a livin' up in Mistpeak" He shook his head at that and mumbled something about 'crazy people' as they continued through the many book flooded rooms. The rooms as they went became less luxurious, the walls becoming loose rock, rooms lit only by the candles that littered the floors and unused or broken shelves. The ground was littered with footprints left in the layers of dust; Levi tried to imagine which his mothers were.
"Place is undergoing renovations" Vic piped up as if to answer Levis question, "Reaver's fundin' it ya' know, not such a bad guy really" Levi scoffed, "prat". Vic chuckled to himself and continued further until the dust seemed to hang in the air, book shelves collapsed upon their contents and spilling over the floor, pages torn from books flirted with the flames of the candles. Levi, lost in observation ran into Vic's back when he stopped unexpectedly, he turned around and for a moment thought he heard shuffling of feet some ways behind them echoing off the walls or perhaps it was his own feet as he backed away from the man.
"Come on" Vic's eyes seemed to sharpen causing Levis nerves to go on alert, was someone down here with them? Levi followed obediently they reached a fallen pillar that was well over their heads. Vic locked his fingers together and knelt, jerking his head upwards "I'll hoist you up, then climb over myself" Levi wondered how he was going to managed but he didn't argue. He placed a foot in Vic's hands and pushed up on the pillar sides, with Vic's help he was up. He looked back at Vic who was brushing off his hands. He looked up and winked at Levi before leaping up beside him. Levi gasped out astonished and even took a shuffle back from the man.
"How…How did you do that!" Levi gazed in astonishment at Vic who smiled proudly, obviously happy with himself.
"Oh that? That was nothin' much" He brushed away at the 'dust' on his shoulder before sliding down the opposite side of the pillar, "Come on kid, we don't have much time, Reaver's due to give his speech" They climbed a few more smaller pillars and continued further down into the Academy, Levi wondered if it ever ended. What were once steps, corridors or walls of the grand structure could no longer be called such things, Levi wondered if there was any point in even coming down here. Sounds of perhaps bats or other crumbling objects could be heard crashing though the silence. Vic paused, looked back and sighed looking down at his hands counting on his fingers before nodding sharply.
"We're here" Levi looked up at the man and raised his eye brows.
"Where exactly is here?"
Vic rolled his eyes and took a step towards his right, where Levi was standing before a brief 'oh' and turned to his left. He approached an old book shelf, grey with age, and kicked the side. The shelf moans and tilted on impact, Vic grabbed the side and pushed to the way it tilted and it moved with ease to reveal a grey iron door with multiple dents on its surface. Levi watched as Vic pulled out another key and put it in the lock twisting until the 'click' could be heard. Vic turned and waved for Levi to follow, inside was a long corridor that stretched on into darkness. Vic handed a candle to Levi and kept one for him, they set forth down with only the faint glow of their flame. Vic put a hand on Levi shoulder.
"Kid, the corridor gradually gets smaller; I won't be able to go on much longer. So you have to go ahead. It's gonna get so small you'll have to crawl but just keep your arms ahead of you until you feel something round, and bring it back. I'll stay watch here."
Levi nodded but before continuing turn and asked, "Why do you need to keep watch?" Vic looked a little alarmed but said nothing and urged him down the hall. As Vic had said, Levi was soon crawling on his knees and free hand until he could no longer hold the candle. Back tracking until he could kneel better he bent the candle forward and created a little pool of wax to set the candle down on while he moved forward. The corridor quickly became a crawl space, inching forward on his belly and pushing forward with his toes became a troubling task. The thick yellow coat constricted any movement that would have helped him go about crawling easier. His head was forced down and panic began to swell as his nose began to brush against the dirt, breathing became harder as the air became denser, his lungs seemed only to hold little air before he had to breathe again. His face flushed and became hot, his ears burned and rung dimly in the confinement of the small space. As he was contemplating inching his way back he reached out his hand as far as he could in the small opening, he thought all was in vain until his fingers brushed against something so cold it seemed to bite his finger tips. He flinched back at first, the cold shocking him but quickly remembering what Vic had told him he reached up and took hold and pulled it back with him. On his way back he broke the candle free from its little wax hold and finally came across Vic. Without questioning Vic lead the way back out, once near the door he slowed his pace, pressing his back to the wall pulling Levi with him. Reaching into his coat he pulled out the book bag and pushed it towards Levi.
"Put the seal in that, and don't lose it" Vic strained the last part and took a step into the chamber once again. Before Levi could brush the dust from his clothes or face a gun shit fired and Vic pushed Levi down and fired back. Levi gave out a cry and pushed himself against an old book shelf that's contents exploded no sooner had he covered his head. Wood splinters fell about and Vic reached for him to stand up and follow. Following the man obediently as shots were fired by who's gun Levi couldn't tell. A loud cry and groan were heard and some of the firing ceased. Coming across a fallen pilar Vic fired another shot hitting whoever in the head as a spray of red could be seen from behind a book shelf. Levis heart hammered against his chest as Vic pulled him along back towards the exit. Before long though more men appeared around the corner, their eyes resembling the ones he had seen on their way here. Dressed in tattered clothing that more appropriately would be called rags they aimed their pistols and rifles. Vic pushed Levi against the wall as shots skidded the corner causing brief sparks as the metal collided with stone. Vic cursed under his breath and kept his finger locked on the triggers of his pistols. When the shots subsided Vic threw his arms around corner and fired a few rounds before retreating back behind the stone wall.
