The city of Forterra was a labyrinth of white stone buildings that surrounded three massive towers which rose into the heavens and three massive pits that sunk into the depths of the earth. The massive features formed in a circle which acted as the center for the entire city. Buildings and streets jutted out from the center at odd and unpredictable angles, which caused them to take on more unusual shapes the further away one went. The lack of planning and coordination of structures and businesses made city planners the world over cringe.
During the city's initial development, hunters gathered from all over the world for the opportunities the local dungeons provided. While the original townsfolk enjoyed the initial economic growth, they soon came to realize the cold truth about living with hunters. They lived as they pleased, acted as they pleased, and built their homes as the pleased.
The result of generations of coordinated incoordination:
Chaos.
"Are you sure we're going the right way?" Reid asked the mage.
The boy wore his specialized beaskin hat once again. He wasn't trying to hide his mixed blood heritage, but he wasn't eager to show it off either. Anna had agreed that he should wait until they got to know the city more until he revealed who he was.
"Yeah. I know it seems like a bunch of random turns, but this is actually the quickest route. There are no straight paths in Forterra after all." He replied with practiced ease.
The mage spent years as a summoner for the mages guild. During that time he had escorted new hunters and merchants through the labyrinthian city countless time. And every time, without fail, they had the same confused reaction.
"When I heard this was the labyrinthian city, I assumed the dungeons were the labyrinth, not the city!" The boy complained.
"Oh, don't worry. The dungeons are just as bad!" The mage said with mock enthusiasm.
"Hey Amadeus, do you remember the path we took to get here?" The boy asked.
"Huh? Oh sorry, I haven't been paying attention. I was practicing void magic." He replied nonchalantly.
"In the middle of the city!!! Don't you know how dangerous that is!" Reid shouted internally.
"No, I don't. That's why I've been researching it. Why do you assume it's so dangerous?" Amadeus asked.
"Because that's the same evil magic the cult of Enak uses!"
"I don't know anything about the cult, but let me ask you this. Is the magic itself evil, or is it just evil by association?"
"I… guess it's just evil because the cult uses it." He admits. "But that doesn't change how people would react if they saw us using it. Its forbidden magic for Agalia's sake!"
"Understood. In that case, I'll put its research on the backfoot for now. I'll focus on spells that will be more useful in combat."
As the two wrapped up their own conversation, the group had arrived at their destination.
"Here we are! The Forterra hunter's guild!" The mage holds his hand out to the building in an exaggerated gesture.
The massive complex was two stories tall, 50 meters wide, and 100 meters long. Its design was far simpler than its Alcacian counterpart, but was far larger by comparison. Its simplicity spoke to the practical nature of the city.
"I'm off to complete my quest at the mage's guild. Best of luck in the dungeon, you too. I'm sure you'll do great things. I hope we can meet again someday."
"Thank you for taking the time to show us the way, we really appreciate it. And best of luck to you too!" Anna answered him with a kind smile on her face.
The mage gives them a small nod of his head before taking off.
"We should get going too." She said.
"Right behind you." The boy replies.
They walk through the double doors of the enormous guild. The atmosphere inside was completely different than what they experienced in Alcacia. Energetic shouts filled the air, interrupted occasionally by the clacking of wooden mugs.
The ground floor was wide open, without a single wall to obstruct its patrons, much like a ballroom. That space was still insufficient as hordes of hunters moved about, all with a unique destination and pace.
Reid looked out at the sea of people as his eyes narrowed slightly.
On his left was a bar with tables and benches where many rambunctious cheered with reddened faces. In the center of the room was a quest board where the more diligent hunters stood in quiet consideration. On the right side was a board that read 'general information'. The area was relatively abandoned despite the vital information it provided, such as guild announcements, party requests, and basic exchange rates.
At the back end of the guildhall sat the receptionist's windows. The left most window was labeled 'exchange' and was used to turn in spoils from the dungeons. The exchange rates for goods weren't great when compared to merchants, but the ease of access and quick turnaround time made it the favored exchange method for many hunters. This was evident as the line stretched all the way to the seating area.
The center receptionist window was simply labeled 'quest'. As the name suggests, it was both for accepting and completing quests.
The final window on the far right was labelled 'administration'. It was where hunters could ask question, request assistance, obtain general information, and fill out paperwork. It had the shortest line by far, which was lucky as this was exactly where Reid and Anna needed to go.
