Arravale, The Capital City

The brothers looked out the carriage windows to an incredible sight unfolding before their eyes.

Arravale stretched for miles before them, surrounded by an even larger expanse of clear blue water. Thick stone walls coiled around the thousands of structures that made up the cities core, a long and intricately designed stone bridge connecting the Margold Forest to the main entrance gate.

As the vehicle approached the gate, the most prevalent building in view was undoubtedly the Castle Margold, a monumental stone structure dotted with red and gold tapestries bearing the royal crest. Four massive towers stood on each corner of the imposing castle wall, allowing a sprawling courtyard to take shape inside. One could tell by the sheer grandeur of its presence that this must be the residence of the kingdom’s royal ensemble.

They reached the gate, heavily guarded by men and women donning the same armor and attire as the soldiers who escorted them from the forest. Stepping out of the carriage, Caleb and Reese walked to the side of the bridge, staring out at the expanse of water in front of them, a distant shoreline beach visible on the horizon.

Reality began to set in – their new reality, that is. For how long were they here? What even was here?

The brothers were filled with a mix of curiosity and fear. Genuine excitement, and uncertain anxiety.

One would expect to feel a lot more panic in such an unfamiliar and unknown situation. For Caleb and Reese, it was far more complicated than that. They never knew their real parents in their world, spending years of their lives bouncing between foster homes, friend’s couches, and more recently, their own place. Years of hard work, both with jobs and at school, allowed them to strike out independently – mostly independently, except for each other. They were always together.

Friends came and went. Foster parents, friends, co-workers, classmates – they never felt a meaningful connection to any of them. Only to one another

Standing together here, on this strange bridge, in a world so far removed from their norm, they could not help but feel alive. It was scary, it was unknown, and yet the two felt the strangest sensation of comfort. As if this was really where they were supposed to be, as if fate had designed it. Maybe cruelly, or maybe fortunately – neither was sure of it yet.

“It’s quite spectacular, isn’t it?”

Maven had walked up behind them, spreading his gloved hands wide as if embracing the view for the first time himself, seemingly intent to interrupt the first moment Reese and Caleb had to themselves to process their situation.

“Now, shall we get going? His Majesty is waiting for you, after all.”

He beckoned them toward the gate, and the three began to make their way into the city.

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Inside the city walls, a scene straight from any fantasy anime they had ever seen was playing out in front of their eyes. Stalls of vendors selling exotic looking fruits and vegetables, as well as various typed of jewelry, clothing, and other wares.

“Our first order of business,” Maven said, clapping his hands together, “is getting you both some new clothes! Your outfits aren’t all that strange, but you still look very out of place, and everything will be easier if you look more like you fit in.”

What exactly would be easier? Caleb thought to himself, but before he could ask, the shopkeeper has whisked him and his brother inside.

The inside of the shop smelled sweetly, with incense burning on the countertop. The young shopkeeper lady had long auburn hair, a fluffy cotton dress on with a green headband in her hair, and continued to softly smile at the two of them as they made their way around the shop. They each settled on suitable outfits, got changed behind the dressing curtains, and emerged moments later in their new garb.

“How do I look, my lovely…. ?” Reese said with a sly smile, pausing only when he realized he did not know the woman’s name. He could be a hopeless flirt with women at times.

Smiling back at him, the woman spoke in a meek tone.

“My name is Kiana. Please come back anytime you need!”

She bowed slightly to them, and Reese, unrelenting, took her by one hand.

“Kiana, you are absolutely beautiful. How much do we owe you – or will a date suffice as payment?”

Reese yelled upon Caleb’s heavy left jab into his non-augmented arm, as Kiana, puzzled at first, began to shake her hands at them.

“Oh please, these are for guests of the royal family! Consider this a favor for His Majesty’s advisor.”

Advisor? Does she mean Maven? Caleb thought to himself as he dragged Reese out of the shop, much to his brother’s chagrin.

Now back in the street, Maven beamed at them, the carriage having pulled up behind him.

“Now you certainly look the parts of our prophesized heroes!”

Caleb chose a tighter fitting beige tunic, a black cloak wrapped around his shoulders with black pants and black boots to match. Mostly dark colors that complemented his stoic disposition.

Reese decided on a red and gold, loose fitting tunic that matched the royal colors. His cloak and pants were both a lighter gray color anchored by brown boots. Despite the contrasting styles and colors, one could easily tell they were twin brothers. A fact that never changed no matter what they did.

It took about ten minutes to reach the castle gate – the city was notably large and very crowded. The courtyard entrance to the main hall was teeming with vibrancy. All kinds of flowers, shrubs, and trees adorned the grounds, meticulously maintained to the standard befitting a royal garden. Soldiers, maids, and court officials freely moved about, signaling this to be quite a hub of activity for the kingdom.

Entering the main hall that led to the king’s chambers, exquisite art and pottery lined the walls, trimmings of red and gold contrasting the pale stone walls of the castle interior. It was breathtaking for two otherworldly visitors, who had never seen anything as grand in their lives. Such was the true splendor of Castle Margold.

Two armed guards opened the massive wooden doors to the throne room, adorned similarly but with far more intricacy than the other rooms. In front of them was the royal throne, surrounded by several individuals that were far lighter armed yet far more imposing.

The pressure of the atmosphere was palpable – both Caleb and Reese felt it difficult to stand. The king himself was exuding a particularly oppressing aura, and the bearded man and young man standing on either side of him were not far behind in strength.

This must be the power of the kingdom’s elite.

Gathering themselves, the brothers stepped forward to stand in front of them. The man to the king’s right, sporting a very full brown beard with rough features, wore a tunic not dissimilar to what Reese had chosen at the shop. He donned shorts very brief in length, and brown sandals with gold tassels. The boy to his left sported white hair and wore gold clothing with light armor and moccasin-like shoes. Despite his soft facial expression, he was just as imposing as his older compatriot.

And then there was the King himself. Dressed in a white and gold silk shirt, wrapped in a velvety red robe with lavish trimmings and a big gold royal crest, the boys couldn’t help but notice how incredibly young he looked. Judging off of his facial features, he could not be older than twenty-five or twenty-six. This made his incredibly intimidating presence and disposition all the more surprising.

Maven, standing beside them, genuflected with reverence.

“Your Majesty, allow me to introduce to you - the summoned heroes of prophecy, Reece and Caleb Rivellan.”

Before Maven could continue, Caleb stepped forward, interjecting.

“Actually, sir, I must apologize to Maven here. The names my brother gave to him were aliases, as we weren’t sure if we could trust him.”

“Oh?” The king, an intrigued look on his face, resting his face on a closed fist on the arm of his throne, “and who might you actually be?”

“My name is Kallin. Kallin Rivellan. And this here is my brother, Reign.”

For a brief second, the atmosphere seemed to take on a chilling tension. Caleb (now Kallin) could have sworn he saw Maven’s face twitch slightly, but none of the four men’s facial expressions changed. Reese (now Reign) touted a look of shock and puzzlement. And yet he stood by what he had declared.

For this is what he had decided. He was going to use these names he heard in his vision to draw out the truth. He was going to figure out exactly what was going on, and who those people talking were. He was going to get to the bottom of why they had really arrived here.

“Well, then. Kallin. Reign. My name is Titus. King Titus Margold V. Allow me to formally welcome you both to Arravale, the glorious capital of Margold.”