West showered, dressed, packed lightly—just in case and soon they were downstairs loading their bags into the trunk.
As they drove through the city, West leaned back, watching buildings pass by. So districts still bore scars from the ruin’s ergence... cracked streets, temporary barriers, awakened patrols.
The car’s screen flickered to life with the morning news.
> "In other awakened news—Dragon Fang Gang leader, Miss Zu Li, has announced she will be taking on an awakened apprentice. Sources say she is personally vetting candidates."
West perked up slightly.
"Dragon Fang?" he murmured.
Mark glanced at the screen. "You know them?"
"Just... heard of them," West said casually.
Miss Zu Li’s image appeared. She was incredible beautiful with milky white skin and an aura wrapped in elegance and danger.
"Vet youngsters, huh," West muttered. "Sounds intense."
Mark laughed. "Glad that’s not your problem."
West smiled faintly, leaning back as the city rolled past.
(( Two hours later ))
West sat in the passenger seat watching Misty High City slowly give way to rolling terrain, fog-kissed highways, and towering skyline silhouettes fading behind them. The city’s na wasn’t just branding... actual mist clung to the air here, curling lazily around elevated roads like it had nothing better to do.
West had spent the first thirty minutes half-asleep, the next thirty pretending he wasn’t impressed by the view, and the remaining hour silently wondering what kind of "surprise" required a small luggage and this much driving.
Then the resort ca into view.
"...Dad," West said slowly, leaning forward in his seat. "Are you sure you didn’t accidentally drive into the wrong tax bracket?"
Mark chuckled, slowing the car as the gates opened automatically. "Relax. It’s just a resort."
West stared.
Just a resort was apparently Mark’s term for a sprawling, glass-and-steel gastructure rising out of the mist like sothing pulled straight out of a sci-fi brochure. Multiple towers spiraled upward, connected by sky bridges glowing faintly blue. Waterfalls ran down artificial cliffs. Hover-transport pads floated near the entrance. The entire place scread expensive in at least twelve languages.
A large holographic sign shimred into existence above the entrance:
MISTHAVEN RESORT & SKY RETREAT
Where Misty High City ets Red Valor City
West let out a low whistle. "You know what? I take it back. Your idea of fun is outdated—but it’s outdated in a ’rich villain who retires to a tower’ kind of way."
Mark laughed. "You’ll survive."
They parked, handed the car over to valet drones, and were escorted inside. The lobby alone could have passed as a museum... the marble floors were squeaky smooth... there were floating sculptures and ambient music that sounded like it cost money to listen to.
After a quick check-in, they were ushered into a high-speed elevator.
"Floor 159," Mark said casually.
West blinked. "Out of...?"
"Two hundred."
"...Dad."
"Yes?"
"Did you rob a bank?"
Mark snorted. "I worked for twenty years."
The elevator shot upward so smoothly West barely felt it, only realizing how high they were when his ears popped slightly. When the doors opened, West froze.
The hallway was wide enough to fit up to ten peoole walking side by side and it was designed to near perfection, with transparent diamond like sculptures on both ends.
As for their room was... it was ridiculous.
It had two massive beds... floor-to-ceiling windows revealing a breathtaking panorama of both cities, mist rolling like a living ocean beneath them. The furnishings were minimalist but clearly absurdly expensive—everything from the couch to the coffee table looked like it had a personality.
West walked to the window and pressed his palm lightly against the glass.
"...Okay," he admitted. "You outdid yourself with this one, Dad."
Mark smiled, visibly pleased. "Thought you’d like it."
They freshened up and West changed into sothing casual but sharp while Mark swapped into comfortable travel wear and then headed back down to the resort’s central plaza.
The place was massive. There were qrtificial lakes, suspended gardens, arcades, training zones, relaxation spas, even a simulated ruin experience for tourists who wanted danger without death.
"Because apparently people pay to almost die," West muttered.
They t up with their guide near a fountain shaped like a coiled dragon breathing mist.
"Good afternoon," the guide said brightly. "I’ll be leading today’s group. We’re just waiting on a few more participants."
They stood off to the side.
That was when West noticed the family approaching.
Or rather—when the man leading them stopped abruptly.
The man’s face twisted like he’d bitten into sothing sour.
"...That’s him," the man hissed, leaning down toward his wife and kids. "That’s my nesis from the workplace. Mark."
West’s ears perked up instantly.
Nesis?
The man continued in a whisper far louder than necessary. "He always steals Daddy’s credit. Got promoted twice ahead of . Absolute devil. Make sure you don’t treat him—or his son—nicely."
West’s mouth twitched.
The wife sighed. "William, you’re being dramatic."
"I am not," William snapped. "This is war."
Mark turned at that exact mont and spotted William... he didn’t hear a single word that was uttered about him.
"William?" Mark said pleasantly. "Is that you?"
William visibly flinched, then did a full emotional 180, plastering on a wide smile so fake it should’ve been illegal.
"Mark!" William said cheerfully. "Wow, small world!"
They shook hands.
West watched the entire exchange like it was premium entertainnt.
Mark gestured. "This is my son, West."
William nodded stiffly. "Ah yes. The heir."
West raised a brow. ’Heir?’
West smiled politely. "Nice to et you."
William’s son who was about fifteen years old and nearly 5’7, imdiately shot West a look of pure hostility, leaning toward his sister and whispering harshly, "Rember what Dad said."
The sister on the other hand who was only about 5’5 with a pair of glasses abridged her nose, didn’t respond... because she wasn’t listening.
She was staring at West like she’d just seen a mythical creature.
"...You’re so hot," she mumbled under her breath as she stepped forward.
West blinked. "Sorry, what?"
She jumped. "I—uh—you’re so tall!"
She straightened as her cheeks turned pink and her eyes sparkled. "I’m Elina! Nice to et you!"
West smiled. "West."
Behind her, the brother stared in absolute betrayal.
"ELINA."
She ignored him completely.
William cleared his throat. "This is my family. My wife, and my kids."
Elina was still staring at West.
"...Do you work out?" she asked suddenly.
West shrugged. "A bit."
Her eyes lit up like fireworks.
The brother groaned. "Oh my god."
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