亚洲综合中美

“Hey, Staxius,” a voice called out, he stood before said door and waited. His hand laid on the handle; hesitation forced him into a full stop. “Yes?” hearing his name, the moment of deep reflection broke, it was Jona – she came back up to check on Eira. “How is she doing?” he asked, “just a few injuries, her body is a bit frail. I’ve heard that they are planning to have her fight in the next two versus two. Personally, I’d advise against it, she’s been fighting so much that her body hasn’t had the time to recover. You may have heard about how big a stride she’s been making but that sort of progress comes with a price. A price she’s now fully repaying.” The usual spark in her eyes turned sour, it made her mad to see how much that girl neglected herself. “From that, I’m guessing you don’t want her to fight anymore?” the eyebrows raised, he asked in a curious tone. “Yes, it’s for the best,” she took a deep breath, “-it all depends on how fast she heals.” Her eyes changed from Staxius to inside the room. They both stared through a small window in the door.

On the way here, Staxius prepared a scroll just in case his daughter was badly injured. From the leftovers Avon had, he wrote one of which it’s quality was Rare. “Here,” he handed Jona the manuscript, “-I hope that will help in her recovery. Try and make her as healthy as possible.” He stepped away, “I’ve got things to do before I can properly train her for the fights. Keep it a secret, I’ll personally surprise her when Josiah reveals to her the partner she is to fight with.” The right hand moved forward, Jona shook it and he left. Staxius was very grateful to the Doctor; she had been a pillar in helping him and his party members when they were on the verge of death. The impression Staxius made when he first came in these halls was deeply imbedded within her mind, neither could forget one another. The friends and allies he made unwillingly and unconsciously were here to help him in whatever way he needed it.

“Avon,” the car’s door opened. Bystanders who stood by were always baffled by him and that magnificent car. “Yes master?” it replied, the door closed. “Time is rather late; we should head into the capital. I wish I could stay at Julius’s place but I rather finish all the preparation for the adventuring guild.” Without losing time, the car headed into Rosespire.

Meanwhile, out on the road, returning from their campaign in Plaustan; an emblem with a warrior forsaking his weapon. The carriage pulled by horses and trucks, it was a mix of both ancient and new technology. Though an impressive guild their focus was to always help people in need. Dusk set in, the roads turned dark, a few lights here and there lit the paths. After a few hours, the always deserted roads turned busy. A line of cars and vehicles waited their turn to enter; “over here,” a man waved. “That’s our ticket inside,” one of the companions spoke – people were too tired to speak. Instead, they nodded their heads.

“Good, you’ve made it,” the same man spoke joyfully, “please, enter this way. We’ve got orders from the guild to let you inside without you having to go through the normal security checks.” Without fail, they entered. The atmosphere completely changed, nighttime in the capital was as active as day time. The castle still overlooked all; the guardian. A few turns here and there, the carriage stopped. All the adventurers stepped off, the emblem shone as they walked through town. Said party was compromised of six members, the necklace reflected in black color. People who were familiar with how the ranking worked knew that said color represented Obsidian or Tier-nine. None paid heed for it was nighttime. People who walked were office workers who resented their way of earning money. Thus, was the norm in the business district.

“Gurdan, we’ve made it home,” one of the party members spoke out, “yeah we did,” he let out a sigh of relief. A massive building stood before them, it stretched on high none could see how tall it was before lifting their head. Normally said structure could not be allowed to exist but a mixture of magic and technology could make the impossible into reality. The door was of glass, the pathway leading up there was made of beautifully carved stones. All round, grass and trees that were maintained by the best gardener shared their beauty. The aura of it gave out was one of home; one of relaxation and one without the fear of death looming.

.....

“Greetings adventurers,” the receptionist called out, she sat in the center. Behind her, a wall with shelves containing various trophies from various guilds. Right of the hall as well as left, elevators and behind her staircases. Apart from those, the hall wasn’t that full of decoration; it looked minimalistic but elegant. “Greetings,” Edward returned the welcome, the party of six slowly approached. “Please state your guild and badges,” she asked with a smile. He handed her what she needed, “Blades end, welcome back home. The guild master is upstairs in the guild room, please take the elevator to the top floor.” She pointed to the right side, they nodded and left.

This building, seeing as the business district in the capital had been filled with other constructions was a decision made by the royal family. The tallest building to ever be built with all the resources and knowledge they had. A place where any and all guild could rent out a floor and make it their headquarters. The price was very expensive thus only high-end and successful associations could rent. Unwillingly it became a place desired by many, a goal to stand beside the elites. The first and only ones to make said place into their headquarters was none other than Blades End. Construction had just finished thus the lack of residents.

