Book 2- Chapter 1: You Seem Troubled

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The difference in atmosphere from the Mirror chamber to the Sunset Savanna was striking. I was almost blinded by the bright sunlight at first. It was definitely a different sort of city than what I was used to. But it was still gorgeous.

The sky was such a vivid blue it was like a painting, and there were large trees all over. The modern buildings stood out, but at the same time complemented the native plants of the savannah.

"We're here," Leona announced, snapping me from my thoughts.

"So THIS is the Sunset Savannah!" Grim shouted, sitting atop my shoulder as he looked around. I got out my phone to take a picture of the stunning architecture. I typically tried to save the ghost camera for 'yearbook' type photos.

"The royal capital, Sunrise City... My home." Leona almost seemed tired as he said that last part. He really didn't like coming home. But he seemed to shake it off and go back to his normal smug and arrogant self. I wasn't sure if anyone else noticed it. "A real dump, if you ask me, but welcome I guess."

"Very... hot..." Jack groaned, obviously doing about as well as I was in this heat.

Vil nodded. "Well put. Hotter than the Shaftlands to be sure, and even Sage's Island can't compare. The very air feels different here."

"The very air feels different here because it's dry as hell," I mutter, rolling my eyes. Unfortunately this weather was a lot like somewhere I had visited back in my world before coming through the portal, and I didn't fare well in the weather there at first either.

Leona gave me a glance, but the others didn't seem to pay attention to what I said.

"Everything's so bright and lovely!" Kalim exclaimed, looking around with a huge smile on his face.

Lilia nodded. "Quite rare to get a big city with so much greenery lining the streets."

"The buildings complement the flora so well..." I say more to myself, agreeing with Lilia. "That's often hard to do- especially in cities."

"Mhmmm, guess I'll extol the conviction of my countrymen," Leona began, getting my attention once again. "Folks here believe in living in harmony with nature above all else. The idea is since we beastfolk descend from the animals, we have to protect their natural environment."

"So, how's it feel being back home after so long?" Lilia asked him. "Is the old heart singing?"

Leona scoffed. "Not even. If anything I'm annoyed with how little has changed."

"You don't say? It's been a good long while since I visited, but things sure seem different to me? Back then it was hardly developed at all. None of these high rises or anything."

How old even is Lilia? I'm honestly too scared to ask.

Leona shook his head. "That was decades ago. The city began to develop under my father's rule- while he was still in good health, anyway."

That comment made me question Leona's relationship with his father. He always complained about his home, but didn't explicitly talk much about his family.

"I've visited Sunrise City a few times now, and I've always found it a lovely place," Vil added.

"A lovely place..." Leona seemed to be lost in thought for a moment before snapping back to attention. "Yeah, I guess if you occasionally visit for fun or whatever, that's just what you'd think."

Vil frowned slightly. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Kalim." Leona turned to him. "Scalding Sands is hot and dry too, right?"

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⏰ Last updated: Sep 11 ⏰

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