Where The Dead Ones Go Book 1 -Magistracy-

Chapter 15

"This is so beautiful!"

I ran outside the crystal-like train platform and onto the snow-covered streets of Borealis, the capital city of the Magistracy of Pagos.

I looked up above the clear skies full of stars and beautiful wave-like lights in the skies that I've never seen before.

"Aurora Borealis. The gift of the goddess of dawn, Aurora to our patron wind god, Boreas as a sign of kinship and respect," Zenith said proudly as he pointed at the several glass skyscrapers towering the city's skylines, "Behold at how our buildings reflect the lights above. Even if we barely get any sun in a year, these illuminations from above are more than enough for us."

I nodded as Morris stand beside me and together, we enjoy the brilliant display of lights dancing among the dark skies above.

"Who is our host anyways, Eonia?" Narcine asked as she gave her extra jackets to our Scythian classmates who are shivering in cold, "The sooner we get settled the better. Rebie and Vaski are not built for this kind of weather."

Before our class president can answer, a black limousine stopped in front of us and an old man in his late fifties stepped out and bow before us lowly.

"Salutations. I am Brent Jarvis, the butler of the House Mycenae. I presume you are members of the Auxiliary Class of Hellenic Citadel?"

The son of Zeus gasps in surprise as he heard the voice of the old man, "Brent! What are you doing here?! No! It can't be!"

"Ah, young master, I am delighted to see you again," the butler said respectfully as he nodded, "It can be. I have received direct orders to send the acceptance letter to your lovely adviser just a few days ago."

"That's impossible! I haven't given any permission for you to do so!" Zenith shouted angrily as the winds around us began to blow violently, "Wait, no! Is it..."

Brent nodded meaningfully, "Yes, young master, it is your father, King Zeus himself who ordered me to respond positively to the inquiry of your school posthaste. As you well know, it is the heavenly king himself who is the head of House Mycenae in the moment of your absence. I am sure you have not forgotten?"

"But..."

The daughter of Athena stepped forward as she introduced herself to the butler and pointed at our shivering Scythian friends, "As much as I want to talk more, can we do it somewhere warm? Some of our numbers can't handle this cold."

"Of course, my lady," he answered quickly before opening the door of the limousine, "We can all talk inside cordially. Please, after you."

We all thanked him as we get in the car before Zenith who still have a little argument with his patient servant before getting in inside with us.

"So, we are staying at Zenith's house?" Syden asked carefully but Zenith didn't answer and it's Brent who responded.

"Yes, young sir. The whole manor of House Mycenae is at your disposal for the duration of your stay here at the Magistracy of Pagos," he answered humbly before continuing to speak, "However, I was instructed by the Heavenly King himself that I should pay extra care to a certain Avesa Bovinae?"

The High Priestess raised her hand a little, "That's me, please, no need for special treatment. I am just honored to be welcomed at your house."

"Please do forgive me for being blunt but you have the same aura as my young master, perhaps, you are related to Queen Hera?"

"Yes. I am her, daughter, for all intents and purposes," she answered courteously that made the servant bow respectfully, "As I said, no need for special treatment. I am here to join my new acquaintances as a temporary member of their class. Treat me as such."

"As you will, young lady," Brent answered quickly before looking at the still quiet Taurei staring out of the window, "How about you, young sir? You are also carrying a rather strange aura within you."

Our classmate just gave him a side glance before returning his gaze outside the car window, "I am no one. Pay me no mind."

"I see, very well, now that I have indulged my curiosities, may I know if there are any more members of the nobilities or royalties that needed special attention by our household?"

Narcine and Eonia suspiciously pressed heir lips after looking at each other knowingly as Asher pointed at Rebie and Vaski who are cuddling beside the daughter of Persephone.

"These two are the sheik and his retainer of the Scythian Emirate."

Vaski shook his head as Rebie rolled her eyes, "No need for special treatment. Just warm lodging will be terribly appreciated."

"What he said. We are not built for this kind of punishment. Sir, a bowl of warm soup and coffee will be Olympic-sent," Rebie followed seriously as the butler bowed his head in answer.

"That can be arranged the moment we arrived at the young master's manor," he then looked at Estelle happily, "You are the daughter of Second Magister Kestrel Esmeralda, am I correct, young lady?"

To our surprise, the daughter of Aphrodite smiled and nodded, "I am. And I guess its all over the news that the Second Magister, a son of Athena, goddess of wisdom's daughter born from Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty, has been robbed blind in broad daylight while strolling ignorantly at the dangerous downtown of the Viceroyalty of Auralia on her way to the Hellenic Citadel?"

"Wait, son of Athena?" Syden asked incredulously that made Asher nod, "So Estelle is a granddaughter of the goddess of wisdom?"

