Arrival

In the cold predawn hours, a boy lay curled in a cave, nestled amidst the jagged cliffs of the wasteland. The cave was his sanctuary, protected by a shimmering, blue barrier—a product of Aether technology. This barrier kept out the dangers of the night, from the predatory creatures that prowled the barren landscape to the harsh, aetheric winds that scoured the surface.

As the first pale light of morning crept over the horizon, the barrier flickered and then dissipated, its nightly duty complete. It needed to undergo it's next cycle of passive charging.The boy stirred, his dreams dissolving into the reality of another day in the desolate world. He sat up, shaking off the remnants of sleep, and rubbed his eyes.

Axiel's morning routine was a series of well-practiced motions. He rose and stretched, working out the stiffness from his muscles. He reached into a small, battered backpack and pulled out a ration bar and a canteen of water. His breakfast was meager but enough to keep him going. He ate quickly and methodically, listening to the distant sounds of the wasteland coming alive.

After finishing his meal, Axiel made his way to his trusty bundle teaching in and pulling out another aethertool, this one designed to remove that by absorbing the aether particles attached to them. He then reached for his canteen of water, overturning what was left in it and cupped his hands under the flow, splashing the cold water on his face and drinking deeply. It was a precious resource, and he used it sparingly.

Once refreshed, Axiel returned to his bundle and changed his gear: a patched-up jumpsuit that offered some protection against the elements, sturdy boots, and a hooded cloak. Before putting them on, he rechecked the state of his injury, making the wound was free of all signs of infection and proceeded to reseal it. Standing up, he thought to himself, 'I really need to get this patched up'.

He strapped a short, makeshift blade to his belt and slung his backpack over his shoulder. Stepping out of the cave, he took a deep breath, the crisp morning air filling his lungs. He glanced back at the cave one last time—a place that had been his refuge—and then set off down the rocky path that led to the valley below. His destination was Starforge City, a bustling city-state that was the primary source of aether technology within a 1000-mile radius,, it also happened to be a haven of relative safety and opportunity amidst the wasteland.

The path wound through desolate terrain and twisted metal wreckage, but Axiel navigated it with ease. He had traveled this way before, in the company of his father, besides the map he was provided with didn't hurt either. As he walked, he remained vigilant, his senses attuned to the ever-present dangers of the wasteland. The barrier had protected him during the night, but now he was on his own. The scars of the previous night also served as a reminder of the consequences of failure.

After several hours of walking, Axiel heard the hum of engines and the clatter of wheels. He stepped off the path and crouched behind a rusted, half-buried vehicle, peering out to see a caravan of halo-trucks making their way along the old highway. There were three vehicles in total, each loaded with goods, and a handful of guards riding atop, their eyes scanning the horizon vigilantly.

Axiel waited until the caravan had passed before emerging from his hiding place. He quickened his pace, catching up to the last hover-truck. The merchants glanced at him with curiosity but did not seem alarmed by his presence. One of them, a burly man with a aetheruned cyberarm and a friendly expression, waved him over.

"Hey, kid! What brings you out here all by yourself?. You running from something or what?" the man called out,  the caution in his voice seeping out slightly even with the use of a voice modulator.

"I'm heading to Starforge City and no, it's just a supply run," Axiel replied. "Mind if I tag along?"

The merchant nodded, his guard brought down by Axiel's reply. "Sure thing. Safety in numbers, right? I'm Cyrus, by the way."

"Axiel," the boy said, offering a small smile.

The caravan continued on its way, and Axiel fell into step beside Cyrus. The merchant was talkative and amiable, sharing tales of his travels and the various goods he traded. Axiel listened intently, absorbing the information. Cyrus' stories painted a vivid picture of the world beyond  Starforge City and the wilderness surrounding it, a world Axiel was eager to explore.

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, the group approached the gates of Starforge City. The city-state's walls loomed before them, tall and formidable, with guards stationed at the entrance. These guards, clad in aetheruned exosuits, scrutinized each traveler carefully, their faces hidden behind reflective visors.

Cyrus approached the head guard, a tall figure with an authoritative presence. "Morning, Captain. We've brought supplies from the northern sectors. Got the usual—aetherores, aetherbeast remains, and some discarded aether tech."

The captain nodded but did not move to let them pass. "Inspection first. You know the protocol."

