The academy stood on the brink of the lower-class village huts and the middle-class's glossy black roofs.
Memor followed Master Evangelia through the middle-class streets that murmured with the voices of shops. The stark contrast between the inner and outer parts of the village is reflected in the clothing they both wore. Despite their similar designs, the inner parts roamed civilians who dressed in smoother, and more vibrant colors.
It smelled warm, the bustling of people felt almost smothering to Memor, even though the streets were far from crowded.
Blacksmiths, taverns, diners, street stalls, waved past Memor, sometimes heads swayed from the second stories, mostly of young rich ladies looking down arrogantly.
They moved closer, the buildings changed to being constructed with only glossy bricks, the same as Torsal. The people roaming the streets changed too, from a look one could tell that most were Learner, a few had steel brooches on their chest, Mind Shifters.
In front of Torsal laid a large open square, workers roamed past one another each fitted in uniform similar to Theano's hunting party.
From below, Torsal was a mountain, its peak rivaling the cliff it strung to. The glint of black bricks flashed Memor on his way through the square. He saw the workers speeding past its windows from its many levels.
Reaching the front of Torsal, a door, no, more like a gate welcomed them. Offices lined both sides of the tower, only the sounds of paper shuffling could be heard. No one spoke, they communicated by using Mind Path rather than speaking, making the insides of the tower feel eerie. At times a wailing screech would echo from its basement, reminding its inhabitants of the truth of their work.
Evangelia led Memor up the tower to its attic, where the rope bridge connected to the cliffside.
It was negligence or cluelessness? Despite his trained body, climbing hundreds of floors in his mortal body was no easy task. At the end of it Memor crashed into the ground, while Master Evangelia barely broke into a sweat.
What is this torture? Isn't there a Last Anchor Fragment here for convenience?
Memor picked himself up, still feeling the pain in his muscle, his movements were sluggish. Evangelia led him through a hallway—several doors lined the side in Mahogany. They reached the end of the hallway where a larger door stood with guards on both sides. Evangelia stopped right before the guards nodding at them as they stood in silence.
Is she transferring them memories? Memor was too tired to think to much about it as he attempted to massage his leg muscles.
"Once we are inside, keep your mouth shut, leave the talking to your uncle." Evangelia whispered to Memor.
What? Before he could even acknowledge her warning, she escorted him through the door, pulling at his arm.
They walked into a large round hall decorated with Mahogany sculptures of knights and the same glossy black bricks.
In front of Memor, a long table curving with the room, in the shape of a half-circle, behind it three figures sat. After the table, a sort of balcony opened leading towards a rope bridge. From where Memor stood he couldn't make out what's on the cliff.
Councilor Spyro still in his white robe, leaned himself on the grand chair elegantly crossing his legs at the edge of the table. Councilor Tryphon wore a plain dark robe, his straight posture and focused eyes gave off a domineering aura, in accordance to his spot at the center of the table. Councilor Viktor was a bulky man, he was always found wearing his light battle armor, it's polish couldn't hide the relic that it was. Wrinkles covered his face like tattered rag—he sat opposite to Councilor Spyro.
Oh, this is about the hunting trip. Memor noticed the individuals standing to his left, Uncle Ceres and Calypso whose head was lowered, different from her usual authoritative self.
Evangelia pulled Memor to stand next to his uncle and left the hall.
They waited, no one spoke a word, the swaying of flames from the wall mounted torches was the only sound heard. Memor was not going to complain, his body was still recovering from his trip up Torsal.
Minutes passed, suddenly in the center of the hall a black rift open, spitting out matter, reconstructing a human figure, Theano.
"We shall begin the Council meeting," Councilor Tryphon stated, standing up." Theano. Last cycle you took Figure out with you including students from Learners Academy, Luni and Memor. Is that correct?"
Theano nodded.
Bam!
Councilor Viktor slammed the table leaving a few cracks on it." What made you think it was a good idea to do that!"
"It was a- "
"You have no excuse!" Viktor pointed.
"And you!" Viktor shifted his attention to Calypso." Is this a game to you! What do you have to say for yourself!"
Feisty. Memor looked at calypso, the fear in her eyes seeped past the mask of confidence she put on as she made her way next to Theano.
"I wanted take my brother hunting, but he would not go unless Memor went as well councilor."
Viktor let out a long sigh," This is not the old days where mortal men can go hunting out in the wild!"
Calypso's shoulders sagged. Memor in his years of knowing Calypso has never seen her in such a sorry state, it painted a new picture in his mind.
"Viktor. Don't be so hard on the children. They have much to learn." Councilor Spyro said, giving a momentary glance to Ceres.
This man. What is he up to? Uncle Ceres didn't even acknowledge Spyros indication, he stood stalwartly, arms crossed.
"It may not be the old times, where mortal men have to go out hunting to make a living. But let's be honest, you've always complained how the younger generation are soft, this maybe an opportunity." Spyro spoke in his usual melodious tone, looking at Councilor Viktor.
