Emperor's Reckoning

Chapter 1232: Quetzalcoatl

Lyra returned with the king, her brows raising in surprise at the sight of the wrecked table and the significant reduction in the number of people dining. Her eyes scanned the room, noting the unease etched on the faces of those who remained.

The king’s voice broke through the tension, tinged with panic. "Is everyone alright? Where is Young Master Lyon and the others?"

The queen stood up, her demeanor composed yet worried. "He left, perhaps due to pressing matters."

"I see," Lyra responded, her tone thoughtful. "Did he mention where he was going?"

"He didn’t, Young Mistress Lyra," said Prince Eamon, bowing respectfully. "However, it seems like his departure might be correlated with the frequent earthquakes."

Princess Seraphina nodded in agreement. "Yes, it seems more than a coincidence that he left just as the tremors intensified."

Lyra’s gaze turned contemplative, her mind racing with possibilities. She turned to the king, her voice steady. "Your Majesty, I believe Lyon’s departure and these earthquakes are indeed connected. His presence here wasn’t merely a coincidence."

The king nodded, his expression serious. "What do you suggest we do, Young Mistress Lyra?"

Lyra shook her head, her silver hair catching the light. "I suggest keeping your people calm. They need you more here." She then turned her gaze toward the balcony, where the view of the city lay stretched out beneath them. "Meanwhile, I will conduct my own investigation. After all, that’s why I’m here as well."

The king nodded, his expression earnest. "Very well, but do say so if you need any aid. We are in full support of the Harmonia Clan!" His smile broadened, resembling that of a merchant eager to close a favorable deal.

Lyra gave a slight nod. "Then I will take you up on that offer. I have a few questions regarding the tremors."

"Of course," the king responded, gesturing for her to continue.

Lyra stepped closer, her tone becoming more serious. "Have you noticed any patterns in these quakes? Specific times, locations, or any unusual occurrences just before they happen?"

The king furrowed his brows, contemplating her question. "The tremors have been occurring with increasing frequency, mostly centered around the land . They seem to happen without any discernible pattern—day or night, it doesn’t matter. However, there have been reports of strange mana fluctuations just before each quake."

Lyra’s eyes narrowed. "Mana fluctuations? Can you elaborate?"

"Yes," the king continued. "Our cultivators have detected spikes in mana just before the tremors. It’s as if something is drawing immense power from the surroundings, causing these disturbances."

Lyra nodded, her mind racing with possibilities. "Thank you, Your Majesty. That information is invaluable. I’ll begin my investigation immediately."

The queen stepped forward, her concern evident. "Please be careful, Young Mistress Lyra. If these tremors are being caused by something—or someone—we need to know who or what it is."

Lyra turned to leave, her resolve firm. "I will. And rest assured, I won’t stop until I find the cause."

As she made her way out of the hall, Lyra’s thoughts were filled with the implications of the king’s words. Standing on the balcony, she allowed the cool breeze to wash over her, calming her mind. Her eyes scanned the horizon, taking in the bustling streets of Ardentia below. However, her vision slightly wavered.

She furrowed with her mind seeing the man that she met. "Incredible, a man of your stature able to lead such a group, yet, when I probe into you, I feel nothing, not the slightest mana."

Lyra’s chest heaved up as she closed her eyes. The wind embraced her as nature combed her hair. "Esmeralda, it seems like just as you said, this man is really interesting."

Wind bellowing and the last patch of grass tease the feet. Lyon’s eyes opened with interest. The canyon was stretched before him, dizzying with a tapestry of ochre and burnt amber. Precipitous cliffs and undulating mesas weathered by millennia of relentless sun, clawed at the sky, dwarfing him completely. A sense of awe washed over his younger group.

"The beast appeared at day, dark as the shadow at night, it howled at the sun as if it wanted to eat it. This phenomena happened in Third Heaven," Lyon muttered before smiling, "Well that was pretty obvious."

Lyon took off his cloak, "It’s so hot in here." His forehead was drenched as he wore a loose robe.

"Lyon, dehydration is no good," said Maria as she stepped forward and offered her a pouch of water.

"I’m dying!" said Kesya as she also took off their cloak before the others followed suit.

"Jugen, pass me water," said Karina.

"Got it," said Jugen.

