LAYOUT CITY: CAPITAL OF THE LAND OF THE GEM.
After a long journey, Geal and Uruta finally arrive at their destination. They find themselves beside a fountain in the middle of an immense city filled with skyscrapers, castles, and towers—a blend of urban, postmodern, and medieval aesthetics. They are surrounded by people and impressive architecture.
Geal smiles brightly as she looks around. It's her first time in the capital, and she is dazzled by what she sees. Her inner child is bursting with excitement.
"The capital is incredible!" Geal exclaims joyfully.
"It was a whole day of flying. I'm exhausted," Uruta says in a tired tone.
If it's not the grand advertisements, it's the monuments; everything seems peculiar to our heroine. Unable to contain her excitement any longer, Geal runs toward the bustle, with Uruta perched on her head. She greets everyone energetically and indiscriminately.
"I've never seen so many people together! Hi there, sir! How's it going, kid? Nice hat, ma'am!"
People look at Geal with utter bewilderment. Her energy attracts attention—it's just normal for her.
"Geal, calm down! The capital isn't like our village. If you keep acting like this, people will think we're weird," Uruta says, visibly uncomfortable.
Turning from street to street, Geal comes across a group of guards. None of them move or show any expression. They wear red uniforms and their iconic bearskin hats.
"Look! The famous royal guards of the capital! They say they don't talk or move no matter how much you bother them. Is that true?" Geal asks, curious.
Playfully but stealthily, she approaches one of the guards and begins making faces to try to make him laugh. She sticks out her tongue and crosses her eyes, but has no success.
"Geal, leave him alone," Uruta suggests.
Further ahead, she spots a colossal tower with an ancient clock at the top. When it strikes twelve, the bells begin to toll, their sound resonating powerfully. The young girl is left speechless.
"That's... It's the Clock Tower, the most famous building in the Land of the Gem! I can't believe I'm seeing it with my own eyes!"
So many stimuli at once bring a sweet smile to Geal's face. She looks moved and happy.
"I spent my whole life dreaming of coming to the capital. Seeing it all up close is a dream come true," Geal sighs.
"I've never seen you this happy, Geal," her feathered friend replies.
Suddenly, a crow swoops down from above, flying in circles around Geal. It caws in front of Uruta, who gets slightly annoyed.
"And what do you want? Looking for a fight?" Uruta puffs out his chest.
Nearby, an elderly woman sits at a table on the terrace of a café. She has curly white hair, a pink hat with a goose feather, and kind-looking eyes. She speaks in a serene tone.
"Oh! Please don't harm it," the lady says, addressing our heroes.
"Huh?"
Geal and Uruta turn their attention to the old woman.
"That's one of the crows from the Layout Tower. It must have escaped. Legend says that if those crows die, the nation's prosperity will fall."
"Really? I didn't know that!" Geal replies, covering her mouth with her fingers.
"Are you new to the capital?" the woman asks.
"Yes! I'm Geal! I'm from Canvas Village. I came to find clues about the Chosen One," she replies, pointing to herself.
The lady places a hand on her chest and smiles sweetly.
"Delighted to meet you, Geal! My name is Bertha. Your name sounds foreign, doesn't it?"
"Yes, my parents are from the Land of the Swords, but I was born here!" Geal scratches her neck. "My name means something in another language, but I don't remember what."
"You're a very cheerful girl. How about I treat you to a drink? Coming all the way from Canvas must have been exhausting."
"Yes, thank you, Miss Bertha!" Geal accepts.
A while later, Geal and Miss Bertha chat. Our heroine sits at the table, sipping tea, while Uruta preens his feathers on her head.
"Miss Bertha, do you know anything about the Chosen One?" Geal asks.
"Of course. The Chosen One often comes to the capital. It's normal to see him strolling near the palaces. We're used to seeing him help people," Bertha replies.
"Really? Do you know when he'll be here?" Geal asks, suddenly standing up. Miss Bertha startles a little at her abrupt reaction.
"I'm sorry, I don't know. I think he has a very tight schedule; he's constantly traveling around the nation. I'm not sure when he'll appear again," Bertha laments.
"Oh..." Geal sits back down, looking a bit downcast.
"I can understand why you're so interested in meeting him. He's a very strong and handsome man. Anyone would admire him," Bertha says, trying to encourage her.
"Yes! And I'm going to fight him and defeat him!" our heroine declares, pointing to herself. "My dream is to become the next Chosen One!"
Bertha covers her mouth with her hand.
"Hey, Geal, don't go around telling people you want to beat up the Chosen One!" Uruta warns. "Remember, he's a respected figure."
Unexpectedly, a tear falls down Miss Bertha's cheek. Geal and Uruta look at her, puzzled. Even as she cries, the old woman smiles. Something inside her has been moved by those words.
"How long has it been since I've heard something like that? Young people today seem lost and aimless, as if they have no purpose in life. It warms my heart to know there are still kids with dreams who fight for them. It moves me," Bertha says, smiling at the girl. "I wish you the best of luck, Geal. Your youth is a blessing."
"Thank you, Miss Bertha. I promise I'll be the best Chosen One there ever was." Geal smiles back.
