After days of traveling, Kael had finally grown somewhat accustomed to the rhythm of the road. The past few days had been relatively uneventful, with a few battles scattered here and there as they moved through the thinning forests. Elowen had dealt with each encounter swiftly and efficiently, her axe carving through abominations and other dangers that lurked in the Grey Area as if they were nothing more than obstacles in her path.
Kael had marveled at her strength, at how she fought so calmly, with little hesitation, but after the first few skirmishes, it became almost routine. Every night they would stop at a small clearing, camp under the stars, and Kael would attempt to learn a little more about the world around him. Elowen was a patient teacher, though sometimes she'd roll her eyes at his cluelessness.
Now, as they approached the dawn of the fourth day, something shifted. The endless stretch of forest that had surrounded them for so long finally began to thin out profusely. The dense canopy of trees that had blocked out the sky above gave way to patches of open land, where the grass swayed gently in the wind. Kael found himself walking with a lighter step, the oppressive weight of the forest beginning to ease. He breathed in deeply, feeling the cool morning air fill his lungs.
"It's strange," Kael mused aloud, glancing over at Elowen.
"Traveling with you, I feel like I'm actually… safe."
Elowen gave him a sidelong glance, one eyebrow raised in mild amusement.
"Enjoy it while it lasts. This is nothing compared to what awaits you down the road."
Kael chuckled, though there was an uneasy edge to his laughter. He had no illusions about how unprepared he was, but for now, he relished the feeling of safety. Compared to the lonely terror of his first trial, being with Elowen felt like walking beside an immovable fortress. Her very presence was a shield, and Kael realized that he had grown to rely on it far more than he liked to admit.
"You weren't doing so badly back there, either," she remarked, eyes scanning the horizon.
"Clumsy, maybe. But you've got some grit."
"Not sure if that's a compliment or an insult," Kael muttered, smirking.
"A bit of both," she said with a shrug.
"You'll need more than that soon enough, though."
They continued on in silence for a while, the grasslands stretching out before them like a vast green ocean. The transition from forest to open land had been gradual, but now, Kael could see the full expanse of it—the endless stretch of grass swaying in the breeze. It was a welcome change after the claustrophobic trees, but even more than the change in scenery, something else caught Kael's eye.
"Is that…?" Kael squinted into the distance, seeing something just beyond the horizon.
Elowen followed his gaze, then smiled.
"Feysreach."
Kael's heart quickened as he saw the city for the first time. It was a breathtaking sight, unlike anything he had imagined. Nestled within the thinning forest and stretching out into the grasslands, the city seemed to grow naturally from the landscape itself. Buildings crafted from wood and stone rose up like ancient trees, with walkways and bridges that connected the towering structures in intricate webs. What struck Kael most, however, was the sheer beauty of it all.
The city was illuminated by what looked like countless fireflies, glowing softly in the dusk. Upon closer inspection, Kael realized they weren't fireflies at all, but lanterns—small orbs of light, suspended in mid-air or attached to the buildings, casting a warm, ethereal glow over the entire city.
"Wow," he muttered under his breath.
"People built this?"
Elowen glanced at him, an amused glint in her eyes.
"Surprised?"
"I just… I've never seen anything like it."
"Feysreach is one of the more beautiful cities in Terra's Domain," Elowen said, her voice softening as they approached.
"Built to blend with nature, not against it. It's a peaceful place. Mostly."
Kael's eyes roamed over the grand sight before him. The closer they got, the more details he could make out—the towering trees that seemed to be part of the architecture itself, the vines and greenery that adorned the walls, and the bridges that connected each building. It was like something out of a dream, a place that felt both ancient and alive. Even in the fading light of the day, the city radiated a quiet, serene beauty.
"Peaceful," Kael echoed.
"I could use some of that."
"Don't get too comfortable," Elowen warned, her tone turning serious.
"The city might look peaceful, but it's just like any other place. Danger doesn't just come from the wilderness. Sometimes, it's right there inside the walls."
