Continuation: This chapter talked about Artem and his two companions arriving at the warm grasslands after leaving the snowy mountains. Though the soil was rich and the plantations ample, danger was still lurking in every corner of this pleasant place. Dangers such as never before seen gigantic insects...

The fertile environment gave birth to vigorous growth. The soil beneath his feet felt like a soft mattress. Artem took off his jacket and walked through the grass field with weeds as high as his knees. A soft breeze passed by with the scent of the fresh blades of grass. Artem never thought such a gentle wind existed in the world.

He gently held on to Anna's hand, and she accepted his advance.

For a split second, an idea passed through Artem's mind: "Stay, and spend the rest of the life with Anna here." But he quickly cleared his head of the selfish thought when he looked at the girl standing beside him, who had entrusted him with everything. He would be letting her down if he were to follow his selfish urges.

Before the three could enjoy more than just a sudden moment of peace, a rapid buzzing noise rose in the sky. The strange noise brought a prickling pain to their heads. A monster, like a bird, dashed through the sky flapping its glass-like transparent wings at astonishing speeds.

Instinctively, Dalmir covered his ears and dropped to the ground, and began praying to some god. After having experienced being taken away by monsters, he has always been the first to react to similar dangers. Artem fought the pain in his eardrums as he covered Anna with his body and knelt to the floor. He realized that he might have seen monsters like these somewhere before.

The danger from the sky lands softly on the ground, retracting its mesh-like wings, and stood still like a horrific statue.

Was that... a mosquito? Artem finally recalled from the depths of his memories the description he once read in an encyclopedia of the Old World regarding the monstrosity before him.

In the Old World era, the world was divided into four distinct seasons. Mosquitoes were blood-sucking insects that emerged during the summer, but their size was no larger than an average fingertip and could be crushed with ease. However, the "mosquito" before him was taller than he was, and he could see individual hairs on its slender limbs. Its long and thin sword-like proboscis pierced in the ground as if it were sucking on something, completely oblivious to the three people standing around it.

Lying flat on his stomach, Dalmir suddenly felt liquid moving below beneath the soft soil as the giant mosquito's belly swelled up. There was fear in his lowered voice:

"Let's escape quickly before it discovers us..."

"Yeah, be careful."

Artem slowed down his breathing and moved slowly through the tall grass. But the nasty creature seemed to detect even the slightest tremor in the soil. In the blink of an eye, it retracted its proboscis and flew into the air. The faint hum came again, accompanied by a numbing headache. Artem brandished the sword that the queen of the Frozen City gave him and readied himself for battle.

"Be careful, Artem! It's coming."

The high-pitched noise turned into a shrill scream as the creature approached. Artem parried the piercing attack from the mosquito's mouth with his sword. The creature was agile in the air, able to not only hover but quickly change directions. It flew back into the air and swooped down for another attack. Its movements were so fast that it became a blur. Just as Artem was unable to dodge it, a roar of gunpowder sounded from behind him. The giant mosquito was knocked to the ground, with its legs in the air.

Artem turned around to see Dalmir holding an ancient flintlock musket, with white smoke coming out of its barrel.

"Great shot!" Dalmir was thrilled with the precision of his shot. But his excitement soon turned into fear as the creature kicked its feet to turn itself over.

The giant mosquito turned upright and started flying back and forth in the air, enough to make someone dizzy. Artem could tell how angry it was by the fierce flapping of its wings. Its needle-sharp mouth quivered in preparation for its next attack.

Artem's hand shook as he tried to hold on to the sword. This wasn't going to be an attack that could be dodged by reflexes alone.

"Anna, get out of here!"

"But, Artem..."

"Escape? No need."

A strong but powerful voice sounded from out of nowhere. Suddenly, a long lance appeared from the sky and pierced the semi-translucent body of the giant mosquito, pinning it to the ground.

The battle was over in an instant. Artem let out a sigh of relief. They were saved.

The man who spoke was dressed in strange imposing attire, looked majestic. What's more surprising was his mount: it was an insect with an armored shell, developed hind legs, and a saddle on its back. It was nearly the size of the giant mosquito that they just fought.

The insect mount jumped up with lightning-quick speed. As it did, the man pulled his lance from the creature's corpse and stopped in front of Artem. He pointed it with precision at Artem's heart.

He whistled, and a team of similarly dressed knights appeared from the grasses.

The three of them were about to express their thanks when the first knight announced:

"Strangers trespassing on our sacred land, the Spring Weald. You are under arrest!"

(To Be Continued)

书接上文：在这一章里，阿尔乔姆一行人发现了可以和巨兽『春之原』直接对话的祭坛，还得知了去往巨兽肺部的道路。可是当他们到达肺部时，却发现了一片旧世界的热带雨林和大量积水。为了探明巨兽肺积水的真正原因，阿尔乔姆和杜克尝试下水探索。就在他们准备换气的时候，却遭遇了意外袭击，被拖拽进了深水之中，再没能回到水面……

……
 
阿尔乔姆从沉睡中醒过来，感到一种从未有过的奇妙体验充盈全身，像是摆脱了沉重的躯体。他轻盈无比。漫长的昏睡中也有种奇妙的安心感，就像是婴孩在母亲的羊水中所感受的一般。
 
朦胧的感觉还没彻底过去。意识在他大脑里逐渐清晰起来。
 
阿尔乔姆回想起了昏厥前最后的景象：他挣扎着想要游到水面之上，却被什么人拽住了身体挣扎不开——憋气到了极限……
 
我是被淹死了吗？
 
阿尔乔姆来不及清楚这个问题，因为他需要先去理解眼前的状况：他发现自己整个人完全浸泡在水中，却没有一点窒息的感觉。他翻动自己的手腕，感受到水确实在他的指间流动。紧接着，他开始摆动双脚，身体也随之升起。
 
