The reality of where I stood suddenly hit me—it felt almost overwhelming. This entire sector was strictly off-limits to ordinary civilians. And this wasn't just some standard floating island belonging to the wealthy elite; this sky-fortress belonged to the omnipotent Church of Divine Light, a religious powerhouse that controlled a staggering twenty percent of the total GDP across Sectors 1 and 2. Standing here, getting a firsthand look at the legendary Stella-fighters and the rest of the armada, I felt truly blessed.
Then, she stepped forward.
Her crimson lips and porcelain skin captured the light, framed by the sharp edge of her short, blue wolf-cut hair shifting in the air. In an instant, the frantic energy of the hangar ground to a halt. Crew members working on the agile, lightweight Stella-fighters; the hovering transports; and even the massive cruisers stretching hundreds of meters into the docking bays, most of them momentarily stopped in their tracks, completely transfixed by her presence.
Among the fifty or so workers stationed in the sector, whispers began to spread like wildfire.
"Isn't that Stella? What is she doing here?"
"She looks so cute in real life."
"I want to get her autograph."
"So her blue hair is natural."
"I told you, and you didn't believe me! It's her natural color—it's incredibly rare to see someone with hair that unique; even the elite aren't born with the privilege to have it."
"Do you think she has a boyfriend? I mean that blondie looks kind of handsome despite his hair colors."
I knew exactly what they were doing; they wanted to undermine my confidence. In this modern age, the stigma surrounding those of us who shared a hair color with the android—the All Mother—had begun to fade, but certain people still believed they possessed the right to look down on us. They were narrow-minded relics of the past, and I refused to give them the satisfaction of my attention.
"Listen up, men," a voice called out through the din. "Don't go dreaming the impossible. You wouldn't even dare ask her out. She's the Goddess Diva of Sector 2."
"Who's the blondie beside her?" another chimed in.
Blondie...even with this guy, it seemed there were still immature minds here who couldn't bring themselves to see me as a normal human being.
"Your manager explicitly told you not to spend so much time in public," he said, his voice cutting through the ambient noise. "It attracts unwanted attention, and it messes with your public image." His gaze shifted sharply, locking onto me. "And isn't that the blondie you mentioned?"
I glared back at him. It was the first time we had ever locked eyes, and he was already throwing that label around. Don't be sensitive, I told myself. He was probably just another grunt lacking the emotional intelligence to act like an adult—and besides, it wasn't like I wasn't used to this kind of treatment.
But Stella didn't miss a beat. Despite the cool, detached composure she had shown me just moments earlier, the second she faced the crowd, a flawless, mature smile graced her lips. When she spoke, her tone was a masterclass in confident sweetness.
"He is a member of my band, and he'll be working on my next song. No need to worry. I know exactly how to handle myself, but thank you for your concern."
It was mesmerizing, almost terrifying, how her entire persona could pivot in the blink of an eye. But having known her for years, I wasn't surprised anymore. Stella knew exactly how to wear whatever mask the world demanded of her.
"Who is he?" I murmured, stepping closer to her side.
Instantly, the atmosphere grew heavy. Envious eyes locked onto me from every corner of the hangar, the crowd silently demanding to know how someone like me had earned the right to stand so close to Stella.
"He's one of the lead engineers and the crew manager in charge of this entire section," she responded, her voice striking that perfect balance of professional maturity and effortless energy. "His name is Chakrii."
Chakrii looked at me, his eyes cutting a sharp glance before he abruptly averted his gaze. It was a blatant snub, but I shrugged it off. I had dealt with enough arrogant people in my life to let a bruised ego slow me down.
Turning his attention entirely back to Stella, Chakrii spoke up. "I've personally prepared your hoverbike, just as your manager requested. This card will grant you direct access to the VIP parking station below."
He extended a sleek, black carbon-fiber keycard. Stella accepted it with a graceful nod, offering him a playful wink in return. The effect was instantaneous. The hardened, serious lines on the manager's face shattered, and a deep flush of red crept up his cheeks.
