As the Aurora pierced the clouds, the landscape unfolded like a canvas, with rolling hills and glittering lakes stretching towards the horizon. Henry marveled at the breathtaking view, feeling a sense of freedom he hadn't experienced in a long time.
Throughout the journey, he asked a lot of questions about the world to which jane and even xavier answered gladly. Henry learnt about the various; factions, magical beasts, galactic beast's, abilities, and many other important details.
The great horde, one of the most tragic events in history, had taken the lives of about 40% of the human population. The beast's were the ones to evolve first, changing physically and mentally.
They became powerful and mad, it started with the domestic animals in the homes all around the world, they suddenly attacked their owners, then the ones in the zoo, then finally the animals in the forests. All coming together ferocious and deadly.
The humans couldn't understand what was happening, just that their little cats and dogs suddenly became the sizes of bears, and were filled with bloodlust. They thought it was a one time thing of liberation from the beast, but they kept coming back to hunt people, increasing in strength and number.
It was always a one sided massacre during every horde, as even the military's 21st century weapons could do next to nothing against the mana powered beast's.
But after 6 months of victorious hunting for the beast's, the first mana-celled human appeared, then more started coming up all over the world, as they also increased in number, and together fought off the beast turning the tides of the war.
Soon the humans also learnt control of their abilities and even taught them to those who didn't have any, but had the potential to. And about a year and half later, through the combined efforts of the mages and an organization who somehow possessed technology more advanced and complex, the humans regained control of the world and the hunters became the hunted.
After the great horde, the world was divided into 5 nations; Atlas, Gaea, Oceania, jade and Vulcan. Different powerful people created their factions, each nation had multiple factions which have guilds under them, but with one main faction having control over the city and each had respective leaders ruling them, leaders who were the main and strongest heroes of the war. Thus giving the world five world leaders, who controlled both their factions and the entire nation.
Each nation had about 20-30 cities within them, iris city was one of the cities in atlas, and it was where the main headquarters of the pegasus guild.
In the world, multiple factions exist but are still very few, because of the cost, finances and power to run it. So most rich or powerful people just create guilds, majority of the guilds join a faction, giving up 75% ownership and basically swearing fealty to the faction, in exchange for various kinds of resources, protection and connections.
The pegasus guild is one of the guilds under the phoenix faction; the main faction in atlas and one of the great five. Henry also learnt more about the humans and their abilities.
Mana cells are what enables a human to possess certain ability, the mana cell count which is the amount of mana cells in a person's body determines how powerful they are and can be.
The mana cell test that checks if a person has mana in their cells, has three grading results; MC positive-Ability; these were the humans tested positive for the mana cell and were born with an ability.
MC positive-Potential; these were those also test positive but have no abilities yet, and there are those with no mana cells at all; MC negative-Ordinary.
The potential humans would be given recommendations for abilities their cells would be compatible with, all they have to do is purchase an ability scroll; a little device created during the time of the war that contained condensed knowledge and energy of specific abilities.
The scroll granted the potential ones the ability it conveyed, linking with the users magical energy(mana) cell. By focusing their energy and intent on the scroll, it integrates with them, granting them the ability and adapting their mind and body to it.
The scrolls were created using beast cores, which are full of mana, and a rare mineral which enabled a born ability user to transfer and store their energy signature, thus replicating and encoding their ability into it.
And over the years, the scrolls have been reproduced and are available in several markets depending on the rarity and type of abulity.
Magical beasts were the evolved animals of the world, they also had mana but unlike the humans, whose magical energy resides in their cells, the beast's own are cultivated through their core; a crystalline ball of energy filled with mana.
Beast cores can vary in colour and sizes and can be found anywhere in the beast's body, when a beast is killed their cores are harvested and are used to produce various technology. The cores are the foundation of the world's technology and are used to power almost everything.
But galactic beast's on the other hand are creatures from other planets, they appear through portals that suddenly open anywhere, anytime. They are usually huge and more powerful than magical beasts, like the hell hound.
But instead of cores, they have beast crystals; a crystal like structure resembling large shards of diamond, they don't contain mana which means the galactic beast's do not posses magical energy, their abilities are from an unknown source. Their crystals are used for making weapons, armours and parts of important machines.
The beast's are grouped with the F-S ranking system, based on their physical strength, magical abilities, agility, endurance and sometimes intelligence.
The humans abilities are grouped under certain types also; Jane fell under the buff type, she had the ability to boost the stats of weapons, increasing the durability, damage and even energy. She could make something as little as a stick, incredibly dangerous.
While xavier was under the physical type, his ability was enhanced strength, humans that possessed mana are usually stronger than normal humans, but his type was even more powerful when it came to pure physical strength.
They also had ranks, which helps to distinguish the humans and show who was stronger, it also depended on various criterias.
Henry and Jane kept discussing various topics, with henry learning more about the world, "So what's your rank?" he asked, still processing all he had learnt
"Well, I'm an A rank mage, while xavier's B ranked." jane replied
"Approaching Iris City," Xavier announced, his voice steady and calm.
