The capsule closed around me, and a profound stillness settled in.
My heart beat loudly in my chest as I let out a deep breath, preparing for the unknown. A soft hum filled the air, rising until it felt like a presence, absorbing me, my very essence. It was as if my soul itself was being drawn into something beyond, passing through a thin, translucent veil.
A flash then darkness.
And then, the universe opened up before me.
I found myself floating in a vast, cosmic expanse. Stars and galaxies stretched infinitely in every direction, and in the endless void, colossal figures took shape. Towering titans with human forms drifted among the stars, their expressions inscrutable.
Enormous serpentine dragons coiled gracefully, their scales glinting like starlight. And there were entities I could barely comprehend ancient and immense, their forms flickering with the same mythic qualities as the beings I'd only read about on Earth.
Legends come to life.
Despite their size and power, they gave off a strange familiarity, like pieces of a dream I'd once known.
As I floated, a light emanated from me, a small, shimmering point in the vastness. I felt myself pulled toward six towering figures, each one radiating an aura of profound strength.
They seemed to be communicating, though I could not make out the words. Instead, it was as if I was wrapped in a gentle whisper, a voice filled with warmth and an inexplicable sense of belonging. Then, as if in a wordless command, they released me, their light guiding my essence toward the western continent.
The sensation of falling, a long, endless descent, and then clarity. I opened my eyes.
I stood in a forest unlike any I had seen before. Towering trees stretched high above, their branches reaching toward a sky that seemed to go on forever.
I took in the sharp, earthy scent, and the ground beneath my feet felt more solid, more alive than any I'd ever walked on. There was a thickness to the air, almost tangible, humming with energy. I could sense it, this powerful force permeating everything around me.
Ch'ulel yet here, it felt a thousand times denser, pulsing with vitality.
I steadied myself, allowing my senses to adjust. Instinctively, I reached for my Visualization power, feeling it stir within me. My focus shifted inward, and I felt a spark at my core, a sphere of light orbiting my heart. Its presence was strange yet comforting as if it had always been a part of me. This light the source of my strength in this new world felt as natural as breathing.
Then, a soft sound behind me. I turned to see figures materializing, one after another, until a small group of people stood around me. They looked at me with wide eyes, some of them beginning to murmur.
"It's him," a young man whispered to his companion.
"The Third Prince, His Highness Yaxkin Balam!"
Murmurs of recognition spread through the group, their expressions a mix of awe and reverence. One of them, an elderly woman, stepped forward with a kind smile.
"Happy nineteenth birthday, Your Highness," she said, her voice warm with respect.
"We're honored to be here with you on this day."
I inclined my head in gratitude.
"Thank you all. I am grateful to have such loyal subjects by my side."
I paused, looking each of them in the eye.
"This world is new to us all, but I ask only that you give your best. Together."
"We can build something worthy of Viatori, something that will honor the empire and all of you."
A middle-aged man spoke up, his face lined with determination. "We're with you, my Prince. Lead us, and we will follow."
Others echoed his sentiment, nodding and murmuring words of support. Their loyalty and eagerness filled me with renewed purpose. Just as we were about to continue, my guards arrived, emerging from the trees like silent shadows. The chosen fifteen were arrayed in Imperial attire, each one a testament to skill and dedication. Among them were Noíl and Kuk, both of whom approached with steady smiles.
Kuk gave me a nod, his usual grin flashing.
"Looks like we've got quite a crowd here, Your Highness."
Noíl added.
"They're ready, and so are we. Just give the word."
As more citizens appeared around us, I addressed them all, my voice firm and resolute.
"We will build a stronghold here, a place where the people of Viatori can find security and purpose. Each of you has a role to play. Some of you are warriors, others have skills in administration and trade. We will need every talent to make this vision a reality."
Turning to the guards, I said:
"You will lead groups to scout the surrounding areas. Begin setting up boundaries for our settlement. We'll start by establishing a village, a place where our citizens can find shelter and work."
One young guard, Tzak, who was assigned to oversee the construction efforts, saluted.
"Understood, Your Highness. We'll begin at once."
More people continued to materialize in the forest around us, filling the clearing. As I observed them, I used my Visualization power, scanning each person, watching as attributes and potential flashed before me like a map of strengths and weaknesses.
In seconds, I identified those with natural physical abilities, as well as a surprising number with elemental potential in fire though the highest level among them appeared to be Master. These people would be valuable in forming the foundation of our defense force.
An older man with a calm demeanor caught my eye, his attributes suggesting a keen mind for management and logistics. I approached him, offering a respectful nod.
"Your skills in administration will be invaluable to us. Would you oversee our resources and help establish a system for the settlement?"
He nodded eagerly. "It would be an honor, Your Highness. I will ensure that everything runs smoothly."
As word spread, more people came forward, each eager to offer their skills. Craftsmen, healers, merchants all dedicated themselves to the cause. I made careful mental notes, selecting those with special talents and assigning them to roles where they would be most effective.
The crowd around me grew, but a hush fell as Noíl stepped forward, addressing them.
"Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for our empire," she announced, her voice carrying across the clearing.
"The prince is here to lead us, but each of you has a part to play. Our success depends on all of us working together."
As the initial excitement settled, I addressed the crowd again.
"This settlement will grow, and with it, so will our influence. But I do not seek control for its own sake. We are here to give our people a place of strength and unity. If we succeed, this settlement will become a city, and that city will become a beacon of Viatori's values."
Kuk, standing beside me, added, "The prince is right. We are here to build, not to conquer. For those of you who wish to explore the lands beyond, you are free to do so. But know that here, you will always have a place to return to."
One of the younger citizens, a girl of perhaps twenty, stepped forward, her voice shy yet steady.
"Thank you, Your Highness. We've all come here because we believe in what you represent."
Her words struck a chord with the crowd, and a chorus of agreement rose from those gathered. Their loyalty, their willingness to build something greater than themselves it filled me with a sense of purpose.
Turning to Noíl and Kuk, I spoke quietly.
"We'll establish a recruitment center here. Those with potential will train under our guidance, and I'll be able to monitor their progress through Visualization."
Kuk gave a satisfied nod.
"Sounds like a plan, Your Highness. The more we grow, the stronger our foundation."
As we began laying the groundwork for our settlement, the sense of unity and purpose grew. I could feel the loyalty radiating from these people, a loyalty that had been instilled by the traditions of Viatori. In the empire, respect for the Imperial Family ran deep, an unwavering bond that would be essential in building this new city.
And so, as the stars began to shimmer in the boundless sky above, our work began in earnest. We were creating more than a settlement we were creating a future, a place where every citizen of Viatori could find purpose, security, and strength in a world filled with unknowns.