Power of Runes Chapter 421: Warm Morning

A soft warmth in the morning breeze drifted over the broad stone avenue as dawn's initial beams ascended beyond the remote rooftops. The city was merely starting to stir, but subtle sounds of activity were already rippling through the roads like waves on a serene pond.

Merchants set up their stalls beside the path, neatly lining up baskets of produce, tiny ornaments, medicinal plants, and gleaming implements while sharing easy hellos with longtime acquaintances.

Fragrance of newly baked bread wafted from a close bakery, blending with the damp earthiness of wet rocks and early dew.

Eric lingered at the street's edge, holding a slim wooden stick with a piece of grilled meat, munching it deliberately as he took in the vibrant surroundings.

"This spot comes alive quick at dawn," he murmured, biting into another morsel.

Since daybreak, he had strolled through multiple avenues, each carrying its own distinct flavor. Certain ones buzzed with traders shouting their wares, while quieter paths hosted Adventurers tinkering with gear before marching to the gates.

What captivated Eric most wasn't the crowds, but their incredible diversity.

Humans strolled freely down the ways, chatting boisterously with sellers or haggling fiercely, though they weren't the sole species in this bustling hub.

A towering beastkin with silvery fur and twisted horns lumbered by, balancing a hefty chest of metal implements on one shoulder effortlessly. Nearby, lithe elves conversed softly among themselves, inspecting enchanted gems at a booth adorned with softly pulsing runes.

Deeper along the road, Eric spotted a hulking form with azure hide and webbed digits emerging from a dim side passage, his sturdy footfalls murmuring against the cobblestones. These represented merely a handful of the peoples; innumerous others eluded his recognition or naming.

Eric observed the spectacle with silent fascination.

He eased back against a nearby wall, polishing off the final chunk of meat from his stick.

"This city's much vaster than I thought."

Though Ash had described this world as vastly exceeding their home realm, seeing it firsthand proved a whole new revelation.

The metropolis sprawled immensely—in truth, rivaling an entire globe's scale. Once his snack was done, he headed inward.

Eric went by a grand edifice bearing the Adventurer’s Guild emblem, through whose stout portals streamed scores of weapon-bearing folk.

Ahead loomed another imposing hall festooned with Mercenary Guild flags, where plated fighters boisterously negotiated deals and quaffed beer despite the early hour.

Yawning expansively, he shifted his eyes to the city's heart—the core zone—where colossal spires dominated the skyline.

One housed the Mage Council, haven for mighty mages delving into arcane secrets.

A different pinnacle was said to shelter Rune Scholars, experts in forgotten runic lore. Truly, since worlds merged, rune arts had surged in appeal, spawning fresh symbols aiding everyday tasks through ongoing research.

Eric rubbed his scalp idly, eyeing those far-off edifices.

"Far too many factions around here."

And those were scarcely half.

Snatches of talk had revealed the Alchemy Society, Realm Guardians, and murmurs of shadowy cabals lurking in the gloom.

Amid diverse folk, guilds, and hints of strife, the dawn bathed the town in uncanny tranquility.

Kids dashed amid vendor booths in gleeful shouts, traders bickered theatrically over costs, and wayfarers readied departures amid leisurely chats.

It resembled a typical morn.

That everyday vibe heightened the intrigue.

Eric eyed his spent skewer before flicking it into a close bin.

"I ought to grab something home before Ash questions my whereabouts."

Though Ash seldom voiced concerns outright, Eric sensed the fellow tracked every occurrence nearby.

The lane bent smoothly onward, and trailing it, the dawn clamor faded to a subdued hum. Far off gleamed a communal teleport circle, which he joined the flow into, emerging in the inner quarter.

Gate use cost nothing, given the city's immense span unfit for foot travel alone.

Traversing a handful more roads, Eric reached a lane for seamsters, gem dealers, implement vendors, and niche outlets.

Unlike the Outer district's casual booths, these establishments exuded refined poise. The City split into Outer, Inner, and Core Districts.

