I awoke on a bed of silk, inside a room filled with elegance and adornments of a design foreign to me, yet the colors and architecture were beautiful to behold. My nostrils filled with a distinct scent that I couldn't place, like the aroma of flowers yet more refreshing and sweet.

It wasn’t a moment after when I lifted myself from the bed of silk and remembered what had transpired before I lost consciousness.

The events were a blur that happened quickly, but it was clear Indrath took me to the place he called Mythral, a sanctuary where I could find freedom and a new life. However, the warmth he once held was now distant but not entirely absent, but I knew I could no longer feel his presence at all.

I stood from my bed, and the garments I wore had been changed from the clothes I used to wear in Carith, replaced by an attire far more traditional that boasted long, flowing sleeves, intricate embroidery, and a sash cinching the waist in an elegant embrace, embodying what seemed to be ancient customs. Yet the garment was untouched by hues as the dark fabric seemed to consume the sunlight coming in from the windows in the room.

Without much thought I stepped toward the window and looked outside, the sheer view of the city below me made me feel as if I was atop a mountain. I stood there for a moment taking in graceful curves and ornate details of tiled roofed buildings below.

Amidst the captivating landscape, majestic mountains that stood guard like wise sentinels, some of their peaks hidden by mist, while the sea breeze whispered across the harbor that could be seen from the view I had. The city was a symphony of colors, from the jade greenery to the cerulean sea, and orange sky that harmoniously painted a picture of awe and wonder.

This was Mythral, a place of beauty, words could never describe, it was almost like I could see the very history of this place that Indrath spoke about. The calm of the city left a gentle wind to rustle through my hair as I took in the scenery before my attention turned to a nearby desk that held a single letter that was stamped with a golden wax seal.

A curiosity arose within me as I reached for the letter and unfolded it to read its contents.

Kazu

This letter will dissipate into the air as you finish reading it. This is the golden city of Mythral, an ancient place rich in stories and knowledge of magic, the truth behind your curiosity. Unfortunately, I won’t be joining you here, but I have let an old friend of mine know why I’ve brought you here. This man will help and assist you further develop your skills and abilities. Despite the questions, I assure you there will come a time when you learn of everything that ushered in this age and the end of mine…

I'm quite sure we'll meet again, and I enjoyed the time I got to know you

However, this doesn't mean rush through everything, here in Mythral, you won't be scorned or shamed. There are those who know of the Xios past here. After all, this is where your kind originated, and perhaps the missing piece of yourself will be in the bonds you make here. Be sure to cherish them. As you grow, enjoy the little things and take the time to find a proper place for yourself in Aterius. Enjoy life to the fullest, my dear friend.

with hopes, Indrath.

The final words of the letter rolled off my mind, and the letter began tearing itself apart into the air as it said. It was strange how such a small thing was able to convey so much, yet the words in the letter left a strange emptiness. Perhaps it was because I had gotten used to having him around, or simply because that presence of his wasn't around to calm the entirety of my being.

But there was also the fact that he knew I’d be just fine, not to mention he wanted me to experience a new start with new people.

And yet his words gave me some sense of loneliness, a goodbye that never happened, a farewell never said. In all honesty I never expected for him to leave without me, I thought he would join me here in Mythral. I guess I was wrong as a sense of annoyance crossed my thoughts, “… I’ll never understand what he is thinking half the time."

The words left my mouth as I looked toward the view of Mythral once again before a long silence filled the room, one that only seemed to carry the soft sounds of the wind. “It’s fine, it was only a matter of time before he left. I appreciate everything he did for me, but now I can do things my way and in the way that suits me," I said to myself only to find some humor in his hopes and dreams for me.

Regardless I didn’t really know what he expected, I wasn’t good with socializing, but the letter said, I would continue training here and a friend of his would assist me. The person they spoke of wasn't named, but I was curious who exactly he was and what he could teach me.

My final thoughts lingered on for a moment before I let a sigh leave my lips, in a way it felt like I promised something to Indrath, and I wanted to fulfill that promise and try my best, but I didn't know if I was ready or what exactly I was ready for.

Regardless, I walked toward the door leading out of this room, “… I guess there is no use for dawdling around, I should at least figure out where I am in this place," I said to myself as I left my room and began to explore this place.

I was met with a long hallway where soft rays of an orange sun filtered through latticed windows, illuminating the almost golden hued walls and the craftsmanship of every archway or decoration was so intricate I actually found myself amazed by it all. It certainly made me question exactly where I was, from everything I had seen I began to assume it was a palace of some sort.

