Magna was a much different town than anything else in Shimori.
For one, it was bigger than any other in the country, but most of the differences stemmed from its people. Rather than keeping to their neat traditions, such as the belief in Shin or the ever-presence of alcohol like in Wendigo, the morians here resembled paladians, for the most part, perhaps sparing the fact that a chunk also lived in the town, much like a good hundred tributals.
Unlike in Mistwick, Magna was focused on the economy, jobs, and raising a social status amongst others of its kind. One would find even the most basic of things, such as brushing away snow into the passing rivers to net you some Silver, and, as you could've guessed, everything cost a great sum there.
However, there were still heaps of warmth to Magna; many open bars with hot drinks to enjoy during the colder days, gatherings in the town centre, but most importantly, it was where the rule of royalty at the head of proper leadership began. People appreciated what they had, but most of that couldn't be attributed to the town's ruler.
Morio, Jyuzou, Atomu and Chyuuichi stepped off their boats, wandering around the wooden deck area, before treading a bridge and finding themselves between tight streets, with people hanging their clothes off the balconies, opening triangular doors and oval windows. The roads were made out of stone cubes, and the many horses that passed through added to much of the present noise, but no one except the four seemed to mind.
Magna was filled; if they somehow picked a less populated street, it was still full of people. Passing by an overhang, they walked up a tilt, leading towards the main square, where people put signs on the street pointing to their restaurants, businesses or stores.
Chyuuichi eyed them carefully and tried his best to avoid getting hung up on any of the bolded words. He took a deep breath and started singing, albeit quietly.
"I didn't expect this m-many people to be here," Atomu said, fixing his scarf.
"Where are we even headed?" Jyuzou asked.
"The guy at the port said something about the main square, right?" Morio said.
"The main square could describe half of what we a-already saw." The paladian added.
"It's way worse than Wendigo..." Jyuzou glanced around. "Add onto that, it feels like everyone here wants to sell me something."
"It's culture." Morio smiled, putting both hands on his backpack's straps.
Jyuzou turned to one of the mentioned signs as a morian shouted something in his direction.
"Culture doesn't concern something like this," he pointed.
"Hey, Jyuzou. I don't need that negativity today, okay?" Morio scoffed.
"I'm just honest." Jyuzou breathed out. "It's very overwhelming."
"Well, I agree. The people seem bigger here."
"It's because you're short."
Atomu covered his ears as Morio and Jyuzou got into another meaningless argument.
"We are the bounty hunters! We take what's back and ours! We live in trees and branches! Aaaaah!" Chyuuchi stopped before gazing at a sign. "Free silver?!" his eyes widened as he spun on his heel, ready to strut towards the grinning paladian standing behind the wooden board.
"Chyuuichi!" Atomu grabbed him by his scarf, flipping him around like on a rope.
"Ah! Atam, but it's free!" Chyuuichi yelled out.
"Nothing's free..." Jyuzou explained.
"Oh, yeah!" Morio blinked. "People make huge deposits and rarely get their money back. Mr Bancho told me once. It's culture."
"Mentioning him..." Jyuzou spoke up. "Didn't he tell you he'd be here when we arrive?"
"Yep! More reason to be excited!"
Magna was a town that constantly changed, especially with its prices. Pop-up stores appeared, and people got scammed more often than they realised. Since a lot of morians, paladians and tributals walked through the streets during the day, they worked out specific patterns as to when to strike and usually lived well off with what they rightfully stole.
Besides that, everything was pricy. An inn cost fifty Silver per night, with a comfy bed and a cup of coffee in the morning. Inns were usually the safest of places, as they rarely ever got replaced with casinos or bars. Even restaurants disappeared overnight, even though they seemed to be booming the other day.
It was one hell of a place to live in, but much like with anything in life, people got used to its quirks, which, at the end of the day, could've been fixed if the royalty cared more. What one would see was the result of what morians crafted over years of changes, mixing cultures, as well as standing their ground and making rules of their own.
Above all else, Magna was built atop a flowing river, which zigzagged into many other streaks, leading into the Shimori lake, and later towards the ocean, or the Aria River. This meant that, whenever the streams were unfrozen, many boats were used in place of carriages. The four quickly spotted such, treading a long, thin bridge, with what Jyuzou humorously called a key of these wooden docks, while Morio sighed very loudly.
Boats were placed at the few docks bordering the districts and kept in special stone, circular buildings for the night. Mentioning such, structures were built on small or bigger islands, equipped with kawka roofs, which over time turned into a characteristic red colour. Most of Magna was made out of stone, and these roofs served as trivia, with Morio proudly stating that they're actually not made out of wood, which, strangely enough, Atomu denied.
On the topic of surprisingly sturdy things, on particularly cold days, the rivers froze to a halt, which all the roads around the various districts were connected, allowing for ease of access, as well as justifying stepping out on that particular day.
Someone could find a nice storefront, or encounter people selling clothes near the well in the centre, marking the square in the middle. Or, just maybe, they could witness the Nuil's march in the night, or spot a fairy flying above town. Magna constantly surprised people; it was bustling, but you'd have to find that certain niche between the red-roofed buildings.
Talking about sights, a statue stood in the far distance, seen from anywhere in town. It depicted a haran, a Demonear named Darius, who sacrificed his life to sweep the tides and triumph over the onslaught of demons. Over the years, morians carved his figure into the mountain to honour his deeds. Therefore, the buildings closer to the statue seem older, with a more yellowish texture to the otherwise pure white stone; the ones further from that were built anew, atop the ruined buildings, which was part of the reason why the districts looked so different from one another, with barren houses along the way.
