"I hadn't expected to see you again so soon." The presenced smiled. "You've arrived much later than usual."

"Spare me the lecture." The voice of a woman.

"It's quite the bold risk. Are you ignorant of the dangers you face with this uncertainty?" It asked, amused.

"I don't threat for my Father, nor am I particularly fond of remaining in his graces." The voice offered a gift. "I have it." It was a key.

"Are you acting with a clear mind?" The presence questioned. "Careful consideration could prevent chaos."

"Do not tease me." The voice grew agitated. "The trouble I have caused is enough to dismiss such claims of foolishness." Sounds of a gargantuan, bloodthirsty beast ravaging the lone intermittent halls of the barren spiral coursed as starved echoes throughout the insurmountable chambers with deep, bleeding cries.

"You must leave." The presence demanded. "If it finds you, it will show no mercy regardless."

"I can expect to see you at the ceremony?" The voice asked.

"I will not keep you waiting."

"Then that day shall be a dream no longer…" It shrouded herself in an ill-fitting cloak. Her body was engulfed in the colours of the walls around her. Only her pale face remained, turning back to the imprisoned monster. "Don't die on me, Genichiro."

What a nasty fall that was. That night, Haruto had trouble sleeping on his shoulder. Next time, he should pack a parachute. Would you even be capable of fitting that sort of contraption on his suit? For all he knows, it might disappear the moment he detransitions back from his driver. That's why for all intents and purposes, he never opted to decorate the suit, but hey it was pretty cool looking, anyways. What kind of magician could go on stage without style? Well, what kind of magician could walk on stage with a banged up shoulder?

"So much for a good night's rest." He sighed, slipping out of bed. What he needed more than to slip into the land of dreams was some brisk fresh air. Aside from dinner, which was some decent seafood, Haruto spent the rest of the day lying down. As far as he knows, he hasn't broken anything. If that were the case, then his vacation was over before it truly began. Still, if that got busted up further he'd be looking for some serious damage. Shunpei and Rinko, snoozing peacefully in those reclining chairs, were admittedly quite adorable. He wondered what either of them were dreaming about, but judging off the loose softness in their cheeks, and the way their mouths carelessly hung open on the edges of their jaw, he couldn't come to any other conclusion than true bliss.

In a way, he felt a little guilty about taking up the only actual bed in the cabin in spite of being a hair off from finding himself a lone victim of the sorrowful sea, but witnessing their silent rest in delight, Haruto's guilt faded away. Their comfort was not to be threatened for. A peaceful sea whisked them away to the lands in-between.

When he reached the deck, he saw Koyomi standing out by the balcony, staring at the idle sea glistening under the pale moonlight. She held her hat to her chest and clung tightly to it. Clearly, there was a lot on her mind. 'Beautiful.' Haruto thought to himself. The light cast on her face from the stars was mesmerizing. She wasn't a being of the sky, but she glows as brightly as the ones above. An eternal gift in the form of a young woman, and he was blessed enough to have her in his life. He'd protect the light she radiated, even if it meant his life. That was a promise.

"K-Koyomi…" For some reason tonight he had trouble speaking, at least in her presence. She was shaken, having not expected anyone else to be up here.

"You nearly gave me a heart attack." She greeted him with a tender smile, much to her dismay caused by his unexpected midnight appearance. "You should be in bed."

"I couldn't sleep." Haruto yawned, joining her by the balcony. He sat down, stretching his legs out. "Shouldn't I say the same to you?"

"I couldn't sleep either." Koyomi muttered, curling her fist. It rested against her heart as she stared back towards the dark sea. It painted a portrait that she would never forget. There was something alluring about the ocean. Although it was deep, and lonely, there was comfort in the drifting nature of such sights. Koyomi desired to join it, floating out at sea as her fears could not cling onto her. No, on second thought… she didn't want to be blanketed by the waves, she wished she was a wave. Going anywhere the wind took her, knowing that nothing could harm her. The places she'd go, the things she would see. The abstractness of the idea gave her more comfort than she would ever admit.

If Koyomi were a wave, she would be at peace. "You really shouldn't push yourself, Haruto."

"I'm not someone to worry about right now." He shrugged it off. Once again, he was being dismissive towards any act of compassion as if it were another chain of burden the boy convinced was latched around his wrists. "It's because of that cramped bed. Here's to hoping the island itself is more comfortable…"

There was silence. "... but that isn't the whole story." Haruto admitted.

If Koyomi were a wave, she would be a guardian.

