"Yes, ma'am," they answered in unison, moving quickly to carry out her order.
Peekol smiled warmly, watching the soldiers hurry. Around them, murmurs spread through the Zoner Knights. Even now, whispers rippled, talk of the dragon that had appeared over the city, and of the boy, Braxill, who had summoned it.
Lanni and Braxill walked side by side through the streets.
"Braxill," Lanni asked, her curiosity sharp, "how do you know of dragons?"
He grinned faintly. "I read about them in the Library of Wonders."
Lanni blinked. "You have a library in the bear village?"
"Yes," Braxill said proudly. "It's amazing, so many books, so many pictures. Everything is in there. Do you... have a library too?"
Lanni's expression dimmed. "We do. But it's restricted. Only Zoner Knights are allowed inside."
Braxill frowned. "Only Zoner Knights? What kind of library is that?"
"The kind," she said quietly, "that reduces you to ash if you enter without being one of us, they say the knowledge within the library is scared and limited to those in the Art class of knights, I have been there but most of the writings I do not understand"
Unease flickered across Braxill's face. He brushed the thought away and followed her onward.
Lanni summoned her horse carriage. Braxill smiled and said to himself "Imagination".
The horse carraige takes off.
Braxill's eyes wandered through the streets, his earlier excitement fading into a quiet blend of wonder and sorrow. The homes sagged under years of neglect, patched together with scrap wood and rusted metal. The air itself felt heavy, like the weight of an ancient ghetto pressed down on every corner.
Ahead, a group of kids cornered a smaller boy, their taunts sharp, their shoves cruel. Braxill's brow furrowed, irritation sparking within him. His right eye flickered green, a soft glow, a pulse of imagination unleashed.
With a blink, the glow took shape: a towering panda bear, playful yet fierce, crashing into reality. The bullies shrieked as the conjured beast swatted them away with comical ease.
If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
Braxill's lips curled into a satisfied smile.
The carraige emerged into the busier parts of the district.
Lanni gestured. "Welcome, Braxill. This is where the Zoner people live."
"How do the people here eat?" Braxill asked softly.
Lanni nodded toward a looming metal machine. "That's a converter machine," she explained. "It can take almost anything and break it down, then transform it into food you can eat."
They approached one, where Miss Mary greeted citizens, smiling gently as she handed out food in exchange for scraps.
"Ms. Mary," Lanni said warmly, "this is Braxill."
Ms. Mary glanced down. "Oh... and what are you?"
"Uh... I'm a bear," Braxill said nervously.
She chuckled. "Well, nice to meet you, Braxill the Bear."
He smiled, cheeks warming.
Lanni demonstrated, dropping a coin into the machine. With a rumble, it dispensed a small container of glowing green water. She lifted it. "See?" She drank it without hesitation.
Braxill's nose wrinkled. "That doesn't even look like water... water's supposed to be clear."
Lanni tilted her head. "Hmm. I've never seen clear water. But I understand resources are different in the animal villages. Though I've never tried them myself."
Braxill shook his head, refusing to taste it.
They continued through the Zoner city. Past broken homes, through markets of scavenged goods, and to the outskirts where destruction still lingered.
Braxill stopped, pointing. "What happened here?"
Lanni's face hardened. "The Delta robots. During the reinstatement of the annual Selection. Homes were destroyed... families displaced. But because of you and your friends, those people returned safely. You're a hero, Braxill."
His eyes widened. "I... I'm useful?"
"Yes," Lanni said, voice steady. "Very useful."
His lips curled into a smile. "That feels good. Sometimes... I feel useless."
Lanni's gaze softened. "Artists are never useless. They are the beacons of light in the darkest nights."
As they moved farther, Braxill noticed the heavy presence of Delta robots patrolling other districts. Their glowing optics swept over the streets like predators.
"Why are they here?" he asked.
"To survey the land," Lanni said. "To watch for treason. To keep the people afraid."
Braxill's brow furrowed. "What's the difference between Zoners and Royals?"
Lanni sighed. "In truth, none. Both are human. The difference is that Royals are modified with cybernetics, some obvious, like arms or eyes. Others hidden: implants, chips. All of it is just a way to divide us."
Braxill thought aloud. "That sounds like the Artimancers... right?"
Lanni turned sharply. "That's right, you met Levy?"
"He says a lot of hurtful things... but he's just a kid, like me. I think his father's the one who filled his head with lies."
"You're very perceptive," Lanni said.
"I learned a lot from the Bears," Braxill said proudly. "From the Library of Wonders. And from Joy."
Lanni blinked. "Joy?"
"Yes. The god who created the universe. I talk to him often. He's the one who gave me my power, the power of imagination, well he actually created all art."
Lanni tilted her head, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "I don't know this Joy. But perhaps you'll tell me about him sometime."
Braxill nodded.
Soon, Lanni summoned her spectral horse-drawn carriage. She guided it through the streets until they arrived at a larger structure, the Knights Crown Building.
"This is where the Knights live," Lanni said. "It's not much better than the rest of the district, but it's sustainable. If there's ever an attack, many of the people can shelter here."
Out front, Hido stood guard. He waved. "Hey, Lanni!"
She raised a hand back. "Hido!"
His gaze fell to Braxill. "Huh? Who's this?"
"This is Braxill," Lanni said. "He's from the Bear Tribe."
Hido blinked. "A human... from the Bear Tribe? I thought the Bears didn't like humans."
"Braxill's an exception," Lanni explained.
Hido crouched slightly to meet his eyes. "So, how'd you like the city, Braxill?"
The boy's face lit up again. "It was awesome!"