POV - ARES MANGAL GRAH
Ares pondered deeply on how best to phrase his next question, and once satisfied, he asked, "Information, how does one get it?"
Kirin answered, "You could get it at citadels." Ares was about to inquire further about what a citadel was, but Kirin preempted him, promising to explain.
She then began, her voice weaving through the air like a bard's tale, "During the first apocalypse, vast swathes of Earth became uninhabitable, primarily due to radiation and other untold horrors, forcing humans to cluster in the scant havens that remained.
However, the second apocalypse shattered even those refuges. No longer were there any truly safe havens on Earth, and humanity's numbers dwindled to a shadow of their already reduced population."
"With the second apocalypse, the first men met their end, but from their ashes rose a new, evolved species. These beings were far stronger physically than their predecessors and possessed the ability to wield magic. From among them, titans of will and might emerged, clashing with the new world's perils, carving out slices of the earth where life could once again take root. They succeeded in creating cities that were, to some extent, livable. These cities came to be known worldwide as citadels."
She continued, her voice weaving through the thick air of the room, "The powerful men passed down leadership of the citadels to their descendants, almost always the strongest one. But not all citadels are ruled by dynasties. The government maintains its own citadels, fewer in number but accommodating larger populations."
"Satisfied that Ares understood sufficiently, she delved deeper, "There are different classifications of citadels. The first, also known as metropolises, are the behemoths. They house millions, boast the greatest manpower and resources. On this continent, there are only five of these towering cities."
"Next, you have the lesser citadels, still impressive in scale and strength."
"And there are the smallest types, where it's a bit of a stretch to even call them citadels, but they do shelter thousands. These are governed by collectives of people who work hand in hand, without the towering figures of powerhouses."
"To answer your question," she said, meeting Ares's gaze directly, "information can be found in any of these citadels, but your best bet for extensive knowledge is the metropolises, with their vast information networks.
"She eyed him critically, then added, "Entering one is a challenge, and finding a black stone to transport there is even more daunting. For now, you should aim for one of the smaller citadels."
Ares asked, his voice edged with a mix of curiosity and concern, "How will I find these citadels?"
Kirin responded, "I'll give you a copy of my map as i said earlier, but for the largest citadels, you won't need it; they're visible from miles away." She shivered involuntarily as she spoke of them. "Some metropolises are constructed around a black stone."
She continued, her tone laced with a mixture of awe and dread. "No creature has ever harnessed the black stone for transport, yet they're inexplicably drawn to its pulsing them. As such, metropolises maintain a dedicated force that battles these attracted creatures ceaselessly."
"Having direct access to a black stone," she explained, "facilitates travel between metropolises and allows for the study of these enigmatic artifacts, with the hope of one day recreating their magic, though no one has succeeded so far."
"The other citadels," she went on, "are positioned closer to black stones but with less manpower than metropolises, they don't attract as much attention from creatures. They're camouflaged within the landscape, a bit more elusive but still within reach of the curious eye."
"The smallest citadels, however," she said, her voice dropping to a whisper, "are the most elusive. They're situated far from black stones, often hidden in subterranean depths or cloaked in the bones of ancient ruins."
She directed to the worn map sprawled on the table. "The map marks their locations, but heed this, the earth is ever-changing, a canvas painted with the blood of endless conflicts — humans clashing with beasts, beasts against beasts, or even man against man. Great battles can redraw geography itself. Use the map as a loose guide, not as gospel. It was charted years ago, and much might have changed since then."
Ares took a moment to absorb the deluge of information, maelstrom of the grim new world he was to navigate.
But Kirin, relentless in her counsel, pressed on, her voice now a somber melody of warning, "The path to a black stone is a gauntlet of terrors; it's safer to assume everything out there is trying to kill you."
"Many creatures are drawn to the black stone," she explained, her words painting images of dark, twisted beasts, "but they can also ignore it, wandering off in search of food or prey. When traveling, it's best to stay concealed, unless you possess the strength of legends; there's only so much one can withstand before the relentless dangers claim you."
She paused, then added with a grave tone, "Beware most of all the silent, empty places; they're empty for a reason. More often than not, it signals the presence of something so fearsome that even the most savage creatures steer clear. If they avoid such locales, you should too. Safety," she concluded, her eyes meeting his with an intensity that spoke volumes, "is nothing but an illusion."
Ares nodded, signaling his understanding, but his mind was already adrift, carried away by the current of worry for his family. With the world described as such a crucible of danger, his thoughts were consumed by their safety.
He consoled himself with the belief that Athena and his mother were strong, capable of safeguarding themselves and his siblings. Yet, a shadow of doubt darkened his thoughts — did they possess the knowledge of these horrors he'd just been privy to? He hoped, with every fiber of his being, that they could weather the storm, hold fast until he could weave his way back to them.
Kirin, sensing the shift in his demeanor, broke through his reverie, "Is there anything else you'd like to know?"
Ares pondered for a moment, the list of questions in his mind endless, but instead, he simply said, "No, thank you," his voice heavy with gratitude.
She nodded, her expression nonchalant. "I'll have Faraday help you make a copy of the map," she stated before turning away, her figure soon swallowed by the shadows as she left the room.