Bridge Chapter – Arrival at the Sao Kingdom
The aircraft descended through a blanket of white clouds before the Kingdom of Sao slowly emerged beneath it.
Unlike the normal cities in the continent of Newlands, Sao stretched across endless green valleys surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Rivers carved through the land like silver ribbons, feeding enormous lakes that reflected the afternoon sky. Ancient castles rested atop distant cliffs while sprawling cities blended naturally into the landscape below. Countless watchtowers overlooked the roads connecting each settlement, their banners dancing in the mountain winds.
Akira remained pressed against the window. I've only ever been in small cities before seeing the full country; it's stunning. For several long seconds, he forgot to blink."...It's huge."
Jackson leaned back in his seat without even bothering to look outside. One arm rested behind his head while the other lazily tapped against the armrest. "It's incredible."
Sora folded her arms from across the aisle, her eyes briefly shifting toward the window before returning to the book resting in her lap. "It feels nice being out here, huh."
The aircraft banked gently before lowering toward an enormous runway built directly into the mountainside. The landing strip stretched farther than Akira could see, large enough to accommodate dozens of aircraft at once.
Hundreds already waited below. Cameras clicked, blinding all the exiting people on the plane. The hundreds crowded the airport, almost surrounding the plane, their eyes contained zero sense of when to stop approaching.
A news reporter stood in front of the crowd, multiple cameras on the woman. "Today is the day. One of the most anticipated days in the year, The Hunter Games is here." The woman plugged her ears while she continued talking, trying to block the crowd's screaming.
The entire cabin lurched violently. Reverse engines roared beneath the floor as the aircraft slowed, eventually gliding beneath an enormous steel archway engraved into the mountain itself.
Akira quietly read them to himself. "I'm starting to get excited now."
The cabin door lowered with a loud hiss. Warm mountain air immediately rushed inside, carrying the scent of pine trees, fresh stone, and distant campfires.
Akira stopped almost immediately; people were everywhere, at least thirty percantce where Hunters. He leaned over to Sora. "This is way over the entry number. How are all these people supposed to participate?" Akira looked back down at his phone, making sure what he said wasn't wrong. He looked at the number twice; it kept the same number. The Hunter Games only allow 1,000 participants.
Sora peered over to look at Akira's phone; she scrolled deeper on the phone before reading out the new text on the screen. "The 1,000 participants are based on a person's rank; the highest ranks will be chosen over the lower ranks. Only Hunters who have joined in 2 years or less are able to participate. You get in now." Akira nods.
Men and women moved throughout the airport in every direction. The Taoist moved slowly; some were nervous, some seemed excited, some wore heavy armor polished until it reflected the sunlight. Others carried oversized weapons strapped across their backs, while a few walked with nothing more than simple traveling clothes.
The group followed the steady stream of Hunters toward the arrivals terminal.
Unlike the smaller cities' concrete walls and low-quality glass windows, Sao's airport had been built almost entirely from polished stone and dark timber. Massive wooden beams crossed overhead while banners representing each Kingdom hung between towering carved pillars.
At the center of the terminal stood an enormous bronze statue. A man covered in piercings and scars, he wore an elegant outfit; even with the Giant stature of the statue, anyone could tell the man would already have been a giant.
The bottom of the statue read in big, bold bronze letters. "The first ever Finger: Leonardo White."
Akira slowed his pace without realizing it. He thought back to a TV; the moment was so old Akira couldn't remember the time, although one thing he could remember. The Fingers, the Sao Kingdom's most Elite Knights. Akira's mouth moved on its own.
Leroy shoved both hands into his coat pockets before glancing toward the statue."Can't believe they're still worshipping somebody a thousand years old. I want to destroy all that." He mumbled quietly
The farther they walked, the more security became visible.
Association Hunters stood along the upper balconies overlooking the terminal.
Sao Knights patrolled the halls in organized squads.
Floating Tao screens hovered near the ceiling, quietly scanning every traveler who passed beneath them. Ever since the attack on the Hunter Association, nobody intended to let history repeat itself.
The smiles around them looked genuine; the caution looked even more genuine.
Nearly half an hour later, they made it to Sao Coliseum, the arena where the Hunter Games would take place.
Jackson looked down at his phone before looking up at the coliseum. "It's time to get started." They walked in calmly as all of their Hunter Cards started to glow.
Meanwhile, somewhere else, Kenji Sato looked over the city, a man in a pure and clean white lab coat walked behind him. "You should be using him already." Kenji Sato sipped slowly on the Tea in his hand. He smiled
"Of course, you see I'm not the type of man to question my judgment." He then waves off the scientist. He then feels a ringing in his pocket he pulls it out to see that Hinata is calling him.
Kenji glanced at the screen for a brief moment before answering the call. He brought the phone to his ear while keeping his eyes on the sprawling city below.
"Hinata."
A cheerful voice answered almost immediately.
"Yo, Mr Kenji, The Hunters Games are about to start you better watch."
Kenji smiled faintly.
"Of course you are my student after all."
On the other end of the line, Hinata laughed. "Alright, just checking in."
Kenji Sato then hung up. "You are my student, so I don't plan on losing Hinata."