Mei and Kay boarded the elevator of Excalibur, the massive tower that protected Camelot and the territories under the protection of the Dust Knights. The elevator, like most of the tower, was made of clean steel and titanium, besides other metals that could make a scrapper of the Wastelands truly rich.

As the elevator descended, Mei and Kay looked through the transparent wall, their gazes drawn to the vast expanse of the wasteland below. The desolation stretched out as far as the eye could see, a stark reminder of the harsh reality they lived in.

Their eyes were locked to the East horizon, where a thick, red dust cloud rolled in from the distance. Every day a bit more of the wasteland was swallowed up by it. Mei learned that it was there even before the Dust Knights were formed.

"My dad tells me it's advancing," Kay said "He works in the northeast outpost."

"You don't have to worry Kay"

"What if it reaches us?"

"Well, I'm not an engineer, but Excalibur offers enough protection. It withstood several wars."

Although Mei's words were reassuring, both felt that the looming disaster was another nail in the coffin. She tried to lift the mood while they descended.

"One day I'll take you to the top floor 66." She said "There are a lot of cool gadgets"

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"Mei," Kay began, his voice filled with curiosity, "why is it forbidden to go beyond floor 100? What's up there?"

Mei sighed, her eyes scanning the barren landscape.

"Floor 100 and beyond, Kay, hold secrets and dangers beyond our comprehension. They are territories unexplored, where the remnants of the Old World lie dormant. Monster crawl everywhere and..."

She paused for a moment, trying to hold a laugh.

"I'm kidding! Most of the things up there are completely strange and new to us. Technologies, devices, and relics that are harder to understand than even the advanced Hi-Tech armors of the Dust Knights."

Kay furrowed his brow, his young mind struggling to grasp the implications.

"But isn't knowledge a good thing? Shouldn't we explore and learn about these things?"

Mei's expression softened, a mix of sadness and wisdom shining in her eyes.

"Knowledge is indeed a powerful tool, but it must be wielded responsibly. The dangers that lurk on those higher floors are capable of reshaping our world, for better or for worse. We don't know the true purpose of Excalibur. Besides giving energy to all Camelot"

The elevator slowed to a stop, and the doors slid open, revealing the bustling activity of the floor they had reached. Sol Liora, a seasoned Dust Knight with a scar crossing her nose, stood waiting for them.

She wore the regular Dust Knights under armor, a suit of black carbon. It was made to fit perfectly with the armor, besides giving enough protection and giving the wearer some defensive mechanisms.

"Mei," Sol Liora greeted with a nod, her voice commanding yet respectful, "we have a meeting regarding the recent influx of Withering cases. I'm afraid only you are required to attend. Kay, you are dismissed."

Kay's face fell with disappointment, but he understood the importance of Mei's presence in the meeting.

"We will continue tomorrow."

Mei waved goodbye to Kay, who stood there watching them heading to the main headquarters of the Dust Knights.