Chapter 104: The Pit (3)

After the excruciating wait for their turn to get their passes validated, Aiden's group finally gained entrance to Higrove's famous underground arena, the Pit. 

The plain, muddy tunnel system that was carved out from the ground only added to the whole gloomy atmosphere that ruled over the underground corridor the group was traversing forward.

The torches that were set up at regular intervals alternating between the left and right side only also did nothing but contribute to the mood.

"This way honored guests!" The brown-haired female attendant, wearing an elegant, black and white sexy suit and a leather collar around her neck, showcasing her slave status bowed deeply as they arrived in front of a black door that had the same red eagle emblem painted on it. 

Above the emblem, however, there was a red crown painted as well. 

As Aiden and the group looked past the attendant, they could see several similarly designed doors all along the long hallway.

The slave girl attendant opened the door revealing a large balcony area with 4 luxurious padded chairs with 3 small tables placed in between them. Scarlet enchanted silk curtains served as a separator against the other VIP boxes around them. It was enchanted in a way that nobody could see in, but they could see through as if they weren't even there.

Still bowed, the slave girl spoke up again with a respectful tone.

"Please honored guests, take your seats. Tonight's show will start soon." 

The group silently entered the box. As they took their seats, the attendant who followed behind them, bowed once again.

"Honored guests, would you like anything as you wait? A drink, or some meal perhaps?" 

The masked youth, Aiden, waved with his right hand and curtly answered.

"No."

Misunderstanding the meaning behind his words, the attendant audibly gulped, and as she straightened herself, she closed her eyes, and with a robotic, rehearsed movements, she started unbuttoning her dress.

"I understand. In that case, please use this worthless slave as you see fit." 

As she opened her eyes, there was no light in her eyes. The gray, dismay that now ruled over her expression was a painful visage to look at.

Seeing her actions, the elderly lady that had wrapped herself in many layers of red tattered clothing gently grabbed her hands. 

"Dearie, there is no need for any of that. You can attend to the other customers, we are fine, don't worry." Although her face was somehow always in the shadow under the cover of her patched hoodie, the slave-girl attendant could still hear the honesty and concern in her voice.

Hearing this, the slave-girl eyes quickly became hazy, and tears started to flow out uncontrollably. She started crying, all the pain, the anguish, the humiliation she had to endure, all bubbled up and erupted in an unstoppable fashion. 

It wasn't hard to guess what sort of horrors this girl had to endure being an attendant for the most important business partners for this shady group. While Number 3 and Aiden weren't concerned with her anguish, Drake was visibly trembling, fuming with rage. His fists clenched, he punched the padded armrest of the chair he was sitting on.

"Bastards, bastards, bastards… If they hurt Scarlet… I'm…" he mumbled to himself but was stopped when Aiden, grabbed his hands.

"Don't. Never think like that! We will free both girls, and when they are officially free, we will make sure this never happens to anyone ever again. Remember the plan that YOU devised." Aiden whispered.

"Grrrr…." Drake didn't answer, just grumbled. Then he took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. Yes, the plan they devised with yet another shady group… Was it worth it? Perhaps. Trading one shady group to another. Still, they do need their services to officially free the girls and remove their slave statuses. Otherwise, they would just be stealing the owner's property however bad that sounded, they would be the ones labeled as criminals.

"I know…" he mumbled after a long time.

Meanwhile, Granny hugged the girl, and as she lightly patted her back, she gently whispered into her ears.

"There, there! I may not know what you have gone through, but here, with us, you can be at ease. We will not hurt you, I can promise you that."

Several minutes passed like that before the attendant could finally collect herself enough to reluctantly separate from the comforting embrace.

Coughing, to cover her embarrassment, she spoke.

"Khm, apologies for my unsightly behavior honored guests. If you have no need for any of our services, I will take my leave. Please do not hesitate to use the crystal by the door by injecting some of your energy to call for an attendant in case you need one." 

