Chapter 86: Stines Region
The Fangs crossed through the tunnel of the war hall, boots echoing on reinforced alloy as they approached the closest transmission point to the research team’s last known location.
Stynes Region.
A strange land suspended above a floor of toxic mist. The air shimmered with a low-frequency hum, like something was always breathing beneath the surface. The mist was pink, sickly, and constant—stretching across the horizon like a forgotten ocean. The people of Stynes didn’t walk the ground. They lived in the trees, in towers, in platforms suspended by organic steel cables and old-world tech. Survival demanded elevation.
Right now, the trio stood at the border of Lellaft—also known as the Giant Treehouse. A living city, built around and into a gargantuan ancient tree. Its massive branches spread across the sky, holding walkways, homes, even gardens. Over five million people lived here.
From a distance, Nioh watched it breathe. He saw energy pulses, micro-biocore circuits blinking like veins across a body. Sanctuary-type biocore. Defensive, nourishing, low-aggression. One of the last stable cities in this quadrant.
He hummed to himself. "Interesting architecture. Looks peaceful. Probably isn’t."
"Are we heading into the city?" Akron asked, adjusting the straps on his harness.
"No. But if the mercenaries abducted the researchers nearby, they must know this region well. Too well."
"I doubt the council would allow a mercenary group to take root this close to a Sanctuary," Akron frowned.
Nioh nodded. "Exactly. Which means we’re not looking at outsiders. We’re looking at someone from the inside."
"You’re saying it’s an inside job?"