Beyond the Gates

Landmark

Permanent

Lyra

The Ouroboros, Lyra Bastion

Common

The Expeditionary Corps' mobile outpost soars high, like a spinning wheel weaving the wind.

So, this is it, the Ouroboros. A gigantic ring in the shape of a snake biting its tail... And in the center of the circle: a flying fortress, a ship. They say you can see the best aerobatic shows there, plus some bling-bling casinos that go clink-ca-ching when you win the jackpot on the slot machines. I follow Fen along the gangways, and I slip between the masons, workers, carpenters and welders who are working full tilt to construct the living areas. You know, it's not a bad place, actually. As long as you're not too afraid of heights, it's got everything to make you feel at home: taverns, greasy spoons, gambling houses from the most luxurious to the seediest... I peer over the railings and watch the little figures of onlookers walking around the air terminal where the Ouroboros is docked.

Fen takes me by the hand and tells me not to lose sight of her. I mean, it's definitely one hell of a maze. I don't know how she manages to find her way around. Even if I look at the direction signs, between the right walkway, the left corridor, the ladder, the footbridge, the passageway, the conduit, the gallery, the trapdoor, the hidden door, the narrow gulley, and the little red door marked A38, it's definitely not easy to find your way around. But, in a way, I feel at ease here. It's a bit like being in my head, actually. So I let myself be swept along without knowing where I'm going. But I don't mind. I like being surprised. It's cool. Over there is an enormous big top, over here's a pool with plastic ducks where the kids can mess around. The atmosphere here is like a fun fair that looks like it will light up at nightfall with brightly colored string lights.