Chapter 156: The park

Excerpt from the book “The final hunt of the nightwalkers” By Fang

“Over here! I see footprints!”

Rushing over to my friend. “Nice one, Dez. We must hurry; a village is up that way.”

Rushing ahead towards Ice Ash village. Ducking under gnarled branches hanging low as we move through the forest.

“We should wait till the day. They are strongest at night.” My friend says between labored breathes.

“And sacrifice the villagers!? I would die before allowing it.” Feeling my vigor renewed at the dire situation.

The moon casts an eerie glow through the darkness. Gazing up, seeing the yellowed lights-source. “They waited for a full moon; why?”

The village came into sight, the light at first. Once the trees parted, my heart broke. Flames torching the humble villager’s homes, people scream coming into earshot. Werewolves are working with the vampires to rip them to shreds.

Rushing forward, stake and silver sword in hand. “Are you ready?” I ask my partner, who has had my back for the last decade.

“As ready as I will ever be.” Nodding towards me with a look of determination.

Having realized his folly, Jengal accepts his fate. Walking with me in a random direction in hopes of finding something interesting.

Standing atop a raised piece of land, “this place is beyond massive. I didn’t know you could create a functional city this size.” Looking over at the never-ending wave of buildings.

“It is no easy feat. From what I know, the city is divided into tens of districts, all governed individually. They have teams that work as the go-between that keeps them all working in sync.

As overseer, the royal family kept the city functional with a combination of randomized checks, administrative might, and talented minds.”

“That is very impressive.” Thinking over the sheer logistics required to maintain this city.

Feeling the pang of a headache as I imagine the volumes of paperwork they must chew through.

“Shame we can’t fly above it.”

“Agreed,” Jengal says with a sigh.

“Let’s ask around, see if we can find something interesting.”

“I don’t have a better idea.” He shrugs, gazing back towards the small view we have found.

We can’t see much, just an expanse of buildings.

“Well, let’s go.” Walking down the road towards the closest group of people. Walking up to the most amicable-looking person. “Hello, sorry to disturb you. We are new around here and wondering if you know anything we should go and look at.”

The middle-aged woman rolls her eyes but responds. “Go have a look at the Big park. Up that way, enjoy.” Turning back to her crowd.

Shrugging; that works. “Let’s go, Jengal.”

He silently follows.

Walking down the road for 15 minutes, it suddenly opens into a green expanse. A grey ring of buildings surrounding a natural oasis within this built-up empire, “definitely big.”

Gazing across the landscape with my equally awe-inspired buddy. A large plain of small hills and flat grassland with trees in groups ranging between 3 and 8 dotted about. A small tower with a clock stands in the middle, marking it as early evening – 6pm.

Walking into the natural wonderland and heading towards the tower, I begin to spot finer details. Flowers in an array of shapes across the many small hills, along with stalls serving vegetable-based food, “well, I am feeling a little peckish.”

Walking to the closest stall, I purchase Me and Jengal some food. Bitting into a spicy vegetable burger, I taste the ingredients. A well-made bean patty with jalapenos, paprika, and other light spices.

“Bleh, vegetables,” Jengal says, spitting it out into paper.

“Can’t live off meat your whole life.”

“I can try.” Heading to a bin to chuck it away.

“Wait, I will have it.” Taking it from Jengal. No need to waste food.

“What did I cost?”

“Like 3 bronze.”

We walk further towards the tower, seeing more and more people. The stalls now have some plants like flowers, saplings in pots, and the odd bush.

“Jengal.”

“Yeah?”

“Where do they get all their food?”

“Underground farms and trade.”

“I see.”

“I forgot you could grow plants with any form of light.”

“How could you forget that?” He chuckles.

“Call it a bad memory,” mentally adding, “since I am from Earth with normal plant rules.”

Once we reached the tower, we found a small picnic area. People were resting on the grass, some sunbathing, others eating. Families were running around, some even with dogs.

“Look, jengal, dogs.” Pointing at them.

He follows my finger, “cute. It’s rare to see dogs.”

“Why are they rare?”

“Sorry, I forgot you keep a spider, like a crazy person. Taming wolves is time-consuming, and breeding dogs expensive.”

“How expensive are we talking?”

“Like 10 silvers per dog. They need items that break the tame bond; it marks up the price.”

“Why do they need to break the tame bond?”

“When a breeder breeds the dog, they are automatically tamed to the breeder. They use items to break the bond, then sell the dog to be tamed by someone within the family. The only other way to break it is to die.”

“That makes sense,” I say as I sit on some tall, soft grass. Patting the side for Jengal to sit with me.

Leaning back, I enjoy the sun’s rays. Normally immune, even with my armor transparent. I should walk around without my armor more often. Watching the odd cloud pass, smiling at the shapes.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Jengal looking at me like a freak. “Something on my face?”

“I just can’t figure out what you find so interesting about the sky.”

“It is ever-changing; looking closely, you can see how the wind warps the clouds.”

He humors me and looks up at the sky.

“Jengal.”

“Yeah?”

“I told you about how I can see recipes.”

“Yeah?”

