As I slowly opened my eyes, the melodic chirping of birds flitted through the open window, casting a serene backdrop to my awakening. "It has been thirty days since I arrived in this place," I mused quietly to myself, feeling the familiar weight of the past pressing down on me as I lay on the bed, its sheets still slightly rumpled from my restless sleep. My thoughts drifted to wolf. "Saff… Saff…," I whispered within my mind, hoping for a response that never came. "When will you come back to me?" The silence hung heavy in the air, a reminder of the bond that felt so distant.
Each of the past few days had settled into an unchanging routine. I'd rise from the bed and shuffle to the small ceramic bowl perched on the dresser, splashing cool water on my face to shake off the remnants of sleep. After dressing in the simplest of clothes, I would venture into the markets with Lin, whose vibrant energy was a welcome contrast to my subdued spirit. Our outings were filled with the vivid colors of stalls overflowing with fresh produce, the laughter of vendors, and the enticing aromas of street food that filled the air. I would contribute to our daily meals with whatever I could find, and after our shared meals, I would take a long, soothing bath before letting the day fade into night.
Lin, had become my steadfast friend and caretaker, and had been my anchor through this time of recovery. Just the other day, she excitedly relayed the doctor's encouraging words that I could finally return to my normal activities, having fully recovered from whatever had kept me bedridden for so long. A flutter of anticipation coursed through me—would today be the day?
Suddenly, I heard Lin's footsteps approaching my door, the familiarity of her presence filling me with a sense of warmth. I quickly sat up, shaking off the remnants of sleep, and crossed the room to open the door for her. She stood there, hands planted firmly on her hips, a playful smile dancing on her lips. "You're not even ready yet?" she chided gently, her tone a mix of amusement and exasperation. "Today, I'm going to refresh your memories and give you a tour of the guild. So, make sure you dress comfortably!" Her enthusiasm was infectious, and for the first time in a long while, I felt a spark of excitement surge within me.
As I walk alongside Lin, I can't help but reflect on the similarities and differences between this place and my original home. The architecture here is striking; the roofs are hipped, sloping elegantly on all four sides, which gives the buildings a sense of balance and grace. Each structure boasts gable triangular sections on two opposing sides, enhancing the symmetrical design that permeates the entire area.
The layout is centered around beautiful courtyards, where intricate wooden structures stand proudly. The craftsmanship is truly remarkable, with ornate carvings and details that add character and charm to each building. The overall atmosphere is one of harmony and aesthetic appeal, making every corner a visual delight. It's captivating to see how the cultural influences shape the architecture and create such a unique environment.
"Are you even listening to me, Meimie?" Lin exclaimed, stopping abruptly in her tracks. She turned around and fixed her gaze on me, clearly eager for my full attention.
"Yes, yes, I heard you," I assured her, trying to catch up on all the details. "You mentioned that below the brothel lies our guild's base, which extends a staggering 69 levels deep. Each of those levels is filled with 69 rooms. When you account for the ground level and the floors above it, we have a total of 21 levels, and each one of those has 21 rooms as well. You mentioned that you're not entirely sure how many members we currently have."
I paused briefly, gathering my thoughts before continuing, "Right now, we reside in the Recovery Courtyard, a safe space for us. There are also secret entrances and exits reserved exclusively for our guild members, which allow us to move in and out undetected. However, during non-mission hours, we are required to use the main entrance. And let's not forget, curfew is set for 8 PM sharp for non-mission members." There was so much more swirling in my mind, but it felt like too much to voice all at once. I glanced at her to see if she wanted me to elaborate further.
"Great! I said less than that so your memories are slowly coming back; that's a sign of good progress!" Lin said brightly, her face lighting up with enthusiasm as she jumped up and wrapped her arms around me in a joyous hug. It felt nice to see her excitement, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief that my memories were starting to return.
As we walked past the Jade Garden, the lush greenery and delicate flowers framed the scene before us. On the far wall, two imposing lion statues were positioned, standing ten feet apart, their carved features detailed and fierce. The stone figures exuded an aura of strength and guardianship, with thirty feet of solid wall stretching out on either side of them, creating a sense of grandeur.
Peering beyond the wall, it was evident that this was the edge of the building itself; everything past that marked the bustling streets outside, filled with the sounds of city life. Just then, Lin approached the right lion statue, her fingers gently brushing over its rough surface before pressing its nose. To my astonishment, the wall behind the lions began to part, revealing a hidden doorway that led into another room.
