41 Day before Departure Pt.2 (2/2)

”Here we are.” Walter would step aside as he offered them to enter the room. ”Thank you, Walter.” Riyku would turn to Cira. ”Ready?” Riyku would confirm one last time if she was ready to take part in this discussion and Cira would inhale deeply before exhaling softly as if to steel herself. ”I am.” She replied firmly and both of them would enter the room. Sitting around a table happened to be Mina, Vex, Lira, Kristen, and Skylar. There were two empty chairs, one of Riyku and one for Cira. Everyone was extremely composed and the atmosphere was tense which threw him off completely. He expected Kristen to at least jump on him or something, but maybe this wasn't the time. ”You all...” Riyku would huff heavily. ”Well, let me do the introductions and explain what is going on here.” Riyku would take his seat after helping Cira to her seat.

”Everyone, this is Cria Maverick. Cira, this is Kristen Luvlin, Lira Lee, Vex Verina, Mina Novva and then her brother Skylar Novva.” Riyku would start with the introductions and everyone would make some kind of silent gesture which caused Riyku's brow to twitch. ”Since no one wishes to speak up I'll begin by informing everyone of the two reasons why Cira is here. First off, Cira is my bride.” Riyku was going to say something further, but Kristen's odd chuckling, Vex's glare, Lira and Mina's innocent smiles were preventing him from doing so. ”Bride? Can you explain?” Skylar would try his best to get information from Riyku without the girls attempting to peg him down with questions themselves. Riyku would nod and release a heavy sigh. ”I was getting to that. You see, Cira here was being forced to marry someone against her will. I struck a deal with her, asking her to postpone her marriage until after the Death Games so I could use my achievements as a means to get her to marry me. Make no mistake though, I have no feelings for her. I just did not want her to lose her freedom.” Riyku would explain to them in a summary of what happened. ”Forced? Freedom?” Mina inquired and Riyku would nod. ”Yes, her father was originally forced to give his daughter away to keep their company afloat. However, after discussing with him and meeting her former engaged, I took his place and satisfied his conditions.” Riyku stated. ”If I am not mistaken, would Cira's Father be Dominic Maverick?” Lira inquired. ”Yes.” Riyku would nod which caused everyone to sigh heavily and shake their heads. ”Poor girl.” Kristen would look to Cira who blinked rapidly, confused on why she was being given sympathetic looks.

”Well, it makes sense now. Riyku can't help, but help people. Though, I am curious as to what conditions were needed.” Vex stated in thought. ”Oh, Riyku will be taking over the company after my Father steps down.” What Cira said caused everyone to give a shocked expression. ”Taking over an entire company? As in Runic Manaume? The company that excels in extracting magika materials?” Mina simpled to inquire which caused Cira to nod. ”Yup, that's the one,” Cira stated which caused everyone to go silent for a good moment. ”Ooookay. That explains the first thing that was to be brought up, what about the second one?” Kristen asked to which Riyku looked at Cira and gave her a motion to go ahead. Everyone saw this exchange and focused in on Cira. ”I want to become part of Riyku's Harem,” Cira stated boldly, firmly, no trace of fear in her eyes, not shot of her backing down either. ”Uhhh...” Mina would look at everyone else who looked at one another before looking at Riyku. ”I am okay with it. However, I want to make sure you all are fine with it as well.” Riyku stated. Skylar would nod, ”I am okay with it. Cira doesn't seem like a terrible person. Especially if she has Riyku coming to her aid.” Skylar stated with a smile. ”Well, If Riyku and Skylar agree I am on board as well,” Mina added, which now left Kristen, Vex and Lira. ”I don't sense any ill intention coming from her. So, I am giving my okay.” Vex added and Lira would agree with Lira. All that was left was Kristen who gave this thoughtful expression. ”Let me ask you one thing, Cira. Why do you want to become a part of Riyku's Harem? I want to say this to make this clear, we are not simply a group of friends. We are much more than that. We have each other back when the tough gets going. We are connected deeper than any lover or best friend could be and Riyku's Harem is nothing like those you may have heard of or read in books. So, what do you want to join?” Kristen would give her a stern look. Everyone kept silent though and looked at the two of them.

