Chapter Fourteen: Magic

  Elijah wasn’t shocked because the district was stunning, although that was true, but because the atmosphere in the district seemed to free him. It was something beyond explanation, but as soon as he stepped inside, his chest felt like it had opened for the first time, the air felt pure, his smile felt more genuine, his skin breathed more, and his mind spun with countless new thoughts. The surprise and delight over this sudden freedom was joyful to him, yet he still strayed away from it and instead focused on his mission, which for now included eyeing the city.

  This was one of the few districts that was different from the ones normally included in Advantia, but Elijah thought that normal, as the Karthans, whoever they were, belonged to a different nation—subnation is a right word for it. Almost, the buildings seemed impossible, but even after he could see what held them, they still stood as a feat of architecture. On first glance, most buildings floated in the air; wood, cobblestone, and brick standing a foot above the ground, yet on a much careful go-over, the foundations were visible, a pillar here, a plank there. In some angles, they were completely invisible, and in others, only barely visible.

  Is this magic?

  A little, Guide Amanda admitted. Most of the city was not constructed with magic, but those who designed it decided that Illusions would be pleasing in the decoration, and so we have what is affectionately called the Flying District.

  All of the buildings began at the same place above ground, but, just like any other district, their heights varied. The strange part was that no buildings passed a certain height, almost as if they had been cut off before construction had been complete. The Guide explained that the district had a height limit and so the buildings had been capped at where they were. The Illusions set on it were enough to make it seem normal, but if Elijah stared at it for longer than ten seconds, it became obvious how incomplete the city was.

  If I can see through Illusion magic, doesn't that make it obsolete? He asked. Seems like a very poor and weak form of magic if you asked me.

  Well, it’s a good thing no one asked you then, the Guide smirked. You’re so dumb even sheep look at you in pity.

  Hey!

  This Illusion magic is somewhat weak, but there are several reasons why it is not obsolete. First, Illusion magic can be much stronger, but the sacrifices are not worth it.

  Sacrifices?

  You’ll find out soon enough, she huffed. Second, you are a Princess. As a high standing member of society, you have abilities most don’t. Seeing through a small Illusion like this may be second-nature to you while it may be difficult for others. As you progress in levels, you shall become better at seeing through it all, and protecting yourself from magic.

  But you said Queen Evangeline uses magic to make her slim. Does that mean I’ll be able to see through it?

  No, not only is it too strong a magic for that—you can be sure the Queen has only the best—but it is not an Illusion. It is an Immovable magic.

  Is there a difference?

  Yes, but you need not worry about it. Magic is not something you will have to familiarize yourself with for a very long time.

  Stifling his curiosity, Elijah looked at Einar and realized maybe the most horrifying and amazing part of the district: the architecture and atmosphere wasn’t the only part different from the rest of the city, but so was the whole world. The sky stood as a dusty grey and brown, as if a kid had smeared it with his paintbrush, and there was no sun in the sky, only smudges that resembled clouds. The air itself was visible as dust, but glittered as diamonds. Somehow, stepping in the district changed everything his eyes saw.

  Because of your low level, the Guide explained, you cannot see how the sky and air truly look. An example of what I have just told you.

  “This place is creepy,” Einar groaned, his ears flattened back in fear, but his fangs bared in defiance.

  “I agree,” the princess agreed. “It is a little cool, though, don’t you think? Feels like walking in a different universe.”

  “That’s the worst part,” the Ulfúr growled. “I feel claustrophobic every time I walk in. Look behind you, Your Highness. I always hate this part.”

  Turning, Elijah gasped, the wolf’s words true for him as stress pounded in his blood.

  Advantia was gone, and not due to some fog or the dust in the air. No, it had just simply disappeared. Where it had been was…nothing. Just a black empty void that seemed to call to him, whispering words of confidence.

  How do we get back? He screamed in his head.

  There is no void there, the Guide replied. Or, there is, but only those who are outlawed in this city find it. Those who have not been called criminals may just walk in the void and they return to Advantia.

  So if I’m labeled a criminal I can’t return to Advantia?

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  You can, just not through this exit. Usually, those in charge here must throw the criminals in. The screams are palpable, trust me.

  “I can see your fear, you don’t need to hide it, Amanda,” Einar whispered.

  “I’m not scared,” Elijah replied, shivering, and the Ulfúr embraced her as they dismounted, leading their horses forwards.

  “I never liked the Karthans,” Einar said, and, at the princess’ surprised look, he threw his hands up. “I’m not racist, just not a fan of humans turned by magic, and reverted to…whatever they are.”

  It’s a common sentiment within those in Advantia, especially humans, Guide Amanda said. Karthans are a twisted race, and you must be very careful in dealing with them.

  “Stay with me, Einar,” he said. “As long as we stick together, we’ll be fine.”

  “Who’s the bodyguard now?” EInar teased. “Don’t worry about me, Your Majesty, I’ll fight when I need to.”

  “If?”

  “Yes, that’s what I meant.” Einar didn’t sound so sure though.

  Alleviate me, he thought. Tell me something to reassure me.

