Barrier

- Let's resume our journey to the third gate. - I turned to the girl who was apparently just waiting for this, turning around, we went back the way.

On the way back, we met more and more residents who were drawn to the monument; many greeted Lualia, she reciprocated them, but they did not recognize me.

Most likely, the residents have not yet become aware of what happened to the elder, or perhaps they decided not to tell, fearing the reaction of the residents and mine if the latter decide to take revenge.

The wind became stronger, and the unusual smell it carried again began to give me a strange strength; leaving the road and rushing to the third gate, I saw how the streets began to illuminate and light appeared in the houses.

Sometimes some residents tried to talk to me, but the girl stopped it in every possible way, explaining to them that I was a wanderer and had received permission from the elders.

From the looks of these people, I saw that they were surprised but did not pester me anymore with questions.

The closer we got to the third gate, the more I felt the magic coming from the direction we were going, there were fewer and fewer people until only we remained.

As I understood, the residents avoided this place, glancing at the girl who was not paying attention to the changes that people stopped appearing.

- Do city residents not come here or is the third gate banned? - I asked Lualia.

The girl looked at me and shook her head and spoke in a quiet voice; tension was still felt in her intonation, but the fear had receded.

- We mortals cannot come close to them because of the pressure that the barrier puts on us, and only magicians can come close," Lualia explained, continuing to walk without turning to me.

Mortals could not approach the magical barrier? I was surprised, trying to remember the professor's words about barriers, but I couldn't.

The closer we got to the barrier, the slower the girl walked; I could hear her breathing starting to become more labored until she stopped.

- Unfortunately, I can't get any closer. The pressure of the barrier is getting stronger. - The girl said in a quiet voice, trying to regain her breathing.

It was clear that these words were not easy for her, we had not known each other for long, but her behavior indicated that she did not want to show that she did not have the opportunity to continue the path with me to the barrier.

- It's good, if it's hard for you to be here, you can go back along the road where you will feel easiest. - I turned to her while looking around the deserted road.

Unlike my companion, I did not feel any pressure that came from the barrier or change in my body. Walking past her, without expecting an answer from the girl, I headed alone towards the barrier.

Looking around the street along which I walked, I came across houses that were richly decorated and had strange statues near the entrances.

They were huge and had folded wings, but unlike the Abels, which had bird wings, these statues had more curved wings that connected at the top.

On their faces two front teeth were noticeable, which came out of the mouth and reached almost to the nose, which was set deep in the face, and the eyes, which had a strange slant, looked forward.

Unlike the Avel monuments, which looked noble and non-threatening, these strange statues looked ready to attack intruders.

In addition to the armor that covered all parts of the body, they also had weapons, and looking from one statue to another, I could see that they were different. Some had shields in their hands and swords resting on their belts.

Others had two-handed weapons, whether these statues showed avels who wanted their opponents to see them or whether it was just their strange taste, I didn't know.

In the distance I could see a gate that was getting closer to me, it was noticeable that no one was caring for this part of the road that led to the gate; in some places it was noticeable how the grass was trying to claim rights to the road.

The houses looked as if they were indestructible. The wind, which had previously made itself felt, completely died down, the only sound being my steps.

I was no longer paying attention to the strange statues when I noticed something lying on the floor, coming closer, I noticed that it was the remains that were lying in a strange position

Examining them, I had no way to understand who was in front of me, the clothes in which the remains were dressed began to disappear; on the belt hung a simple sword whose tip was in contact with the ground.

Sitting down and examining the remains closer, it was not noticeable that the deceased was fighting with someone, the sword also rested on the belt.

I did not search the remains for possible things that could tell me who he was; in the Kray Empire it was strictly forbidden to disturb the bodies of the dead.

Getting up and continuing on my way, I remembered what the remains looked like so I could tell Lualia, maybe she would recognize him.

The darkness became stronger and the light was only where the magic lanterns were. I didn't understand how they could work all the time after the exodus of the five races.

Thanks to my acquired vision, I could see the elf at night without any problems. Approaching the gate, I stopped and examined it and the two statues that stood near the entrance.

Their height was up to the walls, the light of magic lamps reflected from their armor, raising my head up, I did not see who these statues were because of the helmets that covered their faces.

In the hands of the statue they held two large shields that looked like the shield that one of my tormentors used.

