The display that had been teaching Nate and Yoli for the past hour flickered off, and the lights in the room gradually brightened. The shift jolted Nate out of his spiraling thoughts pulling him back to the present.

  Clover, still smiling, cheerfully thanked them for attending then held out her link as if expecting a tip.

  Nate had no clue what was going on, just staring at the alien woman holding out her cellphone-like device.

  Yoli, apparently unfazed, stood up and tapped her link against Clover’s without hesitation. Not wanting to seem out of place, Nate quickly followed suit. His link lit up, and when he glanced down, he realized it had opened to what looked like a marketing page for the Intelligence Consortium.

  "Thank you so much." Yoli beamed.

  "It was my pleasure." Clover replied. "I hope you both found it informative."

  Nate looked up, still processing everything. "How do I learn more about affinities and what they can do?"

  "Oh, that’s easy!" Clover said. "Just open the Codex through your link. In the search bar, type ‘affinities,’ and you’ll have everything we have right at your fingertips."

  She reached out and took Nate’s link before he could react. With a casual stretching motion, she pulled at its edges expanding it into a much larger tablet-sized screen.

  Nate’s eyes widened. "WHAT THE!"

  Clover chuckled. "Oh yeah, these expand! Super convenient, huh?"

  She handed it back, now large enough to display each affinity with pictures of their gems. With a few taps, she demonstrated how to click into each one for more details.

  Nate tapped the larger link against his palm, unbelieving of that which was so simple to this alien woman. "Wow. Thanks again."

  "My pleasure." Clover replied with a nod.

  Yoli glanced at her link. "Okay, my link says it’s ten till five so, evening time. That’s usually dinner for us. Is that about right here?"

  Clover turned over her watch to check the time. "Mine shows something different, but yes what you call ‘evening’ and ‘dinner time’ would be an accurate way to put it." She smiled. "My species only eats two meals a day, so our schedule’s a little different."

  "Well, most places are probably serving food around now, we should probably head out. The folks who gave us the Sky Tour own an inn and I think they’re expecting us."

  Clover gave them a warm smile. "Then I won’t keep you. Goodbye and good luck."

  Nate and Yoli stepped out of the lesson hall and into the fresh air of the Hub, though fresh air was a strange word to use when he thought about it, considering they were inside a massive floating structure in space. Then again, Earth was just a giant floating rock in space so maybe it wasn’t all that different.

  The Hub was bathed in the hues representing an artificial sunset with shades of pink, purple, and red reflecting off the metallic and glass surfaces of the various districts. The sunset reminded Nate of the end of a beautiful summer day, but it wasn’t hot like one.

  "We should’ve asked where the light comes from." Nate mused, watching the colors shift.

  "Eh, I’m good leaving that one a mystery for now." Yoli looked at the artificial light admiring the beautiful hues.

  Nate nodded. "Let’s head to Peggy’s. I want to grab some food and dive into the Codex."

  "Yeah, I figured." Yoli quickly added. "You totally zoned out after she switched off the gem talk. Are you thinking of attuning?"

  "Yeah." Nate admitted, letting out a reliving breath. "I want to shoot fireballs out of my hands."

  Yoli snorted. "Right. Sure you do."

  She pulled out her link, stretching it to tablet size as she scrolled through menus. "We need to figure out how to call an Uber or something." she muttered to herself.

  Nate took a few steps forward, glancing around as the street lights flickered on. A pair of tall, lanky aliens who looked like giraffes with odd-colored fur strolled by. He raised a hand. "Excuse me!"

  The creatures turned, blinking down at him. "Oh, uh hello." one of them said hesitantly. "Can we help you?"

  "Yeah, we’re new here. From Earth. We’re trying to get to an inn in the Market District. Back home we’d just call a car, but we’re not sure how that works here."

