Five days later, their blue Sharkship hovered above the yellow‑orange sphere known as Venus. Far beyond, an artificial satellite of crystal glass glimmered, orbiting hundreds of thousands of kilometers away yet still visible to the naked eye.
Part of Venus was shielded beneath colossal domes, each linked to massive conduits at the poles. Inside, cities and homes resembled Earth's, though tinted in shades of blue. At the heart of the great city Neos Elysium, a towering statue of Apollo rose like an eighteen‑story building, its spiral finials echoing the curves of a Greek lyre.
Fields of blue rice stretched across the outskirts—crystal farms owned by the powerful Martalie Batrous. The Sharkship docked at the port, where four giant glass panels enclosed it before mechanical arms lowered the vessel into an underground vault. Sam, Rolina, and Fuzzy hailed an air‑carriage to carry them onward.
"Hope old Marcus still runs his shop. Haven't seen him in a year. Hopefully he's not lying in a coffin," Sam muttered.
"He's tough. Ten bullets wouldn't drop him," Rolina teased, cradling Fuzzy as they passed statues of Hades with his three‑headed beast Cerberus, and Persephone, his weary queen. The paired statues symbolized eternal bonds, watched by every passerby.
Their carriage descended before a distillery bar, its glowing sign a pouring bottle. Inside, laughter and clinking glasses filled the air. They sat at the long counter, where an old man with a gray ponytail polished glasses, humming as he arranged bottles. Robots rolled past, serving drinks with cheerful beeps.
"Ahem!" Rolina called.
"What'll it be?" the old man turned, smiling—then froze. His jaw dropped. "By the gods… Rolina!" He shouted, "My niece has returned!"
Heads turned. Patrons gasped. "Rolina Estrade! She's back!" Their eyes widened at the black fang‑shaped birthmark beneath her eye.
"Hello, Uncle Marcus. Long time, everyone! Drinks are on Emithia tonight!" Rolina declared.
"Hurrah!" the crowd roared, raising glasses as robots poured freely.
Marcus chuckled. "So, what have you two been up to? And where'd you get that pup?" He stroked Fuzzy's head.
"His name's Fuzzy. Zysko gave him to us months ago. He's slow to grow, but he'll catch up." Rolina plopped the dog on the bar. Fuzzy sprawled, stretching like he owned the place. Sam grimaced.
"Looks more like a lizard than a dog."
"Don't touch my dog," Rolina snapped.
"Where've you been for a year? And what happened to you, Sam?" Marcus asked.
"Upgrades. Nothing major. And I brought this." Sam placed the golden gem on the counter. Its glow stunned Marcus.
"Wow… is that an engagement ring for my niece?"
"Hell no! It's money. I call it the Sunstone."
As they spoke, Rolina noticed something strange. From the shadows cast by her and Sam, another figure appeared—an old man with a thick beard, standing silently behind them.
"What the hell…?" she whispered.