Revised: Winx Club Eternix part 1 Chapter 5: Sogno

Carriage rides in any other realm were meant for serenading your date under the moonlight or presentation-wise for a festival. But in Sogno, it was used as a main form of transportation.

It was a formal invitation from the Sogno Empire, though hovercraft would have more practical for interdimensional travel. The atmosphere that surrounded the Sleep Realm made travel via aircraft difficult-ships that wandered off anywhere near this region would malfunction and steer off, luckily regaining control miles after diversion. If any subspace missiles were fired at the planet, they would explode on contact with the atmosphere and disintegrate to nothing. It was Sogno's impenetrable defense and even though future alliances were meeting it didn't account for a decrease in protection, King's orders. That left the Royals of Eraklyon to travel through a realm portal.

The idea of a realm gate was similar to the makeup of the Omega dimension's gate. It was a way for people, things and in particular cases armies to travel from realm to realm. The structures carved from the stone of these portals contain the purest of minerals-mythologists theorize that the Great Dragon had set his eternal flame to terrain and that formed the caverns, openings and the magic that remained that course through these portals. They, of course, did not always have to represent caves or underground barracks, but they all had some sort of burrowed central core that opened to the outer peak of the gate. Still, these gates were to send multiple non-magical and weakly magical personnel from one area to another; if there was a need to send one person a palm size amount with a normal level magical being would do the job.

Yoshinoya held on to Eraklyon's portal for decades. Once this stronghold lost land to Eraklyon, the capital had earned possession of this gate. The downside, due to the lack of magic and magical practices within Eraklyon, expenses for restoring it would come from expenses used for military duties. With the help of sorcerers from Magix, the gate was fixed to mint condition, but that still did not remove the expense of sending people to a war torn land and accommodate their three year stay. The construction and the money spent on the war left Eraklyon in a worsen state and after completion it stood there fix for admiration. It wasn't until Sky went to Earth to aid the Winx that the gate was used and when his mother, father and Eraklyon royal guards entered the gate along with Sky he learned that this was the second time this structure was activated. The trip was a blur for Sky, he had the faintest feeling of being lifted before he entered the other realm. He followed his parents and guards silently out of the gate and to the surface. Above were several stagecoaches, two specifically for the Eraklyon visitors.

It took around two hours of sitting in the carriage and watching the scenery pass for Sky to conclude that Sogno was primitive, not Limphea or Earth primitive which he could edge over as rustic. From what he observed people on Sogno from the valleys that lead to the capital used magic for their needs and without it, stuck with simple methods. Simple, as Sky thought, were the same as the ancestors of his realm. As the carriages entered the capital, the drivers stopped and waited at a check point. Sognoian guards mumbled back and forth with each other until the carriage moved ahead. The shops that surrounded the capital had the same architecture of stone of many tones of grey and dark-colored wooden roofs; each establishment was identified from one another by the sign, smells and activities that happened inside and outside those shops and each filled with activity of the early afternoon. The scents of the bakery filled the carriage as the driver stopped for traffic, robust women heaved bolts and rolls of blue, grey and purple fabric to the tailors and seamstress who showcased their craft from the window, men pulled frantic chickens from their cages by their necks with one hand and the other held with blood stained butcher knives, women with blue head coverings and baskets chatted by fruit stands, men carried covered paintings to a parked stagecoach while another adjust the bit of the horse's mouth. A girl watched the moving vehicle, smiling bright and waving to blonde young man staring at her. Sky waved back, though the she might not see his greeting through the sheer blue veil.

Those who appeared to be magic users or scholars wore black cloaks with a blue finish at the hem. Each carried several text in their arms and one or two scrolls as they spoke amongst themselves through the township. One, a young female with short purple hair stopped to smell flowers while her friend with long blonde curls pulled her by the arm and fussing with her books scrolls. Sky smiled when the latter dropped her books and her scroll opened into the street.

The pathways were filled with only horses of varied sized and types and horse drawn vehicles. Some people rode on the animals, others inside carriages of different shapes, designs and sizes that carried things or people or both -side windows opened to view the lives of Sognoian: some closed with cloths sheer, opaque and some with wood. The carriage carrying the Eraklyon royals was deep purple and lavender. The inside was compared to shell had a relaxed view; more tones of purple colored the carpet, a veil for the window, pillows for the dark blue velvet seats, and plush quilted walls. On the roof, a detailed brocade flourish down to the corners of the carriage and each raised leaf and stem bordered with golden threads. A detailed spring of dark blue woven flowers hung from the stems and trailed to the carpet. The carpet was covered in the stem and floral detail in a printed form.

