Heaven's Darkness (Book 2)

Chapter 6 - Jeriah

 "Yes! That stiff trip is over!" I celebrated, stretching out my sore shoulders and arms, finally able to wear my normal clothes, seeing as they dried over the past two days.

Ashura did the same. "Thank goodness! I couldn't take any more of your tickling."

A mischievous grin found its way on my face. "Don't you dare think it's over, ma'am. Watch your back."

"Damn it, Jeriah!"

The two of us were laughing as we entered the city of Drone, the main military hub in Venenatus, members of the Potestatem Guard patrolling and bustling about everywhere. Overall, for being in a desert, the city had a variety of beautiful desert flowers and plants strewn about, fountains of water and decorations lining the pathways of the hub. It was very pretty for a military outpost.

"Alright, we need to find the requester," Ashura said, hand on her hip. "Any idea where to start?"

I shrugged. "Master said that she's not expecting us for two more days. He gave us a lot of extra time to accommodate for any problem we may have on our way here."

Ashura whistled. "Sheesh, that's a lot of time."

I grinned at her and gave her a thumb's up. "That just means we have more time to hang out! A day and a half to do whatever we want around the city!"

She smiled, her eyes brightening at the thought. "I haven't had a relaxing, fun trip like this ever in my life."

"That just puts more pressure on me to makes this the best one you'll ever have!" I clapped my hands together and took her clammy one in my own. "Let's go find a hotel and go exploring!"

I led her through the cobblestone streets and lines of merchant buildings, past many guards and through many security gates, until we found the only hotel in town. It was a rundown, falling apart building on the outside, but extremely fancy and elegant on the inside, sculptures and fancy materials decorating the check-in area. A thin, frail old lady sat behind a mahogany desk, glancing up at us over her glasses.

"How may I help you young kids, today?" she shakily asked in her old lady voice.

"My friend and I need a two-bed room for approximately a four-night stay," I said in a polite, soothing voice. I figured it would takes us about two days to find the gang and then fully dispatch of them from the military city. It surprised me how a military city couldn't handle them themselves and had to ask the wizard guilds for help, but I guess that just meant it would be more of a challenge, for once.

"One bedroom for four nights?" the woman clarified, eyeing us suggestively. "We have one room left on the top floor. That'll be 10,000 anima."

I dug around in my shadow realm cloak pocket and pulled out the required money, receiving a small, silver key in exchange. "The stairs are right over there. Your room is the top floor. Thank you for staying with us."

I nodded, thanked her for her service, and led Ashura up the stairs many, many flights. About halfway there, Ashura collapsed on the landing, gasping for air.

"I-I'm sorry, my knee completely gave out on me," she guiltily explained, her face flushed with embarrassment. "I'm so friggin' weak, I can't even handle stairs. What kind of a wizard am I?"

I laughed and scooped her up in my arms, holding her up by the pits of her knees and back. "You're a wizard who's still recovering from a thousand injuries and can't take a break. I'm surprised you lasted this long."

Being the gentleman I was, I carried her all the way to our room and dropped her to her feet, after she insisted she was fine. I drew out my key and unlocked the room door, leading her into what would be our sleeping area.