The many silk tapestries hung from the walls and ceiling, depicted a tale of some sort, the place really was captivating with its artistry and refined elegance of every aspect, A small sense of nostalgia overcame me causing my left eye to twitch for a moment.

I let a sigh leave my lips as I tried to shrug it off before I walked further into the halls of the building. The halls continued to branch out in different directions, however I still headed for the nearest presence I felt.

Soon the halls opened up to a larger area seemingly to be a lounge, filled with bookshelves where scrolls and such, laid strewn about, and yet in front of me sat a lady dressed in similar robes to my own, but stretched the fabric to fit her rather curved figure, all while long fiery red hair hung down her back.

Neither of us were surprised by one another's presence, it was simply her staring at me from her seat and me and my cold gaze of indifference looking back at her.

"I see you are already awake, Kazu-Kun" the woman said with a welcoming smile, “Seems you made yourself at home, I would have greeted you sooner, but I am a busy woman, unfortunately." She said rather teasingly as she stood to her feet and revealed much more of her curved figure as she did.

“You could say that, what is this place anyways… it feels like I’m in a palace or something," I asked as I remained unamused by her flirtatious demeanor.

She simply giggled at my response, "it’s exactly that, this is the Palace of the Golden city in Mythral,” she said before approaching me with a hand on her hip. "I’m Altear, it's a pleasure to meet you. I hope we can get to know each other a lot. The Xios always made me so curious." She said, with yet another flirtatious smile.

Still, I simply scratched at the back of my neck in response. "... I see. I guess I should say it's nice to meet you too," I said trying my best attempt at being polite.

Altear only let out a small giggle in response to my words. "Since your up, I’ll take you to meet Theitus, he is the keeper of the golden city and the one Indrath entrusted you to," she said as her pink eyes inlaid with gold gazed into mine with interest.

I only let out a small hum in response, "Indrath mentioned someone in a letter I found on the desk in the room I was in, but he never gave him a name, I take it that’s who he was talking about," I said as Altear guided me out of the lounge with a wave.

She didn't seem to mind my cold demeanor and instead continued to walk alongside me while her hips swayed with each step. "Yes, that’s right. Theitus has taken care of Mythral for a long time, well since the end of an age when we were branded as the exiled isles. Despite that, Theitus always looked to Mythral’s future and strived to make sure this place stayed safe and free from the hands of those who sought to destroy our way of life. Mythral has a long and deep history, one that should not be forgotten." She explained filling the silence between us while we carried on through the halls of the palace before she gave her bottom lip a playful bite. “Like me, and many others in Mythral, we’ve always admired the Xiao, it's something we should be proud of, after all they were our guardians against the ancient threats, we once faced."

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A sense of pride seemed to grow on her face as she talked about Mythral and its history. However, it was brief as we continued through the halls, “… hmm, that all seems quite interesting," I said with little enthusiasm, after all I never thought much about the Xios other than the fact that I was called one, but usually it involved the look of disdain and not pride.

Altear only let out a small giggle as we walked up to a double door made of gold colored metal, "I think Theitus will like you, as much as I already do, Kazu-kun~." she said with a playful wink.

It wasn't a moment later after she opened the door. “Theitus, Kazu-Kun has awoken. I brought him here just like you said to," Altear said before moving to the side and allowing me to enter with a wave of her hand, I found myself walking through the doorway into a rather large office of sorts.

That certainly what most would describe the place as, but for me the aura of Magical Energy filled the room and Theitus sat behind a desk, exuding an air of strength that filled the room with pride.

Even I couldn't help but feel somewhat awed by the giant who stood to greet me with arms wide and a large grin, his bare chest and muscles flexed with every movement of his large frame, while rune-like tattoos of a faded gold covered his arms, chest and back. “it’s a pleasure to meet you Kazu, I am Theitus Kanmori, Keeper of Mythral and the Clans that call it home. Indrath was right about you, I look forward to your stay here," he said with a loud laugh before resting his hands on his hips and silver eyes glinting with pride.

I only gave a small nod in response. "... likewise, I suppose," I remarked with my usual demeanour while I looked up at this giant of a man.

Theitus and Altear hid their chuckles as if they found something about my response humorous before he gestured me to sit in a chair, on the opposite side of his desk.

