Phantom covonent: Spiritbound Ascension

Jaisagar City Is Here

After four long hours of travel, the bus finally arrived at its destination—Jaisagar City.

As they crossed the city's threshold, Arman felt it immediately—a strange, pulsating energy coursing through the air. It sent a faint shiver down his spine, both exhilarating and unsettling.

A voice echoed in his mind, low and knowing. "Did you feel that?"

Arman's fingers twitched. "Yeah, I did. What was that?"

"Spirit energy," the voice answered. "Didn't I tell you? This place is perfect for your training."

Arman exhaled slowly. "I remember. I've been waiting for this."

The voice gave a quiet chuckle. "Good. But don't think for a second that it will be easy."

Arman clenched his jaw. He had already made up his mind—whatever lay ahead, he was ready.

As the vehicle came to a stop in front of a grand, ornate gate, everyone on board looked out in awe. The gate was massive, made of intricate golden metalwork, standing tall like the entrance to a royal palace.

The moment the bus halted, the tour guide, Kabir, stood up and clapped his hands to get everyone's attention.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have arrived at our destination!" he announced cheerfully. "Now, please step out of the bus and follow me. I will lead you to the palace where you will be staying. Once we reach the palace, you will check in, rest for two hours, and then we will meet again at 5 PM at the palace gates for a city tour."

He paused before adding, "If anyone is hungry, you can order room service or visit the dining hall inside the palace. Now, let's go!"

Excitement filled the air as the passengers eagerly exited the bus.

Arman stepped off the bus and took in his surroundings.

"Wow… this place is amazing," he muttered in awe.

Ayesha, standing beside him, nodded with wide eyes. "Yeah, it really is!"

Riyan stretched his arms and smirked. "Alright, enough admiring. If we stand here too long, we'll get left behind."

With that, the group quickly joined the others, following the guide down a long, beautifully paved pathway leading toward the palace.

Halfway along the path, they encountered a large, elegant water fountain. The pathway split into two routes on either side of the fountain before merging again beyond it. Perfectly trimmed bushes bordered the pathways, each cut into neat square shapes, adding to the palace's aesthetic.

Beyond the bushes, sprawling gardens filled with vibrant flowers, tall trees, and decorative statues stretched out on either side. The air smelled fresh, with a hint of floral sweetness.

Arman couldn't help but glance around in admiration. "Man, this looks straight out of a royal era."

After a few more minutes of walking, they finally reached the grand entrance of Mira Bagh Palace, their luxurious place of stay.

The palace was even more breathtaking up close—its marble walls shimmered in the sunlight, and its tall, carved wooden doors made it look like something out of a historical fantasy.

Kabir stopped in front of the entrance and turned to address the group.

"Alright, everyone! Before we proceed with check-in, let me explain the room arrangements. If you are in a group or with family, you will be staying in rooms next to each other. Each person in a group gets their own room. Families will be assigned family suites accordingly."

Some people in the group raised their hands, including Arman and his friends. There were two families and three groups in total, with Arman's group being one of them.

Kabir continued, "For those of you who are traveling alone, you will be assigned individual rooms in a different section of the palace."

The solo travelers nodded in understanding.

With the instructions given, Kabir gestured toward the entrance. "Now, let's head inside and complete the check-in process!"

Kabir led the group inside the grand Mira Bagh Palace, where a massive chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting a warm golden glow over the elegant marble flooring. The walls were adorned with intricate carvings, and the air carried a faint scent of sandalwood and roses.

In the center of the hall stood a large reception desk, behind which four well-dressed ladies were stationed, ready to assist the arriving guests.

Kabir clapped his hands again, gathering everyone's attention. "Alright, everyone, this is the reception area. Please step forward, check in, and collect your room keys. After that, you are free to settle in and rest."

One by one, guests began approaching the receptionists to complete their check-in process.

Arman and his friends waited their turn before stepping forward. One of the receptionists, a woman in her late twenties with sharp features and a professional smile, greeted them.

"Welcome to Mira Bagh Palace. May I have your names, please?"

Arman nodded. "Arman Maniyar."

The receptionist typed his name into the system, then looked at the others.

"Riyan Khan."

"Ayesha Bano."

"Zubair Malik."

She quickly processed their reservations and handed them their room keys.

"Here you go. Just as your guide mentioned, your rooms are side by side—061, 062, 063, and 064. You can take the elevator or the stairs to reach your floor."

Arman took his keycard and glanced at his friends. "Looks like we're all set."

Riyan smirked. "Finally, a place to rest after that long bus ride."

Ayesha stretched her arms. "I can't wait to see what the rooms look like!"

Zubair chuckled. "Same here. Let's go check them out."

The group made their way to the guest wing of the palace, following the beautifully carpeted hallway that led to their rooms. The walls were lined with golden-framed paintings, and dim wall lamps gave the corridor a cozy yet regal ambiance.

Stopping in front of their rooms, Arman looked at his key—Room 061.

"Alright, let's see what this place has to offer," he muttered, inserting the keycard into the slot.

With a soft beep, the door unlocked, and he pushed it open.

The moment he stepped inside, he was blown away.

The room was huge, with a king-sized bed, a small seating area with a velvet couch, and a balcony overlooking the palace gardens. The furniture was an elegant mix of traditional and modern styles, and the bedspread was embroidered with golden patterns that matched the palace's aesthetic.

Across the hall, Riyan let out a whistle. "Man, this is some next-level luxury."

Ayesha, peeking into her own room, giggled. "I could live here forever!"

Zubair nodded in approval. "They weren't kidding when they called this place a 'palace.'"

Arman threw his bag on the bed and stretched. "Alright, guys, let's take a break. We meet at 5 PM at the palace gate, right?"

Riyan flopped onto his bed. "Yep. Two hours of rest. Don't be late."

Ayesha smiled. "See you guys soon!"

One by one, they disappeared into their rooms.

As Arman closed his door, he leaned against it for a moment.

The palace was beautiful, but something inside him still felt… restless.

This was just the beginning.