I just heaved a sigh of relief and nodded with Morris, "I am just happy that my questions have been finally answered. I have met several daughters and sons of Aphrodite back at school and our classmate is just way too different from them. Notwithstanding the fact that she is the only Pagosian amongst the Scythian children of the goddess of beauty and arguably the brightest of them all. I can now sleep in peace."

"Too true. And here I always thought that she is awfully inquisitive and quick on the uptake compared to her siblings. Mystery solved," my companion said happily as Estelle just laughed a little.

"Indeed. I am treated as an outcast among my mother's spawns. A black sheep who fills her head too much with thoughts. I can't help it, my father is Gala's brother. He taught me well," she said proudly that made her boyfriend fake a cough.

"Yes, aside from arguably important primer lessons on self-preservation and basic life tips like for example, don't walk alone in a dark alley wearing only the most expensive things."

The son of Lytta is awarded a resounding slap in the face by Estelle who faced the smiling butler once more, "So, how did my father delivered the news to our people about my embarrassing blunder on my first day abroad?"

"His Honor announced that after an unfortunate accident, he is proud that you finally managed to land yourself a fiance despite being homeschooled your entire life. A strapping and handsome son of the fearsome Lytta, goddess of rabies and rage," Brent said proudly that made the two blush as we gasped when we heard that juicy bit of information our classmates are hiding from us, "And I must say, the House Esmeralda's future bloodline is well secured. I hope the same can be said for my young master but given his rather socially impaired upbringing, I still fear the worst."

The son of Zeus just grunted as he looked at Asher and Estelle, "I have zero interest in politics. If you two are already secured then, by all means, you have my blessings."

"I think it's still too early for you to say that Zenith," the daughter of the goddess of beauty warned him sternly before gasping when she saw what came into view outside of the window, "Oh dear, how long since I have been in this majestic manor?"

We all followed suit and looked outside to see an indeed very beautiful and formidable manor that appeared from the blanket of snow and darkness.

It is so big and grand. Fitting for a prince, to say the least.

When the limousine stopped, we quickly get off and entered the house and was greeted by sheer opulence and grandeur.

"Now this is a manor," Morris said appreciatively as he looked around us, "You can tell from its stately appearance that this has been standing for quite a long time."

The butler bowed in front of dozens of servants, "Indeed, young lord. The manor of House Mycenae has been standing for several millennia. Why it has been said that this very building is one of the vestiges of the last golden age of mankind."

"Well, I hope you don't mind if I roam around, Zenith," my companion asked the son of Zeus who just nodded a little.

"Suit yourself, just don't go to the far east wing," he said in a serious tone before looking at his servants, "Make sure they are well taken care of. Treat them as you treat me. I will go upstairs. Bring my lunch to the room."

And he just turned his back on us all before climbing up the grand staircase.

"Young lords and ladies, if you will follow me?"

We nodded at the butler who leads the way towards one of the numerous hallways of the manor and before I and Morris leave the entrance, a life-sized portrait hanging just above the staircases caught our attention.

"Wow, she is very beautiful," I thought as we gaze at her serene face.

"She kinda resembles Zenith, don't you think?" Morris asked in my head as we both walked nearer to get a closer look, "What a knockout! Whew, now that is a woman!"

We heard a small cough behind us and when we look around, we saw Brent smiling kindly at us, "Perhaps you've been captivated by our Mistress' visage?"

"So she is Zenith's mother?" I asked tentatively that surprisingly made the old butler lose his smile as he nods.

"Yes, young lady. She is your classmate's beloved mother," he answered clearly before stepping back, "But that is a story for later, for now, we need you two to feast on our delectable dishes we prepared just for all of you. Please, this way."

Morris gave one last look at the portrait before wrapping his arms at mine, "Did you felt it, Vivet?"

"Yes, Morris. It looks like we better tread carefully."

-0-

"Welcome to the Magisterial Courthouse!" a handsome gray-eyed man in his mid-twenties warmly said as we stepped inside the seat of the Pagosian government power, "I am Kestrel Esmeralda, son of Athena and the incumbent Second Magistrate of the Magistracy of Pagos."

We bowed respectfully as he waved his hand jovially, "Please, there's no need to be so formal. Thank you for being nice to my stubborn daughter. I bet she is a handful."

"Oh, no. She is very helpful and always ready to lend an ear to the smallest problems bothering us seriously," I said truthfully that made the daughter of Aphrodite blush a little, "Though I must say I didn't expect Estelle's father to be this, young, sir. No offense."

He laughed out loud that made several employees of the court smile when they heard him as they walk around us on their way to their businesses, "Well, I am really young. You could say that technically speaking, I am younger than my daughter here."

"Of course, just like Gala," Morris said quickly as we remembered our witty classmate.

"Exactly. Now that I have introduced myself, may I know who you three are?"

