SYSTEM ASCENSION

Tiana didn’t get to explore the town with the students. Instead, she was stuck with Jordan. They picked some flowers together and grind it into the ink that’d be used for Elias. After that they proceeded to the arrangement of a cave like structure with the rest of the workers.

She didn’t particularly find him boring, but he could tell that she was distracted. She also asked odd questions about how much and how far his eyes can see.

”If you want to leave, I can have the gryphon take you back.” He suddenly said,

She flinched, and glanced at him.

”No...no I...I...”

She bit on her lips and looked down. ”I’m sorry. I’m I making you uncomfortable?”

”A little bit. Not that I can complain, I dragged you here anyway.”

He signalled the gryphon sitting on the building with a casual wave of hand. Before he could finish the gesture, she held his hand.

”Wait!”

He turned.

”I...can I ask you a question? One question to ease my mind.”

He lowered his hand.

”Sure.”

”Then,” she glanced at the other workers, before lowering her voice. ”Can the Black-eye read into people’s lives? Like the past or future.”

He stared at her for a moment in silence, before answering.

”No.”

Her eyes widened.

”No?”

”I can see you’re troubled. I can see your soul. I can see your vital energy channels. I can see your core, but what I can’t see is something silly you chose to do in the past. Honestly, I’m not interested.”

She released his hand and turned around. Her face turned red.

”I’m sorry! I...just...”

”Insecure. It’s a basic emotion.”

She glanced back at him, and he was already walking away. She reached out.

’How can someone be so effortlessly attractive?’

Determination flashed her eyes.

’Elias, you’ve been promoted from my god-brother to my inlaw from now on. I’m taking your brother.’

She ran after him.

***

An hour later, the hall had been arranged, before her mind was finally settled enough to ask.

”What’s it for anyway?”

”A mark transfer ceremony.” Jordan turned around and began to walk away.

”Right. I have been hearing it a lot this season.” She ran after him. ”This mark, does it just appear randomly in the world?”

”Maybe? I’m not sure how it works.” He shrugged.

”Are you not sure, or you’re uninterested?” She grinned.

”The audacity to read me.”

She laughed.

They finally arrived at the place where Elias had been pulled into hours ago. They could see the majestic dragon form of Mona spread out in the yard, tail twitching to drive away the other gryphons. Quil was sitting on one of the limbs.

”We’re going to the northern district to get ingredients. Are you coming?” Jordan asked.

”Sure.” She began to hop on one foot. ”What ingredients though?”

He paused and narrowed his eyes.

”You don’t know?”

She shrugged. ”Am I supposed to?”

He leaned down to her height and pointed. ”You’re a disciple offspring but you sure are clueless.”

”...”

The play vanished from her eyes. She stared at him like he had uttered something disastrous.

”I...”

She laughed.

”That’s not possible! Stop joking.”

He didn’t bother to elaborate. He just continued on his way.

She followed him behind.

”If I am a disciple offspring, how come my family doesn’t...even...” her steps faltered, and she stopped.

Her memories were triggered. The visit to the royal family’s branch family clan. The crest on the ground and their robes. Most importantly, the mark she saw on Rhythm’s shoulder.

”Ringoff.”

The door ahead flew open, and Rona rushed out, grinning. ”We’re done!”

Bora and Fin followed behind. Then Elias.

As soon as she saw him, the mystery unfolding in her gaze, vanished.

He looked different. No, he was different.

He wore a loose black garment of ancient design. A dark tunic clung to his upper body, before disappearing beneath a broad sash at his waist. From there, several overlapping fabrics fell around his legs, wide and flowing enough to resemble a single long garment when he stood still, and layers revealing loose trousers underneath.

The rough edges in his hair had been trimmed without affecting the length. His right ear was pierced and two earrings were dangling from it.

From the revealing part of his hand, you could see the markings that extended up to his fingertips.

”This is hard to walk in,” he muttered.

”I think you look great.” Tiana clapped.

”Perfect.” Jordan said.

”It does feel like you.” Quil commented.

Mona waved off the gryphons, before shifting back into his human form. He took steps to Elias and leaned closer till their faces were only an inch apart.

”Hmmm....”

Rona came between them and shoved Mona back. ”Easy, naked guy. Don’t bother my brother.”

Fil shook his head. ”Are you blind? They are the same person.”

Rona looked at Elias and then Mona.

”They really are the same person.”

Her eyes sparkled. She grabbed Mona’s hand and grinned.

”Time to dress you up!”

”What? No!”

Rona frowned. ”Help me, Fin.” 𝘧𝓇ℯℴ𝓂

The boy stretched his hand and released chains, wrapping Mona up like a present.

”Elias! Save me!”

They began to pull him into the room.

”Are you not going to help him? He’s you.” Quil asked.

”I’ll just cut the connection with him for an hour.” Elias shrugged, before whistling into the air.

”That’s harsh.” Quil muttered.

The gryphons arrived. One for each person. They mounted it, and took flight.

As they exited the district where the palace is located, the foreigners soon realised that it was surrounded by hills and fog, framing it like a giant pot.

The gryphons dived into the mountains and sour through it. They performed different stunts before bursting out of the other side.

Their mouths dropped.

”What the...” Quil gasped.

Tiana laughed. ”Are you kidding me?!”

They rose out of the fog.

It looks like a crown of jagged obsidian dropped into a crater.

Towers so tall they pierce the low clouds. Bridges of black chain and iron web between them, with no supports underneath. Just hanging in the air.

Cutting right through the middle and different angles of the city, massive rifts above the Empire pours water down in a single, endless column. It hits a black basin in the city square and splits into 4 rivers that run through channels in the streets.

The mist coats everything in a cold sheen. From above, the whole Empire looks like it’s breathing steam.

This was black world.