Downgrade

Getting Back or Not

It was Monday, a Thanksgiving for the people of Embreal City. Despite of the local status, religion still does exist and so do those who have a strong faith in the heavens. Every level has a church for them to visit. An open place for all to repent themselves from sin. Even those who dwell at the top are going to do it. Hence, some of them might have the guts to feel sorry or have the guilt of stepping with the other levels. Most of them will be gathered around the Long Range Fountain and offer some gifts; clothes, wool, foods and might also include money. Of course, it will get wet by the fountain itself. After the day will end, all the stuff being put around by then will be given to Care Orphanage, a place for children who have lost their parents either by death or by elimination. They are forced to work for the Elites and the Royals in return for giving them something to eat and a living. At the age of 15, they will leave the orphanage, not because they don't want to stay, but because they are told to do so – an agreement was formed.

"Are you coming tonight?" Vixen asked as she threw some pebbles at the lake.

"I think I'll pass. Do you think Macky and Hannah are safe there?" Cody replied, lying under the tree. The smell of grass surrounds them. The weather is clear. Mr. Elikai was out again to hunt for some information. They considered him as the Good Samaritan who helps anyone. He travels in different places on all three levels. With his good communication, he had gained many connections with the people around him. Being an Informant is a rare job – only those who have the strong will to do it will surely bear fruit from it. As for now, Mr. Elikai is the only man in his forte.

They have thought that even Zyrender Everdeen and Penelope Hamington know him. If another world does exist, the old man will be known as an artist to be idolized.

"They sure are safe inside the orphanage. To think their parents are being eliminated, I felt bad for the young kids. They should have at least have some good memories with their parents."

"I heard that their mother is currently pregnant with their third sibling."

Vixen sighed. "Then that will tell us that the third child will be living with their parents outside the city." A pause entered their conversation, not until Cody broke the silence. "Will you prefer to be with your parents if given a chance back then, Vix?" There was sadness in his eyes as the memories of the past embraced his thoughts. Both of them came from the orphanage. They have lost their parents, not because of elimination but were killed by someone they still don't know. Luckily, Kinzel found them and gave them a family to call their own, the Era.

"Of course. It's one of my hopes. Oh, where are Kinzel and Guilbert?" Cody roamed his eyes and saw no one except the two of them.

"Probably they're inside the house still. I thought we're going back today." Vixen opted. The pebble bounced off the water. Before Mr. Elikai went off for work, he brought all of them to the lake which's just near one of the boundaries, for them to catch some fresh fish and have some time for enjoyment. The man gave Kinzel the authority to take care of his house for a while. He told them that he'll be back by noon and have something for them.

"Vix…"

"Yeah?"

"Uhm, do you see something strange with the two?" Cody's voice was almost hard to hear.

"Who're the two?"

Cody was about to tell something when Loshiana and Miguel arrived. They brought some smoked fish and freshly made noodles for them to eat. Loshiana placed them gently on the ground and sat together with Miguel beside Cody.

"Kinzel was looking for you. She thought you wanted some of these. So, we're here to bring you some." Loshiana delightedly said and offered the two with food.

"Oh, uh…Thank you, Losh." Vixen said and grabbed the bowl filled with noodles.

"Man. To be honest, I miss this one." Cody said and sipped some.

Miguel rested his arms on the tree and placed his head on top of them. He looked at the distant sky. It was mere blue like the water. They never have seen the ocean, but their imaginations are taking them to what they think is real. To Era, the Embreal City isn't the right place to stay in. It was like a cage for them, closing their paths and desisting everyone for the chance to delve into and explore the real world. The city was just an illusion sanctuary. To some, they thought that the place will bergh them on those which lurk around the forest. Maybe. Maybe, the things that they tend not to see with their own eyes, are the ones they tend to be frightened of.

"How do you think Mr. Elikai gets to the forest?" Guilbert suddenly asked, which froze Cody from eating his meal.

"Mhm. Maybe he found a secret passage or he just had someone to take himself out of this sickening place." Loshiana commented.

