The wind whipped through Valicar's matted red and blue hair, their once-vibrant hues now dimmed by the irradiated dust that clung to them like a shroud. Altheack, with her platinum blonde hair, fared only slightly better. Her one good green eye took in the desolate landscape as she guided them southward toward Minerva in her griffin form, its once-pristine white feathers now tarnished. The name held significance, a memory from their father Theodore's tales in their youth.

So, is it really a floating island?" Mike's skepticism hung heavily in the air.

"After all we've seen in HelmHold, you doubt it?" Altheack chided.

Sophia, her eyes gleaming with excitement, interjected, "But is it truly as beautiful as the stories say?"

"It's not just about beauty," Altheack said, her voice tinged with recent sorrows. "The place hides secrets, some good, some bad. We must be careful, especially around the nobles."

Minerva floated serenely among the clouds, and the engineering marvel of the floating islands became evident. Giant chains interlinked the islands, drawing the smaller ones along in a carefully orchestrated ballet. These massive chains, almost like ethereal rivers of steel, connected to the center island where the main city and palace sat. The sight of these colossal chains, shimmering with magical energy, was nothing short of breathtaking.

They landed on the largest and highest of these islands, greeted by a panorama of incredible sights. The city itself was a masterpiece of architectural fusion, blending classical grandeur with magical opulence. Marble towers and spires glistened in the sunlight, standing tall like sentinels of a golden age. The city's design incorporated cascading waterfalls and lush gardens that adorned its many terraces, a testament to the union of nature and civilization.

As they explored this magnificent floating island, they encountered not only grand architecture but also fantastical creatures. Griffins soared gracefully through the skies, transporting people between islands with a regal bearing. Wyverns, their leathery wings outstretched, ferried passengers across the expanse of Minerva, their reptilian forms a testament to the city's magical prowess.

Sophia couldn't help but gasp in awe as the city came fully into view. "It's like a dream," she whispered.

"Theodore didn't exaggerate," Mike murmured, his gaze fixed on the floating marvel.

Altheack nodded, her expression serious. "But dreams can turn into nightmares if we're not careful."

As they approached Minerva, Altheack guided them to a landing platform. The city's grandeur grew as they got closer, and the nobility's bustling preparations for an event became evident. This place was a realm of opulence, wealth, and privilege, a stark contrast to the outside world's hardships.

Altheack's graceful landing brought them to the city's entrance, and they dismounted, looking worn amidst Minerva's elegance. Stepping onto the floating island city, they couldn't help but wonder about the secrets and challenges awaiting them.

"They don't seem to know about the capital's destruction yet," Mike noted, assessing the situation.

"No, they know," Altheack replied, glancing knowingly at the city teeming with political intrigue. "I'm certain the celebration they're preparing is for my uncle's upcoming coronation as king."

"So he's next in line for the throne?" Sophia inquired as they navigated the bustling streets, their disheveled appearances drawing disapproving glances. The city's guards appeared sparse, and the island's remote location served as a sanctuary for the wealthy and nobility, effectively keeping the riffraff at bay. Access to this elevated city was a privilege reserved for powerful adventurers or those with considerable means.

As they strolled through the city to the palace grounds, taking in the sights, Altheack admitted, "Considering I was disinherited when my brother was born... I don't know."

The shops lining the streets exuded extravagance, boasting climate control magical items, enchanted attire, and even enchanted chamber pots, which seemed to be the latest fad among the elite. Some stores offered crystals that common folk could only dream of, allowing them to watch mesmerizing illusions of battles, Valicar's exploits in the magical games were even on display.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Upon entering the palace grounds, the attention of the trio was immediately captured by a bard on stage. He was in the midst of a performance, but the lyrics of his song halted them in their tracks. The song was crude and humorously insulting, reminiscent of the ribald tunes often heard in taverns, following their exploits.

🎶 Oh, Valicar, with hair so blue, like the ocean's goo,

Red highlights like the blood you drew, in battles, ooh, so screwy.

A crimson eye, a sign of dread, leading back to your big, bad head,

"Little Red Blood Bath," in your wake, a river of crimson spread.

You thought you'd beat the Templars down, with fire and spells, you clown,

But your reckless might, in the dead of night, made the city frown.

Collateral damage, oh, what a mess, more lives messed up, we confess,

Innocence crushed in the rubble and stress, all because of your fiery impress.