"Truth is, I'm pretty anxious about reaching this place." He sighed. Being vulnerable was not a facet of himself that he felt so pleasant about sharing. Although, he could spill his heart out in front of Koyomi and all the shame in the world he held deep inside no longer existed. Or rather, it was like it was never there in the first place. "A land of magic, huh?" Haruto snickered. "That terrifies me."

"Why?" Koyomi sat with him.

"Up until recently, I've been by myself in all of this." He stared at the ring on his finger. "A few weeks ago, a new wizard appeared out of the blue and now suddenly a whole world full of them?" If it wasn't so terrifying, Haruto would've found his own ignorance quite comedic. The lone wizard did not come as an outlier because of his abilities, but because of his exclusion from those who shared them. "Is it crazy to say that I got used to being alone?"

"No, not at all." Instinctively, she took his hand. Haruto glanced at her, his eyes wide of shock. It didn't occur to her at the time that this was the first time they'd held one another in this manner. "Haruto, you've carried this burden of fighting for quite a while. Besides, you were never alone. We're in this together, aren't we?"

Haruto realized his error. "Always have been." He squeezed her hand.

"What are you really afraid of?"

Haruto huffed, staring out into the sky. There were so many lights on him. "There's a lot to be afraid of. Though, I guess what scares me the most is the thought that I'm not like everyone else." At first glance, it was obvious that he was different. After all, what other residential boy conjures fire out of thin air? Even he believed that to be a little silly upon saying it out loud. "Having magic is odd as it is. What if I'm the only one who sees it as a means of protection?"

"You're afraid of magic users being disillusioned in darkness."

"Yeah. What if someone out there was supposed to be exactly like you, and you meet them and this image you've had in your head that brings you happiness is shattered? None of them, and really, no one out there is what you imagined." He curled his knees up to his stomach. "Does that say more about them, or about you?" Koyomi understood exactly how he felt. She didn't have the answer he needed, otherwise her life would be a lot easier. The only thing she could do at this moment was lean on him, and hope that it's enough.

"We don't know." Koyomi whispered. "That shouldn't change the good you do for people, Haruto."

"Maybe you're right." Haruto nodded. "Either way, I'm still me. It won't change what I'm fighting for."

"Mhm." Koyomi nuzzled up next to him. She was having trouble staying awake. In a soft, low voice she whispered. "A world you have no memories with is scary for anyone."

"Tell me about it," The uncertainty in Haruto's heart was diminished by her kind words. The cold, bitter air brushed against his face. It was chilly, but he had all the warmth he needed next to him. "It's like meeting a new family. Not just for me, for you as well. We'll do it together, won't we?"

"We will." Koyomi said.

"Say, Koyomi." Haruto asked. "Do you reckon Wajima-san misses us?"

She laughed. "Not at all!"

"For all we know, he's probably trying to score a hot date to bring home while he has the space." The two of them could picture it now. A desperate, older man dressing up in his flashiest suit with the most striking bolo tie, acting all pompous with a smug walk to rake in hopes of taking all the women in. Neither of them imagined it going well, he was much unlike himself when he was on the prowl. Haruto shuddered at the thought of growing up to be as desperate as Wajima.

He remembered just how easy it was to catch him in a scam-artist's well-crafted delusions. If it hadn't been for Haruto, Wajima might've foreclosed on his shop from all her ridiculous demands to capture her heart. It certainly taught Haruto something more than Wajima, and that was to be careful. Don't put your heart out on the line with anyone that walks by, only for those in which your heart can't be compelled to seal itself off. Leave love for someone special, and your heart will guide you in the right direction. Patience, a smidge of courage and a little bit of luck was the key to finding a love that lasts a lifetime. "One day, we'll have to repay him for lending us rooms."

"He wouldn't accept any gift." Koyomi shook her head. "Wajima is too generous, even for his own good."

"You're right about that." Haruto too was getting tired, but he had one more thing to ask. "So, Koyomi. Why are you up?"

"... It's nothing." Koyomi could not tell him that she had received a few flashes; new images beyond the borders of the dock at the white beach, before she had closed her eyes. This time it was much more vivid, and she was able to feel the sensations in her own fingers. It wasn't as far as she had hoped, but Koyomi had made it to a giant tree nestled off the path, nearing the end of the bridge. It was tall, and misshapen, but its thick dark colour was beautiful, and familiar. It gave off impressions of strength that she clung onto in this memory.

"Is that so?" Haruto didn't believe her. He pressed further, but she allowed no more discussion. Instead, Koyomi stood up, which prompted him to spring to his feet. "Really, it's like you said… The cabin isn't very comfortable."

