A large, underground metropolis

Walking through the set of doors, Eliza was surprised to find a large metropolis in front of her. The first thing that caught her eye was the sky, or lack thereof. Above her was a ceiling made of the same brown-red rock, stretching as far as she could see. Spaced out among the ceiling were these giant gem formations, acting as miniature suns as they lit up what would otherwise be a pitch dark cavern. Her eyes were then drawn to all the random pillars that extended from floor to ceiling, acting as the ceiling's support points. They were gigantic in scale, looking like a city skyline that extended off into the distance.

The ground was even more chaotic with foot traffic, people walking from place to place. It was a sea of colors; reds, blues, greens, yellows, every color imaginable mixed together as the crowds morphed through each other. Eliza saw many demons walking the grounds, but also some of the other creatures Kat had mentioned. There were what she guessed were the pixies, being around the size of a child but held aloft by a set of butterfly wings. They chose to fly above the crowded walkways, creating a secondary layer of foot traffic that was surreal to watch. There would also be the occasional winged beast, similar to a gargoyle, probably being the balrog that Kat alluded to.

As she was led into the street, she was blasted with a molotov cocktail of different essences and auras. It hit her chest like a truck, feeling as if it was going to wind her even though there was no actual **** involved. Wave after wave flowed over her, causing her to become slightly dizzy and unsteady with each passing step.

“It’s an amazing sight, ain’t it?” Kat asked, not looking at Eliza. She answered back with a conformational grunt, trying her best to sound normal. Eliza starts to feel a little overwhelmed by the great amounts of aura that was almost over stimulating her senses. She found that staying behind Kat helped ease this stimulation by a little bit, so she made sure to follow close behind. Kat on the other hand seemed perfectly fine, acting perfectly normal as they glided through the crowds. Eliza figured you just got used to it, so she decided to stay quiet.

Even with the **** on her senses, the city was a sight to behold. The pillars and buildings were all made out of the same reddish stone, carved out the landscape seamlessly as if it was always that way. Some buildings had painted signs or walls, but most of them were monochrome red, giving the entire area a reddish hue. It was no wonder this place was associated with Hell, as the color is what Eliza would have pictured it would be like. Unlike Hell however, the cityscape was the exact opposite. It was more modern, more civilized than the cesspit of misery that Hell is usually depicted as. Eliza then bumped into the back of Kat, not realizing that she had stopped in front of a building.

“I got something I need to take care of real quick. You can stay out here and take in the city a little more.” Eliza was about to open her mouth to object, but Kat had disappeared into the building before she could say anything.

Grumbling under her breath, Eliza found the closest wall and propped her back against it. The symphony of aura continued bombarding her senses as she waited for Kat to return. Her thoughts became floaty as she felt lightheaded, feeling similar as if she was buzzed on ****. Then, one aura in particular rose above the rest. It wasn’t Kat’s aura, but it was another aura that had that familiar warmth to it. Looking around, she spotted a demon man standing across the street, who glanced up to meet her eyes.

His skin was a brilliant blue color, a deep hue like the ocean. Horns protruded off the top of his head like every other demon she’s come across. They looked similar to a gazelle’s horns, them being skinny and straight, maybe a foot or so long. Dark brown hair laid between the horns, slicked back with careful effort. Eliza couldn’t help but notice how attractive the man was. He wore the same black body paint like substance around his groin area, the fabric running from his right thigh to his left stomach. This showcased the man's well built frame, especially his six pack of abs that probably could have been seen from space. His clothing also did nothing to hide his other features, sporting a rather impressive bulge that Eliza struggled to not glance at. The man smirked at her.

“Well, hello miss. Can I help you with something?” The man’s voice was buttery smooth, deep and very sensual. It was then that Eliza realized she had absentmindedly walked towards the mysterious blue man, now standing right in front of him.

“I’m...um...no, I’m sorry.” Eliza said, looking away. She felt a wave of embarrassment course through her, knowing her face must be a bright red. The man tilted his head slightly, raising an eyebrow.

“Are you sure? You look slightly lost.” He paused, looking Eliza up and down. His gaze felt like laser beams of heat, her body involuntarily becoming flustered and flush. “By the way, there’s no need to keep up your human disguise. Even with as attractive as it might be, I’m sure your Mystic form is just as dazzling.” Eliza bit her lip as her heart started to race. This man was flirting with her, and fuck, it was working.

“I...um...well…” Eliza paused, trying to gather a response. Her mind was still foggy, making it a struggle to form any coherent thoughts. “I actually...don’t have a Mystic form.”

