Abby found herself at one of the many gates leading into the city proper. Anxiety flooded her body as she willed herself to enter the line into the threshold. The imposing gates, fashioned from thick steel and reinforced with intricate runes by skilled metal workers of ages past, loomed overhead like guardians of a forbidden realm. Each gate was flanked by towering watchtowers, manned by vigilant guards clad in armor adorned with the emblem of Arvendon—a stylized depiction of an anchor with a dragon wrapped around it that symbolized the city's power and stability. Car and cart rentals lined the entrance to the gate, offering convenient transportation options for navigating the sprawling city beyond inside and between the points outside.
Beyond the gates, the city sprawled out in all directions, a labyrinthine expanse of towering spires, winding streets, and bustling marketplaces. The skyline was dominated by the colossal structure known as the "Spine”, an immense narrowing center as it ascended where the eight gigantic anchors met and layered together. The anchors’ central shaft then spread out with eight arms total, their ever-present forms casting shadows over the teeming masses below. The sun peeked through the vastly congested sky in minuscule amounts. Yet there were gardens purposefully placed where that little sunlight would beam, taking full advantage of what was given. These areas were viewed with admiration as people could visit and be away from the city and get that feel for nature, all without leaving the hive.
The city pulsed with life and energy, its streets thronged with people of all creeds, bustling about their daily business. Merchants hawked their wares in crowded bazaars, while artisans plied their trades in narrow alleyways. The air was thick with the scent of spices, like garlic and turmeric. Carts pulled goods and everywhere she looked there were people. The sound of laughter and chatter mingling with the cacophony of street vendors and performers almost overwhelmed her at first. She had become accustomed to the quiet and peaceful nature of the Torchbearers.
But amidst the vibrant chaos, there was an undercurrent of tension—a palpable sense of unease that lingered in the air like a gathering storm. For all its grandeur and splendor, Arvendon was a city on edge, the garden’s flora looked too green, almost blue due to genetic manufacturing and production of the greenery. The crowns of the anchors were buried into the ground amid the volcanic creator. This is where the poor and destitute lived, out of sight and out of mind. Most newcomers in the city must live there as Abby and her adoptive family once did. The eight points were where the wealthier merchants lived, middle class families and businesses included, jutting out of the ground made them feel superior to those in the crowns. The truly rich families lived in the center shaft, and in the arms jutting out of the shaft lay the military training facilities, businesses and homes. And above all that the rulers of the city just below the ring at the top. Within the ring, almost a complete sphere due to the symmetrical anchors, lay the home and office of the most powerful person in the city kingdom of Arvendon, the High King. His word was law and no matter how affluent or successful you were, one word from the High King and all assets would be seized.
As Abby hesitated at the threshold, she couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding wash over her. The guards looked at her with interest and she knew why; she was the only Auctian within the city. That fact paired with Erik being accepted into the military had played a significant role in her adoptive family's ascent to the higher sections of the city. With a deep breath, she steeled herself and stepped forward, crossing the threshold into the heart of Arvendon.
The checkpoint for entry was easy enough; she handed her ID card to the guards, who promptly scanned it into the machine.
“Abby Tiller, Point A, welcome back,” the guard announced, handing her ID back.
With a nod of gratitude, Abby reclaimed her ID and continued into the bustling city beyond the gates. The streets were alive with activity, a stark contrast to the relative quiet of the outer regions where she had spent most of her life. Despite the familiarity of the surroundings, Abby couldn't shake the feeling of being out of place. She knew she stood out among the predominantly human populace, her Auctian heritage marking her as an anomaly in the eyes of many.
Navigating through the crowds of people, Abby made her way towards the nearest transit hub, where she could catch a lift to her apartment in Section F. As she walked, she couldn't help but notice the subtle shifts in architecture and atmosphere as she moved deeper into the city. The buildings grew taller and more imposing, casting long shadows over the busy streets below. The air buzzed with the hum of machinery and the chatter of countless voices, creating a series of sounds that seemed to envelop her.
As Abby stepped out of the lift into Section F, she was amazed by the vibrant atmosphere of her neighborhood, where the pulse of Arvendon's society beat strongest. The streets teemed with life, bustling with activity as vendors and artisans showcased their wares in colorful displays that lined the thoroughfares.
