Dungeon Raider System

In a lost passage in the ever changing maze of the outer rim of the slums, Uriel made his way along with his friends and with Emma. It took him no less than a week to muster enough courage to see his uncle again, but even then, it still made him anxious.

During that week Uriel found out a lot more about Emma's family background. She came from a long lineage of scholars that predated the sixteenth century and her family used to be quite wealthy but, just like it happened all over the world, things changed after the arrival and Emma was forced to sell most of her heirlooms and even some of her personal belongings just to get to Texas.

After finding out that she was possibly related by blood to Uriel Medusa started treating her like a sister, but Nika and even Luna warmed up a bit to her.

As they advanced further into the slums and the buildings became more precarious Medusa's eyes started welling up. It was the first time for her seeing what true poverty really looked like, but instead of the disgust any wealthy student would feel by the living conditions of those around them, Medusa felt compassion and also a bit of pity.

She was picturing her friend as a kid living on those tiny apartments, but her heart shattered once she realized the worst part had yet to come.

Uriel led them to a ten story concrete building that formed part of the foundation of the tall wall that surrounded the city. It wasn't the cheapest place to live, it was actually free.

That kind of building wasn't suitable for living, but since they were added to the wall it was impossible to evict those who dared move in. It was the absolute blindspot of the slums since even criminal activity wasn't profitable which is why the rangers never showed up.

"This is it, this was my home." Uriel said when they finally reached the doorless entrance.

"It's- it's not so bad." Medusa stuttered.

"I've seen worse," Nika shrugged her shoulders and when she noticed the awkward looks everyone was throwing at her she continued. "What? I'm Mexican, this isn't much worse than the place I grew up, other people weren't so lucky."

"What could be worse than this?" Sam muttered after noticing the endless stream of bugs scuttling all over the place and also some rats bigger than a cat thanks to his trait.

"Do you think I lived here because I wanted to?" Uriel asked but didn't wait for an answer. Instead, he walked right inside the ruined building like many times in the past when he called that sad place home.@@novelbin@@

There were no elevators, no power either and the place was as dark and moist as it could be expected from what it looked on the outside. The place was barely lit thanks to the streetlights outside, but just like in any other place in the slums they would often go out without explanation.

It was only after they reached the third floor that they saw the first person, but the defeated look on his face made him look more like an undead than an actual human being.

"The plastic curtains on the entrances means people live there, if there's nothing there it means it's public space and many people use those apartments as gathering spots, hiding or just temporal living arrangements. I recommend you go inside an empty one and wait, because this might take a while." Uriel said as he reached the sixth floor.

"It seems all the apartments on this floor are taken, we'll go back to the fifth and wait you there." Medusa replied.

"But I want to meet his uncle too!" Sam complained.

"People here don't like visits and even if they're from the slums, that doesn't mean they're harmless."

"G-great I'll wait for you downstairs with the rest then." Emma, who had been pinching her nose the whole time, said afraid to enter into one of those disgusting hiding holes Uriel called apartments.

"Not a chance, you're coming with me. Who knows, maybe my uncle will recognize you or something." Of all those present, Uriel was the only one who remained cold towards Emma in spite of her possibly being blood related to him.

Medusa theorized it was because he didn't want to have high hopes of having someone from his family only to have the illusion crushed by the truth, but that wasn't the case and he simply disliked her. He didn't know it himself, but the reason behind this was because she was somewhat similar to him and he found her know it all attitude annoying.

"Uncle, are you there?" Uriel called as he pushed the dirty plastic curtain, it was sticky to the touch but the stains were so old it was impossible to know what it was.

"What took you so long? Did hey finally found out what a loser you are and kicked you out? Don't worry, there will always be a place for you here. I've missed you all this time and there's so much I want to say to you." A voice replied in the dark. The apartment was directly adjacent to the wall, hence it didn't have any windows or natural light.

"I didn't come back, I just need to ask you a few questions." Uriel said as he light up the gas lantern he brought with himself.

"Why are you standing out there like an idiot, come here and let me see how has my nephew grown up."

"Actually, I came with a guest. Her name is Emma and she's from college. Do you mind coming here to greet her?" Discover hidden tales at My Virtual Library Empire

"Good, that's good. But I'm sick in bed, tell her to come in."

Uriel walked towards the room, but then turned back to see why wasn't Emma following him. "What is it? He says you can come."

Emma's face had distorted into an unsightly expression, one so dramatic it made her look barely human. Her throat was dry and she let out in a soft voice:

"Uriel, who are you talking to?"