The plaza at the heart of the city glowed like a cathedral made of glass.

Light poured from the Central Spire, scattering across marble streets and mirrored towers, gilding everything in gentle gold.

Above, the Great Domes shimmered — a translucent canopy that turned the sky into a living mural. The entire city had gathered beneath it.

Rows upon rows of newcomers, players, stood in uneasy clusters, surrounded by thousands of natives in ceremonial garb.

The scent of incense and ozone filled the air. Guards formed perfect geometric formations around the plaza’s rim, their polished halberds catching the light.

Then the sound changed.

The choir’s tones deepened, blending into a low resonance that made the air vibrate.

Twelve lanterns crowned the spire — proof, they said, that their god still spoke.

From the base of the spire, a procession of priests emerged — twelve of them, each carrying a crystal lantern that pulsed in rhythm with the city’s heartbeat.

Each lantern upon the spire mirrored one within the hands of the priests — twelve in all, bound together since the Era of Wounding. If one dimmed, the others answered, for such was the covenant of light.

They parted at the steps. Between them descended a single figure: The High Orator.

Her robes were woven from living light, threads rippling in colors that defied description.

Her face was serene; her eyes reflected the city’s glow like still water.

When she spoke, her voice was amplified not by magic, but by the air itself — like the city was listening.

“Cool. The tutorial’s kicking off,” Mirai said, but his grin faltered halfway through the Orator’s words.

“Children of the Skyfall, welcome.

You stand within the Reach of Elysium, the last cradle of mankind.

When the heavens burned and the oceans turned to glass, it was here our god took pity on us.

He wove these domes of light to spare the faithful from the ruin beyond.

For centuries, we have lived within his promise.”

She paused, the choir’s harmony swelling faintly beneath her words.

“And yet… today, the sky opened once more, and you — his echoes, have descended.

You are proof that his mercy endures.

But mercy must be met with reverence.”

Her hand lifted toward the sky.

High above the clouds, faint silhouettes drifted in stillness, celestial forms gliding across clouds.

Their wings shimmered with light.

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

“The Guardians remain vigilant. They are the divine’s gaze made flesh.

They strike so that we may never repeat the sins of those before us.

Stay within the light, and you shall live in peace.

Step beyond… and you shall see what even gods fear to remember.”

Silence followed — thick, reverent, absolute.

Then, only the hum of the city’s pulse.

When the Orator spoke again, her tone softened—directive, ceremonial.

“You will be given food, water, and shelter within the Reach.

Learn our ways. Obey our laws.

The light welcomes all… but it suffers no defiance.”

A faint shimmer pulsed through the barrier above — a wave of golden light spreading like breath through the clouds.

“He watches. Always.”

Then the choir resumed — serene, beautiful, and somehow wrong.

Silence returned but not the same silence as before.

Saiya’s eyes tracked the glowing spire, her jaw tense. “That didn’t sound like any tutorial or system message I’ve ever heard. No launch event talks about faith.”

Mirai exhaled, grin returning. “Gotta keep the immersion tight. She’ll probably be like our divine guide or something after we finish.”

Issan adjusted his glasses, eyes narrowing. “Innovators, sure, but promises food and water?” he smirked dryly.

Takara tilted her head, mockingly imitating the Orator’s tone. “Bow down to the light, do not breaketh the covenant.”

The group chuckled.

Somewhere in the distance, the crystal bells tolled again—deep and beautiful, like mourning disguised as ceremony

The plaza dispersed slowly, the crowd flowing into the arteries of the city like rivers of light.

Guards guided the Skyfallen down marble streets lined with mirrored glass, where fountains ran with luminous water and natives offered gentle, rehearsed smiles.

“They’re still staring,” Saiya muttered, eyes tracking the locals’ fixed expressions.

“Guided tour, seems like,” Mirai said, half-smiling. “I’m liking this city’s map design so far — very F-series-like.”

