"You are perfectly healthy. Your muscle density could use some work, but that is because you are from Titan." The doctor hands me a small pile of papers. I page through them, but none of it makes sense to me. The doctor writes on his clipboard as he continues talking.

"It was interesting to study the core in you. It would appear that the core dissolved within your heart, spreading through your bloodstream and coating your very cells, almost like it's protecting something. Your biology is fascinating." He hands me a slip he was writing on, "This is a referral to the Neo Core R&D district. We've already sent a blood sample and everything we have discovered. Hopefully, they will have more answers for you."

The core dissolved? How is that possible? I mean, I'd probably be dead if I had a solid ball in my heart, so that's not unbelievable. But how did this happen? What makes me so different? I raise my right arm and look at the black veins. I thought I knew my body, but like everything around me, it's become a mystery. What am I? Am I even human anymore?

The doctor puts a hand on my shoulder, "If it puts you at ease, you are in no immediate danger. If the core was going to kill you, you would already be long dead." I give him a deadpan stare. He motions towards the door. I stand and thank the doctor as I leave. Outside the building, my escort stands by a floater cab. These are much more simplistic compared to the other flying vehicles. Sleek-looking boxes with a bright yellow light on the roof indicate it's a cab.

"If you are done with your check-up, we will head to divers concourse. There you will get new equipment and meet with your team before receiving your assignment from Sir Bell." I nod at the brown-haired woman and step into the floater. The Vehicle silently rises over the roof of the medical building that is a stone's throw from the academy. Being up here makes me realize how big End City is. It extends out of sight in front and behind me. To my left, the wall separating us and the forest extends a dozen or so feet higher than where we currently glide. To my right, the city also extends out of sight. It's as big as Calypso.

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We fly over the city, floaters moving by us. There seem to be roads and highways in the air, but I can't make heads or tails fo them. In the distance, I can see "Keep Tower." Our destination, it would seem. Ten minutes later, our cab rests in front of the tower. My escort quickly departs and ushers me into the building. We walk to the other side of the room, which is blocked from view by the elevator. A massive set of stairs that move up on one side and down on the other occupy the space. Dozens of people in armor and carrying weapons come in and out o the stairs.

The brown-haired lady motions me toward the stairs, and I cautiously step onto the moving platform. "Woah," I wave my arms as my balance falters. These stairs feel weird. The escort, who refuses to give me her name, hands me a sheet of paper.

"This is the list of items you will need to purchase for the exploration of Immensus Saltus. You have three hours before you need to meet your team in the lobby. Do not be late." She gives me a glare as we descend. All around me, holograms cover the walls. Advertisements for new weapons, items, and other various things. By the time we reach the bottom, everything feels like a blur of colors and sounds.

"Waah!" I yell as the ground suddenly stops moving, and I fall flat on my face. Around me, people chuckle, and I stand, my cheeks burning. I turn and see that the stairs go into the ground. I should probably watch my step next time. I'd prefer not to embarrass myself on a constant basis.

I turn to look behind me. Hundreds of divers mill about, moving in and out of three massive hallways. To my left is a hallway that has a sign labeled "Armor Ally." Dozens of doors line the brownstone walls, and men work on forges outside the doors. There isn't a single hologram in sight, and a warm yellow glow lights up the passage.

The hallway in front of me is called "Investment Central." Unlike the leftmost hallway, this one is made out of white metal, and holograms are everywhere. The rightmost hallway is named "Cores and Items." It's similar to armor ally in appearance.

"Do your shopping and meet your team in the lobby. Sir Bell will give you your next objective." The escort turns and heads to the Items hallway. Well, guess I should get this over with.