"You need to get that bag out of here and give it to Reaver. We were suppose to rendezvous with him by those creepy ass gnomes. There's a secret passage that will lead you out into the garden beside the entrance. Take this and go" Vic's words were swallowed by the gun shots but he took the pistol and nodded. Vic moved down the wall And pushed a book shelf out of the way reviling a stair case that spiraled upwards. Vic pushed him through and moved the shelf back into place. The passage was dark, moldy and narrow, the steps seemed to crumble at his touch. Once locked inside the stair well Levi wasted no time climbing the stairs. They continued to climb and spiral upwards until Levi became sick with dizziness. He slowed his pace and rested on one of the steps, his legs were sore and his chest burned. His head was spinning and his stomach felt as if it would empty itself on to the steps. His breath hitched in his throat as a dim light began to grow and illuminate the walls. At first he hoped it was Vic, but it was too white for any flame. A low whistle rang out and something crashed into the stairs. Levi stood hesitantly and gripped the pistol in one hand and the bag in the other. He went down a few steps and peered around, there, stood a skeleton dressed in moldy rags and rusted armor. A sword that would be impossible for any normal man to wield was in it's boney grip. The skull turned towards Levi and stared with an icy glow, a low moan escaped it's jaw and it began to climb the stairs. Levi backed up the stairs more quickly than he had been and heard the faint whoosh sound followed by the hollowmen breaking free from the earth. Their loud boots scraped against the stairs, echoing inside the spiraling walls. Levi looked back to see a few smaller built skeletons racing up the stairs behind him, swords drawn, the hollows of their eyes filled with a menacing glint. Levi bit down on his lip, raised his arm and fired the pistol.
The hollowmens head disappeared and its body fell backwards into a pile of bones and ruble before deteriorating into fine dust and being scattered by other hollowmen. Levi took aim and shot the second one before retreating up the stairs. The foot steps became fainter he let a slow sigh and stopped to catch his breath. A loud crash cause him to stumble backwards, gripping the wall to stop himself from falling down the dangerous flight of stone steps. He looked up to see a hollowmen that could nearly fit inside the narrow passage. His legs shook and threatened to give out under him, propping himself up he aimed and fired at random. The hollowman bounced back and groaned loudly as if to yell in pain. It came back with full force, swelling it's chest it opened it's mouth and more white lights started to fill the air. Each one crashing into the steps and breeding more. His heart raced, the bullets would soon run out. Levi turned, aiming under his arm to shoot the hollowman that had bred behind his back. One shot and it exploded, he aimed the gun at the big one and fired a few more rounds before it screamed and imploded on itself. He tried to shoot at the ones coming up the stairs but the barrel was empty. Narrowly escaping a few swings of their rusted swords that sparked on contact with the walls he ran full speed up the stairs. The darkness soon engulfed the well and almost caused him to run into the door that sat at the top. The handle was damp, the door was sticky and it took a few extra shoves to get it too throw open. Once opened Levi pushed away at the few bushes that had grown over the hidden passage. Climbing out he slammed the cellar like door shut, he scanned the area and spotted a decent sized rock. Struggling with it a bit he managed to place it on the door. He sat down on the soft padded grass and gripped the book bag. His heart raced and swear beads covered his forehead and neck. His throat stung with each rattled breath he managed to choke in. What was going on? Shutting his eyes he desperately tried to grasp the recent events. Those men, they could still be around. Panic took over as he danced towards the front of the Academy, he paused and peered around the corner. Too many people. He resorted to bush hopping and made his way towards where he had spotted the gnomes earlier upon arrival.
Soon, rather annoying voices seemed to fill the air. Puzzled he peered through the bushes down into the clearing where there, without fail was Reaver. Surpisingly alone. Curious as to what exactly it was that he was harboring and why Reaver wanted it this much. Who those other men were and if they were indeed the eyes he saw earlier. He inched over to the stairs and climbed down. Reaver turned ever so slightly.
"Took your time did you" the drawn out exasperation in the mans voice would have caused Levi to climb the walls, however with none being in sight he stuck to glaring steadily at the side of the mans head.
"Oh come now, again with the face. I told you that look makes you look ugly" Reaver mocked, he was busy picking at something under his nails when he started walking towards a big stone gargoyle head. Motioning for Levi to follow he disappeared behind it, Levi shuddered walking past the gnomes as their seemingly lifeless eyes gave the illusion they were watching you. Once behind the pillar the head rested on Levi saw small pond, which Reaver was standing ever so nonchalantly. Raising an eye brow Levi step questioningly closer.
