013 Town Of Lilly

Sunrise came too soon like always. I stood up from the ground with a yawn and raised my hands to the sky. In this position I was able to hit the deepest of stretches and let me just say, it was heavenly.

After my stretch I felt something was a miss. It only took moments to notice a lighter sensation atop my head. I pawed at my head with my left hand. SB was missing! Slight panic started to rise within my heart.

Where was he? Was he plotting his revenge or did he run away?

Quickly looking all over the surrounding plains, I eventually found him in a nearby patch of flowers. He was pouncing on each individual flower he found and within seconds it dissipated within his jelly like body.

SB looked at up at me while making happy noises.

BLOOP BLOOP BLOOOP

I smirked at him.

"Well I'm glad you are enjoying breakfast buddy. Come on we have a busy day ahead of us."

BLOOP BLOOP

He replied cheerfully.

Picking him up and putting him atop my head, we headed back towards the camp fire to find Ven waking up in the same manner I did. Stretching and moaning. As I looked at her I really must admit to myself that her ruffled hair and sleepy face made her look really cute. Ven caught me staring a moment too long and gave me an inquisitive look.

Blushing I quickly pointed to a cloud to distract her.

It didn't work.

Now that Ventus was awake, we exchanged morning pleasantries, put out the fire, and gathered our things before finally heading out towards the Town of Lilly.

It was the town of the first floor. To the average player it was luxurious, anyone else would say it's just slightly above ordinary.

Because of how peaceful the first floor was many players made this area their home. In order to stay in business shopkeepers, blacksmiths, magicians, and other merchants followed the mass of players back here to the first floor.

Within this mass of merchants laid one of my reasons for going to Lilly. It was so that I could find my old comrades from the guild I used to be in. I have Ven to aid me and that's great, but if we plan to go to the deepest part of this rabbit hole I am going to need even more support.

Aeternum, it was the guild Xavier, Fate, Quinn, and I created together. There wasn't an ear in the entirety of Luna that didn't know about us and our achievements. We had the best team of supporters in the entire tower. It took a while for us to grow and acquire them but when we did, we were unstoppable. That's when we really picked up the pace and started to truly power through all the floors.

I sighed as old memories of times no more floated before my eyes. If those three betrayed me I wouldn't be surprised that either they disbanded the guild or killed off anyone in it that was close to me.

Silently a prayer was lifted up to Autumn from me that the Three Kings didn't execute my other friends during my time of absence.

"Goddess of Luna, please let them be safe. Especially Otto..."

He would be able to take care of our immediate needs and aid us...if he was still alive.

Concern that I had thrown in the back burner was slowly making its way forward. Now present, it only added more urgency and determination to my goals.

Ventus and I walked in silence towards the town. We were both absorbed in our thoughts. Glancing over occasionally at Ventus I willed for her to share the thoughts of her mind. Truly it was a fruitless endeavor. I suppose just like me she has things that can't be said out loud yet.

The trip was shorter than I expected and before long our trek ended as we arrived at the gates of Lilly.

It was quite a big town. If I remember correctly it was the third largest town in the tower right?

Well I guess describing Luna as a tower would be wrong? I keep saying tower but honestly It's more like a series of dimensional spaces just floating around, each one it's own unique environment. The only way to travel between them is to clear the floors and get access to the portal that ascends you to the next floor.

The reason we call it a tower is because these floating masses of land sometimes align underneath each other, forming a tower like column. It's a really neat sight.

When they do line up in such a manner you can physically see the other areas. Even though they are visible, one would have no way of reaching the next space without the portal. The distance is too great.

As we approached the entrance, two guards shifted from either side and walked towards the middle of the gate effectively preventing access to Lilly.

Ventus seemed to tense up at this sight while curiosity only swelled inside me. From what I remembered, there were never any guards posted at the entrance of the town.

Obviously this wasn't a good sign. Had those bastard's followers somehow caught wind that I had come back? There was no way, I mean it's too soon. I just came back a day ago. What could have tipped them off?

Coming back to my senses I regained my calm. Now is not the time to panic. We simply don't know what's going on.

Turning to Ventus I gave her a look to let her know that everything would be ok in hopes of somehow comforting her.

We were just feet away from the guards when the taller of the two guards came up and spoke in a rough corse voice. His crude face seemed to match his voice perfectly.

He was covered in lackluster armor. A faded red cloak hung from the back of his full plated steel chest plate. At either side of his hips hung two twin blades.

