Robin woke up feeling refreshed, the soft sun came through the hotel's window. The sunlight poured in, warm and welcoming. Oliver brought him breakfast in his room. After a quick freshen-up, Robin was ready to explore. Now that he took a better look he realized the small town looks more like a certain cartoon show.
As he stepped onto the streets, he noticed how different everything was compared to the chaotic capital city.
The town’s layout was very simple with small minimalist buildings. Their metallic finishes glow under the sun. Lack of skyscrapers made the skyline much clearer.
The streets themselves were just as peaceful. There was no heavy traffic, no crowds rushing. The only vehicles he spotted were hovering cars, gliding soundlessly above the smooth, stone-paved roads. Delivery drones zipped through the air, occasionally pausing to drop off packages at doorsteps. A few residents rode sleek, personal hoverbikes, weaving smoothly through the quiet lanes.
Robin also noticed humanoid robots in many shapes doing tasks. Some cleaned the streets, others delivered items, and a few assisted residents with their daily chores.
The people were just as fascinating. Their clothing stood out immediately—fashionable yet futuristic, with glowing patterns and metallic designs subtly woven into the fabric. Robin guessed these outfits weren’t just for style; they likely had integrated technology for communication, health monitoring, or even climate adaptation. Everyone wore them with ease, as though they’d been a part of daily life forever. If someone wore this types of clothes in earth than it's over for him. But here its like their custom.
The atmosphere was welcoming and calm. Families strolled leisurely, chatting and laughing as children played with hovering toys that zipped and darted through the air. Vendors lined the streets, their market stands are also modern. Holographic price tags floated above the goods, adjusting with a simple hand gesture from the vendors. The produce they sold was vibrant and otherworldly, shimmering unnaturally under the sunlight. The seafood, freshly caught from the nearby ocean, gave off a tantalizing aroma that Robin found impossible to ignore.
As he walked deeper into the town, Robin arrived at the heart of the community.the town square. A massive holographic display floated high above, broadcasting local news, weather updates, and announcements for upcoming events. People gathered here in small groups, chatting, exchanging goods, or simply enjoying the peaceful morning.
In the center of the square stood a magnificent fountain. Unlike any fountain Robin had seen before, its water defied gravity, spiraling upward in strange patterns. The liquid formed glowing shapes mid-air—stars, animals, and intricate designs—before cascading softly into the pool below and the best thing is there is no splash. It was mesmerizing, and Robin found himself staring for longer than he thought which made him embarrassed Infront of the crew.
The view became even more stunning as he approached the sea. Fishing boats rested quietly at the docks, their reflective surfaces shining like a star. The shoreline itself was home to a massive underwater observatory, its sleek dome partially submerged in the water. Robin, along with his crew wanted to give the observatory a shot.
Here Seraphina seemed enthusiastic then before. With saying anything she took the role of guide.
She led them through a series of glass tunnels, each offering mesmerizing views of the marine life below. Schools of fish, shimmering in impossible colors, swimed past. Crustaceans with intricate shells scuttled across the ocean floor. Stranger, almost alien creatures floated gracefully in the deep, their movements hypnotic. This types of octopus like creatures would be the perfect inspection for horror author robin thought.
He was captivated by the sheer diversity of life.
By the afternoon, Robin felt he had seen all the small town had to offer. It might not have been as grand or bustling as the capital, but it had a charm all its own. There was something comforting about its simplicity and harmony, a perfect blend of nature and technology and people.
As they prepared to leave for their next destination, Robin found himself wishing that, if earth can advance then he hopes it doesn't become a high-tech cluster like the capital, but a place where technology existed to enhance life, not overwhelm it like this small town.
With one last glance at the town’s picturesque streets and sparkling coastline, Robin stepped aboard their vehicle, ready to continue his journey.
After a quick journey they reached the vicinity of river of life. Here's lie their next destination. As Seraphina gave the crew history lesson she said " the place we're going is the first recorded civilization of our country. I think you already know our ancestors were nomads but some of our ancestors settled down near a oasis and build this magnificent kingdom. But water was sacred as the oacis dried up the civilization collapse and buried under the sand. When my ancestors began teraforming they discovered this ruins. It is one the oldest recorded civilization in the whole central continent."
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As she was talking about the ruins they reached the ruin.
Robin and his crew weren't the only one here,There were many people who were visiting here, most of them was with kids. Robin understood it's a famous places for the parents to bring their children to learn about their past.infact it is one of the most visited tourist sight in Ignisara.
The sound of the ships engine faded as Robin and his companions stepped onto the stone-paved road leading to the ruins. Ahead of them stood the remnants of an ancient civilization, a relic of Ignisara’s past. The ruins sprawled across a vast valley, where broken columns and fractured stone structures rose from the earth, their surfaces worn smooth by time and weather. The air carried the faint scent of damp earth and moss, mingled with a hint of the warm sunlight that bathed the site.