「咣！」地一下，他的背部撞上了铁牢的栅栏。
 
尽管意料之外的撞击让阿尔乔姆疼得骂了出来，仍然活着的实感还是让他感到轻松了不少。
 
「你醒了吗，阿尔乔姆先生？」一个熟悉的声音从后方传来。阿尔乔姆循着声音游过去，发现了同他一起下水的杜克队长，以及横亘在他们之间的铁栅栏。
 
「杜克队长，你也还活着吗？我们现在到底是……」
 
「我们被水下住民抓起来了。」
 
「那我昏迷过去也是因为那些……」
 
「那是因为你自己憋晕的。你还没发现吗？这里水是可以呼吸的。」
 
阿尔乔姆这才明白过来，他能活下来正是因为这神奇的水。之前他还在学医的时候，了解过一点这样的知识：只要水中溶解的氧气足够多，人也可以在水中自如呼吸。
 
似乎是对两人对话起了反应似的，一个少年模样的人从两人的牢笼前面游过。他穿着紧身衣装，手持鱼叉，狠狠地敲击了金属栅栏。巨大的震动随着水波击中了阿尔乔姆。
 
「闭嘴，这里不是你们闲谈的地方！」看上去像是狱卒的人并没有给两人好脸色的意思：「不在水里，还能在哪儿呼吸啊。你们两个混蛋，过来看下这个！」
 
狱卒拽动他手上的渔网，被他拖拽的东西慢慢飘进了两人的视野中——那是一堆白色、透明又肥大愚蠢的虫子。说是虫子，但其实阿尔乔姆也并不确定——他确实从未见过眼前这堆肆意蠕动的东西。
 
「知道这些虫子是从哪里来的吗？」
 
阿尔乔姆和杜克四目相对，茫然地摇摇头。
 
「啧，没用的废物。我还以为你们知道点什么呢……」
 
「…这是虫子？」
 
「不知道，但是总得有个叫法吧。」狱卒忽然想起了自己的身份，再次用鱼叉狠狠地敲击栅栏：「住嘴！禁止跟我攀谈！」
 
短暂的安静之后，不知趣的阿尔乔姆继续问道：「这虫子看上去连内脏都没有，也许不是生物？」
 
「这东西追着人跑，就像长眼了一样，谁还管它是不是生物，」狱卒一脸不屑，「而且它们一旦裂开，就会释放出将人溶解的液体。被液体污染后的水再也无法供人无法呼吸了。」
 
「被污染的水吗……」
 
杜克冷冷地补充道：「所以你们并不攻击虫子，而是修建了这庞大的水中监狱……」
 
「哈哈哈，这不是有聪明人嘛！倒是你旁边那个人跟个傻子一样问个不停……没错，你们所在牢房下面两百层全关着这些虫子。」说到这里，狱卒脸色沉重，一改先前嘲讽的语气：「为了生存，我们还得继续修建下去。」
 
阿尔乔姆尝试去观察他的脚下。虽然他眼力不如杜克，但是也隐约看出脚下数量惊人的牢笼——确实有无数的白色虫子被关在其中。可是水太深了，他看不清最下面的牢笼在哪里，只看到一片深渊。如果说水位是不断升高的，那么早先关押的虫子可能早就因为压力裂开了……想到这里，深渊里似乎只剩下了死亡的气息。

阿尔乔姆似乎理解了「春之原」肺部积水的真正原因。

不断出现的虫子、不断修建的庞大监狱群让肺部积水越涨越高，而留给「春之原」交换氧气的空间却越来越小了。

「这监狱原本也不是关你们的，」狱卒再次用鱼叉敲击了金属栅栏，「要是你们能帮我们找到这些虫子的来源，我们可以让你们从哪里来滚回哪里去。怎么样？」

「那，要是我说…我们其实是从水面上来的呢？」

（未完待续）

Continuation: In this chapter, Artem and friends discovered an altar that can be used to directly communicate with the giant monster "Spring Weald" and found out the entrance to its lungs. But what they found when they arrived in its lungs is an Old World rain forest with severe flooding. Artem and Duke dived into the water to find out the reason behind the flooding but was attacked and dragged into the depths...

...

As Artem slowly woke, a mysterious feeling ran through him, as if he was freed from the weight of his body. He felt light, and the prolonged slumber provided a miraculous sense of security, just as what infants felt when they rest in the water of their mother's womb.

He slowly regained consciousness but the drowsy feeling remained.

Artem recalled the last thing that happened before passing out: He struggled to return to the surface as someone was dragging him down deeper into the water. He held out as long as he could before finally running out of air...

Did I drown?

There was no time for Artem to figure out what had happened because knowing what was going on was more important: He was completely submerged in water, however, there was not the slightest sense of grasping for air. He turned his wrist and confirmed the flow of water between his fingers. Then, his body began moving upwards as he started kicking his legs.

"Bam!" his back hit the bars of the metal cage.

The sudden pain made Artem swear out loud, but knowing that he was still alive put his mind at ease.

"Are you awake, Mr. Artem?" A familiar voice came from behind. Artem. Swimming towards the sound, Artem discovered Captain Duke and the iron bars in the water between them.

"Captain Duke, you're alive as well? Where are we..."

"We've been captured by the underwater residents."

"So that's how I passed out..."

"No, you passed out because you were holding your breath. Haven't you noticed? We can breathe in this water."

Artem suddenly understood. He was only alive because of this mysterious water. When he was a medical student, he learned that it was possible to breathe in water if enough oxygen was dissolved.

It seems their conversation warranted a response from the nearby guard. A boyish figure swam past their cage. Dressed in tights with a harpoon in his hand, he banged hard on the iron bars with the harpoon, producing strong waves that sent Artem back.

"Shut up, this isn't a place for chitchat!" The guard wasn't playing around: "Where else would you breathe, besides in the water? You fools, come take a look at this."

The guard pulled on the net in his hand. The thing he was dragging floated slowly into sight. There were white transparent sluggish worms. At least Artem thought they were worms, for he had never seen anything like them.

"Do you know where these bugs came from?"

Artem and Duke looked at each other and shook their heads.

"Hmph, useless creatures. I thought you two would know something..."

"...These are bugs?"

"I don't know, but I have to call it something." The guard suddenly remembered his position and struck the iron bars again, "Silence! Don't talk to me!"

After a brief moment of silence, Artem asked the guard, "It doesn't look like it has any internal organs. Maybe it's not a living organism?"

"It chases people as if it has eyes. Who cares if it's living or not," snorted the Guard. "When the body is split open, it releases a liquid that can dissolve people. You also can't breathe in the polluted water."

"Polluted... water...?"

Duke added coldly. "So, instead of attacking them, you built this huge underwater prison..."

"Hahaha, so you're the clever one. That fool beside you keeps asking stupid questions. Yes, two hundred layers of the prison below you are filled with these bugs." The guard's tone suddenly became serious: "We must continue building the prison to survive."

Artem tried to see the water below him. His eyesight was not as good as Duke's, but he could make out the staggering number of cages beneath him, where countless white bugs were indeed being held. However, the water was so deep that he could not see the bottom, only a deep abyss. The rising waters could have already crushed the insects near the bottom with sheer pressure, leaving only the smell of death in the abyss.

