Cheers, fireworks, trumpets, music, and all kinds of celebratory sounds could be heard even from a distance in the big city.
Wow, it seems like the big city is very lively today, "said Gwidion." I don't remember there being any festivities at this time of year... but I guess we'll find out what it's all about once we get there.
"Do you think we can get through the barrier without any trouble?" asked Lariat, adding, "We've been here before, and they know us, but... do you think they'll be okay?"
Gwydion turned to look at his new companions with a hint of doubt in his eyes and said, "We still don't know for sure if the artifacts the great Wolf gave us can completely hide their power."
Aisha, visibly angry, raised her voice and replied:
DO NOT DOUBT THE POWER OF FATHER!
The garments he has given you are undoubtedly worth more than this stone city that looms over this valley. They are not trinkets; they are a piece of his own being. Rest assured, my lady Lariat, that their power is authentic. I have no idea why he decided to do something of such magnitude for you.
Even though my life was saved thanks to my lord Tylos, to do something like this... I HOPE YOUR HUNCH IS RIGHT.
Lariat and Gwydion bowed their heads in apology.
"I'm sorry, it was not our intention to question the power of a being as majestic as your father, it's just that even for us magicians there are mysteries that we cannot decipher with the knowledge of many accumulated lives."
Tylos walked from the back of the group with his hood over his head to the front of everyone and wielded the crossguard in one hand, charging it with power until it glowed intensely, reflecting in his eyes.
"If you still have doubts about these garments, perhaps we should test their strength right here."
He unleashed the power contained in his sword against the scabbard given to him by the great Wolf.
Aisha's face paled for a moment, but when she saw Tylos' eyes, she nodded for him to continue.
When the sword crashed down on the artifact, it sounded like a sharp, powerful explosion of lightning on metal. Everyone closed their eyes.
Fearing the worst, they slowly opened their eyes.
Silently, Tylos held in his hands the hilt covered by the delicate sheath that had been made for it.
NOT A SINGLE SCRATCH!
That impulsive act further enhanced the gift he had been given.
Impressive, it doesn't even have a speck of dust on it. Said the old man as he inspected the guard from top to bottom with a monocle, adding, "Likewise, your sword is incredible. Normally, one of the two pieces would have given way or been damaged by such a tremendous blow, but both remain the same... so both are truly exceptional objects."
"There's no need, my lady Elf," said Aisha, seeing that Alexa was removing her cloak so that Tylos could strike her in the same way.
But... this way there will be no doubt that we will be safe inside... for centuries neither I nor my people have entered this type of fortification, as we have been hunted relentlessly in such places, but the truth is that I would have entered anyway... what I am looking for surely... must be there.
The boy turned his face toward her, looking directly into her eyes, which looked like those of someone tired and without much hope. Then he asked in a serious tone.
Who are you looking for? ... Do you think your friend is in there?
Alexa's gaze panicked, causing her to look down at the ground, and her mind wandered for a moment. Her fists clenched tightly, and then she raised her head again, speaking in a broken voice.
"How... how do you know?"
Memories of what happened to her friend in that place quickly came to mind, and she turned her gaze to Elise in anguish.
Was it you?
She demanded, but the little girl shook her head.
Tylos walked over to lean against the cart and added with a sigh. "I heard your screams in those catacombs; they made the place rumble. When I found you, I had been walking and fighting for a long time without stopping at full speed. You were calling her, your friend."
Alexa turned away immediately. "I don't want to talk about it," she whispered as she sat down in the back of the cart, hiding her tearful eyes from the others.
Both Aisha and the wizards remained silent during the conversation, assuming that the worst had happened.
Tylos quickly changed the subject and said, "It's time to get going, time is of the essence."
"You're right," added the old man, who still looked thoughtful about it.
Even so, he set the wagon in motion with everyone inside.
As they moved closer to the city, Tylos noticed that the vegetation decreased abruptly, so much so that it seemed unnatural.
"This is strange," whispered the boy.
Aisha turned to look at him and nodded, adding, "It seems like the forest ended suddenly."
