The ship soared high above the mansion, and Robin found himself glued to the deck of the ship, captivated by the scenery below. A steady sound filled the area as they glided effortlessly through the air smoothly, and the world unfolded beneath him in ways he had never imagined. Far below, he could clearly see his mansion , nestled within a dense carpet of forest. Among the trees, the VIP estates emerged sporadically like pins, each one more elaborate than the last, surrounded by high walls and private pathways that trailed off into the dense greenery.

From this height, Robin’s mansion looked small, almost unassuming, yet it held a distinct charm against the sea of the tree.

As they moved through the cloud, the scene shifted, revealing more of the surrounding. Rolling hills gave way to vast plains, and soon the sprawling city of Nexar emerged on the horizon. Robin leaned closer to the railing, eager for a better view. The city was unlike anything he had seen before, the view from the sky looks more fascinating then in ground. It was larger than he had imagined, almost overwhelming, with a complexity and scale that defied his expectation. The Nexar he had known felt like a distant shadow of what he saw now a sprawling urban marvel, neatly organized yet somehow alive and organic in its growth.

Nexar seemed to cover everything, stretching out like a web of glistening buildings and highways that went on endlessly. The towering skyscrapers, with glass and metallic exteriors, caught the sunlight, casting reflections across the landscape. Elevated highways twisted through the city like intricate vines, carrying streams of hovercars and cargo transports between the districts. He could see gardens and parks scattered among the buildings.

From this high point, Robin noticed the different zones of the city. The central area was clearly the main hub an architectural masterpiece filled with colossal towers and wide plazas, where people gathered in vibrant clusters. To the north, he could see the industrial district, less polished but bustling with activity, marked by clusters of manufacturing plants and massive storage facilities. The buildings here were organized, designed more for function than form, with smoke and steam rising from some of the older structures.

Beyond the industrial district lay the slums, tightly packed and sprawling across a vast area. Robin didn't ventured into the slums before, but even from up here, he could sense the contrast. The houses were smaller, more haphazardly constructed, with narrow, winding alleys snaking through the tightly clustered neighborhoods. It was an area often overlooked by the more affluent citizens of Nexar, and seeing it now stirred something in him. He regretted not taking the opportunity to visit and understand the lives of the people there. They were a part of the city, just as much as the main districts, and yet their world was so different. He made a mental note,the next time he came back to Nexar, he would make it a priority to visit the slums and industrial district. He wanted to see it all, to understand the true fabric of the city.

As they approached the edge of Nexar, the William family estate came into view. From the sky, it looked like a massive half-oval structure, its shimmering energy barriers giving it a veil-like appearance. The estate stretched over an enormous area, but the barrier concealed everything within, giving no hint of the secrets hidden inside. Even to Robin, who had spent time there, the estate looked mysterious, as though it held an entire world under its protective shield.

Beyond the estate, the terrain changed again, with the rugged outlines of a mountain range bordering one side of the city. The peaks were high, jagged and majestic, casting long shadows across the land as the sun dipped lower in the sky. The mountains gave Nexar a sense of isolation, as if it were its own world.

Robin soon realized it truly was. The entirety of Nexar and the William estate lay on an huge island, separated from the mainland by miles of shimmering blue ocean.

Robin broke his gaze from the window and turned to Oliver, who had been watching him with a knowing smile. “Where are we headed, Oliver?” he asked, curiosity lacing his tone.

Oliver nodded thoughtfully, his eyes gleaming. “We’re going to visit the old ruins, Master Robin. The ruins of what was once the capital of the country before the rise of the William family.”

Robin’s heart leaped with excitement. He’d heard stories about the old capital, a place that was buried in history , a time before technology had conquered the world. These ruins were a link to the past, a remnant of a world that had existed before the age of interstellar travel and cosmic exploration.

It's now a famous tourist destination.

The ship drifted forward, carrying them over the distant coastline. Robin leaned back, letting the steady rhythm of the engines and the breathtaking view settle over him. Below, the shoreline stretched out like a painted line, dotted with small bays and white sandy beaches. Waves lapped at the coast in gentle patterns, a stark contrast to the ceaseless energy of the city they had just passed.

After a while, the ship began its descent, and the landscape changed again.

Robin saw an adjoining island near the main island. It's their destination.

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cloaking the ground in dark green and casting deep shadows across the land. They passed over the narrow sea that divided the two islands. The waters surface reflecting the sunlight in patches, like a ribbon of silver threading its way toward the ocean. Gradually, they began to approach the area where the ruins were said to be hidden.

Robin gazed out, eager to catch the glimpse of the ancient structures. As the ship descended further, a cluster of broken stone pillars and crumbling walls came into view, scattered across a clearing in the forest. Vines clung to the stones, and moss covered much of the ground, giving the ruins an eerie, timeless quality. This was the heart of the old capital, a place that had once thrived with life , now covered by nature.

The ship landed softly, and Robin could feel the excitement bubbling up inside him. He stepped out, the scent of earth and old stone filling his senses as he took in the scene before him. The ruins were vast, much larger than he had anticipated, and as he wandered among the crumbling structures.

Oliver followed closely behind, a quiet presence but watchful, his eyes scanning the ruins with a look of reverence. “This place is the capital of the old kingdom ,” he said,"all the rich people and aristocrats lived here. This place was the central hub of the old kingdom.”