  "Oh, that’s simple." the giraffe-like alien said. "Most people just use the portals. Just follow this walkway here which will lead you to main street. There will be signs for portals as you’ll see. Taxis exist, but you’ll need to save one of their contact lines in your link."

  She tapped at her own link for a moment, then held it out the same way Clover had earlier. Nate mirrored the motion, and a taxi service ad popped up on his screen.

  "Thanks for your help!"

  "No problem and you’re welcome!"

  As the giraffes walked off, Nate returned to Yoli, who looked frustrated as she struggled to navigate her link.

  "I just talked to that giraffe over there." he said, holding out the ad. "We can either head down Main Street to a portal or call a taxi with this."

  "Let’s do the portal." Yoli said, brightening. "I want to see if it makes me feel clean again like last time."

  "Good call. You kind of stink anyway."

  Yoli punched Nate in the arm and walked off.

  "Do you even know where you're going?" he called after her.

  She pointed at a nearby street sign labeled Main Street and kept walking.

  The street was quiet except for the occasional group of rowdy aliens knocking over what looked like trash bins. Nate and Yoli followed the signs until they reached a single glowing portal with a golden sign above it that read “Nexus.".

  Stepping through, they felt the same refreshing sensation as before like a full-body refresh. Now standing in the Planetary Nexus, the main transit hub, they glanced around, searching for a sign leading to the Market District. Feeling more confident, Nate approached a rat-like humanoid and showed him the inn’s address on his link. The rat studied it, then pointed toward a portal a couple of levels up and to the right. No words were exchanged as Nate played off being an innocent tourist looking for some help. Nate and Yoli followed the directions, stepping through the second portal once again the cleansing feeling washing over them..

  "There’s gotta be a map feature on this thing, right?" Nate asked, pulling up his link.

  "Yeah, gimme a sec… and here." Yoli tapped in the address. A moment later, the name of the inn popped up: Slop.

  "Slop?" Yoli repeated with a cringe on her face she had no intention of hiding..

  "I bet it’s great." Nate said, grinning. “Bet there won’t be any doctors there either.”

  They walked a few blocks, taking in the towering buildings around them. Yoli, craning her neck, felt like she was back in New York with its massive high-rises, each with its own unique character. Vehicles were everywhere now, Nate figured there must be a ban in certain parts of The Hub where vehicles weren't allowed because the contrast was so distinct. Some were floating, some drove along the ground like on Earth, others wove through imaginary lanes in the sky.

  "I bet there’s some kind of vehicle ordinance in the Education District." Yoli said out loud, assuming her brother was listening and clearly thinking the same thing as him.

  Finally, they reached their destination. The building had a traditional high-rise look to it, its rough stone exterior accented by floor-to-ceiling glass windows. There were vehicles parked at different levels along the height of the structure like they had seen on their tour earlier that day. A rotating door at the base of the tower led into a lobby with polished stone floors.

  Inside, they found an elevator system similar to the one at the Planetary Nexus though much smaller.

  "Alright." Nate said, exhaling. "Let’s see what Slop is all about."

  The elevator doors opened and Nate and Yoli stepped into Slop. They were immediately hit by a wave of noise and rich mouth watering aromas. Laughter and conversation filled the air, some people were shouting over the volume of the lively dining hall to carry on their conversation. The scent of home-cooked food, grilled meats, roasted vegetables, and something sweet wrapped around them making Nate’s stomach growl.

  He turned to Yoli, raising his voice to be heard. “We should find Hal and Peggy!”

  They made their way through the bustling crowd toward the bar, where several pig-like humanoids were working. One of them, a younger-looking woman in a dress with a bandanna tied around her head, approached them.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  “What’ll ya have?” she asked.

  “Hi, we’re looking for Peggy or Hal. They gave us a sky tour today and told us to stop by.”

  “Oh! Dad’s about to go on, I'll call Ma over.”

  She turned to a microphone mounted on the wall, pressed a button, and spoke into it. “Ma, visitors.”