"Maybe. Do you have any plans to seek what lies beyond the boundaries?"

"Definitely. I would love to see what he saw there." Vixen said immediately.

"Then, maybe we can have some time looking for a passage that will lead us outside." He smirked.

"Mhm. That will be a lot of fun for sure." Loshiana chuckled.

Footsteps were heard. Everyone saw Kinzel and Guilbert walking fastly towards their place with frowns on their faces. Guessed they didn't have a good conversation to start again. Cody wondered what happened inside Mr. Elikai's place when they weren't around. It seems that the siblings just got themselves into misfortune or a misunderstanding.

"Pack up your things, we're heading back now," Kinzel said abruptly. She crossed her arms, her voice was steady. Guilbert just stood beside her and wait for the others to clean their meals. Quinten arrived after some minutes. He didn't know what's happening and he remembered to shut his mouth. He was different since yesterday just after they had a talk with Mr. Elikai at night. Vixen still can't see and understand what happened to him and is in deep thoughts that maybe the old man had changed his perspective in life by influencing him with his ways. Vixen chuckled to herself as she found out how silly she's to think about Quinten's strange behaviours.

"What are you looking at, huh? Do you want to fight?" Quinten suddenly burst into her.

Perhaps she was wrong after all, but it seems that Quinten is having some thoughts now regarding in approaching the team. Perhaps, he just learned how to be anxious with his doing and being mischievous. But sometimes, his true colours can't be tame and are showing off.

Cody flicked his hair. "Good morning, Hot Head."

"Morning to you, Codfish."

"Didn't you hear me? I said we're going?" Kinzel shut them off.

"But, Kinz. I think you're in a hurry. We are supposed to wait for Mr. Elikai to get back home right?" Loshiana pondered.

Kinzel gave her a sudden glare. "We don't have to waste our time with that old hag. Damnit, I should have thought of that earlier." She hissed.

Vixen walked towards her and held her hand. "What are you talking about?"

"He should be here at this time. But he is not. Probably he just caught someone to give information again along his way here."

"Wait." Miguel looked at them. "Is he trying to sell us?"

"But, Mr. Elikai will not betray us, right Kinzel?" Cody said, fixing his eyeglasses.

"Who knows? You have just met him since yesterday. The only person who knows him well is me. The man you met yesterday is not the person you think he is. He is in greed - a man thirsting for wealth. To him, anything that will come his way, if he sees it as an opportunity, he will do everything to earn some, even if it will cost him in giving valuable information about his friends…

"Does he know anything about us?" Guilbert worriedly asked.

"As far as I remember, he only knows about our base –."

Kinzel was about to say something when they heard a familiar sound from the distance – a whistle. Slowly, a figure appeared in front of them with a smiling face. It was Mr. Elikai. He just brought with him a sack of vegetables and scallops from the market.

"Mr. Elikai!" The team shouted in chorus.

The old man laughed as he carefully pulled the sack off from his shoulder and gently place it on the ground. Vixen and Loshiana hurriedly went to assist him and let him sat on the rock. Kinzel was just standing there, patiently looking over Mr. Elikai.

"I guess that's how you welcome me always, Kinzel." He said with a sigh. Fanning himself with a shirt he brought with him, he drank the last drops of his water from his wooden jar.

"Where have you been old hag?"

"I went to the market to buy some resources. I'm sorry I made you into a worrying state, but don't worry I didn't sell you for money." He chuckled and rested his back on the tree.

"Is that it? You didn't meet someone along your way back here?" She asked anxiously.

"Yeah. I understand you are being watchful since yesterday to me. It's really hard dealing with an Informant, isn't it? I can't force you to trust me, but one thing for sure, I am in approval of your ways of wanting to get to the top. You know, I still didn't meet in person the leader of the Royals."

"Penelope? You still didn't have any transaction with that woman?"

