A/N: Harro XD *slapped* Anyway, this chapter, we'll finally be arriving at the Deep City!
Nothing much to say,except damn, it's kindda hard getting back into writing fanfics. But maybe that's just me lol XD
Warning and Disclaimer... *drags you to the first chapter*
Enjoy~
Chronicles of the Drowned City
C.29: Mystical Underwater City
The group had gotten themselves ready, Adisa currently lying down on one of the beds. Cia had taken a look at her, and diagnosed that she caught a minor fever from exhaustion, both mental and physical, possibly from yesterday's battle. Cia, however, didn't so much as mention her sneaking suspicion that this is actually a symptom they're seeing, instead of an all out sickness.
"You sure you'll be ok here alone, Adisa?" Said Princess nodded, closing her eyes, drifting off to sleep. Cia sighed, leaving a small cup of medicine she happened to brew next to her, leaving a note to drink it when she gets up.
They then stepped out of their bunk, before being greeted by the clerk's sister, Ribu in tow.
"Ribu!" Guad called. The Wildling jumped, wincing a bit as a short burst of pain erupted from her wound.
"Hey! So, uh...," the medic began,"She can go out to the Labyrinth, but it'd be better if she rested some more for a bit, since her wound only just recovered." Heinrich nodded. Ribu, however, made a show of protesting.
"Me... fine...!" The medic shook her head.
"You are, but you still need to rest. You haven't fully recovered." Ribu scowled. It's been a long time since she's been in the Labyrinth, it's only natural if she wanted to go in there now!
"Still... going..." Rudollf went over to pat her head.
"C'mon lass, rest up fer a bit. When ya heal up, we'll go explorin' some more, 'k?" Guad too, looked at her with eyes saying 'he's right, go and rest up for now!'
Ribu wanted to protest some more, but then sighed, relenting. She reluctantly nodded, letting herself be lead back to the group's bunk.
The medic then turned to the group, upon opening the door.
"Oh yeah, we decided to give this room for free today. You haven't paid yesterday, right?"
"Oh..." Heinrich grasped around his armor, having only just remembered that he hasn't paid for the room yet, looking for his pouch. He felt someone tap him just then. Turning, there stood Guad, standing on his tip-toes.
"Here," he said, handing the Hoplte another pouch, this time full to bursting with money.
"I bargained as best as I could with the shopkeeper in Napier's. Hopefully I got enough to last a while..."
Cia gazed at the moneybag with eyes now practically injected with so much light, it practically spilled out of her eyes.
"That's... that's way more than enough!" She turned to Guad, astonishment in her eyes. "How are you so good at barganing?!" she asked, practically shouting. A 'light' smack to the back of the head came from Yuki.
"Quiet." Cia pouted.
"Oww... sorry..." Yuki sighed, dragging his sister out of the building.
"Uh..." The group stared for a moment, before following the Shogun.
They headed towards the Labyrinth's entrance, doing their usual routine. Heinrich, Cia, Zakharia, Yuki and Rudollf this time decided to go to the Labyrinth and finally see the Deep City. That leaves the rest to either take care of quests or go out to sea.
"I think ya should just take care o'some quests." Rudollf snickred as he continued,"Wouldn't want ya drownin' at sea, would we, lad?" Guad sighed, and despite the man's joking, nodded. None of them knew how to ride a ship, after all. Especially Guad, even though he's been traveling with Rudollf for a long time.
" 'Ey, you forgettin' 'bout me?!" Orion sighed, staring at his sister with a look.
"Ya know sis, I don't think I can trust you drivin' the ship." Rudollf nodded.
"Yep. Ya found yer way through the control, but now comes navigatin' while keeping th'crew in check too."
"Ya drink all the time while drivin'!" Rudollf snickered.
" 'Ey, at least I'm still doin' my job!" Guad sighed, moving in to intervene and stop the two from arguing.
Heinrich, meanwhile noticed Cia being a tad fidgety today, worry evident in her face. He walked up to her, staying a respected distance before he asked,"Worried about Adisa?"
"H-Huh?" Cia startled a little at the sudden question, but nodded all the same, not trying to hide her worry. Heinrich sighed.
So she noticed it too.
"She'll be alright," He said, adamant,"she'll get better with just some rest." Hopefully this will help Cia with her worries.
