Awakening... it's something special... I think. I have no idea what it is, though.
Officer Verna led me through the living quarters, and it was a massive structure. It had everything, it seemed—larger-than-life libraries, a place where you'd find a lot of knowledge. Not a lot of people know what a library is back in the slums, but I've seen some small ones long ago. They were nothing compared to the ones I saw just now.
As we kept walking, we passed by more living dorms. It was all so organized, and the way everyone moved around was quite disciplined.
After a while, I noticed that everyone was going somewhere. It was exactly the opposite side from where Officer Verna led me.
She led me to a large hall, which, by looking at it, screamed of opulence. There were weapons like swords and spears, bows that I had only ever seen in picture books, alongside stands of armors. But it was all quite elegant, as if someone put them here as decoration and not for the actual purpose of these armaments.
There was a circle on the wooden floor at the end of the hall. It was a few meters wide, and there were beautiful patterns inside it. It wasn't carved but drawn with dark lavender paint.
Around the circle were nine armor stands, each different and unique, holding a weapon never to be repeated by the one next to them. Positioned at equal distances from each other, they were all different in sizes—some too large, as if to be worn by giants, or small enough to fit a four-year-old child.
"Thoth!"
I was startled a bit when Officer Verna called out for something or someone. Standing beside me, she looked around a bit stumped and then, gesturing for me to stay, went around flipping through stuff. What? Does this person have a habit of hiding?
Thinking, I stepped forward. These runes... they are quite beautiful. It's as if they are calling for something—someone. I kneeled, almost near the center of the circle, where a smaller triangle was drawn.
Tuk.
"Huh?" I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand straight when I heard footsteps behind me. It was as if metal was scraping on the floor. Officer Verna was wearing leather boots, so who?
It was then that I heard another footstep. It was similar but came from a different direction. Both were still from the back.
I placed both hands on the floor, leaning a bit forward, and then immediately rolled. Everything spun and then came to a halt. Turning around, I jumped back, but it seems I rolled way too much because my back hit one of the armor stands.
It was then that something immensely strong got hold of both of my shoulders. The grip was crushing, and it made it impossible for me to move even an inch.
My eyes focused in front of me, and I saw two of the armor suits—one standing, and the other had its arm stretched outwards.
'W-Wait! Why the hell did I get jumped by a group of... people? Whatever they are! I don't remember doing anything wrong!'
"Running from me, you came to me."
It was then that I felt it—the feeling. It was as if somebody had a knife against my throat. Not this feeling... it was way worse than that. It was like I was being played like a fiddle.
"Cut it out, Thoth." Officer Verna's voice was cold, but it immediately washed me with relief.
It looks like she knows what's happening.
"Oh, don't be upset! It was a prank! A prank!" The voice from before seemed less domineering, and the hold on me was released.
Immediately stepping out of the circle, I stood behind Officer Verna.
"You okay? He didn't do anything weird, did he?" she asked past her shoulder. I gestured to her to assure her that I was fine.
In front of us, where I was standing a second ago, an armor stood tall and imposing. It was not too tall or too short, it was made out of gold, and it held a thick, old-looking book made out of stone.
"Ha, another one? It's rare to get towards Carriers in a single day," said the armor—no, Thoth, as he? Well, from the voice, it seems quite masculine. I'm not going to judge if it was the other way around… though that'd be weird.
"Looks like Randall was quicker than us," said Officer Verna. "Still, we need to get to the awakening," she added.
It was then that Thoth removed his helmet. Under it was a decent-looking guy—middle-aged, his face was chiseled, and his brown hair was parted in the middle, reaching down to his ears. There were some concerning dark circles under his round eyes.
"Okay, okay, you Solvor guys are no fun," he said as he flicked his fingers. Both the armors that had previously left their armor stands immediately went back to where they were before.
Wait—magic? This is fricking magic! What the hell! It's the Magic! Am I dreaming, or am I just crazy? Must've gone crazy and be seeing some illusions!
He did magic!
It was then that Thoth tilted his head, grinning at me. "See! Look at his face! Isn't that an interesting expression? It's like he's shocked—'Wow, Magic!' is written on his face." He pointed while laughing.
I blinked. Am I that easy to read? Wait, that's not important—looking at Officer Verna, she was rubbing her forehead as if annoyed.
---
After the initial shock subsided, Thoth, Officer Verna, and I all sat facing each other, with a small table between us. I was to one side, with both elders on my sides.
"Where are you from, boy?" Thoth leaned into his seat. Out of his armor, he was quite a thin guy.
"Arthur Dahl. I come from the slums in Sector Nine," I answered, observing him—he's a magician.
Thoth then moved his eyes from me to Officer Verna as if waiting for her to say something, and she did. "I brought him yesterday. The Anchor Stabilizers are about to leave tomorrow for Jotunheim. It'd be great if he can go alongside," she completed.
He? Who? Me? Am I supposed to go somewhere? Do I get no say in this? If yes, then nope... I don't wanna go.
Thoth, on the other hand, sighed. "That was why there's been so much ruckus for the past few days. I couldn't ask Randall, as he's still wary of me—everyone is, but thanks for sharing." He looked at me.
"So, Arthur, what do you know about Runebounds?" he questioned.
"Nothing," I answered.
"Okay." He nodded. It looks like he wasn't surprised. "Let's start from the basics, then. For the current situation, you are someone who we refer to as a Carrier. Carrier of what, you may ask? Divine Blood. You are the Carrier of Divine Blood, much like Verna and me, alongside every other Runebound here in the Living Quarters."