Middle Heaven
Esodane
A/N – Guys! I miss ya'll! Sorry for the very, very, very long update. I really don't know how to introduce to you the REAL start of the story. Well, anyways, hope you like it, and if you don't just comment on my story. I'm open for it. So please be honest with me. smiles
However, I spent one month here, just to make the story start out right. I have learnt that the story's foundation of plot is very, very crucial, and it is just right the first chapters should be much more longer than the middle ones. Anyway, I AM SO EXCITED!
Chapter 4Delivery
(After 20 years)
"Yo, Enovah!"
A young man in paladin's armor turned his head left… His body was covered with nothing but the finest of steel, and carved on them were blue symbols of royalty. His hair was long and wavy, the color of rich blueberry, as well as his eyes… One glance at him, and people were sure he was born with the bluest of blueblood. He then held a thin sword; a slight curving end gave it the killer look, and marked on the blade was the symbol of a cross. Beside him then was his grand peco, Jethro. Enovah, was the blue-haired prince,
"What?" he said, looking at a lordknight mounted on his peco, it was Cain, his buddy… Cain's maroon mane made into a ponytail, unlike Enovah, was only in simple clothing, matching his jade eyes and so,
"Doi. You're late as usual. The Maranatha would scold us again for starting the mission late. First of all, I get my pay cut just because of you… Second, Tobi always get angry with me, and not with you, when in fact the reason why we're late is because of him and that old, bitchy Liandrin's nagging with you every time before you leave this frigging city,"
"Don't forget my father too," Enovah commented back with a grin, "Don't blame me, since I was young they're so protective of me, I'm really lucky they finally let go of me, since I joined the Maranatha Incarnat then… It was the only way to get out." He mounted Jethro, and they got out of the gates of Prontera at last,
"May you refresh my memory? What exactly is the mission?" Enovah asked clumsily,
"Jarth said we were supposed to go to Juno…"
"Not that Freya issue again? I can't believe that issue had remained alive inside the palace for the last twenty years,"
Cain raised his eyebrow, "Nope, certainly not… of course they wouldn't, since they don't want you involved." He sarcastically said with an evil tease. The prince grumbled, and turned his head away from the knight. Cain laughed insultingly, "You looked like a harassed woman,"
"Whatever," The prince replied, piqued. He patted Jethro's wings to speed up, and they dashed faster than Cain's peco, Maru-maru. (A/N – Sorry, I can't think of any sensible names)
"Hey, wait up!" Cain yelled, and sped up, "Okay, okay… We're supposed to get something from a professor. I think a book or something. Anyways, it's no biggie. Anyone could do that."
"Then why did we even bother to go there by foot?" The paladin asked outraged, "Jeez, that Tobi…"
"I know, why can't he just use his memo skill and teleport there, it would be much more faster,"
Both sighed, "Well, anyways, an order is an order…"
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The city of Juno seemed so majestic before its concrete, stone bridge. It was isolated from the continent by a large, mysterious gap of a bottomless pit. In the lower grounds, petite buildings and houses were structured, giving great attention to the famous Juno academy situated in the middle of the city, towering high, almost reaching the clouds, and beside it was a smaller building ending in an unusual curve that ended in a circular lens pointing upward, for a while, Enovah thought what was exactly the building was,
"That's an observatory, silly…" Cain informed with a sigh, "C'mon now," Enovah griped at his partner, though Cain pretended not to notice it, as to outrage Enovah more.
They walked on the bridge, and then finally entered. Of course, as usual, they were met by a million of people sitting by the benches and some of them even on the ground. Most of them were merchants selling and trading motleys of rare items, and of junk. On the walls hung banners of Juno. Silver tapestries with an emblem of a sun-like eye linked from a blue orbit.
"Wow." Enovah sputtered, amazed, "This city is packed with people, it's almost like Prontera, except the fact that you feel like your stepping on some kind of a floating floor"
"Yeah," Cain agreed, "Anyway," he continued, reading a slightly rash scribble obviously written by Tobi, as it was written in red ink. Tobi always used red ink from the dye mixed from apple-skin and red herbs he manually makes; the interesting thing is, he's the only one who knows how to make it.
"So… what does it say?" Enovah asked him, slowing down to catch up with his partner's phase.
"Kaeryl Obelath?" Cain said, well, rather asked, as he said it more in a interrogative manner.
"Hmmm? And I suppose that is a name."
"Doi." Cain replied, and breathed, "Let's see…" he read again, "Proffesor. Green hair." Enovah thought he sounded funny since he was having a hard time reading the caption, "Ask the academy?" Cain finally said, and both sweat dropped, "What a bastard. He doesn't even give us enough information for the friggin' mission." Cain sounded upset and ireful. And it wasn't the first time Tobi did it.
