That's So Wizard

Chapter 59 - The Two

Never before had she seen such a view. Her homeland was a gorgeous paradise of whites and golds, blanketed by a sky of violet, yet it was all relative to her. It was the norm. Here, when she cast her elven eyes off the cliff face, she saw seemingly endless mountains of nothing but green—a comforting loneliness, despite her not being alone.

Around her were the ruins of a civilization that once stood proud atop the mountain peaks, but now there were only ruined walls of stone. She could see it. Children, mothers, and fathers, walking up and down the emerald grass betwixt the homes high above the world. Arlandria stood for some time to embrace the feeling of the cool wind through her hair.

"I just got off the phone with Deena," said Eldrian from behind as he stepped up behind her. "They're all doing well. I might have left out the part about me losing an arm for awhile. I thought it'd be better that way, or Deena might just stop letting me go places."

The elf hummed a soft chuckle. "I understand. Your friends care a lot about you. And you them. But why did you take me here again? I'm afraid I also forget how to speak the name of it."

"Machu Picchu. Several hundred years ago, this was only part of the Inca Empire. Something that made them unique was their lacking of technology a lot of other civilizations had at the time, yet they still has a successful and gorgeous existence."

"You told me this wasn't where the Ley Point was, so why are we here?"

As they made their way through the paths between each ruin, they stopped to allow a group of people to pass by. They were a tourist group, snapping photographs, and admiring the view. It was a stark contrast to the quiet serenity the area often offered, but it was how it was. Other people wanted to come see these places too.

"It's something quite stunning," Eldrian replied.

She perked up. "Even more than this place?"

The group passed by, so the two of them ducked into one of the ruined houses, and waited until silence came once again. Arlandria watched as her companion slid his hand over the old stone, as if he was searching for something. He soon whispered as he held still.

The bricks slid apart, opening up a gateway that was certainly not the exit of the ruin. It was passage to another location entirely. They both proceeded inside, and the noise of sliding rock followed their entrance to close off behind them.

He led her through a hall that soon opened into a grand, grassy landscape. Hills rolled far in every direction, and they were covered in homes and beautifully maintained roads between them. People of all ages played about the fields, garbed in stunning, finely-woven clothing, and not far head of them was the grand citadel.

"What is this place?" Arlandria asked in awe.

"It's—," but he hesitated. "I've never actually asked for the name. I was just calling it the Inca place."

"Interesting."

"Don't look at me with those judgemental eyes. I was very stressed at the time. There was this crazy, green lady that was trying to kill everyone, and then she blew up, and it was very terrible."

Something new was constructed, besides the crater being cleaned up. A grand statue of a woman with her arms stretched outwards was erected before the entrance to the citadel, and Eldrian could tell right away that it was meant to be Pachama.

A couple children hustled up to stare at them both with excited eyes. One was a girl, and she spoke up with a giddy skip in her step.

"Hi!" she called out. "Eldrian, right? Good to see you again! Can you show us more magic tricks?"