The truck's door creaked open as Vince climbed back in, his expression as unreadable as ever. Eris, who had been craning his neck to take in the overwhelming sights of the outskirts, turned to him eagerly.
"Well?" Eris asked, his voice tinged with curiosity. "What's this place really like?"
Vince gave him a sidelong glance, leaning back in his seat before finally speaking. "Nyxoria… where do I even start?" He gestured out the window, the faint glow of the city's inner sectors visible even from their current position.
"This kingdom's massive—almost too big for its own good. What you're seeing now is just the outskirts, one of the gate districts in the eastern sector. We're under the Emberheart Duchy here, a powerful noble family that oversees this part of the kingdom. They answer to the Evernights, the royal family, who rule from the capital, Wysteria."
"Wait," Eris interrupted, frowning. "This isn't the capital? I thought we were already there!"
Vince let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "The capital is far from here, kid. What you're looking at is just the fringe—a single sector of Nyxoria's sprawling territory. The eastern gate district is under the Emberhearts' watch, and they report directly to the crown. But Wysteria? That's the heart of it all. That's where the Evernights rule. And trust me, it's a whole other world compared to this."
Eris blinked, his jaw dropping slightly. He glanced out the window again, trying to process the sheer scale of what Vince was saying. "This… this is just the outskirts?"
Vince smirked faintly. "Hard to wrap your head around, huh? Nyxoria's as big as a continent. The royal capital alone could swallow entire cities whole. And that's not even counting the lands governed by the noble houses—the duchies, like the Emberhearts here. They handle the day-to-day governance of their territories while the royal family oversees everything from Wysteria."
Eris leaned back in his seat, his mind racing. He had heard tales of kingdoms before, but this… this was something else entirely. "So… what's it like? The capital, I mean."
"Grand," Vince said simply, his tone laced with something unreadable—perhaps admiration, perhaps disdain. "It's where the power lies, where decisions are made that shape not just Nyxoria, but the entire world. The Evernights are at the top of it all. Beneath them, you've got the noble houses—the dukes and duchesses, the counts, all that pomp and ceremony. Then come the knights, the scholars, the merchants, and so on. At the bottom? Civilians."
"Civilians?" Eris echoed.
"Common folk," Vince clarified. "The ones who live ordinary lives, farming, crafting, trading. They make up most of the kingdom, but their voices barely carry weight unless a noble decides to listen. And even then…" He shrugged. "It's rare."
Eris frowned. "That doesn't sound fair."
"It's not," Vince replied bluntly. "But that's how the world works. Power flows upward. The strong protect the weak—or exploit them. Depends on who's in charge."
The truck rumbled forward as Vince resumed driving, his eyes scanning the faintly illuminated road ahead. Eris looked out the window again, his gaze wandering over the ruins of ancient structures that dotted the landscape. The gradual shift in scenery—from barren wasteland to sparse vegetation—felt almost surreal.
"So… the Emberhearts?" Eris ventured after a moment. "What are they like?"
"They're… efficient," Vince said carefully. "Their duchy has been stable for years, even with the Wastelands on their doorstep. That's no small feat. But don't expect a warm welcome from them. They're nobles, through and through. Always thinking ten steps ahead, always looking for an advantage. You'd do well to keep your head down around them."
Eris nodded slowly, his curiosity momentarily tempered by Vince's warning. But his mind buzzed with questions, each one more pressing than the last. The vastness of Nyxoria, the towering walls, the mysterious royal family—everything felt overwhelming, as though he had stepped into a world far beyond his comprehension.
As the truck continued its journey, the faint glow of the city's inner districts grew brighter. The enormity of the kingdom loomed ever larger, and Eris couldn't shake the feeling that he was standing on the edge of something far greater than himself.
The truck's engine hummed softly as it entered Kaelin, the heart of the Emberheart Duchy. The gradual transformation of the landscape over their long journey—from barren wastelands to sparse vegetation to the sprawling outskirts of Nyxoria—had finally culminated in the bustling city. It was just past dawn, and the golden light of the rising sun bathed Kaelin in a warm glow, making the intricate essence-powered infrastructure shimmer like veins of light running through the city.
Eris leaned forward, his face practically pressed against the window. His eyes widened in awe at the sights before him.
Kaelin was a marvel of modernity and magic, a seamless blend of the two that gave the city an almost otherworldly charm. Towering buildings rose into the sky, their surfaces inlaid with glowing sigils and runes that pulsed faintly with energy. The streets below were alive with movement: essence-powered vehicles glided smoothly along glowing lanes etched into the cobblestones, while pedestrians bustled about on wide sidewalks illuminated by floating orbs of light that hovered lazily in the air.
