The Eternal Holy City, Okhema
The Grand Entrance
Passing through the light curtain of the Infinity Gate, the scene before them suddenly opened up!
"This... this is Okhema?!" Cyrene stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes widening in disbelief as if trying to burn everything before her into her memory.
She looked up, letting out a heartfelt exclamation, "It truly lives up to its name as the legendary Eternal Holy City! The sky here... it's actually bright?!"
Unlike the gloomy perpetual night outside, Okhema's sky was bathed in a soft, constant, holy radiance, as if composed of pure energy.
This light did not come from a sun, but from the center of the distant holy city, from a colossal statue that pierced the heavens, the titan of worldbearing—Kephale.
It carried an immense, glowing orb on its back, radiating warm, eternal light like an artificial sun, bathing the entire holy city in a nightless brilliance.
As far as the eye could see, there were countless majestic structures built from a strange, pale golden-hued stone, layered upon layer, extending upwards along carefully planned arcs, ultimately clustering around the central statue bearing the luminous orb.
Spires pierced the clouds, arched bridges crossed crystal-clear aerial waterways, and the air was filled with a faint, exhilarating aura, as if even breathing felt sacred.
Phaethon also took a deep breath. *So this is Okhema... It's like heaven and earth compared to the crude modeling in the game!*
The magnificence and splendor before him far exceeded his imagination, giving rise to a mixed feeling of insignificance and awe.
"Little Whitey, welcome to Okhema!" Tribbie's voice carried the joy of returning home and a touch of pride. She was clearly pleased with everyone's reaction.
She pointed towards the city's enormous golden gate, carved with intricate divine patterns: "Through our connection with Trinnon, we have already informed Agy of our return."
The smile on her face widened. "Look, she is waiting right at the main gate of the holy city! Oh, right!" She winked playfully at Phaethon. "That 'brother of yours' is there too!"
"Phainon is here too?" Phaethon and Cyrene beside him exchanged surprised glances, both seeing the delight of a long-awaited reunion in each other's eyes.
Cyrene covered her mouth with a light laugh: "My, my, things are about to get lively ♪"
Phaethon subconsciously clenched his fist, a thread of anticipation and competitiveness quietly rising.
*It's been almost a year. I wonder how much his strength has improved? Hope he hasn't fallen too far behind me... Hmph, more importantly—that bag of wheat seeds, he'd better still have it safely on him!*
...
Walking along the broad, divine path paved with jade-white, faintly glowing flagstones, the imposing golden gate drew nearer. One figure in front of the gate was particularly striking.
She wore a simple yet radiant pale gold robe that shimmered with a sacred halo. Her posture was as straight as a pine tree, her demeanor noble and holy, as if she herself were part of the light source.
Her dazzling golden hair cascaded down like a waterfall, framing a face of unearthly perfection, yet carrying a trace of inhuman detachment. It was the millennium guardian of the holy city, Aglaea.
"Any!" Tribbie spoke first, her voice carrying the unique warmth and gratification of a teacher.
"Teacher, welcome back." Aglaea bowed slightly, her movements elegant and fluid.
She placed her right hand lightly over her left chest, over her heart, performing a standard holy city salute.
Her voice was like the purest hymn, pleasant to the ear, yet carrying a constant, unchanging calmness, betraying little emotional fluctuation.
"Phaethon! Cyrene!" A voice full of vitality and a boisterous, hearty energy instantly shattered the solemn atmosphere brought by Aglaea.
A figure darted out from behind Aglaea. It was Phainon, whom they hadn't seen for nearly a year!
A bright, unreserved smile was plastered on his face as he strode towards Phaethon and Cyrene with open arms: "Haha! I was worried you might have lost weight or gotten hurt after hearing about the big stir you caused in Janusopolis in the earlier communication!"
"But looking at you now," he looked the energetic duo up and down, giving Phaethon a firm pat on the shoulder, "I worried for nothing! You're as solid as ever!"
"And, Cyrene. Has Phaethon been treating you too well? Have you... put on a little weight?" Phainon asked, somewhat puzzled.
"Phainon! You brothers really are both blocks of wood!" The tiny bit of melancholy Cyrene felt upon seeing Phainon instantly vanished.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!" Phaethon and Phainon looked at each other and burst into happy laughter.
Phaethon laughed, but the next moment, his eyes narrowed. He extended his hand, palm up, his tone carrying an indisputable "authority": "Save the pleasantries, Phainon. The item. Hand it over."
"Ah?" Phainon's arms, which were about to embrace him, froze mid-air. The smile on his face stiffened into a big question mark. "Wh-what item?"
Phaethon squinted, saying slowly, "Of course—the wheat seeds! The bet we made before setting off, you didn't forget, did you? If you don't have them..."
He deliberately drew out his words, revealing a "kind" smile. "According to the agreement, from now on, you'll have to call me 'big brother' when we meet."
Phainon was stunned for a moment, then, as if remembering something, his expression shifted from confusion to joy, finally turning into a "just as I thought" triumphant laugh: "Hahaha! I knew you'd be hung up on this!"
He unceremoniously returned Phaethon's look, reached into the inner lining of his robe, fumbled for a bit, then solemnly pulled out a small pouch carefully wrapped in high-quality silk.
He carefully untied a corner of the silk, revealing the worn cloth bag containing the wheat seeds from their hometown.
"Here! Your big brother keeps his word, kept it safe and sound!" Phainon said with a boastful expression, placing the small pouch into Phaethon's outstretched hand.
Phaethon's fingers touched the pouch, still warm from body heat, and felt the vibrant life force within. A trace of imperceptible warmth flashed in his eyes.
He took the seeds, and in one fluid motion, pulled sharply! Amidst Phainon's startled "Wah?!" he gave him a solid, brotherly bear hug!
"Long time no see, Phainon." Phaethon's voice sounded by Phainon's ear, filled with laughter and a hint of imperceptible emotion.
Phainon stiffened for a second, then also laughed heartily, hugging Phaethon back firmly: "Haha! Long time no see, you're still so awkward!"
Cyrene, watching the brothers' awkward yet genuine interaction, her eyes curved into crescent moons. *Ara ara~ Little Phainon and little Phaethon~ still getting along so well ♪*
On the other side
Aglaea's emerald green eyes watched the embracing brothers with serene detachment.
Her gaze lingered on Phaethon for a moment longer before turning to Tribbie beside her. Her voice remained as steady as ever: "Teacher, is he... the great anomaly we never anticipated?"