"Now," he cleared his throat, suddenly eager to escape his own embarrassment. "It's time for me to get back to work. Please, drive safely."
He turned around and headed back to his work; meanwhile, I was left impressed by the power to charm the people of Stella. Girls like her were really scary! But I was glad that she didn't use this kind of charm on me since it wouldn't affect me; I could see through her act.
She then glanced at me and said, "Let go."
I nodded and followed her closely from behind toward an elevator that was enclosed by a transparent hologram barrier at the end of the docking bay facing the stretching sky.
As we were walking, I eardrops on several comments about Stella coming from all directions.
"She looks just like Suzuna, the goddess vocalist in the solar system."
"Yes, but I think Stella's voice is more powerful and inspiring. I must spend all of my luck to see her today lol."
"I agree, Stella is a new rising star of Singa Sanctuary and Tellus!"
"One day, I hope I can see her on the same galactic stage with Suzuna."
In the quiet corners of the old orphanage where we grew up, we used to whisper about the future. Our dream back then was simple: a private, humble life. We knew even then that the higher you rise, the more brutal the storms you have to face. But looking at her now, Stella felt like an entirely different person. Her aura had grown so intense, so commanding, that a commoner like me could barely handle standing in her shadow.
She was already being compared to some of the greatest vocalists in human history, a living legend. Throughout our trek across the hangar, she maintained a perfectly composed, untouchable expression, navigating the crowd as if their whispered comments didn't even register to her.
Finally, we reached the elevator. We ground to a halt just before a transparent energy shield. The barrier was completely invisible to the naked eye, save for a faint, shimmering geometric pattern pulsing across its surface—a warning system designed to keep people from blindly crashing into the deadly current.
When she pulled out the card and swiped through a scanning display before the energy shield, immediately the front entrance of the shield disappeared, allowing us to walk onto the platform.
The elevator itself was a massive, free-floating platform spanning thirty meters in every direction, completely enclosed by the transparent energy shield. The moment our feet touched the metallic deck, the invisible barrier hummed back to life, sealing us inside as the platform began its long, smooth descent.
As we lowered, the true scale of our world unfurled before us. Through the shimmering shield, I could see half the sprawling expanse of the Sector 2 dome. Multiple floating islands hovered in the abyss, each anchored by colossal skyscrapers that pierced the artificial clouds drifting around them.
Sectors 1 and 2 alone stretched across ten thousand kilometers of territory, a sprawling concrete cage that was still expanding. Year after year, the world government relentlessly terraformed the radioactive, contaminated wasteland outside the dome's main energy shield, pushing humanity's borders forward by a mere five to ten kilometers annually.
The second largest floating island in the center of the city dome, after the floating island I was currently on, known as the artificial garden, hovered higher than any other island and skyscraper beside it. I could access this biggest island by going through the skyscraper that houses my high school. It located beneath the artificial garden.
Simultaneously, I could not resist staring behind Stella's back.
She seems so close yet so far away right now, like her eyes are always looking forward to something far beyond ordinary life, beyond the present and into the unknown future. Just what is her true goal? It seemed like she was the complete opposite of me.
I could see her beautiful tiny mole underneath her right cheek as she looked into the distant holographic sky, unmoving; it was then I decided to ask her.
"Are you going to leave our band once you become the top singer of the Singa Sanctuary continent?" I asked.
I knew her part in our band was just her persona to finally let out her powerful voice without restraint since we focus on Rock music genre.
She smiled and laughed faintly. "I am never a part of the band; I just do what I love. Also, you have Setsuna as a vocalist, aren't you?"
I replied, "She is more of a hip-hop artist than a pop singer."
She looked at me; this time her eyes seemed slightly saddened. "You three, as well as Bridget and Ginevra, will manage it somehow; as for me, I will do what I can just like I always have been."
In our band, there were six members - Shan, Setsuna, Stella, Bridget, Ginevra, and myself. My existence revolves around these people, and I couldn't help but be overwhelmed by the emotions that arise, knowing that our shared journey would eventually reach its conclusion. However, for now, I am determined to cherish every single moment spent with them, for their presence in my life is replaceable.
