Standing at the edge of the giant island that meant everything to me, I look down to see clouds. Just thick, pure white clouds. Clouds that hid a different land that I only know about from ancient books and stories.
'I made myself up. I will not back down now from doing this.'
With determination eched into my face, I cluch my sling bag tightly and take a few steps back. I take a deep breath and run to the edge, closing my eyes tightly as I jump off.
I open my eyes to see the world upside down. Up, there is Nirvana, a floating land above the pacific ocean. It takes only a few seconds for the land I deemed my home to dissappear behind the clouds like a forgotten memory.
'Iwonder how much time it'll take to notice I'm gone.' I drift into curious thoughts as the fog that was submerging land finally clears. I try to maneuver in order to get a better vision of my landing point without tearing my neck apart.
"Is that....water?"
Only half a second after that, I slammed head first into the ocean.
———
The surroundings were cold and free. I open my eyes to see and feel liquid engulfing me. I look around to find my exit, I saw darkness, then looked up to see light. Though I was curious of what lies in the dark, It would be best to explore Crescentia's oceans some other time, so I head toward the light. It took a few minutes of swimming to finally get out of the deep ocean and find land. I looked up to see the night sky filled with stars and the larger moon shining down only to feel the only familiarity in this foreign land.
My clothes, a white coat filled with embroidered patterns with fur trims along the collar and sleeves, meant for a freezing weather was drenshed. All my clothes were actually, including the thin black halter top adorned with golden ornaments, and a white oversized pants with black belt that I was wearing under my winter coat. My boots survived, but I can't say the same about my socks. I decided that it would be best to take all my clothes off and let them dry out in the morning before moving.
I climb a hill nearby to get an understanding of my location. The view was astonishing to say the least. The sky was sparkling with stars and the moon and mountains reflected on the vast sea that endlessly streached to a thin line connecting to the shining night sky. Such oceans that me and my people could not see a glimpse of from so high up were so breathtakingly beautiful. Such a cruel word to hide such a view from up. I should capture this moment to show to Xavier later.
"Crescentia looks really different compared to Nirvana..."
I turn away from the sea and squint my eyes only to spot a far off sign.
"Златомир-город."
Golden peace city.
"Great, I have a destination now."
___________________
I woke up the next morning or more of an afternoon in my makeshift camp of a bed made of sand and a small fire I lit up with small, dry branches that I found in a nearby forest, my clothes hanged up on nearby rocks to dry up. I stood up and bathed in the water to clean up the sand. Then, I wore my dried clothes and made my way to the golden city.
It took two nights to finally reach the city. The weather was brutally freezing with white snow wherever may your eyes land and a few blizzards from time to time.
Once I became close enough, I decided to take a short break to observe the city from afar. I stood on a hill and spied quietly, I saw a line of people in a gate-looking-entrance going one at a time to hand something to two guys wearing the same outfit, a blue shirt with a white 'X' and matching blue pants with what looks like guns in hand.
"A checkpoint."
that was the first thought that glimmered in my mind. Which was a problem, since Crescentia is big it's people had to rely on recorded information and identities to recognize each other. Quite...pathetic if you ask me.
Which raises my current problem: I'm not Crescentian. I don't have any idea on how the identification system works here.
It was the obvious decision to sneak in.
If I just Manipulate my Noctis to the faintest level possible it will be hard to perceive me. I take a deep breath and start quelling the Noctis in my body until it reaches an almost non existent level.
I head to the gate slowly and casually. Passing by the guards and line of people undetected. It was.....easier than I thought it would be.
Once I enter the city I gradually start releasing my Noctis to its usual level. We don't want to raise alarm by suddenly appearing, it's best to go slow so it hard to detect changes. Just a casual appearance.
I stroll the golden peace city quietly. The people here seem to have a very high life quality. I once read that in Crescentia, to evaluate a city's or a nation's economy I need to evaluate the people. Their appearance, moral, and number. This city seems to lack none of the above. Most the people here seem to have high quality clothing, of course it doesn't mean you don't see a street rat in an alley from time to time but the majority is the priority.
They also seem to be happy and peaceful. I tried calculating the size of the city from afar but if even my eyesight can't see the end of it, it must be quite the size. 'Could it perhaps be a capital city?'
As I continue to ponder and evaluate the golden peace city, various murmurs and gossip reaches my ears.
"Look at that guy....so pale...."
"That's not a guy, that's clearly a girl."
"You think?"
"Yeah....? ....Maybe?"
I decide moving on, paying attention to gossip is the least of my current priorities.
I spot a place called 'Jean's library' and wasted no time in entering. I needed to to know how much they're wisdom reaches.
The exterior of the library was damp, cold and ancient looking, the aroma of paper filled the air. A young girl that seems to be in her twenties, with a slightly pale skin, short furious red hair, brown eyes that resemble the color of honey, and an outfit of a simple white dress and a brown vest with a name tag. "Ania" was sitting behind the counter. She greeted me with a polite smile and opened her mouth to speak.
"Good evening. Is there anything I can help you with?" She spoke in a gentle tone and cunning stare that lasted only for a moment.
