Chapter 10: The Way Out

Nathan made his way to the third basement. Though he and Iris agreed to search each floor separately and then meet in the middle, he was pretty darn sure Iris did nothing of the sort. As he headed down the right hall, the first door in the hall was left open, Iris must be in there. Peeking inside, the room wasn’t nothing like the rooms above. It was a bedroom fully furnished and fit for a queen, most likely Amelia’s room. Nathan enter and begin to search for any hidden treasures. No matter what world you were from, this was a common practice. Nathan made over to the bed covered by a vale, he started to lift the mattress, but was surprised to hear a soft moan, coming from atop the bed.

“Iris?”

Lying atop the bed fast asleep was Iris. He decided the leave her be and place the mattress back in place, opted rather to search the closet. Stepping around and opening the closet door, it was full of hooded cloaks, nothing even remotely ladylike. “Amelia must not care that much about her appearance, he thought as he pushed the cloaks aside. Nothing in the closet and the only place he could check were the drawer’s. Closing the closet back he looked back to make sure he had not woken up Iris, Nathan made his way over to the dresser and looked inside.

“What, she has nothing but cloaks in her closet, but she wears this underneath, I must reassess my image of her.

Nathan held up a pair of sexy black panties. He wasn’t a pervert but he had to admit, he wouldn’t mind seeing her in these or any women for that matter. The rest of the draw were filled with similar sexy apparel, each more eye catching then the next. Though this was a pleasant experience, this was not what he was looking for, he began to remove everything from the drawer’s only to find nothing of value. He pulled the drawer from its track, it could have a false bottom or something, but it did not. He systematically begins to remove each drawer, finding nothing but undergarment. Nathan gave up, maybe the rules about valuables in your room didn’t apply here. For the first time since he started he notice the mess he made, panties and bra’s thrown every which way, some even clung to him, if someone were to see this, they would definitely get the wrong idea. He was about to begin cleaning when he got a sudden felling he was being watch.

“…………. Hero, what are you doing.”

Cold sweat ran down his back as he turned and saw Iris now awake, staring at him.

“Wait, this isn’t what it looks like.”

“This is most unbecoming of someone of your status, Hero.”

“L-let me explain.”

“Even, if Lady Amelia does not return, that does not mean we can leave a mess.”

“I’M NOT A PER---………wait, what?”

Iris begin to pick up the scattered lingerie and begin placing them back in the dresser.

“Honestly, why must you make a mess with everything you do.”

“......Yeah a mess, I was making a mess, let’s go with that.

Nathan could not tell if Iris was completely innocent or an extreme deviant, this is definitely not a reaction of a women walking in on a man covered in women undergarments. She casually removed the apparel clinging to natahn and stuck them in the drawers, before returning them all to their tracks with a waved of her hand.

“Hero, your appearance?”

“Huh, ah yeah, I found it during the search, pretty good?”

“Yes, it’s very nice, and that blade, “Origin?”

“Uh, yeah, it is, forgot I had it.”

“That must have been the reason for that energy surge.”

“Energy surge?”

“Yes, while finishing my search of the second floor, for a few moments, there was a really powerful mana release coming from your location, I was sure you had discovered what we needed to leave, but as abruptly it appeared, it vanished.”

“And, you think was this weak looking thing.”

*shinng*

Nathan withdrew the sword, still as disappointing as it was when he first saw it.

“Yes, I am most certain, what I’m feeling right now, has the same signature as before.”

“I don’t feel anything, how is it?”

“It is……..a simply splendid feeling.”

Iris was an awe, as the sheer present of the sword was breathtaking, it was like she was in a trance. Nathan returned the sword to its sheath, releasing Iris from her splendor.

“I don’t know it doesn’t look that grand to me, didn’t do anything when I found it.”

“Hero, what exactly did you expect would happen?”

“I don’t know, something like a triangle appearing on my hand, suddenly becoming a paladin, hell, I’d settle for sight beyond sight, well it has a leveling system, so I guess that’s something.

“*giggle*”

“What so funny?”

“Hero, you are doing the same thing you did previously upon learning your legend, it not the appearance of the sword that matters, but who and how the blade is wielded. You are the Hero and you now possess the Hero Sword as well, no matter how you see yourself, the people of this world as well as I, will never see you any other way.”

Nathan face turned slightly red.

“You are really embarrassing you know, you must really like hero’s?”

“Yes, I love them.”

“……….You love me?”

“Ye-, NO, not love, it’s admiration, respect.”

“Ahahahah, I know what you meant.”

