When they walked through the gates of the old city, the Guardians of the Wall stood in two long lines beside the road. They looked different from the usual Guardians—tougher, stronger, and angrier.
Avon and the others noticed people coming out of the old buildings—young, old, men, and women. They emerged from their homes, from windows, from rooftops, and from dark alleys, all standing silently in the streets. As the group passed, the Guardians of the Wall turned and hit their hammers on the ground, creating a majestic sound that echoed through the city.
Avon looked at the people and noticed something strange: they weren't smiling. Their faces were etched with agony, pain, and suffering, but their eyes were wide with a childlike hope. He wondered why.
"And here I thought we'd have a hero's entrance," Arcadius said. "Flowers, people cheering... but this? This never crossed my mind."
"I can't agree more," Vernara said. "But all of a sudden, I feel... guilty."
"Me too," Sara added with a sad expression.
"The people... their faces are full of pain," Avon said. "And the city... it looks empty."
Vernara and Arcadius were confused. "What do you mean by empty?" Vernara asked. "Do these people not count?"
"Look around you," Arcadius replied. "These people, those buildings... they aren't living here, that's for sure."
Sara whispered to Avon. "Brother, I don't quite get it. What do you mean by empty?"
"If these people were living here, they would have rebuilt the city," Avon explained. "They wouldn't have left it in ruins. That's what I meant."
Alvion, hearing their conversation, rode up to them. "They are all here because they came from all sides of the human lands: Arcadia, Velgaria, Roxonkara, Slandavia, Sun Devia, and many more."
"All the human lands?" Arcadius said in disbelief. "Why?"
"Why would they go through all the trouble to come to empty ruins?" Avon asked.
"Because they heard the rumors," Alvion replied.
"What rumors?" Vernara asked.
"A new Order is rising," Alvion said confidently.
Everyone was confused. "What?" Sara said.
"I don't understand you," Avon said. "What Order?"
"To put it simply, these ruins you're looking at were once the pinnacle of human hope in an era that was lost through the ages," Alvion said.
The group looked at the ruins and realized this wasn't just an abandoned city. There was evidence of a fight here, a battle that led to the downfall of the human race.
"What happened here?" Avon said, astonished.
"Now that I look at it," Arcadius said, "it's different from all the other abandoned places we've been."
"It's simple," Alvion said. "Humans are the reason."
They all stared at him, confused.
"Humans?" Arcadius said. "What did we do?"
Souldan replied, "It's not what we've done; it's who did it. And believe me, you'd be disappointed once you find out."
"Elaborate, please," Vernara insisted.
"Once we reach the Royal Library, you shall know everything that happened," Alvion said. "And I want to introduce you to someone there."
They continued on, following the road that was now crammed with people. In the town center, they saw three lines of soldiers in formation. Their armor was different from the Guardians—it bore an eagle on the chest, and they wore red capes. They were all swordsmen, except for one, who was larger and wore heavy armor while wielding a long battle axe.
When they saw the approaching guests, the soldiers all bowed. As the group reached the center, the people and soldiers alike bowed down. Alvion stepped down from his horse and walked toward the man with the battle axe, hugging him.
"I never thought I'd see you here!" Alvion said excitedly. "What the hell are you doing here, Captain?"
"I heeded the call of the Order, so here I am," the Captain replied.
"You know the penalty for abandoning your post, your king, and your people," Alvion said, a hint of concern in his voice.
"My people are here with me, all around me," the Captain said. "Those back there are not my people, and the one sitting on his royal chair is no king of mine."
"You know what that means, don't you, Captain?" Alvion said.
"It means I'd rather be a traitor to a king than a lapdog for that puppet," the Captain said confidently.
Alvion smiled and stepped aside, allowing the Captain to approach Avon and the others. The Captain bowed to them. "My lord, we have been awaiting you for far too long," he said. "And on behalf of Arcadia, I am happy to welcome you to your empire."
