21. Zyx

21

ZYX

I stand at the bow of the ship, our favorite spot away from the crowds, my arm wrapped around Bronwyn's waist as we approach Caelus. The island's unique features come into view, and I can't help but feel a surge of pride as I point them out to her, Kairos, and Naia.

"Look there," I say, gesturing to the massive structure at the center of the island. "That's the Concordium. It's where the gods meet during Nati."

Bronwyn's eyes widen. "It's incredible. How big is it?"

"Fucking enormous," I chuckle. "Each side represents one of the seven realms. You'll see when we get closer."

As we near the shore, the Harmonic Gardens come into view. The vibrant colors shift and change before our eyes, a living reflection of the balance between the gods.

"Holy shit," Bronwyn breathes. "Are those... moving?"

I nod. "The gardens change based on the current power dynamics between the gods. It's a delicate balance, always in flux."

Kairos leans forward, his silver eyes narrowed in concentration. "Fascinating. And those pools near the cliffs?"

"The Nexus Pools," I explain. "Seven of them, one for each god. They're used for divination and communion."

Naia points to the jagged cliffs along the coastline. "What about those?"

"The Whispering Cliffs," I say, lowering my voice. "They say you can hear messages from all over Nythorra if you listen closely enough."

As we dock, Bronwyn turns to me, her green eyes alight with curiosity. "Why is Caelus so important? Why here?"

I take a deep breath, considering how to explain. "Caelus is neutral ground. It's sacred to all seven gods, which makes it the perfect place for diplomacy, magical research, and of course, Nati."

"But why is it neutral?" she presses.

I shrug. "No one knows for sure. Some say it's because it was the first land to emerge when Nythorra was created. Others believe it's where the gods first met and agreed to create our world. Either way, it's the heart of Nythorra in more ways than one."

As we disembark, I can see the questions forming in Bronwyn's eyes. Her thirst for knowledge, her eagerness to understand this new world, it's fucking intoxicating. I pull her close, planting a kiss on her forehead.

"Come on," I say, grinning. "Let's go explore. There's so much more to see."

As we step off the ship, the energy of Caelus hits us like a tidal wave. The air thrums with excitement, and the scent of exotic flowers and spices fills my nostrils. I can't help but grin as I watch Bronwyn's eyes widen, taking in the vibrant scene before us.

"Welcome to Nati," I say, squeezing her hand. "It's a week-long celebration that'll blow your fucking mind."

Bronwyn turns to me, her green eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Tell me everything."

"A week long?" Naia whispers. "This is going to be great."

I chuckle, pulling her close as we navigate through the growing crowd. "There's a lot, but I'll just go over the basics. Nati is when we honor all seven gods at once. There's celebrations all across the realms, in every city and home, but the biggest one of all is here on Caelus."

"Because the gods come here?" Kairos interjects.

"Precisely."

As we walk, I point out the various preparations underway. Noctari of all types bustle about, hanging shimmering decorations on shops and inns that seem to change color with each passing breeze.

"Each day focuses on a different god," I explain. "We start with Axarus and end with Bizruer. There are rituals, feasts, and some seriously wild parties."

Bronwyn's eyebrows shoot up. "Parties? I thought this was a religious thing."

"Oh, it is," I smirk. "But who says worship can't be fun? You should see the Netian day celebrations. Pure chaos."

We pass a group of noctari setting up what looks like an obstacle course. "That's for the Axarian trials," I explain. "Tests of strength and strategy. Gets pretty intense."

As we continue, I notice Bronwyn's eyes darting around, trying to take in everything at once. "I know it's a lot." I wrap an arm around her shoulder and tuck her into my side. "But we've got time to explore it all."

She nods, leaning into my touch. "It's just... overwhelming. In a good way."

I press a kiss to her forehead. "I get it." Then I look up to meet Kairos and Naia's eyes, too. "Last rule of Nati. Some noctari can be tricky bastards, especially during this time. And this place is gonna be packed. So stay close, at least in pairs, alright?"

Kairos pulls Naia into his side, and she smiles up at him. I don't have much worry for those two since many noctari are giving the demon a wide berth, though in the large crowd he's not so noticeable.

Bronwyn's eyes meet mine, a mix of excitement and apprehension swirling in their depths. "I will," she promises.

