The convoy pulled to a stop in front of the towering Gate, its surface a swirling vortex of energy that shimmered in hues of deep blue and silver. The stabilization field around it crackled faintly, holding the dimensional rift in check. Security personnel stood at strategic points, monitoring the flow of energy and ensuring that nothing unauthorized passed through.
As the team disembarked, Adam took a deep breath. This was his first time standing so close to a Gate. The sheer presence of the structure sent a shiver down his spine. Ever since the Awakening, he had noticed how mana interacted with the world, a gift granted by his Insight ability. But here, in the presence of a dense mana zone, the patterns of energy were more vivid than ever.
He focused, allowing his ability to observe the mana flow. The threads of energy moved in intricate, interwoven paths, like rivers of light converging into the vortex. He could see the way they coalesced, how they bent and pulsed with every fluctuation in the Gate's surface. Even without stepping through, he knew that beyond the threshold, the laws of reality might shift unpredictably.
Garrett and the other team members stood in small clusters, checking equipment and preparing for the expedition. The combat team ensured their weapons were in order, while the researchers reviewed their scanning devices and data collection tools. Adam, however, remained fixated on the Gate, studying the patterns with quiet fascination.
"Trying to see the secrets of the universe, kid?"
A voice interrupted his thoughts. Adam turned to see Marcus Raines, the combat team leader, smirking at him.
"Just… observing," Adam replied. "The mana flow here is different from what I've seen before."
Marcus raised an eyebrow but didn't comment further. Before their conversation could continue, the sound of an approaching vehicle drew their attention.
A sleek, black luxury car pulled up near the convoy. The doors opened, and a young man in his early twenties stepped out. His tailored suit and composed demeanor immediately set him apart from the rest of the team. Garrett straightened and walked forward to greet him.
"Mr. Lucian Alden, welcome," Garrett said respectfully.
Lucian Alden—one of the wealthiest individuals funding the expedition—nodded in response, his sharp eyes scanning the team. His presence alone commanded attention. Though he was young, his reputation was well known. A businessman, a high-ranking Awakened, and someone not to be trifled with.
Adam, upon seeing him, felt an unsettling sensation. It wasn't something he could explain logically, but every instinct in him screamed that Lucian was dangerous. There was no outward aggression, no hostile aura, yet Adam's Insight flared in warning. He forced himself to remain composed and simply gave a polite nod when it was his turn to be introduced. He decided to keep his distance for now.
After brief formalities, Garrett addressed the team. "Alright, everyone. Final preparations. Once we step through, stay alert. We don't know what changes have occurred inside the ruins since the last scan."
The team members exchanged nods, securing their equipment one last time. Adam checked his pack, making sure his data tablet and notebook were easily accessible. This was it—the moment he had been waiting for. The chance to explore, to learn, to finally step beyond the limitations of his previous life.
With a deep breath, he stepped forward alongside the others.
---
Crossing the Gate was disorienting.
One moment, Adam was on solid ground, surrounded by the familiar cityscape. The next, a weightless sensation gripped him as his body passed through the swirling energy. A fleeting pressure built in his chest, as if he were being compressed and expanded simultaneously. Then, just as suddenly, it was over.
He stumbled slightly, his vision adjusting to the dimmer lighting.
The world beyond the Gate was breathtaking.
They stood in the midst of an ancient ruin, the remnants of a civilization long lost to time. Towering stone structures stretched toward the sky, their surfaces covered in glowing inscriptions. The air was thick with the scent of earth and damp stone, and in the distance, vines and strange flora had begun reclaiming parts of the ruins. Ethereal blue flames flickered within carved braziers, casting eerie shadows against the walls.
The sky overhead was not like Earth's. Instead of the familiar sun, a massive, luminous ring dominated the heavens, bathing everything in a soft, silver glow. Smaller celestial bodies floated in the distance, shifting in slow, deliberate patterns. It was a sky that did not belong to their world.
Adam's heart pounded in his chest. This was real. This was unlike anything he had ever seen.
"Stay close and stay sharp," Garrett instructed. "We move in formation."
The combat team fanned out, securing the perimeter. The researchers, including Adam, stayed in the center of the group. He could feel the energy in the air—it was different from the mana on Earth. It felt denser, older, as if it carried remnants of an era long forgotten.
"This is incredible," one of the researchers murmured, snapping pictures of the inscriptions on the walls.
Adam approached one of the ancient symbols. His fingers hovered just above the carved lines. The markings pulsed faintly, reacting to his presence.
His mind raced as he tried to recall the fragments of the language he had studied. Could he decipher this? Could this be the key to unlocking knowledge lost to history?
Before he could delve deeper, Garrett's voice snapped him back to reality.
"We set up base here. No one wanders off alone."
Adam took a step back and exhaled slowly. This was just the beginning. There was so much more to uncover.
And something told him that the ruins still held many secrets waiting to be revealed.