Chapter 6: The Test

Livia

I take it back.

I am still determining exactly how long we've been walking after roaming through an abandoned train station that led us to a hidden tunnel. We now stand in front of a weird door that I have no clue what's behind it.

Alaric opened the door to pitch darkness. "Ladies first." he gestured for me to enter.

I looked at the hole and then back at Alaric. "Find it."

He furrowed his eyebrows. "Find what?"

"Your mind. Clearly, you have lost it if you think I will willingly crawl in there. You guys brought me here; you go first." I said, backing away but being halted by a hard chest.

Jonah looked down at me. "There is nothing to be afraid of."

"Oh yeah, then why don't you do the honors of going first."

Jonah and Alaric glanced at each other before I knew it; I was being lifted in the air.

I started to kick, punch, and grab anything I could. "Ouch, got damn it, Livia, stop pulling my hair. Alaric, stop laughing and help me."

Alaric tried to pry my hands out of Jonah's hair, but it was useless. "Livia, stop kicking me."

I could hear the others laughing in the background, but that was the least of my concern. Finally, with a final push, they got me through the door. "Why must you be so difficult?" Jonah asked while panting.

"But I don't-"

He glared at me. "Livia, I swear to god!"

I succumbed to my fate. "Out of all the ways to die, death, my mysterious door, is how I'm going out. Excellent job, Livia."

After having mini heart attacks and jumping at everything that moved, I made it to the other side. "Hello?" but I didn't hear anything. I was alone. "What kind of sick joke is this? I regret following you guys." I yelled.

Frantically searching for a way out, luminous words caught my attention.

that through passed will come I what still R. corner the round west hidden by moon path that in last when road may R. wait east of the sun and Tolkien them a day at last, I shall.

"Who even writes cryptic messages anymore? Who do they think they are, the Justice League?" I asked myself while trying to decipher the message.

The more I read it, the more it changed. A few characters stood out the most, "J.R.R. Tolkien, is that a name? Why does it sound so familiar? I know I have heard that name before. Tolkien… Tolkien… Tolkien... Ahh! Of course, how could I forget? We spent half a semester examining English writer and poet John Ronald Reuel Tolkien's work. One of them is, The Walking Song from The Lord of the Rings."

Still, round the corner, there may wait

A new road or a secret gate

And though I often have passed them by,

A day will come at last when I

Shall take the hidden paths that run

West of the Moon and East of the Sun.

by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Walking Song was a melody about the roads that go on until they finally return to what they have always known. In fairytales, "East of the Sun and West to the Moon" often refers to a place or a world that is difficult to reach. Sometimes the path to your destiny is unseen but only a step away.

I patted myself on the back. "I guess those Literary Arts classes are paying off." 

Making it to the end, I came face to face with a ceiling-to-floor metal gate. In front of it is a pillar stone with a Moon and Sun crescent engraved and another message.

"The path you see leads to your purpose hidden within your wounds."

I caressed the stone, and suddenly, a blinding light emerged. "Hello, Livia. This is a message from The Originals."

Several voices echoed in my ears as my vision cleared.

"Congratulations on deciphering the message. We, the Originals, have developed a haven called the Hidden City."

"The citizens of the Hidden City welcome the lost, the broken, and the forgotten."

"Sometimes, the road we take seems like a new life path. But, most times, it's a path we've walked but got lost along the journey. "

"The Hidden City reveals itself to those who are worthy. The Hidden City welcomes you, Livia."

"Congratulations again, and welcome to the city of second chances."

The gates opened, revealing a light illuminating the tunnel's end. It was like a symbolic ray of promise, protection, and possibilities.

Crossing the threshold, I was met with the most unreal beautiful site. The ground below me was alive with lights like someone had taken a handful of glitter and thrown it as far as the eye could see. It was too dark to make out individual buildings, but the lights were enough for me. I sighed, amazed at the view laid out before me.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" I jumped, startled by Malakai's sudden presence, but I remembered how they had left me alone.

"What was. The big deal. Leaving. Me. Like. That." I kicked him with every emphasis.

He ran away, shielding himself. "You have a bad habit of kicking people."

"Yeah, and you want to know what else I have a bad habit of doing?" I asked while taking off my shoe, ready to throw it at any part of his body.

Percy hugged me from behind. "Woah, calm down, Liv Liv. Unfortunately, we had no choice but to leave you alone and let you find your own path."

"And Hidden City wouldn't be hidden if it was easily accessible. There are rules here, and keeping the Hidden City hidden is the golden rule." Blake filled in.

"Yes, miss kickboxer, we have rules we must follow to protect our people and the future of this city." Alaric ruffled my hair. "Get in the car. We'll explain as much as we can."

I was skeptical. "The last time I blindly followed you, I was left alone."

Alaric laughed. "Don't worry. Nothing like that will happen again."

"Hmm, if you say so."

Alaric got behind the wheel. "Anyway, I've been here a little over a year, and the wonders I've witnessed are unspeakable. It is truly a city of endless possibilities and is constantly evolving."

This was all too much for Livia to take in. "I have questions."

Alaric chuckled. "I would be surprised if you didn't. Go ahead and ask."

I wasn't sure where to start, so I asked the first things that came to mind.

"How did you develop a city under another? How were you able to keep it secret? How big is the Hidden City? And before coming here, I heard multiple voices welcoming me, and they called themselves."

"The Originals." Malakai completed, "They can be pretty intrusive, but they mean well."

"Splendid, but that doesn't answer my other question?" Livia said sassily.

Alaric pinched her cheeks. "Look at you, so eager to know everything."

"OUCH! Let go of me."

Heath laughed. "Are you okay, Livia?"

"Did you not just see him assault me?"

"Stop being so dramatic."

"You don't get to say that to me, especially after being tricked into taking a test that led me to a place unknown to most of the world. My questions need answers."

"Alright. You're so aggressive. Two questions can be answered simply by saying powerful people sustain unrealistic ideals."

"What does that mean?"

"It means you can do anything with the power of money and influence. The Originals are those powerful people." Malakai clarified.

"Come on, you have to give me more than that," Livia begged.

He sighed. "They are the six founders of Hidden Cities."

"Cities?"

"Yes, cities. The Hidden City comprises five factions, Clover Club, Dark Spade, Red Diamond, City of Hearts, and the Capital, where we are now."

"This place was created for people like me, you, and many others who have been neglected, abused, outcasted, and broken, but that doesn't mean you get a free ride," Asa explained.

"Three groups coexist within the city, the Protectors, the Enforcers, the Masteries, and the Locals. Protectors are the doctors, nurses, caregivers, and soldiers that secure Hidden City. Enforcers, such as the Originals, Guardians, and Councilmen, are the judge and jury that keep the balance of the city. Masteries are essential assets that keep our world afloat. They are our educators, scientists, contractors, engineers, businessmen, and businesswomen. Finally, locals are the life of the city. The safety of the local men, women, and children is the purpose of Protectors, Enforcers, and Masteries."  

"If there are five factions, why call the entire place Hidden City?"

"A few reasons." Asa continued to explain. "One, because it's easier to say, and two, safety. The Capital is home to most of our locals and where The Originals reside. The other four cities surround the Capital like a shield. Regarding size, I have yet to determine an exact number because we are always claiming fresh territory. But the Capital alone has a population of about half a million locals. Give or take a few thousand."

Livia was shocked, to say the least, "I still don't understand how this was possible without being exposed nationally. Are these Originals as powerful as you say?"

"More than that." Malakai gave her a slight smile. "This city is home to thousands of people like us and is constantly growing. We couldn't just walk you through the front door while holding hands. But there are loopholes, well, at least for us." Malakai spoke, gazing at the city.