10 Chapter 10: The Human Quarter (1/2)
The Gemini twins led the way, and the dwarf Kevin followed directly behind them without saying another word. Luca wasn't sure where his spot was until Dominic dipped his hand, ushering him into formation. ”My responsibility is to keep up the rear guard. You can walk in front of me.”
He did as he was instructed to do and followed directly behind the three co-leaders of the Legends Guild. Luca watched as the bookish looking man split off from the group heading straight towards the arrival portal and stepped through it.
Where does the gateway lead? Back to the surface, I guess. I had thought it was a one-way trip. That seems odd. What's he even doing? Luca thought to himself, suspicious of the man's actions. ”What about him? Shouldn't we wait for him to be finished or to come back?” Luca asked as he turned to look over his shoulder and ask Dominic.
Dominic reached forward and grabbed Luca on the shoulder with his alien-like hands and pulled him close, whispering the answer. ”It is said there is no such thing as a dumb question, and I'm usually prone to believe it, but there are questions with dangerous answers. Leave this one be and stay in your lane. For all our sakes. Let's just say he's off to go look for prospects on the surface.”
Luca discreetly nodded and thought to himself, That seems more like a warning than a threat. I'll go with that bit of advice for now, before responding. ”I understand, thanks for clearing that up, Dominic.” That seemed to be the correct answer as the devil-man released his grip on Luca's shoulder, letting him go.
The five of them walked away from the arrival platform, heading in the opposite direction that Luca had tried to go earlier when following the female elf he saw. Heading down a different sloped path that led to a poorly paved road. The road leading clearly away from the highrises and stone buildings towards the more mundane and rough looking. I'm heading to the wrong part of town, I'm guessing. Luca mused to himself as he mentally prepared to enter what he assumed would be a ghetto.
One of the twins, Keira, looked behind to make sure that Luca was keeping up and must have seen the disapproving and disappointment look on his face. She spoke up, her tone filled with anger towards him. ”None of these are ours. Our destination is a two-story compound our guilds share with each other. It's in the southern quarter, but still within the walls of the Hometown, so it is not as bad as it could be.”
Layla turned around and joined her sister in the explanation, almost as if in apology. ”We've only been able to seize one of the minor guildhalls so far, so the perks are limited. Its part of our expansion plan to work our way into one of the four prime guild halls near the dungeon portals. You wouldn't know where they were unless somebody pointed it out to you. Those belong to the elves. At least for now.”
Kevin interjected, trying to be helpful and pointed a gloved pointed hand. ”If you look over at those four Greek styled looking pillars, you might be able to see a sort of downward-looking staircase. Those lead to the Halls of Justice. But as my cousins said, those belong to the elves. If you value your life, stay away from them.”
”He means they delight in taking any opportunity to kill us,” Dominic interjected from behind, his voice low and deep, commanding all of their attention. ”Understand young Luca, even as strong as the four of us are, it is beyond our ability currently to take over any of the prime guilds. The elves have no interest in giving them up, and such an endeavor will be paid for in lives and blood. When the time comes, make no mistake, we will take one. The prime guild halls offer unique advantages that help make this hellish life in the dungeon a little more bearable.”
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Bearable? Just how bad are things down here? Luca thought as he made mental comparisons of the sprawling city life he had seen to the imagined medieval hovel he guessed they were heading towards. ”What kind of perks? Is it really worth it? Asked Luca, his stomach uneasy at the thought of fighting like that, while also strangely thrilled at the prospect of it.
”Not really sure to be honest.” Replied Dominic. ”I've been here since the beginning, and it was never revealed in a notification. I do know, though, that the Halls of Justice are just that. They help to keep law and order within Hometown. You'll see what I mean, I'm sure. If that's any indicator, the rest will have similar uses. It's not just enough to survive. We all want to thrive.”
”I think that's all of us,” Luca muttered under his breath. A question lingered in his mind, something that had been nagging at the back of his thoughts. ”Just how long have you guys been here?”
Kevin, the dwarf, titled his head sideways, thinking of the answer, trying to gauge the time accurately. ”Not really sure, man. It's been months, at least, maybe a year. Time moves a little differently here, but not always. The last couple of prospects we picked up couldn't agree on how long it had been since emergence day, but both agreed it had been months. It's not impossible to go back to the surface if that's what your wondering, but…” His voice trailed off.
”But why would you want to.” Layla finished. ”Up there from what I hear has turned into literal Hell on Earth. Hometown has its issues, but at least the monsters only attack us when we're on a dive.”
With all the talking, Luca didn't notice that they seemed to have changed their route a bit as they took a b-line back towards a city block more civilized than the one they had been heading towards. ”Get tight everyone. Let's get out into the middle of the street. Try to not get mobbed. Were passing through their territory. Luca, I know your new, but don't do anything stupid here. Don't do anything except follow us unless Dominic or I tell you to. ” Commanded Keira with a stern voice that demanded complete obedience. .
The group of five collapsed in on each other. Making sure to push Luca into the middle as Dominic brought up the rear. The devil-man's head constantly on a swivel. I imagine if we didn't look so nervous, we might seem to be pretty intimidating, Luca thought as he noticed the concerned glances that were thrown their way. In front of them, the scores and scores of demi-humans that cluttered the streets moved out of the way as the humans begged for help, and the elves glared in opened hospitality as they passed.
Luca knew then that the relationship between the two races or at least between the guild leaders and the elves was worse then he guessed when the elven shop keepers who were advertising their wares began to shout out progressively higher price points, and individually tailored promotional deals aimed at anyone who wasn't originally human. Every single elf keenly watching the group with eyes that showed more than just hostility but also greed and opportunism.
The sensation of so many eyes watching his every movement was new to Luca. I don't like this at all. This is absolutely crazy. He shuddered at the thought as his thoughts mixed with a dread forbidding sensation, as if somebody had walked over his grave, a wave of unease spreading through his body. Luca tried to figure out what was causing the feeling and looked around.
Notification: Spell Resisted – Scan
Details: Due to your higher perception status, you have resisted the spell Scan. Details about your status page have been hidden.
”Runners. Collecting information on you. You're the only one you know. The only one with wings, change makes them nervous,” Explained Dominic tapping Luca on the back as he motioned with his eyes towards the small elven children weaving in and out of the crowds. ”They relay information and orders to the many of the elven leaders, especially the ones unfriendly towards us, but not much to be done about that. They all do it. The shop keepers, the kids, all of them coming and going on everyday errands, they all keep tabs on us. Wouldn't want the humans to step out of line.