The cave was getting gradually warmer and more humid the farther we got. Malady had undone some of the top buttons on her dress and Vylet had taken off her jacket and tied it around her waist. I had already left my jacket in the carraige so the only thing I could take off was my shirt. Which earned me some weird looks from the girls so, I left it on and just tried to deal with the humidity.

The downward incline got worse at one point which made me wonder how the lamias got out of here with no legs. But then I remember how good they were at climbing the trees and saw some handholds carved in the cave wall. Along with an oddly flat path that followed the cave wall, looked almost like very long and curved stairs. I looked back to see how Lamis was doing and she was going off the stairs, sliding for a bit on the steep cave floor, then going back onto the stairs. Using the cave wall to slow herself so she doesnt go too fast. Im not sure if this is how they all go down these things or if thats just her trying to cheer herself up by playing a bit.

"Isss notss much fartherss." Lamis said when she caught up with me. She slithered ahead when the cave flattened out. She slithered right up to a giant door that had been built into the solid rock of the cave wall. The door was designed to look like just another part of the cave. The only reason I could tell its a door is because it was slightly open right now, with two guards standing in front of it. I pulled out the metal symbol that Laskia had given me and held it up so they could see it. Once they saw the symbol and the small lamia girl with us they stepped aside and watched us as we passed.

Nothing I have seen so far could prepare me for what I am seeing now. This was no village, It was a huge city built in a massive cavern underground. It was filled with all kinds of sounds and smells that assaulted me without mercy. Buildings and houses were built out of wood they must have gotten out of the forest or just carved right into the cave walls. The roads were bustling and busy with unimaginable amounts of people and even some monsters walking around, going about their buisness. I could even see some small markets scattered around.

The city spread off into the distance, even though there were lights everywhere I could only see a portion of the city. The rest was simply too far away to see.

How many live here? How long has this been here?

This city was amazing, I thought I was just about to see the city of the lamias. But this has all kinds of races, even some that I have never seen before.

I stood there for what felt like an hour, just staring in awe at this city. Until a small lamia girl with glasses slid up and tapped me on the shoulder, startling me.

"Oops sorry about that, didnt mean to frighten you. Is this your first time to the city?"

I simply nodded, the suprise of seeing this place still hasnt worn off yet.

"Well, then id like you to come with me for orientation please." she gestured for us to follow and left towards a small building that was next to the entrance to the city. The building was made out of wood and stone, with a small garden around it and a large sign over the door that said "ORIENTATION"

She led us inside and to a large room with chairs all facing a small stage. There were some other people there in the chairs patiently waiting for whatever this was. We took a seat nearby, far from anyone else and waited with them. Vylet and Malady passed the time by asking Lamis questions about the city. I was looking around at some of the other people here. I was amazed at the creatures they allowed into the city. Just looking around I could see many beings that almost everyone from Shaylet would kill on sight. I saw succubi, death knights, slimes, ghouls there was even a skeleton!

It just sat there unmoving, If I couldnt sense the mana coming out of it I wouldve just assumed it was just part of the decorations. No one but our group was talking, they were all just sitting there quietly. The lamia girl had left the room a while ago to deal with her other duties I assume. So the only ones here were the ones sitting in the chairs and some huge looking people in armor that were eyeing us suspiciously.

The lamia girl walked back in with a goat beastman and a demon woman. She led them both to their seats and then walked onto the stage. she coiled her snake body under her when she reached the middle of the stage and had a bright smile on her face.

"Hello everyone, The reason we have brought you to this room is that you are all new to the city of Harendia. This city was built to be a safe haven for all intellegent beings to be able to live together without the fear of human persecution."

She paused to give everone a little time to absorb that information before continuing.

"It was a small settlement before but has grown into the large community you see here today. It was started by us, the lamias and is now run by a council that is composed of people that have been chosen to lead the city into the future. As you are all new to the city, you have yet to be informed of the most important rule. You all must make a blood pact to the leaders of the city in order to be allowed to leave but-"

One of the people sitting in the back had stood up at this.

"You cant be serious! A blood pact is a very serious magical contract and Im not making such a contract with someone ive never met before you must be crazy to expect people to agree to such a thing!"

He was right that it was a serious contract that when broken would cripple ones magic and leave them half dead. They would recover eventually but could never use magic again. This is why it was rarely practiced, as no one would want to accept such a deal. If it was worded improperly, it could cripple or even kill you.

The man was skinny and dressed in all black. Based on his pale and almost transparent skin coupled with his clearly visible fangs I assumed he was a vampire.

"Sir, the contract is simply to insure that no one causes harm to the city and informs the kingdom of our location. we would rather not have to fight a kingdom but we will defend ourselves." The lamia girl on the stage stated, still smiling.

"I dont care im leaving, im not going along with this lunacy."

He walked to the door and tried to leave but was grabbed by one of the guards.

The lamia on the stage turned to him and asked him.

"Are you sure? as I said you must agree to this if you are going to be allowed to leave."

He spat on the guards arm and cursed at them.

"Yes! and there is nothing you and your guards can do to stop me! I am a VAMPIRE! The lord of-"

He was cut off as there was now an arm sticking out of his chest. The guard had shoved and entire arm through the chest of the vampire while he was squirming and yelling and had ripped his still beating heart out of his chest. His body went limp and turned into a black sludge that quickly dried and shriveled up into an ash-like grime on the floor and the armor of the guard.

The lamia on the stage had turned back towards us and asked one question with that smile still on her face.

"Now then, will there be anymore interruptions?"

Needless to say, everyone shook their heads and let her continue.