41 Day before Departure Pt.2

It was quite a lovely day for October. The breeze was lovely and the sun was out, it was the perfect balance of warmth and chill making it the perfect day for a date. Hand in hand the two seemed to make their way down the sidewalk, and although Riyku had his eyes before him, Cira would be glancing at the ground timidly. She was still awestruck by the words Riyku had previously stated about her being his and her being free. "Something up?" Riyku noticed her timid nature compared to how she usually was which brought that question up. Cira would glance up to take note of those crimson eyes looking in her direction and that lovely smile looking over her which caused her heart to skip a beat. Maybe it was because of how everything had progressed. Just last night he came up with this idea and now it was already put into motion. "N-no." Cira murmured which caused Riyku to chuckle lightly. "Don't worry. I don't plan on doing anything sexual. At least not until you get a bit older." Riyku seemed to tease her which caused her already dim pink cheeks to become rosy red. "Pfft, I wouldn't want you to anyways!" Cira exclaimed with an embarrassed expression. This caused Riyku to chuckle lightly. "What, what's so funny?" Cira called out and Riyku shook his head. "You. You are fun to tease." Riyku replied which caused her to puff her cheeks and grumble.

"Well, you can take it out on me with some games," Riyku stated with a smile that caused her to smile brightly. "Yup and I'll be sure to kick your butt." She giggled afterward and Riyku sighed happily. "Yeah, yeah." He replied nonchalantly. Though as they were walking it dude come to mind of her age. If anything he did judge her to be slightly younger than Iris, but who knows. He might've been wrong. She was upset when he called her a child when they first met. "Cira, how old are you anyway?" Riyku seemed to blurt out, without much regard. "I'm Seventeen... Hey! Wait, I thought we were past all that stuff!" Cira exclaimed and Riyku nodded. "We are. I was just curious. I can see why you were upset when we first met though." Riyku chuckled lightly and Cira sighed heavily. "Just because I am small doesn't mean I am a child! Besides, how old are you? Hm?" Cira would take a pick at him.

"How old am I?" Riyku blinked rapidly before shaking his head. "Don't know." He replied which caused Cira to go eye wide. "Eh!? You don't know!? Did you forget!?" Cira seemed rather taken back by this, but who wouldn't? Someone didn't know their age? Riyku would shake his head. "It's not that, well maybe it is. In a sense I have Amnesia. Remember, I told you I was not from this place? Well, I lost my memory when I woke up in this place. There is a lot I do not remember, but I am steadily starting to get my memory back." Riyku would explain to her which caused her to nod softly. Taking note of how she looked off-put or even sad he would wrap his arm around her waist and pull her to his side. "No reason to get all in the dumps about it. I am fairly happy as I am now. Besides, even without my memory, I can still make plenty more. This being one of them, a happy one at that." Riyku stated with a soft smile which caused Cira to blush lightly and nod softly. She would wrap an arm around him in return and the two of them continued down the street. "Though, I'll let you be the judge of my age," Riyku added which caused Cira to chuckle lightly. "Mmm... Okay." She mused happily.

When they entered the Arcade they were greeted by Mimi. "Oh, if it isn't Lady Cira and Riyku. On yet another date, I see." Mimi chuckled softly and Riyku nodded. "Mhm. I am. We will be hanging out here for a while." Riyku confirmed her remark and Cira nodded happily. "Yup. Come on, let's get going already." Cira was pretty much dragging him alone with her. "Alright, you pick first then," Riyku stated, but Cira was already heading towards one of the games in the gaming hall. Mimi just waved at them with a light giggle and smile. The two of them began to play game after game, even attracting attention from others as they enjoyed their lovely date.

While all of this was going on, there was yet another storm brewing elsewhere. Deep within the heart of the Lower Quarter. Five figures four of which were in cloaks were gathered around an old wooden table that roughly looked like a conference table. One of the men was a big muscular guy wearing an eye who was sitting at the end of the table. "I thank you all for coming today. While we may have our differences, we all are gathered here for one reason." The man stated as he pointed towards an image that was projected behind him. Upon the image was Riyku walking down the shopping district. "We all know of this man. He has been causing a lot of trouble for us in the Lower Quarter by destroying everything we have built up. Several brothels were demolished because of him, not only that but our smugglers are also being taken out. I know there are other businesses you all have running in the background because I am sure this man is taking out those as well. For this, I have brought you all here today. We need to devise a plan to take him out and return things to how they once were." The man stated and someone perked up.

