We walked through the forest silently, until I saw a clearing. "Wow!", I exclaimed. There was a city, but not like any other. The whole city was built into the nearby hills and a large mountain. The houses and other buildings were embedded into the rock, or extended out of the ground. The sight was really something else. All the buildings were made from stone, and although the stones used weren't some kind of grand flashy looking, the setting itself was beautiful.
Yater explained "This is one of the three cities inside the Elysian Empire. It is called Ancient Mountain. The name although very simple, together with such setting, it actually fits". I asked "Who else has?…", but before I could finish Yater interrupted me. "We will have a look around. The buildings although may seem simple, are very ancient and worthy a look". I was a bit baffled, Yater wouldn't normally interrupt me like this. 'This can only mean, I shouldn't ask questions now. The rules here are… weird' I thought.
I had no idea what the rules were, but the other three knew. If they wanted me to shut up, I could only acquiesce. Yater commented on some of the buildings, as we got closer. "That place over there, is where Elysians produce some great seeds. I always buy them for Peaky when I visit this place. Elysians love nature, so they treat it with respect". I only nodded my head to everything Yater said.
When we arrived inside the city, Irwin said "This place is still the same. Just like I remember it from a long time ago". Nathan butted in "Yes, they are great builders, and care for their home land a lot". I could see a pattern here, they always said nice words about Elysians, they could probably say anything, as long as it was nice about them. 'Does that mean, I can ask about buildings, what they do and such only?' I thought.
With that in mind, I decided to give it a try. I asked "What do the Elysian specialise in?". This time, Yater didn't stop me. He actually answered "I'd say growth. They have many sorts of plants here, that you will never find back home. Elysians are very good with nature, therefore their plants are very healthy". I tried asking another question "Is there anything else?".
This time Nathan replied, "Yes, they are also Masters of Formations. Those bastards in the Endros City, have no way of reaching such level of mastery. Elysians drew their Formations from nature, and because they are very close to it, they are naturally talented in Formations". This was new to me, so I asked "Formations come from nature?". Irwin replied this time "Of course. The Formations originate from nature. For example the rays of sunlight, or the water inside a stream are bel… Are Formations too". Nathan and Yater looked at Irwin, and he dropped his head without any further comments.
'So it is true. We can't really offend them by saying they are shit at something, or that they believe something to be true, where in fact, they might not even have a proof' I thought. The rules were stupid. Not only that, it was like no one could have an opinion of something. I asked "Are we staying here?". Yater nodded, and said "We will stay at one of the buildings, that Elysians provide for visitors. It's over there". He pointed at a certain building on a mountain. It didn't look shabby whatsoever. A large house built into the mountain, with at least a few rooms. I nodded, and said "It look very good".
For some reason we walked to our destination. No running or even using one's skills. When we finally arrived, Yater placed his token in front of the doors, and they opened. Inside the house, I saw a few separate bedrooms, and a common living room. When the doors closed, Yater walked a few steps forward, and tapped the ground. I was baffled, but maybe it was another rule. I was wrong. Yater said "Now we can talk freely. I hate that fucking flowery language. Shit, no wonder I never liked to return here".
He then looked at Irwin, and said "We almost stepped into shit, because of you. Don't forget stuff like that". Irwin replied "I forgot alright? It's been a long time since I visited this place. Fuck this though, river and fucking sun is a Formation. What a fucking load of crap". I don't think I saw them so pissed. Nathan stepped in, and said "Alright, just calm down. We are here to show Nex around, and then we are out. You can take a few days of this bullshit".
I looked at all three, and asked "What the hell is going on exactly? I already figured some stuff out, but just what the hell?". Irwin replied "We told you, they have those weird rules. One of them is that, you are not allowed to say bad stuff about them. It's their land, and if you don't like it, leave. The other rule, you are not about to question their beliefs. They believe Formations are everywhere, and everything is a Formation. I mean I don't know, but it's their belief, and no one saw Formations inside a tree or whatever. The third rule, no use of skills or Auras inside. Of course, if they attack you, you can for self defence, but they don't attack people".
