Abyssal Awakening-Chapter 931: Grand Cathia

As the group approached Grand Cathia, all of them were rather speechless at the sight. Minus Suyin of course as she had long prepared herself for this level of spectacle.

Even from afar, they could see the sheer size and scale of the city. Far bigger than anything they had seen before yet most of it was hidden underground.

All of its factories and tunnels hidden from the naked eye. And despite all of that, it still towered over the surrounding scenery like a large needle pointing into the sky.

A network of carefully laid out layers split into three. Even with all of the arches, pathways and connections between the floors, a clear distinction could be observed from the ’quality’ of each layer.

The closer they got, the more the smoke thinned, revealing the rather industrial ground layer. Tattered banners and the echoes of idle chatter.

Overhead, large shadows cast by airships blocked out the sun.

Alice leaned slightly to the side, trying to get a better view of the whole city as her hair fluttered in the wind.

Through her eyes, countless strands of energy converged towards the city.

A dormant barrier and weapons lined on the city walls and on the floating devices that circled the city. A fortress made for defence.

However, contrary to this belief, the upper layer for the nobles were constructed with arrogance and ignorance. They stand at the highest peaks yet at the same time are the most vulnerable.

Ironic considering how they wish to be separated from those of the layers below.

Without the pillars supporting them from below, how can they rest comfortably in their upper layer?

Alice rested her chin on her arms, watching as the sun and clouds were slowly blocked out by the giant top layer.

"This city has not changed at all. If anything, it might even look worse than before." Suyin shrugged.

In her previous visits, the city was always so lively. Colourful banners being flown from every house, the sound of laughter and song. It was no exaggeration to call the entire city a place where geniuses are born.

After all, every house wanted to make it big with an invention of the century. They wanted to prove that amongst all the different houses, they could make a difference.

But now...

"This is just a dead city wearing the shell of Grand Cathia. Disappointing really."

Could she blame them? No, Suyin could not blame them for how things turned out. But she was still disappointed at the end of the day. Disappointed by the fact that they couldn’t overcome it.

Upon reaching the city gates, Alice no longer had a smile on her face.

Flanking their sides were several camps. Families camping out by the roadside but it was different to beggar. They weren’t begging for anything and some of them actually looked well dressed.

If not begging then...

’Were they rejected from entering?’ Alyss wondered as Alice nodded her head.

That was her thought as well.

"Papers and ID please." One of the guards spoke by the front gate.

There were four of them visible but Alice could sense a few more just out of view.

All of them stared at the group with cautiousness

Suyin had it easy. She was invited to the city in the past and all she had to do was produce a token that allowed her to be recognised instantly, even in doll form. Elias had an old license that he had spare.

So did Alice.

But the issue arose with Cayla.

She didn’t have ID.

"She’s with me. Can’t I guarantee that she’ll behave?" Suyin asked but the guards looked at one another with a difficult expression.

In the end, one of them shook his head.

"Even if you are an esteemed guest, we can’t allow exceptions during these troubled times. If you don’t have ID on hand for now, you are more than welcome to camp out here. Should you require a camp, we will provide you with the necessary equipment.

"Food and other equipment will be brought out at the end of the day so you don’t need to worry about provisions." He added.

Alice was about to use her first Sigil when Suyin shot her a glance.

There were a myriad of ways to detect Abyssal energy usage. Using her power for a moment of convenience wouldn’t be suggested.

"Can you put in a special request because it’s me? You see, she’s a result of an Abyssal ability. Can’t exactly give her an ID can you? I mean, just look at me? I bet you were confused by my appearance until I told you I was who I am.

"And... Even if I had given you an ID, it’ll be pretty hard to accept wouldn’t it?" Suyin smiled helplessly as the guards let out a slight sigh.

She wasn’t wrong. Even if they received an ID for Cayla, seeing a miniature person like that was... strange to say the least.

