Author's Note: Well, it's come to my attention that this is all very confusing right now, and I must admit, that is the hamartia of this piece. Thus I plan to fix it as I realized I never really explained anything (and didn't want awkward info dumps). I might revise the previous chapters to include the info, but only if I can do so without taking away too much from the main foci. Also, there will be another week long pause as I will heading out to another state to receive drum major training for the upcoming winter marching season. I apologize, but another chapter should be released a week after that. So without further ado, Chapter 3, and as always, thank you for reading.

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Shinku woke up only to realize it was still dark outside and the early birds had not yet begun their songs. Looking around, he noticed the blanket he put on Noelle was vacant and crumpled in a heap on the floor.

Guess she left after all. he thought to himself.

Lifting his body up, he noticed most of the pain was gone, but his limbs were still stiff. Rather than lay in bed and wait for the stiffness to go away, he forced himself up and began his morning stretches.

I'm sure Kyosheon won't mind, he thought to himself as he pulled his arms and contorted his body.

I'll go look for Noelle after this. But where exactly do I find her?

Shinku had gotten used to Noelle appearing unannounced, so when the time came to look for her, he was at a complete loss as to where to begin.

Where exactly do I find her? Maybe I should just wander around town until she finds me. Wait. Now that I think about it, that sounds like a stupid idea... but it just might work, sadly.

Convincing himself of success, Shinku threw of his clothes and quickly dressed in a new set of shirt and pants.

Ok. Time to go.

Quietly unlocking his door, Shinku slipped out into the hall in order to avoid waking Kyosheon. Stealthily, he toe-walked all the way to the small ballroom inside the mansion and made for the front double door.

"Oh. I didn't know you were so eager to train." came a voice behind him.

"Geh!" Turning to face the voice, he saw Kyosheon standing at the top of the grand staircase smiling down at him with a malevolent grin.

"I did say to rest for the next couple days, right?"

"I was... just planning to go for a light jog around town to clear my head."

"Hmmmm? Is that so?" Kyosheon seemed to exude an excessive amount of hostility and curiosity.

Shinku shrank from the presence. "Y-yes..."

Kyosheon looked unconvinced. Though his eyes were little more than slits, it was clear he saw through Shinku's lie.

An uncomfortable moment passed.

"Ok. Don't hurt yourself," Kyosheon simply told him.

"Thanks(What?)." Shinku replied hiding his astonishment. Quickly shoving his feet into a pair of socks and running shoes, he agilely escaped the mansion while Kyosheon watched the entire process.

That was too close. Well, anyways, guess I'll start by going around the city edge and work my way in.

Looking around him, he could see a large wall out in the distance surrounding the port town, even out in the ocean.

On the horizon on to the south of town was a sea of blue, in the north a green canopy which caressed the bottom of the sky.

To the east, a large purple mountain blocked the sun as morning light leaked from behind its colorless peak.

To the west, a large obelisk several kilometers high pierced the heavens, reflecting the early sunlight in it's silvery sheen. At the base of it, the gatehouse of the wall surrounding the structure stirred with life as the explorers , also known as Wanderers, began their trek through the endless halls, rooms, and staircases filled with dangerous organic and inorganic creatures. Because of its height, it was arbitrarily named Heaven's Reach, though some called it the Tower of the Gods.

In the city, were large estates, Synasions, spread out in an equilateral triangle, each with their own smaller building of worship for each of the three deities. Around two of buildings, large crowds were gathered for morning prayer, while the last synasion sat empty and abandoned.

Monsevet, to summarize, was a large port city with several Districts of Interests.

Geez, it will probably take the whole day to search the entire city, he thought to himself as he paced himself at a light jog.

The cool morning air tickled his face as he rhythmically breathed air in his nose and out his mouth. As he approached the edge of the city, the wall, that had seemed quite small from a distance, loomed over him.

It was a ten meter tall metal structure wrapped around the entire city. Several bastions jutted out towards the forest several tens of meters away from the wall.

According to the local legend, the wall had been constructed by the gods Oruk, Orihs, and Ierg before their first triumph over the hostile Unarians during the Maga War several millennia ago.