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I replied, "So when we talk, we can't talk about anything but Elysians?". Nathan shook his head, and said "No, we just wanted to show you to be careful with your words. You can talk about anything really, but if you praise Royals or make fun of Elysians… then there is a price to pay. Another rule is that if you interact too much with a woman, you will have to take her as your wife". Yater continued "I told you, some Elysians are even weirder. They can pester you, and all you can do is politely decline them. Never, under any circumstances, agree to meet with any Elysian woman… or man. With us around, they will not pester you, but if you were alone… You would probably fall for it".
I said "They can supposedly draw Formations on their bodies. Which should mean that they are Formation Master. This part is true right?". Yater nodded, and said "Yes, they can do that, and you already saw it. Those tattoos are Formations. They have different sorts as well. Warriors get the battling Formations, which they can use during battle. But normal Elysians also get them. Some are used to grow plants better, or produce stuff more efficiently". I asked "Do they place Formations on objects too?". Nathan shook his head, and replied "No. They believe Formations to be sacred, and can only be placed on living organisms. They believe that this is natural, and they follow that. Any blasphemy about their beliefs, is not tolerated. That is why Irwin stopped himself. If he actually accused them to be only believers, we would have to leave… Fast".
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I nodded, and asked "So what are we going to do? Does this place have something special to offer. I mean yea, looking at their cities is nice, but it's not like I can gain something from it". Yater replied "We can buy special plants, which don't grow outside of here. They also offer nice relaxation places. We are here to relax and sightsee. I have some Elysian currency, so if you want a specific plant or seeds, we can buy some. You told me that you learned about medicine".
I replied "It's Art of Medicine. If you don't call it like this, I will call your Art just stealth". Nathan asked "Art of Medicine?". I nodded, and replied "Yes, didn't he tell you that? Whatever, I learned another Art. Although you may not know about it, it's still an Art in my eyes". Nathan asked interested "What can you do with it?". I replied "Medicine… or poison. Don't get me wrong, what I can accomplish regarding medicine and poison, is way out of league for you".
Irwin laughed, and asked "Can you prove it?". I took out my strongest medicine, and told him "Have a look". They all gathered around, and checked the medicine out. After a while, Nathan said "I've never seen such potent stuff… Even the guys in Imperial City, can't do so well". Yater nodded, and said "There might be a few medicines comparable to this, but nothing better than this". I smiled, and said "This is not the best I can do though. I told you, this is an Art".
They looked at me in disbelief, and asked "You can do better than this?". I nodded, and said "If I were to completely process it? I'd say, it would be at least 3 to 5 times stronger". Their faces dropped. I continued "Not without a price. The amount would be small, but the potency? I have no idea… This can already heal the scars, the stronger version? Who knows, maybe even allow you to grow a limb or something". I said the last part jokingly, but they seemed to actually believe it.
Nathan asked "Can you make it?". I shook my head, and said "I don't have the herbs required. I mean… I do have the seeds, but not the herbs". Irwin asked "Can't you just plant them?". I laughed, and replied "And then what? I need to know how to care for those herbs, but I don't. It would take trial and error, which I have no time for or enough seeds to do it".
Nathan asked "Then what about Poison? Can the poison you make…". I nodded, and said "Yes, although not for all of them. I would have to redesign some stuff, in order to accommodate specific poisons". The three of them discussed something, and Yater said "We acknowledge the Art of Medicine, and you as its first master". I was a bit stunned. 'Me? a master?', I thought. I shook my head, and said "I'm no master yet. I feel there is more to it. When I find that, I will be able to call myself a master. Besides, I still don't know all that exist in the Art of Medicine. I have loads to learn".
They nodded, and Nathan said "We understand. The story though, has to be passed on. You should work on that in the future". I smiled, and said "I already chose an inheritor". They looked at me confused, and asked "You have a student?". I nodded, and said "Yes, she will inherit my Art of Medicine, but that Art alone". They shook their heads, while Irwin replied "I told you, this guy is a monster. If he focused on one Art alone, he would already be a master". They sighed a few times in defeat. 'I'm not that great though. I had my ass kicked a few share of time, and I had some lucky encounters too' I thought. If not me, then someone else would get lucky. I didn't see myself as anything special, excluding that arm of mine.