not going to happen. I like my head on my shoulders thanks. Her Horsemen aren’t guys I want to be on the bad side of, and pure as you seem, I’m not risking it. You understand. What I can do, is let you in here, and then, well, you can stumble around until you find someone stupid enough to help, or you stumble across the right path.” She shrugs, and raises her hands. Roman almost growls at her, but I put my hand on his chest.
“That would be great. Where do we go?” I ask her. With a wave of her hand a doorway appears.
“This will take you in to the first level. Just try not to stumble across Phoenix. Prideful asshole is the biggest dick you’ll come across, and not in a good way.”
I nod at her again, thinning my lips so as not to say thank you. That shit is hard. The door opens and I step towards it. The black frame glimmers as I wrap my hand around the gold door handle and push it open.
Nothing but a white mist is visible from this side of the door. I look back to the guys, who are all right behind me. Delia waves and I smile back at her before walking into the mist.
The mist clears and I find myself staring out over what looks like a city on the surface. A mix of skyscrapers, and other tall buildings, which get smaller as the city works outwards.
“Well, this isn’t exactly what I was expecting,” Levi says, eyebrows raised.
“You can say that again,” Creek says, stepping forward, trying to look closer.
“This seems suspicious to everyone else as well right?” Roman asks and I nod.
“I mean, it kind of makes sense. They said this level was Pride, right?” Kain asks. “Well, there’s a lot of different types of pride. It’s seen as the root of all evil in certain circles, so I’m surprised this is the first level, but, it is what it is. Anyway, this is the perfect breeding ground for pride, and for its punishment. I imagine, Phoenix, they said it was, would enjoy this setting quite a lot if he is the embodiment of pride. Imagine a city full of souls begging at your feet. I bet he stays in the top of the highest tower, so he can lord over everyone else.”
“That makes a weird amount of sense.” Creek nods and I smile. Look at them all getting on.
“Okay, so avoid the high tower, but who wants to bet that getting from here to the next level down means we need to be in the high tower?” I sigh.
“Maybe,” Levi smiles softly at me. “I suppose we better head into the midst of things, because we’re not going to get far waiting up here.”
I nod and wave for him to lead the way, because we all know that’s where he’s going to end up anyway. He heads into the forest that seems to circle the city, without a backwards glance.
We follow his lead for what feels like hours, and it doesn’t look like we’re much closer than we were when we started. If it wasn’t for the expanse of forest behind us, I’d find it hard to believe we’d moved much at all, despite time passing.
“Does anyone else feel like we’re not getting anywhere?” Kain’s voice filters into my thoughts, and Levi stops in front of me. I still, so as not to walk into the back of him, and he spins to face us. His eyes form slits, and his brow furrows. I’ve not seen him this angry, maybe ever. He takes a step forward, but then falters, shaking his head.
“This place is fucking with me,” he says running the heels of his hands against his eyes. He starts to shake, and then falls to his knees in front of me.
“Shit, Levi!” I catch him, and lower us both to the ground slowly. Thank god for Hunter strength. The guy is massive.
“Is he okay?” Creek asks, while Kain and Roman flank us, making sure that we’re covered should any threats approach.
“I don’t know,” I tell Creek as I brush the hair off of Levi’s forehead. “Levi.”
I shake him gently in my lap, hoping to stir him, when he goes rigid, his back arches before he lets out a pained scream, his hands clasping his head, despite his eyes staying closed.
“Shit, Levi. Come on, wake up! What the fuck is going on?!” I shout, shaking Levi