Something that money can't buy

1 week later from atop a gently sloping hill, the city of Pillaris came into view, and Ryden found himself momentarily breathless. The last time he had seen it, it had been the seed of an idea—a burgeoning settlement filled with hope and ambition. Now, it was a monument to everything they had worked for, an unmistakable symbol of progress and unity in the vast plains of GAIA.

From above, Pillaris sprawled like a living tapestry woven from stone, bronze, and spirit. Its walls, now taller and reinforced with bronze-tipped palisades, encircled the city in a protective embrace. Beyond the gates, the streets were wide and orderly, crisscrossing the city like a web of life.

At its heart stood the central fountain, once a modest coiled serpent, now a towering sculpture. The serpent's head rose high into the air, its mouth open as a stream of crystal-clear water cascaded into a deep basin below. The statue shimmered with intricate carvings, each telling stories of the city's founding and its growth.

Buildings of bronze-capped stone and sun-dried brick dotted the landscape, their walls adorned with murals depicting scenes of life, myth, and unity. Smoke curled from chimneys, the scent of cooked grains and roasted meats carried on the breeze. Workshops bustled near the outskirts of the city, their clanging tools a testament to the industrious spirit of its people.

Even from afar, spirits were visible, their ethereal forms moving leisurely through the streets. Some hovered near children who laughed and tried to reach them, while others appeared to converse with the adults, their presence as natural as any human's. Above it all, the banners of the original tribes—Katula, Toquiri, and Varuka—had merged into a single emblem: a golden serpent encircling a tree, its branches reaching toward the heavens.

The farmland surrounding Pillaris was a patchwork of lush fields and irrigation channels, the result of Rice's tireless work with the farmers. Crops swayed gently in the wind, evidence of the city's self-sufficiency and prosperity.

Ryden opened the booklet they had carried for so long, its pages magically updating as their journey progressed. As the city came into view, the entries for the original tribes—the Katula, Toquiri, and Varuka—faded, replaced by a single, unified listing:

[CITY NAME: Pillaris]

[POPULATION: 7,843]

[TECHNOLOGY LEVEL: Bronze Age]

[CURRENT LEADERS: Arika Venn, Zovar Drenn, Orvek Drenn]

[WARRIORS: 1,230]

[TERRITORY SIZE: Approximately 90 square miles]

[DEFENSES: Reinforced bronze walls, Spirit Guardians (3)]

[CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT: Advanced (writing, music, art, and spirit contracts)]

[ECONOMY: Thriving (agriculture, blacksmithing, trade)]

The procession of Zodiac clans slowed as Pillaris came into full view, gasps of awe rippling through the crowd. Clan leaders exchanged stunned glances, while their people craned their necks to take in the sight of the magnificent city.

"This…" murmured Nahlia of the Monkey Clan, her voice trailing off as her sharp eyes darted across the skyline. "This isn't just a city. It's… alive."

Barak of the Goat Clan let out a low whistle. "Look at those walls. They could hold off an army."

Zael of the Horse Clan grinned, her excitement barely contained. "And those streets—so organized! This is incredible."

Even the more reserved leaders, like Lyssara of the Snake Clan and Korrin of the Dragon Clan, couldn't hide their admiration. "The spirits walk openly among them," Korrin muttered, his expression awed. "This city… it's a miracle."

Their awe was interrupted by a sudden flurry of activity from the city's walls. Shouts and horns rang out as the guards scrambled into defensive positions. From the distance, Ryden could see figures atop the walls gesturing frantically toward the approaching horde.

"Well, that makes sense," Ryden muttered, his tone dry. "A massive group of people on horseback isn't exactly the most calming sight."

Rice snickered. "What, you think they'd just roll out the welcome mat?"

Darius, ever the pragmatist, scanned the situation. "They're treating this like an invasion. We need to act fast before someone does something rash."

The clan leaders quickly rode to the front of the procession, their banners fluttering as they called for their people to halt. The clans obeyed, their formation slowing to a stop just out of range of the city's defenses.

Ryden, Rice, and Darius exchanged a glance before moving to join the leaders at the forefront. Together, they approached the city gates, their presence a mix of reassurance and authority as the tension in the air thickened.

