127. 48 Hours. *

Civitaas Dei.

It was said to be the oldest city on Longinus, boasting a thousand years of documented history.

159 - Cortez Kings.

211 - Aragona Popes.

Since its founding it maintained a steady number of blessed mostly in popes or kings family but never an true army.

The pope had his priests numbered in tens of thousands but as far as the king's man?

Maybe less than Emet village.

Faith and Crown. What a farce..

It might have been different some point but since I lived on this planet the royal family is nothing but puppets and if rumours true some times toys for the previous Pope's personal use.

The city itself was ..breath taking, literally.

We were falling..

I remembered my first time..the wonder. The sight..the fear of helplessness.

Now even ice cold, I just enjoyed the ride.

The city were surrounded not by walls but hundreds of giant 60 feet square stone towers, it housed something called devil's fire and it said to be an indistinguishable flame.

It lights up the water like pitchers.

Space for dozens of holy arches. Priests raised with the bow since they could walk.

I saw the gigantic church of Saint Sophia towering out from the tiny houses surrounded it.

It's glass work reflected the sun and its size were even more impressive from this distance.

I wish we could see the inside but we were pressed for time.

I looked aside and caught a glimpse of Zephyr diving like an arrow cutting through the air.

He took quite a lead but before long he flipped around and reached out smiling.

I dove myself keeping my arms tightly on my side reaching out and touched his hand.

[SWOOSH]

We were about a two hundred feet above ground just outside of the towers.

[SWOOSH]

My surroundings blurred and I landed on the snowy grass with a loud thud knocking the air out of me. He landed on both feet some way kneeling and rolling in the snow before spring back up.

" That wasn't that bad.."

I ate some snow and mud was he was somewhat right.

We did just crossed country in less than a day.

I got up cleaning my self a little and cursing geography for placing this damned place so up north.

The towers were intimidating even as a grown man.

We used to climb them when we were younger and dared to annoy the holy archers with precise rocks landing on their heads.

" Let's go and get his over with. "

He smiled back playing with his wedding ring.

" Well said.."

He walked behind me as I took a look at my own ring..I didn't caress it or had any particular emotion towards it.

I hope to be as happy as him and the our family once we left for home.

Happy couples all of them.

One giant family without envy or hidden agendas.

I want this over already..he is right before once we were finished I probably only come back for Heimy.

" Who goes there! "

Two priests in white and light blue armor called us out nocking their arrows some distance away.

" It's Carlos Julius Em. Child of God Ehlite. "

They put their arrows away and rushed forward.

" We apologise revered one. And your y-you.."

The boy lost his speech looking at Zephyr who unwrapped his head and massaged his neck.

Their eyes only got larger moving them on his hair.

" He is my guest Zephyr Astoria."

He waived and mostly ignored their stares looking up at the towers.

" I s-see..welcome home Lord. Sir..please proceed."

Walking past them and entering under the archway we were greeted by a bustling early morning crowds.

" Pull something over your head, at least on the streets. "

Now that the archers saw him it will reach others but, at least we can avoid the commotion from others.

He covered himself but kept his eyes wide open.

It was a nostalgic seeing the familiar streets and shops still standing after all these years.

Soon enough..

I bunch of holy arches in perfect formation marched passed.

Here we go..

I grabbed him and pulled out the way so they can pass without unnecessary fuss.

The crowd bowed their heads in respect and gone back to their business once they walked away.

" Boy..I'm already annoyed. Image doing this everytime they appeared. "

" I don't have to imagine it Zeph... Lived it for almost thirty years. Now let's find a striders..it's a form transportation. " - I added once the local lingo confused him.

" Ahh..in the meantime tell me how our stay will go..a rough plan."

We passed some people in a hurry while I kept my eyes open for striders. " Basically we meet the family, my mother, father, maybe some cousins who happened to be here, then.. I'll leave for Yelena and be done with it. Tomorrow morning, I'll sign some papers with blood, and we can shop a little for the family before we leave. "

He smiled listening and pointed at the right. " Are those people we looking for? "

I looked and saw it was indeed a group of striders pulling a two seater half wagon. I waived them over.

" Take us to the main castle of Em estate. "

I climbed in and made space for him.

" So they basically they just human.. horses? How is that any better than just.. running? "

The wagon moved through the streets pulled by the three large man wearing heavy coats.

" It's not really.. " - I leaned back and rested and stretched my legs. " Its just to spare us the sweat. "

" Lazy people, got it..." - Zephyr adjusted himself and took a breather. " Still not much different than Malai..I expected more, flamboyant display. "

" In the summer this country comes alive and if you want flamboyant treatment, just wait until they see your power. "

" Is it necessary? I'll could use a break from this damned cold. "

I smiled how naive he was. " It's up to you of course. "

With the city passing from the merchants sectors towards the rich various supposed famous houses flashed with their opulent displays among them...

I elbowed his arms." See that big red one with the columns? That's the Anola main family house. We're close now. "

Passing her house knowing she's inside meant nothing to me, once again just wished to be done with this and head back. Visit the family vault and raid it. Shop a tiny bit and fly away.

The ride came to a slow end. I payed the poor devils and stepped outside.

" Holy archers.. Em, you family sure swimming in it huh? "

Zephyr shook his head looking at the just the gate surrounded most of the estate..and that was just main one..Gilly lived a little further up.

It was strange to be back only been a few years but it changed nothing.

Giant iron bars covering much or maybe more than Emet village. Soliders, actual soliders stood guard wearing the same colours mine did back at Malai.

" It's dreadful as it ever was.. " - I walked ahead taking some of my layers off. " Once inside they will ask questions, probing you but don't feel pressured. "

" Never do. "

His confidant smile actually made me nervous.

Ehlite, let him remember his promise to his wife and just let the count down begin.

We leave in 48 hours.