Riley and Valery exchanged faint smiles at the women's reactions.
To outsiders, the scene before them was overwhelming, even unreal, but to those who traveled often, it was merely another bustling gateway between worlds.
This place had long since ceased to belong to humans alone.
Sentient monsters, ancient races, and beings from far-flung realms all converged here, drawn by the same purpose.
High above the vast plaza, enormous flying boats glided slowly through the sky, their hulls carved with glowing runes that pulsed rhythmically as they moved.
Some were sleek and elegant, while others resembled floating fortresses bristling with cannons and wards.
Between them soared gigantic mythical beasts—winged lions, feathered serpents, and creatures so massive they blotted out the sun for brief moments as they passed overhead.
On the ground, the crowd was no less astonishing.