"Where to?" Morio squinted, standing near the well, glancing at the statue from time to time. "How come you have a city this big and without a map? This is blasphemy!" he took out a sheet of paper and quickly sketched something.
Jyuzou wondered where Morio learned the word blasphemy from, though only fixed his glasses. "I'm sure there's one somewhere," he raised his voice, grabbing at the paper. "Don't waste time on all that stuff."
"Snatching joy right out of my hands, glassy idiot!"
The paladian folded his arms, tired. He turned to Chyuuichi, who raised his hand, and with a giggle, tilted his head.
"Do ya know this song, Atam?" Chyuuichi sung. "We are the bounty hunters! We take what's back and ours! We live in trees and branches! Aaah!" he stopped, awaiting his response. "Orawood Chant, do ya know it?"
"I don't think so," Atomu shook his head.
Chyuuchi sighed. "I wanted to ask if ya remember the other part because I forgot."
The two morians continued talking about nothing.
"If I were a map, where would I be?" Jyuzou pondered, strutting around.
"In my hands." Morio rolled his eyes.
"Gross," Jyuzou answered. "Centre of town, idiot."
"Wendigo had one near the clock!" Chyuuichi stepped in.
"It was a windmill," Jyuzou said.
"Can someone tell me what a windmill is?" Morio asked.
"That big s-spinning thing in Wendigo," Atomu whispered, signalling with his fingers.
"That was a clock." Chyuuichi smiled, crossing his arms. "I wouldn't forget that!"
"Yeah, exactly!"
"Why are we talking about Wendigo anyway? We're in Magna!" Jyuzou raised both hands.
"He's right. The sun will set before we manage to accomplish something." Atomu sighed, putting his bag over his shoulder, and treading forward. "We should find some shelter beforehand,"
"Watch out!" Morio shouted, pulling the paladian back, as he fell onto the stone-cold floor.
A brown horse stopped in front of the two, with black stripes between its thin hairs. Atomu gulped, quickly standing up.
The figure from above glanced, with furrowed brows.
"I'm sorry!" The paladian immediately bowed. "P-Please continue!"
The person sighed. "Watch out next time, paladian."
Atomu breathed in, putting his hand on his heart, with an unsure frown.
"Yer way too nice!" Chyuuichi mentioned. "They almost ran ya over!"
"Nice? That was a tributal, damned royalty!" he stressed, playing with a strand of his hair. "They're all over the town, working under Eryk Nuil-Tukman himself."
"Who's that?" Morio asked, and Jyuzou shook his head, surprisingly enough.
"Only the most important person in this town." A deep female voice echoed as the four turned to a woman standing in front of big, dark brown doors, leading to a massive building near the main square. "I'm assuming you lot come for the Demonear test, right? Preparations are already being made, and that child wanders around the main square as if their dumb horse and stride meant something," she chuckled, putting a pointy, grey cigar in her mouth.
She fixed her burgundy robe and winked.
"Don't just stand around in the cold. I'm already getting chilly here," she smirked, turning around. "You're hopeless, as far as I can tell."
"Hey! We're just new!" Chyuuichi raised his fist.
"Figured as much! The two morian brats were so loud that the people in the bar started complaining."
"It's all your fault." Jyuzou fixed his glasses.
"I'll strangle you in your sleep," Morio replied.
"GUYS?!" Atomu shouted, and Chyuuichi chuckled, matching the barwoman's snicker.
"Arguing about sweet nothings. One rule about Magna is that all maps are in bars. It'd be the most logical solution."
Atomu scratched his head awkwardly.
"Told you you were hopeless!" she chuckled.
"This is not funny, ma'am!" Jyuzou stepped forward. "Tourism is the key factor to why Magna exists in the first place!"
"Get in already!" her voice echoed as she stepped up a small staircase, treading among the many chairs and stools around the entrance.
The four followed in, finding themselves inside a massive room, as brown on the inside. Tables were placed on the other side of the room, with unlit lamps in the middle and a few customers sneaking suspicious glances. The woman moved behind a counter with an overhang above, next to a staircase that led up to more tables, as well as steps towards the inns above, standing in front of a back door to both the alcohol cellar and the outside.
"You won't find other bars like this in Magna. We don't really do drinks besides here, so you can just imagine what this place looks like at night," she chortled, and the four sat on big stools adjacent to the bar.
"There's illegal alcohol?" Chyuuichi asked. "I wanna try it!"
"Wendigo's for that. They kick the people who can't behave out to that bridge town. Bet you don't wanna share the same fate," she put her hands together.
"For the plot," Chyuuichi muttered, and Atomu turned as if offended. "I'm joking!"
"I was expecting more people." Jyuzou looked back at the one man sitting in the corner, chugging a pint in silence.
"Wendigo's bars were active from the moment we woke up!" Morio added.
The bartender widened her eyes with an unassuming smirk.
"Stop with the b-booze talk already," Jyuzou shook his head. "We're not here for that."
"Booze talk isn't exactly that, but I'll bite into your mindset," she raised a finger. "I'm assuming you're looking for the basics, right?"
"Exactly!" Morio raised his voice, and one of the customers shushed him. "Sorry...!"
