《Eden's Bad Apples》 Prologue: Let the wheel of fate spin once more The boy''s earliest memory of this world was of pain. That of his young soles directly walking along the ground. The soles of his feet which should have been soft and pristine at his age were torn and shredded, the skin peeled back in raw, jagged strips. Blood welled from countless shallow cuts, trickling in crimson threads downs the arches, staining toes and pooling beneath his cracked nails; every shift of weight sent a jolt of fire lanching up through his tendons causing his bones to bones creak, to moan in protest. Yet he continued, as if he felt nothing. His second earliest memory of this world was that of pain. That of the burning feeling inside his throat and lungs. The air around him was thick with soot and acrid smoke, a heavy fog that clung to the lungs, a suffocating substance; the boy felt as though he was bound by invisible coils, each breath more shallow than the last and each step more laborious and intense. Yet he continued, as if he felt nothing. His third earliest memory of this world was that of pain. But this was..... of a kind he could not describe. It started slow, like an ache deep inside, a heavy knot between the ribs or an invible hand gripping his heart; it was slowly spreading, tightening with every memory, every reminder. Yet he continued, as if he felt.... as if he felt.... a sigh escaped from his cracked lips. He was forced to stop and look around him. His earliest memory was of the dark fog surrounding him. There was an eerie, almost oppressive stillness to it. There was no wind to stir the mist, no rustle of leaves knor chirps of distant creatures. This was a place that he knew well, a place that he used to fear, but the latter was a feeling heavily surpressed by the pain he did not know the origin of, a pain that could not be contained once he had stopped to remember. "Mom said I can''t enter this place. I can''t stay here...." -But as he tried to resume his stride, the boy found himself with not a single ounce of force left. - "Mom...." - all but a wail escaped his lips. It was then that a growl was heard from his surroundings. It began low and collected but it slowly developed into a laugh. The latter throbbed with primal wrongness as if the creature hadn''t quite remembered how to mimic amusement, it crawled beneath one''s skin, lingering too long on each syllable, akin to a predator toying with prey just for the pleasure of watching it squirm. If the boy had been conscious, if he had been able to see in the dark fog, he would have been able to see that this creature resembled the form of a wolf, but that''s where all the similarities ended. The creature''s body was a grotesque amalgamation of sinew and malice. Limbs unnaturaly long and gangly with bones protruging at awkward angles. Clawed paws coloured a sickly crimson. Teeth, sharp and stained, jutted outward at odd angles, creating a grotesque smile that promised agony. Emanating from the creature''s body was the foulest of stenches, a sickly odor of decay that hinted at carrion, of flesh long dead and left to rot, as if the creature had feasted upon the remnants of forgotten souls.... and this same creature was now eyeing the defenseless boy. The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. But just as the creature was about to feast, a light surged forth from the depths of the forest like a force of nature, an otherwordly glow that seemed to breathe and pulse with an ancient rhythm. It stood between the creature and the boy, shielding the latter from harm. - Vorthelian dra''kash, elun''thar ezra''vi. - The light warned the creature in a language that is not known to man. The creature felt perplexed at this sudden intrusion and then after understading the situation, it stirred with muscles tensed. A growl rumbled deep in its throat, a warning for the mysterious creature that had sought to steal its prey. As the tension between the two parties thickened, the wolf-like creature''s body became a coiled spring, ready to unleash its pent up fury ant any moment. Its sharp, glistening fangs were bared, the light coming from the intuder reflecting off from them and baring the existence of the remnants of centuries-old blood. Another low growl escaped from the wolf-like creature''s mouth and as it readied to pounce.... it suddenly slacked, the growl it had held in its throat developing into a laugh; this one more hearty than the one he had appeared with. - Interesting..... Interesting.... - it seemed to say as it retreated back into the dephts of the dark fog - This old monster wil.....respect.... your choice. After the wolf-like creature dissapeared, the light turned around and then hovered around the boy. "Qyrax bel''tura" - It caressed his cheeks gently and with tenderness, as if it was touching its most precious treasure, before fusing into the boy''s body - "Qyrax bel''tura" With the creature of light''s dissapearance, the forest returned to its previous stillness, its previous darkness. The confrontation between the two creatures had happened in a matter of seconds so when the boy awoke he felt nothing unusual had happened. Yet, he was surprised to learn that his throat was not parched up anymore, his feet were healed and his fatigue had dissapeared. The hand that seemed to squeeze at his heart had also vanished along with all the other pain. Still, he felt that he was missing something but it wasn''t long after he dismissed the thought. - Where am I? - He scratched his head in confusion His earliest memory was being surrounded by the black fog; obscure, quiet yet strangely soothing. It was warm and soft, sliding over his skin like silk, cradling him gently in a familiar ancient rhythm that whispered - "you are safe here, my child". The latter was not just a part of his imagination for after the encounter, something had started speaking to him. "Here¡­..Atlas...here" - it was how the voices hidden within the fog called him while guiding him towards the unknown. The boy, Atlas, did not understand why but knew instinctively that following them would bring him home. Still, no matter how much he followed them, home never came. How long have I been here? How long have I been walking for? These were questions that had never crossed Atlas''s mind. Not until his second earliest and most impacting memory came face to face with him. Yes, it wasn''t until that woman, with a strange mask, changed his destiny forever. **** It was at this moment that the goddess of fate began to spin her wheel to weave tales for this forgotten world one more time. Chapter 1: Acacia (1) With the advent of the dark fog, humanity was forced to live inside safe havens known as Domes. It was a name derived by the gigantic domes rising above some of the only habitable spaces left to humanity in this world. From a distance, one would believe these Domes to be crafted from a translucent crystalline substance. It was only when one drew closer would they realise that it was instead woven from a multitude of intertwining branches all originating from one sole pillar like structure located at the centre, the Acacia. The Acacia and the Dome it supported gave onlookers an undeniable sense of sturdiness, safety and peace, as if it could withstand countless storms. It was for this reason that both gained another name - humanity''s shield - for it was the only thing overhead that was keeping the the humans out of the reach of the creatures hiding within the fog. These were the reasons why Atlas refused to believe that what was currently in front of him was a piece of that exact same shield. "Huh?!" - a small unintended mutter escaped from his lips. The shock he felt delayed his response and some time passed before he moved to inspect the piece of Dome that had fallen from the sky. *Kshhh* A touch was all it took for it to crumble into woodpile, a mere caress. - "....!?" - A chilly touch caressed Atlas''s back and he rapidly commited to detail the state of the remains, trying to make sense of what had just happened. Some pieces within the remains were dried out, their surface rough, filled with cracks and sharp splinters whilst some other pieces were rotten and swollen, with fungi burrowing deep within; all were discolored, blackened. The latter Atlas recognised as a courtesy of the dark fog, which was creeping its way inside the Dome from holes up in the sky, similar to the ones created when this piece of "woodpile" had broken from it. It had only been a short time since the dark fog had started settling inside the Dome so Atlas could still see his destination from all the way from the gates, a pillar so big that it felt as if it was holding the sky - those in this era, those who had never seen the sky had no problem believing so - the tree of life: Acacia. Seeing as it had the same sickly colour as the ash left in his hand from touching the woodpile, feelings of uncertainty clouded Atlas''s mind. With no time to amble, Atlas looked around and soon he found what he was looking for, one of the steel tracks making the Dome''s system of trams. At its heyday - even just half a month ago perhaps - the port behind him would have seen ample use, with multiple trams entering and leaving the facilities, either to refuel or take people on or out board. "Some of the trams