“Your Majesty, the Psyons have entered Arcadia. Shall I send the welcoming party?” said one of the handmaidens.
“No, it’s not necessary. I will be absent for the next few days trying to solve the Neutral State’s internal problems. Weimar and Xenocia must end all violence now or our enemies will easily take advantage of the situation and attack us. All of Altaria must return to unity or we will not survive the Darkai threat... Ready my carriers at once.” the Queen said as strictly as she could. All of the handmaidens bowed silently and walked out of the room.
The Queen prepared herself to make the travel. Unfortunately, unless they are in a national emergency, members of the Royal Family aren’t allowed to fly for unofficial business... She needs to amend that law. But above all else, she wants to meet this band of Fleshborne Psyons. Reports indicated that they have an official name and that is the Titans. As strong as that name sounds, true character isn’t defined by a mere name and it’s most unfortunate that she has to leave now of all times for a peace summit.
The skirmishes between Xenocia and the Weimar Republic has been secretly ongoing for half a century and although the civilian death toll is very little, the damage they left behind is incalculable, and only just recently did these two neighboring nations begin to publicly send military troops for a more tactical approach especially around the Neutral State provinces.
The reason they ramped up their military actions is because of the Darkai attack in the Neutral State’s capital. The sudden attack left scores of innocent souls dead and all sides of the spectrum suffered losses. And now, this troublesome effort from Weimar and Xenocia has to stop or it could lead to a full-scale war… something the Queen cannot afford to witness again.
“It is a shame you have to leave now of all times, your highness.” A voice said from behind. The Queen didn’t turn around to look but she smiled as she continued packing her trunk.
“It’s not every day the Queen has to tend to these matters herself… Pyro Vulkan would normally handle these minuscule problems in a heartbeat but he’s been AWOL quite a lot recently and I don’t have the time to search for that old owl. You’ll have to keep those Fleshborne busy for the while until I have this mess sorted out, Gunther.” She said.
Gunther stood readily in the middle of the Queen’s Chamber as he watched Her Majesty pace around the room looking for her most important belongings for the trip although he found this task most unnecessary as she won’t use them for any purpose whatsoever.
“I assume that this undertaking of yours is simply to avoid contact or delay your meeting with the young lads?” Gunther said as he amused himself with the thought of his Queen sweating from anxiety.
“Don’t be ridiculous! I am just as excited to see them face to face as you are… this is an emergency meeting and if it weren’t for that old owl going missing, I wouldn’t have to be in a situation such as this. And stop laughing!” she said. Gunther couldn’t stop himself from the sight of his Queen now practically running around her room to search for something that probably doesn’t exist in the palace from trinkets to undergarments.
“The last time I saw you run around like this was during your wedding day. How the old man would laugh in tears if he could see you now.” Gunther said as he turned around and headed for the door to leave.
“Speaking of which,” she said as Gunther froze in front of the door, “when was the last time you saw him in person? He speaks to me from time to time but he’s never actually here like before…”
“I don’t know, Your Majesty,” Gunther said while his face is still facing the door, “I can’t recall when the last time I saw his face… or his existence for all that matter,” he turned around to face his queen, “and I believe he would prefer it that way knowing that man being how he is.” Gunther bore a deep concern and sorrowful expression on his face and the Queen knew he was hiding something from her; this man has such a nerve to keep a secret from his queen!
“Very well,” she said finally, “you may go… provide those boys the best of the Arcadia’s hospitality and send them my regards.”
“Very good, your highness. Excuse me…” Gunther said and bowed to her one last time and turned to leave. As the door closed and the chamber fell in deep silence, the times suddenly struck her as to how all of this could have been much easier with a certain presence. In her mind, the Queen wished it was someone else that walked through that door and it was neither her handmaidens nor Gunther… but the one who was forced to leave by blade through her heart.
***
The flight didn’t enter the city itself but simply around it because military personnel wasn’t allowed in unless it was a national emergency. Even bringing in wounded heroes takes certain precautions and procedures that Duke found most irritating.
