"I don't trust you," Caim rasped.
"Not even as helpless as I am now," she said, innocently. "I just want a few words with you. As you can see I am unable to hurt anyone in your city."
"Would you trust someone who traveled back in time to prevent you from becoming a demigod?" Caim reminded. He never forgot about what she attempted to do twenty years ago. If there was anyone who could destroy Caim as a demigod, it would be Arkana. For only a demigod can kill a demigod.
"You are still bitter about that. What a pity." Arkana said and laughed. "You were always more human than god. Do you not care of what I have to say?"
"Pray I find your words of worth," Caim remarked.
"Caim!" Auron called to him.
The demigod looked over his right shoulder and saw Auron flying on the back of his giant Avian, Garuda. Auron's Eedahlan hovered next to Caim while Auron stood on its back with lightning sparking at his fingertips.
"Who is this broad?" Auron asked arrogantly. "I have never seen a ghost this size."
"She is not a ghost, she is a demigod, like me," Caim corrected.
"Why is she here?" He heard Nehushine arriving on his left. The old Effeelion surfed through the air on a flying cloud, a nimbus. He paused next to Caim and stared at the gigantic face of the woman. "Get away from our city you fiend!"
"You think the skies belong to you, old man," Arkana said. "I am only here to speak with Caim,. I have seen the future of your city and it ends in ruins, in the deepest, darkest floors of the ocean. Don't you want to save your city?"
"As the goddess of fate you should know better than to reveal the future of others," Nehushine said. Behind him the rest of the council arrived, gathering around, ready to protect their city.
"You should thank me for doing so," Arkana replied. "Tell me, Caim, why have you sided with the humans?"
"Why are you so interested?" He asked then crossed his arms inside his wide sleeves. "What I do is none of your business."
"The fate of this world is my business and I see doom in your future," Arkana said.
"I have sided with the humans to take the cosmo jewels from the Specters," he explained. "I will use the jewels to find the realm of Cosmus. You already know of the Effeelions' purpose, don't you?"
"Of course I do," she replied. "The Effeelions dislike this world so much that they have spent millennia trying to find a better realm. You gave up your humanity so that you can become a god. I am trying to reclaim this world and return it to its original state before the humans took over."
"Original state?" Caim questioned. "What are you talking about?"
"As a demigod you know very well that Odealeous was a peaceful place, free of sin," Arkana explained. "Let us return to that time. There is no need for us to fight. We share the same purpose. We should unite and prevent the humans from abusing that which once belonged to the dragon gods."
"This broad sounds like Ember," Auron stated.
"If you are talking about magic, then I know what you are plotting," Caim said. "You are with the Specters, aren't you? You came here to make peace in the hopes that I will join you. Think again Arkana, I never will."
Arkana remained silent for a moment and drifted back. Caim somehow knew she was part of the Specters and her silence proved him right. "It is not the first time you have tried to control the future," he told her.
"Kazenolumos will lie in ruins," Arkana continued. "A new world will commence in the day of the tri-eclipse. I already have two other demigods who have joined my cause. If you refuse, then they will oppose you. The new world will belong to the demigods and the dragon gods won't be able to interfere with our conquest. Once the Specters take the Aero Cosmo Jewel from the Effeelions, there won't be much for you to do but surrender. Like I said, there is no need for us to fight. We want the same thing, Caim, I am simply offering you a secure future. I am the goddess of fate and what I say will..."
"Shut up!" Caim yelled. "You are lying. You lied to me before and you are lying to me now. You are a false demigod. I am not sure where you obtained your powers, but everything you are saying is a lie. If you were really the goddess of fate then why did you travel back in time to prevent me from becoming a demigod? If you really have other demigods on your side, then Omegus and Alpheous would have confronted me right now instead of you. You have nothing to give to other demigods in Odealeous. If you show your face here again I will speak with Odiamus and have him drag your spirit to Necrovania where you will rest in eternal darkness."
Arkana laughed and her body shrunk back to human size. She was the same height as Caim, six feet tall. She hovered towards him, cloak billowing and no expression on her face.
