Arnos stood at the entrance of the inscription hall, his eyes fixed on Wendall. "What are you looking at?" Wendall scowled.

"What happened to the Molterix?" Arnos asked, still staring blankly at Wendall, disregarding his question entirely.

"It's back in its cage," Wendall sighed, walking into the courtyard. "Enough questions, just follow me," he ordered.

"Yes, sir," Arnos replied sarcastically, walking after Wendall.

"What is a Molterix, and what is it used for?" Arnos asked, catching up to Wendall.

"Are you usually this annoying?" Wendall retorted, increasing his walking pace.

"Yes," Arnos replied, matching Wendall's pace. "So can you answer me?"

Wendall sighed and walked even faster. "A Molterix is a spiritual beast, only found in places where 'Meteora Density' is high," he answered.

"What is 'Meteora Density'?" Arnos asked, his breathing laboured from the pace. "And can you slow down, please?" he pleaded.

Wendall ignored him and walked even faster, heading into a separate courtyard and onto a footpath leading into a forest.

"What kind of route is this?" Arnos asked, panting and struggling to keep up.

"A shortcut," Wendall responded curtly, still avoiding eye contact.

"Why are you selectively answering my questions?" Arnos asked, his annoyance grew as he panted.

Wendall stopped abruptly, causing Arnos to bump into him. He turned and loomed over Arnos. "I'll answer your questions," he said with displeasure. "I'll even walk slower, just for you," he continued sarcastically, "but only if you promise to keep your mouth shut for the rest of the journey."

"That's blackmail," Arnos pointed out, looking up at Wendall.

"Life's not fair, kiddo. Pick your poison," Wendall remarked, turning to continue walking. Before he could take another step, a loud voice echoed from above.

"OH, SHUT IT, WENDALL!" a voice screamed out.

Wendall froze, his expression a mix of irritation and surprise. He looked around, trying to locate the source of the voice.

Arnos chuckled. "I wonder who that is," he murmured, realising who it was and smiling.

He looked up and saw a familiar silhouette sitting on a tree branch, wearing robes similar to his own, adorned with blue inscriptions.

"CERU!" Arnos shouted gleefully. "Were you waiting for us?"

"Of course," Ceru shouted back, jumping down from the tree. "But you guys took your sweet time," he chuckled. "I was waiting for so long."

"It's his fault," Arnos said, pointing at Wendall. "I nearly got killed by a Molterix."

"What?" Ceru replied, astonished. "I'll have to have a word with Father later," he said, eyeing Wendall.

"What are you looking at me for?" Wendall said, feigning ignorance.

"Shut it, Wendall. I could hear you bullying my little brother from a mile away," Ceru said with a flash of anger. "I wonder what Uncle Ox would think about that."

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"Shut it, Ceru. Your 'little brother' asks the dumbest questions," Wendall retorted. "They teach you this stuff in your first year of school," he added, berating Arnos.

Ceru looked perplexed. "You mean you don't know?" he asked with genuine confusion. "Uncle Ox didn't tell you?"

"Know what?" Wendall asked, furrowing his brow.

Ceru grabbed Wendall and dragged him away from Arnos. Arnos could hear muttering but couldn't make out the exact words. Wendall's expression changed from confusion to shock, his jaw slowly dropping and his eyes widening. He turned towards Arnos with a look of pity.

"Sorry for losing my patience," Wendall apologised, staring at the floor in shame. "Well, it makes sense why you didn't know such simple things," he said to Arnos with concern. "'Meteora Density' is how we measure how much Meteora a location contains, as the level of Meteora differs depending on many factors," he said, answering Arnos's initial questions. "But we can get into that another time," he added, with guilt.

"Sorry about him, Arnos. He got his brains from his mother," Ceru laughed, patting Wendall on the back.

"Uncle Ox said the same thing," Arnos smiled, now vaguely aware of what the two had spoken about. "It's fine," he sighed. "Wendall doesn't seem like a bad guy," he added, smiling at Wendall.

"Yeah, he seems stupid, but he's a genius when it comes to crafting and inscriptions," Ceru said. "Though not on my level," he laughed.

"I'm right here, I can hear you," Wendall interjected. "Everyone thinks you are the clan's poster boy, the elite of the elite, but we know you for what you really are, an—"

"Idiot," Arnos interrupted. "An annoying and irritating idiot," he smirked, making eye contact with Ceru.

"I see why Father likes you," laughed Wendall, nodding in agreement with Arnos.

"Don't forget to add handsome to that. Oh, and charming too. Actually, let's add genius to that while we're at it," Ceru responded, turning to Arnos. "Wendall is jealous I broke his record for being the youngest advanced inscriptor in the clan," he laughed, gesturing and pointing at Wendall, taunting him.

"With the moves I saw from Arnos against the Molterix, I wouldn't be shocked if you got competition, Mr. 'Genius'," Wendall replied, taunting Ceru. "He's pretty curious too, which is good. Give him a few years and he will take that title, especially with me helping him."

"Since when were you helping him?" Ceru asked. "You can't steal him from me," he added, eyeing Arnos mischievously.

"Since now," Wendall replied defiantly. The air of competitiveness between the two thickened until Arnos interrupted.

"Can we just go to the banquet now?" he asked, glancing at the position of the sun to estimate the time. "We better not be late; it's my first time."

"No need to worry," Ceru smiled. "We are close," he said, pointing towards the edge of the forest.

Hidden behind the trees was a grand building, and as Arnos approached, he realised why the banquet was being held there. It dwarfed the plaza he had come from; it was immense. Its walls shone white in the sunlight, adorned with glowing golden inscriptions. Massive pillars supported statues of various figures, each with its own inscriptions. The three of them made their way toward the building, maneuvering between the pillars.

"What are these statues on the pillars?" Arnos asked, staring up at them.

"They are each generation of Omari clan leaders. Each statue was made by the clan leaders, with their own unique Meteora inscriptions," Wendall answered, also staring up at them.

"But what purpose do they serve?" Arnos asked again, his curiosity peaking.

"I have no clue, but I heard they are golems that can only be activated by the Patriarch, to defend the clan in an emergency," Ceru answered, also staring up at the statues.

The three were greeted by stairs leading to the entrance of the main clan hall. The entrance was grand, with large white doors that dwarfed the trio, flanked by golden pillars. Two men stood at the entrance, wearing white and gold ceremonial robes and covered by golden armor. The three walked up to the entrance.

"Show us your invitations," one of the guards asked.

"Can't believe you are still asking me for such things, Danero," Ceru said to the guard, fishing out his invitation from his robes.

"You know the protocol, Ceru. Even you aren't above the law," Danero replied. "You too, Wendall. Show me your invitation," he said, nodding to Wendall. "And…?"

"This is Arnos," Ceru responded on behalf of Arnos. "He hasn't made his appearance to the clan yet," Ceru continued, handing his own invitation to Danero.

"Arnos… Arnos," Danero said, pondering. "Ah, Arnos the son of—"

"Don't," Ceru interrupted, anger flashing in his eyes.

"Ah, forgive me, Ceru," Danero lowered his head apologetically to Arnos. "Well, boy, hand over your invitation too."

Arnos fished out his invitation from his pocket and handed it to Danero. Danero nodded, and the doors to the main clan hall opened.

"Let's head in," Ceru smiled, patting Arnos on the back.