[Gold Creek, 14.10 PM]
Time passes everywhere, and so do the concerns growing between children and adults. Now that the sun has lay lower than before, time draws near to an end. Yet, the parents had traveled through houses with no effort or clue towards Eve—nor could Cyrus be found. It is as if they vanished.
"No, sorry. Haven't seen any teenagers in this neighborhood yet. Thank you..."
"Sorry, we haven't seen him yet."
"Sorry, lady. No clue..."
"Do I know you? You're not from Great stone district, aren't you?"
*Slam* The last door shuts tight before Stella's face, and still no lead to the disappearance. The clock is moving faster than it seems for her.
"Oh, Stella. What does this mean?" John stood on the porch with his hand scratching his head. The two were lost in their fear.
"Didn't you say Cyrus and Dion was with you before? Now they're not?"
"I don't really think this is an ordinary leave, dear. Not that I'm saying leaving could mean more, but...are you sure she was going away because of fun and not because of..."
"No! John, don't think of such nonsense! Eve is fine and happy...and nothing could change my mind! She knew I wouldn't dare to do this to her. I wouldn't!" Stella slaps the air.
"But we've been looking around neighbors and friends. Not one even seen them! What do we do now?"
*Honk* *Honk* John was nearly faced with the hands of death if he wasn't too careful with that diesel truck from the south.
"Watch your step, sir!" He yelled in restrain.
"Then we had to look harder to the school where Eve always been around." Stella pointed at the west.
"Come on, John. Don't waste any more time! Look for her friends...I mean her classmates!" Stella stares carefully throughout the field. Her mind is filled with emphasis.
"Hey! Hey, you girls! Do you have time? I need to talk! I need to talk with you!" The mother sought the passing cheerleaders on the street with a disappointed face. Now, they are more disappointed.
"Ugh, I can't believe this day couldn't get any worse..."
"Uhm, Lisa? Watch for Ms. Ainsley."
"Hey, Lisa. Aren't you and your friends are having today? I hope I don't interrupt anything today." Stella approaches safely.
"Uhm, no...? Ms. Ainsley, are you alright? Running around in the daylight like this isn't good for your...health. And safety..." Lisa peeks into the street with an alert.
"I know! I know! But a lady like me is versatile. So don't worry about me..."
"Uhm...yeah?" Lisa nods down.
"Oh, right. Have you seen my Eve somewhere? My ever-loving peach fruit? It's what I like to call my daughter..." She pauses awkwardly.
"Because I like peach...and I grew her like one. You know farmer terms for their beloved children, right?"
"We get it, Ms. Ainsley. But we haven't seen her lately...are you sure she's not in her room—gluttoning over a book again?" She shows displease towards the name.
"Honestly, have you ever thought about your daughter once? Because I've been "worried" about her since yesterday. I can't call her a nerd, but she is the type of learner I wouldn't doubt for failing this class."
"It's just...have you ever considered about enlisting her somewhere better? Like a place for her to do what she likes the most?"
"No...not this time. I mean, I do! I mean, no! I didn't..." Stella yelled in an intrusion.
"Ehem...She went out this morning without telling me and I couldn't find her bag or clothes. But I'm sure some of you would've know anything about her?"
"Well, we haven't seen her since yesterday, so...I don't think we knew anything else." Lisa rolls her eyes out—knowing something that the mother doesn't.
"Actually, we were looking for Cyrus right now. Have you seen him?" One girl stands out to greet Stella.
"Cyrus? He wasn't with you or Dion? I thought this was Tuesday Training for Great Stone Final Showdown? That's strange...he was with Dion visiting my house—looking for Eve, too."
"That's ridiculous. What happened?"
"I don't know. Eve was gone in the morning and—"
"No, I mean Cyrus and our Dion. What did they do there?"
"Oh, he was visiting Eve with Dion to look after her. They said she was "
"Surprising? That's not even possible...how did that even happen? Since when?" Lisa grasped tightly onto Stella's shoulder.
"Did Cyrus said something about a walk? A sleepover? A secret place? Tell me!"
"I don't know! I didn't really understand why they came. Mr. Carven just arrived and asked about her whereabouts and then left after I told him Eve wasn't around." Stella glances with shock as she backs off.
"Oh, really? Maybe she slipped and forget her phone? You know she's knew to here?"