"I-Information, uh..." Atomu repeated, as if frustrated. "Where do we sleep for the night, since..." he glanced at the three, before she nodded, understanding his signals. Jyuzou furrowed his brows before pointing to Morio.
"Inns like these, or houses, if you have the money. You'd be more keen on the former, though. They're splattered around Magna," she explained. "Fifty Silver for the night,"
"Fifty Silver..?" Morio and Jyuzou said in unity.
"Cheap!" Chyuuichi said, with no Silver in his hands.
Atomu looked down. "In Wendigo, you got one for free."
"Does this look like Wendigo to you?" she asked. "If it did, I wouldn't be here," she asked, brewing a drink under the bar. "You pay for everything, and make your own living. It's easy enough to get a job, and you can even make thousands of Silver in one day if you're lucky. Nothing's free, though."
Chyuuichi's eyes lit up.
"Okay," Atomu tapped his fingers against the stool. "We'll get to that later. C-Can't we sleep here?"
"It's full. There's a three-season-long waiting list if you're interested!" she beamed, pointing a long paper pinned to the wall. "Many reservations for Gorro..."
"Why are there so many people trying to get in?" Chyuuichi shook his head.
"Business and beer," she muttered. "Lots of people come and go to earn money. I'm the same in some aspects."
Atomu started losing hope. "C-Can you recommend some other place, then?"
"Give me a second," she turned and headed into a room adjacent to the toilets, searching for something.
Meanwhile, the paladian turned to the others.
"Are the three of you just going to sit there? At least say a bloody w-word!" he muttered, stressed.
"You're the leader!" Chyuuchi pointed, slowly bopping his nose.
"Leader or not, I can't handle talking to people!" Atomu said, with a raspy voice, pushing Chyuuichi's hand away.
"I'll help!" Morio proposed.
Jyuzou chuckled.
"Okay, got it," she waddled over, placing a big map on the counter. "Swania has lots of inns around, but it's an unwritten rule that only tributals are welcome there. Next up, Homieo, which, as you might have guessed, has lots of homes, and by extension, inns. You can try one of the seven seed ones; they usually have a plethora of vacant rooms. That's the best place if you're looking for some kind of peace. No other inns in Midcity, and I don't really recommend Handulia or Kyrkogarde," she pointed around with her finger. "Fifty Silver, everywhere."
Atomu breathed out.
"Can I have this?" Morio asked, with gleaming eyes.
"The map?"
"Mhm!"
"I do have a few in the back, but these get soaked by beer all the time," she pointed with her thumb. "There'll be another at the inn, but I doubt..." She stopped before raising her brows. "What are you doing?"
"I r-reckon you ought to pay for that." Jyuzou crossed his arms, turning to the woman, while Morio desperately copied everything he saw, flipping page after page in his journal. The woman chuckled before shaking her head.
"Well then." Atomu glanced back. "Thank you for everything, miss-" Atomu eyed her.
She let out some smoke from the cigar, leaning against the wall. "Ella."
"Mrs Ella, alright." Atomu nodded.
Morio and Jyuzou jumped off the stools, and Atomu and Chyuuichi slowly headed to the exit downstairs.
"One more thing, I almost forgot!" Morio uttered.
"Yeah?" Ella leaned closer.
"Have you seen Mr Bancho?" he climbed up again, putting both hands on the edges of the counter.
"Bancho?" she raised her eyebrows.
"A little taller than you, um, short grey hair, a beard, a grey coat, gloves. He rides on a black horse, too." Morio explained. "Smaller than the ones here."
"No need for all that, morian! Of course, I know Bancho!" she grinned. "One of the few morians here keeping me sane. Drinks like a beast, too, but to get him drunk, oh man. Everyone in Magna knows him."
Morio's eyes lit up. "S-So, do you know where I could find him?"
She raised a brow before moving forward. "Haven't seen the guy in seasons."
Morio's expression shifted. Jyuzou glanced over, fixing his glasses. "Wh-what do you mean? He told me we'd meet here in town."
"I'd know if he came by, and I probably wouldn't even have to say a word," she admitted. "Sorry, kiddo."
Morio looked to the side, frowning.
"That Bancho?" Atomu whispered.
"Who's Bancho?" Chyuuichi answered.
Jyuzou walked up to Morio, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"It's okay." Morio nodded, breathing in. "We handled everything all by ourselves. He's going to come any minute now. I'm sure."
The two morians stepped down the staircase, with Chyuuichi following suit. Atomu stood for a while, unsurely glancing around.
"You." Ella pointed to the paladian, who seemed startled. "Swing by in the evening."
Atomu trembled. "Am I really that interesting?"
"I'm mostly asking this since you're obviously the oldest, and the only one that should be drinking from that little team of yours." She shook her head. "...and yes. It looks like you have even more unanswered questions if I'm not mistaken."
Atomu slowly nodded.
"Exactly," she pointed. "See you, then."
"If I make enough money, that is." Atomu reached into his pouch, feeling the same forty-four Silver as before. He breathed out and headed to the exit.
***
Magna was divided into five districts: Midcity, Handulia, Homieo, Swania and Kyrkogarde.
The one the group found themselves in was no other than the Midcity, which spanned from the Birching Trees port to a small island with quaint cobble streets, long lines from window to window with different coats, vests or undershirts hanging above.
Various staircases led up to different apartments or shops with pots of yellow flowers placed on the railings, next to long candles above the doors. If you stepped over the City Bridge, you'd find yourself on the main square, where, if you stood near the well, you'd get the best view of the statue of Darius.
