Chapter 2: Arrival

The sound of the levitating ferry resonated in Sienna’s chest as she leaned against the reinforced glass railing, her wide green eyes fixed on the approaching skyline of Cala Veil. The city unfolded before her like a dream, a dazzling spectacle of technology and ingenuity that seemed almost otherworldly. Towering prism-shaped skyscrapers pierced the sky, their crystalline surfaces catching and refracting the sunlight into shimmering rainbows. The air was alive with motion, filled with the gentle hum of personal levitating devices, sleek, disc-like platforms and winged harnesses that carried people effortlessly between levels of the vertical cityscape.

Her heart raced as the ferry docked at the city’s floating port, a massive structure suspended high above the sky by an array of levicita cores glowing faintly blue. The platform pulsed with activity, bustling with citizens, tourists, and cargo handlers. Automated drones zipped through the air, delivering packages or guiding visitors with holographic projections.

Stepping off the ferry, Sienna clutched the strap of her bag and moved into the crowd. The streets of Cala Veil were a far cry from the quiet, wooded trails of Iskaar Reaches. Here, walkways wound between buildings on multiple levels, with glass floors offering dizzying views of the levels below. People zipped by on their hoverboards, sleek, silver devices that adjusted to the user’s balance with an almost organic grace. Others used hover-rings, wrist-mounted gadgets that generated a faintly glowing field beneath their feet, allowing them to hover and move with the flick of a wrist.

Everywhere she looked, screens displayed dynamic holographic advertisements. A translucent projection of a woman with bright teal hair smiled down at her, extolling the benefits of a levicita-powered skin rejuvenator, probably a scam, she thought. Beside her, another screen showcased a sleek new model of an airship, its hologram rotating slowly to display its aerodynamic design.

Despite the city's beauty, the frenetic pace of life here overwhelmed Sienna. People brushed past her, their faces illuminated by holo-bracelets displaying incoming messages or mapping routes. She saw one man speaking into a small drone that hovered at shoulder height, acting as both assistant and recorder.

Sienna paused to catch her breath, feeling small and out of place amid the technological marvels and the unrelenting motion of the city. A nearby holographic map of the city center projected itself into the air when she stepped closer, but the myriad of blinking points and shifting routes made her head spin.

"Excuse me sir, can you help me? I need to get to House Veilore lands." she called out to a man striding past, his suit immaculate and his personal hover-ring glowing faintly.

He barely slowed down but gestured to the map. "Tap the Veilore Tower marker. It’ll guide you," he said before vanishing into the throng.

Following his advice, Sienna tapped the floating icon labeled "Veilore Tower." A shimmering arrow appeared in front of her, projected by the map, pointing toward her destination. She adjusted her bag and began walking, the arrow gliding smoothly ahead of her as she navigated the layered streets.

When she finally reached the Veilore Tower, Sienna stopped in her tracks, her mouth slightly agape. The building was unlike anything she had ever imagined. Its prismatic structure seemed to capture the light of the entire city, refracting it into a brilliant spectrum that shifted as the sun moved. At over a hundred stories tall, it was the tallest building in Cala Veil, its apex crowned with glowing levicita spires that pulsed with energy.

The ground floor buzzed with activity. Guards in sleek, black uniforms patrolled the entrance, their visors scanning each passerby with an almost imperceptible sound. The double doors were enormous, framed by intricate carvings that combined natural motifs with geometric patterns. A line of visitors stood at the reception desk inside, presenting their holo-IDs for verification as beams of light scanned their forms.

Sienna hesitated at the threshold, suddenly self-conscious. The polished floors and high-tech scanners reminded her that this was no ordinary residence—it was a hub of power and influence. Gathering her courage, she approached one of the guards, who gave her a quick once-over before speaking.

"State your business," he said, his voice neutral but firm.

"I'm here to see Sienna Veilore," she replied, clutching her bag tightly.

The guard raised an eyebrow but scanned a tablet he carried. "Name?"

"Sienna Ardyn," she said.

His expression softened slightly, and he gestured toward the entrance. "Proceed to reception. They’ll verify you there."

Inside, the reception area was even more intimidating. High ceilings stretched up into a glass atrium, where plants—likely genetically engineered—grew in suspended, levitating planters. Light filters cast a soft, golden glow over everything, lending the space an air of warmth despite its grandeur.