"Haha...yeah, maybe that's my daughter trying to go out for once. But who knows, right? I might have worried for too much...haha..."
"You should've seen your face when you were looking at me, Ms.Ainsley. You've made yourself quite a joy today..."
"Yeah, I'm such a reckless mother...haha..."
Stella had lost her worries to the girls' laughs—while John stood from afar on the opposite street with a discomforted face as if in loneliness. He was the only one standing.
"I'll go print the posters..." The father felt uncertain about the mother's choice.
[Home]
Fate goes swiftly to John's eye. He had no bushes to hide anything more than his denial towards Stella's concern. So, when she wasn't around, John put up a second work behind her wife to anticipate a second expectation.
*Printer sound*
"Where have you gone, Eve? Are you really out for a walk?"
"I hope you don't hurt yourself when you're back home..." John checks the brochure with discontent.
"Or if you really are..."
[Elis, the Tower]
Chapter 3: The Early Winter
Cold. There's something cold in my bones—it shouldn't be. Every part of my body was stiff and broken, and I was absent from life for minutes just to smell a humid yet familiar air. I dreamt of illusionary freedom, where I was only awakened when the sky stopped roaring. I remember thunder but not clouds.
"Actually, you are getting struck by thunder, so that's not an exaggeration." Cyrus leans beside Eve's shoulders—peeking at her work.
"Shush! I'm doing my project with tranquility...give me one." Eve glances at Cyrus with a rabid cat-like eye.
"Alright, alright...go ahead and do your work, I guess. So far, you did great in here? But isn't that project supposed to be weeks away?" Cyrus back off to the corner.
After a long reassurance with the bearers, Eve and Charger finally made it to the Tower unpunished. Through a suspended cable car connected to a thick, long wire to the facility afar, they were accompanied afar by the enforcers in one cabin to a higher altitude.
Everything above here looks small and livid to Eve—harmless to her breaking skin. With wounds resulting from her near-death judgment, she bears the scar deep into her head with Charger on her side, writing notes to keep her mind steady and calm. It appeases the enforcers to see the two shivering with horror.
"Alright, listen up. You two are not going anywhere with that face until we've got you your task done. Whatever happens with the councils better not happens like us." Dion warns.
"You're going to meet with important people, so act as one."
"Important?" Cyrus looks confused.
"I must ascend," I remember those words as I grabbed my book and wrote this note. But I couldn't stop thinking about what happened before my blackout. The people...the people had gone—Or is it my guess? Wait, the citizens! I remember there were citizens here, but they vanished somewhat. One thing to note is that there were remnants of colorful surprises in return.
"Cyrus, what is that?" Dion confronts him with an intrusive approach. He reaches out for his possession by force.
"What? You mean I couldn't kept this pretty papers? They're rare, you know?"
"Now, I have a perfect birthday and paper plane to make! Thank you, Joy District..." He bows.
"What? You scrapped trashes to make birthday parties?"
"It's called recycling, Dion. Also, I have more to make on this paper than some birthday parties." Cyrus pulls his hands away from Dion's sight, prompting the knight to return to his seat.
*Slam* "Eugh! I can't...contain this pain..." The cabin echoes a loud bang from her fist.
"Haha. Pity to the woman who dares to defy the radiance's work. Do not expect us to look away when you're done." The executioner mumbled from the front seat.
"Aww, don't look at us that poorly, little one. We're showing *hic* kindness through *hic* attitude correction."
"Uhm, are you sure we should let her drive? She's drunk, you know?" Cyrus buckles up.
The witch steers aimlessly through the suspended cable car—which is surprising, considering they shouldn't be ridden by a steer. The number of cabins tilting left and right from their wires because of the reckless driving is satisfying to watch by the enforcers—until they fell due to loose wire.
"Aimless...d-driver...aimless...eugh? My head's spinning again..." Eve mumbled with a dizzy head. Sparks still run hazy through her eyes.
"I'm sorry, friend...I didn't mean to put you in this trouble. It wouldn't happened if one of you could listen to my plea!"
"Silence, tiny. Don't make me put out that acid back on your face." The executioner tilts his head.
"Buttleboo..." Shivers the creature who looks down on his action.
"So, how is this job going? What are these people going to do?"
"Community service." The assassin muttered.
"Sure, but like...what kinds of community service?"
"Community service."
"Yeah! But are there any chances Eve could go home afterward? How long does it take? Is it two weeks or a day because Eve couldn't be more than..."
