Kael and Elira stood before the towering palace gates, their intricate carvings partially obscured by thick vines. The grand structure loomed above them, its spires lost in the glowing expanse of Zharakai’s ceiling. The vines twisted tightly around the doors, forming an unyielding barrier.
Elira stepped forward, her hand brushing over the plants. “Let’s see if we can’t give these a little encouragement to move,” she said, a faint smile tugging at her lips. She closed her eyes and extended her arms, the soft glow of her Aether Mana swirling around her fingers. The vines seemed to respond, slowly retreating and unfurling as they receded into the surrounding stone.
Kael nodded in approval. “Nice work.”
“Don’t sound so surprised,” Elira teased, brushing her hands off as the path to the doors cleared.
Kael stepped forward, examining the doors closely. “Lexa, any insights on how to get these open?”
The amulet around his neck hummed softly. “Scanning for access points… detected. The locking mechanism operates on an outdated frequency. One moment.” The sound of faint clicking filled the air, and the heavy doors groaned as they began to open.
“Primitive by our standards,” Lexa added. “But still advanced compared to the current world’s technology. Fascinating.”
The doors opened fully, revealing the palace interior. Kael and Elira exchanged a glance before stepping inside.
The palace interior mirrored the rest of Zharakai—a striking blend of architectural grandeur and untamed nature. Stone arches stretched high above, their surfaces adorned with faded carvings, while moss and blooming flowers crept along the walls. Streams of light from the glowing crystals above filtered through cracks in the stone, casting a soft, ethereal glow.
Kael’s gaze swept across the hall. “It’s incredible,” he murmured. “Like the city, but… untouched.”
They made their way to the central staircase, a wide, elegant structure that spiraled upward toward a grand set of doors. As they ascended, the atmosphere grew quieter, the weight of the palace’s history pressing in around them.
At the top of the stairs, they entered a throne room. The space was expansive yet simple in its design. Statues of various figures flanked the path to the throne, each carved with exquisite detail. Kael recognized humans and Molvari among them, but several depicted beings he couldn’t identify—tall, slender figures with elongated features and others with stocky, broad frames.
Elira’s voice broke the silence. “This is… amazing.”
Kael nodded, his gaze lingering on the throne itself. Unlike the rest of the room, it was both opulent and understated, its design a perfect balance of form and function.
Elira smirked suddenly and knelt beside the throne, her voice dripping with mock reverence. “Oh mighty leader, so may you ascend the throne and command me as you see fit.”
Kael raised an eyebrow, a playful grin tugging at his lips. “The time isn’t right for that, Elira. Maybe later.”
Elira flushed and swatted at him. “Dummy.”
Before the moment could linger, Lexa’s voice chimed in. “Captain, I recommend investigating the left door. I am detecting a concentration of frequencies originating from that direction.”
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
Kael and Elira followed Lexa’s guidance, pushing open the heavy left door to reveal a room unlike anything they’d seen. Dozens of modules, their surfaces smooth and glowing faintly, were arranged in a circular pattern around a central pedestal. The room hummed faintly, the sound of dormant systems waiting to be awakened.
“This…” Elira began, trailing off. “This is something else.”
Kael approached the central module, his fingers brushing over its surface. “Lexa?”
“This appears to be a control nexus,” Lexa replied. “Captain, place my core in the central module. I should be able to activate its systems.”
Kael hesitated briefly before removing the amulet from his neck and setting it into the module. The room responded immediately. Lights flared to life, the modules emitting a low hum as the entire space seemed to awaken. Displays flickered, their alien symbols dancing across the surfaces.
“Fascinating,” Lexa said after a brief pause. “I now have partial access to the city’s systems. The crystal array that functions as Zharakai’s artificial sun can be adjusted to create a day-night cycle. Other systems remain locked and will require manual activation at their respective locations.”
Kael nodded. “Leave a part of yourself here to monitor things. We’ll figure out the rest as we go.”
“Acknowledged, Captain. Dividing presence.”
Kael retrieved the amulet as Lexa’s voice continued to hum faintly from the central module. Elira glanced at him. “We’ve been out here for a while,” she said. “We should head back before the others start to wonder.”
When Kael and Elira returned to the plaza, it was alive with commotion. A group of unfamiliar Molvari stood near the central fountain, their faces weary and their armor battered. The gathered crowd of villagers and Molvari murmured nervously, sensing the weight of the newcomers’ arrival.
Tharuk stepped forward, addressing the group with measured curiosity. “Who are you? From where do you travel?”
The leader of the group, a broad-shouldered Molvari with deep-set eyes, stepped forward. His voice was gravelly with exhaustion. “I am Gorath of the Tuskshade Clan. We came here seeking sanctuary after hearing of Zharakai. But… our journey was not without peril.”
He gestured to the battered state of his people. “The termites pursued us relentlessly. We fought through the tunnels, but their numbers were overwhelming. When we spotted the gates of the city, we had no choice but to retreat here.”
Kael’s expression grew grim. “You’re saying they followed you?”
Gorath nodded solemnly. “Yes. They’re close.”
Kael turned sharply, his voice cutting through the rising murmurs of fear. “Ring the alarm bell! Arm yourselves and move to the gates!”
The alarm echoed through the cavern, its sharp peal sending villagers and Molvari into a flurry of activity. Weapons were drawn, armor strapped on, and the defenders moved to their positions with haste. Elira directed the villagers, her voice steady despite the tension. “Gather near the Spire! Stay behind the guards and keep the paths clear.”
Kael moved toward Tharuk, who stood with a group of Molvari guards. “What’s the status of the gates?”
Tharuk shook his head, frustration flickering across his features. “The gates are unbreakable, but we lack the means to move them. They are still open.”
A shout rang out from above. One of the guards stationed near the Spire’s entrance descended quickly, his voice filled with urgency. “They’re here! The termites are at the gates!”
Tharuk cursed under his breath. Kael wasted no time. “Lexa, can you close the gates?”
“Commencing closure sequence,” came Lexa’s calm reply. A low hum filled the air as the ancient mechanisms began to stir, the massive gates groaning slowly to life.
Kael’s katana gleamed as he gestured to the group. “Let’s move!”
The sound of boots against stone filled the air as Kael led the charge up the Spire. The glow of the crystals dimmed, casting long shadows along the walls. The narrow path spiraled upward, the cool air carrying a faint, metallic tang.
“Stay sharp,” Kael said quietly, his voice steady but low. “They’ll be waiting.”
As they neared the upper chamber, the tension was palpable. Kael raised a hand, signaling for the group to slow. The warriors tightened their grips on their weapons, their breaths shallow as they approached the entrance to the vast room above.
Kael stepped through first, his cybernetic eye scanning the dimly lit space. The chamber was massive, its high ceilings disappearing into darkness. The faint hum of the city’s crystal lights echoed eerily.
Then, a flash of movement.
Without warning, a massive termite lunged from the shadows, its mandibles gleaming as it screeched. Kael barely had time to react, his katana flashing upward to meet the creature’s charge. The impact reverberated through the room as Kael braced himself.
