Ember stretched his arms as he sat up in the soft bed, the warmth of the morning sun filtering through the heavy curtains of the lavish guest room. He still couldn't believe the events of the previous day and now all this Information from the system. From being trapped in a burning orphanage to waking up in this grand mansion, it all felt like a dream—a surreal fantasy that he was afraid to wake up from.
As he swung his legs over the side of the bed, his feet touched the plush rug beneath. A smile tugged at his lips; the simple act of moving his legs was a miracle in itself. For years, he had been confined to a wheelchair, his legs nothing more than lifeless appendages. Now, he felt every fiber of muscle responding to his will.
"Good morning," came a voice from the doorway. Ember looked up to see Carasan standing there, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit that seemed to shimmer slightly under the light. His eyes held a warmth that put Ember at ease.
"Morning," Ember replied.
"I trust you slept well?" Carasan asked, stepping into the room.
"Better than I ever have," Ember admitted. "This place is... incredible."
"I'm glad to hear that," Carasan said with a smile. "I thought we could have breakfast together. There's much to discuss."
Ember nodded eagerly. "That sounds great. Just give me a moment to get ready."
"Take your time," Carasan replied. "I'll be waiting in the dining hall. Barhar will guide you."
As if on cue, the stoic butler appeared at the doorway. "Good morning, sir," Barhar said with a slight bow. "Shall I assist you in preparing for the day?"
Ember felt a pang of embarrassment. He was used to needing assistance, but now he wanted to assert his newfound independence. "I think I can manage, but thank you," he said politely.
"Very well," Barhar replied. "If you need anything, please don't hesitate to call."
With that, both men left, leaving Ember alone once more. He stood up and walked over to the wardrobe, opening its ornate doors to reveal an array of clothing neatly arranged. There were shirts of fine silk, trousers made of fabrics he couldn't name, and coats that looked both practical and fashionable.
He selected a simple white shirt and a pair of black trousers. Dressing himself was still a bit of a challenge; buttons seemed to have a mind of their own. After a few minutes of fumbling, he managed to get dressed. He glanced at himself in the full-length mirror. His reflection still caught him off guard. The boy staring back had changed so much—gone was the gaunt, pale face; in its place was someone who looked healthier, stronger.
He ran a hand through his reddish-orange hair, noticing how the white accents at the tips caught the light. "Guess I'll have to get used to this," he muttered to himself.
Satisfied, he made his way to the door, where Barhar was waiting patiently. "This way, sir," the butler said, leading him through a labyrinth of hallways adorned with paintings and sculptures that looked ancient and priceless.
As they walked, Ember couldn't help but admire the opulence of the mansion. "This place is huge," he remarked.
"Indeed," Barhar replied. "Master Carasan has a fondness for collecting artifacts and art from around the world."
"Seems like it," Ember said, his eyes lingering on a painting of a majestic phoenix soaring through a stormy sky.
Ember couldn't help but stop in his tracks and stare at the painting with eyes filled with such admiration that it even caused the ever stoic Barhar to break his stoic face for a split second.
"Is there any problem Sir?" Barhar inquired.
"N-No, This painting is… it's very beautiful."
"Ah well, the creature you are looking at is a Phoenix" Barhar explained "The phoenix is an immortal bird that cyclically regenerates or is otherwise born again. While it is part of Greek Mythology, it has analogs in many cultures, such as Egyptian and Persian. Associated with the sun, a phoenix obtains new life by rising from the ashes of its predecessor. Some legends say it dies in a show of flames and combustion, while others that it simply dies and decomposes before being born again."
"That's pretty cool…" Ember said as he took in all the information that Barhar just said and he had to say, It certainly was really interesting to him, since he carried the power of a Phoenix Inside himself also. "So Mr. Barhar, Are there a lot of Phoenixes in the Hidden City?"
"Actually Sir, Phoenixes are as Mythical in the hidden city as they are in your world. Only stories exist of them, Most of the mythical creatures from the outside world have counterparts in the Obelisk bubbles such a Minotaurs or Centaurs"
"I… would be impressed but I don't know what they are."
"Oh you don't have to worry about them for the first few months of the academy" Barhar said walking off
'Does that mean I'll eventually have to worry about them' Ember thought as he walked after Barhar.
They arrived at a set of double doors, which Barhar opened to reveal a grand dining hall. A long table stretched across the room, laden with an array of dishes that made Ember's mouth water instantly.
Carasan stood at the head of the table. "Please, have a seat," he said, gesturing to a chair beside him.
Ember sat down, his eyes wide as he took in the spread before him. There were freshly baked croissants, golden and flaky; a platter of assorted fruits, some of which he didn't even recognize; pitchers of juice that glowed with vibrant colors; and steaming dishes that sent tantalizing aromas wafting through the air.
"Help yourself," Carasan encouraged.