《Echoes Of the Fifth World: The paradise》


 Chapter 1 : when the bell tolls

    The soft light of dawn crept through the narrow window, casting pale beams across the stone floor. Dust motes drifted lazily in the golden haze, illuminated by the weak warmth of the rising sun. Outside, the faint murmur of the city stirring to life echoed through the quiet, broken only by the distant tolling of the Grand Cathedral¡¯s bells.


    Lior lay beneath the thin woolen blankets, his head sinking into the rough linen pillow. His eyes were closed, and his breathing was steady ¡ª the deep, even rhythm of someone caught in that fragile space between sleep and wakefulness. His limbs felt heavy, his body comfortably warm beneath the covers despite the chill seeping in through the cracks in the stone walls.


    He heard the bells. He knew what they meant. The procession was starting soon.


    But the warmth of the bed was too good to give up just yet.


    A quiet sigh escaped him as he pulled the blanket higher over his head, willing sleep to take him again.


    Then the door crashed open.


    "LIORRRRRRR!"


    The sharp sound of wood striking stone jolted him awake. A sudden weight landed on his chest, knocking the breath from his lungs. He barely had time to open his eyes before an elbow drove into his ribs.


    "Gah!" Lior¡¯s hand shot toward his side. "What the hell?"


    A shadow loomed over him.


    Celis, his childhood friend.


    Her dark braid dangled over her shoulder as she crouched on top of him, her gray acolyte¡¯s cloak already fastened neatly at her throat. Loose strands of hair framed her face, and her amber eyes flashed dangerously as she leaned forward.


    "You¡¯re going to miss the procession," she said.


    Lior groaned and buried his face back into his pillow. "Five more minutes."


    Celis narrowed her eyes. Her hand shot out, yanking the pillow from beneath his head and tossing it onto the floor.


    "You sound way too excited about a bunch of armored men walking in a straight line," Lior muttered, rolling onto his side.


    "It¡¯s not about the Templars," Celis snapped. Her cheeks were slightly flushed from the cold, and the early morning light caught the edge of her sharp features. "The High Cardinal is speaking today."


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    "You don¡¯t even like the High Cardinal," Lior pointed out, his voice muffled by the blanket he was trying to pull back over himself.


    "That¡¯s not the point." Celis¡¯s hand shot forward, grabbing the edge of the blanket and peeling it away. "Get. Up."


    "Or what?"


    Celis smiled faintly, her eyes narrowing. "You really want to find out?"


    Lior¡¯s brows lifted in mock challenge. "You wouldn¡¯t¡ª"


    Celis¡¯s hand shot toward his ribs.


    "Wait¡ª no¡ª!"


    Her fingers dug into his side, mercilessly attacking the sensitive spot just beneath his ribs. Lior thrashed beneath her, squirming and trying to twist away as laughter broke free from his throat.


    "Stop¡ª Celis¡ª!" He wheezed.


    "Then get up!" Celis¡¯s mouth curled into a mischievous smile as she pinned him with her knee.


    "Alright! Alright!" Lior grabbed her wrist, laughing despite himself. "I surrender!"


    Celis leaned back, satisfied, and stood with the same fluid grace she always had. She brushed her braid over her shoulder and straightened her cloak, her expression returning to its usual composed sharpness.


    "You¡¯re evil," Lior muttered as he sat up, raking a hand through his dark hair.


    "I¡¯m efficient," Celis replied coolly. "And we have five minutes before the gates close. Get moving."


    Lior sighed, stretching his legs over the side of the bed. His bare feet touched the cold stone floor, the chill cutting through the last vestiges of sleep.


    "You¡¯re going to get us both killed one day," he said as he reached for his tunic.


    "And yet you¡¯d still follow me," Celis said, her back already turned toward the door.


    Lior¡¯s smile softened. "Yeah, probably."


    Celis paused in the doorway, half turning to look at him. The light from the window framed her silhouette, casting soft shadows across the wall behind her. For a brief moment, Lior thought she might say something more ¡ª but then her expression hardened, and she turned away.


    "Hurry up," she said over her shoulder. "I¡¯m not waiting for you."


    Lior chuckled as he pulled on his boots. His gaze lingered on the empty doorway for a moment longer before he stood and followed her out.


    Outside, the city was already alive.


    The chill of early morning clung to the air as Lior and Celis stepped into the narrow streets. Merchants were setting up their stalls beneath the arched stone bridges, their voices rising in the crisp morning air. The scent of fresh bread and spiced meat lingered on the breeze.


    The Cathedral bells rang out again ¡ª slower now, deeper. A warning that the gates would soon close.


    Lior glanced at Celis. Her eyes were fixed ahead, her expression calm and composed. But he could see the way her hand lingered at the edge of her cloak ¡ª a subtle sign of tension.