"What do you expect? That's so typical of that high-priest…" Enovah said, sighing. "Just follow what Tobi instructed us." The prince said, "We'll get our payback once we get back home." He grinned, and they both laughed delightfully as they dashed,
"C'mon, let's bring the pecos to the stables first." The lord knight reminded Enovah,
"I suppose. Surely the authorities of the school won't allow pecos roaming around the vicinity." Enovah smiled, and Jethro hooted in denial, "Sorry, Jethro," The prince patted his peco. Cain just glared at them with jealousy. Maru-maru wasn't like that. Oh well…
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It was even more awesome as they entered the academy. They just have learned Citadel was the name to be remembered when speaking of the well-known school inside Juno. They felt shame as they didn't even knew the name even if it was so popular, almost every mage go there to become apprentices, and be graduates of the Professor course.
Enovah and Cain felt the school had its own world, as it was walled completely and the walls entirely separated Citadel from the city. Consider it a nut in a nut. Citadel is actually somewhat shaped like a large dome, as it connects to towers in four directions, and they were surrounded by gardens that consisted of a millions of species of plants, as people loitered and walked on the grounds.
The two presented themselves at the gate and entrance of the dome that they guessed as the main building, and the lobby. Enovah was the first to salute at the guard on station, and presented their identification as members of the Maranatha. "We come here to serve our masters sir. The Maranatha comes here to get a parcel from a certain professor, sir." Enovah explained,
The guard inspected Enovah's and Cain's I.D.s, "And what is the name of this professor you are referring to?" his voice was deep, like his throat was filled with phlegm.
"Miss Kaeryl Obelath, that is all we know about her, as well she has green hair and is in her middle-thirties." Cain interjected, remembering Tobi's outrageous act.
"Very well then. Please proceed to the lobby as to know where the professor is."
Both nodded and saluted again the guard, "Thank you very much."
The guard opened the door politely, and signaled the two to step in.
"Wow." That was the only thing they could say as they saw the circular room present itself spectacularly. It was painted parchment yellow, and had a hole above, as to make solar light pass through the hole, making the walls glow of rich, fine gold. The marble sculptures then of great Midgard heroes, Gaspar Toro, Juliet Baroquin, Les Jenny, and the likes were like pillars scattered inside. "Whoa. The people here must be too vain to be true." Enovah commented. He was amused Citadel was even more majestic than the Prontera castle. At the palace where he lived, all were built by stone and metal, nothing like stylish blends of gold and sunshine.
"There it is," Cain said,
"Where?" Enovah asked, which he found silly since he doesn't even know what Cain was talking about,
They both looked at a karfa, and Cain took the initiative to ask the woman about what, or rather, who they're looking for. "Excuse me." Trying to get her attention,
The woman faced her, "Yes?"
"Can you tell us where is Professor Kaeryl Obelath?" Cain asked, smiling,
"My pleasure," The kafra nodded, and a holographic-like keyboard appeared and typed a few words, as an audible typing sound was heard, "You have very good timing, sirs. She could be located at the east building, room five of third floor, she's just about to end her period so its alright to visit her."
The lord knight nodded, "C'mon Enov," gripping the prince's shirt,
"Yeah, thank you." Enovah said to the kafra and smiled,
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So they went to the east of the dome, actually the large door with a fancy-looking letter 'E' above it guided them. They walked fast, maybe taking them a good fast-paced five minutes to end the tunnel, entertaining themselves watching the very-exposing-looking female wizards and sages walking outside on the garden.
"Here we are," Enovah said, as they were already in the east building, it was again those gleaming golden walls that amused them, as they remember they were supposed to find the professor at room 5 of the 3rd floor. But how? Of course the wooden stairway that spiraled until to the top of the tower. So they climbed it, touching the glossy ledge of the stairs.
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"Room 1... Room 2… Room 3… Rooms 4…" Enovah counted like a naïve toddler, and Cain looked at him as if Enovah had committed murder, the prince chuckled,
"This is it," Cain declared, and he was perfectly right, since the sign beside the door plated in that same parchment-colored metal carved Room 5… Cain opened the door recklessly, and then he realized that was a pretty hasty move since he pondered why didn't he look at the glass first and see if they're having a lecture or so… like duh.
