The Heartstone Journey

Book 5 | Ch. 7 - Fort Albatross, The Impenetrable City

It was a behemoth of a city sitting on a low rising mountain with hardly anything else constructing its view. There laid out four separate pathways into the fortress with one being the main entrance made of stone decorated with lamps illuminating the path. The second on the left side, much bumpier and difficult to tread on by carriage or mobile source yet easier on foot. The third directly across the city on the right side. It was a straight line up but was filled with forest trees and dangerous monsters. The final being the buttock of the fortress and despite its name that of an ass it's the most fortified. It's highly guarded with soldiers lined at the border walls to keep monsters and intruders out. The entirety of the fortress walls climbed and soared up too forty meters tall keeping even the most hefty monsters out and away from peeking the top. It was like an impossible task if one were insane enough to fend against its defense.

We all hiked up hills spotting the fort in view. It was jaw dropping how such a city was thriving on such terrain. Ace explained since they arrived at the frontside they should all not spend the extra time going around and take the main path. We didn't find the need to object given that he was far more experienced being here than we were. Following him and the stone pavement the lamps flickered awake as we walked by striking up a conversation.

"Woah. How are these lamps starting a fire?"

Cloudy pointed out.

"I'm unsure the details of it but from what I know is that they use aura to fuel it and when someone gets close it senses the energy inside them and lights the flame. If they're no longer in the area it shuts off."

Ace held his chin giving a rough explanation.

"From what it looks like they store aura inside these lamps and place a dome around them that triggers blah- blah- blah."

The three didn't want to stick around hearing Royal go on about the details and continued moving forward, Royal slumped down depressed they didn't care to listen.

It took an entire thirty minutes to reach the front gate and when they did the sheer size was far greater than the three boys anticipated.

"Oh my.. god."

I muttered impressed by the materials used to make the walls, I assume its not just stone, possibly iron and titanium?

"The wall's height can literally snap Nick's neck into two from how high it keeps going."

Cloudy had to comment on his height again starting another war.

"I'm going to beat the fuck out of you I swear I will."

Aggravated, Nick snarled at him ready to throw punches forgetting the scolding he got from the town guard a few days back.

"Stop fighting you two and hurry it up. I'm famished and want a drink at the bar."

Ace got in between them preventing an upcoming brawl between the two dimwits.

We all followed Ace right up close to the gate finding that there was an entire line of people waiting to get inside, meanwhile Ace casually walked right past them with us in tow making even Nick a bit uncomfortable as to why we were cutting the line.

"Uhh~.. Hey Ace?"

"Hm? What's up Nick?"

"Are we meant to go through the line with those guys there?"

"No you're with me, I'm a guild member and a verified one so I can freely enter without waiting. You are my guests so all they need is some form of identification. If you have none you just need to pay a small fee and they can get you one."

"How much are they?"

Cloudy wondered seeing if he had any money in his pouch where he keeps his money and trinkets.