“Lord Verliance, we have successfully repelled the American forces pushing from Silvium outskirts. I have already given thanks to our Unity allies, Grand General Dulok Jijdon for his people assistance. As I express in my recent report, I was concerned that our new enemies would destroy our hastily assembled hill forts before I could deploy reinforcements to the north.

  While we failed to outright destroy the unit pressing against our borders, they have nearly retreated back to their original starting position. Franolgno Brigaton will solidify their positions until the 38th Order. From there, I hope to withdraw the Brigaton with Jarlath’s, coming from our southern borders. Transportation of troops have been challenging. Our defensive amplifiers have protected our trains, the enemy constructs bombs have focused against the rail lines. While simple to fix, it does slow our progress.

  I have also heard from Kozani Brigaton defending Tarvass that they have repelled another Altaerrie attack. The Kiriyak-Kitsune port City-State has been in constant siege since our forces withdrew around Salva and Vagahm. With the dwarves siding with the slave Princess, the city is completely cut off. The only possible of resupply is through the wester mountains with Unity airships. After two weeks, all naval ships – civilian and military – have been sunk by the Americans and any attempt to sneak through have been sunk. It is obvious that the enemy has declared a hostile-zone on half of the Great Kasin Lake.

  One minor detail that I feel I should include, the Altaerrie have become less aggressive over the past day, their artillery volume has have increased though. They seemed to be focusing their fire in the central lands, but I am still waiting for verification. They are still besieging Virc’Veria which I do expect the city to fall in the near future, but that is the only major activity within the Nevali Region. Most of the activity seemed to shifted south of Tarvass. My staff believe this could be related to their recent defeats against Silvium, I however, am not convinced.” Field Marshell Verlcon Korva

  May 12th, 2069 (Military Calendar)

  Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States

  North America, Earth

  *****

  Staring at the dozens of shelves full of books, Assiaya stood motionless, eyes wide in disbelief. The covers were rich with colors and elaborate designs, unlike anything possible on Alagore.

  "I do not see why you are impressed," the voice murmured in her mind.

  "What do you mean?" Assiaya replied. "They look so refined."

  "And there’s only one bookcase. Barely any books. Even Ere-hian had more."

  "Still… you must admit, their quality is superior. Maybe only the elite can afford them?"

  "You say that, but the fabric felt artificial."

  As she and the voice debated the merits of Altaerrie storytelling and bookbinding, a mechanical sound echoed nearby. Assiaya turned to see a humanoid robot gliding toward her.

  "Can I provide assistance?" it asked with a serene, uncanny smile.

  She tensed. On Alagore, humanoid constructs existed, but she had only seen IRiSS-class warframes—massive, metallic, inhuman. This was too close to a person, yet too wrong to pass for one. An imposter in skin.

  "I am confused," she said cautiously. "Why are all these books just… out in the open?"

  The robot cocked its head. "Translating… Apologize. My database has limited understanding of your dialect. Some overlap with Old Latin detected, but incomplete comprehension."

  "Why can it not understand us?" the voice asked. "We have the translation amulet."

  "Maybe it doesn’t work on machines?" Assiaya wondered.

  "Either way… can we even read their language?"

  "We can learn," she affirmed.

  Still puzzled, she turned back toward the books—until she spotted Ryder. "Father. Why are these books unguarded?"

  "I don’t follow," Ryder said, glancing around. "Every store has a book section."

  "I mean… Kallem’s library had thousands of books under lock and guard. Unauthorized access was forbidden."

  Ryder’s brow furrowed before nodding. "Ah. On Alagore, physical books are rare and expensive. But here, we mass-produce them. Anyone can have a library this size. Though most people prefer digital copies."

  "Digital copy?" she echoed. She let the words hang as she still didn’t understand the Altaerrie thermology which meant she lost interest in that topic as she stared at the rows of books—some thick as grimoires. She imagined having a collection of her own, like her former master—a mark of prestige and intellect. "Can I get some?"

  "Sure," Ryder said. "But it'll take a while."

  "That is okay—"

  Before she could finish, someone grabbed her arm. It was Ellen Forest, Staff Sergeant Forest’s daughter and their American guide for the day.

