After constantly teasing myself with the prospect of sleep, yet not even getting an ounce of it; I stood back up. There was nothing to do as of now.

Whatever answers that I needed, whatever questions that roamed my mind; they could only be taken care of tomorrow.

I took one last glimpse into this astounding place... this collection of ginormous entities that spread across the water layered floor. It would never be mundane to view. Yet, the viewing didn't last long. I started moving to the tune of the gears. My feet passed through the doors, and I was back outside.

The Elder hadn’t come to stop me. We were to meet tomorrow. I had a headache, a bad premonition of sorts; regarding that event.

Sigh…

Walking seemed like a chore to me.

So I flew.

Or at least tried to, before planting my face into the stairs. Then I rolled down a few steps, tumbling and tossing, before I finally found my ground on one of these steps. The glowing dusk remained a witness to all my embarrassment.

Okay, no magical abilities confirmed so far. Let’s put that aside.

Where are my parents?

I looked around. They were not on the stairs, nor on the roads below. Had they gone home?

That might have been the case. And I didn’t have a smartphone to call and inquire. So that was a pain in and of itself.

Guess I’ll meet them at home then. Or wherever they are on the road?

I made my way down the stairs. The setting sun threw it’s final light, weaving itself out of the sky. It took a few minutes.

Soon, the new nightlight graced me as I touched the road.

People had closed their stores, all opting for a simple candle-esque lighting system. I weaved through the houses searching for any form of transportation.

We had found a few last time, people who worked even at night. Completely disregarding the commandments. They were interesting… yeah who was I kidding?

They were dead silent. Took the name of the location, made us sit, and then sped us through the roads to wheresoever we had originally told.

And since they drove electric carriages, the meter bill showed up on a little screen behind the driver’s screen. No verbal communication from start to finish, this seemed more like a job for all socially awkward teenagers around the world.

I don’t even know shit about the valley, why am I even thinking about the world?

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

I reveled in my thoughts and conjectures as I passed this medieval town.

Carriages found so far?

0.

Aren’t I breaking a commandment like this?

”Never leave your home in the morning, or in the evening.”

”Afternoon for visits and work, the nights for sleep. Mornings for the family, evenings for the meet.”

Maybe I was, maybe I wasn’t. It was all up to interpretation. Oh well, nothing we can do about it.

I paused my steps just outside the medieval town, and looked at the clock on the center spire.

Yup, the clock was still clear to my eyes. Built for fucking giants.

The clock rang at a sweet little 7:30, signaling me that only a few hours remained before the world forcefully conked me out for the night.

So I continued my walk. The bricky pavement transitioned to solid asphalt, and lightning poles once again came into view.

Sigh…

Still no sign of a fucking carriage.

I walked for a few minutes more, taking in the chill, night time system that my path imbued.

Oh! Would you look at that. Such sublime woodworking, such intricate metallic finish. Wheels that worked on electricity, a entity born to transport.

IT WAS A FUCKING CARRIAGE!

Heh…

I was amusing myself with my own thoughts. Probably going crazy, I thought to myself.

The carriage driver was exactly like the other ones, staying radio silent for the entire ride. Gave in the location code -- or at least the general directions -- and he vroomed.

Chill breeze hit my face as I closed my eyes. I actually felt a little better now.

Walks did actually do something for our little psychopathic, maddening, brains.

It calmed.

…

I reveled in that experience for as long as I could. Time passed quickly, the cathedral clock —whadafa- I could STILL SEE THE TIME ON THAT THING — said it was 8 pm.

A half hour drive? Took only 15 or something the last time. Oh well…

I payed the driver his money, and watched as he once again vroomed his ride out of there.

Small footsteps resounded from the house as I made my way to the front door. It opened, and Mana came into view. She adorned some simple and frilly dress — one that could be considered comfortable to sleep in — and had her purple hair unbound.

She stared at me for a bit, before trotting off to the kitchen to inform my parents.

No greeting too… brat. Heh. It was like her I supposed.

Swapped my shoes, and quickly freshened up. I was hungry.

I made my way into the kitchen. Mom had her hands busy with the final dishes, while dad was no where to be seen. Never mind, his heavy steps resounded as he made his way downstairs. As for Mana, she was on the couch again. A TV program seemed to be running, but she showed little interest.

“So… “ I leaned into the wooden frame of the kitchen door. “No one thought to come pick me up or something?”

Everyone stared at me for a bit.

"..."

Hello? I'm not an animal exhibit?

“Uh…”

“You seem better.” Mom spoke.

“Huh?”

“You know… less groggy? Less prickly, irritated.”

“And less nosy.”

“Mana!”

The little brat grumbled under her breath before hopping onto her controller.

“Sigh… Leaving that aside, welcome back Eon.”

She wasn’t wrong. I was indeed feeling a little better.

“I’m back.”

And I hope to stay here for a long time.

“Leave me alone….”

Huh?

Oh. She’s screaming at her opponent again.

Mom watched her antics for a bit more, then looked at me. Then she looked at Dad who had finally made his way down with a few wires and machinery in tow. He indicated me with his head, asking me if I wanted to tag along.

Mom looked at me once more, nodded, and then went back to her work.

The clanking of metal resounded as we walked through the corridor, piquing Mana’s interest. She still felt completing her match was more important though.

A smile graced my lips.

“I’m back, aren’t I?”

Dad paused at my words, and looked at me. He smiled. Then he patted my back.

“Yup! You’re back Eon. You’re back.”

Soon, our dinner arrived. And a little bit later, the night would come to a close.