That evening, bells toll, which causes Arata to suddenly stop in his tracks. Arata happens to remember his promise, returning to the city gates.
Almost forgot, if I need answers, hopefully a knight should know lots about the state of the world. Their name was Morgan, if I recall. Never got a last name, they're a captain knight though, should I be more formal?
"Hey Arata! Selena!" A knight figure points out, their cape flowing as they walk over. The figure pats Selena on the back.
Selena sounds shocked, "Sir Morgan, sorry I disappeared without saying anything. I've just recently retired. There are-" Her eyes darken in thought of what to say,
"She's been through a lot… I think you should let Selena take her time." Arata goes on to explain. Morgan acknowledges, nodding their head.
Morgan explains, "We're heading up to the top of the dam. Sorry about asking you to meet near the front of the city since the walk is a little far from here. I just needed a place you'd recognize. Want to join us, Selena?"
I mean, I wouldn't mind… as long as I get the info I was looking for. This city is confusing. Arata and Selena trail alongside Morgan, an exhausting walk to get to the dam's pulley, yet Selena does not tire. Even less than Morgan is.
The pulley lets out a cranking noise as their slow, rickety ascent starts. Arata has never been a fan of heights, Ren always teased him for being a coward when it comes to that kind of stuff.
However, he looked down on the cityscape, feeling no fear, knowing that once you die, it recontextualizes fear. Of course, he didn't like the heights, yet he has more courage than he once had. Remember… new Arata, change mentality… Ren would always bully me over that.
The sun is beginning to set as Arata beholds the scenery. With how small the inner and outer gates look from a distance, it does a great deal to put into perspective the sheer grandeur of the dam.
At the top, there appear to be many knights all near an impressive fort; Arata could've mistaken it for a castle. The stone building appears to have been added as an extension to the dam itself, the structure embedded into the side of it and extending over the top and around to the other side of the dam.
On the other side of the dam is an endless expanse of water, alongside the dam are a few beaches dotted around with buildings or boats. Yet no one appears to be using them, not with what is inside the ocean.
They made their way out to a small hut on a beach. Seemingly, the only place with the lights kept on. Inside was a little girl who never spoke a word, simply pouring out three beers from a keg upon seeing Morgan. She wore a long-sleeved robe, a hair net and an apron.
She then tends to the grill, igniting it causes her tan skin to glow, the aroma of seafood filling the room. She works diligently with her hair tied back in a ponytail. Despite the flames, she doesn't sweat. Her efficiency seems practiced. Arata lets himself bask in the atmosphere for a second.
"Fresh seafood? I thought the oceans were too dangerous for fishing boats to go out there?" Arata questions, hoping the place isn't too expensive. If fishing is a death job, am I really gonna blow all my money on some fish?
"Oh no, don't worry, the grilled lamprey for a crescent deal here is the best. The best bite in town, unfortunately, is in an inopportune location for most customers. The soldiers up here like it so much so that this place hasn't been investigated for money laundering yet." Morgan begins to fawn, not a hint of suspicion towards the establishment.
Beer… I never drank any before; the legal age back in my world for the U.S. is 21. I guess if this is like the medieval era, any age is drinking age. How do adults even drink this stuff? It tastes like wheat with bitter hints.
"Hey, Morgan. You said there was some stuff for you to explain to me. First, what's the deal with the gate costs? You mentioned it was much higher when we met?" Arata decides to open the conversation first.
Morgan takes a big swig before they answer, "I dunno really how the exact pricing goes down, but we're at war. Outsiders are much harder to let inside now."
Arata's eyes peel towards Morgan as he watches in confusion. They drink like a trash can, not opening their helmet, instead pouring the liquid through the grate over their mouth. Arata's mind floods with imagination about how they eat their rations as a knight.
"The Mad King of Hearts, a tyrant demon. His arsenal is horrifying, possessing the lower key of Solomon, the forest of elves, as well as many more gut-wrenching tactics." Morgan explains.
After another sip, she goes on another side rant, "Most of the knights and their men have been drafted to fight in the war already. Only a few remain stationed at this location. Myself, Sir Cayden, Sir Pine and the private military of The Baker." Morgan whines in a manner that displays their pride, complaining about not getting a chance to fight.
Selena's body freezes up at that second part; however, her demeanor doesn't give away why. The owner of the establishment walks over, placing three plates with skewered meat.
Morgan sticks the skewer into the gap of their helmet as the stick comes out clean through the gap. Glee in their voice as Arata peeks back behind the counter of the chef. It looks like Kabayaki, really out of place in this world, since the rest all seems a lot more akin to medieval Europe. Lamprey, illegal to eat from where I'm from, can't actually say I'm all too keen on the idea. After the first bite, he realizes his worry was unfounded, it was delicious.
Furthermore, the owner appears to be cooking up what looks like turtle soup but the head of the turtle has hair and she rips the bowl off its head to pour the broth into, handing it to Selena, stating, "On the house."
What? What animal was used in that soup? I should just lean over a little to get a look.
Selena satisfies Arata's curiosity, "This is kappa meat, they're monsters found in bodies of water… You shouldn't have any, though, only those with a hunter's stomach."
Morgan chuckles, "The hunter's stomach can break down mana, it's a rare trait useful for anyone who has manifestation magic. It actually allows them to fight since they can replenish mana by consuming monsters."
I see, a mutation then? Not that i'd need it since my soul reloads mana upon death.
"That was all good but I think I've had a bit too much to drink. Let's call it quits for now, Arata. I'll pay for everyone." Morgan exclaims, having had a little too much to drink.
Despite that, Arata pulls out his wallet, placing a quarter into the owner's hand, "it's a tip, take it." Her food is good… wait, tipping culture probably isn't like in America. What do people think of tips in this world with the current economy?
The young girl looks confused, tilting her head at the idea of a tip; meanwhile, Arata is already out the door with Selena as they part ways with Morgan and return home.
Arata lies back down on his bed. The people downstairs sound like rabbits in heat, rabbits… I can't stop thinking about those creatures in this world.
Arata feels himself drift off, his body grows cold as he begins to sleep. He wasn't drifting off to a dream. He awakes in an unfamiliar environment, the lights are bright like a TV show set. He hears obnoxious laughing.
This hits too close to home. Did I really die in my sleep? Did I actually die of exhaustion? No…
The sight around him wasn't the theater; there were no browns, only greens and there was no Ravenna. He saw another creature with two wings instead of one. There were multiple of them, flying around him and another figure. Two tiny maids and a suited-up figure with a dapper-looking top hat.
There was the short kid too, right next to him. Her complexion was the same familiar tan and her expression was empty. Most interesting about her, though, was the toffee colored hair and white plumage intertwined with her hair. She awakes slowly, looking up at the winged creatures, then to Arata with murky red eyes. She wears a hood with the top currently down, underneath is a hunter's shirt that's surely too big to fit on her body and shorts beneath that. She stretches, ruffling the feathers on her arm as she stands up, revealing her slightly gray pigmented legs.
The bird girl turns to Arata, "Who are you?"