5 The Pixie (1/2)
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During my long journey, worried with the diversity of beasts walking in the forest, it felt like the help I was looking forward to is never coming, though I understand that I still need to bring this floating pixie's egg to the castle in order for it to hatch. I anxiously wandered the entire area looking for a place to hide and hunting animals that I can eat for the past few days like a lawbreaker. Periodically, I need to eat the meat raw so the beasts can't find me. A few more trek and I finally saw a river exiting the forest and leading to the entrance of the huge dome-like hill where houses built on it. That must be the place! I can see two towers that seemed to touch the sky. It's so tall.
As I walk along the stony shore of the river, though it is steady as well as cloudy and windy, and I see nothing outstanding to amuse me, I tirelessly ran towards the large city. Not caring about the creatures of the forest, it's like they're not able to leave from there, though. So I continued my journey to the settlement where people lives, that I long to talk. Maybe I can also find Morning Dew there. I am elated.
It is like an hour or more of walking and running to make sure I make it out alive if the beasts decide to follow me. Once I arrived, I noticed that it is encompassed with massive intricate walls. This place is glorious compared to the town where I lived. Wait, is this the King's City? Where are the people? All I can see are wonderfully carved stones, walls and gates and huge pillars. There were outer and inner walls, I guess for the protection of the people, as well as a public space. This landscape features rocky, mountainous land but utilized to the fullest. I checked everywhere but no one is here, except there are plenty of ordinary houses that are open in the first wall.
I am exhausted searching for people in this first wave of open houses. I never thought that this big city is lacking population. Checking the houses in the next wall will be exhausting, so I need to rest for tomorrow. Hatching the egg comes next after I found Morning Dew here. I ate the meat jerks that I stored in the small pocket and closed my eyes. Hopefully, tomorrow will be productive and I will be reunited with my best buddy. This enormous city should be quiet and an ideal place to live. I know he'd try to look for people living too and if not, he'll leave some clue to where he'll be next. I crossed my finger and finally slept.
The inside of the second wall houses all the more lacking of restraint in using resources to build manors similar to the enormous stone house of our Lord Heinzall Badrick encircling the even tremendous castle. Again, these houses are all open and seemed ransacked. Still no clues of whoever built or lived this place. It's unusual but I need to find out where I am at or if there are people still living or are they having a feast in the castle? I don't know. That's why I am heading to the castle. I need to make sure that this is not an illusion anymore.
Reaching the top of this kingdom is the castle enclosed with another grand, wall of the sophisticated stone-carved pattern of flowers and trees. This whole place is a fortress of one's expression and application of creative skill and the display of ornate imagination. I can already see the two tall skyscrapers inside but how can I get in? This is the last and only close gate. It stood tall for a dramatic entrance door. Well, if that tall King is using this door, then there is no use of being surprised. Still, how do you open a door without a knob? Pushing it may not be effective, nor pulling the door. The only factor that I can think of is magic.
Placing my two hands with the only rectangular golden metal attached on the door, hoping that some green prickling light helps me. When I thought that it's impossible, I nudged the metal and it started to examine my hand.
”Player detected. Unlocking passageways according to Kalpea's energy level. An unknown player can register to the main hall and commence support analysis download. Please follow the yellow lane.”
”Down... Load?” I unknowingly mumbled. ”Huh?” Sceptical with the glowing floors, I followed what I was being told. So far, nothing life-threatening happened except the excruciating pain before I got here. I survived. Let's just pray that hatching the egg is not dangerous. Huh. I am obviously scared. Still walking down the hallway with portraits on the wall I don't understand. Or is it because of my uneasiness that causes this paranoia? Coming all the way here unscathed is praiseworthy. I am praiseworthy. I should think that way. Now, I am inside. This must be the main hall where I can hatch my pixie's egg, right?
In a small platform, lies a big golden cone in the middle. At the back of it are knight statues with silver lances, bows, and swords pointing the big goblet. Hmmm. I paused for a bit but I slowly placed the tiny orb of light in the golden goblet. Then the screen showed up again.
”Congratulations! I commend you for making it this far, Player: [Unknown]. Would you like to continue registering as a player?”
A player? What do you really mean by that? Player? I mean, am I playing games here? I wondered for a long time but this is not a game that I should play. So, this was all a game, huh.
”Yes/No”