"Here's what we know so far:"
The five of them sat on the balcony, Greye speaking while they took in the view.
"This place is large, extremely large. So if the core is hidden somewhere random, our chances of finding it are next to zero. If this place is reasonable, it would be in the castle at the center. But of course, the Apex Predators, which we have no information on, will be waiting for us. And considering the size of this place, most Abominations besides the townsfolk will be extremely powerful."
Looking down at the streets, Cullen could see thousands of people acting just like humans. They laughed, showed anger, and even traded items in marketplaces. That shouldn't be possible.
"Speaking of the townsfolk, they are most likely the miners that gather resources to run the place. Their individual power must be extremely low, though, considering the large number of them. As for why they act like humans, my guess is that it's a way to lower our guards."
Cullen looked at Greye strangely. "What do you mean?"
"Abominations obviously can't feel emotions, yet these ones act like they belong with us. It is, like I said, simply an act to make us think twice about killing them."
Below, Cullen noticed a mother carrying a child on her shoulder. They spoke to a vendor, traded what seemed to be a basket of coal for a small gem, which was placed in the little boy's hands.
'If Greye's right, then it's definitely working. I can see the core in them, but…'
"Hello?"
The five of them spun around to the strange voice. The sides of the balcony were staircases leading down to the streets, and a small boy stood at the top. It had raven black features and blisters all over its skin, along with a tiny core in its heart.
"Are you four Gifted?"
Cullen looked around at the group, finding the same confusion on all of their faces.
'There are five of us, but it only mentions four. That means it knows Greye isn't a Gifted—meaning it can detect Gifted! But it's not attacking us?'
"Please! You need to help our colony! The invaders made us slaves years ago, and we've been mercilessly mining to grow their empire ever since!"
Adam looked strangely at the rest of them.
"It does know we can detect Abominations, right?"
"Yes, Adam," Greye responded. "But do you not feel bad for it?"
They all looked back at the kids watering eyes, then watched it get down on its knees.
"Oh, please… We can't take this much longer."
Adam raised his hand in the direction of the Abomination, but was stopped by Eric before he could attack.
"It's harmless to us; best not to make enemies of everything in here."
After hearing Eric, Greye walked up to the boy without a hint of fear.
"What would you like us to do, little one?"
He bent down and patted the head of the Abomination like it was second nature.
"Be careful," Ryan warned.
The boy wiped his nose with his sleeve before answering through sniffles.
"Come to my home and talk with my parents; they can tell you how to help us."
Greye looked at Eric for approval. "This is probably our best chance to learn about this place."
The Triarch approached the boy, remaining skeptical of the Abomination.
"What's your name?"
"Now why the hell would you care, Eric?" Adam snorted.
"984733."
Eric paused. "Alright, take us to your home."
A smile appeared on the kid's face, then he ran down the stone staircase. Looking at it, Cullen realized that there must be at least 500 steps to the bottom.
'How did he get up here that fast?'
As they descended, the stairs turned to face the main street of this section.
One large road littered with these people stretched for kilometers. They stood on stone bricks, which were the material that made up the majority of this place. However, a few gems, mostly Amethyst, were used in some buildings to show wealth. There were market stands run by vendors, construction workers doing repairs, and even playgrounds for children. One thing Cullen didn't see, though, was food. No restaurants, nobody eating, the proof Cullen needed to believe these were still Abominations.
"So, kid, what do we call your people?"
"Oh?" The boy looked surprised. "Although we're technically slaves, you can call us miners. It's our only job after all—even the shop owners have to mine."
The six of them walked in the middle, bumping shoulders as they pushed through the crowd. The boy led them through different pathways and alleys until they eventually entered a less crowded area.
"How many miners live here?" Greye asked.
"Hmm, I really don't know. It's probably in the millions, though."
The boy stopped and then announced that they had finally reached his home. It was similar to the other buildings, but made strictly from stone and was a bit smaller.
"Mom, I brought visitors!" The kid slammed open the door and ran through.
The five followed inside, examining the details of the house. Furniture, tables, pipes extending from the wall—mostly things you would find in a human's home.
The kid disappeared into a room, then a different miner came out. It appeared to be a woman, frail and resembling the boy.
"Are you really Gifted? That have come to help us?"
She ran up to Adam, grabbed his arms, and fell to her knees. Although he was obviously uncomfortable, Cullen was surprised to see him hold back his anger.
"Thank you, thank you so much. You've no idea how long we've been waiting for someone to save us."
"Uh… yeah, sure, whatever you believe."
Adam looked at Eric for help, who then separated the woman from him. He put his hands on her shoulders and gazed into her eyes.
"Do you mind telling us everything you know about this place?"
After agreeing, she led them all to a table. Cullen felt relieved to sit, but was still skeptical of hospitality from an Abomination.
"Decades ago, we were attacked and subjected to the Jewels. They are mighty soldiers, led by two rulers who live in the castle. They demand an unreasonable amount of minerals to fuel their growth, and inflict harsh punishment on anyone who doesn't listen."
'Decades ago? Abomination only appeared 10 years ago.'
"You should have been more careful coming here, for it isn't uncommon to see these soldiers walking the streets. These are the guards, the lowest rank of the Jewels, who enforce their rules. As you approach the castle, you will encounter more powerful Jewels with bizarre abilities."
'Is this some storyline The Amethyst Burrow wants us to follow? It's telling us to walk into the most dangerous part… which, to be fair, is what we came here to do anyway. But did it really abandon hiding its core?'
Cullen figured that The Amethyst Burrow most likely set up a trap in the castle. This woman will leave certain information out of her description, causing them to charge into their death.
"Besides the castle and towns, there are also the mines. Everyone must report there for the majority of the week, which the guards oversee. Most of what we mine is transformed into power for the Jewels, then expelled through the Shaft.
'The Shaft? Is that what we came through?'
"So let me get this straight," Adam began to speak.
'Oh no.'
"You expect us to fight a force capable of subjugating millions just after we met? What's the prize, a wish upon a star?"
Cullen heard Ryan snicker in the corner, and the woman's face melted.
"Please… we have no other hope. Although it isn't much to warriors like yourselves, there are plenty of riches in the castle that you may take after you've defeated them."
"Riches? Like what?"
"Adam," Eric interrupted. "Enough. Of course we will help you, just tell us the quickest way there."
Cullen looked curiously at Eric.
'He seems like he actually cares.'
Once again, the woman's eyes lit up.
"You're too kind! All you need to do is take one of these roads to the castle and rise to the top. There, you will encounter the Jewel Rulers and must defeat them to take back our land."
Eric stood up from his seat, signaling them to leave. "Thank you for your help, we will free you shortly."
After leaving the house, they stood on the road waiting for an explanation from Eric.
"Even if the castle is a trap, which it most definitely is, we'll have to go there either way to check for the core. I'm not saying to walk in there without any information, but we need to check it out first. Also, it's probably a good idea to fight some of the lower-grade Abominations and understand their abilities. Maybe Cullen can make something useful from them."
"What about the miners?" Ryan asked. "Can't Cullen kill them and take their ability, if they have one?"
That was a question Cullen didn't want to hear. Luckily, Greye was able to save him.
"Unless we have evidence of an ability, there's no point. Since there are so many, they're most likely Grade-Ds."
After discussing a few more plans, they finally set their sights on the faraway castle.