Two streams of hundreds of young people moved toward opposite ends of the capital.
The well-structured streets became crowded.
Even with the large flow of young people, their number was still tiny compared to those who had participated in the Lineage Ceremony.
Among them, right behind the broad back of a certain King of the Wolves, was Kair.
He was still getting used to his new senses, but even so, it was not strange only to him.
Some relatives of the survivors accompanying the procession also found it strange to see him walking directly behind the king.
His eyes stole brief glances to his right, where the Prince of the Wolves, Rael Duskfang, walked with his eyes still furious and relatively empty.
If not for the obvious difference in appearance, any passerby would have believed Kair was a lost son of King Garran.
Perhaps because of the exhaustion, or because the number of lives the Fracture had claimed had finally become clear, the silence was uncomfortable.
And it only grew more so as they walked for dozens of minutes.
Kair did not know why the king was taking them to one of the far ends of the capital.
When he had been sent to the ceremony, he had traveled aboard an airship quite popular throughout the Asteria Empire.
Practically all transportation relied on various models of them, and with a few magical resources, they could be extremely fast.
Kair and many others who were not descendants of the Lords found the route the king had taken them along strange, but perhaps because of their trust or exhaustion, no one complained.
He could have asked for some kind of transportation for us…
Or does he want us to walk this much?
He can fly!
He could easily go ahead and meet us at the airships later.
Even with his exhausted mind, Kair could not stop analyzing King Garran, though he always remained careful to look away or avoid appearing as though he were trying to pry into the king’s thoughts.
What Kair did not yet know was that when someone reached the level of power the king possessed, they could “see” with much more than their eyes.
Leading the entire procession, the king was amused by Kair’s analytical eyes and, with a nod, finally put the matter aside.
They should have had enough time to become familiar with civilization…
With a few quicker steps that did not escape Kair’s notice, the king finally began leading them toward a specific region surrounded by enormous multi-story structures.
The area seemed to be a business district, where powerful people went to make secret deals.
All the buildings had frosted-glass windows or were barely open, despite being decorated with very old and elegant ornaments.
After passing through a portal where two wolves had been carved into the stone, locked in an eternal struggle…
The capital’s blue sky should have come into view, but what appeared instead left all the young people almost numb.
Chains firmly anchored to the ground.
Thousands of armed wolves standing guard, and an almost obscene number of towers covered in glowing runes.
At the end of the enormous chains…
Was something that could be described as nothing less than a floating island.
It was kilometers above them, high enough that the young people nearly broke their necks trying to see the entire thing.
Platforms carrying merchandise, people, and even the bodies of creatures floated up and down, creating a flow of thousands, if not millions, of people.
At a certain point, everyone stopped in front of a man wearing a blue suit and a two-colored tie.
Black and white, obviously.
Even behind his gentle smile, and with only two ears as visible traits of the wolf lineage, his suit could not hide his intimidating physique.
The man appeared to be over forty years old, but with his two-meter-tall frame, no one doubted his ability to take down anyone.
The man bowed deeply to the king in a formal greeting and, when he raised his head, swept his gaze over the young people.
“Hello, little wolves!
I am the Duskfang Ambassador, Lucian Tidefang.” As he spoke, his diplomatic eyes held a faint hint of happiness, but even the Ambassador could not stop his eyes from searching the group for someone.
As if he already knew, Rael took two steps to the side, revealing a young female wolf with bluish features, half-conscious in the arms of one of the Ironfangs.
The Ambassador let out a quick sigh and looked at King Garran.
“The best doctors, food, rest, and training rooms for those who may have improved their affinity.
I also need my office prepared.
I want you, Rael, in a meeting with me within twenty minutes at most.
The other Lords of the lineages should be directed to their respective offices.” The King of the Wolves did not even wait for the Ambassador to open his lips.
“Yes, Your Majesty.
It will be done.” Ambassador Lucian gave another deep bow.
Without even sparing them another glance, the king headed toward the floating island, his feet leaving the ground almost as if he were ascending in a divine manner.
But before he moved too far away, his voice echoed.
“Kair Galefang, if you feel the need, you may come to my office before the ball tonight.” With that final sentence, the king ascended into the skies toward the island.
The Ambassador stared carefully at Kair, as did several other Lords.
Even some of the Ironfangs looked somewhat confused by the king’s final words.
Oblivious to all the gazes upon him, including that of the prince himself, Kair’s mind was focused on only one thing.
Galefang?
I’m a Galefang now?
I inherited Uncle’s surname?
It’s not strange, but…
Damn it, why does something about this surname feel wrong?
With a faint sense of unease, and after the silence had become almost uncomfortable, the Ambassador performed his political duty.
“Well, my dear Lords, you already know your offices well, so you may proceed.
The private elevators have already been reserved.
As for you, little wolves, I will personally guide you to your quarters.
Come along, and be careful not to fall from the platforms.” With tact and a few more carefully chosen words to avoid triggering any traumatic memories in the young people…
They all ascended into the skies.
The platforms were quite safe, with railings surrounding them to prevent falls, and there were at least four wolf guards aboard each one, all armed with something resembling a modern musket, except for the runic inscriptions carved into it.
When they finally overcame gravity, the platforms brought them to a landing area, from which a massive gray castle could be seen.
Around it, something resembling an entire city existed.
Without even giving Kair time to analyze the surroundings, the Ambassador quickly led everyone through the castle’s corridors and left them in their rooms.
Finally, Kair was alone.
He stood there, looking at a vast room with an enormous bed and more pieces of furniture than he could even recognize.