Chapter 2: Home

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Finally arriving at the top of stairs within the mountain, they were met with a spacious courtyard adorned with many bright, beautiful decorations and banners that were gilded in silver and gold. Lanterns were spread at an equal distance around the courtyard, warmly welcoming them in with their light.

Just ahead of the courtyard, a large mansion that wouldn't pale in comparison to a mountain castle proudly stood in front of them. It seemed to be built within the mountain and extruded extravagance. It was very clear that the mansion was well kept from how spotless it was.

The child had awe written all over his face as he looked around the area for the first time.

"Haha it's amazing, right? That's what I thought too when I first came here, but this is nothing compared to the surprises that you'll get when working with Vella." (Gaiden)

Gaiden laughed while the group continued towards the mansion as he noticed the child's reaction.

Vella puffed her cheeks and angrily retorted,

"Geeze! Don't give him any weird ideas! You'll make him think that I'm a monster or something!" (Vella)

You basically are though!....An absurd monster at that!...How can you even live in a building of this size and keep it in perfect condition by yourself?!?! You crazy woman!

"A-Ah...Sorry..." (Gaiden)

He sheepishly scratched his cheek while internally screaming to himself.

Vella stared daggers at Gaiden and crossed her arms,

"You were thinking of something rude just now, weren't you?!?! Pfft...Don't blame me if you find yourself missing a couple of sweets!" (Vella)

Ahhh!! No!... I can't have that now can I?...Her sweets are a delicacy!... Dang it, I have no choice!

Gaiden immediately prostrated himself in front of Vella as he received the threat,

"I am sincerely sorry. Please forgive this foolish one for his own worthlessness. This mortal would never be able to hold a candle to your excellence." (Gaiden)

This should work! No...It has to work! Taste my ultimate technique that has been honed for generations!

Vella gave a mischievous smile as she looked at Gaiden's sorry figure and handed him a list,

"Send me a new dining table, the new television set that just came out onto the market as well as all of the books, movies, and ingredients on this list by the end of tomorrow. It's very boring and lonely up on the mountain range....So you can understand, right? I'll consider forgiving you then." (Vella)

His eyes bulged out as he saw the countless names written in extremely small lettering on the list. His soul seemingly ready to just float out of his body at any moment.

Jayden seemed to be lost in thought before noticing Gaiden's figure,

"Sorry, I'd step in, but I don't want my sweets taken away either..." (Jayden)

Jayden gave a pitiful look towards the depressed Gaiden and patted his back in condolence while the child just tilted his head as they finally entered the building.

They stood on top of a huge, velvet carpet that rested right before a set of steps leading into a hallway.

"Take your shoes off and put them somewhere on the carpet before you head in. I don't want to have to clean up after your footprints." (Vella)

She promptly took off her shoes and set them neatly on the carpet. Following her example, everyone else obediently took off their shoes and followed her in.

If the scene at the front of the mansion was called a work of art, the interior would be called a masterpiece.

The wooden floors didn't even have a speck of dust or dirt on them. They were glossy enough to perfectly reflect the group's image. Beautiful works of art from all over the world were perfectly aligned along the walls to their sides as they walked through the hallway. The colors were very pleasant to the eyes.

A few moments later, they exited the hallway only to find themselves in a vast open room.

Decorated doors could be seen at the end of the room, with one for the four sides of the room including the one that they just came out of. A large, crystalline table could be seen in the middle of the room with a chandelier gilded in gold directly above it. Cushioned chairs were placed around the table at an equal distance from each other while a bartending table was placed directly against the far left wall of the room. Large windows were set on the wall to the far right with sofas that seemed soft to the touch, a flat table, bookcases and a fireplace complimenting the area. Further beyond the crystalline table was a grand staircase that seemed to stop right in front of a large doorway before wrapping around the room.

"Make yourselves at home! Let me go to the kitchen really quick so that I can start preparing."

Vella cheerfully smiled at them before moving away to the decorated door on the left with a hum.

They gratefully sat down around the table before taking the time again to observe their surroundings.

"She's crazy......How does she even manage to do all of this by herself?...." (Jayden)

Jayden quietly whispered to the other two, fearing that Vella would hear him.

"Haha, beats me, but I have to admit, she has a great taste in furnishing. I still wonder how she gets this stuff even though I've been here before...." (Gaiden)

Gaiden chuckled in response and then looked over at the child who was still looking around the room with bright eyes,

"How about you? What do you think of this place?" (Gaiden)

The child shyly looked down at the table, seeming to collect his thoughts before responding,

"It's...An amazing place...Big Sister is amazing..." (Child)

Oh?... Well, this is a good turn of events. I thought that he wouldn't be able to come to terms with how she handled our situation back there.

"She is definitely someone who's one in a dozen." (Gaiden)

Gaiden nodded in reply.

"She's...." (Jayden)

Jayden hesitated a bit as if he was afraid,

"Abnormal...The way that she handled that situation............" (Jayden)

Jayden trembled as he recalled the situation.

