"AHHHHH!"
Mihikolo's scream tore through the night sky.
He was falling, plummeting from above with Fylo, Eilda, and Lequiss although... Lequiss was still asleep.
"AHHHH! FYLO, CATCH ME!!!" Mihikolo shouted.
"I can't, boss! You're too far!" Fylo yelled back, flailing midair.
Eilda, quick to react, twisted mid-fall and dove straight down, landing flawlessly on her feet with a soft thud.
"Eilda, catch us!!!" Mihikolo screamed again as the ground rushed closer.
She sprinted underneath them, arms outstretched.
Whump!
She caught Lequiss like a sack of flour.
"Boss! I'll save you!!!" Fylo screamed out as he dove down trying to mimic Eilda...
CRACK!
He landed head-first into the dirt.
"AHHH!" Mihikolo followed suit, crashing right on top of Fylo's body, cushioning him.
"Oh. I'm fine..." Mihikolo blinked, bewildered, before scrambling up to check on Fylo. "Are you okay, Fylo...?" He asked, concerned.
Fylo immediately stood up, Mihikolo instantly notices something. "W-Wait What?!?!"
"F-Fylo... You're completely unscathed?! Even from that height?!" He looks at Fylo astonished.
"Yeah! I'm completely fine, boss! It didn't even hurt when I landed!" Fylo replied.
"How is that possible?! We fell so high!" He asked
Eilda, now walking over with Lequiss draped on her back like a ragdoll, offered an answer. "It was probably the doing of Lolaxia Mixus, another pillar of the Mixus Family... We were probably transported and protected from the fall by her."
Just then, a piece of paper gently fluttered down and landed on Lequiss's face.
"What's this? A paper?" Eilda asked.
Mihikolo walks up to them, picked it up and read aloud. "It's a note."
"I hope you are able to read this. You have been transported by my request... We cannot afford to lose a new Quiss user so soon, though I do not know where you have been transported, I am hoping that you will all be safe. Good Luck on your journey, especially Lequiss. I hope this decision will be for the best."
"That's what it says. I wonder what's going on in the Mixus Family?" Mihikolo murmured.
"I see... So they wanted to protect Lequiss." Eilda muttered.
"Protect him? From what?"
"I Don't know... I'm also really dying to know that as well but we don't need to know that right now, what we need to know is where we are..." She answers as she starts scanning the surroundings.
The landscape was blanketed in darkness. No buildings. No landmarks. Just a road stretching into the unknown.
"There's nothing in sight with how dark it is but..." Eilda looked down. "There is a road, we can follow it and maybe we'll end up somewhere we know."
"But which way do we go? Front or back?" Asked Fylo, pointing both directions.
"I'll follow you, Mihikolo." Eilda said "You decide which way."
Mihikolo stroked his chin, squinting both ways. The roads looked identical...
But suddenly his thought was obstructed by a gust of wind heading a certain direction.
"I think we should go in that direction." Mihikolo points towards where the wind was going.
"Okay! Since it's boss, it's probably the right direction!" Fylo declared.
"Then let's go!"
And so, the three began walking, with Eilda still carrying Lequiss, who hadn't stirred a bit.
They kept walking for a while with nothing still coming up, no indications of where they are nor any directions where the road may lead them.
They walked for what felt like hours till they noticed that the path began sloping uphill, slowly but surely. Mihikolo lagged a bit due to his height while Eilda, still burdened with Lequiss, didn't even break a sweat.
Eventually, the top of the hill came into view.
They stopped to look around and they were immediately met with a captivating view, in front of them, they saw a big city in the distance.
A massive walled city shimmered in the distance, its buildings glowing with vibrant light.
"I see something in the distance boss! Over there!" Fylo pointed.
"Oooh, What a big city!" Mihikolo marveled.
"Ah... I think I know where we are..." Eilda's voice grew colder.
"What? You do? Where are we?" Asked Mihikolo.
"Yeah... I've been here before, even before I met you. I'm not really fond of this city because of how it handles its laws... We're at Civite." She stammered.
"What?! Civite?! You mean we got transported from the Mixus estate to the capital of Civiposs?!" He asked, shocked.
"I don't know but I am certain that this is Civite." She answered.
"But It's so vibrant even at night, huh?" Fylo remarked.
"I wonder why... I don't remember it being this colorful at night." She questioned.
"But what did you mean you're not fond of this city?" Mihikolo asks.
"You'll know when you get there. But hopefully, you don't..." She answered, her voice tightened.
She starts to walk off and the two looked at each other confused but they followed soon.
They reached the gate.
The entrance to Civite was heavily guarded, with two long lines of people waiting to be inspected. Guards stood at attention, scanning each person. Even the wall-top sentries watched like hawks.
Eilda got in line. The others followed.
