Chosen ( The One) Chapter 3: Paragon
Wind ripped at their hair and clothes, a cold, thin air that tasted of altitude and distant rain. Delvin's breath caught. Before them, defying the great blue void, hung the floating isles of Paragon.
" The central Isle," Persie said, pointing to the Isle which sat between the skies and the circle of floating Isles. " Is where we are heading," he continued. Holding to his sword, Delvin started moving north of Paragon.
A voice, clear and ringing as a bell, stopped him before his foot could touch the seemingly empty air of the bridge. Beside its entrance stood a young man, sharp featured and elegant. Golden hair was swept back by an ash- grey ribbon, and he was graced in fine white apparel embroidered with diamond patterns.
" Who arrives unannounced at the sky-dock?" Jean demanded, his voice cutting through the wind.
" I'm Delvin....and.....and.... we're going to the capital city of Paragon." Delvin said with a trembling voice, holding his sword tight.
"We...." Jean began, then stopped, his head tilting as he looked past Delvin.
Heavy, confident footsteps echoed on the stone platform. Persie emerged from behind Delvin, his presence seeming to still the very wind. " He is with us." Persie said with a calm voice, holding the shoulder of Delvin.
" I've not seen this one before?" Jean said, his wintery eyes fixed on Delvin, who was studiously examining the hilt of his sword to avoid the intense gaze.
"An apprentice?" He asked.
" No. More than that," Persie replied.
" My apologies, Lord Persie," Jean said, his head bowed and a fist thumping the chest in formal salute. Before he could complete the gesture, a strong, familiar hand took his shoulder, making him lift his head.
" From small shoulders to bigger ones. You've grown Jean." Persie said with a smile on his face.
The Murmurs came to an end as the remaining crew joined the company at the sky-dock. " Jean" everyone shouted, as series of questions began to flow.
" How have you been? How is your father? ...." As everyone came around him giving him a warm hug. With hands wiping the drop of tears. Jean said,
" I might not know why you are here. But I think I can help you.
" Thank you, Jean." Persie said.
" Please come with me." Jean said, moving toward the other side of the sky-dock.
Standing on what felt like a sheet of perfectly transparent, solid air. His stomach lurched as he saw only open sky beneath his boots.Delvin held the handrail of the bridge, hoping he might not fall, as he looked down. " This is not magic. It is an ancient magic spell that allows the air to act as a land." Persie said, holding Delvin's hand as they cross the bridge. As they reached the far end of the bridge, a wave of impossible sweetness washed over them.Ethan inhaled deeply.
"Aeranthemums," Persie said, noting their wonder. "Rare, silver- shiny flowers with the scent of cherry and mango flavour. They grow on the clouds themselves. They are said to bloom only once every five hundred years." He explained. Ethan secretly plucked one.
Before them, the gates of Paragon stood open- not of stone or metal, but of woven light: a shimmering gold features of a divine beauty. A design that depicted the cosmic creator Luminous. And solidified mist, forming arches that shimmered like a permanent rainbow. Through them, Delvin saw a city that seemed spun from dream and weather.
Towers of pale stone rose not from the ground, but with it, their curves mimicking the flow of clouds. Aerians moved through the avenues with a gliding grace, their forms almost floating above the polished pathways. Caught in this awe of wonders, Delvin stood still as the world around him circled around him.
Aerians paused in their gliding routines, their eyes - colours of storm and sunrise - tracking the newcomers with readable intensity. Delvin felt every gaze like a physical touch, his hand tightening on Justice until Persie's calm presence beside him steadied his nerves. The palace grew before them, not a looming fortress, but a graceful ascent of pearlescent stone covered with gems and emerald, and a mist that flowed from a tall waterfall whose water came from the side of the castle. Holding an evergreen garden that boasts of rare sweet flowers like queen of the night, rose of Barbados, etc.
Seated on his throne, looking majestic with a black and white hair is the noble king Herman. And seated by his side is his wife Queen Jochebed, a beautiful middle aged woman with black and white hair, brown eyes, curvy hips and looks very smart. A palpable aura of majesty filled the hallway, a pressure in the air that commanded reverence the moment they entered.
Adorning what seemed like a well civilised court- a high barricade separated the king and queen, and high dignitaries. A two middle raised barricade that had twelve seats each, meant for the elders. And a large hall with an emblem painted on the ground.
" Greetings my lordship," Penelope said as they all bow to show their mutual respect.
" Greetings, my children," King Herman responds. " What brings you here?" He added,
" We were sent by King Fritz of Aquamaria ," Penelope answered.
