Chapter 26 : Present

In the vast world of Alvanian, most countries depended on charge magic as a substitute for the advanced technology back on Earth. But there were rare cases where charge magic and technology merged, and Guardio Seno stood as a shining beacon of that advancement. This magnificent city boasted structures that seemed to defy the laws of nature, hovering vehicles gliding gracefully through the air and seamless integration of charge magic into everyday life. Guardio Seno was a testament to what the combined brilliance of charge and technology could achieve.

But beyond the glittering facade of Guardio Seno lay another aspect of Alvanian. A network of cities and islands where the resources and land were scarce, relying solely on the wonders of charge magic to sustain their existence. These cities might not have the towering skyscrapers or futuristic aesthetics of Guardio Seno, but they were still advanced, and their mastery of charge magic was awe-inspiring

One such city was the humble Kon Guardio, nestled on the fourth island of Loda Guardio. Here, the cityscape might not be dominated by towering structures, but the ingenuity of the people thrived within its modest streets. They embraced charge as their lifeline, and the city seemed to hum with a unique energy, powered by the mystic forces they wielded.

As Lincoln and Aytrex entered the inn in Kon Guardio, they were greeted by a sight that felt both familiar and otherworldly. The inn was a cozy establishment with wooden furnishings and soft, warm lighting. Yet, in the background, the unseen workings of charge magic manifested in various ways.

The lights glowed softly without any visible bulbs or wires, floating orbs of energy providing a serene ambiance. The air felt just right, neither too cold nor too warm, a balance maintained effortlessly by the unseen charge magic conduits within the walls.

In the corner, a holographic message board displayed information about local events and news, its images and texts seemingly projected out of thin air. The innkeeper, a seasoned charge magic practitioner, greeted them with a genuine smile, her hand subtly gesturing, and the register book floated into her grasp.

"Welcome to our humble inn," she said warmly, her voice melodious. Lincoln felt his body hum with charge as she spoke.

Aytrex handled the transaction, placing the required coins onto the counter, which were swiftly enveloped by a faint glow as the payment was verified. The innkeeper then motioned to a set of keys floating nearby, and they gracefully levitated to Aytrex's hand.

"Your room is on the second floor, number 207," she said, and with a gentle wave, the keys glowed as they registered Aytrex and Lincoln as the room's occupants. Lincoln glanced at Aytrex, intrigued by the enchanting concept.

The world around them blurred for a brief moment, and as they blinked, they found themselves standing inside their room. It was as if they had been whisked away in the blink of an eye, their surroundings settling into place around them.

The room itself was charmingly adorned, with delicate artwork and tasteful decor that reflected the essence of Loda Guardio's rich culture. The beds beckoned invitingly, its soft sheets and fluffy pillows promising a restful stay. The lighting in the room adjusted to their presence, dimming to create a serene atmosphere that embraced them warmly.

Lincoln marvelled at the seamless teleportation that brought them here. It was a subtle and wondrous display of the mystical energies that surrounded them. As they settled in, they couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the magical wonders that Alvanian had to offer.

As Lincoln pondered the mysteries of Alvanian, he couldn't help but feel a sense of overwhelming curiosity. The few weeks he had spent on this fascinating planet had only scratched the surface of its vast knowledge and unique way of life.

He had witnessed the harmonious blend of charge magic and advanced technology in cities like Guardio Seno, where the impossible seemed effortlessly achievable. On the other hand, the humble simplicity of places like Kon Guardio had its charm, relying solely on charge to sustain its existence. The duality of the Alvanian civilizations intrigued him, and he knew there was so much more to explore and comprehend.

Lincoln sank into a chair, his mind still overwhelmed by the events of the day. A large window offered a view of the quaint streets of Kon Guardio, where passersby strolled, their energy orbs guiding their way through the evening.

"It's so calming," Lincoln commented as he observed the Alvan pedestrians.

"Kon Guardio is known to be the most silent Guardio," Aytrex explained. "All the islands have their unique attributes. Though, Seno and Eno, the eighth island, are quite similar. While Eno is less secure, it's not very noticeable. Seno is also where we station most of the Upper Guardian forces."

"Neno, the ninth island, on the other hand, is the most mysterious one. It's not exactly part of Loda Guardio itself, and you must've realized that when you went city jumping." He continued.

Lincoln nodded, recalling his recent travels. "Yeah, I remember I couldn't find the ninth one."

Aytrex leaned on the window, his expression thoughtful. "That's because Neno is unlike any other island in Alvanian. It was also the first to be created."