Mr. Elikai silently nodded. Cody and Quinten left the others at the side of the lake and went to carry the sack that the man had bought to the house. They were quite in shock when they lifted the thing off. Mr. Elikai was able to carry this all by himself here? They thought for themselves.

"Unbelievable."

"It's real. If it's a lie, I should be dealing with back pain now."

"He's telling the truth, Kinz." Vixen said, supporting Mr. Elikai's answer.

Kinzel sighed. Guilbert stepped aside and said, "I'm sorry for doubting you. We just don't want to put the team in danger again and also you."

"I understand, young man. My house is always open for Era. And hey…" Mr. Elikai slowly stood up and whispered something to Guilbert, which made him laughed and eventually turned into a smirk. Guilbert shook his hand. "You'll surely get the news by the time we will finish our plans."

"Then I will wait for that time." He patted Guilbert at his back.

___

"Are you sure, you're going to bring all of that back to our base?" Miguel's eyebrows are meeting each other as he asked Quinten, who's busy packing all that Mr. Elikai gave them. It will save them from buying goods in the market. Probably the food will be enough for a month.

"Of course. Are you just going to stand there?" He replied and looked Loshiana straight in the eyes. Potatoes rolled over the floor, spinach, cabbages and carrots are piled up.

"Fine." Loshiana leaned and helped him in putting the goods inside his bag. "Just be sure you're going to share this stuff with us." She glared at him, knowing Quinten has a side of being a selfish person. "Yeah, yeah. This is for us, dummy. Hurry up or I'll be getting a scold again from Kinzel." He snapped.

Loshiana chuckled.

"Aye, don't be such a worm. We have to hurry before the day will end. We still have to go to the fountain and have some to offer." Kinzel said as she packed up their things in the living room.

"Hey, Quinten. You'll offer some of that when we get there, do you understand?" She added.

"Yeah…" "Told you these are not for me." He whispered to Loshiana.

"Man, do we need to follow our track again?" Cody whimpered and sat on the wooden chair. Miguel passed by him, carrying a glass of water and headed to Vixen who is currently taking care of her flower.

"I can't believe you. You really did bring that thing here." Miguel commented and passed the glass to her. Vixen poured it thoroughly and nodded. She stood up and said, "I can't believe myself too, but I think there's something special about this." She looked at it and smiled.

"You're indescribable sometimes, Vix."

They laughed together. Mr. Elikai knocked over the door.

"Kinzel is looking for the two of you." He muttered and went to the counter. He grabbed one of his notebooks and gave it to Vixen. "I think you need this for everything you will know as the days will pass. When you get to see the club, please tell the Butcher that you came from the Masked Man. It will help you have his trust."

Vixen humbly took the notebook. "Thank you for this, Mr. Elikai and we'll surely do what you said."

"Just call me Eli now, young lady." He smiled and rubbed her hair.

"We're going." Kinzel snooped from the living room.

They got everything they needed.

"I guess this isn't goodbye." The old man said.

"Surely, it is. We'll be seeing each other again, old man." Guilbert said and gave him a handshake.

"It's a pleasure to meet you all, Era. Till we meet again."

The team waved their goodbyes and started to walk. Kinzel was the last one to leave Mr. Elikai. Kinzel smiled at him and gave him a warm embrace. "Thank you for your help, Eli. We'll surely remember you when we succeed with this."

"No promises, Poison Ivy." He patted her by the shoulder. "But, I will wait for your return. Be sure to take a great name, especially to those from above us." He added.

Kinzel slowly pulled off from her hug and slightly punched him by the shoulder. "I will…poison all of their hearts." She whispered and chuckled.

"Power is strength, but faith is stronger. Go now and be careful."

Kinzel waved her hand and went to catch the team. Mr. Elikai was left with no worries but gratitude and the hopes that the days will be better soon. He gave a smirk to them as they slowly vanished in his sight.

"I didn't know you're that close to the old hag, enough for you to give him a hug." Guilbert teased his younger sibling.

"I often see our father in his image." The woman said with a low voice. Kinzel was staring at the ground as she walked. Loshiana and Cody are discussing about Thanksgiving, while Vixen is thinking about visiting the two kids in the orphanage.

