Point of View: Genesis
I floated in silence above Dalaran, surrounded by an invisible barrier that completely concealed my presence, observing the city from above with near indifference—as if everything stretching beneath my feet were nothing more than the logical result of a well-executed idea.
From this vantage point, the city unfolded in all its magnitude. Multiple floating islands drifted slowly around one another, connected by pathways that appeared beneath the feet of those who walked them, naturally adapting to the constant flow of creatures moving between sectors. Far below, the clouds formed a silent white ocean, reinforcing the sense of isolation—as if this place existed apart from the rest of the world.
It was no coincidence.
After all, this city had not been created by ordinary hands, but by Loki, Elena… and myself.
Every structure, every space, every detail had been designed with precision—not only for the present, but anticipating any future need. That made Dalaran more than just a city.
It was a tool.
A carefully constructed instrument meant to fulfill a clear purpose.
And like any well-designed tool…
It worked.
Life moved endlessly through every visible corner. Creatures of all kinds roamed the streets—some advancing cautiously, observing their surroundings with clear curiosity, others moving more freely as if they were beginning to adapt, and many more constantly stopping, unable to ignore what surrounded them, because everything was new.
Massive beasts walked among structures far too refined for their nature. Birds crossed the skies between floating towers. Smaller creatures moved swiftly through the crowds.
And the only ones who truly seemed integrated into the system were the Primordials, who had already begun organizing themselves—occupying commercial spaces, managing shops, bars, and various services.
Two months had passed since I allowed all Ascended on the planet to enter, and just as I had expected, the city quickly filled, becoming a constant meeting point that everyone wanted to reach.
There was nothing in this world that could compare to Dalaran.
Their own settlements, while functional, could not compete in scale or complexity. Every corner of this place represented something new—something to explore, something to discover, something that inevitably drew them in.
I could see it in the way they walked slower than necessary, in how they stopped to observe insignificant details, or in the hesitation they showed before entering certain places—as if crossing a simple doorway meant something more.
My gaze drifted toward one of the main plazas, where several creatures gathered, exchanging glances before deciding. Some moved forward. Others remained behind, uncertain.
For them, every facility was an opportunity.
A privilege.
A step toward something greater.
For me…
It was part of the plan.
I shifted my attention to another island, where businesses had begun to concentrate, forming organized districts. Open bars offered wide, comfortable spaces where different creatures gathered to rest, share food, or simply enjoy the atmosphere, creating a constant murmur that filled the air. Beyond them, shops displayed all kinds of items—some observed with curiosity, others already being purchased with growing familiarity.
Spending.
My expression barely changed as I noticed the pattern repeating itself again and again.
Everything in this city had been designed for that.
They fought, grew, conquered, and earned FD points—but what they didn't understand was that those points never truly belonged to them.
Every time they defeated an enemy, a portion returned to me.
Every time they conquered something, the system had already taken its share.
And when they achieved something truly significant—like destroying a planetary core—I kept ninety percent of the reward.
The rest…
Was enough to keep them motivated.
And still, they returned here.
They spent those points in shops, on resources, on upgrades, and on facilities they considered valuable—paying again and again without ever questioning the system.
The energy sustaining all of this did not come from any external source, nor from a resource that needed careful management.
It was generated directly by me.
Constantly.
A natural extension of my existence as a planet.
That meant that while it wasn't infinite, it far exceeded what was necessary to keep the entire city running without the slightest issue.
In practice…
The cost was irrelevant.
If I compared it to my previous world, it would be like charging for something basic—something always available, something that required no real effort from the one providing it.
And yet…
They paid.
A faint laugh escaped me, brief and restrained.
They couldn't know.
They had nothing to compare it to.
To them, this place was already a miracle.
As night began to fall, the city changed gradually without losing its activity. Crystalline structures started to emit a soft, constant glow. Floating symbols around the towers shone more intensely. The ground reacted beneath each step, creating trails of light that followed every creature—causing many to repeat their movements just to watch the effect.
From above, the scene was striking.
Even beautiful.
Creatures staring at the ground beneath their feet. Others gazing at the sky. Some simply enjoying the experience without fully understanding what they were living through.
For them, Dalaran wasn't just a city.
It was everything.
A place where they could grow, improve, and access things they had never imagined.
But for me…
It wasn't enough.
I tilted my head slightly as I surveyed the city once more.
If I had to rate it from one to ten…
It would be a seven.
Not because it was flawed.
But because it lacked something.
Something unrelated to its function.
Something I had not considered in its design.
Entertainment.
Variety.
Something unpredictable.
I exhaled slowly, keeping my gaze fixed on the city's constant movement—on its satisfied inhabitants and the system operating flawlessly, efficient, stable, and completely under control.
And yet…
That small void remained.
Then, an idea began to take shape in my mind—simple at first, but with enough potential to change the entire dynamic of the place.
My expression shifted slightly.
—I'll have to discuss it with Loki and Elena.
I looked at Dalaran one last time, shining in the darkness, full of life and completely unaware of the reality that sustained it.
—This will make things much more interesting.
And this time…
I truly smiled.