The atmosphere outside the carriage was bright with sunlight, and the blur subsided the moment the sun rose.
Inside the carriage, the mood was tense. Fort, Stella, and Ignis sat in silence, avoiding eye contact.
"..."
Stella gazed out the window, while Ignis wrestled with how to begin a conversation. Sensing the awkwardness, he cleared his throat and broke the silence. "Ahem," he said, catching their attention. When both turned to look at him, Ignis directed his gaze toward Fort. "Are you from Caligo?"
Fort hesitated, considering his response carefully. Revealing the truth about his origins could invite unwanted trouble with the Church. After a brief pause, he chose to lie. "No, I'm not from Caligo. I only arrived there a few days ago. I'm from... England."
The mention of England left both Ignis and Stella staring at him in disbelief. "What is that?" Stella asked, her curiosity piqued.
"It's... a country," Fort replied, trying to mask the unease in his voice. As more questions came his way, he added, "Yes, it's an empire," attempting to sound casual.
The carriage continued its journey, passing through a grand gate.
As the carriage rolled through Misthaven's cobblestone streets, Fort leaned out the window, wide-eyed.
Vendors shouted their wares, children darted between horse-drawn carts, and the spires of the cathedral rose high above the bustling crowds.
His gaze lingered on a grand clock tower, its design eerily reminiscent of Big Ben. He caught his breath as a steam train thundered past, its speed startling against the backdrop of old-world charm
The castle stood beside the grand cathedral, both impressive, though the castle took the greater share of his awe. the splendor of the sights, the tantalizing food, and the elegant fashion filled him with wonder.
It was as if he had been transported back to the vibrant Victorian era, brimming with charm and grandeur.
The carriage bumped along the uneven cobblestones, the city's towering spires fading into the distance as they traveled toward their destination. Fort sat stiffly, his gaze darting between the passing scenery and the man across from him. Ignis, leaning back in his seat, watched him with an amused expression.
"You look tense," Ignis said, breaking the silence. "Don't tell me you've already regretted coming along."
Fort hesitated, then shook his head. "I just don't understand any of this..
(I hope this decision will help me survive in this world... Truth be told, my only option is to seek protection among them.)
(Seeing how Madam Mourch remains free, continuing to roam, staying in Caligo Village is no longer an option. Worse still, there's the very real possibility of her seeking revenge.) Fort narrowed his eyes while smiling faintly..
Ignis raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying Fort's confusion. "Ah, so no one's told you." Ignis glance at Stella before Continue "Makes sense.. Most people aren't supposed to know that The Pioneer exist."
"Why not?" Fort asked, his curiosity piqued.
Ignis replied with a faint smile. "well, sometimes, ignorance yields the best results."
Fort furrowed his brow, confusion creeping into his voice. "What does that mean?"
With a soft sigh, Ignis leaned back. "The chaos and panic that would arise if this were to be made public would be immense. Furthermore, keeping this information contained serves to prevent a number of undesirable consequences."
Fort nodded but didn't respond immediately, his gaze fixed out the window. The vast, unfamiliar city outside seemed to mock his confusion. Finally, he spoke. "The Pioneer... What exactly do you do?"
Ignis adjusted his cloak, a small smirk tugging at his lips as he looked at Fort. "It's quite simple, really. We deal with problems others can't—or refuse to. You've heard the whispers, haven't you? Of monsters in the night, haunted places, things that should not exist... that's where we step in."
"Monsters?" Fort repeated, skepticism heavy in his voice.
Ignis's smile faded, and his eyes became steely. "Not just stories. Entities born from the fractures of reality itself. Beasts that feed on despair, madness... they break the fragile minds of the weak. Most people who encounter them never leave the same."
Fort's brow furrowed. The silence in the carriage thickened as the gravity of Ignis's words sank in. "And... you handle these things?"
Ignis nodded slowly, his voice lowering as if sharing a secret. "That's what the Order does. We keep these... creatures from crossing the line into our world."
Fort swallowed, his mind struggling to digest the information. "You really believe this... darkness is real?"
Ignis glanced at him, a sharp, knowing look in his eyes. "The darkness is as real as the light. The fabric of this world is thinner than most would like to believe. Sometimes, the threads snap, and something—unnatural—crawls through. That's when we intervene."
"Sounds dangerous," Fort muttered.
Ignis shrugged. "It is. But someone has to do it. Besides, there are perks. The pioneers take care of their own supplies, knowledge. And if you're good, you'll get to learn things most people can't even imagine."
Fort didn't reply, his thoughts swirling. Ignis watched him closely, his grin returning.
"Don't look so grim," Ignis said. "You'll get the hang of it. Or you won't. Either way, you're already in the game. Might as well play to win."Ignis said trying to comfort Fort as the carriage came to a stop, it halted right in front of the cathedral.
"This is our stop," Ignis said to Fort.
Fort, Stella, and Ignis disembarked, watching as the carriage drove away, leaving them behind. Together, they walked toward the cathedral.