It wasn’t like she was a child either, it’s like if a human was shrunk down.

"We can put in a request but with everything that’s been happening, I’m not sure if it’ll be approved soon. You can see the others who’ve been waiting out here. The best we can do is provide provisions but the situation doesn’t seem like it’s going to improve anytime soon."

Suyin folded her arms.

"Nightmare?"

The guard nodded with a helpless smile.

"Nightmare."

"In that case I might be able to help. We have information along with a prototype of a device that might be able to help with some of the side effects."

The soldiers looked at one another.

"I’ll pass on the message, can you hang on for a moment?" He asked as Suyin nodded.

While one of the soldiers ran off to pass on the message, the group parked the carriage off to the side for now.

"I’m aware that you can fool human perception, but a machine is different. Things are stressful right now, don’t use Sigils just because it seems easy." Suyin warned while Alice was on her knees.

This was a light scolding.

"Sorry..."

"It’s fine. I’m not blam- Well... I guess I am in a way. But the people here focus heavily on machinery, even if they have Abyssal powers. So they’re sensitive to Sigil users and have safety put in place in case they try something funny." She folded her arms, looking at the giant scarred walls around the city.

Some of the damages are fresh...

"Let’s just be patient for now. Since I’m the one who sent in the request along with mentions of a prototype machine, our request should have a slight priority." Suyin sighed.

Just as Alice as about to say something, she noticed an influx of Nightmare energy from one of the tents.

The way it was fluctuating... Whoever it belonged to was planning something.

"Seems like lady luck is on our side. Do you think if I earned some merit by taking out someone preparing to abuse the Nightmare powers, we’ll be allowed in faster?" Alice narrowed her eyes while Suyin’s hand came down and chopped her on the head.

"Ow!"

"It is not lady luck, it is in fact the winds of misfortune. They’ll think that you’re friends with the person trying to launch an attack. And if they do, not only will our request be delayed, but it’ll also have other complications put in with it." Suyin furrowed her brows.

"Grand Cathia has maintained it’s security for now, let them handle this. We don’t know if they want help or not so let’s not force it."

Calming herself down, Alice sighed and nodded her head.

Resting her chin on the side of the carriage, she glanced at the situation in boredom.

Stepping out of the tent, a woman with a neutral expression stepped out.

There were traces of Nightmare energy being suppressed around her body but Alice only noticed due to Cayla’s power.

Normal people on the other hand... she wasn’t sure how they’ll be able to notice the subtle danger.

But as Suyin said, she’ll watch for now.

"Halt. Please go back to your tent. Your request is being processed. Any closer and we’ll consider it a violation of the mercy and patience we have given you." The guard warned.

"You keep saying that... How long must I wait?" The woman narrowed her eyes.

"My apologies but times are tough right now. Please go back and rest. We will get to you when the request has been accepted." The guard didn’t budge.

Even though he didn’t pull out his weapon, Alice could tell he was ready for a fight.

Blue flames erupted from the woman’s body as her right eye was ignited. A black blade with the same blue flames appeared in her hand and a strange symbol appeared on her back.

It wasn’t the same kind of feeling as the Sigils but the power they hold held some similarities.

Without another word, she lunged at the guard, clearly confident in her abilities.

*BANG!!!

From within the city, golden spikes shot out, piercing her arm and pinned her against the ground.

"ARGH!!!" Letting out a cry, the woman writhed in pain as she grabbed the spike in an attempt to free herself.

But as she took her eyes off the city, she didn’t notice the shadow falling from above.

Four more spikes dropped down, pinning the woman’s limbs in an uncomfortable position.

She wasn’t dead but the wounds were severe.

"That’s the second strike. If you proceed with the third, I will take your life." A calm but annoyed voice sounded out as a woman walked out of the city with a glare in her eyes.

Her pink hair was tied up into a ponytail but Alice’s eyes lit up as she recognised her face.

Miki Nightingale!