Artem seemed to understand the real cause behind the flooding in the lungs of "Spring Weald."

The constant appearance of bugs and the expansion of the prison made the water in its lungs rise higher, leaving less room for oxygen.

"This prison wasn't meant for the two of you." The guard banged on the iron bars again. "If you can help us find out where these bugs are coming from, we can let you out of here. How about it?"

"What if I told you we were actually from above the water's surface?"

(To Be Continued)

书接上文：在这一章里，阿尔乔姆一行人终于到达了地上旅途的最后一站——熔岩之国。在达米尔的信号弹指引下，从远处的岩浆和巨石之间传来隆隆的响声，一只身覆板甲的巨大虫子停在他们的面前。他们即将乘坐这个大家伙去往大炮的国度……

……
 
阿尔乔姆原本对无脊椎的环节动物并没有讨厌的情绪。
 
「他们看到信号弹了。你们看，那就是熔岩巨虫，是来接我们回家的。」

达米尔言语中的喜悦和自豪的情感显露无疑。
 
「接我们？可怎么又是大虫子啊…这一路上的虫子可太多了。」
 
这条形似蚯蚓的巨大虫子高约2米，长度接近20米。虽说是在停泊等候，但一刻也未有停止过蠕动。环形肌肉覆盖着多层花瓣状的甲片，在甲片上还覆盖着细细密密的黑色岩沙，像是一种分泌物和熔岩混合形成的特殊涂层。

阿尔乔姆有些不情愿地杵在原地。
 
「阿尔乔姆你说什么呢！这哪有春之原上那些虫子奇怪啊。」
 
「走吧，阿尔乔姆。」
 
安娜也跟上达米尔走上前去。
 
在环节肌肉的上方，立着一个老头模样的人。他一手拿着长杆，另一只手则是一个铁钩，还拴着缰绳一样的东西。他从巨大的虫子的背上翻身下来，落地动作略有点浮夸。老头张开双臂，将达米尔抱在怀里——看得出来，他们俩不仅早就相识，还都一样热情似火。
 
「嘿！达米尔！」
 
「巴比康会长！你怎么亲自来接我了！」
 
「哈哈哈哈，意外了吧！快给我介绍下你的冒险伙伴！」
 
「您好，我叫安娜。」
 
「安娜你好！我是巴比康！小姑娘真可爱啊……哈哈哈哈！」
 
巴比康见阿尔乔姆一动不动，便朝着他走了过去，扯着嗓子大喊道：「远处的那个小伙子，快过来！我们要回熔岩之国了！」
 
阿尔乔姆看着老头子就快一瘸一拐地过来牵住自己的手了，也只好盛情难却地跟上去。
 
「…您好，我叫阿尔乔姆。」
 
……
 
就像阿尔乔姆担心的一样，在登上了熔岩巨虫的背部之后，他发现这些不拘一格的金属甲片和大虫似乎并没有很好的贴合。阿尔乔姆只有死死地抓住座位扶手，双腿还紧紧夹住，避免从这松动的板甲上摔落下去。巴比康手持的长杆一头发出电极的声响。他牵着缰绳确认身后的人落座情况。

「出发了！」
 
被巴比康的电极刺激后，巨虫开始蠕动了。伴着有节奏的环节肌肉舒张和收缩，它的行进速度越来越快。这是一种奇妙的行进方式。阿尔乔姆身前是安娜、身后是达米尔，他们三人之间的距离随着肌肉舒张变化不断变动。

不得不说，这种特殊的交通工具有着意料之外的优势。

巨虫和松动的板甲可以有一定程度的积压，这使他们一行人也能钻进岩缝里通过；巨虫还可以环绕一些小火山以达到一定的高度，然后直接爬上原本需要绕行的岩壁。巴比康老头用复杂的电极信号操作着巨虫。而巨虫也能自己做出一些灵巧细微的判断。在两者的相互配合下，一次次不可思议的动作得以实现。

阿尔乔姆还观察到了巨虫的独特散热方式：巨虫板甲上的粘液是通过板甲上雕漏的网状洞口中浸出来的——就这样一边将发烫的岩沙丢弃掉，一边粘连起新的黏土和岩沙，完成了外壳散热。

「真是不可思议……」

随着旅途不断深入，达米尔和巴比康的「熔岩之国杂谈」也越来越有趣。
  
据达米尔介绍，熔岩之国的冒险家们一半钟情于制造大炮，而另一半则执着于外出探险。巴比康老头子是熔岩之国大炮促进委员会的会长，是痴迷于大炮技术的代表。在大炮促进协会里能够吹嘘的事只有大炮的体积或者是射程的平方。
 
「在我们委员会，受尊敬的程度只和他研究的大炮威力有关。像达米尔这样只会做燧发枪的水平，我们委员会根本就不要！哈哈哈哈！」
 
「我可是专业的探险家好吧！哈哈哈哈！」
 
巴比康会长粗犷的笑声让人感觉很有亲和力。他丢了一颗眼珠、一只手用铁钩子做成，还有一只脚也是金属义肢。直到他转过头来跟达米尔搭话，阿尔乔姆这才才仔细看清，他竟然还有一块脑壳也是某种橡胶做的。
 
「你说这个脑壳吗？之前大炮炸膛的时候，头皮被炸没了！但是脑子还是好用的，哈哈哈哈！」
 
随着掌握身体夹住板甲越来越熟练，阿尔乔姆开始有些余力欣赏旅途中的景色。数量众多且尺寸不一的火山都似乎憋着一股劲儿——岩浆、熔岩遍地都是，光是看着就让人燥热难忍。要是按照常人观点来看，这里的环境实在太过恶劣——称之为人间地狱似乎也不为过。黑色火山、满是烟尘的天空、喷涌欲出的红色岩浆，谁会想到这里竟然还有着研究大炮的科学国度呢？

「好久没有冒险者回来了。我特意嘱咐了厨师：今晚我们举办庆功宴！」

听到庆功宴，阿尔乔姆兴致也跟着高起来了。只有安娜一直望着远处的火山，眼中似乎有一层阴翳。

……

台下宾客满座，大炮促进委员会和冒险家行会的人坐满了宴客厅。巴比康会长在高涨的气氛里介绍了阿尔乔姆一行三人。宴会厅里掌声雷动、一片欢腾。阿尔乔姆发现一个特点：这里基本没有一个身体完整的人——要么缺胳膊少腿，要么就是装了橡胶下巴或是铂金鼻子。

