Jaylon had lied to Skye. He never intended to let Bryn, Myka, or Dorian go.

For three endless days, they were trapped in those torturous bird cages, suspended high above the skeletal remains of a half-built city. The frozen metal bars gnawed at their skin, and the thin air made every breath a battle. They might have died up there—slowly, painfully—if not for The Angel.

When they finally escaped, frostbite had blackened their fingers and toes, their lips cracked and bleeding from the cold. But Myka had healed them, her gift an ember of salvation in the wasteland of Gehanna.

They headed south, the only direction that felt like somewhere.

For two months, they wandered. Endless choking dust storms scoured their skin, and the searing heat blistered their faces. Hunger hollowed their cheeks, and thirst cracked their resolve. But above all else, they trained. They honed their gifts. Sharpened their minds. Prepared for whatever lay ahead.

“That space-walking fuck better pray to Kaia that we never cross paths again,” Bryn seethed, raising her arm and snapping her fingers. A monstrous sandstorm erupted from the earth, swirling with enough force to strip flesh from bone.

“Are we sure this is what we want to do? Head back to The Structure? Shouldn’t we try to find Skye?” Myka’s voice was small but steady, her wide eyes still holding a glimmer of wonder for the world despite everything they’d seen.

“We can’t survive out here on our own,” Dorian said firmly, unable to meet Myka’s gaze. “We need to get back to The Structure, tell everyone the truth. We aren’t safe. Once we’ve rallied everyone, we’ll find a new home—a safer one.”

“But Skye…” Myka’s voice wavered.

“Skye’s dead. Or worse.” Bryn’s words cut through the desert silence like a blade.

Myka opened her mouth again, but Dorian held up a hand, silencing her. The wind around them shifted, rustling their tattered clothing as Dorian closed his eyes, his brow furrowed in concentration.

“The wind… it’s different here,” he murmured, his voice tight with focus. “It’s bending, swirling around something that should be here but isn’t.”

Bryn crouched low, pressing her palm to the cracked earth. Her fingers trembled slightly as she traced invisible lines along the ground. “The earth is shifting. It’s like it’s supporting something massive. Like a city.”

“We should go around,” Dorian said grimly. “Better to go unnoticed.”

They walked for miles, skirting the edge of something unseen yet undeniably there. But no matter how far they went, the barrier remained in front of them, unyielding and infinite.

“We can’t keep going like this,” Bryn said finally, her voice raw. She gazed up at the blistering sun, her eyes narrow against the harsh glare. “We won’t survive much longer out here.”

“What do you think Myka?” Dorian looked over his shoulder at Myka, She was swaying side to side, on the verge of collapse. Dorian had had enough.

“We’ll fight our way through if we have to. Take what we need.”

“I’m right there with you,” Bryn stepped forward. They were growing tired, apathetic of this vicious cold world. Their compassion was fading, swallowed up by the terror and devastation of this bloody rock. As they began to push through the invisible barrier Myka allowed a few words to escape her lips.

“No one dies,” she said before fainting. Dorian scooped her up, placing her on his shoulder. They both respected Myka, no, it was more than that, they revered her, but this was a request that neither of them could promise to fulfill.

“Stay close, and be on guard,” Dorian advised as Bryn took the lead.

Bryn, feeling the tremors of the earth, squatted down, placing both hands on the gritty soil. She felt for a path beneath, a hollow echo amidst the steady thrum of the planet’s heart.

“There are tunnels… a network of them beneath us,” Bryn declared. She looked at Dorian, her gaze steady. “We can enter the city through them. It might be our best bet.”

Dorian nodded, the gusts of wind around him subsiding as he focused his attention on Bryn. “Do it.”

Closing her eyes, Bryn took a deep breath and channeled her energy into the ground. The earth rumbled beneath them, creating a crevice that expanded into an entryway, leading into the dark underbelly of the city. With one final glance at each other, the pair descended into the tunnel.

Navigating the maze of subterranean passageways, Bryn guided their path, using her earth manipulation abilities to detect the patterns and hollows in the soil, walls, and ceiling. Dorian, in turn, used the wind to carry their scents away, hiding their tracks from any potential predators.

