"What do you think?"
"I... I haven't the faintest idea what to think,"
Finn offered uncaringly, "It's beautiful, perhaps."
"Yes, of course, but there's something else. A disparity of emotions now that I am seeing it up close." Amelia mumbled.
"Does it at least live up to your expectations?"
"Not as far as I know."
That was a lie. Amelia knew what stood before her and wouldn't say she desired the sensation. The impression she used to make of this place didn't match the opinion she now felt. The castle was the advent of her resentment, and the sentiment only flourished with time.
In a contradictory argument, Amelia's beliefs yielded as a pirate's cove.
The municipality didn't emerge from the forest like she imagined but prospered from within it. A green blaze of shrubbery and plant life embellishes the skeleton from top to bottom in a breath of fresh air, almost like the intimate harmony between the moon and water where the deliberation of light offers comfort to those in need.
Shades of white can portray a natural, clean slate that helps provide contrast, and, in this case, it emphasizes attention to specific elements. Like the arches of their pillars built out like the tips of spears, sharp and deadly, unlike their inviting stairs, where the pull of choice and honor bewitches anyone with a mild radius.
Everything was so different and unique that it was easy for anyone like Amelia to feel out of place, especially when her customary attributes of living didn't conform to what she felt and saw that day—the community, among merchants, and craftsmanship surrounding the structure, incorporated creations for the rarest life. Each design accommodates the role the consumer contributed to Ember, where the public regularly gathers to purchase and sell provisions, livestock, and other goods.
Even if such commodities echoed a living beyond death, the ambiance of tonight brought in the definition of life, promising its existence for years to come.
'Anything to keep themselves grounded." Amelia mumbles under her breath.
Everyone's chatter was in tune with one another, home to the heart's center and a vacancy to the lonesome. Amelia could barely hear her thoughts or even Finn's over the din of the community.
Finn grazes around before turning back, "Come on, if you think this is a jewel, wait until you see it from the inside."
"Wouldn't we be testing fate?"
"I got it covered,"
Finn underhanded grasps a veil from a stall and dresses it over her head before leading them closer to the precinct. If the gesture meant to weaken her fears, she couldn't ground them completely.
The courtyard within the walls of the palace were even more astonishing. The crystalline glare of the white moon prospered through the glass dome above—a temple built to house the moon itself, which provided a glowing beacon to the city skyline, offering its public comfort in air, light, solitude, security, and tranquility.
That furnished the impression of a shimmering pearly white curtain of swirling force. Almost like the corridors of secrets spoke of the great honor throughout.
The people around reflected that sentiment, dressed in garments resembling the shards of crystals—the clandestine strength of treasuring the rarest rock bestowed by Mother Nature herself.
Unlike Amelia's cloak, which created a substantial contrast, as if a pillar carried her head suddenly, the outing of this quest wasn't that great of an idea to her.
Even at the blare of a horn, Amelia had no idea what to expect from the upcoming occurrences.
Crowds began to arrive from far and wide, gathering at the pinnacle of an engagement. Every being, from adult to child, vented their emotions in the lingering uncertainty caused by the arrangement. And judging from the crowd's query hum, I wasn't the only one.
Amelia's novelty held her at a crossroads of emotions. Even if the issue stood out to all, she felt targeted by the enigma of reality.
The racket of the mass died off when the main doors of the palace flared open, giving entrance to the tribe's elders, who walked over to the center balcony and sat alongside the council's circle, watching the crowd below them with a knowing aura of what was about to transpire.
"We should go back," Amelia suggested.
She perfectly knew when it came to the council's involvement, nothing ever good came from it. Thus Amelia found she was better off alone than having anything to do with them.
For now, the danger was minimal, and she wished to keep it that way.
"Wait!"
Finn averted her departure.
"I need to know what this is all about. It's quite a rarity to have both parties accompany such an event knowing their prestigious elements overlook the voice of the order.
Please, we can linger in the shadows without drawing attention to ourselves."
'I don't think that's a good idea...' Amelia's indication blurs away by a familiar voice. A voice she was well acquainted with in times when her days of loathing burned brighter than any other.
"Excuse the intermission, but I have a few things to disclose in this grave hour. To those who don't know who I am, I'm Colonel Markus, a mentor, and commander to all Chimeras."
