The Marvel of Underworlds

9: Judgement and Questioning

The train station was packed. Thousands upon thousands of tourists and visitors filled the room to the brim. Crying children and cursing parents set the tone for what the vacation would consist of.

The group was standing on the platform after exiting the train. Talori still wasn't healed, so the strap of her backpack dug into her wounded skin. Leonidas had offered to heal her multiple times, but she refused, only wanting to talk to her new friend. Cedric was in the worst mood possible, violently shoving whoever broke into his personal space. Leonidas' mace had transformed back into a pendant and he stood as solid as ever. Felix however, was acting strangely out of character.

"Hey, are you alright?" Ingrid asked, putting one hand on Felix's shoulder.

"Um... yeah," Felix shuddered, violently tapping his finger against his side.

"Oh, he gets like this sometimes," Talori sighed, "You know, when there's too much noise." Talori was yelling her sentences, struggling to overcome the screaming crowds.

"So um, I have to go, but it was great meeting you!" Ingrid laughed, "I have to get back to the palace."

"I hope I see you at the ball," Talori answered, bidding the redhead goodbye.

"Bye!" She waved.

Talori sighed, turning back to her male friends. "What?" she laughed, "Don't get jealous, boys," she jokingly flipped her hair as they all rolled their eyes.

"Are you sure you don't want healing?" Leonidas raised one eyebrow.

"No I'm fine," she whispered, hoisting her backpack onto her shoulder again. She flinched, then turned back to Leonidas, "Nevermind. Healing sounds great right now."

Leonidas nodded as Cedric let out a snicker. Felix continued to tremble.

A group of men in uniform pushed through the crowds and made their way towards the group. Their uniforms were a dark brown shade, with a decorated coat covered in multiple badges.

The officer with the most badges spoke, "Excuse me, are you the group who defeated the hijackers?"

"Yes, sir," Leonidas answered, being the first one to notice them.

"Well, We need to ask you a few questions about the event. Please come with us. Don't worry, you're not in trouble."

"O...Kay..." Talori muttered as the police officers turned to lead them.

The group silently followed the officers as they slowly cleared their way through the apprehensive crowds. Well, almost silently. Cedric was cursing under his breath. They eventually made their way out of the dank, crowded train station, and into the landscape of Durak.

It was barren. Well, almost barren, save for the fact that the crowds continued all the way to the side of the mountain. The Durak mountain was giant, being the highest mountain in the Western Hemisphere of Valiterra. The Tarnaq mountains shielded the horizon, concealing the empire of Ankarii. A stone wall encompassed both the group's sides, creating a turbulent river of people. They could barely see the entrance to Durak. 

As previously mentioned, the land was barren. Only red pigmented rock was in sight, and not a single plant sprouted from the mountain. It was simply a giant mound of rock.

But the mountain was hollow. Inside the copper and bronze engraved gate, was a city full of people, as well as the most advanced technology in all of Valiterra.

The officer turned to face them as the others controlled the crowd, "The reason the crowds are so big is because the guardian god loves to take his time judging them."