Market stalls adorned with ornate banners fluttered in the breeze, each one a testament to the creativity and craftsmanship of the city's inhabitants. Abby couldn't help but admire the intricate designs and vibrant colors that adhered to everything from handcrafted jewelry to intricately woven textiles.
The air was filled with the scent of exotic spices and freshly baked bread, mingling with the metallic tang of coins exchanging hands. Abby glanced at the marketplace, where traders haggled over the price of goods in various voices each louder than the last that echoed off the walls of nearby buildings, every once and a while she would see the exchange of a Golden King, the highest currency in Arvendon. Commonly though everyone in the Points used primarily Silver Kings, one hundred of which made a Golden King.
In the distance, she spotted a towering monument dedicated to the High Kings, of old and the new, the revered rulers of Arvendon whose wisdom and guidance shaped the destiny of the city. The monument gleamed in the sunlight, its golden-bronze surface a symbol of prosperity and prestige. The older High Kings were gradually turning green due to the mild salty air in this point as it was the closest to the sea.
As she made her way through the jammed streets, Abby couldn't help to see vendors focused on celebrating the greatness of the High Kings through their artistry, crafting intricate sculptures and paintings that paid homage to the city's rich cultural heritage. Despite the vibrant energy of the marketplace, Abby was keenly aware of the undercurrent of tension that lurked beneath the surface. Arvendon may have been a city of contrasts, where wealth and poverty existed side by side, but it was also a city plagued by a high crime rate. As she navigated the bustling streets, Abby remained vigilant, knowing that danger could lurk around any corner.
Yet amidst the chaos and uncertainty, there was a sense of resilience and community that pervaded Section F. Despite the challenges that lay ahead, Abby knew that she was home, surrounded by the familiar sights and sounds of her neighborhood, and supported by the strength and resilience of her fellow citizens.
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“Wow, I have not been here in years,” Nat muttered out loud, looking around at the sites of metal and stone intwined with runes on the road, and the metallic buildings.
“It’s been a minute for me as well,” Abby responded. “I had gotten used to the Torchbearers and Janice’s abodes that I nearly forgot how crowed this place is.”
“Given what I know about this place,” Nat continued. “It’s still a marvel of construction and engineering the likes of which even Auctians never even dreamed of on land. To harness an active volcano purposefully and provide a city with power indefinitely is amazing.”
“My people wouldn’t admit it, but the humans got us here.”
To her left, Abby spotted a quaint bakery, its windows filled with an assortment of freshly baked bread and pastries. The smell of warm dough wafted through the air, mingling with the tantalizing aroma of spices from a nearby spice shop. Further down the street, a small bookstore caught her eye, its shelves overflowing with books of every genre imaginable.
As Abby navigated through the streets of Arvendon, she couldn't shake the feeling of being a lone Auctian amidst a sea of humans. However, as she ascended Section F getting closer to her home, a sense of tranquility washed over her. The parks here offered a refuge from the urban chaos, their greenery providing a serene backdrop to the bustling city life.
Amidst the verdant tranquility of the park, memories of her childhood flooded back to Abby. She recalled playing here with Erik, their laughter echoing through the trees as they chased each other around. It was moments like these that made her grateful for the vibrant community she called home.
Turning the corner, Abby's gaze fell upon her family home, nestled comfortably on a quiet street corner. Its façade, like every other building in the neighborhood, was painted in muted tones, but her mother's choice of mauve for the door and window trim ensured that it stood out. A small smile tugged at Abby's lips as she remembered her mother's insistence on the unconventional color choice. “No one would expect mauve, it’ll stand out!” Abby’s smiled widened at the memory. She had to give her mom credit, it did standout.
With a sigh, Abby approached the door and scanned her ID, unlocking the mechanism that sealed her home when she was away. Stepping inside, she was enveloped by the familiar warmth of the interior, a comforting embrace amidst the tumultuous emotions swirling within her. As she made her way to the main thermostat, Abby's thoughts drifted to Erik, her beloved brother whose absence loomed large in her mind. It was a device of a soulbound user’s idea thirty years ago. It not only controlled the temperature in a given environment, but it also acted as a built-in security system allowing and denying access to anyone without an I.D. card. When she pulled up the system two photos appeared on the screen. One was hers, and one was Erik’s. She placed a tentacle on Erik’s photo, bringing up his information.