Haruto gave in. He wasn't going to make her distressed over his curiosity. Although annoyed, he kept his composure. "Well, try to find a good position for your neck." Haruto winced in regards to stretching his arm. His shoulder still hurts. "I'm going to try again, you should too." Haruto left.

If Koyomi were a wave, she would be alone.

JUNE 20th, 9AM. OUT AT SEA - THE VERY NEXT DAY

"LAND, HO!" Their Captain screamed at the crack of dawn. "ALL HANDS ON DECK!" Not another moment passed before the eager cast was standing out on the bow, watching in anticipation for the mystical land to arrive. The seascape was clouded in an enticing shroud of fog.

"Is it invisible?" Shunpei asked.

"EVERY OPENER NEEDS A DRUMROLL!" The Captain waved his hands like he was mimicking a conductor bringing the beginning notes of a grand orchestra to life. Just like that, the show started.

The shroud around them dissipated, and from the ashes of curiosity sprung primal amusement. Beyond the great, crossed ocean stood the most beautiful slice of land that the powers above our comprehension had ever constructed. It was half the size of Tokyo itself, a mass of land separated into three distinct districts visible to the naked eye from this distance. The crimson, dry monumental jags of ancient rock that were crafted to be as sharp as the inside of a great shark - Haruto and the others could smell the embers of brimstone from here. Next, the deep, lavish grasslands below and rested in the middle, full of greenery and home to thousands of sorcerers and magicians alike; it was the epicenter of heart that encapsulated the island itself. Finally, to the west of the land stood long, elevated hills standing well above sea level, plastered with mountains and gargantuan mushrooms that were raised into the clouds, practically substituting the amber swirling sky blankets, and covering the eminence as a drooping, thick cast reminiscent of a child's wandering dreamworld. They were vibrantly dotted, and moved as though there was soul etched within the edges of their fiber.

Surrounded by white, smooth beaches brimming with the radiance of Mother Nature herself, their hearts remained elated as they basked in its glory. From the north, past the luscious emerald forest that stood at the edges of the soft sand dunes as guardians of the ever great uncertainties of the sea itself was a magnificent, circular layered tower! It must've at the very least stretched 1000 feet upwards from the surface. It was in the shape of a cake, with each floor decreasing in width. The first level must've been at least 100 feet wide, and ending on a quarter of that. It's material was not of stone, wood, or brick but a cast of shining gold much akin to depictions of grand paradise. It had long, dark branches with several rooms disconnected from the main body, and atop the very tip of the tower itself were the great, piercing narrow horns of a prosperous king fitted with a rich molded crown.

"This is…" Rinko started.

"Paradise." Haruto could not contain the ever growing energy inside his heart. The young man was close, but this island - for all it's magnificent, marvelous sights was not paradise, for no body of land could ever strive to be perfection itself, but it was pretty damn close. The curtains have opened, and the beginning of the greatest show known to any magician was now playing in it's first act. This was not paradise, no, it was the island of fanatical dreams that have taken life into this world, releasing the glory of magic to all who carry the will to seek it.

This was Celestice Island.

Upon being docked, our heroes were met with several suited men. A group of around seven, each of them stood in place within a formation that resembled a pentagon. All of them had olive coloured skin, and toned down to each crevice of their bodies. Top brass, their physiques were near indistinguishable to busts of stone, great statues that the Greeks heralded as glorious contemporary art. Not a single one of them stood at less than 6'0 tall. Each soldier was fitted in a dense, gothic suit of steel; creases for mobility etched in all the gravely reinforced areas (that being the shoulders, the chest, and greaves around their limbs). Their faces, in spite of being seeable, were mostly covered in helmets that had tiny, skin piercing horns reminiscent of a bull, with winged ears and loose, furry tails that were attached at the back and ran down the neck. They had no weapons, surprisingly enough. There were only empty hilts by their waists, each of them bearing a branding that resembled the sigils so commonly found during the ringed magician's showmanship.

"Are you the Masked Wizard ?" The frontman asked, their voice reminded him of a metalworks on a busy day.

"I am." Haruto said, sounding almost unsure of himself.

"The Emperor is awaiting your presence." Before either of them could say anything, their baggage levitated into the air. Their suitcases hung tethered to mystical, cyan threads that had spawned from one of the petrifying knights.

"WELL, THAT'S THAT." Captain Hortar wiped his hands together. "YOU LOT HAVE FUN. BE BACK FOR YA IN A FEW."

