Bryce stood silently, the air around him humming with a strange tension. The ethereal woman, dressed in shimmering clothes that seemed to glow softly under the lights of the massive hall, motioned for him and the kids to follow. As they left the main area where they had first arrived, Bryce felt a shift in the atmosphere, a soft hum that tickled the edges of his senses. The quiet anticipation of whatever conversation awaited him weighed heavily on his shoulders, but for now, there was only the walk.

They moved through the crowd, still in awe of the sights and sounds around them. Bryce noticed that, for all the chaos, there was an undercurrent of organization. People, no matter how different they were, moved with purpose. No one seemed truly lost, even though the place was so vast.

The group was guided through a wide, arched doorway, which led them into a vast open space that stretched in every direction. Bryce blinked, momentarily stunned by the sight. What he had first assumed would be a hallway or some kind of office space turned out to be nothing short of a food court the size of a small city, a vast expanse that resembled a food court designed for an entire army. The space was colossal, stretching out in every direction, with a dizzying array of food stands and full-scale restaurants lining the walls. The scents wafting through the air were a tantalizing mix—spicy curries, sweet pastries, sizzling meats, and comforting soups—all competing for attention in a tantalizing, aromatic embrace.

As they walked, Bryce spotted a few more curious things. There were clusters of people who didn’t fit into any one category—soldiers, civilians, and strange creatures all mingling together. One group in particular caught his eye: a group of tall, blue-skinned beings with intricate tattoos etched across their faces. They were laughing and eating at a stand serving what looked like skewered meat. Their laughter echoed through the food court, warm and inviting.

Another group looked like they’d been here a while. They were dressed in long robes, some wearing jewelry that glowed faintly in the dim light. Bryce could feel the weight of their gazes as they watched him and the kids pass by. It was almost as if they were studying them, waiting for something.

“Stay close,” Bryce murmured to the children, and they all huddled closer together, their earlier excitement dampening as they sensed his unease.

Stalls and kiosks lined the central path, with neon signs and banners fluttering in an invisible breeze, all glowing with unfamiliar writing. Some of the signs above the food stands were colorful, written in languages Bryce couldn't immediately recognize—glyphs that looked like a blend of Egyptian hieroglyphs, Cyrillic script, and Japanese kanji. And yet, when he stared at the signs for a moment, something clicked in his mind. Somehow, without truly understanding the symbols, Bryce knew what they meant. It was as if the meaning seeped directly into his consciousness: "Fresh Noodles," "Meat Skewers," "Dragon’s Brew," "Celestial Delicacies."

He shook his head slightly, trying to wrap his mind around it, but the strangeness of this place wasn’t something his mind could easily grasp.

The smells hit him next—a combination of sizzling meats, fresh bread, spicy curries, and something sweet like caramel wafting through the air.

He looked around again, noticing similar clusters—people who clearly knew each other, sitting together in tight groups. There were families, with parents shepherding children from stall to stall, and groups of friends laughing loudly, as if this otherworldly food court was nothing more than a meeting spot after a day at the mall.

Bryce saw movement above them and realized that the food court wasn’t confined to a single floor. Multiple levels stacked up toward the ceiling, connected by escalators, elevators, and even more fantastical means of transport. He saw a group of people stepping onto what looked like floating carpets, which whisked them upward to the next level. Transparent tubes, much like those used at drive-thru banks, sent others shooting up and down in small capsules. Ramps wound around the perimeter of the food court, with people walking leisurely between the different levels.

A loud clang caught Bryce’s attention, and he turned to see a group of what looked like medieval knights in full plate armor standing near one of the larger food stalls. They had removed their helmets and were busy tearing into massive turkey legs, grease running down their hands as they laughed heartily. Beside them, a man with the head of a lion was talking animatedly with a dwarf whose beard was so long it dragged on the floor.

Bryce couldn’t help but marvel at the sheer variety of beings around them. Not just humans, but creatures straight out of myths and legends. Elves with pointed ears and flowing silver hair strode past, their movements graceful and otherworldly. A gnome, no more than three feet tall, hurried by with a stack of papers in his arms, muttering to himself in a language Bryce didn’t understand. Dog-headed humanoids, cat-like beings, and even what appeared to be a small dragon were mingling in the crowd, as though it were the most normal thing in the world.