Approaching the desk, Sienna presented her holo-ID. The receptionist, a woman with a perfectly styled bob and a holo-bracelet on her wrist, scanned the ID and smiled. "Ah, Miss Ardyn. Welcome. Lady Veilore has been expecting you. Take Lift 1A—it will bring you directly to her quarters."

Sienna thanked her and followed the glowing arrows projected on the floor to the lift. As the doors slid open silently, she stepped inside and watched as the walls of the lift transformed into a transparent view of the city outside. The lift shot upward, giving her a dizzying panorama of Cala Veil. For a moment, she forgot her nerves, entranced by the sprawling network of lights and motion below.

When the lift finally stopped, the doors opened with a soft chime, revealing a stunningly modern apartment that occupied the top floor of the tower. The space was bathed in warm, ambient light, and its expansive windows framed breathtaking views. Despite its grandeur, the space held an air of familiarity, an unexpected warmth in the polished, high-tech surroundings.

Standing in the center of the room was a figure that instantly brought a flood of memories to Sienna. Sienna Veilore was as striking as ever, her petite frame and commanding presence softened by a warm smile. Her jet-black curls fell gracefully over her shoulders, and her deep green eyes sparkled with both intelligence and affection. She wore an elegant black as coal suit that seemed to subtly hum with integrated technology, but it was her open expression that truly put Sienna at ease.

“Sienna!” Veilore exclaimed, her voice carrying the same warmth that the younger girl remembered from her childhood.

For a moment, the younger Sienna stood frozen, her bag still slung over her shoulder. It had been years since they had last seen each other, but the memory of their time together as she was growing up came rushing back. Sienna Veilore wasn’t just a distant family friend, she had been her first friend.

“Aunt Sisi…” the younger girl began, a shy smile tugging at her lips.

“Come here!” Veilore interrupted, crossing the room quickly and pulling the younger Sienna into a firm but gentle hug. “But remember to call me aunt Sisi only when we are alone.” She whispered at Siennas ear with a soft smile.

For a brief moment, Sienna felt the years melt away. She remembered running through the meadows near Iskaar Reaches, laughing as her “aunt” spun her around. She remembered the older woman teaching her the names of the stars in the night sky and explaining how the levicita cores worked in the airships. Veilore had always been patient and kind, treating her not as a child.

“You’ve grown so much,” Veilore said, stepping back to study her. Her tone was warm but carried an undercurrent of wistfulness. “The last time I saw you, you could barely reach my hip. Look at you now, practically an adult.”

“It’s been a long time,” the younger Sienna admitted, feeling a mix of awe and nostalgia as she looked up at her namesake. “But I remember everything. You were the first person to ever… really listen to me. You taught me so much.”

Veilore’s smile softened, and she reached out to brush a stray strand of hair from the younger girl’s face. “And you, little one, taught me that there’s joy in the small things, like chasing fireflies or naming constellations. You’ve always been special, Sienna.” Said the older Sienna gently caressing her face.

The younger girl blushed, ducking her head. “I was worried you might not remember me. It’s been so long, and I’ve changed so much.”

“Of course I remember,” Veilore said firmly. “I may not have been able to visit as often as I wanted, but I never stopped thinking about you and your family. And now, we have all the time in the world to catch up.”

Sienna felt her nerves begin to ease. Though the setting was unfamiliar and the city outside overwhelming, the presence of her aunt Sisi grounded her. There was a bond between them that no amount of time or distance could erode.

“Come, let me show you your room,” Veilore said, gesturing for her to follow. “You must be exhausted after such a long journey.”

As they walked through the elegant corridor, its walls subtly pulsing with light in response to their movement, Veilore spoke of the city and the possibilities that awaited Sienna. The younger girl listened intently, her excitement building with every step.

By the time Veilore opened the door to her new room, a spacious, sunlit space filled with high-tech conveniences and a spectacular view of Cala Veil, Sienna felt a spark of hope igniting in her chest.

This wasn’t just a new beginning in a strange and intimidating city. It was a chance to reconnect with someone who had always believed in her, someone who could guide her as she stepped into this new chapter of her adventure.