Land Of the skies

Built in a dramatic natural landscape, Jubai stands as a testament to the resilience and grandeur of Wize. To the east, towering mountains loom like ancient guardians, their jagged peaks often shrouded in mist, creating a breathtaking contrast against the clear blue skies. These mountains are more than just a natural barrier—they are a source of pride and protection, their caves rumored to hold secrets of ancient civilizations. To the south, the steady flow of the Yahju River carves a shimmering path through the land, its waters gleaming under the sunlight like molten silver. It serves as the city's lifeblood, nourishing its people, fueling its trade, and providing a strikingly verdant contrast to the arid northern desert, where endless waves of golden sand stretch toward the horizon.

Jubai, often called "The Land of the Skies," lives up to its name with tall, elegant spires and intricate buildings that seem to touch the heavens. The architecture reflects the city's divine heritage, its rulers having been blessed by the god Horus, the Sky God. The city's tallest tower, the "Eye of Horus," rises above all else, its pinnacle adorned with a massive, golden falcon statue that gleams with an ethereal glow during sunrise and sunset, as though blessed by Horus himself. This structure is both a symbol of divine authority and a beacon, visible for miles beyond the city's borders. Various towers, albeit smaller, were scattered all around the city. Most of them are visible from a distance.

The streets of Jubai are wide and bustling, lined with market stalls that brim with goods from across Wize and beyond. Exotic spices, rare silks, and shimmering jewels are traded alongside necessities, giving the air a constant hum of life and commerce. In the heart of the city lies the grand square, a sprawling space paved with white stone, where festivals and ceremonies are held in honor of Horus and the city's storied past.

The people of Jubai, known for their vibrant culture and indomitable spirit, take great pride in their city's unique geography and divine connection. Artisans craft intricate mosaics depicting the city's history and its ties to the skies, adorning buildings, and public spaces with stories told through vibrant tiles. Musicians fill the air with melodies inspired by the wind and the call of desert birds, and storytellers weave tales of Horus's blessings and the city's heroic founders.

Despite its beauty and divine heritage, Jubai is a city of contrasts. The river brings life, yet the desert looms with its scorching heat and shifting sands. The mountains provide protection, yet their shadows remind of the unknown dangers beyond. Amidst the soaring spires, the city constantly strives to balance its celestial aspirations with the harsh realities of the land it calls home.

Jubai is not just a city—it is a symbol of perseverance, faith, and the enduring bond between the earth and the heavens. It is a place where the skies seem closer, where the people walk with their heads held high, ever aware of their legacy and their destiny.

Making their way into this glorious city, Thia, Thena, and their guide moved gently into it. After six days of travel, the trio had finally made it to the city. They traveled from the mountains of Lyokis to the city of Cosant, then up through the river to Jubai. Once they were down from their boat, they took to Jubai.

They came down from the docks into the city's checkpoints, where they were checked. They used their usual cover—two noble girls accompanied by their guard—and were allowed to enter the city once they were checked.

Once they were inside, the two girls took their time to absorb the beauty that was unfolding before their eyes. The first thing the girls set their eyes on was the various stalls close to the docks where travelers landed. Many people were advertising their products to those coming into the city, while many were trying to convince those entering to employ them as guides.

The way the city was bustling with energy and activities, it was difficult to say Wize was currently at war. It was quite different from the lousy and gloomy town in the mountains and the somber city of Cosant. And now, they were finally in a city that was alive.

The girls had arrived in the evening, just as the sun was retreating, so they were just in time to see the city light up. Many people employed the use of light crystals all over the city, giving it a shade of beautiful brightness.

As Thena and Thia looked around in awe, their guide, whose name they had discovered was Toni, gave them a bit of information about the city.

"The city of Jubai is also known as the land of the Skies or the Land of Horus. It is one of the most beautiful cities in Wize, just behind Hadia, Pshen, and Junai. Those tall buildings you see all over are built in honor of the god Horus. The family ruling this city is said to be blessed by him, making them build the city in a way to honor their god. But there is also another reason why those were built," Toni said.

"Why?" Thia asked curiously.

"Those buildings are said to house a member of the Yaya family. Whenever there is trouble in an area, the people staying in those places come down and stop whatever trouble is unfolding. The family members have wings, so they can easily come down from such buildings. Only a few people are allowed into the buildings," Toni explained.

"You sure know quite a lot about this city," Thena said. "Have you been here before?" she asked.

"Yes. I've been to Jubai before, I was stationed here for a while before moving on," Toni replied. "Everything I know about the city comes from my time being stationed here."

"Oh," Thena said. She quickly looked around and saw that no one was watching. Then she climbed the wall of one of the tall buildings closest to them. She moved quickly and swiftly, using the cover of darkness to hide her tracks.

"What is she doing?" Toni asked in shock, almost screaming.

Thia simply shrugged and waited for Thena to come back.

Thena looked around the city from the roof of the small tower, and it was beautiful. The night even made it more mesmerizing. She could see different buildings like the one she was on, scattered all over Jubai. All of them at various heights and at a reasonable distance from one another. Then there was the tallest building, right in the heart of the city. From that height, she could see the building was located behind another building that was not as tall as it was, but it was slightly taller than the one Thena was on.

Thena smiled as she stared at the view.

"These people do love tall buildings. All just because they can fly, huh?" she hissed, then came down from the building, making sure no one saw her.

When she came down, Thia turned to her and asked, "Well?"

"Well, it will be difficult to find the prince in this city," Thena replied.

"We definitely won't be trying to," Thia replied.

"Then how do we intend on finding him?" Thena asked.

"We have people in Jubai too. We will contact them and discuss any useful information they might have," Toni explained.

"Well, that's better than searching this whole city," Thena said. "As expected of Eru."

"There is a spot in the city where we use to send messages. I will leave a message there tonight after we find a place for the night."

Thena and Thia nodded, and they went on to get a place for the night. Once they did, Toni went on to drop the message, leaving the girls alone in their room.