  "There you are!" Ellen grinned. She looked at the books with an exaggerated cringe. "What are you doing in here? This place is for old people."

  Ryder cleared his throat loudly. Ellen blinked, realizing he was right behind her. "Oops. Sorry, sir."

  "Anyway," she continued, already tugging Assiaya’s arm, "I want to take you were real girls’ shop."

  Assiaya glanced back as her father chatted with the robot, which had begun scanning the shelves again. She was led away and joined Rosanhi, who stood by a booth of novelty trinkets.

  The three girls moved through the mall—a sprawling palace of shops, not unlike the markets of Cornt, but far more refined. According to Ryder, malls had faded due to something called the Internet, but were making a comeback. Now, they were social venues more than economic centers, blending food courts, arcades, and boutiques.

  Assiaya struggled to understand how Americans could shop without physically going to a store. The idea of buying goods through a hand-sized box and having them appear at your home felt like teleportation.

  Still, she was impressed. Back home, most shops were small, independent, and tucked into narrow alleys or carved into stone halls. This place had high ceilings, wide halls, polished floors, and glowing signs. Robots swept the floors, restocked shelves, and assisted customers.

  Only one thing was missing.

  “No acroterion,” Rosanhi noted, looking up. “The Altaerrie would never approve this architecture.”

  Assiaya nodded. “It feels unfinished.”

  “Assiaya,” Rosanhi said again, “the Altaerrie do love their screens.”

  Screens were everywhere. Some showed products. Others let people order food from machines that cooked it on the spot.

  “For people without magitech, they have Antikythera mechanisms in everything.”

  "I believe they call them ‘computers,’" the voice corrected.

  "They have too many words," Assiaya replied, annoyed.

  “Still,” Rosanhi said, “why are we the only ones here?”

  The emptiness unnerved her too. This place was the size of a fortress, yet silent. It felt like a haunted ruin. The reason was simple: the State Department, fearing protests, had reserved the mall for them alone.

  Eventually, they reached a large store entrance filled with dresses and accessories. Assiaya's eyes lit up. "Can I go?" she asked Ryder eagerly.

  He was speaking with their Head Maid, Ceka, while helper bots held their shopping bags. He gave her a weary glance. "One moment."

  Turning back to Ceka: "Please, go enjoy yourself."

  "It is not my place to—"

  "If you make me command you, I will," he interrupted. "Go buy clothes. Shoes. Anything. Just treat yourself."

  The Neko fidgeted, ears twitching. "Master, my role is to serve, not to be indulged—"

  "That’s it. I’m commanding you. Go buy a dress that’s not work-related."

  Flustered, Ceka bowed. She left, trailed by a robot and a Secret Service agent. Ryder exhaled and noticed the stares from his team.

  "What? Uncomfortable with the show?" he muttered. Then turned back to his daughter. "Go. Have fun."

  "I think those agents hate him," the voice said.

  "I think so too," Assiaya replied. "Maybe Father wasn’t exaggerating."

  "Thank you, Father," she said, and entered the store.

  "That was strange," Rosanhi murmured. "Why did they look at your father like that?"

  "Because the Altaerrie disapprove of our motuias—our bonded companions. Many in our court despised that he supported us. It damaged his reputation."

  "I had no idea."

  "I think Ceka's torn. She's trying to adapt. So is Father. It’s not easy."

  Ryder had even handed Ceka a budget card, urging her to buy anything she liked. The gesture confused the servant deeply.

  Inside the store, Assiaya and Rosanhi wandered among rows of clothing. Though the materials weren’t as fine as Verliance silks, the styles overwhelmed them. It was a forest of color, form, and culture.

  Behind a glass wall, they found tech gadgets—devices they didn’t understand. Ellen stood at a table, scanning something with her hand.

  "This is how we buy stuff," she explained. "Scan the code and it links to your account. And poof, a drone drops it off at your front door."

  Assiaya stepped forward, producing a small silver and gold coin pouch. She handed it to the robotic clerk.

  It blinked. "Currency not recognized. Would you like to open a temporary digital wallet?"

  Assiaya frowned. "I offer silver and gold. These are noble coins."

  "Physical currency is allowed by law, miss. However, the coins you have presented are not authorized or considered legal tender. I can request a manager.”

