When Mika stepped out of the portal, the first thing that hit him was the sudden rush of warmth, the sunlight spilling down on his face, sharp and golden compared to the pale, endless white of Yelena's Sanctuary. He squinted against it for a moment, his eyes adjusting, before the familiar sounds of life filled his ears.
Behind him, the portal winked shut with a whisper, leaving nothing but the ordinary backdrop of the city.
Towering skyscrapers stretched high into the sky, their mirrored glass faces flashing sunlight into the bustling streets below. People hurried along sidewalks in sharp suits, uniforms, and casual wear; taxi drivers were calling out near shopfronts; cars, and sleek modern vehicles streamed through wide avenues, horns and hums blending into a constant chorus of noise.
It was the beating heart of the continent, the capital city itself, Solaria City, thriving, alive, brimming with ambition and power.