"So that is her real size," Auron said.
"You might be able to fool a human, Arkana, but demigods know that prophecies are all uncertain," Caim said, hovering closer to her. "If other demigods are truly on your side, then tell them that I am not afraid. I do not fear the future and I don't believe that magic belongs only to the gods. The age of twilight is about unity. You are doing the exact opposite by trying to take away that gift. I think you are the one that is afraid. Afraid that there is the possibility that a demigod can be killed."
Arkana remained silent but Caim knew that she was furious on the inside. She had not changed since the last time they fought. She had fought against other demigods and was labeled the weakest among them. Although she could determine the course of a man's life at birth, she could not determine the destiny of demigods and anyone living above the human level.
"I have determined the course of millions of men and women and, now for the first time, I can see the future of Odealeous," she said. "Men will not unite by their own will. Men are too prideful and filled with greed. The one who will bring men together will be its new rulers. Demigods will reveal themselves to the people and the power of magic will return to its rightful source. Without magic men will unite. This is the age of twilight. This is the course of men. When the new rulers of Odealeous commence to punish with their sacred steel, those who oppose will be stripped of all their powers. Do you want to continue to be above men, or are you going to join them?"
Caim got closer to her and spat his reply, "This world belongs to everyone."
"Then you will be the first demigod in history to die," Arkana said. "This world belongs to the gods, not to men. Mark my words, when this city falls, you will be nailed on a cross in my domain." Her body flashed then disappeared.
Caim turned around and looked at Auron, then at the council of seven, and said, "She is a false demigod, I know it."
"If she is not a demigod, then what is she?" Auron asked.
"I have not figured it out yet," Caim answered. "But now that I know she still lingers, it's time to figure it out. Especially since she is with the Specters."
Nehushine approached Caim on his cloud. "What now?" he asked.
"Prepare." Caim said. "Soon enough the Specters will strike and attempt to take the Aero Cosmo Jewel."
Rey Ling
Ironside.
He was thousands of leagues away from Tong Doran Cho. On the western side of the world map, as he remembered it. Akielas stood beside him and they gazed up at the one hundred foot wall made of stone and steel that gleamed from the sunlight. This was the second time he had set foot on this island. Out of all the beautiful sights in the city, the most beautiful of all was the clock tower that peeked above the wall. Rey could see the dragon statue that spiraled around the pinnacle of the tower. The island of Ironside, the isolated metropolis. The gate rose thirty feet in height with a round crystal stone at its center. It never failed to amaze Rey Ling, he still gaped in awe.
"I still cannot believe that this advanced city was here before the rest of the world," he said. "By the way, how do we get in?" he asked. "I have forgotten.
"The owl knights will approach us before we can enter," Akielas reminded.
"Owl knights," Rey repeated. "Interesting name. Those who protect knowledge."
"Look
s like there are some approaching us now," Akielas said and pointed down the path leading to the gate.
Five owl knights approached. Four were wearing owl helmets with goggles and the one in the middle wore a nighthawk-shaped helmet. Their staffs thumped and lightning chirped from the spheres at the top held by sculpted talons. Their grey cloaks were shaped like wings, made of leather and hemp. Their vambraces and shin guards were silver, along with their chest plates. The knights strode towards them so seriously that Rey felt nervous.
"I don't remember them looking so serious," Rey whispered. "Perhaps it's just their owl-shaped helmets."
"You worry too much," Akielas said.
The owl knights paused a dozen feet in front of them and the middle one with the nighthawk helmet said, "Identify yourselves."
"My name is Akielas Neous," the master introduced himself and bowed his head. "I seek to enter the metropolis with my friend Rey Ling from the United Pathways of the east. As always, we come in peace and seek knowledge." Akielas then jabbed Rey and whispered, "Bow your head."
Rey did as he was told then looked up again at the owl knights. The leader removed his helmet, revealing short hair, green eyes and olive skin. "Welcome back to Ironside," he said. "It is good to see you again, Master Akielas."
"It is good to see you as well Seseal," Akielas replied.