“It’s Annoying! This city is a thousand square kilometers wide and yet we have to travel around it making what should be a thirty-minute flight into a three-hour escalade. What idiot came up with this ass-hat of a plan anyway? Not to mention the heat reflected off the glass of these towers is frigging hot!” Duke shrieked. Darius noticed the riders exchanging nervous expressions to each other as if afraid of what would happen if their superiors heard that comment.
Unfortunately for them, this was as much truth as it is fact. Although the towers are beautiful, the glass panels on them reflected not only light but the heat as well although it has been justified that this reflection has a use. If the city were ever under attack, the heat reflected from the panels would cause disruption in the air making flight attacks either difficult or impossible and under the circumstances, the sun is blocked out, there are multiple hidden glyphs and Fyre Artes on every tower to ensure the air remains defensible.
Arcadia is circular in structure if you see it from high above, the city itself constitutes of Four Regions: The Northern Region or the Iron Pen Region, hosts of all the legal proceedings and legislation in the kingdom; The Eastern Region or the Dragon Region headquarters for all the military commanding orders and also home to most of their personnel; the Southern Region or also known as the Sakura Region, is home to the agricultural society in Arcadia where wide fields of flora and fauna live harmoniously with its citizens and caretakers, massive recreational parks as well as earthen hybrid buildings where it is mostly located underground and finally, the Western Region or the Rohan Region where the Dross dragons are bred in masse and are relatively the only area where animals are kept and preserved in the rural areas. It is also home to all of the financial and international business hubs in Altaria which notes that this Region has the most towers compared to any other part in the city as well as playing hosts to embassies from all known countries across the globe.
These four Regions are on a plateau of what is highly known by the locals as the First Level. The plateau is seen as lifted exactly one thousand feet above the flat ground and the only way in is either by flight or by climbing up the official pathways. However, in the center of this magnificent city, lies another plateau known as the Second Level which is roughly the center circle of the city itself. The Second Level doesn’t host impressive towers that scrape the sky but is home to the Lords of the Kingdom. Anyone with high enough titles resides on the Second Level located another kilometer above the First Level and there is always room for more tenants. Well known for being named as the White Plateau for its famous buildings clad solely in white but this space is not restricted to public visitation as the lower populace often traverse through the Second Level for quicker access to the other side of the city and so far, no warrant concerns have been raised for the presence of the lower classes.
And in the center of all these structures lies the jewel of Altaria herself: the Royal Palace, house of the ruling Queen. The palace is situated on another plateau (Royal Plateau) but just several meters above the Second Level so as not to attract too much attention from the skies. It appears like an isolated island where it is surrounded by waterfalls held and run by Cerulean Artes. The only way in and out of the Royal Palace is a bridge that comes out from both the Second Level and the Royal Plateau but summoned with only the Queen’s consent: the one real place where the public was not allowed to enter either by foot or by air.

For the past one thousand years, the city of Arcadia stood as a beacon of western power throughout the world. The peace, serenity, unity of its people, the law of its kings and queens, and the universal culture that has enabled this nation to prosper beyond recognition and most of all, the might of what was once the most powerful empire in the history of the world. Host to over ten million citizens, an alpha world city, and a megacity on its own, Arcadia is known far and wide as a place of trade and commerce, where the poor can become rich, the weak to become strong and the wicked to be punished outright. However, all of that slowly began to change with the new command in power.
Pyro, the highest rank and authority in Altaria, has done radical changes in the past few years where most reforms are done and power to rule is slowly diverting from the Queen to the Pyro. Thus, the chain of events had led to making the lives of the people slowly miserable. Every time the Queen issues an order, the Pyro slowly obstructs that order and then reroutes the authority to come from him instead. In other words, the Queen’s words are approved if only the Pyro allows it. A form of secret ruling Igniz is all well aware of.
“I highly caution we tread carefully around the Lord Vulkan,” Igniz said, “that man is well known for not welcoming foreigners with warm greetings. Hopefully, we will never have to meet that old man because formalities aside, he disrespects my family openly and he is often rude to my assistants the last time I was here... And I hold him in the highest regard of disdain.”
“True,” Duke said, “I’ve read several reports and word is that he’s being charged with different counts of corruption and redirection of Royal Orders... Not to mention that old fart likes to keep personal slaves in secret.”
