There is a saying, one that has existed since the universe knows when: 'You will truly never know how big the world is if you remain in one place.' Who said it first? No one knew. But as Kai stood before the imposing gates of the capital, those words echoed in his mind, a testament to the journey that had brought him here.
The sun hung low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the dusty road leading to the capital's outer gate. Kai, together with the princesses of the border towns, arrived amidst a sea of people flowing in and out of the city. At first, they could only see the towering walls and the massive crowd, a living, breathing entity of its own.
Their entourage was a sight to behold: the princess in her ornate carriage, flanked by the imposing figure of her golden knight, and soldiers bearing flags on either side. As they approached, the crowd parted like water before a ship's prow, creating a path for them to pass through.
Kai and the others rode their horses, while Jessica, the dragonrider, sat atop her drake, its scales shimmering in the fading sunlight. The procession moved slowly, accompanied by fanfare and the excited murmurs of people trying to curry favor with the princess. It wasn't until the golden knight released his might—a palpable pressure that pushed against the throng—that they gained some breathing room.
As they passed through the gate into the city proper, the princess turned to them with a smile—the first genuine one Kai had seen grace her features. In that moment, he couldn't help but marvel at her beauty, a realization that caught him off guard.
"Is this the capital?" Eva, one of the border town princesses, asked. Her voice held a note of disappointment, and Kai could understand why. They had all imagined a glorious place, bustling with people and markets overflowing with exotic goods. Instead, they found themselves in a relatively dry and quiet area, populated mainly by soldiers on parade and a scattering of farmers going about their business.
The princess of the capital, whose name Kai still didn't know, stepped out of her carriage. Her golden guard, the silent knight, took up his position behind her as she addressed Eva's question.
"No, Princess Eva," she said, her voice smooth and measured. "This is where we enter the teleportation formation to the third gate."
Eva's brow furrowed in confusion. "Huh? Is there another gate after the first one we entered?" She wasn't typically talkative—a fact that had become apparent during their harrowing journey through the hellplain. That trek had been fraught with danger, the very air thick with the scent of doom. By some miracle, they had all made it out alive.
"Mhmm, yes," the capital's princess nodded, her eyes scanning the area as if seeing it anew through her guests' eyes. "This is just the outer gate. Here live the soldiers and their families." She began leading them in a particular direction, her steps sure and purposeful. "The next gate, which is the second one, is where most of the citizens live. And the last one, which we will go to now, is where the king—my father—the nobles, and a few citizens reside."
As they walked, Kai found himself studying the princess more closely. There was a grace to her movements, a quiet confidence that spoke of her royal upbringing. Yet, there was something else—a hint of weariness in her eyes, perhaps, or a tension in her shoulders that suggested the weight of responsibility she carried.
"I wonder how glorious the inner gates really are," Eva mused, her earlier disappointment giving way to curiosity.
The princess's lips quirked into a small smile. "You'll see soon enough. Each gate has its own character, its own purpose. But it's the people who truly make a city, wouldn't you agree?"
Kai nodded, finding wisdom in her words. He thought back to their journey, to the varied landscapes and peoples they had encountered. From the lush forests of Eva's border town to the treacherous hellplain, each place had left its mark on him, expanding his understanding of the world.
As they approached what appeared to be an ordinary building, the princess held up a hand, signaling them to stop. "Here we are," she announced. "The teleportation formation to the second gate."
Kai exchanged glances with Eva and Jessica. They had heard tales of such magic, but to see it in person was another matter entirely. The golden knight stepped forward, his armor gleaming as he placed his hand on an inconspicuous stone in the wall. A shimmering light began to emanate from the ground, forming intricate patterns at their feet.
"Please, step into the circle," the princess instructed. "And do try not to move once inside. Teleportation can be... disorienting for first-timers."
With a mix of trepidation and excitement, they did as she bade. Kai felt a tingling sensation spread through his body, and for a moment, the world seemed to blur around him. When his vision cleared, he found himself in a completely different environment.
Gone was the sparse, militaristic atmosphere of the outer gate. In its place was a vibrant, bustling cityscape that more closely matched their initial expectations. The air was filled with the sounds of haggling merchants, laughing children, and the general hum of a thriving metropolis.
"Welcome," the princess said, a hint of pride in her voice, "to the second gate of our capital."
Eva's eyes widened as she took in the sights. "This... this is more like what I imagined!"
Indeed, the second gate was a marvel to behold. Wide, cobblestone streets wound between buildings of varying heights and architectural styles. Vendors lined the thoroughfares, their stalls overflowing with goods from all corners of the kingdom. The scent of spices and freshly baked bread wafted through the air, making Kai's stomach rumble in response.
