Rose walked quietly through the corridors of Millem University.
Considering the casual clothes she was wearing at the moment and the place she would be visiting that night, Rose decided to wear a formal black women's suit, although she wasn't sure if being well dressed would make whatever she needed to do there any easier.
As it was a Sunday night, the university was quite empty, since most people were either in their dorms due to the time of day or were off campus enjoying their Sunday somewhere else.
Unless it was really necessary, such as when she had to study for exams, Rose didn't usually spend her Sundays at the university, and therefore couldn't say she was used to those corridors and rooms as empty as they were.
It was almost disturbing to her. Some of the environments, as she walked, reminded her of liminal spaces that Francis had shown her on the internet before. It was uncomfortable, but fascinating.
Still, that wasn't enough to slow Rose down, who then continued on her way until she eventually reached the university parking lot.
There, she went straight to a specific vehicle, a black car with white details.
This car didn't exactly belong to her; it was more like a Noctis family heirloom, and since Millem was a megacity, Rose was usually the one who needed the car the most, so it was with her most of the time. Even so, on the occasions when the family managed to get together to spend a day together, this was the car they used if they decided to go out somewhere.
With that, she got into the car, settled into the driver's seat, and turned the key in the ignition. The sound of the engine waking up echoed throughout the quiet parking lot.
She then took a deep breath, and with no other choice, started the car. Her destination was the South Zone of Millem.
Millem is the capital of the Kingdom of Eadengard and one of the largest and oldest cities in the world.
It was founded almost two thousand years ago by the Amorese Empire, a thousand years before the founding of what would later become the Kingdom of Eadengard. This city has survived conflicts, plagues, devastation, and wars, and has been able to stand for almost two millennia until becoming one of the most largest political, economic, and cultural centers in the modern world.
The city is marked by the Varrin River, a large river that divides the city, but while it is symbolic for the city, it is also somewhat polluted. On the other hand, the city itself was divided into five main regions, the five zones of the city. The North Zone, the South Zone, the East Zone, the West Zone, and the Central Zone.
The Central Zone is the historic heart of Millem, where the seat of the Eadengard parliament and the Millem Clock Tower, considered the symbol of the city, are located. This region is full of ancient stone buildings, gothic cathedrals, and alleys where the past seems to lurk. It is also home to the Westminster-Millem district, with ministries, courts, and century-old banks. At night, the alleys of the lower area—Old Mile—are filled with beggars, artists, and, it is said, even spies, serving as a reminder that not even the center of power is free from decay. Culturally, it is the cradle of the city's traditions, with patriotic festivals, classical theater, and institutional art. Commercially, on the other hand, this area is dominated by banks, corporate headquarters, and law firms.
The South Zone is the city's technological and financial hub, home to conglomerates, startups, and luxury residential towers, with glass skyscrapers and suspension bridges over the Varrin River. It is also home to the Glassborough district, considered the "brain of Millem" for its mix of luxurious and innovative places, including residential areas. In contrast, in the extreme south, Baileford is home to vertical slums, marked by unfinished buildings and neighborhoods suspended on the hills. Culturally, the South Zone is a true cosmopolitan mix with a vibrant nightlife.
The East Zone is like the working-class cradle of the city, a former industrial region, now partially abandoned and partially revitalized. Many of the warehouses in the region have been converted into studios and alternative apartments that attract immigrants and even smugglers. In this place, there is a strong presence of cultural collectives and social movements, which contributes to constant tension between the working class and the government. When we talk about the culture of the East Zone, it can be said that it is the heart of Millem's free spirit, with street music, urban art, rustic pubs, and political rebellion. What drives commerce in the region, however, are the markets, factories, junkyards, and gray free trade zones where the law is flexible.
The North Zone, in this context, is like the city's breath of fresh air. This is the most residential and oldest region, with Victorian mansions, wooded hills, and upper-middle-class neighborhoods. There are also many parks, gardens, and mansions adapted as research centers. In fact, the North Zone is home to Millem University, which is renowned for its humanities programs and is considered one of the largest academic centers in the country. Therefore, it is safe to say that this is the region where Rose currently lives. Culturally, the area has a calm, intellectual, and traditional atmosphere, with cafes, bookstores, small family businesses, and private schools driving commerce.
Finally, the West Zone is the most creative and bohemian area of the city, home to artists, journalists, and immigrants. Districts such as Norwain and Portbridge have street markets, thrift stores, and architecture that blends old bricks with colorful murals. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the zone is a hub for fashion, alternative cuisine, and youth culture, and is one of Rose and Lucas's favorite places when they want to go to a good restaurant or shop for clothes together. This region is a cultural symbol of freedom and experimentation within Millem, both artistically and politically, and its commerce revolves around independent studios, design startups, and art fairs.
In addition, speaking in terms of the city of Millem as a whole, there are aerial trains and underground tunnels that connect all areas. However, Rose, with her more introverted personality, does not get along very well with this type of public transportation and feels deeply grateful to have a car to drive. Fortunately, at that time of night, she could rely on her vehicle to cross the city, from the North Zone to the South Zone, without any significant problems.
The trip took just over an hour, considering that traffic was favorable at that moment, and finally, Rose arrived at her destination.
She was now in the more corporate and business-oriented part of the South Zone, where numerous buildings and skyscrapers of different companies and corporations are located.
With that, she parked near a sidewalk and got out of the car, looking directly at a specific building nearby.
Hidden in plain sight, isn't it...
What she was looking at closely was a tall building, as tall as the average building in the area, its color and paint were the same as the average colors of other buildings in the area, and its design and architecture were also the same as the average of other buildings in the area. In other words, the building she was looking at was the absolute average of all the others on that side of the South Zone, with nothing that really stood out, the kind of structure that a passerby would glance at for a moment before continuing on their way and forgetting its existence.
But Rose? Rose knew that this was entirely intentional, a facade that was as ordinary and uninteresting as possible, that drew the least amount of unnecessary attention, but that, in fact, held the most extraordinary secret in this city, and perhaps even in the entire country.
The headquarters of Eadengard's Crystalis Unity.
Crystalis Unity...
Just thinking about that name and looking at that building, Rose not only felt the military and political weight it evoked, but mainly the religious weight.
Religion.
In that world, when one thought of religion, only one thing came to mind for most humans. This thing was not the mythological deities worshipped by peoples such as the Caeloris, the Elynthians, and the Nörvans in ancient times, although some say that there are still hidden cults that believe in these deities and follow their ideas to this day.
This thing was, in fact, the only religion that exists to this day. The only one that has survived the passage of time and remains strong, with countless faithful and followers around the world.
The religion that worships Selene, the daughter of the heavens and the holy goddess, who, according to the sacred scriptures, was the creator of humanity.
This religion is called Selenism.