Follow Mina.

It might have been a spur of the moment plan, but this uniform is actually pretty comfortable. It fits well, and the material is soft against my skin. And I admit, the others are pretty cute in theirs too. You eye over Lynx and Vivi as they walk ahead--short skirts wafting delicately in the breeze over their legs, one pair like chocolate, the other milk. They're quite radiant, bathed in rays from the sunshine above, and for a moment you forget that you're in disguise and you're not going for a walk with two other students, though quickly your group moves to the cover of darkness down the nearest alleyway. Mina snaps you out of your trance with a beckon between two shops, and your group subtly walks way from the prying eyes of other citizens.

"Like I said, I know these streets like the back of my hand," whispers the mouse. "There are many different secret locations. If you look closely, there are markings carved on walls, some to do with what's good to steal, some denoting hideouts, while others are directions to the former. It's a web of connections hidden from the eyes of others, but this is how the underground operates. Shadow Garden isn't the only organization that operates in the shadows, even just in Tivera, so we need to be cautious as well."

Her backpack wiggles. "Scary," comes the quiet voice of Mela in response.

I don't think a ghost of all people should be saying that.

"I know a lot about that too," Lynx says confidently. "Sa'dis had me control his network of spies after all. Though, I didn't find myself in Tolis that often myself."

Mina stops and turns. "What did you say?"

"I was the Demon King's spymaster, and now I am again. Is that so strange to believe?"

"No... I just didn't realize. Of course. That makes sense. We knew a bit about the Demon King in the mountains, but he was keeping mostly to himself, and we have enough to worry about."

"Shadow Garden is a pretty infamous criminal syndicate. You're so small and cute, nobody would suspect you, huh?"

"You're all kinda small and cute," you quietly reply.

Vivi pinches your arm.

"Ow."

Mina starts moving again, taking the party in and out of alleys, and down a labyrinth of streets. "We're almost there," she says. "It's a sort of refuge for criminals of all kinds. We can start there, and then figure out where we're going next."

You look to Vivi as you take the next corner. "You all right? You've been quiet."

She glances up at you. "Yeah. I'm just a witch of the woods, you know? Being so deep in the capital... Well, it didn't go that well last time either, remember?"

"Hey. It's all right." You offer out your hand. "Stay close. As long as we all stick together, nobody the king sends can capture us."

A faint line of pink colours over her nose. Gently, she places her hand on top of yours, and the two of you squeeze as you walk closely. If it wasn't for the fact that you're looming down alleys, it might look like two students are on a date.

Though Lynx slows down purposely until she's on your other side. Without staying anything, she wraps her arm around yours and tugs you in tight. "I actually think I know about the place she's taking us. Want to know?"

Mina turns with a pout. "But... I want to be the one who... Huh?" Slowly, she turns back forward to see a towering mound of muscle cracking his knuckles overhead. His shadow casts her in darkness, and his demonic visage looms between your group and the alleyway's exit.

Seven-feet-tall, wide torso, baggy brown pants, bare chest, and horns extending up from his forehead--black hair hanging down between them past his neck--the devil grips a bat which he slaps rhythmically against his opposite palm. His body is covered in scars, and his spaded tail waves slowly back and forth as his piercing stare remains unbroken. "Where do you think you're all heading?" he speaks in a deep, gruff voice.