She took a deep breath and turned to look at the sky once again. Then she said, "Such a beautiful blue sky, even if it is artificial; nonetheless, it is just a tiny moment in this ever-expanding universe of coldness and isolation where nothing is everlasting."
Out of nowhere, she said something so deep. How am I supposed to reply to that comment? However, she was right. When comparing my existence to the universe, I felt insignificant and small.
Is this how she feels right now?
To be honest, I felt it firsthand when fighting against the orc demon lord and seeing the power of Lasiv. Now I even doubt my reality and even the game itself. I had a small feeling that TWOD wasn't just a game, but that was just my speculation.
"Yes, I agree....." I could only say these words as an acknowledgment of how she felt.
Somehow she gazed at me with a brief, shocking expression and smiled at the next moment, as if she realized I truly understood how she felt.
Approaching me, Stella drew closer with a broad grin on her face. "Come over, let's capture a selfie together!" she exclaimed.
Swiftly, she retrieved her tablet and positioned the camera towards herself. Then, she extended one of her arms and wrapped around my neck in a warm embrace. Unsure of how to pose naturally, I pondered my options.
Perhaps sensing my unease, she simply instructed, "Just smile."
Obeying her command, I grinned, as she stylishly gestured with a peace sign. In an instant, a subtle sound emitted from the tablet, indicating that the picture had been successfully taken.
Suddenly, the elevator jolted to a stop, revealing a colossal entrance that served as the lower level of the floating island. This lower level housed an impressive array of aircraft, flying vehicles, standby cruiser and battleship, as well as necessary supplies. It was akin to a military base, but it also used in various reason as well.
The entrance energy shield disactivate, granting us access to the spacious space. As we stepped inside, my eyes were immediately drawn to the bustling activity of thousands of individuals diligently transporting goods using airborne mini trucks.
The interior of this lower level boasted a design that incorporated sleek, easy-to-clean surfaces, a harmonious blend of natural materials, stainless steel, and stone and ceramic tiles on the ceiling. It was not only a storage facility but also one of the island's fortified bunkers.
Recognizing the need for discretion in this crowded environment, Stella swiftly wore her mask and pulled her hood over her hair. With numerous people present, she couldn't afford to reveal her identity as she had at the docking bay.
At that moment, a woman in a black suit, glasses, and nearly tied hair carrying a tablet that projected a holographic display about a graph of various products and vehicles approached us.
"Who are you guys? This is not a place for teenagers" She said with a strict tone.
Stella chose not to engage in verbal dialogue, instead opting to display the card she had acquired from Chakrii. She also showcased her holographic identification, emanating from her watch in the form of a radiant star shape.
The woman before us displayed a momentary surprise upon witnessing Stella's card and holographic identification, but she swiftly regained her composure, effortlessly masking her astonishment with a composed smile.
"Come this way." The woman said.
The woman in the black suit raised her left hand and spoke into her watch, requesting for a vehicle to transport us to the VIP parking slot. Without delay, I witnessed a sleek, elongated coupe flying vehicle in a striking black hue gracefully glide towards us.
In a hushed tone, I whispered to Stella, "I'm pressed for time to take this exam. Can we please avoid any more special treatment?"
Stella nodded understandingly and replied, "Don't worry, I'll make sure we get there quickly without drawing any unnecessary attention."
Stella acknowledged my request with a nod, just as the vehicle arrived and smoothly came to a stop before us. The door slid open, revealing a lavish interior that exuded an air of luxury and comfort.
The woman in the black suit kindly stated, "Please take your time."
Stella replied, a tinge of disappointment in her voice, "I didn't ask for this luxury vehicle to take us to the VIP parking lots."
The woman in the black suit explained, "It is an order from higher authorities."
Stella questioned, "Does the organization know about this?"
Shaking her head, the woman in the black suit responded, "More precisely, I should say it is an order from Genie."
Stella appeared somewhat let down by this knowledge but ultimately entered the vehicle, removing her mask and hood in the process. She motioned for me to join her, and though hesitant, I reluctantly complied, settling into the plush leather seat.