All around were many tables, chairs and signs, open bars, and people selling things on the street; however, there was an empty spot left, dictated by lighter and smoother stones placed in a star-like shape.
No one was to sell on this plot, as it was reserved for special events, home to Eryk Nuil-Tukman's words. If you went further, you'd find a castle-like line of buildings, placed next to an overhang, neighbouring a palace, with high, golden towers, a blue inside and a waterfall made for Eryk. The castle spanned a massive basement, which connected to the churches of Shin, and the next few streets led to wooden boats, which would take you anywhere you'd like for a symbolic coin.
The group set out on two separate boats, first making it to Swania, on the opposite side of the castle. As the man rowed, many tall towers were revealed, fading into a crimson shade, with others basking in their grey glory, decorated with strangely shaped windows and long poles sticking out on the sides.
When the four stepped on the land, they were greeted by a different feeling under their boots. The stone felt smooth, somehow even silky, and the roads led up many different stairy paths, which tributals, and some morians, trod to reach their refuge. Some towers were thinner, others, bigger, with very sharp roofs, and small rectangular holes near their tops.
Tall walls surrounded them, built from a thick red brick, and from time to time, you could spot ladders reaching above the masonry and into the glassy gardens beneath the smaller buildings. Tributals sat inside, carefully observing every citizen that passed through the waters, even though not everyone had a good reason to do so.
Besides, there weren't any shops; rather, a calm atmosphere and subtle notes of the bukra (a piano fused with a wooden guitar, somehow) combined with an aroma of flowers. Swania was home to many birds flying by, either hanging around the rooftops or chirping above the masonry. Some of them were considered pets to the tributals, while others sang in a gentle rhythm matching the local melodies.
...and such was rather full of contrasts to what the people here offered. Tributals didn't hide their grudges, even if they had no reason for them. Simply put, they were a race that always thought highly of themselves, with a judgmental look in their eyes. However, if you were to meet one, they'd turn out to be quite charming. They'd reveal their spiky, animal-like ears and give you a polite smile.
Morio eyed around carefully, slightly intimidated by their appearance. White robes, covered in colourful emblems of different flowers, long hair, and beautiful stallions, way bigger than the ones used in Wendigo or Mistwick. They passed through the main road and settled towards either of two destinations, Handulia or Homieo.
Atomu gave Morio a strange look, and the white-haired sat on a boat, perched on the other shore of the isle.
"This boat's going to Homieo, Morio. We don't have any money," he added.
"We can start looking for a good inn," Morio replied, with a small smile.
"We need to get some money first, even the bare minimum. We won't have a place to sleep for the night if not. The sun's already setting." Atomu looked up.
"Still doesn't mean that the day is over." Jyuzou continued.
Morio glanced at him, breathing out. "Just a bit of rest," he sighed, and Jyuzou glanced with furrowed brows.
"No way!" Chyuuichi yelled out. "I'm not resting until I hit a jackpot!"
"J-Jackpot?" Atomu slowly turned to him.
"Precisely!" Chyuuichi raised a finger. "Just like Mrs Elba said!"
"Ella," Jyuzou muttered.
Atomu breathed in. "Don't tell me you're thinking of-"
Chyuuichi jumped up. "You've seen all the signs around the main square, eh?! I can win thousands of Silver with just some luck!"
"This is an awful idea," Atomu sank his head into his hands.
Morio breathed out, and the man standing near the boat's edge waved at him. Jyuzou turned to the two and looked back at the other morian, whose expression seemed to suggest something.
"W-We'll catch you later, then," Jyuzou said, sitting down next to Morio.
Atomu sighed, eyes drifting towards the mirillian. "Don't take too long," the paladian took a silver coin from his pouch.
"No need," Jyuzou revealed the one Silver placed in his palm.
"Take one for the road back, though." Atomu smiled.
The morian nodded, accepting the gift. Morio glanced to the side, and the boat set out towards the lights, looming in the distance.
"Money, money! Here I come!" Chyuuichi rubbed his hands together, deviously.
Handulia was, as you could guess, the best place for trading Silver in exchange for literally anything in the world. This district was attractive to the handlers of Errarion, and often in Gorro, they came from all over the world to set up their storefront, even if for a few days, promising to give you rare items for a hefty price, or the other way around. Even in Yule, when it was cold out, people gathered in massive waves of crowds, but you wouldn't guess that when you first stepped onto the island.
From the port, it appeared as if it was nothing but another quiet part of town, filled with small brick towers, bridges over ponds and triangular houses, with white patterns embedded into the wall and chimneys, which pumped out smoke every so often. It once used to be similar to Homieo, until Eryk Nuil-Tukman took over, changing its name from Enencifan to Handulia, demanding that most shops and sellers move there and away from the vicinity of his castle.
The deeper they went, the louder it got, and eventually, they reached the main Silvaria Street, with shining yellow lamps placed above the many markets, connected to tall stone buildings, where the sellers lived. In just a few minutes, the erans would be gasping for air, trying to put the Silver coins on the table to get their hands on the rarest item you could find.
Animals roamed freely in Handulia, and most of them could be sold for money. Chickens, sheep, horses, and even deer were sometimes spotted. All led to a bridge at the end of the island, which was once again, rather quiet, with a few inns and restaurants, which had many people sitting next to their reserved tables at night. The mossy ones led to other parts of the district, which guided to the s of Darius, transitioning into Kyrkogarde. People there often sold small souvenirs connected to Magna, but only in Herbes and Gorro.