"What are you doing?" he asked coming off shorter than he intended to. Reaver rolled his eyes and pushed away some reeds and tall grass that sprouted from the water. Levi let out a sigh, as Reaver reviled a hidden door that no doubt led into a hidden underground cave. Clutching the pistol and holding the bag above the water he began to wade in, the water was surprisingly cool given the warm temperature outside. Reaver stepped in before Levi, the tunnel was cooler than the water, the ground was moist and muddy where patches of plant life weren't growing. It was harder to move around given there were no lights to guide the way and all Levi had to follow were Reavers sloppy foot steps. After an hour or so of awkward silence between the two men Levi cleared his throat, not only to gain the attention of the other male but because the musk in the air emitting from Reaver was too much in the small passage. Levi couldn't tell if the man had acknowledged him or not given the lack of light in the tunnel.
"Are you really funding the excavation of the academy?" Levi asked, trying to hide the disbelief in his voice.
"Yes, one could say I'm some what obligated to" the man explained vaguely.
Levi tried to focus on the man through the darkness, "how so?"
"The late queen and I had an arrangement that I am still, as I said, obliged to keep" Reaver continued with a slight exasperation in his tone. The way the man strung his words together caused Levis ears to itch in annoyance. The mans husky flamboyant voice played every note and seemed linger in a bittersweet way.
The footsteps Levi was following were cut sort, the suddenness of it almost caused Levi to walk right into the man.
"What-"
"Entrusting those filthy tunnels was not the only problem the late queen left for me" the man began, Levi could tell from the warmth that Reaver was rather close. Something nudged his boot and he took a shuffle back.
"She also left her son in my care, filthy brat. Most people have forgotten the prince" the tone in the mans voice seemed to hiding some hidden message or knowledge and Levi greatly regretted coming down here.
"Do you remember the prince? Little tyke, brown hair like his mother" Reaver continued, he took a muddy step forward, pressing himself into Levi. Towering above him even in the confined space he seemed to hover above Levi. Levi bit back on his lower lip and glared through the darkness up at the man.
"prince is suppose to be dead, died in the sewers. Besides what makes you bring such a thing up" Levi remarked before the man could speak again. Levies knees shook and threatened to give way under him. Levi could tell by the sudden change in atmosphere and way Reaver shifted ever so slightly he caused a reaction.
"Died in the sewers, hm? How would you know?" Reaver asked, Levi stepped to the side to avoid the mans weight. Reaver followed like a predator, pinning Levi against the wall he leaned in, the smell of ale and musk clouded around Levi as the mans break tickled his chin, lips and cheeks. Levi could feel the blood rushing to his face, his back was stiff and he continued to glare at the man. Pressed against the wall he held tight to his pistol and the book bag Vic had handed him.
"Doesn't everyone..."
"Wrong" the word played off the mans lips like he had just won some grand game. "only palace officials were given the details of the Princes disappearance, it wasn't released in great detail to the public. For reasons I'm sure you can understand" Levis breath hitched in his throat, 13 years he managed to avoid detection and somehow it was possible that this slimy pervert had discovered him. His heart pounded so heavily against his chest he was worried Reaver would feel it.
"The lost prince" Reaver grinned, a feel of triumph and dominance. He played with the words letting them roll off his tongue and leave the boy beneath him to squirm. Levi pulled back.
"What's it to you anyways huh?" Levi spat, gathering all his courage, he was so over everything by now.
"What's it to me?" Reaver seemed taken aback.
Levi shrunk, this man was suppose to be his god father, what was his mother thinking. Reaver let up and took a step away from the boy, giving him some room to breath.
"it's nothing to me. The kingdom might care but half of them haven't the foggiest who you are" Reaver reminded him. "What would I do with you anyways, hand you in? So what, so they can teach you?" The man laughed dryly. "You would never be able to run a kingdom" he added bitterly. "You're nothing more than a street urchin"
Levi bit his tongue and lowered his glare, who was he to say what he could and couldn't do.
"Besides I have no intention of turning you in. The kingdom and all it's subjects have no need for a ruler now. They simply rely on Reaver Industries" Reaver took pleasure in rubbing salt into the young boys wounds.
"Then why are we discussing this" Levi cried trying to push past the man.
"Because, I want to make a deal"
"No" Levi replied quickly.
Reaver mused to himself, "I'll keep my mouth shut if you continue to work for me. Other wise I'm sure the castle still has your room for you" Reaver shrugged.
Levi groaned.
And there we are :3 how about that for an update! Hey? Yeah. 8D awesome. It might be hard to read or follow given I did write this periodically over a month n a bit. Not to mention pretty much all of it was written in a note pad on my iPhone hahaha. Sorry for any mistakes and thanks again for you lovely readers and reviewers 33
Cheers~