  She looked back at Nate and Yoli. “She’ll be right down.”

  The pair took in the surrounding scene. The bar was massive and packed with all kinds of creatures. Humans and Pig-like humans made up a majority of the patrons, but there were bovine and raccoon-like humanoids, along with an assortment of other species. Some were gathered around card tables, others played dice, and everyone seemed to be having an incredible time.

  Across the dining area, a small stage stood against the far wall. A set of saloon-style swinging doors with a black curtain behind them led to what they thought would be a backstage area. The doors swung open, and out walked Hal, a guitar strapped across his front. Alongside him was a lizard-like alien similar to Cloppa and a hulking, yellow-skinned human.

  Hal stepped up to the microphone. “Ladies and gentlemen, the Kings of Slop!”

  The dining hall erupted in cheers before gradually settling into excited anticipation. Hal gave a quick count-in, and the band launched into a song. It was a gritty, folksy rock tune reminiscent of Creedence Clearwater Revival. Their musicianship was top-notch and Hal’s voice had a raw, earnest quality that fit the music perfectly.

  From behind them, a warm voice overcame the sound of the band and crowd. “I love that man.”

  Nate and Yoli turned to see Peggy grinning at the stage. She pulled them into a hug. “Hi, sweeties! How was your day?”

  “So insane.” Yoli said with a breathless laugh.

  “We were hoping to get a meal and a room for the night.” Nate added.

  “Of course, sugar!” Excited that they actually came and took her up on her offer for a room and a meal.

  Peggy turned to the bar and leaned over. “Hey, Gemma! Fix these two up with a platter and have one of your siblings open the double on three?”

  Gemma nodded, speaking into a microphone near a cutout in the wall. Then she exchanged a few words with one of her brothers, who disappeared through another set of doors across the dining hall.

  Peggy gestured for Nate and Yoli to follow her. She led them to a table off to the side of the stage and leaned in close to Yoli. “He'll be off soon, and once the crowd clears out, I’ll come back to check on you." she promised with a wink.

  Nate and Yoli kicked back, soaking in the atmosphere. Compared to the stuffy high modern chic bars Yoli was used to in New York, Slop had a homey warmth to it. It was rowdy, but welcoming and full of life and laughter.

  As Hal finished another song, Nate and Yoli joined the rest of the crowd in clapping and cheering. Despite the surreal mix of alien band members, a pig-like frontman, a yellow-skinned bassist, and a lizard drummer the moment felt surprisingly normal. Back home in any movie or video game, the aliens or non humans were always made with CGI and stuck out like a sore thumb. While they still stuck out like a sore thumb, what Nate was seeing was all too real to be CGI.

  Totally ruining the moment, a loud sudden scuffling of chairs and tables came from the other side of the hall. A couple of humans were shouting at each other. The crowd went silent, and all turned to watch the scuffle, one of the humans had the other in a headlock. Then even louder than the start of the scuffle, a mechanical whirring noise filled the room. Looking at the stage, Hal had transformed into some kind of Iron Man like figure, clad in dark blue armor with a golden stripe that went from head to toe just left of the center of his body. The two humans stopped fighting, slowly looking up at Hal. Scared by seeing him in his apparent battle armor, they calmly replaced the table and chairs to their correct positions and slowly walked to the elevator.

  Hal’s armor retracted quickly back into the thin air it appeared from. He stepped up to the microphone and said “How about a few more, huh?” The crowd cheered as Hal counted the band off again and played a couple more songs.

  As Hal continued to play, Gemma walked over and set down plates, utensils, and a large platter piled high with steak, chicken, fries, and vegetables.

  “Thank you!” Nate called after her as she walked away.

  Without hesitation, he and Yoli dug in, realizing just how hungry they were. They barely stopped to breathe as they ate.

  Hal wrapped up two more songs before bidding the crowd goodnight. The bar began to clear out as patrons drifted toward the exits or back to their rooms.

