***Tirnanog, Mount Aerie***
***Magnus***
Both of my companions were studying the docunts Sienna had given us.
I waited until the carriage was well on its way before I asked the question which was bugging since the doctor had ntioned it. So, symbionts are a thing here?
Ivona was the first to react to my question. Why didnt you ask earlier? It looked like Sienna was extrely well versed in anything that relates to health and mutations. You really should have asked her.
I was already tired when the matter ca up, I admitted. And quite honestly, I am also becoming numb to all the shit I encountered since I ca to this world. From a tree trying to stake , down to fluffballs with claws as long as my arm. I stopped giving a shit if you excuse the expression.
Ivona bit her lower lip in concern. We have to sit down and talk more about what happened to you since we were separated.
Then my little sister grinned and leaned back in her seat opposite from . To answer your question: Yes, symbionts are a thing. Several animals in this world live in symbiosis with each other. If you know how, a human can butt in and replace one of the parties.
Though, Astra interjected from her seat next to . It is very rare for people to do that. There arent many symbionts which can be usurped easily.
Okay, I sighed. The question is moot anyway. I am not going to allow so sli or mould to grow on my privates.
Yeah, no. My partner affird. Sienna went kind of extre with those. Most people who accept symbionts find themselves so animal that can assist them with poison, enhancing drugs, or fight at their side. Which is a little hard in our case. We would have to be constantly on the lookout not to electrocute it.
She drew out a sheet of paper and held it so I could take a look. It would be a different topic if we find ourselves a bloodmantle. They are known to be highly protective of their host and their resistance to electricity is noted here.
I looked at a drawn picture of a creature that had similarities with our filants. The monster was a flying stingray that had an unholy intermingling with several snakes.
Not only do they enter a symbiotic relationship by cleansing their partners blood, but their blood also enhances their partner with various effects. Like better oxygen transport and resistance to various diseases. Bloodmantle riders are known for their superhuman endurance and ability to survive at elevated heights, Astra explained.
Riders? I asked. That thing is large enough to ride on it?
Yes! Astra put the paper back in its place inside the folder. The older specins are noted to have a wingspan of thirty tres or more, but I think we would do well with catching a baby to start with.
Sure I shook my head. Why dont we catch a dragon to make things easy? That was sarcasm, just so you know. Please say there are no dragons on this world.
There are no dragons on this world, Astra affird with a smile. Just creatures who look like them.
I groaned.
Oh! Ive already ntioned it, but you probably didnt comprehend it fully from just talking about it. You have to see the Lloyds bestiary farm! Its more like an airport to be honest because they tad a sizeable flock of avians. Astras eyes wandered off into the distance. I should probably take you on a tour to all the families so you can see their proficiencies for yourself.
I held up both hands to stop her. I think you ntioned sothing about the Lloyds being the best animal tars around. Why dont we do that tomorrow? I am beaten.
Astra nodded. We would need an appointnt anyway. I will take care of it tomorrow.
Thankfully, the carriage stopped at that mont. We had reached the estate. I wasn't ready to call it ho, but I hoped it would be.
I exited first and then tried myself at being a gentleman by first helping my sister and then Astra. Not that either of them needed the help. It was just a nice gesture.
Astra showed my sister to her new rooms before she linked arms with and guided down a hallway to her quarters.
Though, I quickly found that she had more than enough space for herself to rival a house. Her rooms included a swimming pool with permanently running water and several do-shaped rooms which almost felt empty, given the high ceiling.
This is a little more than just private quarters, Astra. I guess architecture isnt constricted when you just have to carve out the space you want, I comnted while I surveyed the living room. Soone didnt like flat surfaces except for the floor.
Thank you! Astra replied. I designed my quarters myself. When I was between eighteen and nineteen.
I fought not to laugh. Just admit you didnt want to asure out the area and just carved away what you wanted.
She pouted. Thats not the case. But I do admit that the smoothing touches were done by professionals. My mother said she couldnt have her daughter live in a cave.
I finally lost it and laughed despite my tiredness.
Astra left my side and went over to a round alcove in the wall. Besides, the shape of these rooms is best to transmit sound and to have it resound properly. I did a lot of asuring before I copied the shape from so old tos in the library.
I followed her to the alcove where Astra had stored a sorted collection of old devices. She fiddled with an ancient-looking music player that she had hooked up to a damaged television soundbar.
Then the room was filled with violin music and a grinning Astra twirled around like a ballerina. She gave a little show before she swooped back into my arms. We hugged and swayed with the slowly flowing music while we simply enjoyed being in each others arms. I sighed and rested my chin on her head, simply relaxing in her warmth.
