Island of Knowledge

<Island of Knowledge Discovered> the system shows in my UI as we walk on the dock. There are too many people carrying heavy things here. Helena isn't excited anymore but scared.

"What's wrong, sweetie?" Nisha consoles her.

"I wanna go home," Helena sobs. "I don't like it here."

Me too but I can't say that.

This island is packed with buildings. The largest and tallest building is in the middle of the island. It is completely covered with black glass. Your eyes could miss it if it weren't for the city lights it reflects.

There are no mushrooms that clean the air and the fresh wind from the sea couldn't reach the insides of this huge metropolis. Even the Rave Kingdom isn't this dense. The streets are jammed with cars and the walkways are so crowded.

On the holographic billboards, there is a bounty advert for a guy with blue hair. The picture is blurry so I can't ascertain his face. He is dubbed, the "Gentleman Thief". He is charged with sexual assault, theft, and murder. The reward is five million gold. That's a lot of money! But I won't go through all that trouble. I have a lot to lose.

"Let's go home," Helena whimpers, hiding her face in Nisha's chest.

"Just a little bit more, Helena," I say. "We're gonna find a nice place to stay."

I kinda regret coming here. All of us are uncomfortable. Nisha is looking well but I notice her slight agitation. I have to find a place to stay as soon as possible. It's also hard to read the signs even if they're high up overhead. The smoke is obstructing everything from far away. My nose is getting itchy. Nisha covers Helena's nose and mouth with a towel. How could these people live in this place?

Thank goodness I found an inn. The building is worn out and badly kept. I'm also surprised by the price. The stay costs so much even though the room is so small and trashed.

In the room, Nisha says, "This is as small as my apartment back in the Rave Kingdom."

"We're not gonna stay here long so it's fine for me."

Helena is scratching her head as she looks around. She's not used to a cramped place like this.

"I want a bigger home," she complains.

"This is temporary, Helena," I say. "Papa will find a better place soon so let's get used to it in the meantime, okay?"

We clean the place so it would at least be bearable and spread the bedsheet. There, the three of us lie down with Helena in between us. I'm at her right. I pat her thigh as Nisha hums a lullaby to help her fall asleep. As soon as she does, I let Nisha drink my blood.

"So, what's the plan?" she asks after she's done.

"Get to the library—which I think is in the tallest building in the middle of the island."

"No, I meant finding a new place."

"We're not."

"You said you will."

"That was only because I wanted to pacify Helena. We can't possibly find a cheaper place than this."

"But we haven't even tried yet."

"Alright, we're gonna do that if we have time. We also have to keep Helena out of trouble."

"I don't think she can't stay here for a whole day."

"We'll take her with us so she won't get bored."

"Are you sure about that?"

"It's gonna be fine. . . maybe. Don't worry, we will get out of here as soon as I obtain the information about Helena's powers. I'm gonna go right now."

"Now?" she exclaims.

"Yes, now. We can't waste any more time, remember?"

"But you're leaving me—" She shakes her head. "'us' here. . . alone."

"I'll come back as soon as I can, I promise."

"You better do or Helena will wake up without you around. She's not gonna like it."

"Got it," I nod as I grab the door knob.

"Be careful."

"Both of you too."

We nod at each other.

As much as I hate it, I'm back on this smoggy street. I limit my breathing but I eventually had to catch it so it was no use. I see some people wearing masks and I wonder where they got them from. Then there is a street vendor that sells these masks.

Ugh, the masks look dirty and used. Never mind, I'd rather cough all day than get sick. And Helena might catch it from me. That would be the worst.

The people here are looking depressed in their suits and uniforms. The children are hunching their backs as they walk on their way to school. What kind of society is this? I'd pick Zaori's crazy loud kingdom over this.

I've been walking for hours and it seems that I'm not getting anywhere nearer to that huge building. The traffic and the crowd are slowing me down. Should I use my Angelus Frame to fly? How about my Shadowclutch? I'm not sure if I can because I see no one doing these.

*Smash*

"What the—"

Glass shards come raining down from above. We, pedestrians, cover our heads. I look up and an Angelus with blue wings probably was the one who came out from that broken window. He disappears around the corner to the right street. Four men in suits use Shadowclutch to pursue him.

In my first 24 hours, I already witnessed a crime. What a place. Are we even on the right island? I feel like this isn't what the "Island of Knowledge" should be. I expected it to be orderly and clean. Anyway, let's mind our business and get to that library.

I come across a street with a lot of wide billboard screens all of which show only one footage. It's the blue-winged Angelus from earlier. He's flying in the streets with dozens of men after him. He could just fly past the buildings. Why isn't he—

"Breaking news," the reporter says. "another bank robbery has ensued. Please report immediately the whereabouts of these suspects. You will be awarded accordingly." It's the Gentleman Thief.

The other suspect is—

Wait a minute. . . They're the same person. What is going on? Who is that guy? Are they twins? And why am I caring? It's none of my business. I just wasted my time. Great!

I will need to take a shortcut because I never expected that this would be a long and hard journey. To know if what I'm thinking is allowed, I approach an officer nearby.

"Excuse me, sir," I say, interrupting his meal. "may I ask if Shadowclutch is prohibited?"

"It is prohibited."

"Why? I don't see any reason for that."

"I don't make rules, boy. My job is only to enforce it."

Then that leaves me with no choice. I don't wanna get into trouble so I walk. Hours later, I'm finally in front of the building. Holy cow! It's huge! It's smaller compared to the spaceships I know but I've never seen anything this big up close. Just. . . wow!

There are several entrances and I'm not sure where I should enter. Maybe I'll find out. There are two statues at each side of the entrance. They are three meters tall, wearing concrete robes, and each holding a book. Their eyes glow as I get near. Their books glow blue and argh! My nose hit something invisible! I step back and realize that there is a barrier.

In unison, they say, "Only those who attain the All-Seer's Pass may enter."

What is that? And where do I get that?

I massage my nose and look around if anyone saw that. That was freakin' embarrassing. *Sigh* Let's just go back.

"Hello!" a guy pops up in front of me, smiling.

I'm startled, didn't notice anyone near me just a second ago. "Uhm. . . hi?" I reply.

This guy is using an Angelus Frame. He's shorter than me, his hair is blue, and his blue eyes squint because of his smile. The attire he's putting on is quite simple. A white hoodie with yellow sleeves, jeans, and sneakers. He's hiding his Level so it makes it obvious that he's a capable Frame user. He could be a very dependable guy or a guy that easily invites trouble. Lastly, he seems. . . familiar—like I've had a glimpse of his hair before. Is he that Angelus that the police were chasing? I don't think so. This guy's hair is shorter, but that doesn't change that I feel like I've seen him before I arrived on this island. This could be because of the memories of my Frames.

"I see that you don't have an All-Seer's Pass," he says. "Are you interested in getting one?"

"Well. . . I guess."

"Then follow me, sir!"

He leads the way on the sidewalk, greeting everyone he passes by (mostly ladies). Some of them greet back and smile, and some of them scoff and look the other way. Even so, he doesn't stop.

Then we enter an alley to the right. I should be cautious about a stranger bringing me inside an alley. But since there are some people here who could potentially be witnesses if something happens, I can rest a little easier.

I say, "May I ask, where are you taking me?"

He walks backwards to face me. "To a brothel!" he announces.