"An IDS. Interdimensional storage."
"Interdimensional storage?" Gabriel inquired, "There's a lot I still need to learn in this world."
"If you want to learn so badly, then we'll begin your training. That will include learning about this world." Said Xortaal.
"Let's do it then!" Gabriel shouted excitedly.
...
They walked outside the massive floating hospital. The crowd had died down, and all the protestors had been taken in for treatment.
The dreadful act of White Eyes Al'Vied had spread on the news, people labeled him a terrorist. Captain Trels held a press conference discussing the situation.
People all over were becoming more rattled by the rising number and danger of terrorist attacks. The growing view of the public held the police in high regard, but with the increase in attacks, people started to lose faith. Protestors began to get bold.
Gabriel and Michael admired the buildings around them. It reminded them of the future humanity had dreamt of in their world, it was like utopia.
The cars shuffled around in an orderly fashion, Xortaal was waiting by the side of the 'road' with his thumb up, calling for a taxi.
One eventually came, ferrying them throughout the city. Xortaal had not told them where they were going.
Xortaal pointed out different notable land points to them while in the taxi, "That's the monument for Senior Hunter Marwet, he lost his life fighting for this city's freedom. That is the entrance to the suburban district."
There were other land points such as the police headquarters for the medical district, and a tower that extended into the sky, into space, it was wide at the base, getting thinner as it went up. It was a bright white color, with a thick blue line running up the middle. Gabriel and Michael admired the tower. Ships flew all around the tower as if it were a nexus point for all.
Xortaal noticed their gazes directed at the tower, "That is our destination, the Veiled Sky's main headquarters, Skyreach Tower."
"It's amazing." Said Michael.
...
They arrived at the base of the tower. It was bustling with activity, people carried around holographic tablets, surveying people.
Xortaal led Gabriel and Michael to the front entrance of the tower. They walked into the tower.
As soon as they entered the tower, they were met with an impossibly large atrium. The ceiling stretches high above, reinforced with a shimmering translucent material that allows natural light to enter. The floor was made of the same sleek, white alloy as the other buildings, it was polished to perfection, reflecting the sky and the people above it.
In the center of the Atrium was a massive holographic display, the language unknown to Gabriel and Michael.
Xortaal pointed at the holograph, "That is the mission board, hunters can choose what missions to complete there, and it shows who assigned the mission."
To the left of the holograph was a large reception area, staffed by aliens and humans. They processed new visitors, recruits, and hunters that were returning from a mission.
To the right of the display was a large security checkpoint, guarded by heavily armed guards, wearing the same kinetic armor as the riot police. A tall, arc-shaped gate scanned visitors with energy, ensuring that no contraband was brought into the tower. Behind the gate were multiple lifts, extending up the building and providing access to the higher floors.
Along the far walls, behind the display, were large statues of legends of the Veiled Sky, and heroes who gave their lives in honor of the Veiled Sky. The statues were built from an obsidian-like, shimmering material, with plaques on the bottom stating each one's achievements and name.
Xortaal walked the 2 toward the reception area. They expected to wait in line, but Xortaal was allowed special access because of his status as a hunter.
"Hello, I would like to sign these two up for the hunter exam in 1 cycle."
"That's fine, Hunter Xortaal, we should have spaces open for them," The receptionist tapped on her holographic screen, and she smiled back at Xortaal, "They're booked in now."
Xortaal smiled back, "Thanks for your help."
"No problem."
Xortaal led them toward the security checkpoint. They walked past multiple hunters, of all different species.
Just before they got to the checkpoint, Xortaal asked them to hand over any weapons they had to him, so they did, handing over their knives and guns.
They got searched by the guards, and then walked through the energy arc. It found lingering spirit of a false god, so they had to be taken into another room and purified.
They went back through the energy arc; this time it found nothing.
They followed Xortaal to one of the elevators, getting into it, he pressed on the 42nd floor.
The elevator sped up through the building, the lift was enshrouded in glass, showing the atrium and city in all their glory.
They reached the 42nd floor, the elevator opened into the dorms. Xortaal led them deeper in until they reached dorm 42-98. The door opened with the swipe of Xortaals hand.
The room was compact, the walls made of smooth white alloy, with floors of light grey carpet. Two beds were positioned against opposite walls. Between the beds, there was a large white desk with what looked like computers on it. Above the desk was a window looking out over the city. At the base of each bed was a chest, meant to hold their personal belongings. There was also a bathroom beside the entrance. There was a door opposite the bathroom, opening out into a walk-in wardrobe.
"Wow." Michael looked unimpressed, sounding off sarcastically.
...
The sun had started to set, shining through the jungle of buildings that blocked its path. Michael was off somewhere; Gabriel wasn't sure where.
Gabriel lay down on his bed. The thought of his mother dying, him killing people. He had put these thoughts to the back of his mind, prioritizing survival. Now that he was safe, he missed her, he missed his mother.
Tears started to well in Gabriels' eyes as he thought about home. He thought about his mother being executed. How he nearly died. How Michael forced him to kill.
Gabriel rolled to his side, scrunched up in a ball trying to suppress his sobs. He clenched his cold metal fist as he thought about his mother. He stared at the wall, tears rolling down his face. His bottom lip was quivering.
Gabriel cried until his tears were exhausted. He felt hollow inside.
He stood up stiffly and left the room. He got onto the elevator, going down to the ground floor.
He walked through the atrium, the darkness of night reflecting the feelings inside him.
He felt detached from reality, he felt like he was walking through a thick fog. His eyes were red and raw, and he sniffled uncontrollably. The world around him appeared lifeless.
Gabriel sat down on a bench, staring up at the floating city above him.
Nothing felt real to him, he thought it was all a dream, that he would just wake back up in his bed.
He sat on that bench all night. The sun started to rise when Gabriel was brought back to reality.
He watched it rise, the beautiful warm colors bouncing off the white towers immersed him in warmth.
He bathed in the light for a while until the plaza began to fill with people.
Gabriel moped back to his room, meeting Michael in the doorway.
"Where were you?" asked Michael.
"Nowhere. I'm going to sleep," Gabriel said moodily.
"Alright then," The sarcastic remark from Michael made Gabriel spin his head round and stare at him, before turning back around and getting into bed.