It felt so natural that I hardly noticed the ti passing before the music ca to a gradual stop.
Astra sighed. I want to do that again. Tomorrow. And you need dancing lessons.
I am in, I affird and raised her chin with a finger until I could kiss her.
The morning ca faster than expected.
I word my way out of Astras embrace and got washed and dressed before I left our quarters with the firm intention to get myself familiarized with the estate.
Right outside her rooms, I encountered two guards who didnt stop when I strolled past them. I leisurely walked along the central hallway while peeking into all the unlocked rooms.
Among them, I found a training hall, a library, the living area which I already knew, and what looked like several offices.
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By that point, I realized the estate was huge.
An hour into my exploration activities, I found the office of the accountant who had brought Teresa my docunts. She was a gaunt-looking woman whose filants were almost brittle compared to all the other Frosts I had seen so far. Introducing myself by asking about her age probably wasnt the best idea.
Hi! I opened the conversation with a grin.
She looked up from whatever she was doing on her desk and squinted her grey eyes at as if she had to focus. What do you want? ca the brisk reply.
I was just looking around, I continued with what I hoped to be a charming smile. Getting myself familiarized with the people. My na is Magnus.
I know that. She pursed her lips while she studied like I was so curiosity.
My deanour didnt falter. Normally, people respond with an introduction when soone gives his na.
My na is Mary Frost, she replied. I am the familys head manager.
I entered the office and sat down across from her. Manage what? Astra ntioned the family is very involved with hunting in the depths?
Mary nodded but looked like she wasnt pleased by wasting her ti. The Frosts are accomplished hunters. A sizeable part of the family is risking their lives in the natural caverns at all tis. We hunt beasts that the other families couldnt hope to get their hands upon. I manage these hunting expeditions and see to it that the requests from the other families are fulfilled in a tily fashion.
How many people do you normally have outside at any given ti? I asked.
She tilted her head. Do forgive , but I wasnt inford which role you will play as the mistresss consort. Giving you this information is a bit
I get it, I waved a hand to dismiss the matter as unimportant. Could I get a guide?
A guide? The woman looked confused.
I would like to explore the central cavern. Get to know the people. See how they live, I clarified. Is there soone who can show around?
It took a little more prodding, but eventually, Mary set up with a clansman nad Winston to act as my babysitter. Likely more so to get out of her filants than to be helpful.
We left the estate and Winston took on a trip through the central cavern. It felt a little like being a tourist as I allowed myself to be guided through public living quarters, markets, and entertainnt-oriented businesses.
The Aerie had a real city beneath the mountain.
On our way out of a market, a vendor caught my eye. He had several huge, organ-shaped stones on display. They ranged from the size of a head to small boulders that I would have trouble lifting alone.
What are those? I asked.
Monster cores, Winston replied without a second look. The larger beasts grow them throughout their bodies instead of hearts. They are different from beast to beast, but they are almost biochanical in nature. The craftsn value them for their materials. Many are rich in tals or other important elents.
Really? I turned and regarded the stones with more interest. Is it possible to get them to work outside a monster?
My guide shrugged. Not to my knowledge. But if you are interested, you just have to check the warehouses back at the estate. We are the main suppliers of the things.
I made a ntal note to do that and gestured for Winston to lead the way.
When we walked past a gate with an advertisent that was unmistakable throughout all of humanitys history, I found myself perplexed to find it here, so I peppered Winston with another question. How does that even work?
Winston followed my eyes and coughed, visibly embarrassed.
Oh, co on! I urged him on. We are both adults!
He looked mortified as he explained, Well, you know, things only get dire when you stick it in the correct place. As long as you follow that rule, you can allow them to give you a handjob. Or a blowjob. Or just strip for you.
So anal works too? I asked, unable to stop myself from torturing the prude.
Yes. He looked like I had shot the pope.
I rolled my eyes and we continued the tour with being one experience richer.
The central cavern was a fantastic place with its winding streets and stairways, but once the uniqueness wore off, I realized it was just like any other city populated by humans.
But there were too many stairs! If I ever wanted to torture soone, I would just have to give him the task to count every stair in Aerie. The few elevators here and there just couldnt manage the transport requirents of the citizens. So most of it fell to the inclining streets and stairs.
The upper sections of the cavern were reserved for governnt purposes and the larger families with power. There were dedicated living areas in the middle. Comrce, and production were restricted to the lower levels. And furthest down were the areas for the poor. The setup reflected the various strata which Astra had ntioned.