The sand was smoother than any beach either of them had ever stepped in. The texture was like a million little ants giving their warmest kisses to each and every inch of your toes. The beach itself was lively. There were dozens of people, many of them were in the same boat. Not literally, but docking on piers further out. In small boats, much like their own, the red carpet was rolled out for all of them. He hadn't captured much of a good look at any of them, because the moment the four of them stepped off of the dark wooden docks, crowds of people flocked around them.

It was clear why they were surrounded by royal guards. Plenty of ecstatic voices hollered at them, praising the very ground each of them walked on, and one even threw themselves at the guards in an attempt to get a snag of the magician's hair!

"Guess I'm pretty popular." Haruto smirked, but he was pretty caught off his feet by the constant swell of islanders who followed them to seemingly the ends of the Earth.

"Maybe a little too popular." Koyomi muttered. She didn't like all these people over him either. Shunpei on the other hand, well, he was all for it. Practically encouraging these people, he flaunted the group's popularity with naivety and pranced around the formation.

"Well, at least one of us is enjoying it." Haruto shrugged, laughing. He could get used to this. The trails were more mesmerizing up close than out on the sea. Their beauty ceased to diminish. There was a saying, of course, that if it was too good to be true then it probably isn't. However, Celestice Island and its grand sights were a contestant to that notion. If anything, it was prettier up close.

Koyomi reached out for a flower as they passed by. It was cyan, and had a bright red center; something unlike she had ever seen before. In the midst of all the chaos, Koyomi narrowly managed to pluck it, but not without a harsh shoving from their escorts. She dropped it nonetheless, and it was trampled. Although meant to serve as guardians, these knights acted more like wardens. They were stern and had no time to care about leisure.

Eventually, the gang entered the town itself, known only as "CESTALIA CENTRAL", as indicated by the giant wooden sign hanging over them. Although it was written in Japanese, the island was not fluent in it. Unbeknownst to the gang, and soon to be found out later on, there was a passive spell emanating around the outer barriers of the island that acted as an auto-translation to all text and voices. It was a powerful spell to say the least, and accounted for nearly every language known to man. The locals of this land, the Celestians, spoke the language of the same name. It was a language found or spoken nowhere else.

Cestalia Central itself was a magnificent city. Much like the aforementioned golden tower that had caught their eyes, the place itself was shaped in layers. There were interconnected streets that rested on hills, one lead to another with various pathways. The market rested on the lower levels, with colourfully flagged stands, tons of restaurants and a consumer's galore for all your tourism needs. It was overcrowded, and narrow at this point in time. Nearing the afternoon, everyone was out shopping for the upcoming ceremony or grabbing a bite. Rush hour in the big city could not compare to how busy it was at this point in time.

Back to the city itself, however. Residential areas ranged from layer to layer, and spread all around the perimeters circling back. If you were a bird and flew over from the clouds, you would notice that Cestalia much resembled the shape of a complicated lock. A labyrinth, where any well-meaning person could get lost.

The floors were lined with warm coloured bricks, and most buildings were crafted with either sturdy wooden walls much akin to an old pub, or durable stone that had stood for ages. If one needed a better image, it was like taking a trip today, visiting the great Athens, though smothered in shades of red, orange, white and gold. Cool colours were more or less left to decorations such as written signboards, overhanging striped sheets of cloth that rested over stands to shield from the blazing sun. Disregarding the town itself, the citizens caught our heroes' wandering eyes.

Their attire was suited for the tropical weather. Although, it did not comply with many of the conventional fashion trends you would find today in Japan. Thin robes with patches of multi-coloured fabric together, large sharp boots made for scaling the great lands Celestice had to offer. Many of the swimmers wore things such as sleeveless polos fitted with thin cloth gauntlets, or thick overalls. However, a light, modified to the climate, Victorian style attire, much like what Koyomi usually wears, was not uncommon for the more fashionable, richer citizens who opted not to seek out adventure. Fluffy shirts with tubes and ties for sailors and travelers of the high seas, vests decked with jewels and an assortment of buttons or belts, and striped pin-shirts with colourful ties. It was reminiscent of a popular fantasy franchise back home, particularly more in line with one about a young boy who had woken up on a beach a thousand years into the future after being swallowed by a great living wave.

"These people sure know how to dress." Haruto muttered, perhaps he should've spent more time examining his wardrobe. Still, he stood out with his surfer look, as did the rest of them, but the Celestians knew how to style. It wasn't just humans that made up the Celestian population, no. Quite a few passerby dwarves of similar vein to Hortar waved their guests, there were living wooden golems attending the streets as guards, and was that an orc (a green, quadrupedal muscular creature standing at around 8'0 tall and with small, beady eyes that didn't match the boney horns sprouting from their large, round foreheads) nuzzling crates into the back alley of a diner?!

