The moonless night hung heavily over the mountains that guarded the capital city of Etrium. The air was thick with an eerie silence, broken only by the distant shouts of drunken mercenaries having drinks at the city's many bars.
In the heart of the city, a man cloaked in shadows moved with purpose. As he reached the city's outskirts, he approached a hidden garage where a mercenary flying car awaited him.
The vehicle gleamed in the dim light, its blackened metal body reflecting the starless sky. The man approached the car with a sense of familiarity, as though he had done this many times before.
With a flick of the mercenary's wrist, the car's hatch opened, revealing the luxurious interiors bathed in soft blue and white lights. The man climbed in, and the mercenary did the same; the car lifted off the ground and steered towards the mountain that would lead him out of the city.
As he ascended into the night sky, the man felt a sense of foreboding. The mountains loomed ahead, their jagged peaks reaching up like the teeth of a hungry beast. The wind whistled through the narrow pass, the man's eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of danger.
He wasn't a warrior, just an artisan. This kind of departure wasn't safe, but he had no choice but to leave hidden by the night, as he couldn't afford to be found out. As he flew higher, the air grew colder, and the mist swirled around the car like ghostly apparitions.
After hours of nerve-wracking flight, the man finally cleared the mountain range and descended toward the city of Fasard. The place sprawled below him, its brightness contrasting the night sky above. The streets of Fasard were bustling with activity, but a thick fog hung over the city, obscuring the buildings and casting an eerie glow.
He was now almost in the city, but there was much he had to do. The man arrived at the gates, but there he was quickly let go undisturbed, and like that, he entered without problems. Soon after, another flying car came to pick him up, and he went in.
The man was quickly brought to Fasard's cathedral in the city's heart. Its imposing structure loomed before him, its stained glass windows reflecting the moonlight and its grand facade transmitting a sense of peace and grandeur.
As the heavy wooden doors creaked open, revealing the grand cathedral's interior, the man was immediately struck by the opulence that awaited within. The vast space seemed to glow with warm, golden light, casting a radiant aura over the ornate details that adorned every surface.
The grand arches soared to dizzying heights, supported by marble columns intricately carved with elaborate designs. The ceilings were a masterpiece of frescoes, depicting scenes from the stories in rich blue, red, and gold hues.
The moonlight filtered through the stained glass windows, casting a kaleidoscope of colors across the polished marble floors. The walls were adorned with gilded frames, showcasing exquisite oil paintings depicting religious history scenes.
Saints and angels seemed to come alive on the canvas, their ethereal beauty rendered with meticulous detail. The flickering candles added a soft, warm glow to the already awe-inspiring ambiance, creating a sense of reverence and holiness.
The altar stood at the far end of the cathedral, a masterpiece of craftsmanship. It was adorned with intricately carved gold leaf designs, reflecting the light in a dazzling display. Precious gemstones, set into the ornate sculptures, sparkled with a brilliance that captivated the eye.
On it, a hooded man was waiting. "You finally arrived, sir; we were waiting for you," the hooded man said.
"Yeah, it was a rough journey. It wasn't easy going past Etrium's security," the artisan said.
"I'm sorry to hear that, sir. If you want to follow me, I will bring you to my master, and then to your room to rest."
The artisan nodded, and the hooded figure led the man through a hidden passage that snaked beneath the cathedral, the walls lined with ancient runes that gave the place an eerie light. They moved swiftly and silently as though the shadows themselves were guiding their way.
After a while, they emerged in the courtyard of a grand mansion, and the artisan had a vague idea who it belonged to. The mansion loomed before them, its windows dark and its walls adorned with intricate carvings. The figure led the man through the ornate doors, and they were immediately enveloped in an atmosphere of luxury and power. After a while, they reached a giant room.
Sinisa Volkov stood before them, a tall and imposing figure with piercing eyes that seemed to see through the man's very soul.
"Welcome to my humble abode, Julius" Volkov said.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mister Volkov. I often hear rumors about you and your prowess," Julius said.
"Likewise," Volkov said. "Can I offer you a glass of wine?" Volkov said to appease his guest's needs.
"There is no need; I'm exhausted and would like to settle our matters before going to bed."
"Good then, I wanted to talk to you in person as soon as I could..."
Fasard's lord wasted no time and delved straight into business. He spoke commandingly, outlining his proposal to the man from Etrium.
His voice echoed in the room as he explained once again that he needed someone to teach his chosen apprentice Etrium's latest technology, the one that would allow using the brain crystals powers of dead thaids, a craft that was unique to Etrium, and that was quickly making the nation earn military advantages over the other nations.
In return, the man would receive the protection and riches he sought. The man listened intently, his mind calculating the risks and benefits of such an agreement. He was wary of Volkov's intentions, but the lure of wealth and safety was tempting.
He had spent years honing his craft in Etrium, and his skills were highly evaluated, but there were many people like him, and he struggled to make a name for himself. This could be the opportunity he had been waiting for. "If it is as you say, then I have no reason to refuse," the artisan said.
"Good, then." The man and Volkov came to an agreement. Terms were discussed, promises were made, and a pact was sealed.
The man would share his knowledge and expertise in exchange for the resources and protection he needed to continue his work aside for an astronomical amount of money. Julius inquired about the apprentice he would teach as the business matters were settled.
"Who is he?" the man asked, referring to the kid he was going to teach. Volkov then explained the kid and how he found him roaming Fasard's streets.
Soon, he told him about the kid's genius. "But someone will bring you to him. I think seeing him in person will be better than learning about him through my words," Volkov said. "Indeed, then lead the way," Julius said.
After reaching an agreement, the man from Etrium left the room, escorted by a woman. The air outside was thick with tension, and the man couldn't shake off the feeling of foreboding.
He knew he had entered a dangerous alliance, and the mystery surrounding the figure who had brought him to Volkov only added to his unease. Julius was escorted into a crafting room full of tools and machinery he was well familiar with.
He stepped into the sleek, high-tech room, illuminated by holographic displays that floated in mid-air, projecting intricate blueprints and schematics. The walls were adorned with glowing panels, and the table at the center of the room emitted a soft blue glow.
The air was heavy with a sense of foreboding as Julius, a skilled artisan from Etrium, was led into the room by a cloaked woman. Her face obscured by the shadows of her hood, she moved with an air of mystery and intrigue.
In the corner of the room stood a young child, no older than 10, who seemed to shrink back as Julius approached. The child's eyes darted nervously, and their small frame trembled with fear. Julius studied the child, noting his petite figure and the way he seemed to shrink into himself as Julius approached.
He could sense the child's trepidation and hesitancy, which only fueled his curiosity. The woman who had brought him in spoke in a hushed tone, her voice barely above a whisper. "This is the one," she said cryptically, her eyes fixed on the child.
"The kid you will be teaching is a prodigy," the woman said, and Julius nodded, his keen eyes taking in the child's demeanor. He could see the glimmers of talent and potential in the way he saw him handling the custom-made hammer Volkov prepared for him, but he could also sense the overwhelming fear that seemed to hold the child back.
Approaching the child slowly, Julius knelt to his level, the man's presence looming over him.
"I am Julius," he said in a deep, calming voice. "And I am here to teach you." The child's eyes widened, and he looked up at Julius with a mix of curiosity and unease.
Julius could see the child's struggle to trust and open up to a stranger in this mysterious setting. The woman who had brought him in remained silent. Julius sensed that she held secrets, but he pushed the thought aside for now, focusing on the task at hand.
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