The gates of Pillaris creaked open, the sound reverberating through the air like the groaning of a slumbering giant awakening. Dust swirled around the bronze-tipped edges as they parted, revealing the bustling life within the city walls. From the shadowed interior, a lone figure emerged, her posture straight and unyielding, each step purposeful.

Arika Venn stepped into the light.

Her armor gleamed in the afternoon sun, bronze plates etched with intricate designs depicting flames and mythical creatures. A red sash crossed her chest, its edges frayed from wear but still vibrant, a testament to countless battles and long years of service. Her once-youthful face bore the lines of experience, the sharp angles of her jaw and cheekbones accentuated by the strength in her gaze. Her dark hair, streaked with silver, was tied back tightly, the strands glinting like molten metal.

Behind her soared a massive phoenix spirit, its fiery plumage casting a warm, flickering glow across the ground. The creature's wings stretched wide, their tips licking the air with ethereal flames. Its presence alone was enough to send a ripple of awe through the gathered Zodiac clans.

In her right hand, Arika held a bronze spear, its tip razor-sharp and etched with symbols of fire. Her expression was unreadable as she strode forward, her every movement radiating confidence and command. The gates closed behind her with a thud, leaving only the silence of anticipation and the occasional crackle of the phoenix's fire.

As Arika neared, her piercing gaze scanned the group, her presence menacing despite the familiarity she might once have shared with the trio. The tension was palpable, the gathered clans watching her approach with bated breath.

But then her sharp eyes locked onto a familiar face—Rice, grinning ear to ear, his hands raised in a casual wave.

"Rice?" she uttered quietly, her voice carrying a mix of disbelief and recognition.

"Hey, Arika!" Rice said, his grin widening as he waved with both hands. "It's good to see you! We come in peace!"

For a moment, Arika's expression softened, her grip on the spear loosening. She broke into a run, her spear clattering to the ground as she closed the distance. Without hesitation, she threw her arms around Rice in a fierce hug.

Rice hugged her back with equal enthusiasm, patting her on the back. "Sorry about the scare, but we—" He paused, leaning back slightly to look at her face. "Damn, you've gotten old."

The world froze.

The gathered clans stared, wide-eyed. Even Ryden and Darius, who had known Rice's penchant for speaking without thinking, stood utterly still, their faces a mix of horror and disbelief.

Arika, her arms still around Rice, slowly pulled back, her expression icy despite the warm glow of her phoenix spirit. The temperature seemed to drop as a biting aura radiated from her, the air heavy with the promise of impending wrath.

Rice's grin faltered, his eyes darting to Ryden and Darius. "Ohhh, I fucked up," he muttered under his breath.

Ryden and Darius simultaneously took a step back, their hands raised in silent disavowal of their friend's reckless comment.

Arika stared at Rice for a long moment, the internal struggle visible on her face. At last, she exhaled sharply, straightening her posture. "For the sake of our reunion," she said, her tone cold but measured, "I'll let it go." She paused, her eyes narrowing slightly. "For now."

Rice swallowed hard, nodding quickly. "Thanks, Arika. You're the best."

Arika turned to the gathered clan leaders, her sharp gaze sweeping over them with the weight of authority earned through years of leadership. "Any friend of Rice, Ryden, and Darius is a friend of Pillaris," she said, her voice firm yet gracious. "You are welcome here."

Her eyes drifted to the thousands of people behind the leaders, the horde of warriors, herders, artisans, and spirits waiting expectantly. A flicker of unease crossed her face. She turned back to Rice. "How many?"

Rice's grin returned, as confident as ever. "Oh, about twelve thousand, give or take."

Arika faltered for the first time, her composure cracking as she took in the sheer scale of the group. "Twelve… thousand?" she repeated, almost incredulous.

Before she could say more, Torran, chief of the Dog Clan, stepped forward. His broad shoulders and calm demeanor lent weight to his words as he addressed her. "We understand the burden our arrival might place on your city. We've prepared supplies and food to last us for an entire season, as Rice has taught us. All we ask is that some of our people be allowed to explore your magnificent city."

Arika's gaze softened as she listened, and she nodded after a moment's thought. "Of course," she said warmly. "You are all welcome here. And," she added with a small smile, "we must throw a feast to celebrate such a historic reunion."

A cheer rose from the gathered clans, their excitement palpable as the gates of Pillaris swung open once more, ready to welcome the Zodiac clans into its thriving heart.