After both of them sat on the hoverbike, an awkward silence followed them throughout the journey. The only voice which was audible was of the wind. Aureya calmed herself and started thinking about the situation behind her calm exterior.
"How in this world was he able to survive after seeing a Hyraml?"
"Why was he able to understand the Rakshas's tongue?"
"Why did the hyraml and rakshas called him... Antambha?".
Then, breaking the awkward silence the cloaked boy asks, "Where are we going?" Aureya didn't reply. Not directly. He then asks again. "Why did you panic when I told you about the Black and white creature?" Aureya again gave him the silent treatment. He became suspicious of her but his instincts had full faith in her. Moments later, they arrived.
"We're here," said Aureya. As he looked up, a strong blow of wind tore his cloak away. He looked up, eyes wide. It flew, twisting like black silk into the sky. Then he saw it. The palace. A palace so big a whole city can reside in it. Towers kissed the clouds. Spires glowed with ancient glyphs. Majestic enough to steal breath from a man's lung. Yet... something about off. It was so beautiful and perfect as... it was made by "Divine". As the splendor and beauty is just a veil, to hide the secrets of whatever lays beneath.
The nameless boy was left in awe by the beauty of the palace, His eyes were shining in the same way when a little kids looks at their toys. But then he became suspicious thinking.
"Why would someone give me a shelter this big and luxurious after we just met?, and what even is this place, even though it is beautiful, I feel some sort of uneasiness?" " and why am I starting to get goosebumps?"
It made him anxious, as he was thinking a voice came from behind his back. "Don't worry, you are safe here," said Aureya. "Your eyes were shining like a little kid when you saw the palace.", said aureya, then she giggled. The boy then says in a blushing state. "I couldn't help it, it's my first time seeing a palace this grand." His mood lightened, and the suspicion and anxiety came to an end. He again started looking around his surroundings like a newborn baby and why wouldn't he, the city was one of the best places in the whole world of Mayanamay. Then in a sweet tone. "You should rest for now, because tomorrow will be a long day.", said Aureya.
Aureya led him to inside the mansion. After they entered the nameless boy looked up, he was in awe after seeing the palace from inside, everything was as beautiful and lustrous as a diamond, it was just as elegant within-arched ceilings, crystalline lights, halls lined with enchanted murals. Everything glowed with quiet elegance.
Suddenly, an energetic and sweet girly voice came from the behind of Aureya, as the boy turned around to see. A young and beautiful girl stood there, radiant, bright and lustrous as the moon. She carried a gentle, graceful presence. Her long white hair flowed like silver threads in the wind, Her blue eyes shone like a star, she wore a red crimson dress that shimmered like liquid fire, mirroring her ethereal beauty.
" What took you this much time, Aureya?" said the girl.
"A lot happened... I will explain it you in detail later.", said Aureya. The girl tilted her head, her expression curious as her gaze fell on the stranger. "Who is he?", the girl asks. Aureya then introduces him to her and gives the girl a small idea of what happened. The girl stretches her hand towards the guy and introduces herself. "I am Krul Michael, nice to meet you", said she. The boy asks Aureya in a clueless and confused expression. "Who's she?"
Aureya let out a small breath. "She is my colleague at the academy, she is quite a troublemaker."
After the greetings Krul bombarded Aureya with questions. Without answering krul's curious questions, Aureya took the guy's hand and led him to one of the rooms of the mansion. Krul as consistent in teasing aureya followed her thoroughly. Aureya ignored her.
They reached a large room.
"This will be your room from now on," said Aureya.
His room was vast, every corner carved with quiet opulence from ceiling to floor. Every piece of furniture seemed hand-carved and ancient. It was at the top floor of the palace the view from the window was quiet elegant, beautiful and soothing.
"Rest well," Aureya said gently. "This will be your new home from now on."
Then without another word she left.
After she left the room, the guy lay down on his bed thinking about his conditions, he thought.
"Who am I?"
"How am I able to understand the language of these peoples and rakshas"
"Why do I not feel foreign among these people?"
"Why did the creature called me Anta-, no it was something else, it was, ah, I remember now it was... Antambha."
Once she stepped out, she saw Krul sticking to the wall of his room like a lizard to eavesdrop the conversation between them. "I can explain", said Krul.
"Explain what exactly?" Aureya shot her a look. "Come on. anyway let's go to the library I have something to discuss with you and the others, about that thing." Krul a energetic troublemaker's personality changed completely after hearing her words, the atmosphere around the palace changed, it became tense and serious.
In the shadow of the night, something ancient stirred. A giggle echoed in the dark. "So, it is here now, looks like the myth was true".
"What is the Creature that giggled in the the darkness of the night?", "What is the important discussion?" and "What is Antambha?"
- To be continued