“Arrger?” Rexy whined, giving me its best puppy-dog eyes—which were still the size of dinner plates—before trying to make another getaway. I grabbed its tail, holding on tight. It was like trying to hold onto a runaway fire hose, but I managed to keep my grip.


    Rexy reluctantly waded into the lake. The water instantly began to bubble and churn, turning a vibrant, almost radioactive purple. Small fish and other critters floated to the surface, belly up.


    How many years has it been since you last bathed…? I wondered, staring at the bubbling, purple water.


    After a while, the purple hue faded, the lake returning to its usual crystalline clarity. I took a cautious sniff—thankfully, Rexy’s… unique aroma had dissipated. It smelled almost… normal now. Almost.


    “Alright, all clean!” I declared, giving Rexy a once-over. “Now, can you sniff out Bailey?”


    Rexy gave a slight shake of her massive head. No such luck. We retraced our steps to where we’d last seen him. He was long gone, undoubtedly safe and sound, and probably already whipping up another culinary catastrophe involving questionable ingredients and questionable cooking methods.


    I plopped down by the edge of the forest, considering our next move. Rexy promptly lay down beside me, creating a small earthquake in the process. I really should find other people, or a town—that had been the original plan when I’d escaped Dr. Keyser’s lab.


    “Hey, Rexy,” I asked, gesturing towards the imposing mountain range looming in the distance. “Think you could, you know, carry me over that?”


    “Arrgr?” Rexy looked puzzled, then abruptly began digging a hole in the ground. Again.


    “No… no… not again,” I groaned, shaking my head. “I can’t do the underground thing again. I need sunlight. Fresh air. Things that aren’t dark moist rocks.” Rexy, to her credit, immediately stopped digging, kicking up a small cloud of dust.


    I clambered back onto Rexy’s broad back, settling into a somewhat precarious position between her spines. “So, over the mountain it is,” I reiterated, pointing towards the peaks. “Bailey’s map showed a town on the other side. Do you happen to know where that is?”


    “Arrgr,” Rexy rumbled, giving a decisive nod. Then, without further ado, she took off towards the mountain, her powerful legs eating up the ground.


    Rexy ascended the mountain with surprising ease, barely breaking a sweat. We were about halfway up when she abruptly stopped, sniffing the air. Oh, right. Food. Just like old times underground. She vanished into a nearby copse of trees, presumably in search of a mid-climb snack.


    After a short wait, Rexy returned, looking quite satisfied. We continued our ascent, finally reaching the summit. Rexy then led us down a long, verdant valley nestled between the twin peaks, eventually emerging on the other side.


    From this vantage point, I got my first proper glimpse of the city, and the sheer alien nature of it hit me with full force. There was absolutely no doubt about it now. I was definitely not on Earth anymore.Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    The city sprawled across the rugged mountain basin like a collection of iridescent soap bubbles, a dazzling display of glass and polished metal. Towering, translucent domes encapsulated vibrant green spaces, tiered skyscrapers that seemed to defy gravity, and bustling streets filled with… something. I couldn''t quite make out the details from this distance.


    Lush gardens cascaded down terraced levels, weaving through clusters of futuristic architecture that looked like something out of a sci-fi movie. Streams of water tumbled down artificial cliffs, creating the illusion of miniature waterfalls and rivers, adding to the surreal beauty of the scene. It was… breathtaking. And utterly bizarre.


    The domes were interconnected by a network of crystal-clear tubes, resembling veins in some colossal, living organism, sleek vehicles zipping through them like blood cells. At the heart of each dome, colossal machines descended deep into the ground, their gargantuan structures resembling metallic roots burrowing into the basin’s core.


    “Guess those are the mines Bailey was talking about,” I mutter, more to myself than Rexy.


    Despite the sun dipping below the horizon, the city’s domes glow like giant pearls, their interiors bathed in a soft, ethereal light that seems to emanate from everywhere and nowhere at once. High above, flying vehicles zip and zoom, weaving intricate patterns between the domes and the darkening sky.


    I considered my immediate needs. Namely, cash. In a human society, cash is king. I glance at Rexy, who’s busy sniffing a particularly interesting rock. “You got any more adamantine?” I ask.


    Rexy shakes her head, a slight puff of dust erupting from her nostrils.


    “Any other ores? Gold? Silver? Anything shiny and valuable?”


    Rexy looks thoughtful for a moment, then nods, a low rumble emanating from her chest. She sets me down and dashes back into the forest, promptly vanishing underground with a familiar thump.


    It’s always a little unnerving how quickly she can disappear. After the sun fully disappears, painting the sky in shades of deep purple and orange, Rexy returns, dropping two egg-sized ores at my feet.


    I pick one up for a closer look. Under the moonlight, it gleams with a rich golden hue, shot through with veins of pure gold. “Perfect!” I give Rexy a grateful rub between the ears. “You’re a lifesaver, Rexy.”


    Pointing Rexy towards one of the roadways that winds down the mountain, we begin our slow descent. We follow the road, drawing closer to the city’s outskirts, the sheer scale of it becoming even more apparent.


    Once we’re close enough, I clip the leash on Rexy. With a soft poof, she shrinks back down to gecko size, promptly scrambling up my back and nestling into my hair.


    I pull my furs and leathers tighter around myself, trying to blend in. I remember Bailey’s warning—keeping a low profile is crucial. Given my… distinctive appearance – I’m not exactly your average local – I need a way to enter the city without attracting unwanted attention.


    Now, how do I get into the city… I stroke my chin thoughtfully, scanning the surroundings. There has to be some kind of inconspicuous entrance.


    If it’s anything like human society back on Earth, this is prime sneaking-in time. Night owls and all that. I sidle towards one of the main entrances. It’s practically deserted, save for a few figures tapping what look like metal cards against a panel to enter.


    Definitely not blending in with the “authorized personnel” crowd. Guess this isn’t a good way to get in.


    My attention is drawn to the other side of the entrance, where massive, levitating vehicles – like oversized, futuristic trucks – are gliding in and out of what appear to be docking bays beneath the domes. Probably hauling merchandise and supplies for the city’s inhabitants.