As she said that, she motioned towards the black door behind her. There was a transparent glass crystal edged into it at the upper frame.

She turned around and opened the door, only to stop at the door. Turning her head sideways she closed her eyes once again and muttered a barely audible "Thank you." towards Granny before she continued her steps and left the room.

Smiling at her action, Granny turned around and faced the group as the door closed.

"Okay, we have some time still, before the event starts. We have to find and rescue both girls. As we discussed, we…" she pointed at herself and Number 3 as she spoke "...will stay here while you two will go ahead. Make sure to crush the crystals we gave you if you are in trouble or if you have found the girls."

Both boys nodded as they grabbed the small black crystal they got from Number 3. 

Granny looked at the silver-haired boy as she continued.

"Drake, we do not know each other for that long, but I can feel that you are a good kid. I know that similarly to Aiden here, you are also fuming with anger and want nothing for retribution for all the suffering your little sister had to endure for all these years because of someone else's decision. Still, try to stick to the plan, and not cause too much trouble as you try to get to her. Also, there is probably no point in reasoning with her, remember she has lived her life as a slave for many years. We can't guess how she will react to you. Hopefully she may recognize you, but there's a chance she will not. Just… prepare yourself for everything."

"Yes, ma'am." Drake nodded. They already discussed the plan and rehearsed every step over and over again. Still, he knew that she repeated it because there's a big possibility that he will not be able to do what is needed when it is needed. Hurting his sister, even if to just escape with her, is not something he can easily do.

As Drake was lamenting about his upcoming actions, Granny looked at Aiden.

"Aiden... "she sighed "...please, try to control yourself. Do not do anything rash, before you have Lily with you okay? Just please… promise us that!" Her speech towards Aiden was more of a pleading than a lecture. 

Still, Aiden simply, silently nodded while he gave a curt "Hmm" in response. 

"Okay then…" she spoke softly looking at Aiden. "In that case, go and free the girls. Don't worry we can handle everything here!"

Aiden and Drake looked at each other, nodded as if they understood each other's thoughts, and walked towards the door. As Aiden opened it up, Number 3 spoke up.

"Aiden." She started, without looking at the boy. "If Lily is hurt, nobody can be left alive. Got that? Stay true to your true self."

"Yes, master" Aiden curtly responded, as he left the room with Drake in tow. The dimly lit hallways were not devoid of any life, all the guests had already taken their boxes, and the attendants were busy serving or servicing them. Muffled moans could be heard from the distance, some guests have probably taken the third option it seems.

Ignoring the sounds, Aiden quickly crossed the hallway and took a right as they arrived at the first crossing. Drake followed him silently. He still didn't understand how, but he was told that he should just follow the boy's lead, he will know the way.

Still, he was nervously grabbing the hilt of his sword, ready to take it out of its sheath at a moment's notice. 

However, it seemed that the boy really did know this underground tunnel system like the back of his hand, he confidently led him, taking a left or sometimes a right without any hesitation every time they arrived at a fork. 

He didn't bother with these thoughts for long, he was finally close to finding his dear sister, and had the chance to reunite. Everything else is secondary, that was the only thing that mattered to him currently. For the past several years, the thoughts of getting her back were the only thing that he could think of. That, and serving justice on his father for the pain and suffering he caused.

After a few short minutes, they arrived in front of a barred gate. Looking at the bars, Aiden turned around and faced the young silver-haired prince. Covered by his white faceless mask, the murderous intent in his tone was still visible.

"We have arrived. Once inside always stick to the left until you arrive at another closed metal door at the end of a hallway. Your sister should be there. Once you secure her, crush the crystal you got from Granny and Master and they will get both of you out. Leave the rest to me."

He turned back facing the gate. Grabbing the bars, he was about to 'open' it up when Drake's voice sounded from behind.

"And what will you do?"

With a murderous glint in his eyes and a cruel grin covered by the simple mask, he replied with a low growl.

"Me? I'm going to let loose…"