As they made their way through the crowded streets, the princess explained the layout of the city. "The second gate is the heart of our commerce and daily life. Most of our citizens live and work here, from skilled artisans to scholars and merchants."
Kai noticed the diversity of the populace—humans mingled with other races he had only heard of in stories. Elves with their pointed ears and graceful gaits, stout dwarves with intricately braided beards, and even the occasional creature that defied easy categorization.
"It's so... alive," Jessica commented, her eyes darting from one spectacle to another. Her drake, now miniaturized through some magic Kai didn't understand, perched on her shoulder, drawing curious glances from passersby.
The golden knight, ever vigilant, created a buffer around their group, his presence alone enough to part the crowds. As they walked, Kai found himself falling into step beside the princess.
"Your Highness," he began, curiosity getting the better of him, "how does the teleportation between gates work? Is it accessible to everyone?"
She turned to him, seemingly pleased by his interest. "Not everyone, no. There are conventional paths between the gates for the general populace. The teleportation formations are reserved for officials, nobles, and their guests—like yourselves."
Kai nodded, processing this information. It spoke to the stratified nature of the capital's society, a complexity he hadn't fully grasped before.
As they neared the center of the second gate, a grand structure came into view. Unlike the utilitarian buildings of the outer gate or the charming, if sometimes ramshackle, constructions around them, this edifice was a true work of art. Spires reached toward the sky, their surfaces adorned with intricate carvings and glittering gemstones.
"The Tower of Enlightenment," the princess announced. "It houses our greatest libraries and serves as the seat of our Mage's Council."
Eva gasped softly. "It's beautiful," she whispered, her eyes reflecting the tower's splendor.
The princess nodded, a hint of melancholy in her smile. "It is. But beauty often comes at a price." Before Kai could ask what she meant, she pressed on. "Come, we must continue to the third gate. My father awaits."
Once again, they gathered in a teleportation formation, this one hidden within the base of the tower. The familiar tingling sensation washed over them, and the world shifted.
When Kai's vision cleared this time, he found himself in a place that defied his wildest imaginings. The third gate was a city unto itself, but one that seemed to float among the clouds. Elegant spires and domes of white marble and gold stretched as far as the eye could see. Gardens filled with flowers of every hue imaginable dotted the landscape, their sweet fragrance carried on a breeze that seemed almost musical.
"By the gods," Eva breathed, her usual composure completely shattered by the sight before them.
The princess watched their reactions with a mix of pride and something else—something Kai couldn't quite place. "Welcome to the heart of our kingdom," she said. "The seat of power, where my father rules and where the fate of our people is decided."
As they made their way along paths of polished stone, Kai noticed something peculiar. Despite the grandeur of their surroundings, there were far fewer people here than in the second gate. Those they did see moved with purpose, their clothing rich and their bearing proud.
"Where is everyone?" Jessica asked, voicing Kai's unspoken question.
The princess's expression tightened almost imperceptibly. "As I mentioned, only a select few reside in the third gate. My father believes that too many voices can... complicate governance."
There was something in her tone that gave Kai pause. He recalled her earlier words about beauty coming at a price and wondered what hidden costs lay beneath the splendor around them.
As they approached an immense palace that seemed to be crafted from living crystal, the princess turned to address them all. "We will be meeting my father shortly. I must warn you—he can be... intense. Please, let me do most of the talking."
The golden knight, who had been a silent presence throughout their journey, spoke for the first time. His voice was deep and resonant, carrying an authority that belied his role as a mere guard. "Remember your training," he said, his eyes fixed on the princess. "You are stronger than you know."
She nodded, squaring her shoulders as if preparing for battle. Kai exchanged glances with Eva and Jessica, sensing that there was much more going on beneath the surface than they had been told.
As they climbed the steps to the palace entrance, Kai found himself reflecting on the journey that had brought them here. From the relative simplicity of the border towns to the magnificent, if somewhat unsettling, splendor of the capital's inner sanctum, it had been a path of constant wonder and revelation.
He thought back to that saying—about truly knowing the world only by leaving one's place—and realized its profound truth. Yet, as he looked at the tense set of the princess's jaw and the wary eyes of those they passed, he understood that there were still many mysteries to unravel, many truths yet to be uncovered.
The massive doors of the palace swung open before them, revealing a throne room that seemed to capture the light of a thousand stars. And there, seated upon a dais of pure crystal, was the king—a figure both terrible and magnificent in his power.
The saying echoed in his mind once more: 'You will truly never know how big the world is if you remain in one place.' And Kai realized that the world was far bigger, far more complex, and far more dangerous than he had ever imagined.