"Why do we have to get in line? Why is there even a line just to get in?!" Mihikolo seemingly annoyed.
"Don't worry boss! It's just a line! You just have to be a bit more patient!" Fylo chimed trying to appease him.
"It's probably just for inspection to get in, though last time I was here there wasn't anything like this too." Eilda growing suspicious.
The ones before them gets in and they move forward in line while new people get in line behind them.
Two men whispered just loud enough for Eilda to hear.
"Hey did ya hear? They captured him last week!"
She decides to listen in.
"Yeah! I'm here just to see it! But when are they gonna do it?"
"I heard they're gonna do it tomorrow morning! Hahaha! I'm excited to see him tomorrow!"
Eilda's eyes sharpened.
"Tsk!" she clicks her tongue in anger. "So that's why the city seemed more crowded than usual and it's getting inspection like this... So it was tomorrow! I never wanted to see it again! I hope we won't witness it tomorrow..." She muttered under her breath.
"Huh? What was that?" Mihikolo asked.
"I didn't say anything?" Eilda replied quickly.
"Next!" The Guard yelled out.
"Let's see, two Adults and two Children."
Mihikolo's eye twitches.
"Hey—!"
Eilda nudges him quiet.
"What's the purpose of your visit to Civiposs?" Asked one of the guards.
"What? A purpose?? We need a purpose to ge-" Mihikolo started.
"We're here to watch it tomorrow..." Eilda interrupted.
The guard eyed Lequiss slumped on her back. "I see but why're you carrying the kid?"
"We were closing the city so we didn't rest anymore and went straight here, he's just tired from all the walking." She replied calmly
The guard eyed them down and takes notice of the sword dangling on Lequiss's hips then backs up. "Okay, You can go in now."
The group went straight in.
Now inside the city, they were instantly met with a lively scenery with stores and vendors left and right, despite it already being very late at night, there were lots of people wandering around and enjoying themselves in this bright city.
"Wow, is this like a city that operates at night or something?" Mihikolo asked.
"No, they're just celebrating something." Eilda answers with a hint of anger in her eyes.
Mihikolo glanced at her and was worried. "But anyways you're quick to make up solutions Eilda, what did you mean by watch tomorrow?" He asked curiously.
"I just said it so we can get in faster, that's it..." She answered, her anger shifted into visible unease.
Mihikolo notices again and gets a bit concerned.
"I wonder what they're celebrating, boss! It must be some kind of festival!" Says Fylo, oblivious.
"Yeah, I wonder."
"..." Eilda stayed silent.
The trio pushed through the festival crowd, circling the lively streets for what felt like forever. Eventually, Eilda called out.
"Mihikolo, we've been going in circles. We need to find somewhere to rest."
"Something like an inn? It's going to be hard to find one in this crowd!" He exclaimed.
"Don't worry, I know one. I've been at that inn too before." She says.
Mihikolo deadpanned. "Why didn't we go there first instead..."
"I thought you wanted to look around since you took the front." She replies looking clueless.
He sighed. "Then you take the lead, we'll follow you."
Eilda walks in front of them and takes the lead, they continued to walk through the crowd and with Eilda leading them, they quickly reach an alleyway, It was a straight but narrow path but the atmosphere were almost night and day. It seemed quite gloomy.
"Are you sure, it's okay to go in there...?" Mihikolo asked, worried.
"Yeah, don't worry about it!" She replied.
Inside there were some rundown buildings, the atmosphere was unlike outside, the locals inside didn't look like any of those outside either.
There were those sleeping on the floor, those drinking alcohol, there were even those punching each other but more importantly there were some that were eyeing the group.
The group ignored them and pressed on until they reached a large inn that looked completely out of place.
It was fairly big for an inn and in contrast to the alleyway, the atmosphere seemed more welcoming.
"This is... surprisingly welcoming," Mihikolo noted.
"It's an inn," Eilda chuckled.
They head Inside.
It was loud. Laughter. Dancing. Alcohol flowing like a river similarly celebrating like the ones outside.
"Even in here, they're celebrating. I wonder what's the occasion." Mihikolo wondered aloud.
One of the guys drinking overhears him and laughs "Ahahaha! Don't ya know mister? Are ya from outside the city or something?"
"Yeah we just came to the city tonight." Mihikolo answered.
"Well you're in luck mister! Cause tomorrow, we're celebrating the annual ex-"
Eilda grabbed Mihikolo and yanked him toward the counter. Fylo, surprised, looked concerned but just followed.
"W-What's wrong Eilda! Why are you dragging me?!" He protested.
Eilda lets go of Mihikolo as they stop in front of the counter, behind the counter was a two shelves, one on the left and one on the right, filled with an amazing collection of wine and alcohol bottles, most of the bottles were shining and looked pristine.
