I wake up in complete darkness, the only light coming from the crack under a door. I groan as I sit up, rubbing my neck. I'm not sure what they did, but it stings. I stand and wave my arms around me, but before I can get a feel for the space, the door opens with a creak. Light comes pouring in, and I block it with my hand, peering through the cracks in my fingers.

A women's silhouette approaches, and soon I can see her details. Her black hair is curled into a tower-like style, and her fair skin almost glowing in the light. She has a dark blue blouse, a black office skirt, and black high heels. Even though I've just met her, I can feel the authority she gives off. She's definitely important.

Her eyes flicker over my body, and she writes something on the clipboard she carries, "I apologize for the... forceful nature of your arrival. Do not think too much of it. It is only protocol." I squint against the light, my hand hovering over my sword leaning against my bed. Protocal, huh? She walks up to me with her hand extended, "My name is Abigail, but you can call me Abby for short." I hesitantly shake her hand. It's delicate, but I can feel a firm strength behind it.

She turns, waving me on, "Come, we must meet with Sir Bell. He is a busy man with very little time." I grab my sword and follow. I clearly don't have any other options. We leave the metal box and walk out into a white hallway. On both sides of the wall are more doors made of complete metal. Is this a prison? I don't have time to ask as we quickly exit the hallway into a lobby of sorts.

Electric lights illuminate the room made of pure white marble. A small semi-circular desk is the only piece of furniture. A man dressed in all-black clothes nods to us and presses a button, opening the blacked-out glass door in front. The woman turns to me before we exit, "This is all going to be very overwhelming for you. If you feel sick or need a break, let me know. It can be a hard adjustment for someone from Titan."

Before I can question the statement, she steps out, forcing me to follow. I immediately cover my eyes as a blur of lights and sounds hit me, smothering any attempt to talk. I remove my hands, gawking at the sight in front of me. Hundreds of see-through pictures glide across metal and glass buildings, their lights coming in all different shapes and colors. The pictures seem to be moving. Above the buildings, I can see all kinds of airships. But these are different from the ones I'm used to.

Instead of the plain and simple looks in Calypso, these are highly stylized. Many of them are brightly colored and sleek. I watch as one flies by that is cherry red with metal pipes coming out that back that spit fire. There are some with metal wings and some with flame designs. And the sound. It's like the sound of a rocket. Music blares from speakers, and I can hear sounds coming from the moving pictures.

"What are those?" I ask, pointing at the moving pictures.

"That is a hologram. You will see them everywhere." Holo...grams? I could stare at them all day, but Abby started to walk into the city. I jog after her. Man, she walks fast. Hundreds of people mill about the streets wearing clothes I've never seen before. All kinds of brightly colored clothes with buckles, buttons, and other interesting accessories. We walk past a particularly strange set of women my age. They wore shiny dresses that might as well of been belts. I stare hard, and they giggle as we pass, "Stop staring; it's rude."

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I tear my gaze away from the strange people and gaze at the holograms. They're everywhere and display everything. I see some showing a fighting tournament, weapons, food, and airships. The list goes on and on. There are also shops as numerous as the holograms. Clothes shops, restaurants, spas, things I had never even heard of. But what stood out the most was that everything was in the same language as Titan. I guess Runic isn't the common language.

We walk down street after street. Every time I think the city can't be more extensive, we turn another corner only to find another long line of buildings. I got utterly lost five minutes in, with only Abby to guide me. As we head deeper into End City, the holograms become less, as do the shops and airships. Instead, street lamps take over, and simplistic airships rule the skies. The buildings also become less colorful and tacky and more militarized and cold. The people become more serious and wear regular office clothes.

We approach the end of a particularly long building, and Abby stops to turn to me. I was so distracted by the massive change in the city style that I don't notice and run directly into her, "Sorry." I say, backing up quickly. She stares at me. If she glares any harder, she might actually burn a hole through me.

"Let me give you a word of advice," She says, smoothing her unwrinkled dress. "This city is a trap. All that glitz and glamour you saw on the way here was nothing but an illusion. If you do not control yourself, you will be swallowed and spit out with nothing left. Keep your head down, do your job, and try not to make things difficult." She says the last words with emphasis.

I bristle. Who the hell does she think she is? I don't even know what I'm supposed to be doing here. I straighten myself to argue back when I hear a familiar voice.

"Well, if it isn't our friend from Titan."

I look behind me and watch Zack, Hearon, and Azu Mi approach us, wearing the same black cloaks covering everything, just like when I first met them. Zack grins, resting his wrapped spear behind his shoulders, arms dangling. "I guessed that was you walking in front of us." He laughs and nudges me, "I thought you were gonna faint from amazement, walking around with your mouth open and your eyes popping out of your skull." Azu Mi glares at Zack as he laughs.

I want to say something but don't. I doubt I'll be seeing much of them. Hearon must have noticed my hesitation because he claps a hand on my shoulder, "I hope there are no hard feelings. Us putting you to sleep was just a precaution."

I don't say anything as Abby interjects, "Well, I, for one, am glad you three in the talking mood, because Alexander is far from pleased. You are a month and a half late." I chuckle to myself as the trio squirms uncomfortably. Even the usually unfazed Zack looks almost sick to his stomach.

Abby nods in satisfaction, "Good. Now, Silen, if you would, please follow me. Alexander is very eager to meet our newest member." I want to ask what she means by "member" but decide against it. It's probably best not to waste any more of her time. She might turn that clipboard into a weapon. I turn the corner with the trio behind me and suppress a gasp.

In front of me is an impossibly tall building. It's a massive cone made of black glass. Lights cover the gigantic building, circling it every few floors. I can barely see what looks to be holograms at the very top. They rotate around the tip of the tower. Circling the base are red-leafed trees and a massive green field. Hundreds of people use the various sidewalks that cut through the area.

There is a clear difference in people, though. Many of them carry melee weapons of all kinds and wear battle armor. Others wear light leather armor and have bows, crossbows, and various ranged weapons. But what sets them out the most is the pressure. Every single one of those people could crush me like a bug. I shiver as I try not to stare. I'm in a den of monsters. What in the hell did I sign up for?