Axel lagged behind Serif as they moved through the market, still taking in the excitement of the environment, his eyes scanning around.
Though it was supposed to be night, the town was still vibrant with life.
Neon signs buzzed like dying fireflies inviting whoever cared to step in. The air smelled of rain, smoke, and cheap liquor. Street vendors still flipped skewers, noodles hissing in boiling pots, the rattle of coins, the occasional bark of laughter that didn't reach anyone's eyes, all indicating that this town didn't know what sleep was.
"It sure is rowdy here," Axel muttered as he spun around avoiding clashing with a hefty and rough looking man who flashed a nasty look at him, "makes me wonder, are all these people anima users?" He muttered to himself.
"Of course not," Serif answered, as they approached a building at the end of the line, "we're here." He stopped.
Axel looked at the building, the ridiculously large sign on top seizing his attention, 'World's Greatest Delivery Service,' with a small inc. at the end, then almost as if on cue the sign lit up, the orange light flooding his vision.
What the heck, Axel cursed as he covered his eyes due to the overwhelming brightness.
What the heck sort of name is that, which psychopath put those lights, I'm getting the feeling that a sketchy character owns this place, Axel thought as he examined the building.
The building looked like it couldn't decide what it wanted to be, part cathedral, part courthouse, part shopping hub. Four massive pillars guarded the entrance, each one thick enough to swallow a man's shadow. Above them, a wide glass dome rose from the roof, a strange mix of old-world ambition and new-world utility.
Serif leisurely walked in, I'm guessing another eccentric character incoming, Axel took a deep breath preparing himself and followed .
As Axel stepped into the door, what hit him was the absolute silence, considering the bustling noise outside, it was a jarring change, as if someone just pressed mute.
He paused and stepped back outside, the noise returning, but as he crossed the door back in, mute again.
Axel shook his head in approval, "convenient", he whispered.
His gaze scanned the interior, there was no marble or sermons or even stalls, it was empty, kind of like a waiting area, the faint scent of flower and paper wafting into his nose.
On the left wall was a big board with various posters of events, bounties and what not, on the right were chairs, for customers I guess.
Axel calmly walked in admiring the painted tiles, they were arranged in a concentric circular pattern, the center of which corresponded to the glass dome, which was painted, something you only saw in cathedrals, the painting depicted a man worn out from a fight, pointing his sword forward and holding a wolfs head with the other hand, standing triumphantly on what Axel believed was the wolf.
Tring!
The ringing sound of a bell drew his attention to the reception desk which was unmanned at the moment.
"Fancy counter," Axel muttered, for a delivery service, it was made of bodevian wood, he could tell, after all he had seen enough stuff like that due to his mother's taste, what most would call a fancy woman, I always found those annoying.
Axel looked to the left, the corridor expanding into an open space, revealing conveyors and drones transporting various packages, a warehouse, but it was oddly not as busy as expected, "for a place calling itself world greatest." Axel said, voice laced with sarcasm and turned right.
It had multiple doors lining the sides, and one at the extreme end, other facilities, Axel guessed, turning back to the reception as Serif rang the bell once more.
Pretty bad service too.
"Calm down, I'm coming," a voice came from a door behind the counter.
A girl emerged from the door, her oversized Lakers jersey catching Axel off guard, the jersey hanging on her petite figure like clothes on a hanger, clearly that does not belong to her, he thought as she froze, her gaze locked with Serif.
Axel's attention was drawn to her unique hairstyle, the left side of her hair turned into short braids, while the right was a low cut, the dark hair contrasting against her incredibly pale skin, she looked pretty badass, if not for her pale, delicate looking skin.
She shook her head and approached the counter, she looked at Axel, a surprised glint flashing in her eyes as she saw the katana, disappearing the next second with a scoff, then she looked at Serif and scoffed again.
"You've got some nerve showing up here," she said in an obviously forced hoarse voice, pointing at Serif, "after what you did last time you were here."
Axel looked at Serif, his expression still flat, "where is your father," Serif asked.
Silence, as the girl stood there glaring at Serif, "Didn't you hear me? you aren't welcome here." She said forcibly making her voice deeper, flashing them a menacing look and turned around.
The girl started walking back while Serif calmly pulled a thin silver pendant from his pocket, he held it up and flicked it producing an unexpectedly high pitched ringing, the girl jerking to a stop with the sound.
"Where is your father?" Serif asked again.
The girl turned around, her teeth clenched together, jaw tightened, "he's not here." she said, her voice quieter but still rude.
"Now leave," She pointed at the door.
"Where is he?" Serif persisted.
The girl glared at him, her eyes travelling to the pendant, her eyes flickering for a second, then turning fierce again, "I don't know." She answered, still pointing at the door.
Serif flicked the pendant again, producing the high pitched sound, Axel's eyes narrowed as he noticed the girl closed her eyes and bit her lips drawing a drop of blood, her jaw tightening in discomfort, and as impossible as it seemed her skin got paler.
"That's enough, serif." A voice came from the right, as a person slowly emerged from the extreme door.
