A cold gust passed through the camping merchant band, causing many of the lookouts to grumble in displeasure at the northern winds. The night was still young with the moon planted squarely in the center of the starry sky. In one of the carriages, a youth began twitching, his body releasing a slight steam caused by an abnormally heated body wrapped in chilly air.
"COME.."
A deep, powerful voice rang in Myrrin's head. The single word shook Myrrin awake, making it seem as if a towering figure was looming over him. Myrrin opened his eyes and tried looking around, but everything was pitch black. The blackness along with the looming pressure numbed Myrrin who was utterly confused.
"FIND.. ME..."
Again the immense pressure descended, almost twice as strong. Myrrin's body began to tremble under the weight of the two words, but he refused to fall. Much to his surprise he found that he was able to slightly make out shapes around him. Confirming that his vision was working, Myrrin once again looked around, but the surrounding was simply too dark. As Myrrin tried making out some of the shapes, he suddenly made contact with a pair of red eyes staring back from the infinite darkness before him. Myrrin began shaking, losing control of his body. As soon as his eyes met the glowing red orbs in the dark, Myrrin felt as if the sharpest blade he will ever perceive was pressed against his neck. His hairs on his body stood up as he felt imminent death. Myrrin fell to his knees unable to move or breath. Right before Myrrin began losing consciousness, the pair of eyes became crescents as a set of white teeth appeared, smiling towards Myrrin who felt like he was dropped in an endless abyss.
...
Myrrin woke up panting and sweating, rubbing his neck as he did so. Although he had nightmares before, none were as vivid as the one last night. Myrrin shuddered, he had never felt as much fear as he did looking into those red eyes. He wondered if this counted as a side effect of [Awakening] and made a mental note to ask Arwin about it later. Unable to fall back asleep, Myrrin rose up from his carriage. He yawned before getting out of the carriage to wash his face.
Shortly after washing himself, Myrrin ran into Arwin, who was busy cleaning the makeshift camp from the night before. According to Arwin, The Capital would be in sight in 3 days if they were lucky. Myrrin took this time to inquire about his nightmare, clearly reaccounting what he had felt and saw the night before. Arwin simply shrugged and said it was probably just a nightmare fueled by the increase in perceptibility. Though Myrrin tried convincing himself that it was, the sensation was still all too clear in his head.
During the next few days of the trip, Myrrin continued having a similar dream as the night before. Myrrin stopped going to Arwin after realizing that Arwin did not believe his dream was anything more than a terrible nightmare. Unable to shake off the ominous feeling, Myrrin looked towards the front where The Capital walls stood majestically, a massive white fortress deemed to be impenetrable. Ever since his [Awakening], Myrrin's desire to get into The Capital rocketed; he was expecting to stay in the city for at least a few months, acclimating to not only the city, but also the various political currents that exist in every city. His plans had changed once he had his [Awakening], now, he wanted to become a [Contractor] as soon as he could and grow powerful. His back became slick with cold sweat as he recalled the thick pressure that made his life seem as insignificant as an ants.
The merchant band reached the city walls by the end of the day, the towering walls in the distance had become monstrous up close, denying access to lower-hanging clouds. At this moment, Arwin took a peak at Myrrin. It was common knowledge for residents of the Mizen Empire that The Capital usually only allowed citizens into city. In fact, the Mizen Empire had a large portion of non-citizen residents— areas like the slums attracted many people without a citizenship into the empire. There were 3 classes of citizenship, with the first-class being the highest grade a non-noble blooded civilian could obtain. Of course, nobles and the like were regarded above citizens, the so-called Noblesse of Mizen.
As a second-class citizen, Arwin could bring in one non-citizen attendant into the city. It was usually reserved for a personal servant or slave, but Arwin did not have either and could still use his free spot. As Arwin approached the guards by the gate, he secretly took a glance at Myrrin in order to see his reaction in this situation. If need be, Arwin could use his pass, but his intuition told him that the calm and relaxed Myrrin likely had a third-class citizenship.