Gathered at the center of this district, where a beautiful white marble fountain lay, stood tons of islanders in a thick circle in the square. Beyond them were the giant high-rise stairs that lead to the very tower of the great Emperor himself. There were dozens of servants, and several men along with women standing at the base of these stairs, equipped with wooden horned instruments that had several oddly placed holes, and small levers that changed the shape and tune through the use of sliding slots.

A welcoming fanfare hollered throughout the square. A standing ovation commenced as a legion of the royal guard emerged from the corners of each layer, posted at the edges of the Grand Ladder. "This isn't for us, is it?" Shunpei asked.

"No, it's from up there!" Koyomi pointed. At the summit, well high within the air, a spiraling pink cloud zipped through the air! It swished, and it swirled in circular, unpredictable loud movements that instilled the anxious crowds with excitement. Just as it made a final loop, the fluffy shape stopped moving. It held itself in the air, gathering the swelling anticipation of the people as they awaited for the finale. It was like cutting through a chunk of ice, creating a slide steep enough to cause a great deal of wonderful turmoil, but the damage was too rigid to allow for a seamless transition; and what other than haste would sprout desire such a quick end?

The greatest pay-off to any trick was patience.

CRASH!

A powerful flash of lightning exploded at the base of the Grand Ladder. Smoke cleared throughout the area, blinding everyone for a moment before it swiftly vanquished. There were three figures standing at the source. One of them was the clear ringleader. An older man, with a sharp jaw and greying hair. He bore a magnificent beard, with eyebrows as bushy as well… a bush. The man was lanky, and he had seen better days, but he was brimming with life as though he were a newborn. It was likely the man had reached his point of rebirth, being at the ripe age of 60. He might not look that old, but his attitude - the way he carried himself with approaching the crowd, as if the streets were his personal runway. He sauntered, and chortled.

"A fine opening act, is it not?" In spite of his childlike demeanor, it was clear that he demanded respect in every move he made, and what was more clear is how he was revered by his people. A silk, violet and gold cape sheathed his two-piece robe in what darkness amassed the cooler colours set the seams for outlines of gold iris flowers. Pieces of the world that reflected his wisdom in age, and the power he garnered from his persona and experience, finding clarity in a world that is otherwise infinite in its cruelty. "We hope that thus far our showmanship has aided a coming desire to explore your curiosity further of our humble abode."

The distinguished man focused on the four of them. "Our intent is not to taunt, nor besmirch the gifts that have been grafted onto your souls, but to challenge the heart to test its will to unleash the latent expression that is an innate piece of us all." His crown was a ring of sharp, thorns that were raised to the clouds, and twisted in not a bitter feed of horror, but of a great display in power. "After all, the key to our prosperity is expression." He raised his hand, which was fitted in dark leather greaves that had fur on the end, and pounded his chest. "I, Great Emperor Kalium, welcome you to Celestice Island."

First, there was silence. Then, a sea of applause. No one within our group could contain their ability to remain voiceless either. If the Great Emperor exuded anything aside from confidence, it was his radiant glow of genuinity. The crowd died down, and the Emperor made his way towards the group. "Ah, our next round of long anticipated guests have taken center stage." The Emperor knelt. "Haruto Soma, I presume?"

Haruto wanted to speak, but nothing rolled off his tongue.

"Quite the stoic one, aren't you?" The Emperor was back on his feet, rubbing his chin. "No, you don't need to say anything to compensate. Your mere presence is more than satisfactory to what is owed."

"Y-you put on quite a display." Haruto wasn't certain on what to do, so he clasped his hands together and thanked him with the bobbing of his head.

"Ah, one of many." The Emperor shrugged. "Do not threat, I wouldn't dare to reuse a routine; we pride ourselves on ensuring that every group is accounted for, and therefore each bear witness to a unique show."

"You put in that much effort?!" Rinko asked.

The Emperor was moved by her boldness. "Ah, these are your companions. I am so delighted you have brought them here, Masked Wizard." He shook each of their hands. When he reached Shunpei, his eyes were delighted. "These callaces are the telltale signs of a ringsmith."

"Woah, are you psychic?!" Shunpei asked.

"No, no." The Emperor waved off. "Although, foreseeing the future is not out of our league." He laughed. When he reached Koyomi, however, he stopped and stared. Mystified, he gazed at her palms.