I cleared my throat and bowed once more, "I am Vivet Vivier, the demiurge of Elpis, foster daughter of Irene Iridis of Iris Delivery Services of the Viceroyalty of Auralia. I am delighted to make your acquaintance."

"Ah, yes, of course, Irene. I heard from diplomatic channels that she found herself, someone, to take care of like Atomo," he said happily as he looked at my companion latched on my arm, "And this godly looking young man here is?"

Morris bowed a little and grinned at him, "Morris Mortheo of the Sycthian Emirate, Your Honor. The demiurge of Thanatos."

"Death and hope. What an odd but oddly logical and reasonable combination," Estelle's father said as he looked at the two of us with utmost interest.

"How so?" his daughter asked curiously.

"Well, my dear, you will never cling to hope the most until you are near the doors of death nor you can ever be truly afraid of death until you lose all hope," he said simply that made me and my companion nod in agreement, "But enough about these two, who is the quiet young man behind you three?"

Our classmate who is clearly thinking other things suddenly jolted when he realized he was being talked to.

"Taurei Pavonious, Magistracy of Pagos," he answered quietly before bowing a little.

The son of Athena blinked his eyes as he looked at his face carefully, "You have very beautiful eyes, Taurei. This is the first time I've seen such eyes in the face of a mortal."

"I, uhm, thank you, sir," he answered quickly before bowing his head again.

Estelle sighed and shook her head, "The most beautiful eyes I've ever seen in mortals, that's for sure, father."

"Well, now that we are all introduced, let us all go to my office so you can begin your immersion. Please, follow me!"

We followed the rather excitable man and Morris can't believe that he is the second most powerful political figure in this country by the way he carries himself.

His daughter acts more formally than him.

After we ate our lunch, Eonia and Gala told us what we will do during our week of stay here in the magistracy.

We are to "immerse" ourselves in the culture of this country and help do tasks for our respective tutors while we are here.

In the case of me, Morris, Taurei, and Zenith, it is the Second Magistrate of the Magistracy of Pagos who will hand out tasks for us to do while our other classmates are under several political and local persons who accepted stewardship over us.

"Ah, Prince Zenith, have you meet your mother's staff?"

We looked at the son of Zeus who landed in front of us before we climb a flight of ice staircase, "Yes, Second Magister. But please, drop the formalities, I don't like it, as you well know since I am nothing but a toddler."

"Just teasing, Zenith," Kestrel said jovially as he grinned at our classmate who smiled a little, "Now, I want you and Estelle to assist the employees having trouble finishing their paperwork at the Cultural Department. They are being swamped because of the coming festival."

Estelle and Zenith nodded and bade us farewell as the three of us continued to walk until we reached the office of the Second Magister located at the top floor of the courthouse.

When we entered the room, we are pleasantly surprised to see a rather cozy and warm fireplace at the direct north and the walls around are covered with bookshelves packed with difficult looking books and scrolls.

A handsome mahogany desk and a leather chair almost hidden with towers of stacks of papers are in the center as well as three chairs facing it directly for visitors.

"I am sorry for the pitiable state of my office. Like my workmates below, I am swamped with paperwork as my assistants are busy doing fieldwork for the festival. If you three can just sit in front of my desk and help me sort out the papers, it will be perfect."

We followed his orders as Morris and I let Taurei sit in the middle between us as we accept the papers from Estelle's father.

"Now, I know this is a rather boring task so do you want me to regale you with stories of our nation perhaps?" the son of Athena offered as he poured hot chocolate for us, "I understand that while he is technically Pagosion on papers, he grew up in the Republic of Anoixi. If you want, Taurei, I can tell you about your birth country."

Our classmate shook his head as he focused on the papers on his hand, "I appreciate the thought, Your Honor but I'd rather not. How about you tell Morris and Vivet here stories about the golden age of mankind. These two are very interested in that as well as it's our homework to research them."

"Really?" he looked at us and raise an eyebrow, "I watched the examinations and saw the powers you have wielded. Even in the magistracy, there is a persistent talk that you two are somehow connected or related to our ancestors who used such formidable elemental affinities."

I took a deep breath as I let my companion handle the conversation since he is really interested in the subject because of his vague memories of the past.

"Yes, Your Honor. I heard from Gala, Zenith, and your daughter that Pagos has kept several records of the golden age safely. If you can tell us more then I will deeply and truly appreciate it."

The Second Magister sighed as he looked at the two of us, "While I am not allowed to show you the records as it is considered as national treasures, I am not forbidden to tell you all about it. As a child of the goddess of wisdom, you may find that I memorized the things I have read with ease."

"Gala is just like that so I have utmost trust that you can impart to us the knowledge you have gleaned from your ancient records, Your Honor," I said expectantly as he stands up and faced the fireplace behind him.

He nodded and took a deep breath as he began telling us a story of the past that we never would've known and how it truly ends...