might even still have enough juice to get me all the way to the capital" - to lull on soft cushions and to take a much deserved nap, it was a tempting thought, but it was a risk that he could not take. It was too conspicous, too loud. Atlas knew that he would be ambushed by monsters the moment he so much as stepped foot inside the capital of the Dome if he did so and that wasn''t counting those from the outside that would follow him all the way there. "What would I not to do for a moment of rest..." - It had been a fair while since he last laid down on top of a soft matress - "Would it hurt to rest for a couple days? I didn''t even get to see Lily before leaving Duskae...." - That damned slave labourer of a master - Atlas cursed under his breath as he approached the tracks. Subsequently, he joined his feet together in salute and the moment he did so, stygian beads appeared beneath his boots. This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Atlas knew that muttering was all he could do to show the frustration he was feeling - pathetic, of course, but he recognised that he''d never have the balls to say these words (and all of the myriad curses that he was holding within) in front of the person herself. "Yes, out of respect" - he added, feeling an urge to convince himself. - "....out of respect" - he felt the need to repeat. The beads in his foot latched onto the tracks the moment Atlas set foot on the latter. After slightly leaning his body forward, he started gliding. The action itself was seamless and the beads themselves produced no sound even when going at a speed faster than the average tram; he was once again forced to admit that his master was a genius. Atlas felt the world around him pass by extremely quickly, rivers, mountains and small cities looking like a blur - he had passed by 30 districts in an hour. Somewhere along the way, he felt the urge to feel the wind on his face but he stopped himself after remembering where it was that he currently was; this was no Dome anymore for it had been reclaimed by the Quanta, a fact that the scenery around kept reminding him. Forests with trees streaked with moss and lichen, flowers in the middle of a spring bloom - violets and golden blossoms and dainty forget-me-nots - all replaced by cracked gray bark, lifeless shrubs and thorny brambles - Ah.... - a small hill rose in the horizon. The tracks did not appear to swerve in any direction to avoid it so Atlas moved on, assuming that the tracks had been built through the hill. But he was forced to reavaluate this thought soon after, for as he came even closer, an unpleasant scent intensified - it was an overwhelming blend of sulfur, iron and bile, as if disease and decay had been made tangible. Atlas jumped off the track almost instinctually. He had done so without even bothering to deaccelerate causing him to roll on the ground; still, he was skillfull enough to do so silently and use the force to propel himself forward to hide under the shadow of a broken log. While hidden, he assesed the hill in front of him - the body of the monster in front of him. It appeared to be a corpse and part of him was wishing that it was. But he knew very well not to approach it; it was never bad to be cautious, more so when the adversary was big enough to be confused for a feature of the land. From his hiding place, Atlas could make out cracks and punctures, from which a dark thick blood coagulated from, littering the creature''s skin and scales. Lying slack next to this massive body was a gigantic wing similar in shape and make to that of a bat, - "it must have appeared even bigger with these unfurled. Speaking of which.... where''s the other one?" - A question suggested by the bloodied stump in one of the creature''s limbs. Atlas found it half buried in the remains of a city''s walls and mud. He looked back to examine the creature''s corpse then at the trail of bodies he had followed to come here. More than half of them had burns and scorch marks that had penetrated their armor and all the way to their bones. There were a variety of creatures that characterised themselves from emitting deadly clouds of poison but there were only some with bat like wings and certainly only one that had holes on them - "A zorthulax" Also known as Pipers due to the whistling sounds the holes within its wings made during flight. Atlas could now understand a little bit of what had happened in this place. Influenced by this, he bowed in salute, at the soldiers that had stayed behind to confront such a calamity so that the rest could escape, before moving onwards towards the city. Chapter 2: Acacia (2) It wasn''t an understatement to say that half of the city itself had been massacred. Posts, buildings, stalls and streets, those which were nearest to the gate Atlas had come from, had been melted down by the Zorthulax''s poison. Was this also one of the creature''s of the depths instincts? To undo all of that civilization had built on this land? It was a question without an answer, but a question that made many academics have sleepless nights nonetheless. The silence was eerie and the surrounding atmosphere felt too thick and thin all at once, even more so when one considered that the market Atlas was currently passing on used to be a city''s center of bustle, its kaleidoscope of life. Atlas grabbed his chest, his heart beating unnaturally loud, as he searched for the tram station. - "I thought I was past these kinds of emotions...." - It was a gruelling walk until he had managed to find the latter. As he was preparing to resume his journey once more, Atlas could not help but to take the scenery of the fallen city he was leaving behind one last time. A defeated sigh escaped from his lips because he knew that it was a matter of time before the Quanta reclaimed the Dome and with it, the city in front of him. With that thought in mind along with the feelings creeping within, Atlas pulled his dagger out, pressing the fist that held it against his heart. With a careful step, he planted one foot forward and sank one knee, his back remaining perfectly straight as he did so, then he bowed down - for the soldiers who had felled a calamity like the Zorthulax, for the innocent people resting within the city and, even if Atlas himself or anyone else for that matter would never learn, for the cherished memories of everyone who had lived within - for he would be be the last living being to go through this city''s high ashen gates. The bow lasted a full minute. Afterwards, Atlas left decisively, his speed faster than the one he had come in. Not once did he look back. ***** From then on, Atlas had made it his priority not to linger in a place for too long, only occasionally stopping to rest and check that he was still going on the correct direction or to offer his respects to the fallen. It was only after repeating this routine for half a day did he finally catch a glimpse at the monolithic walls of the Dome''s capital. Nochae is the capital''s name, and by the empire''s naming convention this is also the Dome''s. Even within the Empire''s thousand Domes, this was a place infamous for its debauchery. Its nightlife was second to none, gambling dens, lawless streets and large red light districts. It was the very example of what the nobles of the inner ring thought a Dome in the outer ring to be like - lawless, filthy and corrupt. "Hypocrites..... I''d barter my coin on the fact that not a single one of them is untouched by drugs" - It was a well known secret that they did. - "...No gentry untouched by vice" Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. This was a common saying in the empire and it was part of a triplet famous to the populace: No officer''s word is worth the ink, coin speaks lounder than honour and no gentry untouched by vice. Atlas thought about this as he approached Nochae. "But of course, there''s no use about thinking about this place''s debauchery now...." When he was close enough to distinguish each of the buildings within the walls, he dismounted from the railway, opting for the steathiness that came from travelling on foot instead. He felt the urge to look into the sky and when he did, everywhere he looked at in the horizon in front of was covered by the Acacia. "The tree of life..." - Atlas internalised as he felt the dryness in his mouth. He was now close enough to realise that his fears had come true. Similar to the "woodpile" he had examined when he first entered the Dome, the Acacia in front of him had taken the colour of ash. How did it ever come to this? Some of those that had managed to get out mentioned it malfunctioning, the light within its crown giving out before the fateful moment in which the monsters of the fog decided to break in. - "Or so we have been told through word of mouth...." - But this was no machine but an eternal being that preceded the Empire itself; it could not just decide to suddenly malfunction. - "Because if it did then, none....." - Atlas decided not to finish his own thoughts. It was for this reason that none wanted to believe it to be the truth, Atlas, well, he had seen enough in his short life so as not to rapidly dismiss the impossible and now, he was a step closer on figuring out whether the survivors had indeed been telling no lies. Atlas entered Nochae, being careful