The Moving City IV

Lucius pulled himself up through the narrow passage, his breath ragged from both exertion and the lingering heat of the lower levels. The air grew cooler as he ascended, a stark contrast to the infernal pits below. When he finally emerged, he found himself standing in a place so vastly different from the soot-stained depths of the city that he nearly forgot his mission.

The streets stretched wide and pristine, paved with smooth stone, shimmering under the dim glow of the ever-present eclipse. The buildings stood tall, elegant, their facades adorned with intricate carvings and golden embellishments. It was a world of opulence, of effortless grace. Women draped in flowing gowns of silk and lace strode through the streets, their skirts billowing like waves in a gentle breeze. Delicate embroidery glinted under the light, and pearls clung to their bodices like stars on velvet. The men were no less refined, clad in crisp coats with golden buttons, high collars brushing their chins, their boots polished to a mirrored gleam.

Lucius barely had time to take it all in before movement caught his eye. The child. A flash of a tattered shirt disappearing into the sea of finery. His heartbeat quickened.

"Hey! Stop!" Lucius shouted, surging forward. The people around him turned, startled, their expressions shifting from curiosity to irritation as he shoved past them. Gasps and exclamations of "Rude!" and "Watch where you're going!" filled the air, but he paid them no mind. His gaze remained locked on the child, who darted between the well-dressed citizens like a shadow slipping through candlelight.

Lucius quickened his pace, dodging between pedestrians, nearly toppling a woman in an elaborate violet gown. She let out an indignant cry, her gloved hand clutching at her chest as if he had just committed an unforgivable sin. He had no time for apologies.

The child took a sharp turn into a narrow alley, and Lucius followed without hesitation. The walls closed in around him, the lavish splendor of the streets giving way to something more concealed, more secretive. He lunged forward, fingers just grazing the child's ragged sleeve when—

The kid was gone.

Lucius skidded to a halt, his chest heaving. He scanned the alley, eyes darting over every possible hiding spot, but it was useless. The kid had vanished like a ghost into the depths of the city.

Damn it.

Frustration burned in his gut, but he had no choice but to retreat. Staying out in the open for too long was a risk. He hadn't forgotten the guards lurking about, watching for out-of-place figures.

Gritting his teeth, Lucius turned back, slipping through the crowds with more caution this time. He had seen enough. More than enough. There was another world above the suffocating heat and the endless labor. And if there was a way in, there had to be a way out.

His mind raced with possibilities as he made his way back to the depths of the moving city. He had to tell Nai, Yu Xuan, and Harriet.

They had a chance.

Lucius wiped the sweat from his brow, his muscles aching from the relentless labor. The searing heat of the forge made the air thick and suffocating, but he forced himself to work, lifting another chunk of burning stone and tossing it into the roaring flames. The guards stationed around the perimeter watched the workers closely, their hands resting on the hilts of their weapons. Every now and then, Lucius could feel their gaze lingering on him, suspicion etched into their expressions. He did his best to keep his composure, avoiding eye contact and focusing on the repetitive task before him.

When the midday bell rang, signaling a brief respite, Lucius grabbed his metal token—his only means of obtaining food—and made his way to the common eating area where Nai, Yu Xuan, and Harriet were already seated. He slid onto the worn wooden bench, placing his tray of bland stew and stale bread in front of him. As they began eating, he leaned in slightly, lowering his voice to a whisper.

Lucius: "I found something."

Yu Xuan: *pausing mid-bite* "What do you mean 'something'?"

Lucius: *glancing around warily before continuing* "There's an upper part to this city—an entire world above us that's nothing like this filthy prison. I saw people, well-dressed, living in luxury. It's like a paradise compared to this place."

Harriet: *raising an eyebrow* "Are you sure you weren't just seeing things? Maybe the heat's finally getting to you."

Lucius: *shaking his head* "No, I followed a kid—a pickpocket. He used a secret passage. I lost him before I could get any answers, but I saw it, Harriet. It's real."

Nai frowning as she pokes at her food "You're telling me there's a whole other city above us, and we've been stuck down here like rats? That's messed up."

Yu Xuan: *leaning in, his expression serious* "If that's true, then why haven't any of the workers here ever spoken about it? We aren't the first ones to be brought in. If there's a way out, someone must've tried escaping before."

Lucius: *nodding* "Exactly. And that's what worries me. Either the people here don't know about it, or anyone who tries to reach it never gets the chance to talk about it afterward."

Harriet: *crossing her arms* "So what do you want to do? It's not like we can just waltz up there and demand a spot among the nobles."

Lucius: *smirking slightly* "No, but if that kid found a way up, then maybe we can too. If there's a chance to get out of here, I'm taking it."

Nai: *grinning* "About time we start making some real moves. I'm sick of breaking my back for these bastards."

"You're insane… but fine. If there's even a slim chance we can escape this place, I'm in." Yu Xuan spoke as he finishes his food without wasting.

Harriet sighed rubbing her temples "I don't like this. But I'm not staying down here forever either."

"Then it's settled. We find the kid, we find a way up, and we get out of this place. No matter what it takes." Lucius smiles.

To be continued.