Emerging from the travel pillars, Zion found himself in the heart of a charming town center. The stone buildings, sturdy and recently built, surrounded him, hinting at the town's burgeoning prosperity. While not as bustling as Valor, it was definitely livelier than Terra, with adventurers returning from their exploits in the wilds.

Taking note of the locals, Zion observed that most of them were decked out in gear of good quality or better, a clear indication of their adventurous pursuits. Following the guidance of his guild tag, he headed north, drawn by the intense vibration signaling the direction of the guild hall. One of the handy perks of guild tags was their ability to guide members to local halls within a five-mile radius.

As he made his way through the city, Zion absorbed the vibe of the place, getting a sense of its character. While adventurers were a common sight, he also spotted folks equipped with wading gear, often covered in mud or glistening with moisture. It was a telltale sign that he had arrived in a water Sphere—a realm characterized by vast bodies of water, both salt and fresh. Fishing was big business here, requiring constant efforts to keep the local monster population in check. Zion couldn't help but regret not picking up some water gear beforehand.

Despite the curious looks he received, Zion pressed on, heartened by the presence of non-human residents who tended to be more accepting of diversity. As a kid, he'd always dreamed of exploring a water Sphere and splashing around in the waves, but tales of its dangers had warned his parents off. Such Spheres were rare, and those that did exist often turned into tourist traps that preyed on visitors' wallets.

Arriving at the guild hall, Zion was pleasantly surprised to find a well-established establishment. Unlike the cramped hall back in Neva, this three-story stone building exuded a sense of grandeur, its teal-colored exterior shimmering like water—a quirky yet captivating design choice. Stepping through the crystal-clear glass door, another eccentric feature, Zion entered the bustling foyer.

Inside, guild members bustled about, some returning from missions while others eagerly accepted new assignments. The adjacent tavern buzzed with activity, filled with lively chatter and the unmistakable aroma of ale and sweat. Though unconventional, the scent didn't bother Zion. Tempted though he was by the promise of food and drink, he decided to explore the quieter section of the ground floor first.

On the left side of the guild hall, Zion found three job boards, one party board, and five counters for speaking with guild employees. The job board was practically overflowing with requests, leaving barely any space visible. Zion couldn't help but wonder whether these were actual monster-hunting missions or just mundane gathering quests.

Approaching the first counter, he was greeted by a petite dwarf named Eva, her brown hair forming a cascade of ringlets. "Welcome to Tidus Guild Hall. I'm Eva, senior quest liaison," she said, her voice lacking enthusiasm as she focused on her paperwork.

"Hi, Eva. I'm Zion, and I was hoping to update my tag and get some information about the Sphere," Zion replied politely, holding out his tag for her inspection.

Glancing up, Eva's eyes widened when she saw Zion, and she dropped her pencil in surprise. Quickly regaining her composure, she shuffled her paperwork as a distraction. "Yes, I can help with that," she mumbled, avoiding eye contact as she took his tag.

As Eva adjusted his tag to his new mana signature, her eyes widened further as she read the information. When the update was complete, she blurted out, "Holy moly, there's so much information here that I don't know what to unpack first!" Embarrassed by her outburst, she quickly apologized.

Zion chuckled at her embarrassment, trying to ease the tension. "No need to apologize, Eva. I'm used to surprising people," he reassured her warmly.

"Maybe so, but I should still act better. Again, I'm sorry, Herald," Eva replied, her face slowly returning to its normal color. "I can answer any questions you have, and your tag has been updated. As a second-tier adventurer with your stats, you can choose any mission except those requiring a team of four or more."

Though he didn't like the rule, Zion decided not to argue with Eva, who was clearly flustered. "Thank you, Eva. I appreciate the information," he said, hanging his tag around his neck.

"Can I ask who the guild leader is? And could I set up a meeting with them?" Zion inquired.

Eva looked at him more composedly before answering, "The guild leader is Mavik Tidus, named after the Sphere itself. Mavik was one of the first to explore this place and has played a significant role in its development."

Before Zion could ask further, Eva motioned for him to pause. "As for meeting with him, that could be arranged. I'll need a time and a reason," she explained.

"Anytime would work, but the sooner, the better. For the reason, it has to do with an upcoming war," Zion stated, his smile fading as he watched Eva's reaction.

Eva's frame stiffened at his words, her throat bobbing as she swallowed nervously. "I can set up a meeting in one week's time," she replied, preempting any objections. "He won't be back from a meeting in Hammervale until then. I'm sure I don’t need to explain why that's the case."

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Zion froze, surprised that matters had escalated to such a level already. Hammervale was renowned as one of Nifell's powerhouses, a Sphere bred for combat and war. If meetings were reaching that high, it signaled that things were about to take a dire turn.

"Thank you again, Eva; that will work great," Zion replied politely. "What can you tell me about the area? Environment, monsters, and recommendations?"

Eva chewed on her lip before responding, "Tidus is mostly a water Sphere consisting of a large sea and four large freshwater lakes. All the settlements deal in fishing or water collection. We have a large population of water mobs, which means you, good sir, will need some water protection unless you like being soaked."

