Travel to the City

Aaralon soon found himself squeezed between two buildings. With just enough room, he shimmied his way out to an unlit alley. It must be distant to still be night here.

Trying to get his barrings, the exile searched the winding paths for some landmark or main road, but never came across anything wider than a cart path. All the while, he grew more concerned with the lack of people; no matter where he went, the streets were empty of both bodies and sound.

Needing information, Aaralon ventured inside a two storied building that from the outside seemed to have rooms for rent. Whether he could get one was irrelevant, the place would be open regardless of the our.

The interior was dark, but mostly visible. The area behind the checkout counter was pitch black, but seemed to stir at the wizard's approach. It was enough for Aaralon to realize where he was.

This was The City of Shades: A linked plane that housed the elementals while they weren't acting in the world. Unlike demons, shades were typically indifferent to mortals; so long as he tread lightly, the locals shouldn't take issue with the boy. The real problem was leaving the city. While Aaralon was perfectly capable of summoning a shade from this place, he knew nothing on getting himself out. Additionally, the exile would need to find some way to fulfill Sareth's challenge.