System's of Suffering

Into the Unknown

Lyra hesitated, her instincts screaming at her to turn back, to get back on the shuttle and demand to be taken home. But she knew better. There was no going back. With a sigh that was equal parts frustration and resignation, she followed Kael, the soles of her pristine boots crunching against the gritty ground.

The inside of the transport was no better. The seats were hard and cracked, and the air inside was stifling. Lyra wrinkled her nose, sitting as far from Kael and his family as the cramped space allowed. She crossed her legs, one perfectly polished boot resting atop the other, and stared out the grimy window as the vehicle jolted into motion.

The city beyond the landing site was a labyrinth of towering factories and tightly packed housing units. Smoke billowed from massive chimneys, and the streets teemed with people—men and women with hollow eyes and hunched shoulders, moving through the chaos with mechanical precision. Every so often, Lyra caught a glimpse of children darting between the crowds, their faces smudged with soot.

"Lovely place," she said dryly, breaking the heavy silence.

Kael glanced at her briefly. "It's home," he replied simply.

Lyra's lip curled in disdain, but she didn't respond. Instead, she leaned back against the seat, staring out at the foreign, hostile world that was now hers to navigate. For the first time, a small flicker of doubt crept into her mind. This was going to be harder than she'd ever imagined.

——

The shuttle ascended through the dense smog of Anthis, breaking through the planet's poisonous atmosphere into the vastness of space. Dax Marent sat near the window, his bag clutched tightly in his lap. He stared out at the receding planet below, its surface glowing dimly with the fires of industry. For all its misery, it was home. And he was leaving it behind.

The attendant seated across from him broke the silence. "You'll find Elythera quite different from Anthis," they said, their tone neutral but their polished uniform and clipped speech exuding Soladren professionalism.

"I'm sure," Dax replied dryly, shifting his gaze to the black void ahead. The journey felt surreal, as if he were a passenger in someone else's story. Excitement, guilt, and apprehension churned in his gut, an unsteady cocktail of emotions he couldn't quite untangle.

Within hours, the shuttle approached Elythera, the gas giant looming large in the viewport. Its swirling clouds of gold and violet reflected faintly against the shuttle's hull. Orbiting the massive planet was the Soladren moon, a gleaming beacon of light and luxury. The palace spread across its surface like an intricate web of crystalline spires and domes, each structure shimmering as if carved from starlight.

Dax leaned forward, his breath catching. The moon was impossibly beautiful, a vision that clashed violently with everything he'd ever known. For a brief moment, awe replaced his apprehension.

"Welcome to Elythera," the attendant said, a faint smile tugging at their lips.

---

The shuttle docked smoothly, its interior lighting dimming as the doors opened. A soft chime announced their arrival, and Dax hesitated before rising, his fingers tightening around the strap of his bag. The moment felt weighted, as though crossing the threshold meant more than just stepping off the shuttle.

A small group awaited him on the landing platform. At their center stood Zarath Marrel, leaning lightly on his cane. His pale eyes fixed on Dax with a mix of curiosity and expectation. Beside him, a young Soladren woman—her expression a studied mask of indifference—glanced at Dax briefly before turning her attention elsewhere.

"Dax Marent," Zarath greeted, his voice smooth and measured. "Welcome."

Dax nodded, his jaw tight. "Let's get this over with."