NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 8: Dynamics
Nova looked around completely baffled, wondering where the strange man had gone. There was no trace of him anywhere near him. It was as though he had vanished into thin air or never even existed, but he knew it was all real and not a figment of his imagination.
The man's words lingered in the back of his mind as he thought about them, wondering what most of them meant. He wanted to brush his words off, though he chose not to, for he could sense that the man was being sincere and his words were not out of ill intent but out of caution, which made his mind wander.
He knew he could not simply ignore his warning for he knew only so much about the world and had a lot to learn and this was his first step, he could not falter, nor could he afford to, for it would cost him.
When Nova looked at the door leading out of the cathedral, he knew exactly what he needed to do. His next step to officially start his journey was to register, to become an official citizen.
The path ahead of him would not be easy, that much was obvious to him, given everything he knew so far, but he would have to try his hardest to adapt to his new surroundings, he would face whatever challenges that venture into his path head-on, for there was no other way to carve out his future in Etarion.
With a deep breath and the words of the man echoing at the back of his mind, Nova opened the doors and stepped out of the cathedral, his brows furrowed as his eyes adjusted to the bright light outside.
The yard of the cathedral before his eyes were filled with many carved trees, fountains, and men and women dressed in white and gold outfits mixed with a red hue, which indicated the colour of the uniforms worn by those who worked within the order.
He strode forward with a purpose, despite the lingering unease within him and the confusion, he did what anyone in their right mind would do, not quite paying attention to others, only lost in his thoughts, for he had a lot to think about and his priority was to get to the bottom of it all as well as get stronger, which was essential for his survival at that point, he had to forge his path, while using all that he could to his advantage.
After a few minutes, he was out to the yard, the guards at the cathedral gate closed the gates behind him and he found himself in the center of the bustling city, a place mixed with magic both ancient and modern, but with a hint of apocalyptic traces left behind, a world scarred by the dark ages.
That was one thing that was similar to his home, the one where he originally came from, they had one thing in common, an age in which darkness loomed, however in Etarion that was ages ago, yet it lingered a not-too-distant shadow.
He walked the streets of the city, looking for one of the headquarters of the order, because he had to register himself within the system, something that was not only required but was also compulsory, it was a choice but the wiser one, that way one would hardly arise suspicion from the order, which he could not help but feel skeptical about, something about them did not sit right with him.
"Erna, I need to see the map," He said, as the transparent map of the city he was currently in appeared before his eyes, each part of it a detailed layout and his eyes narrowed.
He studied the map carefully as he walked, hoping to get to the headquarters soon, due to the fact, that most of the day was already gone, having spent the entire morning in the cathedral, waiting for his turn.
As he navigated through the city, he noticed many people with different talents, creatures walking alongside their owners like pets, some were under the contracts of beast tamers, while some looked like mere slaves to high class.
The more he walked, the more it became evident to him that Etarion was a world as beautiful as it was cruel; each step he took revealed more about its complexities.
Nova realized that survival here would require not only strength but also understanding. Despite the past, they had no right to be tethered and treated like inanimate objects. The sight repulsed him and left a bitter taste in his mouth.
"Erna, how much further until I am there?" He asked, his voice laced with urgency.
"Not far," Erna responded, her tone calm yet guiding. "You will arrive at the headquarters in approximately ten minutes if you maintain your current pace and do not get distracted with unnecessary things."
Nova nodded as he made his way through the congested streets, catching glimpses of stalls where traders were loudly bartering and markets brimming with exotic goods. Another aspect of the city's culture—a colorful, chaotic blend of development and decay—was displayed around almost every corner.
He was about to turn a corner when he heard a loud commotion, that caught his attention. A man was surrounded by armored enforcers with their weapons out. The man was visibly distressed, clutching a glowing artifact to his chest.
"Hand it over, and no one gets hurt, people like you are not to wield such things," One of the enforcers snarled.
Nova paused and clenched his fists by his side tightly until his knuckles turned white from the mere pressure. The power dynamic was evident, even though he was unaware of the man's backstory. The enforcers' presence exuded authority, yet their methods came across as oppressive. The scene served as a sobering reminder of how fragile the current balance in Etarion was.
"What should I do?" Nova muttered, under his breath.
"Observe for now," Erna suggested. "Intervening without understanding the full context could jeopardize your safety."
Nova reluctantly followed her advice and retreated into the darkness of the street. He saw the man being dragged away after the artifact was taken from him by force. With uninterested expressions, the crowd scattered as though nothing had occurred.
"This world is equally as harsh as the previous, if not maybe more," He whispered, and continued on his way. In sharp contrast to the disorder below, the headquarters towered in the distance.
As he got closer and saw the building's magnificence. Guarded by figures in shining armor, the gates were enormous and intricately carved. Nova steadied himself and took a deep breath.
In order to, comprehend the world he now lived in and finding his place, this was his first and most important step, due to it being the one that could decide everything in his future.