Chapter Text
Nine months.
Nine. Whole. Months.
Moss exhaled, dull orange eyes gazing at four of her four friends. Two new, two old…
Each step crafted cautiously, leading to a chance the florist immediately took.
'I'm not sure if this is what love is...' Moss spoke to nothing, sitting on the edge of 'her' bed. She reached the nearest pillow and hugged it close. 'Love is something comforting, for it to warm your heart when it's cold...' her grip on the pillow tightened. '..I don't think this is what love is..' she repeated, to no one in particular.
That's over now, she doesn't have to be in those shoes ever again.
Mom... Her sisters and brothers...
She couldn't wait to be reunited with her family again.
Nine months ago, she was taken away from the people she loved. Forced under the care of another, by a god nonetheless, for the sake of her "protection.” One mistake of trailing away in the gardens led her to be locked away from the kingdom.
Hands that held a bouquet of marigolds shook. She felt ecstatic of this new start, albeit its gut aches by leaving this way. The mixture of dread and happiness formed a quivering smile, masked behind the bundle of fluffy yellow flowers.
She finally has it, liberty …
Thinking of the past made it all seem like a long, twisted dream…
For a moment, she forgot she was at the grand ball in the City of Tears.
Looks like the invitation wasn't lying about an unforgettable night after all...
Moss tensed at the thought, which was distinct enough to not be from herself.
They were sitting in the corner of the ballroom, waiting for the moment the light’s would go out to make an announcement. Then cloaked in the dark, they’ll escape. Moss fidgeted in her seat, her eyes darting to the mechanics of the ticking clock above. She was tracing invisible patterns on the table with her fingertips, a futile attempt to distract herself from the knot of nerves tightening her stomach. She felt a sharp glare in her direction, too, making every passing moment drag to eternity…
Just the five of them…
Her best friend, Tores, was sitting nearby, but far enough to not draw suspicion, her tail swinging eagerly. She was looking elsewhere to talk to the others without seeming like it, even if she was blind. “When is the announcement going to happen, it’s only a matter of time until they do something-”
Right as the reaver spoke, the golden light of the chandeliers faded away. Now only the blue ambient light of the city dimly shone the ballroom. All of the gleaming light was now aimed at the stage, though it wasn't Moss’ focus. Violet, the noble, quickly queued it was time. They all quietly panicked amongst themselves as they followed her.
In the back of the ballroom laid a cobbled staircase down to the cold storage. Because the streets were flooded, the old rooms were their only hope for escaping. They could hear the crowd cheering as Zion’s speech muffled below…as well as the clinking of armor.
The noble led them through the lower floors of the old Central Clock Tower. The air was humid and cold... Even if the depths of a decaying tower had a strong unsettling feeling, Moss couldn't help but to be comforted by the change of environments and people.
Once the noble reached the desired floor she stopped. Her purple eyes narrowed up and down a wall that barely seemed out of place. "Vivi, are you sure this is the right way? I don't see any doors anywhere-" Serenity exclaimed. He was a husk sentry, one of the lead guards. Easy to tell from the large city’s crest etched across the back of his blue plated armor. The last person following was Yino, a known writer who was a weaver. He simply continued watching silently.
Violet treaded forward, grabbing a piece of cobble exposed from the side and pushed it. The hatch slid to the side, revealing a pitch black narrow hall. "Woah! I didn’t know they made doors like that!" Tores said, expression shifting from confusion to surprise. The nobble ran a hand in her dark purple hair, loosening her bun in the process "This was how mechanics would flee from thieves" she finally spoke, side eyeing the group with a smug smile. "There’s so many cool gimmicks in the city, I need to visit here more often!" Tores examined the wall more up-close. “Wait, I thought you couldn’t see-” Serenity raised a brow to the reaver, who couldn’t keep herself in place. “Everything is really cloudy! That’s a–”
The group jumped when they began to hear rapid climbing coming down from the old elevator shaft across from them. Something clawing at the metal violently… Violet quickly beckoned everyone to follow her. All their footsteps became light feet as they all scrambled in. When everyone entered the hidden passage, she shut the door and locked it- blocking most noise of the ballroom. “OhThankGodItLocks.” Tores whispered.
