WTGC 14 : Level 5

Once we've entered the gate, the smell of food disappeared and replaced by the smell of earthy and metallic. Its a bit dark and all I can see are torches attached by the wall. If I would examine the place, I would say....

"Are we in a cave?" I asked Damon and I could hear a faint echo of my voice.

"Level 5 is The Cave of Midas. Although the whole level is a cave, The center has a big skylight, it would never occur to you as cave. "

We continued walking and as usual, Damon leads the way. The cave has numerous tunnels but Damon didn't even think twice which to take. Each tunnel has different sounds coming from them. There are faint echoes of digging and metal striking a rock. There are also screams that comes after each rumbles we could feel.

One soul came out running from one tunnel, carrying golds and other kinds of metal. He went inside another tunnel then suddenly, we felt the ground shake again. And the tunnel the soul just entered just got filled with rocks.

"Don't worry we'll get at the center in no time. I know a shortcut." Damon reassured me.

As we go deeper, I've realized that the cave is used for mining. We've passed a lot of golds and minerals and souls taking them. But, as per Damon, not everything is real. Some golds are real some aren't. I've also realized, I never saw one bat but there are birds flying and going the same way we are taking.

"Be honest Damon, when you said you know a shortcut, you meant you'll follow the birds right?"

"They are ravens and I'm not following them. I've been wandering the purgatory for almost 25 years. Of course I know my way."

"25 years?" Before I could ask another question we've reached the end of the dark tunnel. The center is bright. Not because of the light coming from the sky but from the sparkles of the gems and golds everywhere.

There are less souls wandering around. And most of them doesn't look friendly at all. And as I was just thinking that, a woman is waving from afar and approaching us. She is riding a big expensive wagon carried by four souls who looks deprived of money.

"Yoohoo..... Sir Damon!" She shouted.

Damon ignored her and actually went the other way. I just followed but when I look back, the wagon is approaching us faster than before. Enough for them to catch up to us.

"Sir Damon, I've heard from a little bird that you're coming. " Damon didn't respond and just kept on walking. " RayRay was super excited to see you." She's still being ignored. She then landed her attention to me. "Who might you be? Are you sir Damon's companion? " She looks like she's assessing our relationship.

She commanded her four lifters to settle her wagon down. She alighted gracefully. Golden pencil skirt, golden vest, white inner blouse with diamond buttons and a glittered red bow tie. While I was observing her, I didn't notice how close she got. She grabbed my hand and forcefully pulled me into the wagon.

"Damon?"

He turned around but the wagon is already moving.

"See you at the gambling house~"

I could see Damon sighing and shaking his head. Is he disappointed in me? Is he going to abandon me?

"Don't worry..... I am not going to do anything bad. We just want Sir Damon to visit the gambling house." As she was explaining herself, I can feel her gaze sizing me up. "What are you? Where are you from? "

"Lady Gum recruited me."

"Gum Did? hmmmmm.... if you say so...."

We were silent during our travel. She doesn't tried to question me again as if I became inisignificant. The wagon then stopped and she hurriedly went down.

"Sir Damon....." Damon is already at the door, waiting for us. How did he getbtheir before us? Did he fly? She hooked her arms to him and pulled him inside. I just followed quietly.

As the name described, the inside is a gambling house. There are heaps of gold on top of the tables or on the ground besides the players. No one cares about us and are focused on winning.

There are people lining up at the middle where a large throne is in place. Seeing my curiosity, the lady clinging on Damon starts explaining what's around us.

"Welcome to the Gambling House. I am Vivienne, VaultMaster of The Cave of Midas." She introduced herself proudly. "The Gambling House is the center of the Cave and to the Center..." She pointed at the throne. " The Throne of Midas!

The most important thing at Level 5 is gold... wealth. Souls gamble in the hopes of increasing their possession. But...While someone is becoming richer, some become poorer thus they seek help from the throne.

The throne's purpose is to give them wealth with a sacrifice. In exchange for gold, Bring your pet, bring your children, bring your enemy, bring your friend any soul goes. The Throne will decide how valuable they are.

From what I observed, lost souls are the most valuable. So if you ever need gold, bring them here."

She turned to me. "Would you like to check your value? " She pulled out a loupe and appraised me. After a few minutes, she looked at Damon, confused. "Your clothes are valuable, same as the Angels but you yourself... "

Damon cut her off. "Where's RayRay?" The two of them had a staredown.

"I'll bring you to him right away." Before leading our way, she whispered to me. "Better be careful, I don't know Sir Damon had it in him but it looks like you'll sit in the throne in no time."

Is she saying Damon will sacrifice me to the throne? She did say my clothes are valuable.

"Vivienne. I can hear you. That is not why we came here. We were just passing by. Don't fill his mind with strange ideas."

She then led us in a tunnel with a dead end. At the end of it are hoards of treasure and on top of it, sitting a black bird or to be specific, a raven. The bird immediately landed on top of my head and looking at me searching if I have something valuable.

"He's with me RayRay." Damon reached for him so RayRay transferred to him. He then gave the bird a big familiar black feather. " This will be the last time I'll give this to you so don't lose it."

Vivienne then explained. "Apparently, your feathers are very valuable to the birds. And the other Ravens are stealing this from RayRay all the time. "

"Well then. Sir Damon, it's getting late why don't you stay for the night. The dinner's on the house. We'll make sure your companion is safe. Am I not the vaultmaster? I can hide every treasure."

Did she just compare me to a treasure?And why do I need extra safety? What troubles do I have to face? Is it because since I'm a starnger, souls would likely sacrifice me ?Damon didn't hesitate and accepted the offer.

Dinner came. We were served crackers with golden caviar, White truffle bird's nest pasta and for dessert, edible golden rocks.

And so, we've stayed for the night and decided to continue the Journey tomorrow.