The Monk, again, nodded, seemingly more relaxed, but still worried.
Despite this, the groups still went their seperate ways, Heinrich's group entering the Labyrinth using the Geomagnetic Pole, leading them to the 2nd stratum's 1st floor.
Rudollf looked around, sighing.
"Been a while since I was back 'ere."
"Are we... back at the first floor of this stratum?" Zakharia shyly asked. Yuki gave a nod.
"Yeah, we are."
"Wait, your saying we have to trek back down?" Heinrich shrugged. Cia gave a deep sigh, preparing herself for the long walk back down.
Now that the oceanmaster's gone, the group noticed as they kept walking, that the blue, undersea Labyrinth seems so quiet now. Tranquil almost, if not for the monsters here.
Heinrich lead the group towards the stairs, looking closely at the map. The rest of the group had their weapons out, ready in case anything decided to pounce at them.
As soon as they entered the next floor, they were ambushed by starfishes and living coral structures. Zakharia easily dispatched them with a thunder spell.
"Uh... I'll get rid of the monsters for you, if you don't mind...," the Zodiak offered.
"Alright... but don't push it." She nodded, not intending to do so as well. Not after how long she's been bedridden after that Narmer fight.
Though that was partly because of the wounds she got.
The group then came across a patch of herbs, the same one where Cia got the ingredients for Zakharia's fever medicine.
"Ah!" She bent down, immediately gathering some herbs.
"Let me guess. Medicine for Adisa's fever?" The Shogun asked. Cia nodded, grabbing a handfull of herbs and stuffing it into her bag.
"Yep," she said, getting up,"remind me not to sell these, ok?" The rest of the group nodded, walking further.
Finally, the group reached the bottom most floor of the stratum, entering the lair where Ketos once lived in. Rudollf sighed, looking around with awestruck eyes.
"Damn... never thought there'll be this much under th' sea..." He chuckled, both from joking and utter astonishment.
"After this 'Deep City', I'll 've seen everythin'!"
Zakharia tightened her grip on Yuki's hand, her face turned into a frown, as if fearing something.
Yuki turned to her, stopping his stride for a moment.
"Hm? What's wrong?" Zakharia shook her head.
"...Nothing." Yuki sighed. He knew something is wrong. It's glaringly obvious, written right there on the Zodiak's expression. Yet he didn't question it. He merely continued walking, the Zodiak following suit.
If she didn't want to talk about it, then what use would it be to ask?
Though he may press the issue further later on.
Reaching the other end of the Oceanmaster's lair, Heinrich opened the huge double doors they've all become so familiar with right about now. Once the door was fully open, they stepped through, coming face to face with two paths.
They took the right one first, going through a rather long pathway before rounding a corner, Heinrich mapping all the while.
Going through the pathway, the group found a single gold chest. Opening it revealed an ornamented key, with a star sigil on it. Heinrich inspected the key, before looking over to his map, seeing the various memos he'd put in regarding sealed door.
Some of which bears this key's exact sigil, the star.
"Looks like we'll finally be able to go through those star doors now," remarked the Monk. Heinrich nodded, rather excited at the prospect of mapping some more areas in the past stratums.
Maybe he'll also find out why these particullar rooms were sealed at first.
They retraced their steps after that, going through the left path this time, entering a narrow passageway. And at the end of it...
"Stairs!" Cia felt excited. But at the same time, she was reminded of one resident there whom she despises to no end, yet now she questions her motives.
A series of conflicting emotions nestled their way into her, yet her heart races still with excitment.
A pat on her shoulders came from Yuki, the Shogun giving her a silent reminder to control herself. Cia sighed, following Heinrich and Rudollf down into what would be the Deep City, none of them knowing what to expect.
Well. Out of all the things they expected the Deep City would be like, this certainly wasn't it.
"Whoa..."
"OK. I've seen everythin' there is t'see."
They're right to look at the city with such astonishment.
Nestled on what looked to be a huge tree bark, submerged in water, the city's structure followed that of the bark, making it look like collosal pink mushrooms growing naturaly from the bark. On it, they could see various smaller structures, forming buildings, looking so small from where the group now stands.
At the highest point of the City stood a rather odd structure, it's mushroom-like platform pointed forwards, situated in the middle of the bark. From the looks of this, that seems to be the King's residence.
