Aiden has been on tours before, ones in museums. He used the awe and curiosity the other members had to empty their pockets. However, in the Seekers Guild, he was the one in awe.
The guide turned out to be called Dylan, which confirmed Aiden's theory about names in this world resembling his — at least for humans.
They were not a lot different than his world, making him wonder if there is a connection he didn't know about, or simply an evolutionary reason that they shared.
Dylan was a natural storyteller. He told them the story of the guild's creation, and how the first human turned the fight against the Hungerborn.
"As desires first manifest in our world, almost the entire world population turned to Hungerborns," Dylan explained as they stood in front of a large painting, depicting a scene of nightmares. "The major races almost went extinct, before he arrived."
Dylan walked to the next painting, depicting a man standing like a flame in the darkness of the Hungerborn. The eight stared at the man, not able to see his features as if they were hidden by mist.
"Aevur, the Starbound," Dylan introduced with reverence. "He is the first human to rise against the Hungerborn, and the founder of the Seekers Guild."
"How did he do it?" Aiden asked, which earned him some questioning looks from the others, who seemed already knowledgeable about this man.
"Aevur tamed desires, his own, and those of others," Dylan explained. "He channeled them to strength, allowing the world to rise once more against the Hungerborn."
Aiden was silent, but he was already realizing that desire might be the governing force of this world. Dylan resumed his explanation about how Aevur rose against the hunger and taught discipline to the world.
"Aevur mastered the Desire of Rise," Dylan explained, "earning him the name of Starbound. His students and comrades mastered the other three."
Aiden listened to Dylan as he introduced the students of Aevur, masters of their own desires.
"Cirel, the Veinweaver, binder of souls and mender of bonds, the eternal thread that unites," Dylan introduced the woman dressed like a saint.
"Vorun, the Silent End, wielder of the void's hush, the last breath before oblivion," Dylan continued, gesturing toward the silhouette of darkness, reminding Aiden of himself a few days ago.
"Zorin, the Shatterer, breaker of laws and reality's edge, the force that rends and remakes," Dylan finished the introduction while gesturing at the warrior with heavy armor, that made a person's blood boil.
Dylan explained that these four founded the Seekers Guild and decided the course of history. If not for their existence, civilization would have fallen, which explained the influence of the guild over the world.
The tour continued, taking them through a series of challenges that Aevur faced against the Hungerborn. In the end, once the world stabilized, the four decided to venture into the Stillpoint, the world's center.
"And ever since then, no one has heard of them again," Dylan explained. "Legends say that they are still in a fight against the desire that engulfs the world, keeping it at bay from turning all races to Hungerborns."
The words cast a heavy silence on the group, who stared at the backs of the four heroes who ventured into the unknown to save the world — but never returned.
"Well now," Dylan interrupted their thoughts. "Who wants to have lunch?"
The group nodded in unison.
Dylan laughed and led the way toward what he called The Feast Hall.
Aiden was the only one who remained to stare at the painting a little longer.
Four heroes, each with different aspirations and desires, serving the same cause: saving humanity. Their backs gave him a sense of hope that he didn't know he could feel, and a sense of excitement.
"You wielded the ultimate power," Aiden muttered. "But you chose to serve humanity? That sounds like the quickest path to get backstabbed."
His eyes narrowed on the man standing in the center.
Aevur, the Starbound.
"I wonder if you knew what fate awaits you, so you chose to leave," he muttered with a smile. "Not that it's any of my business."
"Hurry up, boy!" Dylan shouted from ahead.
Aiden ran after the group to join them. They walked toward the Feast Hall, not noticing the man standing in the shadows of the corridor with a smile on his face.
The Feast Hall was almost as big as the Seekers Hall, but only filled with tables. Similar to the latter, it had a circular building in the middle where all kinds of food were served to seekers — for a small sum of money.
"Food here is not only delicious," Dylan explained, "but also strengthens you before a fight. Good chefs can utilize their desires to make the food boost other seekers. Sit here while I order us some."