Once they arrived, the guards checked the carriages for illegal contraband as well as any smuggled humans. The guards became suspicious at the sight of Myrrin in one of the cargo carriages. Although they had seen humans smuggled into the city, this was just too blatant. The captain of the guards approached Myrrin to take him away, a slight annoyance and anger at the stupid merchants. Seeing the look on the captains face, Arwin hastily stepped in to show him his second-class citizenship, worried that they wouldn't accept Myrrin. The captain decided to ignore Arwin's second-class citizenship anyways, ordering his men to apprehend the beggar. As a guard to the greatest city on Kallos, he would've allow such a dirty thing through the gate. He could always make any number of excuses, no one cared about a rat.
Under the eyes of everyone at the gate, Myrrin slowly reached into his shirt and pulled out a citizenship pass; however, everyone who looked at the pass was immediately stupefied. The pass that Myrrin had pulled out was golden, with beautiful carvings etched into pass. Before anyone could react, Myrrin had pulled out a pass for a first-class citizen. The requirements for a first-class citizenship were strict, only the wealthiest or more powerful citizens could apply for one, and only a couple were made a year. Furthermore, first-class citizenship passes was special, it cold only be opened by the owner of the citizenship in order to prevent identity theft and to protect sensitive personal information.
Myrrin smirked as his golden citizenship opened, proving his identity. The law of the empire specifically mentioned that guards must treat all first-class citizens and whatever or whoever they bring with utmost respect, or the penalty could easily result in death. The first-class citizens enjoyed a privilege much greater than second-class citizens, it was considered the noblesse of citizens to the empire. The captain, realizing this, immediately bowed, trembling in fear. His face turned pale as he regretted his foolish decision earlier. With a word, the person before him could have him executed, and his colleagues were duty-bound to carry it out. This showed a clear distinction between first and second-class citizens.
"We are terribly sorry for our manners, please for give us, lord."
All the guards lowered there head and apologized, the captain, eager to correct his wrongs, was especially fervent in his apologies. The guards quickly sorted the documentation and opened the door to the city right away. Myrrin merely nodded his head before walking right into the gate that lead to the city. The walls were so thick, the gate seemed more like a tunnel to Myrrin than an entrance. The rest of the merchant band stood their unable to comprehend what had happened. Arwin coughed, embarrassed that he had been so wrong.
"Okay okay people, lets hurry and go in."
Arwin scratched his nose as he lead the merchant band into the city. Amongst the carriages, a window was slightly ajar, revealing a pair of purple eyes staring at the gate. The eyes were-wide open in surprise before rapidly descending into contemplation. As the merchant band headed into the city, Myrrin found himself at the forefront of the party now.
"I didn't expect you to be a first-class citizen you know, could you not spring that up so late? I thought they were gonna capture you, you know."
Arwin reached Myrrin's side and complained immediately. Myrrin chuckled seeing a grown man pout like that. The two continued to idly chat until the end of gate as the glamour of the Kallo's greatest city opened up before them. Myrrin could not take his eyes from the grand sight, he had never seen so many buildings together, each seeming to compete for height. The buildings here were built majestically, making use of pillars and archways. As a first-time visitor, Myrrin was overwhelmed by the sight that seemed to be a fit for the gods.
Arwin chuckled this time, seeing someone who normally pretends to be older be overcome with child-like curiosity. The bangs on Myrrin's face did nothing to obscure the brightly shinning eyes underneath.
"I'll be going with Reila to get her [Ezark Contract] while the rest of my men will be setting up in a warehouse here. What will you be doing, Myrrin?"
"I guess I should get an [Ezark Contract] as soon as possible too, I'll join you if its not too much trouble."
"It is too much trouble."
A third voice interjected the two, appearing on the other side of Arwin. Reila had a frown on her face as she angrily pointed at Myrrin.
"And I won't go with such a deceptive man, either."
Myrrin shrugged, he could always go by himself.
"Sure, just point me in right direction and Ill go alone"
Reila immediately pointed at the largest tower in the vicinity, it was unlike the rest of the buildings in the city. A purple glow seemed to be emitted from the tower, vague runic symbols visibly floating all around the tower.
"The towers don't belong to the Mizen Empire, they belong to the Divine Spirit Hall, one of the top Spirit Halls in the world."
Arwin answered the question on Myrrin's mind, internally sighing at Reila's stubbornness. Myrrin started heading towards the tower almost immediately, eager to obtain his own contract. Arwin and Reila followed behind at their own pace, the two stopping by various shops and vendors along the way.