The ship descended, and as the last wisps of twilight dissolved, Iris City awakened, its skyline transforming into a kaleidoscope of colors. Towering skyscrapers, sleek and majestic, stretched towards the heavens, their peaks hiding among the stars. The city's main thoroughfare, Aurora Boulevard, pulsed with life, its holographic advertisements swirling around pedestrians like ethereal ballerinas.
Gravity-defying vehicles, supported by invisible force fields, seemed to float around the city, their crystalline facets reflecting rainbow hues. The soft glow of LED lights infused the atmosphere with a gentle, otherworldly radiance, as if the city itself were a living, breathing entity.
In the heart of Iris City, the building of Eternity stood tall, its luminescent surface etched with intricate runes that shimmered like stardust. This was the headquarters of pegasus guild.
The commercial centers, thronged with shoppers, its virtual reality showrooms and holographic display windows promising unparalleled delights. Amidst the bustling throngs, advanced security drones hovered, their AI-powered gaze ever vigilant.
"Welcome to Iris City, Henry," Jane said, smiling. "And to our guild."
Henry was taking in all the majestic view of prowess that screamed advanced and futuristic, he kept admiring the city.
The Aurora landed smoothly on the guild's private airstrip, nestled within the heart of the building's surrounding.
The sun was already below the horizon, with night setting in, the City's energy intensified, its vibrant, cosmopolitan pulse drawing in dreamers and adventurers from across the globe. This was a city where technology and magic coexisted, where humanity had transcended its limitations to forge a brighter, bolder future.
As they disembarked, Henry took in the sprawling complex. The guild's headquarters, an elegant structure of glass and steel, shimmered in the fading light of day.
"Let's report to the leader," Xavier said, leading the way.
Inside, they walked through secure corridors, lined with portraits of esteemed guild members. The air hummed with quiet efficiency, as members bustled about, attending to their duties.
The trio arrived at the guild leader's office, where a warm, golden glow spilled from the doorway. The leader, Elara, stood tall, her piercing blue eyes and raven-black hair commanding attention.
"Xavier, Jane, welcome back," Elara said, her voice melodious. "And i guess this is our new guest."
Henry kept his gaze on the woman, she had a menacing figure and dominating aura, she was huge even more than xavier and was tall for a woman, she had curves no doubt, but her muscles were more than her bust and she had a very noticeable Cresent tattoo on her left forearm. "They must have told her about me," he thought
"Elara," Jane began, "we encountered Henry in the forest, and like I told you before, he's suffering from memory loss. We couldn't detect any memories at all, so we brought him here, to see if we can help him." she explained to the guild leader, having no bit of fear or submission as if they were equals.
Elara didn't seem to mind as she just nodded, her gaze locked onto Henry. "Hmm I sense no malice or ulterior motives from you. You're welcome here, Henry." she said in a stern voice while smiling at the same time.
Xavier briefed Elara on their encounter, including the mutant examination, Henry's healing feat, and the probability of him having being a victim of a powerful attack, by someone or something.
"Intriguing," Elara said, her eyes narrowing. "We'll run a full mana cell examination, as Jane suggested."
"Thank you for your hospitality, Guild Leader," Henry said, grateful.
Elara smiled. "You can call me big aunt. Jane, show Henry to his quarters. Get him settled, tomorrow we'll see what we can do about him." she said, even with her smile her voice still made henry shiver.
"Scary lady," he thought
Jane nodded. "Follow me, Henry."
As they walked through the corridors, Henry asked, "what rank is she?"
Jane smiled and replied, "she's at the same rank as me,"
Henry nodded, "Oh that explains a lot, but still..." he thought as he looked at jane
They arrived at a cozy living quarter, with a plush bed and a window overlooking the city.
"Make yourself at home," Jane said, handing Henry a little bracelet device. "This is your personal comms device. If you need anything, just call."
Henry smiled, feeling secure, as he glanced around the room. "How do i even use this?" he thought, collecting the bracelet
And as if hearing him, "It's ok, just tap on it and ask whatever, the ai would guide you on how to use it." jane said smiling
"Ok thanks for everything, huh..."
She laughed, "it's okay, you can call me big sis,".
Henry nodded with a smile, his hands rubbing the back of his head.
"Alright, freshen up, and put that on," jane pointed at the shirt, trousers and footwear on the table, "I'll be back to check up on you," she said leaving the room, Leaving henry to his thoughts.
"Alright let's get started," henry flashed a huge grin as soon as Jane left.
With night already upon the city, and the moon out, in the guild building, a room dimly lit by moon light and nothing else. A silhouette could be seen sitting on a chair, it had a curvaceous and at the same time a muscular appearance, it was none other than the guild leader, elara.
She took out a device, one resembling a petite walkie talkie, she tapped a little button on it and it beeped. Then she pressed a series of buttons on it and it ringed; After a minute of ringing, it stop and a voices was heard from it.
"Elara, any news?" a feminine, but stoic voice asked
"Infact yes, i have a boy that fits your description, he's here at the guild base," Elara replied
"I see, keep him there and don't let him leave. I'll be there to claim him soon!" the voice answered
"Understood," Elara said, hanging up and returning the device back where she took it
"I wonder, why she would want him," she thought.