AFTERLAND and The Cryptic Prophecy

34: The Eternal Tranquility

The catastrophe had ended. I got answers to my questions, not everything, but the hollow in my head almost filled with satisfactions. Saving our parents was a success, but we lost someone, Harris died.

"Everyone, we are heading to the Adamus Guild," Romighro said.

We boarded the Omnidus Ship, the ship that had a form resembling a pancake. Like what Romighro said, we went to Adamus Guild, the guild of our family. Apart from him, I also had Diordin, Franco, Khurl and our parents with me on the ship.

The vilecaptors sealed Dawn and Arabelle inside the isolation orb, an orb larger than a fist that could cage any creature. It was made of white metal carved with familiar symbols, similar to our blood marks. Precious Capitol imposed the usage of isolation orbs on catching evil Afterlings to imprison them either at the Tenebris or at the Capitol's dungeon.

Mom stared at me. She was smiling, but something in her eyes that troubled me. I could feel she still had something to confess. I recalled what my grandfather said about me being the wielder's eye of the thirteen marks. Everyone would definitely turn their back against me once they knew the consequences of my eyes. That's what he claimed. His statement kept haunting me.

"The White City," Franco uttered, breaking into my thoughts.

He was looking out the circular window of the spaceship. I also turned and saw the beautiful city of Adamus Region. The infrastructures made of white metals grew with impressive skyscrapers. The architectural structure overwhelmed by ultramodern attributes.

Above the White City, there were soaring creatures, mythical beasts known as half-eagle and half-lion with white feathers. There were people wearing black suits riding on their backs.

"The Adamus Guild is well-known because of its advancement in Science and Technology," Franco stated in the saddest way. We were silently listening. "They collaborated with Emerald Guild to create a solar energy provider that gives power or electricity to the whole Afterland. Apart from that, Adamus Region is the home of winged beasts. The creatures flying above the city are called griffins. They are helping the Adamus watchmen to guard the aerial territory of Adamus Region."

"I didn't expect you knew a lot about this place," Diordin said.

"Harris told me about it," he answered.

The silence further enveloped the Omnidus Ship. I frowned and wasn't able to hold back my tears. I cried in silence. My strong heart, like a lion, turned weak like a fragile glass. My heart was in pain, not only because someone died, but because I was full of regrets.

I pressed my forehead, refusing the idea that Harris was gone. His hazel-brown eyes were full of excitement about life. His dream was to explore the Afterland and discover the beauty of it, and not to die in that horrendous place. My mom touched my hand, trying to make me feel better, but it didn't help. I needed a magic potion that could make any lingering sadness in my body disappear.

"We just arrived! Welcome to Adamus Guild! Enjoy your stay and have a magical day!" The pilot ship said with the use of announcement speakers. It followed by the downward opening of the ship's airtight door.

My mom wiped my tears. "Let's go. Your grandmother is waiting."

I tried to stand from my seat despite the weakness in my knee. I took a deep breath and fixed myself. Diordin and Franco stared at me with their worried faces. I managed smiling because I hated being a burden to others.

"Adamus Guild," I muttered, staring at the exquisite castle.

"The place where I came from." Mom stared at me. "Where we came from." A small flash of exhilaration flickered on her face.