Tylos felt dizzy for a moment, but didn't say a word. However, Alexa noticed and stared at him menacingly, although she didn't say anything about it.
IT'S THE BARRIER!
said Lariat, answering Tylos and Aisha's question.
Lariat stood up on the moving wagon and pointed behind them.
Look! From inside, you can see the dome that covers the entire city. In this place, there is a crack that has been creating plants and monsters for fifteen years. This three-layer barrier is specially designed to repel dangerous magical creatures, but above all, it prevents vegetation imbued with magic from growing inside this shield.
As you can imagine, such a large forest does not grow rapidly for no reason. During our journey, we barely touched the edges of the great forest that lies in this immense valley. We could have been walking inside it for months if we did not know the exact path to go from one region to another.
The cart advanced toward the enormous entrance carved into an immense wall, but something caught Tylos's attention: there were no guards anywhere.
They stopped next to the great gate, and the silence was so uncomfortable that a deep voice exclaimed:
WHAT IS THE REASON FOR YOUR VISIT, STRANGERS? SPEAK NOW, OR THESE GATES WILL NOT WELCOME YOU.
We are visiting the city for research purposes, said Gwydion, having stepped down from the cart with the others and bowing his head slightly. Then he added: As you can see, my granddaughter is accompanying me. We are both magicians, and our friends here are our traveling companions.
You are welcome, said the voice, but only you, magicians and friends of the great cathedral. Your friends cannot enter, at least not until they are called friends of the great city. Therefore, you must wait in the outer borough and show that you are friends of the city within the walls.
How can this be possible? said the old man in an agitated tone of voice.
"IN THE PAST, THIS CITY WAS MORE WELCOMING." Why do you refuse to let these humble servants enter?
Huge stone colossi wearing golden armor stood up in front of the gate, causing them to retreat. "These are the rules imposed by His Excellency, the new pontiff of this magnificent city!" Both stone colossi bowed their heads toward the tiny group and asked in a deep, booming voice, "Should I take your discontent as rebellion against his divine command?"
"It's all right, old man... there's no need to make a fuss. Go ahead, we'll catch up with you later."
Lariat sighed, turned with a hint of concern, and motioned for them to follow him to the left, close to the wall. There, pressed against the outside of the barrier, they should be able to see the borough of the great city to the south.
Tylos nodded, while the other girls responded with silence. And so, the colossal gates were opened by the stone giants, allowing only the magicians to pass through.
Gwydion glanced at him sideways and whispered, "I'm counting on you."
The gates closed like dry concrete, making it impossible to see inside. Silence flooded the entrance as the colossi rejoined the fortification.
Tylos stood on the cart, but the place they were supposed to go wasn't even visible to his eyes.
This city is certainly huge. All I can see is the wall disappearing into the horizon, but not the place we have to go, said the boy.
Aisha closed her eyes, trying to see beyond, but even with her enhanced senses, she couldn't see that place. She turned her gaze curiously toward the elf, unable to contain her curiosity to ask, "My ladies, have you, who have lived for so long, ever visited this place?"
Alexa sighed and said, "We must move on before dark. If we're not welcome here, I wouldn't be surprised if that were the case in that place."
Alexa sighed and said:
We must move on before it gets dark. If we are not welcome here, I would not be surprised if that were the case in that place.
It is the first time we have come to a place like this. Large cities often implement such barriers to repel hostile creatures, although I would rather say that they do not wish to interact with anything that is beyond their understanding. Until I received this gift, it was impossible for me to continue searching for my friends within these structures, but now that I'm here, I plan to turn this place upside down if necessary to find them.
Is there any reason why my lady can't let them know her power? Aisha asked, leaning eagerly toward Alexa's face.
Alexa jumped back and let out a scream that made the horses bolt, throwing Tylos into the water channel.
Pffffff... ha... hahahaha
Alexa's serious tone changed as she burst out laughing at the sight of the boy soaked in water and spitting mud, and the others joined in the celebration, embarrassing the boy for his unfortunate accident.