"Any warrior that dares cross into the boundary of death and after-birth has lost all sense of mortality ."
. . . . . . . . . .
Caesar's eyes couldn't believe what he saw.
In fact, no student could decide whether their eyes were deceiving them or whether they were actually seeing the true magnitude and beauty of Ebony.
Of course, each student has visited the city of witchcraft more than once in their short lifetime, but it feels to them that the city grows in grandeur and beauty every time they visit.
But where to start from?
The sky constantly moves and sways like a crystal-blue ocean hanging over the city, refracting the light of the two suns and casting dazzling blue-and-white shadows across it.
The base of the city was perhaps the most confusing; as some parts of lands dug deep into the rivers as the shores covered in blue and green sand gently sat next to to the water body, but other sides of the city had imposing fotresses or wide cannals that had surely seen wars and conflicts in its time: the cobblestones worn out and microorganisms like the Kalgea or the Tahumaha making their dominion in the crevices.
Buildings and castles were tightly packed like a wide lake of marvellous architecture, as the class's mouths gaped open in admiration at some of the most intricate and distinctive-looking buildings they had ever seen. Houses that had dynamic positioning, skyscrapers that twisted and bent, and manors so gorgeously decorated that they looked like a wild but harmonious mixture of colours.
"The colours remind me of Caesar's new hairdo," a student joked, causing some teenagers to giggle.
Caesar's body still felt too light and fragile for him to do anything. Multiple wounds stretched, with a looming threat of them reopening. Izobel and Chalybe tried their best to use their Surgeon to aid his recovery, and it seemed to work, but he felt like Pandorica was doing most of the heavy lifting.
He died again, but this time out of Grace exhaustion and pathways overuse. As mentioned previously, the human body has 2 hearts and 3 brains. However, the Almighty also decided to bless them with 5 physical and 3 astral blood and grace vessels that channel the full power of their Divinity or Grace mastery.
One of the pathways, the Sina pathway, brings raw grace from the environment to the body passively, but it requires training to be done manually and in large quantities to access near limitless grace.
Caesar's brain fired as he pondered the question: how many times more can Pandorica keep saving him before he actually dies?
Plus, he felt like he battled those two agents of death again, their furious black flame scorching his soul and existence in the mortal plane. Was he that helpless without a goddess? If his companions are excelling this rapidly, how far can relying on her powers really help?
Sure, Clothsline was an innovative attack, at least that is what he believes, but it killed him.
How far, truly, can he walk by himself?
Suddenly, he felt a finger tap his forearms shyly, bringing warmth and empathy to the touch. He slowly turned to see a familiar face, one that fascinated and surprised him.
"Atlanta!?"
The ocean spirit smiled timidly while nodding respectfully. She smelt of salt and cold breeze, and her low-cut hair also waved shyly. Her bodysuit had a distinct sea green colour that warmed his heart for some reason.
"I heard you got badly wounded," The teenager said while slowly bending her knees in fear. "I just wanted to make sure my worries weren't needed after all."
Caesar habitually placed his hand on his hair while curling it with his fingers. As he was about to reply, Atlanta raised two fingers and smiled timidly.
"Have a good journey, and I pray to The Almighty that we will meet again."
Then, as quickly as she appeared, she was lost in the crowd. She didn't walk backwards or run away; her presence just vanished from his sight. He was sure it had to be an attribute that his brain was already eager to learn.
"Approaching Ebony Border... The city of water and witches looks beautiful on this wonderful afternoon."
The pilot announced excitedly, and the large air carrier carefully slowed down near the towering walls of Ebony, the students still staring in awe. As the students continued to admire, a thick wall of purple and blue mist blocked their view.
"Huh," Fenrir exclaimed, confused. "Where did all this mist come from..."
A mask appeared in Fenrir's view, with large, slanting eyes like a cobra, a thick, colourful mane and a threatening blood red smoke spewing out from the sides.
"HAAAAAA!!!!" Fenrir screamed as he fell back.
"Fen!!" Caesar screamed.
"You okay?" Izobel said before she gasped with terror.
Multiple masks emerged from the mist, spewing their individually coloured smoke, making the wall of mist seem both ethereal and hellish. It stared at the students with emotionless expressions, but was slowly moving closer.
Some pupils readied their attacks, anticipating an assault, or for a test perhaps. Their faces creased with fear as they shuddered. Chalybe clenched his chest as his breathing depth increased.
