"You can have a seat while we’re getting there," he said and pointed at the sofas. "This will only take a minute."
As soon as we'd all come through the entrance, the door closed behind us and the whole room moved slightly. That's when I realized that this entire place was one big elevator.
"Where are we going?" Louie asked.
"The audience chamber," Hierethon replied. "Many of the guild members are present in the city today, so they're having a little get-together. Master Leonardo is waiting for you there."
"Ah, ok," Louie said, but didn't take his eyes from the man. "But what I meant was more along the lines of whether this is a Cosmos elevator or a magical one."
"Oh, this definitely not a mundane elevator, young Louie," he explained. "Guildhalls operate on the same principle as dungeons, only they are larger in size and expand well outside the physical limitations of Cosmos constructs."
"Looks like a big one," Rory remarked, "judging by how long this elevator ride is taking."
"Of course it is nothing compared to the majesty of the Adamant Hall, Mr. Battleforge," the man said knowingly, "but there are a few limitations on New York guildhalls, you must understand."
"Ye know about that, eh?" Rory snorted.
"It comes with the job," he replied, right before the door of the room opened again. "I wish you all a pleasant evening."
The sweet melody of harps filled the elevator room and the scent of magnolias drew us out to a warmly lit hall. The entire floor looked like it had been created from one gigantic chunk of white marble that had been carved into a floor, ceiling, tables and chairs, steps, and the throne at the far end. There were already lots of people inside talking to each other, drinking, and eating. The moment I took my first step into the large chamber, a notification popped into my view.
You have entered the DiFiore Guildhall (Level 9)
The following status effects are in place while in this hall:
-18% in Physical Attack for enemies of the DiFiore clan.
-18% in Physical Defense for enemies of the DiFiore clan.
-18% in Magic Attack for enemies of the DiFiore clan.
-18% in Magic Defense for enemies of the DiFiore clan.
+18% in Physical Attack for members of the DiFiore clan.
+18% in Physical Defense for members of the DiFiore clan.
+18% in Magic Attack for members of the DiFiore clan.
+18% in Magic Defense for members of the DiFiore clan.
This bonus is added to any buffs or other benefits of the clan.
19
Per aspera ad astra
Holy fuck. This place is a powerhouse.
If anyone was to take on the DiFiores, they'd be at a severe disadvantage in here. It made me wonder just how powerful Leo's clan could be.
"Ragazzo!," Leo jumped out in front of me, arms open, a very wide smile on his face. "Welcome to my crib."
"Oh, that's just painful," I groaned, and patted his shoulder. "You can do better than that."
Leo was once again oozing confidence in a set of light-green robes, his favorite color. His hair was slicked back, and for a moment I thought he was preparing one of his puns before he turned to look at Rory.
"Quite a powerful hall ye got here, Roman," Rory said, walking forward slowly and looking at the masonry, or rather the sculpture, of the chamber.
Leo turned around to join Rory and started to point out different places in the large hall.
"This marble is, you guessed it, Italian," he explained, "and the floating lights are traditional lighting orbs, crafted by people from my mother's clan. Their soft glow is very easy on the eyes even when it's reflected on the white marble."
"They're beautiful," I said, looking up at them. But then I got distracted by Louie who was... violently sniffing the air. "What's wrong, buddy?"
"Sausages," he said ominously. "We're surrounded."
"Right," Leo said with a smile and pointed at one of the side corridors. "Uncle Dino has prepared something for you."
A large man wearing a blue suit noticed Leo pointing at him, and waved at us, golden chain bracelets jingling on his thick wrist. I had met Leo's uncle twice before, and both times our discussion had revolved around food.
Louie ran toward him, causing people to jump as he brushed their ankles, and Dino produced a dish filled with slightly glowing sausages. These two were clearly going to get along well.
"The paintings on the walls are of previous leaders of the guild," Leo continued, pointing at the walls where lifelike illustrations hung. "That right there is my grandfather, Donatello."
"Who painted them?" Yelena asked. "The hues, the lighting, the technique. It's impeccable."
"Are you into art?" I asked, sounding a bit more surprised than I should have.
I would never have thought she was into painting from her rough exterior, but I guessed that's what you get when you judged a book by its cover.
"I've been painting for decades but that's just..." she struggled to find the words. "Fucking amazing."
"An uncle of mine made most of the more recent ones," Leo replied. "I can introduce you, if you like."
"That would be great," she said and wrapped her arm around Leo's.
"Oh, you mean now?" Leo asked. "Okay. This way then."
They walked away leaving Rory and me in the middle of the room, looking awkwardly at the people around us.
"Let's get something from the bar," he said and started toward the right side of the chamber.
"You're seriously going to drink?" I asked, not even wanting to smell alcohol after the night before. "Just what are you made of?"
"Mythril and guts, lad," he said smiling, not annoyed at all by my over-the-top eye-rolling. He leaned on the bar and turned to the bartender. "Gimme yer best smoky whiskey, lad."
The young man behind the bar did as he was bid, while the dwarf tapped his thick fingers on the marble bar, following the rhythm of the music that was
