Stepping out of my small apartment building, I'm bombarded by the sound of cheering crowds and the sounds of drums and mechanical machinery.
I lift my arm to shield my eyes from the blinding sun. I step onto the paved walkway and push through the crowd huddled on the sidewalk, squished together tightly in a loose formation.
Unable to see due to the sheer number of people, I push and squeeze through until I'm finally at the front of the crowd. Many people were gathered to witness the grand event, and the only thing blocking them from piling onto the road was the Magistratus, the national law enforcement agency.
One of these Magistratus was on my right, he close enough to me for me to see the device he held, a small blue round object the size of a palm, emitting a transparent blue field in front of him, spanning across the front of the crowd for about 10 metres until another of his collegues was using a similiar device.
Though it acted as a shield, the energy and weight of the crowd was not transferred onto him, as was evident by the lack of force exerted on the magistatus, merely holding it as if it was weightless. An interesting technology this world produced, it derived off nothing except a small blue crystal the size of a fingernail inside, acting like a sort of battery. Technology had come a long way since the Emporers' time, and its rapid advance threatened the magical world's dominance.
'I guess all those nights of study weren't for naught.'
Though the street was empty, I could hear large mechanical thuds on my left, with the repeated drum patterns reverberating through the air. Slowly but surely it started to drain out the sound of the crowd and I too began to wait expectantly instead of leaving, my curiosity getting the better of me.
Looking to my left at the corner street, the first thing to appear was the drummers, dressed in deep blue uniforms and large drums in front of their waist hanging from their necks, their melodic patterns invoking a sense of militarism and professionalism.
Next came the soldiers with rifles in their hands, adorned in a similar type of uniform, except being a light blue grey, they paraded down the street in perfect synchronization with the drum beat and each other, with their heads held high and pride in their march.
In rows of 12 each, as wide as the road could accommodate, I counted at least 250 men, all young adults ranging from the age of 18 to 30, pride evident from the look in their eyes, further fueled by the cheers of the crowd. This would be one of tens of marches across the city, all with only the most promising and elite of soldiers participating.
After the last row of tightly knit soldiers came, next came the officers. Unlike their bunched-up subordinates, these men came in rows of 4 on horses, brandishing long silver swords on their right side, the swords tinged iin blue radiating the bright reflection of the sun along their length. Dropped in a deep blue uniform adorned with medals on the right side of their chest, it was clear these men were of high standing in the local garrison. By the end I counted 12 of them had appeared. Unlike the recruits, whose pride was worn like a badge, the nobles carried themselves with an air of entitlement. They looked down on the onlookers, and I felt it wasn't just in the literal sense.
For the first time since the deafening sounds of the drums had announced their arrival, the cheers of the crowd overwhelmed all other noises, as the ground started to shake periodically to the increasingly faint drum beat in the distance.
What appeared around the corner was a large metallic structure in the morbid shape of a human. This faceless giant, standing at 12 - 15 metres in height, loosely the same body structure as the fleshy creatures that stood before it, with 4 limbs and paved in such a dark blue it appeared black, moved around the smooth corner one step at a time. I wondered, looking at its size, how it didn't destroy the pavement under its sheer weight, and at the same time wondered about its true capability for warfare, since its creation dated before the discovery of magic.
After the first 2 of these Titans passed, what greeted me was a small floating podium with 2 more Titans following it. A singular man, draped in a blue cloak and a mask, speaks into a squarish device, his speech being played for the crowd.
"Citizens of the Taciturna Deus Emperium, today we celebrate the founding of our nation by our eternal Emperor Alexander, and on a more personal note, the liberation of our glorious city. Today is a day to take pride in our troops, and to show our resolve to our Holy Emperors' verdicts. Make sure to keep your heads high, for..."
'Ah, gotcha. Forgot today was the anniversary. No wonder he called me up today. Has it really been a whole year already?'
Rubbing my eyes, I feel regret that my memory still remains awful after all this time, despite my apparent young age. Pushing my way through the crowd, I make my way to the train station, the only viable and secure way to get to the inner noble district from where I currently reside in - the outer district.
