Lost in the Light by JJ Kang

Lost in the Light by JJ Kang

Author:JJ Kang [Kang, JJ]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: 1000 Cranes Press
Published: 2024-10-22T00:00:00+00:00


- THIRTY-TWO -

As Cyn described it, the tiny world of Artwa looked like a marble of blue and upon entering the atmosphere the islands of civilization could be seen scattered amidst a vast ocean. Sol’s light glinted off the surface of the calm, teal water. As we approached the capital city, I could see the island was not land at all. Buildings, paths, and bridges were connected together on the water’s surface. The world’s capital truly was a floating city.

Uldrel followed through on his threat to keep Cyn ship bound. Orion, who hissed when I asked if he wanted to go for a swim, stayed shipbound with them. Derrik, Ellis, and Nylah planned to conduct their business so after connecting their communicators to my vambrace for emergencies, Reagan and I went exploring.

We passed one-story buildings of white stone, same as the path we walked on, and I realized the ‘floating’ aspect of this city was a mere illusion. The city’s base was seemingly built on the seabed, and it made me wonder how deep the water went. Whereas the stones we passed were stark white, every other item was brightly colored. Colorful signs, banners, and accents decorated the area, a stark contrast to the white stone, and extravagant, unrecognizable flowers lined the paths by the waterside.

The native population, Artwains, were nearly a minority. Their dewy skin was in various tropical shades with patches of iridescent scales, and they sported long, noodle-like antennae styled like hair. We passed many, but most of the population were well-dressed Yarians with a few Khareesians in the mix. Reagan and I attracted their attention, but I hoped it was simply from our choice of clothes. I had my jacket on, despite the heat, with my helmet activated, and Reagan wore a frilly, yellow shirt with her shorts and sneakers— bright enough to be seen from orbit.

“Look, look!” Reagan chirped and rushed to the bridge’s railing. Under the arch, fish larger than me swam close to the surface. We paused to watch a school pass. Reagan pointed to a medium-sized orange one with long, thick whiskers connected to its mouth’s sides. “Look at that one, Ari!”

“I see it.” I hummed.

I was content leaning against the railing and allowing Reagan to run from one side to the other following the giant fish that swam under us. As she watched them, I watched the people going about their day. They were dressed nicely in breezy but well-made clothing that matched the tropical climate. I continued to notice eyes darting our way. The attention was making the hair at the back of my neck rise.

Another scan and my eyes landed on a young man lounging on a bench. His arms were stretched out to take up a bulk of the space. His skin was dark and the point of his ears, clear to see thanks to his shaved black hair, gave away his Kharees descent. Shocking white sigils and unfamiliar writing adorned his left arm in a swirling tattoo that crawled up to his shoulder and down his side.



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