The ride had enough for two adults to sit on each side. Sky sat on the side facing against the driver's seat, watching the scenery move backward as the ride proceed. King Erendor and Queen Samara faced the pull of the carriage, the scenery from Erendor's side moved forward. Sky and Erendor's posture and facial expression remained alike: stern with a slight pout, arms folded and focused on the events that happened outside. Samara, whom faced her son, sat up straight with her hands folded together as she looked at her son. A quick look at his mother startled him. Samara smiled quietly. Sky returned it with a tight lipped half-smile before taking a quick look at his father; once the father and son's eyes met, they returned to their previous posture and expression-with angst among the men.

Sky didn't have any say in this trip. Soon after all the festivities on Gardenia and the trip back to Magix and Red Fountain, his father requested his return to Eraklyon. Through his excuses (hoverlag, makeup exams, a butt load of studying) transport would be at the boarding school the day after the message had been sent. Brandon was informed about the royal family's voyage, along with telling anyone else the bear minimum including friends, superiors and especially Sky's girlfriend. Sky knew when the time when his family needed him he would drop his causal duties, though he felt agitated for doing so. Her remembered the times attending the over-the-top balls at the neighboring kingdom that he would stop his play sword fighting with Brandon to go. Those days he envied Brandon's freedom to do daily chores and muck out the stables and would gladly trade that for eating terrible hors'd'oeuvres and having princess, duchesses and young baroness cling on to him. Selfish, he knew as he checked his PDA, unresponsive from the magic that protected this realm.

He also hated his king in training ensemble: the clown pant, blousy shirt and noticeable cylindrical collar that stuck up to the high heavens from his cape. He'd worn this frock times before but, it made nodding off to sleep a neck knotting task.

"It's a rather beautiful day out. It's a wonder how Sogno can stay so vividly bright during the day, then so dark in the night..."

"Yes..." Erendor muttered. "Like our previous visit when Sky was on Earth with his friends. That planet with an undefined rule; rule by many but no one Kingdom has the divine say..."

Samara sighed. Erendor continued, "Though our son would prefer to work at some smoothie shop and earning meek wages. Or he would like to extend his stay at Red Fountain and doing more unnecessary childish actives..."

"Erendor..."

"Father, you allowed me to go to Red Fountain and stay and work in Gardenia."

"Sky, please-"

"Exactly! Why is it a chore to come to a meeting, one meeting with me but when I allow you to go off with your friends and girlfriend you hop to the chance?! Remember you have a title to uphold, Prince Sky."

"So I cannot have time to live a normal life before I become King, Father!? I'd returned to Red Fountain not even a week before I'm rushed off to this planet!"

"Young man, you are a prince. You are not a child. The title you are born with must come with an equal sense of sacrifice."

"I understand my duty; you don't need to-"

"Sky, Erendor, keep your voices to a whisper or remain silent!" Queen Samara yelled, stopping the arguing between the two men.

"He'll be the death of me..." Erendor whispered.

Samara closed her eyes and exhaled, pulling on the fabric of her dress.

~O~

The carriage stopped before a moat, waiting for the drawbridge to open. The drawbridge was surrounded by a grey even brick wall-every thirty or so feet had a small post until the wall reached to certain distance and cornered with another wall to create a rectangle many yards away. The guards on the brick wall facing the capital were armed with broadswords of what appear to be iron synthesized with another substance to give it its blue color. Other guards had longbows and quivers filled with feather tipped arrows. The visible chainmail that ended several inches past the hem of their deep blue uniforms were also synthesized with the same material as their swords, judging from Sky's studies in Weapons History. Some carried epées, the thin weapon swayed in its leather holder with the movement of the man's hips as they walked; others had shields of wood, though...why? They were only to be used for practice.

Sky remembered the time he used a shield in his freshman combat course and what a sad bulky wooded piece of scrap it was! Torn to the bits by many practices and impratices since the freshman were only allowed to use phantoblades for finals. With that, the wooden shields gave the Prince the most irritating splinters due to the poor wrapping on the handle. Professor Cordatorta said that it built character for the new students to endure pain. The prince curiosity awakened, wondering what else goes on beyond this area until a knock outside the carriage shook him out of his thoughts.

"Could the humble High Mage be escorted with you to the castle?" A voice said from the outside, his voice booming with polite delight.

