Into The Hideout

I, Thaniel, and Liselotte left the underground hideout, finally stepping outside the abandoned warehouse. A vast empty space of dust and trees was all I could see in the far distance.

The sun’s color changed, it’s sunset. In Hell, the sky always remained the same, the sight of ash and dust covering the horizons was carved in every being’s mind.

The orange rays of the sun shone attractively, they lit the oak wooden-steel carriage that stood facing the entrance of the warehouse. A white horse was harnessed to it, its black eyes reflecting the orange sunlight.

“Let’s go.” Thaniel began walking, followed by Liselotte. He sat on the back of the horse, while Liselotte stepped inside the carriage, sitting on the back seat.

It seems all I have to do now is follow them, I must figure out their next step from now.

“What are you waiting for? We don’t have all day.” The crimson eyes of Liselotte glared at me, an unsettling gaze.

I walked towards the carriage and walked in. I sat on the seat directly facing the black-haired woman.

“Here we go.” The man rode the horse, leading the carriage to the left side of the warehouse.

“Today marks the 15th hundred year of The Divine Accord,” Liselotte said, lighting the cigarette that was already in her mouth using a lighter. “The entirety of Ostyra will celebrate it. The major cities of this nation are crazy for celebrations,” she added before letting out a breath of smoke.

“The Divine Accord?” I couldn’t help but question the matter.

“Were you really serious about your memory loss?” Her eyebrows furrowed in a questioning manner.

Is she not going to answer my question? My expression remained mostly the same.

“Well, The Divine Accord is what the Celestial and Abysmal bastards believe to be the beginning of time. By that, I mean when humanity agreed on a united time and language.”

Celestials and Abysmals again, this knowledge is so deeply buried in Veylen’s mind. I struggled to recall any information concerning Celestials and Abysmals, maybe it was something this body’s past owner wished to forget.

“The main hideout we’re heading to has a pretty suitable place where we can watch the celebrations in the city, and also glimpse the new era’s moon.” Liselotte crossed her legs, her top right foot swung in a slow rhythm.

New era’s moon? So it was actually true. Back in Hell, I once read about the Earth’s greatest sinner ritual, I remember the scriptures mentioning that with his transmigration ritual, every existing world witnessed a starting era. Liselotte’s words proved that knowledge right.

“What kind of organization are The Heretics?” I let out the question that bothered me the most, I needed the fewest clues on where my destiny was going.

“Didn’t that idiot tell you?!” Liselotte raised her voice, her right foot swung impatiently.

“Hahaha! My bad!” Thaniel said, his voice less loud than usual due to the distance.

“You were the one to suggest the idea…. Seriously?” The black-haired woman released smoke out of her mouth.

“The Heretics is what the Celestial Abysmal fuckers call the people who are rejected by their foolish Gods. The majority lives at the bottom of society, while the minority organized an international, highly confidential organization that fights back against this oppression from the shadows of politics.”

“Rejected?” I said, my expression barely changed.

“There are people, such as me and the idiot in the front that simply cannot inherit any divine path. Buried in the bottom of society, they suffer racism and violence.” Liselotte's dominant expression collapsed the moment the words left her mouth.

Divine paths? The paths to connect with the Gods. So they are what makes a person a Celestial or an Abysmal? 

I simply made an assumption, I was familiar with the concept of divine paths in Hell.

“What about you, Veylen? Are you a Celestial or Abysmal?” Thaniel asked me a question I wished to avoid.

“I do not remember.” I casually answered his unwanted question, he didn’t bother to say a thing back. I couldn't recall what divine path Veylen chose, it seemed to be another thing he wanted buried.

So Celestials and Abysmals are the worshippers of Heaven and Hell Gods, while Heretics are the people rejected by the Gods. I began to understand the big picture, though some questions were left unanswered. Especially the reason behind the rejection of certain people by Gods.

The wheels of the carriage continuously rolled on the solid ground, constantly jolting over rocks and ruts in the road.

As the sunlight began fading away, due to the chaotic mental state I was in, the desire to sleep wrapped around my mind.

I closed my eyes and faded into the darkness.

…

Veylen…

Veylen…

Veylen…

“Veylen!” A familiar voice called my name. It was Liselotte.

I opened my eyes, my face was lying on Liselotte’s shoulder. She no longer sat in front of me, she was beside me. Her scent turned my senses on, my body wasn’t familiar with this sort of interaction.

_Why did she sit next to me...? How long has it been… I raised my head from her shoulder, trying to gather my thoughts together.

