Xalatl

Yeah," Leonardo replies stately, as the gates open on their own. Heirs start leaving slowly, with Alain first, walking alongside Itami.

They seem to be talking about something, perhaps their destination, as Alain shakes his head sideways every time Itami mutters something.

The heads, however, don't leave yet, seemingly caught up in their own problems.

"That was the heirs' meeting—now it's time for yours," the voice announces before the gates leading towards the halls close.

Anna walks over to Leonardo, matching his seemingly slow pace. "Leonardo, we'll take the lift to the 1,307th floor; that's where we stay, alright?"

"I still can't imagine the size of this," he says, looking beneath his feet.

Thousands, hundreds of thousands of people are beneath him at this moment, each going on with their lives, accustomed to the extremely crafted medical houses and other structures.

"I'm on top of every one of them right now," he says slowly, a hint of awe in his voice.

"Uh yeah, we'll have to do it soon. We have only a single year, you know," Anna says, increasing her speed as she begins walking over to Elara, who was chatting with Mei-Ling.

"So, now's the time," Marquis says, who had been by Leonardo's side this entire time, keeping quiet.

Anna and he saw each other but didn't exchange pleasantries, the tension between them palpable. They really seem to hate each other.

"I suppose so."

"We talked after the incident."

"Yeah, you saved the people at the train, all by yourself," Leonardo says.

"You're making me sound like a hero," Marquis replies, laughing a bit as he puts his hands in his sweater's pockets.

"You aren't?" Leonardo asks, confusion stiffening his face.

"No," was Marquis's reply.

"How old are you again?" Leonardo tries to ask before being interrupted.

"You sound like Anna."

Chandeliers hang from the tall ceilings, made from crystal and gold, that shine their amazing orange light onto the heirs, indescribable against the shadowed hall. The chandeliers are designed with cascading tiers, each tier holding countless candles that flicker with a warm, almost otherworldly light.

The flames dance as if alive, their glow reflecting off the polished surfaces and filling the corridors with a golden hue.

"I'm 17," Marquis finally says.

As they walk through the luxurious carpets, muffling the sound of footsteps and adding a sense of tranquility to the otherwise imposing structure, the atmosphere grows more introspective.

Paintings line the walls, each one a masterpiece, depicting the noble families of the realm—former heads, their faces captured in moments of triumph or sorrow.

Others show fantastical landscapes that stretch the imagination: fields of suns, mountains floating in the void of space, and cities built upon clouds.

The frames of these paintings are gilded, their surfaces etched with runes that seem to shift and change when viewed from different angles, adding an air of mystique to the already enchanted setting.

"That should've been obvious," Leonardo replies, holding his chin in a sign of deep thought.

"How so?" Marquis asks, clearly interested.

"I don't know, you and Anna are kinda similar. Ryuji too."

"We are not in any way similar, Leonardo," Marquis says, his tone deepening as anger slowly fuels his voice. "He killed his father. No... he killed someone. No life should be taken, no matter what."

 Marquis's voice trembles slightly as he speaks, revealing the inner conflict that his composed exterior masks, the golden light casting long shadows that flicker as if they're alive, reflecting the turmoil in Marquis's thoughts.

"Ever since I came here, I've only seen death. Why do people kill so easily?" Leonardo responds voice is low, almost a whisper, as if the words are too heavy to speak aloud. "I must change that. Leonardo, I will be sparse with you—I don't think you will survive." Marquis then says.

Leonardo is momentarily taken aback by Marquis's bluntness but then nods slowly, understanding the gravity of the situation.

"I accepted it because I had spare time with me. I don't know if I may be able to complete it with them," he says, almost agreeing with Marquis's words, which prompts Marquis to try and say something in turn.

"But as long as I stay with them, I'll do everything in my power," Leonardo says, his amber eyes sparking up, blending deeply with his brown skin. His determination shines through, and the flickering candlelight seems to reflect that inner fire.

"that was uh..." marquis pauses then continues

"You have time? You do know this quest can go on for decades, right?" Marquis retorts, utterly confused by Leonardo's reply.

"I really don't know until the tour guide, sir, is back," Leonardo says, increasing his pace as they reach the lift, which stays attached to the wall like a massive, gilded cage ready to descend.

