Legacy Of Altherion

Logan stepped across the threshold of the gate and entered a miniature tunnel leading into the city.

‘Wow! This is incredible.’

Lanexia filled him with a great sense of wonder, sprinkled with a degree of familiarity. The bustling streets reminded him of a modern city on an early morning work day. The architecture however, was unlike anything that existed on Earth.

‘Its like a magical city with a mixture of modern and futuristic urban design.’

"It should not be much farther now." Mr Gremzor said urging them to keep moving.

They passed a white building with curved and slanted walls that appeared to twist, it was rather odd, or so Logan thought. As he inspected the top of the building, he noticed various multi-coloured patterns shining in the sky. At first he thought that they were fire works, however, they did not have that distinct popping sound that echoed when the pattern emerged.

"What is that?" he said, pointing above the building.

"That is Eleon Arts, well, a variation of it.” Mr Gremzor said.

“Eleon Arts…As in magic?”

“You’re on the right track.” Mr Gremzor said.

"Can you do that as well?" he said. Everyone except the guard shook their heads

"It is impossible, that feat can only be accomplished by a Lumus.” Mr Gremzor said.

"Is that like a mage or wizard?"

"Something like that." Nathan said.

Mr Gremzor turned to Logan.

"There is much to discuss, there are too many intricacies to cover in one day. As I said before, all of your questions will be answered in due course. For now, let us keep moving." he said, interjecting before Logan could continue his questioning.

Logan nodded.

After a few minutes of walking they arrived in front of a giant spiral building with a blue coloured glass facade. Mr Gremzor thanked the guard for escorting them, then sent him on his way. Similarly, he sent Feyzana to complete a task, so she too departed.

As they approached Logan noticed small elegant writing on the front of the building, it was of similar style to what he had seen on the white sign board in front of the portal platform. Similarly, he grasped the meaning of the words despite not actually understanding what was written.

“Cystelle Tower?”

“Correct.” Nathan said.

‘This is the second time. Also…’

“How am I able to comprehend this writing? More over, I highly doubt the people we’ve encountered speak English, how is it that I understand them?”

Mr Gremzor smiled. “The language is called El’hazi. To put it simply, we gave you language comprehension. he said.

‘When did they?’

The image of the attendant holding his head flashed in his mind.

‘So that’s standard procedure…’

“Your brain will create connections between words that are the same or similar in English, in that way it will seem as though you are conversing in the same language. Unfortunately, our language El'ahzi is more complex than yours, therefore, there will be many times when no English word exists, thus the El'ahzi word would be used instead." Mr Gremzor said.

“That holds true for written word, hence a simple understanding is imparted on you to make sense of what you are reading.” he said. “And as for your next question, everyone here is able to understand you, in their own way."

Logan nodded

They entered the building and headed towards the reception area. The interior's colour scheme matched that of the outside, the design and layout reminded Logan of a science fiction film, but in a subtle manner.

‘Is this like one of those high-tech magical facilities?’

Mr Gremzor spoke to a gentleman wearing a navy coloured uniform, and he promptly left through an automated door.

"Are you all right?" Nathan said.

"Yeah, it's just a lot to take in."

Nathan smiled. "Well just so you know, the man that you're about to meet is quite eccentric, so don't take him too seriously.”

"How so?"

"He is what you'd call a scientist or researcher on Earth, he's the best in Altherion. He tends to get very excited by new discoveries, and even more so by the unknown. So just…take it easy around him.”

"I'll keep that in mind.”

The automated door slid to the right and a tall blonde gentleman appeared behind it. He wore a tailored grey sleeveless waist coat that extended to his knees, with a long black robe underneath. He smiled broadly upon seeing them and approached with his arms outstretched.

"Peietre! It has been too long." he said firmly placing his hand on Mr Gremzor's shoulder.

Mr Gremzor smiled. "It is good to see you Dormain." Mr Gremzor said and returned his greeting by also placing his right hand on the gentleman's shoulder.

"Nyelekai, you have grown much since last I saw you." he said turning to Nathan.

Logan glanced at Nathan upon hearing him being addressed by a different name, he shrugged.

"Greetings High Councilman Greinier, I've not grown that much, it has not been that long." he said. Dormain laughed heartily.

"You have not changed much either." he said.

He then turned to Logan.

He smiled. "And you must be Logan, greetings I am High Councilman Greinier, welcome to the Cystelle Tower." he said.

"It's a pleasure to meet you sir, thank you for your hospitality."

Dormain laughed. "It appears that Altherion has grown on you, you seem much more polite than I expected."

Logan raised his eyebrow. "What did you expect?"

"A deranged monster ready to attack anything that moves." he said with a smile that made Logan very uncomfortable.

"Dormain, may we please proceed with the matter at hand?" Mr Gremzor said.

"Yes of course, this way gentleman." he said after staring at Logan.

He then turned around and walked towards the automated door.

Nathan approached Logan. "Remember what I told you. He was trying to see if you would react to his provocation, don't pay attention to his antics."

Logan nodded.

