𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐄𝐌𝐏𝐘𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐍 𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐒𝐊𝐘

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍

𝐂𝐑𝐘𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐁𝐔𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐋𝐈𝐄𝐒 

       We followed behind Sampo as he led the four of us to someone who could introduce us to Wildfire. Dan Heng kept a close eye on the man to make sure he didn't get any wild ideas of trying to escape.

"So... what does Wildfire do all day? I know that the doctor lady- I mean Natasha, told (Y/N) and I a little bit about them after (Y/N) woke up, but it doesn't hurt to know more." March asks Sampo.

"If you spoke with Natasha then I can't really explain much else to you about them than what you might already know. But to answer your question in a single word: everything. They keep the peace, uphold justice, fight for resources, distribute goods... The sliver of trust they have for me has to do with the last one..." Sampo states, if not bragging a little.

"Hm... I guess you're right. That's about what Natasha had to say as well." Natasha did say that he helps get supplies for her clinic. What's to say that Natasha doesn't have some connections with Wildfire? She knew more than what a normal citizen would likely know about the organization and the way she spoke so adamantly about it... It's possible she's just an avid supporter of them. It's admirable the lengths they've gone through to make sure the helpless people of the Underworld can stay safe in a world that slowly deteriorates due to the Stellaron's corrosion. As we walked, Sampo glances around as if looking for someone.

"Huh? Where's Joshua?" I overhear Sampo muttering to himself. March catches a glimpse of one of several boxes filled to the brim of glowing, golden crystal ore that I've seen scattered around the town since waking up down here.

"What're those shiny rocks?" She points them out. Sampo turns his gaze over to what March was asking about.

"Ah, this is Geomarrow, an exothermic ore. The underground and the surface are sealed off from one another, right? Well only the Geomarrow transport line is still running. The underground sends ore to the surface, and the surface sends goods to the underground. At least in theory. Most undergrounders are miners, and this is what they mine for a living. Y'know, if we didn't have Geomarrow to burn, this world would have frozen to death long ago." He explains, and with one last glance he motions for us to continue on.

"Hmm, let's keep moving. The person I was looking for isn't here..." Sampo leads the four of us onwards, back towards the fight club and into a clearing behind some buildings.

"Huh...? Old Oleg isn't here either. Where is everyone? Hehe, hm..." He was starting to sound nervous. March groans at him.

"Gah, so you're leading us on another wild goose chase?" She accuses, to which he raises his hands in denial.

"I wouldn't dare! Trust me, we're getting close!" Sampo exclaims nervously. March sighs, placing her hands on her hips. Suddenly, something in the distance caught her attention.

"Huh? What's that huge structure in the distance..." Sampo follows her gaze and spots what she was asking about.

"Oh, that's the Furnace Core, and it's also the pillar that connects the Underworld and the Overworld. People used to travel up and down that thing, but then..." He doesn't finish, trailing off.

"Then what?" March presses Sampo to continue.

"It's a long story. In any case, practically nothing moves up or down anymore." He admits. Dan Heng gazes at the sketchy man, unamused.

"Except you." Sampo sighs dramatically, as if dismayed about his methods being brought up again.

"Oh! C'mon, my dear fellow, I thought we weren't going to discuss this? I beg you, the fewer rumors there are about me, the better!" He exclaims. As Sampo continues on about whatever it is he's talking about, I suddenly feel as if something isn't right. A sudden shift in the atmosphere, if it makes any sense.