This universe was one of the oldest in all Creation. Not the oldest, of course. Far from. This universe was home to a wide variety of slowly dying worlds. Stars were beginning to go out after billions and billions of years. The younger stars were home to worlds much like this. There were many other worlds teeming with life throughout this universe. Some were home to races with such advanced technologies. Others were new, barely having left their caves. This planet was young when compared to the age of the universe itself. When compared to the old inhabitants, the world was very old. 

The golden sun shone through clear air. The sky was a bright blue and white clouds could be seen as dots on the horizon. Bright green grass and multicoloured trees stretched as far as the eye could see. Animals grazed happily as smaller insects flittered, climbed, and crawled their way between colourful flowers and the trees. A shimmering river flowed quickly, splitting into smaller streams as it made its way across the landscape. The larger part of the river stretched into a large lake. Timeless boulders rested here and there, breaking up the colours. Far off in the distance was the coastline. The air smelt both fresh and of salt. 

But there was something missing.

Those old inhabitants.

Humanity had once ruled this world so long ago. It had wiped itself from the planet's surface. Much time had passed since that dark day. The world had rebuilt itself. Life had returned. It was theorised another evolution of Humanity would enter the world sooner or later. Who knew what they would do to this world, if they would do better than their predecessors. 

It would take millions of years for them to evolve that far once again. It had taken millions of years for the world to repair itself. It would only take another few billion years for the Sun to expand and destroy the world. The amazing thing was that it had not happened yet. Considering how old this universe was, it should have. Then again, there were many mysteries of the universes which would never be discovered by anyone. Not even those who lived beyond them, whether it be outside their borders or on a higher plane of existence. 

There were remnants from when Humanity had ruled this world. They could be seen if one were to look close enough. The occasional vine-covered pillar or a stack of stones that looked too perfect to be natural were all that remained. They would be lost to the elements soon enough. Forgotten by history. Doomed to never be discovered again. Who knew how many secrets would be lost. It was certain no one knew how much had been lost in Humanity's evolution the first time. The third would take place long after this day.

Not all these secrets would be lost forever. To Humanity, yes, but to others . . . 

A group of nine crunched through the grass and fallen leaves, most treading carefully to not disturb the inhabitants of the area. They had been walking for hours now, none entirely sure of what they were searching for. The animals gave them passing glances, deciding they were no threat and returning to their meals of grass. 

The group found an area out of the way to take a break. None knew how long this expedition would take, so they had come prepared for the eventuality that it would take a while. Bags were dumped in the grass, followed by some members collapsing onto the soft grass. Others found stones to rest on. 

"Why are we stopping?" Kek asked impatiently, bag still on his shoulders. 

"Because it would appear some people in this group are mortal and mortals require rest," Amneris said, not bothering to open her eyes. She stretched out her arms, enjoying the feel of the Sun on her skin. "Besides, we've been walking forever."

"Hear, hear," Jay said, lifting a bottle in salute from where he lay. 

"Just relax," Ema drawled, resting her head on her arms. "Enjoy the Sunlight. Enjoy nature."

Kek blew out a breath. He all but threw his bag onto the ground, sitting beside it. "Such a Fae thing to say." The two Fae in their group let out offended cries in response. He ignored them.

"You wanted to be a part of this expedition," Colt said. "Do try to get along with everyone. We are all quite capable of killing you. I can't promise it will be in your sleep."

"Such threats, Prince!" Kek cried dramatically. 

Jay interrupted. "Still waiting for that explanation."

Amneris rolled her eyes, having explained the entire situation before the group left Lyriumia. "For the last time: Assar died and Tara brought back his soul in Colt's body so Colt died and Assar took over."

"Hello," Colt said with a wave. 

"But why do you call him Colt?" Jay asked.

"She calls me Assar when pissed," he answered flatly. Amneris grinned. 

Zoe rolled over in the grass to face the group. "You guys are so weird."

"Two thousand years, and she's only just figured that out," Amneris laughed. Zoe pointed in her direction. A beam of light few into Amneris' eyes. She yelped, scrambling away. "That hurt!"

"Would you like me to have a look?" Kayla asked, not hiding her smile.

Amneris rubbed at her eyes, grumbling, "No. It's fine."

* * * * * * * * * 

To the side, Hathor was filling her drained bottle with water from the river. She sighed deeply, watching the water flow in and around it. When it was filled, she did up the lid and sat on the small dirt bank. 

"You okay?" Xix asked, sitting beside her.

Hathor managed a small laugh. "Yeah. Though it's not every day you find out your dead father happens to be your mother's boyfriend."

Xix frowned. "Yes, that does sound rather confusing."

"You're telling me."

"I think you three need a have a proper conversation once this is all over." Xix tilted her head, listening. "It would appear Naka agrees. Did not see that coming. From what I have heard, he lives for the drama."

Hathor nodded. "You're doing okay with your new role?"

Xix glanced down at her red crystal bracelet. Until a few hours ago, it had been a ring belonging to her father. Amneris had kept it in a drawer in the Palace after his destruction. She had given it to Xix when they returned to prepare for the trip. It was a lot like the necklace she wore, Amneris had explained while they were alone, in the way it housed a small portion of the Silent Core's power. For the most part, it was just a neat trinket telling people who she was. Xix had never been one for rings. Then, as though it had read her mind, the ring transformed into the bracelet she now wore. 

"I guess we both will find out," she eventually said. Xix shook her head and jumped to her feet. "I don't know about you, but I am starving. Food?"

"Never say no to that."

* * * * * * * * *

An hour later, the group continued their trek across the landscape. By this time, the Sun was beginning to set, casting everything into a bronze light. Some animals they passed slowly headed to wherever they intended to make camp for the night as others slowly begun to wake up. They'd decided the coastline would be the best place to begin the search for a sunken city. Unfortunately, as the continents of this world had long since changed from when it was built, none of them could be certain the city itself wasn't hiding under the landmass they stood on. 

By the time they reached the edge of the continent, the Sun had set and the full moon was lighting their path. The group made camp a fair distance away from the cliff's edge in case certain members of the party got any ideas to throw others over and see what happened. 

Amneris and Hathor spent the time the others used setting up to fly along the coastline, searching for any sort of entrance of sign of past inhabitance. Amneris went one direction, Hathor the other. Both searched for a good half hour before beginning to wonder if they where anywhere near where they had to be. There were few caves both found but none had any trace of life in them. Not Human life, at least. One had been filled with bats. Hathor existed that one faster than she entered. 

They met at the halfway point, deciding to do one more search before trying again in the morning. Barely ten minutes later, Hathor called out. Amneris flew to her side. Her daughter pointed at a small opening waves were crashing against. The rising water was slowly filling it. There would be no way to explore it properly until morning, but they could have a closer look. 

Together, they hovered above the unforgiving coastal waters. Amneris cast her light over what little of the opening remained above water. She and Hathor scanned closely-

"There!" Hathor exclaimed, fluttering closer. "It looks a bit like the Old Language."

Amneris moved closer. Her eyes lit up. "Good find, baby! I think it's what we're looking for."

"Closer look in the morning just to be sure?"

"That's exactly what I was thinking."

Hathor made to fly back up the cliff when Amneris grabbed her hand, pulling her back. 

"Are you okay?" she asked. "I dropped a pretty big bomb on you earlier. We haven't really talked since then . . ."

"I think I just need a bit of time to, y'know, get used to the idea Colt is my dad." She clutched her arms, beginning to shiver as sea spray soaked her. "Can we have this conversation somewhere warmer?"

"Good idea."

Amneris took her daughter's hand. Together, they returned to the group's campsite.