Unlike the torturer's shield, these shields were decorated with various stones that sparkled from the magic lamps.

One of the statues had a huge sword hanging on its side, the scabbard was also studded with stones along the blade; the other statue had a rounded blade that rested in its hands.

Under the fingers that squeezed the handle, stones were visible, which were also located on the guard and hilt of the sword.

Behind their backs were visible wings, which were also protected by armor enveloping the wings on top.

Whether there were these statues that showed what the avels looked like before the battle, I didn't know from the two monuments I had no way to say for sure.

Turning his gaze to the gate, it was also decorated with large stones that were of different colors and sizes, as the girl said, they were open.

It was noticeable to me that in front of the gate there was something resembling a mirror that showed what was behind the barrier.

Approaching the barrier, I tried to find the source from where the barrier is powered, according to the professor, in ancient times there were only two points that supported the barrier, but it was difficult for me to understand how the barrier had not yet fallen after so much time.

I had fears about what would happen if I touched the barrier, I had little understanding of barriers, and at that moment I realized that I had little to learn from the professor at the academy.

At night it was difficult for me to determine the color of the barrier and whether it was there at all I did not know.

Looking at the statues that stood near the gate, I began to think about how to overcome the barrier, examining the stones that were in the armor and weapons of the statues, I did not find anything that could power the barrier.

I felt an incomprehensible burning sensation in my back every time I approached the barrier, not understanding what it was connected with and ordering the armor of the harbinger to expose my upwards and turning my head to the side, I noticed that the mark of the goddess Hes was shining and the closer I came to the barrier, the brighter it shone and I felt the burning more and more.

I felt the cold of the night, which began to get stronger, finding myself naked to the torso and trying to find what was causing the mark to start behaving strangely.

Moving away from the barrier, I felt how she calmed down and coming closer to her, she again began to burn my back more and more.

Sighing and raising my head to the sky, only one possibility came to me why my mark was behaving so strangely, could the Avels have known that the chosen one would come here?

Or maybe the mark warned me about the danger emanating from the barrier, I didn't know, for all the time it showed itself for the first time except for the day when I became the harbinger of the goddess Ges.

I felt like my body was starting to freeze, making a couple of body movements to warm up and starting to think about the possibilities, I could either return back to the girl or touch the barrier with my hand and see what would happen.

Nervous and feeling my hands getting wetter, I put my hands on the barrier and watched the statues with my eyes, I didn't know if they could be the ones guarding the barrier.

My mark began to burn more and more, with my hands I felt a wall in front of me that reminded me of water, allowing me to look inside, but because of the night I saw only the nearest houses.

The heat from the mark began to spread throughout my body and to my surprise, my body began to be covered with strange writing, reaching my fingers and touching the writing and the barrier.

I felt my hands begin to pass through the barrier, surprised by the writing on my body that glowed in different colors from red to yellow and, frozen, I watched as my hands calmly penetrated inside the barrier and back.

Taking a deep breath and taking a step, I found myself on the side where no representatives of the races had gone before after the exodus of the five races.

The letters also rested on my body; examining my arms and chest, I saw that they were stretching upward.

I didn't understand what kind of writing it was and I tried to understand the language in which it was written, but it was not clear to me. I was about to go further when I remembered that Lualia was waiting for me where I had to leave her.

Coming back out of the barrier and moving away from it, I saw how the writing on my body began to shine less and less until it disappeared again, as did the warmth emanating from the mark.

I didn't understand what kind of letters appeared when I touched the barrier and if they weren't there, would the barrier let me in or not?

And is it possible that the Avel set up a barrier that allowed only the chosen ones to pass through, but why would they do this if they knew that the chosen ones were leaving with them?

All these questions remained unanswered, heading back to the girl, I felt how it was getting colder outside.

Absorbed in my thoughts, I returned to the girl who was still standing in the place where we parted; it was clear from her face that it was hard for her to be here.

When she saw me, her gaze changed, it was clear that she was trembling from the cold, but she tried not to show it.

- Let's go back to your house, we need to rest and discuss what we will do next. - I turned to her as I approached, without explaining whether I managed to pass the barrier or not.

It was clear from the girl's gaze that she wanted to ask questions about the barrier, but she was holding back.