Cyrus sighed but motioned for his crew to start unloading the halo-trucks. Axiel watched on as the guards inspected the goods, scanning each item with handheld devices. It was a tedious process, but Cyrus seemed unfazed.

As the inspection continued, Axiel noticed Cyrus slip a small pouch into the captain's hand. The captain's stern demeanor softened slightly, and he gave a curt nod. "Everything seems in order. Welcome to Starforge City. As usual, your stay is limited to a week unless renewed at the District Gates."

The merchants began reloading their halo-trucks, and Axiel followed them through the gates, his heart pounding with anticipation as this was his first solo visit to the city. The city-state of Starforge City was a sight to behold. Towering skyscrapers of metal and glass rose from the ground, interconnected by a web of walkways and neon-lit signs. People bustled about, drones buzzed overhead, and the air was filled with the hum of machinery and the scent of industrial activity.

Axiel marveled at the sheer vibrancy of the city, no matter how many times he saw it, the difference still astounded him. It was a far cry from the quaint valley he had been brought up in. He felt a sense of awe and a tinge of nervousness, knowing that a lot depended on his journey .

Cyrus clapped a hand on Axiel's shoulder, breaking him out of his reverie. "Welcome to Starforge City, kid. I've got some business to attend to, but if you need anything, you can find me at the Rune Chime Tavern in the lower levels."

"Thank you, Cyrus," Axiel said, grateful for the merchant's kindness to a practical stranger.

With a nod, Cyrus and his crew made their way deeper into the city, leaving Axiel to find his own path. He took a moment to get his bearings, then set off toward the center of Starforge City, determined to accomplish the tasks handed down to him.

Axiel navigated the bustling streets, ignoring the sights and sounds around him, his focus on getting to his first stop in the city as soon as possible. He passed by market stalls overflowing with salvaged aethertech and black-market goods, their vendors calling out to passersby. A street performer juggled glowing orbs to the delight of a gathered crowd, while a musician played a haunting melody on an aetherune violin, triggering the aether to manifest astounding visual effects.

Despite the noise and chaos, Axiel felt a strange sense of belonging. This was a place where people from all walks of life came together, each with their own stories and ambitions. He could feel the energy of the city coursing through him, fueling his determination.

As he walked, Axiel kept an eye out for any signs that might lead him to his destination, not wanting to miss it due to nervousness. On getting to the place he remembered, he found no sign of the shop he had visited with his father earlier in the year. He then proceeded to make enquiries from neighboring shops who informed him of the relocation of the business of interest.

By midday, Axiel found himself in a quieter part of the city, near a small park. He decided to take a break and sat down on a bench, pulling out a map of Starforge City he had acquired earlier. As he studied the map, he noticed a small, nondescript building nearby with a sign that read "Dante's Fresh Produce."

Elated at his discovery, Axiel proceed  to approach the building and peered through the window. Inside, he saw shelves lined with vegetables, fruits, and various other farm produce. An elderly man sat behind the counter, his eyes closed as if in meditation.

Axiel exclaimed in recognition, then pushed the door open and stepped inside. A bell above the door chimed softly, and the man's eyes fluttered open. He regarded Axiel with a warm smile.

"Axiel, good to see you again. How's your father? Is he with you?" he asked, his voice gentle and warm.

"He's fine, Mr Dante. My sister fell ill and he had to stay behind to take care of her" Axiel explained.

The man's expression grew concerned. "Aris fell ill? Have you stopped by a pharmacy for a prescription? If you haven't, you should try Garrett's, they are pretty affordable."

Axiel's heart leapt with joy at the mention of affordable medicine. "Do you know where they are located?."

The man shook his head. "Yeah, they are just by the corner. I know the owner personally, just tell him I sent you, he'll help you out with a discount."

Axiel nodded, his resolve strengthened. "Thank you, sir. I appreciate the help."

The man smiled. "I believe you do. Take this," he said, handing Axiel a small, intricately carved coin. "Add this to what you have, just in case its not enough. Also you can drop your bundle by the side, your payment will be ready by tomorrow."

Axiel accepted the coin with reverence. "Thank you, sir" he repeated, his voice filled with gratitude.

As he left the shop, Axiel felt a renewed sense of purpose.

"I think I can do this, after all." He thought.