222. The Long Tedious Walk

A low, continuous rumble underfoot was strangely soothing, a familiar voice like Zetius's own heartbeat. It was a feeling he had grown accustomed to, whether it was Jack's presence or his own solitude.

The cockpit of the Armatus Celer dimmed, leaving only a faint glow to trace the lines of his dazzling visage.

Zetius leaned back, relaxing into the pilot's chair. It featured an almost flat incline with a proper footrest, clearly designed with long-range deployments in mind for when it was in the X-12's cruise configuration.

Unfortunately, the X-12 QuiHST, the vessel that carried the Armatus, had been deemed unsalvageable after Astrid rammed it through the Vanguard Alpha during the Umbral War. There was no more integration after that. The Ouranos research facility didn't exactly have a spare for such a prototype.

A faint ping drifted through the air. Zetius opened his eyes to glare down his nose at the HUD screen.

"Ten-minute ETA, so you better get ready," Cubie chirped, rotating slowly on the dashboard.

"Umm…" Zetius grunted, rising. He extended his arms wide into a stretch as a yawn bubbled up. "That's quicker than I expected."

"It's been a 4-hour and 35-minute flight," Cubie stated matter-of-factly. On the map, the Armatus Celer's blue marker was about to leave Britainia's aerial space and cross the western sea. In the middle of the water sat their destination, it was a state-of-the-art island the size of a self-contained village — Borealis Castle.

[Incoming Call!] [Incoming Call!] [Incoming Call!]

"Who?" Zetius arched a brow, sliding the chair to its upright position.

"It's from the dude over there," Cubie specified as the visual zoomed in on a man in an ornate white and gold royal guard uniform. He hovered in the air, a spear in his hand and a grumpy, serious expression on his face.

"Patch it through." Zetius nodded, rubbing his face to dismiss any lingering drowsiness.

"Sir! Stop your aircraft! You're flying into a restricted zone!" the man bellowed against the roaring wind, his finger pointed accusingly. "Can't you see the barrier?!"

Well, Zetius did see the barrier. He also didn't have the bright idea to ram his Armatus into it either.

"Cubie, halt!" he commanded, and his body lurched forward as the Celer decelerated.

"I demand that you land your vessel at the pads near the bridge! Do you copy?!" the man shouted, his face growing even crankier. "Do you copy?!"

"I copy, Royal Guard," Cubie retorted, then switched the channel to private. "Jeez. What a warm welcome. Should we just ditch him? I doubt he could even catch us, hehehe."

"Cubie," Zetius sighed. "Let's not cause trouble. It's the Empress's coronation day tomorrow. Security has to be tight."

"No fun at all," Cubie grumbled, her voice small.

The Royal Guard led them to a landing pad, and the top compartment of the Armatus swung open with a hydraulic hiss.

Zetius and Cubie emerged from the craft. He took in the fresh, cold air of the after-rain, his gaze fixed on the long bridge that connected to the castle, looming a hundred metres away.

The guard landed in front of them, his grip tight on his Arc spear. His brows furrowed into a deep crease of discontent. "State your name and business. Why are you flying an unregistered craft into the Castle zone?"

"First of all, this is not an unregistered craft. It is a prototype from Solis Aeternum's own research facility," Cubie returned, her tone hard.

"Does~does this construct speak for you?"

"Sometimes," Zetius replied, dropping lightly onto the grey concrete. His posture was calm and controlled. "Name's Zetius Zel Celerius. This is my essence, Cubellina."

"Essence, huh? That what you kids are calling it these days?" the guard grumbled, scratching his head.

"Whatever, man," Cubie dismissed. The more she interacted with this guard, the more her mood soured.

Unperturbed, Zetius approached the guard with his palms open and visible.

"Wait! Stop where you are!" The guard raised his spear, one of his off-hands frantically tapping a ring on his finger.

Zetius spun to face Cubie. "I told you we should have just teleported into the castle. This whole ruckus could have been avoided."

"Then I'd be practically useless," Cubie flew off in a fit of pettiness.