With this many shops set in stone came opportunities. Most offers were for ten Silver an hour and had you standing around with a sign, pointing to a makeshift casino, much like in one part of Midcity. Other jobs included tending to the running animals, secondary storefront runner, a temporary waiter at the restaurants, helping out at the inn, cleaning rooms after someone left the inn, and finally, physical work, such as carrying packages from one place to another.
It offered thirty Silver per hour, with a bonus for how much work you've done. You go to one store and ask to work for a specific man, who'll pay you when you tell him that you've finished for the day, tending to many of the sellers who signed a contract, and Atomu was especially keen on this offer.
"Cleaning, no." Atomu went through a list. "Making food for stalls? That'd fit Jyuzou better."
Chyuuichi looked around in awe, opening his mouth and gazing at the windows of the many casinos around.
"Physical work ought to fit me best. You should consider it as well, since you're a mirillian and everything. Unless it's the snow-pushing in Midcity, because I've seen a couple of those guys singing around." Atomu put the paper down, putting one foot behind the other. A person passed by, carrying a large stack of boxes, almost falling to the ground. Another chased a dog.
"I've already decided a long, long time ago, Atam!" Chyuuichi pointed. "I'm gonna win the jackpot at the capino!"
"Oh, my," Atomu breathed out, pretending to cry. "This is a very stupid idea!"
"Trust me, I'm good at doing the weirdest things and forgetting about them halfway through!" Chyuuichi raised his hand, leaning against the brick wall of the tightly packed street.
"That doesn't make it sound any better!"
"Shh." Chyuuichi shushed him. "Give me just five Silver, and I'll share some of my winnings."
"If you don't get any money from this, then I'm not sneaking you into the inn." Atomu furrowed his brows, taking five shining coins out of his pouch, and Chyuuichi quickly snatched them from his shaking hand.
"I'll make it very worth yer while," he smirked, and turned on his heel, before running off. "Boots to boots rocks to rocks!" he sang, quickly disappearing in the crowd. "Put on your socks and think the thinking thoughts!"
The paladian sighed, pulling his bag under his arm and stuffing the pouch inside. Afterwards, he turned to the large sign above a silver door and hesitantly stepped in.
Although Atomu wasn't as strong as the mirillian and generally weaker than an average paladian, he took on the job quickly, deciding to spend the next few hours earning as much as he could. Meanwhile, Morio and Jyuzou stepped into Homieo, greeted by tens or even hundreds of boats, floating atop water or near makeshift ports, leading to thousands of tiny islands named by the first person who lived there. Some had tiny huts, the others, massive inns with extending red roofs and thirty windows on just one side, with a buffet at the bottom.
The buildings were of a characteristic white colour, with some fading into an oldish yellow, which Morio subconsciously avoided. The islands closer to each other usually had these tiny bridges or planks above the shallow waters, which would flow above the ice, if the night was too cold.
Not many people stepped around, but many windows had these warm lights shining from the inside, followed by many muffled noises of people spending their time with families, perhaps drinking a cup of cocoa or reading through the borrowed books.
That reminded Jyuzou of something. Flipping through the pages, he spotted a detail about Magna. He turned forward before seeing Morio standing near a replica of the Darius statue, with a steel sign attached to the black fence surrounding it.
"Darius S. Qurnasar." Morio read aloud. "On the 50th of Yule, 263 A.F.W, this vagrant hero saved the town of Magna, sacrificing his life in the process. His weapon lies in the Tukman castle." Morio turned to Jyuzou. "I swear I've heard the surname Qurnasar somewhere. Do you think Mr Bancho knows?"
"Maybe there's a whole story attached to it?" Jyuzou added.
Morio nodded, as his small smile eventually turned into a frown. "If he even arrives."
"Morio..." Jyuzou spoke.
"It's getting late now. Maybe tomorrow, then, but I'm starting to doubt it."
"Is that why you wanted to go to Homieo already?" he asked.
"Maybe, I don't know," he shook his head, leaning on the same black fence. "I'm just a little sad. I thought he'd be proud of me." he turned. "Both of us."
"All four." Jyuzou smiled. "Nothing's set in stone, though, Morio. I'm sure, sooner or later, he'll see just how far we've all come."
"Heh." Morio chuckled. "Alright."
As the two stepped away, a few words tucked beneath the plate were uncovered by the remaining lamps.
"All Wise die an honourable death."
Morio and Jyuzou continued, following a straight path, before finding themselves in a secluded street, leading to a bigger square, known for its seven different inns, all named after the seeds of Shimori: Metho, Shato, Bullion, Sek, Lepa, Gawin and Furon.
Jyuzou scanned for the same words in the book he held, and surely enough, they were there, all detailing the pluses and negatives with seemingly very personal facts stated at the side. The morians concluded that Sek and Gawin were the best, but Bullion seemed good as well. Either way, they continued, since there could've been a little more to see. Moving on from the stone buildings, they crossed a small bridge towards an isle next to a few wooden houses at the sides, separating the orange skyline from the setting night.
The lights were on, and much like in the Midcity, people stood on the balconies, observing something.
"Look out!" A man yelled from above, and Jyuzou glanced towards him.
"Jyuzou!" Morio pulled him to the side, and the morian dropped the book to the ground. Suddenly, a stampede of horses ran through the streets, passing through its length in just a few seconds. One of the tributals stopped and stepped down from the stallion, picking up the book.
