Several lines had formed in front of the oversized gate. Guards in gleaming silver armor lazed about as people waited for their turn at inspection. There were lines for foot traffic, carts, military personal, and nobility. A steady stream of bodies shuffled though a smaller, but heavily reinforced, door set into the massive gate. Tim gazed up at this overwhelming size of the doors and wondered how many trees it took to make them, and how they were able to hang them with precision enough to move, despite the weight.

Quickly the group of nine off-worlders made their way to the front of the line. A board looking guard was seated behind a large ledger a silver quill pen was in his hand.

“Erraat identification.” He announced for the thousandth time that day.

“We are first time visitors. There are nine of us.” Replied Emi, who was voted least likely to be hassled.

“Entry fee one silver apiece for each half-moon. If you want to stay longer, you’ll need to pay the fee or apply for residency at the Civic Office in the N1 block.”

“We also need a healer for our friend.” Emi said as she laid a gold coin on the counter.

“Please talk to one of the information officers once you get inside.” He pulled out nine small sheets of paper and scribbled something on them without looking up. Then he handed the papers and a silver coin to Emi who smiled like a rose. The guard blushed a little and watched her as she walked off with the group down the long hall. His lustful eyes were just starting to enjoy the show when Randal’s large frame blocked his view.

“Hold on, you three, come back here!” The guard suddenly stood up.

Randal, McKenzie and Tim walked back to the station and soon found themselves surrounded. The guard pulled out from under the counter a circular crystal device set into an ebonite stand. He looked the three over and finally decided to speak to Tim who was the oldest.

“Place your hand here. Ok good. Now tell me truthfully; are any of you here on behalf of a foreign government or organization?”

“No sir.” Tim replied. A bit of nervous sweat formed on his brow.

“Are any of you fleeing criminals, or wanted by any government or organization?”

“No sir.”

The guard’s dark eyes narrowed.

“Are you here with the intention to subvert the public peace or commit crime?”

“No sir.”

“Very well, you may remove your hand. Record your names here in the ledger and you may pass.”

Tim walked with the others down a long stone tunnel past the guard station. Tim was muttering some rather unpleasant while they walked along under the pale glow of magic lamps. Finally, the egress light grew in luminance and washed over Tim as he stepped out into the city. By the time his eyes adjusted they he was already caught up in the swell of a major city.

Tall white stone buildings rose up in a semicircle around a large plaza. A few horses drank from the fountain in the middle and a crush of people, carts and cargo came and went. Food stalls and merchants lined the street doing a brisk trade. Once again Tim thought he might still be trapped inside MOB-O.

The group wandered around the plaza and under an uncomfortable stream of unpleasant looks. Finally Emi spotted an information officer and went to talk to him with Randal in tow. While the others wound up hanging out at the fountain Tim wandered around the stalls. One stand was selling a stinky spiked fruit that made Tim’s nose curl. The one next to it had tomato like fruit that was orange on the inside. Tim tried asking what it tasted like, and then tried to buy some, but the seller shooed him off.

Three snubbings later Tim stood at the edge of the plaza and with his arms crossed. His cheek twitched as he fumed at the lack of answers. He wanted to know basic things; what this was and how it tasted. The only rudimentary information he got came from ‘Analysis’. Although the way ‘Analysis’ worked like a pop up tool tip made him think he was still in MOB-O. If he was then the data he desired maybe wasn’t programed yet. Either that or people were just assholes.

Tim was leaning towards the asshole theory when an unfortunate woman interrupted like a scripted event. She wore a simple off-white tunic with blue embroidered trim. Her long dark hair was tied up with a matching ribbon. In her arms was a large basket full of freshly picked flowers. She looked up at Tim shyly.

“Um, sir, would you like to by a flower in the name of Aamond?” She looked a year or two younger than him, and was rather plain. But, she was earnest, and that left a good impression despite his mood

“I guess?” Tim replied “But, could you help me out with some directions? My friend was badly injured by a wild beast and we need to get him to a healer.”

“That’s terrible!” she exclaimed. “Is it just your friend that is hurt? Are you hurt at all?”

“No, I’m fine; we got treatment in the field.” Tim unconsciously rubbed his hand. “But, he barely made it this far with a fever and injury.”

