The conductor continues, "The Stem is a vast edifice," then pauses to laugh, "Calling it a building would be an understatement.
This colossal tower, composed of approximately 3,479 floors, is a testament to the power of Sage Rolhim." Leonardo turns to gaze at it in awe.
The tower's surface gleams like polished gold, each window reflecting the sunlight in a dazzling display.
The structure is so tall that its pinnacle disappears into the clouds, an awe-inspiring sight that leaves Leonardo momentarily speechless. Around them, the hustle and bustle of the city unfold.
"Who's the king of this place?" Leonardo asked, his gaze fixed on the floating symbols and patterns of Rasvian energy forming a stem-like structure in the air.
[There is no current king. Each of the 21 realms is governed by 5 sages, all under the jurisdiction of a single God. You are currently in the 21st realm.]
"Twenty-one realms...?" Leonardo muttered, his eyes widening as he tried to comprehend the scale.
The words hung in the air, dense with implications he hadn't considered before. He hadn't expected the world to be so vast, layered with dimensions each guided by its own set of rulers, not by monarchs or earthly lords, but by sages whose powers and responsibilities extended beyond mere governance.
The ground level is a vibrant hub of activity, with buildings of varying architectural styles stretching as far as the eye can see.
This area is a wide expanse designed to accommodate the massive train, with plenty of space for passengers and goods of all sizes to move freely.
Leonardo takes a moment to absorb the scenery. The atmosphere is alive with the sounds of commerce and conversation.
The city's atmosphere is a mix of excitement and chaos, the sensory overload both exhilarating and overwhelming.
The air is filled with the aroma of street food, making Leonardo's stomach growl. His senses are overwhelmed by the sheer scale and diversity of the city, each corner revealing something new and fascinating.
The colors, the textures, the myriad of voices all blend into a symphony of urban life that is both exhilarating and intimidating.
The train itself is a marvel of modern engineering, resembling a bullet train but with a sleeker, more aerodynamic design.
It's known for its remarkable speed, able to transport its 79 cabs of passengers and cargo across great distances in the blink of an eye.
The vibrant purple exterior of the train catches the light in such a way that it almost seems to glow, adding to its otherworldly appearance as it zips through the sky.
The sight of the train in motion is mesmerizing, its streamlined form cutting through the air with ease.
Sunlight dances off the golden façade of the Stem, creating a kaleidoscope of reflections that shift with every passing cloud.
Shadows cast by the towering buildings play across the street, adding depth to the vibrant scene.
"Now, pay at the station desk not too far to your left," the conductor says, pointing towards it.
Leonardo happily follows the directions towards the desk, waiting in the queue. The excitement of the day bubbles within him.
"I can't wait to go in there. I wonder when Tour Guide Milah will be done," he muses aloud, thinking about the adventures that lie ahead.
[Unknown].
He stops in his tracks. "What do you mean, unknown?" he asks abruptly, causing those behind him to curse and bump into him.
[Acceptance to go to an era of conflict is a hard process], people pull their eyes away from their endless scrolling, urging him to move.
He eventually does so, much to their relief and some scoffing. The crowd is a mix of different people, each immersed in their own world, scrolling through holographic screens that hover before their eyes.
The diversity in attire and technology reflects the city's blend of tradition and modernity. Leonardo finally reaches the desk, where a man in an average-looking suit, with a hat facing forward and a monocle on his right eye, waits.
The monocle is connected by a delicate chain to his ear, giving him an air of old-world sophistication.
His gloved hand extends from behind the screen, gesturing for Leonardo to drop money [draws].
[Draws is one of the numerous currencies used in the museum. It has another denomination, silk. Twenty silks equal one draw, with draws being the principal system, though other items could be exchanged for draws.]
The text glows faintly.
Leonardo smiles, albeit slightly. "That's good to know," he murmurs, the knowledge now firmly embedded in his mind.
Turning his attention back to practical means—"Again, how do I get draws?" Leonardo asks, genuinely puzzled. The man sighs, retracting his hand, and speaks into a microphone, "Guards," he says flatly, his voice echoing slightly in the spacious station.
The sudden call for guards sends a chill down Leonardo's spine. He glances around nervously, realizing the seriousness of his situation.
The train station, as described earlier, is a hub of activity. The train moves people towards the tower, yet Leonardo remains on the ground, watching as it hovers and then speeds away. "How does it even fly?" he wonders aloud. The answer appears in floating text [Rasvian].
"Makes sense," he shrugs, moving away from the large clearing. "I've made it my mission to get rich," he declares, clenching his fist, amber eyes alight with determination.
He walks through the city once more. His short stature makes him feel subhuman compared to the towering figures in the museum. The steps are magnificently crafted, each one telling a story through its intricate carvings, and he looks up to see the sun shining brightly in the sky, yet the city still retains a dark atmosphere like a rainy day.