Nighttime fully engulfed the capital; it grew silent in some parts. Staxius walked the commercial district; arguably the loudest and liveliest place to be. He might have smiled before but now, seeing as all the money he held had been emptied out on a single girl. He could naught but stare vaguely into the crowd of people outside taverns, restaurants, bars, hotels, and shops. Everyone held a smile, ‘I should have been less reckless with the finance.’ Dorchester wasn’t an issue, he let it all into the hands of Julius. As the man Julius was, strong as he might have been, age caught up with the old party members. Staxius didn’t want to include the silver guardian, Julius, and Millicent into the adventuring guild he is soon to make. They were at the age of retirement. Fighting at that age whereas they could have been living a peaceful life, became another goal. To see the silver guardians getting married, the idea caught his mind but he laughed badly. The sight of them in wedding dresses, hours on end, he could try and imagine but end up laughing. ‘Underneath the dress, they’d probably have daggers ready and waiting.’ He thought while the journey to the garden continued. ‘No money, no food, just a car and the title of king, my life hasn’t changed that much,’ a dark spot within the luminous district marked the end. The garden came in sight, given that he could have slept in the car; the cramped place didn’t feel right. The fresh air and starry night had long been his friend. To this day, the pleasure of sleeping out in the open could not be rivaled by any bed nor chambers.

“Job well done,” a feminine voice spoke. Her face and body were hidden from view; the lady who spoke had her chair faced away from the party who returned. The view she had was of the entire capital in its full glory. “The escort quest has now been accomplished. Please leave any Qaisar and monster items you wish to part with. The payment will be delivered to your individual apartments.” They obeyed and left; their leader wasn’t someone they knew well. “Edward and Gurdan,” she spoke, they stopped, the rest left. “-the central guild has asked me to inform you that you’re eligible to take the evaluation test for tier-eight Steel.”

“Thanks, ma’am,” they left. Thus, the day ended, getting evaluated costed coins. Being promoted to Steel, the tier where most of the adventurers ranked was an honor for both. It proved that they were moving up in the world, the hard work paid off.

“Adelana,” Julius hung the phone, “what is it?” she replied while carrying bottles of alcohol, “-do tell everyone that Ayleth is doing just fine.” He went back to filling paperwork, “will do, thanks for the information,” she carefully headed to the tavern. “Here’s the second order of ale you’ve asked for,” everyone cheered, the bartender stood atop the counter and yelled, “free booze, come one come all, let us end this night like we normally do.” The inhabitants cheered, maids rushed all over to serve the guests.

In the corner, the silver guardians sat and drank as well. Undrar wasn’t herself and neither was Millicent. Both had changed subtly, everyone noticed but chose to ignore it. For Undrar, the thought of her bond breaking with Staxius did more damage than due. She felt worthless as well as rejected. The only reason she had come onto this realm was because of Staxius; however, the way he handled all became frustrating. Always leaving the hard work onto someone else, it made her both mad and sad. Despite this, it was thanks to him that she got to experience life here. The fear of death, the joys of life, the pleasures of having friends and companions. She experienced it all, her face always looked friendly though she hid those feelings deeply.

Millicent was of the same mindset, she was grateful. Sadly, being alienated from her position as a duchess by vote was more than she could take. Her position became one of a figurehead, the talented Julius ran the growing town. Though her jealousy quelled by the fact that the town did advance rapidly. The fear of money and running out of food became a second thought. Long away where the days where eating felt like torture. It would all have been fine, the smiles on the villager’s faces were well worth it if not that that thing. The voice that constantly ails her every day and night, the voice of betrayal. The voice that told her to kill and take her rightful place, it drove her insane day by day. Alcohol became the savior though it didn’t last long. It took more and more to get her drunk, her body inside melted; the kidneys had enough. Her once sublime face turned wrinkly and woeful – none knew how to help.

The town might have looked in better shape, the villagers looked happy. Sadly, that wasn’t the case for the ones who ruled. Their smiles lost, their will failing. A breakdown could happen at any time but for the sake of Dorchester and for the sake of the dream, the dream to have a thriving town where all could live peacefully. Everyone gritted their teeth and endured their troubles. On the surface, all might have seemed nice but beneath that fa?ade, something dark loomed. Nothing could be done for none knew how the others felt. The tough act everyone put resulted in them getting hurt. It was a sign of weakness but justified. None wanted to become a burden; the town was a priority and in said manner, life continued.