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“Two reasons; one, the kingdom’s the only interesting place on the way you’re going and two, hello Sagittarius, I am a Knight of one of the generals, named Horologium” the figure introduced themself with a slight bow before straightening himself.
“I’ll assist you along the way if you’re fine with that”
Matthew nodded subtly as he told the figure to go back inside his jacket. He then zipped the jacket up to where it was before.
The chariot was about half way to the kingdom now as the trail was as empty as can be.
“All good?” He asked, genuinely worried.
Xara pulled a handkerchief from her pocket and held it over her nose before nodding. "I always get nosebleeds when I sneeze," she explained.
Cat hooked her bow on her back and crossed her arms. She kind of shifted uneasily for a moment. "Um, my name's Cat. Not Sagittarius," she was a little hesitant to correct the man. Not sure of what he could do. Plag twisted around and easily moved to her other shoulder, his tail tip twitching slightly.
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Matthew scratched his neck softly.
“Hehe, sorry, didn’t know you were that allergic” he stated.
The chariot rider laughed a little at the exchange.
The one who called himself Horologium nodded subtly before speaking up.
“Oh, you will be called that soon enough” he claimed as he gestured towards the route.
“So, shall we?”
Xara waved him off. "It's not your fault that I'm allergic," she assured him quietly.
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The chariot soon got into the area of the kingdom. The buildings were all modernly designed and had hints of stars around them. The locals seemed to bow at the chariot for some apparent reason.
Xara looked around uncomfortably, pulling her hood over her head. "Why are they doing that?" She hissed.
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The knight laughed.
“Oh yeah, my apologies, hold on” the knight touched their armor as it dispersed. The blonde haired young boy inside revealed himself as the armor folded back into a badge with a clock symbol on it.
“Alright now, shall we go?” He smiled softly as he readjusted his necklace.
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The chariot rider turned to them.
“Maybe because you are riding with a Knight of the kingdom?” He smiled as his badge showed.
“Auriga?” Matthew asked almost immediately.
“Yep, you’re spot on kiddo” he answered with a soft smile.
Cat was still looking at the boy like he'd grown two heads. "I don't even know you. And you expect me to just be okay with traveling with someone that just suddenly showed up and apparently knows who I am with me never having met them before in my life?! News flash, this ain't one of them novels where the characters meet and just suddenly trust each other. I don't know you and I don't trust you."
Xara took several deep breaths and covered her face as much as possible. "Could we possibly move faster?" She asked quietly.
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“Eh… seems fair” the figure tapped his chin.
“Alright then, in that case I’ll be going there now. Hopefully I’ll meet you there” he tossed the badge up as it flashed and the man disappeared with it without a trace.
The charioteer smiled.
“Of course!” The chariot sped up and dashed through the roads without hitting a single thing. Within a minute, Matthew and Xara would be in front of the palace.
Xara tapped her foot agitatedly, though she was relieved. Large crowds were never her strong suit.
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Matthew got out soon after and brushed himself off.
“Alright you two—“ the charioteer got off and touched the chariot, turning the whole thing into a badge “—General Syzen is waiting inside. Walk pass the first hallway and take a left, you’ll see a large door that will lead to the room he’s in. Have a great time” the knight gave them a thumbs up and a wink before he walked to another building near the main palace.
"A.. great time?" Muttered incredulously while repeating the words first hallway, take a left, in her head. She tried not to stare at the charioteer's badge for too long, but it wasn't exactly the usual for her to see that sort of thing.
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Matthew raised a brow at the charioteer’s choice of wording but didn’t exactly question it. He walked to the entrance doors and gently opened them. The hallway was huge and was undoubtedly expensive. He blinked violently at the scenery before setting foot inside the palace.
Xara froze for several long moments and had to physically shake herself in order to continue. "This is absolutely ridiculous," she commented.
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“It is, I won’t argue” Matthew added as they pass the first hallway.
Take a left he reminded himself as he turned and spotted the large door the charioteer talked about.
“…right”
Xara looked at Matthew. "Well, go on," she prompted.
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Matthew walked in front of her and was the one who opened the door.
“Hello?” The room represented a meeting room more than anything. Thirteen chairs were present in the room, one; the one at the head of the table, was already taken by a shockingly cute and attractive male. The other twelve were positioned into two rows of sixes and had symbols on them, representing the twelve Zodiacs.
“Welcome Leo, and Welcome Scorpio” the man at the end of the table greeted as the chairs they were assigned to glowed.
"Yes, and I assume if you're not a tax collector, you're my escort of some sort" Quebec kept his door open just by an inch as he talked to the red and white armored female. "And I'd prefer you call me Quebec"
Xara blinked. "I - I do have a name, " she managed, sitting in her seat numbly.
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“I’d prefer the word ‘guardian’ but whatever, yes, I’m here to guide you to the astral kingdom. You can call me Phoenix by the way” the female claimed with a friendly voice though her facial expression and body language said otherwise. She looked rude but her voice was gentle. She pouted, waiting for a reply.
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“Alright then Xara, I’ll call you as you wish and for the youn—“
“You can just call me Matt” the young boy answered almost immediately.
“Alright, we should wait for more people before we start our discussion” the man leaned against his seat, putting his hands together.
Xara leaned back in her seat, not bothering to remove her hood. Her eyes glued themselves to the floor.
"Alright" Quebec sighed and left the door creak open to grab his packed bags that layed on his couch. He grabbed his keys and walked out the front door before turning around and locking the rather weak looking wooden door. "So…..I assume you'll be leading me"
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“Exactly” the Phoenix nodded as she confirmed Quebec’s thought.
“Or more exact—“ wings of fire bursted from her back and fluttered “—I’ll be taking you there” she offered him her hand.
"I'm afraid of heights.." He claimed instantly as he saw her pair of wings.
"I'd… Rather travel by land… Or sea… Even if it takes longer" He gave her an opinion of his.
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“Huh…” the Phoenix’s wings disappeared. She began to think of a way to travel to the kingdom in a short period of time.
“In that case, I think I can help” another white armored figure walked up to the two. They had compasses on their shoulders and held a red and white sword.
“Pyxis, how did you get here?” The Phoenix asked.
“The same way as always, teleporting around the place” the compass constellation answered plainly.
“And you are planning to—“
“Exactly”
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