I pull her closer, my wing instinctively curling around her. "Good. Now, let's go find a good spot for the opening ceremony. You're not gonna want to miss this."

I keep my arm firmly around Bronwyn's waist as we navigate the pulsing heart of Caelus. The streets are a maze of color and sound, packed so tight it's hard to get through. Noctari of every variation swarm around us, their wings creating a dizzying kaleidoscope above our heads.

"Watch your step," I murmur, guiding Bronwyn around a group of Oltyxian noctari engaged in an impromptu earth-shaping contest. Their laughter booms as miniature mountains rise from the ground, only to crumble seconds later.

Bronwyn presses closer to me, her warmth a stark contrast to the cool twilight air. I can feel her heart racing, matching the frenetic energy of the crowd. Her eyes dart from one spectacle to another, trying to absorb it all.

"You doing okay?" I ask, my lips brushing her ear.

She nods, but I catch the slight tremble in her voice. "It's just... so much."

I tighten my grip, my wing instinctively curling around her like a shield. "I got you," I reassure her, steering us towards a less crowded alley.

As we move, the scents of Nati assault us – sweet incense, sizzling meats, and the sharp tang of magic in the air. A group of Xydran noctari rush past, their skin crackling with barely contained energy. Bronwyn flinches, and I pull her closer.

"Shatterborn," I explain. "They get a bit... explosive during celebrations."

Kairos, on the other hand, looks positively thrilled as he watches the group run past. I wonder If he's seen things like that on his island.

We emerge onto a wider street, where a troupe of Nosaean dreamweavers are putting on a show. Their illusions dance in the air, shimmering stories of creation and destruction. Bronwyn gasps, her grip on my arm tightening.

"It's beautiful," she whispers, her eyes reflecting the swirling colors.

I smile, enjoying her wonder. "I think you're going to have a great week here."

As we continue, I notice Bronwyn's steps becoming more sure, her posture relaxing slightly. She's adapting, just like I knew she would. Tough as fucking spikes, this one.

We round a corner, and the Concordium looms before us, its seven sides gleaming in the ethereal light. Bronwyn's jaw drops, and I can't help but grin.

"Welcome to the heart of Nati," I say, guiding her towards the growing crowd. "Ready for the show of a lifetime?"

"This is going to be awesome," Naia gasps as they come up next to us. She and Bronwyn exchange an excited look.

I stand with Bronwyn tucked against my side, her warmth a stark contrast to the cool twilight air. The crowd around us buzzes with anticipation as we face the Concordium, its seven gleaming sides towering above us.

Suddenly, a deafening boom echoes across the plaza. The ground beneath our feet trembles, and a collective gasp ripples through the crowd. Seven beams of light, each a different color, shoot from the top of the Concordium into the sky, piercing the perpetual twilight.

"Holy shit," Bronwyn breathes, her grip on my arm tightening.

I grin, my own excitement building. "Just wait. It gets better."

The beams of light twist and dance, forming intricate patterns in the air. Suddenly, they coalesce into seven distinct figures, each easily a hundred feet tall. The crowd roars as the avatars of the gods' chosen heroes materialize before us.

First comes Axarus's champion, a towering warrior clad in armor that seems to absorb light. He raises a massive sword, and the air around him crackles with the promise of battle. The Axari noctari in the crowd let out a deafening war cry.

Next, Xydra's chosen appears in a blinding flash. Her form seems to constantly shift and break apart, only to reform moments later. With a flick of her wrist, she sends out a wave of energy that shatters the very air, leaving shimmering cracks in reality.

Oltyx's hero rises from the ground itself, his body forming from swirling earth and stone. He stomps his foot, and the entire island trembles. Geysers of crystal erupt around him, sending rainbow light cascading over the crowd.

Cither's champion materializes in a whisper, her form barely visible at first. As she comes into focus, the air fills with a cacophony of whispers, secrets, and half-heard truths. The sound is overwhelming, yet oddly compelling.

Nosaos's chosen appears in a swirl of dream-stuff, his form constantly shifting between reality and fantasy. With a wave of his hand, he creates pockets of alternate realities that float above the crowd, offering glimpses of impossible worlds.