They all stared at the light shining from the bottom of the entrance as the footsteps became more clearer, high heels … A figure went up to the door, a shadow darkening the room. Moss felt her anxiety suck the breath out of her lungs, lightly clinging onto Tores’ arm. There was muffled muttering, followed by what could have been a giggle, before the figure backtracked.
When the footsteps faded away, Serenity was the first to let out a loud wheeze as he nudged the noble’s shoulders, "DAMN. Talk about close call- PHEW-"
Everyone followed suit, letting out a huff of relief. Moss had let go of Tores’ arm as she breathed out. Thank god it did lock… “We’re safe now.” The noble confirmed, before she began walking down the tunnel.
Tores was still amazed by the mechanics of the secret passage "That is perfectly flush with the wall...neat!" the reaver exclaimed, giving the noble a thumbs up. "Experts constructed this clock tower, they knew what they were doing." she commented with a tinge of irritation. Serenity sighed deeply, rolling his green eyes "Yeah unlike most workers nowadays."
Moss continued to look ahead, blinking slowly at the many lanterns lighting their path "...It looks like the hall gets more and more smaller the further we go in..." "...Not a problem for you and me, right Moss?" Tores giggled, Moss hummed in agreement. Serenity stared at the ceiling that touched a few of his stray hairs, "Well now is not a nice day to be 6'6." He was the tallest out of all of them. Second coming in was Yino, then Violet who has the most average height out of all of them. Both Tores and Moss were the shortest, a difference by a few inches. The tension in the atmosphere already seemed to die down…
"Where does this lead to?" Serenity finally asked Violet, breaking the sudden silence. "The Soul Sanctum." Moss had seen some photographs of the sanctum. She wasn’t sure if they were taken post-infection, but to her the sanctum was beautiful. "Don't think I've been there before." Yino spoke.
Tores rubbed the back of her neck, laughing nervously "...Sounds ominous! I can’t wait, my anxiety is killing me! … Not really, but, y’know…”
"That place is freaky as hell... Basically...Haunted house." Serenity mentioned, his hand instinctively hovering over his mace that rested on the back of his armor. "I've had to patrol that area many times, trust me it is." Violet deadpanned, sighing afterwards. "Sounds like fun." Yino commented, genuine.
Lanterns cast calming white glows across the passage halls. Moss would watch the lumaflies dance as she passed by. “...Question, are we all sticking together after this..?” Moss asked, her voice tinged with a subtle unease.
“I’m staying with you, Moss, don’t worry! Tores quickly reassured, a comforting tone that settled the florist’s mind at ease. Serenity chimed in with playful enthusiasm, wrapping an arm around Violet, “We’ll help you out kid! I needed to have a word with Zion anyways!” a huge grin adorned Serenity’s face, while Violet, slightly squished beneath the playful gesture, managed to slow a thumbs up. Moss couldn’t help but smile at them.
“...So, realistically… Is there any way to report them to the guards..?” Violet got out of Serenity’s half hug and looked back to the others. “No can do-” he quickly interjected, “in the words of Zion; rEspEcT yOur hIgHEr uPs” he mimicked, adopting a tone that sounded more of a drunken British shopkeeper than a figure of authority. Tores’ expression mirrored their frustration from Serenity’s response, “Well that’s not fair…”
Moss mulled over the irony of the situation. In a world that should stand for justice and protection (the healthy kind), yet it seemed the very system meant to uphold those values was letting them down. So much so, that two of the higher guards, Serenity and Violet, go against their peers to help them…
Violet warned them that there might be amalgamations of soul and old husk corpses. Because of this, she gave out knives to everyone who had their weapons confiscated at the ball. They might not have the backings of the City of Tears, but they had each other. Yino had managed to keep his knife throughout everything thank god.
As Yino walked down the hall, he’d brush his hand against one of the walls and watched as dust buildup in his palm. “Yeah… we’re probably the first to use this shortcut in years…” Violet mimicked his gesture but instead applied more pressure on one spot in the wall until it made a clicking sound, she froze in place. “Finally…” The group halted behind her.
They all nervously watched the escape hatch dawdle to the side, causing a small cloud of dust to form. The loud click resonated in the halls of the abandoned Sanctum. Violet took the lead as the others followed, “Here’s our plan… The sanctum is connected to other hallways that lead higher up in the capital. Instead of struggling through flooded streets, we’ll find an exit from the City of Tears in here.”
