“Sir! Are you sure this is wise? We know next to nothing about him.”

  Charles Baxter stood in his office. Before him was a large glass pane that provided an unobstructed view of the world outside. His office consisted of a spacious room with many different seating arrangements and a rare mahogany desk that had survived through untold ages, only to be preserved to this day, making it a priceless artifact of a bygone era.

  While its surface was marred with countless scars and defects, it told the story of its voyage through time. On the floor were countless sensors and emitters that produced a slight force field, repelling dust and any contaminants that could further damage this piece of history.

  Compared to Baxter's office's warm and cozy atmosphere, the view outside was a marvel of colours, owing to the Pillar of light that hung above, but also of bleak desolation due to the dark abyss beneath.

  This was the Cradle’s reality, a mix of hope and despair, where dreams were but a step away for some or forever out of reach for others. Charles Baxter was one of the few fortunate ones able to afford a place in the light while so many others still trudged along in the darkness.

  “Isn’t that reason enough?” he replied, finally turning back to address his secretary. “A man, his identity not in any database, how can I not be intrigued?”

  Unlike Baxter, who possessed prominent mechanical limbs and a prosthetic eye, the woman before him looked just like any normal human. Yet her beauty was such that not many could even keep their rationality in her presence. She had such charms that it felt unnatural, almost artificial.

  Even Baxter, a man who had seen much of the world in his long existence, could barely keep himself together, but he couldn't help but enjoy the thrill of walking on a knife's edge, never knowing when he would fall. It made his life so much more enjoyable.

  The woman frowned slightly, yet it only furthered her charms. Baxter felt an intense attraction but only clenched his jaw as a single bead of sweat slid along the side of his head, then his cheek, until it fell from his clean-shaven jaw. As it hit the hard floor, it produced minimal sound, yet it resonated in his skull, almost as if a bomb had exploded right next to him. His pupils dilated, and he couldn't sustain the sight. He had to turn away before letting out a deep breath. However, once she had vanished from his sight, it only took him a single moment to regain his composure.

  “As you wish," she replied, bowing slightly, her hand crossed before her. While she noticed Baxter's state, she completely ignored it, as it wasn't anything new. "I only wish to remind you to be careful. Many aren't happy with Lightforge Industries' sudden rise. I do not doubt they will try everything possible to get to you."

  “Speaking of which, what’s the news on the government’s side?” he replied, showing a slight smile that was reflected by the glass, yet it turned completely sour once he heard her answer.

  “Nothing yet. The council is still deliberating. Judging by their hesitation, I have no doubts one of our competitors got to them before us. I believe we should give up on this for the time being. Our efforts would be better used to strengthen our hold on the Cradle further. While our rise has been stupendous, our market share is merely fifteen percent, far from enough to sway them. After all, the Cradle is nothing compared to the Pillar.”

  She gazed through the glass pane, only for it to rest on the Pillar of Light outside. Despite her deadpan expression that never seemed to betray any emotions, a spark of light appeared in her eyes, and she could feel a warmth in her chest she was unfamiliar with. If given the chance, she felt she could gaze into that light for eternity without growing bored of it. It was such a stark contrast from the all-enveloping darkness. Not even the artificial light of Baxter's office could ever compare.

  “As always, the Pillar is the start and the end of everything," Baxter muttered almost inaudibly as he, too, gazed into that light. Despite his soft voice, she heard him as clearly as if he had spoken to her, only for him to add, "Someday, all this will be mine."

  ******

  “Nice ride,” Ning Shan said as he sat within the confines of the steel carriage they had reached.

  While the interior was much more utilitarian than he was used to in his previous world, with barely any added comforts and many screens showing the various information the countless sensors retrieved, Ning Shan felt this was enough for their current needs as they sped along the uneven terrain away from the forbidden city.

  While this vehicle didn't possess any windows, making for a substantial shelter, it had ample displays showing the world outside, yet all he saw was darkness as far as the eye could see, with a single exception. A single pillar of light radiated in the distance as it reached into the sky. While the light was enough to cut through the unending darkness, it was much dimmer than it seemed, illuminating the world in but a few kilometres radius around it, almost serving as a lighthouse in the darkness. As a matter of fact, they were headed straight toward it.

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “What's that pillar?" Ning Shan asked as he leaned forward, watching the screen closer, trying to find an answer to his many questions. Yet the image was much too blurry to glean anything from it except for one single fact. It seemed as if the image was distorted unnaturally, almost as if the Pillar interfered with the sensors in some way. While he didn't know much about their technology, this was the feeling he had.

  “No one truly knows," Sera replied as she leaned closer to the display Ning Shan was currently gazing at. "Maybe the government does, but they restrict all information about it. As far as I know, the Pillar has been there long before the Cradle was established. As a matter of fact, you could say this Pillar is why the city exists in the first place."

  “Interesting... When I was in the forsaken city, I saw some other similar pillars. Does that mean other cities founded beneath them exist?"

