The Antarctic Expedition

"Hello, humans," the figure said with a tone of casual authority. "I know you're all desperate for answers, so allow me to introduce myself. I am Hermes, messenger of the gods."

The room erupted into whispers, but Hermes raised a hand, and silence fell again.

"For decades," Hermes began, "your governments have been sending people to the Ice Wall, hoping to uncover its secrets. They knew the dangers—the monsters, the mana—but they sent you anyway. The gods watched, and when it became clear they wouldn't stop, we decided to intervene."

"Intervene how?" someone in the crowd shouted.

Hermes smirked. "By giving you a chance to survive past the Ice Wall. The monsters you faced were weakened by artifacts to test your strength. And those who passed are here because you've proven yourselves… useful."

"Useful for what?" another voice demanded. "What do you want from us?"

Hermes floated closer, his expression serious. "The gods need your help. Our enemy—an entity of immense power—was sealed long ago after a devastating war. But now, a cult worshiping this being is working to bring them back. If they succeed, your world and ours will fall."

The room fell into an uneasy silence before someone spoke up again. "Why should we care? If you're gods, why can't you handle it?"

Hermes chuckled, but there was no humor in it. "Ah, the arrogance of mortals. The Ice Wall stands because of the gods. It's nearly unbreakable, reaching heights no one has scaled, with conditions so harsh that even monsters struggle to survive. If we are defeated, that barrier will crumble, and everything beyond it will pour into your world. Do you think you'll survive then?"

His gaze hardened. "We gods have our own armies, but our enemy's followers have amassed a force rivaling our own. And if their master returns, they will grow even stronger. You humans, however, are unique. Your bodies, untouched by mana until now, mutate when exposed to it, granting abilities far beyond what most born behind the wall could ever achieve. Some of you have already begun to awaken these powers."

Ryan shifted uncomfortably at that, guilt over the dryad incident still weighing on him. He clenched his fists, wondering what kind of power had awakened in him and if he could ever redeem himself.

"But what now?" another voice called. "What are we supposed to do?"

Hermes smiled again, but this time it was more reassuring. "I'm sending you to the continent of Vassoria, to the country of Eldranth. There, you will live as citizens, not heroes or saviors. You will train, grow stronger, and prepare for what's to come. You'll find a church where you can assess your abilities.That will be your starting point."

"And what if we refuse?" someone challenged.

Hermes' eyes narrowed, his divine aura pressing down on everyone in the room. "You won't."

The weight lifted as suddenly as it had come, and Hermes clapped his hands together. "Now then, enough talk. Off you go! Remember to visit the church. Bye-bye!"

Before anyone could protest, the room was consumed by blinding light. Alex felt a rush of energy as the ground seemed to vanish beneath him. When the light faded, he found himself standing in the middle of a bustling city square with Emily by his side. The air was thick with mana, and towering spires stretched high into the sky, their gleaming surfaces reflecting the vibrant energy of the world. Around them, others from the room began to appear, scattered and dazed, many looking around in confusion or dropping to their knees.

Alex steadied himself, still feeling weak from his earlier injuries, but the overwhelming sensation of the mana-rich atmosphere made his head spin. He looked around, taking in the strange architecture and the sheer size of the city. The place felt impossibly alive, almost breathing with power.

Emily stood beside him, her gaze fixed on the city around them. Her brow furrowed, lips pressed tightly together. She looked as though she was trying to piece everything together, much like Alex was.

"Are you okay?" she asked, glancing at him.

Alex hesitated before nodding. "Yeah, I'll manage. This place is just… a lot to take in." His voice carried a hint of unease. "Everything Hermes said—it feels like we're in way over our heads."

Emily folded her arms, her tone firm. "We've made it this far, haven't we? You're still standing after everything with the Dryad and the naga. That's not nothing, Alex."

He gave her a small, tired smile. "Guess you're right. But this—" he gestured around them—"this is so much bigger than I expected. Abilities, gods, wars… What if we're not ready for any of it?"

Emily placed a hand on his shoulder, forcing him to meet her gaze. "Then we get ready. One step at a time. We've been through hell already, and we're still here. We can do this."

Her words, steady and resolute, lit a spark of determination in Alex. He didn't feel entirely sure of himself yet, but he knew Emily believed in him. And maybe, just maybe, that was enough.

"Thanks, Emily," he said quietly.

She nodded. "Anytime. Now, what's the plan?"

Alex took a deep breath, scanning the unfamiliar streets and the crowd of confused people. Somewhere in this city, a church awaited, ready to reveal the truth about their abilities and the next step of their journey. His gaze settled on a tall spire in the distance, its bell tower standing out against the skyline.

"We find that church," Alex said, his voice firmer now. "It's the only lead we've got."

Emily grinned faintly. "Now that's the Alex I know. Let's go."

Together, the two of them started toward the spire, leaving behind the crowd of panicking strangers. Each step carried them closer to answers—and to the unknown challenges that awaited them beyond this strange city