( Aquamaria a kingdom situated on the oceans)
" Why?" King Herman asks,
" He is recruiting the seven nature courses to help fight the coming Apocalypse, sire." She explained.
King Herman's majestic posture stiffened. The easy warmth drained from his face, replaced by the pallor of a man receiving a death sentence. He looked from Penelope to his queen, a silent, terrible conversation passing between them in a glance.
" My... twins?" he finally said, the words hollow in the vast hall. When Penelope repeated the necessity, he closed his eyes for a moment, his jaw working.
" Then... there is no choice. Tristan. Emerald." His voice was heavy with a father's dread, not a king's command.
( Suddenly an ominous sound is heard, cracking of thunder and a fierce lightning accompanied by a rain, everyone looks up and sees Tristan approaching. Then a storm, the civilians started shouting" approaching from the west". It was Emerald).
Tristan, white hair, white eyes and emitting high voltage lightning waves and Emerald, white hair, white eyes, curvy hips and sculpted breasts. " We will go," both said in a synchronized voice cutting King Herman's speech.
" Behold the god of thunder and lightning and the god of the skies," Cid said.
" Wait.. ah, we'll have a feast in honour of the seven nature course." King Herman proclaimed.
Later that night, the hall shimmered with candlelight, overwhelming the senses with the scent of roasted meat spiced wine. Delvin's head swam. Towers of jewel- like fruits competed for space with steaming platters of meats glazed in unknown spices.
A melody, sweet and complex as the scent of the Aeranthemums, wove through the din of conversation. On the right side of the hall, a dimmed light shone through the window as it called the love birds to their nests. A toast is lifted to the seven nature courses by King Herman as they walked from the palace gate towards the front where the king and queen were standing.
" A toast for success" King Herman shouts,
" Cheers" everyone responds.
" A toast for valiance," He continued,
" cheers" everyone shouts.
" A toast for peace", He concluded,
" cheers" every soul exclaimed with a great shout.
" The seven nature courses" He added pointing to them. Everyone applauded for them.
Cid approached Emerald and asked for a dance.
" May I have this dance?" He asked, reaching out his hand.
" Sure", she agreed, Penelope asked Tristan for a dance. Ethan is being fought over by young and older maidens while Delvin stuffs himself with the food and drinks. On the other hand, Persie and Abigail goes out to the evergreen garden near the waterfall. Stood by a well in the middle of the garden with red roses everywhere, a bed of golden lilies and a full moon smiling that night.
Both stared at each other and Persie says to Abigail, " this place looks as beautiful as you," she smiles.
" Look at the moon," He says ( both turns and look at the moon),
" It is a symbol and a witness to our unfailing love," He continues,
" As the moonlight shines through the night forever, so will the love I have for you shine forever and ever and ever and ever...,"
" I love you persie blanks," Abigail replies glancing through the eyes of Persie. He kisses her and she responds back with a kiss. There under the moon's silent witness, they became one upon the bed of lilies, their love a private counterpoint to the public feast inside.
To the joy that filled the inside of the castle, Tristan asked Penelope what she meant by "The Apocalypse" and she replied,
" even I don't know," Penelope said. " Only King Fritz and Persie do." She added,
" why won't he tell you?" Tristan asked.
" Persie said they have to discuss about it first." She replied,
" Ok, I understand," He concluded.
Cid on the other hand, bluffed about himself which made Emerald annoyed and left him in the middle of the dance. The celebration didn't end when they all retired to bed. At first light, Persie and Abigail woke up in the garden with smiles on their faces. Ethan was more fatigued fending off the attentions of the Aerian maidens.
Tristan and Emerald were already preparing for the next journey. Penelope went strolling in the palace, in order to bid farewell to the king. Cid was still on bed caught in a dilemma about what happened between Emerald and himself while Delvin suffered a stomach ache after filling his belly to the brink last night.
Penelope found King Herman on a high balcony overlooking the waking city, already immersed in the duties of the dawn. He was speaking intently to a guard, his voice low and urgent.
" .... Send word to the generals. They must muster the levies and prepare for the coming storm. Anticipation is our only shield now...." She waited until he paused.
"Greetings, my Lord." King Herman turned, the weight of command shifting in his eyes as he focused on her.
" Greetings, Penelope. Fairing well?"
" Yes, thank you, sire." She bowed.
" I had my servants prepare supplies for you and...." He paused, his gaze drifting to the distant horizon where his children would travel. His side seemed to carry the physical burden of a father who would be absent where his children needed him most. needed him most.
"..... my twins. " Send regards to your father, King Fritz."