No one wants another battle. Not again.
The masks eventually emerged fully from the mists, worn by individuals cloaked in a bright blue coat with yellow smears all around, making them distinct and visually striking.
The two factions stared at each other in a painful silence, only hearing the sea colliding against the walls, birds crying out, and the wind hitting against the carrier's hull.
The mask that scared Fenrir moved closer to the students, floating near the glass. Its emotionless, empty eyes said no words or need for communication. No students dared to move, as they were all glued to the floor.
"Greetings, my Ebonial new companion!!"
"I must say, your masks and attire are quite splendid. Mind sharing your designer?"
"Where do I even start? The colours, the patterns, the grandeur. Very respectable."
Caesar, Chalybe and Aurelia, respectively, complimented their new encounter, breaking the thin ice. Izobel and Fenrir stared before joining in the fun.
"My brother is actually among your ranks, and he couldn't quite stop talking about your exceptional heritage." Izobel smiled awkwardly.
"Ye'r masks aren't actually that half bad..." Fenrir said, immediately turning to Izobel. "YOU HAVE A BROTHER IN EBONY?!!"
The mask stared back, with no movement or sign of acknowledgement. Then, suddenly, the person walked through the glass wall, and it rippled like a stone tossed into a still lake.
The students immediately shuffled back as the mask approached them closer and closer, its presence heavy and uncertain. Chalybe had the idea of approaching the Individual himself, but he quickly held off the Idea.
The mask brought out its arm, also clothed, and a red, viscous liquid silently dripped onto the floor. Caesar thought it was blood, but he noticed it was redder and thicker than normal.
As the liquid landed on the floor, it began to spread rapidly. It felt like an invisible artist used the liquid to create a mural, as the redness formed into a large circle, with intricate symbols and runes adding marvellous details.
Izobel felt a surge of magical power emanating from the circle, wild and violent and ready to erupt. Before she could scream, the circle glowed furiously, its brightness and heat almost blinding the cadets. Its radiance danced and toiled, its light forming and creating a shape in the glow.
Then the sound of cymbals and thunder followed, the masked individual tilted their head, and a sly chuckle was heard from the expressionless face.
"Sorry," the mask said in a raspy, grating voice. "He insisted."
Then a final crescendo of thunder and music rang out, as a person appeared afloat the circle.
Suddenly, a joyful face peered at the students' backs.
"Hello, Sis."
A warm and charming voice emerged from the new person as their full appearance was finally revealed.
Floating was a short teenager, possibly an adult, with a threatening but also calming aura. He wore a wild, oversized hoodie in various shades of yellow, green, purple, and black.
His shoulder-length indigo hair and lemon-violet eyes were beautiful, but his wings were the most captivating. He had thin yet large dragonfly wings, emitting powerful waves of Glory that felt both empowering and deadly.
There was no doubt that he was a fairy.
Izobel smirked, letting out a little chuckle in amusement.
"Always making a grand entrance," Izobel continued to laugh.
The mysterious visitor obviously tried to keep a serious face, but it melted into a teasing smile.
Fenrir, Chalybe and Caesar stared in shock and confusion.
"You know what father always says," The fairy said.
"Your first impression is your best and worst impression!!" The fairy and Izobel both chorused.
"I didn't even use my abilities," The fairy drew back his hoodie, revealing his short, indigo hair decorated with multiple miniature bird hairclips. "Or else I could have made it more dazzling"
"But enough with the chit-chat," the fairy's serious expression returned, but with some traces of excitement. "Good afternoon, Golazioles, Hurtuyre jurtycs, and many other languages I might not know. My name is Charleton Lemon-lime Edgar, and I am the newly appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Ebony Border Defence. Feel free to applaud."
The students promptly clapped and praised Charleton's achievements.
"Thank you, I appreciate it," Charleton cleared his throat. "I am aware of why you are visiting this blissful city. To admit, you are actually the 17th academy booked for arrival. However, there have been some, let's say, dramatic changes in recent weeks. I am sure you all remember the Unkindness attack and the battle of Black Meadows."
Students immediately became uneasy and queasy. In fact, Aurelia's stomach almost betrayed her and threatened to make her vomit up her previous meal, as the terrors haunted her.
The Unkindness' screeching crows are tearing everything to shreds.
Izobel's Abyssal form spreads pure malice and hate across the battlefield.
Chalybe's entire skin scorched and flayed.
Jacques' gut was pierced with a piece from his armour.