在阿尔乔姆看来，达米尔简直是一个奇迹——他竟然全身完整。

「这几年来，我们大炮促进委员会就一直在计划启动一项无愧于先祖的大炮活动！大家都知道，历史上最大规模的主火山活动就要到了！」

「火山！万岁！」宴会厅又是一片欢腾。

「我们要勇敢地把自己射向太空，拿自己的生命去完成这个世界上最伟大的冒险！」

「太空！万岁！」宴会厅整个都颤动起来，随时坍塌都毫不奇怪。

「通过达米尔旅途中的定位观测数据，我们彻底完成了对天外之境的轨迹追踪。我要欣喜地向大家宣布：我们现在能准确无疑地用大炮把自己打到天外之境上去！」

顿时，大厅里发出了无数次惊叹，然后突然进入到一片奇妙的寂静中。再之后又爆发出比之前更加热烈的掌声、欢呼声和喝彩声。即使现在宴会厅里的所有大炮一起发射，也压不住人们歇斯底里的声浪。

阿尔乔姆躲开宴会厅中的人群来到窗台。他看见安娜望着远处沉静的火山，一旁还放着他们从春之原带回的气泡酒。

「安娜……」

「阿尔乔姆，你先别说话。能过来一下吗？」

阿尔乔姆在旅途中无数次见识过安娜超越常人的坚韧，而她现在的声音却像是求救信号一般——弱弱的喘气声似乎在表达着某种挽留。阿尔乔姆想要从身后抱住她。

「怎么了吗？」

「去太空，是不是再也回不来了……」

「也许是吧。毕竟天外之境再也不会有火山大炮了。」

「阿尔乔姆……」安娜转过身来，脸上泛着红晕——她好像哭过了。那一瞬间，宴会的声音远去——全世界都安静下来了。

「我想家了。你能和我一起回家吗？」


（未完待续）

Continuation: In this chapter, Artem and friends arrived at the last stop in their voyage — The Lava Kingdom. Loud buzzing noises emerged from the distant lava and boulders responding to Dalmir's signal flares. A gigantic insect suited in plated armor arrives before them. It was their ride to the kingdom of cannons...

...

Artem originally didn't have any negative feelings towards these invertebrate annelids.

"They've noticed the flare. Look, that's the molten insect. It's here to bring us home."

A sense of joy and pride can be noticed in Dalmir's tone.

"Here for us? Another gigantic insect... there's too many bugs here."

The gigantic earthworm-like bug stood roughly 2 meters tall and 20 meters long. It continued to squirm as it was parked and waited to be boarded. Numerous layers of petal-shaped scales covered its circular muscles. The scales were coated in a special layer of fine black granite sand which looks to be made of part secretion and part lava.

Artem was reluctant to board this worm and stood still.

"What's wrong, Artem? This is not as strange as the bugs back on the Spring Weald."

"Let's go, Artem."

Anna followed after Dalmir.

An old man was standing above the rings of muscle. He was holding a long pole in his hand. In his other hand... was an iron hook, holding onto something like a bridle. He jumped off the back of the giant bug with style. The old man spread out his arms and embraced Dalmir. It was clear that they weren't just acquaintances, but great buddies.

"Hey! Dalmir!"

"President Barbicane! You came to see me!"

"Hahahaha, surprised, are you? Quickly, introduce me to your adventure companions!"

"Hello, I'm Anna."

"Hello, Anna! I'm Barbicane. Hahaha, this girl is adorable!"

Barbicane, seeing that Artem hadn't moved, walked towards him, shouting at the top of his voice. "You, young lad over there! Come quickly. We are heading back to the Lava Kingdom!"

Artem, seeing the old man limping over to him and grabbing his hand, reluctantly followed.

"...Hello, I'm Artem."

...

After climbing on the huge molten insect, it was as Artem had feared. The metal armors on its back didn't fit well on the worm. There was nothing Artem could hold onto, except the arms of the seat. He clamped his legs tightly to keep himself from falling off this loose carapace. There was the sound of an electrode at the end of Barbicane's pole, as he looked back at the people seated behind him.

"Off we go!"

The giant worm squirmed with the shock from Barbicane's pole. With the rhythmic contractions and relaxation of the ringed muscles, the worm moved forward faster and faster. Sitting between Anna and Dalmir, Artem thought this was a marvelous way to travel. The distance between them changed slightly every time the worm's muscles relaxed and contracted.

Without a doubt, there were some unexpected advantages to this special mode of transportation.

The large worm and its armor can be compressed to a certain extent, allowing it to crawl through the tunnels. It can go around some smaller volcanic vents, and also climb on rock walls that others would have to circle. Barbicane used complex static signals to control the worm, and the worm made some delicate maneuvers of its own. The two of them were like parts in a well-oiled machine, achieving some impossible movements together

Artem also noticed the unique way the large worm dissipated heat. A sticky liquid would flow out from the small reticular holes in its armor. The burning sand would then fall off its carapace, while new clay and sand would stick to it from the fresh liquids, thus taking away the heat from the armor.

"How incredible..."

As the journey continued, Dalmir and Barbicane's conversation about the Lava Kingdom grew more interesting.

According to Dalmir, half of the adventurers in the Lava Kingdom loved building cannons, while the other half loved adventures. Barbicane is the president of the Lava Kingdom Cannon Development Committee, a fine example of how obsessed they are with cannon technology. The only thing they could boast about was the size of the cannon or its firing range.

"In our committee, people respect you based on the might of your cannon. Dalmir is only interested in making flintlocks. We're not interested in that, hahaha!"

"Hey! I'm a professional adventurer! Hahahaha!"

President Barbicane's boorish laugh gave everyone around him a sense of kinship. He was missing an eye, and one of his hands and one leg were replaced by metal prosthetics. It wasn't until he turned to talk to Dalmir that Artem noticed part of his skull was also made from some kind of silicon.

"What happened to my skull? I lost a chunk of it when the cannon blew up! But it didn't turn me into a slow thinker, haha!"

As Artem got used to the bumpy ride, he finally had time to enjoy the sights. There were many volcanoes of varying sizes all looking like they were about to burst. Lava and magma were everywhere, and Artem felt scorching hot just looking at them. Any normal human would think the environment was just too harsh. It wouldn't be completely inaccurate to say this place was hell on earth. The black volcanoes, smoke-filled skies, red lava spewing everywhere... Who would have imagined there'd be a country here focused on the scientific research of cannons?