My tour was interrupted when I ca across a gathering of people. The interesting part was that it didnt seem related to trade or another business. Instead, the people were listening to a guy in a green ceremonial garb as he preached about sothing.
I turned to my guide.
He sighed. Thats a priest of Gaia. You can walk past the mob and take a look into the church.
Publicly practised religion? Seriously? I asked.
Earths governnt had ended all publicly exercised religions centuries ago, seeing them as just one more excuse which Earths multitudes used for warfare. Which didnt an religion wasnt still practised in private.
I wasnt sure how I felt on the matter. In my mind, idiots would always find a reason to fight each other. If it wasnt their belief, then it was the colour of their skin. During the 31st century, the South Aricans had sohow managed to start a war over eye colour.
Okay, maybe Earths governnt had a point in shutting down anything which had the potential for causing unrest.
I went around the gathering, barely listening to the preacher. It wasnt like he was talking about sothing interesting. The main topic of his speech was the power of nature and how people should revere the gifts and opportunities this world was offering them.
Once I was past the crowd, I entered the church through the flamboyant doors which rivalled the entrance to the Frosts estate.
The walls had a stained glass mosaic which showed off Tirnanogs flora and fauna. I recognized so of the creatures from our trek between the Old Camp and Mount Aerie.
The ceiling was cone-shaped and seemingly rose to infinity above the central altar at the back of the room. I assud it was so kind of ventilation shaft.
Above the altar rose a statue of an indistinct female figure in flowing robes. It wasnt a sexualized display, but one of reverence that I felt inexplicably drawn to. I wasnt sure what it was about this place, but I felt the need to acknowledge there was sothing greater than I.
Slowly, I walked further into the room, following the red carpet that separated two rows of heavy, stone benches.
I massaged my chin while I tried to explore this feeling when soone touched my shoulder.
It was a priestess who had snuck up on while I had been smitten by the scene.
Are you here to join the church of Gaia? the woman asked with a smile on her lips. Our door stands open for anyone who needs help.
What kind of help are you offering? I found myself asking.
Help of any kind, the woman replied and slid her hand down my shoulder until she t my hand. We employ the unemployed and offer help to those who suffer ailnts of the mind. We also search for suitable partners within the general population. Gaias will is for all people to flourish in this new world.
I see, I replied, still focused on the strange feeling as it rose in intensity. I felt the desire to kneel and spill all my worries to this priestess. It wasnt so overbearing as to override conscious thought, but it was distracting.
Normally, I wouldnt have given a second thought to an emotion, but I had never been a religious person before. I had visited historic churches back on Earth and none of them had incited this need for worship within .
As a highly logical person, I never had given in to sothing like religion. If there was sothing greater than I, then it was so. If there wasnt, then there wasnt. Why would I waste my ti worshipping sothing which likely would never affect ?
I frowned when I realized my thoughts were slipping.
You seem highly troubled, the strange priestess kept speaking. Why dont you share your worries? Things are a lot easier to endure when you know you arent bearing the weight alone.
Then I suddenly rembered why this strange sensation of reverence felt so familiar. I had felt it before, only to a much lesser degree when I had been with Thalia.
I grabbed the priestesss hand back so she couldnt escape and charged my muscles, quickly fluctuating the current.
The woman stuttered and dropped like a puppet who had its strings cut.
I stopped and let go of her hand, then examined the room once more.
Suddenly, this was just so church. The artworks and the artistry were nice, but it was just a thing, sothing made by human hands to look pretty on the eye. Whatever had caused the religious experience was gone and there was little doubt in my mind regarding the cause.
I couldnt prevent my lips from curling in disgust when I looked down at the unconscious woman to my feet.
Then I rembered where I was and quickly looked around. Thankfully, I didnt see anyone screaming and pointing fingers at . All the people were in front of the church to listen to their preacher.
It took only a few seconds to think before I bent down and grabbed the woman by her robes. Quickly, I dragged her unconscious body between two of the stone benches so she wouldnt be seen imdiately.
Then I straightened and made sure my attire was sitting correctly.
With a jovial smile, I strolled out of the church and found my guide leaning against a wall. He was disinterestedly listening to the preacher who still had the crowds undivided attention.
Seen anything noteworthy? Winston asked once I joined up with him. Decided to join the congregation?
I forced myself to smile. Not anyti soon, though Ive learned sothing interesting. How about we return to the estate. I think Astra must be awake by now. There is a lot we have to talk about.
As you wish, sir, Winston turned to lead the way with a sudden skip in his step. It was quite apparent he hadnt been thrilled to play the guide.
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