Azimuth: The Elden Throne

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/Chatter…/

"It's quite the nice Village..." Dale muttered as he looked around

'No… This is a city.'

'Anyone that believed the Karkavan to be brutal creatures would be left agape at this sight.' He thought as he let out a dry laugh

Because in front of Dale laid a perfectly cut and built city made of stone and wood.

Much of the city's immense structures were crafted from a strange type of smooth stone, adorned with intricate carvings that depict mythical creatures, Warriors, and epic battles.

Grand pyramids and other stepped temples reached for the sky, their tips seemingly touching the heavens, serving as places of worship, education, and governance.

Each building is a testament to the city's deep-rooted spirituality and reverence for nature, something the Raid team had witnessed within Muddan multiple times throughout their journey.

Despite their size, the Karkavan moved gracefully through the city's bustling streets.

Towering over normal-sized humans, their hearts remained grounded as they take pride in their harmonious coexistence with nature and their interconnectedness with the world around them.

To not undermine life, however small it may be.

This doesn't mean they'll hesitate to remove an Ant's nest from their hardens, however...

Enveloping the city is a magnificent stone wall, serving as a protective barrier against potential threats.

Dale only saw it for a moment, but he was already impressed by it, given that its size, thickness, and overall scale were on another level as compared to Resko.

Although he believed Resko's walls to possess stronger defensive integrity... If its old defensive systems were to be reactivated...

Another thing that surprised him was how the wall is adorned with carvings, recounting the Karkavans' history, myths, and legendary heroes, inspiring a sense of unity and pride among the population.

These carvings were made on both sides, likely showing how little action it received in the past, albeit he did see many gashes and destroyed sections as he entered the city...

Lush gardens and hanging terraces cascade down the buildings, showcasing a vast array of vibrant flora that adds color and life to the city.

Every corner of it was a botanical wonder, with herbs and plants cultivated for both medicinal and culinary purposes.

No matter where he looked, Dale could see 'chidren' running around, making the ground quake a little as his eyelids twitched...

The Karkavan were also skilled artisans, and their craftsmanship is evident in their intricate pottery, jewelry, and 'finely' woven textiles... As fine as giants may need...

These precious works of art serve as both trade goods between themselves and cherished cultural artifacts.

Despite their somewhat medieval level of technology, evident by their smooth metalwork and also the implementation of simple machinery like the construction team he saw as he walked through the streets, the Karkavan have mastered the use of crystal-powered lanterns that illuminate the city at night with an ethereal glow.

According to them, they harness the power of the 'Ancient Spirits' found within the mountains surrounding their homeland, believing these crystals hold mystical properties that connect them to the divine.

At least that was what Tina shared with him through some of Muddan's stories during their small periodic rests.

As the sun sets, the city comes alive with vibrant festivals and ceremonies, featuring mesmerizing dances, rhythmic music, and grand feasts. Their celebrations pay homage to their warriors and ancestors, fostering a sense of unity and community among the giant people.

This wasn't a tribe of forest barbarians, this was a secluded city, a civilization.

'Their hands may be big, but the Karkavan have quite the pair of dexterous hands to make a city like this...'

When he looked at their architecture, he was reminded of the Mayan and the Aztecs, but different from them, the Karkavan seemed to prefer smoother lines and corners while also being more… Compact with their use of space.

This may seem paradoxical given their size, but the truth was that everything was already very spaced from each other, it was just that, when put in perspective, the streets and roads of the Karkavan would likely feel similar to the roads of modern cities where Dale lives.

That may be strange given the Karkavan has no cars to go around, but they did move around in giant beasts, so most of the main street was reserved for people to go around in their mounts, like an orderly-disorderly transit.

Though some might say that's the usual...

Even then, Dale frowned at this...

'There are too few people here.'

'From Muddan's description, the city was supposed to be bustling with Karkavans, but I don't see many.'

'And most of those around are either too young or too old, I see a few warriors here and there but they aren't as bulky as Muddan.'

Aside from that, there were also many details Dale couldn't tell what they were supposed to be, like stone pillars scattered around every corner and the fact some buildings were painted with lines and symbols he could not understand.

'Are those… Street signs?' He thought silently as he looked at them

Despite the simplicity of everything, the Karkavan were well beyond simple Iron age, they may even be considered a Medieval society.

Though, once again, comparing the worlds wasn't exactly proper.

...

/Chatter…/

As they walked, they received many stares, it was expected, after all, just like everything was strange to them, to the Karkavan, the appearance of these small people was certainly a big oddity.

However, Dale couldn't shake the feeling of how creepy it all felt…

'I can't get used to their masks…'

The most prominent aspect of this species wasn't their size and strength, but the masks they wore on their faces.

Even Muddan had one when they first met… Albeit it broke during their fight.

When he first realized he lost his mask, Muddan acted quite lost, albeit he got used to it after a while, being even happier after Jyter carved one for him.

From Tina's words, masks are very important to the Karkavan as they receive one from the moment they are born.

She isn't aware of the intricacies of it though, and neither did Muddan explain it in full, but by the looks of it, they would soon learn why.

Also, by comparing the other Karkavan to Muddan, he realized Muddan was actually quite the oddity.

When they first met, Muddan was wearing a mix of Barbaric clothes like rags and cloth mixed in with metal items such as rings, earrings, and bracelets.

But by taking a look at the others, he realized his clothes were on the end of the spectrum.

Everyone here looked rather proper, and their clothes, albeit old looking were still way more concise than his.

Perhaps warriors are just meant to wear different clothes? Dale could only hypothesize for now.

"&!^#( Muddan!"

"Hm?"

As they walked, a group approached from afar consisting of a Karkavan woman holding a very rare baby Karkavan, still about half of his size, one very small Karkavan, still about his size, and one Elder Karkavan wearing all kinds of items one could picture Witch Doctors from fantasy worlds to wear such as Skulls and Bones.

Amidst all this, he was the most barbaric-looking 'thing' he had seen so far… Perhaps he was the boomer version of the Karkavan?

Looking like the old times as one might say?

"&!%@#*!!!"

As he saw the group approach, Muddan tapped his chest as he proclaimed something loudly, shocking some of the Karkavan around, although they also soon replied with a tap on their chest also.

Somehow, seeing the small children try to imitate the adults was cute, but the children were his damn size if not taller...

"That is…"

'Their bracelets…'

It was with this move that Dale saw their bracelets, and with it, he realized something rather strange.

There seemed to be multiple types of bracelets, but each one of them was rather widespread.

Muddan wore a black one on his right hand, and he saw many other Karkavan wearing one's like him, and usually, they were all bigger and stronger than the others.

When he moved his arms, the bracelet made a rough and heavy sound, it was likely pretty heavy and bulky.

He also saw the smaller Karkavan wear green bracelets, which were rather hard to see due to their skin color, they produced a clear and loud chime, perhaps to keep track of where they are more easily?

While the old man wore a Golden one, it sparkled quite intensely…

But it made no sounds, which was even stranger.

"&!%&@#... Hum…"

While Dale observed the people around him, so did the Elder.

Upon talking with Muddan, he patted his shoulders as he took a step toward them.

"The Journey… Has been a long one…"

His tone was rough and coarse, as if he had been speaking for the first time in a century.

"Welcome… Visitors from afar…" He said slowly and concisely as he looked at the trio

"!"

They opened their eyes in surprise, they didn't expect a Karkavan to speak their language!

Albeit it looked quite old fashioned...

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Nites

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