"Isn't this your fault? You were working with that stupid whore, to begin with. You knew she was useless and could do nothing." It was then that another person came forth. "He's right. If you two didn't give him a reason to come to the Lower Quarter, then this would have never happened." This caused the man to sigh heavily. "While that may be true, how can you say for certain that he would have avoided this place entirely? If I am not mistaken, he came down here because one of his friends was abducted. Our Smugglers abduct all kinds of females, so who is to say that one of them wouldn't have been brought one of his friends here in the latter times?" Another voice came forth, one more refined and fatal even feminine. Everyone looked to this cloaked figure and fell silent in thought. They would begin grumbling to one another as if deciding on something. They would then look back towards the female who spoke out earlier. "Then what do you purpose we do?" One of the men inquired.

It was then that the male sitting at the end of the table perched up once more, "I have a solution for this. I have hired someone from the Guild." This caught their attention. "She is looking into the matter as we speak. She is a relative of my best friend as well. So this matter is also personal." The male stated with a serious look before pointing the image. "Now if you will return your attention to the images." The image projected would shift to a collage of several females and one male. Kristen, Mina, Lira, Vex, and Skylar were all there. "These few people are extremely important to getting what we need. However... as you may all know. Simply abducting them will not help us. We need to put him in a situation where he has to choose between them or himself. Right now, the person I hired is scouting them as we speak to find any weakness they may have. After all, they are not pushovers either." The male would explain to them and they silently took in the knowledge.

The image would cycle to another collage of a few males and females. Yumi, Deyo, Natalie, and Freya along with a few other people like Mimi, and Mary. "These are people who he associates with the most within the Shopping District. We can also take them hostage or use them against him when the need arises." The male stated and everyone seemed to listen in. "With all of this said, we should form a plan to make small sabotaged robberies or even threats to these shop owners and personal. Before taking action on the others. After all, we are all aware that we can not simply just go against him without much thought." The male added and everyone seemed to agree. "So let's get down to it. Who will be responsible for who and when." It seemed dark tides were soon to come upon Riyku, but alas the male did not even know about it.

Speaking of which, we return to Riyku who so happens to be sitting down at the bar booth with Cira. Both of them enjoying a nice ice cold cola it would seem. "You know, today was really fun!" Cira stated with a bright smile and Riyku chuckled softly before taking a sip of his drink. "I am glad to hear." Riyku replied to Cira." Did you have fun?" She seemed to ask and Riyku looked to her nodded. "I did. It was nice to be able to release after all the tension that has been going on." Riyku said with a smile across his face. He would finish off his glass of cola before eyeing the clock which read a few hours after-noon. "Are you ready to get going?" Riyku asked, but Cira gave him a puzzled look. "Go where?" She inquired and Riyku chuckled softly. "To meet up with the others. You wanted to join my Harem, remember?" Riyku would move from the booth and slip his hands into his pockets. "Have a good day, Sir." The Barista called to Riyku from a few meters down the counter. "Same to you," Riyku called back before looking to Cira who had flustered expression.

"Umm, right now? I mean, I'm not even properly dressed." Cira said hastily which caused Riyku to chuckle lightly. Cira was wearing the same style of clothing, neon blue on black. Short shorts, sneakers, low-cut crop-top shirt and her hair tied up in twin tails. "I see nothing wrong with your attire." Riyku would retaliate firmly which caused Cira to blink in awe for a moment before finally giving in. "Fine, fine! Let's go!" She pushed past him. Even though she tried her best to hide it, she was probably scared in some way. Riyku would walk after her to walk beside her. "Don't sweat it too much. They are not bad people." Riyku would state while placing a hand on her shoulder which caused her to reach a hand to his hand and look up at him. He would look down at her and nod softly with a smile. "I assure you." He added, though be it his warm smile or his silver-tongue her tension had ceased.

As they walked up to the front door of Mina's mansion, Cira would blink rapidly before looking to Riyku. "Who do you associate with that owns a place this large? I mean, it's roughly the same in size but... wow." Cira was amazed. It was better than frightened. As they approached the front door, it was slowly opened and Walter would greet Riyku. "Afternoon, Master Riyku. I have been informed that you have brought a guest over." Walter would look over from Riyku to the girl beside him. "This is Cira Maverick, daughter of Dom Maverick." Riyku introduced Walter to the girl who nodded softly to Walter. Walter in return bowed lightly to her. "Well then, right this way if you will. I will lead you to where the others are. Everyone is here today as well." Walter would state and Cira would take Riyku's hand, a bit nervously if one might add. Riyku would take her hand lightly and the two would follow after Walter.

