"Liuh, you old hunchback, there you are!" Angin called out.
The Alchemist's standing with the Company had brought them right into the headstation of the Flying Islands. They had gone through countless stops, Janloons questioning and chatting with Angin before letting him in. No passenger was allowed to enter the other islands, but Angin had proven himself a great friend to Janloo.
But as Liuh Zhran Janloo, Commander of the Grand Janloo Company, regarded him, Liron wondered how beloved his master truly was.
Chaos ruled Shira. Hundreds of Janloons hurried around, each doing their part with discipline. As Sira-Do, Shira offered many open spaces dedicated to nature, but dozens of towers stretched high, with smaller settlements focused around them. There were no larger cities, but patches of workspaces, each specialized in a different field. They stood in constant communication with each other, the workers speeding between them by flying with kites or utilizing special boots, similar to the gloves Angin used. They all carried bags or envelopes, transporting them from tower to tower.
Without Angin's guidance, Liron would have stumbled into several workers. A complicated pattern of roads connected the towers. Liron had found only madness in the havoc, puzzled how no one clashed into the other. But as they had wandered through Shira, he had recognized glimpses of rhythm behind it. Angin had told him the Janloons had perfected their system through the centuries. A pattern inherited through the generations, granting the Janloons an efficiency that rivaled a Machina.
The only grander structure on Shira, beside the mountain shielding the island, was the commanding station, the Eagle's Peak. Similar in dimension to the bureau, it stood high and mighty in the shadow of the mountain. A colossus, the pinnacle of the Janloon's architectural design and craft. Dozens of layers of windows with paper screens, allowing no outsider to lurk into the interiors. The green windows accompanied each floor, all building onto one another. Two great trees grew alongside it, digging and reemerging from the Eagle's Peak. As with all seen before, nature was a beloved friend, having found its home intertwined with the titan. But no plant reached the head roof, a spear aimed towards the sky and the Silver Moon above.
Liron stretched his head high, nearly falling over in his attempt to make out all as they had reached the Eagle's Peak doors. The guards had greeted them with open arms, treating Angin like a missed brother. As with the Janloons that had saved them, they wore a simple black uniform with green stripes, their faces hidden behind a black hood and piece of fabric. They carried swords with only one edge. The blades were broader than Liron's longsword, and they had a strange twist to them. The guards carried backpacks containing strange Machinas.
But here, the first hints of apprehension had revealed themselves. The Janloons that had greeted them were less thrilled to see Angin. It got worse the higher they had climbed. Each floor was as the one below. Similar in concept to the bureau, but the philosophy differed from the Inquisition's. Open spaces with warm colors and tree branches reaching in, filling all with life. The paper screens on the windows prevented anyone from glimpsing inside, but the Silverlight shone through them, the paper giving it a brighter color.
Dozens of Janloons sat at tables, wearing Nexuses. As with the outside, a busy and hectic atmosphere ruled supreme, each worker passionate to fulfill their role. Watching it for a few seconds had made Liron dizzy, but he could have continued for hours more. Once, only the lights of Lichtwald in the early hours of the day had amazed him. In the weeks since their escape, all that Liron had seen of Ekon was horrible and hostile. He was convinced this world offered nothing but cruelty to the ones unlucky enough to be born. But Janloo had shown him a different side. One that could make one hope for something better.
But Liuh Zhran Janloo had not much wonder in his eyes. The Great Commander was a short man, barely reaching Angin's chest. Despite his status, he wore the same clothing as a working Janloon. Only his hair differentiated him from the rest. He wore it open, the black nearly reaching the ground. Twigs and flowers were woven into it, appearing like a garden grew in his hair. A work of art, truly. Liron's former coworkers would have called him soft, too weak to even lift a hammer. While Liuh lacked an impressive physicality, he emitted an aura that demanded respect. Born and raised in paradise, this man had known little but work. He had honed his spirit and mind through a grind appropriate for his position. His eyes carried a weight Liron would crumble under.
The tattoos on his cheeks showed the Eagle's Peak, but his family used to work on the lower floors, each one climbing up the ladder, helping their children to reach greater heights than them. Liuh was the result of this generational effort, his neck adorned in a network of great lines. The ones reaching down from his lips were of an emerald green, distinguishing himself from all other Janloons. His tattoos were the ones worthy of a king.
