[13th Division] [Recruit Mission] Unforgivable

[Fraust]

Stepping out of the Montera compound, Frausty walked to where Shien was waiting and heard him mention the location of Clover Tavern. Clearing her throat, she asked, "Lowtown? I've never heard of it. Alright, lead the way, Shien-kun."

She resumed her slow walk, squinting her eyes when she felt the sun's glare facing her. Keeping to the shed of the trees, she breathed in the fresh air. The beautiful mansions of the nobles were a great sight. So most of the nobles if not all mostly cared about wealth and power afterall...

"How dangerous is Lowtown?"

While awaiting for his response, she mulled over the clue they had so far found. Who could this Lucy be? Another rich noblewoman? Was she involved in the disappearance of Reddock Montera? It was best they find her. She might have more information regarding his disappearance.

Argh! Too many questions and I can't stop thinking about the case.

[dordoniz]

"Lowtown is not really a district...it's just the name the nobles gave the place where the poor live...it's a neighbourhood."
He said, almost mocking the whole concept the rich had came up with.
Looking up at the sun, Shien squinted.
"Good thing it's midday, the place gets really dangerous at night." He said as he brought his stare in front again.
Leaving the neighbourhood of the rich, Shien led Frausty to a long stairway, which seemingly led underground.
He stopped. "...plus, Lowtown is underground." He said as began walking down the stairs. "Let's stay close...and keep your guard up." He advised Frausty, just in case he couldnt watch her back.

[Fraust]

Shien's voice jolted her out of her thoughts. Glancing up at him, she heard him mentioning that Lowtown was not actually a district. Frausty followed him into the yawning gap of stairway that was sort of hidden between a clump of trees. Light shafts penetrated into the dark hallway through the opening.

"Underground? Alright, I'll be careful. It's quite dark in here."

She took a few steps down the stairway and squinted at the tunnel. There wasn't much light getting in and the air smelled musty. The steps were teeming with dust and Frausty was wondering if there were bats within the stairway. As she walked deeper, the sound of squeaking and scurrying of tiny steps reached her ears. She hoped that no flying cockroaches would swoop down to her. She hated them because for some reason, they always ended up landing on her head whenever she came across them. Not that she came across them often, anyway.

"Do you hear that? It's probably the rats, eh?"

Hmm...I'm not sure if the shinigami are aware of this place called "Lowtown".

Yeah, I doubt it. A place where the poor live? From the looks of it, it looks like they live in squalor. How ironical...the place neighbors the wealthy nobles.

Yeah, that's true. I don't think I'm going to like what I'm about to see.

"How far is it from the surface?" She asked Shien, glancing around the dark pathway cautiously.

[dordoniz]

Shien had come here many times after he was exiled.
Even though the underground neighbourhood is filled with rascals, he was lucky enough to meet good, dependable people in Lowtown.

He had gotten used to the musty air, the low tunnel, the dim lightning.
The clanking sound of his footsteps echoed inside the dark tunnel, almost covering the sound of the creepy tiny footsteps.

After hearing Frausty's question, he kept walking, showing indifference.
"Rats, bats, cockroaches...you name it, it lives here..."

After a few seconds, Shien saw a semi-bright light, coming from deep inside the cave. "Ah...there it is."

The moment Frausty finished voicing her last question, Shien replied.
"There's lowtown. The city of the lost and the fallen. The town must be located about 400 meters underground."

The light kept getting brighter as they kept making their way through the dark tunnel, heading towards the town.

[Fraust]

Walking deeper into the tunnel, Frausty felt something move past her feet. She suddenly jumped up and almost yelled out in surprise. Clamping a hand around her mouth, she squinted through the darkness, searching at the thing that had scurried over her left foot. She thought she caught a glimpse of beady eyes on one of the steps and a soft squeal confirmed the presence of a rat.

"Oh dear...I sure hope there aren't any flying cockroaches around..."

She unexpectedly giggled when she realized that a little rat had surprised her like that. The clanking of Shien's armor soon drowned out the rat's squealing. When she spotted a dimly-lit spot far ahead, she heard him mentioning that Lowtown was up ahead. The light kept getting brighter as they neared the city of the poor.

Frausty silently followed Shien and focused her eyes on the bright light.

This must be the first time I'm entering an underground city...

[dordoniz]

Shien suddenly stopped when Frausty jumped up and almost yelled in surprise. He turned around, having a puzzled, almost worried look on his face. "What's wrong?"

Shien looked on the ground near Frausty as she covered her mouth with herh and. He sighed. "A mouse....it's just a mouse.."

He started walking forward again as she giggled.
Nearing the light at the end of the tunnel, Shien's walk seemed to slow down.
He seemed to relax. "Be on guard, but dont show it, it doesnt take much for people around here to snap."