not to alert anything that might have made this place its lair. He had expected to see a similar scenery to the other districts he had been in. But as he went in even deeper, breath caught in his throat, an icy grip of disbelief wrapping itself around his back. "Something''s wrong here..." - It was as if the city hadn''t been besieged at all. Nochae''s streets were meticulously maintained yet hauntingly empty and the silence was punctuated by the sounds made by a streetlight flickering intermittently. The buildings were also intact, with not a single blemish in their surface to be seen. This situation made it all the more haunting. Almost instictually, from this point on, Atlas only slithered from shadow to shadow, taking care so as not let even the tiniest sound escape from his body, as he made his way towards the Acacia. It was in front of it that he was shown undeniably proof of the survivor''s words - "....What the...." - for this was a sight that would make even the most devout Accians lose faith. The tree''s trunk was riddled with deep, jagged cracks, weaving like scars across its surface. On some spots, they had become so big that the bark had started splintering. *Thrum-crk* *Thrum-crk* *Thrum-crk* Then suddenly, before Atlas could even make sense of what had happened to the Acacia, like the first note of a dirge sung from the depths of the soul, a resonant crack, originating from the bark, resounded throughout the surroundings. *Thrum-crk* *Thrum-crk* *Thrum-crk* As if it had been the start of a performance, groans rippled from the Acacia''s timber in rising waves, each fracture a powerful, aching mournful crescendo - an act accentuated by the relentless drumming Atlas could hear in his ears. It was the pillar that held up the skies. It was the pillar that held up their entire world. A being that had protected humanity after the Hollowing. The drumming within Atlas''s ears was becoming unbearable, each beat heavier and more insistent, as if his blood itself itself was roaring with urgency. *Crraaacck* A long wavering moan, until with a final piercing crack, the trunk sank under its own weight. *Craashh* Dust and debris followed, billowing into the air, finally forcing Atlas to break his gaze away from the Acacia before running to take cover within the nearest building. Chapter 3: The Obsidian Widow (1) "The gall of that witch....." - It had been a whole week since the man had arrived in the Dome neighbouring Duskae, and only this morning did his companion sent him a letter saying they should meet. Trips through the forest of Quanta, had never been soft in his body nor his psyche. When the man''s body was composed of younger bones, he would sometimes slip into dreams of glory and adventure - sword in one hand and distressed damsel on the other - it was a childish treat, a naive view of the world, something he realised far too late, but one that would still distract him from the constant feeling of dread one would get when travelling through the dark fog. He refused to admit it, but deep down he understood that the feeling was his everlasting companion, one that he would never be able to shake.. but never had it crossed his mind that one day, moreso, in his latter years he would actually walk on foot through the fog. "Madness I say! Madness...." - His sanity had been at a rope''s end back then, slowly evaporating like alcohol next to a burning stove. Now, imagine his anger and frustration when not even half a week later, his companion had suddenly come barging into his room asking to do it all over again. Then to top it all off, to add the cherry on top, his companion - "That witch! That slithering snake!" - or so the man calls her dearly, the woman that was supposed to be in some respect his "guide" abandoned him not minutes after they were allowed inside the Dome known as Dayie. To call him angry was an understatement, he was pissed; his fists clenched so hard his knuckles had started whitening. He might have been in the Dome for a week, but because he had gotten lost so much, it had actually only been two days since he had arrived in the city of Dayie - his anger flared up as the memory of stale hay, the stench of manure and the distant mooing resurfaced in his mind. - "Grrr.... Give her a piece of mind! That I will do!" Like a bowstring drawn tight, the man approached their meeting place. It stood nestled along a cobbled avenue, its facade gleaming with polished woodwork and gilded accents. Through the glass, delicate pastries - layered with custard, enrobed in caramel glazes, or dusted with powdered sugar - they appeared to glint almost seducingly under the soft reddish light of afternoon. Above the door, a hand-painted sign in elegant script read: The Velvet Petal - A name that had been in the mouth of all affluent ladies as of late. This was certainly not a place that he would imagine coming in alone. At such a realisation, a sigh escaped his mouth and along with it, the anger he held within fizzled away. "No, of course. I imagine it''s hard to carry a burden such as I when trying to follow an elusive lead. - - The man had already started forgiving his companion in his heart.- "Perhaps I was being too harsh? Yes.... Of course. This is that kind of job after all" Calmed and collected - this is how a passerby would describe him if they say him now - He ran along the waxed smooth strands of his moustache, the last vestiges of his anger slipping from his fingers as he did so, before entering the premises of The Velvet Petal. This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. ***** - You wouldn''t believe the wonders this city has to offer Little Lotus! - before the man adressed as Lotus had even managed to order anything, the woman he was meeting with barraged him with word after word, her eyes sparkling with excitement - I stood on the cliffs of the 20th district, watching as the mist lifted by the waterfalls rose over the valley. The 25th district had very intricate stonework, the scent of exotic spices also filled the air. The crystal clear lakes of the 4th district¡­..The golden wheat fields of the 6th district¡­. Lotus''s jaw started tightening, each breath filtering from his mouth coming ragged and sharp, like steam hissing from a pressure valve about to burst. *Crack* *Crack* Unknowingly, he grabbed the end of his once priced moustache, each brush making it more disorderly as Lotus listened at the list of her "fun and enjoyable" activities. It wasn''t until a while later that she stopped - "Is there a hidden meaning I am not aware off?" - understading glinted within his eyes for he knew that this wasn''t uncommon for people in their profession But as he was thinking about the meaning of her words, she continued - ¡­. Oh! Have I mentioned the cliffs of the 20th district yet? - A throb of anger passed by Lotus''s temple. - .....Anything else? - Lotus hissed. Perhaps watching her little prank take effect had amused her for a gingerly laugh escaped her red supple slips. Lotus hid his face, the gazes surrounding them piercing the back of his skull, among them, the most painful were from the maids around who were telling him with their gazes to keep it down. - So? What did you call me in for? - Lotus tried to divert their conversation to the point of their meeting. He was developing a mild migraine, he was afraid that any longer would cause one of his veins to pop. But a soft delicate hum came instead of an answer. The woman in front of him had started playing with her tea cup''s rim. Seeing this, Lotus could do nothing but shake his head. No matter how much he tried to understand her, he had never been able to, the blindfold hiding her eyes was also doing the same with all of her thoughts. Before long one of the shop''s employee approached their table, bringing with him a tray on which a ramekin with some sugar, a mug of cocoa as well as some roasted smores could be found. The woman lifted up her head, interested at the new scent dancing around her nose. - I am glad too see you haven''t changed Connor. - It was a name that Lotus hadn''t heard in a while, but nonetheless a welcome form of adress between close friends. - I am glad to see you haven''t changed either you old hag - Connor said in response. He wanted to say more but then he noticed that after the employee had set the ramekin on the table, he hadn''t left. - Is there anything else? - he was prompted to ask. At the question, the employee opened and closed her mouth intermittently, her hands flaying around to convey something, it was like watching a fish out of water. Ultimately, all she could manage was a small gasp before bowing and scurrying back to the counter. Yet her eyes, along with many of ther other workers, never left them. - Out with it Julietta. - Connor adressed the woman in front of him with a hint of amusement. - What kind of thing have you done to the poor workers here? "Me?" - she seemed to say as she pointed at herself - Nothing - she answered confidently. Once again, she kept her adress brief. She then proceeded to scoop a spoonful of sugar into her tea before bringing it elegantly into her lips - It''s still too sweet - her expression twisting and contorting in a grimace after taking a sip. Connor added some into his cocoa - Still sweet? It''s sugar, of course it is still sweet - only to pull away from the offending taste. - THIS IS SALT! - he exclaimed reflexively. After this, the owner could no longer bear their presence. Thus, they were promptly escorted out. Chapter 4: The Obsidian Widow (2) - Oh please, will you erase that sulky expression from your face? You know better than me that there was no other option - I am not - Connor added while observing the swirling contents of a mug in his hand - Not like you would know with your blindfold on.... - I don''t need to see to feel the frustration and unspoken demand about you. - then she added after a slight pause - Your silence, it''s just thick with it boy. The room was heavy with tension and the air between the two was cloying with the scent of iron and unease; a slight hum, like that of a tuning fork, reverberated in the air as if the still within the room could feel the weight of the two opposing storms meeting. Then, just as the atmosphere strained, balancing on a narrow like between restraint and release, a slight grin crept onto Connor''s face and then he asked -....Did we manage to fool them? Julietta pulled her blindfold down slightly, just enough to reveal an irisdescent iris. She felt a fluttering behind her eyes as she looked down with it to the street below - and beyond. After spending some time looking outside the window, she re-adjusted her blindfold before turning to face Connor. She answered him with a canine smile similar to the one he did beforehand - That we did.... old friend. A momentary silence, and then a low, breathy chuckle escaped Connor''s mouth; it was followed but Julietta''s own. Along with their joyous chuckling mixing, the tension in the room shattered like glass dropped on stone. *** It was after they had been thrown off from The Velvet Petal''s premises. At the alley behind the shop, before Connor could even process what was happening, Julietta suddenly released her aura. It was thick with killing intent, drenching the surroundings with a sickening gloom. The horror of it was so great that it caused Connor to unknowingly release his own aura. Connor was very confused. He did get them kicked out, but did it warrant such a reaction from her? - Shouldn''t I be the angriest of both - He couldn''t help but feel wronged. But as sudden as it came, Julietta retracted her aura into her body and after clearing her throat, shouted the following words - Junior you dare? Those three words bounced off the narrow walls of the alley, skittering along the brick like a restless insect, before returning back in fragmented pieces. Connor hadn''t been the one to say them, but he developed a blush in his ears and was starting to feel fainter the more her echoes overlapped. The silence that followed was unbearable. - Junior you dare? - she repeated for a second time with a louder voice.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. A subtle jerk of the head, a sidelong glance and the slightest raise of an eyebrow, Julietta silently asked him to play along only to realise that Connor wouldn''t understand the 2 latter signals for she was blindfolded. - Junior you dare? - she asked for a third time, this time with a subtle tremor to her voice that lingered with intensity. "Will she just keep repeating this until I answer?" - Even then, he did not need to understand her signals, as the second hand embarrasment he was feeling was enough to make him do so. After releasing an akward cough, he played along - And if I do old hag? Those words seemed to ignite something within both parties for what followed was a subsequent clash of steel and a display of raw power and skill; each time their blades collided, gashes and furrows were marred around them.... or so those who until a minute ago had been stalking Connor believed. - Thank you for taking them off my coatails Julietta. The pair had been tailing me since dawn - said Connor. After taking a sip of the hot cocoa in front of him he added - How did you know they were behind me anyways? - I didn''t - then she added with a playful grin - Just wanted to poke fun at you kid. Noticed them after. The table in between them trembled, but its end was just as sudden as its beginning. Julietta put her hands up in surrender as she playfully stuck out her tonge ¡ªa quick, cheeky flash of pink. Seeing this, Connor calmed down, his shoulders hunched down as a slight sigh escaped his mouth. He knew full well he could not win against the devilish imp in front of her. Thus, he focused his attention into something else - Didn''t know you owned the place. Julietta nodded in acknowledgment as she took a sip of her tea - Pretty useful place this one is. Beautiful. Trendy.... is that what the youngins call it nowadays? - Must have costed you a lot, setting up shop here in the middle of gentry''s district and all? Not that it would make any difference to you I suppose. - Yes. But the hardest part was to get them to come here - Connor raised an eyebrow in response - Anyways, we made it to be a perfect little spot to gather for tea parties. I don''t to spell the reason out for you do I? - She pointed at Connor with fork in hand - Information. - he answered Julietta responded with a nod of her head -Tons and tons of it. Some of it useless chatter. Most of it really. But some... She did not finish her sentence, but it was enough for him to understand, to wonder the question of - "How far does her shadow cast?" Her gaze fixed on the woman in front of her. She sat in her seat with a natural elegance, her posture exuding both grace and quiet confidence. Her skin, smooth with a soft glow, as if kissed by the morning sun. Her long flowing hair was like moonlight, shimmering with an ethereal glow under the light leaking through the window. But what was most striking was her poise, which could be only be likened to the moon''s reflection from the top of a pond or a mist that drifts out of reach, as though her very being was sitting at a boundary untouched by the world around her. Watching Julietta like this, without the tinted glasses created from knowing her, Connor could just mistake her as a noble woman in her early thirties, one perhaps blessed by good looks and an amazing upbringing. Yet he knew that he could never do so. Because it was this same youthful appearance that the Council of 7 feared. Because it was that same figure that was the only one to escape from the prison of Gloomhold, creating the smear in the Legion''s history many came to know as the Black Vein Ascent. Because it was the same mind that created and controlled the impossibly huge information network that spanned across the entire empire Because that woman was Julietta Jacaranda and the sole mention of the monikker given to her by the emperor was enough to bring fear to men''s heart - The Obsidian Widow. - Shall we get down to business then boy? Chapter 5: The Obsidian Widow (3) It had been 1800 years since humanity was stripped of their unique gift, one that some had thought was a valid reason to believe that humans were the very centre of this universe: the ability to bend the mana of the world and command the elements to do one''s bidding - Magic. The very same gift that to humanity''s despair, was presented on a silver plate to the horrors meandering beyond the walls. - But what I saw back then was unmistakeable proof - Julietta said as she produced a notebook from a purse she was keeping on her lap. Connor received it from her, the outline of the wrinkles in his face becoming even more apparent the further he read into the page. Finally, as he reached the last line, he could not keep the agitation within himself anymore, prompting him to abruptly stand up. *Cling* The table rattled due to his sudden movement, something that he dutily apologised to Julietta for after - Are you sure about results of your research Julietta? Julietta paused momentarily, conflicted, for she herself had trouble trusting her own notes, her own memories. - Yes - she answered in a tired voice - Yes.... - So this is the reason why you had us rush into Makhelm? Even to the point of leaving your beloved disciple behind to fend for himself? - Connor observed the world outside the window. - So right now, hidden within the Dome of Makhelm.... Connor did not finish the sentence but also did not look back at Julietta. He knew that although she oftenly liked to jest and cause mischief around her, she seldom made a joke about a serious situation like this - even more so when it concerned magic. But the findings within the notebooks were unbelievable, but the truth of the gravity of the situtation was setting, a deep and growing certainty that the impossible might just be true. Connor did not mean to do so but perhaps, the tremor in his eyes revealed that he was once again looking for confirmation. Because Julietta answered in low tone of voice - Let me start from the beginning..... ***** It wasn''t strange for people to dissapear in Domes, whether it was because of financial struggles, family feuds or by offending someone one couldn''t afford to do so. - It''s for reasons like this that I sometimes consider the outside of the Dome''s to be more simple. - said Julietta as she stopped to moisten her lips with a sip of tea. But dissapearing in the Catacombs... that was easier than finding sand in the beach; in this place, some died without even a proper burial. A week ago, Julietta encountered a strange man in the Catacombs, from his mismatched shoes to pants whose tears had been sewn with different-colored thread, to his loose shirt with frayed cuffs, everything he wore showing he belonged to this place. He was discrete, but his manners and mannerisms revealed a different story - moving as if he didn''t quite know the place and a scrunching face as if he wasn''t quite used to the overwhelming stench of garbage filling the street. - But of course, the only reason I even noticed was because I''d been following these people for a long time now.... - What do you mean? How long have you been aware of this? - asked Connor.