'I just hope he doesn't plan to do it in front of everyone, I'm not a big fan of loud and obnoxious crowds...'
I wondered if someone from home saw this, how would they react. Maybe as fascinated as me? Or maybe they'd be scared? God knows I was.
'Albeit, it feels a bit lonely to think like this.'
Smiling wearily at that thought, I continue on my way.
.
.
.
.
While Damien was attempting to traverse through the crowds, another man was also facing tribulations of his own.
In a dark room, a man sat in a chair praying, a single candle illuminating his bright blonde hair, and his young face not a day past 25. After five minutes of stillness, the young man slowly lifted his head, revealing aquamarine eyes and an exceptionally handsome face.
With a mere wave from the man, the candle is snuffed, and the curtains of the room are raised, revealing the city around him. Unlike the small wooden apartment Damien had been living in, this man was surrounded by large mansions, the bright white of his mansion standing out, especially in its Victorian style.
Standing up, the young man stares out his third-story window, a contemplative gaze adorning his face, slight worry evident in his expression, almost expectant. Just as he was about to sit back down, a knock on his door interrupted his thoughts.
"Sir, the message has been delivered. Should we expect his presence this time?"
A small smirk formed on the young man's face, his expression relaxing just a little bit after hearing such news.
"Yes, he knows the importance of today, and he also knows that today would be the most opportune time for him. Make sure he is fully accommodated for tonight, Sabian."
"Yes, sir."
Hearing the butler's steps slowly getting quiet, the dashing man returns his gaze to the window. With stern eyes the man watches the clock tower in the distance, the hands showing 30 minutes until midday.
"I wonder how things will turn out from here? As long as he plays his role well, things shouldn't get too out of hand, after all, he has done well so far..."
Picking up a glass from his desk filled with an exquisitely deep red liquid, he lifts the glass up to his mouth and takes a sip, a small smile forming on his face.
"I expect much from you, my friend..."
.
.
.
.
The sound of steam furiously pouring from the funnels of a large train echoed as a large glossy metal locomotive started to slow down, nearing its destination. The windows of the train, barely visible through the bodies and heads of accompanying passengers, reflected a vast expanse of structures and buildings resembling a medium-sized city that resembled something out of Victorian London, with some images from the past, such as the large stone walls separating each sector of the city.
The sound of the mechanisms of the doors activating suddenly spurred movement from the passengers, this being the stop before the nobility district, most if not all remaining passengers would be leaving this carriage meant for the less worthy or fortunate.
Many people left the carriage, most were in formal attire, the men usually adorned with leather jackets or fine-tailored made suits, with canes or top hats in tow. The females, usually accompanying their husbands, wore long dresses that reached to their ankles, much more suited for the paved roads and pathways of the inner district, a stark contrast to the outer districts' more muddy and disheveled roads, and brilliant makeup that accented their good features and hid the bad.
Just as the locomotives steam alerted the passengers to their last chance to get off before the guards, wearing dark blue uniforms and waiting outside the train, were to check that everyone that remained on the train was allowed to do so, a young man, wearing dark worn out trousers, a dark brown trench coat and a flat cap on top of messy raven black hair appeared.
'So we're finally here, huh? You'd think with the amount of money those officials and nobles make, they'd make more room in those for us commoners.'
Suppressing a yawn, I step off the train and feeling my shoes touch the smooth metallic ground, I stretch my sore muscles caused by the uncomfortably cramped train, feeling my muscles waking up.
Walking down the long, metallic steps, I was greeted by the bustling streets of the wealthiest section of the inner district. Carriages of varying crossed through the stone-paved roads, and people walked across the sidewalks housing varying stores, the glare of the sun glinting off the signs of these shops.
Glancing to the inner district, large stone walls greeted my eyes, a symbol of the lasting defense of the city and its long history.
And its other purpose, the barrier that separates the higher class from the lower class.
'Truly so backwards, to be granted such power by birthright, it just feels so... wrong, but I guess I shouldn't use my own ideals on such a world, I have no right. Though it's truly unfortunate...'