When the three Gods and their followers whom descended the heavens with them, the Magans, first arrived upon the world of Unar, Monsevet was the first town to accept the new deities. Though considered deities, they were not omnipresent, nor were they all-powerful. Using celestial tools of unimaginable power, Hertzeugs,  they performed many miracles, but since their power came from tools and Magans could use the tools as well, many Unarians refused to accept the new celestial presences as their Gods.

Three-quarters of all Unarians rose to oppose Oruk, Orihs, Ierg, and the Magans, while only a tenth sided with them. The rest of the remained neutral and refused to be a part of the conflict.

In what was recorded as the Maga War, Unarians from across the twelve continents created a joint force to send The Three and the Magans back to the heavens.

At first the fighting was very one-sided because of the Unarians ability to use their own miracle power, Rugkraft. The Magans were forced to create a stronghold out of Monsevet unable to combat the adaptive power only Unarians could wield.

For several months, the town was besieged, but just a year after the fighting began, the Magans came forth and purged the army in one fell swoop. From atop Heaven's Reach, a brilliant light shined down upon Unar purging most of the rebellious Unarians. From then on, the most Unarians accepted the deities and their followers, while those who did not went into hiding or exile.

Eventually the two population intermixed creating users of Hertzeugs and Rugkraft. These users were able to tap into both powers, but were unable to unlock the full potential of either.

Thus, it is believed only those of lineage closest to Magans became influential in the Churchs and those of lineage closest to Unarians became the protectors of the Churchs.

This new symbiotic relationship between the two populations spread throughout Unar and became deeply integrated in the culture.

The Gods relocated from the ground to the top of Heaven’s Reach where they would use the celestial tools to ensure peace on Unar.

However, this peace was short lived.

The God Oruk's vision of the future clashed with the God Orihs's vision, igniting a fracture to occur among the gods and their followers. Oruk spoke of a future where tools greater than the Hertzeugs dominated Unar and allow people to soar the heavens like the Gods, while Orihs saw a future driven by Rugkraft and unlocking the hidden potential in the populace to make the world a better place. The God Ierg became the middle ground preaching the utilization of both to make the impossible possible in the future.

With the fraction of belief among the followers, the single church eventually split into three each branching out on their own path of spirituality. Historically, the churches have been generally at peace though clear friction has always been present between them.

Geez… How am I going to run this entire town?

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Shinku looked up and saw Heaven’s Reach towering above him. His legs were burning, but he couldn’t stop and take a rest since the street he was on was bustling with Wanderers and vendors buying and selling different goods ranging from daily necessities to all the things necessary to plunge through the perilous tower. Off to the side a bard dressed in strange light grey robe was composing a light-hearted melody that tickled the body making it feel light and fuzzy.

Walking around for a bit, he found a bench to sit and cool off on. Plopping his body down, he immediately stretched his back by bending back and looking at the sky. It was clear blue day, the sun was beginning to approach mid sky, and the bard’s music was calming to the heart and seemed to make the day seem even brighter.

Maybe I’ll take a few moments to rest here for a bit, he told himself as he closed his eyes to soak in the serenity of the moment.

“Well, it looks like someone snuck out again,” came a mildly sarcastic voice. Standing in front of Shinku with her arms crossed was Sakuna. “Kyo did say for you to rest didn’t he? I didn’t expect rest to mean ‘run to the Abok District.’”

“I, uh, couldn’t stop fidgeting, so I decided to take a jog,” Shinku replied slightly fumbling his words.

“-It’s a girl isn’t it,” Sakuna bluntly stated.

“Y-yes.” A light flush appeared on Shinku’s cheeks.

“Haaaa… Just don’t hurt yourself, or her.”

“Ok, thanks.”

“But you have to introduce me to her some time,” Sakuna added with a wink.

“No thanks.”

“Ok. I’ll be stopping by later tonight to make dinner again. Make sure you eat something or your body won’t hold.”

“Will do. Good luck with business today.”

Sakuna began making her way through the crowd to a small shop selling medicines, medical supplies, and other miscellaneous items. In the windows were some of the more popular Regeneration Elixirs Wanderers often bought for trekking Heaven’s Reach.

Maybe I’ll just head to the town square and see if she’ll appear there, Shinku pondered as he stood up now somewhat rested.

Jogging through the streets, he passed many shops carrying all different kinds of merchandise. After a few minutes of running, the buildings started becoming residencies, with a few citizens going about their daily lives. For some reason though, there was an air of uneasiness coming from the abnormally large amount of people gossiping in the street.

