Gema rose from bed on a beautiful morning in Aurea and prepared himself.
His kris was neatly wrapped in his samping. After adjusting his eye patch and donning a long white cloak, he wrapped Excalibur in faded linen and left the safehouse Ria had provided in Amethyst.
Unlike other Kshatriyas, Gema—who had long since withdrawn from the title—lived a simple life on Earth. It had been decades since Gema returned to Aurea. Due to personal reasons, he remained discreet, keeping his head down and covering himself with a cloak.
A Tycart had been instructed to wait outside his safehouse, ready to take him to the Cydro station that morning.
As the Tycart glided past the lively marketplace near the station, the tantalizing aroma of grilled glutinous rice wafted from one of the stalls, instantly capturing Gema's attention. He couldn't resist.
"Stop here, please." He gestured to the handler.
He hopped off the Tycart and quickly reached the stall near the ancient pillar that marked the entrance. Indulging in the spicy prawn sambal-filled rice, he savored every bite.
With a grateful smile, he thanked and offered the handler a few treats he'd purchased before walking towards the station.
Like any other commoner, he purchased a ticket and joined the throng at the PSUCHE platform, blending seamlessly with the diverse crowd.
It was a bustling day—miners changing shifts, talented Shakti wielders heading to rigorous training camps, and a cargo vessel arriving to collect materials for transport to the upper plate.
When the Cydro arrived, Gema and the other passengers stepped aboard. Gema found himself mesmerized by the vibrant aquatic creatures gliding through the water and the colorful auras flowing within. It reminded him of what he had missed after spending decades on Earth.
As the Cydro reached Morganite, the other passengers disembarked. It was a rare sight for anyone to use the PSUCHE waterway to access Alexandrite. Gema remained in his seat, continuing his journey to the upper plate.
His gaze fell on Excalibur; doubts flickered through him like shadows—was this journey back indeed the right path? Taking a deep breath, he reached into his cloak to retrieve an invitation scroll to access Alexandrite.
After all these years, was I ready to face the consequences of my actions?
The ride didn't last long; soon, the Cydro slowed, the sound of rushing water audible as it docked at the platform. Gema stepped out as the glass doors slid open, only to be stopped by the royal guards stationed at the platform.
"Excuse me, do you have an invitation to enter this area?" One of the guards asked.
"Ah, yes, here you go. This will do, right?" He replied, handing over the scroll.
"Please remove your hood so we can verify your identity," another guard added.
As one guard reviewed the scroll, Gema lowered his hood, revealing his face. The scroll vanished in a magical glow. The guard's eyes widened in recognition as he snapped to attention and saluted.
"S-Sir Gema…? It's great to have you back, Sir!" The guard said, saluting.
"We apologize for the inconvenience, Sir Gema! It's been a while. Please, proceed," the other guard added.
A Tycart that shimmered with gold and precious gems awaited him outside the station. The Ty was fully grown in Alexandrite, its fur so perfectly groomed it seemed to ripple like liquid silver. Even the handler, his uniform immaculate, held himself with an air of authority.
"I've been waiting for you, Sir Gema. Please hop on; Lady Ria is looking forward to meeting you," said the handler.
Gema placed Excalibur carefully and boarded the Tycart. It rolled along the path with a stately grace, its wheels seeming to touch the ground barely.
The scenery unfolded like a dream.
Rolling hills, a vibrant tapestry of emerald green, stretched towards the horizon, crowned with copses of trees that shimmered with celestial light. Blossoms in every hue imaginable carpeted the meadows; their fragrance carried on a gentle breeze that whispered secrets of an ancient paradise.
Crystal-clear streams, their waters sparkling like liquid diamonds, meandered through the landscape, reflecting the luminous sky above.
Gema felt a sense of profound tranquility wash over him as if he had stepped into a realm untouched by the world's sorrows. It was a place where time seemed to slow, and the very air hummed with a gentle, life-affirming energy.
The Tycart glided smoothly past gardens bursting with vibrant blooms and sparkling fountains; the air was alive with the rhythmic chirping of crickets, the distant croaking of frogs, and the occasional squawk of a startled bird.
With practiced ease, the handler slowed the Tycart to a gentle stop before a towering white wall stretched endlessly in both directions. Deep, rushing water separated the road from the imposing wall.
"This is as far as I can go. I'll be waiting for you here, Sir Gema," said the handler.
Gema felt a knot of apprehension tighten in his chest.
"Thanks for the ride," he replied, his voice a bit strained. "I will try to make the meeting short."
"Ah, please don't do that. Take as much time as you need," said the handler.
The bridge descended with a loud, metallic clang. Gema stepped onto it, a heavy sense of foreboding settling over him. A woman's silhouette stood on the far side, arms crossed and foot tapping impatiently.
"Gema! You're late! Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting here?" She snapped.
"Oh, Ria, I'm sorry," Gema said, hurrying towards her. "I was just taking my time. It's been a while since I've been in Aurea."
Ria... she was a force of nature, that one. Impatient, powerful, and fiercely loyal. Yet, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to her than met the eye. What was her true agenda? Was she genuinely concerned about me, or was something else at play? Something that involved Excalibur...?
Ria threw her hands up in exasperation.
"Dang it, Gema! This is why you shouldn't have given up your Kshatriya title! It's utterly ridiculous! You know how busy I am, right? If you keep dragging me like this, I must reconsider helping you. You know I can't leave the king's side for long!"
"Again, I'm sorry. Please, can I see her now?" Gema scratched his head.
"Look at you, so impatient, aren't you? Here, boy, come this way," Ria said, leading Gema through a grand archway in the wall.
The space beyond opened into a vast network of paths, each meticulously crafted and lined with gleaming stones. Gema paused, taking in the impressive sight. Numerous routes diverged to the left and right, leading towards various labs and storage facilities, each marked with intricate symbols that hinted at the treasures within.
"I know you haven't been here for a long time, but nothing has changed, so don't just stand there. Let's get going," Ria said, guiding Gema to the far-left route.
As they approached an unassuming hut, its iron door seeming to pulse with hidden energy, the air grew heavy with anticipation.
Ria opened the door with a triangular-shaped key. Inside, a spiral staircase descended into darkness. They followed the steps down, the air growing cooler and damper with each step until they reached a stone door with ancient runes etched into its surface.
Ria chanted, her voice echoing through the confined space. With a swift motion of her fingers in a clockwise direction, purple Shakti flowed from her fingertips to the door. It began to vibrate, then slowly swung open.
Gema gasped, his eyes widening as he took the mesmerizing spectacle.
Thousands of small, green orbs swirled and danced within the chamber, contained by a thin water barrier. He followed Ria, who moved through the water as if it were mere air, his heart pounding with a sense of mystery, towards a large object shrouded in a thick, faded brown cloth, a cloth so vast it could have concealed a titan.
What could be hidden beneath that cloth? Something powerful, something dangerous? The anticipation was almost unbearable. Was I prepared for whatever awaited me within that chamber?