The ride back to their abode – or rather, owner’s place – was awkward.

Particularly since Joah was not around. In the last six months that Tyler trained for the deadly competition, owner’s right-hand man was the one he had more contact with.

Hair and eyes a light hazel, skin a lively, dark shade of the roasted, mountainous valleys along Northeast, Joah was the typical man in looks, but not in status, or bearing. It was a prestigious and well-respected position for a freeman of Middle class to serve an Echelon like Kovan – an Upper class. And like Kovan, he carried a polished demeanor, but differed with an ever-pleasant nature and easy smile.

Tyler likened him to cocoa beans – a well-loved snack that is hard to come by, and a welcome delight at any time of day.

In contrast, Kovan was a near polar-opposite. In looks, if Joah was the valley, Kovan was the sun sitting atop the cliffs. As far as common traits go, the only trait common about him was his light hazel skin. The rest of him, was uncommon.

His sun kissed hair was the hallmark of the privileged. His emerald eyes, rare and extraordinary. His face, an arrangement of handsome facets. To sum it up, Tyler had never been awestruck by a man at first sight.

Tyler, had been told he himself was fair looking, though he considered his dark hazel skin and burnt burgundy hair nothing out of the ordinary. In fact, he found his cheeks too high, chin too pointed and almond-shaped eyes too small.

Much unlike Kovan, who was gifted with the biggest eyes Tyler had ever seen. It emphasized his bright green irises, giving an enigmatic effect, making Tyler’s head swim, drawn into those lucid depths the first time they met. For long months after that, he couldn’t forget about him, hypnotic emerald orbs ghosting in and out his head like a phantom.

Only on the second time they crossed paths, that the wonder and admiration died, since he learned Kovan wrangled with his fate and forced him into a service bond without his consent.

Needless to say, Tyler was still bitter about it. At least Joah made it bearable with his warm accompany. Granted, Joah was tasked to look over him. However, despite the chore, and their class difference, Joah was never once rude or conceiting. Tyler believed in his sincere eyes and caring gestures. In the cruel path Tyler was forced to walk, Joah was the light at his side who helped him cope, and kept him going.

Since the last two weeks however, Tyler was suddenly moved into Owner’s place in the Upper quadrant. There was no trace of Joah; Kovan blandly informed he was away settling some business for him. Which brought them to their current arrangement – Kovan driving the jet-sedan with Tyler in the passenger seat. Now that the race was over, Tyler had the capacity to notice how odd it was. It was uncomfortable, to say the least, since a bondsman should be the one on the wheel, chauffeuring his owner, and not the other way around.

Tyler quickly volunteered to be the one driving, words coming out slightly rushed, and panicky.

A chuckle escaped Kovan.

“Thanks for the consideration,” he threw a quick, sidelong glance, “But I’d rather not risk totaling my beloved ride.”

Tyler bristled instantly, taking affront at Kovan’s insinuation that he – an ex-crafter, who had test driven a whole slew of conveyance-rides –was a mediocre driver.

A retort rose up his throat, but he bit it back at the last minute. Instead, he propped his elbow against the guardrail and glumly sank his cheek into his palm, looking out the side visors to keep his attention on something else.

The Volcan tracks were much closer to the Upper quadrant, which sat near the foot of the opposite side of the mountain valley. If Tyler was still boarded in the Middle quadrant, it would have been a long ride since they would have to go the long way around. No wonder Kovan brought him to room in his place. He would save plenty on travelling time, able to take a shortcut through the ravine that cut right through the jagged valley.

Before long, the Upper quadrant came into view as stacks of shining, dark swords, rising out the earth like an army of Vanguards keeping vigil watch. The towering architectures were mostly Obsidian, dug from the valley bed, where there laid a thick recess of volcanic rock. Varied other Silica composites added to the construction, ensuring strength and stability.

Drawing nearer, thick slices of semi-circular stone disks segregated the sprawling, massive columns, extending in irregular arrangement akin to the bestial growths of giant shelled fungus on a trunk. Even so, the shambolic array of disks does not diminish their beauty.

