A sharp sliver of light pierced through the windows, touching his eyelids. Jinn's brows furrowed as he winced before slowly opening his eyes—eyelids cracking open.
As the scenery slowly unfolded—Intricate carvings of gold sprawled across the ceilings—like roots from a tree. At the center was a chandelier, gleaming as it's golden carved designs flickered.
"Urgh." Jinn grunted as he raised his upper body—his hands pushing up against the soft fabric he laid upon.
The pain from his body was long gone—as if the fatigue he had experienced earlier was non-existent.
He scratched his head as he turned left and right to observe his surroundings.
Once again, furniture carved with gold gleamed around him—along with intricate designs sprawled across the walls.
"Where am I?" he muttered under his breath.
Sliding his legs off the mattress, he laid his foot upon the floor to stand and walked to a nearby window—light from outside flickering and dancing through.
He peered near the window to look outside, trying to get a grasp of where he was.
Yet the scenery he saw made him in awe.
Electrical currents sprawled and gleamed across what seemed to be a metal dome that covered the whole horizon—as if the sky itself was a machine.
Shifting his gaze, he could see towering mechanical buildings that hissed and made loud banging sounds as it moved and turned every interval.
It was a technological marvel, but the scenery itself made Jinn confused.
"What the hell..." said Jinn in a low voice—under his breath.
Catching a movement nearby, directly below—Jinn's eyes widened in realization as he saw one of his friends—Kain—being accompanied by a crimson haired woman.
In a quick manner, Jinn immediately turned to try and leave the room.
Yet before he could further proceed, he was surprised by a familiar metal hiss that clicked behind him.
In reflex, he immediately swung his fist towards his back.
"Woah!" a familiar mechanical voice hissed. "You still got your edie I see—little Jinn!"
There was only one person who called Jinn, "Little Jinn" and that was no other than the mechanical scientist—one of the first individuals that belonged to the empire of Zerafhon the Jinn knew.
"Amaron." Jinn sighed before crossing his arms. "Let's cut to the chase—where are we?" he asked as he peered outside the window once again.
"And who's that—along with my friend, the blonde kid."
Amaron's arm clicked as he raised one finger. "Well... would you like the short answer of th—"
"Short answer." Jinn tilted his head.
Amaron subtly nodded.
"So basically, we are currently at House Sorellia." Amaron's cogs clicked before pointing with his finger towards the crimson haired individual accompanying Kain. "And that right there accompanying your blonde friend is none other than Lady Merilyn herself!"
"What!?" Jinn's eyes widened as he exclaimed—before scratching his head in frustration. "Isn't this the base where Vened—"
"Where Venedix and her family reside—yes." Amaron replied.
Letting out a loud sigh, Jinn sat at one of the chairs nearby.
"So what are you here for?"
"Ah I almost forgot! Ahem * I was tasked to accompany you to the main hall!" Amaron replied excitedly. "The other 'siblings' are waiting for you!"
Jinn paused for a moment, "Then let's not waste any more time." before hardening his expression as he headed towards the door of the room.
"Lead the way—Iron man."
Yet before they proceeded, Amaron leaned closer to one of Jinn's ears—covering his mouth with his other hand as he whispered.
"Hey little Jinn—they haven't found out about your special eye yet, right?" said Amaron, his body hissing slowly in anticipation.
Tugging the eyepatch he is currently wearing with his fingers, Jinn replied. "Why? What happens if they did find out about it?"
Using both of his hands, Amaron clutched his head in panic. "I-I'll be d-dead meat! Or d-dead metal!"
Jinn smirked due to Amaron's reaction, "Calm down, I'm just joking" before placing a hand on Amaron's metal shoulders. "So are you gonna lead me or not?"
Amaron placed both of his hands atop Jinn's shoulders as subtly shaked him back and forth.
"Y-Your not joking right? Please!" desperation evident in his voice.
With a subtle manner, Jinn swatted Amaron's hands away—before sighing. "I'm not—let's not waste any more time and go."
A mechanical sigh came out of Amaron as he opened the door behind them with a soft creak.
"You're right Little Jinn, let's not waste any more time. To the main hall then!"
===
Amaron and Jinn's footsteps echoed as they stepped upon the intricate flooring of the hallways they traveled to.
As they continued, they managed to pass through multiple paintings of several individuals—all had the same striking characteristics which was having crimson red hair.
Must be Venedix's other siblings,
Jinn thought as he observed each portrait.
Like a maze, Jinn and Amaron travelled through multiple places of the building. Almost all parts, corners, and walls had carved runed and gold hued designs upon them.
It was truly a house worthy of a noble.
Amaron and Jinn further walked until they arrived at what seemed to be a spirally descending stairs—to which they've gone through to reach their destination.
They completely descended the stairs and found themselves at the ground level of the house—multiple maids and butlers walked everywhere as they sorted and cleaned every furniture.
One of the maids approached Jinn and Amaron—she bowed elegantly before speaking.
" Evkar in kazar, the other masters are waiting at the main hall."
Amaron nodded. " Evkar in Kreiton, we shall head on then."
Jinn then walked past the maids and butlers—until they arrived at the front of a massive door that towered over Jinn.
Jinn raised his head and shifted his gaze upwards to inspect the door in front of him.
The door was intricate as well, carved with swords the gleamed crimson red—along with serpent like beasts that slithered across the door, seemingly giving an intimidating expression.
The bolts from his shoulders clicked before releasing a hiss as Amaron pushed open the door in front of them—making it slowly groan and creak open.
"Open sesame!"