  "They reject gold?" the voice said, scandalized.

  "I don’t understand anything anymore," Assiaya muttered.

  “Assiaya,” Rosanhi pointed. "Look at that."

  A white headset with oversized cat ears sat inside a box.

  "You can buy ears?"

  "What?" Ellen laughed. "No! They're PI headphones. They store music, let you chat with friends, even shop while listening."

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  "Headphones?"

  "You don't know what headphones are?" Ellen picked up the demo with great excitment. "These send sound through your bones—no ear inserts."

  "What is an ear insert?"

  "Just try it."

  Ellen placed the headset on Assiaya’s head and connected her phone. Suddenly, music filled her thoughts—not through her ears, but as if her bones hummed.

  "Is that you?" she asked.

  "No. That’s the device."

  "It feels like how we talk."

  The music had rhythm and echo—a sound like a harp and a lightning storm. Ellen called it a guitar.

  "This is beautiful," Assiaya whispered.

  "Right? Tory’s the best. Plus, he's super cute. I mix his stuff with river pop."

  Assiaya stared at the screen—Tory was lean, black-haired, and wore a jean jacket like her father’s. For a fleeting second, her heart fluttered.

  "I never thought Neko ears would be cute," Rosanhi said. "May I try?"

  Even with the music, Assiaya could hear her. That was the magic—background sound without losing focus.

  As Rosanhi tried them on, Assiaya turned to Ellen. "I've been to the finest textile shops in the Aristocracy. But this... this is incredible. So many styles I couldn’t even imagine."

  "These are just basics for American girls!" Ellen giggled. "I still can't believe I'm hanging out with a real princess. My friends are gonna kill me!"

  "Kill you? Why? Do they hate me?"

  Ellen blinked. "No, no! It’s just a saying. I mean, they’ll be so jealous."

  Assiaya tilted her head. "Strange saying."

  "Every girl here dreams of being a princess. Castles, gowns, special treatment..."

  "But Father said there are no princesses in America."

  "Sadly, no."

  Ellen went on about daydreaming—of being fought over, loved, cherished. Assiaya listened carefully.

  "Why do you call your father 'dad' or 'daddy'? Isn’t that disrespectful?"

  Ellen blinked again. "Wow. No one’s ever asked me that. It’s how we show love. It’s… being sweet. Dads love it. Being Daddy’s little girl is a thing here."

  Assiaya considered it. Maybe Ryder’s efforts—his informality, his teasing—were his way of showing love. Perhaps… that’s what he wanted from her.

  "And if you say 'daddy' in the right tone, you usually get what you want."

  "All of you girls do this?"

  "Every single one. Watch."

  At a jewelry counter, Ellen turned to her dad. "Daddy, can I have this bracelet? Please?"

  Kurt Forest didn’t hesitate. He bought it with a grin.

  Assiaya was amazed. This man had commanded troops without blinking. And yet… faltered at a smile.

  Feeling bold, she scanned the case. One item stood out: a silver Polaris with a pink heart at its center and shimmering fairy wings in blue, green, and purple.

  "Look at that," the voice whispered.

  It reminded her of dreams—of stars, of love, of flight.

  "Father…" she paused. Then tried: "I mean… can I get that one… daddy?"

  Ryder and Forest exchanged a smirk at her awkward delivery. Ryder leaned over. "Why that one?"

  "I… don’t know. The wings are pretty. I like the heart."

  "It’s not cheap. But if you promise to take care of it—sure."

  The clerk retrieved the necklace, gently fastening it around her neck.

  "You look beautiful," the woman said.

  And for the first time that day, Assiaya believed it.

  *****

  Fraeya Holiadon, the Comanche mage, walked happily with her arms extended. She was holding a giant stuffed animal in the air, gazing at it. It was colorful, with green as the dominant color of sauropods—a long-necked dinosaur.

  "You really like it?" Ford asked.

  "It is so cute," Fraeya replied. "And fluffy. Matt made it sound like dinosaurs were these giant monsters!"

  "Well... they were. Some were even building-sized—taller than a castle tower—like the one you're carrying."

  "Oh.... I do not care. It is so fluffy!"

