The massive gates of the Imperial City stood behind Aether like an unshakable wall of authority, their towering structure casting long shadows beneath the fading light of the evening sky. Built from ancient stone and reinforced with layers of protective formations, they represented more than just a physical boundary—they symbolized order, control, and the dominance of civilization over chaos.
Aether did not turn back to look at them.
There was nothing for him behind those gates that he needed at this moment.
The instant he crossed beyond their reach, the atmosphere shifted in a way that was impossible to ignore. The air felt lighter, freer, as though the invisible weight of rules and observation had been lifted from his shoulders. The rigid structure of the city gave way to something far more unpredictable—something raw and untamed.
This was where strength mattered.
This was where truth revealed itself.