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. - I''ve been wanting to visit Makhelm for a long time..... The Coucil of 7''s job offer just came at a right time. Julietta''s reason for this had been the disturbing lack of information coming out of this Dome - and also its neighbouring Domes for that matter. It was only when she arrived here did she realise the magnitude of what was happening. - Tell me Connor - she asked all of a sudden - Do you happen to know much about the Web? - The organisation that you control and earned you your moniker? Let me think.... - Connor caressed his beard at the question, contemplating for some time before he managed to come up with a suitable answer - Only a little more than what is known by the General populace. - Exactly. - her answer came as suddenly as her questions as she already quite knew what he was going to come up with. This caused a small tremor to appear in between Connor''s eyebrow, he felt for a second she was insulting his intelligence, he massaged the top bridge of his nose in an attempt to calm it down - So where exactly are you going with this? - Patience Connor. Patience - she said accentuating each syllable as if to elevate the virtue. Of course, the listener did nothing but think that the woman in front was mocking him. - I stalked him from behind until he stopped in front of the Web''s branch in the Catacombs..... Silence filled their conversation suddenly. Julieta had retreated into her memories, feeling the blazing fire from that day, the tingling of her skin, the glowing of the air and the intense roaring presence that consumed everything within its reach. No incantation like those depicted in legend, nor the grandeur of magic circles, just pure, unadulterated destruction - and all it took was the raise of two hands. - And? - Connor asked, bringing her back from her reverie. - By the time I realised, the branch, as well as most of its immediate surroundings..... had been razed from the ground. - By Acacia.... The shock from that day kept a grip from her attention so by the time she realised, the man had already blended into the crowd. But it wasn''t long before she traced him into the sewers, with her cherished sword in hand. - But I didn''t need it. The man was already dead long before I got there. - Julietta pointed towards the notebook at the table, more specifically, to the words that read: Mystic Saturation. - Just imagining the panic those geezers will have when they hear about this makes me giddy. "Mystic Saturation" was an illness born out of those who handled more mana than their bodies could hold, leading to mana crystals forming within their bodies that could also suck the life force out of them; something that was supposed to have vanished 1800 years ago had once again peeked its head. - By Acacia.... Heaven knows what that means - Connor slumped into his chair as he felt the troubles that would ensue. - But most important was the place that I found him at. Julietta had found him deep into the sewers, in a place that none would have ever been able to find him, in a place where the vermin hiding inside would eat his corpse and existence. - This was a man with a plan - Connor added with a tremor in his voice. Julietta''s demeanor felt like the surface of a lake at dawn, perfectly mirroring the sky with perfect clarity, a crescent smile even made her way into her lips which implied that unlike his companion, she was enjoying the situation - yet beneath the blindfold, reflected in her eyes, there was a tremor, a faint ripple betraying her outer tranquility. "The branch in the catacombs. Its location was an open secret... but was about the others?" - Finding the location was one thing but accessing it was on a whole other level for entry was only granted to those who had the correct reagents. She thought of a possibility, but the ludicrousness of it prevented her from voicing it out loud. Suddenly, like a splash of crimson on a blank canvas, Julietta''s senses came alive - a flickering on the back of her eyes - prompting her to remove her blindfold completely and look towards what Connor believed was the top of the dome. - Is everything alright? Julietta? - Connor asked, but even she couldn''t quite process what it was that her eyes were seeing. Her eyes were looking beyond the Dome. From her point of view, the air stirred violently, one moment, everything was akin to soft pastels, pale blues and gently creams and the next, a single stroke of violent red and muted grey cutting through it all. Julietta might not have understood what it was that she was watching but she had an inkling as to where the origin of the anomaly might have been for she was looking in the exact direction of the Dome that had just been recently breached: Nochae. With this knowledge in mind, she gently clutched the pendant on her neck as she worriedly wished for her disciple''s safety. Chapter 6: Weaving Through the Unknown (1) Nochae. After The collapse of the Acacia - Atlas, here. Atlas, here.... - the voices that accompanied him were like a secret whispered into the wind, faint and weightless and always just out of reach. Atlas was having an old dream - Of a place that he could only describe as a night without stars. - Atlas were. Atlas, were.... Of a time where the voices were his sole companion, his only friends. Atlas advanced forward endlessly within the fog and as he did so, they played with him when he was bored, showered him with food when he was hungry and brought him water when he was thirsty. Yet no matter how many turns left or right or up or down he took, he could not find the home that they were taking him to; it was only much later that Atlas realised that the voices were just as confused and lost as he was. - Atlas, ware. Atlas, ware.... - he noticed an uncharacteristic franticness within the voices and a sense of incrogruity started to build within his mind. *Badump* *Badump* Badump* There was a dull throb pulsating behind his eyes. Furthermore, the sluggish rhytm of his heartbeat felt unnaturally loud. - Where?! - he demanded whilst ignoring the breathlesness on the back of his mind. *Thud* Atlas''s knees collapsed on the ground and as he did so, the faces of the shapes the fog seemed to take took on a mocking smile - Where..... But before he could hear any type of answer, the voices seemed to take a sudden sharp turn - Atlas - whispering with suddenness in his ear - *Thud* *Thud *Thud* ...... .....WAKE UP... ***** The urgency behind the voice forced him awake, a deep breath stirring a sharp sting in his throat. *Cough* *Cough* Cough* "Where am I?" - he thought while the colours around him started to sharpen and become clearer, like the world was dragging itself into focus after a long, foggy dream. The air surrounding him coiled with the colour of ash, every breath leaving a bitter residue on the tongue. - "Wait? Bitter?" With that thought in mind, Atlas hurriedly touched his face only to realise with horror that his wooden mask was gone, perhaps blown away by the same wind that had brought that damned thing that had hit him in the head, causing him to faint. He touched the back of his head, and he did not feel it to be wet; a stroke of luck if being concussed could be considered one. Atlas searched for his mask but he did not know whether it was still within his vicinity. Furthermore, the ash blanketed everything, covering the world around in its colour, akin to mist hovering over a lake at dawn; it made the search fruitless. He soon understood he would have to give up on it for the moment. Furthermore, there were bigger things to worry about - "Acacia". - Or what was left of its remains, which was dancing around him like tainted powder snow.