Chapter 105: Contract (2) (1/2)

”I'm so glad you came.” Cyn said as she walked closely beside Glint. The trio of adventurers were now making their way deeper inside of the Memento Mori chapel. Glint was surprised to find that the lounge area was merely one aspect of the building. Behind it there were many rooms, largely emptied or unoccupied. There were also many more people. The small group of people continued to walk and talk about various things with Atru at the lead.

Cyn and Atru ignored everyone else altogether but Ashe couldn't help but notice -- his senses were on edge. Nagging doubts had begun to take shape in his mind and with the scurrying of footsteps and averted gazes Ashe was feeling justified by his sense of phantom apprehension.

*What do I really have to fear? Maybe being robbed or something? It's not like they can steal experience or second death us. We'll just respawn at the tabernacle. Anything we lose, we can get back with our own hands.* This was the logic Ashe tried to use to calm his foreboding heart.

*So why do I still feel so….*

Ashe's class, Deftblade, functioned as a mix between melee and scout. By briefing using light magic to turn invisible or to misdirect his foes he could slip behind enemy lines. Along with this came a keen danger sense. It was more than just a feeling, for Ashe his skills as an adventurer were firing off ceaselessly -- telling him that something was afoot.

*There's a strange intent which permeates this place. I can't put my finger on it.* Ashe was so rapt in his own thoughts that he didn't even hear Glint call his name.

”Ashe. Are you okay?” Glint asked. To anyone but Fargo and Glint, it would seem as if Glint was showing concern for his comrade but Fargo also took special interest in Ashe's answer.

”Yea. Peachy.” Ashe responded with a forced smile.

At this Fargo furled his brow in confusion, for he thought everything was going well.

*This is...the signal for 'take caution'. But...where's the threat?* Fargo thought inwardly. Glint was also having the same conversation in his mind, though his train of thought was entirely different. He'd known Ashe slightly longer than Fargo and in that time Ashe had never been wrong about an ambush, attack or even so much as a person with ill intent. This response put Glint on full guard.

*We're in a chapel, so the number of things that could happen are pretty low. Still.. Ashe is never wrong.* Glint cast a glance towards Cyn who seemed to be genuinely enjoying her time with him.

”Keen.” Glint responded with the slightest of nods. Ashe then glanced towards Fargo, awaiting some kind of confirmation from him as well. He gave one reluctantly before cursing inwardly, *Damn Ashe and his hunches. Well, I suppose this did sound a little too good to be true.*

Rather than breaking rank to flee, the trio followed their hosts further into the chapel as they searched for a good excuse to detach themselves. Just a minute or two later they reached what Glint assumed to be the inner hall of the chapel. The area was grand and decadent. Beautiful hardwood floors, exquisite architecture and even large photos adorning the walls. There was a large fountain at the center of the room and on the far western wall, a bar with hundreds of bottles of liquor. On the eastern wall a row of lounge style couches were positioned to create a semi circle with several smaller glass tables near them. The room was a mix of polished hardwood and gold trimming. Behind the fountain was a semi spiraling staircase which lead up to the second floor of the building.

”Ah. Welcome. Cyn, Atru I see you have guests.”

This was Glint's first time meeting Gaines.

”Gaines! What are you doing here? I thought for sure you'd be out on business. Keeping a chapel afloat is never easy! Fargo, I'd like to introduce you to the leader of Memento Mori, Enzo Gaines.” Atru said as he extended his open hand towards a tall, rotund man with thick limbs. Glint, being 185 cm himself (6'1) was not used to looking up to anyone. Still, Enzo dwarfed the dark-skinned Fighter by several centimeters at 205 cm (6'9).

Gaines was impeccably dressed, with a mostly black and white pinstripe vest over a long sleeved, white dress shirt. His pleated dress pants matched the vest, complemented by checkerboard fine leather dress shoes. He also sported a fur coat which made his broad shoulders seem a bit more regal.

Gaines sported peppered hair, deep brown with grey tones. His hair was impeccably combed over and his mustache was just as well groomed.

*Mario.* Glint immediately thought as he took note of Gaines distinct curved mustache. The most distinct feature of the imposing man, despite how well dressed or groomed, was a gold trimmed monocle placed over his left eye.

Suddenly Glint found his observation of Gaines shattered as an extended hand reached out to him.