Nodding, she again led me back to her home; the further we moved away from the barrier, the better my companion felt.

I began to hear the voices of residents who, after work, began to go out into the street, and from their voices I understood that they were discussing something.

Seeing us, many remained silent and looked at me with fear, as I understood, the elders told the residents of the city what happened to one of the elders.

Some began to retreat closer to the walls, wanting to get out of our way. Lualia saw the behavior of the city residents and the looks they cast at her; she saw distrust.

Trying not to pay attention to them, we continued on our way, I didn't care how the residents reacted to our appearance, I hoped that they wouldn't decide to do something to the girl when I left for the barrier or the city.

Returning home, it was clear that Lualia was worried about the behavior of the residents, I did not have the opportunity to say what could calm her down.

Sitting down on the bed and thinking about when to go back to the barrier, I had no more things to do in this city, and Keirin was waiting for me in the camp with the rest of the girls, I had the idea of ​​getting a rune stone and contacting her, remembering that they would try to contact me from the academy, I discarded thought.

- Rikua, you can leave the room, I need to change clothes. - I heard a girl's voice that pulled me out of my thoughts.

Raising my head to her, I saw that she had put things on her bed, nodded to her and left the room, I began to feel hungry.

Looking around the kitchen and deciding to wait for Lualia, sitting down on an old chair that creaked and looking around the table, it was difficult for me to understand how it was possible to cook here.

My inability to cook could have affected my travels. I heard the door open behind me. Turning my head, I saw my companion who was dressed in short shorts and a long T-shirt. Her hair was loose, it was clear that she was blushing from my gaze and froze.

- Don't look at me like that, you're embarrassing me! - Lualia said in a quiet, shy voice, covering her face with her hair.

Blinking and observing the girl's behavior, it was difficult for me to understand her behavior, but when I looked away from her, I heard her begin to approach me again.

- Probably like me you are hungry, sorry we don't have the food you are used to. - The girl turned to me while continuing to cook something.

I tried to watch her cook, but like Keirin, she did everything quickly and it was difficult for me to understand what she was mixing with what, an unusual smell began to spread throughout the house.

My stomach started making sounds, I felt uncomfortable in front of the girl, but either she didn't hear while she was cooking or didn't talk about it.

- Tomorrow I will go beyond the Lualia barrier, and after that I will leave your city. - I turned to her while watching her cook.

Hearing my voice, she froze and then again continued to mix something. I didn't see her face, but we both understood that I wouldn't stay in the city for long.

- I understand, but you can stay later if you want, I think the elders will find you housing. - Lualia turned to me after a short silence.

Shaking my head, I was interested in the city and its history, which I had the opportunity to study, but Keirin and the academy were waiting for me, as well as Cassandra, who couldn't be away for a long time because of the wedding ritual.

- I don't have the opportunity to stay here, maybe when I don't have other things to do, I'll come back and spend some time here. On the way to the gate, I discovered the remains that lay. Do you know anything about those who tried to get to the barrier? - I turned to her, remembering the remains on the road.

The girl, having heard the news about the remains that I came across, turned around, surprise and shock were noticeable in her gaze.

- When I was still little, a light elf arrived in the city who wanted to solve the barrier that surrounded part of the city, but he disappeared. The elders just shrugged and said that they didn't know where he went, but it turns out his remains were always here. - The girl said with sadness in her voice; it was clear from her gaze that she was recalling past events.

Trying to tell her what I saw on the remains, the girl confirmed that it was a light elf, she still remembered his strange clothes.

I had suspicions that the barrier destroyed his magical sphere and the light elf died immediately. I was wondering why the light elf got so far from busy cities and violated the ancient rule not only to enter the forest, but especially not to enter the capital of a bygone race.

Whether he knew something about the chosen gods or whether he continued to believe in gods, we will no longer know.

After waiting for the girl to cook and eating the soup, which resembled blood and various vegetables were floating inside, even I was surprised by the tastes and did not try to hide it, the girl just smiled at my behavior.

Perhaps she thought that I, as a wanderer, rarely eat normal food; after finishing the girl, she washed the dishes; by her behavior, I saw that she was tired, just like me.

Having returned to the room and turning off the magic lamps, we went to bed, giving the messenger's armor a comfortable look, under a still surprised look, I climbed into bed, falling asleep.