A New World, an immersive game experience

Myropsis question made sense, sure there was a couple of runes engraved onto the metal structure holding the plants and guiding the free moving water, but it could just as easily be decorations in Eldrian's eyes. The pumps and mechanism simply cleverly hidden to give it a more magical feel.

While he knew that was not the case, he still thought of it and smiled at the concept that magic and science could be so interchangeable.

"It's plenty magical," Eldrian replied after taking a moment to enjoy his own thoughts, something he hadn't done in ages. In fact, he hadn't been able to calm his mind so much even while trying to meditate.

Myropsis giggled a little hearing just how earnest Eldrian's reply was. After a few minutes of simply enjoying the sight of the growing lettuce, she asked, "Did you plan to come here?"

"Not at all, I was wandering the city and ended up here."

"I see," Myropsis smiled and turned to look at Eldrian, her smile slowly disappearing as her eyes moved over his body. While plenty of his burn marks were hidden, there were still far too many out in the open.

Noticing the change, Eldrian laughed it off. "Don't mind it, it is just my punishment for being reckless."

"It looks painful."

"It is, a little. But I'm already used to it." Eldrian replied, keeping the fact that he felt he deserved it to himself. Yet, it seemed to not escape Myropsis's eyes.

"Why don't we go find..." Myropsis paused, trying to search for a friend or acquaintance who was an expert in healing, and who was still alive. Slowly tears started forming as she failed to find even a single one.

As she was about to spiral into sadness she felt an embrace. Looking up in shock, Myropsis frantically asked Eldrian what he was doing.

"I'm hugging you, idiot." Eldrian replied teasingly, "When you're sad, don't hide it."

"What right do I-"

"Everyone has the right to be sad, to be angry, to be frustrated, and even to be happy," Eldrian replied while lightly rubbing her back. "You shouldn't tell yourself that you don't have the right. Never tell yourself that.", 'Hypocrite...'

"What's gotten into you?" Myropsis asked, though she did not break away from Eldrian's embrace.

"Too much," Eldrian replied, fighting to keep his own emotions in check. How he wished at this moment that he could run to Jen to seek comfort, to seek guidance. She had always been his rock, and suddenly he found that he was nowhere near as strong as he thought he was.

Myropsis soon returned the hug as she could feel that Eldrian also needed one. While he did not say anything, she could feel him slowly becoming less tense. After a moment, the two separate and just as things were about to become awkward Eldrian asked for her help.

"With what?" She asked, happy for the distractions.

"I want to make a memorial."

"Umm..." Myropsis wasn't quite able to wrap her head around Eldrian's request.

"I feel that we haven't given everyone a proper way to say their last goodbyes?"

"I thought you held quite the appropriate funeral."

"Jannet did do an amazing job, but... Since we used pyres there is no place for people to go to mourn their loss. So, I want to do something for them."

Myropsis found his thoughts strange but feeling that this was partly for himself, she did not bring this up and decided to rather just be supportive.  "What do you have in mind?"

"I'm not sure if something like this exists or not. Do you know of a device capable of recording -saving- someone's image and voice?"

"Yeah, but they're ridiculously expensive," Myropsis replied.

"Is that so... Do you know how they work?"

"No idea, but I remember my mom had this one of a play she used to love."

Wracking his brain, Eldrian looked around and saw a massive bird relaxing on the walls nearby. "I'll be right back," Eldrian told Myropsis and rushed towards Mneme.

The roc looked at Eldrian curiously, tilting its head as he approached. Few people dared come near her so she was usually not disturbed. And since Athtar had arrived Itireae had also stopped coming to play with her.

"Mneme, can I ask for a favor?" Eldrian asked while reaching out to pet the massive eagle-like bird's head.

Taking her counter tilt of the head as a yes, Eldrian continued, "Can you get Itireae to come here. Bring Athtar and the others too if possible."

Mneme didn't react immediately, tilting her head instead to get Eldrian to scratch a certain spot. After satisfying her itch, she slowly stood up and spread her wings. While Eldrian marveled at her size, she took off and headed towards the mayor's mansion.

"What was that about?" Myropsis asked as Eldrian returned.

"I asked for some help."

"You didn't!"

Eldrian simply smiled in reply, causing the Myropsis to nearly lose her composure.

"Did you seriously just ask a roc to bring those guys... For this?"

"Yup," Eldrian replied with a smile, he understood her shock, but so what? This was also the perfect opportunity to see why they were really staying here.

As Athtar had said in the meeting, it is unwise of them to remain in one area. Especially if they remained there in the open. Yet, here they were doing just that. He was curious what other reasons they had, he felt confident he was a reason. He doubted he was the only reason.

After a few minutes, Mneme returned with two people on her back. Gracefully jumping off, Itireae looked at Eldrian in confusion and a little bit of anger. She felt that it was wrong for Eldrian to call Lord Athtar so casually. However, she maintained herself since Athtar himself had agreed to the request gracefully. It would only harm his honor if she did something now.

Of course, Mneme was unable to speak, but after the years of being together, Itireae could understand her gestures as well as words.

"This is sooner than I expected," Athtar said as he turned his sights to the ray of plants stretching through the field. "Quite an ingenious idea. Is this the so-called vertical farms?"

"Yes, ideally you can stack the trays as high as needed, maximizing the space usage," Eldrian replied.

Athtar nodded while inspecting the runes that were used and the water network, he immediately found areas where improvement was possible. However, he would not mention it unless asked. And of course, this was not the first time he saw such an idea implemented.

In fact, in Ehevell -his empire- this was implemented in a far more magical style. With farms and forests grown on the floating islands throughout the lands. Doubling, or even tripling the available landmass.

"Why did you ask Mneme to bring us?" Athtar asked after admiring the ingenuity of the people behind this, there was a clear disconnect between their knowledge and magic yet they had made it work.

"I want your help," Eldrian replied.

"With the farms?"

"No, though if you could advise Therdul and Erik that would be great."

"If not the farms, then why are we here?"

"I want your help in making a memorial," Eldrian replied, hearing the request Itireae nearly lost her composure. Not only was Eldrian talking to Athtar as an equal, but he was also asking him for help without any show of respect. It was unforgivable.

And the request, what kind of thing was that to ask?

AN: A big thanks to everyone who continues to support the story by simply reading on Web, voting for the story, or sharing comments. It is all greatly appreciated.