Moon decided to tell Selene his location on Earth after finding out that they couldn't meet in the First Sanctuary anytime soon.

The base Selene was stationed at required a two-day journey to reach Ironpeak, making casual meetups in the sanctuary impractical.

"Can we meet today? I can arrive at your location within a few hours… you can let me know if I'm being too pushy," Moon offered.

"It's alright. We can meet today," Selene replied without hesitation. "Just call me when you get here. Let me know which station you'll arrive at, and I'll come pick you up."

"Really? Alright, I'll let you know in a few minutes." Selene's voice had brightened noticeably upon hearing his agreement.

Moon hung up the phone, his mind turning over what Selene might want to discuss that required an in-person meeting.

'She wants to talk about something important… but what could it be about?'

His thoughts were interrupted when his phone released a soft chime indicating a new message.

Reading through it, Moon memorized the station Selene would arrive at and the estimated time—approximately two hours from now.

♢♢♢♢

Moon arrived at the designated station five minutes before Selene's scheduled arrival. The transit hub was only ten minutes from his apartment using transportation, making it a convenient meeting point.

The world had changed dramatically since the arrival of the apocalypse on Earth. The old civilization's infrastructure—slow combustion-engine cars crawling through gridlocked streets, cramped underground tubes packed with commuters during rush hours—had been completely revolutionized.

Humanity had advanced rapidly out of necessity and opportunity. The exotic materials brought back from rifts and the various sanctuaries had enabled technological leaps that would have taken centuries under normal circumstances. Engineers and awakeners working together had created transportation methods that made pre-apocalypse travel look primitive by comparison.

Moon's eyes tracked the orbital transit lines stretching across the sky like gleaming threads connecting the city's districts. The orbitals themselves descended toward the platform with barely any sound, their anti-gravity propulsion systems eliminating the roar of engines from the old-world aircraft.

The old civilization had used planes for long-distance travel, but even those were considered painfully slow compared to the orbitals that now dominated transportation. These vessels traveled at speeds that would have been impossible with conventional technology, crossing distances in few hours that once took nearly a day.

The orbitals were enormous—built with dimensions comparable to the old cruise ships but designed for atmospheric flight rather than ocean travel. Each vessel could carry hundreds of passengers in comfort, with multiple decks containing everything from basic seating to luxury accommodations for wealthy travelers.

They flew along designated aerial lanes suspended by advanced magnetic field technology combined with mana-infused materials harvested from Second Order dungeons. The lines themselves were visible as faint shimmering paths in the air, maintained by massive pylons that dotted the urban landscape like modern monuments.

Instead of the cramped, underground platforms of the past, this transit hub was an open-air structure with sweeping curves and transparent barriers. The material was stronger than steel but completely transparent, offering unobstructed views of arriving and departing orbitals.

Digital displays showed arrival times, destinations, and real-time status updates for dozens of vessels. The information scrolled in multiple languages, accommodating the international nature of post-apocalypse society.

Moon watched as an orbital approached the platform. The vessel was easily two hundred meters long. The landing was smooth and silent. Doors slid open with a soft hiss, and passengers began disembarking.

Moon scanned the crowd, searching for Selene among the travelers.

Most people exiting the orbital were clearly awakeners based on their bearing and equipment. Most null's couldn't afford such transportation due to the nature of their jobs, which wasn't nearly enough for a ticket.

The station was filled with defensive runes in case of any emergencies.

The old world would have called this era dystopian. The current generation considered it simply how things were.

Moon's attention returned to the disembarking passengers as he spotted familiar silky, black hair tied in a pony tail and blue eyes moving through the crowd.

Selene had arrived.

Their eyes met across the platform, and Selene's face broke into a beautiful smile as she walked through the crowd toward him.

"It's good to see you again," Moon said as they exited the bustling terminal together. "How was the flight?"

"Fast and uneventful, thankfully. Though I have to admit, I'm a little hungry. Do you mind if we grab some food before we talk? The Orbital's meal service was... not great, nothing was to my liking."

Moon nodded. "There's a decent restaurant not far from here. We can eat first, then head somewhere more private to talk."

"Perfect," Selene said with visible relief.

The meal was pleasant, nothing extraordinary. They kept the conversation light, discussing general topics while avoiding anything sensitive in the public setting. Selene seemed genuinely relaxed, though Moon noticed she occasionally glanced around the restaurant with the same awareness he maintained himself.

'Is she afraid that she is being followed?' Moon thought internally but did not voice out. It wasn't his business to ask, and if Selene wanted to speak, she would have said it herself.

Moon dismissed the thought and remained vigilant in case something did happen.

After finishing and paying, they walked through the city streets toward a nearby hotel where Selene had booked accommodation for her stay.

♢♢♢♢

The evening air was slightly cold as they walked, the city lights reflecting off the surfaces various buildings, giving a cool night vibe.

They were about halfway to the hotel when Selene finally decided to broach the subject she'd traveled to discuss.

She stopped walking abruptly, turning to face Moon with an expression that mixed excitement and apprehension.

Moon looked at her, then at their surrounding. He could tell that she decided to open up about the important topic.

'She picked a good spot. There is nobody nearby, and the hotel might have sound trackers.' He thought internally.

He didn't stop her, and simply waited.

"I... found a place just like the one we were stuck at before," Selene said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper despite the relative privacy of the sidewalk.

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