Kael frowned but didn't say anything. He'd been through enough already to know that nothing was ever as it seemed. Still, as they approached the city gates, he couldn't help but feel a strange sense of hope. This was the first real sign of civilization he had seen since waking up in the Tower. Maybe here, in Feysreach, he could find some answers—or at the very least, a place to rest.
As they got closer, Kael realized just how massive the gates of Feysreach were. The wooden walls stretched high above him, reinforced with iron and stone, and the gates themselves were guarded by several armed figures, all wearing matching armor emblazoned with symbols Kael didn't recognize. The guards stood tall and vigilant, their eyes scanning the horizon as travelers moved in and out of the city.
The sight of so many people caught Kael off guard. For so long, it had just been him and Elowen, walking through the wilderness with nothing but abominations for company. Now, there were people—real people—moving about, talking, laughing, and trading goods as they entered and left the city. Some were dressed in simple traveler's clothes, while others bore the unmistakable marks of Fatewalkers, their weapons and armor gleaming in the fading light.
For a moment, Kael felt overwhelmed. His experience with people so far had been… limited, to say the least. A mysterious old man who threw him into a trial with no explanation, and Elowen, who was as terrifying as she was fascinating. What else awaited him in a place like this? He had no idea how to even begin interacting with people in this world.
His anxiety grew as they neared the gates. The crowds, the noise, the sheer size of it all—it was a lot to take in. He tugged at the edge of his clothes, suddenly self-conscious about his appearance. He felt out of place, ragged and unkempt after days of travel. What if someone stopped them? What if the guards questioned him? What would he even say?
His worries must have shown on his face because Elowen glanced over at him and smirked.
"You're not going to faint on me, are you?"
Kael shook his head quickly, though he wasn't entirely sure of the answer.
"I'm fine," he muttered, though his voice lacked conviction.
"Good," Elowen replied, her smirk widening.
"Because we're here."
As they approached the gates, Elowen raised her hand in a casual greeting. Kael noticed one of the guards, a man who looked to be higher in rank than the others, glance in their direction. He was a tall, broad-shouldered figure, his armor polished and well-maintained, with a stern expression etched onto his weathered face.
To Kael's surprise, the guard's serious demeanor softened when he saw Elowen. He raised his hand in response, a small but genuine smile breaking through his stern expression.
"Elowen!" the guard called out as they neared.
"Back from the Grey Area, I see. All in one piece, as usual."
"Wouldn't miss a chance to visit Feysreach," Elowen replied with a grin.
The guard chuckled, stepping forward to greet them as they approached the gates.
"And who's this?" His gaze shifted to Kael, his sharp eyes scanning the newcomer with interest.
Kael tensed slightly, unsure of what to say. His mind raced with a dozen possible explanations, none of them particularly convincing. What was he supposed to tell this guard? That he had no idea who he was, where he was from, or what he was doing here?
But before he could speak, Elowen stepped in smoothly.
"New recruit," she said, her tone casual.
"Picked him up in the Grey Area. He's a bit green, but he'll do just fine."
The guard raised an eyebrow, looking Kael over again, this time with a slightly more appraising eye.
"Green, huh? Well, if he's with you, Elowen, I suppose he must have some potential."
Kael wasn't sure if he should be relieved or insulted by the comment, but he decided to keep his mouth shut.
"Don't worry," Elowen said with a wink, looking back at Kael.
"I'll make sure he doesn't get himself killed."
The guard chuckled again and stepped aside, gesturing for them to enter.
"Good to see you back, Elowen. Enjoy your stay."
With that, the massive gates of Feysreach creaked open, revealing the city beyond. Kael's heart raced as they stepped inside, the sights and sounds of the bustling city washing over him. The towering trees, the glowing lanterns, the people—it was all so overwhelming, yet so fascinating.
As they stepped further into the heart of Feysreach, the soft glow of lanterns casting long shadows, Kael's gaze lingered on the city around him. The bustling crowds and towering trees were both fascinating and overwhelming, but he kept pace with Elowen, trusting her lead.
The city gates creaked closed behind them, the sound resonating through the evening air. A chill ran down Kael's spine, a quiet reminder that whatever awaited him beyond these streets, he was now part of something far bigger than he could yet understand.
And with that, his journey into the unknown continued.