  The Wood Elf had seen stuffed toys before, typically girl dolls, but never like this. There was a 3D printer inside the shop that could create any design within its database. She watched, amazed, as the machine stitched the fabric together and filled it with cotton—all in minutes, a task that would take a skilled craftsman days. And what she found most fascinating was that she could watch the process through a window.

  The Elf girl turned to her friend and coworker and said, "Thank you for the dinosaur."

  "No problem," Ford said. "I’m still surprised you chose that one. I really thought you would pick the teddy."

  "It is cute when you say teddy."

  "…Note to self. Never say teddy again."

  "Why not? I cannot wait to tell everyone."

  Benjamin Ford’s eyes widened in fear. "Please don’t. Whatever you do, do not tell the guys I said that."

  The Elf girl giggled, finding his reaction adorable. She looked at the sauropod again. The truth was, she was also surprised by the pick. There were thousands of options, most being cute versions of modern animals and what Earth considers as fantasy creatures, but these were different. From what she understood, no orilla beasts back on Alagore were considered this fantastical.

  It made her wonder if this was her version of fantasy—the same way Earthlings saw her world as magical, she saw dinosaurs as something fantastical. The closest comparison would be a dragon with its long neck and tail; however, that didn’t seem to match the epicenes of such orilla beast.

  Her ears suddenly perked at a strange animal sound. She glanced over and saw a new store with strange objects inside. None of them looked like they were for humans. Above the entryway, the sign said Al’s Barren Pet Store.

  "What does it say?" she asked.

  "That is a pet store," Ford said.

  "What is a pet?"

  Ford rubbed his chin, attempting to explain Earth’s custom. "It’s when you have an animal companion at home. Sorry, I’ve never had to explain what a pet was before."

  "I think I understand," Fraeya said. "I once saw an Adventurer have a baby ball slime that he kept around. Now that I think about it, one of my teachers has a Vig – a small big ear rodent. I think that is an example of what you call a pet."

  “I am surprised you people never heard of pets.”

  “Maybe we have a different word for it? I mean, people to befriend animals if that is what you mean. I only mean…” Fraeya glanced around the overwhelming pet shop. “We have nothing like this.”

  “Now that I think about it, that makes sense. Pets became part of a secondary element within a family. Some crazy women consider them as replacement for children, putting them in strollers and such."

  Ford shrugged. "Why not?"

  Without hesitation, Fraeya grabbed his hand and dragged him into the store. Like everywhere else, only one staff member operated the store. The elf girl stood in the middle of the shop, staring at all the food, furniture, and other goods that were being offered.

  "What’s wrong?" Ford asked.

  "This place feels strange," Fraeya said. She looked at a hanging hammock-style bed for a feline, though it was smaller. "Half the stuff in here I would see in a normal shop at Alagore."

  Ford laughed. "That shockingly makes sense."

  Fraeya’s ears perked with confusion. "Why do you say that?"

  "Well, you have a lot of beast races—Nekos, wolves, foxes. So, I guess shops like this don’t feel too alien to you."

  "That is an interesting perspective."

  The two walked around the store, with the elf girl inquiring about all the animals. She saw all the tiny fish in the tanks and found it strange why anyone would befriend food. Back home, small fish like these were snacks sold at market stalls, not something you named and fed. She found the lizards fascinating. The Altaerrie man explained that these animals came from sandy and hot environments, something she had never heard of before.

  As Fraeya looked through all the options, one caught her eye. Inside was a plant with an obviously fake curved wood panel. Underneath, she noticed something furry. As she leaned closer to the clear cage for a better view, a giant eight-legged creature charged from its cover and attacked the plastic glass. The Elf let out a high-pitched scream before running toward Ford, grabbing his shoulder and pointing. "Monster!"

  Before Ford could respond, their Secret Service agent in a black suit walked over, hand on his sidearm. Once the situation was deemed safe, the agent walked away.

  "Now, let’s take a look."

  "What is that… evil thing!" Fraeya asked.

  "That is what we call a spider," Ford said. "A tarantula. You really don’t want to mess with those."

  "It is huge. And aggressive."

  "You should see the ones in the Philippines. That is a baby compared to some of those monsters."

