Noah suspected that the whole journey had been carefully staged for the deepest impression possible.

  While everyone’s attention was fixed on the Sphere’s transport, the mysterious Regia had time to emerge from behind the curtain of clouds.

  How else could it happen? It was simply too vast to make a sudden “ta-da!”

  At first, Noah thought he was looking at a fortress of titanic proportions, floating among the clouds. But then he noticed the details — and was left speechless. The supposed “fortress” turned out to be an entire continent, framed by fortifications of unimaginable scale. Mountains rose within it, rivers ran through it, and calm lakes glimmered in the light. Cities reached upward, their countless windows reflecting the sun.

  “Regia,” the Voice continued in that same slow, ceremonial tone. “A fragment of reality’s reflection, created through human effort. It now celebrates its four hundred twenty-ninth standard Earth year. The continent’s current surface area is a little over forty thousand square kilometers...”

  Current? Noah noted. So it’s still growing?

  “But keep in mind,” the Voice went on, “that not only the surface area is utilized, but the entire volume of the continent. Thus, the real usable space is several times larger.

  The population of Regia has remained relatively stable in recent years, around three billion inhabitants. Another five million live or work outside its borders.

  After all, every individual is different, with different needs. Regia’s administration strives to meet those needs as flexibly as possible.”

  Three familiar notes chimed.

  “Now, before we continue,” the Voice hummed, “the tram will soon make a stop at an intermediate station. Since all of Regia is under protection, you, dear passengers, have not yet experienced what it truly means to be in the Flow.

  At the next stop, this protection will temporarily cease, and you will be free to decide whether to continue your journey toward Regia or turn toward the estuary of the Flow.

  Do not be afraid; this choice is not final. Any resident of Regia may, at any time, choose to travel to the estuary.

  The advantage of this intermediate station is that the journey from here is completely safe. So...”

  The tram wheels screeched softly as it began to slow down. Soon, through the mist, a gothic-style metal platform emerged — like a bus stop floating in midair, bordered by iron railings. Only the rain shelter was much larger, decorated with black metal ornaments.

  As soon as the tram stopped and the side doors opened, Noah felt the change immediately.

  He became suddenly light as air, and all anxiety and tension vanished without a trace. On top of that, he felt the Call — a pull to step out of the tram and drift somewhere away from Regia, somewhere impossibly distant, where the absolute End waited for him.

  The voice that called was silent and bodiless, not commanding yet almost irresistible — like the natural current of a river.

  The Flow itself.

  Before long, a few passengers stood up. Noah saw only calm on their faces. Strangely enough, they were all quite young. The old woman who had died of lung cancer didn’t move at all, even as she smiled peacefully at the Flow’s invitation.

  Noah himself didn’t move either, though he leaned slightly toward the doors, as if the voice of the Flow sounded clearer there.

  Seven passengers stepped off at the intermediate station. They reached the edge — and suddenly shrank into glowing points of light.

  At that moment, Noah understood: those shining points were the most optimal form of existence on this side. The human shape was nothing more than a projection.

  All seven lights shot straight into the clouds and soon vanished from sight.

  The tram doors closed, and with them, the Flow’s voice faded away. Noah felt like his old self again.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  “Well then, we’ll continue to the final stop,” the Voice cleared its throat. “Since I’m not sure how many of you are still here, I might be talking to myself now. But that’s all right...”

  Noah looked around.

  The punk was still sitting beside him, a bit dazed from the experience. The doll-like office woman and the twelve-year-old girl also remained in their seats on the other side of the aisle. The back of the tram, where the teenagers had gathered, looked noticeably emptier.

  As the tram jolted back into motion, the monitor went dark and quietly folded into the ceiling. But the Voice kept talking as if nothing had changed:

  “As you’ve probably noticed, Regia consists of six separate cities, all governed by four so-called Guilds, which share between them all administrative responsibilities.

  The Guilds will also become your primary families. Most of you will choose one or two, depending on your interests; some may even join all of them — there are no restrictions in that regard. After all, the Guilds exist for everyone. You’ll learn more about them at Regia’s Tourism and Information Centers.

  “It would also be wise to mention the most obvious phenomenon you’ll soon encounter — teleportation.

  Within the Flow, travel from point A to a known point B normally takes no time at all; it’s a natural privilege of every remaining soul.

  At this moment, you don’t yet know how to do it, since teleportation inside the Sphere was artificially limited. The same limitation applies here, inside the tram, so that the most curious among you don’t try it before the instructions are complete.

  “This restriction, unfortunately, also applies throughout Regia. On the continent, only authorized personnel can teleport — you may occasionally see them at work.

  But don’t be discouraged. Regia has a highly developed transport network that no one has ever found disappointing.

  You may also choose to leave for the outskirts of Regia, where all such restrictions no longer apply. Just keep in mind that if you do, you’ll once again hear the Call of the Flow.”

  The Voice paused briefly.

  “And with that, I conclude this tour.

  If you have any questions, such as ‘What should I do after leaving this tram?’ or ‘What is the purpose of my existence?’, you can ask them at the Tourism and Information Center, which will be clearly visible from the final station.

  We wish you a pleasant journey aboard Regia Transport.”

  As the Voice faded with its final words, the tram sped straight toward the massive fortifications surrounding the entire continent. They grew and grew until they filled the sky, and Noah could make out details on their surface — broad metal balconies fitted with grim-looking cannons aimed into the surrounding clouds.

  The tram rattled toward a pair of gates in the seamless wall. They opened slowly, revealing a dimly lit tunnel. Without slowing for even a moment, the tram rolled inside, and its wheels, for the first time, touched real rails. The gates closed behind them.

  Outside the windows, the tunnel walls and steel supports flashed past.

  That’s one hell of an outer wall, Noah thought, silently counting the seconds.

  Soon the tram burst into daylight again, and its wheels began to clatter more slowly.

  From this side, the outer wall no longer seemed so menacing — more like a strangely smooth mountain range.

  All around, stretching as far as the eye could see, was a dark forest of broad-leaved trees. Looking closer, Noah noticed how unnaturally tidy it was — almost like a park. He even thought he saw people walking among the trees along the forest paths.

  After a few more minutes of rattling along the tracks, the forest gave way to the suburb. The tram slowed further. Nearby, on parallel rails, another identical tram rolled out of the forest, carrying a different group of passengers. Looking to the other side, Noah saw a third tram turning toward the station — but this one was empty. The passengers must have all disembarked at the intermediate stop.

  Four and a half percent passes the test, Noah thought, but that doesn’t mean everyone wants to end up here.

  He didn’t know why he’d stayed and hadn’t followed the Flow’s call.

  Perhaps simple curiosity. And besides, the Voice had said he could always leave if he wished.

  We’ll live and see, Noah thought, feeling quite optimistic.