However, what lay beyond was not just an entrance; it was shrouded in an otherworldly, blurry film that resembled water, as if the entrance itself were alive. I felt a jolt of surprise and wonder coursing through me, leaving me momentarily speechless. This was unlike anything I had ever experienced.
Lin, seemingly unfazed by my astonished expression, turned to me with a mischievous grin. "Okay, here it goes!" she said, her voice filled with excitement. "You might feel a little funny, but eventually… no one really gets used to it… hahahah!" Her laughter rippled through the air, adding to the surreal atmosphere.
She reached for my hand, her grip warm and reassuring, and led me forward. As she stepped through the shimmering, liquid-like barrier, I hesitated for a moment, my heart racing with a mix of apprehension and curiosity. Watching her cross through the mystical doorway helped ease my nerves; I took a deep breath and, still holding her hand, stepped through it as well.
As I entered, it felt as if a cascade of cool water enveloped me, splashing against my skin, yet oddly, I could breathe easily. Everything around me fell silent, as though I had entered a different realm, the world beyond the film fading into obscurity. In that moment, all my trepidation was washed away, replaced by a thrilling sense of adventure as I followed Lin into the unknown.
Once we stepped through the now arched wooden door, it swung shut gently behind us, seemingly closing off the world we had just left. I glanced down at our clothes, wondering what to do with the wet fabric that should have clung to us, but to my astonishment, neither Lin nor I were damp. Our clothes and hair were completely dry, as pristine as they had been before we entered this intriguing place.
I stood there, dumbfounded, a sense of wonder washing over me as I pondered the magical nature of this era. The air hummed with an unexplainable energy, and the details around me appeared sharper, more vivid. Lin, noticing my awe, took my hand and pulled me along, her smile inviting me to follow. As I walked beside her, I looked up and saw a sign indicating that we were on floor -1. The door that had just closed behind us felt like a gateway to an entirely new realm.
We moved through a dimly lit vertical hallway, the soft glow of lights casting gentle shadows along the walls. I observed that the path ahead diverged into two separate hallways. Without hesitation, we turned right. After a few moments, we rounded a corner that shifted our trajectory back to a vertical path. Lin casually explained that the right side of this space was designated for females only, which piqued my curiosity even further.
As we continued, I began to see a warm, inviting light that resembled sunlight. Looking to my left, I was met with an expansive garden area, complete with a small artificial lake that glistened in the light. The sight was breathtaking, and a serene feeling washed over me. Lin chuckled at my wide-eyed wonder, assuring me that we weren't quite at our destination yet, and reminded me that the sleeping area was actually situated to the right.
After what felt like an eternity of navigating this open vertical hallway—its walls lined with rich, dark wood and opening entirely to the outside—I caught sight of double wooden doors that resembled those of my bedroom. The doors again were adorned with thin paper covering the windows. To my surprise, they were wide open.
Lin informed me that the section we had entered was where those who were on missions and undergoing training would sleep and rest, and access was restricted to individuals aged 16 and older. As we passed through, I was awestruck by the room's vastness; it had seemed so small from the outside. Inside, rows upon rows of neatly made beds were organized, each one flanked by its own vanity and wooden closet, creating a cozy yet efficient living space.
Continuing on, Lin turned left and led me into an open area, which she explained was for eating and resting. I scanned the scene, taking in the sight of numerous wooden tables and chairs artfully arranged throughout the spacious concrete area—all immaculately clean and inviting. Lin pointed toward the far end of the wall, proclaiming that the cafeteria was situated there, and assured me we would be visiting shortly.
Afterward, we ventured into another sleeping area that mirrored the first one in architecture and layout—the same doors, sleeping arrangements, and furniture. Lin explained that this particular section was designated for teenagers. I nodded, trying to absorb the information as we moved on.
Next, we arrived at yet another room with the same sleeping arrangements, only this time, the beds were smaller. Lin clarified that this area was meant for young children, indicating that the facility catered to a wide range of ages. I must have worn a puzzled expression because Lin continued walking without missing a beat, leading me around another corner to the left into yet another horizontal hallway.
Eventually, we reached a door that opened into the cafeteria itself. With a sense of excitement, Lin informed me of the meal schedule: breakfast was served at 5 AM, lunch at 11 AM, and dinner at 7 PM, all strictly enforced. She added that those who were on missions would receive allowances that allowed them to eat outside, a small privilege in this bustling environment.