The air-way is said to be one of the most revolutionary inventions of Skytower City. Using magnets and rocks called 'mana stones' pilfered from some ancient cave filled with gods know what, scientists were able to construct a second tier of transportation over the more run-down parts of the city. Normal roadways remained, of course, but they were mostly for foot-travel now.

Some say that hover-cycles are overly hazardous. Their streamlined and maneuverable shape makes it rather easy to forget how fast you're going, especially when airborne.

Not to mention how easy it is for them to go berserk if you were knocked off. A few years ago, a goblin managed to steal one of the higher end models, and had blown up half a shopping center when the little shit crashed it.

My own cycle, with it's sleek black paint and dark purple mana emission, sometimes caused me to fantasize of being a spectre flitting between the bulky vehicles other people chose to ride in whilst carried to their destination on auto-drive. The headlights glowed a dull red when off, with the decals around them shaped slightly like some predatory bird.

The mithril carbon plating used as the bike's skeleton pulsed with life according to the strain on the gas nozzle, turning from a light blue to violet with the scaling intensity.

I admit, the rims weren't my choice. With transi-rims, which could automatically modify their appearance and configuration, up to four different styles could be input.

Currently, I only had a set of normal rims, and a set that resembles my mask. These were bought by a rather...annoying, individual. Free rims though...

Pulling my helmet from it's storage compartment under the seat, I slip it on. The large, purple frown made it seem a bit childish, but the tears of blood and multitude of scratches provided a slightly more...manic, atmosphere.

Pressing one of the several buttons on it's side, I connect Thea to the bike's interface, as the small pendant on my necklace flashed twice.

"Thea, systems check." I said, climbing onto the seat that rested just above my waist in height.

"Data lag detected, but written off as enviromental...all other system parameters are clear," was Thea's robotic response.

Once she had run through her daily configuration, I told her to activate her cloaking sequence, which not only prevented cameras in my vicinity from identifying me but also physically blurred my face in their lens. Not necessary with the helmet, but I can't exactly walk everywhere wearing it.

I told her to remain on standby, then flipped the power cover to my bike. This was my favorite part of every single day. Well, usually.

Placing my finger on the small scanner built into the mana stone that powered the bike, it hummed to life as it's own AI system automatically connected to my helmet.

As the hover-cycle roared to life, a rumbly baritone voice joined Thea's monotoned chatter. "Evening boss, going back on the town?" The bike's AI asked as we began rolling towards the exit of the garage.

"A slight business matter, we need to go to the Giant's Coinpurse. I'm meeting 270 in a short while. Take your time, but don't be sluggish Brim." I told the bike.

As we pulled out of the garage, the SRT sensors in my helmet's visor activated. Instantly, a live feed of traffic, crime, and police activity floated into the corners of my vision. Taking a left to avoid a blockade in the opposite direction, I have Brim plot a rather discrete course to the armory district. As violet light ebbed from his 'body' Brim roared with glee as he powered his way past the crumbling alleys and never-ending swarm of pedestrians.

We made great time, all in all. Sure, we had to skirt around a few road blocks and the occasional patrol car, but the SRT system in my helmet warned us of them far before they became a real danger.

Going from the slums to the inner city is always an...experience. It's as though you're literally walking through time. Decaying framework gives way to vibrant technology, dirty passerby become sleek hover-vehicles.

Honestly, the blatant difference in classes was somewhat sickening. Just a few blocks from a run down orphanage, a restaurant twice it's size threw out more food in a day than the children were fed in a year.

Thats not to say the urchins didn't wade through garbage every day to find something to eat, because such a practice was considered a means of survival in the slums. Not even survival...it was life.

Moving on from the repulsive subject, I take in the newer, and far less grimy buildings around me. Moldy brickwork had been replaced by smooth metal, but many unsavory individuals still stalked through the back alleys and around the more shady businesses.

By the time I pulled into the garage to the Giant's Coinpurse, only chrome-lined hover vehicles, or HV's for shortness sake passed by in the air above the bustling street. Lights and mana of all colors breezily drifted over the multitude of pedestrians as they scurried to their destinations.

As the auto-door of the parking space closed behind me, Brim's light faded to a shimmering teal as he slowly crept through the underground enclosure. Hopping off, I place my helmet on the leather seat before instructing him to find a parking space while I attend to the business at hand.

As Brim idled his way to a vacant spot in a lower level of the garage, I did my best to organize the tangled mess of hair that always followed removing my helmet. Sighing as I failed and pushed through the door to the armor shop, I steeled my resolve for what would likely be a very annoying encounter.

The inside of the shop was anything but modest, hell, even the garage I had just left had been climate controlled. The entire building was a metaphorical rainbow of golden hues, with each counter,floor, and wall holding a new variant.

I've heard that different species were able to see a much wider range of colors than humans, and that many attractions or shops were far more glamorous than any human would ever be able to comprehend. At the moment however, all this yellow was giving me a damned headache.