Chapter 28: Cake Wars

They were about to pass the alley where Joshua went into the catacombs and first fought the undead. It appeared untouched, not what Joshua was expecting at all. "Hey, can you wait here a second?" Joshua asked Gina.

"Okay." Gina replied.

Joshua left her to investigate the entrance to the catacombs he found earlier. He was surprised to find it still undamaged. "So, the skeletons came from some other place?" Joshua said to himself. His face turned pale. If the skeletons did not originate from here that would mean they came from elsewhere. If they came from elsewhere, it wasn't Joshua's fault.

It only took a moment for him to realize that it must have all been a plot by the man in white. He had obviously watched Joshua; he knew everything about him. [He must have set those skeletons on the city and killed Gina to break my spirit and force me into his deal.] Joshua thought to himself. "Fuck!" Joshua yelled.

The black chains on his arm were a reminder of his foolish mistake. An unbreakable vow with a deceiving unknown being of great power.

Gina poked her head at the entrance of the alley. "Joshua?" She called out. "You really shouldn't relieve yourself in alleyways."

[She thought I had to pee?] Joshua thought to himself. [I guess that would be the most logical thing to assume. I did tell her to wait there and ducked into an alley. Might as well roll with it.]

"Right, sorry I am coming back now." He called back.

He rejoined Gina and she smiled as he got to her.

"Feel better?" Gina asked.

[No! I was totally tricked by the man in white! Although, I still would have made that deal to save you.] He thought. "Yes, much better." He answered. "Shall we continue?"

"Okay." Gina said as she grabbed on to his arm and held it.

Another guard was blocking the entrance to the upper city as one was always posted. When he saw the two approaching with all the blood on them, he got prepared to fight. Pointing his weapon at them and standing at the ready. "Halt!" He yelled. "What's your business in the upper city, rats?!"

Joshua held up his hand to show his ring and kept walking towards the guard.

"A knight's ring?!" The guard questioned. "What happened to you sir?"

"Did you not just witness an army of the dead?" Gina asked. "Where were you?"

"An army of the dead?!" The guard asked loudly. "I didn't see any such thing! Not a soul, living or dead have come to my checkpoint. That must have been terrifying."

"I am surprised they didn't call you to fight." Joshua said.

"No sir." The guard replied. "I am surprised they didn't send more soldiers to solidify the entrance to the upper city. Protecting the upper city is always our top priority."

"Of course, the people of your city wouldn't be." Joshua said with a sigh. "We desire a bath, let us through."

"Sir, yes sir." The guard replied as he moved to the side to let them pass.

"Never call anyone a rat again either." Joshua said. "If I hear that you have, I will remove your tongue."

"Sir!" The guard said.

With that the two entered the upper city and headed towards the bathhouse.

"Joshua, would you really remove that man's tongue?" Gina asked. "That doesn't seem like you. Did your deal with the demon change you?"

"No." Joshua said. "I just am sick of being called a rat. I know you are too. I am sure all the people of the lower city are."

"Joshua, do you smell that?!" Gina asked frantically.

He took a deep breath but could only smell the iron from the blood covering his clothes and body. "No." Joshua replied. "What do you smell?"

"I smell cake." Gina said.

"You smell what?!" Joshua asked.

"It's coming from that bakery over there." Gina said and pointed. "Do you think they learned the recipe?"

"They shouldn't have been able to deconstruct it that fast." Joshua said.

They walked over to the bakery and opened the door. They were about to close shop for the day and the workers were cleaning, while a familiar woman was blissfully sitting at a table sipping on some tea.

"That woman." Joshua said. "I should have known."

"Oh, by the gods!" She screamed. "What are blood covered heathens doing in my shop?! Timothy did you not lock the door?! Are we being robbed by murderous low born rabble escaped from the lower city?!"

"Calm down!" Joshua yelled and showed his ring.

"Oh, it's a knight!" She said happily. "How is it that I can serve you tonight sir? Timothy, why have you not assisted this fine knight?! Do you intend on keeping one of his status waiting?!"

"You don't recognize me, do you?" Joshua asked. "I was the lad with the tree sand."

"That was you?!" The woman shrieked. "I had no idea you were a knight! Forgive me for the manner in which I spoke to you."

"That's not important right now." Joshua said. "How did you bake a cake?"

"Oh." The woman replied. "I do remember you saying you were going to put me out of business with your creation. So, I sent my Timothy here to procure one of your so-called cakes."

"The man from last night." Joshua said as he now had a good look at him.

"Then Timothy simply brought it back and used his unique magic to determine its make up." The woman explained. "From there it was a simple matter to reproduce your cake. Now I shall put your tiny bakery out of business and reign supreme!"

Joshua clapped for the woman as she revealed her schemes. "There is just one problem with your plan. It's a good plan, don't get me wrong, but now that I know your game." Joshua jumped on top of a nearby table. "Attention everyone! I promise to double all of your pay, if not more, should you quit right now and work for me instead."

CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Alphachoas

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