The night crept, and the winds blew; the animals silent; the people vibrant. It was a cold night with warm feelings.
In a mansion, a mother screamed, and the son prepared.
"Alistair, are you finished?" A soft sound permeated a complex, disturbing its serene calmness.
In a humid room with snow-white colors and decorated by straw-yellow ceramic tiles, Alistair inspected his reflection in the shining mirror.
"Almost!" Alistair answered while admiring the otherworldly clothing piece in the mirror.
As Alistair admired himself, he thought he looked pretty good. He sprayed himself with cologne and brushed his crimson hair with a silver comb. He did other preparations.
'Perfect!' Alistair thought. It took two minutes. Alistair double-checked his look before sprinting out of the washroom. His heart raced at the white lie he told.
As he reached an intersection, Alistair leaped down the stairs. He raced to the door. He burst outside with a forceful heave.
Penelope stood outside the mansion, dressed in the same outfit but with a few tweaks. She waited beside a raven-black carriage, its surface reflecting the light emanating from the grand mansion.
Alistair dashed into the carriage. He saw Reginald inside.
The interior adorned shades of sky-blue colors and black lining, which provided a striking contrast to the overall design. The space felt warm and cozy.
"Looking quite sharp, aren't we, young sir?" Reginald greeted Alistair with a smile, his deep allegiance to the Percivals evident in how he held himself.
Alistair nodded his head in acknowledgment.
"Haha, you look, Mr. Reginald," Alistair replied with a ceremonial bow even though Reginald was still dressed in the same black and white suit.
Reginald sank into the chair. 'Good child.'
Alistair leaned forward. 'Weird fellow.'
As the two greeted each other, Penelope, who stood outside the carriage, performed gestures in the air with her fingers. She paid rapt attention to not make a mistake. Soon, she finished.
Soon after, runes materialized in the space around the estate. It glowed with an azure light as it hummed with the breeze.
'Defense systems are all done and perfectly at that,' Penelope laughed in satisfaction at her work before striding into the carriage and sitting in front of the two.
The driver in front of the carriage pulled some levers, and the bronze lion attached to the machine by cold pitch-black chains flew up into the air. Accordingly, the carriage ascended, flying into the high night sky.
As the carriage soared, Alistair watched the scenery passing by him with a calm and thoughtful expression.
The night was as dark as an abyss. The moon and stars shed light on the city.
The weather was cold, akin to staying under an air conditioner. The city was festive and rows of light-shaped figures headed to a location ahead.
In awe, Alistair memorized this moment for future contemplation. He refused to forget it.
'Towers, building, amusement park, more towers, flying carts,' Alistar narrated in his mind, keeping it busy since the trip was taking long despite the carriage moving at speeds close to military copters.
When they transversed out the gigantic-sized city walls that majestically stood outskirts of the city, Penelope looked at the dazed Alistair. "Dear, this is going to be your first time outside… So, how does it feel?" she asked, eager to know her son's thoughts.
Alistair came out of his inner narration and glanced at Penelope with foggy eyes.
Nonetheless, he still answered, "it feels new to me… It's different." Alistair paused.
He added. "How long will we be out, and what is there to see?"
Penelope, hearing the question, looked to the ceiling for a moment. 'Interesting… question,' she thought
"Well, knowing that woman, she normally makes her events last for three hours," Penelope said with her index finger on her chin.
"And for the last question..." Penelope paused. "It's a secret."
"Oh!" Alistair nodded, but he raised his brows as he recollected her words. "Wait… So, who is the host?"
Penelope smiled. "A friend of I and your dad, and a well-known dual-pather, her name is Sorceress Lenna, the arch-witch."
Alistair's eyes opened wide. His mouth agape at the term 'dual-pather.' After staying here for so long, he had already learned the common terminologies.
A dual-pather practiced both etherism and eprenism. Or in other terms: magic and physique.
"What?!" Alistair asked, screaming out, face gaping. On the other seat, Penelope chuckled at his surprise with her hand covering her mouth. She thought about how similar he was to his father.
"Yes, your father and I know a lot of interesting characters," Penelope said, recollecting all the unique compatriots they met in their teenage years.
"Yet, you rarely tell me about them," Alistair said while rolling his eyes in disappointment. "You always give excuses!"
After all, he hoped they would stop being so selective in what they inform him about, making Alistair feel like a jack of trades, master of none.
"It's best if you meet them yourself." Penelope comforted with a smile. She felt the urge to teach. "Because action speaks louder than words." She educated
Alistair stared at Penelope, not appreciating the secrecy. However, seeing her smiling face not dimming, Alistair took it as a sign of, 'stop trying, young man,' so he gave up.
Penelope, seeing that Alistair looked unconvinced, added, "most of them will be at the destination, but for now, enjoy the scenery."
Alistair grumbled and rested back at the window side, "Alright," he returned to his landscape gazing.
'Better luck next time,' Alistair thought as he gazed at the mountains.
Therefore, the trip continued in comforting silence. A few minutes later, they reached a dome-shaped building similar to a mushroom.
The structure was a massive architectural masterpiece that was surrounded by mountains on each side, serving as both protection and a means of concealment.
Its smoky-gray metallic walls gleaned under the moonlight, and a plethora of gaps filled the surface of the building while machines of varying sizes flew through them.
However, Alistair didn't relish in the beauty but was alarmed.
'Every mode of transport is painted pitch-black… It's almost as if they're trying to camouflage Into the darkness!' Alistair thought, observing the flying automated machines and the endless landscape.
'The buildings in front look like it is trying to merge with their surroundings… What is the reason they have to hide it this much?'
Suddenly, a smile made it on Alistair's face. He felt that his mother decided to let him get in touch with more serious matters. NOT the middle school missions he had been sent forth to perform!
The carriage neared closer, with Alistair giddy as he would soon come to know — the secrets of this world.