16. New Experience's For Everyone

The three of them walked up to the city gate. Two guards stood at attention in half-plate armor. Their ridged stance and draconic helmets gave the guards a menacing look. They stood in front of two black stone pillars that suffused in golden orange cracks. Heat radiated from the columns in waves.

"Oh wow, I have never actually been to the City of Fire before. Who could have thought they would use Black Fire Soul Rock to make the gate," Titania marveled while looking at the massive pillars and the average black wall that continued past on either side.

"Gate? Is it hiding around the corner?" Sigardus asked as he quickly began looking around.

The guards paid him no mind, but Liam put his hand to his forehead with his other hand on his elbow. Titania laughed and walked up to the closest guard as Liam shook his head. Sigardus was now asking the other guard, but the guard ignored him.

"I, Titania Fila Astrotha Elisha, Would like to request a meeting with the king," Titania spoke with a noble bearing. Still, at her name, the guard had already looked like he wanted to cut her off excitedly.

"Oh, yes! His Majesty has been expecting you. Ollie! Hey! Send Wick's boy, Little Jhonny, to run and inform the escort," the guard yelled to the other guard Sigardus was still bothering.

The guard went to the gatehouse and inside. Sigardus was grumbling as he walked back to the group. Soon, a tall and skinny man bolted out of the gate and into the city. The guard also returned outside to his post. Sigardus turned back and scowled at the guard.

"Don't mind, Ollie. He is a good guard. He is just getting older and doesn't like to talk much. Everyone got their quirks. Ollie just doesn't care about any of them. By the way, My name is Richam," explained Richam, extending his hand to Sigardus.

Finally, getting some recognition, Sigardus didn't hesitate to shake Richam's hand. Titania smiled, and Liam just stood back, silently admiring the gate. The Black Fire Soul Stone was tough to find. Liam had also heard rumors of the stones contain four to five fire and magma Shyfts that stayed content unless activated.

Liam looked up the wall to the top, which was hard to see now that he was on the ground and not flying. He was in awe of the sheer power this gate possessed. An arm linking with his and Titania's voice brought Liam out of his reverie.

"Whatcha thinking about?" Titania asked, looking up at Liam then the wall.

"Just marveling at the power of the gate," Liam smiled.

"They're here! They even brought a cart thinger!" Sigardus shouted excitedly.

"He's a weird one," Titania spoke as she looked at Sigardus.

"Be nice. I think Sig is hiding something from his past. I don't think he is dangerous; he has a haunted expression. Like he's been through a lot," Liam whispered as he pulled Titania forward, smiling and waving back to Sigardus.

When the three walked up to the carriage, a door open on the side. A man wearing a dark brown robe stepped out and bowed. The man introduced himself as Deacon, but before he could continue, Sigardus interrupted him with a question.

"Why did you get out of the carriage? You could have waited till we got in, right? Then you could have introduced yourself when we were all comfortable, and it would have saved you the trip stepping out of the cart thinger, right?" Sigardus asked very seriously. "There was no need to get out on our accounts."

Everyone's mouth fell open. Even Guard Ollie's eyes widened to two different sizes. Liam and Titania both stood aghast, know that this was the King's advisor and right-hand man. It was like royalty coming out to greet them and hold the door. Most would say that the King shows us tremendous honor by having Deacon introducing himself outside in front of the ever-growing crowd. Yet, Sigardus managed to insult him before Deacon could speak two words.

Suddenly to everyone's shock, Deacon starts to laugh boisterously. Everyone shocked faces turn to astonishment as the advisor slapped his knee, finally getting his laughing under control. Deacon reached out a hand and clapped it on Sigadus's shoulder.

"I like you, kid. You seem way too nice, so you must be Sigardus. Heard you got in a scrap with the Prince, standin' up for your girl," Deacon pulled Sigardus closer with his arm that was somehow around his shoulder and whispered, "stick with me, kid. I can teach you some trick to help whoop the scales off the Prince."

Deacon had let Sigardus go after they had finished his conspiring whispers and gave him a grin. Then Deacon turned to the other two and opened his arms.

"Welcome to Utravenna, The City of Fire! We welcome the emissaries from the two kingdoms, Hallin-Gra and Fila Astrotha Elisha. The King has prepared rooms for each of you, and after meeting with the King, with will visit the Princess," Deacons voice carried over the crowd that was steadily growing at the gates.

