Beryu lead them towards the dedalus of streets and small plazas that composed the city. His pace was slow but steady, as his body knew exactly where to go, without the nedd of thinking. As a city guard, he probably knew every single ravine of Olympia but still, the way he moved with confidence in such an enormous city was surprising for the two siblings. “So, Jhun told me both of you will participate in the Tournament. Is it true?” The question was obviously directed to Ehrin. “Yes, it's the truth. Why?” The girl was still suspicious of that man: unlike his brother, who was able to believe everything he was told, she usually was the untrusty kind of person, especially in that city and in that situation. Even though the Tournament would have started the next day, there was story about an alternative kind of challenge; it was called the ‘Rookie Slaughter': it was a kind of tradition in which thosee who already took place in the Tournament but failed to succeed, tracked down the newbies just to defeat them. It was a petty and cowardly way to reduce the number of participants and, thus, raise the chances to win of the remainings. And that man was too nice and friendly: it was definetely suspicious.
Before Beryu could answer back, his legs stopped and he raise his face towards a banner, figuring a young and beautiful woman surrounded by flower and leaves. The “Anthea’s Inn". That was the name of one of the Deities of the nature. “Here we are, this is one of the best inn in all Olympia. What do you say if we talk more inside, in front of a place of good and hot food?”. Before she could reply back, Jhun had already surpassed the doorstep, entering the building. With a single sigh, Ehrin followed the brother inside. The place, apparently silent from the outside, exploded in a cacophony of voices, noises of plates and glasses and music as they entered the building. The main room was filled with long wooden tables, with chairs and benches. Waiters, dressed in uniforms, walked from one customer to another, serving their plates and drinks. The air was filled with the fragrances of roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, beef stew and aromatic beer. Even though she didn't want to admit it, not in front of Beryu, Ehrin was hungry and her stomach decided to prove it by emitting a long and roaring growl. Her cheeks blushed in embarassement, while Jhun greeted her with a small grin. “Shall we seat?” Beryu raised his hand towards a small woman behind the counter and she nodded in response: he lead the way towards a small round table on the farthest angle of the inn, big enough for the three of them. As they took place, the woman approached, laying her hands on the shoulders of Beryu. “Hello, dear. The usual? And who are these children?” The word children made the eyes of Ehrin livid with anger but the woman ignored it. “Hello, Simone. They're — and he lowered the volume of thr voice to that of a whisper — participants of the Tournament". The news made Simone open her mouth for the surprise; she started moving her look from Beryu to the siblings and backwards, still not convinced of what she had heard. “Anyway, the usual for me. For these two, the best dish you can offer today, Simone!”.
The look on Jhun's face was of ravenous and his stomach agreed with his eyes: the dish Simone served them was beautiful: the roasted chicken had a golden and crisp layer of skin, underneath which there was a succulent and lucid white meat, easily separated from the bone as soft as it was; the soft and yellow mashed potatoes melted inside the mouth and the chickpeas were crunchy and flavoured with a blend of different spices, from sweet paprika to oregano. He devoured that delicious dish in a moment, alternating with sip of dark, chocolate-flavoured beer. Simone also served them a dessert, consisting in an apple pie, rich in cinnamon. At the end, their bellis were full and their spirits happy. “Now that you don't have an hungry stomach, why don't we talk a bit more about the Tournament" said Beryu. “You asked me the reason of my questions, Ehrin. Just curiosity, plain and simple. Cause it's not everyday that you see some young contestants like you two. How old are you, by the way?” "Eighteen" answered Ehrin “and he's one year younger.” Beryu look surprised: he didn't expect that age. “The second reason that I wanted to take you to dinner was to protect you.” Now the surprised look appeared on Ehrin face. Beryu continued: ”I don't know if you're aware, but the Tournament is not the only competition. In the days before its start, most of the rookies get caught in a warfare where those who had previously lost try to beat as much newbies as they can, lower-" “lowering the number of competitors. Yes, I'm aware of the ‘Rookie Slaughter'" concluded Ehrin. Jhun looked at both of them, not really understanding what was going on. “Oh. Well' I guess I was concerned for nothing.” “Actually, well, thank you. I was suspicious about you for that reason. But since you made us aware, I guess you're really a city guard.” For the first time, the face of Ehrin relaxed as she was trying to lower her guard, even though she keep herself aware of the surroundings.