Serif gripped the pendant, killing off the sound, the girl's expression relaxed as she exhaled hard and sprawled on a chair.
"You didn't have to resort to that you know," the man said, slowly walking towards them, "She really didn't know, and besides you could have just waited."
The man's footsteps echoed through the building as he approached, commanding everyone's attention, "but what's done is done." The man looked at the girl, an amicable smile appeared on his lips.
"Sorry Amy," the man said, his tone softer, "you'll have to forgive Serif, he doesn't know how to treat a delicate flower like you."
The girl glared at the man, then looked at Axel, no at the katana and clicked her tongue, and left.
"Now why would you choose to hurt my sweet daughter with that demonic thing?" The man asked, his tone tighter, hostile, brow furrowed.
Serif looked at him, "Sorry, but we have no time for her silly antics, " he said, voice flat.
Did he just say sorry, Axel couldn't believe his ear, Serif of all people, who is this man, and what was that pendant, why did she react like that, he wondered.
It can't be an anima can it, somehow, I concluded you could only use one anima but is that the case, he questioned, his gaze subconsciously moving to Serif's hand.
The man continued glaring at Serif, Axel tightened his grip on the katana, he didn't know what was going on or if Serif was in the right or wrong, but better the devil you know right.
The tension hung thick in the air, then the man moved his hand, patting Serif's shoulder, he sighed, "You have to understand after that incident, she's been blaming you, she doesn't understand, but don't worry she'll come around, you don't have to resort to that, ever."
The man pulled Serif in for a hug, "it's been a while friend," he said, Serif simply nodding, not returning the hug.
The man pulled back and pursed his lips, which looked all wrong considering he had a goatie and there were streaks of grey in his hair.
"Well at least I can count on one thing to stay the same in this bonkers world," the man suddenly said aloud, his tone jovial, "and that's your cold attitude as always." He finished.
"So are you going to introduce us, Serif," the man asked, turning to Axel.
"He's the one it chose," Serif muttered and turned towards the warehouse, "We need transport."
The man poked out his tongue and ignored Serif, he instead offered Axel a hand, which he warily took, "And who are you young man?" He asked, his tone suddenly serious, his look reminding Axel of one of his professors.
"Axel," he answered.
The man shook his head and started stroking his beard, "you know that means…hmm…it means," the man contemplated still stroking his beard like Gandalf, although his beard was still far off from that stage.
The man suddenly snapped his finger as if coming to a realization, "Forgive me but I don't know what that means," he said, causing Axel's brow to twitch, then don't snap your finger like you got something man.
"Anyways, it sounds like a great name," the man nodded, ignoring Serif who was still asking about transport, he left Axel's hand and used his big trench coat to cover his body, curling into himself.
"I am…" the man trailed off, then he suddenly flung open the coat, the smell of alcohol and spices spreading along with it, straightening up, his hands spread apart.
"The one and only Hermes, the owner of the greatest delivery service in the world, my name means the Greek messenger God by the way, and I'm Serif's only friend."
The man took a deep breath and bowed slightly, as if he just completed a performance, Axel looked at him like a lunatic, the burden of being right, he thought to himself, while the man continued trailing off about his achievements.
By the way Serif's only friend, don't say that like it's an achievement, Axel thought, I doubt he even considers you his friend, he smiled as Hermes came to the end of his introduction.
A hand gripped Hermes' shoulder from behind, "transport," Serif's chilling voice came from behind, his tone more serious than usual, tighter, controlled.
Axel could swear he could see dark lines on Serif's face.
Hermes awkwardly chuckled and slid out of Serif's grip, "Don't be so serious bro," Hermes muttered, cooly brushing his hair back.
Axel's brow twitched, so cringe, "It's ready, but I'll need a little time to prep it up," Hermes muttered and pulled cash out of one of his many pocket walking towards Axel stuffing it in his hands.
"I doubt he allowed you enjoy the joys of E town, there's a restaurant just along the corner, the devil's kitchen, you can't miss it, go get something to eat, I'll be done by the time you're done"
Axel looked at the cash, at least he is generous, he thought, though this wasn't the usual dollar, "Thanks, you guys also have your own currency?" Axel asked, examining the bill.
"He hasn't told you much has he," Hermes asked, his eyes narrowed as he looked at Serif, "don't worry, you'll meet my daughter there, ask her anything." He whispered to Axel.
Axel looked at Serif for confirmation, but Serif simply looked away avoiding eye contact, is he sulking, Axel wondered as he walked towards the exit.
As soon as he left, Hermes' expression turned serious, the playful persona gone, "you too, go get something to eat."
Serif looked at him, silence hung thickly in the air, then he started walking towards the door.
"I'll appreciate it if you don't use that on my daughter again, you know it isn't meant for her, the other maybe, but not her," Hermes said, his eyes distant, "else, I might forget who you are," His expression darkened, a veiled threat in his voice.
Serif stopped at the door and looked outside, the bustling night life, the lights, the tall wall all in his view, then he said, "sorry," but Hermes was already gone, the words hanging in the air.