  The Karthans would never hurt you; you’re too important, and they would be wiped out. They would kill Einar, though, so keep him close.

  That wasn’t very reassuring, Elijah accused. If they can do magic, shouldn’t they be stronger than Advantians then?

  They can’t afford the sacrifices, like I said.

  The princess let the matter drop, although his curiosity burned within him, but he looked around the city as they passed it, searching for one of the Karthans.

  Where are they?

  Inside folk, most of them. Many citizens of Advantia have never seen a Karthans and most of those who have regretted it.

  What, because they die? Elijah smirked.

  No, the Karthans are just that vile and twisted.

  A silhouette flitted through an alleyway, its gait, although at a run, still limping, and Elijah swiftly turned his head to catch a look, but it was already gone.

  “Another reason I hate this Gods-forsaken place,” Einar said. “It feels like walking in a graveyard filled with ghosts.”

  Perfect way to describe this place—a graveyard filled with ghosts. They should put it on a postcard.

  A what? His guide asked.

  Don’t worry about it, it's just a stupid joke. So where’s the emperor’s palace? Are we closeby?

  Yes, just a few more blocks.

  The few more blocks took ten minutes to walk, and by the end, Elijah was feeling tired and nervous. None of the buildings around him looked like a palace, until he finally laid eyes on it, and even then he was a little underwhelmed.

  The palace was beige coloured, made to be hidden, and hidden it was, except for one small point: it was not levitating. There was no illusion to it; it was just a normal building, albeit a little bigger than a normal one. The inside emanated no light, and Elijah assumed that was due to magic, because there must be Karthans inside, or else what would they be doing here. In the future, when asked, he wouldn’t be able to describe the castle. It was just so bland, but that was the purpose of it.

  The door stood closed for them, but, stepping in front of the princess, Einar walked to it and knocked. The sound rang like a bell’s peal through the city, shattering the silence, and sending a wave of anxiety through Elijah.

  Not three seconds passed before the door opened, and a voice echoed from the house.

  “Come,” it said. “We have been expecting you.”

  “Expecting us?” Einar asked. “Did they know we were coming?”

  “I don’t think so,” Elijah replied. “But it’s entirely possible with magic, I guess.”

  “I hate magic.”

  The princess was starting to have the same sentiment.

  They entered the house, the hallways dark, and due to it, the house was shadowed, and nothing in it stood out to him. He couldn’t even see his hand in front of him, yet still he walked forwards into the eternal darkness.

  “See the light,” The unfamiliar voice continued. “Walk in the room and face us. The meeting may start.”

  Gulping, Elijah turned to the side, where in fact, there was a light far in the distance.

  “Distance doesn’t work how it should in this house,” The Ulfúr whispered. “Someone really needs to tell the Karthans that they can live normally.”

  “We hear everything you say, wolf boy,” the voice continued, causing said wolf boy to growl. “Now, come, we are getting impatient. We must hear what you want from us.”

  Dutifully, hands held, both of them walked towards the light, which slowly became brighter and brighter, until finally, after what felt like centuries, they arrived in a room illuminated by several candles—even the magicians use normal resources at times. It resembled an ancient mansion with its decorations. Several plush chairs lay in the room facing a fireplace, and behind those chairs stood a table, set for dozens of guests, but there were not many here.

  Instead, there were three Karthans standing behind the chairs facing them, and three more Karthans occupying the majority of the five chairs. At his first sight of the Karthans, Elijah did indeed almost throw up; he even felt bile in his throat.

  The best way to describe them was decaying. Their skin was blackened, but not totally black, almost as if they had been burned. In places, skin was missing, and even bone seemed to be dislocated. Their faces hung slack, their eyes unlined, and their mouths drooping strangely. Hair was a bedraggled mess, often only a few strands on every Karthan.

  They were all naked, and from there, he could see that only one was female, but nothing in their face marked gender. Only the slight bulge marking breasts and the indentation on their pelvic area indicated what sex they pertained to.

  And then there was the pus running down two of their mouths. The yellow substance fell to the ground and quickly sizzled, burning through it.

  Acid pus, Guide Amanda said. Only some Karthans contain it, but those that do are trained to use it well. They can spit it for many feet.

  Elijah quivered where he stood, but, carefully, with Einar leading him, he sat in one of the two open chairs, the Ulfúr sitting in the other. One of the Karthans, the only female, had a strange shape on her head resembling a crown with spikes jutting inside her head and outside too. Blood of the brightest red color dropped from where the crown pierced, and Elijah wondered if that was an eternal problem. She must be the Karthan Emperor, and for a moment, he wondered why she wasn’t called the empress.

  “So,” She hissed, her voice paper thin. “We assume you have come to convince us to reach the Bharghejn to parlay with them. Is this true?”

  Einar and Elijah gulped at the same time. “Yes,” the princess admitted. “That is our mission.”

  “Well, princess, then I have some bad news,” the emperor smiled, although it seemed more like a look of defiance than anything. “Our answer is no. The Karthans shall not help you. You are alone in this endeavor.”