780 Behind the scenes (1)
For those who had never heard of it, Liberty Watch Village remained a mystery, leaving many in a state of confusion when they heard about it.
"Have you ever heard of this place?" Benedict asked.
"No. Never," Amber said.
"Shouldn't you be the ones knowing about it since you are from New Alexandria?"
"Yeah, but I already said I know nothing about it."
Amber, Floyd, Gwen, Mikey, Aaron, Benedict, and Martha were inside the vast cave that now housed Liberty Watch Village.
There, deep below the surface, in a place hidden from the world above, lied an underground city they had never even heard of prior to a couple days earlier.
Within the immense cave, the city extended in all its subterranean splendor, nestled within its walls.
The cavern's ceiling, towering and expansive, was supported by a network of skyscrapers, each one intricately designed to bear the weight of the world above.
These structures, crafted from durable materials, rose high, their tops caressing the rocky canopy overhead.
"Why do you think they brought us here?"
"I don't know. But dad said Richard Stone is working with someone from here and they wanted us here. All of us."
"All of us?" Gwen asked.
"Yeah. They even mentioned our names. I think all of this may be related to Erik," Amber said.
"Perhaps."
Everyone turned to look above.
The city was illuminated by an array of luminescent minerals embedded in the cave walls and ceiling, Aclaitrium. These natural ores bathed the city in hues of gentle blues, greens, and purples.
The light they emitted was not harsh but soothing, creating a peaceful ambiance throughout the underground expanse.
However, even the flora down there thrived in a remarkable abundance. The city was filled with vibrant and green vegetation.
The massive trees, with their thick trunks and broad leaves, seemed to stretch upwards zealously, as if they were yearning for a sun that had never graced their presence.
Within the cave, there were certain plants that had the ability to produce heat, emitting warmth from their leaves and creating a pleasant atmosphere.
The warmth combined with the coolness of the underground created a harmonious blend that provided an ideal environment for the growth of plants as well as the well-being of the residents.
09:20
The warmth combined with the coolness of the underground created a harmonious blend that provided an ideal environment for the growth of plants as well as the well-being of the residents.
"Well, I don't exactly know how Erik's power work, but this may be something he did," Floyd said as he looked at the surrounding plants.
The city was adorned with streets and pathways that meandered in various directions, accompanied by lush green patches and quaint parks, serving as gathering spots for residents to unwind, socialize, and escape the subterranean ambiance.
From a distance, Amber noticed some people walking toward them. They had already been greeted by these people, guards, or messengers.
However, they left with the adults, Richard, Caiden, Lucy, Luna, Amelia, Lucas and the others. Save for Benedict's and Martha's, all their parents were there.
The approaching figures, emerging from the buildings below, steadily came closer.
The person we are referring to was a young man with a height of 6 feet, a slim and well-sculpted physique, and an unruly mane of chestnut brown hair.
His mesmerizing hazel eyes seemed to sparkle with a mischievous charm. He was accompanied by an older and even bigger man.
"You are Erik's friends?" the man said as he arrived in front of them.
The group exchanged puzzled glances as they processed the man's words.
"Erik's friends?" Gwen said. Her brows knitted together in confusion.
"Yes, Erik." The young man's eyes sparkled as he spoke about Erik.
"I knew I was right."
"How do you know him?" Gwen asked.
"Everyone knows him here in Liberty Watch Village. He is our savior."
Amber, standing a step behind Gwen, leaned forward, her curiosity piqued. "Your savior?"
"You don't know it? Well, what was I expecting? Noah said you wouldn't know." That left the other even more confused. Who was Noah?
"Noah?" Amber asked. She uncrossed her arms, her stance relaxing.
"You will understand later. He will probably want to talk to you."
Aaron, who had been silent until now, stepped forward. "And why should we want to talk with him?" he asked.
Ethan straightened his posture, and his previously relaxed expression quickly transformed into one of seriousness. "Oh. It's in your best interests to listen to him. It was Noah who specifically requested your presence here. If it weren't for him, you would still be stuck in your rotten city."