"What?" Angin laughed. "Aren't you happy to see me, Liuh?"
Liuh watched the Alchemist with a sneer. He resigned himself to a sigh. "No, not really," he said, speaking fluent Nord. No hint of an accent.
He turned towards Liron, bowing to him like he was a highborn and he a pleb. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Liron Sturm of Eisenrahm. I have heard and… seen rather much of you."
Liuh spoke with the elegance of a king, but a levity hummed alongside his words. His laughing lines proved that the Great Commander was no stranger to a decent joke. A shame then that he was talking to Angin.
"Ah, come on," Angin said. "You're acting like I shat on your rug."
Liuh's expression remained dry with a slight frown. "Some might say you did."
Angin rolled his eyes. "Fine. We asked a lot of you this time. And yes, this will give you a headache for months to come. I'll admit that. But come on. It's been what? A year? Longer, right? You can be mad at me, and we can discuss what I can provide you with to make it worth the effort, but please, can this wait?"
Liuh never shifted, unchangeable as the trees nestled against the Eagle's Peak. Silence filled the room. They stood in the Great Commander's personal office, overseeing the highest floor. Maps hung around, the Janloo's equivalent to highborns arguing as they planned the coming routes the Flying Islands should take. Angin had said they scheduled weeks ahead. Their detour to Kupferrang had ruined this work, and they had to adjust fast. Bigger than the working space of his employees, Liuh's office was simple and modest, no grandeur to be found here.
Liuh watched Angin, both men looking at each other's eyes. It was Liuh who broke first, the corner of his lips climbing upwards. He couldn't help himself, bursting out laughing. "You are a madman, Anginseran Antera Asseltoch," he said, hugging the Alchemist.
"Solia be my witness, you are a formidable actor," Angin laughed. "You got me. You could perform in the great theaters of Verlune."
Liuh stepped back, shaking his head. "Your compliments warm my heart, Angin, but don't think your petty lies will save you from the… discussion the two of us will have."
Angin cringed, tugging at his collar. "Well… I did hope so, but… sure."
Liuh chuckled, turning towards Liron again. "Apologizes, Liron, but I could not resist this little ruse. You don't get many opportunities to laugh when dealing with pleasant company like Anginseran."
"Ehr… all good," Liron said. Harras' grace, even smiling like he did, Liron felt intimidated by Liuh. He had shoveled coal three weeks ago, and now he stood next to one of the most influential men on Ekon.
The Great Commander had another thing on his mind, but his expression sombered to the cool one as before, his attention directed to the one that entered his office. "Ah, Siu, as expected."
Angin grimaced at the name, the friendly atmosphere dying as the Hawk of Janloo marched towards them. By the sound of his heavy steps, Liron knew this man to be military before he turned to see him. Unlike the Janloons he had met until now, the Defense Director of the Flying Islands wore a strict uniform. The same black garments as the guards, but a sleeveless coat, adorned in silver wings. A battered blade hung to his side, marked in the battles it had endured. The same was true for his face, a weathered parchment of scars and burns, hinting at the tales this man could tell. He kept his black hair in a strict bun, no flowers or twigs.
Similar to Liuh, Siu's gaze carried decades of dedication. But warfare had forced an edge to it the Great Commander lacked. One that saw enemies wherever his eyes fell onto.
Siu bowed his head to Liuh. "Great Commander," he said. His expression was one carved out of stone, unmoving as the mountains behind the Eagle's Peak. But seeing Angin did cause cracks in it. "Faeling."
"Oh, how original," Angin said, rolling his eyes. "Good to see you, too, Siu."
The two men stared at each other, before Siu noticed Liron. "Welcome," he said, inclining his head. "You must be Liron Sturm of Eisenrahm."
If Liron felt unsure with Liuh, he crumbled underneath Siu. "Ehr… Liron is enough…"
Siu nodded. "My name is Siu Moon Janloo. I am the Defense Director of Janloo. By my name, I will promise your safe passage," he said, his eyes shifting towards Angin. "But only as long as you know your place."
"Solia's tits," Angin cursed. "Are you still mad because of Shae? Come on, Siu. She would have left either way, and you know that. And what do you want with her anyway? She wanted to be a wicked Wizard. She betrayed us."
