Kyle fell out of his bed still fully clothed. It was still dark outside with barely a sliver of light shining by the horizon. He stood slowly feeling surprisingly limber despite his terrible sleeping posture. For a long while he simply did nothing as his mind adjusted back to reality. The dream this time had been even stranger than the last. It felt as if he was slowly being pulled in and with every iteration it felt like he was becoming more involved as if he had been there himself.
The names of the Mercenaries lingered in his mind and at the forefront was Kyle's. He had to wonder if the fact they shared a name was by chance or something more. The man in his dreams was much taller than he was, had a fine layer of muscle and although he looked youthful, his gaze held a wealth of experience. Kyle looked into the mirror and sighed. His hat still lying on the bed, his half white and flaxen hair stood out clearly. Compared to the smooth brown of the dream Kyle's the two were as different as night and day. If anything he resembled the female Mercenaries more than the male ones.
Outside he could just see the corners of the incursion sight. At the moment there wasn't much activity but as time went on, the expanse of land would become more and more crowded and on the final night it would devolve into a battlefield of life and death. Just the thought caused his heart to beat in his throat. A steep question had stuck into his chest as he recalled his dream. What was the cause of the incursions? Although the demons in reality were different, there had to be something or someone pulling the strings and remembering the conversations between the Mercenaries, he knew just where to start looking. Gods and devils. Their world shrouded in fog had to be related somehow.
A slap resounded in the room as Kyle tried to clear his thoughts leaving a red mark on his cheeks. As much as he was interested in the world in his dreams, he still had a life to live right now and that meant there was work to do. After a shower and a change of clothes Kyle left his room feeling refreshed. The inn was quite large and everyone involved with the filming crew were currently staying there, including Lillia. It just so happened that her room was next to his and as he stood outside his door he couldn't help let his eyes linger on the wooden frame beside his.
It was still early morning and there was no telling if she was awake but nonetheless he felt inexplicitly drawn to knock on her door. Before he could however the simple wooden entrance opened.
"Ah Petty Officer Barker!" it wasn't Lillia but Rin the knight who had been friends with Tai. The young women became flustered as if she was seeing a celebrity, "D-did you need something?"
Kyle slowly lowered his hand that had been poised against the door, "Um no... well is Special Officer Lillia inside? I thought this was her room."
"Oh it is," Rin nodded. "Captain Bethial moved my accommodation here. He said to keep an eye on you both." Her innocent gaze suggested she didn't know the true reason why.
"Th-that's great," Kyle forced a smile.
"Yes I think it's a great honour!" she replied passionately. "I'm not sure if you were told but I've been transferred into the Advanced Scouting Party." Her tone softened, "Since I found about... things... I thought it was the least I could do for Tai."
"I see," Kyle smiled genuinely. "Thank you very much. If Lillia is awake tell her I'll be downstairs."
"I'll tell her," Rin replied dutifully and soon after closed the door.
Kyle awkwardly stepped away feeling oddly disappointed. After what the Captain had said before, of course it wouldn't be so easy to meet with her alone especially in an enclosed room. With no other plans and not quite wanting to meet Lillia with Rin present, he headed straight downstairs into the lobby. Aside from the reception and lounge area a café of sorts took up most the room and to Kyle's surprise Mr Devro sat at one of the tables sipping a hot drink. He was easily spotted as the older man waved to him friendlily.
"Kyle this way," he beckoned him closer. "Don't be shy now."
"Good morning," Kyle sat down opposite him a little reluctant. They hadn't known each other for long but what Kyle did know was that Mr Devro was as passionate as Tai had described. The man was a well renowned director for a reason and had pushed the film crew to their best, including Kyle.
"How about a drink?" Mr Devro slid him a finely printed menu whose prices caused Kyle to flinch. Despite all the money he had made recently his mind was still set to the income of a village baker.
Trying not to be rude Kyle ordered some milk tea before facing the director, "You're up early. After yesterday I thought you'd still be asleep."
He laughed, "I could say the same to you. For your first proper day in show business we did quite a lot. I like to use the mornings as a time to ponder. The rest of the crew will probably sleep till noon. We're not scheduled to shoot till the late afternoon after all."
"Really?" Kyle blinked.
"Yes our next location is the incursion sight itself. We'll have to wait till they've set up the majority of their equipment before we can get the shots. After that we won't need much else till the night itself." The director shifted in his seat in a mixture of excitement and anxiousness, "To be so close to the demons and more so to film it. This is the opportunity of a lifetime."
As Kyle recalled his own experiences with the demons all he could feel was a simmering remorse, "They're something else that's for certain. Let's just hope nothing goes wrong."
"Of course," Mr Devro nodded quickly. "Hero forbid anything bad to happen. As interested as I am, I'd rather a safe and happy outcome."