Emerging into the bowels of the city, they were surrounded by a labyrinth of ancient sewer systems. It was damp, and dank, and the air was thick with an earthy smell. But despite the gloom, they felt a spark of triumph. They had breached the city’s invisible wall. Now they just needed to proceed with caution, keeping their powers ready and their senses sharp, ready for whatever lay ahead in the invisible city.

As the trio ascended from the musty depths of the sewers and emerged into the heart of the invisible city, they braced themselves for scenes of desolation, bloodshed, and carnage. Instead, they were met with a scene that could only be described as pleasant.

The city unfolded before them, its invisible barriers now apparent through subtle ripples in the air, revealing a vista of charming streets lined with neat houses, trees in full bloom, and lush gardens alive with vibrant, alien flora. But what took them by surprise the most were the sounds of joy and laughter that floated toward them.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

“It’s…” Dorian was at a loss.

“It’s beautiful,” Myka added as she slowly regained consciousness. Dorian placed her gently back on her feet.

“Stay vigilant,” Bryn stepped forward her darkened eyes scanning the city for potential threats. “We’ve been fooled before.”

There was an innocence about the city, a sense of peace that was almost tangible. But they knew better than to let their guard down completely. Gehenna had a way of harboring danger beneath its deceptively serene exterior.

At the city’s heart stood a majestic library. Crafted from shimmering translucent material, its architecture blended organic curves with stark angles.

The moment their boots touched the cobblestone path, it flickered red, a harsh alarm echoing through the air. A dense mist sprouted from the ground, enveloping them, their bodies freezing in place as if trapped in invisible shackles.

“I can’t move,” Myka said, panicked. Her eyes gazed over toward Bryn and Dorian’s, but it appeared they were all experiencing the same fate. No matter how hard they fought, their bodies were completely unresponsive. An automated carriage swiftly arrived, its mechanisms whirring as it scooped up their immobilized bodies. They were helpless, powerless.

As it traveled toward the central library, Bryn, her senses amplified by her connection to the earth, noticed something peculiar.

“Hey, do you see that?” Bryn asked Dorian.

“See what?” Dorian was confused, whatever she was referencing, he didn’t get it.

“Look, right there. There’s a wavering quality to the cityscape. A flicker.”

“A flicker?”

“Like it’s all fake…” Bryn said slowly, coming to the terrifying realization that all this may not be real.

“Feels pretty real to me,” Dorian said, continuing to struggle.

As the carriage neared the central library, the ground beneath them rumbled and a giant tunnel opened up, swallowing the carriage whole. The world shifted, darkness replacing the vibrant cityscape for a few heartbeats until they emerged into a vast cavern beneath the library.

A suspended platform transported them across a breathtaking scene. In the middle of the underground hall was a grand fountain. Its water, glowing with bio-luminescent algae, ceased its cascade as they passed over, giving them a clear view of the architectural brilliance beneath.

“We need to be ready at a moment's notice.” Dorian was trying to prepare himself.

“Kill whoever gets in our way.” Bryn was tired of being captive, of being shackled on this nightmarish planet.

“Look…” Myra gestured with her eyes toward the cavern walls. They narrated a story through luminous glyphs, a testament to a deep-seated religion. Images depicted worship, celestial beings, and elemental forces, resonating with the trio’s own abilities. This intricate display suggested a faith deeply intertwined with nature, technology, and the cosmos, reflecting the civilization’s harmonious understanding of the universe.

The carriage continued its path, finally depositing them into a large dome. The interior bore signs of a place intended for important discussions and heated debates, perhaps a chamber for the city’s governing body. Long tables were arranged in a semi-circle, each seat suggesting a place for representatives. But now, it was eerily silent and devoid of life. Until they heard someone speak.

“We have visitors Orin! Oh how strange and wonderful,” A voice echoed from up in the seemingly empty stands.

The trio strained to turn their heads, unable to see who was speaking.

“Let’s see who they are and what they want, shall we,” the voice continued, it was getting closer, approaching from behind.