The eight sat around the circular table, most of them conversing with one another except for Aiden and the stout young man with fire veins.
"I've never seen you in our academy," one of the humans addressed Aiden. It was a young man with long blond hair and a face that almost made Aiden mistake him for a woman. "How did you earn a spot in this tour?"
"Master Lasertag recommended me," Aiden lied without blinking. "He said that I'm a one-in-a-million genius, and that I deserved all the tours I can get."
"Master… what?" the young man questioned with a frown. "I've never heard of him."
"You dare insult my master?" Aiden questioned with a voice laced with anger. "Master Lasertag has been at the academy for centuries. Show your manners, or there will be consequences!"
The man was taken aback.
The others did not dare to question Aiden, who spoke with the conviction of a martyr ready to defend his honor.
Staff wearing the guild's attire came pushing trolleys filled with all kinds of food. Dylan soon followed, staring at them with a grin.
"Fill up, little cubs. You need all the energy you have for the exam!"
Everyone brightened and began eating before the staff finished serving the food. Aiden could see their expressions of delight as his mouth watered. However, he felt a pit in his stomach.
"An exam?" Aiden questioned, letting surprise slip. Thanks to the noise around them of seekers chattering and laughing, no one heard him except the young man closest to him.
"You didn't know?" the short young man asked with surprise. "This tour is just an introduction before the exam to become disciples."
"Disciples of what?" Aiden questioned again, since the young man seemed less suspecting than the others.
"Disciples of seekers, who would help us pass the Seekers Exam in a month," the young man explained. "Your Master Lacetag should have told you."
"My master's name is Lasertag," Aiden corrected, committing to his lies. "He has a unique training method of letting me figure things out in a pinch. Tell me more about this exam."
"Maybe after the meal," the young man dismissed him, and turned to eat.
Aiden had no appetite to eat, but the first bite of a roasted drumstick changed his mind. Just like his hyena meat, the flavor exploded in his mouth, letting a sweet, but salty, stream of pleasure make its way through his body.
The plates soon became spotlessly clean, while Dylan watched in amusement and shock.
"Seekers do eat more than usual," he said. "Which raises my hopes that you will become excellent ones."
After their meal, the group headed to finish their tours. The next stops were unique in their own way: an auction house, a market, several labs, workshops, training grounds, illusion chambers, and libraries.
The guild was filled with unique sections. Each section was on a different floor, which they rose to using a magical elevator. Despite the magical setting, Aiden felt nervous about the upcoming exam.
"Uh, hey there," Aiden approached the short teen. "I forgot what your name was," he said with a dashing smile.
"That's because you didn't ask," the young man pointed out ruthlessly. "My name is Borin. You want to know more about the exam?"
"If you can, Borin!" Aiden said with a nod. "I can't disappoint my master."
"Razortap," Borin said the name wrong again, but Aiden chose against correcting him. It might've been his fault for using such a name. "The exam is simple. You are tested for your ability to handle desires."
"And how is that?"
"The most common exam is the Maze of Desires," Borin explained again as the two trailed behind the group. "Each student must find one of the statues: Rise, Bond, Rift, and Void."
"And what do we do after that?"
"Each of the statues is protected by a monster. If you defeat it, you get to touch the statue."
"And?"
"The desire of the statue will flow through you and gauge how much you can handle before becoming a Hungerborn. It will tell the Seekers Guild about your potential."
"That's it?"
"You think it's simple?" Borin asked with a grin. "People have turned to Hungerborns because they couldn't handle this test."
"And the guild is fine with that?" Aiden was shocked.
"I mean, we all agreed to take the test because it's the fastest way to become a seeker," Borin said with a shrug. "Your master is rather negligent if he missed telling you these details."
"Don't… insult my… master," Aiden said without spirit, looking like he was choking on tears. "And when are we going to meet the Guild Master of this branch?"
"Once we pass the test," Borin confirmed.
Aiden and Borin joined the rest of the group, who had reached the elevator again. Dylan explained their next destination once they were inside: Void Portals that would send them to the examination grounds.