  Fraeya slowly emerged from his back and stepped closer to the cage. The giant spider was running around its enclosure before climbing horizontally. Terrifying, yet fascinating.

  "That is massive. I have never seen something so terrifying in my life."

  Ford let out a chuckle before poking the plastic, angering the spider.

  "You think this is big? During my deployment in the Philippines, I saw some as big as my head. They can climb anywhere, sneak through any crack; most are highly poisonous."

  "Why would anyone want such a monster as a pet?"

  "This one is defanged, so it’s safe."

  "What do you mean by defanged? Wait… I do not want to know. It is creepy."

  She stepped back and continued wandering. There were places like this on Alagore—stables for customers—but those were for travel, not recreational needs. As she looked around, she wondered why any intelligent species would ever engage in such a trade.

  That was when she noticed another, larger glass cage at the far end of the store. These were massive, encompassing the entire wall. Fear consumed her.

  "Are those for the bigger spiders you mentioned?"

  "What?" Ford looked. "No. I assume those are cats."

  She had heard the Altaerrie call Nekos cats before, but it took her a moment to process. When she remembered the terminology, she feared they were imprisoning Neko from her world.

  "How could you enslave a Neko?" Fraeya asked. "I thought your people were against such things."

  Fraeya rushed to the cages. When she arrived, she froze. It wasn’t humanoid felines inside but small four-legged furry creatures. Some sleeping, some eating, some tumbling over one another in a playground. Three were even sleeping in a pile.

  She blinked. They looked like Nekos but not the humanoid version she knew.

  "I do not understand."

  Ford caught up and explained what cats were—domestic animals, beloved for their companionship and hunting skills. Cats were the second most popular pets on Earth, considered traditional like dogs.

  Fascinated, Fraeya studied them. Five cats piled atop one another in impossible positions. One's tail flickered. Another's head dangled. All of it was strange to her.

  Then she saw one cat alone in the corner. Black and brown fur with white patches and deep yellow eyes. A red sign was posted nearby, like the Army’s caution labels.

  "What is wrong with this one?"

  Ford read the label and frowned. "That sucks."

  "What?"

  "The sign says this cat was rejected for being too lovable. It scratched their bedroom door wanting to sleep with them, sat on their lap during TV or games. Basically, they were upset it wanted to love them."

  Fraeya’s ears perked—this time with fury. She leaned over to the glass. The s’more-colored feline pressed its head against the glass before rolling over onto its back. Its claws kneaded the air, tongue sticking out.

  It was the most adorable thing Fraeya had ever seen. Her eyes widened and she turned to Ford with puppy-dog eyes.

  "Can I please get him?"

  "Are you sure?" Ford asked, confused by the sudden intensity.

  The Elf nodded firmly. "How could anyone reject such an adorable thing? Look at him—he just wants someone to love."

  Ford took a deep breath, struggling to respond.

  *****

  With an exhausting breath, Ryder leaned against his cafeteria chair after finishing his bacon burger. It had been a long day exploring each store—even though nothing was bought. A soldier who had fought in multiple countries, in space, and in other worlds, and yet, this was one of the most draining experiences.

  After taking a sip from his soda, the Captain watched the three girls gossip about each other’s world experiences. Forest’s daughter was currently educating the two Alagore girls on how to properly eat American food.

  His daughter Assiaya’s blue and golden eyes were wide. She was attempting to pay attention to how to properly eat a greasy hotdog. He found it hysterical how hard she tried to fit in, as if eating food were some kind of science project.

  "Cute sight," Forest commented.

  "Yeah," Ryder responded. "I think this is the first time Assiaya has done anything childish, fun, or whatever the word is. And I think for Rosanhi, always having to be proper, getting a chance to let loose."

  "I get that," Forest said. "I bet there aren’t a lot of slumber parties at the Palace. Things like this make you realize how lucky we are Stateside."

  The Comanche Captain couldn't disagree, having already come to the conclusion far before the war against the Unity. The concept of being invaded or having to deal with raging battles within one's streets was a foreign conflict. While fighting the cartels did bring battles to American streets, it still didn't come close to the intensity of the Civil War.

  Ryder watched the girls giggle about something, just enjoying that no one was stuck worrying about the war. They soon would have to return. "Thank you for the help," he said.

