After a couple minutes of waiting, with people clearly taking what I said seriously as they all stopped talking to each other to think, something changed. A notification flashed across my face.

All Future City Lords have been chosen. If you wish, choose one of the following Cities to be returned nearby. All Cities will have the capacity to house hundreds of thousands of people.

Outpost A

Outpost C

Outpost D

Outpost E

Outpost G

Outpost H

Outpost I

Outpost J

Outpost L

Outpost M

Outpost W

Outpost Z

Exactly 12 other Outpost Leaders had chosen the option to have a city be created for them. Meaning along with me there would be 13 brand new cities on Earth. Now according to the metal man from earlier, a lot of people had died, but there would still be a billion people that would be returning to Earth. 13 Cities that will apparently be able to house ‘Hundreds of thousands of people’ not millions of people, but hundreds of thousands…a lot of people will be homeless. How will I even handle who gets to live in a home if a million people show up in the city? Sigh I’ll think about it…Anyway, no use in wasting time here any longer. Let’s go home.

“Everyone, I think it’s time to go. Remember to be ready to fight the second we arrive. They didn’t promise us any type of safety when we get and who knows what’s waiting for us on the other side.”

The second I finally truly thought about returning back to Earth, a strange feeling took hold of me. It felt a bit different from all the teleportation’s I’ve been doing recently, like entering and exiting the Dungeons. I don’t know, it was a bit hard to describe but it just felt…more.

As the hold I felt grew stronger, I began to see the people around me vanish very rapidly and, in a few seconds, I was the only one left. Why the hell was the taking so long for me? I hope everyone is okay.

A few more seconds silently passed and before I knew I too was finally teleporting, but before what I opened my eyes to did not look like any sort of Earth I remember. Which wasn’t unexpected considering all of the changes that were explained to us, but no…this was far different.

It appeared as if I was in space.

All around me was what appeared to be countless stars and in the distance some type of small blue planet perhaps? Is that Pluto? No right?

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Anyway, what confirmed the fact that this might be space, was an absolutely gargantuan spaceship that was floating not too far from me. At least I think it’s a spaceship. It could very well be alive. It didn’t really look like it was moving in any one direction, but the skin? Outer layer? Metal plates? I don’t know what to call it, but it was moving…like continuously moving like the waves in the ocean. It was somewhat beautiful to look at.

Of course, even the spaceship wasn’t the only thing to look at here in space. There were three other beings in front of me

They hadn’t said a single word this entire time I’ve been here. To one side was a beautiful woman with dark skin that seemed to shine in the dark space that surrounded us. She had pristine black hair that was tied in the neatest bun I’ve ever seen, and she was dressed in beautiful black robes that seemingly glistening purple lining. Simple wear but it appeared very luxurious. Though her most glaring feature were her eyes. They were just black. No light entered them.

Then there were two metal people on the other side. They essentially looked the same with the exception of a few differences in terms of size and facial structure. One of them that I recognized as the one who bowed on day one, and also delivered that speech this morning was standing just behind the other. The other, another metal man, but he had a much bigger frame, and he towered over his counterpart.

All three of them were just silently observing me as I observed them one by one.

This was a pretty weird situation.

So weird, that I’m only now realizing that I can breathe in space. Interesting. Well. Now what? I really don’t want to stay here forever so do I talk first? Yeah, let’s do it…oh he beat me to it.

“I apologize for the late greeting Young Infernal. Although we are protecting your body from the atmosphere, it usually takes time for the mortal mind to comprehend the feeling of ‘standing’ like this when one hasn’t done so before.

“Though based on your calm appearance, and the way you carefully yet boldly observed everything around you, it appears that period of acclimation was not necessary.

“My name is Raeyon, and you can think of me as one of the many Elders among the Meitalc people. Behind me is Yamaal, someone whom you should have already met. That’s enough for pleasantries. I have an offer for you, but there are more introductions to be had.”

The bigger metal man stopped talking and the woman began instead.

“I greet the Eternal Flame.”

That was all she said as he gave the slightest of nods of her head.

Or at least that was all she said aloud. Right after she finished speaking, I heard a voice in my head.

‘We will speak more later. You do not need to accept the offer presented to you, but you do not need to fear accepting it either. That is all.’

I didn’t bother responding with the exception of a nod in return because it felt like she didn’t want me to. Though I didn’t necessarily have time to respond as the bigger metal man began talking once more.

“Now. My offer. We will be proving you with a spear made of metal native to my homeland. Meicaz. It will last you a while. Next, a small force will be assigned to you. Use them how you see fit. That is the extent of the offer. Do you accept?”

I built something of a relationship with the Outpost Leader. One where I trust in the many discussions we’ve had, saving my life, training me, and being upfront about the nature of our relationship. It has earned him a base level of trust from me. Now this metal man. I don’t know him, I don’t trust him, and most of all I don’t think I want any force of his to be ‘assigned’ to me. Though…the spear sounds nice enough.

“I appreciate the offer, but I will only accept the spear.”

“Child you-…”

As he started speaking again, the woman had been quiet apart from her greeting cut him off as black flames flickered dangerously in her eyes. Even though the flames were only flickering in her eyes, I could feel them. I could feel the power emanating from them. It was a surreal feeling.

Being able to feel the flames of another Infe…ah. Am I stupid? This is the Infernal Elder isn’t it.

“Do not overstep.”

That was all she said, and the metal man looked towards her slowly. The metal around his face even began to slightly take a different shade almost. Was it getting darker…but before I could really analyze it, the area went back to normal fast enough that I question if I saw what I saw in the first place.

“Understood. Just a spear then. It will be delivered to your City.”

That was the last thing I heard before I was abruptly teleported. Faster than any of the other teleportation before it.

Though I wonder what he meant by delivered to my ci…ty…what the fuck? One second, I was in space, and now all of a sudden, I’m standing outside of a massive city?