"It's that tributal!" Morio whispered, and Jyuzou punched him with his elbow. The other morian quickly bowed, while the mentioned tributal trod over, crouching.
"This yours?"
"Ah." Jyuzou fixed his glasses. "I g-got it from the library in Wendigo, so... technically."
"Good choice," they added.
"Rowan Chicho! Come on, before the store closes!" A voice yelled, and the tributal, supposedly named Rowan, stepped back, giving Jyuzou one final glance before setting out.
The morian gulped before bowing again, as the two looked at the passing stations. He fixed his glasses and turned to Morio.
"Tributals are kind of scary."
"He seemed kind."
"They, not he." Jyuzou raised a finger.
"Huh?" Morio raised a brow.
"Tributals don't have genders," Jyuzou explained.
"How would that even work?" Morio asked.
"Things aren't always the way they seem to be." Jyuzou breathed out. "That doesn't make them weird, right?
"Obviously. I'm friends with you, somehow," he chuckled.
"Not what I meant!" Jyuzou yelled out. "Remember that one guy in Mistwick who used to be a girl when younger?"
"Oh yeah! We went hunting together once!"
"Exactly my point. I'd be more worried about going hunting at the age of nine than anything concerning things we shouldn't discuss."
"Well spoken for a glassy idiot."
"Shut up, Morio."
"He also wore-"
"They."
"They also wore glasses." Morio nodded. "You two might be going head-to-head in the annoying league!"
Tributals often found themselves riding around the districts, checking if things were safe or, as seen here, simply moving from point A to point B. They'd step onto bigger boats, specifically designed for their large horses, if they didn't have a bridge to follow. They'd get down from their animals and steer carefully, avoiding overhangs, potentially guiding a few citizens to the right places.
Though someone as brainy as the two didn't need much help. After making it to a few more wooden inns, Jyuzou checked out more of the subjective opinions written in the book, even giggling at what he called their 'intelligent and humorous approach'.
Morio rolled his eyes and stepped away, with a loud sigh. It was either those specific words that made him scrunch up or something else entirely. For a few minutes there, he strutted aimlessly, without the usual smile visiting his face.
His eyes were glued to the snowy ground, and if that wasn't enough, he seemed to be lost in thought for those moments until some noise caught his attention.
He stared forward, catching a distant conversation. A shaky voice, coming from a blonde boy with a worried look in his eyes, with two other morians, pushing him and laughing.
"I bet you can't even lift a sword, Jeffy!" the tall one yelled.
"Frail arms, just look at him!" the other pointed, a bit fatter than the other. "You can't even carry laundry baskets! How do you expect to pass in the first place?"
"S-stop it, you guys, we know that's not true!" the blonde one replied, and the two clapped their hands, as if they achieved something great, before walking off.
The Jeffy guy in question turned with a gasp that met Morio's curious expression.
"Oh, darn it!" Jeffy put his hands together. "You've seen it, didn't you? Shuckle seeds," he looked embarrassed, and a bit scared at the same time, but he approached the other morian. "I can explain my darn self."
"There's no need to!" Morio uttered, waving his hands around.
"You look cool, though! I don't want more morians to think I'm some sort of mess." Jeffy looked down.
"C-Cool?" Morio opened his mouth with a tight smile. "Well, those pricks don't deserve the honours to be considered-" he cleared his throat. "Cool."
"But they're my teammates for the Demonear test, and I embarrassed myself again! I couldn't lift the basket that my papa usually carried, and they saw me in the shucklenutted flesh!" he was visibly stressed.
"Come on, dude!" Morio continued. "I can't cook, for example. I leave it to the glassy guy somewhere there," he pointed, and Jyuzou noticed him, angered.
"W-Well, have you ever met a darn Demonear who can't lift a basket?!" he asked. "If I manage to put it back home, I won't be an embarrassment!"
"There you are!" Jyuzou yelled out, pulling Morio's cloak.
"You're killing me!" Morio muttered, sinking to the ground.
"Don't just wander off without saying anything!" Jyuzou said. "Who's this guy?"
"Oh, I'm Jeffy! Yello!" he waved.
"Yellow?" Jyuzou waved back, and Morio made a strange face.
"I've heard! He's going to the Demonear exam as well," Morio informed, standing up.
"As well? You're in the same darn basket as me!" Jeffy scratched the back of his head. "Crackers," he looked to the side. "You're cool too, then!"
Morio huffed. "Him?"
"Told you, Morio," Jyuzou smirked.
"You haven't said a thing!" Morio yelled.
"Y-You're not from Magna, are you?" he asked, scratching his head.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Morio turned, eyeing Jeffy. "Is Mistwick not cool enough for your culture?"
"No, like!" Jeffy put both hands up. "I passed by the glassy guy here earlier! You talked about Metho seeds. My mum is from Mistwick, and they're only found around those shuckle parts of Shimori, right?" he gulped. "You looked cool, and I was wondering if that's how I could start a darn conversation," he scratched his head. "Y-You know..."
"We were talking about the inn, specifically." Jyuzou folded his arms.
"We were looking for a place to sleep for the night!"
"Oh. Ooh. You didn't come with your parents." Jeffy looked at them, sticking his fingers together. "No, forget that. I'm twelve years old, it's not cool to rely on your parents so far in my darn life." he nodded. "Mama said so when she and Papa left for Lignoria."