“Snap out of it already, we reached Korivale city.” She stepped out of the carriage, leaving me alone inside.

How long was I asleep? I followed Liselotte outside. The sound of so many humans invaded my ears as my eyes caught the presence of a huge amount of people scattered around the city.

The sky changed again. The distant stars adorned the dark blue night sky, their shapes reminded me of the memory orbs I visualized in that nightmare.

The area was surrounded by elegant gardens from all sides, there wasn’t a single spot empty of humans. The fact disgusted me, slightly.

“The celebration isn’t so far from starting. Let’s head to the place.” Thaniel said, his usual creepy smile sticking to his face.

Liselotte and I followed him, our black boots slamming into the clean ground. The huge crowd of well-dressed, rich-seeming people filled the circular cobblestone streets.

I’ve never seen anything like this. The noise of conversations, laughter, and distant music gave the atmosphere a lively aspect, something I wasn’t used to the least.

In the very center, there was a colossal fountain carved from pale veined marble. Various stone statues of human-like figures and mythical creatures stood in the fountain, its water glowing with a soft, divine azure light. The light cast shiny patterns on the surrounding building.

“Veylen? You seem to like the fountain.” Liselotte nudged me with her elbow. “You’ve been looking at it for a whole minute,” she added with a giggle.

It’s because I’m not used to such sights.

“The Sapphire Veil. They say its water is the immortal tears of Gods, some people even worship it.” Thaniel took off his short black hat and added, “We can come back here later, Veylen. Now we’re in a hurry.”

Why are they assuming I want to stare at the fountain? I found their reaction unreasonably strange. Maybe I just can’t understand humans after all.

On our way, we passed by the pale sandstone-marble high buildings of Kristole, their spiky black rooftops penetrated the night sky. Wooden-iron balconies adorned the elegant buildings as the faint light of street lamps under them lit the vivid cobblestone streets.

…

After minutes of walking through streets and gardens, we finally arrived.

“Is this the place?” I asked my mysterious companions, the three of us faced the bigger-than-usual wooden tavern door, the sign “Oakleaf Tavern” hung above it.

A very high black stone tower rose on the left side of the Tavern, lanterns hanging from its well constructed balconies. Its dark red spiky clay rooftop pierced the night sky.

So many people again. They never end, just like in the Abyssal Chasm in Hell. The sight of so many people again reminded me of the days I had to burn thousands of them to ash.

“In order for our organization to stay confidential, we had to blend in with this corrupted society.” Liselotte's dark red lips curled slightly as she spoke.

Both Thaniel and Liselotte pulled an object from the inside pockets of their coats.

"What is that?" I asked, a troubled look on my face.

“It’s a fragrance perfume, not a normal one though.” Thaniel and Liselotte used the object on their clothes.

Fragrance perfume… To smell better? I had a tough time understanding the point.

“Veylen, get closer.” Liselotte’s crimson eyes gazed deep into my golden pupils as she requested, "You might be a Celestial or Abysmal, but I don't sense any spirituality from you. They will mistake you for being like us." She firmly announced.

Veylen has weak spirituality? Is this why he was assaulted by his family? My mind connected some points together seeking an answer. 

I obeyed her words and walked closer to her. She sprayed the perfume across my body and clothes. My body's subconscious reaction to the smell troubled my mind.

“People distinguish Heretics through their spiritual presence and smell, what we scented ourselves with was Celestial fragrance, it works well for disguise.” Thaniel firmly explained to me.

Heretics do deal with a troublesome life. His words reminded me of my past life.

“Let’s go.” The three of us walked inside the tavern, supposedly a secret hideout.

The lighting was dim and warm, coming from various gas lamps around the vast hall. Strange-looking wooden oaken tables had people filling them with glassy cups of drinks and various food types.

“Follow me,” Thaniel ordered. He began walking through the crowded way, heading towards the bar, or maybe the man behind it.

“Good evening,” Thaniel greeted the short-haired, brown-bearded tall old man with his usual creepy smile.

“Sir, T-Thaniel…“ The signs of both fear and worry were clear as daylight on the man’s sweating face.

He left his post and led the three of us through a white birch wooden door that was at the back wall of the tavern. The door led us to a small winery full of barrels of wine and crates of various products. The bearded man pulled a hidden lever, which caused the white birch wall to open.

“This is the elevator to the underground hideout,” said Liselotte.

The three of us went inside the bronze-wrought iron-made elevator, leading us all the way down to the hideout.