    "You know," he said, sliding his hands into his pockets. "You don¡¯t have to care about the High Cardinal¡¯s speech. It¡¯s not like anyone would notice if we just¡­ skipped it."


    Celis¡¯s eyes flashed toward him. "We¡¯re not skipping it."


    "Why not?"


    Her gaze darkened. "Because it matters."


    Lior¡¯s brow furrowed slightly. "To you?"


    Celis didn¡¯t answer. She quickened her pace as they approached the outer gate of the Grand Cathedral. The golden spires of its towers loomed high above the city, gleaming beneath the pale morning light.


    A line of Templars in polished silver armor stood at the gate, their hands resting on the hilts of their swords. Their white capes fluttered in the breeze, embroidered with the sigil of Elos.


    Lior hesitated for a moment before following Celis up the stone steps. His gaze flicked toward the sky.


    The bells had stopped ringing.


    And beneath the quiet hum of the waking city, he felt it ¡ª that strange pressure in the air. A heaviness. Like the feeling that a storm was coming.


    Celis¡¯s hand brushed against his.


    Lior blinked.


    Celis¡¯s amber eyes met his ¡ª steady and calm.


    "Come on," she said softly. "We¡¯re already late."


    Lior smiled faintly and followed her through the gate.

 Chapter - 2 :Light Of Elos

    The courtyard outside the dormitory was already crowded when Lior and Celis stepped through the arched doorway. The other acolytes were filing toward the main square in neat rows, their gray cloaks fluttering in the crisp morning breeze. The quiet shuffle of feet against cobblestones mixed with the distant murmur of the waking city.


    Lior ran a hand through his dark hair and sighed. "You¡¯re actually excited about this?"


    Celis shot him a sideways glance as they slipped into line behind a pair of older acolytes. "The procession only happens once a year."


    "And the High Cardinal¡¯s speech only changes once a decade," Lior muttered, adjusting the hem of his tunic.


    "That¡¯s not the point." Celis¡¯s tone was sharp, but her expression remained calm.


    Lior rolled his eyes but didn¡¯t argue. His gaze wandered upward toward the towering spires of the Grand Cathedral, where the pale light of morning brushed the white stone walls with gold. Banners bearing the sigil of Elos  a sunburst surrounded by a silver halo  fluttered along the parapets. The sun¡¯s reflection caught the silver threadwork, making them shimmer faintly against the stone.


    They passed beneath the arch of the outer gate, their footsteps swallowed by the widening noise of the city beyond. The main square was already filling with people  citizens, merchants, and pilgrims alike pressing toward the cathedral steps. Priests in flowing white robes stood at the edges of the crowd, whispering prayers beneath their breath.


    Lior¡¯s gaze lingered on the Knights of the Sun standing in perfect formation along the perimeter of the square. Their heavy greatswords rested against their shoulders, and their mirrored helms reflected the early light. Their golden armor gleamed beneath the sun¡¯s rays, each knight standing so still they could have been statues.


    "Perfect formation, as always," Celis murmured.


    "They¡¯re knights," Lior replied. "Perfect formation is their entire personality."


    Celis shot him a sharp look. "If Sir Malrik heard you say that"


    "Then he¡¯d make me run the battlements again." Lior sighed. "I¡¯m very aware."


    The two of them took their place near the back of the square, where the crowd thinned slightly. Lior crossed his arms, leaning slightly toward Celis. "So what¡¯s so special about today?"


    "The High Cardinal is addressing the people directly," Celis said, her gaze fixed toward the top of the cathedral steps.


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    "He addresses the people every year."


    "But not after the Dawn Bell."


    Lior frowned slightly, but before he could ask what she meant, the Dawn Bell tolled again deep and resonant. A ripple of silence passed through the crowd.


    The Knights of the Sun lowered their swords in unison. The sound of metal striking stone echoed through the square, sharp and absolute.


    A tall figure emerged from the arch of the cathedral his white and gold robes trailing behind him. His steps were slow but deliberate, the hem of his cloak brushing the polished stone. High Cardinal Veyrn ascended the steps with quiet authority, the golden crown resting lightly on his brow. He raised a hand, and the murmurs of the crowd fell into absolute silence.


    "My children," Veyrn¡¯s voice carried easily through the square low, measured, and unwavering. "Today, we gather to honor the light of Elos  the eternal protector of humanity. Through his sacrifice, we are made whole. Through his light, we are given strength."


    Celis bowed her head immediately. Lior hesitated for a moment before following suit. His gaze, however, remained slightly raised.


    The High Cardinal stood beneath the arch of the cathedral, flanked by two senior priests in gold-threaded robes. His expression was calm, his pale gray eyes sharp beneath the weight of the crown. He held a crystal orb in his hands the Sacred Relic of Light  its surface pulsing faintly with soft, golden light.