Samara looked at Erendor. He gave a nod before he gestured to Sky to slide over to the seat facing him. Erendor knocked on the side of the carriage. "Let him in."

A shuffle from the driver's seat to the door later, the door opened to reveal a man buried under cloth and a hood similar to the scholars that Sky saw earlier except his robes were more exquisite in design and made from jacquard. He bowed with his right hand folded to his body and his left straying gracefully as if it were to call a dance partner. "King and Queen of Eraklyon, I thank you for accepting my audience."

"For someone who shows great respect to rulers of another realm, it is in our respects as well," Erendor said.

It was after the High Mage got into the carriage and settled himself in did the vehicle proceed. The High Mage gave his smile to all and he settled his gaze at the young man he shared his seat with. "Oh, thousand apologizes! I forgot to introduce myself to your fellow guest."

"He is our son: Prince Sky of Eraklyon," Erendor said.

The mage repeated his bow, to the raised eyebrow and look of the King and Queen. "Accept my apologies, Prince of Eraklyon."

"It's quite alright." Sky shared the raised eyebrow as his parents for one, the performance before was enough to introduce them all and second, for the fact that they are inside his right hand-in flipped order as he had done outside-nearly touched the face of Queen Samara. Another round of apologies, including his hand yet again, closely touching Prince Sky's face set the mage for another round of apologies when Sky stopped him midway. The Prince was fearful that this time he would touch his mother face and that'd be the last time he had that hand. "Please, no more..."

"A million 'pologies!"

"Please, you have given us enough."

"Then I apologize for my nerves; it seems to have spiked since my bows."

Samara placed her figure on her lips. She wanted to laugh, laugh so hard at his awkwardness but it was rude. Even so, seeing a grown man, a "High Mage" to act like a gesture in mid performance set her mood to humor... and distaste. Distaste for him choosing to sit with them instead of the guards for their vehicle had ample room and this man had no authority, at least to her eyes. But Erendor invited him in. She placed her hand back on her lap when her thoughts about the mage settled. "May...May I introduce you to my son?"

"No need, though it is a high-"

"This is the High Mage of Sogno. He has travelled from his realm to Magix to Eraklyon to help with the finishes on the inter-dimensional gate. He's also the ambassador of Sogno to the other realms."

"Oh, the introduction is too grand, Queen Samara. You should send your thanks to the King and Queen of Sogno: without them I wouldn't be allowed to begin peace talks between our Kingdom and the magical dimension. It's a magnificent greeting, Queen Samara."

"Yes..." She mumbled. Erendor busied himself with the scenery that led to the castle.

"...so..." Sky began, "I saw some knights carrying shields, wooden shields. Is there a school to train them for knighthood?"

"A school? No, not in the similar manner of our mages. They are apprentices under their superiors. I know so little about knights and knighthood, young Prince. I am here to see the Prince off before he leaves this realm."

"The prince?"

The mage nodded. "Yes, the prince of Sogno. He could make a great mage, if the throne had another male heir to take on the legacy. The kingdom had not had a magic user as a King in centuries."

"So, you tutor his highness? I would expect someone high magic caliber...someone that can fix realm gates and is an ambassador can have some sort of leeway-that I can say-out of training a royal for a skill they might never use." Samara interrupted their conversation.

"True, whilst he many not use what I have taught, it has never hurt to learn a new skill or to practice something that is natural to you. Also, my duty lies to my kingdom and my king."

"Still..." Queen Samara paused, "...since you and your royal highness have other priorities, how much will you be needed just to entertain the natural ability of the prince? I question the importance him learning how to throw spell fire and since you are the one to come to and from your place of study to the castle. With that, you do have the duty as the crossroad with in your, ours and the Magical Dimension. Sorry, my questioning has come to if you have a higher helm of his majesty's court..."

"I do not. It is still regarded high, but there are many positions above me," He said quietly. "I do enjoy my position. To be able to teach and help the students at the academy and I do not mind all the tasks that I have to perform."

"You have noble intentions and it seems as though your heart is to the people of your realm. When I met your King and Queen the first time, the King had shown me his men and his advisors but you, since you are the one that we've established the most contact with since Eraklyon and Sogno's engagement, is not a member of his court. To add, you do not seem to have stage coach in which bring yourself to the castle appointed by his royal highness, am I correct?"

"The Queen appointed me to the task and the King agreed to her input. It is only when the King appoints me that I am a true member of his court."

