As Aziel followed Ninja, they arrived before an old building.
It towered above the street, its dark stone walls scarred by centuries of wind and rain. Tall, narrow windows climbed its height like silent eyes, framed with rust iron. Faded carvings ran along its pillar, their meaning long forgotten.
Moss crept across the upper wall, softening the stone while deepening its age. It stood quiet and unmoving, as if it had watched empires rise--and fall.
They entered the building.
Inside the atmosphere changed immediately. The place felt warm and orderly, more like a well-kept lodge than a place of authority.
A long wooden counter stood near the entrance, its surface polished smooth by years of use.
Behind it stood a lady wearing a long, muted dress that reached her ankles. A dark outer cloth was fastened over it, fitted at the waist for ease of movement.
The sleeves were loose near the arm, but tightened neatly at the wrist, practical rather than decoration, showing that she worked here every day.
Ninja looked at her, and without saying anything he started to move toward the stairs.
"Move fast." He ordered us.
They climbed until they reached the third floor.
A long hallway stretched ahead, a red carpet running across the floor with many doors lining both sides.
But instead of entering the hall, Ninja turned left, stopping in front of plain wall.
"Where are we going?" the girl asked.
"You will know," Ninja said, "we are almost there."
He raised his fist and stuck a framed hanging picture on the wall.
The image was filled with strange, twisted lines that sent a chill through Aziel the moment he looked at it.
Then-
The wall shifted.
A hidden lift opened silently, where the picture had been.
Aziel's eyes widened.
What the hell…?
Ninja stepped inside the elevator and turned back to them.
"Are you not coming?" Ninja asked coldly.
Both Aziel and the girl entered the lift.
the lift began to descend on its own, without any button being pressed. It creaked and groaned as it moved downward, the sound sharp unsettling.
This feels like it could fall apart any second…
Why as I always following people like him?
Aziel thought continued as the lift reached its destination.
The lift door opened.
Aziel bolted out of it leaving Ninja and the girl behind.
The girl busted into laughter.
"Are you really that scared?" she said, pointing at Aziel.
Ninja stepped out calmly, as if nothing unusual has happened.
"I am not scared." Aziel muttered, glancing at Ninja.
"You trust me, right?"
"Yeah, I trust you," Ninja replied flatly, "you are just worried that you might die while following me."
Aziel's mouth fell open while the girl laughter even harder.
That is the same thing. Aziel thought bitterly.
You idiot Ninja.
Why am I even following him?
Who is scared to even show his face.
"I am not an idiot," Ninja said, "and focus."
Aziel froze.
Hey, he can read my mind.
Can he-
The girl lightly punched Aziel in the stomach.
"come on, dummy." She said.
They continued forward.
At last, they reached a dark and gloomy hall. Strange vines-like carving crawled along the walls, and circular lights glowed faintly, casting an eerie illumination. Aziel had no idea what those lights were, they did not feel normal.
Another door opened.
A person stepped inside.
"So, you are here, Ninja." the man said, shaking hands with Ninja.
He turned to Aziel and the girl with a polite smile.
"So, there are the new kids?"
That smile sent a faint chill down Aziel's spine.
He wore a fitted black leather coat, smooth and well kept, a small embroidered resting near the chest pocket.
Beneath it, dark fabric clung neatly to his frame, A black cap shadowed his sharp features, and polished walking stick in his hand.
His short black hair framed a handsome face. His gaze carried a quiet authority.
"We meet again young fellow." The man said, shaking hands with Aziel, "my name is Darian Voss."
"I am the head of Equinox." He said while removing his hat and slightly bowing in front of them.
"We have met before?" Aziel asked.
The man gave a small smile.
"Yeah, when those people were kidnapping you from the police station. I was there remember."
"Oh, you are that guy." Aziel said as he remembered the scene.
"Equinox?" the girl asked.
"Oh, you guys don't know about it?" Darian said.
Darian looked at Ninja and gave a small smile while Ninja looked at the wall.
"Oh, Looks like this place has not been cleaned in a century." Ninja muttered.
Darian swung a punch at him—but Ninja dodged effortlessly.
"You idiot shut up," Darian said, "I can't even punch you properly."
"What is Equinox?" Aziel said, looking at Darian.
"Alright, I will explain it to you," Darian said, glancing at Ninja, "since someone did not complete his job properly."
"Hey, I tried my best." Ninja replied casually.
"Yes, yes," Darian said, waving him off, "you completed your work now you can go."
Ninja laughed.
"Okey, I will meet you guys soon." Ninja said while entering the elevator again.
Aziel looked behind Ninja as he was leaving.
He is an idiot.
Darian looked at them and said.
"Let's go in."
"let me tell you about the secrets of this world."
All three of them entered the room.
Unlike the dark hall outside, this place was elegent and clean.
Flowers were placed neatly in each corner, their fragrance filling the air. Two sofas faced each other in the center, with a circular glass table between them. In front of the door near the window stood a wooden desk, behind it an old but well-crafted chair layered with wool—clearly the seat of authority.
Bookshelves lined up on wall, filled with countless books.
He asked both of them to sit on the sofa and he sat on the chair.
Darian gestured for them to sit and took his place behind the dest. He rested his hands on the table, his gaze serious and steady.
"So," he said quietly,
"Let me explain…"