"It's been a long time since any adventurers returned. I've asked our cook to prepare a celebration feast tonight!"

Artem was excited that there would be a celebration. Only Anna, who had been watching the volcano in the distance, seemed to be preoccupied with something.

...

The banquet hall was full of people from the Cannon Development Committee and the Explorers' Guild. President Barbicane's passionate introduction of the three of them was met with thunderous applause. Artem noticed something: everyone was missing a body part, whether it be an arm or a leg. Some of them even had a rubber chin or a platinum nose.

From Artem's perspective, it was a miracle that Dalmir's body was completely intact.

"For years now, our Cannon Committee has been planning the greatest cannon event, one that's worthy of our ancestors! Everyone is aware that the greatest volcanic activity in history is coming!"

"Viva the volcanoes!" The banquet hall filled up with loud cheers once more.

"We will bravely shoot ourselves into outer space, risking our lives for the greatest adventure the world has ever known!"

"Viva the outer space!" The whole banquet hall shook as if it would collapse at any moment.

"Positional observations from Dalmir's journey have allowed us to track the Satelleden. I am pleased to announce that we can now reach it with complete certainty using cannon!"

Many people were shocked at the announcement, evident by the sudden silence in the hall. Then, it was followed by cheering and applause that couldn't be suppressed, even if all the cannons in the banquet hall were fired at once.

Artem sneaked away from the crowd of people in the banquet hall. He saw Anna looking out of the window at the quiet volcano in the distance. Besides her, it was the sparkling wine they had brought from the Spring Weald.

"Anna..."

"Artem, don't say anything. Can you come here for a moment?"

During their adventures, Artem had witnessed Anna's extraordinary tenacity a thousand times. But now, her voice sounded like a distress signal, pleading to him for help. Her soft breathes seemed to be conveying a desire to make him stay. It made Artem want to embrace her from behind.

"What's wrong?"

"If you go to outer space, will you ever come back again...?"

"Perhaps, there probably won't be volcano cannons in the Satelleden."

"Artem..." Anna turned around and her face flushed as if she had cried. At that moment, the sounds from the banquet hall faded away and the whole world fell silent.

"I miss home. Will you come home with me?"


(To Be Continued)

书接上文：阿尔乔姆一行人乘上熔岩巨虫终于抵达了熔岩之国，等待他们的是盛情的款待，在大炮促进协会巴比康会长的慷慨陈词之下，他们明白长长的旅途就差最后一步了，而此时安娜却产生了离开的心情，她希望阿尔乔姆也能留下……

……
 
达米尔现在感到非常困惑，但是他什么都不敢问。
 
庆功宴的第二天，阿尔乔姆和安娜之间始终有着一种说不出的奇妙的气氛。
 
在达米尔擅自的推测中，阿尔乔姆肯定是趁着宴会情绪高涨就去向安娜表白失败了。他一直坚定地认为这两人一定能成——没想到自己的阅历还是太浅。以前要是被大炮打出去很多次见见世面，他可能就会明白吧。
 
「那个…我今天带你们到发射场来，就是去看看我们引以为傲的火山大炮。」
 
达米尔尽管察觉到了两人低落的情绪，但他还是告诉自己也许现在不要问比较好。
 
「之前跟你们讲起过的。火山的能量是星球本身的能量。」
  
「星球的内球始终在偏向引力的反向，且不在星球正中心，所以这种由内向外的巨大挤压力会将岩浆和各种气态物质喷发出来——这就是火山的能量。」
 
透过厚重的玻璃，阿尔乔姆和安娜远远地看见了主火山里的岩浆。
 
它既像是海浪一般，时而升高时而降低；另一方面，它又像是烧开的水一般，气体不断地从岩浆中挤出来，聚拢成许多外涌的气泡。过于灼热导致空气厚薄不均，折射后的景象也都歪歪扭扭——任何人都能一眼明白，这些不安定的、明亮又灼热的液体很快就要压制不住了。

不知不觉之间，阿尔乔姆已经流出了一身的汗。
 
「不稳定、难预测、力量过于强大等等一系列的问题，阻碍着过去的人类去驾驭这些根源性的能量。直到冰河期的出现，我们的先祖们终于改变了想法。」
 
「不要去控制，而是让它释放！」
 
「没错，阿尔乔姆同志！你说的对啊！这样巨大的能量，我们就让他痛痛快快地释放。就好像……」
 
两人异口同声地说道：「不是将一个屁分好几次放，而是一次就放出一个响屁！」
 
两人哈哈大笑。像这样没有品位的段子，达米尔在旅途中早已经讲了无数遍。

直到他们看着蓄势待发的火山，这些愚蠢的解释才像活了过来一样。那些夸张的描述此时竟然离他们如此之近——阿尔乔姆觉得自己好像还在梦里。

安娜走在后面，也轻轻地笑了出来。
 
「那个顶部的能量收容装置。还有那边，是火山活动促进器…别看它们造价昂贵，其实全都是一次性的消耗品……」
 
达米尔突然停下来了——他似乎对这个说法不太满意。
 
「他们全是终其一生只准备一场战斗的家伙。但是，只需要一场战斗就足以证明一切！他们不是消耗品，他们是究极的浪漫主义者！」
 
「浪漫主义者吗……」
 
阿尔乔姆感觉好像有什么就在他的胸中激荡，就像那些不安分的岩浆。达米尔的声音也变远了——他好像已经能够感受到地幔的震动，想象着用那股巨大的能量实现一生一次的浪漫。
 
「请看这里，这就是我们即将要乘坐的炮弹！」
 
那是一个直径约7米的球型座舱，前方有着视野开阔的舷窗，里面装着放着各种精密仪表、操作拉杆以及各式按钮。球型的两侧隐藏着一对可以展开的薄翼。

看起来完全不像是熔岩之国的风格。
 
「这难道说……」
 
「没错。这是旧世界做出的能够载人的『炮弹』——找遍全世界也只有这独一个！」
 
球壳外侧覆盖着能够承受超出摄氏5000度以上高温的材料；内部还分布着遥测、通信、能源、温控的等各种精密的设备。阿尔乔姆已经挖掘过不少的旧世界遗物了。但他一眼就能明白，这就是旧世界科技中的顶点——是真正能将人带到宇宙中的家伙。
 
