Buildings with large steel works were stacked on top of one another, complimenting its old gothic roots and classical architecture, melded together with practicality before aesthetics in mind. All around him, exhaust pipes were puffing out dark fumes while attached to white marble structures, turning a shade of gray due to the soot. The city's silver-tipped spires stretched upward like skeletal fingers, remnants of a bygone age clashing with the modern, industrial behemoths that now dominated the skyline. Old buildings roped in with new ones made mostly of steel.
The pale morning light struggled to pierce the thick layer of clouds hanging over New Lundun. The chill of the morning air clung to Henry's skin, biting at the fingertips as he stuffed his hands deeper into his coat. Around him, smoke poured from every towering factory chimney, the fumes curling into the sky like long, dark palms gripping the horizon.
In the distance, mid-rise towers and skyscrapers were strewn along the city together with old establishments still standing with their old wooden posts and walls of brick and stone. Large covered overpass bridges connecting one building to another were scattered around, creating tall-reaching archways for the people walking along the street. There were also elegant-looking structures with silver accents. In fact, silver accents were commonplace among both old and new buildings— so much so that the city was often dubbed the "City of Silver" by its neighbors.
Henry's footsteps echoed through the streets, yet the sound was barely audible over the relentless hiss of steam vents and the busy road. He turned to glance at some of the vehicles passing by. Large walkers— long, heavy, steel, mechanical legs moving across the asphalt, guided by their drivers. They trekked along with other bigger and lighter walker variants. Some with two legs, others with three, or four, plodding alongside cars and street trains; each of them puffing out heavy smoke. He could hear the mechanical grind of the walkers clomping along the cobbled streets. He wished he had one of those. Only the rich could afford cars, as they were built for comfort and convenience. The rest of the populace had walkers. Not as comfortable or sleek, but they were maneuverable and cheap to manufacture. As clunky as they looked, they were actually quite maneuverable, or at the very least they got the job done. Besides, cars were more like novelty items. Most preferred to take the trams and street trains anyway.
Beneath the towering iron scaffolds and mechanical monstrosities, the bones of an older New Lundun still lingered— crumbling brick facades, gas lamps now overtaken by brighter, more efficient arc lights, and narrow alleyways that seemed untouched. In the wealthier districts, there would be silver domes glinting in the faint light of dawn, but down here, where Henry walked, the towers were tarnished, their gleam long smothered by layers of grime and soot, even as the shine of silver threatened to prove otherwise. He noted the metallic tang that lingered in the air, mixing with the oily stench of factory smoke and the faint, stale scent of old newspapers scattered along the pavement. One that he was all too familiar with.
It wasn't all doom and gloom however.
There were parts of the city that truly shine among the others. Especially the great statues of St. Solarias, the great savior of Old Lundun during the War of Darkness— a great war that lasted for two hundred years and ended only a century ago. There were huge golden monuments in the likeness of the Sol, and towering cathedrals with intricate designs. They sported white marble and sandstone walls, steel arches and stained glass, hand carved depictions of the great Battle of Inferno. Monuments made of silver, covered in ornate gold coatings, dressed the vicinity of the architectural wonders. The cathedrals were made during the time of St. Solarias and were dedicated to the sun, Sol, and the sun goddess, Helena. The biggest of which was The New Lundun Grand Cathedral.
He had visited it a few times, and each time he would strain his neck to take it all in. He couldn't look away from its beauty each time he did. The silver, gold, marble, and sandstone, glistened as Sol's rays hit its form. It reflected light from all sides, shining even in the dark of night, using only the reflection of the moon. The outside was certainly incredible, but the inside was beyond anything else in the city. Carved pillars, stone, and steel arches. Golden statues and marble floors. Tapestries depicting iconic members of the golden sun. Back-silvered mirrors placed just behind the altar. Perhaps the most impressive part of the cathedral was the twelve-foot lifelike statue of Helena, just outside its entrance, made entirely of silver and gold— its pristine form a stark contrast to the grime-covered streets all around, a constant reminder of the city's once-holy origins.
