The bustling noise of the underworld formed an atmosphere different from what most would imagine. A world known to be cruel and dangerous, yet the reality was contrary to that. Conversations echoed throughout the city below, filled with laughter and joy.
The heavy pressure had softened. The cold wind was replaced with a warm embrace. The once eerie silence had turned into a vibrant atmosphere.
Roako lay still atop the scaly body, oblivious to the surroundings. Wounds once seared into his body were now covered in wraps. Gashes were wrapped with bandages, glowing green as they radiated warmth.
A pair of eyes watched over him, waiting.
Another figure had entered the room.
"How's the boy?" asked the figure in a calm, collected manner. "Will he be alright, doc?"
A raspy voice spoke up, "Heee'll be fine." A small hiss coming out at the end of their sentence.
Roako's body started to shake, short spasms followed. Sweat dripped down his body as a scream followed shortly behind.
Roako had woken up, his body sweating, fear resided in his eyes. Large, heavy breaths as his eyes darted around the room. His pain had subsided but had still lingered, most prominently around his arms.
He looked toward the figure that had entered the doorway. A large white fur coat covered her body as she watched with a laid-back posture from afar. A thick white tail flowed behind her body and white wolf-like ears rested upon her head.
She showed a smile, revealing a pair of sharp canine teeth. "Enjoyed your rest, did ya?" her voice radiated a smooth yet warm tone. "Our doc took quite good care of ya. Ya should really thank her."
"Jussst doing my job." hissed the doctor as she slithered around continuing to observe Roako upon her back.
Roako showed a confused look before speaking up. "Where am I? Who are you people and why don't you guys look like humans?" he asked, his tone quick and confused.
"This is the underworld, boy. My name is Kyri and the doctor before ya is Liora. Our Contracts have given us this appearance, and as such we have been banished or driven away to the underworld. I suggest you watch your words before ya get killed.", her voice sharp and cold, her eyes narrowed with a frown following.
Stone walls surrounded him, torches kept the place both warm and lit. A few beds resided in the room, a table with equipment alongside each bed.
He started to push himself up attempting to stand. His arms pushing against the scaly body of Liora. Her body was smooth and warm, instinctively her body quickly slithered away.
Roako tried to gather himself, struggling to stand upright without shaking.
A brief silence ensued.
Breaking the silence was Roako as he said, "Thank you for taking care of me, but what will you guys do with me now? I don't exactly want to get eaten." His demeanor had shown his gratitude, yet it was filled with doubt. "There must've been a reason why you guys took care of me."
Kyri tilted her head slightly before taking a few steps forward. Her eyes were sharp and ferocious as she peered into his eyes. After a brief second, she took a step back.
"Few things, first if we wanted to eat ya, ya wouldn't be standing here. Secondly, just cause we look like a bunch of monsters and freaks don't mean ya disrespect us," her voice bold and firm.
Roako tensed up before letting out a quiet, "Sorry."
She let out a small sigh before continuing. Her eyes softened and let out a subtle smile.
"Lastly, I was impressed. The way ya fought and kept pushing was, well, impressive. I didn't think ya would make it here. Ya see we watched from afar and a few of us were quite amazed. Usually we just leave ya bunch alone. But I will admit, ya caught my eye."
Roako had a shocked look on his face. He was a bit taken aback by her statement. A smile formed on his face as his chest puffed up slightly.
"A few of us quite dislike those who look normal. I may not be one of them, but I suggest ya keep an eye out. Now tell me, what did ya come here for?" her voice turned serious. She leaned back hoping for a response.
"I wanted to get away from the orphanage. Now that I've finally escaped, I want to enact justice upon this city and to do that I need to get stronger," Roako clenched his fist, his face once full of pride was now filled with hatred.
Kyri let out a snicker as she smiled. "Well we got a few ways of doing that down here, but I suggest ya go to the mainland. Down here all we do is fight each other, but up there? All sorts of powerful beasts reside up there. Quite impressive if ya ask me. Become an adventurer or join the academy, or ya can stay down here and learn to fight in the colosseum." Her voice softened as she saw his thirst for strength.
"I used to be quite the strong adventurer back in the days, until they started to get rid of people like me and Liora. If they didn't stop me, I might've ended up with the king's head in my hand." Kyri started to look down, her fists tightening as resentment surfaced. Her hair started to spike up as her ears perked up.
Liora had continued to monitor the situation off the side. Upon seeing Kyri's hair perk up, Liora had started to slowly slither forward before gently smacking her back.
"Yeah, I know Liora. But this outcome was probably better, my head might've ended up on a stick like some of the others haha," she said with a faint sarcastic chuckle. "Right, right, back to the point. Ya best rest up here before heading up to the surface. They'll kill peasants like ya, with no remorse to boot."
Roako continued to look blankly, processing all the information given to him. Pain occasionally washed over his face as his arms shook and his eyes winced.
He held his pain as fury and determination grew within. His eyes burned with motivation.
"I'll do anything to get stronger. Strong enough to destroy this tyrannical system," he said, his voice low and iron-clad, devoid of hesitation.