The Princess of Wrath

Chapter 12 - Part II: One Way Out

The next few minutes passed in silence and paying particular attention to any abnormal movement coming from abandoned civilian structures other than from rats and other vermin moving around.

Above, beyond the upper city, the bells of all the corners of Entrana had begun to be noticed to clarify the state of alert. The storm did not seem to have the intention to continue unleashing its fury, but it did not consider that action completely ruled out: the lightning continued to illuminate the dark skies incessantly, accompanied by the strong and icy wind that reached the rescue group and carried with it a certain odor that prevailed in that decrepit place.

"Ugh! Amos, seriously, where are you taking Asura?" Diana asked her colleague with clear disgust in her voice due to the unbearable smell they were forced to endure. "I appreciate everything you're doing for her, but honestly, your need to keep your plan a secret is already ridiculous."

"No, it's not, my dear knightess: discretion is the fundamental factor that will ensure the success of this rescue operation, and I promised Royce that I would stick to the plan to the letter. You'll eventually see, but for now, if you look ahead you'll the answer to your question."

At the end of the street, where Amos pointed, was the access to an open space that, years ago, had been a grove that extended to the titanic eastern walls that separated the University Ward from the wild plains. Now it was a marsh, full of rotting vegetation covering the watery surface and without any of those majestic trees of yesteryear that had had the function of separating the lower city from that industrial complex located in the geographical center and that could be seen perfectly ahead: one of the old sewage treatment plants.

"Wait, Amos... That's one of the places where I've done my first jobs!" Asura exclaimed, perfectly recognizing the rectangular structures of ancient, wet rock that housed treatment basins and, obviously, the central access to the sewer network. "I didn't realize. We always entered this part of the old city through the west access."

"Which is the most convenient one, but also the busiest and the most guarded," he added with a discreet smile of satisfaction at what he had just heard. "Are you okay, Emmett? I would appreciate it if you don't throw up on my back."

"Damn, do I have to listen to Asura curse the Gods for hours again?" Stanislaus asked, laughing and making Asura remember those years when she kept drilling her friend's head about how much she hated her old job.

"You hardly ever talked to me about it...," her lover told her in a whisper. Turning her head slightly, Asura was met by Diana's annoyed expression, which she found cute and made her unable to resist hugging her more lovingly and hiding her face in between her hair; despite being damp and consequently not very pleasant smelling, it was millions of times better than the stench emanating from the marsh. 

"Well, it was an unpleasant topic of conversation. Besides, at the time we didn't spend much time together... I worked in this fucking sewer and you trained and served as a knightess."

"You're right. I hope we can make up for that lost time."

"We will, love."

"Oh, you two are so sweet!" Emmett interrupted the conversation, smiling at them and with teary eyes that were a product of the stale atmosphere of the putrid waters more than the tenderness of the couple. Amos had no opinion on the matter, but Stanislaus had no intention of hiding his disgusted grimace.

"Asshole...," the Princess heard her lover murmur as she glared at her brother, but she decided to keep quiet when noticing that she was still upset... No, worried.