The Underground

Reid was currently on his bed in the hotel room. His thoughts were still filled with his unexpected meeting with his brother.

Even if Nathan had heard about his return, there was no reason to come see him or even offer a way for him to return to the family.

'He also mentioned mom' Reid thought trying to figure out why Nathan would come see him.

*Knock* *knock*

His thoughts were interrupted by the knock on the door.

The tour around the city had taken a while and by the time they got back, it was already nightfall and Reid was pretty sure Alex and the rest were asleep by now so he didn't expect anyone to visit him this late.

He slowly walked towards the door and looked through the peek hole before he finally opened the door.

Standing there was Elizabeth who had changed his earlier clothes for a black hoodie and pants.

"Get dressed, we're heading out" she said when Reid fully opened the door.

"This late?" Reid asked.

"Yes, now hurry" she replied letting herself in.

Reid just shrugged and put on his usual jacket before they headed out.

When they walked out of the hotel, instead of an SUV like earlier, a black sports car was parked waiting for them.

"Get in" Elizabeth opened the car's door and got in.

"Where are we going" Reid asked when she started driving.

"To get information" she answered keeping her eyes on the road.

Reid raised his eyebrows in confusion and waited for her to continue, which she did.

"For the past three weeks, people have been randomly disappearing," she explained. "All investigations have hit a dead end, as there's absolutely no connection between the victims."

"The only connection they could find was that the victims were all tamers" she paused as she took a turn "but that's not really a lead since everyone in the city is one".

"And the General thinks you can solve the case" Reid asked with a raised eyebrow.

"No, but I'm sure I'll be able to dig up the next clues," she replied, coming to a stop in front of what appeared to be a bookstore.

"Let me guess, the killer left a confession in the fiction section?" he quipped, raising an eyebrow.

She rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "Yes, right between How to Get Away with kidnapping and Crime Solving for Dummies. Now, are you done, or should I wait for more stand-up material?"

"Lead the way then" Reid answered and they both got out of the car.

They walked into the store and we're greeted by the scent of books and coffee. The store was, for some reason, a 24 hours one and there were a few people reading books while drinking coffee.

They walked up to the clerk, an elderly man with a friendly smile.

"Good evening, young ones," he greeted warmly. "Which book might you be interested in?"

"Do you have the Complete Guide to Forbidden Hunts?" Elizabeth asked.

Reid knew this had to be some type of code so he quietly observed.

"That's a collector's piece. Follow me into the back room." The man said and walked to the back of the bookstore, where an empty book shelf stood.

He pressed a button and the shelf moved, revealing an entrance that led downward.

Reid followed Elizabeth into the entrance, his previous thoughts confirmed.

"Beware of the beasts" the old man said and the shelf moved back to its position.

"What beast?" Reid asked as the walked down the barely lit stairs.

"You'll find out soon" Elizabeth decided to act mysterious and Reid only shrugged in response.

The walked for a while before they came across a door. She raised her hand to knock on the door when it opened on its own.

Shock was an understatement to what Reid was currently feeling when they walked through the door.

The place looked like a full blown bar with a massive pit (?) in the center. Rails were placed on the edge, which prevented anyone from falling inside.

On the rails stood people who were cheering or cursing due to what was going on in the pit.

Reid knew that they were underground only because of the rocky roof above them. This entire underground structure should have been impossible but here it was.

"Welcome to the Forbidden Hunt" she introduced "a place you can find anything of you look well enough."

"Forged beasts, technology, entertainment, information and the Hunt" She gestured to different places before finally pointing to the pit "you name it, they have it".

"The Hunt?" Reid asked. He knew a place like this existed but he had never visited one himself.

"Come" They walked and leaned on one of the rails. Reid looked down and was surprised again.

Below was a huge forest and Reid could spot glowing figures engaged in a fight with some primals.

"The Hunt as its name suggests, is a hunt" she explained "the goal is to hunt as many primals as possible before the game ends, the one with the highest amount of cores at the end wins."

"So where will we get the information we came for" he asked, reminded why they were here.

Elizabeth pointed up and Reid followed the direction "from him".

Mounted on one of the underground walls was what looked like a see through glass VIP booth and sitting on a sofa with a wine in his hand was a fat man in a suit.

"Him?" Reid asked feeling confused.

"That's Darius Rook aka the Pit master" she answered "he runs this place and what we want is quality information and he has it".

"And let me guess, we can't meet him just like that?" Reid concluded.

"Exactly, that's why you're here" she said, moving towards on of the set-up bars.

"Why's that?" He asked, knowing he wasn't going to like what she'll say.

"The only way to speak to the Pit master is for him to invite you himself" she ordered a drinks "and the only way for that to happen is if you impress him enough".

"So you, my dear cadet will participate in the Hunt and make sure to dominate the game enough to get us an invite" she brought the drink to her smirking lips.

"I f*cking knew it.."