The rest of the area looks to be rather empty, aside from some buildings at the base of the tree. Sure, there's the road that leads back to the Undersea Grotto, but other than that, there's nothing else.
The group stepped closer, still in awe, now entering the borders of the city.
This place... it's almost like they're not underwater.
"I see you've finally made it."
The group jumped, hands racing towards their respected weapons. Their eyes landed on a oh so familiar figure, one that has caused them so much trouble up until now.
Yet... now she has an almost different air about her.
"What do you want?" Cia spat, still angry. Yuki placed a hand on her shoulder, attempting to restrain his sister.
"Hm... I'm a resident here, in care you didn't catch on to that," Olympia replied cooly, no hint of malice in her tone. She sounded... almost civil.
"So... why are you here?" Yuki asked, suspicious of the girl's actions.
"I'd like to welcome you to the Deep City," the girl said,"and to congratulate you on making it this far," she finished, with a very slight hint of sarcasm. Cia scoffed.
Yuki tightened his grip on her shoulder briefly, before continuing.
"I take it the king here wants something from us?" That would explain why they're welcomed with such hospitality, coming from an ancient city choosing to go under lock and key.
"As a matter of fact, yes." Olympia then proceeded to grab her blue robe, yanking it off, revealing a shocking sight.
The group's eyes widened at the sight.
There's no flesh. Her whole body looks to be made of metal, and metal only.
"See and learn one of the secrets of the City," she said,"I am not human." Even Cia had to admit how human-like she was with that cloak on. Yuki sighed.
"I guessed as much..." He thought there was something odd about how this girl looked. She then continued, still with the same calm tone she started with.
"I would like to ask that you remain silent on the subject of what you see here," she said,"not only for my sake, but for your kind as well. Will you heed my master's wishes?" Yuki and Heinrich both exchanged glances, before nodding.
Though the both of them don't intend on keeping this a secret for very long. At least Heinrich is, though Yuki is having second thoughts.
Olympia sighs.
"I thank you. Now, follow me," she said, beckoning the group to follow her.
She lead them to the outskirts of town, where a rather large cave entrance lies, smoke and heat wafting from within, distorting the sea's waters slightly.
And right in front of it, an all too familiar purple-ish pole of light.
"There's a sub-geomagnetic pole here. You can head back to Armoroad with this," the girl instructed, a hint of emotion now displayed in her tone.
"Again, when you get back-"
"Tell the Senatus that this whole place doesn't exist, right?" the Hoplite cut in. She nodded, taking a few steps back, glancing towards the still pissed looking Monk. She sighed.
A small feeling in her gut told her not to trust these people.
Still, this was the Abyssal King's orders. She had to trust in him. She had to.
A bright flash of light enveloped the group, instantly warping them back to Armoroad.
Olympia's eyes lingered for a short while at the Geomagnetic Pole, before she too turned back and headed off into the City.
The group opened their eyes, squinting a bit as bright sunlight hit their eyes. Zakharia 'glanced' about, hearing the birds chirp and the hustle and bustle of Armoroad. They're back.
Without a second thought, the group headed towards the Senatus' building.
They entered the building, headed into the Senatus' office, and is immediately greeted by the Senatus herself, an excited look in her eyes.
"I see you made it back," she began,"I heard you dissapeared into the sea's depths. Tell me what you've found there. And I expect a full report!" Yuki sighed.
"Should we?" he asked. Heinrich nodded, knowing the question to be directed at him.
The group then began their recount on what has transpired so far.
Flowdia nodded with each passing statement, her excitemen growing more and more as the group spoke. After the group finished, she nodded, a seemingly satisfied look on her face.
"Wait here, I'll go get someone." As she left, Yuki bit his bottom lip, sighing all the while as he rubbed his eyes.
"...Are you all really sure this is ok?"
"Hm?" Yuki turned towards the group, for once, looking genuinely worried.
"This is an ancient city we're talking about. Who knows what they could do if they knew we betrayed their trust?" He's had experiences like these before. Not with ancient cities per se, but it was still equally... unpleasant to say the least.
Heinrich heaved a long sigh, leaning against a wall.
"Well, we'll have no choice but to go through with it now." Yuki nodded, his expression turning grim, his mind working on every single possibility on what could happen to them should they be found out.
