The first thing Adrian saw when his vision cleared was a vast hall.
It was wide and long, almost as large as the gymnasium back at the academy.
The next thing he noticed was the sheer number of people. Hundreds of them, all busy with their work.
They were crafting tools, some weapons, some not.
The temperature was not what he had expected.
Then his eyes fell on the cooling artifacts embedded into the walls. They were familiar, designs he himself had created in the past.
"Thanks to you," a voice came from behind, "we can provide a workable environment for the backbone of our society."
Adrian turned and saw a beautiful woman in her early thirties, perhaps even younger, walking toward him.
Her flame-like red hair spilled over her shoulders like a burning curtain. Sharp gray eyes were fixed on him, assessing him without restraint.
She exuded a commanding presence, the kind that could not be ignored in any room.
"Scarlette," Adrian said, extending his hand.
