Villain's Requiem

"May I have your attention? The portal for Erantel city of the Sapin Kingdom will be open in half an hour. Those who have special permission, please come to the main counter".

A lady in her late thirties was sitting on the counter as she announced the notice, and as she did, a few people started to head in her direction and slowly formed a line in front of her.

"How can I help you?"

She asked with a small smile, as the person in front of her was affected by it, and he replied with a small smile.

"I bear Visount Kazak's letter, a document that explicitly states my purpose for journeying to the Erantel," he replied, producing a letter from his inner pocket. He handed it over to the poised lady, who accepted it gracefully.

With a deft motion, she passed the letter to her colleague stationed behind her.

This meticulous process was something that had to be done to ensure maximum security and accountability.

Those who were using special id were basically those who were yet to get an id from the kingdom.

After all, if they just let anyone to go to and fro from the capital city of the Morningstar duchy and onto another country no less, it would cause a lot of stress.

"Your patience will be required for just a few brief moments," she informed the traveler, acknowledging his cooperation with a nod.

She continued to study each traveler's unique authorization with unflinching zeal.

Some displayed letters of authority conferred by nobles, while others held endorsements from well-known merchants attesting to their authenticity.

As the lady finished checking one more special permission she was greeted with the sight of a person who covered his face with a street face mask.

But she didn't say anything as it wasn't out of the ordinary in this world. A lot of people do it as a matter of fact, cover their faces with a mask to avoid being recognized.

"Sir your special id please. If you do not have one, please go over to the regular id line please."

She said in a professional manner.

The person put his hand into his pocket and took out an insignia, dropping it on the table for her without saying anything.

The insignia was an emblem. A star within a circle, backdropped by a mountain

Her expression trembled slightly upon seeing the emblem. 'House Morningstar ', she thought, before asking "May I verify it?"

She asked, carefully picking her words to prevent any potential harm, conscious of how sensitive nobles especially high ranking ones were.

The figure - Lucas - nodded. It was a given that she verify it. So he then handed it to her.

After all, each emblem bore the weight of the ducal or royal family it represented. Indicating that they were valued guests within their respectful kingdoms and duchies.

She took it with the same care, softly taking hold of it before delivering it to the attendant behind her.

As the emblem was put into a container, its magical characteristics ignited a bright, white light, confirming its genuineness.

She returned the insignia to Lucas with a confident nod and a respectful bow.

She then pointed the way towards the teleportation gate which Lucas headed down.

**********

Alex's POV

Whew

'Glad that's over'. I thought, gazing at the insignia in my hand. This small gift had been given to me when I was ten years old.

Well to be precise, it was given to any member of House Morningstar at ten years old. I received one, Silas did, Isabel did as well.

Anyway it probably wouldn't take long for that receptionist lady to figure out that I'm a direct member of House Morningstar.

But I'll be long gone by then, so it wouldn't matter. With that thought I continued heading towards the teleportation portal.

And then I saw it. The Teleportation Gate, an extraordinary marvel of magical engineering.

This portal was no ordinary doorway; it was a towering monolith of obsidian, adorned with intricate and space runes that pulsed with mystical power. There were also protective runes that traced the boundaries, casting an aura of security.

Wow. Those bastards outdid themselves. And by bastards, I'm referring to the elves and dwarves.

They were the main species behind the invention of the teleportation gates. The elves who were proficient in rune magic inscribed the runes on the foundation and the parts of the gate.

While the dwarves built the rest of the components. Even creating the power source for the gate.

As I looked around, I saw a mass of passengers buzzing with excitement and apprehension, their faces painted with a combination of excitement and anxiety.

After a while, the countdown to the portal's opening began. I was the first to step through the portal, leaving my home country for another for the first time ever by myself.