But in the middle of the collection were two large barrels that in contrast to the collection, were ordinary looking and totally looks out of place, the two barrels had a faucet each.
In front of the two barrels was a person turned away from the counter, pouring alcohol from one of the barrels into a cup. You can easily see that the man was very muscular with just his build alone, he looked bulky but a lot less than Fylo.
"Innkeeper, we'd like to get a room for the four of us." Eilda requested.
It was the innkeeper, he turns turns the lever on the faucet and the alcohol stopped pouring, he then turns around with cups in hand and reveals a full-on manly beard and a displeased look.
"Hoo, Sorry lady, we're out of bigger rooms. We only have the small ones left." The innkeeper answers.
"That's fine, we're not staying here long anyways." Replied Eilda. The innkeeper looked a bit relieved.
"Good, that'll be 2,500 Linn." Asks the Innkeeper.
"What?! That's too expensive just for a small room!" Mihikolo yelled.
"What? If you don't want it, go find another inn." Said the Innkeeper, unfazed.
"No, I'll pay." Eilda said, handing the exact amount.as she hands him
The innkeeper gives Eilda a key.
"Here's the key to your room, your room will be the second one on the right upstairs." The innkeeper grunted.
"Let's head to our room and rest." Said Eilda walking towards the stairs.
"E-Eilda, why the hell did you pay that amount!" Mihikolo asked with a tone of anger.
"It's okay, Mihikolo. He probably bumped the price because of the occasion here and there probably won't be any more inn other than this that'll have any more room." She replied.
"I guess you're right but still that amount is too much!" Mihikolo exclaimed.
"It's fine, let's just go get some rest."
They head upstairs and see, three doors on the right and three doors on the left while only one big door is in the middle, they head towards the second door on the right and open it, darkness.
Mihikolo heads in and finds the light switch beside the door and turns it on, as it turns on the light instantly shines on his head before the room even lit up and as the room lits up, they saw a shabby and very narrow room with just one bed, one window, a small table along with a chair, and one lightbulb to light up the room. After getting a look at the room, Mihikolo went into a fit of rage.
"This is the room that cost 2500 Linn?!" What kind of scammer is that innkeeper?! Let's go and get your money back!!" He exclaims as he turns around planning to head out.
"Stop," Eilda said firmly, laying Lequiss on the bed. "Let's just rest. Please."
Mihikolo paused. "A-Alright, let's just rest. I am quite tired after everything today."
"Yes, thank you." Eilda said feeling relief.
"But where will we sleep with only one bed...?"
Eilda stares at Mihikolo, silent...
...
Morning.
Eilda woke up at the table with her head resting on her crossed arms. She raises her head and stretches her back and arms, she takes a look around and sees Fylo still asleep while sitting and leaning on the wall, snoring, on the other hand, Mihikolo was asleep on the floor, all curled up and mumbling something.
She turned to the bed.
Lequiss was gone.
Her eyes widened. "Lequiss?!"
"Mihikolo! Wake up!!" She shook Mihikolo violently.
"W-W-Wout?" Mihikolo still half asleep.
"Lequiss! Lequiss is gone!" She answered frantically.
"W-W-What?!" Mihikolo instantly woke up.
"Lequiss is gone! Do you know where Lequiss is?!" She asked worried.
"No! I was asleep the entire time!"
"He must've gone out when we were asleep, we need to find him!"
Mihikolo stood up and walks up to Fylo and kicks him.
"Ahwa? Y-Yeah boss?" Fylo still half asleep.
"Get up! The kid's gone and we're going to look for him!" He ordered.
Fylo immediately gets up. "What?! The kid's gone?!"
"Yeah! So get a move on already!"
They immediately move and went downstairs and see that the cheerful crowd from last night was gone. The inn was empty except for the innkeeper, cleaning some cups behind the counter. They immediately went up to him and asks him.
"Innkeeper, did you see the kid I was carrying on my back last night?! He had a crown and a sword on his hip?" She asked, frantic.
"The kid with the crown? Yeah, I've seen him. He went up to me earlier when everyone was still celebrating and asked why everyone was celebrating." He answered.
"Do you know where he went?!" She slams and leans on the counter.
"Woah, calm down lady. I think he went to see the event."
"What?!"
Eilda then bolted out of the inn leaving Mihikolo and Fylo in daze.
"Ah! Wait up!" Mihikolo and Fylo followed her right away.
They caught up to Eilda who was headed towards the gloomy alleyway, it was now an empty street but you can hear cheering in the distance, they followed the direction of the noise.
They come out of the alleyway, there was nobody in sight unlike last night, they continued going towards the noise and finally ended up in the middle of the city, there they saw a bustling crowd cheering loudly.
"Why hasn't it started yet?!"
"Start it already!!"
"I'm excited to see it!"
"When are they gonna start!?" Yells from the crowd.
