𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭

Chapter Ten

Breakfast passed quickly as Victoria chatted with her friends, but she kept glancing at Oberion, who seemed deeply troubled. Everyone except him was in high spirits, their laughter and chatter filling the room and adding to its liveliness.

As Victoria took a sip of her tea, Xanea came into view and whispered in her ear, "Doctor Dunn would like to see you." Victoria hurriedly drank the last of her tea, stood up, and was about to leave when Holton grabbed her hand. "Where are you going? You haven't finished your breakfast yet," he asked, looking confused.

Victoria grabbed a buttered toast and said, "I'll be back to finish it. Olive wants to see me." Before Holton could respond, she took a bite of her toast and followed Xanea out of the dining room. She walked alongside Xanea and asked, "Why does Olive want to see me?"

Xanea smiled and said, "Don’t talk with your mouth full of toast, Victoria." Her laughter made Victoria feel a bit embarrassed.

Xanea continued, "I mentioned that you’ve been having frequent headaches, and she asked if she could see you. She might want to run some tests to make sure it’s nothing serious." As they entered the elevator, Xanea pressed the button for the medical floor.

Victoria looked through the elevator’s glass walls, observing the streets of Ironlight. Though she was familiar with the view, she often wondered what it would be like to be an ordinary citizen, walking down the streets, enjoying the lush green parks, and behaving like her peers for once.

A soft clearing of the throat brought Victoria's attention back to Xanea, who smiled, indicating they had arrived at the medical floor. She followed Xanea to the ward where Doctor Dunn was located. When Xanea opened the door, Doctor Dunn turned and beamed at Victoria.

"Good morning, Victoria," Doctor Dunn said warmly. She then turned to Xanea, smiling again. "Thank you for bringing her, Xanea," to which Xanea responded with a smile and left.

Olive directed Victoria to the bed and she lay down as Olive connected her to various machines, brushing her hair aside to place circle stickers on both her temples. Olive observed the screen with a puzzled expression. "Victoria, have you been getting much sleep?" she asked. Victoria glanced at the screen, seeing her brainwaves fluctuate. "Some nights I sleep peacefully, and other nights I can't sleep at all," she replied.

It was true. Victoria had been struggling with severe anxiety, and sleep offered little relief, likely due to the approaching mission.

Olive remained focused on the screen and then asked Victoria for permission to draw blood for further tests, which Victoria consented to. Doctor Dunn said she would be in touch and let Victoria go.

Victoria tried to contact Holton on her watch, but without success. She decided to visit her favorite spot in the Ironlight building: the park.

Upon arriving, Victoria found it was more of a large greenhouse with smaller trees than those outside. It featured a spacious grassy area, a swing set, a treehouse, and a simulated sky with a “sun” and clouds that changed with the time of day, even mimicking the sunsets and sunrises.

This space was designed for the previous chosen children to feel somewhat peaceful and free, even if they were not. Victoria moved to the treehouse, feeling nostalgic as she noticed the books lining one wall along with a few mementos from their childhood.

Running her fingers over the book wall, she spotted a green leather-bound book with silver detailing titled "The History of Ironlight." Intrigued, she opened it and found the first two pages had a map of their continent, while the other continents was marked in black. She continued to the next page, finding it odd.

The book detailed the seven continents:

The world has seven continents—Pendor, Runerth, Ironlight, Kerim, Ecliptune, Thorun, and Icarus—each governed by its own leader, though not all of them get along.

Pendor: A lush and vibrant land known for its diverse ecosystems, from dense tropical rainforests to expansive savannas. It is famous for its rich biodiversity and unique flora and fauna. Pendor is also known for its ancient, sprawling cities with intricate architecture that blends seamlessly with nature.

Runerth: Characterized by its rugged and harsh terrain, Runerth is a continent of towering mountains, deep valleys, and icy tundras. Its harsh climate has led to a hardy and resilient population. Runerth is renowned for its mining operations and rich deposits of precious minerals and metals.

Ironlight: A continent dominated by vast plains and rolling hills, Ironlight is known for its advanced technology and industrial prowess. The landscape is dotted with bustling cities and factories, and the people of Ironlight are famous for their innovations in engineering and machinery.

Kerim: Kerim features a blend of arid deserts and temperate highlands, with striking sand dunes and rugged canyons. It is known for its ancient history and archaeological sites, as well as its skilled artisans who produce intricate textiles and pottery. Kerim's culture is deeply rooted in traditions and folklore.

Ecliptune: This continent is notable for its magical and mystical aura, with landscapes that vary from enchanted forests to ethereal floating islands. Ecliptune is a hub of magic and arcane knowledge, home to powerful sorcerers and ancient magical artifacts. Its people are known for their deep connection to mystical forces.

Thorun: Thorun is a continent of temperate forests and serene lakes, with a landscape that is both picturesque and tranquil. It is known for its commitment to environmental preservation and sustainable living. Thorun’s communities are closely knit and focused on harmony with nature.

Icarus: Characterized by its dramatic cliffs, high-altitude plateaus, and aerial landscapes, Icarus is known for its advanced aerial technology and floating cities. The people of Icarus have mastered the art of flight and aerial navigation, making their continent a leader in skyborne advancements and exploration

Victoria was eager to learn more about the other continents and why this information was only coming to her now. She wondered if the others were aware of this knowledge. As she continued reading, she heard footsteps on the wooden ladder leading to the treehouse and quickly closed the book, hiding it behind her.

Holton appeared with a big smile. "What are you doing out here alone?" he asked. Victoria wanted to respond with a snarky remark but decided against it. Holton shook his head and climbed down, saying, "Come on, there's something you should see." Victoria quickly placed another book on top of the history book to conceal it from Holton. She was determined to uncover the truth.

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Author's Note:

Hello readers! I hope you're enjoying this story. Please let me know in the comments or by voting. Onto the next chapter!