Siu and Liuh exchanged a look. "Us?" Siu asked.
Angin took a step towards the Hawk of Janloo, jabbing his finger at his chest. "Yes! Us. We are Alchemists. The girl had abandoned the way of reason and wonder for… insanity. There was no saving her."
"She is a blessed child," Siu said, slapping Angin's finger away. "Do you know how rare it is to have a Janloon born with a storm as her Gate? She was supposed to be the wind underneath our wings. And now see what she has become and what she has chosen as her Conduit. What an insult."
"Please," Angin said. "Listen to yourself, Siu. You are speaking nonsense. The wind underneath your wings? That's what we build Machinas for. She didn't want to be an Alchemist. You would have asked the worst of her. To become a Wizard but act like an Alchemist, knowing she never could. How cruel can you be?"
"Cruel? You call that cruel? It would be cruel to listen to a second grade Alchemist to spare him hurt feelings."
"My my, now you feel the need to lie to get a point, don't you, Siu. How sad from someone like you."
Liuh cleared his throat, cutting the argument short. "Say, Angin, why don't you show Liron the trade. We are close to Buun."
"Fine," Angin said, turning away from Siu, pulling Liron with him. As he opened the door, he jerked around, showing his index and middle fingers towards the Defense Director. "Fuck you, Siu," he barked. "You know I'm right. You're just too prideful to admit it."
Before he could reply, Angin slammed the door shut, stomping down the Eagle's Peak. Dozens of confused eyes followed them, the Alchemist cursing to himself.
"What was that?" Liron whispered.
Angin scoffed, hands in his pockets. "An embarrassment. That's what this was. I can't believe it. The Janloons are supposed to be people of clear mind."
Liron waited, and Angin sighed. "Alright, let me explain. The Grand Janloo Company is not just one of the most beautiful sights on Ekon, it also is an Alchemist paradise. No, it's an Alchemist nation, Liron. They don't fly because of fucking Magic. No, they fly because of their ingenuity and their developments in designing Great Machinas. But, some still hold onto superstition from the days of the Shira dynasty.
"One of them is the importance of having a storm as a Gate. It's fucking rare. Really rare. So, you can imagine the odds of having a Janloon being born with one. Shae has it. The only one of her people. Siu, and also Liuh, wanted her to become a Wizard and use her abilities for the Company."
"For what?"
"I don't know? That's the point. They only want her because it steems from a time neither of them had ever seen. I met Shae a few years ago. She was never eager to work for the Company, so she asked me for help, and I did. You know why? Because there's no more foul thing than force someone to be what they are not. I would have tainted Alchemy and her by letting them turn her into a symbol.
"She wanted to become a Wizard, yes, but she wanted to visit the Uni and fight for the Resistance. So, I didn't do anything wrong… I think. Well… I'm pretty sure you will like her."
"Why?"
"You know, she should be your age and… well, let's say, I have a sixth sense for this kind of thing."
Liron frowned. What a strange man his master could be. He thought about what the Alchemist had said, one thing stood out.
"Say, Angin, Janloo is like… an Alchemist's dream, right?"
They stepped out of Eagle's Peak, and Angin took a deep breath, watching the interconnected exchange between the dozens of towers, beaming at it. "Oh yes, Liron. All this is the work of my craft. Prove what the entirety of Ekon could be if only we tried. There is no madness here, Liron. Everything follows a clear plan. You come here to rest and understand."
Liron smiled, happy to see his master this passionate about something that provided him such joy. "But… why aren't you living here?"
Angin blinked. "What do you mean?"
"Well… I know why your're fightin' for the Resistance. It's important and good. I mean, I wouldn't be here otherwise. But… why I just wonder. Why have you never decided to stay here?"
The Alchemist watched the heights his craft could achieve. A melancholy took root in him, born from the sublime beauty surrounding them. "I could. Janloo allows foreigners to stay forever. You would become a member of the family and work here. It's rather stressful at times, but it would be worth it.
"For why I haven't done so… well, I hope I can in the future. But right now, my place is in the mud down below. I still have things to do. However, let me tell you something, Liron."
Angin smiled, appearing the youngest Liron has ever seen him. An innocent returned to his features. One this cruel world had ever killed or ever would. "One day, I will."