--Aster --

We arrived at the city of Nucifera a little after nightfall. The Perytons were the only real monsters we ran into the entire way here. That isn't to say we didn't see any, they just ignored us, or we were going too fast for them to keep up.

Driving through Nucifera I was struck by how different the architecture was compared to An Le Notre. Instead of cobblestone roads, square plastered buildings with winding roads, and tall towers made of stone and metal. Here everything seemed to focus a lot more on the design aesthetic. The roofs were curved and ornately deigns, beautiful tori gates and towers with multiple clay tile levels, even some of the windows appeared to be made of some sort of paper. It gave the city an otherworldly air, well at least compared to An Le Notre.

I tore my eyes away from the city to look at my box of monster parts. I had been completely wrong in my assumption that I would be able to make armor for the car on the road. I tried to make something for the doors out of some smaller beetle pieces but quickly found making something in a bumpy car was a lot hard than I thought. I ended up making one small panel for the driver-side door made from pieces of the iron beetle, and after that, I just couldn't focus. I ended up doing nothing.

I was still looking over my unused pieces when Jame spoke up, "Alright, I can't just keep going all night."

"That's what she said." Violet snickered.

"Haha, but seriously. If it's going to get worse I need a real bed tonight." We were all flagging and the rough terrain wasn't doing us any favors.

"I hate to agree, but that was pretty rough," Violet said defeated.

"Aster still needs to make armor too," Rowan said accusingly.

"It's just going to be really basic but it will work," I answered. I looked down at what I had known no matter what I did it wouldn't be much. What I really needed was time and the better part.

"We don't need it to look pretty...Yet. We just need it to work," James Chimed.

"I'll need to get a few more pieces." I compromised.

"You go do that. Actually, odd question, but can you make it like a super sleeping bag or something?" James asked.

"Uhhh..." I had never thought to do anything like that but it would make going out into the wilds a lot nicer, "Maybe. I'll have to go through my crafting books but...maybe?"

"Let's make that a number one. I'm not looking forward to camping." Violet said showing her dislike for having to sleep outside.

"So let's find a place for the night," Jame said as he drove through the city.

Realizing everything was probably closed I said, "I'll have to get the stuff tomorrow." They all nodded in understanding.

We drove around the city getting a good eyeful of the city, and a general layout. We found that the deeper into the city the more intricate the designs and interesting things. Then we saw something in one of the more intricate neighborhoods that made us stop completely. In front of us, we stared at a multistory flower. Taking up a big area in the city.

"Is that a giant lotus flower?" Bay asked.

"According to the sign, it's an inn." James answered

"But that's a giant lotus."

"And An Le Notre has a giant hat."

"You guys want to stay at the flower?" bay asked with a hint of excitement.

"Kinda yeah," I answered

"Seems cool," Rowan commented.

"We are in a new city." Violet reasoned.

"Lotus Blossom it is," James said excitedly turning into an area to park.

"Is that really its name?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Yup," James said pointing to a sign above the entrance.

Exiting the car we all entered the inn and rented a room. It was fairly expensive twenty silver a night. But it was a very nice inn. Extremely clean and bright with a massive pool. We made our way up to our rooms which luckily were connected. Now having a place to rest we all and got out of our armor, when we did Bay and Rowan came out in swimsuits.

"Hey, we're going to the pool. You guys coming?" Rowan asked

"They have a pool?" Violet asked, she must not have noticed it.

"Yeah, it's in the middle of the hotel. It's got underwater tunnels and flying platforms too." Bay said excitedly.

"Neat," I commented.

"Well, that sounds awesome. Let us change and we'll go." James spoke up.

We all made our way down to the pool, to find it was empty. It made sense since it was so late but it was still surprising to find it completely empty. The pool itself was something else. It was massive with slides, floating platforms to jump from and if I looked I could see tunnels deep in the pool.

"Where is everyone?" I asked aloud.

"Fancy expensive hotel, probably in their rooms." Violet commented

James was looking at the platforms, "But this is awesome."

"Don't know but this just means we get to have all the fun!" Rowan said excitedly.

We dove into the pool and all around having fun. It was probably the first time since we all got back together that we actually got to blow off some steam. The pool turned out to be even deeper than I expected nearly thirty feet. It was thanks to our levels we could go all the way down and swim through the tunnels, that lead to the tops. From there we could jump to the platforms. I realized this was a pool designer made for people above level twenty. No wonder this place was so expensive.

We were there for around thirty minutes when I figured I should head to bed. I was going to need to get up early if I wanted to get the parts. My social battery was also running low. I just needed a little time to myself. "Well, I'm off to bed. Don't worry about waking me when you guys come up."

"You sure Aster?" James asked.

"Yeah, just feeling tired."

"Ok, we'll be up later."

"Good night guys"

They all responded with a "Good night."

I left and headed up to the room to take a shower and sleep.

-- James --

I watched as Aster left for the rooms, turning to Bay. "Surprised he was tired already."

Bay shrugged, "We are a much higher level than him."

"That's true, he didn't go through that place more than once."

"Must be hard trying to keep up with us," Bay commented looking sadly at the door Aster left through.

"True."

"Anyway, I'm gonna try the slide," Bay said pointing at the massive slide a few hundred feet up. None of us had tried it yet.

Our conversation was interrupted by the arrival of six people who looked like they just checked in still carrying luggage and weapons.

"Oh wow! You guys are the impossible questers!" Said the lead man excited.

"Oh yeah?" I said not really sure how to respond. We were still new to this and not many people had recognized us yet.

"We are big fans. In fact, Jim here has placed a substantial bet on you guys." The man said pointing to a man behind him.

"Really? Thanks for the vote of confidence." I looked over and the man he pointed out was looking away and mumbling. Oh, he must be shy.

"I know this is inappropriate but can we shake your hands?" The man asked

"James." I heard Rowan say my name from far behind me.

"I don't see why not." I reached out my hand still hearing the shy man's mumbling.

"JAMES" Rowan yelled as he was stumbling towards me.

"Sorry one sec. What is it, Rowan?" I saw him and couldn't help but wonder what was wrong with him.

"They aren't fri.en.dl...y" Rowan fell to the pool.

Everything clicked and I instinctively went to my sword, before remembering they were in the room. I only had time to look back at the man before I wobbled and fell to the ground.

The last thing I heard before blackness overtook me was, a faint chant "surround and block, sleep, and dream." A spell.

-- Aster --

I woke up in the soft bed of the hotel, to my alarm early in the morning. I looked around the room and saw it perfectly untouched.

Did they sleep in the girl's room? I don't think anythings going on between any of them? I opened the conjoined room to check if they were in there. Seeing that the beds were untouched.

"They got kidnapped didn't they?" I let out a long sigh, knowing violet's predictions were true. Who knew the first cliche was the party gets kidnapped.