Chapter 597: Leaving EON Gateway

Aleron put away his notes. Tauriel contacted her attendants and told them to get ready at the Obsidian’s berth, while Laras checked the crew’s report.

"The final checks are almost done," Laras said.

Lein stood up. Efan was still looking at the two plates in front of him.

"Take them with you," Laras said.

"I wasn’t planning to leave them."

Efan asked the server to pack the remaining food. Once the bill was paid, they left the table. The waiting slaves quickly followed, keeping their distance so they would not get in the Kings’ way.

The road to the port was still busy. Workers pushed crates along, and cargo vehicles passed between the buildings. Lein walked with Aleron and Tauriel, joining their conversation now and then.

He glanced at a building across the road. The people following them were still there. Since his group had left the food stall, they had adjusted their distance again.

Lein slowed down until Dragnar was beside him. "Keep an eye on the people following us."

Dragnar glanced in the same direction. "Should I deal with them?"

"Not yet."

The old man nodded. Lein caught up with the others without looking back.

The Obsidian’s dark purple body came into view at its berth. Aleron’s and Tauriel’s attendants had gathered near the stairs. Laras checked the list with the crew, then directed them aboard with their belongings.

As Lein approached, the slaves beside the stairs bowed and moved aside. One carrying supplies stopped so suddenly that the things in his arms shifted.

"Take your time," Lein said.

"Yes, my lord."

The man lowered his head further before continuing. Lein walked past him while Lyra showed the attendants to their quarters. Laras stayed below until the last person had boarded.

In the control room, the captain immediately bowed when Lein entered with Aleron and Tauriel.

"Our destination is still the area around the Divine Sky Realm," Lein said. "How are the preparations?"

"The ship is ready, my lord. We’re only waiting for the port’s final confirmation."

Laras handed over the passenger list. Everyone was aboard, and the last of the cargo had been stored. The captain sent the report to the port officers through the communication device. Departure clearance came shortly afterward.

"Let’s go," Lein said.

A faint vibration ran through the floor. The stairs were drawn back, and the Obsidian moved away from the platform. Lein returned to the front deck with the two Guardians as the ship entered the departure lane.

The port buildings slipped past on either side. The Obsidian followed the light markers, keeping its distance from the ship ahead until its turn came to pass through the gate.

Lein stood by the railing. The wind stirred the hem of his black robe, partly covering Lord Gold and Lord Black at his waist. He watched the buildings fall behind before turning to look ahead.

The Obsidian passed through EON Gateway.

They had officially left the Dominion of the Nova Consortium.

***

The vast void stretched out before the ship.

The lights of EON Gateway slowly grew smaller behind them. Several ships that had departed at the same time began to split off, each heading toward its own destination. Before long, the gap between the Obsidian and the nearest ship had widened.

"We still have a long journey ahead," Tauriel said.

"At least the seats are more comfortable than the ones at that food stall," Lein replied.

Tauriel chuckled and walked over to the sofas, followed by Aleron. The ruler of Guandu looked out into the void before sitting down. Since leaving his realm, he had only had the information he brought with him to rely on.

Lein contacted the control room. "How’s the route?"

"It still matches our records for now, my lord. We’ll check our heading again at the next point."

"Report any changes."

"Yes, my lord."

Lein put away the communication device. Aleron, who had heard the exchange, looked up.

"Don’t rely too much on the route we took here," he said. "The connections between dimensions can change. A passage we used before may not be the same on the way back."

"Could it take us far from our destination?"

"Yes. That’s why the crew needs to keep checking throughout the journey."

Lein looked out into the void. It was difficult to tell one direction from another just by looking. Their previous route could serve as a guide, but the crew still had to check the way ahead. If anything changed, they would need to adjust their heading or find another path. They could not be certain when they would arrive home.

"We’ll study the notes you brought during the journey," Lein said.

Aleron nodded. "There are still a few things I can explain."

Lein sat on a sofa. Laras arrived after making sure the passengers had settled into their assigned places.

"Everything is arranged. Their attendants are looking after their own groups," she reported.

"Good."

Efan came over with the wrapped food and placed it on an empty part of the table.

"Are you going to eat again?" Tauriel asked.

"Not yet. I’m just making sure the food is safe."

Laras looked at him. Efan quickly moved the package so it would not cover anything else on the table.

Lein smiled and leaned back as he listened to their conversation. The crew handled the ship, Laras watched over the group, and Dragnar kept an eye on their surroundings.

He looked toward the door leading into the ship. From his room, he could enter a dream bubble and create a training area as large as he needed. His Dream Element and his understanding of the laws still needed work. This long journey would give him time to continue both.

As far as Aleron and Tauriel were concerned, he would simply be resting in his room. Lein had no intention of discussing his training yet. Before he started, he wanted to make sure the ship was sailing smoothly.

Lein’s gaze shifted toward the space behind the Obsidian.

***

Back at EON Gateway, a small ship received permission to leave its berth.

In the control room, someone checked the direction the Obsidian had taken. He signaled to his companion as their ship began to move.

"They’re already outside."

"Don’t get too close."

The small ship passed through the gate among the other departing vessels.

Once EON Gateway was far enough behind, it changed course. The other ships scattered toward their own destinations. The small vessel kept following the Obsidian’s route.

"Keep your distance," the person in the control room said.

Its engines worked harder again. Far ahead, the Obsidian continued into the void.