"T-That's a lot of people!" Said Fylo.
"This must be like the entire population of this city, how will we find Lequiss here?!" Mihikolo yelled.
"You guys try to find him through the crowd." Eilda ordered.
"What will you do?" Mihikolo asked.
"..."
"What will you do, Eilda?" He turns around to look at Eilda but she was gone.
"E-Eilda?! Where did she go?!" He asked, surprised.
"Eilda's up there boss!" Fylo pointing at the rooftops of the surrounding houses.
Eilda leapt from roof to roof, scanning the crowd.
"She's fast... Well, let's go find that kid! Just look for someone with a crown!"
Eilda stops at the highest point on the rooftops and takes a look around the bustling crowd.
The crowd was surrounding something in the front but was blocked by guards.
It was a raised wooden platform, just a bit taller than the crowd so that everyone could see, upon a closer look you can see that it was a gallows but Eilda didn't focus on that and kept looking through the crowd.
But Eilda suddenly stops soon as she saw two men stepped on the platform, a fat middle-aged man dressed like a noble and along with him was a more or less ugly young man also dressed as exquisite as the fat man.
The fat man stepped forward.
"A-Ahem!" He clears his throat.
"People of Civite and also People who have come to Civite to watch our annual celebration, I welcome you to the Capital of Civiposs, the City of Civite!!" The fat man announced.
"Tsk! They're starting already?! I don't want to witness that tragedy again!!" Eilda thought to herself with a face filled with scorn.
"I am the Mayor of the city of Civite, Fattah Vaskard! And this is my son, Agaleh Vaskard who has captured the one everyone has been looking forward to seeing!!" He continued.
"Woo!! Lord Fattah and Lord Agaleh!!"
"Thank you, Lord Agaleh!!"
"Hip Hip Hooray!! Hip Hip Hooray!" The cheers of the crowd echoed throughout the city.
"Thank you! Thank you! Now without further ado, I will now bring you the one everyone has been waiting for!!" He waves his hand signaling to someone behind the platform.
Three people tied-up in raggedy clothes, filled with cuts, bruises, and blood all over their bodies walk to the top of the platform, accompanied by three guards.
One of the ones tied up was a very young boy.
Another was a wrinkly old man.
Lastly was a tall man with incredibly built muscles behind those ragged clothes, he had dark blue hair.
Each of the guards pulled one of the prisoners, their necks were fitted into nooses with the kid at the left, the old man at the right, and the tall man in the middle.
"Now again, I welcome everyone to the first celebration of the year, this celebration only happens three times a year!! The Annual Execution of Criminals, here in Civite that lasts for about three days! Hopefully, we won't be interrupted by the mysterious white hooded man this year."
"Boo!" The crowds simultaneously Boo'd at the mention of someone.
"And now I will introduce the main event, the one everyone has been eyeing ever since he was captured, the one everyone has feared throughout his spree, the one and only! Jildelmn Voncratus!!!"
The crowd fell silent, tension was in the air.
"Jildelmn Voncratus? Who's that?" Asked Mihikolo.
!!!
Then—BOOM!
"Woaa!!!"
"YEAH!!!"
'Yes!!!"
"Kill him!!"
"Execute them!!"
Roars of excitement exploded louder than ever.
"Settle down, Settle down everyone! We will now commence the execution!"
"Tsk! What do I do?! Do I find Lequiss and leave before it starts or do I stop the execution from happening?!" Eilda asks herself while intensely looking for Lequiss and soon enough she finds an awfully familiar-looking crown in the front of the crowd also cheering, right in front of the blue-haired man who'll be executed.
"Ah! That's him!" She instantly moved across the rooftops at incredible speed.
The blue-haired man also took notice of him and glances at his sword and then looks straight at him with a fierce gaze.
"Woohoo! Yeah!!!" Lequiss celebrated while waving and pumping his hand in the air.
"Hey, kid, with the crown..." The blue-haired man called out to him with his weak voice.
Lequiss around to see to see who he was referring to and points to himself "Me?"
"The execution of these criminals will now commence! 10..." the fat man starts counting down as he places his hand on a lever.
The cheers of the crowd stop as they wait in anticipation.
"Yeah, you..." The blue haired man answered.
"9..."
"Yeah?" Lequiss asks.
"8..."
"I hate to ask you of this so instead..."
"7..."
"6..."
"5..."
"Save me here right now... And I'll repay you with my life...!"
________________________________________________________________________________
Civiposs = Cy - Vee - Poss
Civite = Cy - Vee - Teh
Fattah Vaskard = Fat - Tah - Vas - Card
Agaleh Vaskard = A - Ga - Leh - Vas - Card
Lolaxia Mixus - Lo - Lax - Shi - Ya - Mix - sus
Jildelmn Voncratus = Jil - Delmn - Von - Kra - Tus