-
Exiting the hidden passage, they stepped into an area that time seemed to have forgotten. Hallways made up of dull blue walls towered up high, followed by fogged windows blurred by the racing rain. Bright light from the face of the Central Clock Tower dimly lit the interior, reflecting off the shattered jars. The pillars and walls had patterns engraved in them, souls slowly trailing down its cracks.
A cold drop of water crept through the ceiling onto Moss’ brown hair, an involuntary shiver coursed through her. The air was cold and damp from all the harsh rains. Even if she’s stayed in the city for a bit, her body never got used to the climate. It’s much different to what she was used to in Greenpath… and Queen’s Gardens… The group looked around as Violet swiftly shut the passage way, securing it by moving jars in front of it.
The florist, while dusting off some residue adorning her dress, casted her gaze upon the expansive windows, framing the gleaming clock face that lit the hallways a ghostly white, “it’s almost midnight…” Moss noted in a quiet murmur.
Tores brushed off all the dust camouflaging in her white hair, “I kinda like this place! Reminds me of home in a way, but definitely more haunted house!” a cheerful tone, unwavered by glass shards crushed under her scuffed black boots. “Yeah, it’s not that bad…” Yino remarked. Moss admired the eerie beauty that surrounded her. It was a bit different from the books, nonetheless, it was amazing…
Tores stepped forward, gesturing towards Moss. After a moment of delay, the florist slipped its hand into hers, her other hand still clinging onto her knife. The reaver sometimes has difficulties navigating through places depending on lighting. An old habit she had never forgotten… It had been a while since physical touch felt reassuring.
As the group ventured farther in the heart of the sanctum, a sudden burst of energy bygoned the silence. “Alright, STAND BACK, BOYS!” Serenity’s chant echoed, his fist raised to the sky. “I’ll guide us through this dark maze!” Violet, with an almost scolding tone, forced an ahem in response. “No, Serenity…” She interposed, stepping ahead of the group with an honest poise. “I will guide everyone…”
He pointed at his raised fair colored hand, chuckling “You got puny knives-... Like, it’s not even the size of my palm-”
“Not the size- how ya use it.” Tores suddenly bumped in, getting in between the two.
Serenity would turn to her with a smug smile “That’s what she said.”
Violet sighed in exasperation, as she facepalmed and continued walking, remaining the lead.
-
The long corridors stretched out before them, the lights now dressed blue from the translucent curtains. Moss couldn’t shake the small shiver that traced her spine. She glanced at her friends again, and whispered to herself that everything would be okay…
Looking back, reveries of how she and Tores had become each other’s first friend eased her. Their connection predated before the grand ball, a time where they shared laughter and secrets, piecing together history together. All until the day she went flower picking…
The grand ball had been a turning point for Moss. A split moment of courage, fueled by her want for freedom, knowing it would be her only chance- she managed to slip the smallest note to Yino, causing a chain of violent events… According to Yino, he’s known her before her current “infected” life. It’s why she trusted him with the note.
It caused a fight between Yino and Serenity, the weaver confronted the god who had isolated her. The sentry, oblivious to the hidden truth, took action. In the end, Serenity asked what was really happening. When he got the whole story, guilt shrouded him. In all honesty, they all had the city wrapped around their fingers, Moss has no hard feelings for him. To make it up for them, he asked Violet for a quick route out…with Tores happy to reunite with her best friend, leading to where they are now: an alcoholic spider, mace guard man, noble lady, blind soul leech, and a flower child, running away from a god.
The whole concept made Moss’ head spin a bit.
Violet stared off to the oblivion ahead of them, “We take a few halls down, and…” she paused to face the group “... many staircases up.” She twirled and began leading the way, “If we keep this pace it’ll be quick.”
The florist, who shortly noticed Yino drawn to a leaf, beckoned him from his day dream to follow them. Moss rushed by Tores’ side and watched the conversation. All she could catch was a loud ‘I HATE STAIRS-’ from her and some rummaging… rummaging..?
Serenity let out a chuckle from the comment before questioning “How many floors until we’re out exactly?”
“Over 20.” The noble deadpanned, delivering the answer with a nonchalant demeanor that sent jolt through Moss. Her gulp was almost audible.
Serenity’s smile faded, “OVER 40?!”
