New start

Hisoka gave a low bow to Arjuna and the two people standing behind him.

"it would seem we will part ways here," He said looking at the three of them.

Arjuna and Alanis solemnly nodded while Kei who stood behind Arjuna let out a soft sniff as tears fell from her eyes.

"but Hisoka" she blubbered out "why can't you go with us?"

Hisoka shook his head sadly.

"I'm sorry miss, me and the guards have some business to attend. We will return with good news, I can assure you"

Kei could only nod sadly. She didn't want to be an even bigger burden. She lowered her head gripping her fists.

Hisoka let out a soft sigh and walked over to her. He kneeled down and held her hands while looking into Kei's eyes.

"miss, do not worry we will see each other very soon, after all, me and Arjuna will be working together, think of this as one of the adventures that you always wanted to go on"

Hisoka brushed Kei's hair to the side. In a sad smile, he said quietly

"your parents would want you to do this Kei, learn skills with Arjuna and Alanis, I'm sure you will reunite with us soon"

Rei let out another loud sniff and looked at Hisoka with teary eyes. This was going to be the first time they were going to be separated for a long period of time. From her earliest childhood memories, Hisoka was always there to help her father. Her father's personal assistant and right-hand man.

Hisoka stood up and looked at Arjuna. His eyes morphed from kind and soft to sharp and cold. He stared deep into Arjuna's eyes and said quietly

"I will entrust the young miss to you"

Normally Hisoka wouldn't ever trust anyone else with Rei. But in the desperate situation, he was in, this was the only thing he could do. He would return in a few months with the golden thumb company completely operational. Then he could bring back Rei and start the process of retaking Rei's rightful territory.

Hisoka knew that Arjuna was a dawn alchemist a famed class of alchemists known for their high-quality potions. But Hisoka was naturally a cautious person, perhaps because of his many years of experience in business, he would have never offered shares of the golden thumb and such a high ratio of profit split normally. But of course, the situation he was in, was not normal.

Hisoka gave Rei one final nod goodbye and departed, the guards following close behind him. They slowly disappeared into the crowds of people that traversed the main street. It was already nighttime, but large amounts of people still walked through the streets.

The moon was already out and the stars were slowly illuminating themselves in the night sky.

Arjuna, Alanis, and Rei watched as the group of people they had journeyed with left towards the market districts.

Alanis placed a reassuring hand on Rei's shoulder. She too knew what it felt like to say goodbye to family and close friends. It was a painful experience, one that she shuddered thinking about, but from that, she also gained some things. She thought to herself sweeping her eyes towards a certain black-haired boy who was looking at the city with awe.

And Arjuna was excused in looking at the city with awe. The moment the last few red rays in the sky disappeared. Numerous small lights seemed to rise out of the middle of the city. Like tiny lanterns, they rose into the sky spreading in each and every direction.

The crowds who were standing on the main street let out cheers as the fireflies from the river running straight through the city rose up. The city which seemed to have been shrouded in darkness and shadow now seemed to be filled with gentle light.

The vendor stalls on the main street started to place small wickets full of a mysterious liquid. Large clusters of fireflies flew over to where those wickets were, they flew around in making the stalls brighter and more attention-grabbing. Kids ran around the streets laughing as they reached out with their hands to capture some of the small warm yellow lights flying in the air.

But just as they had been taught by their parents, once they caught one, they carefully released it back into the air. They were taught to not destroy the bearers of the sacred light. For if one were to destroy too many, the bearers may never return.

Arjuna's mouth was hanging wide open as the fireflies spread throughout the city. Each of the fireflies seemed to act like little stars as they flew around in the sky and city.

He turned around to see Alanis and Rei both stretching out their hands. A few fireflies flew down and landed gently onto their palms. Rei and Alanis looked at each other and smiled.

Arjuna turned back to the city. The moon shone brightly above them and the city itself was brightly illuminated. He swept back his hair while looking at the city. A small smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

He couldn't help but be excited for what this city was going to offer for him. Whether it be new people to meet, new quests, or even potion recipes. Oh and Sninkkaakac's associate. He kept on saying that she would be able to find them, but Arjuna had no description about her except that she was an expert in spirits and most likely a Nightfall Archer.

Arjuna took a deep breath. As much as he loved the scene of fireflies in the city. It was getting late, perhaps he could walk around the city of twilight another day when he wasn't exhausted from the trip.

He turned to Alanis and Rei who were both giggling over the fireflies in their hands.

"come on, let's go find an inn"

They both nodded and slowly opened their hands, two small specks of light slowly rose from their hands to join the lights in the air and sky.

Arjuna started to walk, as he walked down the streets with the two following him chattering about something. Arjuna noticed that the restaurants and buildings much like the food stalls he had seen before, didn't use any other sources of light like lanterns and torches.

They instead seemed to move things outside so that customers could enjoy the night view of the stars and fireflies in the sky.

Restaurants placed their tables and chairs outside while having waiters send their food in.

Under the soft glow of the fireflies, the customers had enough light to both eat and see while enjoying the magnificent array of stars in the sky.

More than restaurants relocated outside, the sound of a hammer pounding into metal caught Arjuna's attention. A muscular person sitting on a bench hammered away at a piece of red hot metal that he held with tongs over an anvil. Illuminated in the fireflies glow, and the glow of the furnace next to him. The blacksmith looked like he was creating something truly valuable.

Stalls full of interesting goods lined up in front of general stores with many people chattering as they walked down the streets.

Arjuna's eyes swept through the buildings looking for an inn that looked suitable for them to stay in.

Alanis stopped him and pointed towards an inn that had the sign of a giant fish. Arjuna shrugged his shoulders with a "why not" and approached it.

The inn was a single-story building of half-timbered walls, with a gray tile roof and a smooth stone floor. When Arjuna pushed open the door he was greeted with the bright glow of mana stones. His eyes needed a few moments to adjust to the bright light. It seems the People of the city of twilight though appreciating the fireflies, still used regular lights indoors when they needed them.

Arjuna looked at Alanis who had fed him the false information of the residents never needing to use any other sources of light besides the fireflies. She gave Arjuna an apologetic grimace.

The innkeeper a stout female human named Elin walked over to the trio.

"ah," she said laughing a bit at their confused expressions "you must have thought that when the bearers of sacred light come out. We stop using light. While it's partially true, there are times when we still need mana stones to illuminate the inside of inns and such."

Arjuna nodded understanding. He raised his hand while opening his money sack.

"We would like 2 rooms for 5 weeks please"

Elin looked at Arjuna with surprise.

"oh my," she said while grabbing two keys from the drawer next to her "that will be 14 silver, are you sure you want to rent out a room for this long?"

Arjuna nodded taking the keys and placing down 14 shining silver coins

"yes, sorry for the trouble"

Elin laughed and shook her head

"no, no it was my pleasure serving such a handsome young man, your rooms are on the left-wing 5th on from the entrance"

She then walked away to serve a few more patrons who were in the dining room ordering food while Alanis and Kei glared at her back.

Arjuna let out a big sigh and headed up the stairs for a well-needed rest. For the next days, he would start his exploring and potion making for both Perseus and now Hisoka.