Robin nodded, absorbing Oliver’s words. He felt fascinated by this place, as though he was walking in the footsteps of history. There was a sense of purpose here, an energy that lingered in the air, calling to him. As he explored further, he found carvings on the stone walls symbols and markings that had faded with time but still held meaning for those who knew how to interpret them.

One particular carving caught his attention: a symbol of a rising sun over a mountain range, with stars scattered around it. It seemed familiar, like something he had seen in old family records. Robin traced his fingers over the stone, feeling the grooves beneath his fingertips, each one a reminder of the hands that had once crafted it.

Time passed quickly as Robin wandered through the ruins, Oliver silently guiding him when he lost his way among the twisting paths. As they reached the edge of the site, Robin turned to look back one last time, a sense of reverence filling him. There were some posters that describe what this place was in the past.

As they move to another site beside him walked Elric, an amateur historian with an enthusiasm that matched Robin’s curiosity. Elric had a natural way of bringing stories to life. “This place was once the center of the capital of the Old Kingdom,” he began, gazing out over the expanse of crumbling structures and leaning pillars. “The city was designed to reflect the grandeur of an empire that stretched far and wide, an empire that was thought to be unshakable.”

Elric gestured to the remnants of what might have once been a grand plaza. Broken pillars lay in fragments along the pathway, and scattered patches of stone marked where statues or fountains might have stood. Robin could picture it now a massive, open square where citizens gathered, surrounded by towering columns and arched passageways that spoke of ambition and power.

“The city’s heart was here, where you’re standing,” Elric continued. “People once walked these paths, connecting with one another, celebrating festivals, and gathering for public ceremonies. The central hub of life.” He pointed to some faded carvings along a wall, depicting scenes of harvest, warriors in armor, and families gathered beneath the city’s massive stone arches. “These people valued beauty, culture, and a deep sense of community. They poured their hopes and dreams into this city, believing it would endure forever.”

Robin was captivated, his mind racing with images of what life here might have looked like. But something in Elric’s tone hinted that there was more to the story. And indeed, Elric’s voice dropped, taking on a tone of gravity as he continued.

“What many don’t know,” he said, “is that this place is part of your family’s history, Robin. This city belonged to the Old Kingdom, a powerful nation that reigned for centuries…until the day your ancestors ambition.” Robin felt a surge of surprise, and Elric nodded as though he had anticipated the reaction.

“Long ago,” Elric continued, “the William family ancestors were just a boronic family . They climbed the hierarchy ladder and got the title of duke. Then your family overthrew the previous rulers of this kingdom and claimed it as their own. They saw potential here, in the resources, in the location, in the people themselves. And so, after a fierce battle that has now faded into legend, they took control of this city and established their own rule. It was the beginning of the William family’s rise to prominence.”

Robin found himself in awe. He had heard this story from Oliver before, but it felt much alive when Elric told the story. He looked around at the ruins, each broken wall and fallen pillar now taking on a new significance. This was more than just an ancient city; it was a foundation upon which his family’s power and influence had been built.

Elric pointed toward the remnants of what might have been a palace at the far end of the plaza. “That, over there, would have been the residence of the ruling family. It’s mostly rubble now, but it once stood as a fortress, a place of governance, a symbol of the Old Kingdom’s power. After your ancestors took over, they reshaped the palace and turned it into a symbol of their own dominance.”

Robin could feel the weight of this history settling over him. To know that his family’s ancestors had conquered this place, had claimed it and built upon it, added a new dimension to his understanding of his heritage. His grandfather and great-uncles had spoken little of the family’s more aggressive history, but standing here, he felt a strange sense of connection to those distant ancestors, the ones who had paved the way for everything he knew.

As they continued to explore, Robin noticed a few other visitors wandering among the ruins, some taking pictures, others talking with their pairs. At one point, a small group approached, their eyes widening as they recognized Robin. They whispered among themselves before one of them hesitantly stepped forward, holding up a device.

“Excuse me, are you Robin William?” the person asked, his tone filled with awe.

Robin smiled politely, nodding. “Yes, I am.”

The group immediately lit up, asking if they could take a quick selfie with him. Robin obliged, standing with them as they snapped a few photos, each of them beaming with excitement. He greeted each of them with a warm smile, exchanging a few brief words before they thanked him and moved on, chattering animatedly about their encounter.

As the visitors drifted away, robin felf like a successful celebrity now. Robin returned his focus to the ruins. The brief interaction had grounded him, reminding him that his family’s influence was not just one of conquests but also one of current influence and connection with people who looked up to him and his lineage.

They continued their tour, wandering deeper into the ruins where the buildings grew sparse, and the forest began to reclaim the land more . Elric led the way, pointing out hidden carvings and remnants of statues that had been mostly swallowed by moss and vines. Robin felt a quiet reverence in these less-visited parts of the city, as though he was stepping into the unspoken memories of the past, memories that had survived only in these scattered stones and worn symbols.

After a few hours of exploring, Elric checked the time and gave a nod. “Shall we continue to the mountain peak in the main island?” he suggested. “It’s quite a sight, especially at night.”

Robin agreed eagerly, and they returned to the ship, which had been waiting for them at the edge of the ruins. Once aboard, the engines hummed to life, and they lifted off, gliding over

the ruins and beyond, toward the mountain range that loomed in the distance.