The Starlance began to hum differently as dawn crept over the horizon.

  Althea felt it before she saw anything — a gentle shift in the air pressure, the way the engines softened their sound, as if the ship were holding its breath in anticipation. She pressed her palms against the window and watched the sky change colors. The clouds below turned a glowing gold, then molten red, then bright silver as the sun finally broke over the distant mountains.

  “Is this… Netheron?” Althea whispered.

  Lyssa stepped beside her. “We’re close. Very close.”

  Keal leaned over her shoulder. “I heard Netheron has the brightest mornings of any threshold.”

  Lyssa gave a small smirk but didn’t comment, as if holding back more information. Again.

  Althea didn’t press. She was learning that Lyssa revealed things on her own timeline — like a book that opened only when the reader was ready.

  Captain Aeron’s voice rang through the intercom a moment later.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, we are approaching Netheron airspace. Please prepare for descent.”

  Althea felt her heartbeat quicken. This was the next step. The next threshold. A new world entirely.

  And maybe, somewhere in this new world, answers waited for her.

  The Starlance descended slowly, gliding through a layer of shimmering mist that seemed to sparkle around the hull. The atmosphere felt thicker here — not heavy, but powerful. Althea could almost sense faint pulses of energy rippling through the air, like tiny sparks brushing her skin.

  Keal noticed her flinch. “You okay?”

  “Yeah… it just feels different.”

  “That’s Netheron for you,” Lyssa said quietly. “Everything here has history.”

  They broke through the mist, and suddenly the world opened beneath them.

  Althea gasped.

  Neon-like rivers flowed between layered cities. Massive bridges arched across the sky, connecting one floating district to another. The ground far below glowed with swirling runes etched into the stone. Tall silver towers spiraled upward, reflecting light like mirrors. And right in the center of it all sat the largest skyport Althea had ever seen.

  Port Centera.

  It stretched out for miles, a beautifully organized maze of docking platforms, shimmering landing rings, and crystal checkpoints shaped like tall gates. Hundreds of vessels drifted in and out — sleek skyships, winged transports, floating cargo platforms, and things Althea couldn’t even name.

  Althea pressed her forehead against the glass. “It’s huge…”

  Keal laughed softly. “This is only the surface of Netheron. Literally.”

  Lyssa nudged him. “Don’t scare her. Let her enjoy it.”

  The Starlance descended toward a glowing circular platform, runes flashing around its edge to guide their landing. The ship touched down with barely a thud.

  Captain Aeron’s voice came again.

  “Welcome to Port Centera. You may now disembark.

  The ramp lowered with a smooth hiss, releasing a breath of cool, fragrant air. Althea stepped onto the platform, her boots clicking against the polished stone.

  Everything was loud but not chaotic — an organized type of busyness. Announcements echoed. Ship horns sounded in the distance. People hurried across bridges while drones buzzed above them, carrying small crates of supplies.

  Althea’s eyes shone. “This place feels alive.”

  Keal smiled. “Yeah, it hits you like that.”

  Lyssa inhaled deeply as if savoring the air. “Smells the same as I remember.”

  Keal blinked. “You’ve been here??”

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Lyssa instantly stiffened. “No— I mean— I might have passed through once. Long story.”

  Althea raised an eyebrow, but Lyssa walked ahead quickly before either of them could question her further.

  Entering the Port

  They followed a wide, glowing pathway toward the main entrance hall. Tall columns carved with runes stood on either side, and crystal screens displayed maps, travel routes, and news cycles.

  The hall itself was enormous — shaped like a dome with floating banners that shifted color when someone passed beneath them. Althea watched in awe as a silver banner transformed into blue the moment Keal walked under it.

  “Whoa,” Keal muttered. “That’s new.”

  Lyssa shrugged. “Netheron likes flashy entrances.”

  A holographic receptionist flickered to life before them.

  “Welcome, travelers. Please state your purpose or destination.”

  Althea stepped forward nervously. “Uh… we’re looking for a place to stay.”

  The hologram nodded.

  “Accommodations require payment. Currency accepted: Uno, Verto, or Crystal Points.”

  Keal scratched his head. “We… don’t have any of that.”

  Lyssa gave an awkward grin. “Yeah, we’re broke.”

  Althea felt her stomach twist. “So… what do we do?”

  The hologram flickered slightly.

  “Conversion stations are available throughout the hall. Travelers may convert resources, items, or stat values into certified Uno.”

  Althea blinked. “Stat values?”

  Keal leaned in. “Like your stat points? The ones you gained after the first fight?”

  “Yeah,” Althea said. “But… I barely understand how they work.”

  Lyssa thought for a moment. “Try the station. It might tell you.”

  The Conversion Terminal

  They walked over to a sleek silver device standing near a pillar. It had a circular slot, several floating runes, and a small screen that lit up when Althea approached.

