ALLETARE

13. Luna Urbs

Chituru followed Allettare cautiously. He still didn't know what to make of everything he had just witnessed. He eyed her carefully, watching, waiting to see if there would be any sudden changes, anything at all that would point to her being an evil creature but there was none. She still seemed to be the sweet, beautiful, alluring woman who his best friend Tim had the pleasure to fall in love with. Although at this moment, the pleasure seems more like displeasure.

'I'm sorry you had to see that side of me.'

Chituru remained silent.
Allettare said nothing more and kept walking till they met up with Tim.

'What the...!'
'There's no time. We need to keep moving. I'll explain everything to you once we reach our destination'.

Without waiting for a reply, she opened a portal in the air and walked through.

'Are you guys coming or not?'

Tim and Chituru looked at themselves and then walked through without a word. It was pitch black and completely impossible to see anything. They heard two knocks that sounded close to them and immediately, the darkness was chased by insect-like creatures that emitted light like the ones they had seen earlier on.

'Where are we?' Tim asked
'It's an underground passageway.'
Tim and Chituru glanced at each other.
'Where does it lead to?' Chituru asked
'You'll see.'

Tim dragged Chituru aside and said, 'Remind me never to listen to any of your "brilliant" ideas.'
'For once, I'll have to agree with you'.

Silence remained between them as they kept walking.

'Did you see the way she...'
'There was no freaking way I wouldn't have seen it! I mean, she was floating for crying out loud!'
Tim sighed and scratched his head.
'What's the plan? How do we get back home?'
'For now, we have no choice but to follow her and find out exactly what she wants.' Tim nodded in agreement. 'If what we saw is a glimpse of the creatures in this world then we are better off with her on our side. Once we realize what she wants us for, we can strike a deal and leave peacefully'.
'But what if she refuses?'

Chituru said nothing and kept walking. Tim joined him at his side.

'Then we fight'.
They stopped walking.
'Fight?! I don't want to point out the obvious but we both saw her chase a hideous beast away with pure intimidation!'
'Look! I'm not blind. I know what I saw and it scares the hell out of me!'

Tim had never seen Chituru so scared or serious in his life.

'It seems she needs us for now. We can use that as leverage but if she refuses to let us go then we will have no choice but to fight. Until that moment comes, keep your eyes peeled and your ears alert for anything or information that will aid us when the time comes. Okay?'
Tim looked directly into Chituru's eyes.
'Okay.'
'Good. Now let's keep going before Allettare wonders what's delaying us.'
'If you guys are done discussing I would like to show you both something.'

Tim and Chituru could see Allettare standing before an opening. It was lighted and they could hear the voices of people. They rushed to her and she cautioned them to be careful. There was a huge drop from where they stood. Their eyes widened in awe and Allettare couldn't help but smile.

'Welcome to Luna Urbs'.

               *                         *                            *

Chioma knocked at Timothy's gate for the tenth time that day and the second time in two days. After the look Chituru had given her the day she teased the life out of Tim, she decided to give him some space to think about how completely and totally crazy he sounded. Three days later and she still isn't able to reach either Tim or Chituru. At first, when Tim wasn't picking her calls, Chioma assumed Tim was still mad at her then she tried Chituru's line but he wasn't picking her calls either. She decided to go to Chituru's house and was shocked to hear the gateman tell her that Chituru hadn't come back home since Friday. That was the day they both slept at Tim's house. She went over to Tim's place and was surprised to see that the gate was bolted from inside which was weird knowing how Tim never missed a day of work. Chituru and Chioma teased him about how predictable and robotic he was but she never imagined him actually skipping work. She went as far as visiting his workplace just in case but they hadn't seen Tim either. He hadn't been in the office since Friday. Chioma could feel a slight sensation, one she hadn't felt in years but recognized all too well. Panic. She turned towards the gate and banged like the hounds of hell were at her heels and screamed Tim's name but still there was no answer.

'I'll give them both a week. Then I'll I'll ...' she turned away from the gate and marched into her car, refusing with all her might to think the worst.

🙂🙃🙂🙃🙂😘🙂😘🙂🙃🙂🙃🙂🙃🙂

Tim and Chituru stood, mouth agape at the ledge of the cave which had opened out to reveal the most magnificent sight they had been blessed to see.
There was an army, no, a colony of beautiful people with skin and eyes like Allettare's. They had extremely unique hair colors which ranged from that of the rainbow to colors that were beyond imagination. They lived in houses which seemed to be carved right out of the cave itself. Structures so mind defying and designs so intricate, it would be every architect's wet dream.

'What is this place?' Tim asked before he could stop himself.

Allettare smiles when she noticed their fascination and felt pride well up within her.

'Luna Urbs.'
'You said it before but...'
'It's Latin for "Moon City".' Chituru replied cutting Tim short.
Allettare looked at Chituru, impressed. 'You're correct Chituru. It's the dwelling place of my people.'
'It's so beautiful.' Tim said, still in awe.

Chituru had already recovered from the initial shock of seeing such a delight to the senses and was wondering how they would get down to the city itself.  He was curious about the city itself and the people in it. He wondered if they would be like Allettare or different. Right now, he wasn't sure whether their situation was dire or not but so far, Allettare didn't seem threatening, at least not to them.

'When do we meet your people?' Chituru asked finally.
'Right now.' She said this while extending both hands.

Tim to her left and Chituru, to her right. Once they took her hands, she kept walking straight.

'Wait! Hold on! We are gonna...!' Tim exclaimed but to his continued amazement they didn't fall but watched as Allettare walked down to the city, stepping gracefully down as though she were descending a flight of stairs. He kept watching as her people turned and focused their attention on them as they tried to follow, a lot less gracefully.

'It's Allettare! She has returned!'
'Our Saviour!'
'Yes!'
'Thanks be to the Luna!'

Tim and Chituru looked at each other with shock as they witnessed the heroic cheers and welcome by Allettare's people at her entrance and they both couldn't help but wonder, who or what the heck she really is and why she had brought them here.

So guys! What do you think about the story so far? Honest opinion?

It's my first time writing a fantasy/adventure 🙈

Who and what do you think Allettare is and why do you think she brought Chituru and Tim to her world?

Thank you so much for all the love I've received so far for not just Allettare but The Affair as well! You guys are the best!

Don't forget to vote! Till my next update! Don't worry, I'll be not keep you guys waiting for long 😄😅

Love ya! 🥰😍😘