Ethereal Paradigm: Arcadia Of Darkness 51 Elegance

-Lynda Barry

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International Clark City. An artificially made island in the vast pacific made through the various aid of countries. It was to be the pedestal and the very symbol of humanity's 'ever-evolving' state. It boasts facilities and skysc.r.a.pers with 50 floors on average, that could withstand an earthquake of magnitude 8 without a dent. Brought forth sectors designed to offer quality life to its denizens. And in the center, stood the towering city hall and a few blocks away was the university I was supposed to attend while attaining a mundane life of gray. It was truly an innovation that the joining countries can be very proud of.

It was, the 'Re-emergence of Eden', so the media says, but in a modern context. It was intendedly created to be the rich epitome of continental connections and economic trades...yet, the deities have had already made an alternative plan to utilize the island in the worst case possible. And to make it even worse, this Viscount figure hastened the plan up, even dragging others along without their approval.

And, here it is now. In a truly ironic situation.

The viscount figure, Celes called 'End', summoned a giant grotesque t.i.tan out of nowhere and literally transported us here like it was a mere warm-up, like carrying a kid's dollhouse to a new table, killing many on the process. It was then that the so-called Garden of Eden 2.0 found itself in a world that none of us knew.

As we were still on the dominance of the island, receiving instructions, being acquainted with the rules and receiving explanations of what is really happening, with some dying, confused and hopeless, we never did have the chance to look out of our windows of the vast buildings to see what this new world looked like...rather, we took time, a.s.sessing the situation in irrationality and useless arguments which even made the majority attend a cult with one goal. 'Die together, we will wake up unscathed on Earth. This is just a nightmare'. So, they thought and disparagingly ignored how consequential this really is, as warned beforehand.

Prior, we were instructed to prepare, and that the island, the moment we are to move out will once again be sealed with divine jurisdiction and will only re-open the moment a victor has been decided.

And now, it happened. The time has come for us to bid the city farewell and say our best regards to the new life that awaits outside. A life where killing is the newest norm.

The giant and bleak looking gate, intended for us in favor of d.a.m.nation for mankind(Except, I never did favor anything from the get-go), opened and the first glimpse of the outside world was rather menacing and yet, what's clear was that we are to travel this rather long bridge in a thick mist without a lucid destination.

But, fortunately, nature wanted us to have the greatest 'second' impression of the realm...

A dragon-shaped avian flapped its heavy wings mightily as it hovered above us with scales as black as charcoal and with a fiery tail as red as vermillion, clearing the mist that engulfed us which was prior a hindrance of getting a clearer view. Yet little did we know, that the mists were but an additional aspect that would set up the mood for our first legit glimpse to the unknown...in this surreal realm that the deities called, the "NÆthervale"...A haven yet to be tarnished by the insatiable stupidity of men.

Mesmerized.

If I were to apparently describe how everyone felt as they took their first few clear glimpses beyond the city gates, it was this word. It's not even enough to fully paint the image. Some stood speechless of what they are seeing, some wished that the deceased were here to see this too, with tears about to burst, while the vast majority was unable to hold in the excitement of seeing the endearing visage, which was apparent in their facades, especially Shiro, who's eyes has been sparkling for quite some time now.

The soon out-of-access city then closed the gate we used, with an unseen hand. It was the first time that everybody knew, that now, it finally starts.

First, as I speculated on the future impact that this warfare is to cause, I am saying my humblest apology to every biological species in this area. They are soon to taste what h.e.l.l is like. Yet, in all of my negative foreshadowing of the future, everyone's face spelled a different vibe...A vibe of being rejuvenated. They better not forget that all of them on this side chose the Armada that wants to spell the end of 'Mankind', the pessimistic ones that abandoned all hope, and that, seeing something like this, would never change the fact that we are here to kill each other.

"Are the others seeing this as well?" I self-questioned, wondering how the other 300,000 plus who chose the opposing team is doing. Well, in that number, which is approximately 30k percent more than us, they should be fine at least.