“Hero, honestly.”

“Well, enough this, since you’re here I guess that dream was wrong.”

“Dream?”

“Oh, right you don’t know, well it’s this.”

Nathan explained his dream, or what he thought he dreamed.

“I see, so Spatial Rend Gems.”

“Yeah pretty good find, so after finding out that, I thought more about the dream and remembered something else, but since you here, I guess was wrong.”

“Something about me?”

“Not you per se, more like what you’ve done, if you are here, then the clues about the left hallway on the third basement don’t matter now, this last couple of rooms are our only hope.”

“What clues?”

“Third, left, sixth, door, these words keep playing in my head, over and over, there was more, and it lead me to th gems, so I was thinking the rest would lead to the way out, so if we think it through the words would mean, third basement, left hallway, sixth door, but now I have to rethink it if you’re here.”

“Actually Hero……………. I never checked the left hallway.”

“What, wait……don’t tell me you skipped the entire left side, just so you could me up with me faster?”

“It………….is as you say.”

“Iris.”

“I’m sorry.”

“This is great; we still have a shot.”

“Y-You’re not going to pull on my face?”

“Not this time, come on, let’s walk and talk.”

Nathan headed for the door with Iris close behind. Thank to Iris overprotectiveness, they might just find something to finally get out of the study.

“So Iris, about Amelia, the message she left for you, what exactly was it, a letter, recording, maybe something visual.”

“Yes, it was a letter.”

“Great, where is it?”

“It was reduced to ashes.”

“You burned it!?”

“No, once I had finish reading it, the letter burst into flames.”

“It just combusted, no help.”

“Yes, the letter did provide details about you, I thought maybe she did not won’t anyone else to know.”

“What were the details?”

“I can’t say.”

“What, why not?”

“I………….just can’t, I’m sorry.”

Nathan stopped and stared at Iris, but she refused to make eye contact.

“*sigh*, fine I won’t press, someday I’ll meet Amelia and ask her myself.”

“I’m truly sorry.”

“Stop, apologizing, well I guess that’s it, if the letter when up in smoke, then I guess she won’t believe me.”

“Who won’t believe what?”

“Don’t worry about it, just venting.”

“I wish I could help more, maybe if the other letter was address to me, I would be able to give you an answer.”

“Yeah, I guess that would help.”

Nathan and Iris continue down the hall for a few more steps in silence, before Nathan grabbed Iris and begin stretching her face.

“Iris, there’s another letter, why didn’t you mention it?”

“Isd wassun ashress chu me, I cudden opesh id.”

“(It wasn’t address to me; I Couldn’t open it).”

“Who was it address to, me?”

“No, If I remember correctly, it was address to an Anais.”

“Seriously, where is it now!?”

“I-It’s back in the room where you slept.”

“Well, go get it.”

“Right now, but what about the room, should we not go examine it first?”

“And I will do that, but I really need that letter, Please?”

“I-I understand.”

“Thank you, thank you, thank you, I go ahead and check the room, once you’ve retrieve it, meet me there.

With that Nathan turned and headed down the left hall. He was feeling pretty good right now, with any luck whatever was in that letter would definitely help him with cheering up Anais, and knowing her, luck would not be a problem. But for now he focused on getting to that room, Nathan notice while walking that there were less rooms down this hall, the rooms were no longer across from each other. This would make things easier for him, since the layout was like this, the sixth room would be the sixth room. He finally arrived at the door and he wasted no time and opening it.

The layout was similar to a Museum, thirteen pedestals lined the room. Six pedestals on either side, with the thirteenth placed in the center. Each pedestal encased a piece of jewelry, each more amazing then the last. Nathan walked right past the first twelve pedestals, sur he would examine them all, but there was no doubt in his mind that the amulet within the last pedestal was what he was looking for. Nathan didn’t know much about jewelry but it was an amazing sight. An ivory colored eye shaped amulet, took it place at the top. Nathan held his breath.

“Examine.”

Alssein Eye F Class: Joker⍟⍟⍟⍟

An amulet said to hold the spirit of infamous thief and escape artist, Alssein.

Skills: Barrier, Barrier Break, Safe Zone, Conceal, Unlock

Effects: Drains mana when in use.

“HELL YEAH!”

Nathan sudden outburst shock both Iris and Anais who could hear him shout from where they were. All that searching paid off, with this they can get out of here and finally see what there is to see. Nathan could barely contain himself while he removed the glass casing. Taking the amulet from the pedestal he tried putting it around his neck.

*Bzzzt*

“What the hell?”

