As Aeon and his parents approached the estate’s exit, the two guards standing outside opened the massive gates for them.
Beyond the gates stretched a vast courtyard, as large as a public park.
A stone road made from the finest materials divided it down the middle. On both sides lay perfectly trimmed emerald lawns that stretched for miles.
At the center of the courtyard stood a massive white-marble fountain shaped like a roaring dragon, spraying water high into the air. Lining both sides of the road were maids and knights standing as still as statues.
As Aeon and his family stepped outside, they all bowed deeply, their eyes filled with respect and loyalty.
At the end of the road waited their transportation to the Astaraeas Family’s private airport.
A flying car.
A long, sleek black hover-car rested at the edge of the courtyard.
The vehicle resembled a high-tech carriage forged from dark alloy. It floated above the ground, suspended by four glowing cosmic thrusters.
Its interior was lined with soft leather seats and decorated with golden trim.
When the heavy side doors slid open automatically, a small staircase made of light materialized beneath them.
Aeon had already seen vehicles like this before and had ridden in them several times.
Even so, he was still amazed by how far technology had advanced in this world.
The family entered the vehicle.
Soon, the driver guided it toward the estate’s main gate and began the journey to the airport.
Twenty minutes later, they arrived.
The private airport did not look real.
Runways made entirely of solid light floated high in the sky, supported by gravity magic.
At the center stood a massive control tower forged from cosmic quartz, its advanced radar systems flashing constantly.
Gigantic airships drifted through the distance, while specialized platforms had been constructed for dragons to land upon.
Their vehicle eventually stopped near a large aircraft.
One of the Astaraeas Family’s private jets.
The aircraft rested proudly upon the main light-runway.
It was a sleek, all-black jet with silver dragon motifs painted across its wings.
Beneath the hull, engines fueled by cosmic-purple energy hummed with immense power.
The Astaraeas Family crest was displayed prominently on the tail.
A white dragon sat upon a crescent moon, its wings spread wide. Behind the dragon were two crossed swords, proudly displaying the family’s identity and authority.
Aeon stepped out of the hover-car.
The moment he saw the futuristic aircraft, his mouth fell open.
His eyes widened with shock and excitement.
"Holy shit. This is peak."
His voice was filled with admiration as he stared at the beautiful machine.
"Language, young man."
His mother immediately shot him a warning look.
Aeon quickly covered his mouth. "Sorry."
His father merely laughed.
Soon, four flight attendants approached and bowed respectfully.
The lead attendant stepped forward.
"Welcome, Sir, Madam, Young Master. The flight is ready."
She gestured toward the aircraft while maintaining her bow.
"Please, this way."
The other attendants moved aside and lined both sides of the path, creating a clear route for the family.
Aeon and his parents walked toward the jet.
A staircase made entirely of glowing energy materialized from the aircraft and extended toward the ground.
Together, they climbed aboard.
Inside, the aircraft looked exactly as one would expect from a high-tech luxury jet.
Only far more magical.
The cabin was spacious and decorated with a clean white-and-silver color scheme.
Tinted glass windows stretched from floor to ceiling along both sides, allowing passengers to look down upon the world below.Large rotating leather armchairs surrounded a plush velvet couch.
At the center of the cabin floated a holographic map tracking their route across Nexus Earth.
Small touchscreens were built into the armrests, allowing passengers to adjust the temperature, access entertainment, or summon attendants.
Aeon stared around the cabin in awe.
His eyes darted from one feature to another like a curious child exploring a new toy.
Soon, the family settled into their designated seats.
The seats were far more luxurious and comfortable than anything found in a first-class cabin on Earth.
A moment later, a voice echoed through the speakers.
"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. This is your captain, Edward. We will be taking off in five minutes."
Aeon listened as the engines gradually came to life.
Five minutes later, the aircraft began its ascent.
The distance between the Northern States and the Imperial Capital was approximately seventy thousand miles.
Once they were airborne, the captain’s voice sounded again.
"We will arrive at the Imperial Castle in approximately two hours. Soon, you will witness the sunset. Please enjoy your flight."
True to his word, the warm glow of the setting sun soon filled the sky. Most of the passengers simply admired the scenery.