Titania and Liam paid their respects by bowing and curtsying to Deacon. The three of them were all still shocked at the events, considering they had thought it would be hard even to see the girl. Instead, the King has invited them to stay in the palace and already set up a meeting. As they all got into the carriage, their fears and tension seemed to melt away.

As each person got themselves situated, the carriage began to move. It was a bronze cab with curtains, but no glass windows, with one mountain ox pulling it. Sigardus leans forwards to look outside but is surprised when his face presses up against a transparent barrier.

"You're new to the city, so you probably have never heard of magical barriers. We use special high-level Shyfts to engrave magical runes to help with all different thing's here in The Fire City," Deacon gestured towards the mountain where the castle stood on their left.

The three of them had all piled into the back of the carriage. Looking out the barrier, Sigardus watched as they approached a fork in the road. Traffic became one-way, and a flowing molten lava river divided the road. Sigardus watched in awe as he saw people walking beside the barriers with lava splashing with no free.

"How can we be so close to the lava?" Sigardus asked Deacon.

"Magic can absorb heat, and it can have heat if that is its purpose. Magic, before it has an element, does not absorb heat, nor can it produce it. So by making a bubble around, it traps the heat and keeps the magma flowing," Deacon explained.

While they talked, Titania pulled on Liam's arm.

"Mhm?" Liam said as he absorbed his surrounding. This city was a new place, and it already had blown him away that a ground city could be so grand.

"Look at all the Shyfts just walking around or hanging out with their partners. Must be nice," Titania sighed as she looked out the window.

"Come to think of it now, even in New Mishal, our sky capital of Hallin-Gra, it's rare to see someone walking with their shyfts openly," Liam pondered. "The people here must have a very relaxed lifestyle even though they live in a volcano."

"What the young master says is true. People and their partners have a perfect life here. Everyone is taught to cultivate with their Shyfts to maximize their bonds. People and Shyft work side by side, creating weapons and armor that are sold across the Kingdoms," Deacon explained proudly.

Soon they reached the castle, and Deacon escorted them into the palace. As they walked up, it was even more breathtaking up close.

Walls and towers stood inside a bowl that carved out of the volcano. It was if the entire castle had been cut from the mountain. Magma poured from strategic spots, and it gave the whole place a mystical and magic look.

They walked into the castle, and Deacon directed them to a room. The room had three comfortable chairs at one end and a much more elegant one facing them. Deacon told them to sit down, and His Majesty would be with them shortly. The three sagged into their chairs and waited for the King, as Deacon left the room.

Soon, they heard the door open and a young man with a black robe entered. He walked to the chair on the far side and sat down. No one made noise until the King broke the silence.

"Welcome, children, I am glad to see you all made the trip safely. It seems you all are determined to see the Princess, so I won't keep you all too long," the King's voice vibrated through the three.

Back in Pandrea's room

"So, Clear your mind and focus on Aquina," Dalphia explained.

"Alright," Pandrea confirmed, closing her eyes.

Aquina sat on her lap in the same cross-legged pose she was. As Pandrea sat and focused, she could slowly feel Aquina's presence in her mind. The next step was to picture something with one of the five positive basic elements.

For this, Pandrea could choose from earth, wind, fire, water, or metal. Depending on her choice, she could also affect what paths are to Aquina's growth in the future. Suddenly, Pandrea realized that these were more than things used to fight with as weapons. Instead, she could now see them as equal partners.

With a greater understanding of the bond, Pandrea dove into her memories of gods from her old world. She remembered a certain goddess that would suit Aquina's personality. Showing Aquina the form, a soft watery voice whispered.

"Perfect"

Suddenly, Pandrea and Aquina began to glow. Dalphia had been watching over them and smiled.

They completed it this fast?! The girl has no training!

Then, the girl and Shyft started to glow brighter and brighter. Dalphia grabbed Echo and Lunic and dove across the bed to slide on the other side. The room was soon filled with a blinding light, and Dalphia clutched her Shyft to her bosom.

The light faded, footsteps and voices could be coming near.

What just happened? Was all Dalphia and her sun spotted eyes could process. She was scared to look but decided she couldn't be called a Big Sis if she shrunk away now.

Turning to look, Dalphia froze.