"This is something else," said Lumina before she stretched out her dragon wings and let the air flow better.

"Wow, that is some race benefit," said Kesya, "Wished I have those."

Luna undo her cloak and revealed a tight fit clothing that revealed the curvature of her bodies. The sweat run down her black one piece, and—

"Is that a black spandex?!" Lyon exclaimed as he take a good long look at Luna. He furrowed and disregarded the blush on Luna’s face. The bodysuit was courting all of the other attention as well.

"Woah, that looks cool," said Maria.

Selena raised her brows and crossed her arms. Her eyes sparkled for a moment before she didn’t care anymore.

Lyon pinched the fabric, and it was as elastic as it should be. "This is a spandex, where did you get this?"

"N-Nostria?" Luna smiled wryly, "Is-Is something wrong?"

"Nostria?" Lyon contemplated for a moment before he remembered the date he had with Sylviana and Fei when he had first came to this cultivation world. ( "I swear, that tailor must be from Earth!" ).

"Is it not good?" asked Luna.

"It’s incredible," Lyon answered before turning ahead and looked at the canyon, he sighed, "Anyway let’s move on."

Lyon stepped forward and heard a crack. He looked down to see a broken board. "Hmm? A sign?" he picked up the sign and put the two writing together.

’Be aware of beasts, wrym alike.’

A booming voice echoed as a giant, his face brimming with authority, loomed over them. He was easily twice their height, forcing Lyon and Graham to tilt their heads back just to meet his gaze. "This place is off-limits!"

The air crackled with tension as the giant straightened to his full height, his booming voice echoing off the canyon walls like a thunderclap.

"That’s not a wrym, Lyon," said Maria.

"I know, Maria, I know," said Lyon with a smirk.

The giant’s next words hung heavy in the air, a threat poised to strike. But before either could react further, a sudden shift in the atmosphere stole their attention.

A gust of wind, warm and fragrant like the breath of a forgotten jungle, swirled around them. It carried the unmistakable scent of exotic flowers and stirred the dust clinging to the canyon floor. The wind intensified, whipping Lyon’s robe around him and sending a tremor through the giant’s massive frame. He turned his head slowly, nostrils flaring, searching the unseen rim above. Then, with a silent grandeur that stole the breath from their lungs, it appeared. Coiling down from the heights, a magnificent creature unfolded itself into view. It was a Quetzalcoatl, its form a mesmerizing tapestry woven from emerald green feathers and scales that shimmered like polished obsidian in the afternoon sun. The serpent’s head, adorned with a crest of vibrant quetzal feathers that rivaled the setting sun in brilliance, surveyed the scene with intelligent, golden eyes that seemed to pierce through the very fabric of reality. Its long, powerful body, thick enough to crush a man in its coils, unfurled gracefully, the wind whistling through its feathered plumage like a celestial choir.

For a moment frozen in time, the canyon held its breath. Lyon and the giant stood transfixed, their impending confrontation a forgotten memory in the face of this awe-inspiring arrival. The majestic Quetzalcoatl hovered between them, a silent, feathered question mark against the vast canvas of the canyon sky. Its presence, imbued with an ancient power, demanded their complete and utter attention.

The giant’s booming voice echoed off the canyon walls, a tremor running through the ground with each word. "Don’t make any sudden movement," he warned, his gaze fixed on the magnificent serpent. "We are entering her territory and it’s not wise to—" Lyon, ever the quick-witted one, couldn’t help but interrupt. A wry smile played on his lips despite the tense situation. "You should make a better warning sign," he quipped, gesturing towards the vast emptiness of the canyon. "Perhaps a giant skull or two would do the trick." Lyon scoffed and shouldered past the giant’s restraining words. "What are you doing?!" the giant roared, exasperation coloring his booming voice. Lyon, with a mischievous glint in his eye, turned towards the giant, a playful smile tugging at his lips. "Taking a stroll," he declared, extending a hand towards the colossal creature. "Want to join?" The giant stared at Lyon for a long, incredulous moment. The audacity of the man, to act so nonchalant in the face of a magnificent and potentially deadly creature, left him speechless. Even the Quetzalcoatl, its golden eyes fixed on the scene, seemed to flicker with a hint of amusement at the human’s brashness.