Arcadius was both confused and hyped when he heard the name of his homeland. He dismounted his horse and walked toward the Captain. "Did you... just say... Arcadia?"
"Yes," the Captain said. "I am the captain of the 14th Assault Division and Lord of Keinsver from Arcadia. Everyone here in the town center is from Arcadia."
"Why?" Arcadius asked, looking at his people with a mix of happiness and confusion. "Why did you leave?"
"Before I answer, may I ask your name, young lord?" the Captain replied.
"I am Arcadius Sin Vercadia, the fourth son of Sarcor Sin Vercadia, King of Arcadia."
When the Captain heard the name, he looked at Arcadius in shock and despair. His eyes widened, and he bowed down. "Sin Vercadia... the rightful rulers of Arcadia. My lord, I apologize for my insolent behavior."
"There is no problem. Raise your head, Captain, and answer my question, please," Arcadius said.
"We left Arcadia because the so-called king made a contract, a deal," the Captain said sadly.
"With who?" Arcadius demanded.
"With many mermaid kingdoms, eagleman tribes, lizardman empires, and the Vampirius Empire."
"Vampires!" Arcadius roared, a wave of fury washing over him as he remembered the village massacre. He imagined what those monsters had done to his brothers and sister. He began to breathe heavily, his rage about to burst, but then a hand touched his shoulder.
He looked back and saw Avon. "Are you okay, brother?" Avon asked. Arcadius nodded, his fury subsiding, and Avon walked back to his horse.
Arcadius turned back to the Captain. "Once I'm done in the library, I want you to tell me everything about Arcadia and who rules it."
"As you wish, my lord," the Captain said, nodding.
As Arcadius turned to walk away, the Captain held his hand. "My lord, I wish to give you this," he said, handing Arcadius a ribbon.
Arcadius's eyes widened. "How did you...?"
"Don't worry about the details," the Captain said, interrupting him. "Like you said, once you're done in the library, I have a story for you."
Arcadius nodded and walked back to his horse. He looked at his people, who were crying tears of happiness. He caught the Captain's eye and saw him smile, a smile filled with hope.
They continued walking, noticing different people, flags, and armies from all across the human world, all gathered here in the remains of the Old Order. They finally reached the Royal Library, where a beautiful woman with long blue hair and star-shaped eyes was waiting for them.
Sara took the lead and approached Alvion. "Who is this beautiful woman?" she whispered.
Alvion smiled and leaned closer. "That's the person I want to introduce you to: Lady Aria."
The woman, Lady Aria, smiled and waved from a distance. Avon and Vernara exchanged a look, both having noticed something about her. They nodded, and she saw their gesture, leaning back to speak to her helpers.
"Prepare everything for our young lords," she said. "They must be tired after their long journey."
"As you command, my lady."
"Also, don't forget about the thing," she said.
"It's already ready," the helper replied.
"Wow, that was fast," Aria said, surprised.
The convoy finally reached the library doors, and the group was stunned by the sight of the majestic building.
"So this is where we get our answers," Arcadius said.
"And if they aren't here, I'm going to break something," Vernara said.
"Oh, I trust you will," Arcadius said with a chuckle. "Just please, let it be an object."
"I'll try," Vernara replied, and Arcadius sighed in mock despair.
Lady Aria walked down the stairs, her voice cheerful. "Welcome, welcome, to the Royal Library, where all the answers of the world are right in front of your eyes."
Alvion bowed. "Lady Aria, I brought you these young lords from afar."
"Oh, no need for formality," she said. "But these young ones, they are indeed something."
Alvion looked at her, confused. "What do you mean?"
Avon and Vernara looked at each other, worried.
Aria smiled. "Did I get you worried, Alvion? You need to calm down. They're just kids. Please, follow me inside. Let me show you around."
"Hold on a moment," Avon said. "May I ask what kind of answers await us?"
Aria turned slowly, a finger on her lips. "Your answers shall be the new hope of this world and its people," she said, giving a small smile. "Shhhh."
They all went inside the library, where the truth of this world awaited them.