The Liath District is a little more crowded than usual, he noticed, continuing his jog. Maybe I’ll take a shortcut to make it to the square sooner.

Cutting off of the main street, he began going through narrow alleys just big enough for two people to walk side by side.

Did something happen here? This place is deserted even for an alley. Even the small shops back here are closed. Something must have happened here.

Delving further into the maze like pathways, he came upon a small circular clearing with three other alleyways in opposite directions. Shinku stopped in the center and looked down each alley. Down each one, silent stores and residencies lined the path.

Ok. The square should be just up ahead.

Taking one step towards one of the alleys, he stopped in his tracks noticing a presence behind him.

“Who’s there?” Shinku asked while turning around. The alley was completely empty, but for some reason, he still felt the presence of someone there, watching him.

“Is there anyone there?” he asked again to confirm. For a few seconds, he stood there tensing his body and looking for any signs of life. Just as suddenly as he noticed it, the presence was gone, and nothing had happened.

Well that was strange. Relaxing the tension in his body, he turned around, and began jogging to the square again.

The rest of the trip went by without incident, and before he knew it, he was stepping out of the alleyway into a large square with stalls, street performers, and everything in between spread throughout the entire place. In the center was a silver-colored statue of the Three Gods surrounded by a fountain shooting water out that created a cocoon of liquid that encapsulated the statues.

I’ve never understood how that works. Maybe Rugkraft? Shinku thought as he looked at the physics defying fountain.

Well, at least it’s a nice day today.

He began walking towards the center as he soaked in the sights around him.

To his right was a vendor selling exotic produce imported from other continents. To his left was a street magician performing different “magic” tricks to entertain her crowd of adults and children. To the front of him was a girl with blond hair waiting for him to notice her, as she stood with her arms crossed, puffing her cheeks out.

“Took you long enough to notice me.” Noelle said poorly hiding her frustration.

“Hmmm. I guess, but you could have always just gotten my attention.”

“It’s not the same if you don’t notice me first!”

“I’m not following what you are trying to say… or accomplish.”

“The finesse! The finesse of the situation where the boy notices the girl waiting for him and their eyes meet as they close the distance between the two.”

“Uh huh…”

“They say ‘Hi’ to each other as they try hard not to look at the other after they noticed how embarrassed they are to meet up and spend a day together.”

“Right…”

“Then they go on a date and talk about different things while going around town while doing couple things.”

“So... I should just chalk this up as one of your fantasies then?”

“Hey! That’s rude! I’m trying to make things a bit more interesting and that’s all you have to say!”

“Well how else am I supposed to see it! I don’t even know where you are half the time, so why would I notice where you are first! Also, when did we become a couple!”

People around began looking in their direction funny as they saw the drama playing out. A little boy was pulled away from the scene by his mother, and the street magician was now watching, holding in laughter with a huge grin on her face.

“Hmmm… Good point. Oh well, we should just go around town now.” Noelle gleefully said.

“... I feel like I will never understand how you think and how you get over things so quickly.”

“Hehe… I’m sure you do understand, but you just don’t know it.”

“Maybe. We should get going. I think we’ve made enough of a scene.” Shinku stated noticing the awkward stares everyone was sending.

“Ok. I’ll lead the way!” Noelle ran a small distance before beckoning to Shinku to follow.

This is definitely going to be a long day. Shinku thought to himself as he walked to catch up to her.

I’ve never gotten one these kinds of breaks. Guess I’ll enjoy it while it lasts. Oh. “Hey, Noelle?”

“Hmmm? What is it?”

“Do you know what happened in the Liath District?”

“-Nope! Why? Did something happen?”

“No. I was just curious.”

“Ok.”

I hope it was nothing. Shinku thought as he looked back towards the alley.

“Hey! We should keep going or we won’t be able to go anywhere.”

“I’m coming. Just let me catch up.” Running after Noelle, the two were soon sucked into a crowd as they began making their way around Monsevet.

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In the alley Shinku had come out of, a hooded figure stood stunned as though they had seen a ghost.

“Is that really…”

“Hey! Stop! What are you doing here!”

Before they finished their sentence, they abruptly ran off as a couple of the town watch came to stop them.

“I’ll kill that bastard…” the hooded figure swore as they began weaving through the streets.

“I'll definitely kill him…”