The subtle chime of Michael Florescent's alarm pierced the predawn silence at precisely 3:00 AM. He rose from his bed without hesitation, his body already accustomed to the early schedule he had maintained since arriving in the Uppercity. The luxurious quarters provided to him in the Eternal Tower still felt foreign compared to his modest accommodations in the Undercity, but discipline remained his constant companion regardless of surroundings.
For the next hour and a half, Michael dedicated himself to his rigorous morning workout routine. He moved through a series of increasingly difficult exercises—strength training followed by agility drills and finally a meditation sequence designed to sharpen his mental focus. Beads of sweat glistened on his brow as he completed the final set, his breathing controlled despite the exertion.
By 4:30 AM, with his muscles pleasantly fatigued, Michael proceeded to the ornate bathing chamber adjoining his quarters. The steaming water soothed his body as he reflected on how different these accommodations were from the utilitarian facilities of the Undercity. Even after weeks in the Uppercity, the abundance of fresh, hot water still struck him as an almost unbelievable luxury.
After completing his bath, Michael carefully selected his training attire—a set of lightweight but durable garments provided to him upon his arrival. The fabric felt unusually responsive against his skin, designed to enhance mobility while offering moderate protection. He fastened the final clasp of his tunic and checked his appearance in the mirror, noting with satisfaction that he was fully prepared for the day by 5:00 AM.
With an hour remaining before his scheduled training, Michael settled into the comfortable reading nook near the window. Sunlight had not yet broken the horizon, but the ambient lighting of his quarters automatically adjusted to provide perfect illumination for reading. He selected a tome from the collection Jeremiah had recommended—a comprehensive history of object creation techniques throughout the ages.
The quiet rustling of pages filled the room as Michael absorbed the knowledge before him, occasionally pausing to contemplate a particularly complex concept or to make mental connections to his own experiences. He was so deeply engrossed in his studies that the subtle knock at his door at precisely 6:00 AM nearly startled him.
Without waiting for a response, Jeremiah Clover entered the room, his imposing presence immediately commanding attention. Despite the early hour, the Rank 1 Heptad member appeared immaculately groomed and fully alert, his keen eyes quickly assessing Michael's state of readiness.
"It's time to start training, Michael," Jeremiah announced, his tone carrying the quiet authority that had made him legendary throughout both the Upper and Undercities.
Michael rose to his feet and offered a respectful bow. "Of course. Just tell me where, Master," he responded, adopting the formal address that Jeremiah had requested of him.
A hint of a smile touched Jeremiah's typically stoic features. "We won't be training in this tower today," he explained. "We'll be going to a secluded island within Land Etherna—a place specifically designed for focused training away from distractions."
"I'm ready to depart whenever you are, Master," Michael confirmed, his curiosity piqued but his discipline preventing unnecessary questions.
"Good," Jeremiah nodded with approval. "Let's leave now. Follow me."
Michael fell into step behind his mentor as they navigated the grand corridors of the Eternal Tower. The early morning meant few others were about, and their footsteps echoed softly against the polished marble floors. Occasionally, they would pass an attendant who would bow deeply to Jeremiah before continuing on their way.
After several minutes of walking through increasingly unfamiliar sections of the tower, they emerged onto an elevated platform that Michael had not visited before. There, waiting with quiet mechanical patience, sat a sleek helicopter—its design far more advanced than the utilitarian aircraft Michael had occasionally glimpsed in his youth.
"This will be our transportation," Jeremiah explained, gesturing toward the waiting vehicle.
Michael couldn't help but stare for a moment. "I haven't seen one of these in a very long time," he admitted, memories of his earliest childhood briefly surfacing before he pushed them aside.
They approached the aircraft, and a uniformed pilot materialized almost instantly, bowing to Jeremiah before opening the passenger door. Michael followed his mentor into the spacious cabin, settling into a plush seat that molded perfectly to his form. The interior was a testament to the technological superiority of the Uppercity—minimalist yet luxurious, with transparent displays providing information about their journey.
With barely a whisper of sound, the helicopter lifted from the platform and began to glide through the skyscrapers of the Uppercity. The sun had just begun to rise, casting a golden glow across the gleaming structures and verdant green spaces. Michael found himself drawn to the window, marveling once again at the beauty of this world above ground.
Below them stretched a panorama that still felt like something from a dream—meticulously planned districts connected by crystalline walkways, waterfalls cascading down the sides of buildings, and gardens blooming in impossible places. It was a stark contrast to the functional, utilitarian design of the Undercity, where every resource was carefully allocated and beauty was considered secondary to survival.
"It's magnificent," Michael murmured, almost to himself.
Jeremiah glanced at him, understanding flickering in his eyes. "One never truly grows accustomed to the view," he acknowledged. "Oh, I should mention—I forgot to tell you earlier that you won't be training alone today. Alfred and a young woman named Lisa are already at the location, preparing for your arrival."
Michael's attention immediately shifted from the view outside to his mentor. "Alfred? My old friend?" A rare smile softened his typically formal countenance. Then realization dawned on him as the second name registered. "And Lisa... do you mean Lisa Everheart, the Heptad Rank 3?"
Jeremiah nodded in confirmation.
Michael's mind raced with this new information. Alfred, his childhood friend from the orphanage whom he had only recently reunited with after their unexpected meeting in the Eternal Tower. And Lisa Everheart—her reputation had preceded her even to the depths of the Undercity. Stories of her beauty were matched only by tales of her remarkable power and intellect. The prospect of meeting her in person sent an unexpected flutter of nervousness through his typically composed demeanor.
"I am honored by the opportunity to train alongside such distinguished individuals," Michael said carefully, masking his inner thoughts behind formal words.
The helicopter continued its swift journey, moving at a speed that impressed even Michael's tactical mind. Soon, the urban landscape gave way to more natural surroundings—a series of small islands dotting a vast lake, each seemingly dedicated to a different purpose. Some hosted elegant structures, while others appeared to be preserved in their natural state.
Their destination came into view—a sizeable island with varied terrain ranging from forested areas to open fields and what appeared to be specialized training grounds. As they approached, Michael's enhanced vision caught sight of something that made him lean forward in his seat—flashes of yellow and blue energy erupting in the distance.
The helicopter descended smoothly onto a landing pad near the shore. As the engines powered down, Jeremiah unbuckled his safety harness and gestured for Michael to follow him outside. The moment Michael's feet touched the ground, a tremendous explosion of energy reverberated through the air, the shock wave ruffling his hair despite the considerable distance.