Eldoran

Chapter 2: Yrvandel

We are going to the city! I hurried my steps downstairs and through the front entrance. I checked myself out. I made sure I was wearing my best clothing today. It was a pretty chilly day so I went for a shirt underneath then wore a hoodie on top. To accompany my slightly oversized stylish hoodie, I wore a black vest. Mhm mhm, good. Looking good so far. To go along with my style, I took out my fresh white shoes and my beautiful pa- Gack! I felt a hard push and lost my footing and started to wobble down the 3 feet staircase just outside the entrance of the orphanage. Luckily I managed to regain my balance before I face plant onto the ground and possibly ruining my style today. I didn't have to turn around to know who the culprit was. I hear a little chuckle. Hmph, just as I thought...

"Daydreaming?"

"Not necessarily. I was just thinking about the city."

"Oh? What about it?"

"How beautiful it was and wishing I could live there one day."

I see Nereus coming out as well. I'd say they're both looking pretty good today. Nereus looked pretty average himself, solid yellow long sleeves top, baggy pants and regular trainers. Then there's Athena... actually looking a lot more... feminine. Her hair tied up, short skirt and almost pitch black leggings and her shoulderless layered sleeve lavender top. Despite how boyish she acts around us.

Our transport finally arrives. The bus comes to a stop then slides its doors open.

"W-w-wow, it's just like that l-last time, right Apollo?"

"That's right."

The presence of this bus alone gave me goosebumps. It can hold up a lot of people and the sheer size of this thing alone is just impressive to look at.

"Amazing!! So this big bus will take us to the city?"

I can't help but notice that Athena is clueless. She's been in the orphanage just last month, right? Has she not seen the city at all? I was hesitant to ask. I mean after all it's not uncommon for people to not see the city, but surely she should have seen it at least once? Even just a glance? I should hold back on my thoughts and avoid surprising her. So because of that, I urged her to go in first to take the seat near the windows. I motioned my hand to Nereus for him to go next but he shook his head.

"I have motion sickness r-r-remember? I need to be closer to the caretaker so they could t-tend to me faster."

Ah crap. He's right. "Ah yes, my bad Nereus. Guess it was a long time ago and I forgot about it."

"Don't worry a-about it." He smiles it off.

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There we go. We sat down in these comfy seats. It's almost as if you're sitting on a big cotton ball. In the blink of an eye the bus got filled up. The rest of the kids will be on the second bus. Just then, the doors start to close and as soon as it shuts, a voice can be heard through speakers that were set up throughout the interior of the bus so it felt like they were everywhere.

"Welcome aboard. Please buckle your seatbelts. Should any problems arise, please alert one of your caretakers and it will be dealt with as soon as possible. Thank you and enjoy the ride."

Hm, that's one thing that's different. I remembered it being a male voice that came out from those audio boxes before but, bah! It doesn't matter. The moment I felt the vibrations of the bus, I knew it was geared to go. The windows became dim making it seem a bit harder to see outside. I can make out some silhouettes but that's about it. I felt a shake from the opening of the gates and once they were opened, off we went.

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A couple of hours later...

The windows get lighter and lighter and as if everything was silent. Then sudden gasps from everyone including Athena whose face is squished on the window, and even a grunt from Nereus who looks like he is on the verge of death. There it was. The City of Yrvandel. A magical utopia filled with highly advanced technology. Buildings that come in all shapes and sizes. Triangles, globes, rectangles and such, there are even massive buildings to the point it could touch the clouds! Clean roads, lights everywhere.

It felt like everything was in slow motion. It came to the point where if I blinked just then, I would have missed everything.

"Hey! Hey! Apollo, what is the city like?"

"Hm? What do you mean what's the city like?"

"I mean what I meant - what's the city like?"

What an odd question, but not so much when it's coming from such an oblivious girl. She looked at me with glistening eyes, reminiscent of the younger orphans' eyes when Sister Merri brings out cakes for pudding during dinner.

Channeling the enthusiasm that the Sisters emit during lectures, I impart my bottomless knowledge to my newfound student.

"The city's got lots of buildings, roads... and light... and lots more buildings..."

Unfortunately I couldn't channel any enthusiasm, but a half-assed answer is good enough for a girl like her.

"Well I can see that! But tell me more! Like what are those buildings made of, how'd they make them!? And look at all those lights on them, they're so bright! And those roads, they're so smooth, I remember riding like this but it was so bumpy it hurt my butt a l-"

This girl just kept going on and on. I decided it was best to leave her alone in her own little world.

Sister Merri, you're a very strong woman to be able to handle Athena.

With newfound respect for Merri, we arrive at the bridge nearing our destination.

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Before I knew it, we arrived at the museum.

The doors open once again. Greeted by a soft breeze, I exit the bus. Sister Merri advises everyone to stay together and all those precautions, but my mind is completely set outside the bus. After a minute passed, I finally took the first step outside. I look up to see how gigantic these buildings are compared to me. Cars going past and not to mention the crowd of people running, walking and chattering.

"Aaaahh, finally. Out of the bus a-a-at last. I swear it felt like an eternity in th-there."

Nereus sighed in relief. I smiled and patted him on the back for hanging in there. I couldn't even imagine being sick in a vehicle. I wouldn't be able to enjoy the trip from there to here. Oh, that's right! It's pretty much Athena's first time here! I quickly turn to face her.

"So err, Athena. What do you think?"

"It's brilliant! The cars, the buildings and the people! What sorcery is this?!"

I'm glad she was as excited as I am, although I have visited this place before, it all feels new. The clean and shiny paths, the friendly community. Maybe one day after we've grown up, I'll have Athena and Nereus live with me in a house and we'll hang out all day!

"I do have to say though Apollo..."

"Hmm?" I glanced at her with confusion.

I noticed the visible confusion on her face, being lost in a trance. Before she could say another word. Sister Merri called us all out to stay within their point of view.

"L-let's go guys."

"Yeah, let's. Come on Athena, we'll discuss it later."

I took the lead and started walking up the stairs leading to the entrance of the museum. Phew, what an effort to get inside a museum. I never get it. Why do they have to make the stairs at the entrance so damn high? No matter, we're here. Then as I look up, we are greeted by a person who seems to be expecting us. He looks like someone from a movie, like that butler from Manly Bat.

"Greetings everyone. Allow me to welcome you... to the Museum of Wonders!"