"I would like to ask if there's any books related to Nirvana here?" I replied, studying Ania's expression carefully.
"...Do you mean ancient Buddhism's paradise?" Ania questions my intention with hidden suspicion and masked with politeness.
"No. If you mind, would it be possible to answer another question of mine, miss?" I got what I needed. So I quickly change the subject. "Where and when are we?"
Ania looks at me with more confusion than composed suspicion this time. Either way, she replies, this time making way for nervousness. "We're in....Russia, golden peace city. It's March 21th, 8345.
"Thank you for your time. Have a nice day, miss." I thank her politely and turn to leave.
I exit the library leaving Ania to herself and continued my exploration of the golden city. My destination is clear but how to get there is unknown for now.
I find a ridiculously tall building filled with glass windows and I come to a halt. The city's reflection was filled with billboards, yet everything else was black and souless, the colorful screens are the only thing that seems to truly to light up the city. If I could describe the city in one sentence, I would say "a sad beauty."
In the reflection, I see my destination. A tavern. In Nirvana, I often read that taverns and bars tend to have secret illegal businesses that can offer anything in exchange for currency, and that is exactly what I need at the moment. It was quite far down the street, I make my way there my thoughts clouded with the realization of how Crescentia knows nothing of Nirvana. Not even its existence. 'Should I reveal it? That would be a bad idea. Given Crescentia's long history in destroying itself, telling them about Nirvana would be a dangerous territory.'
I arrive at the tavern where the scent of alcohol and the sounds of laughter and conversation filled the air. I take a seat at the bartender table.
"Whatever you recommend."
"Right away, sir. How about classic red wine?" Which was was the polite reply to my order from the bartender.
"Very well" I reply unconsciously. Drinking after all was not my objective.
The bartender, a man that looks in his late thirties with slick pulled down brown hair and an unimpressed expression. He was wearing what seemed to look like a classic uniform, a red tuxedo, a white shirt and black tie and pants.
He takes a few minutes before sliding me a glass of that "wine".
"How has the days been lately?" I question with little apparent curiosity, I had no interest in that but I have to be careful.
"It's bit warmer these past few days." The bartender replies flatly, sensing my observing gaze.
'Warm? Is he joking? This is "warm"??'
"May I ask how the identification system works here? I question the bartender, now letting on more curiosity to get a better answer. "I just arrived and I'm trying to stay out of trouble." Which was a part truth and part lie.
Thankfully, the bartender answers genuinely. "We use the azera system like all other countries does for convenience. As long as you have all of your information clean and your identity confirmed, you should run into no problems, sir."
"Thank you." I thank him dryly.
The bartender's gaze narrows slightly. "For someone who seemed to have just arrived, your Russian seems quite fluent." He waits for my answer as he wipes thin wine glasses.
I ignore his question completely, starting my main objective."....I've been searching for something lately. Do you think you can help me find it?"
"If you have lost something, sir. I will advise you to report it to the authori—"
"I'm looking for some "problematic" services, and I am wondering if this pleace offers such services." I said as I slide a gold coin sneakily.
The bartender fliches and looks at me as if I grew a second head.
"Who did you rob? The tsar?" The bartender scoffs at me, clearly dismissing the coin's legitimacy, because dismissing it's worth would be very ridiculous.
Gold. A metal Crescentians fancied as long as time remembers for its Shiney and exquisite color. It became a symbol of wealth and prosperity. As expected to any of Crescentia's stories I heard before, it's worth became it's downfall. It has became so rare on Crescentia after its abusive use over the time. The probability to achieve 100% Noctis compatibility is much higher than seeing a single shunk of gold. In Crescentia at least.
Despite the bartender's apparent disbelief and suspicion, he kept his voice low and leaned it to hide the coin.
"You can take a closer look." I whisper back confidently.
The bartender wastes no time like he was waiting for a challenge. He quickly materializes a devise that seems to be some kind of scanner. He puts it over the cold coin sneakily and only a few seconds later, I get my answer.
"....Very well. Please follow me to the back, dear costumer!~"
The bartender leads me to a quite storage where he reveals a keypad and entered a password, opening the door to reveal a staircase downward.
"After you, sir. I shall take you to the boss. I'm sure whatever service you're looking for, he will not disappoint!"
"You better, after all I will sell you such valuable treasure."
The bartender nods with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes as he leads me down the narrow stair case with each few steps there was a small circle lamp lighting the space.
After a few minutes or going down we finally arrive at flat floor. Soft music fills my ears, the lighting was light. I hear joyous sheers and helpless whimpers. Different kinds of tables filled the floor with a big wheel beside an expensive looking car and motocyle. Men wearing all kind of colorful suits sit at the tables, the more women they get surrounded with, the more you see their arrogance.
"A gambling den, huh?"
"Certainly, sir. Please feel free to enjoy your time here after you settle things with the boss."
"I sure will."
The bartender continues leading me through the crowd until we reach a door all the way in the back. He knocks softly and a deep voice calls out from with in.
"Come in, Louis."