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The group trailed after Althea as she led them through the sprawling food court. It was an overwhelming place, bursting with sights, sounds, and smells that seemed to defy logic and blend cultures from countless realms. Bryce couldn’t help but marvel at the sheer variety of beings moving around them. Some were human, like themselves, but others were fantastical—dwarfs with braided beards, elves with glowing eyes, and even creatures Bryce couldn’t begin to name.

“Whoa, look at that guy!” Mason pointed excitedly at a towering figure with the head of a wolf who was juggling flaming torches.

“Mason, stay close!” Olivia snapped, grabbing his arm before he could wander off. “You can’t just run around here.”

Rowan was equally distracted, tugging at Sophia’s sleeve. “Sophia, do you see the cat-people over there? They’re talking to a bunny that’s standing up like a person!”

“Yeah, I see them,” Sophia said with a grin. “But don’t run off, okay? We have to stick together.”

The younger kids were brimming with questions and excitement, their newfound energy making it harder for the older kids and student helpers to keep them together. Mira was fascinated by a stall selling glowing orbs, while Isaac kept stopping to stare at every strange creature that passed by.

“Isaac, come on,” Ivy said, tugging him gently. “We can’t stop every five seconds.”

“But look at them,” Isaac said, his voice filled with awe. “They’re… amazing.”

Aiden was having a similar struggle with Talia, who had become enthralled by a group of elves crafting jewelry at a nearby booth.

“Talia, we have to go,” Aiden said firmly. “Althea’s waiting for us.”

“I know, I know,” Talia replied, tearing her gaze away reluctantly. “But did you see what they were making? It was beautiful.”

Bryce tried to focus on keeping the group moving, but even he found it hard to resist the allure of the food court. A stall labeled “Dragon’s Breath” was selling steaming drinks that glowed in shifting colors, while another stand offered plates of food that seemed to float in midair.

“Stay together, everyone,” Bryce called out, his tone authoritative but kind. “We’ll have time to explore later.”

Despite his efforts, the group was constantly on the verge of scattering. The older kids, like Olivia, Sophia, and Aiden, worked tirelessly to keep the younger ones in line. Rachel and Jonah helped too, their calm voices soothing the more excitable children.

“Look, I know it’s exciting,” Rachel said as she gently guided Mira away from the glowing orb stall. “But we have to follow Althea. We’ll get answers soon.”

“She’s right,” Jonah added, his hand resting lightly on Rachel’s shoulder. “Let’s stick together, okay?”

Hunter, who usually kept to himself, found himself wrangling Leora, who was determined to investigate a group of kobolds selling shimmering crystals.

“Leora, no,” Hunter said, his tone gruff but protective. “You don’t even know what those things are.”

“But they’re so pretty,” Leora whined, her eyes wide with longing.

“We’ll look later,” Hunter promised, steering her back toward the group. “Let’s just get through this first.”

Bryce glanced at Althea, who was walking ahead with unerring confidence. She didn’t seem fazed by the chaos around her, her calm presence a stark contrast to the lively food court. He quickened his pace to catch up with her.

“Is it always like this here?” he asked, gesturing to the bustling scene.

Althea smiled faintly. “The Sorting Hall serves as a crossroads for countless souls from countless worlds. It’s a place of transition, and for many, it’s their first glimpse of what lies beyond their old lives. The energy here reflects that.”

Bryce nodded thoughtfully, glancing back at the group. The older kids were doing their best to keep things under control, but the younger ones’ curiosity was a force to be reckoned with.

Eventually, Althea led them to a quieter section of the food court. The noise and chaos gradually faded as they approached a small, elegant café tucked into the corner of the atrium. A sign above the entrance read "Café Elysium" in shimmering letters.

“This is our stop,” Althea said, holding the door open for the group. “Please, come inside.”

Bryce ushered the children through the door, their excitement giving way to a hushed anticipation as they entered the serene space. The interior was warm and inviting, with soft lighting and plush chairs arranged around a large, circular table.

“Take a seat,” Althea instructed, her tone gentle but firm. “Someone will be with you in a moment.”