The Ancient City Book Novels & Stories

It was in extreme contrast from the dark road they initially travelled just a few minutes ago. She didn’t have the time to explore the city when she first arrived there and looking at the city up close left her in awe. The city fused its ancient bricked walls to modern architecture. They even passed by a structure surrounded by thick ancient columns with a big fountain seating right on the middle it. The structure was lighted with spotlights— positioned in a way that made the water on the fountain sparkle like liquid diamonds. It was breathtaking. She must say that the city is quiet interesting. It was giving her a feeling of Paris all over again—a place she once called home.

Avyanna After our fight with a group of beasts and cyclopes inside the forest, we finally made it in front of the gates of Levaerûn. The city that was once inhabited by a group of generous and kind people. The city that was once known for being so lively and vibrant. The only city that accepts you completely, even if you are a witch, a normal human, a hideous creature or a beast. And the city that gives you the freedom to do whatever you want.

And lastly, sabi ni Dale malapit na raw ang katapusan ng aming pamilya. Kung p'wede nalang lumipat sa ibang lugar, nagawa ko na. 'Di ko ba alam sa namamahala sa amin kung bakit bawal ang lumabas ng syudad. 'Yung para bang ang nag-eexist na lamang sa mundo ay 'yung Mort Ville at Ordinary City? Wala akong nababalitaan na may nakalabas na ng syudad na ito. Well, iisang syudad lang naman talaga ang City A at City B. Pinaghiwalay lang talaga. "Dapat talaga pumayag ka nalang kay Keif na doon ka na manirahan sa condo. Pampasikip ka lang dito sa bahay ko eh."

Buong bilis ang biyahe ng airship. Makalipas ang mga sampung araw, nakarating sila sa panlabas na bahagi ng isang lungsod. Ang lungsod ay medyo katulad sa ilan sa mga ancient city sa Earth. Mayroon itong high city walls at mga building na nakapagpapaalaala sa mga sinaunang kastilyo. May napakalaking salita na nakaukit sa city gate—ang Labhstead.

' "When he was sketching the defense system in the hidden crypt—parang ang ganda nung place—how do you think the author imagined the load-bearing walls would handle the pressure from the surrounding mountain? It seemed structurally unsound, honestly." Acy blinked, tilting her head. She picked up on his architectural fixation immediately. "Uy, you really noticed that? That’s so you, Rajiv. You’re always looking for the blueprints behind the story." She grinned. "I think the author hand-waved it with 'ancient, magic-infused mortar.' But I agree, it bothered me, too. It made the city seem less defensible, which kind of undercuts the siege plot." Rajiv felt a surge of pure, unadulterated relief.

Pero sa labas ng ancient city meron kaunting malalaking bar na bukas pa buong gabi. Maya-maya ang mga ilaw ay mas lumiliwanag. Hindi tulad sa mga bar sa malalaking city, ang buhay sa gabi dito ay hindi lang ang musika na maririnig galing sa mga speaker. Merong kakaibang mararamdaman na mapapasabi ka ng ‘ito ang ancient city.’ Merong kumpol sa dance floor, may mga bata at may mga matanda rin. Pagdating niya rito, lahat ay edad na labingwalo.

Noong panahong iyon, si Nacol ay twenty years old pa lang noong sinusundan niya ang kanyang master, na nagngangalang Master Barron Xilts, sa Ancient City matapos makatanggap ng invitation mula sa isang misteryosong pamilya para tulungan nila ang isang matandang benefactor na may mabigat na mga bagay sa kanyang kaisipan. Ang Ancient City ay isang maliit na xity na matatagpuan sa loob ng isang mahiwagang bundok, at ang mga naninirahan dito ay humiwalay na sa mundo sa napakaraming henerasyon at walang sinuman ang nangahas na pumunta doon para manggulo. Matapos ang ilang libong taon, ito ay naging isang city na puno ng walang katapusang mga lihim at misteryo.