  “Traveler recognized. Accessing status interface…”

  Althea jolted. “It knows me?”

  Keal shrugged. “This world seems connected to you somehow.”

  Lyssa folded her arms, watching carefully.

  A panel extended outward from the terminal, displaying her stats like a holographic screen.

  ALTHEA – Level 3

  ? Strength: 12

  ? Agility: 14

  ? Focus: 16

  ? Defense: 11

  ? Barrier Affinity: 21

  ? Unassigned Points: 8

  Keal whistled. “Your barrier affinity is really high.”

  Althea flushed. “Is that… good?”

  “It’s rare,” Lyssa said, a strange softness in her voice.

  The screen displayed new text.

  “Traveler may convert up to 3 unassigned stat points into Uno.”

  “Rate: 1 stat = 6,666 Uno.”

  Keal’s jaw dropped. “You’d get… twenty thousand?”

  Lyssa blinked hard. “That’s more than enough for a room. A flight. Food. Everything.”

  Althea hesitated. “But are you sure this is safe? What if I need these points later?”

  Lyssa placed a hand on her shoulder, gentle but firm. “Althea… we do need a place to stay. And you won’t lose much. Just three points.”

  Keal nodded. “Your life comes first.”

  Althea exhaled shakily, then pressed her palm against the glowing panel.

  “Confirm conversion?”

  “Yes,” Althea whispered.

  A soft pulse of light passed through her hand. Her stats flickered, adjusting slightly.

  Unassigned Points: 8 → 5

  Uno Generated: 19,998

  Balance Rounded: 20,000 Uno

  A small silver card slid out of the machine — glowing faintly like a living coin.

  “Traveler card issued. Welcome to Netheron.”

  Althea held it carefully. “It’s… warm.”

  Lyssa leaned closer. “That’s because it’s real. Official Uno currency.”

  Keal grinned. “You’re literally funding our entire trip. You’re amazing.”

  Althea blushed, but a tiny spark of pride warmed her chest. She was finally contributing — not just reacting.

  Searching for a Place to Stay

  They crossed the hall into a district map. Eight floating screens displayed different accommodations: Nimbus Resthouse, The Cloudleaf Inn, Skyhaven Dorms, Twilight Suites…

  All expensive.

  All glowing.

  All very, very out of their original nonexistent budget.

  Keal pointed to one. “This one’s only 5,000 Uno.”

  Lyssa shook her head. “It looks shady.”

  Althea pointed to another. “What about Skyhaven?”

  Lyssa’s expression brightened slightly. “That one’s good.”

  Keal peered at the description. “How much?”

  “Three-night stay: 12,000 Uno.”

  Althea nodded firmly. “Let’s do it.”

  Lyssa glanced at her. “You sure? That’s most of your Uno.”

  Althea looked around — the endless bustle, the floating screens, the towering walls, the noise and unknown danger waiting outside.

  “We need a safe place first. Then we can think.”

  Lyssa smiled softly, almost proudly. “Then Skyhaven it is.”

  The Skyhaven Dorms

  They followed the glowing map out of the port, stepping onto a moving walkway that carried them toward the outer district. The city expanded around them — glowing bridges, multi-level streets, and shops selling strange glowing fruits and mechanical trinkets.

  As they approached Skyhaven, Althea’s breath caught.

  It was beautiful.

  A tall building with glass-like walls reflecting the morning sun. Hanging gardens floated around the exterior. Lantern crystals shimmered under the balconies. A gentle waterfall flowed down the side of the building, disappearing into thin air before touching the ground.

  The moment they stepped inside, cool air washed over them. A silver-haired attendant greeted them with a polite bow.

  “Welcome to Skyhaven. How may we assist you?”

  Althea stepped forward. “Room for three, please.”

  The attendant smiled. “Of course. Payment?”

  Althea held out the Uno card.

  The attendant placed it against a glowing scanner.

  “Payment accepted. Enjoy your stay.”

  They were led up a floating staircase, past walls lit with gentle blue runes, until they reached a cozy room with two beds, a sofa, wide windows overlooking the neon-lit streets, and warm golden lighting.

  It felt safe.

  Warm.

  Peaceful.

  Althea collapsed onto the nearest bed with a sigh. “Finally…”

  Keal laughed and dropped onto the sofa. “This is the best place we’ve stayed yet.”

  Lyssa sat by the window, arms wrapped around her knees as she looked out over the glowing city.

  “Netheron,” she murmured. “Back again…”

  Althea glanced at her — wondering, curious, confused.

  Lyssa pressed her lips together and stood. “Anyway. We should rest. Tomorrow’s going to be busy.”

  The way she avoided eye contact told Althea one thing:

  Lyssa had secrets.

  And Netheron had awakened them.

  Althea didn’t push — not yet — but her mind whispered the same question again and again…

  What exactly does Lyssa know about this place?

  And why was she hiding it?