"Yeah, totally cool," Morio spoke, with a deeper voice. "I've been on my own for years, now!"
"Ah!" Jeffy gasped.
"He's lying." Jyuzou pointed. "A-Anyways, does that mean you're all alone in your house?"
"Yeah." Jeffy gulped. "...and especially when the Demonear test is darn right by! I thought they'd at least get to see me try," he folded his arms before turning to the two morians, who wore very desperate and semi-cool expressions. "What?"
"Can we come for the night?" Jyuzou whispered.
"The next one, too, preferably," Morio added.
"S-Sure!" Jeffy smiled. "I always like company..! I have two more beds in my house. Mama and Papa don't sleep in the same one, and I don't know why..." he started walking, and the two followed, without a word. "When I was over to drop off some stuff for Mama's friend, it was different!"
The three made their way over to a grey boat, and Jeffy navigated through the waters towards a small island with five houses, placed further away from the nearest islands of Handulia. He unlocked the triangular door with a big key and stepped in, taking off his shoes and putting his feet on the soft carpet.
"Here we are! It's cosy, eh?" he asked, smiling. "Mama said that I can light the fire if it gets too cold, but gosh darn it, I think it's always a little too warm in the house. How's that for you guys?"
"It's-" Morio flopped onto one bed. "Alright." his answer was muffled, as his head was covered by a white pillow.
"Hey, that's my bed!" Jeffy pointed. "You two can sleep in my parents' room, okie? Is that cool?"
"It's cool with the cool people." Jyuzou winked.
The glassy-eyed morian pulled Morio out of the bed, and Jeffy looked out the window, seeing the orange skyline.
Soon enough, the two stood in a different room, with an orange candle burning down, sitting on top of a small closet. Jyuzou took off his jacket and sat down on one of the mattresses. He moved his backpack around, putting the two books on the side.
Morio lay on the other bed, looking around without much thought again. He wrapped himself up in the Talia cloak and closed his eyes.
"I reckon we go to Handulia and tell the others," Jyuzou muttered. "Although I think that we might get dirty looks from them," he chuckled.
"We were just luckier," Morio muttered.
"Either way, I'm a little hungry. I thought I'd snack on something, but turns out, I only have one Metho seed left.
"Only one?" Morio sat up, rubbing his eye.
"Mhm." he quickly reached into the pouch, taking it out. "I can't even make stew with it."
"Jeffy was right, then," Morio spoke. "Not many Metho seeds around."
"I think I saw a few in Lapida, but they're much closer to Mistwick," he clenched his palm, and Morio slowly nodded, before standing up and walking around.
"At least you'll get your share when you go back to Mistwick afterwards," Morio muttered.
"W-Well." Jyuzou gulped. "Doesn't take a Demonear to do all that. The world is full of more interesting foods."
"How am I supposed to tell them apart?"
"I could teach you." Jyuzou smiled, and Morio sighed, putting his head on the windowsill. "Are you worried about the test?"
"I'm not really sure as much anymore."
"You killed a whale with a stone sword."
"I know, but like... what if I fail to prove myself? To Mama, Mr Bancho, who isn't even here?" he shook his head. "The adventure itself meant that we risked our lives, but standing by myself, who will I turn back to when things get dire?"
Jyuzou breathed out.
"I d-don't know. It may just be unneeded stress after all." Morio uttered.
"No, I get it," Jyuzou spoke. "It's natural to feel that way."
"I just don't want to disappoint myself, first and foremost," he added, before staring at the ceiling.
"Is everything a-okay?" Jeffy opened the door, looking in. "Heard some shuckle and buckle."
"No w-worries, Jeffy." Jyuzou turned, with a beam.
Morio sighed before throwing himself back up. "I'll take a breather."
Jyuzou glanced at him, worried.
"Okay, but don't take too long! You shouldn't be out after midnight!" Jeffy yelled out.
Jyuzou fixed his glasses before glancing at Jeffy. "That's still in a few hours, give or take."
"You never know!" Jeffy continued.
"Mentioning that... what do you have in your pantry?"
"Oh, just some stocked-up seeds, darned vegetables and a bit of meat from Handulia. Are you hungry?"
"Well." Jyuzou fixed his glasses. "You think I could make some supper for us three?"
"Ah, of course!"
***
With the evening settling in, Atomu came to the Midcity bar, waiting around the entrance, as songs were sung, guitars were played and loud laughs echoed. After minutes of convincing himself and long, winded breaths, he stepped up the staircase, seeing a bulky man taking two beers from the bartender, and almost stepping over the paladian in the process.
Though with another sigh, he spotted Ella, waving over.
"There you are," She said, mixing a drink, before pouring it into two smaller glasses. Atomu took a seat next to the counter, looking left and right. "You found any work?"
"Turns out the packages in H-Handulia are way heavier than I thought at first."
"Aha!" she pointed. "Made that mistake once as well."
"Yeah, and I won't be here for too long." Atomu nodded. "I still have to get to an inn."
"Oh, what shame. You seem like quite the interesting guy, so better make certain things a little quicker," she smiled, before handing more drinks to the customers, and finally waddling over to Atomu.
"Oh my, Mrs Ella." Atomu shook his head.
"Well, you're quite short for a paladian, that's a first. At the same time, I do get that every person out there gathers for the test, no matter the quirk they have. Seems like the ones in Lignoria haven't happened in years."
