Scribblez motioned toward a console in the back. "Alright, here's the deal," she said, tapping the screen. "Every portal here leads to the Second Layer. You pick the destination, and the system takes care of the rest."

  Auron approached the console, his nerves sparking faintly. The screen lit up as he drew closer, revealing a rotating menu of destinations. They hovered in the air like tangible constellations, each written in unique lettering. Most labels were greyed out or written in languages Auron couldn't comprehend.

  He pulled out the card Vox had given him. "Starlight Sanctuary," he read quietly, the name conjuring images of an elven wonderland. He scanned the console's options, eventually spotting the destination. Its text pulsed faintly, waiting for his selection.

  "Go on," Scribblez said, nudging his arm. "This is your call."

  He tapped the destination, and the portal beside them stirred to life. Its surface rippled like quicksilver, the light folding inward before settling into a steady, glowing plane. Auron stepped back instinctively, the memory of the subway gateway flashing briefly in his mind. This portal, though, felt different—precise, engineered. There was no eerie pull, no sense of foreboding. It was clean, quiet, and waiting.

  "Well?" Scribblez asked, raising an eyebrow. "What are you waiting for?"

  Auron exhaled and stepped forward, the portal's light painting faint edges on his silhouette. For a moment, the air seemed to pause around him. Then, without sound or fanfare, the portal pulled him in, its glow swallowing him whole.

  The sensation of passing through the portal was strange yet exhilarating, like walking through a mist that lingered on the edge of cool and warm. Auron felt momentarily weightless, as if his body had briefly forgotten gravity's pull. Then, with a faint jolt, his feet touched solid ground again.

  He and Scribblez emerged into an expansive plaza teaming with life. In this space, cultures from countless worlds collided in beautiful disarray. Beings of every shape and size, some humanoid, some distinctly alien, moved with purpose and energy. Voices blended into a boisterous cacophony, underscored by laughter and the occasional burst of applause from a crowd gathered around a street performer.

  "Welcome to the Second Layer," Scribblez said with a grin. "The heart of the InfiNet." The plaza was massive, ringed by towering buildings that seemed plucked from every imaginable architectural style. Ornate stonework covered with creeping vines sat side by side with glassy towers that reflected the soft, ambient light of lamp drones. Overhead, twin red and yellow moons bathed the area, giving the plaza a warm glow despite the hour. The air carried a mix of smells like spices from nearby food stalls, the sharp tang of metal from blacksmiths, and the faint sweetness of blooming plants.

  "Snap out of it, daydreamer. We've got Navigators to find."

  "Uh, right," he mumbled, glancing around. "So… which way?"

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  Scribblez raised an eyebrow, holding out her hand. "The card, remember?"

  "Oh, yeah." Auron fumbled in his pocket and handed it over.

  She scanned it, her eyes lighting up. "There's a bookstore nearby I like. It's always good for picking up lore and random goodies."

  Auron raised an eyebrow. "A bookstore? Here?"

  "Yeah, believe it or not, some people still like their words on pages," Scribblez said with a shrug. "Even in the InfiNet."

  She turned on her heel, motioning for him to follow. "Now come on. Let's move before you get distracted again."

  The streets beyond the plaza pulsed with a different kind of energy. Though it was evening, the city showed no signs of winding down. Lanterns cast warm glows across the cobbled streets, their light dancing softly as though alive. Shops lined the roads, their displays spilling treasures into the open air—enchanted armor glinting faintly under torchlight, racks of shimmering weapons, and cases of intricate mods for avatars.

  As they walked further into the plaza, recruitment stations came into view, each one vying for attention. One, in particular, caught Auron's eye. A group of players gathered around a charismatic figure, his voice booming as he addressed the crowd.

  "We are The Silver Blades!" the guild leader announced, gesturing toward a screen displaying their exploits. "Fast, decisive, and loyal. We've dominated the last three tournaments, and we're not stopping anytime soon! Join us and be part of the winning team."

  The banner above the station gleamed, proudly displaying the guild's name and crest. Footage of their battles played on a nearby screen, showing their team executing flawless maneuvers in competitive matches. Auron caught himself staring for a moment before Scribblez nudged him forward.

  "Ignore that clown. The Silver Blades are all talk unless you've got the luxa to back it up."

  Further down the street, Auron noticed an emblem of twin moons emblazoned on a waving battle standard. A stoic Netizen in formal armor stood beneath it at a podium, addressing a small crowd. His voice carried easily, even over the bustling street. "The second layer's safety doesn't guarantee itself. We need brave defenders to uphold its peace—digital or otherwise." The crowd listened intently as the recruiter's assistants handed out glowing discs inscribed with their code.

  "Sanctuary Guard," Scribblez said, catching his look. "Think city cops, but with better gear."

  Auron nodded, though his attention shifted again as they passed another setup. A group of avatars lounged around a rugged table, their demeanor less polished than the guards but no less determined. Above them, a sign read: "Crimson Mercs—High Stakes, Higher Rewards." He overheard snippets of their conversation—something about contracts and a recent bounty worth enough Luxa to retire on.

  "Mercenaries," Scribblez said, noting his interest. "They'll take on anything as long as the money's good."

  As they continued, a massive news board caught Auron's eye.

  Arcanis Prime Collapses – Mystery Artifact Lost

  The bold headline scrolled across the top of the screen, accompanied by an image of the shattered planet. Debris hung suspended in space, and ships swarmed the wreckage like ants over a broken mound. Auron glanced at Scribblez, who gave him a subtle nod.

  The city's energy buzzed all around them, drawing Auron's attention in every direction. Vendors called out to passersby, showing off wares from custom potions to rare pets. One stall featured an alchemist demonstrating the effects of his brews on a captivated crowd, while another sold jewelry that glowed faintly with imbued properties.

  "This place…" Auron said, trailing off. The overwhelming newness was almost too much to take in. He glanced at Scribblez, whose pace had slowed as her gaze wandered. She grinned when she caught him staring.

  "It's a lot, huh?" she said. "Told you this is where the adventure starts."

  Auron nodded, the corners of his mouth lifting despite himself.