Charice made his way outside. The city at night was a sight to behold.
A white marble city, growing from a massive, deep gorge nestled in a valley. The ground was orange sand, a typical North American desert that stood in stark contrast to the pristine white walls and blue roofs.
The gorge split the valley right down the middle as a river flowed into and down it from the Draconic Peaks, creating a stunning waterfall. Upon the tall peaks around them were towers, large and imposing, with piles of wood ready to be lit... Not to mention the wyverns that lurked within them.
Charice sighed wistfully and stood on the balcony of a large tower atop The Ark, overlooking this beautiful landscape.
He was breathing heavily, winded from the many stairs he had to climb to reach this vantage point. His favorite place in the whole city. Or, at least, one of his many favorites.
"Wah... It looks even cooler now..." Charice mumbled, eyes sparkling in awe. He loved this view. Lamps, lanterns, and torches all illuminate the contours and crevices of his home.
The city was a fortress, with three walls, at the edge, in the middle, and around the gorge, shielding the city one after another. Every wall had ballistas, archer towers, catapults, steel gates, and a dim blue glow of law and order. Adorned with swaying blue banners.
The building he stood on was known as The Ark. It went from the bottom of the gorge to this impressive height at its very peak.
There was one gate, a sloped stone path leading into the gorge that connected it to the rest of the city via a massive bridge with luxurious statues of past Consorts and God-Kings.
Charice had his statue, the second largest, right next to Maximus's. His beloved was dressed in his armor, features hidden beneath a menacing helmet and long cape, while Charice wore his loose robes.
The statues were looking directly forward at the tallest mountain of the Dragon Peaks. Where a presence could be felt.
Charice leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand as he leaned on the railing, smiling like a cocky brat would after getting what they wanted.
"I'll see you soon... Don't worry, Abra." He giggled, watching as the presence vanished.
Michael finally arrived, catching up to Charice. He immediately felt the bitter chill of the night air bite at his face. He wore brigandine under the plate armor, but he could not say the same for Charice, wearing loose robes.
The wind blew against his cheek, the moon shone like a jewel, and the stars watched from afar. Charice could feel all of it as if all of it was real.
He gulped and sighed, taking in the view while burying the dread welling within him.
"Consort." He hesitated as Charice turned his head to look at him with a smile reflecting in the moonlight, "Forgive me, but I must suggest you head inside; you may grow ill in the cold."
Charice giggled again, more energetic, almost happy. He turned to Michael fully, leaning his back on the railing, arching it a little.
"Aw...Michael, that is so very sweet of you!" Charice hummed with a big smile, cheeks warming lightly as his eyes sharpened. He looked at Michael, whose poker face stiffened, years of professionalism on display.
'They never initiated interactions like this before... Is he real now? I... I don't think this is the place I've known for so long anymore...I guess when the game shut down, something happened? But what could cause this?'
A night of sleep would surely wake him from this dream, or at least give him some time to think.
"I..." Charice paused for a moment, looking to the stars, noting a pair, one blue and the other red, pulsing, standing out from the rest. "...I suppose I could head in for the night."
Charice walked past Michael and patted his armored bicep, his dainty fingers lingering for a second.
"Come."
The two walked, soon reaching a pair of large doors, which Charice entered.