For a moment, the stunned pair just gaped after it. "Come on!" urged Raaij, coming to his senses. "It spoke!" squeaked an astonished Shaiah. Getting a grip upon herself, she hurried after her mate, who was already striding after the biped. The biped did not make them go far. They passed three towers, stopping at the fourth. Turning to them, the biped spoke. "Put your weapons on the pavement and leave them." Hesitating, Raaij and Shaih looked at each other. The biped waited; silent, impassive. When they realized that it was not going to speak or move until they complied, the pair reluctantly did as ordered. Satisfied, the biped turned and the wall opened. This time, the doorway remained open, allowing Raaij and Shaih to pass into the interior. They expected darkness, but it was brighter than if they had been outside. Shaih, who was in front of her mate, stopped once again awe-struck. "Keep moving, Shaih," Raaij whispered; and there was real fear in his voice. "We don't want to lose it." He need not have worried. The biped had slipped from their view but had returned and its posture strongly suggested impatience. Satisfied that they were still with it, it turned and rapidly strode away. The biped took them through a short passageway into a room large enough to be a cavern, then another long squared off tunnel. They arrived at another big room but one that was much smaller compared to the first one. This room had round walls and a small circular platform stood in the middle of it. Its surface was marked with strange patterns. On the ceiling, directly above the platform was another circular object with all sorts of things projecting from it. The biped stepped onto the platform, beckoning for them to do the same. They stepped on the platform surface. Horrified, Raaij and Shaih saw the biped and themselves begin to disappear. An eye blink later, they reappeared whole. Deeply distressed, the pair stared at each other. The biped didn't wait for them to recover, it stepped off the platform. This room was square and small. The biped took two steps to one of the walls and it opened. It stood in the opening and turned to beckon them forward, then pivoted and stepped through it. Raaij and Shaih hurried after it. The room was filled with many strange, alien objects. Raaij and Shaih sensed that some of it was furnishings, but not all of it. It was beautiful but also intimidating--and very confusing. All of these impressions were but a moment. What fixed their attention was another presence in the room. Two other bipeds--not like the Beings--but of flesh! The Gods, they each thought, sucking in their breath. ___________________________________________ TO BE CONTINUTED: Sorry to be so slow in continuing the story. Thanks for your previous encouragements regarding it. CREDITS: City: Herminio “” (ShareCG). Figures: Figures: "Kaytox" and "Kaytex" modeled and textured by midnightstories (Renderosity) and  Image's "Andromeda" and "AndromedaDude" (Poser Addicts) with textures by Wayii (ShareCG). Land Vehicle: Vehicle: Nightshift3d's "CargoBots and Containers" (Renderosity). Aerial Vehicles: Herminio's “Shuttle” and “ShipCobra” (both ShareCG).