A wall made of hardened dirt and rocks rose as high as hundreds of metres. Some might think that they are fragile or could not bear the strength of a beast, but that is why Requim abilities are often considered magical. These tall walls had just risen in the previous days.
Myriad of insects were constantly trying to break and climb the walls. These insects were around hundreds of feet long and a couple of feet wide — that was just the average size, however. Some insects, like huge ants, were narrower than giant arthropleura and other such insects.
A huge butterfly was flying far above, though. It was holding a man who was shining brightly. His lower body was glowing like the sun, effectively hidden from plain sight.
The butterfly was not alone however, there were millions of other insects flying towards the walls — not exactly.
[There is a special wall here, stopping these giant insects]
This voice was ringing in Elias's mind — the priest could not talk in his butterfly form thus used Requim to communicate in his mind.
Elias felt something wash over him; it was similar to having cool wind carry you or cold water enveloping one in hot sunlays.
Soon they passed the invisible barrier stopping the insects; Elias could not help but see the remains of cities outside the barrier and the agitation of the insects after seeing him get inside.
Inside the walls, the world was far different than the tribes. He remembered snippets of his life in the tribe — thankfully it allowed its members to not have the tribe's name in their name or he would have to deal with this Red Tiger Empire's society.
Just inside the invisible wall Elias saw a huge waterfall which seemingly fell from the sky into the core of the world. He looked beneath him; lines and rows of huge black bunkers made from a strange fabric were spread with multiple Chinen constantly moving from one place to another like flys.
Alongside the bunkers, there were long water channels which stretched towards the end of the horizon.
The giant butterfly continued flying though it went closer and closer to the waterfall. Before Elias could say anything, he found a bubble of light covering him and the priest.
He could not see out of the bright white dome as they presumably flew into the giant waterfall.
They seemed to travel for quite a long time, about ten minutes. Just when Elias was about to ask how much time it would take, the ivory light in front of him dissipated and revealed the beautiful city.
Directly in front of him was an insurmountable spire — its heights rivaling the mountains and the waterfall. It was of dark green colour with huge flowers dangling around it.
As the butterfly carrying him flew closer to it, he found a vast plain plate around it — it was extremely flat and had an uncountable number of tall buildings in it. Looking closer, he saw that most of the buildings had pointed roofs and red colour scheme.
Elias felt that the air was warm and humid and tasted like freshwater as the butterfly flew towards the huge spire.
The priest was lowering himself at a steady pace as he carried Elias to the bottom of the spire.
As they landed, Elias saw that everyone around him wore a weird and refined type of animal skin and extremely expensive clothes.
Usually the tribes never wear the Empirical clothes due to their price and unaffordable repairment. Thus Elias had only worn animal skins and leaves bound by vines rather than clothes.
Elias was dumbfounded and didn't even notice when he entered a huge building.
"This is Ha teaching centre, take these Requim crystals and this paper and buy some clothes and rest at the Haoki residence, show them the paper and they will let you stay there for a few days.'
…What?
"When you think you are ready, enter this centre and I'll start teaching you; do not take more than… six to seven sunlays though."
***
Dawn carefully inspected the crime scene, if it could be called one. It has no traces of blood — just torn leaves and grass.
She had concluded that it was a kidnapping; however, one thing was still bothering her.
How did Flieday's ape hide from Inky?
She had never said it outright, but Inky was a grade three beast — far superior to most, if not every grade 2 breast.
She could still sense the connection to her squid so inky was not harmed.
Her deep black eyes opened as she came to a sudden realization.
She is not alone; there is one more demon among us
…
A pale hand emerged from the dark black tree's bark, snatching a young girl into it.
[You cannot give me your own heart.]
I really have no choice now…
Flieday once again found herself floating in darkness. She looked around and moved her limbs trying to sense anything around her, to sense anything.
Should I just… give up?
As she was doing that, she muttered, "How much has Hadrien healed?"
[Heal? He has reverted to about 20% of his original self; his vital organs are mostly intact.]
Flieday sighed and closed her eyes.
I have finally found my goal… I cannot give up easily now
"I will use his heart then."