The conductor continues, "The Stem is a vast edifice," then laughs. "Calling it a building would be an understatement. This colossal tower, composed of approximately 3,479 floors, is a testament to the power of Sage Rolhim."
Leonardo turns to gaze at it in awe.
The area around them is massive, clearly designed for the trains and the heavy flow of passengers and goods.
Suddenly, a train appears, slowing with a faint purple shimmer.
Leonardo squints, trying to get a better look, but it fades just as quickly.
From it, a few figures in large white cloaks step out. One of them wears a chicken-head mask.
"Ring IV," the masked one mutters.
"Onward. This one's already done with today's task," they add, waving vaguely.
Leonardo forgets them just as fast, turning back to the conductor.
"Now, pay at the station desk—just left of here," the conductor says, pointing.
Leonardo follows eagerly, queueing up with a bubbling excitement.
"I can't wait to go in there. I wonder when Tour Guide Milah will be done," he says aloud. He's already enjoying himself, even if he doubts he'll stay long.
> [Unknown].
He freezes. "What do you mean, unknown?" he blurts out, drawing curses and shoulder bumps from behind.
"I know he said it's hard, but you can't mean I'll be stuck here forever…" he mutters, sweat beading on his brow.
> [Acceptance is a long procedure].
People glance up from their scrolling, shooting him annoyed looks.
Eventually, he shuffles forward, much to everyone's relief—and a few scoffs.
At last, he reaches the desk. A man in a plain suit sits behind a screen, wearing a forward-facing cap and a monocle linked to his ear with a thin chain. His gloved hand extends silently, palm open.
"What?" Leonardo asks, then quickly realizes. "Ah—money."
He pats himself down and finds a patch holding some paper-like slips etched with Twenty-One Districts.
He pulls out all seventy.
"He said he could only give me a sheath. What is this, then?" Leonardo scoffs.
"I need silk. These are draws," the man replies, clearly irritated.
Leonardo forces a faint smile. "Good to know," he mutters, filing that away.
"How do I get draws?" he asks, puzzled.
The man sighs and speaks into a mic. "Guards," he says flatly. The word echoes.
Leonardo stiffens, eyes scanning around.
"Not those blasted third-rank guards again," he mutters, walking quickly away.
"I shouldn't draw attention…"
The screech of the train fades behind him. Cold wind rushes down the wide corridor-street, filled with flickering signs and drifting paper. Leonardo adjusts his collar and pushes forward, eyes low.
He wanders deeper into the district. His short stature leaves him feeling subhuman among the towering figures near the museum.
He exhales sharply, squaring his shoulders.
Survive first. Existential dread later.
"How do I earn money here?" he mutters.
A shimmer flickers across his vision—text again, like before.
> [Butler: Matches current attire. Payment: 50–500 draws per task.]
He looks at his uniform—close enough to a butler's, minus the blazer.
"Guess I'm a butler now," he snorts. The laugh dies as he spots an elderly woman wobbling forward, her walking stick clattering against the pavement.
Time slows.
He hesitates, scanning the crowd.
But her hunched back reminds him too much of mother, left behind in the radiation wastes.
"Need help?" he calls, already stepping forward.
She clasps his arm, her papery skin surprisingly warm, Her grip surprises him—stronger than he expected. Her eyes scan him like she's weighing a debt.
"Kindness is rare here, young man," she says as he helps her cross the street.
From the corner of his eye, Leonardo sees two girls approaching. One of them watches him carefully.
Leonardo's eyes dart between alleyways and roofs. One step back—just one—and he could bolt.
"Nope," one of them says, raising a hand.
Leonardo freezes.
"Hm?" he mutters, blinking.
"Hello. Sorry we didn't reply to your 'thank you' earlier—you ran off too fast," says the taller one, adjusting her floral dress with a half-smile.
"No worries. I should thank you again," Leonardo replies awkwardly.
What did she just do to me? he wonders, watching the brown-haired girl warily.
Her sister, a bit shorter, folds her arms. "You seem lost," she says, her voice gentler now.
Leonardo steps back, uneasy.
"I'm Anna. This is Elara. No need to look so frightened." Anna steps within arm's reach, her eyes flicking down to his coat pockets like a bouncer checking for weapons.
He glances at the towering Stem behind them, its golden surface catching the last rays of sunlight.
"I apologize, but I must go. The Stem—I'm already late."
Anna raises an eyebrow. "I'm not going to hurt you, man," she says, exchanging a knowing look with Elara.
"I mean… not that you can," Leonardo replies with a forced smile.
"You look about 1.54 meters…" Anna mutters, more confused than offended.
"What's that?" Leonardo mumbles, leaning against a traffic pole made of—air? He doesn't question it.
"What floor?" Elara asks.
When he hesitates, she adds, "You're new to the Below Sky District, aren't you? I don't recall seeing you during the last descent."
v He wasn't there, she thinks, amused.
"No," Leonardo says defensively. "I know my way around. Just… a bit confused in this area." He's clearly calculating escape routes.
"You're bad at lying," Anna laughs, her brown hair catching the wind.
"Alright, what's the name of that?" she asks, pointing to a flying train trailing purple light.
"A…" he stammers.
"A Right Star," Elara finishes for him.
"Then you're in luck," Elara says with a smile too perfect for the cold street. "Consider us your unofficial welcome committee. The Stem can be overwhelming—but with the right guides…"
A right star hovers overhead, casting purple reflections that flicker across their faces.
She lets the sentence hang.
"No thank you," Leonardo replies quickly. Too many strangers have ruined his life already. He bows slightly and turns away, whispering:
"I wonder how big this place is."
"There are 21 districts. Overall, about 4.5 billion square miles," Anna mutters, her tone darker now.
"That's insane," he replies, taking a few steps away.
"How rude," Anna grumbles. _If only I could use my skills in public…_
"I'm sorry, what?" Leonardo snaps.
"It wasn't a request," Anna replies. Her smile sharpens.
"Wandering here without credentials… well, the Stem Guards have unpleasant accommodations. They love showing them to unauthorized visitors."
As she speaks, guards pass in the distance.
"I'm not in the Stem, am I?" Leonardo says, folding his arms.
"Stem Guards are Rank 2. If you had common sense, you'd know they outrank third. You clearly have nothing on you, so we could just hand you over," Anna says, stepping closer.
"And trust me… they hit harder."
She stares at his hands until he shoves them in his pockets.
Elara gives her a look. "What Anna means is—it's safer if you come with us. The guards are strict this time of day."
Leonardo glares at Anna, a vein pulsing in his temple. He sighs.
"You need something. Or you wouldn't be talking to me."
The sisters exchange a long glance before answering. "Yes."
Elara continues, "We're not asking for trust. Just… reciprocity."
As the sun dips, the Stem's shadow swallows the street. The ember-glow vanishes from Leonardo's eyes.
He notices Elara's trembling smile.
Desperation—he knows that look. It mirrors his own.
"I'm in so much trouble," he finally thinks.