Chapter 3 - Realization

Everyone except Rael looked at the sword and Tiberius with surprise in their eyes.

“He—he actually…”

“This is unbelievable…”

“It really moved…”

While most of the crowd was in shock, some were genuinely happy and smiling. And this was totally understandable, considering how everyone could only come to this festival once in a lifetime, and seeing the sword move would be something they could not forget for the rest of their lives.

Rael turned toward the gods, whose facial expressions could not be seen because of their masks. “I hope you will keep your promise, dear Allfather,” he said but made sure he was not talking too loud.

“Of course,” the Allfather replied, without flinching.

“Good,” Rael mumbled as he put on his cape and walked away from the crowd with slow steps.

But no one was paying attention to him. Everyone was still staring at Tiberius, who was still confused and terrified.

“Tiberius Kane, you completed the challenge that you agreed to…” The Allfather broke the silence, saying, "You are free to leave this place alive, but..." He stopped for a second, levitating high in the sky together with other gods, saying their last words to everyone before leaving, "...you shall not come back here ever again."

While the gods were leaving, everyone in the crowd locked their eyes on them, even after they finished their words. That is why they could get a glimpse of something they did not expect.

They were discussing something as they rose into the sky and disappeared between clouds. But no one could hear except the gods themselves.

Tiberius was still baffled by what had happened. Even though he had been spared, he had no idea what would happen to him.

After Gods left, everyone’s eyes locked on him with excitement. Some people in the crowd started to come forward to see the face of the man who moved the sword, so a little mess started in the festival. They were pulling others behind to come forward, or those on the front were pushing others back. Some of them were screaming, while others were throwing slurs. Some even tried to cast magic until King Eldrich stepped in to stop chaos.

He raised his hand but then put it down, remembering it was not allowed to use magic in Solmir. Of course, those who tried to help Tiberius to land safely were forgiven without a word because it was an act of kindness, something gods have tried to teach. But if someone tried to harm others or disturb the festival with evil intent, their punishment would be death at the lightest.

“Did you all forget where we are!?” He said with anger, “We are at Solmir, Gods’ land! How dare you cause chaos, let alone try to cast magic?”

With his words, everyone froze in the moment. Slowly, they lowered their hands and stood silent, without causing further mess. Because they knew that disobeying a king would result in execution as soon as they arrived in the country.

“Just because that disrespectful bigot showed up and challenged our gods does not make any difference on our end. We know what kind of misfortune happens to those who disrespect them. So let him be.”

Then he turned towards Ty and asked, lowering his voice.

“And you, unlucky one, you were not able to pull the sword fully, but even moving it shows that you are worthy enough!” He slowly went up on the stage and took his place next to Tiberius, who was still trying to figure out the events.

“Even though gods forbid you from stepping on these lands ever again, they never mentioned that you shall never visit six nations. So that you can return to your home country.”

As he said this, he raised his hand and tapped on Tiberius’s shoulder, like a father. But the difference was, it was more like a kid doing it to their father because of the height difference.

Tiberius struggled to find the words to speak.

"I…" His voice was still shaky, but it was better since the gods had left. "... I live in New York, so I would be grateful if you could assist me," he added in a mannered tone, attempting not to sound demanding.

As he made his request, everyone in the crowd, including the Kings, looked at him puzzled. He felt as if he had said he was from Mars because only then would he receive a reaction like this.

Some began to ask one another if they knew anything about the location Tiberius mentioned, but no one seemed to have any idea.

“Does no one here know New York? America?” He asked again, looking for hope by mentioning America.

“America? Is that a village?” Said the king next to him.

This was completely unexpected. It was impossible that anyone on the planet had never heard of America. Even people in non-technologically advanced countries are aware of America or have heard about it at least.

“What nation is it in?” asked the king again.

“America is a nation—”

He tried to explain, but he stopped as he moved his gaze to the sky. The thing he saw was something unbelievable.

There were 2 suns!

He blinked a few times and even rubbed his eyes to make sure he was not seeing double. And he wasn’t. There were actually two suns.

“Hey, why are there 2 suns?” He asked, pointing towards them, “Am I seeing double?”

King Eldrich frowned. “What is a sun?”

“The Sun! Th-the thing in the sky, the light of the earth? Why are there 2? Is that a meteor?” he said, panicking even more.

King smirked, “They are not meteors; they are Solara and Ignion, the lights of our world. Do you not go outside?”

Tiberius did not understand at first. What is Solara? What is Ignion? That is called the sun, and there is only one of them. That’s why he was still scared, until he realized that none of them were coming close but shining like the Sun.

“Hey, you really are not from this world, are you?” said the King, trying to tap on his shoulder again.

Tiberius could not answer. Because he really did not understand why everything felt so familiar but also distant. Maybe he was somewhere else, far from home, just in a different world.

