Chapter 229: The City of Enlightened Steel!

Chapter 229: The City of Enlightened Steel

Tessa followed the Deri-Legu group through the rugged wilderness, their path winding through towering cliffs and dense vegetation. For a faction that had been cast as primitive by their own people, she hadn't expected much—at most, a few shelters carved into the mountainside or crude structures.

But when they emerged on the other side of the valley, what she saw forced her to stop in her tracks. Her mouth fell slightly agape.

Before her stretched a city—no, an entire civilization—hidden in plain sight.

Skyscrapers of polished steel and reflective surfaces reached for the sky, their sharp angles gleaming under the sunlight. Overhead bridges crisscrossed high above the streets, seamlessly connecting buildings. Flying objects buzzed like mechanical bees through the air, some carrying messages, others scanning or patrolling. Holographic displays flickered with images and information she couldn't yet decipher.

The hum of life was everywhere.

Technicians and engineers clustered in tight circles, arguing and scribbling furiously over schematics that pulsed with strange, glowing energy. Mechanics leaned into machines that hissed and whirred, while builders climbed massive structures, wielding tools she had never seen before. Children sat in groups, their small hands busy assembling miniature machines—learning as they created, teaching one another with quiet determination.

Tessa let out a slow breath, her earlier smugness vanishing. She couldn't laugh at them anymore. For a people who prided themselves on stolen scraps of technology, they had turned their knowledge into something… remarkable.

The city shone with a raw brilliance, a chaotic harmony of innovation and ambition. It wasn't Earth, but it was close—too close. And there was no denying its beauty. The strange lighting systems alone seemed ready to banish night itself, though the full extent was hard to gauge under the harsh sunlight.

Her admiration, however, was fleeting. She didn't have time to marvel at their accomplishments.

Tessa glanced over at Nzak, who stood proudly at her side, arms crossed as he watched her reaction with satisfaction. 'Fine', she thought, 'you've earned a little pride. But I have work to do'.

Her gaze sharpened as her mind switched back to the pressing task at hand. She still had to reach the wormhole, and she needed a vessel—a transportation device that only she had the knowledge to create. The materials required for its construction were all here, hidden beneath the Zubo planet's soil, useless to its natives but invaluable to her.

Tessa turned back to Nzak and the gathered group of Deri-Legu. "I need the Beri-metal, the green clay, and the golden cray-shaft," she announced, her voice ringing with authority. "If you can provide me with these, I will teach you how to build a god-vessel."

The word hung in the air like a stone dropped into still water. Murmurs rippled through the crowd of engineers and mechanics, their eyes alight with curiosity and hunger. God-vessel. It was exactly the kind of bait they couldn't resist.

Nzak frowned, skepticism flickering across his face. "A god-vessel? What is this device you speak of?"

Tessa smiled faintly, already spinning the wheels of her plan. "It is a vessel that transcends your current understanding of transportation," she said, her tone patient, almost teacherly. "It will grant you the ability to move beyond the boundaries of this planet, perhaps even beyond your wildest dreams. But first, you must gather what I need."

Seeing their interest deepen, she continued, her voice soft but deliberate, as though she were unveiling secrets of the universe. "The green clay—a material capable of storing energy and reflecting it. With it, we can create weapons of defense or structures impervious to harm. The Beri-metal—malleable and rare. It shifts to meet any construction demands, no matter how intricate. And the golden cray-shaft… the key. It can fuse any object together with 200% precision."

Gasps rippled through the gathered crowd. Engineers exchanged glances, their minds already calculating the possibilities. Mechanics muttered to themselves, clearly familiar with the names but unaware of their full potential.

Tessa's smile widened slightly. "These materials may seem ordinary to you," she added, "but beyond this planet, they are treasures—more valuable than you can imagine. A mere two grams of each would make a man wealthier than kings."

Nzak's gaze narrowed. "And why would you share such knowledge with us? What do you gain?"

Tessa met his eyes unflinchingly. "I need the vessel for my own mission. Time is against me. I cannot do this alone, but with your skill and resources, we can accomplish this together." She paused, then added with a touch of subtle flattery, "Your people are the only ones capable of building what I require. I am offering you the chance to learn something greater—to master a technology that even your ancestor, Deri-Utok, would have envied."

The crowd seemed to hold its collective breath. For all their pride, Tessa could see the hunger in their eyes—the same hunger that had driven Deri-Utok to steal from gods in the first place. It was their weakness, and she would use it.

"Give me your devotion," she said softly, "and I will show you wonders."

Nzak studied her carefully, his dark eyes probing for any hint of deception, yet all he found was an unwavering confidence that bordered on arrogance. He didn't trust her—not fully—but he couldn't deny the truth in her words.

Her power was something else entirely. He had witnessed it firsthand when she dispatched his men with an effortless flick of her energy. The way the air itself seemed to hum around her as if bending to her will—it was beyond anything he or his people could comprehend. For all their technological advancements, for all their stolen knowledge, they were still just craftsmen wielding tools. She… she was a weapon.

Nzak gave a slow, reluctant nod. "Very well," he said, his voice measured, though a trace of unease lingered. "We will gather what you require. But understand this—power does not exempt you from consequence. If you betray our trust, your strength will not save you from the collective wrath of the Deri-Legu."

Tessa smirked again, her lips curling as though she were amused by his attempt to assert dominance. "You're welcome to try, but let's not waste time pretending I fear you." She stepped closer, her presence radiating an unspoken challenge. "If I wanted to reduce this entire place to ash, not one of you could stop me. But I don't want that. What I want is that ship built—and I need you to do it."

Her words hung in the air, cool and matter-of-fact, yet they carried the weight of undeniable truth.

Nzak remained silent for a moment longer, his mind calculating. The raw, untapped power he had seen her wield still gnawed at him. It wasn't just her ability to destroy that unsettled him—it was her calm certainty, as if the notion of failure or resistance had never crossed her mind. It was both infuriating and compelling.

Finally, he exhaled, though it was less a sign of defeat and more a resignation to what he knew had to be done. "Very well," he said firmly, this time with the conviction of a leader taking charge. "You will have your materials, and we will provide the hands to build your… god-vessel. But we will watch you closely."

"Good." Tessa folded her arms, her smirk softening into something closer to satisfaction. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you or your people. Now, let's get to work. Time is not a luxury I can afford."

Nzak's eyes narrowed, but he turned and barked orders to the group of engineers and builders who had gathered nearby. At his command, they sprang into action, scattering in different directions to procure the materials she had requested. The energy of the city shifted—tense and focused—as if a great machine had suddenly roared to life.

As Tessa watched the Deri-Legu spring into motion, her expression grew contemplative. These people were not fools; they were ambitious, resourceful, and relentless in their pursuit of knowledge. But they were also vulnerable—desperate to claw their way to greatness, no matter the cost.

And I will use that, Tessa thought, her eyes glinting.

For now, they would work together, united by a shared goal. But in the end, she would be the one holding all the strings—and the keys to their creation.