They touched down onto a stone structure surrounded by a massive plain of blue-green grass. This structure was reminiscent of an amphitheatre of sorts, though only fit for dozens, not hundreds. Tattered banners of unknown affiliation hung around the inner wall and other than these sheets of weathered cloth, all other facets of the structure were in relatively good condition. Its placement overall was so random, but so convenient, there wasn’t any better place to land, as far as they could see anyway.

“So where are we? Rome?” asked Little Man.

“I already told you,” answered Pernie. “We don’t know.”

“Well it looks a lot like Rome.”

The Traveler asked something.

“You’ve never heard of Rome?”

“Rome doesn’t exist where he’s from, Little Man,” stated N-3.

“Well… It looks an awful lot like this, minus all the grass and empty space.”

“Rome isn’t one big amphitheater,” corrected Pernie.

“Ampi-what?”

“Forget it.”

There was only one exit from the amphitheater. It was a cobblestone path that led into the plain. Pernie consulted her VRGL so they might have a clue because no one did, even Dr. Case, who had made it abundantly clear before they landed. Instead of the usual directions, the booklet suggested they “follow the stone path to the castle.”

“Did we see a castle on the way down?” asked Pernie, “Because its says there’s a castle down that path?”

“Didn’t see any,” answered N-3.

The Traveler added something.

“How could a castle be a ghost?”

He shrugged.

“Invisible castle!” added Little Man.

“I sure hope not.”

A plaque hung over the exit amphitheater. On closer inspection, the text appeared to be in Italian. N-3, being the only one fluent in all known languages (including Italian) said it was simply a handful of synonyms for the word “entrance,” which didn’t make much sense considering it was an exit. Curiously, there was no sign on the outside repeatedly labeled “exit.”