The buildings around him are a mix of ancient and futuristic designs, with towering skyscrapers standing next to quaint, old-fashioned shops.
He huffs and continues walking. "How do I earn money?" he speaks to himself.
[Traditional Employment: 1. Full-time or Part-time Jobs: Working for a company in a role that fits your skills. "rolls-worth"
Freelancing: Offering your skills (writing, graphic design, programming, etc.) on platforms like RasvianCore or Muesur. 3. Temporary or Gig Work].
Leonardo examines the floating text carefully, then responds, "Any way to earn money faster?" He reminisces about his past life, then suddenly gasps. "Is there a miner institute here?" [No] and for the second question, [Butler]. It fits his current position, and the money varies from extremely small to large amounts of draws.
He looks at his current outfit, his guide's uniform already resembling a butler's except for no blazer, "Well then, a butler it is," he decides. His mind races with possibilities, envisioning himself serving in grand halls, interacting with influential figures, and perhaps uncovering secrets hidden within the opulent walls.
The city has intersections that are found almost everywhere. He walks towards one, seeing cars pass.
Every new car in sight he asked if it was a new type of car, to which he was always responded with a flat [no]. He tries to move when the stoplight is red.
[Red: Stop ,Yellow: Get ready,Green: Go] the floating text says. He watches it, "That's confusing," continuing to ask the floating text to list all the colors. Leonardo was but a harlot; he had no idea what the idea of "colors" meant.
He eventually followed people who actually knew what they were doing, seeing an old woman struggle to pass. Using a walking stick, he thinks as time slows down to either help her or not, and eventually decides to help her, for what does he have to lose.
"Do you need help?" he asks in a caring tone.
"Oh, young man, why yes I would," she says, rather flattered by this.
Holding her and guiding her towards the other end, he meets the two girls from earlier [Anna] and [Elara].
"My, my, who do we have here?" The taller one said, her voice carrying a hint of amusement. She adjusted her crimson scarf, eyes studying him with interest.
Her companion, shorter crossed her arms. "Rather lost, by the looks of it." Her gaze softened as Leonardo took a step back. "I'm Elara, and this is Anna. No need to look so frightened."
Leonardo glanced nervously over his shoulder at the looming Tower of Rolmin. Its surface caught the dying sunlight, transforming the structure into a pillar of flame. "I apologize, but I must go. The Stem—I mean, the Tower—I'm already late."
Anna's eyebrows shot up. "The Stem? Well, isn't that a delightful coincidence. We're residents ourselves." She exchanged a meaningful look with Elara.
"What level?" Elara asked, her previous detachment replaced by genuine curiosity. When Leonardo hesitated, she added, "You're new here, aren't you? I don't recall seeing you during in the last trip down?"
"I—yes," Leonardo admitted, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "Just arrived yesterday. I'm still learning my way around."
"Then you're in luck," Elara said, a warm smile spreading across her face. She gestured toward the Tower's entrance. "Consider us your unofficial welcome committee. The Stem can be quite overwhelming at first, but with the right guides..." She left the offer hanging in the air.
[No answer].
The city in question is [2.35 billion miles]. The expanse is mind-boggling, with districts dedicated to various trades and cultures, each one unique in its architecture and vibe.
"No thank you" he replies he had enough of meeting random strangers that make his entire life worse, bowing to leave.
Elara, with blond hair, wears an elegant floral dress made aesthetically to look similar to a Renaissance milkmaid dress with the same vibrant yellow on it.
Anna, on the other hand, has brown hair and wears a vintage blouse with long sleeves and wide skirts with contrasting colors of white and brown. Their outfits are a blend of past and future, just like the city itself.
"How rude," Anna says.
The vibrant purple of the train shimmered against the backdrop of the city, its color deepening as the sun dipped lower in the sky.
"Thank you for your kindness," Leonardo called back to the old woman, watching her small figure disappear into the crowd.
Anna's voice cut through his thoughts, sharp and precise. "Now then, you'll be escorting us the rest of the way."
"I'm sorry, what?"
"It wasn't a request," Anna said, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. "You see, wandering around here without proper credentials... well, let's just say the Tower Guards have some rather unpleasant accommodations underground. They're quite enthusiastic about showing them to unauthorized visitors."
Elara shot her companion a reproachful look. "What Anna means is that it would be safer—for everyone—if you accompanied us. The Guards are particularly strict at this hour."
Leonardo's gaze darted between the two women, then to the imposing silhouette of the Tower behind them. "You're saying I don't have a choice?"
"Oh, you always have a choice," Anna replied cheerfully, linking her arm through his. "It's just that some choices are significantly better than others. Shall we?