"W-what?" Koyomi asked. "Is something not right?"

"I can sense the magic brimming from ear to ear within you, young lady." He smiled. "Though, it is not aligned properly…"

"What do you mean by that?!" She sounded concerned, as did the others. Whispers from the crowd filled their heads. Talks of another display of showmanship, and what it could mean.

"Allow me." He caressed her palms and closed his eyes. Suddenly, before Koyomi could react a surge of energy rushed through her veins! She let out a high pitch squeal, and Haruto was just about to engage in defense before she stepped back, and a joyous smile overcame her.

"What did you do?" Koyomi asked. She felt as awake as ever; it was like the girl's energy was never going to fade! Koyomi was alive in the strongest way imaginable.

"Synchronized your waves to the sound of your soul. Magic is like music, my dear children. One fell note can change the course of the entire piece. Tune it, and don't place your notes on the right lines for the sake of it." The Emperor laughed once more. He spoke in a quieter voice. "Don't worry, young lady. I can tell as clear as day that the magic latent in you is not yours alone, but I will not discriminate, nor do I intend to pry."

Afterwards, he introduced them to the other two. There was a young woman with light brown hair, dressed in similar garments to the Emperor. She had a nasty scowl on her face. "My daughter, Riku." His daughter did not shake their hands, and refused to do so. Hiding behind the facade of a pompous, reserved socialite. "Is that any way to welcome our guests? You were so kind with the others…"

She said nothing. "My dear apologies," The Emperor moved on. Standing next to her, at nearly 8'0 tall and built like a dense locomotive was a man of few words. Although younger than the Emperor, he was far more aged. He had slicked back, white hair and with a deadly scar running diagonally starting from the left corner of his forehead down to his chin. It was a deep gash that faded by at least 10 years, but echoes of a battle he would not speak about lie dormant in the everlasting memory of his altered appearance. He wore a large, white duster coat over a black, tight-fitted shirt. "This is our General of security, and my closest acquaintance - a man who I intend to hold trust over my life until that flame is extinguished, Gorou Shima."

Gorou Shima made the previous guards look like specks of dirt in comparison. There was a cold, unearthly aura emanating from the silent man. Haruto gulped, standing cautiously in a passive means of defense against his blood curdling stare. He wasn't certain if this was the standard, or there was something he didn't like about the young man in particular, and frankly, he hoped it was the former. Towering over them in silence, the Emperor was less than pleased on how this introduction was going and opted to move things swiftly along. "Yes, he is the most profound." The Emperor jokes. "Shall we interest you in a tour?" He gestured, moving them down the pathway. "Our finest guides will show you the leisures of Celestice Island. Fear not for your luggage, as it will be transferred to our finest inns. Nothing like the grand tour to take the load off of the cruel sea, huh?"

"The Inheritor of the Dragon." Gorou spoke. His voice alone could make the Earth tremble. Haruto glanced over his shoulder. "Haruto Soma, the Ringed Magician. Inheritor of the Dragon. Is that you?"

"Is there a problem if I am?" Haruto asked with pocketed hands, standing his ground. He wasn't here to cause trouble, but it had a knack for finding him. Instead of elaborating, Gorou returned to silence. There was nothing but discontempt and coldness in the aged man's eyes, though for a brief moment - counting on if Haruto was more perceptive than suspicious, he caught the glimmer of a restless flame burrowed in the lone corners of his soul, and it yearned to bring him to ash.

CESTALIA AIR DOCKS - AFTERNOON

Third high-rise up on the southern edges of Cestalia, our heroes were granted access to the grand tour. Towering, wooden platforms with bridges installed that branched together well above the ground. It was a bustling tourist spot, as there were well over a hundred balloons gathered in the air; either docking or taking air. It was a subway station with wings! There were dozens of platforms, leading to a hundred different places. Shunpei was entranced, sneaking photos every chance he got. There was no way he was going to give up the chance to commemorate their time here; and he was either ignorant to the rule against cameras, or didn't comply. It's a good thing it was discovered after they were already in the air, otherwise his memories would've been confiscated and crushed. Shunpei was never a man of discretion, anyways. It was inevitable to start poking his nose past the island's well earned privacy.

This was Cestalia's main mode of transportation across the regions. It was fast, efficient and most certainly worth the tickets. "Say," Rinko peered into the balloon. "There isn't a fuel source here." Perplexed, she searched as a true detective would for the answer. "How are you bringing us into the air?"