–––
At the same time Inside the cathedral,in a large room housed a priestess sitting next to six other individuals. In front of them was a round table, adorned with symbols of stars and suns.
The others spoke in hushed tones about the recent incident in Caligo Village, where seventeen lives had been lost.
"The Chaos was more transparent in their actions," one of the men remarked.
"Not only The Chaos can break the cycle of death," another added.
The others nodded in agreement, acknowledging that multiple forces could raise the dead.
The youngest among them spoke next. "True. The witches of calamity can also bring the dead back."
As the conversation continued, the priestess listened carefully but suddenly felt a wave of dizziness. Her eyes widened as she experienced a vision. The other elders recognized the signs and watched as symbols of light flickered in her eyes.
After a few moments, the light faded, and she spoke. "I saw this city engulfed in mysticism, burning. Evil spirit creatures roamed the streets... When I looked up, the sky was filled with dark creatures, angel-like in form, holding musical instruments. They circled around a giant hand descending from the heavens, its fingers covered in eyeballs. The hand was an impossible shape, like nothingness itself. The darkness it carried enveloped the city."
The elders were stunned by the revelation.
"Is this the end?" one of the youngest asked.
"No," replied another. "It is not."
"We will do everything in our power to prevent this from happening," the elder declared.
With the gravity of the situation weighing on them, the discussion shifted to plans to prevent the coming apocalypse. The priestess, meanwhile, retreated to her room, her heart heavy with the burden of the vision. Though she was still young, the weight of what was to come was not lost on her.
Back at the Outside of the Cathedral
Three of them stood In front of the cathedral stood a statue of Ravalus, a follower of the God of Light and Punishment. Ignis took this opportunity to introduce Fort to the god of the city.
At that time, Stella walked first, leaving Ignis and Fort, as they spoke, an unfamiliar voice greeted Ignis. "So, you have returned," it said, though the voice was distorted and unclear.
Fort and Ignis turned toward the source of the voice, spotting a man in his thirties, draped in gothic attire. His pale face looked almost sickly.
"Mr. Alaric," Ignis acknowledged.
Alaric nodded and then turned to Fort. "And... who is this gentleman?" he asked.
Ignis quickly introduced Fort as a new believer.
Fort bowed his head to greet Alaric
Alaric seemed satisfied with the explanation and walked away. As he did, Fort turned to Ignis. "Who's that?"
Ignis responded, "Ah, he was my old mentor, he was the person who taught me everything I needed to know about Mysticism and survive in The Night, also he could be your mentor in the future."
He nodded thoughtfully. "I see."
Despite the calm answer, Fort couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more—something about Alaric that neither Ignis nor anyone else was revealing.
There was a presence about Alaric, something otherworldly. It wasn't a threat that could be pinpointed, but rather a feeling—a kind of dread that grew the more Fort observed him. It was as though Alaric existed in a space outside of time, where his actions were both deliberate and unpredictable, his intentions as shadowy as the man himself.
his every movement seemed to drip with enigma. Fort felt a shiver crawl down his spine, a sense of unease settling deep within him. Alaric was like a riddle wrapped in a mystery, a person whose true nature could not be uncovered simply by observing the surface.
Fort then glanced at Alaric, who was slowly walking away, his footsteps echoing faintly in the dimly lit hall.
Inwardly, Fort couldn't help but mutter to himself that there was something odd about Mr. Alaric—a strange, almost imperceptible atmosphere that clung to him for some reason.
He shook off the unsettling thought, dismissing it as paranoia, and turned his attention back to Ignis, whose chatter continued unabated.
Ignis continued, ""Welcome to Revalus Cathedral," Ignis said, gesturing to the towering structure before them. "Named for Revalus the First, the one who witnessed the celestial signs that shaped our laws."
Fort frowned. "Celestial signs?"
Stella, walking ahead, glanced back and answered curtly, "A divine revelation. Revalus was a messenger of the God of Light." Her voice echoed in the cathedral's vast hall as she strode forward, clearly uninterested in elaborating.. Her footsteps sounded loudly, showing that she was feeling irritated
as they walked further into the cathedral, Ignis and Stella walked side by side while Fort was behind them.
Stella looked ahead seriously while Ignis looked at the road curiously, Ignis turned to Stella. "I thought you didn't care about new Recruit.. "
" i don't " Stella answered spontaneously She then sighed in response. "It's just coincidence... I have another reason for coming here."
She hastened her steps, walking ahead of Ignis and Fort. the sound of her shoes echoed in the silence while her black hair danced the further she went
Ignis leaned toward Fort and whispered, "It must be because of her sisters."
Fort raised an eyebrow. "Her sisters?"
"Yeah," Ignis said. "Her sister was a priestess here."
Fort remained quiet as Ignis continued. "Their story is rather sad. Stella's sister was dragged into the cathedral by the pioneers, against her will. Now Stella has become one of them, trying to protect her sister."