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. - Atlas, good? Atlas, well? - the voices in the fog asked. - Thanks... Chorus - said Atlas in response as he held a fist in front of him. - *WHoosh*! - Chorus in response mimicked what it assumed to be the sound a fist bump made and as it did so, light converged in the air and moved to touch Atlas''s fists. Followed by that, a cascade of cheerful voices swiveled around Atlas''s body before gently and gradually giving away to silence. "They will want proof, but how should I go about this?" - there was a camera in his mask, but it wasn''t as that he could use it anytime soon; nor was there anything to really put behind its lens. - "I can''t just take a picture of whatever this is in my hand and tell them: It''s the tree of life!" - They would call him a lunatic if he did that - "And that''s just the tip of iceberg. A chirp of that even get back to those of the Accian faith and they would have me hanged before the moon turns" But he understood that he still needed to bring something back. So he browsed Makhelm in search of a place that would have a working camera. It didn''t take him long to find one - Here.... Here - with Chorus guiding him around he soon arrived in front of a little antiques shop, just some streets away from where he had just woken up. Inside, after searching for long, Atlas picked up a black film camera. A little thing of the past century that he had only seen within Julietta''s office - she had never taught him to use it but he could read the instructions within the box. Anyhow, he realised it had to serve for the ash outside was starting to lift. "Then all hell will set loose" - if the Acacia had tumbled down, then the protective dome above the sky would have done so with it; Atlas could already feel the monsters outside drooling at the thought of destroying and raiding the whole of the Dome of Nochae. The ash was a bother but it also served as a veil, masking his movement from anything slithering in this place apart from him. After reading the instructions within the box, Atlas looked for a high vantage point to settle down, a place that would get him a view of the Sanctuary and anything that might have remained from the Acacia. He refused to believe that a being of such gargantuan proportions could just turn completely into ash. Thus, Atlas got into position and waited with the lens of the camera pointing in front of him. The first thing to come into view as the ash receded were the tall slender spires of the sanctuary; topped with finials shaped like trees and spinning wheels, each inlaid with a gemstone that gleamed as far as Atlas was watching. Then the grounds around the latter came into view, sporting orphanages, libraries, sprawling gardens and many more. Atlas held his finger to the shutter release button, preparing for the moment when the Acacia would come into view. Yet suddenly, without any warning a golden light glimpsed through the dense ash, starting out as a small spark before gradually filling up his entire vision. In a hurry, he shielded his eyes with a hand. After what felt like an eternity, the light slowly dimmed and was soon replaced by a gentle hum, the latter charged with a mysterious energy that prickled at one''s senses. Atla''s eyes slowly came back into focus and when he caught a glimpse of what had been in front of him - "Oh. For the love of God. Can''t we calm down for a second, please? Please?" - he complained inwardly, feeling as if today was just a series of a shock after another. Replacing Acacia was another tree, this one thinner and smaller, but from its golden trunk and its snow white leaves and to the shining petals floating around it, one could feel it pulsating with a vitality that its predecessor could not compare with - a vitality that complemented more the name "Tree of Life". Atlas took the camera and continually pressed the shutter button afraid that he would miss even a single detail of the spectacle unfolding before him. But then he noticed something - "Wait a minute" - it prompted him to squint his eyes. - "Please?" - he said with a slight feeling of horror. The tree with the golden trunk was surrounded by a myriad of monsters. Some gargantuan in size, some displaying traits unique to them, some perched in the ridges of roofs of the different buildings in the orphanage and all sitting amidst a bed of pale white to rich blues, purples, and even golden flowers. These monsters, contrary to their usual nature appeared to be peaceful and tranquil. Atlas was smitten by a view he never thought he would see outside the walls - "Just like an image taken out of the fairytales she used to read me." *Lub dub* *Lub dub* It was more correct to say he was bewitched for as he started at it for longer and longer, he felt it resonating to something within him - gently calling his name with a familiarity he had only felt with Chorus. Chapter 7: Weaving through the Unknown (2) *Tap* *Badump* *Tap* *Badump* Atlas''s heart beat everytime he took a step. Unknowingly to him, he was closing in towards the edge of the building. But right now, there was nothing more he wanted than to go down there and touch the Acacia, his mind too preocupied with the voices that were calling his name to fear. Akin to sweet nothings on a hot summer night, the voices had him bewitched. But before he could even jump down, something obscured his vision and hugged his face. Then a sudden bout of coolness filled his mind. - Wake up! - a similar voice to the one calling him on the ground vocalised behind him - Atlas.....That is....no good... - Chorus? How....But you... - Atlas pointed in front of him. Chorus shook from side to side before answering with the same words as before - No....good....That down.... there.... dangerous..... Atlas did not need to ask why it was so. Looking upon the Acacia, he was once again filled with a sense of familiarity and belonging. Danger was a sentiment far removed from the "Acacia" in front of him, but it was this that made it dangerous. Another bout of coolness travelled from the object hiding his face - the wooden mask that he had previously lost to the sudden wind pressure created from the falling "Acacia''s" debris. It wasn''t until he felt its pronouced ridges with his fingers and his mouth took a deep breath was he able to quell the trembling in his hands, for he understood that he had almost been bewitched again. *Badump* *Badump* Atlas took another picture with the camera in his hands, making sure he didn''t look at the creature in front of him more than he needed to, before turning around to leave. Yes, creature, for whatever it was, Atlas believed it to be sentient and to be alive. Otherwise, what was it that was calling his name now? No more importantly, how did it know to call this name? - Atlas.... Atlas..... Don''t go.... please..... - Its voice becoming even more pleading and obsessive the larger the distance he put between them was. Then, a third time. *Badump* *Badump* Atlas cursed as a chilling sensation travelled from his head to his torso and all the way to his toes, calming the unsettiling rhythm of his beating heart. Atlas nodded towards Chorus, a silent thanks that the latter appreciated dearly as implied by the manner in which it hovered around Atlas all the way to the outside of the capital. To steer his mind away as he escaped to the outside of the dome, he analysed the events of the last few days. Like others before it in the outer ring of the Empire of Litae, Duskae had fallen suddenly, the reason being a malfunction of the functions of the Tree of Life. But no sane person could think of something like that being a possibility - "The Acacia in this place is nothing but one of the roots of the original one" - it was common knowledge that apart from the one in the most holiest of places in the inner rings, all the ones in Domes were all but its roots and this Acacia had been in great health the last time Atlas laid his eyes upon it. Which begs the question: How was Nochae and the other Domes breached?Stolen novel; please report. - "Was is parasitized perhaps?" - It was a thought that occured to him after remembeing the golden tree that had replaced the root of the Acacia. - "But even then, the question of how remains...." "So many questions and none of the answers. Anyways, let''s just hope that the photos taken are enough to spur them into action"" - he thought before crossing the Dome''s pristine and immaculate open gates and into the depths beyond it. To the place known as the forest of Quanta. *** A figure observed Atlas from the high walls of the capital of Nochae; remaining unmoving until the former''s figure dissapeared into the horizon. It was only after it made sure that Atlas was not returning did it spur into action - starting by fixing the collar of its esmokin. But it did not stop there for after doing so, it moved down to other areas of its apparel - smoothing down its impeccably tailoured jacket and straightening its crisp white gloves; every line and crease in exact order before he went to meet the lady. The figure looked around it, before its gaze stopped at the space in front, the latter holding nothing more than air. The capital''s walls stood at a staggering 20 metres in height yet it did not hesitate to walk across the edge. But just as the figure was about to fall into the nothigness beyond, the space around it trembled, a peculiar but familiar feeling engulfing its body. Then, after less than it took one to blink, it found itself back in front of the golden Acacia. *Tap* *Tap* *Tap* It walked forward slowly and unhurriedly, taking care not to step into any of the moonflowers - it knew how much she cared for them - before deeply bowing down. As if awaiting him, a small vortex appeared in the centre of the golden Acacia. After a beat, it started sucking in some of the surrounding light. Piece by piece it pooled into a shape, forming a figure woven from threads of pure light. Slowly, it was taking on depth and substance, the light condensing into flesh and skin. The hair, like strands of silken starlight, shimmered with a pure soft glow akin to moonlight before settling naturally. Then with a final faint ripple, the figure