Suddenly, the tea in their cups begins to ripple, as if the liquid is emitting soft but constant waves. Gradually, the vibrations extend to the ground. The people at the café stop what they're doing and begin looking at each other for answers. Everyone looks confused; something feels wrong.
Seconds later, it becomes more evident. The ground is shaking, but in an unnatural way.
"Are earthquakes normal in the capital?" Geal asks, somewhat alarmed.
"No. Something is coming. Hide! It's going to happen again..." Miss Bertha responds with visible fear.
"What? What's going to happen?"
Farther down the avenue, a crowd flees from something. As Geal and Uruta stand, they see it: a humanoid robot of white metal with laser cannons for arms. It's the source of the tremors, and written on its cockpit are the initials "R.M." Everyone flees the area as best they can. Another of "those" robots is attacking the city.
Geal and Uruta can't believe their eyes.
"That's...!"
"A robot?!"
The capital guards don't take long to act. The once immobile men spring into action, preparing for battle. A group of soldiers rushes to help, weapons in hand. A squad of Crystal Warriors confronts the machine head-on.
"Stand back! We won't let another one of you attack the capital!" one of the warriors shouts, his voice trembling.
"How many has it been this week? It feels like they're endless!" adds another.
With glowing red eyes, the robot fires its laser at one of them. Fortunately, he dodges just in time. The warriors wastes no time, attacking the robot frantically. Despite using battle axes, sharp swords, high-caliber rifles, and other weaponry, they can't even scratch the machine.
Geal, Uruta, and Bertha watch the scene from a distance.
"Uruta, we have to do something..." Geal suggests.
"We just got to the capital, and you already want to fight? We don't even know what that thing can do. Leave it to those with stronger Crystals," Uruta replies, staying grounded.
"No...!" Our heroine glance at Mrs. Bertha for a moment, her determination growing.
"If I want to become a true Chosen One, I must fight—even if it's difficult!" Without a second thought, Geal rushes into the fray, summoning her Pearl Shield as she run. Resigned to assist her, Uruta follows close behind.
"Wait...!"
The remaining men continue their futile battle against the robot, but Geal intervene.
"Girl, don't get involved! It's dangerous! Get to a shelter now!" one of the combatants yell.
"I'm a Crystal Warrior too! I'll help you fight!" Geal stubbornly responds.
"Didn't you hear—?"
The robot's arm weapons transforms into massive, robust metal fists. It begin attacking everything around it with devastating punches that cracks the asphalt. Some warriors fall, defeated, while others flee. Its advance is relentless.
"This is impossible! We can't beat it! This one's stronger than the others!"
"Let the Chosen One handle it! I'm out of here."
The warriors voice their surrender as they fled the scene one by one—except for Geal, of course, who keep trying to get closer. She run in circles to outmaneuver the machine.
"Geal! You need to get out of here too!" Uruta insists.
"I already told you, no...!"
Unintentionally, she catch the robot's attention. It locks its gaze on Geal. Its right arm shifts back into a laser cannon, firing directly at her. She was the only one left. Just in time, she shields herself, deflecting the beam back. It struck the machine's cockpit, causing damage.
The robot fall, surrounded by smoke and sparks. Its own laser has injured it! The remaining warriors gawk in disbelief. Somehow, Geal have managed to harm the robot. All she have done was block the attack with her shield. But her confidence swells.
"I did it!"
However, the robot get back up, slamming the ground so hard it cracks. The impact made Geal stumble. The machine isn't defeated yet! Although damaged, it remains operational, with sparks and electrical discharges emanating from its body.
After two clumsy steps, the robot charges toward Geal, building incredible speed. Our heroine is still on the ground—there wouldn't be enough time...
"Geal! No!" Uruta shouts.
But at the last moment, someone appeares to save her: a man wielding a mythical sword, slicing the robot cleanly in two with a single strike.
"Excalibur!!!"
The cut is so precise that the machine's cockpit split slowly into two perfect halves. In the blink of an eye, the robot was defeated by a certain individual.
That man is Magnius, the Chosen One, who has arrived just in time to save the day. His frame is broader now, and his hair longer and more voluminous. Geal stares at him in awe.
"As long as I'm here, nothing and no one will harm the capital," the Chosen One murmures with an unmatched gravitas.
"That's... the Chosen One! He's really here!" Geal thinks.
Still motionless on the ground, Geal watch as Magnius stand with his back to her, embodying the image of a knight protecting a damsel. He gaze forward, unwavering.
"That was very reckless, young lady. You shouldn't have entered a fight of this magnitude with the Crystal you possess," the Chosen One remarks, resting his sword on his shoulder. "If I hadn't arrived in time, you could've been killed..."
Geal lower her gaze, feeling remorseful.
"S-Sorry, I just... I..." Geal mumbles.
But instead of being angry, Magnius turns and crouch, placing his hand on her head, just as he had eight years ago. His battle-hardened demeanor soften into one of calm and relief.
"Still, I must commend your bravery in joining the fight alongside the others. You may lack strength, but you have plenty of courage." Magnius smiles at her. "Well done, young lady."