A faint glow seeped through the narrow window, casting long, pale streaks across the stone walls. The air was cool and still, carrying the crispness of early morning. Somewhere in the distance, the murmur of soldiers and distant footsteps echoed through the stronghold, a reminder that the fortress never truly slept.
Alex stirred beneath the thick blankets, groaning as he fought against the pull of sleep. His limbs felt heavy, his mind sluggish, as if his body refused to acknowledge the start of a new day.
He let out a slow sigh and forced himself upright—
Thud!
Pain exploded across his forehead as he smacked straight into the top bunk.
"Ow!" He jerked back, immediately clutching his head, eyes squeezed shut in pain.
A loud burst of laughter erupted from above.
"That's why you always pick the top bunk!" Max teased, peering down at him, amusement dancing in his bright blue eyes.
Alex muttered something unintelligible under his breath, still rubbing his forehead. "Lesson learned…"
Max, still grinning, swung his legs over the edge of the bunk and dropped down effortlessly, landing with the ease of someone who had done this a thousand times before. "Come on, Alex! My sister said if we leave now, we can reach Lotardale by daytime. If you take too long, I'm leaving you behind!"
Alex blinked, still half-dazed from sleep, before his brain finally caught up to reality.
Today. They were leaving.
A spark of excitement pushed away the last remnants of drowsiness.
"Alright, alright, I'm coming." He dragged himself out of bed, feet hitting the cold floor with a small shiver.
Max was already by the door, bouncing on his heels like an eager child, barely containing his enthusiasm. "Hurry up! I want to get there before lunch!"
Alex ran a hand through his messy hair, grabbed a washcloth, and splashed cold water onto his face from the small basin in the corner. The shock of it made him inhale sharply, but it worked—his head cleared, and sleep was officially gone.
By the time he turned back, Max was already halfway out the door, impatience written all over his face.
"Finally!" Max groaned dramatically. "I was about to send a search party for you."
Alex rolled his eyes but couldn't hide his smirk as he followed him into the fortress halls, his earlier grogginess completely replaced by something new.
Anticipation.
Today, he would finally see Lotardale.
The carriage swayed gently as it rolled down the Royal Road, the horses keeping a steady pace. The rhythmic creak of wooden wheels on dirt blended with the distant chirping of birds, creating a calm atmosphere around them.
Alex gazed out the window, feeling the distance from home grow with each passing moment. It was still hard to believe that he was here, on his way to a city he had never seen, surrounded by people who, not long ago, had been complete strangers.
Sitting beside him, Max shuffled a deck of cards in his hands, glancing at Alex with a mischievous grin.
"Do you know how to play?" he asked.
Alex turned to him, puzzled. "No… I've never tried."
Max smirked, clearly pleased. "Perfect. That means I get to teach you!"
He quickly dealt the cards, explaining the rules in a fast but enthusiastic manner. At first, Alex struggled to keep up, losing nearly every round.
But after a few games, he started to understand the strategy, his confidence growing. Then, in one particularly intense match, Alex won for the first time.
Max dramatically placed a hand over his chest, mocking disbelief. "Unbelievable. I create a student, and now he defeats me!"
Alex chuckled, feeling lighter than he had in days.
Across from them, Sarah and David watched quietly.
Sarah's lips curled into a gentle smile, pleased to see her son laughing and having fun. David, his arms crossed, nodded approvingly, satisfied that Alex was finally bonding with someone his age.
After a few more rounds, Max stretched his arms with a lazy yawn.
"So, Alex, are you ready to see the greatest city in the world?"
Alex raised an eyebrow. "You said the same thing about the fortress."
Max grinned. "This time, I'm not exaggerating."
Alex glanced at him, intrigued. "What's so special about it?"
Max leaned forward, his excitement growing.
"Lotardale has everything. First, there's the Grand Market Square, where you can find anything—food, weapons, enchanted artifacts, you name it. Then there's the largest cathedral in the world—so big that you can see it from anywhere in the city. And of course, the legendary EIL Institute, where the strongest warriors and magicians train. Oh, and let's not forget the giant arena, where duels and competitions are held all the time. And that's just the beginning!"
Alex couldn't help but be intrigued. "And you'll show me all these places?"
Max grinned. "Absolutely. Just stick with me, and you'll see everything worth seeing."
The further they traveled, the more the road narrowed.
The once open path was now surrounded by towering trees, their branches twisting together like reaching hands. The sunlight barely made it through, casting shifting patterns of light and shadow over the dirt road.
The air turned cooler, heavier, carrying the scent of damp earth and old wood.
The carriage jolted as it rolled over thick roots, some so large that the horses had to step carefully to avoid tripping.
Alex looked away from his cards, suddenly feeling uneasy.
"It's getting dark," he muttered.
Max barely glanced up. "That's normal. Lotardale was built inside the forest."
Alex frowned. He had assumed they would find a clearing, but this? The trees seemed endless.
After a while, he couldn't hold back his doubt.
"Are you sure we're still on the right path?" he asked.
Max smirked knowingly. "I bet you think we're lost."
Before Alex could respond, Olana, who had remained quiet for most of the journey, spoke up from the front of the carriage.
"We're here."
The carriage passed through one final archway of trees—
And suddenly, the world opened up before them.
Lotardale was enormous.
Larger than any city Alex had ever imagined.
The buildings rose between the trees, seamlessly woven into the forest itself. Some were carved from stone, their foundations embedded in the very roots of the land, while others were constructed from wood, appearing almost as if they had grown naturally from the ground.
Massive hanging bridges and pathways stretched across different levels, connecting the city like a web of walkways suspended above the earth.
People filled the streets, moving between market stalls, homes, and towering structures, their voices merging into a constant hum of life.
In the Grand Market Square, vendors called out their wares, offering fresh produce, exotic spices, weapons, and magical artifacts.
Street magicians performed tricks, sending flickers of fire and lightning into the air, drawing small crowds of fascinated spectators.
From nearby balconies, priests of the Church of Elements preached stories of the ancient Four Heroes, their voices echoing through the streets.
And dominating the skyline—
A colossal cathedral, its white marble towers stretching so high that they disappeared into the mist.
To its right, the EIL Institute stood like a fortress of learning, its thick stone walls and high watchtowers marking the place where the strongest warriors and mages were trained.
And just beyond, the Arena loomed over the city, its vast stone arches casting long shadows, promising fierce battles within.
Alex stared in disbelief.
"This… is…."
Max leaned back against the carriage seat, grinning at his reaction.
"Welcome to the City of Earth."