Emisarry Of Time And Space-Chapter 209 - 210: Welcome to the Sylgrid Capital.

(A/N Big thanks to everyone for the Power stones and Golden tickets, they mean a lot. As usual, please don't hesitate to comment or drop a review. ENJOY)

Power stones people, Gimme it.

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Seris' eyes snapped open.

She reached for her bracelet instinctively, the faint glow confirming the time—just past six in the morning. She exhaled softly, then sat up inside her makeshift tent. The forest was quiet in that peculiar way it always was before full morning, alive but restrained, as though everything was waiting for a signal to move.

She pushed the tent flap aside and stepped out.

Selene was already awake.

She sat a short distance away, legs folded, back straight, palms resting lightly on her knees. Her eyes were closed, her breathing slow and even. Mana moved around her in subtle currents, not actively gathered, just… aligned.

Seris paused for a moment, watching her.

Then she rubbed her eyes, pulled a bottle of water from her storage ring, and splashed some over her face. The cold bite chased away the last traces of sleep. She tied her hair back loosely, then looked up to find Selene extending one hand toward her.

The cleaning skill.

Seris smiled faintly and shook her head.

"No, thanks," she said quietly. "I want to feel the water on my face."

Selene hesitated for half a second, then withdrew her hand and returned it to her lap without comment.

Seris stared at her for a moment longer than necessary, then walked over and sat beside her. After a brief pause, she mirrored Selene's posture, crossing her legs and straightening her back. She inhaled slowly, then exhaled, trying to match the rhythm.

She still didn't fully understand why Selene insisted on meditation.

According to her, it helped with clarity, focus, emotional balance. To Seris, it mostly induced drowsiness. More than once she had nearly nodded off mid-session, earning nothing more than a quiet shake of Selene's head and a polite withdrawal.

That was usually how it went.

But this time, Selene didn't leave.

Seris frowned slightly and focused again.

The air felt… different.

For all the Jade Forest's danger, there was something undeniable about it in the early hours. The mana here wasn't aggressive. It flowed gently, brushing against her senses without demanding attention. The forest breathed, and without realizing it, Seris found herself breathing with it.

In.

Out.

Her thoughts slowed.

The constant tension she'd been carrying—the calculations, the contingencies, the worry—eased its grip. Not gone, but set aside. For once, her mind wasn't racing ahead.

By the time the light filtered more clearly through the canopy, both of them opened their eyes.

It was already past seven.

The calm began to fade almost immediately, replaced by awareness, by readiness, but something lingered. A lightness. A sense of being… reset.

Seris stretched slightly and smiled.

"That was the best," she said honestly.

Selene turned her head toward her—and smiled.

Not faintly. Not politely.

A real smile.

Seris blinked, caught off guard.

"I know, right?" Selene replied.

It wasn't the first time Seris had seen her smile, but it was rare enough to matter. Whatever meditation did, it clearly worked—for Selene, at least.

And maybe for her too.

Seris sobered slightly.

The past few days had weighed on them both more than either had admitted. Orion and Caelum were competent—more than competent—but that didn't erase the uncertainty. Plans could fail. Situations could spiral. Even the best preparations had limits.

Worry was natural.

But this wasn't the time for it.

They were close now.

Very close.

Their five-day journey was ending today.

The meditation had come at the right time.

Five Sylgrid accompanied them, including the scout who had first led them to the Ruk. The group moved efficiently, quietly. Over the past few days, Seris had noticed just how practiced the Sylgrid were at navigating the forest. They avoided certain tree clusters, adjusted their pace based on terrain density, even altered routes based on time of day.

Experience, not power.

That explained the lack of monster encounters. They didn't fight threats—they avoided them. Years of survival had taught them how.

The absence of monsters had gradually given way to something else.

Other Sylgrid.

At first, they were few. Small groups passing at a distance. Then more frequent. Different settlements, different markings, different tools. All moving in roughly the same direction.

Toward the capital.

Seris and the others stayed concealed within their escort, spatial distortions keeping them unremarkable. They avoided strong presences, and thankfully, none of the Sylgrid they passed felt particularly powerful.

That, more than anything, gave Seris a small measure of reassurance.

If this was the average, then their task—while dangerous—wasn't impossible.

By eight in the morning, camp was dismantled.

Selene and Seris packed efficiently, clearing all traces of their presence. Within minutes, they were moving again.

As they progressed, they reduced speed. The path grew more defined. The forest thinned gradually, trees giving way to wider clearings and hardened earth. Foot traffic increased steadily.

By midday, the trickle had become a flow.

Sylgrid were everywhere.

Seris pulled her hood lower and stayed close to the center of their escort. The sheer number was overwhelming. She forced herself to breathe evenly, reminding herself that panic helped no one.

They would succeed.

There was no alternative.

At exactly one in the afternoon, the forest opened completely.

And the capital came into view.

Seris stopped walking.

So did everyone else.

The Sylgrid capital rose from the earth itself, vast and continuous, as though molded rather than built. Massive structures of clay and hardened mold formed sweeping curves and layered terraces. There were no sharp edges, no towers piercing the sky—everything flowed upward in rounded domes and wide, sloping walls.

It was reminiscent of a mosque.

Or Mecca.

But far larger.

The city was arranged in concentric layers, each ring rising higher than the last, culminating in an enormous central structure that dominated the skyline. Its surface was etched with faint geometric patterns, worn smooth by time and touch. Jade veins glimmered faintly within the clay, not decorative, but structural—integrated.

Paths spiraled inward instead of running straight. Bridges connected levels seamlessly. There were no gates in the traditional sense; entry points were wide, open, and constantly moving with traffic.

The entire city felt… alive.

Ancient.

Purpose-built.

Seris swallowed.

The foot traffic was packed now, Sylgrid from countless settlements converging toward the inner layers. The hum of voices, movement, and mana filled the air, low and constant.

Their escort slowed and gestured ahead.

"Welcome," the scout said quietly, pride evident despite himself.

"Welcome to the Sylgrid capital."