Gwen stepped forward, her gaze piercing as she scrutinized the man. "You talk like you know a lot. Who are you?" she asked.
The man's grin returned, now tinged with a sense of mischief. "Name is Ethan," he said, puffing out his chest. "Erik's best friend!"
Ethan, unfazed, shrugged, his expression nonchalant, as if stating an obvious fact.
"It is what it is…"
Amber's patience was wearing thin. Her eyebrows furrowed, and a look of exasperation crossed her face.
"Why are you here, Ethan?" she asked. However, her voice was full of irritation. She didn't want to listen to this guy's nonsense anymore.
Ethan's response was immediate, but his demeanor remained casual, almost dismissive.
"The others asked for you. Noah said you have to join the discussion," Ethan didn't hesitate.
Amber's frustration grew. "Discussion about what?"
Ethan looked at Amber, his expression turning sly. "They told you nothing, uh?"
It was then that Samuel stepped forward, his face showing a mix of annoyance and understanding. "C'mon, Ethan. Stop teasing them."
Ethan's face fell, and he looked at Samuel with an apologetic expression. "Sorry, Samuel," he said.
Samuel addressed the group in a more serious tone, his face earnest. "I apologize on Ethan's behalf. He knows how to be annoying. Listen..." he said.
"We apologize, but no explanation we provide will meet your satisfaction. In all honesty, we are also unaware of many things. My suggestion is that you have a conversation with Noah. He is the one having all the answers you are searching for and he will explain everything in details. It was quite surprising to me when I found out that he actually works for Erik."
However, now it was Amber's time to say something the others didn't expect.
"Did he say something about Erik's powers?"
"Powers?" Ethan asked. "What are you talking about?"
Samuel, although a bit confused, chose not to express his confusion openly, unlike Ethan.
He comprehended that there were certain aspects in which these young men and women surpassed him and others in terms of awareness.
"It doesn't matter, Ethan," he said, dismissing the younger man's confusion.
"Who is the best friend now?" Benedict said. To that, Samuel burst out laughing.
"It looks like Erik told you something even we are not aware of."
"Indeed." Amber's face showed a hint of satisfaction at having caught Samuel and Ethan off guard.
Samuel, with a smile that stretched across his face, warmly extended an invitation to the group, his expression radiating a welcoming and open demeanor. "Follow me," he said, leading the way.
Surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the underground city, Amber and her companions weaved through the busy streets, their eyes drawn to the magnificent sight of towering skyscrapers.
As Amber and her friends were walking, they couldn't help but notice the extensive construction works that were taking place nearby.
The workers were fully occupied with their tasks as they maneuvered around a structure that closely resembled an alchemical lab, featuring intricate designs and peculiar installations.
Despite their efforts, they were unable to determine the specific purpose of the building by relying solely on their observations.
Then their attention was diverted due to a commotion that occurred nearby. A group of workers were carrying a case.
"Jabir, where should we put this case of potions?" A voice rang out.
A response came from a man directing the workers, his tone authoritative. "Over there, by the storage area. Be careful with it!" Jabir said, pointing towards a designated spot.
"Jabir? I already heard this name somewhere," Mikey said.
"Me too." Aaron wasn't sure, but he had doubts.
As the bustling activity of the construction site faded into the distance, the group continued on their journey without hesitation.
They continued their journey for a short while until they finally arrived at a colossal military building, a structure so massive that it completely dominated the surrounding landscape.
With its fortified walls and the solemn atmosphere it exuded, the structure possessed a commanding presence.
After a momentary pause, Amber and her companions stood still, captivated by the impressive sight of the military edifice in front of them.
The striking difference in atmosphere between the grandeur and seriousness of this place, and the vibrant ambiance of the city streets, created a noticeable and meaningful shift.
This was a site synonymous with authority and power, and likely, something important was going to be said there today.
"I swear. I need an explanation for all of this. "
"You are not the only one," Gwen said.
"It is clear Erik has something to do about this. "
"Yeah. But what?"
May privilege price will lower.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