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Vibrant colors welcomed the newcomers as they followed Orlando through the city. Their oxygen masks had been abandoned, the city being protected inside of a clear, gel like dome. Derrin got the feeling that he was inside a large coral reef, an idea that wasn’t entirely wrong. Each building was made of a spongy material of some bright shade. Reds, yellows, greens, blues, and every other imaginable color littered the landscape. It seemed to Derrin that they were on the main road: tall buildings stood on either side, rising stories above the rest of the city, and ahead of them lay the biggest on of all. That’s the castle, Derrin thought. They continued on, and still they did not venture off the main road as the castle loomed ever closer.

Kayla began to ask a question, but was cut off by Orlando, “Yes, that’s where we’re headed. You’ll understand better when we get there.” With that, silence ensued. It’s strange how the world around one can be noisy, boisterous, and completely consuming, yet can feel as quiet as death when those around one are cut off from them, Kayla mused. Finally, after what felt like hours of uncomfortable silence in the group, they arrived. The front gate was shut tight, but at the sight of the Orlando the guards in front of it gasped in surprise and signaled to above for the doors to be opened.

The display of power from Orlando disconcerted the pair as they continued on in silence. Orlando led them on past dozens of guards and attendants, not one of whom made any protest. Up and up they went, climbing the stairs until they reached the ultimate floor. Onward, Orlando went, until he reached another large pair of doors. Upon the doors was the depiction of a great fish, meticulously detailed and spanning both doors. Its fins were made of radiant coral and its body was covered in glittering jewels.
Orlando walked up to the doors, knocked twice, and stood.

For several seconds no reply came forth, and then, slowly, the doors began to shift open. Inch by inch, they rotated inward until, finally, the came to a screeching halt. Derrin and Kayla gasped in unison; past the doors lay an area completely unlike the rest of the building. Streams flowed throughout the area and seaweed ruffled in their currents, semitranslucent crystal walls defined rooms. Orlando led them further along confidently, disregarding attendants and servants completely. As they moved along, the grandeur of the area increased. Walls were decorated with coral, streams were more clear, and the lighting brighter. Everything sparkled in a way that felt more phantasmagorical than real. At last, they approached the ending to the walkway, and as they came to a stop, they found themselves in a grand throne room. Upon the coral throne sat a man, well built and scarred from a life full of battle.

As the apparent king saw Orlando, his eyes widened, “You have returned. When you left in such a fury I did not expect you back here so soon, my son.” Both Derrin and Kayla had guessed that Orlando had some prestigious rank or connection to the leaders of the city by now, but nothing to this extent. Surprise had quickly flashed forth before either could conceal it.

“Neither did I,” Orlando answered, a hint of bitterness detectable in his voice. “Unexpected… events changed that though.”

“I see; you have brought guests!”

“Yes, something this city has not had in a long time.”

The king leaned forward in his throne and stared for a second at Kayla. “Would you mind stepping a bit closer, Madame?” Kayla was taken aback slightly, but obliged. Derrin began to feel nervous, and his hand instinctively went to his pack of stars. After a moment, the king let out a hardy chuckle, “I knew I recognized you from somewhere, Kayla! You’ve grown quite a bit since we last met several years ago. Who would have imagined that, the granddaughter of Crawford, the leader of the Guiding Force at that, down here in Aquarius!?”

Like, gasp! How does the king of Aquarius know the Guiding Force’s leader? Does he have a connection to the battle between the Hand and the Guiding Force? Find out in next week’s (Okay, tomorrow’s, I’m trying to make it like a show’s preview. Humor me.) episode!

P.S. You know that thing in anime when a character gets really pissed or dumbfounded and their eyes get big and white like O_O? Well Kayla’s gonna have one of those moments next time (Or in the upcoming chapters, I’m not sure), so be ready. The signal to imagine her like that will be “**.” Got it? Don’t fail me.