Is a Gamble Worth a Gander?

Chapter 10: Corrupt Conviction

Chapter 10

Corrupt Conviction

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Babel Tower, great spire stretching far into the sky at the center of Orario. Serving as both center of business and a guarding cap for the dungeon, this tower was the site of many a terrible event. Though a great beauty erected by the helping hand of Orario's first few visiting Deities, it almost seemed to radiate an air of misery at times. The sandy-pink marble composing the monolith's walls would occasionally seem to lose its luster, as if the tower itself were mourning.

This phenomenon was most often observable in the first throes of Freeze, when the air turned crisp and the temperature dropped. It almost seemed as if the tower were lamenting the decreased length of the sun's radiance upon it. Or perhaps it could be interpreted to be cursing the cold that mocked the sun's efforts, one could not tell. Some even conjecture that the dungeon, over which the tower has stood guard for ages now, is the source of this seeming melancholy.

Whatever the source it is often argued, for this very phenomenon, that Babel Tower is somewhat alive. Even if one cannot manage to wrap their mind around the idea that it seems to have a mood at times, one cannot deny feeling the tower's disposition leech into them upon entering. It almost seems as if it wants its occupants to be empathetic of its current feelings, whatever they may be. Perhaps this would be the reason the tower seemed somewhat sadder than usual this evening.

This very day at the start of Freeze, having mostly drawn to a close as the sun was long set at this point, saw a very depressed seeming Babel Tower. Even in the magnificent luminescence of the many lamps around its courtyard, the towering walls seemed incredibly dull. What usually shimmered a vibrant shade of orange in the flickering magic-lamp light was now a lusterless hull stretching into the night sky.

Even the interior of the monstrous stone monolith was unnaturally quiet as five sets of feet trotted along, clad in shoes that would normally echo obnoxiously. It was almost as if the tower held its breath for the procession, afraid of the news laying further within. Perhaps it was even sorry for being the setting to such nonsense, such tragedy, time and again in one fashion or another.

Whatever the reason, the group's steps were undeniably muted as they pressed further into the depths of the tower, headed for a particular room. A now all too familiar room that every member of the procession was quite fed up with.

Nearly at the back, after many winding turns and twists, there was a long hallway. This hallway stretched an easy thirty or so meters before making an abrupt turn to the right, into another hall set up the same way. All said and done, this little section of Babel's base was essentially a hospital set up as a square of four hallways. Each one had a number of doors on either side, leading into simple white rooms. Drab and unaccommodated they nonetheless served their purpose, which is to say they housed between one a four patients at a time quite comfortably.

Despite the dreary appearance, which oft matched the air of events that transpired within, this place had garnered an affectionate nickname from its patrons. Due mostly to the efforts of the incredibly professional staff, which sought to be as accommodating and efficient as possible. Indeed, this place was referred to mostly as the Adventurer's Rest rather than the Guild Clinic. However, regardless of which of its names you picked, it was still a place often holding an air of sadness.

On the second hallway, just about halfway down the line, there stood one doorway in particular. This hall served as the main area catering to employees of Babel Tower, making this door one that rarely experienced tragedy per se. Today was a different case unfortunately, as a rather hushed scene unfolded inside. A scene already being observed by a pair of sapphire-blue eyes, glowing an almost cyan hue in the flickering green light filling the room.