His thoughts were cut short as Flowdia burst through the door, and right behind her, a regal looking lady, wearing almost all white, with shades of blue on her long, flowing dress and cap, as well as gold ornaments.
She gazed at the group with kind red eyes, her smile broad, though not nessecarily touching her eyes.
"I have heard everything from Flowdia." She gave a slight bow at the group, a sign of gratitude. "I thank you for finding the Deep City, Guild Zephyr." She looked up, continuing her speech.
"My name is princess Gutrune. Finding the Deep City has been my fondest wish."
Cia nodded. 'So this is Gutrune,' she thought, having heard of her before from that Trobadour, what was his name again...? Wolfram?
Gutrune spoke once more.
"The royal records say that that city was once part of Armoroad, now submurged with our countrymen still living there. We do not know how the City has managed to exist for this long, though now I fear that our people are suffering there."
"It didn't seem like it..." This time, Zakharia spoke. "I think they're ok down there, actually..." Her grip tightened on Yuki's hand, fearing she may have made the wrong move in cutting off the princess while she spoke. After all, her countenance wasn't like that of Adisa's , that much is certain.
Gutrune merely chuckled, looking at the blind Zodiak with a soft expression.
"If that is what you've observed, then I'm glad." She then turned towards the rest of the group.
"I... take it you were not supposed to tell us any of this?" Both Yuki and Heinrich shook their heads. Gutrune sighed, a look of understanding now evident on her features.
"I see... I understand. They have their reasons. Still," she said,"I'm greatful that you still told us about this. Now then," she said, beckoning someone outside to come in.
A girl in clothing similar to that of Edie from Napier's Firm came in, a bright look on her face.
"I've arranged to send missives and gifts to the Deep City on behalf of Armoroad." The princess then turned towards the newcomer.
"She shall be supervising the delivery. I'd like to introduce you to her."
"Nice to meet you!" she said, cheery,"I'm the supervisor sent from Napier's Firm. I'm sure you noticed already, but I'm Edie's sister. Hm?" She took a closer glance at the group.
"Hey wait a minute, I've seen you a lot at the shop! Your guild Zephyr, right? And..." She turned towards the red-head Monk, an amused look on her face.
"Your the one who's been causing some of the fuss going on in the shop, right? Sis had to kick you out a couple of times, I noticed."
Yuki sighed, while Cia grunted in embarrassment.
"Control yourself better next time, Cia..."
"Fine..."
"Anyway, I've prepared quite a few gifts, from imported goods to an assortment of Armoroad's finest crafts. All worthy of being shown to the King of the Deep City, I should think." Gutrune addressed the group once more.
"I would like all of you to escort her to the Deep City. If she were to go alone, I'm afraid their guard would tighten." Edie's sister nodded just then, stepping out of the room.
"Well, I'll be waiting for you by the entrance. Come by whenever your ready!" The group nodded. Gutrune turned to them.
"Hm, you all look quite spent though."
"Yeah... it was a short visit, but we had to trek all the way back down to the city..." Gutrune nodded.
"I see... Maybe you should wait until tomorrow?" she addressed Edie's sister, about to step down the stairs.
"Hm? Alright." A broad smile graced her features. "Come by the gates tomorrow then!" She then left the office, headed back to the Firm.
"Well then, you should all rest. Oh, and before you go..." She handed them a letter and a pouch.
"A show of my thanks." The group opened the pouch, finding inside it, quite the hefty amount of cash. Cia practically drooled at the sight.
A 'light' smack to the head came from Yuki.
"Ow..."
"Do I really have to keep you in check every time?" Cia sent him a rather childish looking pout.
"Sorry..."
After chatting some more with the princess, the group headed back towards the inn.
Now then...
They just broke the Deep City's trust. If Yuki's gut feeling proved to be true, then...
Things will not be pretty.
-TBC-
A/N: THERE. 4 UPDATES. OMG TuT DONE.
Anyway, after last chapter, what the hell is wrong with Adisa you ask? I think you can guess by the hints I gave you XD
Also, oh no, they've double-crossed the Deep City!
Anyway, just wanna ask, who's your favorite character so far? Out of all the Guild members of course. *SMACK*
Also note to self: Don't write a fanfic while listening to a Muse song. It's nigh impossible.
And now I shall upload all these chapters *sneaks to FFN*