Nightmare Agency - Chapter 1: On the Way

A massive metal glider—shaped almost like a bus with wings—cut across the sky, its frame slicing through the wind like a crackling bullet. The waxed metal mirrored the world around it as the hull dove through a fluffy cloud.

From the ground, anyone would mistake it for a plane—though it wasn’t one. This craft had long since outgrown conventional engineering. It didn’t run on fuel, but on something far stranger.

Anyone observant enough to glance beneath the undercarriage would see it: a soft blue shimmer bending not the air, but gravity itself.

Sleek and beautiful, it was a new age of mechanical birds rising through the heavens.

Yet inside the massive metal tube, the scene felt almost mundane. Passengers had already fallen into the quiet rhythm of travel. Men unfolded newspapers, women touched up their makeup—others lost themselves in the glow of their phones. A few simply watched the horizon, where waves rolled far below and sunlight scattered across the water like shards of glass.

Towards the front of the cabin, a young man sat by the window, dressed neatly in a sharp navy blue uniform. Unlike the smiling faces around him, his gray-blue eyes were downcast, fixed on the letter in his hands. He ruffled his unkempt ash-brown hair, lost in thought so deeply that he didn’t notice when an old man in a weathered trench coat took the seat across from him.

The old man squinted. “I know that uniform. You’re heading to Bluefalls City—to attend the Academy, aren’t you?”

“What?” the young man said. “Uh—yeah.” Then he straightened his posture, snapping out of his thoughts.

The reaction caused the man to smile, the corners of his eyes creasing. “That’s what I figured. I heard they held another lottery drawing recently—about a month ago. I was wondering when we’d start seeing new students headed that way.”

He laughed. “My daughter goes there. I get to see her only a few times a year—she’s always buried in her studies. Even when she’s home on break, it’s never long enough for her to see her old man.”

The young man’s eyes went wide. “For real? That’s amazing. Must be nice having someone on the inside.”

“Ha! It has its moments,” the old man replied, leaning back as he studied him. “First time leaving home?”

“Yes, actually,” he admitted, sinking further into his seat. “How could you tell?”

The old man then placed a hand on his own chin, a grin creeping up on his face. “You’ve got the look of someone who made an enormous decision, but they don’t know if they should jump in the ocean below to swim back home or go along for the ride.”

An exasperated sigh came out of the young man’s mouth. “I guess you aren’t far off. It’s nerve-wracking,” he said, rubbing the back of his head. “I just took off with the little I had from home, barely even got to say goodbye…”

The old man huffed. “Don’t worry yourself; I’m sure your folks are missing you too. But remember, you’ll see them again.”

He then leaned in and put a gentle hand on the young man’s shoulder. “So, have fun while you can. You’re young; cherish these moments that few people ever get in their lifetime.”

A small grin tugged at the young man’s lips. “I’ll try. I’m… eagerly expecting the unexpected.”

The old man nodded. “Well, when you get there, try not to drop your jaw on the terminal floor.”

The hum of the enormous machine deepened, and a barely noticeable vibration seemed to pass through the cabin itself. The young man tilted his head, puzzled. Yet, before he could ask what the man meant, a soft chime rang overhead.

“Now approaching Bluefalls City. Estimated arrival: five minutes.”

The old man gestured toward the window. “There it is. Look.”

Several passengers rose to see. Their wide eyes and elated breaths said everything. The young man did the same, following their gaze—and froze.

Outside, a vast landmass floated high above the ocean. A city sprawled across its surface, so immense he couldn’t see where it ended.

In the clouds, towering skyscrapers pierced them, their mirrored faces flashing with the sun’s light. Even more impressively, when he squinted he could make out a faint translucent barrier curved around the city like a shimmering dome. While sleek, wheel-less vehicles glided along its edge, leaving trails of blue light beneath them.

The old man looked at the young man with a playful glint in his eye. “That look right there—you’re trying to remember where your jaw went. You’ll be picking it up all day, I bet.”

Moments later, the glider began its descent. The lights flickered as it aligned with the docking ring. A soft hiss of grinding metal filled the cabin as it slowed. Passengers rose, tugging down their bags and shuffling into the aisle.

The old man stood with his satchel in hand. “Hey, what’s your name, son? Didn’t get it back there.”

The young man perked up. “Isaac. It’s Isaac, sir.”

“Well, Isaac, have a good one. It’s been nice talking to you.”

“You too,” Isaac said. “Thanks for the pep talk.”

The man chuckled, giving Isaac’s shoulder a light tap. Isaac opened his mouth to ask for his name, but the old man was already slipping into the crowd. By the time Isaac stood to follow, he was gone.

Afterwards, Isaac gave the letter in his hand one more glance, then swiftly put it in his pocket when he went to gather his things from the railing above. Finally, slinging the bag on his back, he made his way to the oval door. A chime played overhead.

