"Do you think 'He' will come?" Yua asked, as she threw loose stones against the wall, each hitting the smooth stone and bouncing back onto the floor.
"Who?" Haruto responded, sitting nearby on the hard floor, rubbing his hands together, and staring at the barred cell door.
"The Reaper." All members had heard whispers of the link between the Reaper and Silvermane. He shared the territory that the guild had. They owned the day. He owned the night.
"I don't think we should put our hopes in a ghost story."
"Right..." She turned, leaning against the stone wall. "But... Do you think the Reaper is real?"
Haruto shrugged. He had heard rumours, seen the supposed security camera footage, and yet, the reality was something else. The man, if he existed, was something we would rather keep in the dark. Life's hard enough without a monster like that lurking in the shadows.
*Step* *Step* *Step*
"Finally." Haruto said, standing. Walking up to the bars.
"Have they made the transaction yet?" Haruto spoke.
"No." Narale said, she was accompanied by two guards. More like the ugly ones from the cave system.
"Then why are you here?"
"Your guild has not made the payment. Your lives are now in the hands of the Queen." She explained. Her voice was calm, but behind her eyes was a sense of pity.
"Please come with us. The queen will see you now."
The cell door creaked as the metal lock was removed and swung open. Although freedom seemed within reach; Haruto knew better than to try and escape. There were two armed guards behind them and many, many more out there.
Something else to. Narale's eyes told of something that had or will happen. One that brought pity to her eyes.
"Fine..." He relented. Escorting the squad out of the prison. An audience with the queen awaited.
***
A gentle, almost soothing glow of white light. The wisp was like a guiding beacon, leading Eren through the labyrinthine maze of caves. Passing through camps of goblins unnoticed and down narrow corridors. It seemed to know where it was going, and Eren didn't feel the need to ask.
Eren would likely have spent a full day alone; navigating the winding paths. The entire 'city' that he kept hearing about would likely be on the highest alert after such carnage was wrought upon their brethren.
The gentle breeze of the oceans air, the sounds of waves crashing against rock. They all grew louder as the path became larger, wider, and brighter. With it however, the stench of industry, of filth, and of a festering wound. The scents were growing ever stronger as well.
A great cavern of red stone and vast buildings of wooden structures stacked upon each other like a tower of cards; held up by sticks, rope, and some metal supports. A large city of goblins. Thousands of them, that filled every corner and space of this massive underground cavern. Funnels of stone smoke billowed upwards from the centre, where a large mine sat. A pit of blackness of which the smell of rot could be felt from even this distance.
*Ping* *Ping*
The wisp chirped, drawing Eren's attention towards a narrow path. One that led down to the edge of the city. A small little path that was mostly empty, and overlooked by those above.
Eren followed. His boots stepping lightly on the smooth stone of the pathway. His long black coat fluttering in the gentle ocean breeze that filled the caverns with a salty scent. It was a familiar sensation that made Eren relax, despite the situation. He had faced greater odds; far worse creatures of the night than a city of goblins.
"Hahahaha!" Laughter could be heard in the distance; the voices of the young goblins were filled with joy and wonder as they played with an oddly shaped ball. One that was covered in patches of leather, lumpy, and misshapen. But it brought happiness to these little creatures. Something that Eren found strange. For a place so vile and despicable; its denizens were full of life.
*Thud*
The ball landed in the back alleyway that Eren was walking through. A small goblin ran over. Its tiny hand lifting the lumpy object.
It saw the Reaper, and the Reaper saw it. Two pairs of eyes meeting for only a moment. One pair was the eyes of the dead, cold, and uncaring, the other that of a child. Curious, and full.
"Hurry up and bring the ball, or you're out of the game!" The little boy was called over by friends. He turned back to his friends, then back to the shadows.
The masked man was gone.
"Did you hear... there're gonna sell off those humans."
"I hear that Brut has his eyes on one of em..."
"May the gods help that one." Townsfolk spoke amongst themselves. The daily life of a city; despite the circumstances, was a peaceful affair. Uncanny even. A market, selling goods and services. Carting around materials.
Eren, hidden away in the shadows. He watched the goblins go about their business. They were vile, but not evil. They were corrupt, but not wicked. Their kind reflected the world they lived in.
Closer and closer to what appeared to be an elven fortress. Covered in the wooden structures and ramshackle towers. A fortress was built upon an ancient castle. Long since taken, and diluted upon.
Yet, through its brilliance of elven design, the walls were still a sight to behold. Royal blue accents of paint, elegant patterns of gold and silver. It was a beautiful structure. One that was a stark contrast to the ugly, and filthy city that was carved within its walls.
'No wonder Baelor is a prideful man.' The thought occurred to Eren, as a reminder of the man in charge of the guild. The elvish pride that was so evident, even now. It was a reminder of a people that were long forgotten.
Eren scaled the walls, climbing up masonry; wood beams and rope. He eventually found himself overlooking a great courtyard. An open area that once contained mighty trees and grassy fields. Now a place of mud and pens.
Here was the reminder of what he felt every time he looked at goblins. A vile, despicable feeling. For within these pens, were elves, humans, dragonkin, and many other races.
Captives. Living trophies. Slaves. Cattle. They were treated as such. Beaten and abused. Life long since drain from many eyes.
'What do they need so many captives for?' He wondered, as there was far more than a simple city would need.
*Ping* *Ping*
The wisp chirped once more, wanting to guide the Reaper away from the courtyard. Through another narrow passageway of red stone.
"Thank you little one. I will do my part from here." Eren said, petting the creature. It was a sensation that felt... unnatural, as if the creature was not made of physical matter.
*Ping* *Ping*
The whisp didn't let up, it wanted to guide the Reaper somewhere, and it was impatient to wait. It was almost frantic.
"Quickly. Mother is not a very patient ruler."
The Reapers eyes drew back down to the courtyard. Haruto, led by a female goblin. One that was far more human than any goblin seen so far.
He was being taken towards the main doors. The others squad members looked relatively unharmed and in good condition. Bruised and battered, but still strong.
"I'm sorry little one. I have to go this way." He said, swatting away the wisp.
*Ping* *Ping* *Ping* *Ping*
It chirped, its voice growing higher pitched. It would forcefully stop the if it had hands.
"...Please...Help..." A melodic and light voice called out. One that made the Reaper turn towards the whisp. Its light pulsating and growing with intensity.
"Did you speak to me?" He asked, surprised by this new revelation.
"Please help." It begged once more, a soft and gentle tone that could have been mistaken for a sweet melody.
"Save us..." The whisp began to head away from the castle, towards the red walls of the canyon.
Taking a final look down at the Silvermane guild members; Eren followed the whisp. The words 'Save us' were too strong a plea for the Reaper to resist. His guild mates would live for a little while longer, unharmed.
Right?