The Universe Beyond Ours

Chapter 9 (Part 2)

     Soon, Denis and the others reach a whimsical town. Denis admires the beauty of the place as they walk along the crowded street. Beholding the medieval-like architecture and designs, Denis cannot help but feel a sense of longing. He feels like he has been in this place before, but it turns out he has just played an RPG game when he was younger that appears like this dwelling. The way the roofs reach towards the sky, the smoke gracefully rising from chimneys, and the predominant use of wood and cobblestones in the houses, all can make one think of the old days.

     Snatching out money from his pocket, Philip buys new swords from a weaponsmith's stall. Then, he and the others wander around the vast expanse of the bustling market that hums with chatter and conversations. Meredith then buys a grappling hook, just in case. As they walk around the market, Chloe's stomach growls, capturing everyone's attention.

"I'm hungry," Chloe murmured.

     Denis, Harris, Chloe, Philip, Meredith, Presley, and Felix take the moment to rest inside an old-fashioned restaurant that evokes the image of the past. There, they settle on a seat. Denis looks at the menu and begins to crave the first food he has eaten in this dimension—honey fritters and beignets.

"Denis, what would you want to order?" Meredith asked kindly.

"Hmm... I'll have honey fritters and beignets, please," he replied with a polite smile.

     Later, when lunch is served, Denis eats alongside the others. He takes a moment to savour the food that bursts with sweet flavours on his tongue. He then notices Harris drinking whiskey again. Nudging Chloe on the elbow, Denis inclines his head towards Chloe's ear—as if he were about to ask something.

"Hey, Chloe. How old is your brother?" Denis asked, his eyes firmly fixated on Harris.

Eager to answer, Chloe responded. "Oh! He is—" However, her words got cut off.

"Don't tell him my age. He's not worth enough to learn about it," said Harris.

"He doesn't want me to say it... sorry," Chloe apologised.

"FYI... if only the YouTube and Instagram algorithms favour me, I would be worth a lot more than you, as I have my talents," Denis remarked, glaring at Harris.

"You have no talent for fighting," Harris commented as he sliced his pizza.

"I learned karate," Denis gasped.

"You only learned how to yap," Harris scoffed with a scornful giggle.

"Excuse me??" Denis' eyebrows furrowed deeply.

"Guys, don't fight," Meredith interjected.

"Well, at least I'm trying to communicate, unlike Harris," Denis continued nevertheless.

"At least I'm not a loud person," Harris sighed.

"That's what's wrong with you," Denis argued.

"What's wrong with it?" Harris asked with a knowing smirk.

"Your existence is wrong," said Denis.

Frustrated, Meredith yelled, "Alright, that's enough! Silence! Both of you! If you two continue, I will lock you two in a room until you reconcile!"

     Surprised by Meredith's sudden anger, Denis and Harris fell silent. But their argument raged on through their stares of death. Denis and Harris glared at each other intensely until Denis broke the stare by rolling his eyes to the side.