Ignis absently adjusted his robes, his mind clearly elsewhere. Fort, still trying to process everything, glanced out the window, his thoughts churning.
As they walked Ignis finally broke the silence, his voice casual yet laced with an undertone of something deeper. "Ever wondered what's real?"
Fort glanced at him, his brow furrowing. "What do you mean, real?"
Ignis smirked, tapping the armrest with a finger. "Just a thought. Most people never ask. They go about their lives, accepting things as they are. But reality... it's far from simple."
Fort raised an eyebrow. "You're saying it's all some kind of illusion?"
"Not an illusion," Ignis replied, leaning forward slightly. "More like... layers. There's the world you perceive, the one you believe you understand. And then there's what lies beneath, where the laws of nature break down. That's where mysticism comes in."
"Mysticism?" Fort echoed, the word unfamiliar. "What is that?"
Ignis nodded, his tone taking on a quieter, more reverent quality. "It's not magic, not like the tales you've heard. It's ancient... profound. Mysticism is the study of the forces that bind everything together—life, death, light, darkness. The very threads that weave reality."
Fort frowned, trying to make sense of it. "Threads of reality? Sounds like something out of a fairytale."
Ignis chuckled, shaking his head slightly. "Fairytales come from somewhere, don't they? Mysticism isn't about make-believe. "
Fort's silence "... "
The silence hung between them, but it was thick with unspoken questions and possibilities. Fort could feel the weight of Ignis's words settling on him. Threads that bind reality...
Finally, Fort spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. "Could you tell me more about mystism.. " He asked
Ignis gave him a knowing smile. "I thought you might say that." Ignis said "That shall be a lesson for your mentor to impart later." Ignis added, making Fort's curiosity even higher. he then put his hands in the pockets of his robe. (Really..)
"I will think about it, but... Is it really that easy?" Fort asked, skeptical.
Ignis pondered for a moment before saying "Well, you were recruited, so it must have been easy for you."
"It's a completely different story for those who are chosen to enter without any recommendations." Ignis said, gazing at the stained glass window.
"But even so they still look for the best of the best." Ignis added
"Then what if someone betrays the cathedral? What if they're a spy?" Fort pressed.
Ignis paused for a moment before responding. "It's easy to join, but not so easy to leave. There was once a spy who tried to run. He lasted three days before dying in a... horrible condition."
Fort shuddered. "How bad was it?"
"His body was split in two," Ignis said grimly.
(wow....)
Fort's mind raced as he thought about the consequences of betraying the pioneers, he felt a chill crawl down his spine, as if the temperature in the room had plummeted. His hands instinctively clenched into fists, and he forced himself to keep his breathing steady.
Fort's stomach tightened, his thoughts spiraling. the mention of death, of being torn apart for disobedience, felt too far-reaching.
The image of a man—torn in two, lifeless and discarded—flashed in his mind, vivid and grotesque.
A harsh reminder of the consequences that awaited anyone who dared defy the pioneers. He swallowed hard, Ignis's words lingered, sticking to him like wet cloth.
What kind of world had i stepped into?
Ignis continued, "Don't worry, though, that only happens if you betray The Pioneer," said Ignis while glancing at Fort.
Fort felt goosebumps before Ignis continued his words "Beside that, the pioneers cover everything but food, clothing, and furniture." (Thats almost everything..)
"Everything else is taken care of."
Fort trying to calm himself after hearing the sadistic punishment that awaited him if he committed treason, even though he had not planned to do so.
He then thought for a moment before asking, "What compensation can i expect?"
Ignis paused, considering. "It depends on your position, but if you do well, there are bonuses." he answered confidently
Fort, now intrigued, agreed to join. Ignis handed him an address, instructing him to go to the house where the pioneers provided lodging...
Fort leaned back against the carriage seat, the address Ignis had given him clutched tightly in his hand. His thoughts churned as the city rolled by, the scenery a kaleidoscope of stone buildings, bustling markets, and towering spires. Each twist and turn of the streets carried an air of history, of stories whispered but never told. It reminded him of a Victorian dream, vibrant yet draped in shadows.
The carriage came to a halt before a modest house. Its stone walls bore the weight of time, and its windows were dark, betraying no signs of life within. Fort disembarked, his boots crunching against the cobblestones as he approached the door. With a deep breath, he pushed it open.
Inside, the air was thick with dust and the faint scent of parchment. The room was sparsely furnished—a few shelves lined with books, a desk cluttered with quills and ink, and a set of mattresses lined up against the walls. A place for newcomers, he thought. A place for wanderers like himself.
Fort locked the door behind him and set his belongings on the nearest mattress. As he lay down, the events of the day replayed in his mind
The grandeur of the cathedral, the enigmatic figure of Alaric, and the silent tension between Ignis and Stella. The threads were weaving tighter, binding him to this world's mysteries.
He closed his eyes, but his thoughts refused to settle. He couldn't help but wonder.
who—or what—had brought him here? And what role was he meant to play in this strange, mystical game?