TU27. The Weight of Gold and Silver
Strutting along the wide avenue lined with tall porcelain columns, the party walked across a mosaic floor that stretched all the way to the main palace. Aurora was draped in a blue half-cape over a crisp white shirt with a lace jabot, her silver hair tied neatly into a rear bun encircled by a delicate braid. It was a practical choice, yet far too intricate for her to style by herself. From her high boots to the soft leather trousers that sat high above her belly button, her entire attire was unapologetically ostentatious. The trousers, borrowed from her mother, were incredibly snug. Is my mother's waist somehow thinner than mine? She wondered, her eyes sizing up the distinguished woman leading the way.
Nervous and excited, she couldn't stop fidgeting with the silver brooch atop her flowery neckfrill. Surrounding them were heroes and philosophers whose names still echoed through classic literature, arcanical research, and the sciences. She recognised most of them as her mother politely greeted the guests, occasionally introducing her like a proud parent.
A tall, white-haired man emerged with a gentle smile. He possessed a hooked nose and was dressed in multilayered robes over a cream chiton — the oldest, wisest arcanist, no less.
The aristocratic man opened his palm, revealing an arc ring worn inversely, its golden lion's head staring back. "Sir Gregorius Von Leon, it is my deepest pleasure to finally meet you, the one and only Luminary Aurora. I've heard so many…" He paused to glance politely at Austria. "…great things about you."
Austria clasped both hands over her thighs and bowed politely. The mother stood some five finger-widths taller than her daughter. Otherwise, it would have been a challenge for an old man like him to differentiate a beautiful lioness from her beautiful cub.
"A Celestius?" Aurora gasped, eyes wide as she looked at her mother for affirmation. Austria nodded twice, her motion swift.
"The very first, my dear," the man replied, sniffing softly.
"It is my pleasure, Celestius," Aurora replied, keeping her excitement in check. "I believe you already know this, but your fine work is still being taught at the Arcana Institutes worldwide even today. Your contributions guided us to the later generations of arc comms, teleportation, and so much more. Even the calendar—we still use yours!" Despite her best efforts, she couldn't hide the spark in her silver eyes.
"Ahaha, spare the old man the flattery," he chuckled deeply. "I merely laid the very foundation for generations of arcanists to build upon."
"It is a solid one, Celestius," Austria said, brushing a hand against his chest.
The man straightened up a little, his gaze softening. "Very well, I shall humbly accept the compliments. But I shall not stall you any more than I should. The Golden King is waiting for you in the throne room ahead. It is still a long walk from here." He stepped back with a head bob — almost like a bow, or perhaps a gesture of respect from his time.
"Celestius, may I ask but one question?" Aurora asked, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "It is actually for my scribe. She is a huge fan of yours."
Gregorius's lips parted briefly before he hummed with a surge of delight. "Of course, certainly."
"What is it?" Austria chimed in, her curiosity flaring.
"The myth about the Tower of Babel, is it true?"
"It was," Gregorius hummed, his eyes closed. But the sudden opening of one eye spiralled them into uncertainty. "Or was it?"
"Ugh! I knew it, he's never going to tell us!" Austria groaned as the old man waved his hand dismissively, already strutting away to join his party.
They are likely Celestius arcanists as well, Aurora mused, noting how they remained uniquely separate from the common fold. A shimmering distortion rippled around them, accompanied by the heady, lingering aroma of raw magical essence that emulsified the very air.
Seeing their amicable discussion, she chuckled into her fist. It was this sense of normalcy that made this place such a heaven. Knowing the existence of hells and heavens, she could finally rest easy: Death wasn't unwelcome when he eventually knocked.
"Come! We're late!" Austria urged.
"You are quite famous here," Aurora probed, matching her mother's pace.
"Not really, but I have had a few centuries to build a reputation."
The myrmidons, sporting golden crests and elegant red plumes, stood crisp and guarded at the entrance to the tall metal doors. The Hellenic embroidery running across their circular shields and breastplates was intimidating, yet beautifully crafted. Through the T-shaped openings of their helmets, piercing dark eyes scanned the new arrivals.
"Empress Aurora Vere Borealis, and Oracle Austria Vere Borealis of Osten, we welcome you. Open the gates!" The men bellowed, moving to the sides in perfect harmony.