    "And so," Veyrn continued, his voice smooth as polished glass, "we walk beneath his light, so that we may never again fall into darkness."


    The Templars knelt in unison, the heavy sound of metal striking stone echoing across the square.


    Celis knelt as well, her hands folded neatly over her chest. Lior followed her lead, lowering himself slowly. His gaze remained fixed on the crystal orb in Veyrn¡¯s hands. The soft pulse of light beneath its surface quickened slightly ¡ª steady, but not calm.


    "Rise, my children," Veyrn said. "And let the light of Elos guide you forward."


    The crowd rose. The Knights of the Sun stood with perfect discipline as the Templars began their march down the main street. Their white capes fluttered beneath the early breeze, and the sharp sound of synchronized footsteps followed them.


    Celis smiled faintly as she watched the procession. "See? Not so bad."


    Lior exhaled through his nose. "I guess."


    Celis¡¯s smile widened slightly. "Come on. We have the rest of the day off."


    Lior followed her through the crowd, weaving between the groups of dispersing citizens. His gaze drifted back toward the cathedral steps, where High Cardinal Veyrn was descending slowly beneath the shadow of the arch.


    The light from the Sacred Relic still lingered in his mind ¡ª not soft and steady as it should have been, but restless. For a moment, Lior swore it pulsed in time with the beat of his own heart.


    They crossed the square together, passing beneath the shadow of the outer gate. Lior caught Celis¡¯s hand briefly as the crowd thickened around them. Her fingers curled lightly against his, warm despite the chill.


    "You know," he said, "you still didn¡¯t tell me why this procession matters so much."


    Celis glanced at him. Her amber eyes were steady. "Because it¡¯s tradition."


    Lior frowned. "Tradition isn¡¯t the same as truth."


    "Maybe not," Celis replied quietly. "But it¡¯s all people have."


    Lior hesitated, his gaze flicking toward the Sacred Relic still glowing faintly beneath the shadows of the cathedral.


    "Come on," Celis said, tugging his hand. "We¡¯re going to lose our spot at the bakery if you keep standing there."


    Lior smiled faintly and followed her.


    But beneath the calm hum of the waking city, the sound of the Dawn Bell still echoed in his chest  hollow and cold

 CHAPTER 3 : just another day

    Morning sunlight slanted across the training yard, glinting off polished steel and casting long shadows across the cobblestones. The chill of the early air still clung to Lior¡¯s skin, but the warmth of his own blood rising beneath the surface dulled it.


    A sharp crack rang out as the training sword struck his forearm.


    "Ah damn it!" Lior winced, stepping back and shaking out his arm.


    Across from him, Kyren grinned. "That all you got?"


    Kyren¡¯s dark hair was damp with sweat, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He twirled his training sword lazily between his fingers, the blade catching the sunlight.


    "I¡¯m just warming up," Lior muttered.


    "Then warm up faster."


    Kyren lunged forward. Lior barely had time to raise his sword before the clash of metal vibrated down his arm. He stumbled back, his feet scraping across the cobblestones.


    "Focus, Lior!" Sir Malrik¡¯s voice barked across the yard. The Templar captain stood at the edge of the ring, arms crossed over his chest. His polished armor gleamed like sunlight through glass. "You¡¯ll last about ten seconds in the Trials if you keep leaving your left side open."


    Kyren chuckled. "You hear that? Ten seconds."


    Lior shot him a glare and swung harder. Kyren easily deflected the blow and stepped forward, driving his shoulder into Lior¡¯s chest. Lior hit the ground hard, the breath knocked from his lungs.


    "Enough!" Malrik¡¯s voice cut through the clash of training swords. "Switch partners."


    Lior exhaled sharply and pushed himself upright, rubbing his aching chest. Kyren reached down and offered him a hand.


    "You¡¯re getting better," Kyren said, pulling him to his feet.


    "I still lost."


    "Yeah, but you lasted more than ten seconds this time."


    Lior scowled. "You¡¯re hilarious."


    "I know."


    "Lior!"


    He turned toward the sound of his name. A pair of girls stood near the edge of the ring, their gray cloaks gathered neatly at their shoulders. One of them  a blonde girl named Elyse  was smiling.


    "You looked good out there," Elyse said, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.


    Lior scratched the back of his neck. "Uh¡­ thanks?"


    "Maybe you could help us with sword drills sometime?" Elyse¡¯s smile widened.


    "I¡­ uh¡­"


    "Of course he can," Kyren cut in. "He¡¯s got nothing better to do."


    Lior shot Kyren a betrayed look. Elyse¡¯s friend giggled.


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    "Great!" Elyse¡¯s eyes sparkled as she stepped closer. "We¡¯ll see you after the next session?"