“I’m sure the guards would send you to a temple, but it may be better to go to a private clinic. It’s usually cheaper and a lot less hassle.” She tapped a finger to her lips in thought. “Maybe try Sasano’s place down on NW2? It’s about the same distance as the temple from here.”

“NW2?” asked Tim.

“Oh, that’s the Northwest section, second level. Sorry, I thought were one of the adventurers.”

“No, I’m brand new here.”

“Then you are definitely better off going to a clinic.” The young lady nodded with complete seriousness. “The temples will try to squeeze every copper they can from you. Sometimes the guards even get kickbacks. They do help the poor, but those who can pay, pay extra.”

“That’s really good to know. Can you tell me how to get to NW2 from here?”

“You go to the end of the main road here and turn right. When you cross over the bridge you’ll be in the Northwest section. Head down a level and I’m sure you can find Sasano’s in no time.”

“But, how do I know I can trust you?” Tim put his hands on his hips and narrowed his eyes at her.

“Y, you can trust me,” she stammered, “as a follower of Aamond I…”

“Maybe you’re a shill for this clinic who will take my every last penny?”

“But...”

“And after you robbed me you’d steal my organs wouldn’t you?”

“What…?” Her voice got louder and went up an octave.

“And my clothes!” Tim interrupted. “You’d even take my clothes, knowing I was a helpless tourist.”

“I would…” Her voice grew desperate to find the right words.

“And you’d dump me naked in some dark back ally. You’d leave me poor and cold on the street to beg in the rain, with only one kidney!”

“I...I…”

“I’d see you passing by and beg you to give me my clothes back.” Tim implored completely abashed.

“But...”

“At least give me back my underwear. Please miss, don’t keep my underwear!”

“I’m not going to keep your underwear!” She shouted, hands waving in a fluster. The plaza went silent as every head turned to look.

Tim laughed from his belly as her face turned brilliant red.

“You shouldn’t be so serious!”

Mortified her entire body wilted.

“Ok, I trust you.” Tim took her hand and placed a silver coin in it. “Thanks for the flower.” He removed a flower from the basket and left to find the others. He breathed in the soft sent of the pink petals and smiled.

“I’m Ishii, Aerith Ishii.” A small voice squeaked out behind him.

Tim turned back “Timothy Nelson. Call me Tim.”

McKenzie gave him thumbs up as he walked over.

“Tim, I got it all on camera.” McKenzie said with a Cheshire grin.

“I can’t believe that worked. Hey, send me the video.”

“C’mon old man, there’s no service here, ‘member?”

“We could set up a local mesh. At least we can stay in touch with the others that way. Then you transfer the video.”

The group of eight, plus one stretcher, left the plaza and strolled off to the end of the main street. The street intersected another north-south road, and was abutted with a railing. Tim stepped to the edge with several others and looked over. A great basin lay out before him, the jagged rim wrapped around it in the distance, barely visible through the atmospheric haze. It was like a giant pressed a thumb into the earth and pushed it as soft clay

Tim gazed north; three mountains of unnatural size reached up and pierced the sky. They sat like a heavy crown upon the city. At the foot of the largest was a gleaming white castle that must have been carved from the very mountain. Its size and might made Tim question how any stone so large could be moved.

From the castle’s foot a river gushed forth and cascaded in a waterfall to the city below. The river flowed and fell as it traveled the steps down the city’s four layers. Each waterfall kicked up progressively larger rainbows as the morning light struck the mist. At the bottom the river flowed against a massive stone obelisk before tumbling into the lake. Marshlands formed in the distant south before the water drifted off to unknown places.

The city spread out like a horseshoe around the basin. Layers of pearly white buildings topped with red tiled roofs were stacked along the hillsides. Orchards and sprawling fields ringed the southern steps. The immensity and unparalleled beauty of the city enveloped him.

“Surely, we must still be in the game,” muttered Tim as he griped the rail.

“We aren’t. And don’t call me Shirley” replied Randal.

McKenzie pulled out her phone and started snapping selfies.

“Put that away, people are looking!” Genzo snarled though his teeth.

“Shaddap Genzo, everyone is already staring.” McKenzie rebutted with a flourish of her platinum hair. “Randal, come. Take pictures of me.”

He did, but soon Emi forced her way in. Yuma followed suit and for a few moments they acted like a bunch of stupid tourists.