“Indrath informed me of the events that happened leading up to our meeting, there’s no doubt you have questions of your own, due to your unique circumstances, I will only answer what I can, but I hope we can be open with one another, in truth I never thought the day would come when I would see a Xiao walk in the Golden City again.” He said with a loud laugh before sitting back into his chair.

I could feel the pride radiating from him and the way he spoke made it seem like it was a cause for celebration.

"... a Xiao huh, that names been thrown around a lot lately," I said to myself with an air of disinterest.

Theitus only let out a hearty laugh before he answered, "indeed, I suppose you might not be aware of your history, but I am a man of many years and I often reminisce about the past, after all, we have lost much but our memories continue to live on. I do plan to make you aware of our history but not all at once. Indrath also mentioned training you personally as well, which is among the things I plan to teach you. Mythral and I are more than willing to offer you a hand in that."

“Well, I’ll take you up on that, it’s what Indrath wanted anyways." I said with my usual demeanour, still I didn’t want to sound ungrateful, even if I couldn’t show much enthusiasm for it.

Theitus only let out another hearty laugh, "I am glad to hear that. Since you’ll be staying for a while, I’ll show you around the golden palace, come on,” he said once again standing to a towering height as he waved me to follow him out of his office.

"I still have some paperwork to go through, I’ll see you both later… especially you Kazu-Kun,” Altear said with a playful wink causing Theitus to let out a laugh before he exited with me following behind him.

Theitus led me through the halls of the palace, that seemed to go on forever with the eye catching grandeur of the decor and architecture that surrounded us, He pointed out rooms as we passed them, and I imagined the palace had a room for everything. Aside from the tour, Theitus wasn’t short of words and laughter. "… can’t say I’ve ever heard of a Keeper, is that a fancy way of calling you the ruler here or something?" I asked with a slight hint of curiosity.

Theitus let out yet another hearty laugh before he answered. "I suppose most see me as that, but Mythral is free of such things, I serve only as its protector, after all the Xios were the ones who held that duty in the past and if Mythral had a ruler, I could never live up to the one who once held that title." He said before his gaze shifted toward me. "And if I’m being honest, I don’t think anyone is capable of living up to the previous ruler of Mythral. But all the same we remain proud of our heritage and traditions," he said with a hearty laugh, his voice seemed to shake the very palace. “The Clans that reside here have a long and proud history, even if our lives now are not what they once were,” he added without his laughter, it was clear he held some sadness from those memories.

"Hmm... I see. what other clans are there in Mythral then?" I asked simply out of curiosity.

Theitus’s chest seemed to swell with pride, before his laughter filled the air again, "As you know well most tend to refer everyone on the Mythral as cursed clans, but they are not all alike. There are two Clans here, Mine, Clan Kanmori, and Clan Ezumi, both call the Golden city home, but I suppose back on the continent we are better known as Cursed Clans, how others see us is up to them. Mythral has been here since the dawn of creation, and I plan for it to stay that way, even if we are a shadow of our former glory.” He said with his eyes lighting up with pride.

I could tell it meant a lot to him, as well as the nostalgia behind his words, something that him and Indrath shared in common.

"... is that so? You make it sound like you’ve been around that long, and you didn’t bring up the Xios, I take it that's a touchy subject," I asked with my usual demeanour, but with some curiosity as I listened to his story.

Theitus didn’t laugh as he responded, “I have been alive for quite some time, three thousand years in fact, but history itself is older than that, and there was a time before when this world was truly at peace. A time of enlightenment, a time when the people lived in harmony and order.” he said as he recalled his memories from a time long since gone. "I lived through that age. I saw what the Monarchs did to the world. I saw it all fall into darkness as the power of deities ravaged our world and consumed it… and to answer your question on why I didn’t mention the Xiao, they weren’t a clan per say, but beings that served the will of the Tian Sovereign, Mythral’s previous ruler. However, the Xiao I once knew are no more, but their legacy lives on and their heritage is something that should not be forgotten. It is thanks to their sacrifices that we can enjoy the peace we have in Mythral, far from the influence of Deities," Theitus stated with a small smile as if he was both saddened and proud by the thought of it all.

I listened to his words and yet I found my esoteric restrictions resonating with the story he told. It was a bittersweet feeling. “Huh? I didn’t actually expect an answer like that, I felt like Indrath avoided topics like this and the things you call deities… I’m not complaining, it’s a nice change,” I said with my usual demeanour.