"Ah, looks like we've been expected," Aurora mumbled.
The tall, thick doors ground open with a heavy, juddering noise. The first thing they saw was a golden throne with a scarlet cushion, situated at the centre of the far wall. Above the throne hung a massive portrait of war — specifically, the grand battle of Troy, capturing the exact finale where Hector met his demise. A spear to the heart, delivered by a radiating warrior.
It was nothing short of epic. Truly epic.
"You're here, Empress!" Aurora was so lost in the scale of the display that she didn't realise a cheetah Wildren was waving for her attention.
Aurora blinked twice. "Tachyon…"
"You look as pale as if you've just seen a ghost—of course it's me!" The cheetah beamed from ear to ear, her tail shooting straight up. Then, she spun on her heel and performed a crisp curtsy. "Ashen Oracle."
"No need to be so formal, dear," Austria returned with a delighted grin. "Your mother and I have been good friends since forever."
"But… you are a ghost…" Aurora mumbled under her breath.
Taking Aurora by the arm, Tachyon blurted out with excitement, "Whatever! I'm not here to argue with you, Empress."
Their past journey seemed to have deepened their bond like nothing else could; their conversation volleyed back and forth with equal speed, sounding exactly like two long-lost friends, even though they had only been separated for weeks.
Once the party reached the edge of the elevated platform where the golden throne stood, the golden-haired Wildren rose, waving away his babbling subjects. His gaze, radiating like the midday sun, locked onto his esteemed guests. He was dressed modestly compared to the rest of the people Aurora had met so far. Wearing a single-piece chiton made of fine-quality wool, his attire was accented only by a golden belt gleaming under the ceiling rays and a pair of leather sandals. But make no mistake, there was something truly divine about him. His charisma easily outshone both the gentlemen and ladies in the room. Even in a vast sea of refined gentlemen, this Wildren would still stand out.
"Finally, at long last! I welcome you, great warrior! If not the greatest in the history of mortals!" he cheered, drawing full applause from the surrounding subjects. Achilles flashed a toothy smile that held an unmistakable resemblance to his granddaughter.
Swiftly, he crept over to Tachyon, poking her in the side with his elbow. "I thought she'd never show! It must have been your diplomatic skills, I'm sure of it!"
"I did nothing, actually," Tachyon replied, scratching her cheek with a dry smile.
"The pleasure is entirely ours, My King," Austria bowed smoothly, her dress fanning over the floor like a blooming flower.
Achilles's quick mind had already jumped elsewhere; he rounded up his people. "It is time to feast like there is no tomorrow! I command you all: do not disappoint our guests, as it would disappoint me even more!" he bellowed, his voice carrying a velvety tone that was also undeniably commanding. The crowd shuffled about, filing out and away in a neat, orderly fashion.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
In under an hour, the grand feast was underway along a table spanning over twenty metres. Platters of delicacies from various cultures and fine wines rotated in and out, offering both quantity and quality in equal measure. Distinguished guests, including the first generation of the Zodiac Council, were all present for the meal. Light music played in the background on ancient instruments, while chitchat and laughter echoed through the room, creating an atmosphere of pure delight.
Amongst the sea of faces, Thanatos was spotted wrapped in a dark robe, his wings entirely absent. The Lord of Death was deeply absorbed in a conversation about a vinery, but he paused to raise a toast when his gaze met Aurora's.
"And she is the fastest, fiercest warrior!" Achilles recounted, slapping Tachyon on the shoulder like the proud king he was.
"Grandfather!" Tachyon nearly spat out her food. "You might have oversold me. I didn't lead anyone—".
"Hush now, child!" Achilles laughed maniacally. "I paid good gold for this lore! Let me finish mine, and then you can share your side of the story another time!"
The crowd nodded along, anticipation bursting in their eyes, causing a helpless Tachyon to shove her hands under her armpits in defeat.
"She was the one who led the Argonauts against King Orestes, who backstabbed her father! Every land she entered, she conquered; every city submitted to her reign. All but one… oh, Thessaly!" He shook his head in mourning. "Dare I say? A warrior's fate is often tied to battles. Much like me, our glorious lives met a tragic end before we could achieve our true goals."
His voice captivated the crowd, prompting them to either nod or shake their heads in empathy.
