Chapter 30

"Shadow city?" Ember echoed, "What is that?"

"It's exactly what it seems like. The home of things that should be hidden away, in the shadows. Actually, it's a rather dark place that I'd prefer not to show you right away. Unfortunately, it is the only city in this area with a teleportation device," Ace answered regretfully.

"Well, I'd like to know about the dark side of Silversky. If we know how bad it can be, then we also know that everything else can only be better," Ember commented, a cheerful smile on her face.

Autumn nodded, "I agree. I'd like to see more of Arkas, please!"

Rui frowned slightly, "We can't-"

"You said that we could have free reign once we got to Arkas, and if you can't keep your word about this, then how do we know you'll keep your word at all?" Autumn butted in.

Rui was left speechless, the words he was about to say swallowed back down. "I-alright…" Rui sighed, "I'll accompany you wherever you want to go. This city is dangerous, so don't let your guard down."

Autumn grinned and nodded cheerfully. "Let's go then!" She said, walking towards the staircase.

"Hold on." Autumn was yanked back by the hood of her cloak.

Autumn rolled her eyes. "I guess you can go first. We'll follow behind you, then."

"Khrona will go first while we wait here. The people in Arkas will recognize him easily and clear the way."

"But they won't recognize us, so we should go with him so they know we are together," Ember hinted.

"If I had it my way, it'd be better if no one knew we were together," Ace rebutted.

"And why is that?"

"We're the top adventurer team in Silversky, at least, for now. There are tons of people who would love to prevent us from getting any stronger, even if it meant taking a few lives."

"Are you referring to us???" Autumn gawked.

"Maybe, maybe not."

"Fine," Autumn growled, "We'll just sit here and wait while Khrona clears the area."

Ember raised an eyebrow, "But what if they decide to inconvenience you by taking Khrona's life?"

Ace chuckled, "They can have fun with that."

…

Ember yawned, flopping onto the grass and staring at the sky. The afternoon sun was blazing, and Ember wished she was in the dark, cool depths of Arkas. She stared regretfully at the shade in the staircase, but a warning look from Ace had her rolling her eyes.

"Can we please sit in the shade?" Ember whined.

"Khrona will be back soon. Just wait a bit more."

"That's what you said two hours ago! By the time Khrona gets back, it'll have long been night time."

Ace opened his mouth to reply, "Well-"

He was interrupted by an ear piercing scream, followed by maniacal laughter.

Ace massaged his forehead with his fingers, "...Khrona," he sighed, looking up at Ember and Autumn. "There you have it. He's back."

Ember exchanged a concerned glance with Autumn.

"…Let's…get going then…" Ember suggested hesitantly.

Ace nodded and started down the stairs, followed by Lapis, Ember, Autumn, and then Rui.

As they descended down the winding stairs their ears began to pick up sounds of crashing, screaming, and more of Khrona's chaotic laughter.

"AHHAHAHAHHA-" Laughted erupted before it broke off into fits of coughing.

Ace shook his head in disappointment, his footsteps quickening.

Autumn thought she was going to lose her mind amongst the chaos. Her hands held her ears against her head, muffling the worst of the noise.

When they reached the bottom, the 'marketplace' of Arkas was in total disarray. Khrona sat on top of a ruined stall observing the situation and occasionally breaking out in fits of laughter.

Ace pressed his fingers to his forehead once again. "…Khrona," he snapped, "Khrona! What happened this time?"

Khrona looked towards their direction, his eyes widening as he once more took in the scenery, this time not in joy but in panic.

"Ace! I saw it, I saw it!" Khrona hissed.

'But he can't see?' Autumn thought. She knew better than to voice her thoughts to Khrona, however. Sleep took priority over her curiosity.

"So you did this?" Ace snapped as he glared at Khrona.

"It was an…experiment." Khrona mumbled.

"Saw what?" Ember asked, "What did he see?"

When no one answered, Ember tugged on Lapis' cloak and repeated, "What did he see?"

Lapis turned towards Ember, "Khrona uses energy, or mana to sense the world around him, since he can't see. Sometimes, it allows him to see things he shouldn't."

"Like?" Ember probed.

"Like…what crimes someone has committed."

"If you knew that Khrona might have a problem with seeing things he shouldn't, why did you send him down here first?" Autumn asked, perplexed.

"Khrona usually deals with it pretty well. Today is probably just a bad day."

Meanwhile, Ace had already began sorting out the situation. Repair efforts had begun, and Khrona was helping to fix what he started, much to the dismay of everyone else.

Rui beckoned towards Autumn and Ember, "Let's go. We'll have to stay for a few days as we supervise the repair efforts. I might as well show you around the city now, when everyone is distracted."

Autumn's eyes lit up, "Yes! Ember, come on, let's go!"