After a short que, Reid and Anna made it to the front where a beastkin receptionist greeted them.
"Welcome to the Forterra hunter's guild! How can I help you today?" Her fierce feline features contrasted her otherwise friendly tone.
"Hello. We're here from the Alcacia guild. We were told that you would be expecting us." Reid explained.
"Ah, yes. The guildmaster mentioned it the other day. May I see your guild cards? I need to verify your ID before I continue."
"No problem." He replies simply as they hand over their bronze cards.
The receptionist looks at the cards curiously before asking, "Is your third member doing something else at the moment?"
Assuming it was another plot by Varen to spread rumors about his 'dual-soul' talent, he transforms.
"Eek!" The receptionist shrieked as nearby hunters snapped toward her scream. Trained eyes glared into the boys back as if assessing their prey.
Reid was wrong. There was no convoluted plot here, just a scared receptionist.
"My apologies. I didn't mean to startle you. I am the third member in question." Amadeus replied flatly before shifting back into Reid.
"We're really sorry about that, my partner here is used to Alcacia where everyone knows about his transformation ability." Anna says in a soothing tone.
The receptionist looked between the two young hunters and the guild cards in front of her. Her eyes catch on the dual-soul talent before nodding. She takes a few more breaths, regaining composure with each exhale. As the tension drops from her shoulders, the glares began to relax, but they did not turn away.
"Don't worry a'meow't it… *Ahem* I mean, about it. I should be the one apologizing for screaming like that." She bows her head slightly before continuing, "Give me just a minute to find the paperwork for you."
Reid and Anna exchange glances, Reid's awkward smile met Anna's narrowed eyes.
"Here we go!" The receptionist exclaimed while laying two documents and a letter out in front of them.
"The document on top is the contract for your inn, just hand it to the innkeeper and they'll set you up with a place for the night. Below that is a map of the city. I recommend always having that with you. I've lived here for years, and I still get lost from time to time. Last up,, inside the envelope is your stipend from the guild. It's nothing crazy, just enough to buy food for the week."
"Thank you." Reid says while stuffing the items in the pouch on his hip.
"You two are supposed to work with the Azure Ravens, right?" She asks.
"That's what they told us." He said.
"Unfortunately, they already left for the dungeons a while ago. They mentioned they would be back tomorrow morning so we can introduce you then. Other than that, that should be everything the guildmaster wanted me to do for you. Do you have any questions?" She asked with a polite tone.
"I think we're good. Thanks for the help!" Anna replied with a polite tone to match.
"No problem, have a good day!"
The two begin to walk away, noticing that many stares hadn't left them throughout the entire interaction.
If their goal was to get attention, then they had certainly succeeded.
"Who the hell do these kids think they are?" A man complained.
"D rank? Yeah right." A woman said dismissively.
"What's up with these two? They the guilds favorites or something?" Another wondered.
The rumors began spreading from all directions. Not wanting to sit in the swarm of scrutiny any longer, Reid and Anna make a hasty retreat from the guildhall.
After bolting from the door, they realized it wasn't far to their next destination. The Inn that was picked out for them was only one block away from the guild. After checking the sign and the name on the map matched, they entered the Holly Inn.
"Welcome to the Holly Inn. One room or two." An unenthusiastic man greeted them from behind a desk.
He had black hair, and sickly pale skin that covered a tall but lanky body.
"Oh, we have a contract already." Reid responds, handing the man the document he recently received.
"Let's see. Single room, extended stay, meals and bath included." The innkeeper read the contract aloud.
"Excuse me, did you say one room?"
⁘⁘⁘⁘
Reid stood at the center of the large room that felt impossibly small for two people to share. His face had been in a constant state of crimson since he heard their room situation from the innkeeper. The pair of beds, one on each corner of the room, had alleviated some of his concerns, but his mind was still running wild with 'scenarios'.
He continued looking straight ahead, out the room's single window. He tried to turn around to face the girl behind him, but found his body paralyzed.
Anna wasn't fairing much better. Her flirtatious front had crumbled under a situation that felt much too real for her. She wondered briefly what kind of advice her old family would give her in this situation, but their imaginary words only made her more nervous.