Like the stories he used to read as a child. A world of fiction, a world where your dreams would come true. An exciting journey through diverse cultures and people.

As he was deep in thought, King Eldrich interrupted.

“I think it is time for us to go…” he said to the crowd. Then he turned toward Tiberius and lowered his voice, “...Where are you planning to go, young man?”

Tiberius looked at him with confusion since he had no idea what he was supposed to do. “I actually don’t kn—”

“I would gladly accept him as my guest!” said King Tharos.

All kings looked at him in confusion, since they did not expect him to hold out a helping hand.

“Why are you all confused? I am the representative of this year’s festival. So I believe it is only right if I help this man out.”

Kings were still looking at him, but they nodded in agreement. They had to leave this land as early as possible because no one wished to enrage the gods anymore.

King Tharos approached the stage and faced the audience.

“Dear people of all nations. The 99th Divine Festival has concluded. Now, let’s leave this land as soon as possible.”

Hearing this, everyone started moving out of the festival zone slowly, towards the carriages that brought them here.

“Let us leave this land too,” said King Tharos, showing the way to Tiberius with a gesture.

They went the opposite way, to their own carriages that were way fancier, like ones in the stories again, but this one had something different. It was not about the carriage itself, however; it was about the horses that were going to pull it. It was a pure white horse that had large, beautiful wings.

The horse moved its wings with elegance, creating a breeze.

“Is that a horse?” asked Tiberius with excitement.

“Of course,” replied the King, “this is a winged horse that only kings and their family members are allowed to use.”

“I have never seen one.”

Tiberius’s eyes opened wide as a smile appeared on his face.

“It is normal, since you are not from these lands. They were gifted to us by the gods themselves.”

“Can I touch it?”

“Sure, but be careful; they are aggressive against unfamiliar people.”

Tiberius approached the horse and stood in front of it after receiving permission. Moved his head from left to right, then right to left, to look at its eyes. Aside from their brightness, they did not appear unusual.

As Tiberius slowly touched its head and placed it on his forehead, the horse closed its eyes and did not become aggressive, unlike the way the king had stated.

Tiberius was born in the city and has never left it since, so it was not usual for him to see animals, especially big ones. Now he understands why he put his vacation over his job. Peace. The feeling he felt while touching the horse was nothing but peace, silence, and calmness. He caressed the horse and gradually moved to its wings.

“Do not even try,” he heard a voice. It came from behind the horse.

“What?”

“Do not touch its wings, unless you wish death. Winged horses do not like to be touched on their wings.”

“Oh, I didn’t know…” said Tiberius, looking out to see the man talking. The man who warned him was the coachman of the carriage. He was dressed in a plain blue coat with five unbuttoned buttons. However, Tiberius’s attention was drawn to something entirely different, to his eyepatch. He had one over his right eye. “...but it did not react aggressively toward me.”

“Surely it didn’t. You did not act aggressive, and the horse went along with it. But just a reminder that I am the one who takes care of it, and look at this,” the coachman said, lifting his eyepatch and showing the empty hole in his eye socket.

“Oh,” he mumbled, making a sour face.

But suddenly stopped.

“I am sorry, it’s just…”

“It’s alright,” he said, putting the eyepatch back on. “I am used to it.”

“C-can it fly?” Asked Tiberius to change the subject.

"Better than some birds," he replied, smiling.

“Let’s go,” said King, interrupting their conversation.

The guard had opened the door and was waiting for them.

“O-okay,” said Tiberius, following the king into the carriage.

As they entered the carriage, the guard closed the door and sat down next to the coachman. They gradually started to move. Tiberius was looking out the window with excitement because it was his first carriage ride.

“You seem excited. Is it your first time in a carriage?” asked King.

“Yes,” said Tiberius with a smile, “Carriage is outdated in my world.”

“Oh, then what do you use to travel long distances?”

“Cars, buses, trains. If the distance is too much, then maybe a plane.”

“What are those? Never heard of those words before. Is it even in English?” he said with a slight giggle.

“They are in English; it’s just—” He stopped suddenly. “Wait,” he raised his voice slightly. “How do you all speak English flawlessly?”

He only realized this now, since the pressure on him has been lifted. If he were in a completely different place, as they had stated, they would be speaking in a language he did not understand.

“What is the problem with speaking English? We've been using this language for more than a century," King said.

"But how?" Tiberius muttered as the guard turned back.

“King Tharos, sorry for interrupting your conversation with your guest, but we have left Solmir. Waiting for your permission to fly.”

King nodded and gave permission.

“Did you say fly?” Tiberius’s eyes widened. “But there was only one horse! Isn't it too heavy for a horse to carry us, let alone fly?”

King let out a laugh.

“Do not underestimate winged horses! They are at least ten times stronger than the strongest horse,” said the coachman, slightly turning his head. Then turned back, “Let’s go, girl,” called the horse, hitting it with the whip.