Chapter 7 | City of Alacrya

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"Wake up, lazy!" Lyra shouted, poking my forehead.

I groaned and sat up, rubbing my eyes.

"What time is it?" I asked.

"Dunno. The sun's already high up, so it's probably noon or something. Why'd you sleep so long?"

"I didn't feel like I slept that long. I usually sleep a lot more."

"Well, it's late. I've already eaten and washed myself in the river. Come on. Get ready," she said, nudging me with her elbow. "Let's go to Alacrya!"

I yawned and stretched. "Fine. Let's go."

We set off, heading east, just as Lyra had told me the previous day. It was a quiet walk through more forests, with only the occasional bird chirping overhead. The sunlight filtered through the tree canopy, dappling the path ahead. Rainy soil squelched underfoot, and insects buzzed past.

After an hour or two, we reached a dusty dirt road winding through the dense trees, and an arrow-shaped sign propped awkwardly at the roadside. 'Alacrya', it read.

"Oh, we're finally nearing civilization!" Lyra squealed, clapping her hands together excitedly. "This is exciting. Look, we can take the road now."

I followed her lead, stepping onto the hard surface. It was definitely a smoother trek compared to the last couple of hours. The dirt had given way to packed gravel, which crunched beneath our feet as we walked.

"So, how long will it take to reach the capital?" I inquired, gazing at the sky.

"It should only be an hour or two if we keep up a steady pace," Lyra responded. "That would be my best guess."

"Alright."

As we traveled farther, the trees grew sparser, replaced by wide, flat plains. A gentle breeze blew across the open land, ruffling my hair. The sun hung high overhead, warming the air and making it comfortable enough to wear only a light shirt.

Finally, we spotted something on the horizon. A cluster of buildings, surrounded by cobblestone walls, emerged from the rolling hills, their roofs visible above the valley. As we got closer, the structures became clearer, revealing themselves to be cozy houses.

"Look!" Lyra cried, pointing at a building in the distance. "We're almost there."

Looming over the other buildings, there was a huge castle with soaring towers and a massive gate. At its base, I could make out a large, stone-walled courtyard that stood proudly, guarded by a dozen soldiers.

As we approached, the guards raised their spears, barring our path.

"Halt! What business do you have in Alacrya?" the guard on the right barked.

"We're travelers, here to stay for a few days," Lyra replied, flashing him a friendly smile. "Is there a place where we can stay? Or maybe a tavern?"

The guard studied her carefully before nodding.

"There's a town hall in the center of town. Just ask for directions there."

"Thanks!" Lyra chirped, skipping forward.

The gates opened, allowing us to enter. Inside, people milled about, carrying baskets or pushing carts filled with produce. Some were selling goods while others were chatting with friends. The streets were clean and neat, and the houses were sturdy and well-built. Everything looked neat and orderly, almost as if someone had organized everything down to the last detail.

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Varying fragrances of cooked meals, fruits, and vegetables drifted in the air. It wasn't a surprise when my stomach growled loudly. And as I caught a particularly appetizing scent, I immediately followed it.

"Where are you going?" Lyra called out, rushing after me.

"I'm hungry."

"We'll be at the town hall, okay?"

"Whatever," I grumbled.

She shook her head and ran off.

I kept walking, my nose guiding me through the busy streets. Finally, I came upon a small stall selling roasted chicken. A short, middle-aged woman stood behind the counter, watching the food cook. Her black hair was pulled into a bun.

"Hello, dear. What would you like to order?" she asked warmly.

"The thing that smells like that."

"Ah, you mean the roast chicken? That'll be five copper," she informed, holding up a small wooden box filled with coins.

Oh, right. Humans don't just collect money. They trade it.

"I don't have any money. Can't I just get one for free?"

"No, sir. If you can't pay, then leave. I'm sorry."

"I'm hungry."

"Then you shouldn't have come here without money," she chided, waving her hand dismissively.

"Fine," I conceded, turning around and leaving.

"Actually, wait," she said suddenly, stopping me.

"Yes?"

"How about you do a favor for me? In exchange for some meat."

"Sure."

"Alright, dear, follow me."

She led me through the crowded street, weaving between the crowds until we reached a thin alleyway. I followed her into the darkness, passing several people who were busy talking or eating.

"What is it that you need me to do?" I asked, confused.

"There's a weird old man that lives here. He's been causing a bit of trouble lately. I just need you to scare him off."

"Scare him off? How?"

"You're a young man, right? Show him some muscle. Just get him to leave."

"Alright. Sounds easy enough."

We stopped at a run-down house, its exterior covered in moss and dirt. The door was half-open, revealing the interior. Inside, there were stacks of junk piled up everywhere. Old clothes, furniture, broken appliances, even a couple of crystals.

"I'm gonna head back," the lady whispered. "Good luck!"

With that, she hurried away, leaving me alone.

"Guess I should start," I mumbled to myself.

I knocked twice before entering. A foul stench assaulted my nose as soon as I stepped inside, nearly making me gag. The air reeked of rotting garbage, sweat, and body odor. There was hardly any light except for a single lamp hanging from the ceiling, which flickered faintly.

"Hey, old man. Get your ass out here." I declared.

A rustling noise came from within the room.

"Who is it?" a hoarse voice called out.

"The strongest dragon in existence, Astralos Aeternalis. Now get out here."

A moment passed, and the owner of the voice emerged. He was an elderly man, his skin wrinkled and sagging into an unnatural dark green. His eyes were clouded, and his balding hair was sparse.

"What do you want, boy? Why are you bothering me?"

"The lady who owns the restaurant wants you to stop loitering outside. You're scaring off her customers."

"I'm not loitering! This is where I live. Tell her to leave me alone," he spat.

For some reason, this old man voiced such an ominous aura. I couldn't quite put my mind around it. It was like the feeling of standing on the edge of a chasm, with the wind blowing through your hair. It would've made any normal person's heart palpitate. That was probably why the chicken lady wanted him to leave.

"Say, why does it feel so weird to be around you?"

"Young man, are you not afraid? Do you not have a sense of self-preservation?"

"Should I?"

"No, no. I suppose not. I pose no threat to you," he answered. "I'm too old to fight."

"Then just leave the lady alone."

"I can't do that. I've lived here for decades. If anything, she's the one who entered my territory."

"Can you just pretend to leave, then? Just come back a little later or something."

He pondered for a second. "In the heart of the forest, west of Alacrya rests an age-old shrine," he spoke, ignoring my request. "Defeat the shrine's demon and my aura will forever be lifted."

"And why should I do that?"

"You're etching for an all-out brawl, aren't you?" he asked, chuckling. "It's written all over your soul. Even if I'm wrong, and you don't like fighting, I'm certain you'll like the rewards you get from fighting."

"Explain."

"I won't say another word. Go find the shrine."

I sighed, ignoring him back. "I could just force you out right now."

"Try, if you're not afraid."

I shrugged. "I guess that's a no, then."

I turned and left, not even bothering to close the door behind me. "What a weir—"

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