Evercrest Vampire Truth

The hover craft was a large vehicle easily fitting over one hundred individuals comfortably. They rose from the ground level up to the hundredth level above the clouds then they descended back to the ground in the same zig-zagging manner. They rose up around the perimeter of the circular city and they were all in shades of blue and melded within the sky well enough so that they were virtually invisible to those of looking up at them from below.

Ultimately they were going to go to the ninety-eighth level of the city. A level maintained solely for the royals of the ancient vampires. Their craft was smaller than most of the others. It was a private craft, also only used for by the royal ancient vampires.

It still accommodated one hundred people but its over all structure was more stream lined than the others. Their trip to the upper levels would take several hours. There was a vast bar at the center of the craft that was fully stocked with food and drinks.

This bar surrounded a hollow metal column that housed a vertical track that the craft actually rose and descended along. These tracks were a silver blue color and were completely unseen as they rose and curved about the city.

As they rose from the ground they all sat in a comfortable booth that sat in an alcove of the purple crystalline material. As they looked through it out into the bright sunlight it was crystal clear like cool water.

Suzan sat with her eyes un moving. Dylan's arms were wrapped loosely around her. The craft was going to go non-stop to the eightieth floor. They were going to stop there to resupply and then eat.

When they went through the pool of water she started and Dylan held her a bit tighter and gave her a kiss on her shoulder.

Her eyes had gone wide with winder but her body still tangled as his lips pressed against her skin.

"The city is under water?!"

It was Mia's voice but she spoke the words they were all thinking.

Suzan saw the truth and the lie of it.

It was water but it was a water that a part of her did not understand. It was the most natural, most pure substance that she had ever sensed. It seemed so clear and refreshing, even rejuvenating.

Suzan felt the magic flowing through the magic as if the magic was the water and the water was the magic.

It was so surreal rising through crystal clear water while still looking at the brilliant blue skies.

They all sat in silence as the craft rose higher and higher.

Suzan rose and walked to the other side of the craft that face the city. It there was a wall of windows just opposite the bar. She wanted to see the first level of the city.

On this side of the craft the fact that they were underwater was more evident. The water flowed over the water in smoothing rippling sheets. Then, without warning there was land that seemed to be pressed against glass. It took over five minutes to get passed the land and to the open air above it.

The water flowed calmly between the clear wall of the city and the craft. The city was enormous with its garden terraces and broad walkways spanning between buildings, filled with people walking to and fro.

The city truly seemed like a ancient place transported to a mythical space. It was completely made of fine smooth stone. The walkways were cobbled and there was no transportation, at least not on this level.

All the stone was grey and the windows were the deep purple of the special crystal.

There were statues and fountains of aquatic animals and beings. And as they rose above this tier they saw a vast treed area in its center.

Dylan came to stand behind Suzan. He watched as the city and its people moved further and further away from them.

"What do you think of it?"

She leaned into him so that she could be surrounded by his scent. She always felt like she never got enough of him and she liked to try to remedy that as much as she could.

"It is a beautiful place. It is hard to believe that human magic could last this long."

He smiled as he kissed the top of her head. Her curly caressing his nose and lips.

"Humans were once very powerful. My best friend was probably the most powerful being that I had ever known."

He raised his head and watched the water flow down the window.

"His father actually built this place as a gift to one of my sisters. She still lives on the top level but she does not see anyone anymore. When the family was slaughtered by other humans for being traitors. She sealed herself away up there.

"We only know that she is alive because her children continually report to the royal family."

"She must have really loved him."

"She did, but not like you think. They were soulmates and best friends. I think they secretly wanted to be together but they denied it and refused to make a union. The fiercely protective of each other and I think it broke her that she could not save him."

He looked out of the window again.

"But this city will forever be a testament to his love for her. It still protects her actually and somehow it has never weakened or faltered."

She turned and led him away. She went to the bar and handed him a green drink that had small yellow specks evenly dispersed through it. She picked a purple drink for herself.

She took a sip of the sweet and sour drink as they walked to a small booth that faced the city. Everyone else had moved to this side of the craft as well. All eyes, except for Elsbeth and Marlon's, were glued to the cascading water sliding down the window.

Suzan looked at Dylan and smiled.

"It will never weaken or falter because of how he set up the formation. The flowing water charges the formation and the pris charges the water. The only way it would falter is if all of our stars died and stopped giving us warmth and light."

Dylan listened attentively as he relished his drink. No one understood the processes behind Prislan but Suzan confidently speaking of the purple crystal suddenly made sense.

Yes the crystal was an homage to Esma but it was not necessary to make every window in the city of the substance. Why not just Esma's level at the top of the city.

When they reached the eightieth level of the city they all stepped out onto the wide walk way. The craft waiting for their return in a side docking bay.

"Dylan why don't we just stay on this level?'

"Don't even ask that? This city is a bit crazy to me. There are no hotels on this level just shops and restaurants. There are not even any living quarters here.

Suzan scrunched her face into an expression of confusion.

Elsbeth laughed. "Don't look at me like that. I didn't make the rule. This is strictly a business district and almost entirely focused on retail and food."

"well it is very beautiful."

Marlon nodded in agreement with Patricia's comment. "The entire city is beautiful."

Dylan looked at Patricia. "Is this your first time here?"

She nodded. "Yes. And I plan on spending quite a bit of money on myself and my family here today."

Dylan nodded. "As do I."

Suzan frowned. "Will this be some type of competition? "

"No."

"Yes."

Dylan and Patricia looked at each other. Dylan confused and Patricia looking as if she were ready for battle.

"Can we eat before you get started?"

They all looked at Sean.

Suzan grabbed her brother's hand.

"Great idea. I'm starved."

The ninety-eighth level was beyond imagining and Suzan found herself sure that she would never be able to imagine Esma's level at the top of the city.

The craft park itself inside a round building made of the a shining stone and topped with the purple crystalline pris.

This level was completely constructed of this smooth, shiny, almost marble like smoky grey stone. The cobbled walkways were studded with the smooth stone and small black smooth pebbles.

The walkways were lined with statues, hedges, and exquisitely shaped topiaries.

The buildings were mostly made of the smooth black pebbles. The windows were deeply set either the deep purple pris crystal.

They walked to a large building with a waterfall on either side of the main door and a large fountain in a circular courtyard before it. The entire level was domed within the water like the others but it sat on a large plateau atop a abroad column. Water flowed off the edges of the plateau to pool around the base of the column then slowly drain into the water outside the level's dome.

Suzan stood on a high balcony in the black stone house, looking at the water as it fell over the edge of the plateau.

"I finally get you to myself tonight."

She smiled and rolled her eyes, but she kissed him anyway.

"You sound so deprived."

"That is because I am very deprived."

He became serious.

"Tiran wants to see you."

She stiffened and said nothing. Her eyes just locking with his.