Love in the Oddest Places (bowuigi story)

Chapter 43: Home at Last

 After the eventful day he had, Luigi slept like a log. The cabin he was given was cozier than any quarters he'd had before, reminding him of his room back in Brooklyn. However, being in such a deep sleep left him vulnerable, and an easy target. The cabin door creaked open slightly, and two dark eyes peeked in. Junior let out a devilish giggle as he snuck inside, his second father blissfully unaware of his presence.

Junior ran inside and leaped onto Luigi. Luigi shot up with a wheeze, struggling to regain his breath. His eyes were wide with surprise and confusion as he looked around the dimly lit cabin. Junior, now laughing hysterically, rolled off the bed and landed on the floor with a thud. Bowser peeked into the room and walked inside. He grabbed the prince by the shell, "Why would you—" he stopped with an irritated sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Babe, are you okay?"

"Yes," Luigi replied in a strained voice.

Bowser turned to Junior, "No more jumping on Luigi. You're going to break something one of these days," he said.

The prince waved his arms around. "But he's going to miss the palace landing!"

Suddenly, Luigi was grabbed and pulled by his shirt out of bed. Despite his protests, Bowser sprinted out of the living quarters and onto the main deck. Luigi clutched his shirt and opened his mouth to protest again but stopped when he saw the massive kingdom surrounding a crater.

As Luigi looked around, he was struck by the stark contrast between the imposing architecture and the natural landscape. The towering obsidian buildings, with their jagged spires and gothic arches, seemed to absorb the faint light, casting long, eerie shadows across the terrain. The air was thick with the acrid scent of ash and brimstone, remnants of the volcanic activity that had shaped the land.

Flowing rivers of molten lava snaked through the city, their fiery glow providing the primary source of light in the dim surroundings. These rivers crisscrossed the streets, bridged by sturdy, dark stone walkways, and added an otherworldly beauty to the cityscape. The heat from the lava created a shimmering haze, distorting the air and giving the Darklands an almost surreal appearance.

The city's inhabitants, though living in such a harsh environment, seemed to thrive. Their homes and businesses, built from the same obsidian as the grand structures, were fortified yet intricately decorated, showcasing a blend of strength and artistry. The citizens' cheers, despite the foreboding surroundings, added a vibrant, lively energy to the atmosphere. Above it all, the Floating Fortress loomed, aligning itself above the crater; with a sonorous rumble, it lowered into it, fitting in perfectly. Cheers broke out amidst the army. And who could blame them? After being away from home for so long, their happiness was more than warranted.

Luigi let out a breath he didn't even know he was holding as Bowser set him down and walked to the quarterdeck. Now fully awake, Luigi followed him. Bowser grabbed the helm and turned it toward the now-settled fortress. Luigi noticed the colorful clouds emanating from the fortress. "What is that?" he asked.

"Purifying spells," Bowser replied. "Not all of us are immune to the smog, so we have several covens of Magikoopas cast these spells and release them on an hourly basis."

Luigi's eyes widened at the revelation, impressed by how efficiently the Darklands used what little magic they had to make the volcanic area livable. The airships entered the fortress through a massive entrance shaped like the king's head. Once through the king's maw, they entered a hangar with pillars of black marble. Wooden bridges and rope ladders connected them, and Koopas, Goombas, and other creatures ran around the area, preparing for the airships to land.

As the airship descended into the hangar, Luigi marveled at the activity below. The place was a hive of activity, with each creature knowing their role and executing it with military precision. Luigi was struck by the sheer organization and the cooperative spirit that was evident despite the foreboding surroundings.