They were average in length and appearance but despite this the edge of the blade seemed excessively sharp. Both weapons had a soft glow to them and an experienced eye could notice that they were enchanted.

It may seem absurd to notice all these things but I needed to be prepared in case push came to shove.

The guard spoke first.

"By order of the Third King we are now to impose a tariff to anyone who comes into any town within their domain. Anyone who can not pay shall not be allowed access."

The speech was clearly memorized. Surly he has had to repeat it multiple times already.

I gave him a confused look before I spoke.

"How much is the fee?"

"Two gold pieces per individual."

At his response fury ignited within Ventus making its way out from deep inside her.

"That's extortion! What are the point of these fees anyway? It's not like they need any more money.

They take enough from us as it is with the floor fines they've imposed! First we can't progress through the floors without paying ridiculous amounts of gold and now we can't even enter towns to prepare ourselves against the dangers of this land without paying even more!"

Ven was clearly angry and I could understand why she felt like that. It made sense and was completely justified however this outburst of hers was only going to draw unneeded attention.

The guards placed their hands on their swords ready to engage in a fight. The same one spoke again.

"Look I don't make the rules! They just said to start doing this. If you want more information I suggest you talk to the info broker which is inside the town. Now pay the fee or get out before things get ugly!"

While visible anger continued to rise within Ventus' eyes, the guards began to take fighting stances. It was excessively clear that the both of them were too eager for a fight.

Probably bored from having to do this all day long a change of pace was before them in the form of Ventus and I.

Before the situation could further escalate I raised my hands up peacefully between us and the guards indicating that we wanted no problems.

"We will pay the fee not to worry. My friend is just having a bad day, please forgive her outburst."

I reached into my pocket dimension and pulled six gold coins from the pouch that Autumn had given me.

Thank you for the care package Autumn!

I handed the money over and let them know the extra was for them and their troubles. Happily they moved away from the gate entrance finally letting us through. As we walked in the smaller guard spoke.

"Watch yourself in there. If you cause any trouble we are all too happy to enforce the Third King's law here within Lilly."

I grabbed Ventus by the arm and pulled her forward into the town with me. I didn't need her causing any commotion at that blatant attempt to get a rise out of her.

Once we were a good distance away she seemed to have calmed down enough and I let go of her.

She looked very remorseful almost to the point of embarrassed.

"Em I'm sorry about my outburst. It's just that I was so mad for everything that they've done and now this-this extortion that they are doing! It doesn't seem like a lot but it's just another way they block progress. I can't stand it anymore!"

Ventus was getting heated again and I placed my hands on her shoulders to level her out.

"Hey it's ok Ven, calm down. Let them play their games. We are here now, little by little we will set up everything for their destruction. I promise you so trust me ok?"

Letting go of a deep breath she was holding in, Ventus nodded indicating that she understood. After giving her a few moments to regain her composure old Ven was back. She spoke once again with her normal cheery voice.

"Let's forget the past several minutes ok."

I nodded.

"So we are finally inside the Town of Lilly Em. Where do you want to go first?"

Ven was right. Where do we go first. Lilly has always been a massive town flourishing with life and business of all kind. Today was no exception. I had dragged us aimlessly and we found ourselves in the middle of a busy street within the shopping district of the town. Food merchants spanned across either side of us offering delicious looking delicacies.

Fumes would escape from the roofs of blacksmiths and weapons shops were bustling with players trying to get the newest gear. At the edge of my sight I could scout several arcane stores for magicians and even the beginning of the residential area of the town.

It was quite a vibrant sight. As I took it all in I remembered Otto and one of the reasons why we were here.

He was the only master craftsman in Luna. Everything he put his hands on was made to be millions of times better than anything else in existence.

I had closely worked with in my previous existence. Otto always made sure I had everything I needed and what our guild needed as well. If I'm being truthful he was probably the reason we became so good so quickly.

I turned towards Ven to let her know where we are headed.

"Follow me Ven we have to go to the residential district."

She gave me a confused look.

"I thought you needed supplies, weapons armor, and magic. Why is our first stop the residential district? Everything you could hope to need is here."

She motioned around us with her arm extended.

I smiled back in response.

"The location of a very secret shop is in the residential district. That's our goal."

As I made my way past familiar sights, Ven followed reluctantly. At this very moment she truly believed I had lost my mind.