"Community. Service." He warns Cyrus off with a firm tone.
As the rail ascended, Eve fell to the comforting sight of her novels to soothe her mind. The calming and aligned sentences helped her focus on the adventure and the thought of fantastical outcomes and wisdom—but they couldn't ease her from the sparks, screams, and shame she had experienced.
Whispers unfold to her ears—reverberating, shrilling, led by Lisa through the hymn of humiliation to march between a chair and a window just like her execution. She tried her best to hold the water as the road got bumpy with her books beside her—slowly thinking about things she could do inward.
She was not far from Charger's eye, leading the creature to unintentionally approach her untimely. The excitement of justice and freedom brought Charger to Eve for a talk, knowing such precious time and deal require constant communication.
"Friend! Friend, what do you think? Should we practice first before we get our first adventure? Should we...?" He leaps both of his feet. But his excitement is not felt with Eve.
"How about you mind your mineral butt off of my sight and do something for me first...?"
"Oh...ok! Let me just...Over here? I'll keep an eye on here, friend!"
Charger spends the rest of his time searching for space to sit where he can face Eve. Sun shimmers in his window with a bright light to look up, whereas shadow lies above Eve's face. The sparking creature stares directly at Eve—keen and alert, while Eve continues the novels she brought to the bag.
Soon enough, the air humidified, and the cabin felt lighter. Eve felt her soul leaving her body slowly to ascend, snapping her out from her pages as she dropped to the ground with shame. Her brash fall attracted the attention of others to her pitying position, leaving both laugh and pity to witness.
"Bear witness, everyone," Dion yelled loudly for attention.
"Ugh..."
"We're arriving at the Tower."
Far beyond the clouds lies only one building taller than everything, even the clouds at its highest altitude. Anything above it is a pure white sky beyond reality—where daylight never ceases within the dome-like town, ruled by only one anchor.
Above the city—above everything, there was a tower located at the center of circling mountains and white glowing rivers. It resides on its own stone, connected by wired transportation and the longest natural stairs carved. Those who enter are greeted by a large gate the size of a fifteen-floor building.
These memories grew blurrier each second. I remember a flash and then—nothing. Why do I feel lighter?
Why do I keep tapping my finger? It aches me so much to beat it on the ground every time it goes naught.
I believe my state would've been better to climb now that I feel no pain. What do I expect? The tower is up there! Hiding behind clouds with only a long stair to travel.
If I could reach for it before midnight, I should be able to conserve food before a winter. Is there even a winter here? If not, I wouldn't feel cold right now.
Why do I feel cold suddenly? Is it the mountain's height, or is it...
"Eve, are you okay? Are you hurt?"
"Hm." She shook her head while pandering on the blank page.
"Friend, you look awful. You need bandage to patch those burnt marks? I don't think I have one, but we can use a pair of your clothes with water to cool them!"
"Or I'll pick a tissue and do it right here..."
Charger pulls out a dry tissue and a bottle of water from his bag. Using the water, he wet the tissue before placing it on Eve's forehead, where the wounds are more prominent than in any other place. He provided a tap to cover the wound with proper moisture and pressure.
"There. There...it's all going to be clean now..."
"You know a lot about caring humans than yourself, huh?" Eve taunted him.
"Oh, it's just the perk of being great, my friend. After all, who would I be if I couldn't help my fellow human friend?"
"So much for help in a world where people are as ignorant as rocks to another helpless being like you."
"Thanks." She stares down on the floor with relief. Perhaps it's her way to be grateful.
"Alright, you two! Get out before I spark you another!" The executioner yelled from outside.
"Aah! Come on, Eve!"
"Wait, we're already here?" She steps off.
"Woah. I envy you, Eve..." Cyrus steps off of the cabin. The grass on the ground is as soft as a soccer field.
"If I had to look over this beautiful palace as a visitor again, I would've chose to reign myself a king now. Or invite more people to commune together as...wizards..."
They walked through the paved road in a manner passing Hyperians scholars studying from left to right, humans chattering and foundation well nurtured. Seeing the artistic pillars and decorations around the entrance reminds me of a place she had never been to. The scholars? The books? The statues of Hyperians and humans carved with an honorable plaque? This place would be a dream for Eve. But others would said...
"Is this a college? Are we in a college or something?" Cyrus awes himself with the Hyperians.
