Nico blinked rapidly, doing his best to allow his eyes to adjust. All around him, the other worshippers remained unfazed, no doubt having experienced this daily. As it was though, to Nico who had never faced such a thing, even he couldn't help but feel a hint of reverence in his heart.
Peering closer, he noted the darkness had a weird crimson hue to it. Whether that was from the countless red furnishings or the Ancestor's powers, he did not know.
Suddenly, a vast, otherworldly power descended on the Temple. It was divine, holy, unblemished, untainted, perfect…
Nico sensed the power invade his body and settle in his soul. A sense of security filled his heart.
A feeling of invincibility permeated his body. Although, Nico felt it to be more of an illusion than anything else.
As abruptly as the darkness descended, it vanished, leaving behind a content group of pious individuals in its wake. Nico blinked again and shifted his gaze towards Beverly who was standing beside him.
"What was that? I feel like I was born anew and have now become invincible," he whispered.
The ginger-haired priestess stared at him from the corner of her eye, "As you can logically deduce, it's a blessing. One designed to lower the chances of any calamitous events that might happen to you during the day. That's why you probably feel invincible… your fate underwent a small but miniscule change,"
Nico's brows rose in surprise, not expecting what he had just heard.
"However, this cannot change any major, destined events intertwined deeply with your end path. This blessing is more akin to a passive effect, and will wear off by nightfall." She explained succinctly.
The boy hummed in response to her words. He stared at his hands in silent wonder, before the loud clang signalling the end of the ritual made him snap his neck upward, senses searching for any danger.
Nico then sighed, forcing himself to relax. He shut his eyes tightly together, not letting the memories that desperately wanted to roam free get a chance to do so.
The procession of worshippers slowly filed out of the hall, ready to start their day. Nico saw a myriad of different professions on display. Some wore clothes symbolising their status as craftsmen, mundane employees, or even some dressed in polished plate armour, no doubt a portion of the Local Guard.
There were even some who wore unassuming mundane clothes and perfectly blended in with the crowd. However, from Nico's experience being surrounded by Phantom and instructor William, he could tell they radiated danger; their relaxed stances a veil that hid their experience of tempered battle veterans.
Nico's gaze swept through the crowds in search of more people like them. Even as they exited the Temple and entered the busy streets, he never let up in this endeavour of his.
A few minutes passed, with the group of four making some idle chatter along the way. As they continued walking through the sidestreets, before converging onto the main boulevard of the City where the Wondering Ocean came into view, anticipation rose within Nico at the chance to reunite with his father and sister.
Staring at the undulating waves and the occasional naval vessel or fishermen's boat that littered the sea's aquatic expanse, he sighed and allowed a small smile to grace his face. The rhythmic melody of the waves going to and fro, as well the luminous rays of sun that sparkled on the water body, soothed a portion of his agitation.
As the salty air streamed into his nose and a stray breeze ruffled his hair, Nico stood silently taking it all in.
Eventually, he turned around and found his guardians and Leon waiting for him a few metres off.
Behind them, at the end of the boulevard, a vast structure appeared in Nico's gaze. The presence of the guard here were more pronounced, several heavily-armoured individuals in a protective formation around its perimeter.
The actual structure took Nico's breath away. It arched over two meters high, with an iridescent colour that writhed in the middle. It reminded him of the chaotic portal he had seen in the portrait back at home.
What's more, the material they had built the arch off, gave off a subtle ethereal glow that contrasted with its dark colour. Beneath the portal, lay a set of steps which lead to the main platform.
A few paces away, several technicians milled around a control center, checking diagnostics and making sure the structure was in tip-top shape.
Nico's mind instantly connected what this structure was, based on the heavy security and the writhing tear in space in the centre.
'A teleportation matrix…' he gasped internally.
A look of excitement took hold of his features.
He rushed up to his aunt, mother and the half-blood.
"We're using 'that'?" Nico pointed to the looming structure behind the trio, his excitement infectious.
Beverly grinned and Cynthia giggled, while Leon held the same giddiness the brown-haired boy showed, deep in his eyes.
"Yes, we are. Never mind that Airedale is on the other side of the Empire, Blackie would not be happy being treated like a pack mule for all of us. Riding on a wyvern is so pedestrian, anyway. This is so much cooler…" the ginger-haired woman stuck her tongue out slightly.
Cynthia rolled her eyes, while her lips slowly curled in amusement, contrary to her initial action.
Leon merely watched silently to the side, hesitation gripping his figure. Eventually, he took a deep breath and firmed his choice, "Farewell, Nico,"
Nico who was in the midst of jumping up and down paused. The half-blood winced at his timing.
The brown-haired boy immediately whirled around and showed a blank expression, "Why? Aren't you coming with us?"
Nico had assumed that Leon would come back to his house and spend some time with his family before the Awakening Ceremony.
Leon scratched his head, his burly frame appearing downcast, "Well, I couldn't possibly impose on your family. That would be terribly rude of me. Besides, if people see your family with me, who knows what your neighbours might think?" This is for the best…" the half-dwarf hid his pained expression.
"Oh, come on, Leon! Who cares about any of that stuff? It's no big deal, really! Right Mom, Aunt Beverly?" Nico waved him off, motioning for backup from his two guardians.
Cynthia nodded, concern and boundless warmth in her jade-green eyes.
"Don't worry about what our neighbours might think, they're all good people," Beverly reassured, "In the case where our reputation takes a hit, so what? We don't care… with our level of strength, they can't do anything to us." she winked.
Leon clenched his fists, feeling conflicted.
"Please," Nico pleaded. He did not want to be alone after Henry's death. Leon's presence was very much welcome.
As he gazed into the brown pupils of his only friend, the half-blood's figure trembled, before he closed his eyes and sighed in resignation, "Fine…"
"Great!" Nico embraced the fiery-haired boy briefly, before he turned around and strode eagerly towards the teleportation matrix.
"Let's get this journey started!"