「这颗飞向宇宙的『炮弹』，也是有去无回的浪漫主义者。它也会在旅途中完成使命，然后成为一座永远的丰碑，漂浮在宇宙之中……」
 
再一次地，阿尔乔姆感觉自己没有在地面上。他已经投身在灿烂的星海之中了。

安娜看着眼前的这个男人，思绪仿佛已经先于身体一步离开了这颗星球。

她彻底明白了：阿尔乔姆的心已经在那穹顶之上了，自己是永远够不着的。那里太遥远了，比天外之境更远，比宇宙的终点还要远。她也暗下决心，在黎明到来之前就悄悄地离开——也许这样才不会让他那么痛苦。

……

但是她还是没能做到。

「谢谢你，安娜。」

在新日升起之前的小路上，她只能看到一个轮廓清晰的剪影——那是阿尔乔姆在等候她。她终究还是没能悄悄地离开。

「自从你救下我的相遇之后，我一直都深深地喜欢着你。我从没见过如此坚韧、独立又温柔的女性。我找了一万个机会想要倾吐出来：我喜欢你，我想和你一辈子在一起。」

「但是，我还是不能和你一起留下来。如果说，我这一辈子中一定有一件事情必须去完成的话，那就是冒险——不断地冒险。所以，对不起……」

「我想我也是一个浪漫主义者。我愿意为了冒险燃尽我的一切。对不起……」

安娜眼里噙着泪光。她是明白的。

——她从踏上旅程的那一刻就已经明白了：她喜欢上的也是这样的人。

没等到眼泪掉下，一只温暖的手就贴近了脸颊，并温柔地将眼泪拭去。那是她再也熟悉不过的，阿尔乔姆的手。

「我也知道，不应该让你为我流下了这么多的眼泪。可是我的决心已定……」

「我明白的。我都明白……」

「我只有三件东西可以送给你。」

阿尔乔姆拿出自己随身的日记。这上面细密地记录着过往的冒险，以及和安娜的回忆。

「第一件是我的过去。我们一起经历过的绝不是虚假的。」

阿尔乔姆又将女王赠送他的佩剑放到安娜的手里。

「第二件是我的未来。这是我对女王的承诺：我想要永远守护你。」

「最后一件，是我的现在——我喜欢你，安娜。」

他吻了上去。

他们是那么深情，就好像时间在这一刻永恒——未来将不会到来。

（未完待续）

Continuation: Artem and his friends arrived in the Lava Kingdom on the back of a molten insect. They were greeted with great warmth. After hearing the kind speech of the president of the Lava Kingdom Cannon Development Committee, Barbicane, they realized that their arduous journey was nearing its end, but Anna wanted to quit and wished Artem could stay as well...

...

Dalmir was confused, but he didn't dare ask any questions.

There was a delicate feeling in the air between Artem and Anna by the second day of the celebration.

Dalmir speculated that Artem saw the uplifted feelings of the festival as an opportunity and confessed his love for Anna, but was ultimately turned down. He had always believed the two would end up together, but reality has shown him how naive he was. If he had been launched from the cannons and seen more of the world, maybe he would've seen it coming.

"Umm... I brought you guys to the launching grounds here today to show you our pride, the volcano cannon."

Dalmir was aware that the two were not in a good mood, but he thought that it would be best not to ask.

"As I've said before, the energy of the volcano is the energy of the planet itself."

"The core of the planet is always pushing towards the opposite direction of gravity and not sitting at the center of this planet. This enormous outward compression force shoots out the lava and other gases from beneath the ground. This is the power of the volcano..."

Artem and Anna looked upon the distant lava in the main volcano through the thick glass.

Its characteristics were similar to ocean waves, rising and falling. On the other hand, it was like boiling water, with gases constantly pushing out of the magma and forming bubbles that soon bursted. The scorching temperatures heated the air unevenly and caused heat hazes to appear. Anyone could see that such an unstable, burning, and bright liquid could not be suppressed for much longer.

Without realizing it, Artem was sweating all over.

"Instability, unpredictability, and too much power were all reasons that humans in the past could not harness this energy. However, our ancestors changed their mind during the Ice Age."

"Don't try to control it. Set it free!"

"You're right, Artem! We should just set this immense energy free, like..."

They said in unison, "Like one big fart!"

The two of them laughed. Dalmir had told many cheesy jokes like this during their journey.

It wasn't until they were staring at the ready-to-erupt volcano that the foolish explanations came to life. It was unbelievable that they are standing so close to such outlandish descriptions. Artem feels like he's still in a dream.

Anna laughed lightly as she walked behind them.

"The energy container at the top, and the volcanic accelerators over there... They're expensive to make, but they are all disposable..."

Dalmir suddenly stopped. He wasn't pleased with that expression.

"They've prepared their whole lives for the one battle, but it only takes one battle to prove everything. They aren't disposables! They're the ultimate romanticists!"

"...Romanticists...?"

Artem felt as if something was stirring inside his chest like restless magma. As Dalmir's voice grew quieter, he could feel the vibrations of the mantle, all that immense energy to realize the once-in-a-lifetime romance.

"Look over here! This is the cannonball we'll be riding in!"

It was a spherical cockpit about seven meters in diameter, with wide windows in front. There were countless precise instruments, levers, and buttons inside. On the outside, there were a pair of thin wings that could open out...

It didn't look like anything from the Lava Kingdom.

"Could it be..."

"That's right. It was a cannonball created by the people from the Old World. This is the only one in the whole world!"

The outside was covered with material that can withstand temperatures up to 5000 degrees Celsius. Telemetry communications, energy, temperature control, and other precision equipment lined the walls of the interior. Artem had unearthed many Old World relics to know immediately that this was the pinnacle of Old World technology, something that could take people to outer space for real.

"This cannonball is also a romanticist, flying into outer space with no return. It will complete its mission during the journey, then float through the universe as a permanent fixture..."

Once again, Artem felt he was no longer on the ground. He was among the brilliant stars that filled the night sky.

Anna looked at the man standing before her, knowing that his mind had already left this planet.

She understood completely. Artem's heart had reached the heights of the firmament that she couldn't reach, no matter hard she tried. It was far, far beyond the Satelleden, far beyond the end of the universe. And so, she decided to leave quietly before dawn. Perhaps it would make him less miserable.

...

But she still couldn't do it.

"Thank you, Anna."

On the path before sunrise, she saw a clear silhouette — It was Artem, waiting for her. She couldn't leave quietly after all.