“Then, why are you competing? I mean, of course you're here for the Aether, but-" “The Aether?” interrupted Jhun; both of them looked confused. Beryu moved his eyes from Ehrin to her brother. “Wait- you don't- you don't know about that?!” He was seriously surprised. “Well, we know about Aethers, but what about them?” The man sighed a little, trying to find the words to explain: “Ok, you know what an Aether is, right?” Both of them nodded. “It’s that part of your being, hidden inside your body, that gives you energy. And, for those able to find and catalyze it – or, rather, dive in it –, it can give god-like power.” At that explanation, the siblings tried to hide a small look between them that didn’t escape to the expert eyes of Beryu, even though he let it pass. “God have Aethers too, even though it’s slightly different: it’s called Aion and they are born with the knowlegde of it, being able to use it whenever and wherever they like. But it’s also what made them everlasting: it’s the source of their immortality. And whoever reach the top, will be given an Aion for themselves. That’s the prize for those who can win the preliminaries and are able to climb all the Tree. It’s also the reason we called it the Tree of Ascension, cause it’s the route you have to complete towards divinity.” They were kinda shocked: they didn’t know any of that; they always thought the Tournament was just a competition among humans and that completing some chambers could bring a lot of money. “You really didn’t know?” They moved their head in denial. “Then, why are you here, if I can ask?” “Well, we wanted to make some money to help our village.” He looked at them, surprised by the semplicity of their goal. He smiled. “Well, now you know. That doesn’t change the fact that for every stage complete you will receive some golds, so, I guess, your goal is not different than before”. He then looked at his wrist, where a small watch was ticking: it was already ten past nine. “I guess it’s time I take you to the residence of the partecipants.” He raised his hand towards Simone and, rapidly, the diner was paid and they left the clatter of dishes and tables behind them.
The fresh air of the night was agitatinf the leaves of Pantheon. Jhun moved his eyes and looked up, towards those emerald sheets of life. The talk with Beryu left him with a different feeling: for five years, all he thought about was winning the preliminaries and completing two or three chambers, just to earn enough money to make his life and that of all the abitants in Solus easier and peaceful; now, the consciousness of the chance to an everlasting life was tickling in the nooks of his brain, asking to let him inside. But why that feeling now? Living with his sister and uncle was all he cared about and now he was thinking to leave them and try to become an Holy One? That was pure craziness! That thought made him uncomfortable. Shooking his head, the skein of brown hair dancing, he concentrated his look on the back of his sister: he would have followed her, cause she was his family. ‘And you shouldn't betray your family’thought the boy.
They kept walking among the stream of people for about 10 minutes towards the Tree when the street they were walking opened in a much bigger space. “Welcome to Worthy Plaza.” Majestic didn't even get close to describe the magnificence of that place. At the center of the place there was an enourmous, golden fountain with thirteen jets of water alternating and creating a dance of droplets visually stunning. At the center of the ballet, a statue representing thirteen people: they were the ancient heros, the first human warriors to start the climb towards Ascension, those who started the tradition of the Tournament. All around, in a simmetric composition, there was an alternance of oaks and lampions and, at the exact opposite side from them, behind the fountain, an enourmous classic palace with columns and arches so massive that were able to make even the giants small. Behind that, the Tree, the goal of the siblings and all the people gathered there for what was coming the next day.
They followed Beryu towards the fountain and beyond, stopping in front of the building. He turned to face the siblings and tell them: ”This is the residence for the participants. Let’s go inside to get your key room”. They walked inside – the magnificence of the place reiterated by the interior – and stop at the counter, where a young and pretty lady was typing something on a computer. Here yes looked up and caught the image of Beryu: “Oh, Beryu, you’re back. How was the shift? Here’s the card to your room.” And, saying that, posed on the surface between them a small electronic card. “Thank you, it was calma as usual. By the way, I’ve brought you two other contestants, Emily.” The girl named Emily looked behind Beryu’s shoulders, stopping onto Jhun and Ehrin: again, a surprised traversed her face but disappear much faster than those of Beryu or Simone earlier. “Probably two of the youngest aspiring climbers. Names?” “Jhun and Ehrin”. She looked down on her list, moving the eyes up and down to recheck twice and than she found something. “Oh, right, here you are. Ok, your rooms are 624 and 625. These are your keys. Remember to leave them to the counter every time you leave. Have a nice staying and good luck.” She smiled and, like it was nothing, she returned to type something on the keyboard, ignoring them. Ehrin looked on Beryu: ”So, does that” said indicating the key room in Beryu’s hand “means that you’re going to participate too? You could have told us.” “You’re right but, as I said, how could I know you weren’t two of the old participants? I’m not gonna risk to be caught into the slaughter.” And with a smile, he concluded: ”I hope not to have to fight you two. Hopefully, we would be able to climb the tree together. Then, let’s part ways for now. I will look for you tomorrow first thing. Have a good night.” And, with that said, he left the siblings alone.
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