While Achilles continued his exaggerated tales of Tachyon of Sparta, Aurora studied the guests. They were all sitting in small groups, drawn into collaborative exchanges of ideas, opinions, and information. There was a perfect balance of serious and light-hearted discussion; no one held any prejudice, and there was not a single real quarrel to be seen.
For the most part, Aurora saw a piece of paradise in this. It wasn't just the place or music or the food; it was the people. A question gnawed at her. How could she make her Celestius mages align and get along like this? Was it thousands of years that had moulded them into this amicable, sentimental crowd? Or was it simpler, that her Celestius mages lacked the virtues Hecate had once mentioned? The final thought made her sad, a heavy melancholy seeping from every pore.
A gentle touch brought her back to reality. "Is everything alright?"
Aurora shook her head at her mother. "Apologies, Mother. My mind wandered."
"Missing home?" she asked, her voice soft as a feather.
"Yes," she replied tightly, straightening her spine as she maintained her facade. A moment of weakness now would be inappropriate.
Her mother clasped Aurora's hands. "Whatever you do, I will be here for you."
Her mother's words melted the ice in her heart, and she found herself smiling again, albeit faintly.
Later that afternoon, the Golden King invited her for an audience in the grand courtyard inside the palace. Beautiful songbirds chirped, fluttering their tiny wings flirtatiously on the branches of the apple trees above.
"This way, this way!" Tachyon led them through a long corridor. The place was far more spacious than they had imagined.
The humming Wildren stood on the soft grass with his back turned, tossing seeds from his palms to the birds.
"The Empress is here!" Tachyon announced, prompting an amicable smile from the king.
Aurora emerged from the hallway to join his side. He was not a tall man, she realised; even Austria was taller. If she had to guess, he was roughly Aurora's height.
"I believe you are enjoying your time here," Achilles said, not allowing a moment of silence. He met her gaze, and neither yielded.
"I do. You have my deepest gratitude," she replied, wearing her best smile.
"I have a favour to ask, Empress," Achilles said, his tone growing solemn. He stressed his next words. "Please stay here!"
"I refuse," Aurora said frankly. "You know this well, being a king yourself. My duties are to my people. They need me, and they are awaiting my return. I cannot go back until my objective is fulfilled."
Achilles sighed as if he had already anticipated her answer. He eyed Tachyon, signalling to her for something he believed Aurora couldn't refuse. Promptly, Tachyon pulled a crystal vial from her pouch; a glittering, sky-blue liquid sloshed within.
"It is my grandest prize, actually," Achilles said, presenting the potion to her in his palm. Aurora bent over for a closer inspection.
"The potion of Mnemosyne…" her mother whispered in awe, her fingers moving on their own, yearning for a touch. But Achilles was quicker, retracting the vial out of her grasp.
Austria shielded her parted lips. "It truly exists! A sip from this potion will grant all the divine reservoir of ancient knowledge and infinite memory, even supreme cognitive thought, all in one. It is claimed to transcend a mortal mind beyond those of the gods."
"Indeed, exactly what she said. And it is my gift to you, Empress Aurora, if you choose to stay here. With your beautiful mother, for eternity! Surely, who wouldn't want that sweet indulgence?"
Aurora breathed in. "It is not a gift, but a proposal." She had known this was coming from the very beginning. "I am hoping to ask you for passage to the Realm of Darkness."
"What passage?" Achilles blurted, quicker than normal, which earned him a glare from both her mother and Tachyon.
"It seems that is where our interests diverge," Aurora concluded in her monotone voice.
"Diverge?" Achilles choked, spinning his fingers like a spindle. "Let's realign then! Your clash with the Lord of the Underworld would bring extinction upon us! The void arte will wipe everything out entirely. Nobody wins!"
Helpless, Aurora exchanged a knowing glance with her mother before returning to the king. "Hear me well, Golden Achilles. I am not planning to use Chaos Clasma again. In all honesty, I must admit I hadn't planned for the destruction of Hypnos's cave either."
Achilles's brows knitted, his golden eyes dimming. "You said that was unintentional? You wiped out a reality—a universe, for crying out loud!"
"Yes…" she conceded. Shameful eyes fell to her boots, lingering for a mere second before returning her gaze with absolute resolve.