"Oh, huh," Atomu muttered. "Then, h-how could you tell I was a paladian?"
"I can learn everything there is about a person if I just look them in the eyes, Atomu." She inched closer.
Atomu gulped before looking away, uncomfortably.
"Kidding, kidding, you immediately ate that up, though!" she pointed.
Atomu looked to the side.
"I just saw how hairy your forearm was," she admitted, and Atomu immediately pulled the coat over his hand. She chuckled. "That was kind of a dead giveaway."
"Stop it," Atomu muttered.
"It's cool, alright? I have a paladian friend who burned off all his forearm hairs because of an accident, so I'd remember a trait like that. I don't mean to judge you in any way. Just look at me, Atomu," she signalled, moving her hands around.
"T-That was something I wanted to ask you about," Atomu said. "I'm... assuming you're not from Shimori."
"I'm a haran from a small family near the Sap Dog desert and the Nosfer rocks in Harabara. You've heard, right?"
"Why did you move here?" Atomu continued. "I thought that the cold here doesn't treat people who aren't morians as well."
"One simple reason, except for my entire family relocating to Windsdale, which I didn't necessarily like. I'll sound so poetic now, but..." she put her hand on Atomu's open palm. "Love."
"Eh?!"
"Not for you, dumbo!" she yelled out. "But, for a beautiful morian woman I met in Lignoria. A Demonear to add fuel to this frenzied fire." She closed her eyes. "Which might sound stupid on paper. I moved to Magna, and suddenly she started disappearing on me. After years of nothing, she started training to kill those demons again."
"I didn't know you swung that way." Atomu muttered.
"You got a problem?" she squinted.
"N-No, of course not!" Atomu waved his hands around. "Just... a little surprised."
She chuckled. "Don't worry, not gonna beat you up," she smiled. "You paladians just have it different, eh? Marriages are only between men and women. That frustration must be building up, year by year. Not the same for harans, though. Our people don't care, love who you want."
"I wish." Atomu gulped.
"What was that?"
"Nothing." Atomu shook his head. "It's still not as bad as for erans, though."
"Don't even get me started about those apples!"
"Apples?" Atomu raised an eyebrow.
"Haven't you heard? If people of Errarion were fruits, then erans would be apples, the most basic and boring choice out there. Have some fun, and eat a kaito! Assuming that you know what that is."
"I might want to ask my friend," Atomu replied.
"Talking about eating, that leads to drinks, so..." She hid her hands behind the bar, pouring something into a glass.
"Oh. Oh no." Atomu uttered, and she stuck her tongue out, nodding her head. "I really should get going."
"Drink it," Ella stated.
"I h-have to find Chyuuichi in Handulia, and get my stuff in the inn-"
"Drink. It," she put the glass, filled with an unknown beverage, on the table in front of Atomu. "It's on me."
Atomu breathed in and out before sitting back on the stool. "Only one glass."
***
Morio sat down on one of the two stone stairs with his eyes glued to the night lights.
It might've been that stress again, and even the deepest of breaths didn't seem to calm him. He glanced down, after a while, seeing as the water in front of him shifted, freezing to a halt.
Then, a speck of white dust fell from the sky and shone against the ice.
"Is it snowing?" he asked, but the sky was as clear as earlier.
Afterwards, shuffling could be heard. Then, a song sounded, albeit quietly at first. It turned into a coherent melody, followed by a figure, emerging from the darkness.
Morio stood up, flabbergasted.
"A witch!"
Her eyes appeared, and then her words became clear.
"From the clouded gaze, into a misty haze, glows a bottle of foggy dust, reminding one, what's to touch, what's to learn, what's to feel." She sang. "In between the trees, in the middle of the sky, here comes she, here comes he, of the night, the day, and light, among the stars, the flight." She closed her eyes. "In glory, and might, comes a thought, brings a fight, stops the chime, and pays a dime. To the witches, and the wizards... from above."
Morio gasped as she stepped down onto the ice and carefully looked at him, beaming. Her hands landed in his open palms, and he trembled upon touch.
"Listen carefully, Morio," she continued, as the light behind her dimmed, revealing a shining white costume and beautiful, silver hair.
She inched closer as her appearance started fading.
"My message was of protection of akin. Idalia, serving the word of a friend, and paying back her dues," she said, putting her hand on his cheek, and the smile slowly faded from her face, turning into a distant frown. "There's a chance that hope will die."
"What?"
"They'll put all their power into one basket, and slaughter what remains of these castles."
Morio shook his head, opening his half-closed eyes.
"You need to save it, like he would."
"What do you mean?" he asked, blinking twice. "I'm just Morio!"
She smiled. "I've heard of you. The son of a never-ending evil, but willingly choosing the righteous path. No matter how much things may lead you astray, and on the worst of days where the sun never seems to shine, Morio Frisks will become the sun."
Morio gulped, now visibly shaking.
"If you tread carefully, you can rescue hope," she stared into his eyes.
As her words faded, her figure echoed out into the depths of the night. Morio tumbled onto the ice as his heart skipped another beat.
He glanced up, chasing the thought with those specks of dust, but ultimately, the only thing he met were those same night lights, glimpsing back at him.
***
Atomu crawled on the ground, defeated, with his head over an opening in one of the bathrooms, serving as a toilet.
The paladian coughed before hesitantly glancing at a splurge of the red liquid on his palm and around the toilet. He breathed in before his body gave out.
Atomu lay on the ground, closing his eyes.