CHAPTER 19: 19: THE SANCTUARY

Aaron arrived at the agreed location precisely on time. Alongside Governor Levi, the two boarded a sleek black helicopter stationed on a private helipad.

The aircraft lifted off, soaring into the sky and heading toward a destination that wasn’t registered on any known map. As the journey progressed, just as Aaron had anticipated, all forms of communication were cut off. His phone lost its signal completely—no calls, no internet, and even the GPS began to malfunction, displaying distorted, random locations.

"I was right not to follow Leo’s pinned location blindly," Aaron muttered to himself, watching the mountains in the distance grow clearer. Of course a place no one’s ever found wouldn’t make things that easy.

As they flew deeper into the signal-jammed region, the landscape below transformed into a rugged, mountainous terrain. Jagged cliffs rose like stone fangs, the winds howled cold and sharp, and the terrain was too unstable for land vehicles. Even aerial travel felt perilous.

Then, something insane happened.

The helicopter tilted forward and accelerated toward a mountain wall—not around it, but directly at it. It was as if the pilot had gone mad, determined to crash straight into solid rock.

Levi, sitting calmly beside Aaron, cast him a sideways glance, studying his face for any hint of fear or panic.

Nothing.

Aaron’s expression didn’t shift, not even a blink of doubt crossing his eyes.

’He really isn’t afraid of death anymore...’ Levi thought, slightly impressed—though entirely wrong.

To most eyes, it looked like the helicopter was moments from a fatal collision. But Aaron had already sensed the truth. His hybrid senses were sharp—far sharper than most—and the moment they approached the area, he noticed the inconsistencies.

There was no cold air. No scent of dust or moss. His eyes, sharper than steel, pierced the illusion like a blade through silk. And what he saw beneath the veil... was something extraordinary.

A hidden valley, not barren or lifeless, but paved with a magnificent road. Beyond it, an impossibly advanced city bloomed—radiant towers, sophisticated architecture, glowing skyrails, and a level of modernity that felt surreal. It was beauty hidden behind falsehood.

The mountain wasn’t real. It was an illusion.

Was Aaron scared of death? Of course he was. Any sane person would be. But in this case, there was no real threat. He had already seen through the deception, and he knew they weren’t about to crash.

The entire illusion—a treacherous mountainous landscape—was crafted by a powerful demigod to conceal the true location of the sanctuary. To unauthorized eyes, it appeared as an impassable death zone. No one could get close without either retreating in fear... or dying trying.

Only demigods, or those granted explicit permission, could pierce the illusion’s veil. And Aaron knew that if Levi discovered he could see through it on his own... things would get dangerous. Experimentation, surveillance, even abduction—those were likely outcomes for anyone who defied what the world believed to be absolute.

Passing through the illusion wasn’t just difficult—it was dangerous. Those who made it without permission would be subjected to constant, soul-grinding mental attacks. The pressure would crush their minds until their sanity shattered. Only those acknowledged by the demigod behind the illusion could endure it.

As the helicopter passed through the invisible barrier, the false mountains melted away.

And there it was.

The city of the gods.

What Aaron had glimpsed before now stood fully revealed—a hidden utopia of glass and steel, where ancient power and modern brilliance coexisted. Skyscrapers gleamed under an artificial sky dome, and luminous energy coursed through rails and roads.

"Welcome to the Sanctuary," Levi said, pride lacing his voice as they gazed upon the breathtaking cityscape.

"It was named after a mythical haven," Levi continued. "A paradise said to exist within the multiverse—undetectable and unreachable. And just like that myth, this city’s location cannot be found... unless the demigod allows it."

He gave Aaron a meaningful glance. "Even after you leave, you won’t remember where it is. The memory just... vanishes. Like it never existed."

Aaron remained silent, his expression unreadable. Levi watched him, hoping for awe or curiosity, but gave up when he couldn’t detect a single shift in the boy’s face.

"If you had asked me where we were headed before now," Levi said, pulling out an intricately designed letter, "I couldn’t have told you. I don’t know it myself."

He raised the letter between two fingers. It was black, etched with swirling gold patterns and an arcane seal that pulsed faintly with power.

"But with this, I don’t need to know. I’ve been granted permission to enter. Every individual I bring must be specifically named in this letter, with their purpose clearly stated. If your name wasn’t included..." Levi gave a pointed look at Aaron, "you’d already be dead from the mental assault."

Aaron’s gaze dropped briefly to the letter, amused—but he made no move to take it. Levi wasn’t offering it anyway.

"Oh, and don’t think about stealing it," Levi added with a grin. "It’s useless unless held by the person it was meant for."

"How does it work, then?" Aaron asked. "What if someone else tries to use it in your place?"

"Simple," Levi said. "The moment you try to pass through the illusion, the demigod detects it. If your visit is unapproved or your intentions impure... you’ll be rejected."

"And by rejected, I mean mentally shattered."

He leaned back. "And if, by some miracle, your willpower is strong enough to endure the mental assault... you’ll be dragged in front of a demigod. Though I doubt that meeting would go well for you."

Aaron gave a slow, understanding nod.

"So there’s a demigod here?" he asked.

"Demigods..." a soft voice interrupted. It was Rhea, finally breaking her silence.

She looked at Aaron with faint awe in her eyes.

"This place is home to many demigods," she said. "It’s their sanctuary—their haven. The safest place on Blue Star."

Aaron absorbed the revelation in silence, his mind racing behind the mask of calm.

Home of the Federation’s demigods...

He nodded, filing every word away. He had wanted to meet a demigod for a long time. Not out of worship—but curiosity.

He wanted to see the true power that ruled the world.