"The vile creatures, demons or whatever they're called, were wiped out!" Achilles cried. "What more do you need to do? Your labour is complete—er, this is a happy ending!"
"No," she clipped, knowing it was better than to repeat herself endlessly. "No. I will not ask Hades for anything above my mortal status. I only need his word. A declaration that he will leave the Overworld for good; he shall have his souls upon the passing of the living, but before then, he must not interfere. An oath, that is all I need."
"A-are you mad?! Aurora, you don't know this god!" Achilles's voice dropped to a harsh whisper. "The Lord of Hell is stubborn, very stubborn! If not, even more so than ever!"
"Then this talk will simply require a longer persuasion," she concluded, standing poised and unyielding.
Flabbergasted, the Golden King's jaw hung open. But he did recover in short order.
"Fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, fine!" Achilles began to pace away towards the nearby spherical hedge. They could only watch in awkward silence while the king pondered deeply with his eyes closed. A second later, his eyes and mouth snapped open in a wild revelation. "But if you want to travel to the Darkness Realm, I must ensure your skills. We shall fight!"
"Grandfather?" Tachyon interrupted, her voice a pitch higher. "What are you suggesting?"
Promptly, Achilles raised his palm as if offering them a chance to hear him out. "Mortal Empress. You promised me you wouldn't use that arte. Do your words still hold?"
"Absolutely. My words are my bond," she nodded firmly.
"Then, you must display it! You see, if I let you go, the public will never be at peace, and I shall never hear the end of this until my ears bleed crimson. This paradise will crumble before I even see the place go up in dust and ashes. So, I offer a solution. Fight me without magic—just steel in the arena. If I win, you must stay." Without taking a breath between words, he spun to Tachyon. "It makes sense, right?"
"Well, sort of…" Tachyon scratched her arms nervously. "If the Empress loses to you, she'd likely lose to Hades. Meaning there's a scenario where she'll just use that spell as a last resort."
The Wildren girl spared a glance at Aurora's face before casting her eyes downward. "Sorry, Empress. It appears your claims are true regardless, but my king has his duty to maintain order in this place, just as you do to your people. I-I'm not picking sides, please don't look at me like that."
Aurora's expression softened, signalling to the girl that she understood.
"See? My logic is sound!" Achilles said, patting himself on the shoulder. "I'm sure the people will see it that way too!"
"That is an afterthought. You just want to face me in battle." Aurora narrowed her eyes; he was dead serious or attempting to be one. "I am not going to fight you, Golden King. This is hardly a fair fight. You have an innate essence of Bloodwrath, and there is no way to withhold it during a battle."
"But surely, you can't turn off your strength or agility or skill or, or, or technique either. I can't help it. I was born with it," Achilles argued, and Tachyon nodded along.
Aurora remained unconvinced. "That leads to my second point. As your guest, I cannot dishonour the Xenia…"
"Xenia? You're joking—this is a sport, if anything!" Achilles's voice was almost a plea. "People would love it, and they'll see reason behind this!" His groan grew evident with his frustration; perhaps it had birthed a profound new exasperation in the Wildren.
"Aurora…" Austria chimed in, placing a palm on her shoulder. "The path to the Darkness Realm is not easy to find on your own. You could spend years, even decades alone trying to find the entrance. Please reconsider this as an option."
"Thank you, Oracle!" Achilles added, stabbing his palms forward.
But Austria fixed him in the eye. "And my daughter is a fierce warrior, Golden King. She will not be your easy prey."
The man staggered slightly. His Adam's apple dipped as he swallowed, offering a dry smile in return. "You can rest assured that I will honour this fight with all my might."
In need of silence, Aurora placed a hand onto the bark of an apple tree, with Tachyon following on her heels. "I know you'll definitely win!" she whispered.
Aurora offered a smile, and, for a contemplative moment of tapping a finger against her chin, she relented, but not without a long exhale. "I guess that follows the path of least resistance."
She confronted the Golden King with the fire of a warrior. "I will fight you, King of the Leuce Isles," she declared loud and clear.
Excitement exploded; the golden Wildren bounced on his heels, roaring with pure ecstasy. At last, the long discussion concluded, and thus, their clash of gold and silver would be set in the colosseum for all the public to see the very next day.
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