*Bzzzzzzt*

*Bzzzzzzzzt*

Every attempt to place the amulet around his neck, ended with a weird buzzing noise. What was wrong, maybe he didn’t have enough mana, if that was the case he could just level up and try again, but there really wasn’t a way he could level while stuck under the barriers influence. No, this can’t be right, there was no way Amelia would make so he could find what he needed to get out, only to not be able to utilize it. He must be missing something. Nathan examined the “Eye” again, nothing stood out, except the single “F”. Then it hit him, back in his world, sometimes and games he played there were items like this, if what he thought was right, there was no way in hell he could use this.

“Hero, are you alright, what was that shout earlier?”

“Iris, perfect timing, catch.”

Nathan tossed the Eye to Iris, who left it floating in front of her.

“Hero, this is?”

“Our ticket out of here, try it on.”

“Okay, oh and here is the letter.”

“Ah, thank you very much.”

Iris placed the letter in Nathan’s hand and then began to place the amulet around her neck, simple and easy.”

“How do you feel, any changes?”

“Yes, the amulet, it seems to be draining my mana, but I don’t feel the effects of the barrier any longer.”

“So, I guess I was right, this item is female only.”

“You, couldn’t wear it?”

“Nope, every time I tried to, I would hear a buzzing sound, so if figure that the lone “F” meant female only.”

“I see.”

“Well, that all she wrote, let’s do some last minute preparations and get the hell out of here, oh and take this too.”

Nathan waved his hand and the bag full of Spatial Rend Gems were in his hand. He gave one to Iris.

“Go get whatever you think is necessary and meet me in the main hall.”

“………..Anything?”

“Yup, I don’t care, it your inventory, do what you like.”

“I-I understand.”

Iris begin to pull on her shirt revealing her chest, prompting Nathan to turn away. Placing the gem on her status insignia, the gem sank into her chest, just as it did with Nathan.

“Done, okay well see you in a few, I got some last minute shopping to do.”

With that Nathan ran out the room and down to the main hall, he stopped at the stair case.

“*sniff, sniff*………………Got it.”

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Nathan found the familiar room with the door still cracked. He had in his haste forgotten to explore it earlier, but now he had a legitimate reason for coming this time besides curiosity. Nathan opened the door all the way, the inside look like a laboratory. Beakers filled with unknown substances lined the shelves and tables in the room. Nathan lifted one of the bottles off the shelves, he didn’t see what was so bad about this room that would warrant a bad experience. Then he noticed that one of the walls and the area around it were charred black. In the center of the charred wall was a peculiar outline, like that of a small man. Nathan also notice a shelf full of beakers that had been knocked to the floor, a line of devastation leading straight to where the charred wall was. Nathan put two and two together.

“Hollee crap, she blew herself up.”

Nathan ever so carefully placed the bottle back where it belonged and slowly moved away.

“………. What are you doing?”

“Whoa, Anais, don’t scare me like that, I could of blew myself up.

“Like I would care what would happen to some lying Giant.”

“……...Back to calling me giant huh?”

Anais turned in walked further in and Nathan followed.

“What do you want?”

“Here, this is for you.”

Nathan bent down to show Anais what he had. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing.

“Th-This is Lady Amelia’s hand writing.”

“It’s for you, Iris had it.”

“The fairy, she hid this from me?”

“No, she didn’t know who you were or that you were even here until recently, she probably would have given you the letter, if you had not hid all this time and had just a tiny bit of faith.”

Anais look down at the letter went over the cover.

“We found a way out, we’ll be leaving soon.”

“So, that was the outburst from earlier.”

“Abigail, you should come with us, this place……..it’s safe, it’s probably secluded, and once were gone you’ll have free run of it, plenty of books to eat, and no one around to hurt you, but you shouldn’t stay. I don’t know what happen to you, but giving up and locking yourself away just because it’s safe, living in fear of everything………….you shouldn’t. Honestly you don’t have to come with us, just don’t stay here, alone, hoping for someone to come, when you just could search them out.”

Anais looked up at Nathan, he just smiled down to her.

“I’m going to grab a few more things here and there, then I’ll meet Iris in the main hall, I really hope to see you there.”

Nathan turned in left he to her thoughts, before he left he saw on a table, filled with different bottles of different colored liquid. He did a quick scan of each. What he saw made his jaw drop, walking over to the table, he stored every bottle in his Inventory.

Thievery Increased +10

He took one last look at Abigail who as now head deep in the letter before leaving for more last minute scavenging.