stood, wholly human. The figure in a esmokin then slowly approached the being that had been created by light with a cloak in hand. It draped it around the figure of the latter, in the form of a young woman in her late teens to early twenties, hiding her previously bare flesh. - Kaelor va''reth, kalan Mara - the figure said with a ghastly voice after bowing in front of her once more. The cloaked woman opened her mouth and let out a series of scales in response, each note rising slightly higher, the tones sliding smoothly like steps up a winding staircase. After a some continous coughs, she then said - Speak in human tongue Siegfried. We will be entering a human settlemet after this. Practice while we still can as any errors will not be tolerated. - Understood, your highness. - he hissed as the blue fires he had for eyes flickered with intensity. The woman, who the monster known as Siegfried addresed as your highness, observed the latter, the intensity in her gaze showing her intent - Understood, your highness - he answered after understanding, but different from last time with a shallower and more controlled voice; still, a faint twitch in his cheek betrayed the storm simmering beneath his facade. Her senses were keen, so she felt the faint ripples within him yet she decided to ignore them. She of all people understood that this was a tall order, even more so for him, thus she decided to move on. The golden Acacia behind her pulsated with vitality. It brought a faint smile to her otherwise aloof face. But even that was short lived for after she touched it she felt a hint of grief. Why would that be? She wondered. - Did something happen while I was not here? - she asked Siegfried. - Nothing of importance - then a thought occured to him. It was a minor occurence, but something that might interest her highness nonetheless. - A human male was here a moment ago. Took pictures of everything around with an old camera before leaving..... The woman raised an eyebrow as she asked - And you didn''t catch him? After a slight silence, Siegfried answered - I couldn''t catch him.... Much less see him. If I had to describe it. It was as if the fog was hiding his very presence. The woman embraced the tree, gently caressing it while humming a soothing, comforting tone - like she was soothing a crying child - while she was listening to Siegfried. But after his last words, a gentle spark danced across her skin, making her motions stop. - Could you... elaborate? - she asked, her voice careful and measured and laced with a barely noticeable hint of hesitance, a hint of fragility. Chapter 8: The Dome of Dusk (1) A core difference between the Dome and what stood outside it was the dark fog, or as known by many, the Umbral Shroud. Ancient books of the age of the Hollowing estimated it to blanket 60% of the land mass of the continent of Paradoxia, on a stretch that separated Dome''s from one another, a stretch that its explorers had come to coin as the Forest of Quanta. "But of course, that is knowledge that none in the modern age would ever be able to verify" - Atlas thought as he ran through the darkness. Currenly, the Shroud''s density was at its zenith, with not a shred of light being allowed passage; night had fallen which meant that the most cunning of monsters were awakening, some already lurking at the corners of Quanta to catch prey. Yet, he moved quickly, each step sure but silent, as if the forest itself is guiding him. The trees blured past him, shadows reaching out but never tripping his stride; he weaved through them with ease, barely needing to slow down. Then with another long stride an opening came within the fog, light suddenly trickling in. He squinted his eyes, a faint pain crackling within his retina, like fireworks on a midsummer night. Yet he couldn''t help but feel it to be pleasant, because after half a week of constant journeying through Quanta, week and a half if you added in the journey to the Dome of Nochae and time passed within it, Atlas was back home. - I''m back... - he whispered as he basked on the comfort given by the light of the Dome of Dusk. *** "May the light of Acacia guide you" Atlas was now near enough to see the words carved on top of Duskae''s tall metallic walls, a kind blessing to those departing the former''s protection and a welcome to those re-entering it. He was certainly glad to see them. Along the way, Atlas saw fresh skid marks in the road leading to Duskae''s main gates, the mud around it freshly overturned and the grass uneven and bruised. It was clear from these that the western gate had recently seen use, a rarity in of itself. But Atlas had an idea as to what may have passed - something that could only be described as a behemoth. Soon, after following a side road, Atlas spotted smaller gate than the main one; it was carved onto the side of the wall. A small line of people had formed in front of it, most of which noticed him coming; after noticing that it was human man and not a monster of the Shroud, they all nodded to acknowledge his presence before resuming whatever it was that they were doing. Atlas qued up at the end of the line and listened to the conversation of the people in front of him as he waited for his turn. - You guys managed to hunt a big one today didn''t you? - Yes, the mature Veltnyx prawling around the planes in the southwest. The bugger had been assaulting the merchants as of lately. Them from the alchemist guild will finally be able to breathe easy. Many might have frowned on Atlas''s actions, after all, he was eavesdropping on other''s conversations. Yet, he could not help doing so for he was raised to be this way by a certain someone. That, and he very much enjoyed doing, not the action itself but the noise that he could hear after the enveloping stillness of Quanta. - Hey. Have you seen it?Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. - Seen what? - The Eternis. - Are you both talking about The Roaming Realm? Goddamn! Always wondered whether they could be bigger than the Leviathans of legend. Been a while since I last saw one. - A load of bullshit. - someone from deep within the line interjected - When did you ever have the opportunity to see one? None had the opportunity to use them, last time they were in use were some 2000 years ago. Soon after, the people in front were called and the conversation ceased; a downer, Atlas thought because he was getting quite engrossed in their conversation. After about 15 more minutes of waiting, it was finally his turn. The officer in charge guided him inside and into a room, its floor, walls and ceiling a pure unblemished white. The room was unfurnished, with nothing more than a dark metallic altar at its centre, and a glass panel on the right wall, the latter leading to a room with another officer in standby. It was a common procedure within all Domes, a strict procedure, but something essential to keep anything unwanted from entering the Dome - even if they were clearly sleep deprived, as implied by the dark circles underneath their eyes and the intense smell of coffee sticking to their clothes. Atlas walked towards the altar and pricked his middle finger with the small knife provided by the officer in the room with him. Subsequently, he dropped the small amount of blood pooling in his finger on the crimson gem located at centre of the altar. *Drop* The gem absorbed the blood then shone crimson before slowly turning a similar colour to that of the room. - Do you have any symptoms you would like us to have a look at? - The officer within the room said with a practiced tone not soon after. Atlas was now in the clear. Atlas shook his head in denial prompting the former to answer - Then, Sir, glad to have you back with us here in one piece. May the light of Acacia guide you - after a bow, he left through the same door they had come in through. *Beep* *Beep* *Beep* - Detoxifying the room. Detoxifying the room. The lights within the room turned green with that announcement and the air appeared to hum. A final measure, meant to destroy any unseen dangers to the human eye. Suddenly, Atlas felt his whole body lift up, an almost weightless sensation tugging at his core. It was complimented by the subtle hum of machinery surrounding him and the steady vibration echoing in his bones. Almost as sudden as this feeling, the room was filled with a myriad lights, all of them leaking from the window located in the right hand side of the room. Atlas moved slowly towards it and was met by a town''s night skyline; the room was moving down towards it. Ancient stone buildings lined both sides of winding cobblestone streets. Tall gothic-style spires rose from each of building''s red tiled roofs - they were of different forms and some were taller than others; all decorating a distant starry sky. On the distance, at the end of what appeared to be the main street, something Atlas recognised because it was much wider and more decorated than the others, was a cathedral. As he was admiring the town''s beauty through the window, a door opened in front of him, letting in a chaotic symphony of sounds and sights; the town''s pulses of life. Atlas got down from the elevator and made his way to the cathedral he had seen in the distance. He squeezed through travelers, traders and townsfolk alike, all of their