“I’m sorry, who is this Vulkan?” Darius asked.
“You live right next to Arcadia and you don’t know who he is?” Raizo said, “Dude, what kind of shell did you live in?”
“Rai, shut up. Lord Vulkan is the current Pyro for Altaria.” Duke said facing back to Darius.
“Pyro is that title you get for being the best warrior and stuff, right? That's been my dream job since I was a kid,” Darius asked generally.
“Under normal circumstances, yes. But Lord Vulkan won that seat by votes instead of the skilled contest and he has usurped all power and authority to him. In accordance, his influence negates those of the Queen,” Igniz replied, “He is a very cunning man whose very talents and skills in politics meet no rival... Shame he does not bear a sword or else it would have been far better a sport to have him impaled by my spear.”
“Whoa, a little extreme there,” Duke smirked.
“I care not,” Igniz said, “He once tried to find a reason to send Sons of Altaria into my Western Domains under the pretense it is Altarian soil and heritage. That man is most absurd!”
“You sure you wanna mock the head of Altaria’s military with these riders around us? For all we know, they might just be ordered to kill us in our sleep.” Raizo said.
“Yeah, that sort of reminds me; don’t you guys talk at all, Omarion? Your friends hardly talk to us throughout this entire flight.” Darius said.
“Indeed, Master Psyon,” Omarion said, “we are not at liberty to speak openly or freely to you, sir. We have been ordered to refrain from direct communications with you as much as possible.”
“Well, that’s rather boring,” Zeeq said with his arms crossed.
“Why not? That Vulkan guy is giving you guys a hard time or something?” Darius asked. He felt pity for these dragon riders, Darius doesn’t hate them if they decided to suddenly dump him and his friends overboard and he wouldn’t blame them for trying either because he is aware that they are soldiers simply following orders although a little courtesy now and then wouldn’t hurt.
“My apologies, Master Psyon, but we are not at liberty to say,” Omarion said. Darius remained quiet after that and the rest seems to be disgruntled in their quiet way. Something of this importance must be directly coming from the Pyro himself and Darius didn’t count on how many times the guys made fun or mocked this Lord Vulkan.
“We’ll be arriving shortly. Please hold on.” Omarion said as he tighten his reins. As the other riders did the same, the dragons lowered their necks and slowly descended to the lower levels until they reached a clearing in the center of the city just a few miles out from the Second Level; they have arrived at Altaria’s military center: Metronome.
The Metronome, an area that contains all of Altaria’s military power, has housed multiple ages of military reformation and has successfully perfected the art of war. Its located in Arcadia’s Dragon Region with an entire District to itself. In it lies the barracks where recruits are trained every day and new arms come and enlist every month.
There are more than twenty dragon pits for the dragons to be kept as Altaria’s main air power comes from these flying creatures (which also is a testament that Altaria are master breeders of the dragonkin that is naturally a national secret) and home to over two hundred thousand soldiers of the Royal Armed Forces.
The flight made its way down and descended unto the ground where a group of soldiers clad in golden and red armor was waiting for them. They saluted when the flight landed and helped to calm the dragons down while their riders did the same from their backs. The Titans climbed, or rather, jumped down from their dragons with little effort save Darius who felt a sting in his legs upon landing on his feet.
“Welcome to the Metronome, Master Psyons. I am Captain Skywalker, head of the Secondary Dragonite Flight Battalion. I’m here to escort you to your quarters until the Queen’s return.” A captain clad in golden armor and bearing a red cape greeted as he removed his helmet and approached Darius with an extended hand. The captain had the typical military haircut and brown skin but the pupils of his eyes were crimson red that the Titans found most surprising except Duke.
“Nice to meet you, Captain. My name is Darius, this is Duke, Igniz, Raizo and the small one is Zeeq (“Hey, who are you calling small? I’m almost as tall as Duke!” Zeeq shrieked)... Where has the Queen gone?” Darius said as he returned the handshake.
“She is away for an urgent meeting with leaders of Xenocia, the Neutral State, and the Weimar Republic. She apologizes in advance for her absence and should return within the week. Until then, I have been ordered to personally escort you in Arcadia wherever you wish to go.” Captain Skywalker said.