  "No problem," Forest said. "I had to do this many times. It’s part of having a daughter. It’s about going places as a sign that you love her. It is about fil Don’t forget that—many fathers do. Just try to fit in as many small moments as you can into the life jar."

  "Understood. I also had no idea how exhausting going shopping was."

  "I thought that many times. I used to hate it. Coming home after a deployment, knowing I would have to leave again soon. I always thought I needed to maximize my time at home, so these shopping trips annoyed me. It took me a while to realize—you’ll never get such moments again."

  "Interesting perspective." Ryder watched before noticing Natilite and Ceka arriving. He immediately caught that they were dressed in brand-new clothing. The Valkyrie woman wore a modest yet stylish skirt and a fitted shirt with an open back, allowing her Valkyrie wings to remain visible. Her outfit was conservative yet carried an understated elegance. The feline wore a simple but pretty, solid-colored dress, tailored well to her feline form.

  He was about to say Natilite looked good, but stopped himself out of embarrassment.

  "I see you broke the bank," Forest said. "I guess it’s better than jail."

  "Those people were nice," Natilite replied. "They just needed to learn boundaries." The Valkyrie pulled out a chair and sat down, dropping four bags onto the floor. "I must say, your shopping centers are far more elevated than those on Alagore."

  "I wouldn’t say that," Ryder said. "They might be bigger with more stuff inside, but the ones in your world have more heart. At least in Salva."

  "Not just endless mega corporations or pure commercialism," Forest added. "I do miss the small business feeling of your shops."

  "I will take your word for it," Natilite said. "As I do not know what a Mega Corporation is. Now, how are the girls?"

  "Being expensive, loud, spoiled," Ryder responded.

  Natilite chuckled. "A good day then?"

  "Yes." He looked at Ceka. "I hope you had fun."

  "I did, Master," Ceka said. She set a bag on the table and began setting out different spices. "I found all of these just sitting on a shelf. Something called cinnamon, paprika, poppy seeds, pepper."

  "You bought pepper?" Ryder asked.

  Ceka’s ears perked with excitement. Her long tail stood straight up. "There were so many different peppers, I felt guilty getting them all."

  "I think the Captain means," Forest said, smiling, "you could have bought anything—and you bought spices?"

  "It would be foolish not to," Ceka said. "You said to spoil myself, and they were so cheap I had no choice."

  "It is okay, Matt," Natilite said. "Spices on our world are expensive and rare. Only the nobles typically can afford such luxury. I cannot tell you how many times I was paid for my Temeplar duties in spices."

  "We were both shocked that you people have such diverse views on this item," Ceka said before smirking. "My formal Head Maid will be jealous."

  Ryder was about to respond, but saw Natilite’s point. Spices were considered a profitable luxury item throughout history—from the Silk Road to one of the main drivers behind European colonization. Nowadays, spices are easy to attain, causing the product to lose value. He could see why Ceka freaked out in excitement. It would be like walking into a Ferrari dealership and seeing all the new cars marked ninety percent off.

  The Captain decided not to interject, allowing the feline to enjoy what she bought. He looked over and saw Ford and Fraeya approaching. To his and the Staff Sergeant’s confusion, the nerdy Sergeant was carrying a large box.

  "Natilite!" Fraeya yelled. "Assiaya! Look what I got!"

  Ryder noticed their elf friend alongside Ford, who was carrying a cat carrier. There was a robot servant pushing a cart full of boxes of cats trees, food, toys and everything a feline crazy cat owner could want. He instantly knew what was going on. "You got her a cat?"

  "It was love at first sight," Ford reluctantly said.

  "You are not going to believe it," Fraeya said. She then went on to explain the story of the feline.

  The Elf Girl went on to explain the process of purchasing a pet cat and somehow including how she was chased by a giant spider. This caught the Alagore guests by surprise, as the concept of treating certain animals as almost human. Rosanhi was the first to theorize that it was the Altaerrie attempt to fill the emotional hole of being a single species world, but Assiaya protested by agreeing with Fraeya. Saying how cute the small furry creature was. It was Forest’s daughter Ellen who stated that getting a pet was about love and cuteness.