The glowing blue screen of a phone shined inside the depressing hallway. Holding it was Edward, accompanied by Johnathan. They seemed rather grossed out, considering how the smell was utterly disgusting. The whole atmosphere itself was rather gloomy according to Edward, who nearly puked after Johnathan accidentally stepped on a skeletal hand.
"Sooooo, it's been what? 30 minutes after we came here through Ludwig's Verity… Jeez this place has horrid cell service." Edward complained as he kept checking the time. He then looked up at Johnathan.
"Why are you looking at me?" He responded, before kicking a broken vial on the ground.
"We kind of lost everyone else, y'know? I wasn't expecting this… Uhh, disgusting place to be this much of a maze.."
Johnathan then seemed to realize something, momentarily pausing in his step before going back to his usual nonchalant demeanor.
"Didn't Ludwig say the other groups have basically come already?" He pointed out.
"He did?"
Johnathan then took out a protein bar labelled "Ainscoughran chocotein" and began to open the wrapper. "He told me it like an hour ago before we came here."
Edward stopped in his tracks, prompting Johnathan to come to a halt as well. "Why didn't I know that?"
"You guys were too busy making up plans with that Elite rank woman who froze you guys yesterday."
Edward seemed to be completely caught off guard. His jaw was open as if he's trying to comprehend what Johnathan had just said. This went on for a solid 10 seconds before he mumbled.
"Shit."
They proceeded to continue exploring. However they were more cautious in where they walked in order to prevent any unwanted encounters. They entered several rooms, with the room they are currently in being a research facility, however what was being contained and observed was impossible to see, due to the one view window being stained in blood, or what he assumed to be blood. During their time in that room, Johnathan was casually reading a document, which he called Edward over as he claimed it held important information. He then came over, taking one long glance at the writing.
"Dude.. I can't read this, this is in Rosenlunden."
Rosenlunden is of course, the demonym of Rosenlund, and also the language. To go off topic for a second, the global language is actually in Rieamaian, which is obviously the Rieamaius language, for the simple reason being it's the easiest language to learn. During the Old Nation System, there wasn't a global language, as every nation spoke their own language, which is the same for modern times, however today, after the Old Nation System ended, following the conclusion of the 6th Disaster, there is now an international law (by the Compass Treaty) where every country has to have a degree of fluency in Rieamaian in order to bring a more, unified world.
"Did you really grab my attention for that?" Edward glared in annoyance, with Johnathan making a smirk expression.
After that, they left the room, where they heard an altercation nearby which was rather surprising. By altercation, they heard the sounds of a group of people fighting. Were they fighting a single person? Or were they fighting another group? They couldn't necessarily figure it out.. Which is obvious because it is extremely muffled, which gave Edward the conclusion they must be fighting ~3 halls away.
"Should we see what's going on?" Johnathan asked as he and Edward were against the wall, peeking into a direction, which they saw nothing except some plants and red stains on the walls, and the somehow working fluorescent light across the hall.
"Whose we?"
"I mean, what if they are jumping the others?"
"Its probably Juliet or Ludwig, they can both fend for themselves, c'mon they are well capable of soloing any group, I'll take the gamble that they aren't fighting our friends."
Johnathan proceeded to cough awkwardly, "aren't you horrible at gambling?"
Edward went silent, covering his face with a hand.
"Shit… you have a good point.. Let's go but we gotta be really cautious.."
They began approaching the commotion, taking extremely careful steps. Sometimes pausing so Edward can tilt his head into the hall to see if it's safe or not. They would also once again enter a couple rooms, however there was nothing notable. However after what was nearly a minute, the sounds of fighting got louder, which indicated to the two that they were at the scene.
They were now leaning against the wall, nervously whispering to each other about whether or not they should or should not help them. They also confirmed that it wasn't anyone of their friends nor their new ally.
"Alright, y'know what? We'll take a look and then sprint the other way."
"Deal."
As Edward took a step, what appeared to be a person was scrambling on the ground in front of him, scramble isn't necessarily the best word, rolled so to speak. They wore the attire of a Musician of the Alsaia Syndicate, however their face was, unfortunately mutilated, by what they assume to be brass knuckles.
While Edward was investigating the obviously deceased individual, Johnathan looked off into the direction where the Musician came from, and saw 4 other people in the exact same attire fighting a single man.
The singular man wore a tie and blazer over a pink buttoned up shirt, however he seemed to have torn off the sleeves to expose his.. Interesting choice of tattoos. He also notably had gilded brass knuckles, which he used to block and also land a devastating blow to one of the Musicians, causing the Musician to crash her head into the wall.
The tattooed man spent another 10 seconds beating the remaining Musicians, calmly grabbing the last Musician's fist before crushing it and landing an uppercut with his other fist.
"That should be the last of them.. Easier than I thought for their supposed Music Set 3 group.. Weird, they didn't have a Section Leader with them." He spoke in an oddly professional voice. He then seemed to have noticed Johnathan and Edward across him, taking a brief glance at them, before scratching his head.
"Odd, Executioner Ignatius never told me there would be random wannabe Regulators here…" He then pointed at Johnathan.
"Are ya'll lost?"
Johnathan raised an eyebrow, pointing his finger to his chest as if he's signalling to the man whether he's talking to him or not.
"Yes, I'm talking to you and that short guy behind you, I suggest you two to leave, as things will get ugly here, as I'll be getting this place under Jurisdiction Court territory."
Johnathan made an intrigued head nod, before speaking.
"Oh, we're actually here to claim this place for the Regulator's Committee—"
"JOHNATHAN!" Edward panickingly yelled, however after he yelled, there was a moment of silence.
The man across Johnathan began to scratch his chin in thought, raising an eyebrow. He then looked around him, scratching his head as well, before nodding.
"Then, I'm afraid there's no other choice."
He then clenched his brass knuckled fists, continuing off with,
"I, Enforcer Barstadus of the Jurisdiction Court will end the both of you."