"You're a curious person." Their pilot laughed. He showed off the red gauntlet present on his hand. It had a strange, mechanical core in the middle of his palm. "Allow me to show you." He raised his hand high into the air. Green, mystical energy conjoined alongside a vibrant, crimson red glow swirled around in his hand. From thin air, their pilot conjured a burning wind that manipulated the balloon's direction.

"Woaaaah!" Shunpei was falling head over heels in regards to anything that this island had to show, and why wouldn't he?! Ever since he was young, he had vehemently believed in the existence of magic, and beyond Haruto, beyond his own meager craftsmanship, he had a vault of strange, peculiar abilities to vindicate his beliefs.

"Please, don't mind him." Rinko apologized.

"The fascination he carries is complimentary." Their pilot laughed. Celestice Island was a whole different experience in the clouds. The crescent shape of the mass could be fully appreciated when it was visible to the naked eye. Or, maybe it was always there. Sometimes, all you need is a new perspective. It was funny, even something as insignificant of the shape, the randomness deriving such meaning that evoked artistic value was magical. "You people flatter us with your looks of amazement. We try to be as efficient as we can on this island." Their pilot said. The co-pilot was carefully gazing over yonder, being the look-out for any foreign objects in the sky. "It is true that Celestice Island is no stranger to industrialization, but make no mistake: we are cost effective and cautious of how we proceed on this land. After all, magic is the essence of life itself, and the Earth is our space of expression. We would be fools to contribute to the decay when we owe our way of life to her."

"You know, Haruto here can fly himself." Shunpei latched onto him.

"Is that true?" The Pilot laughed. "My grandfather used to possess the same ability. However, we've outlawed flying on our premises. It's no longer taught."

"Why is that?" Koyomi asked.

"Imagine a thousand of us soaring through the air without regulation. It would be difficult to maintain order, and besides… The art of Remote Flight is a difficult one to master. Is it worth devoting one's life to a practice that could consume your knowledge of a field so vast?"

"If you have the passion for it." Haruto answered, crossing his arms. He couldn't exactly focus up here. In fact, he felt a little sick to his stomach. Sure, he'd been in the air several times before, but that was of his own volition where he possessed complete control. "It doesn't matter how ridiculous it seems, if you have a dream then you have to cherish it."

"Wise words from the Magician." The pilot was impressed. "What is your dream, Masked Wizard?"

"..." He remained silent.

"I understand." A magician never reveals their tricks. "See, the skies are my dream. If I can't fly, I want to be as close to the clouds as possible… Sometimes, I wish I were a cloud." He chuckled. "Now, we're leaving Cestalia and are soon to be headed into Mieldor."

Mieldor, the mountainous fields of living towers.

Cyan grass stretched for miles beyond the horizon, appearing as soft - and as sweet, as taffy. It clung to the flamingo coloured sandstone cliffs that stood peacefully, watching over the rest of the island. It was a vibrant, big brother that tenderly latched onto the mass that was Cestalia. Mieldor was smaller than the former, standing around 424 km², and acted as one corner of the crescent moon. One thing to note was how smoothly the biomes transitioned between each other, as there were no hints of erosion or struggle against the different areas. It was as though a great artist had taken considerable time to ensure that all was fair, and no spot of Celestice would face degradation in conflict of the developing land.

"This is the land of those giant mushrooms…" Rinko muttered. She wondered, if someone were to suddenly fall out of this balloon, and hit the surface of these moving monoliths, would you simply spring back up into the clouds? They had long stalks that stood about 20 feet wide, and ranging from 50-200 feet high; much like the surface itself, which largely varied through constant shifts in elevation against the round hills. The surfaces themselves were magenta, with large pink dots. As mentioned earlier, the mushrooms 'danced.' They swayed back and forth, although slowly, but with enough force to knock down a small mountain due to their size alone. "Aren't you worried that they will spread?"

"Fear not." Their pilot ensured. "For some reason, they refuse to grow on any other surface aside from the dirt found in Mieldor. This land acts as a conservation area. We have had attempts in our past of unsavory greed leaking out due to those seeking fortune, but this land remains uninhabited by those who seek to exploit its resources. You can't even grow a farm here, because these magnificent towers make it difficult for plants to grow without the sun."

"A farmer would have to be quite stubborn…" Rinko noted. "Their fields would be long, zipping paths that would take forever to move between. That's not even accounting for making space - how could one ever cut down any of these?!"

