Chapter 37: The City of Asphyxia
By the time Kai and Andre left the main streets, the sun had nearly disappeared behind the western walls.
The city was only getting brighter.
Neon signs illuminated entire districts.
Magic-powered billboards floated above buildings.
Colorful lights reflected off glass towers.
Music echoed from somewhere in the distance.
For the first time since arriving in this world, Kai felt completely overwhelmed.
"This place is huge."
Andre looked around.
"I wanna steal something."
"You say that about every city."
"And every city has things worth stealing."
Fair point.
The pair eventually stopped a passing citizen.
"Excuse me."
Kai asked.
"Where can we find the Queen?"
The citizen immediately pointed upward.
"There."
Kai followed the direction.
His jaw slowly dropped.
A massive building towered above the city.
Its exterior was covered with giant magical screens.
And displayed across every screen—
A young woman with crimson-red hair.
Red eyes.
An eyepatch on the left eye.
She stood atop a stage.
Arms spread dramatically.
Cape fluttering behind her.
"My beloved citizens!"
The crowd below cheered.
"Asphyxia continues to prosper!"
More cheers.
"You should all be grateful!"
The woman struck a pose.
One hand over her eyepatch.
The other pointing toward the sky.
"For destiny has chosen us!"
Kai blinked.
"..."
Andre blinked.
"..."
"What is she doing?"
Kai finally asked.
"No idea."
The citizens cheered anyway.
Apparently they were used to this.
The speech continued for another ten minutes.
Neither Kai nor Andre understood half of it.
Eventually they reached the giant building.
Only to be stopped immediately.
"Halt."
Several guards blocked the entrance.
"We need to see the Queen."
Kai explained.
"No appointments."
"We have an important letter."
"No appointments."
"It's from King Akshay."
"No appointments."
Andre cracked his knuckles.
Kai immediately grabbed his arm.
"No."
"Maybe."
"No."
The guards stared.
Andre sighed.
"Fine."
Defeated, the pair wandered away.
Then their stomachs growled.
At exactly the same time.
"..."
"..."
"We should eat."
Kai said.
"With what money?"
Andre replied.
That was a good question.
The answer remained unknown as they wandered through unfamiliar streets.
Eventually the scenery changed.
The lights became brighter.
The signs became stranger.
The clothing became considerably more revealing.
Kai immediately realized where they were.
"Oh."
Andre grinned.
"Oh."
The Red Light District.
Kai turned around.
"We should leave."
Before they could—
THUMP.
Kai accidentally bumped into someone.
"Oh, sorry."
A hooded figure stumbled slightly.
"No harm done."
A feminine voice replied.
The woman adjusted her cloak.
For a brief moment Kai saw crimson hair.
An eyepatch.
Red eyes.
He paused.
"Has anyone told you that you look—"
"Like the Queen?"
The woman sighed.
"Every day."
Kai looked closer.
The eyepatch was on the opposite eye.
"Oh."
"See?"
She shrugged.
"Happens all the time."
Andre nodded.
"I can kinda see it."
The woman smiled.
"As compensation for almost knocking you over, allow me to treat you both to dinner."
Andre immediately stepped forward.
"YES."
Kai buried his face in his hands.
The woman laughed.
"Follow me."
Their stomachs won the argument.
A few minutes later they arrived at a restaurant.
Then someone flew through the front door.
CRASH.
The unfortunate customer rolled across the street.
A furious voice followed.
"IF YOU CAN'T PAY, DON'T EAT!"
A woman stepped outside.
Brown skin.
Cat ears.
White-and-brown hair.
She looked ready to commit murder.
Then she noticed the red-haired woman.
"Raj"
"..."
The cat girl slowly turned around.
Opened the door.
And walked back inside.
Silence.
The red-haired woman smiled.
"Let's go."
Kai suddenly had concerns.
Several.
The moment they entered—
The cat girl spun around.
"Welcome to—"
She froze.
"...Leave."
The red-haired woman sat down.
"Is that how you greet your friends?"
The cat girl's eye twitched.
"Alice."
Kai mentally noted their names.
"You've been dining and dashing for three months."
Alice ignored her completely and walked passed her and sat down at a table.
Kai and Andre exchanged a look.
"Sit."
Then obeyed.
And thus began the worst decision of their day.
Which was impressive considering the rabbit cult incident happened yesterday.