WTGC 18: The Level 1

Damon had put me down. We have reached the end of Level 2. I can still feel gazes on me but it's not the same as last time. The gazes I can feel are from the eyes of the residents, souls and angels too. There were also whispers but they are not from the wind.

"Is she the rumored lover?"

"But according to Level 7, they haven't done it yet."

"Sir Damon remains pure."

"I'm so jealous, if sir Damon was carrying me shirtless I would've done everything to him."

Damon who remains unbothered by the whispers gave me a glimpse of what to expect for the last level before the Limbus. The next level, unlike the other levels that are named Kingdom of Lust, Land of Banquet, Cave of Midas, Zone of Lethargy, Crimson Field and the Gallery of Insecurities, doesn't have a grandiose name. They believe they don't need such names to represent how powerful they are. For them, The Level 1 is already a fitting title as it uses the number one. They are also closest to the Limbus, home of the Supreme Ruler of Purgatory.

Level 1 is divided into several vast Empires. They are each ruled by the most pridefuls. To a level that is defined by power and dominance, the souls have the desire to control and subjugate. Each empires buys and collects lost souls to be their vassals but especially to be their slave. Thus this is one of the most crowded levels.

Power is the measure of worth on this level. Without power one is just a pawn or even worse, a pet. The most powerfuls are feared yet adored. On the other hand, the powerless are degraded, mocked and trampled upon.

"Once we enter this gate, remember keep your chin up and your with me so don't let the heat bring you down."

We've entered the gate and what welcomed us is an unbelievable sight. There are lines of vassals both on our left and right. They are kneeling and bowing in sign of respect. The angels guarding the gates also joined. And one angel is infront of us also doing the same.

"We're expecting your arrival Sir Damon." Said the angel kneeling before us.

I see. What Damon said earlier was a warning. As one of the most respected soul in the purgatory, as his company, I shouldn't do anything to taint his image. I shouldn't break down like I did at Level 2.

The angel infront of us stood up and led the way. We are to pass through the passage of bowing vassals. They are lined and grouped according to the color of the clothes and flags they possess. Each color might mean they represent each empire.

As we continue to walk, I noticed that they will not raise their heads until Damon walked past them. And once raised, its not just the respect for Damon I could feel but also the hot gazes they throw at me. This must be the heat that Damon mentioned.

"I can't believe I bowed to an unknown soul."

"His ego must've inflated because of that."

"Eesh... I can't stand the idea of paying respect to a pet."

" Sir Damon is truly an angel for letting his pet wander around."

"Sir Damon should've leashed him and made him crawl" And this comment was from an angel. I just shook my head. I've already heard far worse comments at the previous level.

We are nearing the end of the passage. The vassal's color we are approaching is yellow gold. I noticed one of them is side glancing us. He is blushing. Must be because of the adoration to Damon. Even from afar, I can see the sparkles in his eyes.

As we walk past him, our eyes met. His eyes widened and his face became red. He quickly looked down and lowered his bow. I can't help but let out a giggle as I saw a big man act so shy. I can feel another gaze towards me. I looked forward and Damon is side eyeing me. Is laughing not allowed?

The vassals dispersed as we enter an arch.

"We've reached the Humble Pavillion." Says the angel who was guiding us. The architectural design looks like I went back in time during a dynasty era. The pillars holding the roof ofbthe pavillion are sculpted with a brid like creatures. These birds are in different colors. Same as the color of the vassals. Fiery Red, Yellow Gold, Emerald Green, Midnight blue and Pastel Pink. "Feel free to wander around. I'll be back when your lunch is ready."

The humble pavillion is busy. Souls are interacting with no regards of the color. The vassals are interacting with each other. The space looks like a festive market. Stalls are present. Some stalls have a souvenir like products that represent each empire. There are also stalls that represent each empire.

The empire stalls doesn't look like they are selling their products but the souls approach it. Displayed are feathers representing their colors. The souls infront of it are in deep thought as if they are making a choice.

Besides the vassals with coloured armours, there are some souls that already have the feathers worn as accessories and some have coloured collars. This must be the residents of the level. I've noticed that there are also burnt and charcoaled feathers and the ones wearing it are the travelers or those who will just pass by. Then, shouldn't we get those feathers? But Damon didn't mention anything. Maybe they're expensive.

One of the angels, stood infront of us.

"Sir Damon." He bowed and whispered something to Damon. "Shall we?" Damon faced me.