One by one, driven by a sheer curiosity of the 'more' that lies beyond, everyone started to walk the rather extended viaduct which is interlinked with the city and which leads to a land which appeared lit and in a distance, is a medieval-themed castle that appeared slightly different to how fairy tails of old portrayed it. Yet, it's still Three AM. So any vision of the afar would be a little disoriented. I should just start uncovering the fundamentals of this place first thing in the morning.

"Oni-chama, where are we going? This place is pretty" Shiro started talking as she earlier stood in awe as she saw the place of picturesque. But, I can still see how sleepy the little girl is. I did wake her up a little early so it's presaged.

"I'll show you tomorrow Shiro. You should just sleep for now, ok?", the girl, as though sleep-walking yawned and I then carried her up as she fell to a deep slumber seeing the clear night sky as she laid in my arms.

Everyone then started to walk amidst the elegant bridge without any form of doubt about the possibility that a b.e.s.t.i.a.l creature will suddenly appear and eat us all fresh.

I looked at my clock, still with the fascinated Shiro in close company and it is now 3:27 AM. For a simple sight-seeing, that rather took long. But it's understandable. The gaiety of this place simply can't be ignored. Yet, in all of the beauty, it showcased upon us earlier, and in all of the elegance, I sure did hate one aspect of it...It is too colorful.

While colors may satisfy the eyes, it will never reach the heart. It's just plain eyesore at this point, for me at least, who consciously lived a quarter of his ongoing existence from a perspective of black and white. Don't be mistaken though. While black and white are widely considered as colors, no they aren't. They are deemed as outcasts in the light spectrum as Lacrimosa also likes to consider them. One becomes obsolete by the dominance of the other. Intricate isn't it? And that's exactly why I like them.

Then, after a long, boring and silent ten-minute walk...we found ourselves in the process of taking one small step to the twisted fate that we are to experience, standing at the end of the bridge.

For the last time, we took grandeur to look at the island where this twist of fate flabbergasted us all without warnings. The International Clark City. Our waypoint, and our only means of going back home, as soon the game ends. For now, that city will be sealed, just like how the old Eden was in the ancient days. It will be sealed with a divine jurisdiction that prevents anyone from going in not so long as the warfare is in progress.

We then took our very first step in the unknown land as we reached the extremity of the bridge.

And then, not yonder, as everyone finished crossing the bridge, it then suddenly collapsed, implying that no one may cross again for the meantime and its debris came crashing down the moonlit waters below.

And then inside the city, at its center, a light started to radiate and from it rose four large and armored statues with height same to that of the 180-floored city hall. Each of them, then stationed themselves, one at each corner, guarding the city with large flaming swords in hand. They're the guards, I guess?

The moon is now also slowly dissolving along with the bleak of the night, as the sun started to show some of its rays on the far unearthly horizon.

And then, as we were distracted by the supernatural occurrence, musical sonatas began to maneuver into the air. Piano sonatas, that are truly incomparable and it is the first time that I heard such perfection.

Not yonder, someone appeared out of nowhere seemingly at our backs radiating this very pure charisma as she slowly descended. Her hair is white as wool and so is her long majestic dress. In her seemingly perfect neck was a long silky Tenne, the fluffy thingy that appears on the neck of j.a.panese G.o.ds, and in her back was a floating piano in arch-shape that likely served as her trademark or something.

Everyone stared in admiration as she drew closer. But, there are also a number of others who showed doubt if yet again, this is another exotic deity sent by the magistrates... Yet, I apprehend her, to be the 'Anima' that the announcer talked about earlier.

"Good day everyone. I am Amadea Mozart. I congratulate you all for taking your first steps in this realm" With a frosty voice, she spoke as her feet slowly touched the verdant ground.

She then bowed her head in front of us all with a n.o.ble manner, replacing all fear and doubts with nothing but a sense of Elegance. Amadea Mozart? Don't tell me its the same Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart?... But, a girl?