"… of course you have to measure the elemental force and the amount of magical value to ensure control and stability of the spell performed. However, to calculate force and value, you must learn the three steps on how to know your own magical ability. For instant—" The door opened, and the green-haired professor was certainly distracted by the opening sound the door made. She looked at Cain and Enovah in a rather perplexed manner, "Excuse me?" Kaeryl questioned the two,
"Whoops," Cain whispered, "Uhm, I'm sorr—"
"Never mind," Kaeryl sighed, "The bell is about to ring,"
And it did, as the Citadel Bell rang smoothly yet loudly as if it was yelling a soothing lullaby. Enovah nudged his partner, "Cain, is she really that old?" he whispered suspiciously to him, "Look at her, she's still like a young spinster…"
"I know," Cain sweat dropped, and he felt shame he had little hots to a thrity-year-old woman.
Kaeryl wore a tight fitting yet long garment of emerald green that reached until the floor, covering her feet, and a cute-looking ferret-skin shawl she left sagging around her neck. Her long hair mysteriously was made into a bun laid on the right half of the top of her head.
The two were still staring at her, "You are dismissed, all of you." The professor said, and the students stood up and bowed, and they looked at the two Maranatha members weirdly as they got out of the classroom.
When it was finally vacant, except for Kaeryl and the two, Enovah and Cain realized how spacious the classroom was, leveled as the tables were connected by rows. "Uhmm, miss Kaeryl?"
The professor gathered her things, "Yes? Are you the ones who're going to deliver Naayd Jol' Qui back to Prontera?
"I'm Enovah, and this is Cain. Ahhh? Let me hear what you said again?" Enovah asked, trying to be polite,
"Naayd Jol' Quai,"
"That's the book Tobi identified," Cain said to him, embarrassed from the front of Kaeryl,
"Oh," Enovah clumsily replied,
"Anyway, miss Kaeryl, can you lend us the book?"
Kaeryl smiled apologetically, and tapped the bun on her head, as it loosened and made her hair laid down, making her look younger and more beautiful, "Unfortunately, I still have to finish my notes on the book. But the good news is that I think I can finish it this night." She clapped her hands quickly three times and then a piece of paper popped out of nowhere between her hands, a ballpen appeared then floating and she grasped it, scribbling a much more readable writing then of Tobi's and having the professor's swooshy signature at the upper-left corner of the paper. "Here. Just go to my room here at the Citadel maybe at 8:00 night. This is my room number."
"Uhmm, okay?" Cain was getting a hard-on. 'A mature, pretty woman is asking Enovah and I to go at her room at night…' He got the paper, "Thanks anyway,"
"Meet you later. Why don't you go enjoy yourselves at the city?" She suggested,
Enovah smiled, and pulled his friend back, "Will do." Enovah said, and went outside of the room, smiling once again to Kaeryl and slowly closing the door,
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The lord knight and the paladin planned to eat out somewhere near the Citadel. They just want a place where there was peace and quiet, so that they could be the source of chaos inside. Auspiciously, they met a vacant restaurant named Smooch, fo course they instantly went in, ordered what they wanted by urging Enovah to use his very obese wallet. "Mmmm," Cain said, having another piece of pie, "It must be lucky being you. You have the money, man."
Enovah couldn't just agree with that. Even if he was always having great food, great clothes, great life, he was always caged inside that castle, it was great to be free now, well, the only thing that made him free was that he joined the Maranatha to escape from the cage. It was the truth. Enovah chuckled softly, "I don't know anything about that." He sipped a drink, and he received a throw of a small piece of pie on the face,
"Idiot. Don't act like you're so cool." Cain grinned menacingly and both laughed again,
"Well you know what? You're so rude." Enovah said, stepping on the lord knight's foot under the table as for revenge, grinning like a devil.
"Why you," Cain threw a bigger piece of pie, a size of an already-large pebble. The few people there didn't even mind, probably because it was too boring there and what they need is one, good, occasional food fight. Alas, when Cain threw the pie, he had forgotten everything about precision and aim, that instead it landed on Enovah's face, it landed on the hair of the person behind Enovah, which was a woman, which stood up and faced them,
As she did though, Enovah flinched. He guessed the woman blew him away. Enovah felt bad because he lost his chance to talk to her while not making her furious… All because of that red-haird fucker he was eating with. He tried to speak, but no can do, he really cannot, his mouth was stapled. His eyes were glued on her body. She had blue hair also, so long even if they were already clipped into beautiful unruly hoops, her hair still reached down to her waist… He could tell she was a high witch, as she clothed herself with red and white spandex-like tights, with a short black pelt muffler that was designed to petrify anyone who tries to attack her at the back, as there was a huge eye engraved on the garment she was wearing. But that didn't mean anything to Enovah, in fact, he liked the scary eye thingy she was wearing, he thought it was cute. "I'm—" 'Stupid Cain!' "We're sorry," Enovah said trying his best to sound chivalrous and princely, "Uhmm— Err…" Enovah blushed terribly, and Cain could almost laugh on the floor, and stomp his feet loudly,
The lady's ruined hair she cleaned herself, and stared at Enovah for a few minutes, which made the prince uncomfortable… When suddenly, she giggled vivaciously,
What the hell?
