Two majestic shadow mane horses galloped through the streets of Xyontra City. Their hooves echoed rhythmically on the stone pathway. The two shadow mane horses were pulling a carriage, which gave an aura of nobility.
Anna, who was in her disguise, sat inside the carriage as she gazed at the streets of Xyontra for the final time with a frown.
’It’s all for the better.’ She thought to herself.
A few moments later, she turned her head and looked at Damien; he, too, was in his disguise.
"I am sorry," she apologised.
"What for?" Damien questioned with a raised brow.
"For how I acted yesterday," Anna answered with a bitter smile.
Damien studied her for a moment, after which he spoke with a small nod.
"It’s fine, I should have asked you about your opinion first."
A smile adorned his face after he said that.
Seeing that, Anna bit her lower lip and lowered her head.
The carriage went silent; only the constant sounds of hooves and the noise from outside could be heard.
Soon, the carriage stopped in front of a dark alley.
Sensing the carriage stop, Anna lifted her face with a confused look. Damien stood up from his seat and walked towards the door of the carriage as he spoke.
Anna looked at Damien with a confused look for a moment, after which she just nodded and began to follow behind Damien.
Damien and Anna began to walk inside the smooth stone alley, which was dimly illuminated by the runic lanterns hanging at the poles. Damien stopped in front of a dark stone wall, which was covered in moss and vines.
Damien’s eyes glowed with a purple sheen as his hand was soon covered in a purple flame. He waved his hand, and the wall trembled. After a few moments, the insignia of the Star Council appeared on the wall as it rumbled and parted, giving way to a huge door with celestial and runic engravings.
Damien walked forward and placed his hand on the door; his eyes glowed one more time as the engravings began to illuminate with a purple glow, and the door opened.
A dark hallway filled with large, dark walls engraved with runes came into view as he walked forward.
Anna had a dumbfounded look as she watched all of these.
"W-What was that?" Anna asked as she pointed towards the dark hallway.
Damien stopped in his tracks as he turned and looked at Anna with a teasing look on his face.
"Didn’t you want to learn about runes?" Damien questioned.
Anna answered his question with a nod.
Damien’s lips then widened into a grin. He turned and spread his arms dramatically as he spoke.
"This is a creation of runes, the mystic lane."
Anna repeated his words in a low voice.
"It’s a two-way network allowing one to enter and leave Azor from fixed doors." Damien continued as he pointed at the towering door in front of him, "And this door leads to Starborne Emporium."
Damien concluded as he looked at Anna with a turn of his head.
Anna stared at the door with excitement in her eyes.
"I SEE," She said in a loud voice.
Seeing her like that, a chuckle left Damien’s lips.
Damien held out his hand, which Anna grabbed without waiting. A bright smile lit her face.
Both of them began to walk through the hallway. The holders at the wall began to burn with a blue flame as they walked forward. Their disguises come undone as they return to their natural looks.
Finally, they stopped in front of an elevator which had celestial engravings on its surface. Damien walked forward and placed his hand on the moon in the centre of the door; the elevator shook a little as the door parted.
Damien held Anna’s hand as they walked inside the elevator. The elevator began to move a few moments later.
After some time, the elevator stopped with a chime as its door parted to reveal Damien’s office, which was lit by the sunlight entering through the windows.
Suddenly, Anna trembled as she nearly fell on her knees.
"W-what’s happening?!" Anna questioned with a frightened look.
"We are no longer in Azor, and it’s daytime. So, you must be weakened, leading to an imbalance." Damien explained as he helped her move towards a chair in the sitting area.
Anna collapsed into the chair as she spoke with a grumbling voice.
"Ugh, it’s so annoying. I feel like I trained for nothing." Anna complained.
Damien shook his head at Anna’s antics.
Damien walked towards the windows as he gazed at the Necron City, which was painted orange by the rising sun. A small smile slowly took its place on his lips.
Anna turned her head as she gazed at the back of Damien. After a few moments, she walked, her steps still imperfect due to nausea. She walked behind Damien and hugged him.
"Brother..." Anna spoke, her tone heavy.
"Everything will be alright," Damien spoke with a gentle and reassuring tone as he placed his right hand on her hands, which were hugging him.
Anna nodded as she continued to hug him, seemingly trying to find comfort and peace in his presence.
"Ahem..." White, who was standing beside the door, let out a cough, gaining the attention of both.
"What?" Anna questioned with narrowed eyes without breaking the hug.
White looked at Anna as he spoke
"The driver is ready, Miss Anieal."
Hearing that, Anna raised an eyebrow as she questioned.
White, however, didn’t answer as he turned to look at Damien.
Damien, sensing his intentions, just shook his head and looked at Anna. Anna followed White’s gaze as she turned and looked at Damien.
"What is he talking about, brother?" Anna questioned with a solemn look.
"You should go meet your friends," Damien answered as a small smile appeared on his face.
"Huh?" Anna tilted her head in confusion, but soon she added two and two together as she guessed.
"You want me to go to college?" Anna asked, disbelief written all over her face.
Hearing that, Damien’s smile widened as he nodded.
"Whhyyy!" Anna yelled loudly as she grabbed her hair.