Eric eased his stride as a known storefront sign appeared.

It dangled over a broad pane of glass edged in sleek ebony metal. Elegant script etched its face, inlays of pale silver lustering gently in the sun.

[Stitches & Riches]

Eric paused under it briefly, then swung the door wide and entered.

Within lay a serene, orderly space, dawn rays sifting through the entry glass to illuminate apparel racks aligned precisely on walls. Overcoats, journey cloaks, snug shirts, and supple pants displayed in tidy arrays, each exuding masterful tailoring.

At initial look, the garments seemed wholly mundane.

Quality cloth.

Exact seams.

Practical cuts suiting wanderers and locals alike.

Yet each fabric bore woven runes granting unique boons, styled as artistic flourishes animating the attire.

Eric shut the portal behind and surveyed the store approvingly.

"Good. No blasts in my absence."

A serene tone echoed in his thoughts.

{You utter that each dawn like blasts are routine.}

Eric arched a brow.

"Sister Eva, you've witnessed Ash's backroom tinkering. Mild wariness seems a smart safeguard."

A ripple of mirth flowed from Eva’s essence.

{No blasts yet. And he's your senior—call him brother too...}

"Yet." Eric echoed, heading to the desk while brushing off her last remark.

He halted there momentarily, scanning about.

Six months.

Merely half a year since landing here, but familiarity had woven in.

Initial weeks post-arrival brought bewilderment, not turmoil. Days passed probing this land's origins and fusion genesis. Tales varied wildly among wanderers, but piecing overheard chats yielded the core reality.

This domain hadn't evolved organically like standard realms.

It arose from myriad worlds colliding into one vast continent. Shards of territories, societies, biomes blended into a super-realm dwarfing Eric's wildest dreams.

Such magnitude warped basic laws.

Even day-night rhythms shifted by locale. Remote zones basked eternally in daylight sans dusk, others endured faint gloom or perpetual night. Moons traced normal arcs in spots, absent elsewhere.

Explanation was straightforward.

No single globe-spin could govern the expanse uniformly.

Beyond that, a greater shock awaited.

Realm time accelerated.

Locals claimed four years since fusion, yet cross-checked data showed nearer ten elapsed externally.

Post-stabilization, temporal flow altered.

Sages noted the anomaly, probing causes. Prevailing view held the fresh realm's settling provoked unstable time-warps.

Certain experts foresaw ripples extending universe-wide.

Currently, confines stayed internal.

Realm's maker and motive baffled all, spawning theories Eric and Eva sifted skeptically.

Eric ignored such speculation. Daily life rolled on unaltered, time quirks normalized.

"You know," Eric mused aloud, "this huge place has oddly serene dawns."

"Most wayfarers exit gates pre-dawn."

Eric dipped his head.

"Makes sense."

He propped lightly against the counter, eyes drifting to the front glass.

Steady-footed folk traversed the way, packs on some, others in idle talk en route to far portals.

A recurring notion resurfaced.

"You know," Eric ventured after pausing, tone laced with mild intrigue over gripe, "something's puzzled me awhile."

Eva replied evenly in his mind.

"{What?}"

Eric eyed the sealed rear door.

"Why's Ash minding a tailor shop?"

"I mean, a year back in soul space, who'd buy us hawking garb? Of his myriad options here, clothier feels off."

Elbows on the surface.

"Beyond that, why any shop? Ash's skills opened countless superior routes. I'm not griping—life's been calm, comfy even. Just curious his motives."

Eva paused shortly before responding.

"{I do not know.}"

Eric blinked.

"Truly clueless?"

"{No.}"

Though Soul Library held vast Ash lore, select vaults stayed locked.

Prior-life links sealed tight.

Thus, Eva accessed only permitted zones, veiling some choices.

Eric reclined anew, appraising the space.

"Well... he'd share if inclined."

Hush returned fleetingly.

Then abruptly—

-Ding!!!

Entry chime tinkled as the door parted, admitting a patron.

****