"Hey! You didn't tell me we were going to college! Don't you have a shame, Dion?"
"Welcome to the Elysian source of wisdom! The Tower of Dreams and Wishes! Here, you can get every kind of power, resources and even knowledge from the highest point of Universe itself!" Charger took the spotlight before the enforcers.
"Isn't it great? I think they should've called it Tower of Greatness instead! Because this is great!"
"I feel attacked." Eve stares at the laying Hyperian with piles of books beside it.
The gate opens only by a piece—despite its size. A smaller square of the gate rises like a temple's door. Though guarded by Hyperians enforcers, the team was given a pass by theirs.
[Tower's Lobby]
"Welcome to the lobby! This is what we will see from now on, friend!" Charger walks two steps from the group.
"Stop walking further from us, creature!" The assassin hooks him with his blade.
"Holy radiant...is this what mall supposed to look like?"
"You don't *hic* need to put holy after *hic* radiant. That's so redundant...and so insulting to rank *hic* our base as a mall." The witch bumps behind Cyrus.
Water tolls and a fountain flow harmoniously from this floor, aligning with the ceramic decors and pots that make one human recognize luxury. Large windows, unwalled sector of rooms, and there's much more to ponder here than on Earth. One can even earn such freedom with such a ceiling distance.
Humans, Hyperians— any creatures are here for a reason. Lines are set in the north, where they seem to wait for an administrator to handle their needs.
"So, I guess that means I should guide these two to the councils immediately before they were infuriated and—"
"We will come with you. Unfortunately, we have more reasons not to—" The executioner taps Dion's armor with his. But before he can finish his words, something awaits.
From the ceiling, an echoing announcement intervenes on every action inside the building after two taps on a microphone. The names E-007, T-007, and J-007 were immediately put on a call to attend to a client from another floor.
"Well?" Cyrus glances with a taunting smirk.
"If they didn't return, I'm taking your head and theirs..." J-007 left with a finger pointed at Dion.
And so, the four wander around the lobby to exact such mesmerization onto the beauty. Leashed but not restrained, Eve strolled around with her companions while waiting for the line to check them out. The crowds are too busy filling up something on the table, and it's not a paper.
"Alright, you two. Stay with me and don't go anywhere wild." Dion supervises with an energy leash on their wrists.
"You two are lucky to be spared out of your misery. And you creature...you better don't do anything harmful to this girl while I'm around."
"Pfft! Mind you, I've always been careful to Eve! I mean, I wouldn't be called Charger the Great if I hurt innocent!" The creature savors a cake.
"Do you want some?"
"You look troubled, lady. How's the therapy for you?" Dion smirks beside her face.
"I feel like I belong here. A place like this knew how to understand someone who only wish nothing but aspiration."
Dion looks indifferently, "And what does that aspiration of yours be?"
"Subtlety. For once, I don't have to cower with my novels anymore..."
The significant difference between the art and its inspiration is truly an invaluable asset for Eve. The novel could tell only the outline, but the realm shows the whole premise. The magicians, the intellectuals, and the artists are all gathered here with otherworldly possessions and marks she had never seen before.
"After all those years of push and bad luck, and here they told me my ideas are childish. Yet, here I am...proven wrong once more." She held her book tightly with pride and content.
"Hmph...idiots always judging things quickly. Never have they learned to shame?" The refreshing air came with a shivering skin. Seeing those marks on the bearer's attire tempted one soul like Eve to strive. She stares at her palms with such envy for power.
"I wonder what wisdom would align with me? Fire? Leaves? Wind?"
*Munching* "I don't understand why's everyone hating this cake..." Charger muttered.
"So, shall we continue our previous conversation before? The thing you mentioned about knowing me? How little you said?" Dion glares over Charger.
"I know nothing about you. How's that not a sign for you?"
"That's a sign, actually—a good sign! How can I not forget about that before? Since when did someone ever know nothing about me? I mean, even I've been known around here for long, you know?"
Dion proves himself to be famous everywhere. Even the enforcers know him from afar in a lobby—greeting both with his and codename. They were all joyous and excited to see him, with some losing sight on the front as they caught a glimpse of Dion.
"See? It's almost impossible..." Dion brags.
"So...? How's that for Ms. not-knowing-anything?" Eve writes.