    "Um¡­ sure?"


    Elyse smiled again and walked away with her friend, both of them whispering to each other as they disappeared behind the training ring.


    Kyren clapped Lior on the back. "Look at you  attracting admirers now."


    "Shut up."


    "You know you¡¯ll have to teach them now, right?" Kyren said. "They¡¯re not going to let you off that easily."


    "Wonderful," Lior muttered.


    Across the training yard, Celis stood near the weapons rack, fastening her gauntlets. Her braid was slightly looser now, dark strands of hair clinging to her forehead. Her eyes narrowed as she watched Elyse disappear through the gate.


    "Are you going to spar," she said flatly, "or just stand there looking stupid?"


    Lior turned toward her. "I¡¯m resting."


    Celis¡¯s gaze lingered on Elyse¡¯s retreating figure for half a second longer before she picked up a training sword from the rack.


    "You¡¯ll get rusty if you rest too much," she said, flipping the sword with one hand.


    "Then why don¡¯t you spar with me?" Lior asked.


    Celis¡¯s expression sharpened. "Careful what you wish for."


    They stood across from each other beneath the rising sun. Celis rolled her shoulders, spinning her sword once before raising it toward Lior. Her amber eyes flashed beneath the sunlight.


    "Try not to embarrass yourself," she said.


    Lior smirked. "No promises."


    He lunged forward, swinging his sword low. Celis sidestepped with perfect timing, deflecting his strike easily.


    "Too slow."


    Lior adjusted his stance and attacked again. Celis parried the blow and twisted, stepping behind him in one smooth motion. Her elbow knocked into his back. Lior stumbled forward and barely managed to keep his footing.


    "Come on, Lior." Celis¡¯s smile sharpened. "The Trials are in two weeks. You¡¯re not planning to embarrass me in front of the High Cardinal, are you?"


    Lior swung toward her left side. Celis blocked the strike and then hooked her foot behind his ankle.


    Lior hit the ground hard.


    Celis crouched over him, the tip of her sword resting lightly against his chest.


    "You were saying?" she asked.


    Lior groaned. "Okay. You win."


    Celis smiled. "I know."


    She stood and offered her hand. Lior took it, and she pulled him to his feet.


    "You¡¯re getting better," Celis said.


    "I still lost."


    "You¡¯ll figure it out."


    "Before or after the Trials?"


    Celis shrugged. "That¡¯s up to you."


    Later that day, Lior sat beneath the shade of an old willow tree at the edge of the training grounds. Kyren was already asleep in the grass nearby, his arm thrown over his face.


    Lior leaned back against the tree trunk and closed his eyes.


    "You¡¯re quiet."


    Lior opened one eye. Celis stood nearby, holding two small wooden cups. She handed one to Lior before sitting beside him.


    "What is this?" Lior asked, sniffing the contents.


    "Tea," Celis said. "Drink it."


    Lior took a tentative sip. It was bitter. "This is awful."


    "Builds character."


    Lior sighed. "You¡¯re the worst."


    Celis smiled faintly and leaned her shoulder against his. "I know."


    For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The distant hum of the cathedral bells echoed through the air. The sun was warm against Lior¡¯s face.


    Celis glanced at him. "So¡­ Elyse."


    Lior frowned. "What about her?"


    Celis shrugged. "She seems¡­ interested."


    Lior¡¯s eyes narrowed. "Are you implying something?"


    "No." Celis¡¯s tone was too casual.


    "Right."


    "I¡¯m just saying."


    "You¡¯re not jealous, are you?" Lior teased.


    Celis¡¯s eyes flashed. "Of Elyse?"


    "I¡¯m just saying," Lior echoed.


    Celis scoffed. "Please. You¡¯d trip over your own feet trying to impress her."


    "I¡¯d trip over my own feet trying to impress you," Lior said before he could stop himself.


    Celis¡¯s smile froze. Her cheeks flushed a faint pink.


    For a brief moment, the playful expression slipped  replaced by something softer beneath her gaze.


    Then she looked away, her lips curling into a scowl. "Drink your tea."


    Lior smiled. "Yes, ma¡¯am."


    Celis¡¯s eyes narrowed. "You¡¯re impossible."


    Lior laughed softly and leaned back against the tree. His gaze wandered toward the white spires of the Grand Cathedral in the distance.


    For the first time in a long while, he allowed himself to relax.


    Celis leaned closer, her shoulder brushing his arm. "Just don¡¯t embarrass me at the Trials."


    "I¡¯ll try not to."


    Celis¡¯s eyes softened. "Good."


    For a moment, Lior thought she might say something else but she didn¡¯t. The silence between them stretched, comfortable and warm.


    The sun slipped lower in the sky as the last of the cathedral bells faded into the afternoon haze.