  “I'd assume so, but the government doesn't like us thinking about it," Marquez replied as he drove the vehicle through the uneven road. Despite the countless rocks they had to climb over, not even the slightest vibration could be gleaned from inside the cabin. It was almost as if they weren't even moving. Ning Shan couldn't even feel a change in acceleration.

  “In fact, all hunters cleared to exit the Cradle have been strictly forbidden from contacting them," Sera added. "Doing so without permission will have you arrested and can even lead to capital punishment."

  “Quite the draconian government you have there,” Ning Shan mused, slightly interested. “There must be quite the dissent, considering how restricted it seems.”

  “Some idiots do have ideas of grandeur, trying to overthrow the government in the name of freedom, but they’re nothing more than pariahs,” the other man scoffed, a sneer on his face. “While the government isn't perfect in every way, it's still much better than the alternative, but these idiots don't seem to get the point. In fact, they're nothing more than hypocrites. Ultimately, they want power, and they will stop at nothing to get it. They make me sick."

  "I take it you've had your run-ins with them?" Ning Shan asked, only for the man to turn toward him, his eyes showing the light of anger but also something deeper.

  "What's it to you?" the man spat, clearly showing his hostility, yet refrained as Marquez placed his hand on the man's shoulder. The man scoffed before turning back around and adding, "You better keep to yourself and not attract the government's eyes if you know what's good for you..."

  “Many thanks for your concern,” Ning Shan replied, completely unconcerned.

  Following the altercation, an uneasy silence reigned as they quickly approached the shining Pillar of light. At its base, Ning Shan could see the terrain elevate, as if the base of a mountain that had been bored through from the top, only for the Pillar to remain nestled within.

  The vehicle swerved around the mountain's edge until it found a ravine between two giant cliffs leading deeper into the mountain's depths. It was almost as if underground, yet the light of the stars was still visible, albeit barely. They trudged on in almost complete darkness, yet the instruments and displays showed the way as if in complete daylight.

  Finally, they arrived at the base of two massive doors that seemed to be carved into the mountain itself. On each side were two statues depicting feline creatures, yet their size was much too exaggerated. In fact, they stood at over twenty metres tall, even towering over the gate itself.

  "Those are the Cradle's guardians," Sera said as she saw the inquisitive gaze that flashed on Ning Shan's face. "They're automatons charged with neutralizing any threats to the city, but don't worry. They won't do anything as long as one is authorized to pass. Speaking of which, you'll probably have to go to the checkpoint before being able to enter the city. I wonder how that's going to go..."

  “Mr. Baxter already filed the necessary paperwork,” Marquez replied. “This shouldn’t be more than a formality. You’ll just have to answer a few questions for appearance’s sake, then you’ll be good to go.”

  "I see Mr. Baxter's name holds quite the sway within the Cradle," Ning Shan said with a slight smile.

  “Naturally,” Marquez replied. “He first came to the Cradle almost two hundred years ago, more than enough time to do many things. While Lightforge Industries is still young compared to the other companies—almost a newborn—they cannot be underestimated. Even the government must show him some face. You should count yourself lucky to have such a man as your sponsor.”

  “I’ll be sure to offer him my thanks,” Ning Shan replied. Despite the slight smile on his lips, his eyes showed no signs of it, yet it went completely unnoticed as all were much too absorbed in the gate slowly opening after the other man had touched something on the display before him.

  Authorization Code Accepted...

  Welcome Back to the Cradle...

  Ning Shan could feel a voice ring in his head, yet it seemed he wasn't the only one. He could see Sera frown slightly as the voice receded, and Marquez pressed on the accelerator, prompting the vehicle forward past the now-opened gates. They had opened just enough to let the vehicle through and closed soon after. They found themselves in a dimly lit underground room with a large screen in front of them.

  Prepare for Decontamination Procedure...

  All Current Occupants, Please Disembark from the Vehicle...

  Following the instructions, all four left the steel carriage, only to be greeted by a large empty room. A dim red light appeared from the ceiling, bathing them thoroughly, yet none showed any signs of worry, as if all of this was expected and they had done so countless times before. Ning Shan only waited in silence, following their lead. However, something completely unexpected happened.

  Foreign Pathogen Detected...

  Initiating Lockdown...

  An alarm sounded, bathing the room in noise. Then, countless holes opened from the nearby walls and ceiling, from which mechanical arms emerged, holding countless weapons aimed at the group.

  "The Automated Defence System?" Sera exclaimed, "What's happening? Didn't you say Mr. Baxter made preparations for our arrival?"

  “Do you think I have a clue?” Marquez spat back, a deep frown on his face. “I wasn’t told about this.”

  "It's all your fault, isn't it?!" the other man exploded, turning toward Ning Shan, only to be ignored entirely. In fact, Ning Shan's attention was on the small door in the distance, through which countless armed guards were now spilling through in orderly formation.

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