Eterna

~Chapter 18~ The Velligrim Capital

The most beautiful sight I had yet to see. The Capital lay on the horizon before us; A beacon to our weary souls. You could see it's white walls and the many arches that made up it's complex and beautiful shape. The air began to clear as we neared it, and the sun shone brighter than ever before.

"Well, I'll be damned." Said Harley with a chuckle. "I'd never think, not in a million years, I'd be this close to Velligrim."

"Is that where the king lives?" Asked Kalu, who had skipped ahead of us.

"Yes ma'am." Said Isaiah. "The most powerful person in all the Netherworld."

We approached with light hearts. The great gates of the Capital shook me to my very core. Although it was a city with high defenses, beings from all over the realm came here with a purpose. Whether royalty, tourists, government officials, or religious powers, the Capital was home to them all.

Warring times were upon us, as soldiers piled into the gates, ready to defend their king. Our king. White horses adorned with golden armor and red feathers trotted past us.

"Wow." Kalu gleamed at the sight.

My heart grew heavy, as I did not wish to leave her. Devon looked at me and offered a gentle smile. I suppose the pain showed on my face.

"In order to gain access to the Capital, you must provide a DNA sample at the main gate, and be marked at the secondary gate. From there, you will be scanned at the tertiary gate!" Yelled one of the gatekeepers.

"That seems like an awful lot of work." Groaned Reuben.

"It's the Capital. What do you expect?" Sera smiled and nudged his arm. She was first in line.

"Afternoon Milady." Said the gatekeeper with a genuine smile. "Your hand, please."

He held out his hand and she placed her own soft hand in his. He then took her middle finger and pricked it with a small, syringe-like gadget.

"Alright, keep the line moving!"

We all went through the secondary gate, where a small laser machine marked our wrists. It burned, but was a prideful pain. This mark meant you were allowed within the walls of the Capital, but also showed others you had been there. The mark itself glowed blue when you were within the Capital walls, and faded when you were away from it.

The final, tertiary gate approached. We each slid our newly tattooed wrists under the scanner and were filed neatly to the side. I still couldn't see inside the city. The gates were massive, intertwining with a monstrous white wall that surrounded the city.

"Hello there." Said one of the Tertiary gate keepers.

"Hello." We all seemed to answer in unison.

"Welcome to the Capital."

He smiled and ordered the gate to be opened. I still remember how unreal it was. The floors were white marble and the buildings were smooth and white as well. Sparkling, clear water ran under the walkways, making bridges that travelled throughout the city instead of streets. Thin trees dressed in green, yellow, and red leaves were sporatically grown throughout the walkways. The entire city was encased in a protective forcefield, active during times of war. It sparkled and shone, reflecting the sun's warm rays.

Strange, exotic birds flew about. Their white bodies and red-striped tails cut through the crown of the water below us as they glided over their reflections. I breathed the clean, crisp air.

"I don't know what to say." Said Isaiah. "I've never seen anything this beautiful before." He ran his hand along the side of one of the buildings.

Reuben put his arm around me and pulled me close in a friendly squeeze.