Limits

The tour started from simple things, like the market. Of course it wasn't anything simple. The market look mystical as well. No only the stalls floated, the Voltars responsible for them, advertised their products in creative ways. Some would juggle their products, others would use the electric energy, to float them. Some would even demonstrate the resilience, or the quality of the items they were selling.

It was a lively place, and there was something to watch, at all times. The old Voltar said "If you need stuff like materials, weapons or supplies, this is the place to come. You may even be able, to find some rare stuff in here. Though the rarest stuff, is in the Vatras Auction Hall. I will show you that place later". I nodded, and we continued to the next location.

He then showed me an inn, with a bar. The place floated, but closer to the ground, if compared to other buildings. This was probably, to allow the guest easy access inside. The old Voltar said "Let me show you something, as not many places have that". I was intrigued, and followed him towards the inn. When we were close enough, a road made from electric energy, appeared in front of us. "Wow!" I exclaimed loudly. The old Voltar smiled, and said "This is to allow easy access, for other people. Not many buildings have that, but this inn is mostly used by travellers, just like you".

I asked "What about the electric energy then? Wouldn't it electrocute me?". The old Voltar shook his head, and replied "No. Although electric energy is used to create it, there are also Formations, that keep the path in check. This way, anyone can walk on it, and no one ever got electrocuted". I nodded my head, while the old Voltar motioned for me to follow, towards our next location.

We then arrived, at the Mercenary Guild of Boltier. I knew what this place was about, but the old Voltar didn't know that, and explained "This is the Mercenary Guild. I don't know if you are a member, but this is where you can get a job, and so on". I nodded my head, and replied "I know about it". He nodded as well, and we moved on to the next location.

Next, he showed me the Arena. It was smaller compared to the Falanks Arena, but it housed battles all the same. It was also circular in shape, just smaller, and the fact that it was floating. The electric energy ran through it, like snakes around a tree. The old Voltar explained "This is the Electric Arena. It's a bit different compared with other Arenas. The electric energy, is widely available on the platform. Us Voltars, can't really lose against other races here. The Arena is used by young Voltars mostly. This way, they can test their skills and strength. Although I say this, we had some challengers, that won a few fights. These individuals, were unusually strong".

I asked "Is there some sort of requirement, to fight in this Arena?". The old Voltar shook his head, and replied "No. You just have to beware, that your opponents will have an obvious advantage. This advantage is not small. Therefore before you try, consider it couple of times". I nodded my head, and we moved on to the next location.

We soon arrived to pretty much the centre of the city. In the middle, was a huge crystal, which the old Voltar called Collecting Crystal. I could see electric energy coursing around it, and some kind of blue orb inside. The crystal itself, was almost transparent. Metal linen of some sort, were attached to the bottom of the Crystal, and extended outwards, in all directions.

'I've never seen such a thing. It's amazing!' I thought. The old Voltar said "This Collecting Crystal, is not only collecting the electric energy. It's also responsible for storing and distributing it, around the whole city". I nodded my head, and asked "How exactly, is that crystal storing the energy?". The old Voltar looked at a certain location in the sky, and said "I'm not sure, how it is able to store the energy. The blue orb inside, is the condensed electric energy, that it stores. This is a relic, left by our ancestors. I don't know much about it, but there are some high positioned Voltars, that do. As far as I know, this crystal is a blessing, but a curse as well".

I asked "Why? Doesn't this crystal supply energy to all of this city?", to which the old Voltar replied "Because it can explode if overloaded, or if its balance is disturbed. It's a fantastic relic, and as you said, this whole city depends on this Crystal. But, if the balance is disturbed for some reason, it will blow up with all the electric energy stored inside. Imagine what would happen, when electric energy that can run this whole city, explodes". I could easily imagine, how devastating the results would be. He continued "Although, this shouldn't happen soon. It works properly, and even if loads of strong people attacked, it would not break. It's very sturdy, and balanced".

