Race Against Time

They reached the Core and, this time deciding to run, quickly made their way to Duace's singularity. 

The world shifted yet again and they were now in Duace's universe.

The landscape before them was rugged and mountainous, with towering peaks and deep valleys stretching out as far as the eye could see. The air was crisp and clean, tinged with the scent of pine and earth.

In the distance, they could see the twinkling lights of a bustling city nestled among the mountains, its skyline towering towards the sky. 

Text appeared beside the sky as the Solispectra decided to convey a message.

"Alert: 30,000Km Spanning Barrier in place. Some activities might be restricted."

"So this is where the Dwarfs reside?" asked Michael asked.

"Yup." Horizon confirmed with a hint of nostalgia in his voice, putting his hands on his hips, "Good ol' memories here."

"Where'd you get the accent from now?" asked Xyel bluntly.

"When I lived here." Horizon shook his head.

Michael had some questions but he decided to ask them later.

"Oh and, you can't run here," Xyel said.

"Because of the barrier?" asked Michael.

"How did you-" Xyel began, surprised.

Michael blandly pointed towards the Solispectra.

"Oh. Well, I mean running not in that sense. As long as you're in the barrier placed by the Dwarfs, you can't exceed certain speeds, nor can you use powers."

"Pff…" Horizon laughed, "Not on me."

He said as he appeared on a distant mountain cliff in an instant mountain cliff.

"SEE?" He exclaimed childishly.

He suddenly teleported back.

"But I can't leave you people behind." He tugged Michael in the shoulder. 

Arial laughed, amused by Horizon's behavior, and Xyel rolled his eyes.

They walked towards the city.

"What is this city called?" asked Michael.

"Bryndurim." Horizon smiled, "There are several more but it's the most important. The Portal of Trading should be at the coastline too. So that's something that also gives it an edge."

As they descended the mountain and approached the city, Horizon stopped them.

"There's a barrier here." He told the group.

"Alert: 100km Advanced-Level Barrier. Entry restricted. 

Breaking the barrier is likely not possible."

Suddenly, a translucent black barrier became visible which seemed to span over the entire city, more than likely as large as specified by the eye.

"I can see it," said Michael.

"And that's the reason," he pointed at something distant, beside the barrier, fallen on the ground in a pile.

"Are those Corrupted Ones?" asked Xyel, looking closely, "They number over THOUSANDS."

"Exactly. They can't reach the central city. The barrier eliminates them," Horizon sighed with amusement, pointing his thumb backward, "Even right now, they're trying to kill us." 

There were almost thousands of Corrupted Ones surrounding them that were frozen in mid-air, all coming towards them, their horrid mouths open in pure starvation

"Holy…" Xyel went speechless as he turned around.

"Don't worry. My aura protects you." Horizon chuckled, "Let me just eradicate my former mates." 

He suddenly flicked two of his fingers downwards. Suddenly, all of the Corrupted Ones smashed downward with immense power, eliminating them on the spot.

"That is impressive," Michael remarked.

Horizon's smile widened, "Thank you, Mikey! You make me blush." He hid his face behind his hands.

Michael watched with disgust.

Horizon removed the hands, still smiling, "That's enough. Let's go in."

As Horizon's hand made contact with the barrier, a sudden surge of power surged through him, sending shockwaves of dread coursing through his veins. His eyes widened in terror, realizing the true extent of the barrier's strength.

 "WAIT, I UNDERESTIMATED THIS. THIS IS TOO POWERFUL-" His words were cut short as a loud scream ripped through the air, echoing off the mountain peaks. 

"HORIZON!" Xyel's voice cut through the chaos, laced with concern as he rushed to his side, with Arial seeking refuge behind Xyel's protective wing.

The scream immediately morphed into a fit of hysterical laughter, Horizon's face twisting with amusement as he laughed at the angel.

Xyel's concern turned to frustration as Horizon's laughter echoed off the barrier, seemingly unfazed by the ordeal. 

"Will you STOP DOING THIS," Xyel roared, his patience wearing thin with Horizon's antics. 

But Horizon couldn't contain himself, his laughter bubbling up uncontrollably as he found amusement in Xyel's expressions, his cheerful behavior contrasting with the tension of the moment.

"Did you fall for it, Michael?" asked Horizon, finally containing himself.

"No," replied Michael sharply.

"Too bad." Horizon frowned.

He turned back towards the barrier and glided his hand gently on the barrier. The barrier immediately gave way to a hole.

"Step right in, " Horizon gestured to the group with a pleasant smile.

As they entered the city, the difference between the city's modern, futuristic architecture and its litter-strewn streets was obvious. 

Towering skyscrapers reached toward the sky, their elegant surfaces stained by the accumulation of garbage and debris that cluttered the streets below. The city seemed to pulsate with life, but beneath the surface, there was an air of neglect and decay. 

Shortly after, several Corrupted Ones came crashing onto the barrier after them, only to get killed as soon as they touched the shield.

"Alright." Horizon walked to the front of the group, "Welcome to Bryndurim."

The city's inhabitants bustled about, dwarf figures darting between towering buildings and weaving through the crowded streets. 

Some moved with purpose, their eyes fixed on the path ahead, while others lingered in doorways or leaned against buildings, their faces etched with weariness and resignation.

Seeing through the numerous amounts of pedestrians, Arial excitedly rushed towards a passing dwarf with outstretched arms,

"Baby friend!" she yelled.

The dwarf, taken aback by the sudden approach, braced himself as if preparing for impact, his expression a mix of surprise and concern.

Xyel quickly intervened and scooped Arial before she could hug him.

"Sorry." He apologized with a sheepish laugh.

The dwarf, unamused by the encounter, continued on his way, casting a wary glance back at the group as he disappeared into the crowd of pedestrians.

"Arial, stop that will you?" he pleaded.

She giggled wholeheartedly.

"Where do we go now?" asked Michael.

"Well, if I remember correctly, Lodinop's residence was beneath this bar called The Black Pecker." Horizon said, "I should remember the way. Try and keep up." He grinned and began darting through the streets.

"HORIZ-" Xyel yelled but he should've said it sooner.

Michael wasted no time in springing into action. With a swift motion, he uncoiled his rope dart and leaped into the air, the metal tip of the weapon finding support on a nearby building. With an elegant swing, he propelled himself forward, soaring through the air with agility and grace.

Xyel watched in despair. He picked up Arial and opened his wings, halting several Dwarfs who were passing from around him. 

He jumped and took flight, his powerful wings beating against the air as he ascended into the sky.

The dwarfs watched with depressed faces as three lunatics began racing each other on their streets.