  Nate glanced at his link. 11:30 PM.

  True to her word, Peggy returned, pulling up a chair and propping her feet up on another.

  “Alright, darlings." she said with a knowing smile. “Tell me about your day.”

  Nate and Yoli launched into a detailed recap, each highlighting what stood out to them the most. Yoli described the Nexus, how stepping through the portal felt like being cleansed from the inside out. Nate, unsurprisingly, talked at length about gems, his excitement barely contained as he detailed everything he’d learned so far.

  When he finally ran out of breath, Peggy chuckled. “My, my, child. Sounds like you want to attune something fierce.” She turned to Yoli. “What about you, sugar?”

  Yoli hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Probably. I wanted to come here to expand my horizons in medicine and healthcare. That’s my passion. I’m a doctor back home.” She glanced at Nate, then back at Peggy. “I might attune… maybe try the alchemical program.”

  Peggy smiled warmly. “That’s a noble path, sweetheart.” She turned back to Nate. “And you? What are you gonna do after you attune?”

  Nate exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “I want to get out of my comfort zone. Back home, I’d stick to what I know, what was comfortable and easy, but this?” He gestured around them, taking in the lively atmosphere of Slop. “This changes everything. I want to challenge myself. Do more. Be more.”

  Peggy gave him a knowing look, then let out a soft sigh of understanding. “You remind me of one of my boys." she said. “Didn’t want to join the family business. Most of his siblings work here, but he had a thirst for adventure. He attuned and became a treasure hunter. One of the ethical ones, thank goodness.”

  Nate’s eyes lit up. “That’s so cool.”

  “It is." Peggy agreed. “We’re proud of him, but let me tell you, I lose so much sleep when he calls about a new contract.” She shook her head. “There’s nothing wrong with running an inn, I’ll tell you that much. But if it's an adventure you’re after? Find yourself a good crew.”

  Just then, Hal walked over, pulling out a chair and settling in beside Peggy. She turned to him with a grin. “Hal did some contract work back in the day, didn’t you, dear?”

  “Oh yeah." Hal said, scratching at his chin. “Then I formed the band and settled into the quiet life.” His voice was casual, but there was something else there, something left unsaid.

  Peggy sighed. “He doesn’t talk much about it, and when our boy told us he was joining a team? Hal could hardly look at him.”

  Hal sat in silence, staring down at the table.

  Before the mood could dip any further, a broad-shouldered pig-like humanoid approached. “Momma, that room on three is ready.”

  “Thanks, Jacky." Peggy said, patting his arm before turning back to Nate and Yoli. “Come on, sweeties. First night’s on us.”

  She rose from the table, leading them across the dining hall to a set of double doors tucked in the corner. They stepped inside a lift and rode up to the third floor. When the doors slid open, Peggy strolled down the hall and stopped at the last door on the left.

  She pushed it open, revealing a cozy apartment. To the left was a small galley kitchen, partially open to a living area. Three doors lined the left wall.

  Peggy pointed to each of them to show them around the apartment. “Bathroom’s through there. Bedrooms are those doors there.”

  Nate and Yoli moved toward the floor-to-ceiling windows. The view overlooked the bustling market district, neon signs casting a colorful glow over the streets below.

  Yoli turned to Peggy and pulled her into a hug. “You’ve been so kind to us.”

  Peggy squeezed her tight. “Ah, it’s our pleasure, sugar. Since our boy left, we’ve got a soft spot for travelers, especially new folk.”

  She stepped back, giving them both a warm smile. “You each have your own room, and you can stay as long as you like. I’ll send you a bill the day after tomorrow and show you how to square up. We’re pretty cheap, so we get a lot of visitors. We’ll keep the room for you until you tell us otherwise.”

  “Thanks again." Nate said, giving Peggy a hug, followed by Yoli.

  “Sleep tight, darlings.” With that, Peggy left, closing the door behind her.