“Thank you for the introduction and for giving us the news on the Queen. I hope you can give us a tour of the city while we’re here.” Darius said with a smile but it was spoiled with Raizo’s sudden words of disproval.
“Okay, you might wanna be a little more specific, Captain, because we’re called here because your Queen asked for us. And now we’re here and you’re telling us she’s away for an urgent meeting? A little dragon dung if you ask me--Ow!” Raizo said but he was cut off when Igniz punched him in the arm (“Will you stop that!?”).
“Please forgive our colleague; he is not one for manners in the art of subtle communications,” Igniz said as he gave Raizo a dark look while Raizo rubbed his arm from the punch and looked away.
“My apologies, Master Psyon, but this is a sudden situation that has been postponed for a while. Please follow me so I may bring you to your prepared quarters.” Captain Skywalker said and bowed once. He turned around and walked on but Darius noticed a disappointing look on the captain’s face that seems to have nothing to do with Raizo’s remark.
“For all that is opulence, can you not keep your verbally abusive mouth shut?” Igniz said as he and Raizo whispered in deep arguments.
“How am I supposed to shut up when you know it’s true, ice boy? The only reason we’re here is that the Queen wants to personally thank us and she’s not even here! You’re telling me you don’t smell a trap even a little bit? I mean, these guys could easily blame us for that rocky mess and put us on the hanging rope!” Raizo said.
“I concur but the Queen is absent and I believe their word of an emergency,” Igniz hushed, “but at the very least, keep your opinions to yourself unless you have conclusive proof that they are trying to kill us under the pretense of friendship!”
“What the hell are you even saying, man? I say this whole trip is a trap! Just think about it, we’re collected by military personnel instead of some royal pricks, we’re under constant supervision by these boys in red, and what more their so-called Queen isn’t even here to begin with! I tell you, man, this ain’t right!” Raizo shrieked. Duke slapped himself in the face while Darius shook his head with his eyes closed in amusement and a little sadness; even Zeeq seemed annoyed by this bickering.
“Of course, it sounds brilliant by happenstance, is it not? Bring five Psyons into one public field and hang us all on display in one of the most peaceful kingdoms on the planet simply because we brought half a mountain down caused by the Darkai which, by the way, was witnessed by a thousand Knights! Brilliant, Rai, simply brilliant!” Igniz retorted.
“God, will these two ever shut up? One’s an airheaded prince and the other is an air-inflated Wanderer... Some teammates we landed with...” Duke said. Darius wanted to agree in amusement but couldn’t help himself other than to chuckle. These two have been at each other’s neck ever since he first met them and it's the sheer embarrassment that they display this sort of behavior in front of other people.
“Oi! Both of you, zip it or I’m gonna come back there and zip it for ya!” Duke roared once and the two fell into a quick silence although they still quietly knock into each other with their elbows.
“Psyons but acting like spoiled brats! Zeeq makes a better impression than you two!” Duke snapped. Zeeq walked closely behind Darius and made a shy expression as if he wasn’t the one who stole the cookies from the cookie jar.
Luckily for them, the soldiers didn’t mind the conversation but with their helmet face masks on, it’s hard for Darius to tell if they were amused or studying them. However, Darius is most interested in the captain with the red eyes.
“Captain Skywalker, may I ask you something about yourself?” Darius asked.
“Yes, sir, please ask away,” he replied.
“Your eyes... Maybe you hear this question often but were you born with those eyes or perhaps they are embedded with some form of Arte that we don’t know about?” Darius said. Although fascinated, Darius couldn’t help but compare the same eyes to when he last saw a similar pair in old man Rubeus a few days ago.
“Ah yes, this question is not strange to me, Master Darius. My mother gave me these eyes when I was born. Tis’ the heritage of a Sith.” the captain said. Sith... Darius has never heard of that word before, not even Gunther or Igniz or even Duke made mention of it.
“What is a Sith?” Darius asked.
“They’re the mountain people!” Zeeq suddenly said with his arms shot up like answering a question in a classroom. Everyone including the rear guards looked at the young Psyon with curiosity as to how someone like him would have an answer while the others didn’t.