"Follow me into the city, gentlemen," Seseal said. He thumped his staff and the owl knights behind him spun around and strode back to the city.
"You know him?" Rey questioned quietly. "If he recognizes you then why must you identify yourself?"
"It is part of their job," Akielas answered. "The people of Ironside are very careful with everyone who enters their city. It is said that some people have snuck in using magic that changes their faces. You could call it paranoia."
"I see."
The two walked till they reached the gate. The owls thumped their staffs again and lightning chirped. All five of them launched beams of lightning at the round crystal in the center of the gate. Rey Ling covered his ears from the loud buzz and cracking sound. When it was over, the round crystal shone yellow and a mechanical thump echoed behind. Rey recognized the sound of machines and he remembered the sound from the last time they had traveled here. The ticking sound of chains followed, then the heavy scraping sound as the gates opened inward. When the gate was fully opened the owl knights guided them through and immediately Rey felt at home.
Two years ago when Akielas first brought him here he could not believe that someone else had invented the hayunsuh before his father did. Ever since then Rey had become more humble with his inventions. Now he stood at the intersection of three long cobbled streets surrounded by buildings up to forty feet high within the walls of Ironside. The hayunsuhs moved up and down the city streets in an organized manner following signs and symbols. The vehicles were painted in different colors, Something I never bothered doing, Rey thought. The hayunsuhs in Ironside had four wheels instead of three and were able to carry more people. To Rey's surprise there were also horse carriages but they traveled on the side of the road. It was a busy environment and crowded on the bricked sidewalks. Fifteen-foot poles held lamps that illuminated the city at night and were wired with strings that hung orbs made of paper.
It wasn't just the similarities in the hayunsuhs but also the style of clothing that had many commonalities with his homeland. While bamboo pointy hats in Tong Doran Cho were very common and popular with men, in Ironside many men wore tall hats. Button-up collar tunics were common in Tong Doran Cho, while the men of Ironside preferred their button-ups with an open collar and ruffled shirts underneath. The women of Ironside walked the streets with long hair braided or curled, with broad wide dresses and corsets that lifted their chest and carried umbrellas to block the sun. Women of Tong Doran Cho wore tunics that required a sash with wide sleeves or a dress with floral patterns that cascaded from their hips and spread below their knees. To Rey Ling it seemed as though the two worlds were twins raised in different lands.
In the middle of the intersection there was a fifteen-foot-tall statue of a man pointing towards the heavens. The statue had a monocle on its left eye and a tall hat with big goggles. The man wore a trench coat with a ruffled shirt underneath and held a cane in his right hand.
"Who was this man again?" Rey asked while staring at the statue.
"That is Lord O'wakka Andronane," Seseal answered. "He was the architect of the clock tower that you see up ahead."
"I remember now," Rey said. "O'wakka Andronane. A name of the west continent."
"No. A name of Ironside Island," Seseal corrected.
"My apologies," Rey said.
"Seseal, as you might already know, we came here to browse the clock tower library," Akielas explained. "We are in a hurry. Can we use one of your vessels?"
"As you wish, Master Akielas," Seseal responded. "Our vessel will be here shortly. In fact, I think I see it coming now."
Amongst the many vehicles that occupied the streets of the city, a blue one with a sculpted owl on its front shell moved slightly out of traffic, honked a horn and stopped next to them. The long vehicle had cargo space in the back, Hmmm, why didn't I think of that? Rey thought. Ironside's four-wheel hayunsuh took more space but Rey liked it better than the three-wheelers. Perhaps when I am done with the flying machine I will create my own four-wheel vehicle.
Seseal beckoned Rey and Akielas to hop on the back of the hayunsuh. They sat on benches across from each other. The vehicle shook and then began to move back into traffic. It went into the middle lane that led to the clock tower. As the hayunsuh moved behind other vehicles in front of it, Rey saw other three-wheelers and two-wheel inventions. People were not short on fast transportation in this city, unlike the outside world. Other countries seemed to be hundreds of years behind Ironside when it came to intelligence and creation. Rey wondered if Ironside ever communicated with other countries. It seemed like Akielas helped keep this city a secret from the world.