Shaking my head at such a thought, I continue walking towards the large stone walls while i attempt to remember the entrance to the inner distinct.
"Ouch!"
"What?"
Suddenly, I feel someone bump into me. Stumbling forward a bit, i look behind me to see a young man no older than me on the ground rubbing his head painfully.
"Ah! Sorry mister, I seemed to have stumbled on to ya' ."
Quickly getting up, the kid prepares to start walking off until i grab his arm and prevent him from leaving.
"Ouch!"
'Well at least that one sounded real.'
Rolling my eyes, I glare at the kid before reaching my hand into his pocket to bring out a sizable wallet.
"You think I'm stupid, huh? Your just a child, and a dumb one at that. Why the hell would you go for a kid like me? I'm barely older than you and definitely don't look as fancy as the adults roaming about."
"Ouch! If you let go of my arm I can tell ya'! Just let go otherwise you're gonna break my arm."
Letting go of his arm, the kid rubs it regrettably and glares at me.
"Did you have to grip it so hard?"
"Did you have to try and steal from me?"
"Point taken."
"Now answer the question."
Sighing, the kid looks at me questionably.
"Ain't you General Arthurs kid? The one he's mentoring that is."
Furrowing my eyebrows, I ask questionably.
"How'd you know that? That's not something some little brat should know."
"I ain't much younger than you. And how would we not know! Someone raised like us getting mentored by the General, of course we'd know."
Recalling the regent's favorable reputation with the lower class, I nod in understanding, but then got taken aback and questioned again.
"Wait, we?"
The kid looks questioningly again.
"Yeah? Everyone knows about you. The nuns at the orphanage use you as an example of god's redemption and the Lord Arthur's grace, or something."
"What?!"
'What are those crazy fanatics doing after I left? I should really check up on them, considering they're on the city's payroll.'
Seeing my annoyed face, the young man looked worried and asked if he could leave.
"Can i leave now?"
"You can leave now, or..."
I pull a gold coin from my stolen wallet. A lion on one side, a man on the other. The boy's eyes gleam, transfixed. With eagerness and a bit of greed in his eyes, the boy quickly nods his head.
"I'll give you this for your help if you show me the way to the entrance of the inner district."
"Sure! Follow me."
.
.
.
.
"Here we are."
Turning around the corner, what greets my eyes is a tall stone wall, approximately 50 meters in height and spanning as far as the eye could see, it stood as a testament to this fortresses history, and if one looked closely, the battle scars of previous battles fought still remained on the stone slabs. Turning around to look, the scruffy young man stood in awe of its majestic stature, though of course its a common site, something of such scale could not be belittled, especially to the mind of a pubescent teenager.
Glancing to the bottom of the wall I saw the large wooden door, which lay down, allowing carriages in and out. Guards, rifles strapped to their backs, stood close to the edges, inspecting any carriages they deemed suspicious.
Starting my journey towards the gate, I glance one more time at the scruffy kid behind me, reach into my pocket and grab one more coin, flicking it towards him.
"If I need any help in the future, I'll let you know. One more thing, what's your name?"
With a surprised look, the kid caught the silver coin and pocketed it.
"The names Adrian, at your service anytime."
I nod. There's sharpness in his eyes—he's not as dumb as he looks. And considering I've been in pseudo seclusion for close to 2 years, I need to regain my bearings and need people I can trust, especially in the near future.
"I'm guessing I don't have to introduce myself?"
"No, Sir Lucien. Your reputation is well known as it is"
Adrian responds to my query with a toothy grin.
'Well so far today has proved fruitful, let's hope it remains so without any hiccups, though knowing my luck, I'm asking for too much.'
With a nod of acknowledgement, I start walking towards the inspectors, but with a slightly annoyed expression on my face.
'I swear to god his face seems familiar, but for the life of me I can't seem to remember a single thing about him.'
What Lucien failed to notice was Adrian's piercing gaze, which lingered on his back longer than he'd realised. With an enigmatic smile on his face, Adrian left without a second glance.