"Cubie. We've got the Armatus Celer here, haven't we?" Zetius persuaded with a faint smile. "I indulged you. So, pretty please?"

"Fine." She flew back like a good girl.

"A~Armatus?!" the royal guard stammered, his eyes darting between his arc-comm's interface and the aircraft. His mind couldn't seem to comprehend the difference between a simple aircraft and a transformable Armatus.

"I think we might have made it worse," Cubie sighed, and Zetius just shrugged.

A few moments passed, and their patience wore thin. "Royal Guard, how long are you going to keep us here? We have places to be."

"Alright! You two have clearance," the guard finally nodded, his voice flat. "The Armatus stays. No aircraft are permitted inside the castle."

Zetius smiled, showing all his teeth. "Well, so… where's the transport?"

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"What transport?" He returned a confused, idiotic look.

"That bridge is at least five kilometres long. Do you expect us to walk?" Cubie exclaimed, incredulous, her cubic form growing angry and bright.

The guard glanced her up and down. "You have no legs. Just float. And you," he jabbed a thumb at Zetius, "just walk like the rest of the people. Last I checked, you ain't no prince."

An eye twitched on Zetius's face. Despite his clenched fists, he forced a smile. "Hey, Royal Guard. I think—"

"It's not my fault you chose a warcraft for transport, pretty boy." And with that, he jumped into the air and flew away on his Arc spear.

"Hey!" Zetius shouted, but his voice fell on deaf ears. The guard was already high above, disappearing into the clouds.

"The Empress really needs to train her royal guard to be more professional," Cubie whined loudly. She then snapped to Zetius. "So… what's the plan? Portals?"

Zetius rubbed his face hard, then clicked the heels of his boots. Luckily, he had chosen to wear arc boots today.

"We walk," he decided.

Inside the limousine of the Britainian royal envoy, Nyrethein was lost in thought.

"Nyrethein… Nyrethein." Stephen repeated her name until he touched her cold shoulder, making her look back at him. She often drifted away like this when something worried her terribly.

"Stephen. I…" She couldn't find the words, shifting uncomfortably in her premium white leather seat.

"Dear sister, what's troubling you?" Stephen implored, gesturing with an open palm.

She exhaled slowly, gathering her thoughts. "It's the state of our people. The stacking reports… and that Lunarius's report from Tabit."

"Haven't we discussed this? Two of our Lunarius are working on it as we speak," Stephen soothed, his silver eyes glinting in the overhead light.

"If you'll allow me, I could go check on them," Luger, the tiger Animori, spoke up. He sat across from the siblings, his posture straight and confident. He wore a tan uniform with silver seams and accents that complemented his rusty-yellow fur and black stripes.

Nyrethein nodded with appreciation, her eyes fluttering closed for a moment. "That will not be necessary, Lunarius Luger."

Luger crossed his arms over his muscular chest. "I know faith is not in abundance in this era. But you aren't one known for a lack of it."

"I know. But… if I have to be honest, I can't shake this feeling. Call it superstition," Nyrethein bit her lip, her nails absentmindedly picking at her tight red dress.

Stephen shook his head. "I would never doubt your feelings. Let's set it aside for now. After the ceremony, we can have a brief with our Lunarius. Right after." His fingers brushed gently through her long, silky hair, and she hummed softly.

"That sounds like a plan, brother," Nyrethein agreed, before her gaze drifted back to the scenic view outside — the beautiful bridge, the shimmering waves, and the pedestrians eagerly travelling its 5-kilometre span.

Zetius shuffled in his boots, pushing through the slow-moving crowds. The collective body heat made the journey worse, especially when there was no breeze.

"Can we just teleport?" Cubie whined, perched on Zetius's shoulder.

"And you were the one who suggested we fly," Zetius countered. "It's only halfway now. You see these people, Cubie?"

"Yeah, I can hardly miss them. The pedestrian walkway is not crowded at all," Cubie said, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

"No arc boots, no flying spells. They aren't Arcanists. I spotted some public buses running back and forth, although they're crowded. Do you know why these people don't get on them?"

"That… I have no idea," Cubie admitted.

