𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬: 𝐀 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐥 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬

𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟐

After a chance meeting that brought three souls together, Akiy, Tala, and Ilumi form a trio that will one day travel to the secrets of this world, but for now, our travelers are off to the town of Nessalia to regroup and resupply for their next adventure.

Akiy searches the area for a safe place to leave Ilumi. He comes across some burned-down houses. "All right, Ilumi, we're almost there. Let's go check out those ruins over there."

"Why are we stopping?" Tala, who was holding on to him while they were riding, asks.

"They don't allow wolves in the town; it'll cause some complications that can speak for themselves," he replied.

When they came to a halt near the houses, Akiy got off first and helped Tala down. He began gathering his belongings, leaving a bag of meat for Ilumi.

"OK, this should keep you going for a day." I also want you to scope the perimeter around the outside of the walls and report back to me when you're finished, okay?" Akiy explained this to his wolf companion.

She nodded and ate one of her steaks.

He laughs softly, "Well, you should be fine, then come on, Tala."

Tala bids her farewell and jogs to catch up to him. She walks alongside him as he slings one of his bags over his shoulder and pulls his hoodie over his head. In addition, he pulls her hoodie over her head.

She fixed her gaze on him. "I've been wondering what is wrong with this town, Akiy?"

"How should I phrase this?" "This town is very supportive to human and demi-human trafficking," he says, his voice slightly agitated.

She froze in shock and terror. She stood motionless.

"Tala?" He approaches her. "It'll be fine. I'm here. Nothing will happen as long as we stick together, okay?"

"All right," she says, calming down and continuing to walk alongside him.

They walked up the gravel road for a few minutes to the entrance gate and stood in line to gain entry. Tala looked ahead of them, seeing the guards checking each person as they passed through.

"Are these hoods really going to work?" She said this as she noticed people being pushed to the side.

He patted her head. "Trust me, it'll be fine as long as we don't make eye contact; they'll just let us through."

"I doubt that."

Tala watched as people were dragged into a room hidden in a wall. She stood there for an hour, watching the line move forward, but there was no sign of them returning. She clutched Akiy's hand in fear; he felt her hand clutch his and made her stop looking.

He drew her in close. "If you keep staring, they'll try to check us; just breathe in and out and you will be fine."

She followed his instructions. She inhaled deeply and slowly exhaled. "But the people, where are they being taken?"

"Underground cages run through the underground of the city," he explained as they approached the gate.

"H...how do you know this?" she wanted to know.

He looked at her and then ahead. "I used to be a guard here; hearing their screams kept me up at night; it made me hate myself for not doing anything."

"Next!" A guard called out, and since Akiy and Tala were next, he took a step forward while she followed, holding his hand and feeling bad for asking that question.

The guards examined them carefully and checked their bags, while the other guards interrogated them.

"What's your business for entering the city today?" The guard inquired.