I hadn't realized I fell asleep until my face was assaulted with a wall of golden light.
My eyelids fluttered and I almost panicked wondering if I had reached the pearly white gates.
Fortunately, I didn't die in my sleep–instead as my eyes adapted to the sudden burst of light, I was met with a large cityscape painted in shades of brown, gold and black.
Towers of black metal gilded with golden decorations and blue windows reached for the open sky where a blazing sun stood. Rays of light danced and bounced across the cityscape while lush jungle green trees provided cool shadows underneath its canopies for pedestrians to escape the sun.
The armored train holding awakened passengers sprinted on a metal bridge suspended over a sparkling river. The blue waters glittering in the yellow sunlight reminded me of sapphires.
No wonder WQSC called it the river of gems.
Speaking of the Western Quadrant Seige Capital, for such a harsh full name, the place looked quite homely.
The train screeched to a stop when it arrived at a train station on an island separated from the mainland where I could see WQSC.
Most people on the train got up to unload thick and heavy suitcases from under the seats and above them. Multiple people doing this at the same time while trying to make it first to the door outside caused quite a ruckus. Luckily, Orochi and I barely packed anything save for the file of papers and a small single strap backpack on my shoulder.
We shuffled out quite easily, especially since most passengers took a second look at Orochi and stepped away to let him through. I didn't see any look of recognition from the passengers, but they seemed aware that the man with a tattooed face was not worth the trouble.
Orochi and I slipped off the train onto the hard concrete surface of the train station. Above us was a metal roof hosting a number of billboards from train times, a clock, advertisements for memories and pvcs, bounties, and others.
Despite the onslaught of colors and images, the first thing that I became aware of was the heat. It was a type of heat I wasn't used to at NQSC.
It wasn't suffocating like in the industrial NQSC with the greenhouse gases spouted from factories.
No, this felt more natural. Like I was standing under a waterfall of hot water that seeps deep into my skin, like it should be.
Now that I think of it, it feels better to breathe here. Holy spell, I've never thought air would smell or feel so good.
"Move your fatass brat." Orochi's words were a wake up call from my religious experience of a healthy environment. I snapped out of my hypnotism and walked to a pair of suited guards standing near a doorway scanning the awakened passengers. They were likely awakened too.
As I stood in line with Orochi, I wondered.
Should I capture some of this clean air in a jar…?
***
"This place is too good!" I said as I ripped off some skewered grilled red meat with tears in my eyes.
Me and Orochi were walking across the tiled sand-colored streets of WQSC. We were in the commercial district of WQSC and I was having the time of my life shopping food, drinks, and accessories in the various walk-in shops posted under the buildings.
Orochi eyed me with a judging look full of confusion. "…are you crying over meat?"
I ignored his words, which in the dream realm would probably result in him ripping me up considering his track record—but I knew out in public he couldn't afford to do that.
Again, WQSC—It was a totally different and refreshing experience compared to dull sections of NQSC. For one, the colors meshed so much better here. The buildings wore a cream colored base which was outlined with intricate patterns of turquoise, green, pink, yellow, lavender, or all of them in combination. These colors etched out primitive images of people, nightmare creatures, places, maps, food, weapons, events–you name it, and they have it here and more.
The people here were another type of extraordinary. NQSC was used to the chromatic combination of black and white while the people here didn't hesitate to wear wild colors and patterns.
Some came straight out of a fashion show while others wore something more simple and practical. The array of skin shades also helped to bring a different vibe to every person.
Immediately however, a dark figure in a display shop caught my eye. I sprinted over at full speed and immediately reached the glass to look at the life-sized figure of Mongrel. His bewitching dark armor trimmed to fit his body and the familiar dark demon mask with flowing snow white hair flowing behind him. He was in a cool and rugged pose as he stood straight with a sword over his shoulder and hand over the bottom part of his mask as if to take it off and face his opponent.
By the dead gods it was so awesome, what was the price? I could maybe buy it if—
I looked at the price tag and too many zeros that were in front of the decimal point.
…
I could sell my liver, I know awakened body parts cost a ton–
Suddenly a scream came from my right, "I will get my hands on this. You can't stop me from selling my arms, I WILL get this figure of my glorious and humble king, LORD MONGREL!"
"Camille, you won't be able to put your hands on that thing if you sell your arms!" Another strained female voice said.
I looked to my right to see a dark-skinned girl with braids being held back by two people. One was a girl my height with pale skin and shoulder length blonde hair with blue tips and sea-colored eyes. The other was a thin and lanky guy with shaggy black hair and timid golden eyes.
The girl with braids and her two friends kept struggling until they paused to look into my eyes.
There was a bit of confusion on all their faces before the girl with sea-eyes shot open in recognition along with my dark eyes.
"Vincent?!"