As they reached the bridge, they became even more surprised and shocked of its size and everything around it,the imense fortress at the end of it that looked like something out of fantasy books,it looked like it blended with the forests and mountains around it,sunlight slighty lumining the sharp spires,light reflecting from them against the dark clouds,you could see some big creatures flying over it,to its left was a very big river with an immmense waterfall,the scenery was very bautiful and ancient,with a dark vibe to it.
"That..."
Dak wanted tot continue but he stopped,he did not knew what more could he say
"Beautiful right?"
Someone touched his shoulder from behind
"That's where we will stay after passing the trials,our new home!"
Dak and the others at him
"Who are you?"
Asked the man,Ozias
"Oh,right,my mistake"
"I did not introduce myself, hahaha"
'Interesting guy'
Tought Matthew smiling
"My name is Arkadius,nice to met you"
The man told the boy his name and he reached towards Dak for a handshake
"Dak,Dak Danvers,nice to meet you also!"
Dak wasn't really pleased at the beginning but after seeing his character he happily took the handshake,liking his attitude,the rest of boys also got to know each other but still,their minds were atracted by the scene in front of them
It looked majestic,beatiful,words were not enough to describe how beautiful and out of this world the scenery looked,there were also a lot of birds,not the birds from earth,but other kinds of birds,they were in all of colors,but two of them made scenery like i fairy tale,yellow birds singing above the trees while flying,they gave a sense of freedom like no other
The boys stopped a little,they got stunned by the scenery without even realizing,Zeven was admiring the clouds and the big waterfall,it looked amazing in his eyes,he for sure wanted to visit that place
"It's really stunning, isn't it?"
Matthew spooke with him
"It really is,brother,i want to go visit"
Zeven really wanted to see that place closer
"We will surely visit it after we will finish everything,guys"
Told them Kael
Sudenly someone behind them spooke,ruining the atmosphere
"You boys look weak,i doubt you could even reach the stairsway let alone take a place in the coven"
A man from behind stepped in the front telling the others that did not knew
He looked arrogant,smirking and standing in a position that you could easily see how big he is
"Is that so?"
Asked Zeven with the same smile,thought,it wasn't really a question
"Do we seem weak to you?"
Asked Zeven the man again
"Weak?Hahaha"
"No,you don't look weak"
That man said to Zeven while laughing, but his face slowy darkened and the laughing stopped
"You re not worthy of walking this ground"
"Is that so?"
Asked Ozias,he looked like he was contemplating something serious but his smile made it a little weird to the man
"We will see later what makes you so special to be this arrogant"
Kael said to the man frowning
"Remember this name later,Kaspian"
"You will hear it again"
The man said still arrogantly then left,puting a cod air around him
"Wow,this guy is really something,haha "
Said Arkadius laughing
"Don't mind that arrogant man, he talks sience we left Varkas, he likes to brag and be arrogant,guys like this love to hear themselves talk,haha"
They walked again towards the forest under them,they walked past the trees
The boys were bored and tired,they wanted to do something,suddenly
Dak came
"I have an idea,let me show you one of my talents guys"
"Mhm"
"Ahem..."
Dak was gonna sing
"The morning called my weary name,
Beyond the hills, beyond the flame."
The boys were kinda surprised but pleased,liking the song
"The road is long, the sky is wide,
We'll chase the dawn with hope as guide."
Even the other candidates liked the songs and aproached closer to him to hear it better
"Raise your eyes where mountains stand,
No fear can chain a restless hand."
Zeven was smiling,the road was feeling easier and they din't forget to live even in another world.
"If fate should test both heart and blade,
We'll carve our path where legends fade."
"Sing, my brothers, don't look back,
Leave your footprints on the track."
"Storm or sunlight, night or day,
Forward still-we'll find our way."
"One more step and one more mile,
Carry pain with just a smile."
"When our story's finally told,
May our hearts stay brave and bold."
Arkadius really liked the song
"Where did you learn this beatiful song?"
He asked Dak
Dak lowered his head,tought for a but then he raised his head smiling and said
"My home'"
After a while they stopped
"Tonight we will camp here,tommorow we will be there,this will be your last peaceful day,so get some rest!"
"Enjoy your last peaceful night"
"From tommorow onward... nothing will ever be the same"
A soldier which were leading them from the front,told everyone loudly
"Let's gather some wood and make a fire camp"
Told the boys Zeven
"Alright,Dak,Kael,come with me"
Said Matthew
"Zeven,you make the tents?"
Asked Matthew
"Yeah,me and Ozias"
"Alright"
Said Matthew and then left
An hour later everything was ready,the boys were around the bonfire
Everyone were discusing things,getting to know each other better,telling unique stories
Zeven was staring deeply at the bonfire while frying some meat
Matthew who was holding two wooden cups
"Drink"
He streched his hand to him,giving q cup to him
"Thanks"
Said Zeven then he took a gulp
"Are you fine?"
"Why do you think so deeply?"
"You have been really quiet"
"Have i?"
"Yeah,what is on you mind brother?"
Zeven poked some burned wood with the stick
"I'm fine"
Zeven tried to assure him but,he couldn't
"You think too much"
Told him Matthew
"Mhm"
"Maybe"
Said Zeven chukling
"I'm here,in another world,standing before a bonfire,not knowing that tommorow awaits for us"
"It happened so fast"
"Its... strange"
"Haha"
He laughed silently and weird to himself
Matthew stayed silent,watching the fire then up above at the sky
"Do you regret coming here?"
He asked him calmy and silent, just for the two of them
"...No"
Answered Zeven
"I'm a little scared,but there is nothing to regret "
"If i stayed behind..."
"I would have spent the rest of my life wondering what would have happened if i took that step"
He continued saying while looking sharp at the fire before him
The others were already asleep
So Matthew also left to sleep
"Try to get some help,we need you tommorow, brother"
Zeven nodded
"Yeah"
Matthew smiled before going inside his tent
After a while,Zeven looked behind him,everyone left to sleep
Now only him, the crackling sounds of the fire and the distant sound of falling water remained
Nothing but silence
He stayed a little more admiring the fire and everything around and above it,peaceful... perhaps for the last time
Everything would change tommorow
After a while,he stood up,he looked at the distant fortress deeply,then he went in the tent,falling to sleep.