“The what people?” Darius asked perplexedly as he turned his attention to Zeeq.
“That’s what my daddy calls them,” Zeeq said happily with his arm still up, “Sith are a kind of people that lives in the mountains and that’s why we call them mountain people!”
“Well, the young master isn’t wrong,” Captain Skywalker said as they now entered the barracks, “the Sith are known for their nomadic way of life in the mountains although not all of us live in such a way... Welcome to the Royal Barracks, Master Psyons.”
The barracks were huge. Judging by how it looks from the outside, the interior was much larger than it should be and much more spacious in comparison. There are about seven floors, most of the offices but others lead to simulation rooms, personal training chambers, and medication bays. It looked quite complex but once Darius could get a handle on what the interior structure is like, it’s easy to find a way back in case he gets lost.
“Wow... You sure this is a barracks or an indoor stadium?” Raizo said. The others couldn’t agree more, the roof and the open space in the center looked like one gigantic underground dome, and soldiers of every outfit and unit is running around for drills and training. All but save one of Titans has ever seen such discipline.
“You guys are hardcore about training, huh?” Darius asked as he looked around.
“It’s part of our military program for armed units and local security forces alike. But our activity had to be increased as of late due to the rising tensions between the Weimar Republic and Xenocia. Please, this way.” Captain Skywalker said as he beckoned them to the right.
“Oh yeah, why are the people from the east and west fighting for no reason?” Zeeq asked out of a sudden.
“East and West? Are you from the Neutral State, Master Psyon?” the captain asked.
“Yep, yep, born and raised,” Zeeq replied.
“Well, there are many reasons as to why. But the most basic of reasons is that Weimar wishes to expand their republic further despite that they have more land space than their eastern counterpart. Although their real qualms are with Xenocia stems from a more ancient time.” Captain Skywalker answered.
“Um... Translation?” Zeeq asked Duke.
“West people are bullies and want to be bigger bullies,” Duke replied simply. He and Darius exchanged looks and laughed quietly.
“Oh... Boo! I hate bullies!” Zeeq snapped.
“Yeah... We all do...” Darius said quietly. They continued their walk until the group reached the northern entrance and exited the building. Upon exiting, the view of the city under the morning light was breathtaking as the buildings and towers reflected the golden light off its windows and panels. Just a few hundred meters in front of them was one of the main rivers that ran through the city, the river itself was over two hundred meters wide but thousands more in length.
Four main rivers run through the city that separates the four Regions that are said to be sourced from the waterfalls surrounding the Royal Palace itself. From these main rivers, miniature or sub rivers run through the city that divides the city districts equally. No district is bigger than the other save for the recreational districts in the Sakura Region where they host the largest recreational park in the world.
“By any chance, will we be living in any of these buildings? Because living in a super high space looks pretty cool.” Raizo said.
“I agree... Even a temporary quarter within tall towers does have an elegant view of the surroundings.” Igniz said.
“But I thought all you northerners live in tall, spacious towers?” Raizo asked.
“Not exactly... My chambers were quite near to the lower levels so I often see the children playing in the streets.” Igniz replied.
“My apologies, Master Psyon, but you will not be resting in the residential towers. You will, however, be accommodated on the Second Level for the time being.” Captain Skywalker said. This news seems to excite almost everyone except Darius who doesn’t find it at all comforting to be living in a place above the local populace. It’s high enough that they all live in a floating, wall-less palace in the sky...
“Well, with all due respect, Captain, would it be possible if we tread our ways around the lower parts instead? I mean, we would like to tour the whole city by ourselves on foot as well so that we can enjoy the city more with our own eyes.” Darius said. The captain seemed stunned at first and Duke, Raizo, and Zeeq seems to want to throw a fit but they fell silent after Igniz waved them off with a smile.
“As you wish, sir,” the captain said, “Although your quarters have already been prepared by Her Majesty and it would do us great honor if you could be hosted on the Second Level.” Darius looked at his teammates for a different decision but it seems they all want to go along with the captain’s plan of staying in the higher residences.
“Come on, guys, seriously? We live in the sky and you still wanna live in a place higher than the actual ground?” Darius asked.