They walked through a long white corridor with transparent walls on either side. Logan noted that the appearance resembled the inside of a highly advanced space ship, similar to one he encountered in a video game. Behind the walls were various silver instruments and equipment that appeared to be designed for conducting experiments of some kind.

The farther they walked into the building, the more Logan understood how much more advanced the Cystelle Tower was. Mr Gremzor and Dormain engaged in casual conversation the moment they left the reception area. Logan was curious about the dynamic of their relationship, he could tell however that they were good friends.

Dormain led them into a small room with a single display screen and a few metal stools beside a grey counter. He instructed Logan to take a seat on the stool closest to the screen, he hesitated for a brief moment, but followed the instruction after glancing at Mr Gremzor.

"Be at ease, I will be collecting blood from your right arm, I assure you that you will not feel any discomfort." Dormain said.

He placed a silicon like substance around the vein on the inside of his elbow, then placed a large metal cuff on his arm. After a few moments the cuff made a beeping sound and the clear display screen ahead of him activated. Various symbols and writing appeared which immediately caused Dormain to jump with excitement.

"This is truly fascinating. Logan my dear boy, you certainly know how to keep me entertained." he said.

"What does it say Dormain?" Mr Gremzor said.

"The results indicate four distinct properties in his blood.” Dormain said then began to laugh.

“To think that you have the DNA of three different races coursing through your veins.”

“Did you say three?” Mr Gremzor said with widened eyes.

“Indeed. The lower realms never cease to amaze me.” Dormain said.

“What is the composition?” Mr Gremzor said.

“Human and Altherian DNA, not too surprising, however, the third race will most certainly shock you.” Dormain said. “…Reaper.”

“That's not possible, they are...” Mr Gremzor said.

“There is no mistake.” Dormain said.

Mr Gremzor and Nathan’s expressions hardened.

“Why do you have that look on your face? Is something wrong?” Logan said.

“It’s just… the Reaper race is extinct.” Nathan said.

“What?” Logan said. “Then how do I?... This makes no sense at all.”

Dormain turned to Logan.

“I beg to differ my dear boy, everything makes perfect sense. Your violent tendencies are due to your savage ancestors, I tell you, it comes as no surprise that they wiped themselves out of existence." he said while removing the cuff.

Mr Gremzor and Nathan narrowed their eyes at him, he cleared his throat and placed the cuff on the grey counter.

"We will place your lineage aside for now. Dormain, tell me about the fourth component." Mr Gremzor said.

Dormain grinned. "It is unknown, is that not exciting?"

"What does this all mean?" Logan said.

"It means that you are highly irregular, but also quite unique. I have to conduct further tests to be more precise, however, to put it bluntly, you are a Reaper and human hybrid, with the addition of Altherian DNA." Dormain said. “I now understand how you broke the seal of Nyelekai’s base form.”

Logan’s eyes trembled. "I'm not human… How is that possible?" he said.

"My parents, my aunt and uncle, they're all normal people. I don't understand.”

"You are partly human, and I would estimate that at least one of your parents shares your latent Reaper DNA, as for the Altherian DNA…I shouldn’t say more than this.” Dormain said, leaning against the counter.

"What are you?” Logan said, however, Mr Gremzor interjected.

"That is enough Dormain!"

"Logan, we will resolve the matter pertaining to your lineage in due course. Do not let this discovery dishearten your resolve to gain control over your abilities." he said placing a firm hand on his shoulder. He glanced at Mr Gremzor with a concerned expression.

"We will be alongside you on this journey, together we will overcome any obstacle." he said. Logan glanced at Nathan with uncertainty, Nathan smiled and gave him a thumbs up with confidence.

"We share a bond that goes beyond friendship, now and in the future, we will always be here for you. I swear." Nathan said.

Logan felt overwhelmed by the news of his violent ancestry, as well as the support of his new found kin. He nodded, and thanked them with moist eyes.

"How much time do you need to analyze the fourth property?" Mr Gremzor said.

Dormain narrowed his eyes in thought.

"It is difficult to say, it may be a few hours at the very least." he said.

Mr Gremzor sighed.

"How are we going to pass the time?" Nathan said. "I do not think it feasible to wander around the city all day."

"Today is the final day of the Malenta Reiti-kalem." Dormain said.

"Which classification?" Nathan said.

"I believe that it would be Tier five, ranks six through four.” Dormain said.

Nathan nodded. "I think I will forego it this time.” he said.

"What are you talking about?” Logan said.

"It's like a combat tournament where participants compete to increase their ranking." Nathan said.

"That sounds interesting. Why don't you want to go?”

Dormain grinned. "The combatants are below his standing, he feels that it would be a bore to watch.”

Nathan shrugged.

"I'd like to go, I may never get this chance again." Logan said.

"Then it is decided, I shall accompany you after I deliver the sample to my subordinates. There is a young prodigy that I would like to witness in action." Dormain said.

"And who would that be?" Mr Gremzor said.

Dormain smiled. "Alixus Stalhart, he has risen in ranks in a similar manner to our Nyelekai." he said.

"It would be interesting to observe his capabilities." Mr Gremzor said then turned to Nathan.

He sighed then nodded. "All right, let us have a look at this impressive prodigy of yours." Nathan said.