Arriving at the end of the tunnel. Shien stopped. There was a very long stairway to his left, which reached all the way down to the gates of the town in a zigzag formation.
The underground city expanded several hundred meters beneath his feet.
Looking down at the town, he scoffed. "There it is." The whole area resembled the inside of an enormous dome and the two stood nearly at the top, above the stone city.

[Fraust]

Reaching the bright light, Frausty was welcomed with a sight of a long stairway snaking its way to the large gates of the underground city. She stared in awe, gazing at the little buildings scattered all over an area that was girdled by a stone fence. She could spot a few shanties made of wood and others were made of rough stones. There was no sunlight streaming down from an opening. It was like the city was hidden under the caves.

"I've never seen a city like this," Frausty murmured, still dazed by the underground city.

Glancing at Shien, she said, almost in a whisper, "Shall we go?"

She began moving through the zigzagging stairs. The area was lit with several torches placed on the sides of the cave walls hence giving it enough light to make the city clearly visible. A convocation of shadows moved, dancing on the cave walls as she proceeded her walk. She knew that if she raised her voice, it would echo off around the cave.

"Did you ever live here, in the underground city?"

[dordoniz]

Shien turned his head to Frausty. "Sure, let's go, follow me."

Shien began walking down the really long stairway. He walked faster than Frausty, in order to stay in front, since he knew the city well.

Hearing the woman's question as they arrived near the end of the stairway and nearing the gates, he smiled. "Of course not, i just know it .
This city used to be a place for the rich folk to deal in...illegal trade, like a black market of some sort.
My father showed me around when i was younger. My grandfather used to deal with many different things here..."

Stepping down the last stair, a bald, a muscular, tall man approached them, leaving the gates' side. He looked hostile. "State your name and bussiness."

Shien nodded. "Hey there Lares, it's me, Shien, long time no see."
The guard's serious expression suddenly dissapeared, and was replaced by a bright smile.
"Shien!! How're you doing? it's been so long! i didnt even recognize you." The tall guard exclaimed with his heavy voice as he exchanged a manly hug with Shien.

"What brings u down here?" The man asked Shien as he backed off.
"Bussiness..." Said Shien, seriously. "Ah, i see......dont lemme keep you then, go inside!" The big guard walked near the gates and pulled a lever.
Suddenly, a loud, crumbling sound echoed inside the dome, and the enormous rocky gates opened wide. Shien turned to Frausty. "Shall we?"

[Fraust]

Nodding at Shien's response, Frausty wondered what kind of business his grandfather had dealt with in the underground city. She remembered the portrait of the old couple in Reddock's study. The old man was definitely Shien's grandfather. The underground city seemed to be a place where the rich did their clandestine activities away from the realms of the society. Reddock was one of them. The words written in the letter in a beautiful calligraphy pulled her mind back to the city.

"Black market? There are probably illegal auctions too, I take it and I doubt Seireitei is aware of the city. It's nicely hidden."

Landing on the last step, Frausty saw a tall well-built bald man approaching them. He appeared to be the guardian of the gates to the city. She stood quietly and nodded at the man as Shien introduced himself. They seemed to be acquainted with each other.

Lares had a tattoo of a dragon peeking out from his grey vest, reaching onto the left side of his neck. He had several piercings on his ears and she could spot a golden skull earring from his right ear. A necklace composed of canine teeth hang from his neck. A huge club with sharp spikes at the tip was clasped in his hand. In appearance, he seemed intimidating. That was pretty much usual for guardians.

When he opened the gates and allowed them in, Frausty stepped into the city of the fallen and the poor, gazing at the sight before her in amazement.

"It's huge! There are so many people..."

[dordoniz]

Shien looked to his left and right. Beggars, drunkards and homeless people everywhere.
The clanking sound of his heavy footsteps drew the innocent curiosity and attention of some people, while others didnt really care.

"This place hasnt changed one bit...." He said in utter dissapointment.
Walking past a cobbled alley, he saw several merchants talking to rich folk.

There were men, women, and even children tied to walls, by chains. The iron leash made it seem like as if they were dogs. Slavery was very common here, and so was the trade.
Shien remained silent as he walked past. "Many people who dissapear...end up here. Rukongai slaves." He said as he walked, seriously.

After walking down the end of the road. They arrived at the town square.
More homeless, slaves, and every kind of broken person laid on the floor, probably waiting for their masters, the local crimelords.

Loud music, singing and speech could be heard from inside the taverns.
"The crimelords are having their fun here as well...."
Shien said, as if he was touring Frausty into that hellhole. "The place we're looking for is not far away from here."