A Wanderer's game

Chapter 8: This is a Tutorial?!

Upon entering the fog, Sato asked James if it was safe to touch it to which; by everyone's surprise, seemed to just be for show. Remaining cautious, Sato lead the team into the fog where they hope to meet this 'collector'. Moments after Sato's team had entered a group that was lurking above received a message then continued in groups of 4 into the fog behind Sato's trail. Walking through the fog, Sato held Luna's hand and asked the rest of his team to hold each other's hands as well. To focus on the fog, Kairi quickly held Azuma's hand and clenched tightly while Nolia held onto Kurada's left hand with a shaken resolution. Floating in front of the group James turned on his low lights on as the fog became darker and more sinister. Trying to lighten the mood Azuma playfully said "good thing we have James here, other wise I'd be blamed for sexual harassment" to which Kairi raises her other hand and smacks him in the face. Sato then notes "Azuma, holding hands isn't sexual harassment unless the person is forced to do something she doesn't want". Annoyed, Azuma shouts "I know that!" to which made everyone laugh in unison. Looking at James directing in group in the complete dark, Sato decided to thank everyone for coming with him to meet with the 'collector'. Smiling, Nolia says "To be honest, if you weren't here I'd be pretty terrified". Nodding in agreement with Nolia, Luna comments "I-I also think that this trial feels a lot safer with you around". Stopping, James quickly states "Sir, there is someone in front of us". Readied for what's to come Sato stands ahead of the group and proclaims to the shadowy figure "come out to where we can see you". Suddenly a sinister laugh surrounds the fog around them; as though it were alive, then from the shadowy figure a voice said in an eerie tone "if you wish to see me, go straight ahead. Don't worry just a few more steps to go!" As the shadow begins to fade, Sato feels a sense of immense danger casting over him. Luna walks to Sato to hold his hand but was stopped to see him smiling with excitement. To curious to think, Sato tells his team to be ready and continued forward into the fog.

Reaching the end of the fog, Sato noticed a lit street side that peers over a cliff into a large cave that oozes purple mist in which surrounds the lighted area with a wall of fog. In the lit area was a bizarre wagon made of dark oak and lined with black steel. Walking closer, Sato noticed that one of the wagon's sides was opened and displayed; like a shop, products of unknown origins. A bellhop was siting on the wagon's desk side with a sign pointing to it with an arrow made of cardboard. Azuma then rang the bellhop out of instinct and was immediately lectured by Kairi and Nolia to "don't touch anything". Looking around his surroundings, Sato waited for something to happen but after a few moments had pasted nothing had occurred. Thinking that they should head back, Luna turns towards Sato then instantly froze still. Suddenly everyone looked towards Sato then immediately drew their weapons saying "BEHIND YOU!" Surprised, Sato quickly stepped away from the wagon and saw exactly what the café owner's daughter described and said in unbelief "the 'collector' ". Laughing maniacally, the 'collector' raised his arms up high then took a curtsy. Confused, Sato stood up straight and asked "...the 'collector' "? Standing back up, the 'collector' began to introduce himself "Good evening, things and stuff! I am-'the collector'! Oh, but you can call me Marlo. Marlo the collector and do I have a collection for you! Right this way, now". Staring at Marlo in confusion, Sato slowly asks "Um, Mr. Marlo? ...You are, the' collector', right"? Suddenly Marlo opened a square-like, empty door in mid-air then said "now, now! All questions will be answered soon, but being out here may not be too safe for youngling, such as yourself. Now then, onward!" Completely baffled, Sato follows Marlo without a second thought to which the others remained silent and joined Sato while putting away their weapons.

Walking down the mechanical hallway, Marlo snaps his fingers that signaled the doors behind them to shut. Following Marlo, Sato asked with interest "did you build all this?" to which Marlo gave a wide smile "See, that's what I like about you! Curiosity before security! Many say that 'curiosity kills the cat' but don't worry you're not cats". Exiting the hallway of rotating gears, Sato and his team enters a large room that was spherical and surrounded by glass all around. The view was above a bright, grassy meadow with a clear blue sky just above the transparent roof that protects the dome within. Walking towards another hallway, Marlo says "we use to live here but; after so long, that place is now just a memory". Continuing to follow Marlo down another hallway, Sato gazes at the amazing sights of being in a tunnel surrounded by water and fish of all kinds. As the water begins to fade into walls, Sato and his team stopped at the entrance of a library that was so vast, that it reached beyond the eye could see. Tan, clay stones were used as platforms to move throughout the library while books were levitating in alphabetical order from up to down. In complete awe, Sato rushed ahead of Marlo and down a flight of stairs to a lounge like area with couches and a glass, square shaped table. Laughing, Marlo said "you're just as the report says, attracted to the unknown. Just the kind of customer I've been searching for!" Turning to Marlo siting down at the only massage chair, Sato asked about the library and the how any of it was possible but was stopped by Marlo saying "That's enough excitement for now, Sato. It would seem your 'comrades' aren't taking my invite to heart. Come; sit and will begin with the questionnaire". Sato's team sits in embarrassment as they watch Sato siting next to Marlo with enthusiasm; as if he were a student in class.