The structures glinted under the sun, almost blinding, from reflecting the bright sunrays. It was like a declaration of their stature, that their soaring, shining heights were a Heaven’s leap from the Lower dwellings.

After all, this was the playground and living quarters of the Echelon. Here, the rich, Upper class folk barely suffered the beating of the sun. An extensive network of Sycamores entwined with Serpent’s Breath, formed vast canopies that provided shelter for most of the sector. The mist released by the Creeper also kept the area cool and moist, so the Echelon didn’t battle with swathing heat either.

Nearing five hundred yards, the leafy canopy could be seen, looking like tributaries of greens, snaking in between solid black structures, seemingly hovering in mid-air.

At that moment, Kovan flipped open the cap of the air-valve, whilst increasing speed. Air rushed into the values and entered the connecting air sacs beneath the chassis, creating buoyancy. Tyler felt lightness beneath his feet as the jet-sedan gradually levitated, hovering almost a yard above ground. Kovan then pulled down a lever, ejecting small side fins, lending updraft.

The jet-sedan, quickly ascended.

They rose over hundred feet, above the tall Sycamores that were at their full heights, rather than the stunted ones at the Volcan grounds. They glided along the same pane as the other jet-sedans, as the grounds below the canopy were strictly walkways only, and not for conveyance-rides of that size.

The other rides shared the same basic structure and make and the similarity, ended there.

Coverlets in varying designs of lavish brocades, wrapped the main skeleton, and was further embellished with decorative ornaments. Many, flaunted added filigree atop the crown, weaved with Link-ores that splayed dazzling sparkles of lights. It didn’t seem to matter that the frivolous elements added additional weight, and increased air resistance, slowing down their ride. Their jet-sedans was made for leisure and comfort, and more importantly, was an outlet for displaying their prestige.

In contrast, Kovan’s ride was wrapped in the original alabaster skin, with modest, yet elegant motifs painted in opal dust, rather than embroidered in threads, keeping to minimum weight. And it was completely clean of ornaments or filigree, keeping to the aerodynamic principle it was originally crafted for. It was something Tyler quietly approved, preferring understated sophistication to excessive, garish decorations.

With their lighter weight and reduced air resistance, they glided past the other jet-sedans quickly, but didn’t go any faster. Granted, there were many carriages in flight, but if up to Tyler, he was surely able to maneuver them through the tight spaces. Kovan was likely just not skilled enough, but he kept his thoughts to himself. He wasn’t in a place to criticize his owner after all.

At their speed, Tyler could catch clear views of individual, richly furnished abodes that fanned both sides of the flight pane. Folks stayed within sprawling, circular, Silica disks wedged along the thick, Obsidian pillar. Many disks were also irregular shaped, fanning out from the core support, with sufficient height spaced out in intervals between them. The disks started above the canopy, and continued climbing upwards. From his vantage point, they were like staggered flatbeds leading to Heaven.

Roughly half of such disks were laid open in obvious pride, showcasing their abundant wealth. The floorings were lavish – a speckled explosion of colors, thanks to the sunlight reflecting off the varied inlay of crystalline rocks. The rest of their living spaces were furnished with the pinnacle of artisanship and the zenith of luxury – from the intricately carved wooden furniture, to the filigree arches partitioning the rooms, and the diaphanous gildings produced by strings of Link-ore.

The chambers that were shielded from outside eyes, were equally showy. Curtains of precious beads, or exorbitant pelts of exotic creatures, were drawn closed over the rooms for privacy. But by the use of those luxurious materials, it was obvious the Echelon spared no expense, and wasted no opportunity to boast their status.

Which made Kovan all the more mystifying.

Reaching Owner’s abode, was like approaching a place of a different ethos, because his aesthetic sense was worlds apart from his neighbors. A large, white tapestry hung close to the outer rim, completely plain and clean, except for a striking black circle at the center.

In its simplicity, his place stood out against the sea of splendor.

And behind that curtain, were sparse, plain interiors, almost ascetic-like, by comparison against the other folks of his status.