After a well deserved rest, the group got up and packed their stuff to explore the crevice. It was surprisingly close to the plaza, within minutes they arrived to the entrance. On the outside the crevice looked completely dark but when they stepped in the tunnel lit up.
Ariel led the group, Amy guarded the back, and Peter stood in the middle. They walked with caution, making sure to not activate any traps if there was any.
There was no end to this road, the light on the end of the tunnel keep running away from them. After half an hour of walking the group reached the other side, a blinding light mesmerized them.
After adapting to this light, they saw another city, this one wasn't in ruins, in fact it was thriving. On the outskirts there were low level and rectangular houses. Further in, the buildings became bigger. The largest building was a dome that was nine meters large in height, in the center of the city. On the top of the dome they saw a flag with red borders and blue background, with a unmistakable symbol of the Great Fox.
"The Great Fox... again." Ariel said, calmer this time.
Peter put his head on his shoulder "Keep your calm." he said, trying to help him in his way.
The inhabitants of the city were too far to see. With seemingly no border security, they decide to come in. Not without gifts of course, they needed to show that they mean no harm. Amy picked up flowers she find on the road for a gift,
They moved in closer, the city wasn't much different from their surface counterpart in first sight. Yet one thing caught Peter's gaze. On the west of the city there was long buildings with multiple chimneys, nearby of these building there was raw materials getting moved in and out.
"Are those... half humans?" Amy said "They should be on the northern continent."
"Why? Crimson Forest is a free travel place, no?" The paladin asked, looking at the wizard for answers.
"After the Golden City Incident, every half humans were banished from the kingdom." the wizard answered, she said with a sigh. "I don't know about the details, the king suppressed any information about the event."
Before they were able to continue, a humanoid figure with cat ears and a tail appeared. In addition to a brown coat and leather boot his clothing was completed by a loose fitting lederhosen. His androgyny made it impossible to determine their gender in first sight. His red and short hair swing freely in the air as his hazel eyes opened with curiosity.
"Haven't seen you guys around here" He said in a bright smile "Where are you guys from?".
Amy and Peter exchanged confused looks
"Old northerner speech, let me handle this." Ariel said to the group
And he turned to him. "My name is Ariel, I was a commander in the Varsian kingdom" he let out a small sigh "But now... I just travel."
Pointing at his friends, he continued "This is Peter, a wandering chronicler and she is Amy, a scholar of magic and plants."
"A scholar of... magic?" The half-feline said with a confused face.
"She studies magic particles and spells." Ariel said.
Half-feline chuckled a little "Particles and spells huh?" He said in a soft smile "I'm Edwin the Protector of the city, Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too." Ariel said with a confused glance, he didn't thought they would be this accepting. He handed out the gifts as an appreciation of his kindness.
"Let me know if you need anything." Edwin added and parted his ways with the group.
The group went further in to the city, after a while a weird smell filled their lungs. It smelled like burning metal or wood perhaps, but there were no flames anywhere. Without much questioning they persisted.
First place they went was a pub. Ariel grabbed the door handle and opened the door, the place smelled like wine and meat. Second he entered from the door, every conversation died instantly, plethora of half humans turned their head to Ariel. Without caring he went straight to the bartender. The bartender towered over the counter with a whopping 2 meters. He was minotaur in a white shirt and a black, leather apron, most of his face was in shade because of his size, even Ariel felt a bit scared.
"How much for 4 person room." He said while looking straight to his eyes.
"4 Bronze a day." The minotaur said in a deep, menacing voice, his nostrils flared "that aside..." He leaned closer "Drop. Your. Weapon."
With a deep sigh, Ariel lifted his crimson halberd and dropped it on the counter. "Is it fine now?" He said trying to not escalate the situation.
"Fine." The minotaur said and dragged Ariel's halberd on the rack of weapons. "Now pay."
Ariel opened his coin pouch, there was barely enough coin to pay, merely 5 Bronze. He pulled 4 of them to pay, the minotaur pulled the key beneath the counter.
"44" Ariel read the number on the key and he signaled his friends to come in. The group moved to the second floor, they navigated in a narrow corridor. The number led to a secluded door, the place smelled like rotten wood which was neither bad nor pleasant.
Peter opened the door, the room was small with four beds carelessly placed on each corner and a fireplace on the opposite wall, they were colored in a depressing blue, which was the only thing painted in the room. The group entered the room with a sigh of relief. Even though they were broke and trapped in an alien city, there was an enjoyment of finding new places.
"So, what now?" Amy said in a not-so excited tone.
"Well, we need to take care of the money first." Ariel said sighing yet again.
"Quests again?" Peter said in a bored tone, who knew how many times they were in this exact situation.
"Quests again." Ariel answered.