Relvor wasn't the fountain of information I had thought him to be, but I should have suspected as much from a simple blacksmith. Nevertheless, I was grateful he could fill in some of the blanks. According to him, Empyreans were those who held the gift to pull Mystic Qi from the Heavens. Be it Elves, Orcs, Dwarves, Treants, or whatever they might be. Everyone possesses a chance to be an Empyrean and step upon the path set by the Gods or Demons.
But not everyone possesses this so-called gift, known as Arcane or Arcana, a source of power to everyone wishing to walk the path of an Empyrean. Without this one Mysterious Arcana empowering you, it was practically impossible to ascend.
The goblins I faced stats didn't reveal any sort of Acana, so it was safe to say they lacked the qualifications to become an Empyrean. Koz, however, was different. The system showed he had an Arcane stat of nine. It wasn't nearly as high as mine, but I was sure it meant he had the potential to be one, same for me. At least, that's what I hoped.
My fist clenched to my side, and my eyes peeped towards Tomas, walking ahead of his father, who was carrying two pails, one in each hand. He had said that he was but a Mystic Page, the first rank of the path to an Empyrean.
At the same time, Relvor stood in the second realm, known as a Mystic Squire, stating he was but a nobody whose only worth was but to forge. A bit of an exaggeration, I was sure, as I've seen how he held a dagger, Relvor knew how to hold his own.
Towering over a mystic Squire stood Mystic Knights and, finally, Masters, where the extent of Relvor's knowledge fell. But each of these realms was divided into Five Stages, and Tomos was at the first stage, and Relvor, well, I wasn't too sure. He had seemed to keep it a secret, revealing something to me.
Neither of them held Systems.
I might be jumping to conclusions, but he asked my name, which the system informs you of, with a simple mental or physical command. He didn't need to ask if he had a system.
"Papa?" Tomas called, turning his small head towards his father. " I'm hungry!"
My lips curled into a grin.
"Ya, Lil brat, didn't you just eat?" Relvor said, "We are almost to Blackpool. Just a few more minutes, Ok."
"K," said Tomos, forging ahead without a care.
"I swear all he does is eat—every minute of the day," Relvor whispered my way, his gaze locked onto his child with a warmth only a parent could hold.
"He's a growing boy," I reminded him.
"Please, growing boys know how to pull their weight," Tomas's shoulders stiffened, and his pace increased.
A chuckle slipped from my lips as a wry grin appeared over Relvor.
I'd enjoy spending time with the father, son duo. They were a silly bunch, reminding me a bit of Crowe and myself. Gods, I hoped he was alright.
—
Traveling a few hours, a journey I found shocking for father and son to take almost every other day simply to fetch water became astonishing until I saw... A grand port city with a towering wall spanning a few stories, stretching from the earth to the seas, on each side filled with armed bowmen near the peak of the Wall. Below stood a small platoon of soldiers clad in leather armor, with a simple sword at their waist, checking various cargo as they came and went through the port city of Blackpool.
Picking up on the whiff of the refreshing salty breeze skimming over my cheeks, I stood amazed by the beauty of the dimming sun over the orange skies. My eyes locked onto the banner that hung over the Wall, depicting the moon and the sword crossing one another.
Approaching the Wall, which only grew in stature the closer I came, Relvor cut around the line towards a dark-skinned soldier whose arm clung to the hilt of his sword.
"Chris!" Relvor called, drawing a few stares.
My heart dipped as I knew my bloodstained appearance would attract unwanted favor, not to mention my odd clothing. If someone were to find out I was not a seeker.
God knows what would happen.
"Right on time!" the dark skin man, caring emerald eyes that glow like jewels and a bright smile over his lips. " And you brought a guess—a woman of all things. Dear God, she's not your daughter, is she? Better watch out, or Tessa will have your cock of dinner, my boy!"
"My son is here." He said
"The boy has heard worse. That wife of yours has a tongue." Chris replied, turning towards me, his eyes narrowing. "What's your name, girl."
"Izalith Snow," I answered, holding my stare over his.
His gaze studied me, measuring my worth, and he nodded. "You sure?" he directed toward Relvor, who nodded in turn.
"Trust me."
Chris nodded and sighed, " Fine. But watch out. A few hours ago, a platoon came back carrying the body of a woman who was skinned alive—never seen anything like it before. They say she was gargling over a tree branch, skewering her body."
The cruel image of Talen Grove emerged from the back of my mind, gnawing at the lining of my stomach, sending a chill dancing along my spine. The murderer was here and close to Blackpool.
Relvor pressed his lips together into a dark line, and his gaze landed upon his boy, peering up at him without a care.
"I'll die before I let anything happen to him."
"I'm sure you will," Chris said with a kind smile. "But leave this man or beast to us. You need to prepare for the coming rite. Little Tomas is sure to do well."
A bit of a small smile crept to Relvor's hard expression." You bet your ass I will. Take care, Chris, and may Tyr guide your blade."
"And you're," said Chris and turned his gaze to me. "As for you. Get yourself cleaned up. A lady whose beauty needs to be hidden shouldn't be caught in such a state as you."
"I shall see what I can do," I said, moving after Relvor, who had pressed ahead. Skirting by the few guards whose gaze lingered longer than those they searched, a wave of relief passed me as I crossed through the Wall and into Blackpool. Where under the setting of the sun seemed to bathe his marvelous city in gold.
My breath left me, and my eye whipped back and forth between the housing and various men and woman, creatures tall and short and beasts of various sizes and nature gathered together.
This was Blackpool.