The Pit wasn’t the most peaceful place in the world, but before the Monster Wave hit, people did whatever they could to survive. So worked, so sold things, and so begged or stole.
When it ca to survival, many chose to forget about morality, and they could hardly be blad for it.
However, compared to the Iron Gate, the Pit was a desolate wasteland.
Garet walked alongside Xir through the bustling streets. Xir gave his horse to the guards, so they traveled on foot, just like hundreds of people around them.
In addition to countless stalls, shops, and workshops, several intersecting bridges towered above them, leading to higher levels of the Iron Gate. Moreover, so paths led deep into the surrounding rocks. People used all the space they had, even if it ant digging through ters of stone and earth.
Garet looked around with curiosity. He wasn’t sure if there was any difference between the levels, or if it was all down to the structure of the city. Either way, his interest was growing.
From the side, a fla flared up — nothing dangerous, just heat from the oven.
The chubby man waved his hand, trying to get attention.
"Hot buns, with and without filling! Sweet and savory!"
Suddenly, Xir stopped and jerked his head.
"Want so? I’m pretty hungry. The night was long."
"This..." Garet reached into his pockets. "I’m not sure how much money I have. What are the prices here?"
"Hahaha, forget about old money. Coins from the Pit were barely accepted in other cities before, but now, after the Pit is nothing but ruins? Your coins are just tal scrap."
"But... How am I supposed to..." Garet was confused. He always had a hard ti with money, like a lot of people in the Pit. However, now he had nothing left at all.
Xir waved his hand dismissively.
"Don’t worry, I’ll pay. If an Awakened didn’t have money for simple buns, this city would be dood."
Step. Step. Step.
They approached the chubby man as they were confronted by many kinds of toasted patties fresh out of the oven. Prices were painted on wooden boards next to each piece.
"Oh, Mr. Xir, you’re back!" The chubby man exclaid with a wide smile on his face. "I heard what happened with the Pit, good thing it went well for you!"
"Yeah, it was a challenging and very long night." Xir scratched the back of his head. "What’s on the nu tonight?"
The chubby man held out his hand. "We have toppings for every taste: onions, potatoes, cabbage, berries, and of course, at and cheese, but they’re the most expensive!"
"Sure. Two with at, two with cheese, two sweet ones to your taste."
"I see, twelve coins then."
Without question, Xir pulled three coins from the inside pocket of his coat and handed them to the chubby man.
Garet’s gaze followed the coins, which were quite different from what he was used to at the Pit. The coins were square, iron, with the shield sign in the center. Also, on one of the coins, along the edge, a single line shimred in the sunlight. This coin was worth ten regular coins, which is why Xir only gave three coins.
While the chubby man was putting the buns into the bag, a girl ran up to him from the side.
"We’re out of at! Like, all of it!" The girl said as if there was a disaster.
In response, the chubby man just sighed heavily.
"Well, that’s unfortunate. It’s our best product and there’s nothing we can do about it."
Xir glanced at the man.
"Did sothing happen while I was gone? It’s only been one night."
"Unfortunately, yes. Monsters attacked the caravan that was supposed to arrive at the Iron Gate at dawn. Not only my bakery, but many others were affected."
"What does the Thornspire say?"
The chubby man shrugged. "The Awakened have already moved out to help. However, the monsters took all they could eat, and rogues wandering by the roadsides quickly scooped up the rest."
"Got it." Xir nodded and tossed the man another extra coin. "Thank you."
"No, thank you for your help!" The chubby man bowed low, as did his assistant.
The Awakened were respected by the common people. Sure, not everyone, but for people to hate an Awakened, it had to be a real bastard who didn’t do anything useful for the city or the people. It wasn’t the most usual case.
So Awakened, especially the newcors, sotis decided to use their powers to forcefully get special treatnt or so kind of benefit from the ordinary people who couldn’t stand up to them.
However, that’s what the Thornspires were for in the cities. Not only were they the gathering place of the Awakened, but they also controlled what happened in the city and managed various aspects.
"So, why is this Thornspire different than the one in my city?" Garet asked, pulling a second bun out of the bag.
"You an the three peaks?"
"Ughum."
Xir smirked, taking a large bite. "It’s simple. If a city has a Thornspire, its number of peaks shows the strength of the Awakened. In other words, the Thornspire with three peaks indicates that at the Iron Gate, there is at least one Third Rank Awakened."
"Third Rank? So... the Third Genesis?"
"Yeah." Xir nodded in confirmation. "If our Thornspire had two peaks, that ans our strongest fighter would be the Second Rank Awakened. Also, even if there is only one Awakened of that level, it doesn’t an that he should be right in the city all the ti. Maybe this Awakened is in the lands under the city’s control, but he should always be within range."
"Sort of like a head guard, right?"
Xir smiled. Garet was quick to understand.
"Practically - the Supre Guardian. That status can only be given to one of the strongest Awakened of the Thornspire. I won’t hide it, not everyone wants that role, because besides the benefits, it also puts responsibilities on you, so sotis the Supre Guardian isn’t the strongest Awakened of the city, but one of them."
Now, Garet had questions. This was a bit confusing for him.
"Wait... Let’s say there are only two Third Rank Awakened in the city, and neither of them wants to take that position. What happens in that case?"
"Well, then, the Thornspire is not entitled to the third peak, without the Supre Guardian, it is impossible. A city could have just one Third Rank Awakened and he becos a Supre Guardian, another city could have ten such Awakened, but none of them wanted to take on this role.
"In that case, the first city would have the Three-Peaked Thornspire and the other city would not. Building an additional peak without a matching Supre Guardian isn’t an option, the other cities just won’t accept it."
Garet nodded as he, after a few seconds, looked up to the very top of the Thornspire.
"So the Iron Gate has a Supre Guardian?"
"Sure, but that’s not sothing you need to worry about. An Awakened of such power could single-handedly destroy the Pit and stop the Monster Wave that ruined your city. That’s the power of distant days."
A grave expression covered Garet’s face.
"I see. Then let’s waste no ti. Thornspire, I’m coming!"
Reviews
All reviews (0)