Tólis

As they left the room, the three looked around and noticed that all the walls around them were made of a transparent material, which allowed them to see that they were in a place surrounded by water on all sides.

Lina then said, "Wow, what a beautiful place."

And Raja said, "What is this place? There are so many fish, it almost looks like we're in the sea."

Gen then said, "That's right.", and then he heard Dehji say, 'It doesn't look like you're in the sea. You really are.'

'What do you mean, Dehji? Are you telling me that this passage is in the middle of the sea?'

'Yes. This is the famous Arpolis Aquarium. It was quite famous at the time of the empire, and tourists from all over traveled just to see it.'

'I understand why they would do that. It really is a unique experience.'

Gen then said, "Dehji told me that this is the aquarium of Tólis. He said it's one of the tourist spots of Tólis, and he also said that we are inside the sea."

And Raja said, "Wow, I was right, that's why there are so many fish around."

Lina then put her hand against the wall and said, "So this is the sea! How nice to know that we are in it."

And Raja said, "You've never been to the sea?"

Lina then said, "No, I've always lived in the desert."

"Wow, and you, Gen? Have you ever seen the sea?"

Gen then said, "Yes. When I was younger, I spent a few years traveling with my master, and during that time, I passed through all kinds of places."

"I see. That must have been a great experience."

"It was so so. We only went through most of them because it was the fastest way to where my master wanted to take me, and we didn't stay long in each of the places."

"That's too bad, but we will definitely have the opportunity to go to these places together, so don't worry."

"Well, it's not a bad idea."

"Well, let's move on. I need to find a clothing store urgently. I've been in these clothes for two days, and I can't bear to wear them anymore."

Lina then said, "Wait, let's stay a little longer. I've also been wearing the same clothes for two days, and I'm not in such a hurry."

And Gen said, "Lina, you don't have to worry. This aquarium is certainly not small. Until we get to the exit, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy the view."

"And how do you know that, Gen? Have you ever been here?"

"No, I haven't, but from what Dehji said, this place is a tourist spot that people travel from far away to see. So I imagine it's probably not small."

"Hmm, it's hard to believe your essence after falling out of that hole in the ground, but that's okay. Let's move on."

The three of them then moved forward through the aquarium, and from time to time, Lina would stop, approach the wall, and say something like, "Look at that fish, it's so beautiful.", "What is that?", "Wow!"

They continued like that for some time until, at one point, the walls stopped being transparent, and in front of them appeared a huge staircase.

Lina then said, "We've reached the end already? That was so fast."

And Raja said, "Looks like it."

"Let's stay a little longer. I haven't seen enough."

Gen then said, "Lina, we have to go. You may have forgotten, but we have to go through here again to get home, so you'll get another chance to come here."

And Lina said, "... All right. Let's go then."

The three of them started to climb the stairs, and now and then, Lina would look back and let out a sigh.

After a while, up the stairs, they came to a massive door, and Gen said, "This must be the way out."

And Raja said, "Well, you can do the honors, Gen."

"Okay."

Gen then stepped up to the door and started to open it, but no matter how hard he pushed, it wouldn't budge, and he said, "Looks like something is holding the door shut."

And Raja said, "Let me try.", and so he stepped up and started to push.

After a while of trying, he said, "Damn, there really is something blocking the door. Let's try all of us together."

And Gen said, "Okay."

He and Raja stood in front of the door, and Lina then walked over and said, "Before you do that, let me try something."

She then took the handle of the door and began to pull. The door then started to move little by little, and Gen said, "Gee, we just had to pull it."

And Raja said, "Yeah, I don't know how we didn't think of that."

Lina then said, "Enough talk, you two! Help me pull!"

The two of them then came forward and started helping her, and slowly, the door was opening, until a moment when a force from outside started pushing on the door, and then it opened completely, pushing them back a little bit.

After that, a large amount of sand started coming through the door. It continued for quite a while until a moment when light began to come through the door. A little while after that, the sand stopped coming in.

Lina then said, "What's all this sand? If I hadn't seen all that water just now, I would think we were still in the desert."

And Gen said, "I don't know. Maybe the way out of this place is on a beach somewhere."

Raja then said, "Beach? Let me see."

He then started running towards the door and then went through it.

Gen then said, "Hold on, Raja, wait for us.", and then he started running towards the door too, and right behind him came Lina walking calmly.

Gen then heard Raja say, "Hahaha. Finally, we have arrived! Get ready, Tolis, Raja is here! Hahaha!"

Gen then came out from inside the sand, looked around, and saw that they were indeed on a beach. A breeze then came towards him, and he then said, "Wow, what a nice breeze."

Lina then came out of the sand and said, "Wow, what a beautiful place. It's almost as sandy as the desert, but it doesn't have that awful heat."

And Raja said, "Who cares about the heat, Lina? Can't you feel it?"

"Feel what?"

Raja then pointed in a direction and said, "All those women waiting for me."

Gen and Lina then looked in the direction Raja pointed and saw some people far away.

Gen then said, "There are people there, that's great. Let's go there and ask for information."

And Raja said, "Yeah, like how old they are, what they like to eat, their favorite bars. Wow, I can't wait. Let's go talk to them already, Gen."

Lina then said, "As if they would want to talk to someone who has been wearing the same clothes for two days."

And Raja said, "That's right! Gen, I don't stink, do I?"

Gen then said, "No idea ... actually, just a little, but I can hardly smell it ... if I hold my nose."

"Damn. Looks like we'll have to go to the clothing store first."

Lina then said, "I agree."

The two then looked at Gen, and he said, "What? I've never been here either. I don't know where there is a clothing store."

And Lina said, "We know that, but you are the only person who hasn't worn the same clothes for two days."

"So what?"

Raja then said, "Gen, what Lina is trying to say is that we have just arrived in town. So we don't want to be badmouthed as stinky people."

And Gen said, "But Raja, I'm sure if you explain the situation, no one will-"

"Gen! Pay attention! I'm not going to risk rumors about me getting around town! That could ruin everything I've been planning ever since you said you'd come to Tólis! So go find out where there's a clothing store in this town before I put on the clothes you're wearing, and go myself!"

Lina then said, "Exactly what Raja said, but of course, without the planning part and without putting on your clothes."

And Gen said, "Wow. All right, you don't have to yell at me."

Gen then started walking towards the people, and Raja said, "We'll wait for you here."

And Lina said, "Make sure you don't take too long. The sun here isn't hot like in the desert, but it doesn't make me like it."

Gen kept walking toward the people they had seen, and after a while, he got close and saw that they were a group of men and women.

He then said, "Excuse me.", and they all looked at him.

A woman who was sitting down then got up, came toward Gen, and asked, "Hi?" She was an older woman with long black hair and was a little shorter than Gen. Her eyes were blue, and she was wearing a purple bikini.

Gen then thought, 'How lucky I am to have spent three years living with Miss Anna and Lina. Otherwise, I would surely be looking at her body right now.', and then he said, "Hello ... so ... I need some help. It's just that I'm not from around here."

And she said, "I can tell by the clothes you're wearing, hahaha."

"That's right, hahaha, and that's exactly what I need help with. Do you know where there's a clothing store around here?"

"There's a store right near here. Just walk down the street, and you'll see it."

"Okay, thanks for your help."

"Don't worry. At this time of the year, there are always a lot of tourists because of the water temple, so over the years, I've gotten used to it."

Gen then said, "Water temple? What's that?"