“This place is bigger than I expected, as long as the map’s available soon.” Saiya said, exhaling flatly.

Takara's eyes swept across the polished architecture. “It’s like walking through Freya’s downtown, almost.”

Issan looked up; faint glyphs pulsed along the marble, following their movement like eyes.

“Observation network,” he murmured. “Or ritualistic paranoia.”

Takara brushed her fingers along a vendor’s stall. The man bowed deeply, offering fruit that shimmered like crystal.

“They’re treating us like saints,” she said softly.

“Whatever. We can play through story mode some other time.” Saiya said flatly.

Natives offered flowers, charms, and bread to the Skyfallen, their voices trembling with both awe and warning.

“Stay in the light.”

“Do not seek the edge.”

“Beyond is only silence.”

Mirai turned a glowing flower over in his hand.

“They really don’t want us to go out there,” he said, smirking. “Now I’m curious.”

“We were gonna grind anyway,” Saiya replied, static crackling faintly across her skin. “Divine permission or not.”

“Classic tutorial energy,” Mirai added.

Issan’s eyes lingered on the fading sigils still pulsing along the tiles. “Tutorials don’t usually feel like commandments.”

Mirai smirked, tilting his head, a shoulder slightly raised. “Hey, more reasons to rate the game a ten out of ten right?” 

Takara frowned. “Yeah, but… I know they’re just NPCs, but it feels wrong somehow.”

Zenobia looked toward the horizon—the soft, luminous wall cutting off the world.

“It’s humming,” she whispered. “Something’s activating.” she said, ears twitching.

The group followed her gaze.

Then the light shifted.

A ripple ran through the dome — not the gentle shimmer from before, but a sharp distortion, like water struck by a stone.

From high above, a deep metallic roar tore through the sky.

The first Guardian moved.

It broke formation, wings folding back as it dove, slicing through the clouds like a blade.

The air trembled in its wake.

Another followed. Then another.

Within seconds, dozens were descending — not toward the plaza, but toward the edges of the city, far out of sight, where the light met the unknown.

Gasps spread.

People screamed.

Priests fell to their knees.

The Orator turned slowly, her face paling, hand trembling.

“No… that cannot be…”

For the first time, her serenity cracked.

Her lantern-bearers looked skyward, trembling.

“My lady, the Guardians—” 

“They haven’t moved since… the Era of Wounding! she cried. “Thousands of years ago!”

Skyfallen’s voices cut through — awe, brash, and denial:

“Yo, are those, like, bosses?”

“Maybe it’s an event trigger.”

“I thought they were just background models. 

“Oh well, easy work.”

But the Orator wasn’t listening. Her eyes fixed on the horizon, where faint red streaks now marked the sky. She began to pray, trembling.

The Guardians were hunting something, someone,  at the edges of the dome.

Saiya’s eyes tracked one of the crimson streaks diving through the sky.

She exhaled through her nose, adrenaline filled smirk on her lips. 

“Guess we just saw what happens if you leave the safe zone. Let’s go.”

As they made their way through town toward the barrier, heads turned and murmurs spread.

“No way. It’s them…”

“Sephoric?”

“I heard they were crazy strong in the last game.”

“True, but this is a whole new game now not to hate or anything.”

“Zenobia! We love you!”

Zenobia shrunk slightly. Mirai patted her shoulder reassuringly.

——— 

Meanwhile, off to the side, two players were locked in an entirely different conversation.

“Damn, look at her,” the first player said, nudging his friend with a sly grin.

“Don’t,” the second warned under his breath. “You know who that is?”

The first ignored him, grinning wider as his gaze followed the group. “I’m gonna go talk to her. Love her look — confident, sexy.”

“Wait, bro, no,” his friend hissed, grabbing his arm. “That’s Saiya. You don’t talk to her like that. They’ll shred you if you try anything stupid.”

“Relax,” the first said, shrugging him off. “It’s just a game. If they kill me, I’ll respawn. I’m just curious.”

