Chapter 645 Meeting Lysa (1)
Erik stepped out of the guild's second building, his clones trailing behind him.
The world outside was bustling with activity—merchants hawking their wares, adventurers discussing their latest quests, and children running around in playful abandon.
The city was alive, a vibrant tapestry of sights, sounds, and smells that Erik had long since grown accustomed to. But this was a fresh experience for his clones, and their reactions were a sight to behold.
Noah, Ari, Yori, Nick, Damon, and Swaran walked alongside Erik, their eyes wide with wonder.
They looked at everything—the towering buildings, the intricate architecture, the colorful market stalls—with a sense of awe and curiosity that was almost childlike.
Despite having Erik's memories, being physically present in the outside world was a unique experience altogether.
Noah, who had been with Erik the longest, was the first to break the silence. His voice, slightly muffled by the mask he wore, was filled with a mix of awe and apprehension. "Master," he began, his words punctuated by the soft, mechanical hum of his mask's filtration system, "I remember all of this from your memories, but seeing it firsthand is... overwhelming."
His gloved hand swept out to gesture at the enormous, alien landscape around them, his movements slow and deliberate as if he was trying to take it all in.
His posture was rigid, the usually fluid grace of his movements replaced by a tense readiness. The mask hid his face, but the slight tremor in his voice and the rigid set of his shoulders spoke volumes about his emotional state.
"Everything is so big, so real," he said, his voice barely above a whisper now. Even behind the mask, Erik could tell that Noah was struggling to reconcile the memories he'd seen through Erik's eyes with the reality in front of him.
Erik turned his gaze to Noah, his eyes meeting those of his first clone through the clear visor of his mask.
He saw a reflection of his own curiosity mirrored in Noah's eyes, a testament to their shared experiences yet individual perceptions.
"Memories can only capture so much, Noah," Erik began, his voice steady yet soft, acknowledging the vastness of their surroundings. He gestured to the surrounding landscape, the sight of the alien wilderness stretching out before them. "They can give you the outline of an experience, but the details—the sights, the sounds, the smells—those you have to experience for yourself."
His gaze shifted to his other clones, their eyes still wide with awe and wonder. The raw emotion on their faces—fear, excitement, curiosity—made him smile beneath his mask. They were a part of him, yet each had their unique reactions to this new world.
"So," he said, injecting a note of excitement into his voice to lighten the mood, "do you guys want to walk or drive to our next destination?"
The clones exchanged glances, their excitement palpable. "Walk," Noah spoke first, his voice tinged with eagerness. The others nodded in agreement, their faces lighting up at the prospect of exploring more of the city on foot.
Erik chuckled at their enthusiasm. "Let's go then," he said, leading the way as they resumed their journey through the bustling streets.
As they walked, each clone seemed to absorb the world around them with an insatiable curiosity.
Buildings that Erik had passed a hundred times, their familiar facades barely registering in his daily routine, seized on a new life under the curious gazes of his clones. Structures he'd deemed mundane became subjects of intense fascination. Their eyes traced the architectural details, lingered on the weathered bricks and the faded murals that adorned some walls. The cityscape, so familiar to Erik, was a novel wonderland to his clones.
Street performers, often relegated to mere background noise in the hustle and bustle of Erik's life, now held a captivating allure. The clones stood transfixed, their attention riveted.
A simple juggling act seemed as mesmerizing as a grand spectacle, the rhythmic thud of balls hitting palms echoing like a symphony in their ears.
A mime trapped in an invisible box evoked peals of laughter, their eyes wide with delight at the silent performance.
Each sight and sound, so commonplace to Erik, was a thrilling discovery for his clones, turning an ordinary walk through the city into an adventure of exploration and wonder.
Erik found their enthusiasm infectious. Seeing the city through their eyes, he was reminded of his own first experiences, the sense of awe and wonder that had long since been replaced by familiarity.