After a few deep breaths, she summoned up the courage to don her bold façade once more. She approached the boy in front of her.
"What are you so nervous for Reid? Are you expecting something to happen? Or are you going to try something tonight?" Her statement was accusatory, but her voice was innocent, almost playful.
She walked away before the boy could react. She stood facing her bed, her hands held loosely behind her back.
"What? No, I- I'm not expecting anything to happen. I was just thrown off my the whole room situation ." His unsteady voice came out in almost a shout.
"Do you really mean that?" Her voice was meek as her hands twitched slightly. Only the boy, with his enhanced senses, would have any hope of hearing it.
The fear he felt in her voice was like a splash of cold water to the boy.
"I won't do anything. I mean it." His voice was deep and serious.
From his position, he couldn't see the girls' face, couldn't see her reaction. He had to wait with bated breath as the girl stood there motionless.
In truth, she was incredibly relieved. She was stubbornly pushing Reid toward something she didn't know if she even wanted. Something she knew she wasn't ready for. What would she have done if he accepted? How would she react?
She didn't know. She cursed her own stupidity. Her thoughts spiraled for a time before the boy's words echoed in her head and relaxed her raging mind. She was grateful the boy had stood there patiently, giving her time to process everything.
With a small spin, Anna turned to face Reid while sitting down on her new bed.
"Good! Then let's talk ground rules. We don't want things to get awkward after all." Her tone had returned to normal.
Reid finally let go of the breath he had been holding. His body relaxed as the air left his lungs.
"That's a good idea. What did you have in mind?" He asked while taking a seat on the other bed.
"Just simple stuff, like knocking before entering the room, or not changing in front of each other." She said.
"Sounds good." A smile crept onto the boy's face as the mood between them returned to normal.
⁘⁘⁘⁘
"The indigo café." Reid read aloud from the sign hanging above him.
"So this is the place we're meeting them." Anna notes as she looks over their unexpected destination.
When they arrived at the guild hall, the receptionist informed them that the members of the Azure Ravens they were supposed to meet had already left. They had decided that a nearby café was a better place for their meeting.
For its part, the café was a lovely venue. The buildings white walls were well maintained, shining brighter than any of the surrounding structures. The ground floor had multiple wood shutter windows colored a deep indigo, matching the café's namesake.
"They're really just doing whatever they feel like." Anna complains about their unprofessional behavior.
"It's not a big deal. They probably have a reason to meet up here instead... Probably." Reid replied with shaky conviction.
"Guess we should head inside." Anna took charge and led the way.
A small bell chimes as they enter through the wooden doorway. The entry way was tight, a tall wooden partition on their left separated them from the rest of the café. They only took a few steps before a conversation on the other side of the wall grabbed their attention.
"Oh, my. Honey! We're in public! Stop!" A woman's voice complains merrily. Her 'stop' seemed to be anything but a warning.
"I'm sorry, my love. You're just so captivating that I couldn't help myself." A man's voice answered.
"Geez what am I going to do with you?" She said with fake exasperation.
"I can think of a few things for later…"
The faces of the young teens tinge red at the couple's bold flirting.
Anna powers through her embarrassment with heavy strides as she rounds the corner and enters the café's main room. The room was filled with empty tables and seats, the only exception being the one couple near the entrance.
The man was a human with a bulky build and short blonde hair, while the woman was an elf with long black hair. Upon further inspection, Anna realized they both wore intricate black leather hunting gear that was highlighted by deep blue accents.
'Don't tell me.' Anna and Reid shared the same thought.
Anna walked up to the couple with a look of visible disappointment on her face. They were too distracted with giggling together and staring deep into each other's eyes to notice the girl standing directly in front of them.
Reid could feel a cold aura emanating off his partner as she stared at the lovestruck couple.
"Excuse me." She finally said with a voice that chilled the air around her.
The man on the opposite side of the table suddenly snaps back to reality.
"Oh, yes. How can I help you?" He asks.
"Are you two part of the Azure Ravens?" She asks.
"Yes, we are." He replies simply.
Anna slumps over as her fear turned into a reality, or perhaps a nightmare. This ridiculous lovey-dovey couple was going to be their mentors for the foreseeable future.
"You two must be Anna and Reid?" The girl finally chimes in, having snapped back to reality as well.
"Yes… That's us…" She reluctantly confirms.