Holding Everything

Chapter 29: From Inn to Bar

The rushing winds blowing all over my face are beginning to feel less frightening than usual, but the heavy feeling in my chest makes me realize the fear the others must be experiencing. Suddenly the winds subside and I'm standing on the familiar white ground, where nothing is in sight, the heavy beating of my heart has calmed and I relax, feeling as though they must have arrived as well; I close my eyes and breathe evenly; calmly. "Lillya, Rika and Eren," I mutter softly, a low whisper that even I can barely hear. I feel a slight breeze on my face and heat beating off my cheeks, I open my eyes and the three Handlers are standing in front of me, forming a curved lined facing me.

"What...was that?" Lillya asks, the confusion clear on their expressions, "I mean I know what that was but,-"

"It was still unexpected, the feeling of it at least." Eren says as if to finish her sentence, after calming down they turn and look at me.

"It's a lot to take in, but that is called the White Limbo Crate, I didn't have much of an opportunity to really explain it, so I'm sorry you were all scared." They nod as if to accept my apology.

They exchange a look with one another then back at me, then turned to look at the scenery around us; it's the same old western style town as before. I walk over to the building I remember the lab was in, and go inside, the others following closely behind.

We are immediately stopped after we all file in, a large man clad in full body armor glistening as if polished delicately after every fight; he had a large sword occupying his left hip and a metal crossbow occupying his right hip, both shimmering just as brightly as his armor. He stands before us with intimidating eyes glaring down at us before shifting slightly, making his armor clank slightly.

"Ah the kid who can't stop running, what business do you have here at the Core?" He says with a hint of mockery in his deep tone, he chuckles a bit as he asks, not moving from his spot.

"I just need to speak to Gloria, so excuse me." I say as I begin to go around him, trying to keep a situation from starting.

"As if that wasn't already obvious, why come if not to speak words to your Councilman?" He asks, lifting his arm to keep us from passing by. I feel Eren step forward slightly as if to shift attention from me to him.

"We have important matters that can only be said to Gloria, so please let us pass." Eren says, which seems to catch the large man off guard, making him laugh a little harder than before.

"Puny yet stubborn, you lot will be interesting to-"

"Ah, Handlers," the large man is interrupted suddenly by a voice behind him, he turns and we see Gloria approaching from behind, her hands locked and resting against her stomach as she elegantly moves towards us.

The man stands up straight, and after a nod from Gloria he moves past us and leaves, exiting the room through the door we arrived through, Gloria extends a hand, gesturing for us to follow her as she walks away in the same direction she had come from.

"I see you met Arbror the Silver, at least that's the name he gave himself." She says with a slight roll of her eyes, giving the impression she didn't wasn't too fond of the name.

"Who is he, is he-?" I begin.

"A Runner? Yes he is." She interrupts as she makes a turn and we head down a long corridor with no windows or doors on either side. I take this chance to ask some questions about him.

"What's with his clothes, where is he from, he was insanely big; is he even human?" She chuckles softly, turning around to face me.

"Kou, after coming here, do you really think humans are as spectacular as you think? Before your Gift awakened your world knew only of your world and the surrounding planets, theories and conspiracies were born but never any absolute proof of 'aliens' or other life forms in your universe; you yourself are hardly human either after what you've seen." My eyes widen at her words and anger builds inside me.