The bustling noise from the crowds of people along with the mass amount of buildings and shops was borderline over stimulating after years of a sheltered upbringing; however, it almost felt as if I were back in New York, but that past life was far gone and I’ve been thrust into a more exciting one.
“Woooaahhh, look at all the people! How many do you think live here?” Runa asked to whomever would answer as her eyes darted from place to place and person to person. My father spoke up as he turned his head around to face Runa and I. “Well, a great deal of the people you see are actually visitors attending impromptu business or in search of work that may require a larger clientele, usually tourists like us. In fact, it’s quite uncommon to live in the capital; most people live a little ways away in smaller villages and towns.”.
My mother added on to my father’s point, trying to make what he said more digestible for two young kids: “What my dear means is that the city is more of a vacation spot or a place of interest for those looking for a source of income.”. Runa nodded her head after my mother’s explanation, but something tells me that she still really didn’t understand or was too distracted to listen to either of them.
“Oh, hey, look at that shop!” Runa blurted out as she pointed towards a pop-up stand selling jewelry. Before she could dash off in its direction, she was swiftly nabbed by Lucilia and pulled to her side. “We will have time for that later, but for now, the Graves have some important business to tend to, so we shan’t impede that. It would be unbecoming of their employees to do such a thing.” Runa made a confused look and raised one of her eyebrows, befuddled by Lucilia’s seemingly unprompted formal tone.
While Lucilia was usually playful with us, she did take her job seriously when my parents were around, impart to her feeling of indebtedness to them and also simply trying to instill manners in us every now and then. “Mom, your talking funny again.” My mother let out a snort as she laughed at Runa’s blunt and blissfully ignorant remark, which only a child would be capable of, before composing herself to speak. “You three will have plenty of time to explore, but for now, why don’t you all take a look ahead?” My mother smugly remarked as she pointed at our destination.
It was a grandiose cathedral made of marble and limestone, along with various other materials native to this fantasy world that I couldn’t even fathom; however, even I could notice that its white luster shone brightly as if it were only constructed mere days ago. At its foot, I couldn’t keep together my usual mature and unfazed disposition, prompting my father to comment on its glory, “Impressive, right, Killian? You see, its everlasting white shimmer comes from the Arcane forces it was built with and surrounded by every day, causing it to never chip, age, or grow dull no matter how much time passes.”.
I can’t even begin to imagine what great minds were behind this building, but I can say that I’ve certainly never seen something on this scale in person before. “This world is really something…” were the only words that came to mind as I still stood entranced by the building and its surroundings. It’s one thing to dream of a fantasy world or to read about them or even to look at depictions of them, but to stand in an actual one is just so crazy that I can’t help but still wonder if this is all a dream.
I mean, ever since I got all nineteen years worth of memories from my past life back, that’s all I have been wondering. I mean, just how in the world did I even end up here? Did some god really take pity on me? Do I deserve this nice and cushiony life as nobility? I mean, what about my foster family and people I knew? Are they okay? Does that world still exist? Are my memories even real? Who, who am I?
Before my mind could further race with questions, a sharp pinch in my back brought me back to “reality.” “Hey earth to stupid, are you there?” Tensing my back and turning around to meet Runa’s confused yet amused gaze, I simply sighed and confirmed that I was “still there.” “It looks like even the great Killian isn’t above sternhold syndrome,” Runa sang with a content smile, her chest raised boastfully and her hands at her hips. “It’s Stendhal syndrome, you idi-.” Before we could even start to fight, Runa and I were promptly chopped on the head by Lucilia, who told us to hush up and that we could have our “lovers quarrel” another time as it seemed we had important company.
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An old lady with a hunched back, dark skin, and long black hair that grayed every other strand emerged from the cathedral doors, walking with the assistance of a sheathed sword acting as a cane. As she grew closer, her intense aura filled the air around her with a glaring purple eye that pierced my stomach as she stared daggers in my direction. “This evil and strong aura… It can only be.. My”, cutting off my on-edge father, my mother interjected with an excited yelp before running towards the old lady.