"She suddenly just appeared behind them...I wasn't able to hear or see her coming, not a single indication. Her eyes...They were depthless...I felt chills just by looking at them, even though I knew that she wasn't out for me...It was like as though as if she turned into something dark...Something...Inhuman...I couldn't feel an ounce of humanity in her. She didn't even blink when she tore apart their limbs and dragged them to the gallows tree to hang them...Her movements felt like they were melding with the shadows...It was...Unnatural..." (Jayden)

He continued with a haunted look as he started fidgeting around,

"I don't know if you were able to see it or hear it...But the last agent that was alive tried to talk her out of it. He was willing to go into captivity and tried to explain that he was forced into all of this...He begged for her to let him live for his kids and was even willing to exchange key intel for it..." (Jayden)

Gaiden solemnly looked at Jayden as he leaned slightly closer,

"And?... What happened?..." (Jayden)

Jayden rubbed his forehead,

"I saw his eyes, they were desperate and pleading like anyone else's would be if they were in that situation, but he definitely had kids. I know a father's eyes when I see one...I know what it's like when it comes to being in a position where you're forced to do things for the sake of your children...I guess I'm fortunate since it was better him than me...But..." (Jayden)

Guilt could be seen all over his face. Taking a deep breath, he recalled the scene,

"Her heart didn't even waver, not even once. The bloodthirst surrounding her was suffocating, my palms were sweating and it felt like a snake was slowly wrapping around my neck. I'm sure that he noticed as well, so he tried to do all he could to escape...The last thing that I saw was the way that she killed him...It wa-" (Jayden)

A door pushed open.

Footsteps echoed throughout the room as they turned to the source.

Vella was carrying a tray in each of her hands,

"Sorry to have kept you waiting! I tried to spice things up a bit just for this occasion! Hope you all like green tea with a bit of cinnamon in it. I also made sure to have a wider assortment of sweets available this time around." (Vella)

Arriving in front of the table, she elegantly set a cup and a plate filled with a colorful assortment of sweets in front of each and every one of them before taking a seat next to them.

"Vella! Perfect timing haha, was wondering where you were, thanks for the hospitality! Everything looks good as always." (Gaiden)

Ah, well that was unfortunate...But I definitely was expecting for this conversation to happen sooner or later from how he was acting during the last portion of our trip. Just reaffirms our belief that Vella isn't someone who should be messed with, but then again...We're also just like her in a way...

Gaiden unconsciously stared at his hands before he started taking sips from his cup.

The temperature's perfect and the taste isn't too strong but it's not that bland either, the cinnamon greatly accentuates the taste of the tea...Haha, she always had an eye out for food and beverages, I forgot that she was this skilled.

He gently smiled in relaxation as the tea warmed his body.

Jayden had an uncomfortable look lingering on his face before finally accepting the sweets while the boy happily munched on a cookie,

"Thank you for your hospitality." (Jayden)

"Thank you, Big Sister! These are really good!" (Child)

"You're welcome. I'm very glad that you like them!" (Vella)

Vella cheerfully smiled in response while sipping from her cup before nonchalantly directing her attention towards Gaiden,

"Wouldn't it be quite a misfortune if the teacup that you're drinking from was laced with poison, and you happened to have only a day left to live unless if you gave me what I asked for?" (Vella)

Gaiden choked on the tea as he immediately began spitting out the contents from his mouth.

"Haha, it was just a joke! I wouldn't do that! Don't be such a worry wart!" (Vella)

She lightly patted Gaiden on the back.

"Although.....There probably is someone who would do it..." (Vella)

An ominous smile grew on her face.

This...This woman is going to be the end of me...

Clearing his throat in annoyance, he turned towards the child,

"I know this is sudden, but would you like to live with that Big Sister over there?"

He has to stay anyways, but if he consents to it...That'll be the best outcome for us. I don't want a guilty conscience hovering over me and she'll have an easier time taking care of him.

It was Vella's turn to choke on the tea as she became wide-eyed, shocked by the sudden question that came from out of nowhere.

The boy tilted his head in thought before looking at Vella,

"Big Sister's really kind...I...I don't think I'd hate it..." (Child)

Vella started tearing up as she suddenly embraced the child,

Gaiden stared at the scene in surprise and heard a mumble next to him,

"I guess she does have a shred of humanity after all..." (Jayden)

Ah, he's surprised as well huh? Things are definitely getting interesting, I haven't seen Vella reacting like that in a while...Hmm...

"A-Ah?!...Big Sister, I feel something wet on my cheek.....Are you crying?... Did I do something wrong?...." (Child)

"N-No...You're fine! Just...Let me stay like this for a while. These are just tears of happiness!" (Vella)

Gaiden looked outside the window as he noticed that it was still dark and slowly clapped his hands to get everyone's attention,

"I think we should all rest for today, we haven't gotten an ounce of sleep since we've reached this place and I think we're all pretty tired. Jayden, I also think that your family can wait until tomorrow, you have to take care of yourself first."

Grumbling in response, Jayden crossed his arms and looked away,

"I guess..." (Jayden)

Vella patted the child on the head before turning to Gaiden to respond,

"I agree, I'll lead you to your rooms. You should probably use the bath first, I have robes that you can change into. You can also let me take care of cleaning your suits."

She points to the door on the right side of the room,

"The bath is over there, it's pretty large so you should feel comfortable, share it if you want to. I will start heading out now to prepare your rooms and I will also bring you your change of clothes."

Politely nodding her head, she went up the grand staircase and entered the large doorway.

After declaring as such, the group all went to the bath to clean themselves up right before heading off to bed.

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Bonus:

"Hmm...The tea oddly tastes different from what I remembered, even if it's just the cinnamon...I wonder what she put in it?" (Gaiden)

He noticed a container labeled "Cyanide" inconspicuously lying next to the tray while Vella evilly smirked at him.

WHY?!?!?!? YOU BI-!!!!!

With that final thought, his eyes bulged out as he started foaming at the mouth. His body immediately collapsed onto the ground with the whites of his eyes showing.