The statue had six golden wings, depicting the goddess in flight. A silver torso with a golden carving in the shape of the sun just above her sternum. She wore a golden crown and a golden halo extending around her back. Her upper body was exposed, while her lower body was lightly clothed in a golden stola wrapped around her waist and extending just above her toes. Her left upper-arm was outstretched into the sky holding a sword of silver and gold, while her upper-right rested on the side and held a golden orb with rings around it. An armillary sphere. Her other two lower arms were open-palmed and outstretched downward as if to welcome the broken into her embrace. It was beautiful beyond comparison. Possibly the most beautiful sight in the city, and who would contest it?
Truly a sight to behold. Perhaps he would visit it later after the orphanage.
Henry could see the tram station up ahead, with a tram that was just about to leave. "H-hey wait up!" he said, taking off into a sprint. He was going to be late again if he waited for another to come by. He pushed his legs forward and ran. In his worry, however, he didn't see the person coming out of one of the alleys, crashing into them.
The force sent the two falling to the pavement, with the latter landing on their back.
"O-oh dear, I'm so sorry. I was in a hurry," Henry said, quickly picking himself up and helping the one he had knocked over. He offered up his hand, which the stranger took without a word. It was then that Henry noticed the violet armband, bearing the symbol of a full moon. His eyes widened, and his heart jumped to his throat. His instincts screamed at him to pull away and run as he realized what the symbol meant, but he steeled himself to stand his ground. He swallowed hard.
A duskwalker. He had just crashed into a duskwalker.
He felt a shiver run up his spine, his hand shaking as the stranger took it. It took all his strength not to jerk it away in an instant, twitching slightly. The stranger pulled themselves up and dusted their clothes. They adjusted their hood and glanced at Henry. He looked away, avoiding their eyes, catching only a glimpse of those deep red pupils staring at him. A piercing gaze, yet he felt no malice behind them.
"I'm very sorry. I was trying to catch the tram," he said, keeping his eyes on the ground. The stranger tilted their head to the side. They nodded and extended their hand toward Henry.
"No harm done. Be careful next time, yeah?" A feminine voice spoke softly, slightly muffled by the mask they wore. "I was going to take a tram back home too, but guess I'll have to wait for the next one. Why don't we go together?"
"Oh, I wouldn't want to bother you, sir. Miss? Uh, sorry."
The stranger giggled through their mask and shook their head. "It's Miss. I'm Olivia, and please, I insist. Besides, the tram left already, so it's not like we have a choice in the matter," she replied, offering a hand to shake.
Henry paused for a bit, still staring at the floor. Surely, it would've been rude of him to reject her kindness, right after he had crashed into her and made them both miss the tram. He quickly berated himself in his thoughts and turned to Olivia. He looked her in the face, as he took her hand and shook it. His eyes couldn't avoid staring back at hers, a deep bright red that almost shone under the faint light of the morning getting brighter. Her mask covered most of her face, engulfing half of her nose, reaching all the way down to her chin. A few strands of dark hair, escaping the darkness of the hood she wore.
"And you are?" she said, pulling her hand away.
"Henry. Nice to meet you, Miss Olivia."
"Likewise! It's nice to meet you too."
Henry let out a nervous laugh, shoving his hands into his pockets. "I would hardly consider a stranger smashing into you and making you miss the tram, a nice meeting. Thank you for your kindness though," he said.
"Oh nonsense, you apologized already. Besides, you look terrified. Don't worry, I don't bite. Often." she chuckled, starting to walk towards the station. Henry followed beside her, nodding.
"Sorry. It's just that I'm surprised to see a duskwalker here, in New Lundun, especially at day time," he admitted, his curiosity piquing. They reached the station and stood by, waiting for the next tram to pass. It would probably be a few minutes before the next one came around.
Olivia nodded and let out a long sigh. "I do suppose that's true. I'm a Lunduneer too though, technically Dante is still part of Lundun. It's just— you know? Several dozen meters underground."
"I uh, didn't mean it that way. Uh, sorry."
"No, I understand. That's valid. You've seen other 'duskwalkers' before though? I find it strange how you people call us that. We might not be sun kids, but we're just like you all the same." she chuckled.
"Sorr—"
"Oh come on, don't be too serious! That's like the tenth time you've said sorry! I'm just speaking my mind here."
Henry cleared his throat and tugged on his coat. "Actually just the fifth, but you're right. My apologies,"
"Sixth."
The young man finally felt a bit relaxed with the short banter. He took a deep breath and shook his head. What was I even scared of? She seems like a nice person. He thought to himself.