The barrier's veil shimmered as they crossed the towering walls of Aurion. There were no alarms and no resistance. They only heard the quiet hum of the restrictions bending to let them through.
They had successfully... entered Aurion.
And what lay beyond the gate silenced them both.
The city wasn't merely vast... it was alive. Layers upon layers of terraces stretched into the horizon, connected by floating bridges and spiraling platforms of light.
Towers of pale stone reached toward the clouds, etched with runes that glowed like constellations. Between them, translucent rivers flowed through the air, scattering prisms across the cobblestones below. The air itself was dense with energy. It was both warm and fragrant.
At the city's heart stood the Dawnbinder Spire. It was a colossal tower crowned by a radiant disk that turned slowly above the clouds. Its light painted everything in hues of gold and amber.
Marie's golden eyes went wide. "Luc… this place is unreal."