"Oh, Cira. I almost forgot, but I thought your last name was Marvin, why is it Maverick?" Riyku inquired, not simply because he wanted to know, but to also ease her a bit. Cira would look up at him before smiling softly, "Well, the real reason was to keep people from finding out who I am. Though, I use it because that was my mother's last name before she married my father." Cira would explain to Riyku who took in the information she gave him. "I see. What was your mother like?" Riyku asked which caused Cira to blink before smiling softly. "Mother was a beautiful person. Not only on the outside but the inside. She would help out just about anyone who she saw needed help. She often volunteered her time for services like helping children or the elderly. Though even as busy as she made herself out to be, she always made time for me and father." Cira would reply to Riyku's question before sighing softly afterward. "I think that when mother passed the one who took it worse the most was Father. After mother passed, Father engrossed himself in work endlessly. Most of the time he came home late, and when we were home he was still working... It makes me wish that Mother was here." Cira said softly which caused Riyku to place a hand upon her head and pat her head softly. "Sounds like you have a perfect role model then. Your mother lives on inside of you after all." Riyku would state and Cira looked up at him who smiled down at her.

"Here we are." Walter would step aside as he offered them to enter the room. "Thank you, Walter." Riyku would turn to Cira. "Ready?" Riyku would confirm one last time if she was ready to take part in this discussion and Cira would inhale deeply before exhaling softly as if to steel herself. "I am." She replied firmly and both of them would enter the room. Sitting around a table happened to be Mina, Vex, Lira, Kristen, and Skylar. There were two empty chairs, one of Riyku and one for Cira. Everyone was extremely composed and the atmosphere was tense which threw him off completely. He expected Kristen to at least jump on him or something, but maybe this wasn't the time. "You all..." Riyku would huff heavily. "Well, let me do the introductions and explain what is going on here." Riyku would take his seat after helping Cira to her seat.

"Everyone, this is Cria Maverick. Cira, this is Kristen Luvlin, Lira Lee, Vex Verina, Mina Novva and then her brother Skylar Novva." Riyku would start with the introductions and everyone would make some kind of silent gesture which caused Riyku's brow to twitch. "Since no one wishes to speak up I'll begin by informing everyone of the two reasons why Cira is here. First off, Cira is my bride." Riyku was going to say something further, but Kristen's odd chuckling, Vex's glare, Lira and Mina's innocent smiles were preventing him from doing so. "Bride? Can you explain?" Skylar would try his best to get information from Riyku without the girls attempting to peg him down with questions themselves. Riyku would nod and release a heavy sigh. "I was getting to that. You see, Cira here was being forced to marry someone against her will. I struck a deal with her, asking her to postpone her marriage until after the Death Games so I could use my achievements as a means to get her to marry me. Make no mistake though, I have no feelings for her. I just did not want her to lose her freedom." Riyku would explain to them in a summary of what happened. "Forced? Freedom?" Mina inquired and Riyku would nod. "Yes, her father was originally forced to give his daughter away to keep their company afloat. However, after discussing with him and meeting her former engaged, I took his place and satisfied his conditions." Riyku stated. "If I am not mistaken, would Cira's Father be Dominic Maverick?" Lira inquired. "Yes." Riyku would nod which caused everyone to sigh heavily and shake their heads. "Poor girl." Kristen would look to Cira who blinked rapidly, confused on why she was being given sympathetic looks.

"Well, it makes sense now. Riyku can't help, but help people. Though, I am curious as to what conditions were needed." Vex stated in thought. "Oh, Riyku will be taking over the company after my Father steps down." What Cira said caused everyone to give a shocked expression. "Taking over an entire company? As in Runic Manaume? The company that excels in extracting magika materials?" Mina simpled to inquire which caused Cira to nod. "Yup, that's the one," Cira stated which caused everyone to go silent for a good moment. "Ooookay. That explains the first thing that was to be brought up, what about the second one?" Kristen asked to which Riyku looked at Cira and gave her a motion to go ahead. Everyone saw this exchange and focused in on Cira. "I want to become part of Riyku's Harem," Cira stated boldly, firmly, no trace of fear in her eyes, not shot of her backing down either. "Uhhh..." Mina would look at everyone else who looked at one another before looking at Riyku. "I am okay with it. However, I want to make sure you all are fine with it as well." Riyku stated. Skylar would nod, "I am okay with it. Cira doesn't seem like a terrible person. Especially if she has Riyku coming to her aid." Skylar stated with a smile. "Well, If Riyku and Skylar agree I am on board as well," Mina added, which now left Kristen, Vex and Lira. "I don't sense any ill intention coming from her. So, I am giving my okay." Vex added and Lira would agree with Lira. All that was left was Kristen who gave this thoughtful expression. "Let me ask you one thing, Cira. Why do you want to become a part of Riyku's Harem? I want to say this to make this clear, we are not simply a group of friends. We are much more than that. We have each other back when the tough gets going. We are connected deeper than any lover or best friend could be and Riyku's Harem is nothing like those you may have heard of or read in books. So, what do you want to join?" Kristen would give her a stern look. Everyone kept silent though and looked at the two of them.

