Kairiki

Level 5: The Presence

NARRATOR: The Interface—a magical program—chose Hydro Undergrove as its Player after his initial visit to the ruined Laboratory, which later became a Temple. Modeled after a video game, the System granted Hydro quests with unique rewards, a leveling mechanism featuring various skills and stats, an unlimited inventory for storing all kinds of magical items, and even an in-built store offering items for in-game gold, which Hydro earned by defeating enemies in battle. This system was exclusively accessible to Hydro due to his Player status, making it invisible to others. The video game-like design was intentional, ensuring that Hydro could easily understand and navigate the System without confusion.

LATER

[The Star Rail barreled through space at an incomprehensible speed, the colorful trails of light outside the windows blurring into a kaleidoscope of shifting hues. Hydro sat in his seat, the tension in his body evident as the train shook violently. He held on tightly to a nearby metal pole, his knuckles turning white from the pressure. The seatbelt strapped across his chest seemed laughably insufficient against the turbulence rattling through the train's frame.]

HYDRO: This thing feels like it's going to fall apart...

[He muttered under his breath, half-expecting the train to rip itself to shreds at any moment. Despite the chaos, the passengers around him were either too engrossed in their own conversations or too excited to notice the turbulence. Hydro, however, kept his focus on the journey, wondering what sort of strange world awaited him on the other side of this trip.]

[After what felt like an eternity of shaky travel, the Star Rail finally began to slow down, the shaking subsiding. Outside the window, the kaleidoscope of light began to settle, giving way to a breathtaking view of the Harmony System. Vast nebulas in shades of pink, blue, and purple swirled in the distance, while planets of various sizes and colors orbited peacefully. The sight was nothing short of majestic.]

[As the Star Rail made its descent towards the station, everyone around Hydro gasped and cheered in awe. The train glided gracefully through the void, its landing as smooth as silk despite the chaos moments earlier. Hydro remained silent, though his eyes widened slightly in amusement.]

HYDRO: What on earth... is this?

[He whispered to himself, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. The sheer absurdity of what was happening hadn't fully hit him yet, but he could feel the surreal nature of this adventure taking root in his mind.]

[The Star Rail landed softly at the station, its doors sliding open with a hiss. One by one, the passengers began to file out, chatting excitedly about their arrival in the Harmony System. Hydro stepped off the train and found himself standing in a space station unlike any he had ever imagined. The architecture was grand and ornate, with tall columns adorned with intricate carvings and gold-trimmed archways that soared above him. It was like stepping into a palace from another era—blending old-world elegance with a futuristic twist.]

[Hydro wandered through the station, taking in the sights around him. The people here were unlike anything he'd seen before. Humanoid animals walked alongside strange alien creatures with vibrant, shimmering skin. Some had fur, others scales, and some were covered in glowing tattoos that pulsed rhythmically. The diversity of species was staggering, and yet, they all moved through the station with an air of harmony, their differences unimportant in the grand scheme of things.]