"What do you mean we need a passport?!" Zinia exclaimed, her voice rising as she tried to hold herself back from lashing out. The frustration was clear on her face. The siblings were standing at the entrance to the Fortress Country, a massive stronghold surrounded by towering stone walls and patrolled by heavily armed guards. Despite all their power and skills, it seemed they had run into a problem they couldn't simply fight their way out of.
"No passport means I can't let you in, I told you already." The guard repeated for what must have been the fifth time, his voice clearly irritated after what had been an already long day's work. He barely glanced at her now, his eyes instead on the line of people behind them, waiting for their turn to enter.
Zinia tapped her foot on the ground repeatedly, her patience thinning by the second. She was used to doors opening for her, people stepping aside in fear or reverence. This? This was ridiculous. "Do you not know who I am?" she demanded, standing her ground as if sheer will alone would grant them passage. She lifted her chin, her voice sharp and filled with confidence. "I am Zinia Valeborne, head of the Valeborne family."
The guard blinked at her, unimpressed. "Don't matter who you are. No passport, no entry." He crossed his arms over his chest, resolute, as if daring her to push him further.
Zinia's lips thinned, a sharp retort dancing on her tongue, but before she could speak, Mei, standing silently by her side, placed a hand on her shoulder. It was a small, subtle gesture, but it was enough to make her pause. She sighed, exhaling some of her frustration. Mei remained expressionless, his gaze focused forward, unperturbed by the delay.
Without another word, Zinia turned on her heel, storming away from the gate. Mei followed silently, his presence a calm counterpoint to her smoldering frustration.
As they walked away from the entrance, weaving through the bustling crowd of travelers and merchants, Zinia clenched her fists, thinking. A passport. Of all the trivial things, this was what was stopping them from entering the country? They had more important matters to attend to.
Just as her thoughts were beginning to spiral, a voice called out from the crowd. "You two look like you're having some trouble."
Zinia turned, her sharp eyes landing on a girl who had appeared from the crowd. She couldn't have been more than sixteen, with scruffy brown hair tied back in a messy ponytail and eyes that gleamed with mischief. She wore simple, patched clothing, the kind of attire that suggested she was used to fending for herself.
"And you are?" Zinia asked, her tone wary but curious.
"The name's Kiva," the girl said with a grin. "I couldn't help but overhear your little... situation. If you're looking for a way into the Fortress Country, I might be able to help you."
Zinia narrowed her eyes, skeptical. "And what's in it for you?"
Kiva shrugged, still grinning. "Oh, I'm sure I'll think of something. But trust me, you won't get in without a little help from someone who knows the place."
Zinia exchanged a look with Mei, who remained impassive, before sighing. "Fine. But try anything, and I'll have you wishing you never spoke to us."
Kiva's grin widened. "Deal."
---
It didn't take long for Kiva to lead them through the narrow, twisting alleyways outside the fortress. She knew the streets like the back of her hand, navigating hidden paths until they reached an old, disused entrance tucked away in a forgotten corner of the city walls. The guards were absent here, the area neglected, and with a little finesse, Kiva had them inside the Fortress Country without a passport or the guards at the main gate being any the wiser.
The moment they stepped through, Zinia felt the change. The Fortress Country was a marvel to behold, unlike any other place they had passed through. The streets were paved with stone, worn smooth from years of use, and the buildings stretched tall, each one a testament to the country's wealth and might. Merchant stalls lined the streets, selling everything from exotic spices to weapons forged with the finest materials. But it wasn't the wealth that made this place special—it was the sheer sense of security, of strength, that permeated the air. The fortress wasn't just a country; it was a living, breathing citadel.
Massive walls loomed in every direction, with towers dotting the skyline, watching over the citizens like silent sentinels. Soldiers in gleaming armor patrolled the streets, and every passerby seemed to move with a sense of purpose, as if they knew they were protected behind these impenetrable walls.
"There," Kiva said, pointing to a large building near the center of the city. "That's the Guildhall. You'll need to go there if you want to get official papers and registration."
Zinia nodded, but her expression remained cold. She was still wary of the girl, but at least now they had a direction. The Guildhall was bustling with activity when they entered, filled with adventurers, soldiers, and all manner of individuals seeking jobs, rewards, or registration. The air inside was thick with the smell of sweat and metal.
Approaching the desk, Zinia gave her name, prepared to pay the fee for registration and the issuance of passports. However, when she reached into her pouch, her fingers met empty air.
Her eyes widened in disbelief as she quickly rummaged through her bag, only to find that all their money was gone. Stolen.
Kiva.
Before Zinia could react, the clerk behind the desk noticed her hesitation and raised an eyebrow. "Problem?"
Zinia clenched her teeth but forced herself to remain calm. "We… seem to have misplaced our funds," she said through gritted teeth.
The clerk leaned back in his chair, unimpressed. "Well, no money, no registration."
Zinia's temper flared, but before she could speak, Mei stepped forward. He still said nothing, but his presence was enough to draw the clerk's attention. "If you don't have money, we can perform an identification test instead," the clerk suggested, eyeing Mei's blank expression warily.
Zinia took a deep breath, composing herself. "Fine. We'll take the test."
The identification test was designed to assess the strength and skills of those seeking entry. They were led into a large chamber beneath the Guildhall, where the testing grounds were located. It was a place of raw energy, the walls inscribed with runes that shimmered with power, measuring each individual's abilities.
Zinia went first. With a wave of her hand, she summoned a swirling vortex of energy, channeling her control over essence. The runes flared in response, and the room hummed with power. When the results appeared on the display, she was ranked as 2nd tier, a near-elite classification that commanded respect.
Mei followed after. Though he moved with a mechanical precision, his abilities were no less impressive. Without speaking, he manifested a weapon from thin air, a shimmering blade of energy that cleaved through the air with a single swing. The runes calculated his strength, placing him in the 3rd tier—just below Zinia, but still a high rank for anyone seeking entry.
The clerk who had dismissed them earlier now looked at them with wide eyes, suddenly far more respectful. "I'll inform the Guildmaster," he said quickly, backing away.
Moments later, a tall, broad-shouldered man appeared. His eyes scanned Zinia and Mei before settling on Zinia. "The name's Darius, Guildmaster of this hall," he said, his voice deep and commanding. "I've heard the name Valeborne before. Messengers of great renown, aren't you?"
Zinia nodded, her expression unreadable. "That's right."
Darius smirked. "Well, then, welcome to the Fortress Country. It seems we have much to discuss."