Amelia's curiosity followed everybody else's gaze toward the man's presence. His stature was of a man of war, a superior choice in many ways. A shadow that walked into the light and found himself more legend than man, much like his son. Whose ego is sullen, condescending, and irritable. The resemblance of a clockwork prince.
"It is my pleasure to welcome you all here tonight."
At his silence, Amelia admitted he knew how to deliver a speech. He didn't have to raise his voice to command attention, knowing it was on him.
'I'd like to thank you, the council, and our elders for taking the time to be here tonight. Without the elder's effort and sacrifice, we wouldn't be here today. They have proved their worth by standing here today, mentoring future generations, and for that, I thank you.'
Markus bowed to them and followed the traditional form of bashing his armored chest many times before roaring his role to the sky.
Cheers wave with fists, like an auditory eruption rising to a crescendo and then receding to a trickle before an adrenaline strain bids silence.
"From this day forward, with the blessing of our forefathers, I'll never put our community in vain. As of tonight, I represent you all in blood and devotion. I intend to lead the most radical warriors to victory. Perhaps you'll stand next to me, forging a path to steer future generations. Because, as Chimera, we are ambitious, determined, cunning, and superior. We strive to better ourselves and fight to gain victory, dignity, and gratitude by carrying our ancestors' traditions on our shoulders.
What the natives sought in us was the seed of greatness. All of you have been chosen for a role because you amass potential, whatever it might be."
His silence once again gave the crowd time to comprehend his every word. The bliss that swarmed around imposed euphoria. To Amelia, it all seemed like the words of a prosecutor carrying its people to their end.
'Although the most crucial aspect you must remember is that we look after our own. Outside our dwelling, the enemy gazes upon us with hatred and distrust.
Therefore, we must stand together at all costs. Disloyalty will not withstand among our kind. If I sense the slightest hint of deception, you're gone.
Treason was the fundamental trick of the mundane that founded wars over man's minds for centuries. Their spite steered to what our kingdom stands for today.'
His words were firm as his eyes widened, with authority rendering whoever wasn't paying attention, but he didn't need to; everyone hung onto his every word like pawns bound to a board.
"This is what I wished to talk to you about; I heard he's enlisting volunteers," Finn's disclosure unexpectedly startled Amelia, even if she didn't disclose it. Without disposition, she figured out what he was referring to without acknowledging it.
For a second, her vision blurred as she caught sight of Mikael nearby, who, surprisingly, was staring in her direction. The intensity of his countenance brought in the inadequacy of the kindness he's given her since they met. Every memory of torment made her clench her fists with determination and divert her attention back to Markus.
Why was he doing this to me?
'Now, I have some instructions from our elders for you to follow.
Firstly, instructors will appoint private consultations with each of you. These discussions will assess your endurance, what you need to settle in, and any particular qualities you amassed.
Anyone with the slightest potential will be welcomed among our ranks, giving opportunities to those outside the custom enlistment. '
Undoubtedly, Amelia defied whatever further he had to say. She felt unwilling to her stomach; she had never had any consultation. Usually, Dean carried out her records, seeming he's been her mentor since she was a child. Suddenly, what Finn had said preliminary settled in, making her drop a tear.
"Aside from this, you can always come to me — not only in meetings but if you request assistance.'
In other words, the precipice to the downfall. Amelia never suspected him of shouting in unison so caringly.
"I am your compass; that means I am responsible for you. I take my obligations seriously. I encourage anyone to go to your assigned forefront with any minor troubles you may amass."
Finn supposed they didn't care what retribution one would expect if he broke protocol.
'Remember, you are all Chimeras; until your last dying breath. Therefore behave as such and always maintain an impeccable image." Markus hung back again, driving his point home.
"The rules are as follows. I highly recommend you learn and abide by them, as I will be displeased if you do not behave accordingly."
More than one glance bored into their peers.
'It's unsurprising how much mistrust circled among others, even if I was their antagonist.' Amelia reckoned.
'First of all, you must remember every single one of you is family. Your brothers and sisters standing before you are your anchor. Thus, lineage stands together. Once you've become part of us, you're one of ours; there's no going back.