He thought she was done, but she brightened with more info, "Oh, we do have one dungeon in the sphere called the Underwater Plateau. It’s only a one-level dungeon, and all the gear is water-themed, but it's a good quality run."

"What's the best place for some gear?" Zion asked once she had finished.

"I'd recommend Bobby’s Bobbers," she said, seeing his raised eyebrow. "I know, dumb name, but he has good prices."

"Thank you, Eva. Any accommodations you'd recommend?"

Eva's eyes sparkled with mirth at the question. "You can stay here, Herald. We have a room available, and it's only a gold a week, a real steal," she offered, leaning over her desk with a grin. "And if I could offer another piece of advice, come down to the quest board around nine tomorrow. I think I have someone who would be a good fit to work with you."

With that, she handed him a key and extended her hand for payment. Zion, wary of her intentions, handed over the money and accepted the key slowly. "Excellent! You're in room two hundred and four, third door on the left," Eva informed him cheerfully before returning to her paperwork, whistling a merry tune.

Shaking his head at her abrupt dismissal, Zion made his way to his room and entered, locking the door behind him. The interior was modest, with a four-post bed, a bathroom, and a simple table with two chairs. It wasn't luxurious, but it was certainly an improvement from the dungeon floor he had been sleeping on.

As he settled in, thoughts of the girls crossed his mind. He missed them dearly and eagerly anticipated their reunion in the coming months. Exhausted from the events of the day, Zion drifted off to sleep, the toll of ascending weighing heavily on him.

The next morning, Zion awoke feeling refreshed. Despite the room's lack of decoration, the comfortable bed provided a restful night's sleep. After washing up, he headed downstairs for breakfast.

The tavern side was already bustling with activity, waitstaff bustling about delivering hearty servings of food. The aroma wafting from the kitchen was tantalizing, and Zion's stomach rumbled in anticipation as he entered and took a seat. However, the room fell silent as all eyes turned to him, and Zion couldn't help but feel a twinge of nervousness under the scrutiny.

Amidst the tense atmosphere of the tavern, a burly orc raised a mug in Zion's direction, offering a toast: "To our newly arrived blue Herald! May his presence bestow Ki's kindness upon us all!" The tavern erupted in cheers, tankards clashing together in celebration. Zion couldn't help but grin at the enthusiastic response—a stark contrast to the somber mood he had faced earlier. Yet, beneath the jubilant atmosphere, he couldn't shake a lingering sense of uncertainty. Would their warmth remain when circumstances changed?

As he sat down to devour a much-needed meal, Zion was met with more cheers and camaraderie. He found himself introduced to a plethora of new faces, each extending a warm welcome. Party invites and mission offers flooded in, though Zion declined for the time being, opting to familiarize himself with his surroundings first.

After breakfast, Zion perused the job board, scanning through the available missions. Many were gathering quests centered around aquatic creatures, but one caught his eye—an opportunity to hunt land sharks. Despite his agreement to wait, he couldn't resist taking on this task.

As Zion was about to depart, a young elven man tapped him on the shoulder. The man, or rather, boy, appeared to be about five foot eight with a slender build. Clad in a silver robe, he wielded a staff with a blue blade affixed to its top. Framed by locks of long silver hair, his delicate, pointy face bore brown eyes that held a hint of hesitation.

"Are you Zion?" he asked, his voice carrying a soft yet dignified quality as his arm quickly dropped from Zion's shoulder. "Eva sent me."

"Yes, that would be me," Zion replied politely, extending his hand to the elf. The elf's grip was firmer than Zion had expected, indicating an underlying strength despite his slender frame.

“My name is Alyx, Chosen of Vida,” the elf introduced himself with a bow. “Eva told me about your presence, and I think you're the one I was meant to wait for?” Zion's eyebrows rose at that, a smile tugging at his lips. “Not like that! Wait for you to work with…not, you know.” Alyx's ears turned red, clearly flustered by his own words.

Zion chuckled heartily, giving Alyx a friendly slap on the back. “I'm just messing with you; I know what you meant.” The force of Zion's slap caused Alyx to stagger forward, his slender frame easily budging. “I take it your Goddess asked you to wait?”

Alyx seized upon the change of topic, nodding fervently. “Yes, Vida said to wait here for another Blessed and then to help them.”

“Well, I appreciate the offer, but what help would you provide? I know Vida is the Goddess of Life,” Zion remarked, recalling the name. “Are you a healer?”

“Yes!” Alyx responded enthusiastically, his feet practically bouncing with excitement. “A pretty good one, and I also have shield and buff spells.”

Zion struggled to contain his amusement, refraining from rubbing his hands together like a villain from a childhood story. “Excellent, my party is missing a healer. Would you mind joining me in a hunt for land sharks? That way, I can see if you'll be a good fit with us,” he proposed, concealing his mirth well.

“Absolutely!” Alyx squeaked, already hastening towards the door.

Zion laughed at the elf's eagerness and whistled to get his attention. “Gotta inform the guild first, Alyx,” he reminded him as Alyx sheepishly returned to Zion's side. As they walked back to the desk, Zion just hoped he wouldn't regret his decision.