"Oh," Queen Samara looked on to the rings of her fingers. "Whomever the royals of our kingdom appoints, they are a part of the King's court. That means that you aren't allowed to formerly come to and from the estate without an official order…yet you are the ambassador. High Mage, does that sound right to you?"

The mage quickly looked out the window the large manors and ponds faded in the background, the white lilies a distance from the castle meant that they would soon be at the estate. The Queen of Eraklyon was persistent. He tried to smooth over her questions, telling her his loyalty to his king and queen but still this woman kept with her questions. The mage tugged on the sleeve of his garb. Why did he choose this carriage instead of the one carrying the Eraklyon guard behind? "You are very persistent, Queen Samara."

"I have that gift for a while, High Mage. I tend to chase curiosity."

"Then I should inform you that something's are not meant to be chase." He looked at her. Something about his look made the Queen's heart stifled. Erendor reached to hold his wife's hand, clinging on to it lightly before letting it go and all without taking his eyes from the scenery outside. Sky looked from his mother, father and to the Sognoian that sat beside him, the air between each party felt uncomfortable.

The carriage stopped. Erendor turned to his son, then his wife. The Sognoian stepped out of the carriage, holding the door for their exit. Samara left first, being careful with her step as she held on the length of her dress. Erendor was next to leave, moving to the other seat before making his exit. Sky took the time to stretch his arms before leaving the carriage, his legs partly asleep as he reached the steps of the carriage to the paved road, his collar thumping the top of the opening. From there he took his first look at the Sogno castle.

Knights were stationed around the perimeter of the rectangular shaped walls of the estate-similar to design as the brick wall that protected the outer area of the castle with the exception of post. Towers from each corner and from the tops of each tower the realm's royal flag waved in the wind. It had very few windows, rather more attention went to the walkway on the upper level of the castle. Guards were present from Sky's view to the top of the castle, this time many of them wore outfits of purple. There were guards that stood on the left and right sides of the paved road, bowing in unison for their guest. The High Mage egged the Eraklyons to proceed.

What was through the exterior surprised Prince Sky, an opened court yard with servants running through and from the interior of the castle each stopped to bow. The pavement from the road that led to the interior of the castle spanned out to the ground. The windows were large and oblong with blue wooden frames. The doorway that led to the inside was massive and flashy in old world appeal. Guards left the front doors waiting for someone to leave. A woman left from the shadows behind the doors, her long blonde hair faded into raven along the ends. Her three-quarter sleeve blue dress was adorned with a black overlay lace that hemmed away from the purple shell when the fabric flared to the ground. She wore minimal makeup with no other jewelry but her crown that sat neatly around her head. Her smile was more than inviting; the air around this woman seemed to gravitate to her guest.

She exchanged greeting with his parents through respectful bows and brief talk, then she greeted the Eraklyon prince. "I've heard great things about you from your parents and outer dimensional news, Prince Sky of Eraklyon. It is an honor to meet the savior of Domino."

"Oh...um...thank you..." The blonde hesitated. "

"You sound as if you are uncertain. From hearing about your life, it's reasonable... my son is also at a lost when it comes to the men that hail from his court. He isn't much younger than you, but he's never set foot of this realm and rarely left the castle. I had to say my farewell to his sister: Alfea's schooling starts much earlier than Red Fountains and there isn't much of the High Mage to go around."

The High Mage quietly laughed. "My Queen, that's a gracious compliment! I don't know what to say..." Samara rolled her eyes.

"The compliments are in abundance." Erendor rested his hand on his son's shoulder. "Has the King left?"

"He is here, King Erendor. He could not make a formal introduction to the last member of the Eraklyon monarchy, so hopefully after talks with his advisors you two will get the chance to meet. In the meantime, I'll escort your father to his conference room.

Edited as of (2/19/16): I hope you've enjoyed chapter five. It was a pain to write and required extra time to brew into something great. It's been over three years since writing a Sky-centric fanfic and I really did enjoy writing this chapter in particular and my original world. While I'm not a fan of this character for several reasons, I would really hate to have my feelings for him be so frank in my fanfics. I prefer showing him more in season four and two's light.

The original version to chapter 5 was a Roxy and Trix centric and it's rather obvious that I prefer this to that.

Next Chapter: While alliances are met on her home planet, the Prince of Eraklyon and the Prince of Sogno agree to their own plans

Later Chapter: Mourning is the first step to healing.