With a heavy heart, Abby accessed Erik's profile on the system, her tentacle trembling slightly as she hovered over the delete button. The sight of his photo, accompanied by the stark alert indicating his status as deceased, sent a pang of sadness coursing through her. She wrestled with conflicting emotions.
"You know if someone has his ID, they can freely enter here while you're sleeping." Nat's voice broke the silence, drawing Abby's attention away from her thoughts. His words served as a sobering reminder of the security risks she faced, but also offered a glimmer of comfort during her turmoil.
With a nod of acknowledgment, Abby returned her attention to the screen, her tentacle hovering over the delete button once more. The weight of her decision hung heavy in the air as she grappled with the implications of erasing Erik's access from their home security system.
Feeling a surge of determination, and with a deep breath, Abby pressed the delete button, confirming the removal of Erik's access from the system. A sense of finality washed over her as she watched his profile disappear from the screen. It was a small step, but one that felt necessary in her journey toward closure.
"Are you ok?" Nat's voice held a hint of concern as he approached her side, his eyes reflecting the empathy he felt for her.
Abby nodded, though uncertainty lingered in her expression. "I can’t let something like this inhibit me from doing what’s necessary. It’s not easy though," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Keeping his access active... it's like holding onto the past. I have his letter and the memories with him. I must keep moving forward, for Erik and for myself. And if someone were to have his ID card, it could put us in danger. I can't risk that."
Nat placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, offering silent support as she processed her decision. "You're stronger than you know, Abby," he said, his voice gentle yet reassuring. "And you don't have to face this alone. I'm here for you."
A small smile tugged at the corners of Abby's lips as she turned to face Nat. "Thank you," she said, gratitude shining in her eyes. A few minutes passed and she walked from the thermostat to her house proper. Erik and she had cleaned and processed their mom’s and dad’s things when they passed. But now she had to straighten Erik’s estate out. She looked over to Nat, happy that she would not have to do it alone, she was also glad that it was with someone who knew Erik as well as she did.
With a renewed sense of resolve, Abby headed deeper into the house. There was much to be done in the days ahead, but for now, she wanted to rest in her own bed surrounded by the safety of her home. She unfolded Erik’s letter as she began to drift to sleep.
Nat made himself comfortable on the lounge in the front room. It had been a few years and the house felt nostalgic to him. Laying across the furniture, he began to write in his book. His bag lay to the left of him open on the floor, with papers and extra writing utensils strewn across the open flap. He looked to the window and felt the sickening feeling of eyes trying to focus on him. He knew that the High King was searching for this area, most likely because Abby accessed the thermostat. He wrote in his book and waved off the feeling. Once it dissipated, Nat let out a breath he did not know was being held.
“Abby, it looks like I have my work cut out for me while we are here,” He flipped back to his last encounter with Erik. Re-reading it and continuing with his journey with her thus far. He made note of the Lunarwasp nest he had steered them from in the forest the first time they traveled through.
Those venomous predators would have been too much for Abby, heck even I hate them. He thought to himself. Something about the meat honey the carnivorous insects produced, made his own skin crawl. Their cousins, the Lunarbee, was an animal easier to deal with as they were scavengers. He made note of the beavergator den he had them avoid on the way back. She was also not ready to deal with an ambush predator like that yet. “Not that I haven’t already. You wander into more hazardous areas than you realize. More so than Erik.”
“When those titans clashed at the inn, I was worried, not going to lie. I had my work cut out then having them confused with her and the innkeeper’s movements. Also, who was that guy? Must have nerves of steel going to bed after a battle like that,” he looked around the darkened room, emptiness and silence greeted him in return. “Who am I even saying this to anyways?”
He laughed at himself and placed everything in the bag on the floor. He repositioned himself and relaxed, placing the locket attached to his necklace chain between his right thumb and pointer finger. He traced his thumb along the Auctian writing etched onto the locket. This was one of his first pieces he created with his powers almost an eon ago, and it was by far one of the most important things he had on him.
“Looks like I may have to make one for her sooner than I thought. Especially since she stands out so much.” I’ve already made 300 of them, what’s one more? He added mentally. Slowly he removed the locket and placed it in his bag. From within the internal pockets of the armor he wore, he took out a small notebook with a small pencil.
“Time to get to work.”