  Nate and Yoli collapsed onto the couch, the exhaustion of the day finally hitting them.

  “I’m going to bed." Yoli mumbled with a tired voice. “I’m gonna pass out soon.”

  “I’m gonna do some reading." Nate said. “I think I want to attune tomorrow.”

  Yoli yawned. “Don’t stay up too late.”

  “I won’t.”

  “I’m sleeping in, but I want to get out and explore more tomorrow.”

  Nate smiled. “Sounds like a plan.”

  Yoli disappeared into her room, and Nate, still buzzing with excitement, pulled out his link. He wasn’t quite ready to sleep yet. It was time to study.

  Nate pushed himself up from the couch and walked toward the window, gazing out at the sprawling cityscape before him. The Hub pulsed with life, its aerial highways filled with vehicles of all shapes and sizes zipping past in coordinated yet chaotic patterns. He couldn’t quite make sense of the traffic flow, but the movement was mesmerizing.

  Beyond the immediate skyline, the ambient darkness of the hub was softened by the glow of artificial lights. The Entertainment District lay just past the Market, though from this angle he couldn’t see much of it, only the vibrant bloom of neon spilling into the sky. In the distance, the Administrative Sector and the Intelligence Consortium stood in stark contrast, mostly dark at this late hour, save for scattered windows still illuminated. From so far away they blurred into a sea of twinkling lights.

  Pulling out his link, Nate expanded the interface into a tablet and opened the Codex, the vast digital compendium maintained by the Intelligence Consortium. He tapped into the search bar and typed “Affinities.", just as Clover had shown him earlier.

  A set of four gem symbols appeared, each labeled accordingly: Reaction, a ruby red gem with a flame-like symbol. Life, a vibrant green gem, depicting a tree and its roots. Connection, a golden-yellow gem, etched with a circle separated by a zigzag line in the middle. Void, a pitch-black gem with swirling lines twisting at its core.

  His fingers hovered over the Void gem for a moment before he clicked into each of the others individually, absorbing the information. Each entry contained a summary of its fundamental force and the manifestations Attuners had experienced.

  Reaction gems arise from the expenditure of elemental energy or chemical reactions. They manifested as fire, electricity, light, water, air and more. A video showed an Attuner igniting their hands into crackling flames before shaping the fire into controlled orbs.

  Life gems came from organic life. A photograph showed a succulent’s thick leaf being cut open, revealing a glimmering gem within. The accompanying video featured a person healing a wound with a touch and another accelerating a plant’s growth in a pot.

  Connection gems appeared alongside the other gems as they had formed in their natural formation. Nate looked back to the other video and didn't see the yellow gem appear in the succulent or the charcoal video he had seen in the seminar that day but figured it was just the videos being edited. Nate played the next video showing an Attuner assembling a small toy from scattered parts, the pieces pulling together as if guided by invisible hands.

  Void gems were shrouded in mystery. There was a picture of the gem and a brief, ominous paragraph. “Post-supernova events and the event horizons of black holes are believed to be the only natural sources of Void gems. The only other confirmed source is a deceased Vortani.” The paragraph read.

  The video accompanying it was unlike the others. It was in a found footage format, like a crappy video someone took on their phone. A man with deep brown skin held out his hand, his entire body darkening into a silhouette outlined in a white glow. Slowly, he drifted downward, the air distorting around him until he simply vanished.

  A glance at the time snapped him back to reality, it was nearly two in the morning. He stepped into his bedroom, taking in the space. The bed was large enough for him to stretch out comfortably. Next to it an end table sat in the corner, its lamp casting a warm glow. Against the wall, a small desk and chair stood neatly beside a wardrobe at the foot of the bed. Minimal, but cozy.

  Sliding under the covers, Nate worried he’d spend the night obsessing over gems and attuning. But the moment his head hit the pillow, exhaustion took over. Sleep found him almost instantly.