The blinding light sharpened, coalescing into the form of a holographic figure that materialized with an almost ethereal presence. A tall man clad in intricate armor appeared, his visage flickering faintly with a silvery-blue hue. His armor was both functional and ceremonial, carved with runic patterns that shimmered faintly as if alive with their own energy. A helm adorned with a crest shaped like a crescent moon rested atop his head, his face partially obscured by a visor that gave him an otherworldly air.
The figure's voice was deep and commanding, each word resonating with authority. "Identify yourself and state your purpose for entering Nyxoria."
"That's Aiden," Vince murmured, loud enough for Eris to hear. "Commander of Nyxoria's Vanguard Unit. He's in charge of borderland protection and the first line of defense against anything—or anyone—coming through the Wastelands."
Eris stared at the hologram in awe, his eyes wide as he took in the imposing sight of the commander. Aiden's presence seemed to emanate not just from the projection but from the sheer force of his authority.
Vince stepped forward, reaching into his coat pocket. He pulled out a sleek, rectangular card crafted from an obsidian-like material. It pulsed faintly with a soft silver light, the intricate runes etched across its surface glowing in response to Vince's touch.
Aiden's projection leaned slightly, its gaze fixed on the card. "Credential detected. Access granted for one vehicle and two passengers. Proceed to the first layer."
The hologram flickered and vanished as the colossal gates rumbled open. The sound was deafening, a deep groan that echoed like a thunderclap. Eris held his breath, watching as the first layer of the gate revealed itself.
The truck rolled forward, its engine humming softly as it crossed the threshold into the first layer. The interior of the gate was vast, a cavernous space enclosed by towering walls lined with essence-powered conduits that crackled faintly with energy.
"Layer one: Detoxification," Vince muttered as if reciting a checklist.
Jets of pale mist erupted from the walls, enveloping the truck in a cloud of purifying vapor. The scent was sharp and sterile, a mix of alchemical compounds designed to cleanse anything brought in from the Wastelands. Eris wrinkled his nose at the acrid smell, coughing slightly as the mist settled.
"Necessary precaution," Vince said without looking at him. "They can't risk any corruption slipping past this point. Even the smallest trace could cause chaos in the city."
The mist subsided, and a deep, resonating chime signaled the completion of the process. The truck moved forward, entering the second layer.
This chamber was smaller but no less imposing. A series of glowing panels lined the walls, each one humming with energy as they scanned the vehicle and its occupants. Vince handed over the silver-pulsing card to a mechanical arm that extended from the wall.
"Layer two: Identity Verification," he explained.
The card was inserted into a slot, and beams of light scanned Vince and Eris from head to toe. Eris flinched as the beam swept over him, a strange tingling sensation prickling his skin.
"Relax," Vince said gruffly. "They're just making sure we're who we say we are—and not something else."
The lights dimmed, and the mechanical arm returned the card to Vince. A voice echoed from the chamber's ceiling: "Identity confirmed. Proceed to the final layer."
The truck advanced once more, and Eris's breath hitched as they entered the third and final layer.
Here, the walls opened into a vast, circular chamber bathed in an ethereal glow. A dome of shimmering light covered the ceiling, pulsating with the same translucent energy as the barrier outside. A massive door, carved with ancient glyphs, stood at the far end, its surface alive with flickering essence.
"Layer three: Final Gate," Vince said, gesturing toward the door.
As the truck approached, the glyphs on the door flared to life, each one lighting up in sequence. The door began to part, revealing the sprawling outskirts of Nyxoria beyond.
Eris gasped as the truck emerged into the open air. The outskirts of Nyxoria stretched out before them, a bustling expanse of activity that stood in stark contrast to the desolation of the Wastelands.
The city was enormous, almost incomprehensibly so. Towering spires of essence-infused steel rose into the night sky, their surfaces glowing with faint luminescence. Streets were lined with structures that blended ancient stonework with advanced spelltech, creating a harmonious fusion of the old and the new.
The walls surrounding the kingdom were titanic, rising hundreds of feet into the air and crowned with glowing barriers of shimmering light. The sheer scale of the city made Eris feel as though he had stepped into a world far beyond his comprehension.
The truck came to a halt, and Vince climbed out, motioning for Eris to stay put. "Wait here," he ordered.
Eris nodded, too overwhelmed by the sight before him to argue. He craned his neck, trying to take in every detail of the city's outskirts. Even from here, he could see the faint glow of Nyxoria's inner districts, their lights twinkling like stars against the horizon.
Aiden waited nearby, his projection now replaced by his physical presence. The commander's dark, rune-inscribed armor gleamed faintly under the essence-powered lights. His visor was lifted, revealing piercing silver eyes and a stern expression that softened slightly at the sight of Vince.
"Vince," Aiden said, his voice calm but edged with curiosity. "You're late."
"Had a detour," Vince replied curtly, stepping forward to meet him.
Their conversation became hushed, their words lost amidst the hum of activity around them. Eris stayed in the truck, his eyes darting between the massive structures around him and the figures speaking in the distance.
The enormity of the kingdom loomed over him, and for the first time, he felt the weight of the world he had stumbled into.