"I have been deeply in love with you ever since you saved my life. I have never seen such a tenacious, independent, and gentle woman like you. There were plenty of chances for me to tell you: I like you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

"But I cannot stay with you. If there's one thing that I must do in life, it is to go on adventures, continuous adventures. I'm sorry..."

"I think I'm also a romanticist. I'm willing to risk everything I have for the sake of adventure. I'm sorry..."

With tears in her eyes, Anna knew.

She knew the moment she embarked on this journey. It was the kind of man she fell in love with.

Before her tears could fall, a warm hand wiped away her tears. It was Artem's hand, which she knew too well.

"I don't want you to shed so many tears for me. But I've already decided..."

"I understand. I understand completely..."

"I can only give you three things."

Artem took out his journal, which carefully recorded all his adventures and memories with Anna.

"The first is my past. Everything we experienced together was real."

Artem placed the sword that the Frozen City Queen had given him in Anna's hands.

"The second is my future. This is my promise to the queen. I wish to protect you forever."

"And the last is my present. I love you, Anna."

He kissed her.

They were so affectionate as if time had stopped at this moment and the future would not come.

(To Be Continued)

书接上文：本篇故事中，阿尔乔姆与达米尔一同搭乘旧世界的「炮弹」，怀着不复归来的勇气一同前往深空。

……
 
火山大炮的冲击力并没有在飞行器原本的设计考虑范围内。

「炮弹」在发射的瞬间立刻达到惊人的速度，让发射场的所有人都捏了一把汗——这样真的没有问题吗？「炮弹」的内部也并不轻松：阿尔乔姆和达米尔就像承受了数十倍的重力，就快要被压碎了。
 
那一瞬间，阿尔乔姆失去了意识，思绪甚至和雪原遇险时产生了连接。但是这个状态并没有持续很久——他凭借着惊人的毅力和精神清醒了过来。经历了瞬间的生死考验之后，阿尔乔姆立刻意识到了飞行器中减震限制器的作用：要是没有它，自己肯定已经彻底往生了。
 
不过，达米尔却没有这么轻松。他翻着白眼，嘴巴微微张开，白色的泡沫从嘴角流了出来。达米尔究竟只是昏过去了，还是说没有撑过去？阿尔乔姆在通讯器中呼叫了好几次，可仍旧没有得到回应。
 
「炮弹」的舷窗里不仅能看清楚上方迫近的天空，更能看清下方远离的地面。

拔地而起的绝境就像画卷一样在阿尔乔姆的眼前快速展开。熟悉的景色正在不断地收缩，不断地变得陌生起来。仪表盘的数字也在不断地刷新，一次比一次更加夸张，丝毫没有停下来的意思。

尽管种种迹象都说明了这个简单的事实，但阿尔乔姆的理解仍然是慢了一拍——他们正在高速地离开行星表面。
 
——距离地面已有五千米了。
 
阿尔乔姆还是能看清熔岩之国的建筑：尤为明显的是发射「炮弹」的主火山大炮。

主火山因发射而造成的山岩崩碎，已经变成了滚滚的烟幕。在这一高度下，熔岩巨虫已经是纤细难寻。山脊上的岩浆也变成了蛛丝纹理，原本灼眼的颜色也温和了许多。
 
混杂着火山灰的空气飞速流动，地面的景色也逐渐面目模糊。
 
——距离地面一万米了。
 
阿尔乔姆已经能看到春之原了。

在万米的高空上，阿尔乔姆勉强望见了巨兽脊背上的边界。但即使如此，他仍然没能看清巨兽全貌——不愧是岿然巨物！曾经走过的漫漫长路，现已尽收眼底。一种说不出的滋味油然而生。
 
顺着来时的路线，阿尔乔姆的视线跨越了雪山，来到了风雪之中。寒冰之都就在在快速流动的行云飞雪中——他已经完全看不清城市的轮廓了。

安娜曾经说过：在每一次漫长的冒险结束后，她总是和父亲去外出捕鱼，借此放松自己。而这一次漫长的旅途结束后，她到底又会怎样休息呢……
 
稀薄的云层开始阻碍视线。逃逸的思绪又回来了——「炮弹」已经飞出去多久了呢……

——他们还在继续攀高，进入到黑夜之中。
 
贝洛伯格在黑暗的大地上若隐若现。

万家灯火看上去尽管只有一块硬币的大小，但是阿尔乔姆明白，那里一定是贝洛伯格。与周遭的严寒格格不入的热岛气候，从云层上方看显得更加明显——正是这份温暖支撑着贝洛伯格运作百年，但也是这份温暖阻碍了她的子民外出一步。
 
贝洛伯格在行星上是如此渺小，就像是餐盘中的一枚豆粒。阿尔乔姆曾经也以为贝洛伯格和周边的风雪就是全世界——回想起来，那不过是不愿承认自己的狭隘而已。
 
在这样高的尺度上，任何人都会理解这样的狭隘简直可笑。
 
——距离地面一百公里了。
 
阿尔乔姆已经清晰地看到了行星的弧线。
 
巨大的极光开始出现，绚丽的彩带轻轻地罩在星球的表面。阿尔乔姆曾经站在贝洛伯格的大地上，仰望过那些如梦似幻的轻纱在天空中飘动。而现在，极光就在他的下方。
 
就在这时，通讯器里响起杂音……

「…阿、阿尔乔姆！我们！啊啊啊啊！到天上了啊啊啊啊…咳咳…咳……」
 
是达米尔迟到的尖叫声。
 
阿尔乔姆感到哭笑不得。
 
……
 
——距离地面已经有四百公里了。阿尔乔姆已经看到了「天外之境」。
 
那是一个圆柱形的巨大空间，缓缓旋转着。阿尔乔姆听说过这样的科学幻想，通过旋转的离心力能够模拟出重力的体验——而天方夜谭的理论一旦变成了摆在眼前的现实，难以言说的激动之情就快要喷薄而出了。
 
不知道旧世界的人看到这颗「炮弹」到底作何感想——是惊慌吗？还是惊讶？会被当成侵略者进行反击吗？

阿尔乔姆听到了「炮弹」内部轻轻地播放起内置的音乐。鼓点声和吉他声既暧昧又惬意，像是旅程结束前的赠礼：

「遥远的宇宙电台在呼唤」

「遥远的宇宙电台在呼唤」

……

随着「炮弹」越来越接近，「天外之境」的内侧细节也越来越清楚。

如果将圆柱的内侧展开，那「天外之境」将是一个巨大的方形区域。方形区域的对边首尾相连形成了圆柱。在其中任意位置抬起头，都能看到倒悬的街道。

在街道上，各种违反物理常识的建筑鳞次栉比；机械巨擘像是拼接积木一样，将各种建筑模块自由地组合；规划整齐的区块化街道不断地调整着位置。阿尔乔姆想着，整个「城市」仿佛有着呼吸和脉动、像是不断转动的魔方一样，持续地进化着——其间透露着极致的理性。犹如被人遗弃已久却纤尘不染的艺术品——「天外之境」孤独地如此漂浮着，等候着人类赞叹的目光。