"You have to pay a bit of attention. See." Zetius pointed at a passing bus.

"It's just kids and old ones," Cubie observed, spotting the appreciative smiles of the children as they drove past.

"Do you understand now?" Zetius asked in his calm, husky voice.

"I think so. The young and capable ones walk to let the kids and the elderly have the spots on the public bus. It's… humanity," Cubie concluded, hitting the nail on the head.

Zetius nodded like a proud father as he watched the light dance on the waves. "Besides, the view here isn't bad at all." The distant mountains and soaring seagulls painted a picture-perfect memory against the backdrop of the sky.

It was nothing grand, just a moment of simple beauty.

"You're right. Hehe," Cubie chuckled with content, bouncing happily on his shoulder.

Soon, the high, dark walls of the castle cast a great shadow over them. They had arrived. Zetius passed through the security screen without any issue this time. The other royal guards even smiled sweetly at him, their voices and body language amicable. Just one bad apple, I guess, Zetius thought.

A caravan of expansive limousines drove up to the arched, short-term stop. Royal guards saluted as they passed.

"Some bigshot, perhaps?" Cubie pondered aloud.

"Perhaps…" Zetius's gaze sharpened, fixing on the flag borne by the lead vehicle. The emblem was unmistakable — the twin faces of Gemini, one cloaked in shadow, the other in light. It was the sigil of the Britianian royal envoy.

A tall, dark-skinned elf in a white suit stepped out. His every movement was regal. He opened the car door and gestured for the passenger to alight. An alluring figure in red stepped out.

"Celestius Nyrethein…" Zetius muttered through clenched teeth. She had tricked him into the Dreamless Realm, leaving him stuck in a months-long coma.

Their eyes met, and Zetius's gaze hardened.

"Huh? I thought it was just some peasant walking along the bridge," Nyrethein's finger danced on her plum lips. "Who would have thought it would be the Prime Disciple of Aries himself? Too bad you proved yourself too weak, and another Celestius had to stick her hands in another's business. To save your poor hide."

"You put me against the Knight of Nyx! An immortal being!" Zetius spoke firmly, his finger pointed at her. "Keep pulling your strings from the shadows, Celestius. Eventually, you'll find them tangled around your own neck."

"Aw, why so hostile, Zetius? I merely thought the world of you, but you failed so miserably," Nyrethein lilted, her tone almost melodic. "Don't expect anyone to save you next time. Don't say I didn't warn you."

Cubie growled as Zetius blurted, "Celestius Nyrethein, you use that realm as your safe space! Where were you during the Battle of Thylin? Where were you when this very place was under attack?! You have no right—"

A towering tiger Animori stepped between them, interrupting his speech. Zetius studied the boulder-like build; his muscles were much, much denser than Lunarius Canis's.

Yet, Zetius remained unfazed. He wasn't intimidated.

"That's enough," Luger's voice cut through the tension, low and steady. He crossed his brawny arms, the Lunarius ring on his finger tapping against his thick fur. "This path leads nowhere, young man." He frowned, his gaze holding a surprising depth of empathy that seemed to acknowledge the sting of Nyrethein's words.

"Let's go, Cubie." Zetius snapped his head around and walked away. A fire smouldered in his chest, and he doubted he could contain himself much longer against her relentless provocation.

"Zetius…" Cubie drawled, following him. He didn't prioritise responding. Instead, he shuffled toward the other buildings. He hated to admit that her mockery was based, however loosely, on fact. And Zetius wanted to fix that as soon as practically possible.

***

In front of the guesthouse, Luger strode past servants carrying an exaggerated amount of luggage.

Once he caught up with the Celestius, he asked, "Can I ask you something, Nyrethein?"

"Hm?" She half-spun, her brows lifted slightly.

"Why must you be so harsh on that boy?"

Nyrethein smiled, an eerily sweet expression. "He's going to be the next Grand Master one day. I figure he should learn while he's young." She lightly tapped her temple.

"I truly don't understand you or your way of teaching at all," Lunarius Luger said, his whiskers twitching.

"And you never have to." She chuckled and strode across the lavish carpets.

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