Theitus only grinned at my response, and I actually found an odd interest in his story, a history that was never told. However, I was left with a question and seeing as Theitus wasn’t as tight lipped as Indrath, I wanted to know, it was the only remaining thing on my mind. “You seem to know a lot about the past and some deities or whatever. So, tell me who was that guy that attacked me and Indrath,” I asked.

Theitus held his hand to his chin as if he was pondering the question for a moment, "I will eventually get to that, but for now, I have something to show you” he said with a smile.

Theitus led me onto a balcony overlooking the entire city of Mythral before his gaze shifted to the ocean beyond an empty Harbor. The view from the room I awoke in had nothing on this. I found myself unable to keep my eyes from widening as I took in the view of its intricate architecture and serene waters of the sea, all while a large statue could be faintly seen towering over the city as if watching over it for eternity. Beyond the spectacle distant mountains and cliffs painted an orange backdrop to this vibrant cityscape. It was a view that spoke of tradition, culture, and the enduring spirit of this place called Mythral.

Theitus hummed to himself taking in the view before his eyes turned to me, "I’ve shown you most of the palace, you should have an idea on how to get around.” he grinned with his large frame leaning against the railing. “… do you think you’ll like it here, Kazu?” He asked after a moment, with his silver gaze turning to me.

I looked over the city one last time before hollow words left my mouth, "It seems like a nice place, but I’m not really sure, none of this makes any sense to me… maybe because I never felt this way before. In a way, it feels like I’m beginning to understand the empty feeling inside me," I said as I leaned against the railing and looking up at the sunset.

Theitus let out a small hum of approval before he responded, "That’s not a bad thing, I am not Indrath and my views differ, albeit similar in some ways. There will be a day when you will learn who you truly are at a slow steady pace, your mind is a complex and fragile thing that must be handled with care. even more so when your Esoteric restrictions have their influence.” he stated with a large grin.

A moment of silence fell between us as he looked out toward the sea, and it was clear Theitus held back something he wanted to say.

"... What is it," I remarked with hollow words tired of hearing the riddles he and Indrath had. Still Theitus remained silent for a moment, observing me with a gaze that could pierce any darkness, like my expression of annoyance gave him satisfaction in some way before he burst out in laughter.

"That’s quite the look you got there Kazu. I get it you feel left in the dark, but the truth is you need time to adjust and evolve, you may not like the fact but it's true," he said before letting out yet another hearty laugh as he continued. "But I can tell you will do just fine here, I feel it, I will make sure of it," he said with his arms wide and a smile of pride as he spoke of his certainty.

"Yeah, I guess… thanks," I said with an air of indifference, but Theitus only let out a loud hearty laugh at my response before he began to guide me back into the palace.

"How about we go take a look at where most of our training will be taking place and if you don’t mind, I’d like to find a starting place for your development." He said leading me back through the halls of the palace with me in tow.

It wasn’t long before we stepped into the training grounds of the golden city's Palace, although it looked more like a courtyard. Within its open walls, and lush green bushes against the border of the courtyard, while a fountain rested in the center of it all.

Theitus hummed to himself with a wide grin as he walked, "This is where we’ll be training, Mythral is the heart of Battle Arts and Magic. Your Esoteric restrictions will adapt and evolve to the things I plan to teach you, but first as I said earlier, I’d like to see what your capable of, to get an idea of your foundation and to understand where your starting point is. I must admit Indrath spoke of you highly, he said you have a knack for fighting in hand to hand combat and weapons. Something about going toe to toe with an A-ranking Arcane Guardian," he stated as he let out another hearty laugh. "I’ll admit even I am excited to see the things you are capable of and how much you can improve, after all there was a Xiao, I once knew who was capable of taking on an entire battalion of Mythral’s finest in without a weapon or even magic." He said with a grin, pleased by the thought, almost as if he was relating that Xiao to myself. "So Kazu, shall we begin?"

I saw no reason to refuse, I always did like a good challenge, A chance to let my Esoteric Restrictions become known.

“... sure. Whenever you're ready," I said with an air of indifference and well aware of Theitus’s strength and experience from the Aura he exuded.

Regardless Theitus only let out a loud laugh at my response before we positioned ourselves opposite each other, a grin on his face and silver eyes glinting with anticipation. While I merely stood without a word or any emotion at all. Everything became silent, only the sound of water splashing and the wind rustling through the leaves of the courtyard filled the air.