“I am not from here. Without going into detail, I wasn’t born on this world.”

He shoots up from the bed of grass, “I knew you were an alien!”

“Rude.” Even if he is right.

“Doesn’t know plants can grow underground,” teasingly. “So, where were you born?

”Earth.”

“Earth? Like the ground?” He asks me in confusion.

“Like the ground,” I confirm.

“But not this ground?”

“Nope.”

“Weirdo.”

“Thanks,” I say jokingly.

He suddenly exhales, “well, I didn’t see that coming.”

“I thought you knew I was an alien?”

“Well, you always keep personal secrets close to your chest. Didn’t expect you to spill another so soon. Does Cassie know?”

“Yeah.”

“No fair, you told her first.”

“She doesn’t know I can see crafting recipes.

“Sweet! I know something she doesn’t.” Whooping in a child-like way.

Just rolling my eyes at his antics, returning my gaze to the sky.

“Don’t tell anyone, by the way.”

“Do you think I am stupid?”

I just look at him.

He shrinks away, “fine, my lips are sealed.”

“Thank you.”

“I am getting pretty hungry.” He complains.

“Should have eaten the burger.”

Waiting for him to frown before handing him some pizza.

“Thanks, Aeternum,” he says, stuffing his face.

It is one of the few things I have in my golden bag. Most of my items were deposited, only having kept my transport, time in a bottle, food, and money. The last two having been grabbed between a market trip.

Recalling home while Jengal is preoccupied with food. The chocolate rice crispy cakes my mother would make, my dad attempting to put in a door. He failed, but he tried. My brother was the greatest, being the perfect mix of weeb, nut case, and rational human being.

When they are gone, you don’t remember the big things. You remember the less noticeable things that made your reality perfect. The person who did the pots for you, the person who filled up your car because they could; I miss them. What I would do to eat one more dinner from my dad. He might not have been a chef, but his steak was to die for. Or my mum's Currys that could make an Indian cry.

“Stop crying; it’s not even that hot.” She would say between sips of milk. Followed by me passing out from the pain. She put less chili powder in after that. My family never let me live it down.

I will make sure to give Cassie a hug when I get home. I could use the comfort. Memories bring emotional pain and emotional fulfillment at the same time.

Getting up from my bed of grass, “let’s go for a walk.”

“We only just sat down,” Jengal replies.

“Fine, but not too long.” Sitting back down and basking in the warmth of spring. Flicking through my phone while Jenga recovers his pitiful stamina. Never focus everything on dexterity without endurance. It is like having a super-car and no fuel to run it.

With our break finished, we walk past the clock tower. Moving through some trees off to the side. We head in the direction of the dirt path, following it until we enter back into the city. Continuing into the center of this city.

Like rings, it seems that wealth plays a part in how close you live to the middle. The outside had people with little money. Bronze being the money of choice, and clothes a luxury. Walking to each market, we unknowingly crossed into another wealth ring. I would estimate it as lower-middle class. Cloths looked casual but undamaged.

I only think of it, as we have just passed another ring. Watching people walk around openly with jewelry. A lizard-like biped walking past, golden jewelry on every limb.

“If we keep this pace up, we will hit the cloud district by tomorrow.”

“What is the cloud district?”

“The royal families area, high-nobles, and royalty live right in the middle of the city. It stands upon a hill, a giant palace at the dead center.”

“Sounds like it would be a sight to see.”

“From what I hear, it is both a piece of art and a masterful defensive structure.”

“Well, I would imagine. Royalty lives there, after all.”

“I wonder what defenses they use?”

“I do too.” Mentally noting to make a stupidly strong defensive base just because. I am thinking triple shields with internal power, magical pencil walls, and wards. If I can think of even more powerful defenses, I will add them.

Smiling brightly at the thought of my next project. Even better if I can make it fly. And with a mountain of defenses, at the core, a magic mirror stands. Inside that mirror lies a Tardis. Now, that is some hella strong defenses.

Okay, fortress, magic mirror, wards from thaumcraft. Simplified goals brought to you by Aeternum.

Someone told me talking to yourself is a sign of insanity. But, what about your internal monologue. Speaking within your own mind is fine? Yet making what was once an inside thought, outside?

Wow, I must be bored if I am rambling.

A voice broke me out of my stupor, “what’s got you all glassy eyes?”

“Sorry,” turning to my companion. “Was just thinking.”

“About what? Planet domination?”

“You make me sound like I came here to conquer.”

“What's to say you haven’t? You could be spinning lies and worming your way deep into this world.” Teasing me about my alien origins.

“Yeah, and I would choose humble you as my companion.”

“I am very talented, thank you.” Clutching his chest.

As patronizing as possible, I say, “Keep telling yourself that, buddy.” Earning me an eye roll.

Jengal walks ahead, disappearing into the crowd of people.

Running after him, “wait up; You can’t afford to get lost. I am the one with the way home!”

Realization dawning on his face, he begrudgingly returns to my side. He mumbles, “I need one of those blasted things.”

“You have access to the telepad network. That is more power than most people in this world have access to.”

“Fine.”