City of Lost Moon (Ⅰ)

Lawold.

The Royal Capital of the domain that the Cromwells presided over. Also known as 'The City of Lost Moon.'

Contrary to its name, the city did not lack a moon.

As a matter of fact, the moon hung unusually large and low, its enrapturing glow casting a bright blue light everywhere. It almost seemed as if the moon was dipping into the river that bisected the city, much like the sun at the time of Dusk.

The river flowed seamlessly, without making a noise, right in the middle of what seemed like the two parts of Lawold, the moon casting a long, enchanting reflection into the pristinely clear water body.

Buildings of varying heights and styles lined the right portion of the riverside, their facades adorned with simple, yet effective patterns and glowing lanterns.

Even at this distance, the hustle and bustle of people was visible as markets were brimmed with soft music of a bard's instrument filling the air.

'The lights here are unusually bright.'

This was the first thought that appeared in Arthur's mind as he looked at the otherwise breathtaking view of the city.

The journey from "The Keep" to "Lawold" was finished in the span of a few seconds. After a few moments of back-and-forth with his father, Aksel somehow made Arthur convinced that there was no hidden trick behind Jayden's invitation.

Arthur had somewhat guessed that both were men who recognised power and respected it, but his own sceptical nature made it almost impossible for him to completely trust Jayden. There was also the matter of General Ed Vorlith.

What Arthur had done could be counted as a necessary measure for survival, but for Ed, it might be an unforgivable matter. Since it was his mother. Even though he acted so indifferent towards it.

'It might just be a matter of his ego.' Arthur continued to think to himself. 'Well, I guess I just need to be really cautious around him.'

The faint hum of the Warp Gate brought him out of his thoughts as he glanced over his shoulder before returning his attention back to the view in front of him.

The Warp Gate was what teleported them here. And while the logic and mechanics behind it remained elusive to Arthur—for now—he didn't really bother to pay much heed to it anyways. It was quite natural for people in Eden to make such things.

The comparison of Magical Development between Earth and Eden can't even be described as 'a droplet in the biggest ocean,' just like how Eden's technology couldn't be compared to Earth's. They were thousands upon thousands of years of technological revolutions behind Earth.

But unlike humans, they did not have the misfortune of starting everything from scratch. Hence, the disparity in progression did not equate to actual numerical difference between the age and era of Earth and Eden currently.

"It's so...beautiful." Astrid commented from Arthur's side as she took a careful step towards the steep edge of the giant hill that overlooked the city.

Behind Arthur, Michael and Aksel also stepped out from the modest Warp Gate.

The scintillating grey mosaic that served as the 'Gate' between the two locations was encased like a mirror between the rectangular granite frame in the middle of nowhere. And when Jayden finally stepped out of the Warp Gate, the scorching runes along its sides started to subside, ever so slightly.

Before long, the Warp Gate lifted off the tall blades of grass atop the hill, hovering a few feet above the ground. The silvery smooth magical device folded in on itself, transforming into a miniature rhombus-like 2-dimensional shard that landed into Jayden's palm and then disappeared, seemingly absorbing into his pale skin and disappearing underneath it.

"Aren't you supposed to react with 'Kyaa~ Odin's Beard~! It's so luminously opulent~', eh?" Michael's voice's pitch dropped as he tried to imitate Astrid, placing his hands on his cheeks and wriggling his body like an excited girl. However, his lips shut tight as he looked over the wide expanse of the giant city rolling for as far as the eye could see and the captivating moon half-peeking out of the river. "Oh damn, it actually is beautiful."

"Won't be so beautiful once you know there is no McDonald's here." Astrid huffed, crossing her arms as the winds caused her silvery strands to wave like a flag.

"Wow, you are so funny." Michael scoffed. "But a big mac would've cheered me up after all the shit this guy put me through." He rolled his eyes, pointing his finger at Arthur.

Arthur looked over his shoulder. "You could've refused."

"Who could've guessed that you would fall so low!" He retorted, breathing furiously through his nose.

"Ehhhh? What's happening? What did he do now?" Astrid looked alternatively between the two. 

Before Arthur could reply, Michael waved his hand. "Nothing. Just arguing to pass some time." However, he cast a sharp look at Arthur's direction as if telling him he knew what his intentions were.

Meanwhile Arthur just shrugged. The damage was already done. There was no use of worrying even if Michael had figured out what he wanted, despite how obvious it was now.

"Now, now, gather around!" Jayden's voice caused the three to turn their attention towards him as Aksel was already standing beside him. "They must have sensed my—our arrival already!" He said exuberantly.

Jayden was quite happy. For his own personal reasons, yes, but he was also someone who—much like the Olvasens—did not have an indiscriminate hate for other races. Despite the deep scar that Eve had left when Jayden confronted her a few thousand years ago, he did not hold any kind of obsessive grudge towards humans.

