Alby took another look around the room.
He noticed that, much like his quirky guide, many of the people there had vibrant silver hair and eyes, though they varied in size and skin color. Alby realized that these must be Spirits, just like Enri. However, as he scanned the room, he noticed four people who stood out like black sheep amidst the mass of silver.
Two of them were fighting in the ring at the room's center. One was a buff, imposing man with black hair and a cold, indifferent stare that seemed permanently glued onto his face. He wore thick gray armor and lackadaisically swung a spear at his swift opponent. It seemed to Alby that the man was not too invested in his current battle - showing little interest one way or the other about its outcome.
The man's sparring partner was a woman with vibrant red hair that cascaded down her back, seeming to fly as she elegantly parried and thrust past the man's spear with her wooden rapier. She wore a dark red cloak with form-fitting silver armor concealed underneath. The woman exuded confidence and energy, bouncing around the ring like it was her own personal playhouse. No matter what step she took, what move she made in the duel, a massive smile running from ear to ear never left her face.
Another girl sat curled up in a corner of the room, delicately taking stock of a series of knives in front of her. Unlike the other two, this girl did not wear armor, dressed instead in a black tunic similar to the one Alby wore. A thick set of bangs fell over her face, but Alby could still make out a pair of delicate blue eyes frantically darting in his direction every few seconds. When she noticed him staring, she seemed to jump and fixate more intensely on the knives in front of her.
Alby felt like he was watching a mouse, one that might scutter away if he stared for too long.
The last stand-out amid the crowd was a dark-skinned young man that stood just a few meters away from the entrance Alby just walked through, working on sharpening a sword in front of him. His curly hair flopped around as he moved his whetstone along the blade's surface. He wore a simple light grey long-sleeved shirt and brown pants that clearly hid a toned and muscular body underneath. He seemed a bit absentminded at first glance, but Alby could see a cold determination in the man's emerald green eyes as he worked on his blade.
Taken in a vacuum, there was nothing necessarily odd or out of the ordinary about any of these four individuals. But as he looked at the strangers, he felt a certain familiarity with them. A kinship he couldn't explain.
Enri smiled when she saw Alby surveying the group.
"Noticed it, did you?" she asked. "They're just like you. People from the land of the living who crossed over from the Ashen Graves."
Just like me…
Each of the four shared a similar fate to him. Each had died and found their way to this world, just like him. Each likely had to escape a terrifying monstrosity, just like him. And each had lived to tell the tale, just like him.
Alby wasn't qutie sure how to react to that. On one hand, he was a bit relieved not to be alone in this endeavor - it made the whole experience less overwhelming, like there was less pressure on him. On the other, he was wary of the group. He knew what they had to survive through out in the Graves better than anyone. To make it through that, they needed to be strong. That made them a threat. For all Alby knew, each of them could be ready to stab him in the back whenever it became convenient - just like the commander.
He needed to keep his guard up, same as always. That approach was the only reason he was still standing, and he wouldn't change course now.
He turned back to Enri, putting a smile on his face to hide his misgivings.
"Forming a collection of us, are we?" he asked playfully. "Are we really so valuable?"
Enri smiled.
"More than you know," she replied. "You lot are far stronger than any of us."
Alby raised an eyebrow
"You sure? I know I might look tough now, but I was hardly much of a soldier where I came from."
Enri raised a hand and placed it on Alby's shoulders.
"You'll see soon enough," she said. "In the meantime, why don't I show you around the place?"
Enri began leading him around and pointing out all the important parts of the temple. He learned they were currently standing in the temple's atrium - though it had been turned into a makeshift training grounds for the soldiers. The hallway straight ahead of them led outside of the temple. Enri made Alby swear to never enter that hallway under any circumstances. He was a bit confused, but didn't question it. To Alby's left was the pathway to another Ignition Chamber like the one he had just come from, and to his right was the way to the barracks. Enri got suddenly solemn when she explained there were a number of empty rooms in that direction. Her somber mood was gone in a flash, however, and she perked up towards him with a bright smile.
"Anyways, that's all the important stuff you should know for now!" she exclaimed. "I've got some important Guide duties to take care of, so why don't you go and mingle with the others for a bit?"
Alby frowned.
"Go mingle?" he asked incredulously. "You're not gonna explain what's going on with this war, or why I'm here?"
Enri was already backing away from him when she replied.
"All explained in due time, my friend! Have fun! Don't be a stranger!"
Alby reached out a hand to stop her, but she was already halfway across the room, heading towards a group of Spirits in the corner of the room circled around a large table - one that seemed to have a map with some markings plotted over its center.
"Some guide she is," Alby mumbled.
He sighed, then turned back to the training grounds. As he did, he suddenly met the gaze of the emerald-eyed soldier from before.
Feeling a bit awkward, Alby flashed a smile and waved.
"How's it going, my fellow soldier?" he said with an uncomfortable chuckle. He was never one for small talk.
The man gave him a bright smile.
"Another one of us, huh?" he said. "You came from the Graves, too?"
Alby nodded.
"Well, that's good." he said. "I feel better knowing there's another person joining our merry little band - makes this whole thing seem a bit less daunting."
A small, genuine smile found its way onto Alby's face. Funny, hearing this man echo some of his own thoughts. It made him wonder if this soldier harbored misgivings of his own.
The man put down his sword and walked over to Alby, extending a hand his way.
"Name's Lance. Hailing from The Country's Northern Faction."
Alby paused a moment, then took his hand.
"I'm Albion, though everyone calls me Alby - sounds a bit less weird, you know? I'm from the Eastern Faction."
"Aah, the force in charge of the invasion," Lance said. An awkward look crossed his face before he continued. "Did you... die out at sea then?"
Alby gave a pretend gasp.
"Asking a person about their death? We've only just met! How very forward of you." he joked. "But yes - though mine could hardly even be called a death at sea. More accurate to call it death by a massive ball of fire. Not a very glorious way to go out, I'm afraid"
Lance shot him a curious glance, then shook his head.
"Well, that makes two of us, I suppose. Mine was far from the glorious death you'd envision for a legion captain."
Alby raised his eyebrows.
"Oh? You were a captain?"
Lance nodded.
"First captain of the Infernal Legion, under the banner of the Third Royal Command."
Alby blinked a few times.
"I'll be honest, I'm a bit new to the whole army thing, so all of those titles mean... pretty much nothing to me," he said. "But hey - that sounds impressive! You should be proud!"
Lance stared at him for a moment, then burst out in laughter.
"Ah, you're a nice breath of fresh air, you know that, Alby?"
Alby smiled.
"I'll take it as a compliment."
He may have had his doubts about the others from the world of the living, but Lance had an undeniable charisma that made it hard to hate him. Alby had to remind himself that this soldier could throw him to the wolves the second he decided to trust him.
Keep your guard up, Alby…
He was broken out of his thoughts when Lance suddenly patted him on the shoulder.
"Come on. I might not know much about this land we're moored in, but I can at least introduce you to the others."