He jogged up to the group, grinning like they were old friends.

“Yo, Mirai! Big fan of Sephoric. Man, I’ve watched all your matches,” he said, clapping Mirai’s shoulder like they’d known each other for years. “Your outfit’s slick too. Nice.”

Mirai blinked, caught between politeness and discomfort. “Uh… thanks? Do I know you from somewhere?”

“Nah, man, not yet! But hey, we’re in the same game now, right? Thought I’d introduce myself.”

His gaze slid toward Saiya, grin widening. “And you — wow. Love the whole look you’ve got going on. The hair, that outfit… you like it?”

“No,” she said flatly. her tone was cold enough to freeze the air.

“Ouch,” he said, unfazed. “Didn’t mean anything bad. You just look… intense, you know?”

Her brow raised, expression detached, tone low. “Excuse me?”

“Hey, I’m just saying — Confident, dangerous, that kind of thing. You’re beautiful.”

Takara stifled a laugh, leaning closer to Mirai. “This isn’t going to end well,” she whispered.

Saiya took a step forward, her gaze cutting through him like glass. Her voice dropped, low and sharp.

“We didn’t choose any of this. Now kindly get lost.”

The player raised his hands defensively but didn’t back off. “Hey, no need to get all serious, I’m just being friendly.”

His hand moved toward her lower back in a mock-friendly gesture—

—and Issan moved in a blur.

He caught the player’s wrist in a crushing grip and twisted. The man’s face contorted in pain as ligaments strained audibly.

“Hands to yourself,” Issan said, voice calm but heavy as steel.

He released the wrist with a flick, sending the player stumbling back.

“I got him.” Saiya said coldly, her silver eyes narrowing. 

A red crack of lightning flickered across her arm, sinking into the glowing mark at her wrist before fading.

She clapped twice soft, deliberate and small puffs of black and red smoke curled into the air. The smoke twisted unnaturally, swirling as if alive, before she blew gently toward it.

The shadow dashed forward, weaving into the player’s mouth, eyes, and ears.

He gasped, clawing at his throat as the last traces of smoke vanished inside him.

She raised her hand, fingers slowly curling into a crushing fist. The player’s throat visibly constricted on both sides, his breath hitching as panic flashed across his face.

The player clawed desperately at his throat, his gasps turning to choked whimpers.

“Alright, that’s enough!” Mirai stepped forward, his voice sharp but laced with unease. “You’ve made your point. Let him go before you actually kill him.”

Her piercing silver eyes stayed locked on the player, her fist stayed tight, unrelenting.

“He crossed a line,” she said icily, her voice sharp and unforgiving. “You all saw where he tried to touch me. I don’t tolerate disrespect.”

After a long, tense moment, she released her grip, her fingers unfurling with deliberate precision. The player crumpled to the ground, gasping for air as he clutched his throat.

He scrambled to his feet, his breaths ragged and uneven. “Y-you’re insane!” he croaked, stumbling backward. 

His panicked steps carried him away, his voice trembling as he muttered curses under his breath before disappearing into the crowd.

The plaza had gone silent.

Skyfallen. Natives. Everyone watched.

Some natives dropped to their knees, whispering prayers:

“The gods are reminding us what anger looks like…”

“The Sky Children channel judgment itself.”

Some Skyfallen looked on in disbelief; others laughed nervously:

“That animation was nuts!”

“Yeah, the devs went way too realistic with the choking sound.”

Then another tried to help the strangled man and froze upon viewing.

The man was trembling, pupils dilated.

“Wait… did he just — did she actually—?”

 The laughter stopped.

 Arguments erupted in its place.

 “That’s assault, man!”

“He tried grabbing her first!”

“It’s a game, relax!”

Then a voice cut through the noise. Small. Real.

“It’s gone… I can’t find the option.”

The plaza froze.

“That’s part of the tutorial probably.”

No one answered. No one could.