“Oh, my apologies, you’re a newborn.” The man said, placing his hand on his chiseled chest. “I didn’t realize, my mistake. Can I assume this is your first time in Home Realm then?” Eliza’s mind, unable to find the right words in her groggy state, nods her head. “I see. My name’s Raul. May I ask to whom I owe the honor of meeting?”

“E-Eliza.” She stuttered.

“What a lovely name. It’s a pleasure to meet you Eliza.” He grabs her hand tenderly, bowing down slightly and giving it a kiss. Eliza’s mind goes into a frenzy at his touch, emotions sparking uncontrollably through her head. “I’d be no gentleman if I left such a lovely young lady by herself. Please, let me show you around.” He extended his arm. Her body almost instinctively reached out, but she stopped herself.

“Wait. I-I’m waiting...for someone.” Was all Eliza could manage. She couldn’t believe how airheaded she was sounding, was she so flustered that she couldn’t think?

“What kind of host leaves their friend by themselves? That seems just plain rude to me.” Raul smiled at her, making direct eye contact. “Come with me, I would never abandon such a pretty creature.” Eliza nodded her head sheepishly. Kat did just leave out of the blue, she didn’t even bother saying where she was going, it was rather rude. Maybe she should go with Raul. He seemed rather gentleman-like, and besides that, he was hot as hell. Their entire conversation Eliza couldn’t help but look the man’s body over, glancing at his impressive bulge more times than she would have liked to admit. It was then she realized she was doing exactly that, staring at the man’s package while spacing out. She quickly averted her gaze, looking up at Raul’s silver eyes again. He wore a sincere smile, holding his hand extended for her to grab.

After another moment's hesitation, she finds herself reaching out and taking his hand. When she grabbed hold, he pulled her in, spinning her around. In her disheveled state, she lost balance, only to land comfortably in his arms. Eliza became an even brighter red as she looked up at Raul.

“Shall we go, I have so much I want to show you.” Eliza barely took in what he had said, her mind going wild at being in the man’s arms. Everywhere his skin touched was lit ablaze, almost as if he was made of literal fire. She found herself in motion as Raul led her away, an arm wrapped around her waist. Eliza didn’t mind, her body craving to be touched by him. Well, she wanted more than just being touched, finding herself unable to reel her eyes away from his crotch. The entire conversation she felt her lust growing, the itch in her privates becoming almost unbearable at this point. The bulge itself was so big, she could only imagine what it looked like in it’s erect state. He did say she was attractive, maybe they could find a secluded spot and…

Eliza’s thoughts ran wild with the fantasy. Maybe they could find a hotel, a vacant restroom, or maybe just duck into a secluded alley. In the distance she swore she heard a familiar voice, but doesn’t pay it any thought, her mind’s too busy at the moment. She heard it again, this time louder.

“Eliza!” Said an alarmed voice. Before she could react to her name, she felt a pool of aura wrap around her waist, tearing her away from the magnificent blue hunk she was with. The blue body was replaced by a red one as she fell into a different pair of arms. These were...Kat’s arms, that’s right, she was here with Kat, did she forget?

“Katonia, I hadn’t realized it was you.” Raul said, his smooth voice coated with venom. “I was just going to show your friend around town.”

“Oh fuck off with that Raul. I know what you were trying to do.” Eliza’s head pounded as if she had the biggest hangover in the world. All of a sudden she felt really sick and confused.

“Kat, what’s going on?” She asked meekly.

“Don’t worry dear, you’re safe now. I’m so sorry.” Safe? Was I in danger? Is Raul dangerous? Slowly her thoughts start to become more coherent. Right, she had just met Raul, she knew nothing about him. She had no idea if he was dangerous or not. Was she really about to leave with someone she didn’t know in a place she knew nothing about?

“Where have you been my dear? I’ve missed looking at your period stained skin.” Raul chastised her.

“Says the man with literal blue balls. Fuck off, she’s here with me.” Raul’s smile turned into a grimace, staring Kat down. Was I really going to go with that? Eliza looked over Raul once more. He was still rather attractive, but did that warrant how she was acting?

“I see you’re as greedy as ever, wanting all that newborn essence for yourself.”

“Shut the hell up, you were trying to abduct her!” Abduct me? shit, I was in danger. He was a literal demon, why would she ever trust him when she knew nothing about him. Her mind then flashed back to when she first met Kat, realizing that she seemed to have a habit with blind trust. Even so, she didn’t feel like herself during the entire conversation. She felt like she was taking a backseat, simply a passenger as someone else drove her body and mind.