“Interesting… we haven’t seen anyone from The Structure in quite some time…”

“And you’ll never have to see us again if you let us go,” Myka said. The trio gave each other concerned looks.

“We have no intention of harming you. As long as you leave immediately.” the voice said, stepping in front of them. But the person before them was not who they expected. The man before them was elderly and small. He looked like he was at peace, each of them noticed his eyes. They were soft, the results of a life well lived without constant pain and trauma.

Bryn stared at the man, while it was subtle, she noticed a flicker around his ankles. Like he wasn’t entirely corporeal.

“What’s the catch? What do you want from us?” Dorian spoke up, it all felt too easy. He was cautious. They’d been thrown from one cage to another. Barely surviving with their lives.

“Nothing, nothing at all. We will send you back to your people. I’m sure if you’ve made it all the way to our city you’ve most certainly encountered the other inhabitants of this world. A most unsavory sort. Which is why we’ve hidden ourselves. Though not well enough. We have no desire to harm you. We simply wish to be left alone.” The old man smiled. It felt strange. Foreign. That’s when the three of them realized just how much had changed. Inside The Structure, they’d laugh and joke all the time. Friends and families were a common occurrence, now they seemed like a liability, and impossibility, a flicker of light surrounded by a dark, depressing world.

“If you will be so kind as to step inside these pods, I promise, you will be unharmed.”

The old man looked over his shoulder at what looked like three escape pods.

“There’s no way in hell. Just kill us now,” Bryn said defiantly. The Old Man chuckled. It was earnest and kind.

“There will be no killing, not today at least. Let me explain. We will place you in these stasis pods, where you remain for fifty years. Unharmed, unbothered. And don’t worry you won’t age. That will give us enough time to relocate our city and put up new defenses. Make sure none of your people, or anyone else for that matter can find us. Then, after the fifty years have passed, we will release you from the pods.”

“Fifty… Years….” Myka was in shock. Bryn cackled, it was a sound bordering on madness.

“We can’t do that. That’s not an option.” Bryn spat.

“Considering the alternative this feels like a more than fair deal. We’re fortunate enough to have the skills and abilities to move our city when necessary. And seeing as we haven’t needed to in about thirty years. It’s about time anyways.”

“We won’t tell anyone about the city. We’re just trying to get back to The Structure.” Dorian repeated.

But the old man just shook his head.

“Tsk. I’m afraid I can’t trust you. If you’ve managed to make it here from The Structure, I’m sure you know what’s out there.”

“We know precisely what’s out there. So why are you being so kind to us?” Bryn couldn’t look away from the flickering. He’s not real…

“I know it may be hard to believe, but our civilization is thriving here. After centuries of religious crusades and wars. Much like yourselves, the rest of the universe feared what was housed within our genetic code. A single Orin could decimate entire armies. But we have evolved, and matured. We’re finally able to practice our faith unperturbed by the heathens that roam the universe.”

“Why would you come here? Of all places?” Myka asked.

The Old Man cocked his head to the side.

“Come here… We didn’t come here. we were…Do you not know what this place is?”

“It’s a dangerous unforgiving world,” Dorian was desperate to find a way out, but he couldn’t, they were still completely restrained.

“Well yes, sure, that’s true but… This planet is a prison. Housing the universe’s most dangerous species and civilizations.”

“What are you talking about?” Myka was in disbelief.

“Oh… Oh my. All of us here, my people, your people. Especially your people. We’re world destroyers. Genocidal beings. There was a time, hundreds upon hundreds of years ago the universe feared us. We struck fear into the cosmos and the gods all bent the knee.” The Old Man sat cross-legged in front of them as if he were about to tell his grandkids a fairytale.

“Every group on this planet is responsible for the death of millions… Some are responsible for the death of billions.” He glanced heavily at the trio. “Gehanna was created for you, dear Children.”

The man’s face flickered for just a moment. A glitch.

Bryn’s breath caught in her throat.

“It’s all fake…” she whispered.

The old man’s smile grew faint as the pods opened slowly. The trio started to drift towards their

“Make peace with your choices. You’ll need it.”