"Honestly... Sitting in this room now. I can tell that you all care deeply about him and that he cares deeply for each of you. My reasoning for joining may have been simply to get to know him better as a person. To become a part of his life and make wonderful memories with him. I won't go out of my way and say that I love him, but I do like him and I respect him deeply. When we first met, I thought he was just some stuffy hot guy who thought they could bullshit their way around with their charms. Though, when I was on my last legs, while everyone gave up on me. He came to my aid. He believed in me and showed me that I was not wrong. That I was not weak. He pushed me to strive towards my goals and for that I am thankful. I just wish to know more about him, much more than I already do now. He saved me not once, but twice now. It's not out of gratitude that I am asking to join, but simply because I want to become a part of this man's life." Cira replied firmly. "I understand what you are saying. Riyku has helped every one of us in some way or manner. He has even saved each of us. So I can understand your admiration. I just have one final question for you." Kristeen would state which caused everyone to look towards her. "Are you willing to go against the entirety of the world for this man?" This question could have easily been taken as a joke, but the tense atmosphere showed Cira that she was serious. "Go against the entirety of the world for Riyku?" Cira made sure she understood the question correctly. "Yes, that is correct. I am sure you may know to some degree that Riyku is special. As we all know, those with great power can become feared by all. If that day ever came, would you stand by his side or would you side with the world?" Kristen was firm in her question.

"I...."

A ding sound would cause Riyku's eyes to rise.

'Warning! You are being pulled into Dungeon: Underworld.'

"What?!" Riyku narrowed his eyes at the screen that popped up before him. "Riyku?" Kristen looked at him as did everyone else. The atmosphere started to warp and twist and without a moment to lose Riyku ended up in the Underworld Dungeon. He was still sitting at the table like before; however, what caught his attention the most was that everyone that was inside of the room was still with him. "Huh!?" Lira looked around hastily. "What is this!?" Vex was shocked just as much as everyone else. Kissing his teeth the male would rise and examine the room. It appeared relatively safe, though he could feel the presence of monsters just outside of the room. "Riyku? Is this?" Skylar would narrow his eyes, seeming to have sensed the presence of entities as well. "This is the dungeon I was talking about. I was pulled into it last time as well but now is beyond me." Riyku answered.

"So... can we leave the way you did last time?" Mina asked, trying her best to keep composure, but the one who was most confused was Cira. "Ummm... where are we? You all seem to know what's going on, is this normal?" Cira inquired as she shivered slightly. Kristen would shake her head. "Well, we only know what Riyku has told us. We have never actually come here. Riyku knows more about this place than us, but rest assure, we are safe and so are you." Kristen would speak up as she moved to hug Cira.

"We should be able to leave if we find that sphere; however, the last time I was pulled in I had to clear something before I could leave. If this is the same, I need to clear it again. But..." Riyku's expression seemed grime. "But what?" Mina asked. "The last time I came here was with Seraphina. The simple monsters here are easy for us, but the boss-type monsters are extremely strong. Without Seraphina, I may have died back then..." Riyku's statement caused them some shock. Something was able to keep up with Riyku? This place was truly that dangerous? "You all wait here for a moment. I am going to step outside the door and test something." Riyku stated and moved to open the door and step out. "What do you think he's doing?" Vex asked. "Scouting probably," Skylar answered. "Yeah, we can't do much with a lack of information," Mina added. "Will he be okay?" Cira asked and everyone looked to her in silence. "He will," Kristen added with a soft smile and everyone nodded shortly after. A moment had gone by and Riyku returned and slammed the door shut. "Riy--" Riyku brought his finger to his mouth as a sign to keep quiet and they all covered their mouths. A few seconds passed even though they felt like minutes and the footsteps passed the room once then twice, but not a third time. Riyku would unleash a soft sigh and lean against the door. "What was that about?" Lira asked the question that everyone seemed to want to know the answer to.

"I was testing to see if this was a safe room. When I came here with Seraphina, and even the first time I came here the monsters only appeared in certain areas. When we entered those areas they notice of us then, but I never confirmed if they were restricted to those areas. In addition to that, the monsters return after a few moments as well. In the same Area, they were once in. I wanted to test if there were safe rooms, or even if they could not venture past a certain point. I lost aggro of several monsters in different areas and the monsters do not enter closed-door rooms. They do enter rooms without doors though. So this place is relatively safe, but...." Riyku closed his eyes which caused everyone to gulp heavily. "But what?" Kristen inquired. "This place is far larger than the previous times I came in. I haven't even found a staircase leading downward or upward, and there are several halls even though I only ventured down this hall. There are also several monster types from beast to humanoid and all of them are Demons. So, I have no idea where we are at. I lack information... Therefore, I will be going on a scouting mission, solo." Riyku stated aloud.