Chapter 5. Darina's Journey Into the Dimension: Uncovering the Artifact's Secret

The young man introduced himself:

"My name is Zaren. I've come from another dimension to talk with you about the artifact you found. We call it the Infiniport."

Darina looked at the stranger with astonishment, trying to make sense of what she'd heard.

"Infiniport?" she repeated. "So that's what this mysterious object is called?"

Zaren nodded:

"Yes, and I can tell you much more about it. But for that, we need to travel to my dimension. There, you'll be able to see everything with your own eyes."

Darina felt frightened and curious at the same time. She took a deep breath, trying to gather her thoughts, and introduced herself:

"My name is Darina. I... I'm not sure I should trust you, but I'm very curious to learn more about the Infiniport."

She hesitated for a few seconds, but curiosity won out over fear.

"All right," Darina decided at last. "I agree to go with you into your dimension. But how will we get there?"

Zaren smiled and held out his hand:

"Don't be afraid. The journey will be instantaneous. Just take my hand, and I'll transport us both."

Darina looked hesitantly at Zaren's outstretched hand, then, gathering all her courage, took it. In that instant, the world around them began to change. It was as if they found themselves inside an enormous glass sphere. Darina looked around in amazement. The space around them shimmered with every color of the rainbow, giving the impression that they were inside a giant soap bubble. Through the semi-transparent walls of the "sphere," blurred outlines of strange buildings and flying objects could be seen.

"Where are we?" Darina breathed, unable to tear her eyes away from the splendor surrounding them.

"This is the Nexus — the central hub of our dimension," he explained. "From here we can observe many worlds and dimensions at once."

Zaren made a smooth gesture with his hand, and the glass dome dissolved. Before their eyes appeared a completely different world.

"And now," Zaren continued, "let me tell you the story of the Infiniport, and show you how we live here."

Zaren began his story:

"The Infiniport was created by our ancestors, back when they, like you, lived in a material dimension. That was millions of years ago; after that, the Infiniport was lost, until you and Bronislava discovered it.

Unfortunately, the Tenebrians want to seize the Infiniport — a dangerous race from a dark dimension. Their goal is to reach our dimension and destroy us. But now your planet is in great danger too. The Tenebrians will come to Dragana to seize the Infiniport. You need to hide it, to prevent a catastrophe.

Millions of years ago, our planet and its inhabitants evolved, passing into light matter and moving into a subtle dimension. Now we live here, in a dimension called Etheria. We no longer need material food to sustain ourselves. We feed on pure energy, which we draw from the surrounding space."

Darina listened with wide eyes, trying to make sense of all the information she'd received.

"But how can we protect the Infiniport and our planet?" she asked, feeling growing unease.

Zaren continued his explanation:

"The Infiniport possesses a powerful artificial intelligence and, in case of danger, can teleport itself. However, in that case the Tenebrians would be able to track its movement and, eventually, capture it.

Tomorrow you must explain to General Vladimir that the Infiniport needs to be moved off your planet in advance. The Tenebrians must not be able to track it. I'll upload instructions to your holo-watch, along with a video message. That way, your fellow citizens will believe you and won't think you've gone mad."

Darina nodded, understanding the importance of the information she'd received.

"And now," Zaren said with a slight smile, "let me show you how we live."

Zaren led Darina into the city.

The sky here glowed with a soft, otherworldly light, and the air was filled with the sweetish scent of unknown flowers. The buildings, as though grown straight out of the ground itself, sparkled with thousands of facets, resembling enormous crystals. Yet amid this otherworldly beauty, Darina was astonished to spot familiar outlines of trees and flowers, as though a piece of their home world had been carried here.

Zaren, like a scholar of ancient legends, told Darina the history of Etheria. They passed by majestic statues depicting creatures Darina had never seen, and through squares where people gathered, wearing strange, armor-like garments. These outfits, with their intricate symbolism and sharp elements, resembled the uniforms of ancient warriors more than everyday clothing. Darina wondered: what could have made the inhabitants of this seemingly peaceful world wear such armor?

Then they stepped into an unusual space, resembling a café. Zaren decided to show Darina their food.

"This is food made of pure energy," he explained, pointing to the glowing objects of various shapes and colors on the table before them. "But we don't necessarily need to eat it in the sense you're used to. We draw energy directly from space, and our bodies synthesize everything they need on their own."

Darina looked curiously at the unusual dishes. Zaren invited her to try some.

She carefully picked up something resembling a fruit and brought it to her mouth. To her surprise, the moment she tasted it, it seemed to melt on her tongue, leaving behind an incredible sensation of freshness and lightness.

Then Darina worked up the courage to try an object resembling cheese. It, too, melted in her mouth, filling her with an indescribable taste she had never experienced before.

"This is... this is divine!" Darina breathed, struck by the unusual sensations. "I've never tasted anything like it."

Zaren smiled, pleased with her reaction.

"This is only a small part of what sets our world apart from yours," he said. "But we need to get back to the main reason for your visit here."

Zaren looked at Darina with a hint of sadness in his eyes and said:

"You need to go home. You'll find yourself at the exact same moment you left. You'll have a chance to get some sleep, and in the morning, great deeds await you."

He fell silent for a moment, then added:

"With the Infiniport, you'll be able to come here at any time. Just think of our dimension and of me, and the Infiniport will carry you here."

Darina nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and sadness at having to leave this astonishing world.

"I understand," she said. "And how do I get back now?"

Zaren held out his hand:

"The same way we came here. Take my hand, and I'll bring you home."

Darina took his hand, and the world around them began to change again. A moment later she found herself in her garden, as though she had never left it.

"Remember," she heard Zaren's voice, already fading into the air, "in the morning, great deeds await you. Good luck, Darina."

And with these words, she was left alone, filled with resolve to carry out the important mission awaiting her the next day.