High Mortality

"Augustus, is this the dimensional gate you were talking about?" Captain Niles asked with a smile, pointing at the statue.

"Hmm," Augustus replied, his voice disinterested as his eyes remained fixated on the statue.

Despite the lackluster response, the smile on Captain Niles' face didn't falter. He knew better than to show any displeasure; after all, the young man beside him was someone of great importance, someone he couldn't afford to offend.

"Please wait a moment while I open the Dimensional Gate," Captain Niles said, descending towards the statue.

Ashford Augustus stayed floating in the air, his dark blue eyes scanning the surroundings with a detached interest. The crowd below watched with bated breath.

"Look, the captain is finally going to open the gate."

"Damn, that's what I was talking about. Now I can finally change my life."