footsteps blending into a rhythm of constant motion. Every now and then, a lively tune on fiddles and flutes would grace his ears, melodies drifting away in the wind from troupes of musicians playing in the bars nestled in the main street. After a quarter of an hour of walking, he saw a statue rise from the distance, it was of a creamy colour and the golden veins running alongside its surface hinted at the precious materials it was made off. It depicted 4 different figures with eyes that seemed to contain a spark of life and wearing folds of fabric that seemed to flutter in the breeze - it was clear to anyone admiring them that the sculptor had incomparable mastery. It wasn''t Atlas''s first time seeing it but even he had to stop everytime just to admire this piece of artwork. The statues stood elevated on a platform, and engraved on the latter was a plaque that read - To the pioneers of Humanity. For those who always stood in the eye of the storm. So that some of their stories are never forgotten - "The 5 braves" Chapter 9: The Dome of Dusk (2) Some might read the plaque and wonder whether the artist had got it wrong as there were clearly only 4 figures standing on the platform. "But that''s because the 5th one is special" - A memory came into Atlas''s mind, one of when Julietta first brought him into this place. - Where''s the 5th one? - the scene in his mind overlapped with one that was happening in front of him. Before he realised, a parent and child stood beside him, the latter asking the exact same question he had asked years ago. The parent smirked, before pointing at a tiny line in the horizon, at the column that seemed to hold up the starry sky, the Acacia. It was a clever trick, one that none but the sculptor herself knew the answer off. But for some reason.... "If you look at the Acacia in the distance, she, the 5th brave will appear" - Woahhhh! - The child hummed in wonder after he realised, something that Atlas did too back then. Was he still be able to look at the Acacia with such brilliant eyes? Atlas did not know,, looking at the pillar in the distance left him with nothing more than worries for the future. Atlas sighed deeply as he closed his eyes. Then he raised both hands to his cheeks, his fingers splayed wide. *Slap!* His palms met his face, an action that he kept repeating with a hard rhythmic pat, harsh but just what he needed to coax himself into a more positive state. After doing so, he felt much better - "Worrying about the future won''t solve anything" "But at the very least!" - To lull on soft cushions and take a much deserved nap. At the very least, that was a wish that he would be able to satisfy on his journey back to the capital of Duskae. **** The Dome of Dusk is composed of 37 districts, each the size of a big province and each with its own inhabitants and unique cultures. It would take one weeks to go from one end of Duskae to another on foot, but luckily for its inhabitants, each and every district was connected by a line of trams. Or more concretely, sonic speed trams or SST for short. - Lad. Lad. Wake up - a rough voice rustled Atlas awake. Atlas found the light surrounding him to be too harsh on his eyes, it took them some opening and closing for them to focus properly. - "Where am I?" - he wondered as he looked outside the window. It was still nightime, a clear indicator that it hadn''t been more than an hour since he had decided to take a nap but the driver''s next words would jolt his body awake. - C''mon lad! I''d rather not stay in the 37th for any longer. Really, why do they still have us come to this place.... - the driver stood tall, broadening his shoulders. It was clear for anyone to see that he was trying to appear confident, but the jitter in his body and his penchant for jumping at every minute sound betrayed him. - The 37th? Are we already in the 37th district?. - Atlas asked. - Yes. Yes. So can you tell me whether this is your stop or whether you slept through it so that I can leave this godforsaken place once and for all? Atlas combed his hair back and thought - "I slept through the morning?" - It was only then that he realised how fatigued he must have been. - "That slave driver of a master...." From the capital of the Empire in the first ring all the way to the outskirts in the third ring and then from there to The Dome of Nochae and back and not a glimmer of rest in between. This was the first time he had gotten any decent sleep in the last couple of months. A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. Atlas bid goodbye to the grumbling tram driver before entering an unassuming alleyway. As he was doing so, he thought about his sad excuse of a life. - Got any change man? Just a little bit of change.... - Atlas dropped a coin on a beggar''s hat as he passed him through. "There are a lot more people here than a year and a half ago...." The deeper he went through the 37th district, the more desolate the area around him became. Before Atlas had realised, cobblestone streets had been replaced by an uneven surface composed of packed earth and scattered stones and the air had gotten thicker with the stench of rot and decay, the latter battling against an overpowering foul odour coming from the pooling wastewater next to a drainage. Decades of unplanned developments had left this area looking like a wasteland with roofs sagging precariously under the weight of scavenged shingles and narrow alleyways twisting and turning like a labyrinth; plenty of fairytales told to naughty children were of those who had had been lured here to play never to go back, of the minotaur who apparently lived by feeding itself of the succulent flesh of the former. They were fairytales of course, but Atlas knew that they were rooted in truth, not entirely baseless. Two more turns into another alley and a sharp turn into an unassuming corner, finally straight ahead and at the end he was met with a dead end. Yet this was exactly where Atlas had wanted to be. He looked around him and only after making sure that the peering eyes around him had dissapeared did he take a step towards the wall. Then, he rummaged inside his belt pouch and took out a golden coin, one that the beggar sat near the entrance had discretely given him. - What have these eyes of mine seen? Were the words written on top of its lustrious exterior. There was a coin slot in the wall, small enough for anyone it didn''t know it was there to miss. With practiced hands, Atlas slid the coin in it. *Clack* Soon after that, with the sound of the coin falling into a metallic surface as a kind of signal, the world began distorting and after it had finished doing so, everything around him had changed. A soft grin made its way into Atlas''s face as he watched everything around him with familiarity, nostalgia and warmth. High, timber-framed buildings extended from both sides of the road, their upper stores nearly touching, casting the alleyway into twilight. Atlas walked through the latter whilst smelling the earthy scent of aged wood hinting at the place''s long history. "Frozen Lake Avenue", the sign embedded on top of one of the building''s walls read, confirming that he was inside the real 37th district; the Oasis. Atlas briskly walked to his lodgings. He was trying hard to hide the excitement he was feeling, but the slight uplifting twitch on the corner of his lips betrayed him. - As expected - A sign in which the words "Closed" were written hang on the door. He tried pulling into the latter but with no avail. It was well into the night and different from the capital of the Dome and its immediate surroundings, the 37th had already closed its eyes. - It will have to be tomorrow - he murmured dejectedly as his eyes landed on a sign that read the tavern''s name - "The Fabled Chalice" - thinking about the girl whose name was used for the tavern''s a small chuckle escaped his mouth. Atlas walked to the right hand side of The Fabled Chalice and looked up to a window on the second floor. It took him less than a breath to climb it. *Thud* He tried to push it open, but then realised that it was locked from the inside. - "She''s not in?" - To confirm his suspicions, an envelope fell down from the window''s cracks as soon as he loosened the hinges holding it together. The envelope was white, sealed with a deep crimson wax and pressed into it was an emblem of an eye hiding behind a blindfold. A closer inspection revealed that it carried a unique scent, reminiscent of a moonlit garden - a mingling of jasmine and night-blooming cereus. Atlas understood it had to be from his teacher for this was one of the scents that she used to mark her belongings. Atlas set the letter onto the table, intent on leaving whatever was written inside for tomorrow; fatigue was slowly pulling down his eyelids and any attempt at concentration he knew would be met with resistance. But just as he was about to lay on the bed, Atlas''s gaze was drawn by the window of the building across his, lingering gently for a long time. He had wanted to lay in his bed as soon as possible but thought about what the one behind that window would say if he had done so without cleaning up first. - .... - a snicker escaped his mouth as he thought about the way she would react. Thus, he knew his first night back would last for a little while longer.