"Tour guide—?" Marquis begins to ask, trying to match Leonardo's pace.

"I can't wait to see the stars," Leonardo says cheerily, a stark contrast to the tension that had just filled the conversation.

"You're really confusing, you know," Marquis responds, shaking his head slightly, both exasperated and intrigued by Leonardo's unpredictable nature.

In the orange glow of the chamber,a figure walked with Aymara seeming to be her guide, his presence as imposing as the black void surrounding him.

Draped in the traditional garb similar Zanith civilization, his outfit was a solemn testament to his rank and purpose. A flowing black robe, edged with silver embroidery, cascaded over his form, shrouding him in a veil of reverence and authority. Two intricately crafted crosses adorned the chest, 

His face was completely obscured by a veil of glimmering chainmail, meticulously crafted to fall from his crown to his shoulders, concealing his identity and adding an aura of mystique.

The veil's small, interlinked rings caught the light, creating a halo effect around his shrouded visage.

In his gloved hands, he held a mighty sword, reflecting nothing but the glow of the chamber.

This was Xalatl, , his every movement echoing the weight of the ancient wisdom he carried and the fierce resolve of the warriors who came before him.

Leonardo hesitated for a moment, his words caught in his throat as the towering figure passed by him.

"Aymara..." he managed to murmur, catching her retreating figure out of the corner of his eye before turning his attention back to the imposing presence before him.

The figure halted, his movements precise and deliberate, like a predator assessing its prey.

The chainmail veil shifted slightly as he turned, his face still obscured, but there was an unmistakable weight in his gaze.

"Oh, sorry," Leonardo stammered, feeling the words tumble out clumsily. "I didn't mean to make her sad, she was just—"

"creepy" Anna says talking to both Elara and Mei-ling,

"what are the chances" Leonardo though

The figure raised a hand, silencing Leonardo with a gesture that was both gentle and commanding. "It's alright," he said, his voice deep and resonant, like the rumble of distant thunder. "I'll deal with it. I'm Xalatl."

He extended his hand toward Leonardo, his gloved fingers wrapped in the dark leather of his gauntlet.

Leonardo hesitated only a moment before reaching out, feeling the cool firmness of Xalatl's grip. The touch was brief, yet it conveyed a strange sense of finality, as though the exchange was part of some unspoken ritual.

"Leonardo," he said, his voice almost a whisper as he introduced himself, though it felt inadequate in the presence of such an enigmatic figure.

Xalatl's attention then shifted to Marquis, who stood a step behind Leonardo.

Without a word, Marquis extended his hand, which Xalatl took with the same measured grace. Marquis, usually unflappable, seemed to pause as their hands met.

Leonardo couldn't help but notice the height difference. Xalatl towered over him, which wasn't surprising—Leonardo was painfully aware of his own short stature—but what struck him was how Xalatl dwarfed Marquis, who was a solid 5'9". The contrast made Xalatl appear even more imposing, a giant among men. [6'4]

As their hands parted, there was a brief silence, a pause where the air seemed to thicken with unspoken understanding.

Xalatl offered a slight nod, a gesture that was almost imperceptible, before turning to leave. His departure was as silent as his arrival, the faint clinking of his chainmail the only sound that lingered in the air.

Leonardo watched him go, feeling a strange mixture of relief and curiosity.

There was something about Xalatl that stirred a deep unease within him, a sense that this was a man who carried the weight of countless secrets.

"Well, he seems kind," Marquis said, breaking the silence and pulling Leonardo back to the present.

His voice was casual, but there was an edge to it, as though he was still processing the encounter.

"Yeah..." Leonardo replied, his voice trailing off as he tried to shake off the lingering thoughts. The image of Xalatl, veiled and mysterious, remained etched in his mind.

Marquis snapped his fingers in front of Leonardo's face, a light-hearted attempt to jolt him out of his reverie. "Hey, let's not get lost in thought now. The lift"

Leonardo blinked, nodding as he forced himself to focus. "Right, let's go." But as they walked away, he couldn't help but try to look further, half-expecting to see Xalatl's imposing figure still standing there, a silent sentinel watching over them.