”Honestly... Sitting in this room now. I can tell that you all care deeply about him and that he cares deeply for each of you. My reasoning for joining may have been simply to get to know him better as a person. To become a part of his life and make wonderful memories with him. I won't go out of my way and say that I love him, but I do like him and I respect him deeply. When we first met, I thought he was just some stuffy hot guy who thought they could bullshit their way around with their charms. Though, when I was on my last legs, while everyone gave up on me. He came to my aid. He believed in me and showed me that I was not wrong. That I was not weak. He pushed me to strive towards my goals and for that I am thankful. I just wish to know more about him, much more than I already do now. He saved me not once, but twice now. It's not out of gratitude that I am asking to join, but simply because I want to become a part of this man's life.” Cira replied firmly. ”I understand what you are saying. Riyku has helped every one of us in some way or manner. He has even saved each of us. So I can understand your admiration. I just have one final question for you.” Kristeen would state which caused everyone to look towards her. ”Are you willing to go against the entirety of the world for this man?” This question could have easily been taken as a joke, but the tense atmosphere showed Cira that she was serious. ”Go against the entirety of the world for Riyku?” Cira made sure she understood the question correctly. ”Yes, that is correct. I am sure you may know to some degree that Riyku is special. As we all know, those with great power can become feared by all. If that day ever came, would you stand by his side or would you side with the world?” Kristen was firm in her question.

”I....”

A ding sound would cause Riyku's eyes to rise.

'Warning! You are being pulled into Dungeon: Underworld.'

”What?!” Riyku narrowed his eyes at the screen that popped up before him. ”Riyku?” Kristen looked at him as did everyone else. The atmosphere started to warp and twist and without a moment to lose Riyku ended up in the Underworld Dungeon. He was still sitting at the table like before; however, what caught his attention the most was that everyone that was inside of the room was still with him. ”Huh!?” Lira looked around hastily. ”What is this!?” Vex was shocked just as much as everyone else. Kissing his teeth the male would rise and examine the room. It appeared relatively safe, though he could feel the presence of monsters just outside of the room. ”Riyku? Is this?” Skylar would narrow his eyes, seeming to have sensed the presence of entities as well. ”This is the dungeon I was talking about. I was pulled into it last time as well but now is beyond me.” Riyku answered.

”So... can we leave the way you did last time?” Mina asked, trying her best to keep composure, but the one who was most confused was Cira. ”Ummm... where are we? You all seem to know what's going on, is this normal?” Cira inquired as she shivered slightly. Kristen would shake her head. ”Well, we only know what Riyku has told us. We have never actually come here. Riyku knows more about this place than us, but rest assure, we are safe and so are you.” Kristen would speak up as she moved to hug Cira.

”We should be able to leave if we find that sphere; however, the last time I was pulled in I had to clear something before I could leave. If this is the same, I need to clear it again. But...” Riyku's expression seemed grime. ”But what?” Mina asked. ”The last time I came here was with Seraphina. The simple monsters here are easy for us, but the boss-type monsters are extremely strong. Without Seraphina, I may have died back then...” Riyku's statement caused them some shock. Something was able to keep up with Riyku? This place was truly that dangerous? ”You all wait here for a moment. I am going to step outside the door and test something.” Riyku stated and moved to open the door and step out. ”What do you think he's doing?” Vex asked. ”Scouting probably,” Skylar answered. ”Yeah, we can't do much with a lack of information,” Mina added. ”Will he be okay?” Cira asked and everyone looked to her in silence. ”He will,” Kristen added with a soft smile and everyone nodded shortly after. A moment had gone by and Riyku returned and slammed the door shut. ”Riy--” Riyku brought his finger to his mouth as a sign to keep quiet and they all covered their mouths. A few seconds passed even though they felt like minutes and the footsteps passed the room once then twice, but not a third time. Riyku would unleash a soft sigh and lean against the door. ”What was that about?” Lira asked the question that everyone seemed to want to know the answer to.

”I was testing to see if this was a safe room. When I came here with Seraphina, and even the first time I came here the monsters only appeared in certain areas. When we entered those areas they notice of us then, but I never confirmed if they were restricted to those areas. In addition to that, the monsters return after a few moments as well. In the same Area, they were once in. I wanted to test if there were safe rooms, or even if they could not venture past a certain point. I lost aggro of several monsters in different areas and the monsters do not enter closed-door rooms. They do enter rooms without doors though. So this place is relatively safe, but....” Riyku closed his eyes which caused everyone to gulp heavily. ”But what?” Kristen inquired. ”This place is far larger than the previous times I came in. I haven't even found a staircase leading downward or upward, and there are several halls even though I only ventured down this hall. There are also several monster types from beast to humanoid and all of them are Demons. So, I have no idea where we are at. I lack information... Therefore, I will be going on a scouting mission, solo.” Riyku stated aloud.