Chapter 16: Rat Burrow
You could easily tell its night time despite the sky being covered by dark clouds the whole day. It was like the difference between gray and black... This monologue is utterly useless, you say? Cut me some slack! I almost lost my life!
I went towards the northern end of the city to meet the anarchists. Do they really just call themselves that? They probably don't. An evil organization needs a sinister name. Like, if I start an evil organization, I'll name it something like... 'Diabolos', too generic? Thought so.
I had changed into my usual black coat. The magic pistol and the lightning rod from Scalmourne strapped to my waist, under the coat. To top it all off, a pointy, plain white domino mask. The burrow of those rats is where one would least expect it, right behind the Medax temple.
I entered the temple amidst the waves of people moving in and out. Each of them donned masks, with wine glasses and beer bottles in their hands. Some of the lavishly dressed ones smoked cigars. Medax, the God that 6 of the 7 lands have formally accepted as their central religion, is a god that promotes freedom above all.
The story goes that amongst the lying masses. Medax, with his honesty alone, proliferated magic in the mortal realm. During his travels all over the world, he immersed himself in all kinds of pleasures. With death at the end of every being's journey, the Medax religion encouraged one to enjoy whichever pleasure one can. As long as they don't interfere in the freedom of another person. Those who violate the only rule of not affecting others' freedom rarely live to see the next day. Freedom, of course, is very flexible in what it implies.
Very smart, especially considering that the world has been in 7 lands for as long as recorded. Who knows which lap of the 7 lands is going on right now? They could build up their world however they want, instill whichever values they want. A religion that will leave no one unsatisfied, one that promotes order while encouraging curiosity. If their propaganda is accurate, then no one will reject Medax as their God. Even if there are any holes in this religion, the next round will learn from it and grow. This world feels like it's the experiment of a sick being.
Anonymity was a given in these temples. You could not even spot a priest in public since they all wear similar masks, completely hiding their identities. I went to the temple's second floor, passing through the intricate marble work and paintings, each depicting various things. A person smoking, another painting, two people in a consensual fight, and another with two indulging in copulation.
In the last room on the first floor, a priest wearing a black mask stood next to multiple sculptures. His mask had a small ringed 'A' on the corner. I went to the priest, brought my palms together, and performed a deep bow. "Infinitam esse libertatem."
The masked man made a smile and walked over to an enormous sculpture. He pushed it aside and revealed a long, dark staircase.
"Boundless be our freedom, child." The priest pointed towards the staircase. Leaving another bow, I went inside.
'Infinitum esse libertatem', boundless be our freedom. Conceited fools who mistake the meaning of Medax's freedom. This was their slogan. I picked it up the day I arrived in this city.
The staircase soon ended, placing me in a tiny room with a single door. I pushed the door open to — Ah shit; I have to pull? In this small room, you want me to pull the door, you nasty fucks?
Bright lights, couches, and tables, sketches, halls, rooms. Billiards, card sets, some bowling pins. Shelves filled with books and documents. Individual chambers with diverse names and purposes inscribed on them. People, lots of people. Men and women of various descents, each with the same tattoo on their hands.
They all stopped and looked at me.
"27718957.
16 North, 27 East, 31 West.
94856103.
..."
In a loud voice, I started narrating the passwords and patterns to all the vaults. Confused faces stared at me as the people tried to make sense of my mumblings. Eventually, the meaning of my words dawned on them, and they rushed to fetch someone of higher rankings. For a society with no governance, they had a whole hierarchy set up here.
A hooded man approached me. He was large and probably bald, kinda like those cool 'good friend' characters in novels that you can't seem to hate. "Our benefactor. Our leader was expecting you. Please follow me," he said.
I walked behind the large man to the room that stood out the most; he opened the door for me and stationed himself beside the door. Inside, a white-haired man with a distinct face sat alone in a chair.
Just as I laid my eyes on him, I knew for a fact that this was not someone seeking "true" or "boundless" freedom. He was the kind of human scum that shouldn't exist. The kind that wants to see the world burn. The kind that I just love.
He placed a hand on his chest while pointing at a couch with another. With a heartfelt intonation, the man introduced himself. "I am Tahiti Iskov, a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Oscar Wilburn."
"Pleasure's all mine, Mr. Tahiti."
"We are indebted to you. Please tell me, what brings you here?" He asked. He poured tea in two cups and pushed one towards me.
"You can pay me back by not failing. I am simply here to give you some information." At my words, Tahiti made a truly despicable smile. The storm of Kifestein will soon begin.
**
[Night. Hotel.
West. Kifestein]
2 hours before sunrise, a shadowy figure had walked into a room on the 6th floor of the hotel.
At the break of dawn, more shadows made their way to the hotel, their gazes locked onto the 6th floor. Under the veil of the dark clouds, a storm was rising.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone