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Regan kept walking, her breaths shaky. She couldn't help but fear getting caught or something. And she had no idea how to go to the Shadowslands either.Maybe if she could find Seraphina again. She had no other to ask.The air around wasn't cold or chilly but just the fact that she was scared, was enough to make her tremble.As she kept walking, Regan saw a dimly light coming from something that looked like a tavern. It was the only place with lights. Regan hid behind some trees on the road, fearing that someone could see her.Then, she saw two females entering in, their clothes fluorescent in light blue color. They were wearing the same thing, crop tops and skirts. Regan took a deep breath wondering if inside there was someone who could help her.She slowly approached the tavern. The door was tall and made of glass in a blue color. She couldn't see anything from outside. The windows were rectangular and tall, in blue color as well. She took a deep breath and pushed the door open, stepping inside.The inside was dimly lit with candles on the walls and a fireplace in the center, casting a warm, cozy glow over the patrons. There were lounges and tables scattered about, most occupied by groups of locals laughing and drinking. The air was thick with the scent of smoke and ale. The two blue-clad females Regan had seen outside were seated at a table near the back, deep in conversation.She was reminded of how hungry she was. The last time she ate was there, with him. The thought made Regan shudder. She needed to focus.She looked in front of her, to see a wide counter with a bartender serving drinks. He looked at her, but didn't seem to mind. Her breath hitched, hoping she wouldn't attract any unwanted attention. She walked slowly towards the two blue-clad females, trying to appear casual. As she got closer, she noticed that they were laughing about something, their voices musical and light.Finally, she reached their table and cleared her throat, trying to muster up the courage to speak. They both turned to look at her, their expressions changing from amusement to surprise. "Excuse me," she stammered. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I was wondering if you could help me."One of the women, her hair pulled back into a tight bun, arched an eyebrow. "Help you with what, dear?" Her voice was smooth and melodic.Regan swallowed hard, "There is a place called the Shadowslands," she said slowly, "and I need to go there." She glanced around, noticing that no one was looking at her at least.The woman with the bun looked Regan up and down, her expression unreadable. Then, she leaned in closer, lowering her voice. "You're a thief, aren't you?" she asked, more of a statement than a question."What? No." Regan quickly retorted. She didn't know why they thought that. Maybe because the cloak was old.The woman with the bun raised an eyebrow. "Then why do you need to go to the Shadowslands?""That's my business." Regan answered, looking away from them. "Do you know where it is?"The woman in bun didn't answer and she looked at her companion. Her companion had green hair, held in a ponytail. She seemed to hesitate for a moment before she leaned in closer, her emerald eyes glinting in the candlelight. "There is a portal," she whispered.The woman in bun nodded. "Yes. There is a portal in the back alley of the city, behind a tavern called 'The Black Serpent'. You can't miss it. It's guarded, though. So you'll have to be careful." She warned.Regan felt a surge of relief wash over her. She had no idea where the place was, but she was determined to get to the bottom of this. She couldn't waste time."Thank you." She thanked them both, and didn't asked them again. Maybe she could ask the bartender. He didn't look like a creep although his appearance wasn't human. He had a tail and pointy ears. Maybe he could help her. She walked over to the counter, her movements kind of insecure. Them, she straightened up, trying to be casual."Excuse me, sir?" She said, sounding uncertain. The bartender glanced at her, his yellow eyes assessing. "I was wondering if you could tell me where the Black Serpent tavern is?" She added, hoping that he would understand."It's far from here but you can take the night's train. Just tell them you want to go to that tavern and they'll know," the bartender said, his yellow eyes flickering as he looked at her.But Regan was still uncertain. She had no idea where the station was. She remembered she had once gone to a station with Artemis but that was for space travel."Where's this station?" She asked again, trying to not sound insecure.The bartender glanced at her and then continued preparing the drinks he was serving, "It's on the South from here. There are green lights in the road. Just follow them and you find the station." He said, not looking at her."Thanks." Regan mumbled and hurriedly turned around, not wanting to stay anymore. She walked to the south direction of the tavern and there was a wide road with tall green lights. At least she could see better.She walked on the road and when she turned to a corner, she found herself in a part of the city she hadn't been to before. The buildings were taller and more imposing, the lights brighter. She hurried her pace, anxious to find the station and get to the Shadowslands as soon as possible.Finally, she spotted the green lights of the station in the distance. Her steps quickened, and she followed the trail until she reached the platform. A train was waiting, its engines humming as it idled. The chills crept up on her, making her worry of how she was going to enter a train alone in the night. But she couldn't go back now.But before doing that, she remembered she had no money to buy a ticket or something. She had nothing. She couldn't even remember how Artemis had paid for that space travel back then.She felt a sudden urge to enter stealthily, but it wasn't a video game. Her eyes searched in the ground, wondering if she could find any coin. Then she looked down at her pendant but there was no way she was going to take it off. So, she decided to enter stealthily and not attract attention.She walked quietly, trying to blend in with the shadows, her hand gripping her cloak tightly. The platform was quiet with few civilians here and there, and she managed to slip past them unnoticed. As she neared the train, she saw a group of people a few feet away conversing with each other. She paused for a moment, considering her options. Should she try to sneak past them, or try her luck and ask for help?But she used the first method, sneaking past them. And so, she did. Gripping her hood tightly around her head, Regan entered the train without being noticed. The train was brightly lit inside with comfortable seats. There was no one else and at this point, she knew they were going to ask about her ticket.She took a seat at the end row. She hoped that they wouldn't spot her there, but how was she going to say she wanted to go to that tavern?She was hopeless at that moment.The train's white lights flashed and the doors slipped open again. Two civilians entered, a male and a female. She didn't know if she had to be grateful or not but she looked down her lap, fidgeting with her fingers.The strangers sat on the first rows, their conversation a low mumble.Finally, the doors slipped open again and this time, entered the conductor, a male with pointed ears, wearing a suit. He went to the other two who were on the first rows and asked for their ticket.Regan prayed that she'd get out of this somehow without trouble. She didn't have any better excuse, although she knew that the conductor might just kick her out.And then, he started moving to her, her hood hanging low, her face not evident. The conductor approached holding his hand out, "Your ticket?"Regan forced herself to act casual, "Oh yes." She said. Then, she started acting like she was searching for the ticket inside the cloak's pockets. The conductor seemed unfazed."I don't know, I had it in my hand. I don't know, maybe it fell." Regan said, trying to sound convincing, although her heart was beating rapidly.The conductor sighed, "I can't let you here without a ticket, miss. It's against the rules.""But I really brought it." Regan lied.The conductor looked at her suspiciously. "Prove it."Regan hesitated for a moment. She didn't know what to do."But it wouldn't be like I can't afford a ticket, right?" Regan said, trying to sound nonchalant.The conductor's eyes narrowed. "It's not about the money. It's about following the rules. Now, if you don't have a ticket, you'll have to get off or just buy another one."Regan felt a wave of panic rising up in her chest. "But I brought the ticket. Now, it's not my fault that it fell." She crossed her arms.The other two civilians were growing impatient, "Hey, can we get going?" one of them called."Yes," the conductor replied, glancing at them. Then, he turned back to Regan, "Almost everyone who enters stealthily says they lost their ticket. And you really look like a thief or something." He said as his gaze travelled down to her hood, making her feel terrible."I'm not a thief." Regan snapped, "I brought that ticket and I lost it. You have no right to kick me out.""It's against the-""Alright, I'll pay her ticket." A voice was heard from the first rows. It was the female civilian who spoke. "Just start the train."The conductor raised an eyebrow. "You're going to pay for her ticket?"The female shrugged. "I'm feeling generous.""Alright." He said as he turned to Regan, "Don't lose your ticket next time. Where you're going?""I'm going to this tavern called The black serpent." Regan replied, her voice slightly shaky. She didn't know why the woman had helped her. She was grateful but couldn't help and think that the woman must have thought she was lying about something.The conductor nodded and looked at the woman in the first row. The woman didn't seem to care, but the man beside her looked annoyed. The conductor shrugged and walked back to the front of the train. The doors closed and the train started to move.Regan stood there, fidgeting with her fingers. She glanced outside the window and saw that it was driving with express speed. Whatever the train was passing by, looked like a blur. She let out a sigh of relief, silently thanking the woman.After some time, the train came to a halt. It really hadn't passed much of time. Regan realized how hungry she was, her intestines growling loudly. But she had no money and she had already lied about losing her ticket."Hey you, here's the Black Serpent." The conductor called from the first row, "You can get off now. And don't forget to pay the woman." He added with a grin.Regan cursed under her breath, since she hadn't really thought of paying the woman back. Now, it was going to be obvious that she had no money and entered without a ticket. Oh well, she thought, at least she was here.She stepped towards the exit and looked at the woman, "Thank you." She mumbled, hoping that the woman wouldn't say something about Regan about not paying back. The woman just shrugged and turned to the window, looking outside.The doors of the train slid open and Regan stepped out onto the platform. It was quiet and eerie. The buildings were tall, scratching the sky. Most of them had large lights flashing while some of them were covered with neon materials. Some other were covered in graffiti and there were also lower houses here and there. The streets were empty, except for a few stray animals prowling for food. The air smelled of smoke.She glanced around and saw a tall building. The first floor was glimmering with large label, "The Black Serpent" written in gold letters. On its sides, there were sculptures of serpents with emerald eyes, their tongues flicking in and out.Regan gulped nervously as she was told that the portal to the Shadowslands was somewhere around this tavern. The women