仿佛感应到了「炮弹」的存在一般，这巨物弹出同样比例惊人的对接支架，如同巨人向飞虫伸出了手。阿尔乔姆的心随着支架向他们所在的方向伸来而不断捏紧，唯恐自己的旅程在最后一刻粉碎在惨烈的对撞中。

然而想象中的失败着陆没有发生。支架在微不足道的震动中将「炮弹」轻柔托住，引导它缓缓驶入天外之境的停机坪。

而通讯器里，舒缓的音乐仍然继续……

……

「我踏上繁星的阶梯」

「漫步在太空的画廊之中」

「今夜的银河注定无眠」

……

Continuation: In this chapter, armed with a conviction of never returning, Artem and Dalmir will ride a "cannonball" of the Old World into the sky.

...

The impact factor of the volcano cannon was not included in the original designs.

The "cannonball" instantly reached a shocking speed upon firing, leaving everyone at the launch site speechless. Is this really going to be okay? From the inside, Artem and Dalmir had to withstand 10 g's of crushing force. They were almost smashed by the power.

Artem lost consciousness the split-second upon launch and the memories of the dangers on the Snow Plains appeared in his mind. His lulled state did not last long as he woke himself up with impressive conviction and mental discipline. After experiencing the near-death moment, Artem immediately noticed the importance of the shock-reduction capacitor in the flying pod. Without it, he'd already be dead.

Dalmir on the other hand was having a much harder time. His eyes were rolled back and white foam was coming out of his slightly opened mouth. Is he passed out? Or is he... gone? Artem called for him over the radio several times, but Dalmir did not respond.

Not only could the approaching space be seen in the porthole of the "cannonball," but so could the distancing ground from beneath.

The spectacular view unfolds rapidly in front of Artem's eyes. The familiar sights quickly shrink till it becomes unfamiliar. The numbers on the instruments continue to climb, with no sign of slowing down whatsoever.

Artem was still unaware of what was happening even though everything pointed towards the same conclusion — They were leaving the planet at shocking speeds.

— They were 5000 meters off the ground.

Artem could still see the buildings of the Lava Kingdom, especially the main cannon that fired the "cannonball."

The launch caused a massive landslide, reducing the main volcano to a billowing cloud of smoke. At this height, the large molten insects were impossible to see and the lava on the ridges looked like a spider silk web. The bright colors that scorched the eyes had softened considerably.

The volcanic ash in the air sped by quickly, as the ground slowly became a blur.

— 10,000 meters off the ground.

Artem could see the Spring Weald.

At the height of tens of thousands of meters, Artem could barely see the back of the beast. Even so, he had not seen the monster's entire body! Such a giant beast! It was an indescribable feeling to have a panoramic view of the roads he had taken on during his long adventures.

Artem traced the route he had once taken on, saw through the snowy mountains, and looked at the blizzard. The Frozen City was within the quickly passing clouds and snow, and he could barely see its outline.

Anna once said she would go fishing with her father to relax at the end of long adventures. How would she relax this time...

Thin clouds began to obstruct his view and thoughts of escaping came back. How long has the "cannonball" been flying...

— They flew higher until they reached the darkness.

Belobog loomed over the dark land.

Thousands of lit houses were only the size of a coin, but Artem knew that it was Belobog. The urban heat island effect stood out against the surrounding chill, which was more evident when looking down from the clouds. It was this warmth that had sustained Belobog for a hundred years, but it also prevented its people from going outside.

Compared to the size of the planet, Belobog was but a speck of dirt. Artem once thought that Belobog and its surroundings was the entire world. Thinking back now, it was just the unwillingness to admit his narrow perspective.

At this height, anyone would agree that such a narrow perspective was laughable.

— 100,000 meters off the ground.

Artem could clearly see the curvature of the planet.

The great auroras started appearing. The brilliant ribbons gently covered the surface of the planet. Back in Belobog, Artem had gazed up at these dreamlike veils fluttering in the night sky. Now, they were below him.

It was at this moment that static came through the communication device...

"...A—Artem! We! Ahhhh! Are in the sky! Ahhhhh... Ahhh..."

It was Dalmir's screaming from earlier.

Artem really didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

...

— 400,000 meters off the ground. Artem could see the Satelleden.

It was a large cylindrical object, rotating slowly. Artem had heard of science fantasies that the effects of gravity could be simulated through rotating centrifugal force. He brushed it off as mere fantasy until witnessing the miracle before his eyes. The excitement was overwhelming.

I wonder how people from the Old World will react when they see this "cannonball." Fear? Surprise? Will they be treated like invaders and face retaliation?

Soft music began playing in the "cannonball." It was a mix of drums and guitars that make you feel warm and cozy, like a gift at the end of their journey:

"Distant cosmic radio is calling"

"Distant cosmic radio is calling"

...

As the "cannonball" got closer, Artem could make out more details of the Satelleden.

If the interior was spread out, "Satelleden" would be a large rectangular area. The opposite sides of the area would join to form the cylinder. Anywhere you stood, you could raise your head and see the streets hanging above.

In the streets, many buildings violated physics. The mechanical giants appeared to be connecting the building blocks by combining various modules. Neatly planned streets kept adjusting their positions. To Artem, the whole "city" was breathing and pulsing like a living organism and rotating as a Rubik's Cube. It was constantly evolving, showing ultimate rationality. As an immaculate work of art that had long been abandoned, "Satelleden" was floating alone in the universe, awaiting the gaze of human admiration.

As if sensing the "cannonball," the large object extended a docking port of the same astonishing proportions, like a giant extending its hand at a flying insect. Artem's heart clenched out of fear that the last moments of his journey would end in a fiery collision.

But the disaster he imagined didn't happen The docking port gently held the "cannonball" and guided it to the landing pad in Satelleden.

The music was still playing gently on their communication devices...

...

"I climb the ladder to the stars"

"And walk in the gallery of outer space"

"Insomnia awaits the Cosmos tonight"

...