“Thank you for choosing GravWing Transport. We appreciate your travel.”

He gulped and stepped into the terminal. His shoes hit the pearlescent floor with a sharp click. The platform didn’t sway or hum. It felt perfectly still—like real ground back home.

“This… this is something else!” he said, bouncing up and down until he realized people were staring. However, a loud boom cut short his embarrassment, making him jump.

Looking up, his breath caught once again. Neon signs pulsed in waves of color, while billboards broke free from their static frames, erupting into motion—advertising sleek vehicles, arcades, as well as other things Isaac didn’t understand. Further above that, machines zipped through the air on what appeared to be suspended see-through roadways with rails.

Ahead in the terminal, attendants lined the walls in perfect rows. Some were unmistakably human. Others… not so much. Synthetic skin glistened, circuitry shining under their necks, eyes flashing like LEDs.

Then, overhead, a massive holo-screen came to life. A crisp voice boomed through the chaos as a cheerful mascot appeared beside it.

“Welcome, one and all, to the crowning jewel of Vyrden Industries’ innovation—a marvel of progress that propels humanity into the future! Bluefalls City!”

“Here, dreams take shape—and the impossible becomes reality.”

“From their discovery came the materials, the energy, and the inspiration that gave birth to this magnificent city in the sky.”

The voice faded beneath a swell of orchestral music as Isaac stood there, lost in the spectacle. The city—half utopia, half miracle—reflected in his eyes like liquid glass.

Then, without warning—

A thud.

Someone collided with him, scattering papers inside a small leather-bound notebook everywhere across the floor.

Isaac stepped back, scanning for something he knew had fallen. When he swiveled his head, he saw a girl kneeling before him. “Hey, are you okay?” he said, rushing over without hesitation.

She didn’t utter a word when he reached out, though eventually she regained her composure after a minute. Still, he thought it was strange that she paid him no mind. To her, he barely seemed to exist compared to the items on the ground.

Isaac, in the meantime, bent down to help until her emerald eyes briefly locked onto his.

For a heartbeat, the noise of the terminal blurred into nothing.

He took in her features. She had light brown skin and soft chestnut hair streaked with a single green highlight that shimmered. After a moment, her gaze switched back to her items on the floor.

As he reached for a page, Isaac couldn’t stop staring—this time noticing more of her attire. The design was almost identical to his own academy uniform, but hers was more refined, as though someone had tailored it for her. He stared at her in silence, yet a question had been nagging him.

“H-Hey, are you going to the Acade—”

Isaac froze. A chill ran down his spine as something dark crossed into his view, a figure’s silhouette stretching forward and blotting out the light.

He lost his balance and fell back, heart pounding as the air thickened around him. But before panic could settle in, the girl’s soft voice cut through the silence.

Her voice trembled. “I’m fine… he did nothing to me…”

As those words left her lips, the figure in front of him shifted slightly.

There stood a tall woman between them, her presence calm yet commanding. She moved with quiet purpose as she stepped forward, the faint click of her heels steady against the pearl floor. She had neatly tied long silver-gray hair, and wore a black, immaculate maid’s uniform—tailored to perfection, every crease sharp, every button fastened with care.

She carried herself with a composure that drew attention without any need of asking for it.

“A maid?” Isaac muttered.

The woman cleared her throat, snapping him out of his trance. “Please forgive me,” she said in a strong French accent, offering a graceful bow. “The crowd can be overwhelming for someone unused to traveling.”

“Oh, no, it’s alright… uh…” Isaac said, but she was already brushing dust from the girl’s sleeve with precise, almost mechanical care. Isaac sighed as the maid sat the young girl up.

“Sera,” the maid said teasingly. “What do we say?”

The girl hesitated, then peered up.

“…I’m sorry,” she whispered.

Her voice was faint, like a ripple of sound that vanished as soon as it formed.

“N-no, it’s fine,” Isaac stammered, feeling the warmth rush to his cheeks as he glanced away. “Sorry, I bumped into you.”

The maid smiled politely. “Thank you for your understanding.”

With that, she placed a hand on the girl’s shoulder and guided her away. Within moments, the two disappeared into the crowd.

He looked down. One of her pages remained in his hand—thin, creased, covered in delicate handwriting.

He thought of calling after her but didn’t. Instead, he folded it carefully and slipped it into his pocket.

The sounds of the terminal returned—footsteps, chatter, the low hum of the city. “So even people like that go there?” he said, exhaling and adjusting his bag before moving on.

Moments later, he reached a wide corridor lined with glowing signs that shimmered above rows of departure gates. Each led to a walkway stretching out into the open air, where sleek transit pods hovered in place like waiting vessels.