Yino huffed. He slowly slid his hands in the pocket of his black pants. “Ain’t this gonna be fun...” the dryness of his tone caused Tores expression to falter more.
Violet gazed at a map etched across the damp wall, pointing to a small icon on the edges. “This is us.” She trailed her finger to the upper side of the map. “And this is where we want to go. There’s an elevator that heads straight to the crossroads, located on the top floor of the sanctum. It’s our safest route.” “This is gonna be a pain to walk, but at least it’s finally away from that sadistic psycho-” Serenity exclaimed.
“If anyone gets hurt in advance, does anyone here have medical knowledge?” Tores let go of Moss' hands and began scrambling through her pockets which spilled with medical supplies. “I have tons of things, but I don’t know how to use them!” she’d nervously laugh. “I used to be a part of the medical team, I rely on soul.” Violet would nod, still staring ahead of them.” “I know a few things.” Yino responded.
Tores quickly exhaled in relief, securing her pouch, as Moss went to pick up the remaining fallen supplies, “That’s good to know! We got two healers here!”
Serenity chuckled, “Uhhh I know how to break, not fix-” Violet’s gaze lingered on his mace which rested on his back… that was nearly as tall as her… “Trust me, Serenity, we can tell.”
They veered sharply into a small, narrow hallway concealed within the shadows. At its end loomed a spiral staircase, winding further into the depths. Violet continued without halt. Its descent plunged them into increasing darkness, as broken lanterns frequented. Moss could see the orange glow of her eyes reflecting off the cascading water running down the walls. Her pointed ears began to twitch, listening for anything out of place.
Violet grabbed a plate with a candle, quickly lighting it with a flicker of soul before heading down. As obscurity enveloped them, Serenity, on edge with the lack of visibility, voiced his discomfort, “By the king, I can’t see anything in here- Where are we going?! Aren’t we supposed to go up?!” his words echoed in the cramped space.
Violet focused on maintaining the flickering flame of the candle. “This has a straight, closer path compared to the other floor.” she replied, her voice remaining steady. “We’ll go more “up” soon…”
Eventually, they reached the bottom, greeted by another seemingly endless hallway. Repeating windows down were all boarded up, allowing no external light to guide their path. The only sources of light were Moss’ glowing orange eyes and the flickering flame from Violet’s candle. Undeterred, they pressed forward, the shadows playing tricks on the walls…
The husk sentry, Serenity, quickly sidled up beside Yino. “Sup?” he greeted, offering a casual nod to the weaver. Yino looked up to Serenity, a deadpan expression on his face, “I have this weird feeling most of us will be dead by the time we get out of here.” Tores winced at the grim thought, urging him, “...Please try to have some hope… I’m sure we’ll make it out.” Yino, however, gave no second thought, “No point.”
“Well-” Serenity grabbed his mace and smashed it on the ground. The sanctum shook by his force, unable to fully withstand the blow as it began raining small blue rocks “NOT WHEN I’M AROUND!” Moss, startled by the sudden noise, let out an involuntary squeak. The leading noble sharply jolted around “...Okay mister BONK, can you not?!”
Yino would stare down at the cracks “Well you're not gonna die that’s for sure.” “And neither will you!” There was a moment of silence before Serenity attached his glimmering mace to his back, “Moving on-” Violet sighed, rolling her eyes. “Your humor is almost as questionable as your methods.” Serenity gave her a small chuckle, “Glad you noticed-”
…
Serenity rubbed the back of his neck, breaking the sudden awkward silence that fell on them “How far are we now?” The noble rubbed a dusty part of the silver candle holder with her black gloves before responding; “Still a long way ahead of us…”
Moss noticed Tores’ grip entwined around her fingers tightened, dull eyes tinged orange widened “...I’m getting a bit uneasy, it’s way too quiet… what if there’s those soul amalgamates ?” she spoke, all in one breath. “The soul amalgamates roam the basement part of the sanctum, we’re safe.”
Just as Violet reassured them about the safety, there was a subtle but unsettling sound— a thread being snapped… The florist froze, stopping Tores too, her gaze fixed on the shadows above. In an instant, something blurred through her vision– a lantern hurtling through the air. It collided with the back of Violet’s head with a shatter, causing her to stagger sideways. The group yelped as the candle in her hand went out, the corridor’s light faded away.