Behold, Hope

Chapter 7: Defense

The flight was surprisingly enjoyable. I thought I might get cold because of the wind, but because of the humidity, it wasn't too bad. I felt like a fairy as I soared through the air. Occasionally, I would make eye contact with a monster that would stare at me confused. It was quite hilarious. I had no trouble with them as I sped by, leaving them puzzled. I didn't stop, even when it got dark because my eye could see with the Mura's provos ability. I finally grew hungry and decided I would stop for the day since I had traveled far enough to make it to Teva tomorrow before it got dark. I floated down towards the bottom of the tree trunks and canceled my spells as I cast another, my rock shelter. I then took off my sword holster and placed the sword into the ground, glowing brightly in the darkness. I then began to eat my dinner quietly. It feels just like old times. Alone. I still hate it, but it's so familiar that it's almost comforting. Ah, I must be going even more insane. At least I've almost completed the Mura portion of Lycia's wish. I'll just have to finish the portion with Bellachay Kingdom. Then, I can leave. I must.

I was pretty exhausted and slept soundly despite being on the ground. I stretched as I consumed my breakfast before canceling my shelter and placing my sword and holster back onto the left of my waist. I recast my spells and continued gliding towards Teva. From Lycia's memories, Teva was a ways away from the other border of the Balaz Jungle and was surrounded by a few smaller hills that aided in protection from any stray enemies. I should be able to get out of the Jungle for lunch and eat in the lightly wooded landscape safely with no beasts nearby before I continue on to the city hidden among the hills and dense evergreen landscape.

Eventually, I reached the edge of the dense Jungle and onto a more open area with greenery and some occasional evergreen trees littering the horizon. I continued to slide through the air, looking down as I admired all the various colors and types of flowers sprinkled among the weeds and foliage. I nearly ran into a few trees as I got distracted and decided I should eat lunch and hopefully wake myself up a bit more by wading in a nearby stream. The water was freezing, but felt nice on my feet as I ate my sandwich. Soon, I stood up and stretched as I prepared to continue on to Teva.

Quite quickly, I began to see the outskirts of the bright city. The evergreens were littered with glow stones and had houses built into their branches and trunks, some suspended in the air and some on the ground. Wooden spiral stairs and bridges connected various parts of the city and houses. A wide river split the city in two and smaller streams pooled out of it as the main source of water. The large metal columns shimmered in the sunlight, the tall iron pillars were enough to keep larger monsters out, and far apart enough to make it easy for the Mura to go and return. Smaller monsters were not a major concern for the Mura considering how combat was taught at a young age and constantly a part of our lives while within the Welar Expanse. There were still warriors placed around the city to keep watch for monsters, especially large groups and strong ones.

I began to slow down and glide towards the ground and onto the merchant stone path that was recently paved when the Mura was added to the Alliance so trade could happen easier. However, any traders had to be transported by a large group of either warriors or adventurers to keep them safe. I landed and canceled all my spells as I continued to walk towards the city main gate, not that it was the only way to get in, but it was where visitors could be greeted. While people could enter through the iron pillars, the city is quite a maze because most houses are built within the trees and look similar. It's not hard to tell who doesn't belong and whether they mean well. The Mura have always enjoyed gathering knowledge and have been friendly with outsiders, so any visitors that accidentally enter the city through a different way are spotted easily and led to the appropriate area where they can meet some of the leadership, learn about the city and be shown around. If they don't have good intentions, they usually are forced to surrender or leave the city since there aren't any noncombatant citizens within the city.