New World - A New Beginning

DIANA IMANIA'S POV:

I informed the next two highest-ranking members of the Dragon army about the Faros. Mia's eyebrows perked up in surprise at the news of intelligent monsters, but both girls remained unusually calm.

"So now Jay will be staying with them for a few days," I concluded, expecting a roar of shock from both Asthia and Mia.

"I see. His presence on one of the enemy's flanks will definitely benefit us," mumbled Asthia, beginning to reformulate certain aspects of her plan in her head.

"Wait, you just believe me? You don't have any doubts?" I asked, shocked at how calm and neutral both individuals were. Asthia looked up upon hearing the question.

"Are you lying?"

"Well, no," I responded.

"Then I believe you. Are we not friends?"

I smiled at Asthia's comment, nodding. Having friends who believed in me because of who I was rather than the position I occupied was a new experience, and it was one that I welcomed gladly.

"Yeah, we are. Sorry."

"Don't apologize, Diana," added Mia, laying her hand on my shoulder. "Come on, let's adapt to the sudden change and create a plan."

"Right!"

Friendship was nice. I wish I could've experienced it earlier, but I gladly accepted it now. I thought back to my first meeting with Jay and Asthia, and later Mia, and how all three individuals had helped me grow.

Maybe I wasn't so closed off anymore.

JAY CADMIUM'S POV:

I followed Typhon down a spiraling tunnel, his footsteps shaking the earth around me with humming vibrations.

"We live by a decree of power down here," echoed the black minotaur, looking ahead without glancing back at me, "I believe you already know what that means."

I said nothing, my silence acknowledging the statement. The strong ruled over the weak, and to be respected instead of humiliated, I had to prove my strength. Whether that be through my aura, or through a duel, every single monster down here would be evaluating me.

Judging me to see if I was a worthy ally.

I wasn't entirely sure if we could be considered allies, but considering we had an agreement, I decided to presume that there was some bond between the nation I represented and the Faros.

My eyes darted around the wide tunnel, a weird sensation enveloping me. Was the ground shifting around me?

"We're here," said Typhon, stopping in front of a circular stone wall. I patiently waited as the beast revealed a small gem, holding it up to what seemed to be some kind of hidden contraption. The circular wall rotated to the side like a wheel upon contact with the gem, revealing what lay behind it.

I entered through the doorway, remaining a few mels behind the giant minotaur. The walls around me slowly shifted from stone to bark, the transformation clearly magical as I entered an unknown realm.

The reason why the Faros could remain hidden, even after centuries of adventuring and domains being cleared, was because their home wasn't in our dimension. The sensation I felt as I crossed the bridge between the realms felt similar to the feeling of entering Lares.

A final gateway stood before me. I watched Typhon duck and pass through, a light shimmer in reality following him. I mimicked his movements, finalizing the pathway into the new land.

"Welcome to Pandora, Supreme Commander Jay Cadmium," said Typhon. I could feel the pride swelling up in his words as he welcomed what could very well be the first visitor into his homeland.

Lights erupted around me as I looked ahead, understanding the source of the minotaur's pride.

Vegetation dominated the scene as a singular tree stood in the center of Pandora. Countless huts were sprawled across the infinite number of branches, forming endless connections and pathways where I could make out the silhouettes of monsters calmly walking in between destinations.

The calm glow of fireflies illuminated the city, the warmth of nature being reinforced with the soothing flickering of firelight within each and every hut and window within sight. Squawks and roars of different kinds echoed within the kingdom, each sound unique to the previous one.

My eyes glanced up into the sky, realizing cyan crystals were hanging from the ceiling of the enclosed space. The stones glowed with unparalleled beauty, their shine resembling the stars of a cloudless night. An illusion of being outdoors was created perfectly, but I knew it wasn't the real sky, and everyone living here knew this too.

The Faros wanted to escape this paradise. They wanted to build a new one, free from the chains of secrecy. They wanted to forge an empire that they would be able to call their own, exchanging information and negotiating with other powers.

It was simply a small hope that I had tugged on to assure this alliance, but it wasn't impossible. This location proved that to me.

A warm breeze glided through the air, my cape swaying gently from the mysterious current. I didn't even know how it was possible for such a place to exist, but considering I had lived in Lares for a few years, I guess I should've expected something incredible.

I briefly looked back at the entrance, realizing it was a horizontal tree trunk. Lanterns that buzzed with the life of green fireflies illuminated the path ahead, my body subconsciously following the path that seemed to be inviting me into Pandora.

My mind snapped out of its trance, the neutral mask once again fitting itself onto my face.

"It's beautiful," I said calmly, wanting to express my admiration for the place. Typhon nodded in agreement, taking in a large breath of air before sighing.

"It's been here for centuries. We are a people of much greater age than you probably expect."

I was slightly taken aback by the minotaur's change in attitude, but I presumed that it originated from the happiness of returning home.

"Come now, Jay Cadmium. We must announce your arrival, as well as the relations between our nations," said Typhon, heading down one of the endless tree trunks that disappeared into the heart of the kingdom.

I followed, understanding what awaited me at the end of the pathway. A show of strength would be required of me if I wanted to earn the respect and the cooperation of the Faros.

My eyes glided across the scene, still taking in the breathtaking view.

"..."

I looked down, my attention being drawn by the gaze of others. Two goblin children stared at me, a look of curiosity and shock mixed into their faces. They were both wearing small amounts of clothing created by the leaves and soft plants of Pandora, a characteristic I took as progress.

Nudity would've been something that wouldn't have surprised me within the land of the Faros, but it seemed even monsters were self-conscious about showing skin.

"I'm warning you, Jay Cadmium," growled Typhon, his tone retracting me from my thoughts. "You will be tested by those who oppose our alliance."

"I've lived in a world dominated by power," I responded casually, my eyes darkening from the memories flooding my mind. "I'll prove my worth."