St Chaos Healer

Ch 98 - Fermented Follies

The dwarven city was a marvel of engineering, carved into the hollowed heart of the mountain. Its cavernous expanse pulsed with life, veins of massive pipes crisscrossing the stone, carrying molten magma that powered the city with unending thermal energy. It was a place that seemed plucked from myth—a dream forged in stone and fire.

Below the city, a lake stretched into darkness, its surface shimmering faintly under the glow of lanterns and bioluminescent crystals. Strange, otherworldly creatures darted beneath the water, adapted to this self-contained ecosystem. The dwarves hadn't just built a city; they had cultivated an entire ecosystem.

A handful of outsiders have ever had a chance to view this city. But our goal wasn't sightseeing, we were here to catch a ride to the next continent via a port.

We are currently heading towards the rocky cavern walls of the mountain. A bit different route from where we had entered.

But as we drew closer to rocky walls, I noticed something peculiar—rows of perfectly carved caves in the stone face, each equipped with a landing platform. From within, the deep roar of rushing water echoed through the cavern like guttural groans. Long tubes of pipes crossed the caves that carried water and steam.

What caught my eye was the massive cylindrical pods, suspended by thick chains, being hoisted into position at the cave mouths. With a mechanical whir, the pods shot forward and vanished into the tunnels beyond.

I blinked, "What... what is that?"

Sestia smirked, her boots tapping against the stone floor as she glanced over her shoulder. "Welcome to Speed Port," she said with a sly edge. "The pods'll shoot you out to sea—and straight to your ride. Just a little warning: if you're prone to motion sickness, try to hold it in. Cleaning fees are no joke."

The station buzzed with activity. Dwarves hurried about, hauling luggage and supplies, while some Dwarven warriors queued to book their rides. Some of them even wheeled their own cylindrical pods on carriages, booking a cave slot. The air was thick with the hum of machinery and the occasional burst of steam.

As we were heading inside, Luc suddenly stopped, his brow furrowed.
"Hold on a moment, missy. What about our luggage and the supplies you promised?"

Sestia didn't break stride.
"Yeah! I remember it's already taken care of. Your cargo's in separate pods. As for your carriage, it's been returned to the Adventurers' Guild Commissions."

She then reached into her pockets and handed us each a long, metallic card.
"These are your boarding passes for the ship. Once you reach the port, one of our dwarven contacts will meet you and help you adjust to the vessel."

"And after that?" I asked.

She shrugged.
"After that, they drop you off on the Isle Continent. From there... you're on your own."

The station was a hive of activity, with dwarves hauling crates, equipment, and supplies.

Sestia spoke briefly with a station employee, who directed us to our assigned departure point. Our pod was already prepped and ready, our luggage already sent ahead.

The three of us stood atop a set of mechanical steps, their dwarven technology evident in the seamless way they carried us upward. The steps moved silently, effortlessly lifting us toward the caves above.

As we rose, the city below unfolded into a stunning panorama—a glowing nest of fireflies, alive with flickering lights and constant motion. A pang of regret tightened my chest. We'd barely scratched the surface of this remarkable place. Perhaps one day, we'd return, with time enough to truly explore its depths.