And much like Aksel, he respected those with strength and potential.

And while he did not have indiscriminate hate for humans, if it was anyone who was not as strong as Arthur, Michael or Aksel, he would not have hesitated to kill them all.

"Putting the matter of who would've sensed your arrival or not, I have to ask." Aksel started speaking. "Why are we on a hilltop?"

Jayden smiled and then placed his hand over Aksel's shoulder. Glancing at Arthur from the corner of his eye, he raised a brow.

"Avoiding panic." Arthur spoke and then looked away.

"Exactly as Arthur says!" He exclaimed. "If I were to teleport us to the castle, despite me being with you, most of the ministers would pounce at you without wasting a single moment."

"Oh, fair enough." Aksel shook his head in acknowledgment.

Astrid shifted and took a step towards Arthur. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder between him and Michael, she followed Arthur's line of sight. Her pale blue eyes were further illuminated by the bright blue moon that was brighter than the time they had seen at the Keep.

"What's wrong...you haven't talked since we left that place..." Astrid whispered, not turning her head towards Arthur.

"Nothing." His eyes continued to look in a straight line, piercing through the blue moon and looking at the sky that stretched infinitely beyond it, a barely perceptible sheen of an aurora hanging over it.

Arcanum was gathering around Arthur. Like an inquisitive animal, seeing if getting near to a human is safe or not, it hovered up and beside him, occasionally drifting closer. And then Arcanum was slipping into his primary node, slightly—almost unenticingly expanding it. His reserves. Almost as if it was alive.

Arthur raised his hand, a small congregation of lights blinking in and out around his fingers.

"Those are Manaflies. Really timid." Jayden spoke up, pointing at the small congregation of the fireflies around Arthur. "They rarely come close to people." His smile widened. "They must've sensed something strange or really appealing about your Arcanum."

"Or because it's dark." Arthur shrugged it away causing Jayden to raise his hands in a placating manner.

"Mana? Only weirdo normies use that term." Michael scoffed.

"It was indeed a commoner traveller who named it." Jayden nodded his head. "Despite the first impressions, you don't seem to be completely...a brute."

"HAH!? Watch your tong--"

Michael was interrupted as a long, faint shadow stretched over them. Immediately afterwards the shadow was accompanied by a deep sound...the rhythmic flapping of something enormous. The beats stirred the air, sending gusts of wind billowing outward, rustling the medium length blades of grass and causing them to look upward.

Hovering above them, not one, but numerous creatures floated.

And then with a practised efficiency, they flew down from the shadows, their massive forms causing the velvety pelt beneath their feet to undulate which caused Astrid to jump back in a sudden fright.

Arthur turned around slowly and narrowed his eyes.

The creatures in question resembled wyrms, their long, crooked bodies covered in overlapping, cracked scales that gleamed faintly under the moonlight, each one a dark, iridescent hue. Like an almost opaque, lustreless object.

Their heads were adorned with a pair of curved, horn-like protrusions, framing eyes that glowed softly, reflecting the starlight with a gleam. But it wasn't predatory. Much to Arthur's surprise, the notion of hunting and pouncing on people seemed to be totally subdued.

As Arthur looked at the ten or so wyrms land, he completely turned around.

'Merely domesticating them won't result in such a subdued state of mind...something's strange.'

The wyrm's wings were vast, stretching out to either side with a worn-out leathery texture, the heavy sound of flapping that sent ripples earlier whittling down as they stabilised themselves on solid ground.

The thin membranes between the skeletal structure of their wings were outlined faintly against the night sky. Their tails, equally long, ending in a wickedly sharp barb that swayed rhythmically as it slithered forward.

Their backs had huge saddles, securely fastened with thick, leather straps that criss crossed its chest and sides. The saddle was crafted from something that according to Earthen standards could be classified as normal leather, reinforced with metal studs and decorated with swirling patterns.

It had huge, curved edges and there were various loops and compartments for storing gear and other things a rider could need.

The creature's breaths came in deep huffs, misting slightly in the cool night air. 

Three hooded figures unmounted the wyrms and immediately got into a battle stance. However, the swords immediately returned to their scabbards as they saw Jayden glaring at them.

Falling to their knees, they lowered their heads.

"Apologies, my Lord. We thought..." the man dipping his head low bit on his lip, avoiding any further talks as Jayden's intent suddenly weighed down on him.

After a while of emptily staring at the man, he turned to the other two.

"Prepare the wyrms." He spoke and looked at Aksel who nodded. "Nostravlun is about to welcome the first humans in thousands of years." He announced as the three demons exchanged exasperated gazes between each other. "Cue the trumpets."

Arthur let out a heavy breath. 'I don't like this.'