Year: 2147, Auroria Prime, Elysara
The hum of the sky city woke me, a soft vibration that pulsed through the walls of my bedroom.
Auroria Prime, the grandest floating city on Elysara, hung five kilometres above the planet's shimmering oceans, held up by magnetic forces from the core.
My name's Valeria Voss, and at eighteen, I was the sole heir to the wealthiest family on this glittering world.
My room, high in our sky house, had walls of transparent crystal, letting me see the clouds drift below like cotton candy.
The bioluminescent lanterns outside—powered by glowpods from the ocean—cast a faint blue-green light, even in the morning.
I stretched in my bed, the silk sheets cool against my skin.
At six feet tall, I took up most of the mattress, my long legs tangling in the fabric.
My dark hair, the same deep auburn as my father's, well, my mother with male anatomy, spilt over the pillow.
I breathed in, the air crisp with the scent of engineered vines that climbed the walls, their leaves glowing faintly.
My AI secretary, a sleek orb named Sable, hovered near the ceiling, its voice smooth as velvet.
"Good morning, Valeria," Sable said.
"Your schedule includes a business meeting at Voss Enterprises, a school seminar, and your parents' gala tonight. Shall I prepare your wardrobe?"
I groaned, rubbing my eyes. "Black suit, Sable. Always black."
The orb pulsed, projecting a holographic closet.
I picked a tailored black suit—sharp jacket, fitted pants, red accents. It hugged my frame, making me feel powerful, like I could command the whole city.
I stood, my bare feet sinking into the plush carpet, and walked to the crystal wall.
Below, transit tubes zipped between sky cities, their pods glinting like silver fish.
The rainforest far below sparkled with crystal-trees, catching the sunlight.
This was my world, wealth, beauty, excess. But sometimes, it felt hollow, like I was floating just like the city.
"Valeria," Sable chimed, "your stepmother requests you join breakfast. Your step-siblings are already there."
I sighed.
My stepmother, Cassia, and my father, Mara, were devoted to each other, a rarity in a society where affairs were as everyday as breathing.
They had three kids, Lina, and the twins, Zara and Kael.
I acted distant, but deep down, I'd do anything for them. My biological mother, Elara, left Mara for a richer woman before we got our fortune.
Now, Elara was broke, with two daughters, trying to worm back into my life. I didn't trust her. Never would.
"Fine," I said, adjusting my jacket. "Let's get this over with."
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The dining hall was a marvel—crystal chandeliers, a table carved from a single crystal-tree trunk, and a view of the ocean's glow far below.
Cassia sat at one end, her silver hair pinned up, her smile warm but firm.
Mara, broad-shouldered with auburn hair like mine, sat beside her, reading a holo-tablet.
The twins, sixteen, giggled over their plates, their blonde curls bouncing. Lina, fourteen, poked at her food, quiet as always.
"Valeria," Cassia said, her voice like a bell. "You're late. Again."
I slid into my chair, smirking. "Fashionably late. It's a Voss thing."
Mara looked up, her eyes twinkling. "You're trouble, Val. Just like me at your age."
I grinned, grabbing a plate of synth-fruit—engineered to taste like paradise.
The twins launched into a story about a school prank, their voices overlapping.
I half-listened, my mind drifting to tonight's gala.
It was one of those events where the elite showed off—wealth, status, lovers.
I'd go with my crew: three tall, imposing friends who matched my vibe—drinking, smoking, chasing thrills.
And Liora. My best friend. The thought of her made my chest tighten.
"Valeria," Lina said softly, snapping me back. "You okay? You're staring at your plate."
I blinked, realising I'd been holding my breath. "Yeah, just thinking about tonight. Big party."
Cassia raised an eyebrow. "Behave, Valeria. No scandals. We have a reputation."
I nodded, but my mind was already on Liora—petite, adorable, with eyes that could make me do anything.
We'd been close since we were kids, always flirting, constantly pushing boundaries. Tonight, I had a feeling it would be different.