"I suppose you are Enovah?" she guessed. Her voice was despicably beautiful and smooth… The prince just nodded… He really didn't knew what was about her that made him twitchy… And then he realized she had purple eyes… and maybe that was it? Was that the only reason why he got all shy around her? Enovah realized the lady wanted to shake hands with him, "Pleased to meet you, Enovah."
"Pleased to meet you…" Enovah was cut. Oh yeah… he didn't know what her name would be…
The girl smiled, "It's Anaiya, Anaiya Estefanne Obe—"
But before she could finish there was a sounding earthquake-like boom outside, as the tables and the hang-lights trembled in peril… "What's that?" Enovah ran outside, as the people inside followed him, some in panic, and some in tense. Anaiya and Cain followed also, and since the Smooch was positioned somewhere at the top, accompanying Citadel, they could see the biggest Majoruros they had ever seen in their lives. It was redder than ever, its giant steel hammer it held on its shoulder, and the stomps it made obliterated the brick floor of the lower-area of Juno.
"Oh my god…" Aniaya said, shocked,
Strangely, the clouds turned grey and they covered sunshine, and it grew darker, as if the whole city was conquered with mist. The people heard a raging roar, as they turned their attention back to the Majoruros. Enovah could've been traumatized; the only thing that made him conscious was that he had to do something… Well! He was part of an organization who helps achieve national peace… "C'mon Cain," he yelled, as the monster roared again like there was no tomorrow.
Cain grinned, "Are we supposed to get the pecos?"
"No time. We just have to go there by foot."
"I think that'll be slower, Enovah… And I need Maru," Cain reminded him,
"But we can't, the stables are far from here, as it is far from the lower grounds. We can't take any—"
"Actually, we can take chances," A familiar voice interrupted the conversation. Enovah, Cain and Anaiya turned; it was Professor Kaeryl.
"Mom?" Anaiya asked,
"Oh! Anaiya!" Kaeryl exclaimed surprised, "Do you three know each other?" she asked,
"No." Enovah said, "We don't have time, everyone." He reminded,
"Right," Kaeryl appeared pleased, "We can fly,"
"Uhh, we can?" Cain said, unbelieving. The professor nodded, and then she closed her eyes, when instantly, the four of them floated, "Hey, we can!" Cain sounded like a child,
"Go mom!" Anaiya cheered. That was the specialty of her mother; she was a professor who was the expert on elemental control,
Kaeryl nodded, and they flew faster to the stables, all they had to do was jerk their bodies and they would move to the direction they want.
They had a good landing just beside the wooden stable, and Kaeryl and Anaiay was amazed how the pecos didn't even panic or ran away even if the stable couldn't be considered a stable anymore as the roof had been removed, and house was barely standing.
Enovah saddled at the back of Jethro and so as well Cain and Maru-maru, "I can't make you fly anymore, you are too heavy,"
"Fine then," Enovah replied, "You just go there, we'll catch up." Enovah patted the head of Jethro, and both of them sprinted down the brick ramp to the lower grounds of Juno. "See ya' later under. Forgive my friend," Cain smiled, "This is one of the few times he becomes hyper. The idea of being a hero makes him high to tell you the truth." And he too, dashed towards the lowering ramp…
Kaeryl made her and her daughter float again, "C'mon Anaiya, let us go there first."
Cain sprinted as fast as he could, just to catch up with Enovah, but he didn't meet up with him. He was kinda worried Enovah would do something reckless again. 'Seriously… is he this fast?' he thought. He remember paladins' pecos are more aggressive than lord knights'… Oh well…
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Enovah dashed, he was almost there, left and right, left and right, left and right, he turned and turned, always abruptly changing directions… Jethro enjoying this game, Enovah felt there was something wrong, it wasn't just that large Majoruros he had to kill… He felt there was something more than the monster inside the city… It was just so quick, just a minute ago they were having an early supper, now he had to kill a very rare monster… He had to be faster, he had to be… There was something terrible lurking inside his mind, and one thing was for certain; he wasn't certain what was the problem.
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A/N – Yeaaah! I think this is a successfully updated chapter, though I have to admit it was a very, very, loooong update. I'm sorry guys! And I can't promise to update much faster, since the truth is, I'm really busy. But I hope you'll believe I'm trying my best to satisfy you guys… Well, one proof is this chapter. Consider it high quality writing huh? Haha. Nyaks! I'm becoming boastful! Ohhhhh noooo! (Runs off in panic)
See you next time, pipz…