The next sector of Forgeton was an arctic region not too different from Pneuma City's Dragon District. Except here, the cold was slightly more tolerable. It was still positioned equatorward, but, being a smaller nation, it wasn't as close to the ice belt as the Dragon District was.

  The sector was enclosed within a snowy mountain region. There were snow-covered buildings everywhere and a perfect blue river that flowed through its middle. In the center was a tall, blue metal tower with "S-04" and a katana symbol etched on it. At its base was a large reservoir of clean, cold water. All together, the place was very organized and had no pollution of any kind.

  The ferry bus suddenly shuddered as frost crept across it and water seeped through its crevices until it took on the shape and features of Ziro.

  "Breathe deeply," he spoke quietly and philosophically as he moved to look out the window as the sector flashed by. With our perception, we could still take it all in despite the speeds we were traveling at. "Air like this a rarity to encounter. Cold, sharp, untouched. Honest...it asks nothing and hides nothing. A small piece of our world that remains unclouded by our noise."

  I realized he was right. The air there was thinner but even cleaner than Lant's sector. I wondered how that was possible for a place with more infrastructure.

  "This is the only place on the planet that is solely powered by water," he answered before I could ask. "We pride ourselves on keeping our sector clean and clear of impurities. With over 203 million residents and the rest of Forgeton to provide clean water to, it is my Winter Division's duty to ensure the source remains pure."

  "So if someone wanted to poison as many residents of Forgeton as they could, this would be the place to begin?" Avarice asked. "Theoretically, speaking, of course," he offered a fake smile of innocence.

  "Such a foolish tactic would be ill-advised," Ziro turned to him warily, but ultimately disregarded him as a threat. "With me here, there are few on the planet that can possibly achieve that without risking their own life in the process."

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  "If you are curious, you are more than welcome to try," he said, his arms crossed as his back remained turned.

  "Hm...," Avarice looked out at the passing sector in thought. "As I said, it was just theoretical."

  "Ah, we're approaching the place I mentioned earlier," Fulvia said, nodding at a distinguished building among the others. "It's a medicinal bathing facility. A klevonian with Surge and a healing cintracy manages it. She gives the water there an almost magical effect that alleviates tense muscles, stress, and even heals some wounds. It's a wonderful way to end a stressful day, let me assure you."

  As Fulvia went on about her favorite relaxing location, I spotted Tymon's gaze tracking a single small home as we bypassed it. After increasing my vision, I could see that no one was inside the building.

  I gave him a quizzical look. When he saw me, he silently shrugged and looked onward.

  "There really aren't any pneumarians here," Za'Fia stated, looking out as well. "Surprising since there are klevonians in Pneuma City. Figured, there'd be some sort of coexistence here too."

  "It is forbidden for pneumarians to enter. Forgeton was founded as a haven for our warrior race. A place where we are free of their oppression," Ziro informed us.

  "It's our way of ensuring public safety since klevonians aren't able to subdue pneumarians with marks," Fulvia chimed in.

  "Oh, we're not judging," I raised my hands defensively. "We understand. There's a lot of rough history there."

  "I know, but barring one specific race from entering a nation can be frowned upon by some. You all being newcomers, I don't want you thinking we're arbitrarily being racist toward our counterparts."

  Please, no more politics for today, I frowned internally.

  "The prejudice doesn't only apply to pneumarians," Ziro added. "It also extends to klevonians who have sold themselves to a pneumarian. Consider yourselves fortunate that we are with you and are flying over the nation."

  "It's that bad, huh?" I said, disheartened.

  Fulvia momentarily rubbed her arm self-consciously before catching herself.

  "It's not exactly prohibited, but klevonians with a mark often face some open judgment from the other klevonians of Forgeton, so they don't venture here either."

  There was an uncomfortable silence as we all tried to look out the window to avoid discussing the subject further. Within minutes, we crossed out of the border of Ziro's sector and he bid us farewell before leaving in a mist of frost.

  "Guess it's my turn now," said Oat from on top of the ferry bus. He was lying on his back with his hands resting behind his head as he gave off a faint glow in the night.