How’s that even possible? Nido was perplexed under the moonlit sky. Has someone exploded the moon or induced some kind of atomic explosion? The night sky was illuminated by a thing that could only be called a second sun.

“No matter how many times I see it, the midnight sun is always enchanting to the eyes.” Castor explained as his gaze followed Nido’s.

“The midnight sun…” No, really. Who’s the fucking idiot that has substituted the planet’s satellite with a flaming ball?

Until now, everything made sense. The Void, the absence of creature of the null plane, his rejuvenation, the Arcane Records… Everything some how made sense, or could be explained. But this? Why someone would transform the rocky celestial body by a miniature star was beyond his comprehension.

“…it’s astonishing, yes.” Nido was at a loss of words.

“Are you alright, lad? You seem like it’s the first time you’ve seen the midnight sun.” Castor looked at the enchanter with confusion.

“It must be the fatigue.” He lied. “I have been awake far too long, and the shipwreck has had a toll in my body.”

Nido’s mind went overdrive, trying to compute a single reason why the moon had transformed into a miniature sun. It made sense in theory. If an object of same mass, at an appropriate distance, it didn’t matter if it was a giant space boulder or a ball of flames, a satellite was a satellite.

“I…” He really had troubles understanding the star before him. “I should get going. I don’t want to find myself with a closed door in the Enchanter’s Guild.”

“Right…” Castor said, not entire buying Nido’s act. “If you have no place to sleep, you’re welcome here. We always have a communal tent or two in place.”

“I’ll gladly take your offer if I come back empty-handed, until then.” Nido gave his goodbyes as he kept looking at the nocturnal sun.

Is this the work of the Arcane Records? No, it doesn’t make sense. It must be some Light divinity that wanted to express their supremacy in the night sky, or some bullshit like that. It could also be a random demon doing chaotic things.

With a mental sigh, the enchanter made his way towards the city’s gates. The place had no queue and was relatively deserted, perhaps it was because night technically already came, even if it didn’t look like it. The city’s walls, while mighty, were on the lower spectrum. Not that tall, and they didn’t look like they were thick enough. Mostly expected for a settlement of medium size.

“Halt!” The guard at the gates shouted. “Who goes there?” The man stood besides the big walls. He was alone on duty, a thing that the old enchanter considered weird because there would normally be a pair of guards watching over the city.

You really wanted to say that, eh. Nido joked with himself as the city guard said the most cliché line for his line of work.

“An enchanter.” Nido raised his right hand showing his Tenet of Immortality with a tired motion.

“You certainly don’t look like one.” The armored man commented as he looked at the white and crimson ring. The man itself didn’t wear fancy clothing, just a helm, an iron breastplate, and partial armored leggings. Not even the spear at his back was intimidating.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“I had a long day, alright? I have had a shipwreck, I lost most of my possessions, and I have walked kilometers barefooted. Can I just enter the city and rest?” Even though it was pure theatrics, it came rather natural to Nido.

“No need to stress, mate.” The guard became somewhat more amicable after knowing Nido’s circumstances. “That’s indeed an Enchanter’s Signet, you can enter the city, but please, don’t cause any trouble.” The last part came more as a person trying to minimize the complications on his job, rather than a guard trying to keep the city save.

“I have no intentions on doing so, I just want to go to the guild and find a place to rest.” It’s easy acting when you are truthful about it.

Nido entered the city of Marina after the short exchange with the guard. The inner city and the docks were mostly the same. The main difference was that the houses were well-kept and overall taller, with cleaner streets that were paved.

People navigated the city as if it were morning, the midnight sun made the afternoon livelier. I definitively won’t get used to this. The enchanter attracted some gazes as he walked as if he was half-dead, and his decrepit clothing didn’t help. Some people cringed at his sight; those were the more well-standing citizens. The rest weren’t even phased by his looks.

Add bots to to-do list. I think they are more wary of the fact that I’m barefooted than me looking like a beggar. Though that also contributes to it. Nido walked across the relatively clean streets. Compared to the docks, it was pristine. Compared to the enchanter’s tower, it was a dump.

The young man walked for a quarter of an hour before realizing a very important fact. Where’s the Enchanter’s Guild exactly? He took his own advice to walk with a destination on mind so close to his heart, that he actually believed so. Nido had ended on the city’s main plaza, on his mindless stroll. Guess I’ll ask.

He inconspicuously approached a little girl that was sat in a wooden bench. She was alone, and her eyes were entirely focused on a small fountain embedded in wall. “Hello, little one. By any chance, do you know where the Enchanter’s Guild is?” The enchanter knelt before the girl in a casual matter.

The girl wore a brown dress, simple yet cute. “Yes, I know!” She responded excitedly, as if she was starving for social interaction. “That’s where sister Mati works!”

“Could you guide me there then?” Nido asked politely.

“Mom said I should move from the plaza…” She told with crocodile tears in her eyes.

“No problem, then. Just give me the directions.” The enchanter said in a cutting manner.

“Emm…” The girl was at a loss of words. She certainly didn’t expect this outcome and almost made the enchanter chuckle. “Sure… You just need too…” She gave him the directions to the guild, albeit in a crestfallen attitude.

“Thanks, little girl.” Nido bowed before the girl once he got the information.

“M…” The girl stuttered. “My name is Annie! Mom says I have to always give my name to good people. What’s yours, sir?”

I really doubt your mother wants you to tell your name to strangers. “The name’s Nido, Annie.” The enchanter told with a smile.

“See you later, master Nido!” The girl waved at him frenetically.

“Goodbye, little Annie.” He returned a single wave.

Well, even if the adults avoid me like the plague, at least the children talk to me. A smile was drawn in the young-old man’s face, whilst his gaze was redirected to the new celestial body.

Annie’s words led the enchanter towards the commercial district of the city of Marina. Most of the shops were closed by now, yet some still remined open and bursting with clientele. Night life on the coastal city was commonplace, though the enchanter theorized it was a worldwide phenomenon with the enormous torch in the skies.

Not even a sixth of an hour was needed for him to make his way to the Enchanter’s Guild. Though the building itself was small and lacked a sign with an explicit written name, the little drawing of the intertwined ring was more enough for him to identify the place as one of branch offices of the guild he had founded all those centuries ago. Maybe even millennia, now. Time is weird.

Nido gave the miniature star one last look and proceeded to enter the building.