With one crimson eye, you led the way, in battles where folks couldn't stay,

Sorcery and necromancy, you handled without delay,

Souls twisted, oh, what a disarray, a grim aura of dismay.

But your other eye, so icy blue, a sign of your soulless view,

In the end, Valicar, it's true, your heart was never on cue.

Now here's to the Duke, our future king, oh, the joy he'll bring,

Valicar, your reign of blunder's through, we'll celebrate the death of who! 🎶

Mike's temper flared, and Valicar responded with a display of her shark-like teeth, a mix of amusement and annoyance dancing across her face. Sophia winced at the song, recognizing that news of their battle had spread quickly.

Altheack, her grip firm on Valicar's hand, conveyed a silent message of support through touch. Mike could feel the heat rising in Valicar's cheeks, her sharp-toothed grin giving way to genuine surprise, and perhaps even a hint of gratitude for the unspoken comfort.

Still holding Valicar's hand, Altheack's one remaining eye held a profound understanding. Her other eye remained hidden behind bandages, concealing the scar that served as a stark reminder of their recent actions. Guilt weighed heavily on both Mike and Sophia, albeit for different reasons: Mike for Altheack, and Sophia for the suffering wrought upon others by their decisions.

As they left the bard's singing behind, Mike couldn't shake the feeling that something about the crowd had affected him. The emotions of the gathered people, a mixture of awe and fear stirred by the bard's crude yet captivating song, resonated with him. It was a peculiar sensation, one that he couldn't quite put his finger on, but it felt strangely familiar.

In the presence of this emotionally charged crowd, Mike felt a subtle, if not significantly less potent, boost in his power. It was as if the collective energy of the onlookers had resonated with his inner turmoil, further fueling the dark forces within him. It left him with a sense of unease, a reminder that his demonic pact was both a source of strength and a curse that bound him to forces beyond his control.

With a mischievous smile and a knowing hand sign, Sophia conjured a snowball into Valicar's hand, and Mike used it to snipe the bard from a good distance away, effectively breaking the crowd's captivation with the man's song. There was a glint of amusement in Altheack's eye as they continued on their way, making their approach to the Duke's residence, although not without a little playful mischief.

However, before long, a familiar voice called out, cutting through the atmosphere. "Altheack?"

The voice belonged to a guard adorned in the resplendent armor of the palace guards. His short brown hair spilled out as he pushed back his helm for comfort, revealing a face that Altheack recognized. She froze in her tracks, her hand falling away from Valicar's as she ran to embrace the man in a deep and heartfelt hug.

"Zorven?" Altheack called back in a voice filled with recognition and emotion as she rushed into the guard's waiting arms. Her reaction left Sophia puzzled, and Mike... well, his emotions were a turbulent mix, including an unexpected pang of anger, perhaps even jealousy, that he couldn't quite place.

As Altheack was the only other person with a claim to the throne, Zorven quickly ushered them into private rooms where they could bathe, change, and, most importantly, lay low. Valicar was a villain in the eyes of many, and Altheack represented a significant threat to the existing power structures of the kingdom. Their presence was almost certainly known, and they were in very real danger.

The impending meeting with the Duke was unavoidable, but they were determined not to appear in their current battle-worn state. They had ample gold at their disposal, so they left their rooms refreshed and went shopping for noble clothes. Mike, impatient as ever, couldn't understand the need for such elaborate preparation. Zorven had led them to friendly shops where they could be safe, but there was only so much he could do to shield them from the judgmental eyes of Minerva's elite.

"Why can't we just go now?" Mike complained, his impatience evident in his tone.

Sophia sighed, her expression patient but firm. "Mike, these people are snobs," she explained as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "If we want their help and want them to take us seriously, we need to play the part. We can't just show up looking like common riffraff; that would only further diminish our chances."

Altheack nodded in agreement, understanding the necessity of their charade. She'd seen enough of the world to know that appearances mattered, especially among the elite.

After what felt like an eternity of trying on dresses and noble attire, they eventually settled on a grand black noble cloak for Valicar, at Mike's urging. Anything else seemed out of place with their battle-worn armor. The day of fancy dresses and courtly elegance was behind them. Now, they were soldiers in a war for the fate of the world and their own souls. This world sought to crush them, but at every turn, they were given tools to fight against the natural order. It was only right that they used any means necessary to reclaim their bodies and fulfill their mission.