The road into Emberstone wasn't what Ren expected.
No enchanted gates.
No armed guards breathing fire.
Just an open, winding path through a valley that smelled like wild mint and hot stone.
Lannic walked like he had nowhere urgent to be.
Which was hilarious, considering he called himself a Deliverer.
LANNIC (pointing ahead):
"City's just past those cliffs. Stay left, or the road'll loop you through the goat orchard."
REN (confused):
"...The what now?"
LANNIC:
"Exactly what it sounds like."
BLAZE (materializing beside Ren in a literal puff of flame):
"Hell yeah! Goats on trees! Are they on fire?!"
FROST (phasing in on the other side, calm as always):
"Please don't let him touch the goats. Or the trees."
Ren blinked.
REN:
"You two coming out now?"
BLAZE (stretching):
"We figured if we leave you unsupervised, you'll try to sword-fight a mailbox again."
LANNIC (smiling without looking back):
"I'd bet three emeralds and a bag of dried moonfruit he does."
REN:
"Wow. You insult me once and now you're all comedians?"
SNARKSTEEL (from Ren's back):
"I've always been the comedy. You're the tragedy."
They walked.
The land shifted from green fields to smooth redstone paths.
Magic shimmered faintly in the air — not aggressive, just present.
Like the city breathed it.
Buildings grew taller, closer, each shaped differently — curves, angles, some with full trees growing through them.
Crystals pulsed inside lanterns.
Runes flickered across the stones like whispers only the city could hear.
REN (looking around):
"This place is… weirdly alive."
LANNIC (nodding):
"It is. Magic here doesn't just serve. It listens. Emberstone's built on cooperation."
BLAZE (impressed):
"Looks expensive. I wanna burn it."
FROST:
"You say that about everything."
BLAZE:
"Because I have taste."
As they reached the inner gates, people began to pass them — casually dressed, magical beings from at least three races Ren couldn't even name yet.
Nobody stared.
Nobody questioned.
They just nodded at Lannic like he was a local baker and not a guy who casually disarmed space-walkers for fun.
LANNIC (stopping at a fork):
"Well, partner… here's where we split."
REN (eyeing him):
"Partner?"
LANNIC (grinning):
"You fought a beast. Survived my sarcasm. Walked the goat path. That qualifies."
REN (smirking):
"Wow. You really hand out titles like candy."
LANNIC (shrugging):
"Only to the good ones."
He reached into his bag, pulled out a small, rune-locked scroll, and nodded toward the eastward path.
LANNIC:
"I've got deliveries to make. But you? Go explore. Ask for the Flamehall if you get lost."
REN:
"Let me guess — fire mages?"
LANNIC:
"Nope. It's just where they keep the spicy soup."
He winked, turned, and vanished into the crowd with zero ceremony.
Ren watched him go.
BLAZE:
"That guy is either a joke or a god pretending to be mail."
FROST (softly):
"Both, maybe."
Ren turned back to the city.
Lanterns pulsed. Air buzzed with quiet spellwork.
And somewhere far off, something screamed.
Probably a goat.
REN (exhaling):
"Alright, Emberstone. Let's see what burns first."