The people were dressed in practical yet stylish clothing, reflecting a society that valued functionality as much as aesthetic appeal. Men and women wore tailored jackets, tunics, and trousers of fine fabrics adorned with subtle magical embroidery—glowing threads woven into intricate patterns that seemed to shift and shimmer with movement. Children ran about in simpler attire, laughing as tiny, bird-like constructs followed them, chirping playfully.
But what truly caught Eris's attention were the Awakened. Among the crowd, they stood out not by their attire—most dressed like everyone else—but by their aura. It was something intangible yet unmistakable, an air of confidence and purpose that set them apart. Many bore visible crests on their skin, glowing faintly like tattoos alive with energy. Others carried weapons or artifacts inscribed with runes, their presence commanding subtle nods of respect from passersby.
"Not what you expected, huh?" Vince's voice broke Eris's reverie as he guided the truck through the bustling streets.
"I… I thought it would be more…" Eris trailed off, struggling to find the words.
"Chaotic? Intimidating?" Vince smirked faintly. "Kaelin's orderly because it has to be. This city is the Emberhearts' pride—a showcase of Nyxoria's power and stability. But don't let the pretty lights fool you. Scratch the surface, and you'll find the same politics, ambition, and greed as anywhere else."
They passed a plaza where a group of musicians performed, their instruments glowing faintly as they channeled essence into their melodies. A crowd had gathered to watch, tossing coins into a floating, rune-inscribed jar that hovered above the ground.
"Do they treat the Awakened like royalty here?" Eris asked, his gaze lingering on a pair of Awakened walking by—a man with a blazing fire crest on his forearm and a woman whose hair seemed to glimmer like moonlight.
"Royalty? No." Vince shook his head. "Respect? Sure. Fear? Not unless you're reckless with your powers. The Awakened are valuable assets, not gods. They're expected to contribute to society, either by joining the military, working as enforcers, or aiding in research and development. But if you abuse your abilities…" He left the thought unfinished, his tone heavy with implication.
Eris nodded, his mind racing as he absorbed the new information.
Eventually, Vince pulled the truck into a side street, parking it in front of a modest yet elegant shop. A wooden sign hung above the door, engraved with runes that glowed softly: Ember & Thread - Tailors of the Finest Essence Attire.
"Time to stop looking like you crawled out of a ditch," Vince muttered as he hopped out of the truck.
Eris followed him, casting one last glance at the bustling streets before stepping into the shop.
The interior of the shop was warm and inviting, with racks of finely tailored clothing lining the walls. The air carried a faint floral scent, likely from a charm woven into the fabric of the store. A middle-aged man stood behind the counter, his hands moving deftly over a piece of cloth that shimmered faintly under his touch.
"Welcome," the tailor greeted, his voice polite but brisk. His eyes flicked to Vince, recognition sparking in them. "Ah, Master Vince. A pleasure, as always."
"Cut the pleasantries," Vince replied, his tone gruff but not unkind. "We need a change of clothes—something practical for traveling." He gestured toward Eris. "For both of us."
The tailor's gaze shifted to Eris, who squirmed under the scrutiny. "Hmm. Slender build, untrained posture," the man murmured, more to himself than anyone else. "Yes, I think I have just the thing."
Within moments, the tailor had assembled a selection of clothing: a dark jacket and sturdy trousers for Vince, and a simple yet well-made tunic and boots for Eris. Each garment was subtly enhanced with essence-threaded embroidery for durability and comfort.
Eris marveled at the craftsmanship as he tried on his new attire. The fabric was soft yet resilient, and the faint glow of the threads made him feel as though he were wearing something alive.
"Better," Vince said with a nod as Eris emerged from the fitting room. "At least now you don't look like you've been rolling around in the Wastelands."
Eris glanced at himself in a mirror, surprised by how much a simple change of clothes could alter his appearance. He almost looked like he belonged in this city—a far cry from the ragged traveler he had been just hours ago.
Vince paid for the clothing with a faintly glowing token that the tailor accepted with a bow.
As they stepped back onto the street, the morning sun was higher in the sky, casting a golden glow over Kaelin. The city was even more alive now, with vendors setting up stalls and essence-powered trams gliding silently along their tracks.
"Where to now?" Eris asked, his newfound confidence evident in his tone.
"Food," Vince replied curtly, steering him toward a nearby market. "Then we plan our next move."
Eris followed, his eyes wide with wonder as he took in the sights and sounds of the city. For the first time in what felt like forever, he felt a flicker of hope.