Pulling on his fur coat, Kael did his best to keep his mind fixated on his plans and away from the anxiety eating away at him concerning his Arcana of transformation. Back at the inn, he was certain the Arcana worked, he looked into the mirror after all and saw a face that was not his.
Yet he feared the Arcana was just present in his mind or that it would fade away.
Shaking these thoughts off, Kael tried to fixate on his plans. He needed to head to the Cavern Arena, and he knew of a way in. At least he hoped, he just had to get there.
Walking on the streets of Isil district, Kael couldn't help but feel annoyed at the cold biting at him.
Of course the option to chase away the cold with an Arcana of shielding was there, yet Kael resented resorting to such tactics. It was unfortunate though that he never had an opportunity to become accustomed to these sensations as he had spent the last five years in the Kingdom of Mistpeak as opposed to Winterpeak.
And it also didn't help that it began to snow immediately Kael stepped foot out of the inn.
Rubbing his hands together, Kael fixated on the path ahead. Despite it snowing, a multitude of people still went about their day as though the weather was in suitable conditions for such activities. From denizens rushing from one location to another, to carriages frequenting the streets for one reason or the other, the capital city of Winterhaven was truly busy despite the cold.
Stopping at a cross road, Kael along with several others waited as a carriage made its way across the streets. Not even a second after the carriage cleared the way, the people around Kael sprang toward the road.
Though everyone was in a hurry, not even a single person bumped into Kael or each other. Everyone was always mindful to keep their bodies to themselves, ensuring not to inconvenience anyone. Also, touching people without permission was a crime punishable by law, which was a good incentive to keep one's hand to themselves.
Looking ahead, Kael could see the slope of the mountain leading to the Second Circum of the city.
Winterhaven was built upon a mountain, a mountain which had been carved out by an ancient power long since forgotten. The mountain had now forgone its spiky and jagged peaks in favor of a flat circular surface.
If one were to look at the mountain from a distance, it would look like a cake of six layers, with each of said layers being where different sections of the city was built upon.
As of now, Kael was based on the first layer, namely the First Circum.
But where he needed to go rested on the Second Circum. Pinning his gaze on the slope, Kael could see several railroads built upon the slope, with large carriages stationed on the top and bottom of the slopes, each of them eagerly awaiting passengers.
Taking in a deep breath of cold air, Kael smiled as he felt his being coming alive. Mostly due to the fact that today, he would be putting some random people in a coma.
"What a time to be alive." Kael said, as he made his way to the Sloping Carriages as they have come to be known.
"The duration of your trek has exceeded my expectation. Have you truly become so lazy Kael?" Caster's voice whisped into Kael's ears, and almost immediately, a frown made itself a home on Kael's face.
In the second that followed, Caster appeared beside Kael, fully adorned in winter clothing for once.
"Your presence is most appreciated Caster." Kael said with no emotion in his tone as he made his way forward.
"I am fully aware, which is why I returned rather sooner. I knew you would miss my company." Caster replied. He kept his gaze on their surrounding, searching the environment for anything amusing.
"You shouldn't have. I feel shame for cutting your...whatever business short." Kael responded, now rubbing his hands together while adding his warm breath into the fray from time to time.
Glancing at their surrounding, Caster took notice of a man carrying one too many items on his back. Seeing this, Caster's lips curled up in a smile, and with the wave of his finger, the man carrying too many items slipped and fell.
Hearing the commotion, Kael rolled his eyes. How long would he have to endure such shenanigans from this so called god?
***
Kael's ride on the Sloping Carriage had been more relaxing than he had imagined, with everyone seated and the motion of moving from one place to another relegated to the pulley hoisting up the carriage, Kael could finally feel at ease.
It was never so busy in Mistpeak, which was why Kael found the Sloping Carriage reminiscent of the place he once called home.
Unfortunately though, all of it came to an end the moment the Sloping Carriage reached the top of the Second Circum. Almost immediately everyone got off their seat and began to make their way for the door, while being careful not to so much as touch another person.
None of them felt like paying a fine this day or going to prison.
"Maybe I could make things interesting." Caster said to Kael as he licked his lips while watching the passengers.
"If you do then people will begin to notice a pattern." Kael said as he stood.
"What might this pattern be pray tell?" Caster said, his gaze still fixated on the passengers.
"That strange things always occurs where ever I am." Kael said, then he made his way into the foray of people. Only doing so because their numbers had reduced by a large margin.
Caster laughed.
"And your reasoning is detrimental to me because?" Caster said, now locking his gaze on a perfect target.
"Can you not carry out your mischief somewhere very very far from me?" Kael said, his conversation drawing the attention of the passenger behind him, who furrowed his brows in confusion.
"Are you speaking to me by any chance?" the man behind him asked, but Kael ignored the man.
Hearing this, Caster laughed once more, but Kael frowned.
"Excuse me, please excuse me, can you please let me through, I have a very urgent matter to attend to."
A soft and gentle voice reverberated throughout the carriage. A young girl clad in a thick robe and hoody pleaded as she made her way in front of all the passengers. Each of them letting her through because of her regal aura and gentle demeanor.
She made her way to forward, up until she came across Kael.
"Excuse me sir, but can you..."
"No." Kael said before the girl could finish.
"Sir, forgive me or insisting but the matter at hand is..."
"I fail to see how any of your concerns is detrimental to me." Kael said as he took several steps forward, each step drawing him closer to the exit. An exit in which he couldn't use fast enough.
Slightly annoyed, the girl stayed quiet while cursing Kael in her heart.
Caster laughed.
"This young lady certainly possesses quite the vocabulary." Caster mused, but Kael was not having any of it.
Once he made it to the exit, Kael took his first step out.
Rushing behind him, the girl made to head to her destination as fast as she could. But unfortunately for her, she was Caster's target.
With a flick of his finger, he made the trip over herself. In direction collision, she slammed into Kael's back before darting to the side and readying herself for a face-plant with the snow.
But just then, the girl outstretched a hand, and before Kael's very eyes, the girl caught herself on one hand before throwing her weight across the air in a summersault.
Looking at her, Kael could see the world slow to a crawl as her hoody fell over, revealing her long blonde hair.
Once she made it onto her feet, she scurried off, without once looking back at the person she bumped into.
"That was most unexpected." Caster said, a hand on his chin.
Kael on the other hand found himself — in a sense — mesmerized.