The twin suns slowly rose over the valley of Solarys, casting golden and pink rays through the white stone towers engraved with luminous runes. The glowing rivers flowed through the capital like shimmering arteries, illuminating the cobblestone streets. Fountains projected arcs of light that danced in the squares, and even the wind seemed to vibrate with an almost tangible energy.
On a hill overlooking the city, a young man with black hair and gray eyes watched in silence. Invisible to the inhabitants, he stood still for a moment, absorbing the scene in a calm, almost solemn manner. He knew his role here was not to interfere, but to observe and memorize.
Red: "Another world… fragile and alive."
His clothes subtly shifted into a dark tunic and worn boots, fitting the human appearance of the kingdom. He stood and approached the golden gates of the city. At the entrance, a massive soldier in silver armor etched with protective runes blocked his path.
Sir Valen: "Hey! You there… no money, no entry."
Red lowered his eyes, aware of his status as a penniless stranger. Before he could respond, a passing merchant tossed a coin at his feet.
Merchant: "Let him in, poor soul!"
Sir Valen raised an eyebrow but accepted, and RED silently passed through the gates.
Immediately, he was struck by the contrast between the wealthy and poor districts. The wealthy districts were a blend of towering buildings and hanging gardens, lit by floating orbs of light. The inhabitants wore rune-embroidered robes and sparkling jewelry. Floating-clad mages passed by, discussing complex magical theories. Every detail seemed calculated to display power and wealth, from the polished marble streets to the singing magical fountains.
Then RED ventured into the poor district. There, the streets were narrow and unevenly paved. The houses, made of rough stone and wood, seemed ready to collapse. Children ran barefoot among the trash, selling herbs or makeshift magical items for a few coins. An old woman told stories to children gathered around her, while a man tried to repair a cracked wand using string and wax. The smells were different here: damp wood smoke, dried herbs, and stagnant water.
Red observed the contrasts with clinical attention. Every detail was recorded in his mind: differences in posture, language, gestures, and even attitudes toward magic.
Red: "A world so beautiful and yet so cruel…"
After wandering the alleys of the poor district, he returned to the central market, the Market of Arcanes, a place where magic and commerce intertwined. Merchants sold phoenix feathers, glowing crystals capable of storing spells, and enchanted fruits whose colors shifted with the moon. Children ran about, leaving trails of sparks, and the clinking of coins and spells filled the air in a strange symphony.
Red stopped near a stall where a young mage was teaching apprentices how to channel magic through crystals.
Lyra: "Focus on the flow… feel it move like a stream, not a torrent!"
Apprentice: "I can't do it…"
Lyra: "Breathe, focus, and let the magic guide you."
RED watched silently, noting the subtleties of each spell, the precision of gestures, and how the mages' concentration influenced the ambient energy.
Then he crossed paths again with Sir Valen, who was guarding the market gate.
Red: "Hello, Sir Valen."
Sir Valen: "Ah, you again… how do you find the city?"
Red: "Interesting… so many contrasts."
Sir Valen: "Yes… some districts are rich, others… less so. Follow me, I'll show you something."
They walked through the poor district's alleys. RED saw families crammed into small houses, children selling medicinal herbs or broken vials to survive. He observed the inhabitants' solidarity and resourcefulness, but also their fatigue and fear in a world where magic was unevenly distributed.
Sir Valen: "Most of the residents survive thanks to the magic we provide… or what they manage to craft themselves."
Red: "Even in the shadow of wealth, they find ways to survive. Fascinating."
After touring the markets and alleys, RED climbed a hill overlooking the city, near the tallest tower. From there, he could see the entire kingdom: the shimmering towers, the singing fountains, the bridges suspended between buildings, and the poor districts like dark stains against Solarys's bright light.
Red: "This world… fragile, yet alive. Every street, every stone tells a story."
As he gazed over the city, he noticed an old man in a silver robe watching him from a tower window. The mage's eyes shone with deep intelligence and undisguised curiosity. RED did not yet know that their encounter would be accidental, and that it would mark the beginning of a relationship that would push him to observe the kingdom from an even deeper perspective.
The sun slowly set, casting orange light over the towers. Residents returned home, children still played in the alleys, and mages continued their experiments in towers and workshops. RED remained there, silent, absorbing every detail. His role was clear: observe, understand, memorize.
Red: "A world to protect… and understand. All without ever intervening."
The wind carried his words away, and night wrapped Solarys in its starry veil. RED stayed on the hill, motionless, a silent guardian in a world he had only just begun to explore.