"Akielas, I don't think I ever asked you but, how did you discover this city?" Rey Ling asked.
Two owl knights stared at Rey while he waited for Akielas to answer. The four-wheel hayunsuh bounced then came to a stop at an intersection. Rey watched people crossing the wide streets and his eyes caught a glimpse of a man with an iron arm and gadgets that spun in the air.
"It was twenty years ago, after my apprentices betrayed me, that I started to travel the world," Akielas told his story. "As I tracked their maju around the world I came across this city isolated in the western isles next to Amaranth Island. When I first tried to fly into the city, my Eedahlan, Cleyross, was shot down and I was captured. They gave me the opportunity to explain myself and prove that I was not a threat or a spy from the western continent. I spent a day in prison and they did not believe that I was from the islands of El Nido. When I showed them the teleportation crystal, they released me. I then met the headmaster of the city's council."
"Headmaster? City council?" Rey questioned, squinting at Akielas. "This city does not have a king? I thought all nations were ruled by someone, but then who is governing the city?"
"Good question," Seseal said, chiming into the conversation. "The founders of Ironside decided to have no kings, to have no monarchs, to have no ruler whatsoever. Ironside was built by slaves from the western continent. Refugees who escaped their masters and fled to be free in the islands. They gathered to create a community free from the claws of monarchs like the Alexanders in the north. Our ancestors prayed for knowledge, and prayed for the power to defend their home. Thus the hundred foot steel wall was built to prevent any invaders from toppling our home. The Alexanders have tried to destroy us but have failed countless times. There is no country in the world that can outsmart us. Our ancestors understood that knowledge is power when put to action and intelligence is the key to winning all wars."
"A city built by slaves," Rey repeated and contemplated.
"Blessed are those with the privilege to enter Ir
onside," Akielas stated.
"Blessed indeed," Rey agreed and smiled.
The four-wheel hayunsuh drove past another intersection, moving forward towards their destination. Rey Ling saw the train running between buildings and gaped. It ran on a high wall amongst the twenty-foot-tall buildings. He could not believe how high it was. Most interesting was the fact that the train did not leave a trail of smoke. The only regret he had with his factory was that it was responsible for some contamination in his country, but Rey wanted to find a way to solve that.
The train disappeared behind some buildings but Rey could still hear it. A few minutes later he saw owl knights casting lightning spells on a machine. As the buildings streamed by he saw children playing with gadgets that bounced off the wall, spun and landed in their hands. He saw men building a mechanical bird. He saw a man walking with an apparatus that lifted him and worked as a pair of legs. He gazed up and spotted children gliding over houses on top of kites.
"Fantastic, isn't it?" Akielas said with a smirk.
"Absolutely," Rey replied and continued gazing down the city streets, enjoying the architecture of the houses and the wonderful people wandering around.
"You haven't told anyone about this city, have you?" Akielas asked solemnly.
"Of course not," Rey stated. "And even if I did tell anyone, who would believe me? It is a good thing that this island is isolated."
"Ironside has been safe and isolated for a long time," Seseal said. "But not for long."
"Why do you saw that?" Rey questioned.
"The Alexanders want our city and the western countries have discovered us," Seseal explained. "It is not war that we are afraid of, but rather what outsiders will do with our inventions. The last thing we want is for other countries to use our machines as weapons for war."
"Well, in case you were wondering, I am an engineer not a monarch or politician," Rey said.
"It looks like we are almost there," Akielas alerted.
Rey looked ahead at the three hundred foot clock tower where it dwarfed the steel wall of the city. As they arrived at their destination, the buildings got taller and their design more complex with caryatids, fanlights, buttresses and mullions splitting windows. Rey had never seen such fine masonry. The buildings ranged up to two hundred feet and had wires from one roof to the other. Rey saw a couple of young men sliding on the wires with wooden boards from one building to the other. It seemed to him that the people of Ironside were very fascinated with flying and all things aerial.
Spirit of Mages (Rift of Chaos Book 2) Page 26
