Michael's head emerged from the ground first.
He remained there for several seconds, his body still buried beneath the earth as his senses spread outward.
Above the basement stood an old, unimpressive house surrounded by several similar buildings. Beyond that were narrow roads, patches of undeveloped land, scattered houses, and considerably more vegetation than urban areas.
Was he in a rural area?
Though Aurora was developed, it wasn't like the concept of rural areas or villages had disappeared.
Michael expanded his perception farther to fill capacity, and his expression gradually changed as familiar roads and sights entered his perception.
Michael finally pulled the rest of his body from the ground.
"You've got to be kidding me."
He was actually in Brightgate City.
Technically, he was near its outskirts, in one of the less developed areas, but there was no mistaking it.