Aytrex smiled at Lincoln's curiosity. Before the current Alvanian, there were many other Planet Alvanians, though the planet was called Titanian at the time. Titans kept searching for new planet hosts to maintain their civilization. Even though Core Emerald could have stopped the endless search for planets, they decided not to use it to take an inhabited planet, which supports life, as a host." Aytrex explained. "Instead, they found hosts that had no inhabitants just to make it work. Some hosts were weaker and got destroyed after only a hundred thousand years, while stronger ones lasted for over fifty million years. This cycle continued until the current Alvanian, which is one of the stronger ones, where nine titan kings reigned one after another before the titans eventually went extinct indefinitely."

Lincoln absorbed this information, intrigued by the ancient history of Alvanian. "I know that the Titans inhabited this planet before the Alvan civilization started. It's interesting to know that there was a titan monarchy during that time."

"That's right," Aytrex confirmed. "Many centuries after the extinction of the titan kings and the beginning of the Alvan civilization, an island suddenly appeared on Alvanian. This island felt like a realm of its own, where even time flowed differently. It was so powerful that it triggered a chain reaction and gradually led to the creation of over a hundred islands all over Alvanian."

Lincoln was amazed by the magnitude of this revelation. "That island was Guardio Neno?"

Aytrex nodded. "Exactly, except there was no name for it at the time. It was only later that Alvans realized that out of the hundred islands, many of them were grouped, like countries. They also realized that the biggest group had eight islands, and coincidentally, each of these islands had the presence of one of the other eight titan kings. This is how the country of Loda Guardio came into being, with all the islands being named based on the order of the Titan kings. The first island to be created had the presence of the last titan, hence it was named Guardio Seno. Guardio in our historical language means Titan and as you know we have a common international language in Alvanian that's almost identical to English. Guardio sounded like Guardian, and that's how we named ourselves Guardians, existing to protect what the Guardios believed in."

Lincoln's mind was buzzing with questions. "I still can't wrap my head around how we have the same language... But why were the islands created in the first place?"

Aytrex sighed, "That remains a mystery to this day. The sudden appearance of Neno and the subsequent creation of all these islands happened without explanation. It was only millenniums later when the planet's core started to heat up that the islands' purpose became apparent. They began to float away from the core as a countermeasure against the heating. But we don't know if this was the exact reason, as none of the titan kings knew either."

Lincoln's curiosity was piqued once again and he asked, "How do you know that?"

"Some of us were able to communicate with the kings," Aytrex said with a slow smirk. "Spiritually, of course. It's an ancient practice that requires intense training and a strong connection to the Titan realm. But even more astonishing, some were able to transcend mere communication and utilize the titan's abilities for combat, like the energy manipulator who preceded you."

Lincoln listened intently, absorbing Aytrex's words. "So, it's possible to harness their powers?" he asked, feeling a mix of excitement and caution.

Aytrex nodded. "Yes, but it's incredibly rare and dangerous," he explained. "The process of becoming a titan's host is gruelling, both emotionally and physically. The test they put a person through can nearly destroy them, and even if they pass, the titan king still judges their worthiness. That's why I'd advise you to give up on trying to do what the previous energy manipulator did. It's an extraordinary and perilous path that very few have the privilege or strength to tread."

"I haven't had the time to think about it since you just told me," Lincoln replied. "But let's see."

Aytrex nodded, acknowledging Lincoln's free will. "I get it," he said. "Just be cautious and realistic. Your well-being comes first, and you have a long journey ahead to uncover the truth behind your abilities. Right now, you should find a way to control your ability. Limiting yourself doesn't make you weaker; it makes you a formidable force. Once you know your limits, you can push them when needed."

Lincoln chuckled, appreciating the advice. "That sounds deep," he remarked.

Aytrex chuckled with him as the mood lightened. "My mentor taught me that, and it's helped a lot," he explained as he sank into the chair next to Lincoln. The room exuded a sense of calm and camaraderie.

"So, we did the fight Crescent and Edgar kept asking us to do," Aytrex said after a moment of silence, changing the subject to something more lighthearted.

"Yeah, right. I wouldn't call that a fair fight. I had no idea what I was doing, plus I don't even remember anything," Lincoln said, still feeling frustrated with what happened.

"You were still pretty hard to beat though. I call that a win," Aytrex countered with another chuckle, his demeanour lighthearted. Lincoln couldn't help but smile, realizing how childlike the orange-haired Alvan could be.

"How did you even beat me anyway?" Lincoln asked, genuinely curious about how Aytrex managed to overcome his powerful onslaught.

Aytrex shrugged playfully. "Luck, I guess."