It was a refreshing perspective that made him appreciate the beauty and complexity of the world around him.
As they walked, Ari was captivated by the array of colors at a fabric stall, his eyes lingering on the vibrant hues. Yori seemed fascinated by a blacksmith's shop, the clang of metal on metal drawing his attention.
Nick was visibly delighted by the aroma wafting from a food cart, while Damon seemed intrigued by a group of musicians playing on a street corner.
Swaran, the most reserved of the clones, quietly observed everything, his eyes taking in the complexity and diversity of the world around him.
Finally, they reached their destination. Erik stopped in front of Lysa's shop. Currently, the woman was expanding the building. The stream of products Erik brought her was significant, so she bought the adjacent buildings and started an expansion process.
"We're here," Erik said, his voice echoing slightly in the vastness of their surroundings. His gaze met each of his clones in turn, taking in their varying expressions of anticipation and curiosity.
Noah, his eyes reflecting the building's image, turned his gaze back to Erik. His voice held a note of uncertainty mixed with excitement. "Is this where we're meeting Lysa?"
Erik nodded, a hint of a smile playing on his lips beneath his mask. "Yes, it's time you meet her." His tone turned serious, a subtle warning underlying his words. "Be careful; she is a good person but also a cunning fox." His eyes held Noah's, conveying the importance of his words. He wanted them to understand that while Lysa was an ally, she was also a force to be reckoned with.
Erik and his clones crossed the threshold onto Lysa's property, their arrival acting like a magnet that pulled people from the interior of the building.
A group quickly formed around them, their faces professional but curious, their questions flowing in a rapid stream of hospitality. "Do you need anything to drink? Are you hungry? Can we assist you with your bags?"
Despite the barrage of questions and the palpable sense of welcome, Erik's clones remained silent, their faces unreadable.
They had received no verbal command from Erik to keep quiet, but they understood his unspoken wish for discretion. Besides, he wanted to present them as elite guild members.
As the waiters from Lysa's establishment asked if Erik and his men needed something, they were left impressed by the people he brought with him. They saw them for the first time, while Erik was a regular.
Their towering presence added an extra layer of intrigue to the situation; each clone stood at least 30 centimeters taller than Erik, making for a striking contrast.
Among the clones, it was Noah who drew the most attention. Like Erik, he wore a mask that concealed much of his face, leaving only his eyes visible.
The mask added an air of mystery to his already imposing figure, making him seem like a riddle waiting to be solved.
To those who had come to greet them, Noah seemed like a figure of significance, as if he were the embodiment of strength and authority.
Sensing the growing curiosity and the need to move things along, Erik finally spoke. "We're fine, thank you. There is no requirement for refreshments. Our presence here is solely to visit Lysa. Could you please accompany us to where she is?"
His words, delivered in a polite yet firm tone, resonated through the crowd.
They nodded in understanding, their faces reflecting a complex cocktail of emotions. Relief washed over them like a comforting blanket, softening the hard lines of worry etched on their faces.
Yet, beneath the relief, a spark of anticipation flickered in their eyes, lighting them up with a curious intensity.
"Of course," one of them responded, stepping forward from the crowd. His voice carried a newfound confidence, echoing Erik's firmness.
The man's posture straightened as he took on the role of a guide, his shoulders square and his head held high. His face was set in an expression of determination, but his eyes held a welcoming warmth. "Please, follow me."
As they moved through the building, Erik took note of the surroundings.
The interior was expansive, filled with various goods ranging from everyday items to exotic artifacts.
It was a place that catered to a diverse clientele, and Erik couldn't help but wonder about the stories that each item could tell.
Finally, they were led into a room at the far end of the building. The door closed behind them, sealing them off from the prying eyes and inquisitive minds they had left behind. Erik looked around, his eyes meeting those of his clones.
The man brought them into Lysa's office, but she wasn't there. So, they sat on the neatly arranged sofas and waited for Lysa to come.
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