The vehicle, a self-driving car, had no driver. As the door closed, the flying coupe levitated and accelerated with astonishing speed along a road that stretched for kilometers. Yet, amidst the rapid movement, I could still observe numerous vehicles transporting goods and workers along the way.
Taking advantage of the quiet moment, I struck up a conversation with Stella as she checked her schedule on her tablet.
"People treat you like a goddess, which proves how far you've come," I remarked with a smile.
She responded with a neutral tone, as if accustomed to such treatment. "Initially, I thought this is what I wanted—admiration, fame, and money. But I realized what I truly desire is much simpler than that. Now, I find myself caught between the expectations of others and my own."
It was strange to witness someone as strong as her expressing moments of insecurity. She seemed different from the Stella I knew at that moment.
"Being an adult is quite challenging, isn't it?" I said.
My comment seemed to amuse her, as I noticed a silent giggle escape her lips.
"That's why, even without me, you must continue and view me as just an extra in your story," she said with a smile.
"I never saw you as just an extra," I replied.
Her cheeks flushed with color, was it my imagination?
She responded, "Of course, I am the heroine of my own story. But you are just an extra in mine. That's what I meant."
She was right. Each of us had our own goals, dreams, and inspirations to pursue in our individual stories. It was time for me to accept that she needed to move on from our band to chase her dreams as well.
"I understand. You should inform Setsuna and Shan about your decision. I'm sure they will understand," I said, realizing I needed to be honest with her too.
"I have something to tell you," I began, determined.
"Go ahead," she encouraged.
Her eyes widened for some reason, and she leaned closer. I caught a whiff of her alluring scent. Suddenly, she was so close that I could discern the smooth and fair complexion of her face, almost otherworldly.
"The explosion in the Eternia city in TWOD, I..."
Before I could finish my sentence, her finger delicately pressed against my lips. Her expression turned serious and disappointed.
She whispered into my ear with a cold voice, "Shhh, someone is listening to our conversation. Don't say anything that could put you in danger."
Stella seemed to have an inkling of what I was about to say, as she nodded with a serious expression. Sensing the need to divert the topic, I quickly switched gears and exclaimed, "Isn't it terrible for the victims in the VR world to suffer brain damage?"
It was safer to follow Stella's lead, even though I was unsure who might be listening to our conversation. She reclined in her seat, resting her head on the headrest, and let out an anxious sigh. With a hint of jest in her voice, she remarked, "I thought you were going to confess your feelings to me."
"Confess to you?" I furrowed my brow in confusion.
Ignoring my response, Stella seemed to dismiss my words as the surroundings began to blur, making way for the sight of our flying vehicle entering a vast tunnel decorated with mesmerizing blue lines. Along the way, we encountered several security checkpoints with guards stationed on the side, yet they allowed us to pass through without any hindrance.
As we emerged from the tunnel, the vehicle unveiled a colossal white expanse, filled with an array of vehicles carefully positioned in an organized manner, stretching for hundreds of meters. Among them, a magnificent spaceship hovered in the center, a sight that previously would have been inaccessible to someone like me but now stood before my very eyes.
Within this pristine white hall, the air felt pure and invigorating, evoking a sense of tranquility. The walls exuded immaculate elegance, decorated with minimalist designs that enhanced the hall's sleek and modern ambiance. The space itself was vast, with lofty ceilings that created a sensation of openness and liberation.
Stella commented, "This small-sized spaceship belongs to the High Saints of the Divine Light."
The High Saintes of the Divine Light, who oversaw the management of the cathedral and the dorm where I resided, was the very person in charge. It was astonishing to think that Stella had access to this VIP parking station, accomplishing the seemingly impossible at such a young age.
Wouldn't that make her the same as the elite?
As I prepared to exit the flying vehicle, the doors slid open on both sides. Just as I was about to step out, Stella reached out her hand to touch my left arm, causing a shiver to run down my spine. She halted me and uttered, "You forgot something."