"Hey, I thought you said there was nothing here." Shunpei asked, noticing something the others had not yet. In the far distance, there were odd creatures that were bouncing between the mushrooms like the gap was no big deal. They were gold, standing at around 4'0 tall with a pink horn sticking out of their forehead. Their faces resembled that of a hippo, with long tusks. The strangest thing, despite their agility, was their lack of legs. In fact, none of them had legs. Instead, their lower body was composed of two fleshy muscles in the shape of spheres. They contracted and squished upon landing, releasing a great deal of kinetic energy as they burst into the air. The creatures appeared quite happy to be bouncing around.

"Ah, one of our creatures native to the Celestice. A Gorbo."

"Gorbo?" Koyomi thought it was an odd name.

"Yes, they live in this region. Herbivores that have great lower body strength. They propel themselves much like… What are the animals called?"

"Kangaroos!" Shunpei answered.

"Exactly! They rely on leaping, and use the area to their advantage. Although, they spend as much time in water as they do in the air. Without the sun, the vast springs you see among the land are quite cold, and so their skin is prepared for these conditions. I… have set foot in one of those tiny lakes once. I regret that."

The rest of Mieldor didn't disappoint. As a special treat, their pilot insisted on providing a personal experience none of them would ever forget. The balloon sailed as close as possible to the monolithic mushrooms, even taking a few moments to take a breather on one of them. The likes of Shunpei were lucky enough to touch a Gorbo, as the creatures themselves were quite friendly. Well, as long as you didn't touch their horns. Which Shunpei unfortunately did, and spent the next few minutes evading an assault from an agitated magical creature.

An experience such as that normally would make Haruto break out into a fit of laughter, but instead he remained quiet for this portion of the tour. What happened earlier could not escape his curiosity. The Inheritor of the Dragon: what was so terrible about that title? Moreover, why did it make the likes of that general incredibly hostile? If it hadn't been for his great restraint, Haruto would have been snapped like a twig the moment he opened his mouth to confirm. He hadn't committed a sin to offend, nor did he intend to for their hospitality. Celestice Island was a paradise, a dream come true, but he couldn't help to feel turned off by that interaction. Maybe it was in his nature to raise his suspicions and stay wary, but it bothered him.

It bothered him too much.

AN: So, this one took me a bit longer to write. About a week or so, I want to say. Haha, I took a few days off to actually beat "Kamen Rider: Battride War Genesis." It was a fine game by itself, although I found it very repetitive by the end. It didn't help that currently, I do not understand much Japanese and there exists no guides for this entry in the series. Can you guess who my main was?

Infinity Form made the game much more exciting to play. Perhaps, I approached it in the wrong manner and I should've focused purely on style and challenging myself rather than breezing through. I have a tendency to do that with video games. Either I breeze through them, or I never complete them. Come to think of it, Battride War Genesis was the first game I've completed as of 2023. Here's to hoping Dark Souls 1 is next.

Say, in the future I should write about more riders. Currently, the one who interests me most is Takumi Inui from Faiz. I find the melodrama and darker tone of Faiz to be very appealing. I watched Black Sun, and I thought it was great, but it deserves more than 10 episodes. Limitations can be the key to writers in flourishing creativity, but you can tell when a series needed more time to come into it's own. With how long the original series Black is, Black Sun should deserve the same treatment and his actor loves playing Kotaro.

It must be an honour to hold a lineage title like that.

I've been meaning to watch more TV. I actually have a bit of a YouTube addiction. The vast sea of content can be overwhelming and feels saturated at times, even in my interests, so I hope writing can compensate for that and eventually lead me back to finishing series. Good Morning Call on Netflix lead me down the pipeline (woo, go Uehara!). It's definitely a great show you should watch. On the surface, it's nothing more than a typical gimmicky rom-com, but I believe its a deeper dissection of personal growth and change, and more so how a flourishing love can tenderize cold hearts.

School is starting up soon, and I imagine I will become quite busy, but I promise you won't go without updates for months on end. My passion for this story is unwavering, and thanks to a few special people in my life I can maintain it. I have them to thank for its conception, and I have promised to leave a formal sign of appreciation in these notes when I finish this, but ONLY when I finish this so the journey is complete. I've always loved when media thanks you at the end for engaging with it, and being part of the creation process. Behind every piece of content is a human, and it can be hard to remember that.

Anyways, thanks for reading this chapter. I hope it was up to your standards. If you like it, please share with others and leave a comment below. It doesn't matter if it's criticism. After all, no writer ever grows without it.

Oh! ONE LAST THING! I want to post this to Pixiv but I have no way to translate it, haha. If you have any resources for that, I'd be happy to hear them. I want to share my love for Wizard with everyone. Alrighty, now we're really done.