“Did it ever occur to you that we have lived in the skies too long to a point where we liked the way of life up there? You can’t force a bird to live from a treetop to the ground, man.” Raizo said.
“His biased opinion aside, this is Arcadia, Darius,” Igniz said, “it is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and if they offered us any such place of residence, I suggest we accept their courtesy to at least relieve some burden of their work and not add any.”
“Yeah, but we live like this every day, and not to mention that our palace is the rarest and most famous singular spot in the world. You wanna compare that with an elevated city?” Darius argued to the two.
“Come on, Dar, just think about it, “Duke said, “None of us, not even Igniz has set foot in this city what more to stay in its higher residential areas (“I have.” Zeeq whispered). I’m sure you wanna check out what’s what around here from a good view right?” then Duke lowered his tone, “we’re practically heroes in their eyes so we might as well take a bite of this golden apple offered to us because we don’t know if we’ll even step foot in this place again.”
“I wanna go to Cherry Park!” Zeeq said simply. Darius chuckled to himself as he heard all of these objections from his friends. After all, this is the first time in his whole life that he has multiple friends to watch over and to watch him in return.
“Alright, fine, ya whining babies, we’ll stay on the Second Level.” Darius with his arms crossed and his smile etched on his face. The entire team cheered and even the guards seemed relieved at the decision although Captain Skywalker’s expression hasn’t changed.
“Very good choice, sir. We will be traveling by hover carriers.” the captain said and waved his right hand once. From the other side of the field, a carrier similar to what Dike drove Darius and Aunt Joe home from the market although this one is much grander and has a much wider internal passenger space.
“Wait, we’re not traveling by dragons like before?” Darius asked as the others climbed aboard.
“Unfortunately, no. For the moment, dragon mounts are limited to military use only until the crisis is cleared from all official suspicion... Please, after you, Master Darius.” Captain Skywalker beckoned as he slightly bowed and led his guests on the carrier before himself. As the crew stepped onboard, Captain Skywalker spoke to the driver quietly who also appears to be military as well, the driver bowed once and began to tweak nozzles and press a few buttons so that the carrier will begin its ascension.
“Oh yeah, when you say official suspicion, what does that even mean?” Darius asked.
“There is a widespread rumor that this secret organization known as Darkai is helping the Weimar Republic in its military efforts to gain more territories in both Altaria and Xenocia. We have much reason to believe that the attack on the mines beneath the Mountain Wall was spearheaded by both Darkai and Weimar Military because the mines were just twenty kilometers away from the republic’s borders.” The captain said as the carrier began to shift its magnitude and began to fly forward. But as the captain finished his words, Duke suddenly burst into a laugh when he heard the allegations.
“Believe me, Captain; the Darkai has no real ties to that pathetic excuse of a republic,” Duke said as he crossed his arms while standing up, “They’re not even worthy of an ally if you ask me because they’re too proud to ask for help. Much less accept any.”
“And how sure are you of this, Master Psyon?” Captain Skywalker asked sharply.
“I’m pretty sure you got the news by now, right? Because I was Darkai.” Duke said as clots of shining black liquid with a violet glow began to circle his hand. The other soldiers didn’t do anything but readied their hands at their sword handles in the event of a sudden blowout. Igniz and Raizo, although seated, looked ready to jump and blow up the entire carrier if they have to while Zeeq is on his knees on the seat and looking out the window with his eyes glued to the scenery of the city; completely ignoring what’s happening around him.
“We are well aware, Master Psyon. But it has been decreed that you are not a threat to us or Altaria... You were vouched for very well by the witnesses at the foot of the mountain and Lord Gunther.” Captain Skywalker said after a moment of silence.
“Duke, calm down. Captain, do you think you can provide us with whatever info you have on the Darkai? Duke may be Darkai but he was expelled shortly before joining us so whatever happens now is out of his knowledge.” Darius said. The black liquid disappeared from Duke’s hand, the soldiers eased themselves from their weapons, and Igniz and Raizo relaxed their muscles although it was no secret that they wanted to do something.
“Very well, sir, I will brief you on everything we know and perhaps Master Duke would be able to clarify with us on a few details in case we missed something.” the captain said as the carrier began to ascend to the Second Level.