before had told her it was guarded. However, Regan had to try her luck.First, she didn't enter inside at all. If she would say she was looking for the portal, maybe they wouldn't even let her. And other than that, she didn't want to enter taverns and bars anymore.So, she went around the corners of the building and saw a tall fence made of iron. Torches were burning on the top of it, casting an eerie glow on the surroundings. Regan walked along the fence, trying to find a way in. But it was isolated and she couldn't find any way.Eventually, she couldn't do anything else that to go and ask inside that tavern.Taking a deep breath, Regan forced herself to go inside. As she approached, the doors slipped open themselves. They were made of glass but not look through.As she stepped in, she glanced around noticing how it was slightly filled. There were some that looked like humans here and there but there were also some reptilians. Regan remembered that tavern she had entered with Artemis and she shivered in thought. The air was filled with smoke and as she glanced around, she could see some reptilians with human-like girls on their lap or vice versa.She approached the main counter where there was serving a fat black haired man with a long, black beard. He looked old, looking at his wrinkles. Regan had her hood low on her face, hoping to be as invisible as possible.The bartender noticed her, while still chatting with someone who was sitting on the island."Excuse me, sir. I was told the portal to the Shadowslands is here." Regan spoke, trying to sound confident.The old man's eyes narrowed, "The Shadowslands? Why are you going to that forbidden place?"Regan went silent for a moment, thinking of something useful to say, "I'm just an explorer. You know? Exploring the world and all. I've been told there are many interesting things to see in the Shadowslands. I mean, no harm. I just want to see them. I'm not here to cause any trouble." She explained, trying to sound convincing.The old man looked at her for a moment, then nodded, "Alright. But you have to ask the patron. He's the one in charge of the portal. The man's here." He said, pointing at a table where two females and a male were sat."Thanks." Regan mumbled, forcing herself to ask the patron. She felt as if she was going to suffocate. Not only from the smoky air but also from the fact that she had been entering too many taverns.She walked over to the table, noticing that the two females were lizard-like with red scales and yellow eyes. One of them sat on the lap of the male, who seemed human, with a well-groomed beard. His hair was slid back and he was wearing a silk shirt, his chest bare. He was drinking something like a cocktail, the smell was alcoholic, making her nose burn. She couldn't help but feel disgusted both at the sight and the smell.Regan cleared her throat, trying to sound convincing as she spoke."Excuse me, sir. I'm an explorer, and I've been told that you are in charge of the portal to the Shadowslands. I just wanted to ask if I could... request passage to that place. I mean no harm, I wish to see the sights and learn more about them."The patron looked at her, raising an eyebrow, "The Shadowlands? What's a child like you going to do in the dangers of Shadowlands?" He said as he eyed her up and down. Regan felt the urge to punch him."You can't even drink ale," he laughed, looking at the lizard-like female in his lap who laughed, alongside with the one across them.Regan felt a surge of anger through her. How dare he?"I'm not a child. I'm an explorer. I've explored underworlds and dungeons before. I've faced many dangers and survived. I'm not afraid of the Shadowslands. I just want to see it. That's all." Regan said, trying to keep her anger under control.The man laughed, "Oh really? And what makes you think I'd let you through the portal? You think you're just going to walk in there? Do you have any idea what kind of dangers lurk in the Shadowlands?"He took another sip of his cocktail, making Regan's stomach churn. "You could die out there, child. You could die very, very slowly. Or you could be killed by the beasts.""I don't care." Regan snapped. "I'm willing to take that risk. I've faced worse. I can handle myself. That's my job. I explore, I survive. I won't be any trouble. I just want to know more about its history. But, if you're not willing to let me enter, well, I won't guarantee that I won't cause trouble," she said, sounding almost threatening.The male looked at her, raising an eyebrow. "Are you threatening me?""No," Regan shrugged, "but if you refuse to let me pass, you might find yourself in a situation you can't control. I'm not here to cause trouble, but I won't back down." Her voice was firm, her expression unyielding.The patron studied her for a long moment before he finally spoke. "Alright. Follow me." He nudged the lizard-like female off his lap, standing up and motioning for her to follow.Regan was skeptical and wary but followed nonetheless. She knew that if the patron tried something funny, well, she'd use her magic and make him regret it.There was a small door in the back of the tavern, leading them in the backyard. The backyard was a mess, with garbage everywhere and with thrown vegetables. There were few herbs and plants growing here and there. He led her to a tall, wide and old oak tree. He then walked around it and pressed on a hidden mechanism in the tree's trunk. A section of the bark slid aside, revealing a dark tunnel."Go in, the portal is at the end." He instructed." If you change your mind when you arrive in that forgotten place, just turn back the tunnel and press that button here," he said, pointing at a small metallic button on the tree's trunk. "It will open the trunk. You know, a lot of people know of this portal but no one has the guts to go to the Shadowslands. You're either brave or foolish. Or maybe you're both. Good luck." With that, he walked away, leaving Regan alone with the tunnel.