Everything felt peaceful, as though his body was gently floating on water. The constant hum of the truck lulled Raka deeper into sleep, melting away the exhaustion that had built up from the endless chaos he had faced recently.
Distant voices echoed around him, muffled as though they were speaking underwater.
"...up,"
"...come on... wake up already..."
Then suddenly, much clearer and accompanied by an annoyingly familiar tone, "Wake up, sleepyhead!"
"Gah!"
Raka jolted awake, lost his balance, and tumbled from the bench onto the truck's gritty floor. When he finally oriented himself, he looked straight into Melody's smug face, followed by the amused grins of his family and several strangers.
Feeling heat rise to his cheeks, he quickly got back onto his seat, giving Melody a playful but firm shove as he did so.
"That was completely unnecessary," he grumbled, brushing dirt from his shirt.
His mother laughed softly from his side, gently squeezing his shoulder. "You weren't waking up any other way, honey."
Sighing, Raka glanced around and noticed that it was daytime now.
'How long was I out?'
He also noticed that almost everyone else focused on something outside. Curiosity piqued, he asked, "What's going on?"
Sarah, with wide eyes full of excitement, motioned for him to look out from beneath the vehicle's cover. "Just look!"
Raka leaned closer and pulled back the cover slightly, and what he saw took his breath away.
"Woah..."
They were moving through an expansive, bustling marketplace straight out of a fairytale. Vibrant stalls lined winding streets filled with creatures he'd only ever heard of, stocky dwarves laughing heartily while hauling impossibly heavy tools, tiny fairies flitting gracefully above stalls, leaving faint trails of shimmering dust behind, and elegant, mysterious beings whose species he couldn't even begin to guess.
A sudden shadow swept over him, causing him to look upward. Three harpies soared gracefully high above, their feathered wings spread wide against the brilliant sky, performing effortless loops and dives. Their laughter echoed through the bustling market, carried by the gentle breeze.
It was breathtaking. For someone who'd spent his entire life surrounded by drab skyscrapers and identical suburban streets, this felt like stepping into an entirely different universe. Every corner, every face, every building brimmed with wonder.
His awe must have been painfully obvious because his father leaned in, chuckling lightly. "You look like a kid seeing Snowyland for the first time."
Raka shot him a mock glare. "Oh, shut up, Dad."
Still, he couldn't suppress the sense of amazement bubbling inside him. Turning to the mage, who was smiling knowingly at Raka's reaction, he asked, "This must be Dravareth, right?"
The mage nodded, moving closer and sitting beside Raka. "Indeed it is. We're currently passing through Century Market, one of Dravareth's most renowned trading hubs. Merchants and travelers from all across Arche come here. Trust me, if there's something you're looking for, it can be found here."
Raka nodded slowly, his eyes drifting outside again to soak in the spectacle. The structures, with their ornate designs, intricate carvings, and vibrant colors, were unlike anything he'd seen back home. A sense of genuine wonder settled deeply within him as he realized how different Arche was from Earth.
…
The lively atmosphere of the Century Market slowly faded into the background as the truck continued onward.
After what felt like an eternity, though the clock said just over an hour and a half—they finally slowed down. Raka's muscles had grown stiff, and he stretched slightly, trying to shake off the lingering tiredness as the vehicle gently rolled to a stop.
Hearing shuffling from outside the vehicle and noticing the door being unlocked, Raka quickly stood up and positioned himself right next to it.
He wanted to be the first one off to ensure everything was safe for his family. Maybe it was overly cautious, but after everything they'd been through, he felt justified in being careful. The moment the heavy metal doors swung open, bright daylight flooded the interior, briefly forcing him to shield his eyes.
With a careful step, he scanned their new surroundings. They had stopped at a gigantic building surrounded by numerous soldiers. It didn't take long for him to realize this was a heavily guarded location.
He reached back, helping his sisters and parents safely step down. Melody gave him an amused look, raising an eyebrow at his protective side, but he ignored it.
Standing before them was a building unlike any Raka had ever seen—massive yet oddly welcoming. Its architecture resembled Earth's, but clearly incorporated magic, as evidenced by the faint flickering symbols dancing across the walls.
What immediately caught his eye, though, were the two flags gently fluttering beside a massive wooden door.
One clearly belonged to Dravareth, intricately designed and embroidered with unfamiliar symbols. The other was unmistakably the American flag, proudly waving alongside it.
"Huh?" he murmured softly, confusion etched on his face.
The mage, noticing Raka's puzzlement, stepped beside him with a reassuring smile. "Surprised?"
"Uh… yeah," Raka admitted. "Why's there an American flag here?"
The mage chuckled lightly. "This building was completed about a week ago. It's an official embassy for your country—a gesture of goodwill from Dravareth toward America, and also a safe place for people displaced by The Merger."
Raka stared for another moment, taking it all in. "An embassy? That… makes sense." Given how quickly their president pushed for alliances, he probably shouldn't have been surprised to see something like this already built.
"Come on," the mage encouraged, guiding him and his family toward the enormous wooden doors. "You should see the inside."
As they passed through the doors into the lobby, Raka's eyes widened again. The interior was spacious, beautifully decorated, and warm, immediately relaxing his shoulders. 'I never realized how cold it was before.'
Yet, this was only the entrance. Beyond the wide glass windows at the back, he saw something even more remarkable.
A vast open area sprawled outward, neatly organized with rows of small, cozy-looking houses. Pathways weaved between them, lined with vibrant flower beds and carefully trimmed bushes. Children laughed and chased each other through a lush park at the center. Benches, street lamps, and even a tiny fountain added to the charm.
"Woah…" Sarah was clearly impressed, and he could tell she wanted to explore the area.
Glancing back at his parents, Raka noticed their expressions had softened into relief. They needed this, a place that felt safe compared to the chaos they'd left behind.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
'What's that noise?' Loud footsteps echoed, followed by a dozen more. Turning toward the entrance, Raka saw a towering figure step inside, accompanied by a squad of soldiers.
Noting their distinct attire, he realized these soldiers belonged to Dravareth. Inspecting the imposing figure further, Raka noticed a small horn protruding from the man's forehead.
The man gestured for his soldiers to halt near the entrance and approached the group of refugees. As he drew closer, Raka suddenly felt small. This man stood easily over seven feet tall, his massive frame packed with muscle.
His mere presence commanded attention from everyone in the lobby. Clearing his throat, he spoke with authority. "Welcome, people of America. I am General Teka, one of Dravareth's three generals. We understand your world struggles to adjust after The Merger. This place will serve as your temporary home while your government works to stabilize conditions back in America."
He gestured toward the wide glass windows. "We have sufficient space for everyone, though we continue expanding. I sincerely hope you find peace here… for the storm is far from over."
'What's with the ominous wording?' It seemed Raka wasn't alone in noticing, as his parents also exchanged confused glances.
General Teka continued without pause. Opening his palm, he conjured a small blue orb of light, which expanded gently to illuminate the lobby.
It must have been a revealing spell of some sort because now Raka could see intricate lines carved all around the lobby, from the floors to the ceiling.
"This location is protected by a barrier created by Dravareth's finest Archmages. Earth soldiers trained in magic guard this compound. Rest assured, all of you will be safe here."
He paused briefly before concluding. "That is all. Please head to the counters to register yourselves. May Karthzion's spear forever sharpen your wills." Without another word, he turned and exited, his soldiers trailing behind him.
"Excuse me, everyone! Please line up so we can arrange your accommodations!" shouted an official at one of the counters, snapping everyone back to reality as they began to line up.