The capital did not appear all at once.
At first, it was nothing more than a faint outline on the horizon, barely distinguishable from the distant land. It felt unreal, like something imagined rather than seen, a shape that could disappear if one looked away for too long.
But it didn't.
It grew.
Slowly at first, then steadily, its form becoming clearer with every passing moment. What had once been distant and uncertain soon became undeniable, its presence stretching across the land in a way that could no longer be ignored.
Massive stone walls rose into view, extending far beyond anything Kael had ever seen. They were not simply tall—they were imposing, built with a scale that felt less like protection and more like declaration. Towers stood at measured intervals along the walls, each one occupied, each one watching.
Even from this distance—
It carried weight.
"…That's the capital," Aren said.
Kael didn't respond.
Because for a brief moment—
He couldn't.
So this is the center of the Empire…
The carriage continued forward, closing the distance as the details sharpened. The gates came into view next, surrounded by dense crowds of travelers waiting to enter. Lines moved steadily, guided by armored guards who stood in formation, their presence alone enough to maintain order without raising their voices.
Everything was structured.
Controlled.
Nothing felt misplaced.
When their carriage approached, one of the guards stepped forward, his expression firm, his posture unwavering.
"State your origin."
Aren leaned slightly toward the window.
"House Valen."
The reaction was immediate.
The guard stepped back without hesitation, his tone shifting.
"Proceed."
Kael noticed it.
The difference.
There was no inspection. No delay. No questioning.
So this is what status does…
The carriage passed through the gates.
And once again—
The world changed.
Inside, the scale expanded even further. The streets stretched wide enough to accommodate constant movement without congestion. Buildings rose higher than those in Velmora, their structures more refined, more deliberate, each one built with purpose rather than necessity.
People filled every direction.
Merchants called out, soldiers moved in disciplined groups, nobles passed through with quiet authority, and travelers navigated the flow with practiced ease. The sounds did not clash—they blended, forming something closer to a living rhythm than simple noise.
Nothing stood still.
Nothing felt small.
Kael's gaze moved across it all, taking in every detail without lingering too long.
Not overwhelmed—
But aware.
This is… another level.
Aren's voice pulled him back.
"We're not stopping here."
Kael glanced at him.
"…We're not?"
Seris shook her head.
"The teleportation district is deeper inside."
The carriage continued forward, moving through the city with steady pace. As they advanced, the surroundings began to change again. The crowds thinned slightly, the noise softened, and the structure of the city became more defined. There were fewer merchants here, fewer distractions, and far more guards.
This was not a place for trade.
It was a place of function.
Then—
They arrived.
The structure stood apart from everything around it.
Circular.
Massive.
Ancient.
Stone pillars surrounded the outer ring, each one carved with patterns too precise to be simple decoration. The designs were intricate, layered with meaning Kael could not yet understand, as if each line had been placed with intent beyond appearance.
At the center lay a wide platform.
Its surface was marked with interconnected patterns, lines weaving into one another in a way that seemed both structured and alive. And faintly—
It glowed.
"…This is it," Seris said.
Kael stepped down from the carriage.
His eyes remained fixed on the platform.
"…The teleportation circle."
Aren nodded.
"Only certain ones connect to Aetherion."
Kael walked forward slowly, each step drawing him closer.
And with each step—
He felt it.
That same faint awareness.
Not identical to what he had experienced before.
But similar.
Something in the air.
Something structured.
Controlled.
So this is what it was…
Energy.
Not wild.
Not chaotic.
But shaped.
People had already gathered near the platform.
Dozens of them.
And not all were human.
Kael's gaze paused briefly as he observed them.
A tall figure stood near the edge of the crowd, slender, with long ears and sharp, composed eyes.
An elf.
Not hidden.
Not rare.
Simply present.
Nearby stood a broader figure, shorter but heavily built, his posture solid and unmoving, as if rooted in place.
A dwarf.
Kael's eyes narrowed slightly.
So they really come from everywhere…
Seris stepped beside him.
"Yes," she said quietly. "All of them are candidates."
Aren crossed his arms, his expression shifting slightly.
"This is where it starts."
At the center of the platform stood a man whose presence alone drew attention. His posture was straight, his stance unwavering, and without raising his voice, he commanded the space around him.
"Candidates for Aetherion," he called out, his voice carrying clearly across the area, "step forward."
Kael moved without hesitation.
Aren and Seris followed.
They stepped onto the platform.
The moment Kael's foot touched the surface—
He felt it.
A pulse.
Faint.
But unmistakable.
The patterns beneath them began to glow more clearly, light spreading outward, connecting each line into a larger structure. What had once seemed like scattered markings now formed something complete.
Something intentional.
The air shifted.
Pressure built.
"…Listen carefully," the official continued.
"Transportation to Aetherion is granted freely to all entrance candidates."
A quiet murmur spread through the group.
"Return transportation is also free," he added, "but only within two days."
The murmurs stopped.
Silence replaced them.
Kael's gaze sharpened.
"…And after that?" someone asked.
The official didn't hesitate.
"Two gold coins."
The number settled heavily across the platform.
Even those who tried to remain calm—
Reacted.
Kael didn't move.
But he understood.
Two days.
That was all they were given.
A chance—
But not comfort.
Aren exhaled lightly.
"Well… that's fair."
Seris remained silent.
Kael looked ahead.
His expression steady.
Then I just won't fail.
The light beneath them intensified.
The patterns connected fully, forming a complete structure that seemed almost alive, the glow spreading across the entire platform. The air grew heavier, denser, as if space itself had begun to tighten.
Then—
It distorted.
Kael's senses sharpened instinctively.
That same awareness—
Responded again.
Stronger this time.
This wasn't just energy.
It was something deeper.
Something that touched the space itself.
"Prepare," the official said.
The light flared.
The world twisted.
Space folded inward—
And in the next instant—
Everything disappeared.