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Nathan sitting on the steps in the main hall, he finished grabbing everything he thought would help wants they were out, he set waiting for Iris, who surprisingly was taking a while to return. Though this wasn’t bad in a way, if Anais decided to come along and arrived before Iris, he could hide her on his person, Anais might not like that but, if Iris see her, she will no doubt end her.

“Hero, I have returned.”

Iris came floating down from the first floor.

“Did you get everything?”

“Y-yes, e-everything is good.”

“You okay, your voice is shaky.”

“N-no need for c-concern, I’m am w-well.”

“Well okay, well let’s go.

Nathan begin ascending the stairs. Iris let out a sigh of relief, she was glad he didn’t inquire on what she was bringing along. No matter what she was his guardian, and nothing would stop her from fulfilling that role, not even the Hero himself.

Nathan reached the top of the stairs and looked ahead at the set of doors similar to the ones of the library. He reached out for the doorknob, but before he had a chance to grab hold, Iris using her powers pulled him away.

“Hero, you can’t touch that, the barrier is still active, you would have been seriously injured.”

“Oh, well thanks for that, so how do we break it, do we just touch the pendant to it?”

“Nothing so simple, give me one moment.”

Iris closed her eyes and as she did the pendant begin to glow. The glow intensified, until a small beam of light flew from the pendant and against the door, or more accurately the barrier. As the beam collided with the door, the door begin to glow, then slowly, the glow begin fade. Then as quickly as it started, the beam slowly dissipated. And with it Iris eyes reopened.

“Well, did it work?”

“I believe so, Hero, try to open the door.”

“Alright.”

Nathan walked back up to the door and grabbed hold the handle, he wasn’t dead so he guessed it worked. Opening the door a gust of wind rushed past all the way he stared out, it was dark but he could tell it was a cave. Iris floated into the door way and with the same spell she used to light the study, she cast it into the cave. It was quiet, empty.

“Here we go, Iris are you ready?”

“Yes, let us depart.”

Iris began fluttering down the path, Nathan took a look back, instead of closing the door he left it slightly ajar, he still had hope she would come He turned and jog to join Iris who had made quite far down the path. Neither of them spoke a word, they just kept moving forward. Nathan jog down the path, Iris was unknowingly speeding up. The end of the tunnel was insight, a starlit night, a sweet scent, though he had experience these things so many times before, it felt as though he was truly seeing them for the first time. Nathan took a look around, it was dark, but the moon and stars let him at least see around in the clearing.

“Finally, outside at last, to bad its night time and were in a forest, we better stay right around this cave clearing, we don’t know what’s out there, you hear me Iris…………Iris?”

Nathan looked over at Iris and smiled, she was over taken by all the new sensations she had never felt before. Her reaction was in reason; her emotion must be hyper drive. Nathan just left her to herself, she come out of it soon enough, no need to ruin it for her. He opted rather to watch the cave they just came down, praying she didn’t decide to stay.

“Hero, are you okay, you seemed saddened.”

“Oh, you came out your daze, you were gone there for a moment.

“Apologies, it was a very overwhelming feeling, I don’t know how to explain it.”

“Yeah, I could oh………..here, wipe your face.”

“What, ah, why am I?”

Iris felt her face, she was completely oblivious to the fact that she was shedding tears. Even if Iris did not understand, Nathan was happy for her.

“Hero, what should we do about the study, should I reformed the barrier?”

“Why not leave it open?”

“We could, however I don’t think Lady Amelia would want anyone going inside, all the treasures are bound to attract attention.”

Nathan knew Iris was right, most of the things in the study are items one wouldn’t get in the games from his world, until you were halfway through the game. Nathan let out a sigh, if she did not come out yet, she wasn’t coming. Nathan gave Iris the okay to reform the barrier. She closed her eyes once again and the familiar light emerge from the pendant, Nathan could not see it but he could tell that the barrier was slowly reforming.

“Hero, you still look disheartened?”

“It’s nothing………..I guess.”

Iris was nearly finish, one small section was left. Right as she was finishing, much to Iris’s surprise, a small shadow came speeding out towards her from within the cave, leaping into the air and passing through the small gap that was left, right before it was sealed shut. The shadow, upon landing did not stop, darting passed Iris, it crossed the clearing and disappeared into some bushes.

*Crash*

“………………………………….”

“………………………………….”

Iris didn’t know what just flew past her, but whatever it was, ran head first into something.

“Hero, did you see that?”

“Ppfffftttttttt, aaaaaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!”

Iris kept confused as to what just happened. No matter what she asked him, Nathan just continued to laugh.