“MOTHER! It’s been so long. How have you been!?” While my mother seemed overjoyed to see my grandmother, my father didn’t seem to be on the same page. “Good evening, Madam Rai.” I hope you have been well. I also hope we haven’t arrived too late.” My father is definitely more the stoic and formal type, but it’s pretty easy to tell his formality isn’t exactly coming from his upstanding moral character this time. “Hehe, Mr. Graves is talking like Mom; he must be nervous,” Runa whispered in my ear while elbowing my side. Even Lucilia couldn’t keep a poker face, as she too let out a quiet laugh while covering her mouth and turning her head away to be discrete.
“Oh, c’mon, you used to be a great mage, and now you can’t even face your own mother-in-law. What a shame of a man. I wonder what my daughter sees in you, but you did produce me a rather bright grandson, so you may call me Sorine.” Her raspy, sarcastic voice tore through all my father’s paper-thin confidence, causing him to sigh in defeat. “Oh mother, you sure do love giving Lawrence a hard time, don’t you?” The shared looks between the rest of us communicated that we weren’t sure if my mom was actually an idiot or the bravest warrior in history for being so casual for someone so intimidating, even if they’re family.
“Ah, Killian, come here, won’t you?” My grandmother’s tone slightly softened as she waved me closer to her. I took steps towards her, trying to ignore her off-putting energy, and even made the effort to smile. Her hands clasped my face as she examined my eyes before smiling and completely changing her attitude. She pulled me into a tight hug and let out a hearty laugh. “Ah, my dear grandson, I’m overjoyed that you have inherited those eyes. You know the only living members of our house to possess these eyes are you and I.” Sliding out of her strong grasp, I decide to ask her why my eyes being purple is such a big deal.
“Hey grandma, what exactly makes my eyes so special?” My grandmother furrowed her brow and tilted her head in confusion then turned to my mother. “Did your mother never explain it to you?” My mom shyly looked away as my grandmother sighed. “That girl really is only good with a sword in her hands; in that regard, I’m glad you take after your father. The rarity of your eyes stems from the fact that, throughout the long history of our house, only six, including me, have been born with the Eyes of Raiden, making you the seventh. Yellow eyes like your mother’s, promptly called Rajin’s canaries are more common but still rare amongst the common black pupils most members of our house are born with.”
Everyone looked over to my mom, all clueless at how she could simply never mention anything about this for the eight whole years of my life, only for her to shrug her shoulders and look away again. “Anyways, my idiot daughter, aside the true power of your eyes are,” My ears perked up, awaiting her to finish before she was interrupted. “Your ladyship! You must hurry; the reading is about to start!” A voice from the inside rang out with a sense of urgency. “Oh my, how could I forget, c’mon, then shall we?”
I sighed at her words but nodded my head in agreement. “Don’t worry, child, I’ll finish my explanation later; if not, I’ll make sure your incompetent mother actually tells you this time.” She moved her focus over to my mom, who finally bowed her head in defeat and nodded afterwards. “Now let’s pick up the pace and get a move on.” I could only follow her movement with my eyes but couldn’t manage to speak or move my body before she had already dashed off through the entrance and into the building.
“Di… Did Kilian’s GRANDMA TELEPORT?!?” Runa practically shouted in shock as her eyes widened. “I think she ran,” I blurted out, equally confused. “She ran? Wait, how did you even see that she practically vanished, and you’re telling me you saw her run? Not to mention an old lady with a cane ran at the speed of light is what your saying. Maybe you don’t take after Mr.Graves like she says.” My mother and I both shoot back a defensive “hey!” as Runa covers her mouth. “I fear that I have said too much,” is all that Runa can say under the immense pressure coming from Lucilia’s agitated smile and grip on her shoulder. Although all tension is relieved by my father’s laughter as he pats Runa on the head and suggests that we get going as well.