Robin adjusted his stance taking in the scene. The atmosphere here was like the first time he visited an archeological sight when he was in kindergarten. He felt the same joy as he did back then.
"This," Elric began not giving Seraphina a chance to start, and gesturing toward the ruins with a gleam of excitement in his eyes, " It was the oldest civilizations of the central continent, known for its engineering, art, and trade."
Robin glanced over at Elric, who had taken on the role of their historian. I think he felt kind bugged because Seraphina took his role without even asking.
"He's right," Seraphina added. "But to truly understand what you're looking at, you have to imagine this place as it was—a thriving metropolis filled with life. The ruins may seem like rubble now, but once, they were bustling streets, grand halls, and towering monuments."
Elric looked at her with a strange look. It's like a silent war was taking a place in the ship. Robin like some drama so he is all for it.
As they moved deeper into the site, the scale of the ancient city became more apparent. Robin’s gaze swept over the remnants of what had once been towering structures. A colossal gate, now crumbled on one side, marked the entrance. Its carvings, though faded, depicted intricate patterns of celestial bodies, suggesting the importance of astronomy to the Ignisarai people.
"That gate," Elric said, pointing, "is believed to have been part of the city's main entrance. Scholars think it was a symbol of the connection between the heavens. They used to believe in different deities in past. You can still see some of them in the museum. "
Robin traced his fingers along a fragment of the gate's carvings, marveling at the craftsmanship. "It’s incredible how much detail they could achieve with the tools of their time," he murmured.
Elric nodded. "They were master stonemasons. It's said their techniques were so advanced that modern archaeologists still struggle to replicate them. But the most fascinating thing was they did all this in the middle of the desert."
" Where did they find all these stones " Robin asked.
Seraphina quickly gave answer before elric" they discuss a stone quarry nearby. Even though we don't use stone anymore, the quarry can still function." She gave a small smirk at elric but seems like he is ignoring.
As they ventured further, they came across the remains of a vast crater. It was overgrown with moss, it was the main source of the civilization. First nomadic people camped around this Crater but slowly it became what is infront of robin a massive civilization.
The group continued their exploration, eventually arriving at what Elric identified as the central plaza. The stone-paved ground bore faint traces of geometric patterns, and a massive statue stood at its center. Around the plaza were the remnants of buildings that had once been administrative hubs, temples, and marketplaces.
"This plaza," Elric began, "was the heart of the city. Imagine it is filled with merchants trading exotic goods, priests conducting rituals, and people gathering to discuss politics or celebrate festivals."
Seraphina gestured to the ruins of a temple at the far end of the plaza. Its towering columns, though broken, still exuded an air of majesty. "That was the Temple of Solara," she said. "It was dedicated to the sun deity, who was central to their religion. The Ignisarai believed the sun's energy was the source of all life and prosperity. But now we know there's no such thing."
Robin was captivated by the temple. He approached it, stepping carefully over the uneven stones. Inside, he found faded murals on the walls, their colors dulled but still discernible. They depicted scenes of worship, celestial events, and harvest celebrations.
"It's amazing," Robin said softly. "Even in ruins, it feels alive, as if the stories of these people are still here, waiting to be heard."
After spending hours at the ruins, the group decided to visit the nearby museum, which housed artifacts recovered from the site. The building itself was a blend of modern and old architecture, with stone walls and a glass roof that mimicked the curves of the ancient structures.
Inside, they were greeted by a guide who led them through the exhibits. The first gallery displayed tools and everyday items used by its people—pottery, cooking utensils, and jewelry. Each item was meticulously crafted, a testament to the skill and creativity of the civilization.
Robin paused in front of a display case containing a set of ornate bracelets. "These look like something you'd find in a high-end store today," he remarked.
"Fashion has always been timeless," Seraphina said with a smile. "But these bracelets also served as status symbols. Only the wealthiest citizens could afford such intricate designs."
In the next section they saw various star maps and compass-like things.
"The people here were pioneers in astronomy," the guide explained. " As one needs a high skill level to venture around a vast desert. Everything looks and feels the same The only thing they can rely on is the stars. They accurately mapped the stars and even predicted celestial events. Some of their methods influenced later civilizations."
In another section of the museum, Robin and his companions found themselves surrounded by religious artifacts. Statues of deities, ceremonial masks, and offerings filled the room. The centerpiece was a golden idol of Solara, the sun deity, its surface gleaming under the soft lights.
By the time they finished their museum visit, the sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the landscape. Robin stood outside, gazing back at the ruins in the distance. The experience had left a deep impression on him.
"It was a quite a sight to be honest. Got myself some history lesson." Robin said.
Seraphina replied. "History teaches us that no matter how powerful or advanced a society becomes, it's the values they uphold and the stories they pass on that truly endure."
They decide to camp little far from the sight. With light everywhere the ruin look like a movie set.
Robin and his crew made a camp in a hill from a little distance from the ruin. The night went by as they shared story and thought.