Fenrir's cursed state is causing tremors and pain.
And Caesar... Oh Caesar. She finally silenced her brain to keep her composure. She mustn't cry in the presence of Caesar.
"Lady Aurelia," Atlanta whispered in a caring and worried tone. "You seem to be crying."
Damn it. She wasn't strong enough to suppress her emotions. If Caesar caught her like this, she wouldn't forgive her heart.
She swiftly reached out her hands as Atlanta slid a mirror and a brush whilst she cleaned her eyes with a handkerchief. She elegantly reapplied her face powder to mask her tear streak, making sure to get every spot as she stared at her mirror with unbroken focus.
As she slid back into her normal posture, she caught a glimpse of Izobel staring at her with curious eyes. Aurelia, being Aurelia, ignored her, not wanting to be pitied by the likes of a person who harnesses power from the darkness. Absolutely repulsive.
"Well, that same enemy attacked this city's academy, killing a lot," Charleton said with a broken tone. "But we shouldn't let that halt this adventure. We had no choice but to restrict your freedom for safety, but not all of it. You can roam around the city, yes, but with a guard on you and only in the upper towns."
"Upper towns?" Jacques wondered.
Charleton proceeded to inspect several documents from each student on board. Alone.
Even though his subordinates offered their assistance, he chose to do it alone, and at neck-breaking speed as he sped through the papers effortlessly.
The person who summoned him removed their mask, revealing a beautiful woman with emerald shoulder-length hair and a clean undercut.
A feather tattoo on her cheek added to her surreal beauty.
Indeed, she was a witch.
But her voice was unbearable. She sounded like a... how could I describe it politely... Like a dying crow trying to sing soprano.
You get? If you don't get it, forget about it.
Charleton finally finished his assessment and discussed with the pilot in another room. For some reason, they weren't allowed to see the pilot.
Then, as Charleton gave the go-ahead, the mist enveloped the carrier in an instant, like a flash of lightning.
Then, as the thick wall of mist dispersed, the city was more beautiful than previously thought of.
The walls looked older and more interesting, with fortresses equipped with Gloydon statues of winged humans.
"Feels... Incantation...Idiot."
Pandorica frequently whispered in Caesar's head from time to time, offering extremely vague words, which he always attempted to decipher, sometimes succeeding and other times making the goddess furious.
But in this instance, Caesar and his fellow pupils were drawn to the city's highlight.
In the middle of all the beauty, a gargantuan fountain occupied the space. The base was roughly 50% of the total area, and the peak pierced through the sky. But it wasn't just a monument; it was its own civilisation.
Multiple ring-like structures revolved around the fountain, with more buildings and infrastructure present that breathed soul and culture, featuring unique designs and approaches to art.
The water spewing from the very peak of the structure felt like the ocean prancing between reality and fiction. But instead of falling normally, some of the water flowed back up, and others stayed stationary in between rings. And since some of them originated from the Scynther river, it glowed multiple hues of colours that sparkled under the light of the suns.
"I..I..It's..." Izobel stuttered. "I am so speechless. It looked way better than I remember."
The sound of thunder and chimming cymbals rang out as multiple musical instruments echoed throughout the city.
Charleton smiled with satisfaction. "We wanted to give a proper introduction..."
Vocals and trumpets played in unison, drums and strings resonated in flawless synchronisation. The dancers' stomps shook the ground, and the citizens' cheers added a joyous feeling.
"Since you are indeed the future of Zion's pride and dignity..."
The cadet's heart skipped a beat as they stared at the city below. The Air carrier slowly came to a halt, the wind seemed to speed up, and the suns' light blanketed the whole town in a heavenly aura.
"You were already in Ebony, but this is the heart and soul of the city. Canzonet."
Hundreds of Ebony residents cheered and screamed with joy at the sight of the air carrier, as the music grew faster and more energetic. Golden-coloured banners and masks were flaunted in support of the Shawnforths' jewels. The wall of glass slowly dissolved into nothingness, allowing the students to feel the quick, warm breeze and clearly live in the moment of their praise.
Caesar stretched out his arms sideways to fully indulge in the cheers of the people.
"Caesar, you are going to fa..." Izobel cried out.
"Izzy, Izzy, lady Izzy," Caesar chorused. "Let me just have the moment."
Charleton flew away with his wings to fully address the pupils. His face filled with excitement and ecstasy.
"Welcome to Ebony: The city of Witches and Water!!"