The skies above Verdantis Nexus were filled with the fading glow of fire and destruction. Smoke curled toward the heavens as Tlandar and his family climbed aboard their battered transport vessel. The air was thick with the scent of scorched earth, and the cries of those left behind echoed through the night. As the ship lifted off, its engines roaring, the land he once called home shrank below them.
The transport did not ascend into the void of space. Instead, it hovered at helicopter altitude, keeping close to the terrain to avoid detection by enemy forces. The ship wove through mountain passes and skimmed over dense forests, its flight path erratic but deliberate.
Tlandar stared out the window. In the dim distance, he could see New Asemeri—a towering metropolis of steel and neon, its skyscrapers illuminated by vibrant holographic billboards. The city stretched along the horizon like a beacon of civilization amid the chaos.
"You alright?" his younger sister, Lirien, asked, nudging him lightly.
He forced a smile. "Yeah. Just… taking it all in."
Lirien frowned. "It doesn't feel real, does it?"
"No," he admitted. "It doesn't."
Aboard the Transport: Shadows of the Past
The cabin was packed with refugees—farmers, merchants, and laborers, all seeking safety. Their whispers filled the space, each voice carrying the weight of fear and uncertainty.
Zaruk, Tlandar's father, adjusted his seatbelt. "New Asemeri's our best chance," he muttered. "But it won't be easy."
"You think it'll be safe?" Tlandar asked.
Zaruk didn't answer right away. "Safer than Verdantis Nexus. But Cosmus is relentless."
Suddenly, a violent tremor rocked the transport.
Passengers gasped as the ship jolted sideways. Lirien clung to her seat, eyes wide. "What was that?"
The pilot's voice crackled over the comm system. "Hold on—severe turbulence incoming!"
Another violent jolt sent people tumbling from their seats. Sparks showered from the overhead panels as the ship lurched.
"We're flying too low!" Nalara, Tlandar's older sister, shouted, gripping the armrest.
"We have to," Zaruk snapped. "If we go higher, we're an easy target."
The artificial gravity flickered for a moment, causing several passengers to hover slightly before being slammed back down.
Through the window, Tlandar saw dark silhouettes moving across the horizon—warships patrolling the skies. The transport banked hard to avoid detection.
"This is insane," Kethra, the eldest of his sisters, muttered. "We're sitting ducks."
Seyna, their mother, took a deep breath. "We just have to trust the pilot."
A moment later, the turbulence settled. The ship steadied itself, gliding toward New Asemeri's outer district.
"Brace for landing," the pilot announced. "We made it."
Arrival at New Asemeri: A City Under Siege
The transport descended onto a fortified landing pad. The second the doors opened, armed guards rushed forward, directing refugees into lines. Their visors glowed a dull blue as they scanned the newcomers.
New Asemeri loomed ahead—a fortress of towering skyscrapers, neon-lit streets, and sprawling infrastructure.
Tlandar took a deep breath. This was nothing like Verdantis Nexus.
"This city is massive," Lirien murmured, looking around.
Nalara whistled. "And crowded."
The family stepped forward as a tall officer approached them. His expression was hard, his posture rigid. "New arrivals?"
Zaruk nodded. "From Verdantis Nexus."
"You're lucky to have made it." The officer waved them forward. "You'll be taken to the Lower District Shelters. Follow the rules, and you'll be safe."
Tlandar and his family followed the line of refugees deeper into the city.
The Underground Refuge
New Asemeri's underground shelter was more than just a bunker—it was a vast subterranean complex, built to house thousands.
"This place is huge," Kethra said as they walked through the entry tunnel.
Rows of hydroponic farms stretched out, their artificial lights glowing softly. Large communal areas housed cafeterias, medical facilities, and security checkpoints. A massive holographic theatre in the central plaza displayed news updates.
Seyna pointed toward a mechanical workshop, where engineers worked on repairing machinery. "They've got everything here."
"There's even a sewer access," Nalara said, wrinkling her nose.
Tlandar's eyes scanned the corridors, landing on a set of monitors in the control room—live feeds of every entrance, hallway, and chamber.
"We're being watched," he muttered.
Zaruk placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "That's the point."
Tlandar looked at his family—his three sisters, his mother, and his father. They had survived the journey, but war was closing in.
The fight was far from over.