Leading Taylor's group on a tour through Eden was Athlan and Eve. The first place they were shown was the renovated hall where the town would gather for feasts, and next to it Lydia's restaurant. Seeing the waterways, and having a closer view of the houses beneath they were all mesmerized. It was an entire civilization living through the base of the lake. They could see Shiro lounging in their living area, and Fuuka walking through a wall that led into the water as she sped away.
After traveling through the neutral territory for the last few days they were starting to think everywhere was primitive. Seeing the dolls walking around, and the vast city under the lake was something they were unable to replicate.
"How did you accomplish this level of AI?" Wesley investigated.
"If you're referring to the dolls they are powered by magic and programmed by one of our elders," Athlan replied.
"Magic is still a difficult thing to believe," Jeremy stated.
"Call it what you want, but we've all seen it," Taylor replied.
"If you were able to use it then could we learn it too?" Marc asked John.
"Not sure if I can activate it again, but I can definitely sense it. More now than ever actually." John replied.
"That's because this place is full of it. Learning it is possible, but you typically would want to start at an early age. It isn't impossible, and we have classes that typically start in the morning, but tomorrow we have a lot to prepare." Athlan told Marc as they passed by the aquatic district.
"What's going on tomorrow?" Zess investigated.
"A coronation ceremony, but it's simply a formality. There will be some powerful people showing up to witness it but rest assured that safety is taken seriously here." Eve replied.
"I've noticed," Taylor said while examining the weapons around.
"Is this place attacked a lot?" Denam asked.
"Not many people are foolish enough to try, and those who do never make it past the walls," Athlan replied.
They were strolling past the bathhouse and were given a rundown of the etiquette used within. Most wanted to visit right away, but they wanted to see their sleeping situation first. As they entered the residential area they were set up in one of the guesthouses meant to house diplomatic guests. The reason for this was they felt more secure sleeping in one area, and they were waiting to assign housing till they were sure of staying.
"We actually have beds," Kenny said with a large smile.
"The bath sounds more enticing to me. I wonder what time has less traffic." Denam said while examining the rooms.
"I'm starting to get a little hungry. The food they gave out earlier was good, but I could really go for some meat." Demitri said tired of the excess fruit.
"I have two more essential areas to show you, and by then the feast would be prepared," Athlan replied.
They left the house and began their journey towards the garden to show those interested in magic where to meet. They saw children meditating with orbs of magic in their hands made up of various elements, and some even had weapons being manifested in front of them.
Seeing how to advance the children were some felt uneasy about taking classes with children, but they saw several teenagers through the bunch. A few of them even being a step behind the children, and this put them at ease. Tanya opened her eyes to see the new people standing around, and when she got up her five tails disappeared.
"Is big bro back yet?" Tanya asked Eve.
"They got back almost an hour ago, and everyone is perfectly healthy so don't worry," Eve replied.
Karin heard Zack returned and abruptly ended class as the children took off towards the fields to play hide, and seek. Tanya noticed the children in Taylor's group watching the others run off so merrily and walked over with a smile.
"Is it okay if they play?" Tanya asked.
Seeing the sincere look on Tanya's face, and hearing the others laughing at a distance a few of the kids looked up for permission. Some of them were concerned with the other species running around. Their children survived so much, and to see them eager to play made it a request that was difficult to refuse. Feeling the conflict Athlan wanted to help put them at ease.
"Don't worry everyone here is friendly, and the dolls' main objective is to keep the children protected at all cost. The only fighting that happens within the city is the arena." Athlan announced.
"They are that complex?" Wesley asked.
"They are very efficient in security and determining hostile intentions. Would you like a demonstration?" Athlan replied.
The crowd talked it over, and it would put them at ease about giving the children free roam of the grounds. For the demonstration, Demitri volunteered and stepped out towards the center of the garden. Athlan drew his sword releasing a killing intent, and it made observers a little nervous.
Sentries stationed at a nearby watchtower sniped the sword out of Athlan's hands, and before they could turn to see where it came from sentries were closing in. He charged towards Demitri, but several arrows were shot into the ground creating spell circles that rapidly shot chains out binding Athlan tightly. The sentries rapidly established a perimeter around Taylor's group while forming a wall of mana shielding their group while the others secured Athlan.
"You can call them off now," Athlan told Eve as the dolls were carrying him towards the estate.
"You mentioned a demonstration so I'll see you at dinner." Eve waved goodbye with a playful smirk.
"To program them to follow complex order to this extent is truly fascinating. I wonder if you could give them sentience." Wesley said as they continued into the forest.
"Have you seen any of the terminators?" Miguel asked as he shook his head in disagreement.
"There's always the one guy who thinks he can make it different though." Kenny laughed.
Eve seemed a little confused about the topic but continued with the tour. While they were walking through the forest they heard a familiar buzzing at a distance and glancing through a clearing they saw a few of Christina's workers. Some of them were preparing to panic until they waved with a polite smile. Then they recalled John's explanation of feral's and calmed down.
"I'm sorry about their reactions we were attacked by a similar species," Taylor told Eve.
"How long ago did they get taken?" Eve investigated.
"Yesterday, but I'm not sure if they made it," Chris replied.
"Then they are still alive and can be rescued after the coronation. They're not in any danger until after the mating season, and moving in unprepared could be the thing that gets them hurt." Eve replied.
"Seems like you were right again," Demitri said while patting Wesley on the shoulder.
"I can assure you there are no feral's around Eden, and the mating process here is more relaxed. It's one of the reasons for this tour. In the mountain district, there's a bathhouse used for couples. If you are approached and are interested in such things go there, or the privacy of your home. The new residents that arrived with you today are the only ones that might break this rule. It's why I wanted you all aware of the proper areas for these things." Eve explained while showing them the steps leading to the mountain.
"Do all species intermingle, and are hybrids possible?" Wesley asked.
"Relations come in all forms, but in terms of procreation, humans are the ideal group chosen. Hybrids with other species besides humans are possible, but it's a rare occurrence. Even our leader is a hybrid." Eve replied.
"The man with the golden wings right?" John asked.
"His name is Zack, and his father was an angel," Eve replied.
"I get there are other species in this world, and they do resemble some of the descriptions, but no way angels and heaven are real," Jeremy stated.
"I've never seen heaven, but I definitely visited hell. I can assure you it's a real, and definitely not a welcoming place for mortals." Lilith said while walking up with Yu.
Wesley could see the conflict in Jeremy over this. Recalling the studies being done at the skinwalker ranch, and the research teams that spent years there. The claims found there were always debated in terms of authenticity, but he had a way to maybe put Jeremy at ease.
"At this point, the evidence is in favor of them being real. Angel's could very easily be an interdimensional being that we don't understand yet. Science is constantly challenging our understanding of the world, and this is a good opportunity to broaden our horizons." Wesley told Jeremy while pulling him to the side.
'This group talks about weird things...' Eve smiled politely.