“If I see you come within 20 feet of either me or Eliza then I will fucking kill you.” A crowd was starting to form around the commotion as more eyes turned at the yelling match. Raul looked around at the crowd, and after a moment of hesitation grunted something inaudible at their distance. He pushed his way through the onlookers, disappearing somewhere within the sea of people. With the spectacle gone, the crowd was pretty quick to disperse, moments later acting as if nothing had happened. Kat helped Eliza to a nearby seat, her body still somewhat shaky from the whole experience.

“I...don’t know what came over me. I wasn’t thinking straight.” Eliza held her head as it continued to pulsate.

“No, you weren’t, but that wasn’t your fault. It wasn’t you thinking those thoughts, but him. Raul is a mentalist, I’ll explain what that means later, but all you need to know is that he’s an expert at manipulating the mind. I could instantly tell you were under his charm, probably targeting you thanks to your human appearance. I’m so sorry, it was stupid of me to leave you alone like that.”

“I’m…” Eliza shuttered, the thought of what could have happened running through her mind. “Thank you Kat, for looking out for me. I was disoriented from all the different auras blasting me from every direction, I must have been an easy target. I should have been more cautious.”

“Oh my, I didn’t even think about that.” Instantly, Eliza felt the warmth of Kat’s aura surround her body. It was nice, the barrage of auras finally subsiding for the first time since walking the streets. She could only feel one now, one with a familiar comfort that she enjoyed. “Blocking out other people's auras is second nature to me, it didn’t register how much that would be affecting you.”

“It’s alright." Eliza said, trying to play it off. "You wouldn’t think to tell someone else to blink would you?”

“I suppose not.” she paused, looking away for a moment before turning back. Kat sat down next to Eliza, radiating her aura as Eliza recovered. “Take as long as you need.” The fog in her mind was clearing, her brain being able to have rational thoughts again. It was then the gravity of the situation she was saved from actually hit her. That man was trying to kidnap her, and she was going along with it. Hell, she thought it was her idea, which was probably the scariest thing. She had no clue she was being manipulated, and who knows how long she would have been under his control. Probability until he got bored with her, then he would've probably ditched her in some alley. Eliza vowed to herself to not use those kinds of powers on others; to take away someone’s free thought, it’s barbaric.

The two women sat for a few minutes until Eliza felt better. Thankfully it was a quick recovery with Kat’s aura acting a shield, and once she felt better they began walking again. Her and Kat walked side by side for the rest of the way, Kat keeping a constant, but gentle flow of aura washing over her.

Kat explained different things about the city during the trip, pointing out different buildings of interest. It was much like you would expect to find in a normal city, only with magic thrown in to do some of the heavy lifting. Barber Shops could change your hair in an instant, adding to your existing hair if the style you wanted called for it. Food places had chefs that cooked with magic, your order floating over to you once finished. There were body work shops that could change your body to whatever you wanted, whether you wanted to lose some weight or get a tattoo, they could do it in seconds. It was all surreal to hear about, Eliza hanging on Kat’s every word.

During their conversation they quickly approached one of the skyscraper pillars, the biggest one in the sector. Eliza couldn’t help but gawk up at the monstrosity. She didn't realize just how large they were when looking at them from a distance, but close up Eliza could grasp their true size. The wall that came out of the ground was expertly molded for a couple dozen feet upward, but the workmanship stopped there, the rest of the building having a more organic look to it as it reached for the sky. Windows peppered the side all the way up to the top, spewing out light at random places. Eliza could only imagine what it must look like from the top floor.

“This is one of the council buildings.” Kat started, continuing her tourist guide spiel. “This is where the big wigs up top make the rules and make sure they’re adhered to. They’re a little disconnected from the general population, but for the most part they do their job well. So, I suppose we should just get this over with.” There was some resignation in Kat’s voice during the last sentence, obviously not looking forward to what they were about to do. Eliza shared those feelings, the sense of anxiety welling up inside of her as they walked in through a set of doors.

It was surprisingly quiet inside the building. There was a large reception area similar to where they met Skye, and it was just as empty. There were a couple of Mystics dotting the chairs and couches, but most seats lay vacant. The two of them headed up to the desk, though a receptionist seemed nowhere to be found. But they only waited for a moment before hearing a distant voice

“I’ll be with you in a minute.”