"Wait for me at the garden." He pointed at the directions beyond the stalls. Damon wouldn't allow me to be by myself so something important must've came up. He walked with the angel and left. I did as instructed.

The garden has a bench where the souls can rest. I chose an area where there is no soul present to avoid interactions. The pavillion is large enough to accomodate the empires' souls and the travelers. Even if I look further, I can't see the end or even the empires.

As I was looking far, a yellow gold feather blocked my vision. I looked beside me and the big and shy vassal is holding it.

"I.... I noticed you don't have any feather yet." I just kept looking at him thinking what could be his purpose for approaching me. I think he purposedly waited that Damon and I got separated. " I promise you I'm not a suspicious soul." Or was that it? He's too shy to approach while Damon is here. He has too much adoration for him.

"Take this." He insists on giving me the feather. I shook my head and smiled.

"No thank you." If Damon didn't mention about the feather then I don't think it's right for me to take one.

"I assure you its okay for you to take this. Or is it because you have another empire in mind? " He looks like he'll never leave if I didn't take the feather.

"How much?" I'll just let Damon pay for it later.

"What do you mean?"

"How much for the feather?"

"This isn' t for sale. The feathers are not for sale. This is a gift from me."

Oh I see. It's his gift for Damon. He's too shy to directly give it to him. What a cute guy. I opened my palm as a sign I'm taking it.

"I'll make sure Damon gets your gift." He was about to put it on my hand but pulled away. He's pouting.

"Hnnnn..... this is not for sir Damon. This is for you M'lady."

My mood suddenly shifted. He's the same. They all see me as a weak girl who attaches himself to Damon. He saw the glare on my eyes and his face turned pale. He knew he did something bad but confused.

Well maybe its not his fault. The rumors going around is Damon has a girl lover travelling with him.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't be giving gifts to someone who has a lover." His shoulders and head droop down. My anger is fading because of his reactions. I chuckled and so he looked at me.

"First of all, I'm a guy!" He tilted his head in confusion. "Would a lady be okay exposing their chest?" I am still wearing a top but it's mesh so it's see through. He averted his gaze down to my chest and his face reddened. He tried to cover his view with his hands while his eyes doesn't know where to look.

"I don't really care about gender." And the words he said after that are inaudible. He' s mumbling while whispering. "But.... I guess.. you already have a lover... so it's a no go.... But I know someone..... who has a lot of lovers..... Maybe he's okay with that..... "

"Second, Damon and I... we're not lovers." The vassal's expression suddenly brightened but I on the other hand felt something different. It's the truth but somehow why do I feel strange.

"Then! This is okay." The vassal put the feather on top of my hair. It was a clip. He looks satisfied. "You can still get other feathers but once you exit the pavillion, please let this remain. This will be a sign that you and I are allies. "

He must have seen my expression that I'm not entirely getting what he means so he continued talking.

"The Humble Pavillion, is the neutral ground for Level 1. The empires' residents interact without minding where empires they are from. This is also the moment the souls get to join which empires they like. They either choose for themselves or they get recruited."

"Then does this mean your recruiting me?"

"I am!"

I was about to remove the hairclip but he stopped me. "No..oo..." He held my hand and looked at me with puppy eyes.

"If you don't want to enter our empire, It's okay." He doesn't look like he's okay with it. "You just have to go through the burnt arch. There are 6 arches. Five of them are for the empires and the last one is the path for travelers going to the gate."

"Is that why there are burnt feathers? Then shouldn't I be wearing that instead?"

"The color of feathers going through the burnt arch doesn't really matter so you can keep what I gave you. " He tightend his grasp on my hand making sure I don't take off the clip. " Some travelers uses that feather so the recruiters won't bug them."

He looks satisfied that I'm wearing the clip. "It looks good on you." He looks like he's proud of his self.

"Before I forget, Lastly! Don't call me milady. My name is Eugene. If we're gonna be allies I prefer we call each other by our names."

"My name is Thryve." Why did an image of golden retriever suddenly popped in my mind. Now I can see him as one.

An omnious presence suddenly approached us. It's Damon standing infront of us. Is he glaring at us? Did he receive a bad news?

"The Golden Empire is the assigned host for our lunch." said Damon.

Thryve's ears perked and somehow I can see his tail wagging.

"That's our Empire! Let me guide you. "

Thryve stood up and pulled me. He's still holding my hands while we're walking. I looked back at Damon and he looks unimpressed. He quietly followed us.