Then, a soft chime broke through the ambient noise, drawing his attention to his pocket. He pulled out his wallet and flipped it open to find his ID card pulsing with faint blue light. Curious, he slid it free—and as he did, a holographic emblem flickered to life above it: the insignia of the Academy, shining in the air, with a metallic voice that said—

“Proceed to Gate 4-A, Line One.”

After some confusion about the gate numbers, Isaac finally found the line of students wearing the same navy uniforms. The line crawled forward, filled with nervous chatter and the soft shuffle of feet. The surrounding tension pressed in like static, and he felt his stomach tighten with secondhand anxiety.

Then—out of the quiet behind him came a small voice.

“Um… excuse me, are you new?”

Isaac turned. A girl with bright yellow hair tied into a ponytail stood there, her blue eyes wide. “Sorry,” she added while fidgeting with her sleeve. “I didn’t mean to bother you. But is this your first time in the city?”

“Uh, yeah… also, don’t worry about it,” Isaac said, and then he offered a crooked grin. “I’m fresh as a baby’s butt. Why did I say that out loud? Please pretend I didn’t.”

She snorted and then slapped a hand over her mouth. “Too late, I’m going to remember it forever.”

“Great,” he puffed his chest. “Surprising strangers with my nonsense is how I maintain my fragile confidence.”

Her giggle escaped despite her best attempt to hide it. Then, she held out her hand. “Leyna. Leyna Rowan.”

Isaac, in response, shook it. “Isaac Elson. Nice to meet you.”

She made a small hop as she glanced around at the other lines. “I’m guessing you won the lottery, right? A lot of newcomers are arriving today—it is the start of March after all.”

Isaac tilted his head. “March?”

She blinked. “You know the deadline?”

Isaac shook his head.

She playfully winked. “That’s right, you’re new.” She placed a finger on her chin. “But it’s something my sister told me,” Leyna explained. “Everyone registering for the Academy has to sign up before mid-March.”

Isaac squinted. “And if you don’t…?”

Before she could answer—

WHAM.

A loud thud ripped everyone’s attention forward. Near the checkout station, a boy in the same uniform was being held firmly in place.

“Hey—let go of me!” he shouted. “I staked my whole life to be here!”

A sharp electronic beep cut through the terminal.

“ID number #9204,” a synthesized voice declared. “You missed the registration deadline. Return to the transport vessel. Terminal staff will escort you back home.”

“No—no, screw you!” the boy screamed, throwing a punch.

His fist landed with a sickening clank against metal that made Isaac wince at the sound. The attendant didn’t budge. Instead, it turned its head in one mechanically perfect motion to look down at the boy. “Sir. Remain calm.”

The boy screamed again, clutching his bloody knuckles.

Then—

BWAAAMP! BWAAAMP!

Alarms blared as drones descended from the ceiling, blue and red lights flaring like police sirens.

“Unauthorized resistance detected,” they droned. “Exit the line immediately or face disciplinary action.”

Isaac leaned toward Leyna, lowering his voice. “Okay… so March isn’t a horror movie title. It’s a deadline from hell. Good to know.”

Despite the tension, she stifled a tiny laugh.

“As you just saw,” she said, “you’ll get expelled from the city if you don’t register. Unless your family already lives here. Then it’s just a fine.”

Isaac rubbed the back of his neck. “Right. So… how do I know if I’m actually registered?”

“Oh!” Leyna perked up. “They email you when you finish it. And the city insignia shows up on your ID. See?” She held up her card, pointing to a small glowing star in the corner.

Isaac leaned in. “I see, nice.”

She gave a bashful little smile.

Isaac returned it—sheepish this time. He fished out his own card, exhaled when he saw the same insignia glowing there, then tucked it away with a quiet sigh of relief. “Yeah… now I understand why my dad basically shoved the tablet in my face and sat next to me till I finished. Man was ready to chain me to the chair if I tried to run.”

Leyna blinked. “He… forced you?”

“Oh, absolutely.” Isaac slumped. “I almost forgot. Twice. In the same afternoon. He told me—and I quote—‘Son, you could forget your own name if someone didn’t staple it to your forehead.’”

Leyna burst into giggles. “That sounds… exactly like something my sister would say.”

Isaac then palmed his face. “Glad to know I’m not alone. If my dad didn’t double-check everything, I’d probably be here with a ticket to the wrong city.”

She smirked. “Well, good thing he helped!”

Isaac nodded. “Yeah. He saved my butt… again.”

He paused—then added with a small grin. “He’d be real disappointed if I got kicked out five minutes after landing.”

Both of them launched into a lighthearted tirade about everything they’d done before arriving in the city. Time slipped by without either of them noticing—until Leyna suddenly perked up, realizing the line had moved. She gave Isaac a casual slap on the arm.

“Come on,” she said. “There are scanners up front.”