None of them looked particularly amazed.
It was obvious they had witnessed countless sunsets throughout their lives.
But for Aeon, it was different.
Since the night of his death and reincarnation, he had never seen the sun. His expression was one of awe and relief. The Northern States were an extremely cold region where sunlight rarely reached the surface.
For five years, he had lived beneath endless gray skies.
Now, for the first time in this life, he was watching the sun set beyond the horizon.
Aeon leaned back in his seat and quietly enjoyed the beautiful view.
...
Two hours later, the captain’s voice echoed through the cabin once more.
"Hello, ladies and gentlemen. We are now above the capital city of the Valthoros Empire."
A brief pause followed.
"We will soon be landing on the floating continent of Drakonius, home of the Imperial Castle. Please remain seated until the aircraft has come to a complete stop."
Hearing the automated voice chime through the cabin speakers, Aeon immediately looked out the viewport.
His jaw dropped slightly.
Hovering majestically above an ocean of clouds was Drakonius.
The floating continent was a breathtaking marvel of hyper-advanced technology and ancient architecture. Neon-lit glass spires rose alongside colossal stone fortresses, seamlessly blending the future with the past.
Below them, massive iron-scaled dragons shared the airspace with sleek anti-gravity yachts, all converging toward the glowing towers of the Imperial Castle.
Soon, the jet landed on one of the Imperial airways.
Although this was the home of the Imperial Family, one of the Five Ducal Families also resided here, along with the nobles under their rule.
The Guardian Duke.
Their duty was to ensure the safety and well-being of the Imperial Bloodline.
While the other four Dukes protected the four directions of the Empire, the Guardian Duke remained near the Imperial Castle, standing as the final shield protecting the imperial family.
As the jet came to a stop, a staircase of glowing energy materialized beside it.
Aeon and his family stepped out of the aircraft.
A short distance away waited a luxurious flying car.
Standing beside it was a man dressed in a formal butler suit.
He had pale skin, neatly combed black hair, black dragon horns, and calm brown eyes. A black dragon tail rested quietly behind him.
As the Astaraeas family approached, the man bowed respectfully.
"Welcome, Duke Astaraeas, Duchess Astaraeas, and Young Master Aeon."
"My name is John Stewart. Under the orders of the Chief Butler, I will be your guide for today’s celebration."
He stepped aside and opened the vehicle’s door.
"This way, please."
Aldrich nodded.
The family entered the flying car.
Moments later, the vehicle lifted into the air.
It took only ten minutes to reach the heart of Drakonius.
The Imperial Castle.
The residence of the Imperial Family and the seat of power of the Valthoros Empire.
The Imperial Castle looked like a colossal stone fortress merged with futuristic technology.
Its massive towers were constructed from white marble and polished black metal, shaped to resemble overlapping dragon scales.
Gigantic golden dragon holograms circled the highest spires.
A transparent energy barrier surrounded the entire structure, glowing softly beneath the evening sky.
Below the floating castle, waterfalls of luminous blue cosmic energy poured endlessly into the clouds beneath.
The flying car eventually stopped before a grand staircase.
Numerous nobles were already ascending the steps toward the enormous entrance hall.
Aeon and his family stepped out of the vehicle.
Then Aldrich looked toward his son.
"Alright, son. This is it." A small smile appeared on his face.
"You’re far more mature than most children your age, so I’m not worried about you causing trouble."
He placed a hand on Aeon’s shoulder.
"Your mother and I will probably be busy speaking with other nobles."
His expression softened.
"So enjoy yourself in there, alright?"
"And try to make some friends."
"Real friends."
Aeon looked at his father and nodded.
"I will."
Together, the family walked toward the entrance.
As they approached, a well-dressed announcer standing beside the doors noticed their arrival.
He immediately raised his voice for the entire ballroom to hear.
"Duke Aldrich Glacius Astaraeas!"
"Duchess Elisabeth Astaraeas!"
"Young Master Aeon Astaraeas!"
"Have arrived!"
The massive doors slowly opened.
And the moment the Astaraeas family stepped inside, hundreds of eyes turned toward them.