Following the prior advice, the second principle has no obstruction; as a Chimera, we look after our own; all disputes stay within. I determine your value, not your supporters. It is not vital how weak or how influential you are. Treat your comrades accordingly, and I'll decide your worth and actions.
Thirdly, no one is entitled to miss any of the seminars assigned to you.
And last but not least, any consultations, especially mine, are mandatory. So please don't go on thinking you can avoid them. I will hunt you down if I speculate such cowardness.'
Markus delayed each rule, ensuring he caught the eyes of those who liked to cause trouble, especially his son.
'Do you understand!' He hollers.
'Yes, Sir!' Everyone clapped back.
'Any questions?'
Several held back, but those with curiosity more than a brain raised their hand, "What are we preparing for, chief?
Markus remained silent until one of the elders appointed him to continue. Nothing bore without their consent.
'A few weeks from now, we'll navigate our first excursion on Alchemy and perform our most dangerous infiltration. That is why we are pushing everyone to their limit to get you all ready. And why there are several recruits this year. We can't be victorious if we occurred unequipped when handling a crusade.'
Doubt fell upon the masses before shouts of order rained over them. Markus eyed the uproar in outrage before he manifested his emotions roaring attention.
"Silence. It isn't the time to accentuate your opinions. Nothing you say will change what's growing larger outside our grounds.
For the first time in the lives of most of us, we are at war. Over and over again, we have tried to find a way out of the disparities between ourselves and the outside world. But it has been in vain.
Given the circumstance of a new weapon created by the enemy, we have been forced into a conflict, for we are to take matters into our hands. For the sake of all that we hold dear, it is unthinkable that we ignore the problem and face the fatal consequences later on. It is for this life-threatening purpose that I now call upon the council, and my people, who will make our cause their own.
I ask you to trust us and unite in this time of trial.
The task will be challenging, but there are significant gains.
Dark days may be ahead, and the face of war can no longer abide at the seed of renewal. But we can only do what's right as shown to us and reverently commit our cause to mother nature. If we are firmly faithful to her, then, with her blessing, we shall prevail."
"But what if some of us haven't stepped foot in Alchemy? How will we know our way around?' Someone issues.
"All recruits will be placed in a faction that's ventured the lands before. You'll also have updated blueprints and impressions from our gadgets. You'll have a philosophy of the city so that no one gets caught off guard.'
Amelia couldn't imagine someone possibly winding up in the same group as Mikael, eyeing him in concealed horror.
'What are you glancing at?' Finn urged, snapping her out of her trance.
'Nothing pleasant,' Amelia barked, wishing she would've stayed in bed. Finn dismissed the sarcasm and heeded her line of vision with curiosity.
'Manners,' He smirked.
'Or I'll start to believe all this hatred towards the heir is more than it reads. By the looks of it, certain customs never fall far from the tree. I can reassure you this isn't one-sided."
"Good lord,' Amelia proclaimed. 'I'm not in the mood. Please leave me be.'
How can he infer her uneasiness relies on him? They've loathed each other since he came to be a member of the tribe, and it wasn't just an assumption of hers. He's sometimes vocalized his displeasure in both his silent disapproval and the occasional verbal disapproval.
Finn, as expected, scoffed at her mood. "Did I touch a nerve? Not used to someone telling you what others see or can be."
"Stay quiet for a bit, " Amelia breathed out as she concentrated on what Markus continued saying.
"Is it true a squad never made it back?" A shouted allegation sprouted silence.
"I have absolutely no opinion about that at all. Therefore, I can assure you that you're false assumptions should be put to rest, and if there aren't any more questions. I'll be on my way; you may continue enjoying your evening. I wish you all conquest and hope your bravery brings us to glory."
Markus nodded before he and his lackeys faded away.
Amelia shook her head as she tried to comprehend everything she'd heard, but it was too much and too unusual from what she had expected. Overpowered by all that had happened in the last few minutes and possibly her entire existence, she fled the scene.
After a short trip back, Amelia slipped out of her clothes, tossing them aside—and sighed, content, nestled under her sheets. The evening was bitter, even with the constant fire in her chest of the righteousness she would accomplish hereafter.
'Flames that burn brighter die faster. I'd rather be a spark that never quits.' Amelia confided before submerging in darkness.