Guilbert rubbed his sister's back and smiled at her. "You surely miss them."

"I do." She suddenly punched him on the chest. "Don't you dare pity me, you scumbag."

He raised his hands upwards and laughed. "I-I'm not. I was just worried that you might find the old hag attractive."

"N.O. That's a big no. The hell will I fall for him?" Kinzel scoffed.

"Hey, Guilbert. Now that you've come to the man's place. Maybe you can use teleportation now to get us back to the base." Quinten suggested. Guilbert looked at him from behind, all in sweats and worn out from walking. The grounds are getting hotter as they traveled. Crows are flying around them. The wind is barely watching and couldn't help them at all. Everything is boiling under the sun's rays.

"Okay. You look like you'll be a feast for those crows anytime." He scratched his head. Miguel and Cody are tired too and collapsed themselves on the ground. They are still half their way. "Okay, everyone! Hold me still and I'll show you world…shining, shimmering, splendid!"

Everyone held him tight and in a snap, they arrived at a familiar setting but it's not their base. They went to another location – the Sandeast.

Quinten was devastated. Scratching his face, he screamed out loud frustratingly. "This is not our base!"

"You're right there."

"This is the Sandeast!"

"You're right again." He added.

Loshiana laughed. Everyone didn't expect that Guilbert will lead them to a place where life can barely be seen. Silence welcomed them together with the wind dust. "Why did you even bring us here, you ditch.

Guilbert laughed as he saw the frustration on Quinten's face. "Chill –."

"Chill your face, this is hell. I want to get back home." He said, almost crying.

"Woah, Woah, Woah. Don't cry, our child. I'm sorry if I didn't tell you that we're going here, because you'll surely be a Hot Head if you knew." Quinten punched him on his chest, which made Kinzel laughed ahead.

"That's two for me. Okay, enough for being childish. We're here because we need to talk first to Mr. Owel."

"But, I thought he's dead?" Miguel muttered.

Loshiana elbowed her. "Oh, I'm sorry, I guess he's not. Gosh, news nowadays is scattered in the wrong direction." He wiped off his sweat.

"Nice joke, Mig." Kinzel replied.

The team got no choice but to travel. A house composed of silk cloth resides in the middle of the place, where a man with grey hair, thick eyebrows and a slender body lives. He is known for being the sandman in the first level. Often, he lives underneath and got most of his time, in putting sand in packs.

"Are you even sure that Mr. Owen is currently at his house? Isn't he supposed to deliver some in the city at this moment?" Quinten asked hysterically.

"Well…if the man is not there, then you can do whatever you want to Kinzel. Perhaps, this is her plan." Guilbert chuckled.

Vixen spotted an obscure image that is walking in their direction. He was clothed in a sack and his forehead is covered with a thin piece of silk. It was hard for her to recognize the person since his long hair is covering most of his face. He was also bringing a colourful umbrella. The wind is getting stronger. They needed to get to Mr. Owen as soon as possible, not until the Era recognized him in front of them.

"Oh! Old pal! I didn't expect I'll see you here!" The man burst into laughter and hugged Guilbert all of a sudden.

The two of them have reunited again. "I came here to visit you and have something to talk to," Guilbert replied.

"Can you continue that moment of yours later? The wind is getting worse." Quinten irritatingly said, scratching the back of his ear.

"Hahaha! This man is right. Well, we surely do need to hurry up. Come, I have prepared something to eat." Mr. Owen delightedly said and led their way. Anyone who will come in his place will surely lose track if he doesn't know where he is heading. Luckily, Guilbert had been roaming since he's a child and went to join some of Mr. Owen's journey. They called him as their uncle – one of the people who were able to give them care and safety during their childhood years. Kinzel hugged the man as they walked. The three of them look so fine and well, like a real family.

"I missed the two of you, Flores kids." Mr. Owen said and patted the two.

"Time flies by so fast." He added.