The journey to Hallion, the capital of the Western region, had been a grueling one, spanning five long days of walking through dense forests and battling Malignants. As they moved, Hugo taught Abell survival skills—how to swim, hunt, and navigate the wilds. Their bond grew stronger with each passing day.
"Are we there yet? I'm getting sick of walking around," Abell groaned, his frustration clear.
"Yes, we should be getting close," Hugo replied, scanning the path ahead. "The lack of Malignants means we're almost there. But before we get to Hallion, let me do most of the talking. You're getting stronger, but your social skills still need work." He chuckled.
Abell flushed, a little embarrassed. "Who cares? Strength is everything," he muttered.
"Anyways, who's this Cedris guy and the Benedicts? We keep hearing about him in every town we've passed." Abell asked, genuinely curious.
Hugo let out a long sigh. "Man, you're a country bumpkin, aren't you? Didn't you learn anything besides fighting?" He shook his head, amused.
"Our country's divided into five regions—west, north, south, east, and central. Each region is led by a family, except for the central region. The Benedicts rule the west, and Cedris is the head of that family," Hugo explained, his tone more serious now.
"Abell frowned, genuinely trying to understand. 'So… everyone's scared of this Cedris guy and his family because he controls the west? But doesn't he fight Malignants, too?'"
"The world's more complicated than just fighting Malignants," Hugo said cryptically, his gaze drifting ahead. "I wish it were that simple." He looked back at Abell with a grin. "But I'm not a history teacher. Get the full story if you make it to the academy."
"What do you mean, 'if'? I will make it," Abell said, his voice firm.
The trees began to thin, and the towering buildings of Hallion slowly came into view. Abell's eyes widened as more and more of the city revealed itself.
"Woah, people really live in buildings like that?" he thought, astonished.
They reached the city gates, where a long line of people waited to enter. Most wore tattered clothes, looking weary and worn. Families clung to each other, hoping for better lives than the ones they had left behind.
Hugo noticed Abell's confused expression, envying his ignorance. "Iridius is an anomaly," he said quietly. "This is the reality of the country—people struggling just to survive."
Abell didn't reply, his gaze fixed on the line ahead.
As they approached the gate, Abell saw a family in front of them—a mother, father, and two young children. They seemed tired, their clothes in tatters, their faces drawn with exhaustion. The guards gave them a long, hard look before one spoke.
"State your reason for entry." the guard demanded, his voice flat.
The father's hands shook as he tried to produce a crumpled letter from his pocket. "We—we were told we could get work here. My family… we need to get in. Please."
The guard glanced at the letter, then handed it back without a word. "That's it? "You're not getting in."
The mother stepped forward, desperation in her voice. "Please, we're starving. We just need a chance. The city—your city—can help us. We've heard there's work. Please."
The guard didn't budge, his expression hardening. "Move along," he said sharply, waving them aside.
The family stood frozen for a moment, as if in disbelief. The mother's eyes filled with tears, her children clinging to her legs, but there was nothing they could do. They had no choice but to turn away, leaving the gates behind, the weight of their rejection hanging in the air.
Abell watched them walk off, confusion and frustration building inside him.
Hugo sighed softly beside him. "This is the reality," he murmured.
Abell didn't respond. He just kept watching the family disappear into the distance, their backs turned against the city that had just rejected them.
When it was their turn at the gate, the guards gave Hugo a wary look, recognition flashing in their eyes.
"Um—go ahead, sir," the guard said, stepping aside.
The gates of Hallion swung open, and they stepped into the city. Abell was immediately struck by the chaos. The streets were packed, even busier than Iridius's marketplace. Merchants shouted their wares, people rushed by, heads down, barely acknowledging each other. The air buzzed with life.
The buildings of Hallion towered over them, made of sturdy stone with clean lines. Some had large arches letting sunlight spill across the streets, while others had marble-like facades. The city felt ancient, built for both function and splendor. Columns supported grand rooftops, and statues of past rulers stood in quiet corners, faces worn by time.
Abell could feel the weight of the city. The streets felt wide but narrow, as if the city was designed to make you feel small. Guards in polished armor stood at every corner, watching the crowd. The Benedict family's presence was everywhere—from the banners to the whispers in the air.
"That was quicker than I expected," Hugo said casually. "Usually, they'd give me a hard time getting into this city."
"Why wouldn't they let you in?" Abell asked, puzzled.
Hugo grinned. "I may have stepped on some toes in the past, hehe." He shrugged. "Anyways, I've got business. Meet me at the fountain at sundown."
"Wait, you're leaving just like that?"
"What, gonna miss me?" Hugo chuckled. "I'm flattered, but I've got things to handle. See you soon." In an instant, he disappeared, leaving Abell standing alone in the middle of the city.
"Damn star-eyed idiot… what am I supposed to do now?" Abell grumbled, scanning the unfamiliar streets. His stomach growled loudly. "Guess I'll go get something to eat," he muttered, heading toward the marketplace.
The streets of Hallion were crowded, but there was something different about it. The people here were quieter, more closed off than in Iridius. Conversations were short, exchanged only between familiar faces or over a transaction. Seems like everyone's less talkative here, Abell thought.
"Hey, kid, never seen you around," a merchant called out. "Want to try some famous Hallion food? Spiced meat skewers—only 15 sols for two!"
Abell checked his pockets. His mother had given him some spending money for the academy, and luckily, he had just enough. "I'll take two," he said, handing over the coins nervously.
"Pleasure doing business, haha," the merchant said with a grin.
As Abell turned to leave, another customer bought the same skewers, paying only 5 sols. Abell's stomach churned. "I definitely got ripped off". His first lesson in Hallion: Trust no one.
Abell walked through the crowded streets of Hallion, overhearing a conversation between two residents near a market stall.
"Hallion's getting crowded," the first one said, frustration in his voice. "More people every day, and it's getting harder to survive. People think coming here will solve everything, but it's not like that."
The second resident sighed. "Yeah, this place is full of hope… and disappointment. Cedris keeps the Malignants under control, but things haven't really gotten better for most of us."
Abell slowed down, listening in.
"People don't even look at you anymore," the first resident continued. "Everyone's just trying to get by. If you're not at the top, you're stuck here, invisible."
The second resident nodded. "The rich get richer, and everyone else is left fighting for scraps. You think Cedris can fix that?"
The first resident shook his head. "The Benedicts know everything. They know who's useful, who's not. That's how the city works now."
"Do you think it's going to get worse?" the second resident asked.
"No," the first replied quickly. "Not as long as Cedris is in charge. He's built this city strong, but no place can take care of everyone. He's definitely better than the Alsaint bastard."
Abell took in the words, his thoughts swirling. Hallion wasn't just a place of opportunity—it was a place where survival came with a price.
He leaned against a stone wall, watching the crowds rush by. The constant hum of the city felt overwhelming, but what struck him most was the coldness in the air. The people's faces, though busy, seemed to hide something deeper.
"So, this is Hallion…" Abell muttered, his eyes scanning the sea of people. The city was bigger, busier than anything he'd ever known, but there was a tension in the air. Despite the hustle, it felt like the city was holding its breath.
He glanced up at the towering buildings, their stone facades standing strong and imposing. The Benedict family's banners flew high, a constant reminder of their power. This wasn't just a city—it was a place shaped by control, where everything had its place, and everyone had a role.