Kyle's drink came by and the two sat in silence, each to their own thoughts as they enjoyed the morning. The soft breeze through the city was firmer than it would usually be, the reason being the large hole that had been cleared amongst the buildings. From the ground floor they couldn't see much but a tense atmosphere had already swept through the streets as rumours flew amongst the people. It had been a long time since an incursion happened in such a populated spot. No one knew quite what to expect.
"Mr Devro, if we're not shooting till afternoon do you mind if I look around the city?" Kyle asked simply.
"Why of course," the man replied more than happy. "You've never been to Elmori City before have you? Should I suggest some sights to see? I've come many times to shoot various things over the years."
For a moment Kyle wasn't sure to ask or not, but having no one else, he continued trying to sound casual, "Actually I was interested in some history."
"History? Well you won't be let down in Elmori. The Grand Library and Wizarding College have the largest collection of books and resources outside of the Church. Though it does depend on what history you're looking for," the director's eyes narrowed catching onto Kyle's hidden intentions. "If you're looking for 'certain' subjects you have to look in 'smaller' places."
"You seem to know quite the bit about this," Kyle narrowed his own eyes.
Mr Devro smirked, "Well let's say once upon a time I planned to make a movie about life before the fog back when our world was a little bigger. Of course the plan fell through due to the Church's involvement but that's not to say I didn't find a few things."
Kyle felt his heart beat harder and was thankful for the lack of early morning patrons to listen in on them, "Let's say I'm interested and I'd like to have some questions answered. Would you suggest anywhere in particular?"
The director's eyes glinted, "I suspected you were a curious mind Kyle. You have that aura about you, one of unbound possibility. As for your question, yes I would. Even before sweeping the fog was made legal there were quite the few who did it, many came from Elmori. In fact one of the reasons the Church made it legal was so they could impose their own rules. One of which was the right to 'censor' certain discoveries. Try hard enough and you can find things before then." He took out a piece of paper and noted down an address. "This place is good. Tell them I sent you."
"Thank you. It means a lot," Kyle took the paper, holding it as if it could crumble at any moment.
"While I won't impose on you. If you feel the need to share whatever you discover, I'm more than willing to listen," Mr Devro said sincerely. "I'm quite intrigued why someone such as yourself would go looking for such... 'knowledge'."
"It's just an interest," he replied vaguely. The outside world was still only beginning to wake and considering how he was dressed it would be better for him to leave without too many people on the streets. He hadn't really bought a spare change of clothes other than his uniforms. "If you'll excuse me I think I'll head out now."
"Ah of course," Mr Devro stood to see him off. "Please ensure to be back by noon and while the city streets of Elmori are safe, please take caution. I'd feel much better actually if you took one of your guards." His eyes flicked up, "Ah speaking of which here she is now."
Lillia quickly made her way towards them a little flushed, "Sorry did I make you wait long?" Her skin glowed from being freshly washed and a gentle warmth radiated from her to the surroundings. "It took a bit for me to get ready."
For several seconds Kyle just stared at her unable to think of what to say. He felt like he should complement her appearance but wasn't sure if he'd sound sincere or creepy. With Mr Devro beside him he was even more reluctant to say anything. In the end he awkwardly nodded, "No problem."
Her eyes focused on his suspicious behaviour but deciding to let it go she let out a hesitant smile, "Well I know my room is occupied but I heard yours wasn't. We could... chat... if you'd like."
Kyle felt his face redden though he didn't know entirely why. It became apparent that Lillia wasn't one to care if Mr Devro heard what she was saying as the older man looked at the two with smug interest.
"Um actually I was going to go for a walk around the city," he eventually replied. "Want to come with me?"
"Oh actually that does sound better," Lillia agreed readily and beneath her breath added, "I doubt we'd be let in the same room alone anyway." Again Kyle blinked unable to think what to say, he was beginning to feel that Lillia was becoming quite aggressive in wanting to be together, not that he minded.
Mr Devro took the opportunity to leave and bowed his head, "Well I see that Kyle is under capable hands so I'll let you go. Enjoy yourselves but please be back on time. We can't proceed without our star."
Kyle laughed a little hesitantly at being called a star, "I'll be back by then... and Mr Devro, thank you."
"Not a problem." The man walked away amused at what he had just witnessed. It had been quite some time since he had last seen a youthful romance in person and he even contemplated if he should focus his next project on one.
With Mr Devro gone Lillia clasped Kyle's hand without warning and pulled him gently to the inn's entrance, "Let's go. Do you have anywhere in mind or should we just have a wander?"
"Well I have this address," he showed Lillia the note. "I'm not sure what or where it is exactly but I think I might be able to learn a few things there."
"Oh is it some kind of library?"
"Honestly I'm not sure. We'll find out when we get there I guess."
Lillia looked at him again suspicious, "You're not trying to get us somewhere we shouldn't go are you?" Her words held an implication he didn't quite understand.
"Like where?" Kyle asked innocently.
Realising he had no ulterior motive she looked away with a blush, "It's nothing. Anyway we should go, I think there's a map in the main street."