'For now' I thought. That thing, was a recipe for disaster. Although it was very sturdy, it was not indestructible. If the crystal cracked, or the balance got disturbed somehow, then the whole city would perish. 'Funny enough, I know a way, to probably destroy this Crystal. I don't know if the amount of Yellow Dust on me, is enough to destroy it, but it should be enough to break the balance' I thought. Of course, I was not going to do that. Besides, I would kill myself too. The Yellow Dust explosion, would be severe, and I would need to add another electric explosion, into the mix. Death would be more than likely, it would be certain.

We then moved on to the next location, which was the Grand Palace. The Grand Palace, was a sight to behold. It looked like a castle with three towers, that had metal spikes at the top. Besides that, it was huge and floated in air, like everything else. But the distance between the ground and the Palace, was at least 200 metres. The old Voltar explained "This Grand Palace, houses all the important figures, as well as the ruler of Voltars. No one is allowed entry, without a reason. Normally, other Voltars would receive the summons, or would need to ask for permission". I asked "How is it possible, for such a thing to float, and so high nonetheless?".

The old Voltar replied "The answer is all around you. It's the electric energy, that makes the buildings float around here. Of course, there are some Formations too". I nodded, and looked at the palace a bit more. Suddenly, the old Voltar asked " I think, I've seen you before. Do we know each other?". I looked at the old Voltar, and said "No. I've never been to this place before". He thought about something, and said "You seem similar to someone… I just don't know who".

I had no idea, who he was talking about. I just shrugged my shoulders, and said "I have no idea. I'm sure we never met before". But the old Voltar didn't give it a rest, and after another while of thinking, he asked "Have you ever dealt with Avians?". Now, I knew what he meant. 'I have no clue, how he managed to even recognise me, but the fact who I really am, should stay hidden' I though, and simply replied "No".

He asked "Why have you come here human?". I replied "I want to sell some of my medicine. I don't know, if Voltars can use it though. It's quite good, and I hope to make some money". The old Voltar seemed interested, and said "I can buy some, if it's good". I nodded, and took out my new medicine, which I created in Apium. It was the Arran Liquid. This medicine, was on similar level to the Healing Essence, from Nick's book.

The Voltar checked out the medicine, and asked if he could taste it. I said "Sure, go ahead". He did just that. When he tasted it, he immediately became excited, and tried to hide that. After testing my medicine, the old Voltar said "This is not bad. I can pay you 5 Black Hals for it". I laughed straight at his face, and said "This is worth about 20 Black Hals. You don't have an idiot in front of you. I will sell that one for 18, if you want". The old Voltar, didn't know what to say really. After a while of awkwardness, he took out the money and paid me. "Sorry, I tried taking advantage of you. I didn't know, you would be aware of its worth. I gave you 20 Black Hals, instead of 18. It's to apologize, for trying to swindle you". I nodded, and said "It's fine then". 'I wouldn't fall for the same trick twice. I learned my lesson already' I thought.

He said "You should go to the Vatras Auction Hall with this, if you have more. This will sell very well, and at much better price, compared to just 20 Black Hals". I nodded, and said "It's a good idea. Can you show me where it is?". The old Voltar nodded, and said "Sure, follow me". As we walked towards the Auction Hall, the old Voltar introduced himself "I forgot, that I never introduced myself. I'm called Shak". I realised, that I had to respond somehow. I decided to just use the name of a certain talkative guy. "I'm called Roland, nice to meet you Shak".

Shak asked "Do you have a lot of that medicine left? I would still buy some, if it's not a problem". I nodded, and asked "How much would you like to buy?". He replied "Well, I have only 30 Black Hals left, so I can only buy one". I took out two bottles, and threw them at him, then said "Just pay me 30 for them". He was a bit stunned, and replied "Thanks! I really appreciate your gesture". He handed me 30 Black Hals exactly. It didn't take long for us, to arrive at our destination. Shak said "This is the Vatras Auction Hall".