Netia's hero bursts into existence in a chaotic explosion of color and sound. She moves in ways that defy physics, leaving trails of probability in her wake. The very fabric of reality seems to warp around her.

Finally, Bizruer's champion emerges from a column of white-hot flame. His skin glows with inner fire, and each step he takes leaves molten footprints. He raises his hammer, and the sky above erupts in a dazzling display of meteors and cosmic forges.

The seven avatars begin to move in a complex dance, their powers intertwining and clashing in a display that defies description. The sky above Caelus becomes a canvas for their abilities, painted with swirling magics and impossible feats.

I tear my eyes away from the spectacle to look at Bronwyn. Her face is a mask of awe, eyes wide and mouth slightly agape. Beside us, Naia clutches Kairos's arm, her expression mirroring Bronwyn's.

"This is... I don't have words," Bronwyn whispers, her voice barely audible over the roar of the crowd and the cosmic display above.

I pull her closer, planting a kiss on her forehead. "And this is just the beginning," I say with a grin.

Kairos, however, looks slightly disappointed. "The gods themselves won't appear?"

I shake my head. "Not yet. They'll show up later in the week. This is just a taste of what's to come."

As we watch the avatars continue their awe-inspiring performance, I can't help but feel a surge of pride. This is my world, my heritage, and I get to share it with Bronwyn. The thought makes my heart swell.

Once the ceremony concludes, the parties start in earnest. I have to lean over to shout as cheers and music start up. "We want to get a room first!" I tell Kairos more than anyone else. He'll have the easiest time cutting through the crowd. "They go quickly."

"Where?" he asks, turning to scan the buildings behind us.

I point out the inn that I've stayed in before, and he gives me a nod. Kairos and Naia head off to the inn I pointed out to claim our room, but I pull Bronwyn back. "I want to take you somewhere first," I tell her, and she just nods. I'm glad she trusts me like this.

We climb a winding path that takes us to a secluded overlook, the city of Caelus sprawling beneath us in all its twilight glory.

"Fuck," I breathe, taking in the view. "No matter how many times I see it, it never gets old."

Bronwyn stands beside me, her eyes wide with wonder. The Concordium rises in the distance, its seven sides gleaming like a beacon in the eternal dusk. Below, the streets pulse with life, a tapestry of light and shadow woven by the countless noctari celebrating Nati.

I pull Bronwyn close, my wing instinctively curling around her. "This," I say, my voice low and reverent, "this is what Nati's really about."

She looks up at me, curiosity burning in her green eyes. "Tell me," she whispers.

I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of generations of tradition settling on my shoulders. "Nati isn't just a party," I begin. "It's... everything to us. It's a reminder of who we are, where we came from."

I gesture to the city below, to the seven distinct sections radiating out from the Concordium. "Each day, we honor a different god. But it's more than that. We're honoring the balance they created, the world they gave us."

Bronwyn leans into me, her warmth a stark contrast to the cool twilight air. I can feel her heartbeat, steady and strong against my side.

"When we celebrate Axarus," I continue, "we're not just honoring war. We're acknowledging the strength it takes to protect what we love. Xydra teaches us that destruction can lead to rebirth. Oltyx reminds us of our connection to the earth beneath our feet."

My voice grows softer, more intense. "Cither shows us the power of secrets and whispers. Nosaos guides us through our dreams. Netia... well, she reminds us that sometimes, chaos is necessary for growth."

I pause, my eyes drawn to the distant forge fires of Bizruer's temple. "And Bizruer teaches us the value of creation, of building something lasting with our own hands."

Bronwyn's hand tightens in mine. "It's beautiful," she murmurs.

I nod, feeling a swell of pride. "It's who we are. Every Nythorran, from the highest mage to the lowliest craftsman, feels the pull of Nati. It's in our blood, our very fucking souls."

I turn to face her, cupping her cheek in my hand. "Nati isn't just about the gods. It's about us. Our people, our world. It's a celebration of everything we are, everything we could be."

Bronwyn's eyes shine in the twilight, reflecting the lights of the city below. I can see the awe in her gaze, the growing connection she feels to this world that's so new to her.

I pull her close, pressing a kiss to her forehead. As we stand there, overlooking the heart of Nythorra, I feel a sense of rightness settle over me. This is where we're meant to be, in this moment, in this world.