The river seems flowing despite the weakening temperature, yet I couldn't drink from it. My ration grew short, and nothing are edible around here the more I ascended. I starved myself and listened to the voices until I was stopped by a view.
While searching for water near the river, I saw a pillar of light reflected from the surface like moonlight—almost like a beacon's call, prompting me to climb higher. The altitude here feels unusual beyond scientific explanation, like humid but dry air.
Clouds feel peaceful lately. I wonder if there's a chance for a storm to occur at such height. That would be unwise.
"Well, what do you think? What's not so interesting about showing my skills to appease your heart? Right when I can finally feel competed."
"All because I didn't know you have a brother?"
"I DON'T have a brother—that's a correction for you. But don't fret, it doesn't bother me. What bothers me is that..." Sparks burst out of Dion's sword as it was lifted above his head
"Woah!" Charger rolls aside from the sword's swing. One tap on the ground had unleashed a slight tremble to raise some pebbles on his wrist.
*Clank* "You underestimate me, young lady. Are you not afraid of whom you would disrespect?"
"Who's that girl? Is that a human?"
"Eek! Why did D-001 brought a human here? Is he trying to enlist her?"
"It should've been me! Why isn't it me??"
"New boy...you're making us a joke for these people. Quit it." Eve whispers threateningly.
"Oh, let them be, Eve. I'm only teaching you how to use this power from now on when you start taking for one. Not one would know the danger of this realm more than me." Dion pokes his sword into Eve's chest, pushing him slightly.
"No. I think I'm good with self-learning. Last time, I can't trust a boy to spill some beans on me..."
"You should listen to him, Eve! He's a B-level enforcer. Dion would know better at your field while you are joining!" Charger walks in with an empty plate.
"You are going to face something mythical and wonderful beyond your books, and only Dion is willing to do more for us. If I were a bearer, I would've told you this earlier and cut those troubles out!"
"I hate to agree with a criminal, but he's right. If you look directly at this sword, you could notice some...oddities with it?"
Eve blinks twice at the sword and Dion's face with an unamused face. Seeing the pride, metals, and sparks together brings an unwelcoming eerie to Eve. But as her note was held beside her hand, she had no reason to look back.
"Alright. I will...but only for the whole training of these "bearer" skills." Eve nodded reluctantly before rolling another book from her bag.
"After that, I'm doing on my own."
"Aah, I knew a librarian when I see one. Why bother waste your time with reading when you can experiencing the whole story yourself? Should I start from basic attack or—"
The lines are empty at last. With a final call for D-001 on the table 5, it was the moment for Eve and Charger to step out of their comfort zone and begin the thrill. Sadly, the other enforcers are still in a busy manner to join them.
"This is great! Who's going to be a wizard and cast a spell? You, Eve! You!" Cyrus chuckles.
The convicts head out to the empty elevator at the east, followed by the crowded line that now explains the absence of the receptionist table. As each elevator transits from different floors, the crowds are forced to wait in line.
"Can't wait to see those magics with my own eye. I'll be like—damn, girl! Watch for that enemies right there—and you'll be like, pew pew pew! I'm sending 300 words into your forehead to end your character. See what I did there?"
*Ting* The elevator opens for them.
"You're coming with me?" Eve looks confused at him.
"Why, yes? Why shouldn't I?"
"Because you're not supposed to come here, peasant. You're not enlisted to join the enforcers..." Dion passes through the crowds.
"Can you stop calling me that? I have a name."
*Closes elevator* "I will name you once I am appeased with you."
"Oh, challenge accepted. But anyway, I think I have to say otherwise about that "not" enforcer thingy?" Cyrus flexes a pass.
"What the...? Where did you get that? How did you...?"
"Ugh, can you shut up? I need to focus right now. I have a lot to learn than anyone else here." Eve pushes the two to the wall.
But in the end, my ascension is inevitable.
[Joy district, Infirmary]
"Hey, did anyone see my mask and lantern? I thought I had it somewhere on my waist. Where is it??" The crying child searches the room.
"Aww, you poor boy. If only you didn't lose it, you wouldn't be here crying for hours..."
"Hwa!! But I want to go home! I can't go like this...this isn't me!"
"Oh, you bliss, radiant child. Always crying out loud..." The nurse holds the boy onto the table with a belt strapped.
*Buzzing* "Now, would you kindly open your mouth and let me see those teeth?"
"Wait, no! No! Please, no! No! Noo!!!!"