"Councilor Spyro, if you are suggesting what I'm thinking, I would recommend you stop." Tryphon stared at Spyro with his focused eyes." We already have enough problems. Now Figure has created another- "
"If we were to allow mortal men to go out hunting like the old days, we'll have one less." Spyro cutoff, a smile playing his face.
Silence settled in the hall,
"If I may?" Ceres stepped forward," It was never a rule that mortal men could not go hunting."
"Even if not Master Ceres, someone has to be responsible for the current situation." Tryphon said." Just today we had to reject 10 requests for forming a hunting party. Someone has to take responsibility. You would not want your niece to be responsible, would you?"
"No Councilor" Ceres stepped back.
Tough luck. Memor had an idea of what was going on. He was seen going on a hunting trip with Figure, which was supposedly popular and now, many lower-class individuals are requesting to go out hunting, even though they are not Learners. Most lower-class citizens are farmers, with a lot more going hunting, the already lacking self-sustainability of the village will tank.
"Now now, Tryphon, don't be so hard on our friend here." Spyro said.
Councilor Tryphon, stared at Spyro for a moment before shaking his head and looking back at Theano." As the leader of Figure, you are responsible for your team's mistakes. You shall be punished with a cut in your wages and guard duty in the Chambers Below till further notice."
Basement? The other two Councilors nodded in agreement.
"Let me be punished in his steed," Calypso stepped forward, her body almost shivering." I am the one who brought Memor with us."
Councilor Viktor was about to yell, but was stopped by Councilor Tryphon's gesture of a hand.
"Regardless, we still have more requests coming in, Theano is the only one with enough influence to convince our people to not go hunting." Councilor Tryphon stated, shutting down any response from Calypso.
Spyro seeing the situation, had a slight smile on his face, glancing at Ceres. "Or. We allow mortals to go hunting on one condition. That they have a Grade 1 Mnemonist accompanying them."
"Spyro!" Tryphon yelled, glaring at Spyro.
"The number of mortals with connections to Mind Shifters is very little, and Viktor, didn't you want to train your soldiers outside the village, huh?" Spyro looked to Viktor, a friendly smile playing on his face.
" All in favor" Spyro raised a hand.
Councilor Tryphon's hands were down, he stared at Councilor Viktor, waiting for his decision. Slowly, Councilor Viktor hand rose, his gauntlet scraping against itself.
"Well, this meeting is adjourned." Spyro stood up, giving Ceres a glare before crossing the rope bridge onto the cliffside.
That didn't go well. With the new law issued, Councilor Spyro will likely force Memor into going on some mission outside the village to separate him and Uncle Ceres. What he might do then, escapes Memor's understanding.
While Memor was in thought, the other two Council members each spawned a black rift at their abdomen, teleporting out. The two members of Figure teleported out as well, though this time it was one rift, Calypso held Theano's arm while he teleported them out—Leaving Memor and Uncle Ceres alone in the hall.
"Let's go," Uncle Ceres called, breaking Memor from his stupor.
They went through the exit, past the hallway, descending one level at a time.
Can't Uncle Ceres just teleport me out? He is an artesian, he should have a teleporting Artifact. Memor sized up his uncle.
"What is it?" Ceres asked, realizing Memor's gaze.
"Nothing..." Memor answered." ...What should we do about Spyro? It seems like he is quite elated by how thing went."
"He knows there is something wrong with you."
"What? How?" Memor said surprised, yet curious.
"Spyro might be a madman, but he is no idiot." Ceres said stopping on a step." Your acting has been inconsistent throughout the years."
"What? I think my acting is fine." Memor retorted.
"No, you have gotten too good these past few years. Its too different from when you were young."
"What? Can't a child change personalities over the years?" Memor smirked.
Uncle Ceres sighed at his niece's comment." Drop the act Memor."
The moment those words came out, Memor's whole being changed, He stood straighter, his eyes lost their gleamer, the face of a child seem to grow older and the smile was gone. One would say he was a corpse if not for the fact that he was still breathing.
"What do we do now?" Memor's voice was emotionless, cold to the ear.
Ceres looked at Memor for a little while before nodding in approval," There is not much we can do. That does not mean him sending you out of the village is a bad thing...Go to Yannis's blacksmith. Get yourself a sword, I'll make you an Artifact."
That's a first. Memor nodded.
Seeing that he has nothing to say to his niece, Ceres's left hand which wore a green glove decorated with golden accents glimmered. A black rift spawned near his abdomen, he was sucked in, before long no traces of him was left.
Anyone can teleport nowadays huh. Memor shook his head. Before descending lower, he brought back his usually demeanor, bright childish eyes, a faint smile, slight sagging at the shoulders.
"Here we go," Memor let out a soft sigh, there was still about 80 stories he had to descend until he reaches the bottom. Not wasting anytime, he started his tiring and gradual descent.