CHAPTER 252: DOMINION SANCTUM [ 4 ]

Time flew by in the blink of an eye as the luxurious Osborn buses glided to a smooth halt, marking the momentous end of their journey.

Through the crystalline panoramic windows, eager eyes turned toward what lay ahead,yet nothing could have prepared them for the breathtaking grandeur awaiting their arrival.

"W-What... is this place?" Bella whispered, her voice nearly drowned out by the collective gasp that swept through the bus.

Kaia, seated beside Billy, clutched his jacket sleeve with trembling fingers.

Her eyes widened in disbelief as she leaned closer to him. "I swear, Billy... If I get one more shock today, I might just faint!"

Billy chuckled softly, though his gaze remained fixed on the astonishing sight before them.

Before the convoy of Osborn buses stood a colossal structure of architectural brilliance.

Five massive gates loomed side by side,each towering thirty meters high and fifty meters wide,but it was the center gate, known as the Sovereign Gate, that truly commanded awe.

Its surface shimmered with a radiant silver hue, intricately laced with rare obsidian that seemed to drink in sunlight like a living entity.

Ribbons of crimson light pulsed along the delicate filigree of the Osborn Crest carved into its alloy surface.

The image of a phoenix,wings spread wide and reborn through flames,glowed rhythmically as if it had a heartbeat.

"Is it breathing?" Eva murmured, her eyes wide with wonder.

"No," Oscar replied, equally mesmerized. "It’s just... alive in a different way."

With a hiss, the buses opened their doors one by one.

Fifty-four members of the Osborn family stepped out,from elders like Julian and Margaret to youngsters like Charlotte and William,onto an expansive marble platform leading toward those magnificent gates.

Above them, sunlight gleamed off the smooth surface of Star-Titanium alloy while beneath their feet dark moonstone tiles shimmered with embedded gold engravings,names and dates chronicling three centuries of Osborn patriarchs.

At the heart of this Gate Complex stood the "Sentinel Spire," a 100-meter-tall AI tower crowned with the Osborn Crest.

This impressive structure housed an advanced AI Core-Linked GateNet,a sub-network governing all gate behavior that monitored thousands of micro-patterns in traffic and weather while holding autonomous judgment rights.

It could execute security lockdowns or deploy anti-threat measures even before approval!

On either end of engraved walls stood two colossal silver wolf sculptures on their haunches,their jeweled eyes gazing resolutely at the horizon; silent guardians watching over legacy...

"STAND TO!" boomed a voice like thunder.

The family turned in surprise as a figure clad in VantaTek Adaptive Combat Suit strode forward from beyond the gate.

His commanding presence exuded confidence as he moved fluidly like a seasoned predator.

"Commander First Fang reporting!" he bellowed, his voice echoing through the bio-helmet like thunder.

Behind him, hundreds of Osborn Elite Security Division soldiers snapped into formation with military precision.

Six hundred men and women, each outfitted with cutting-edge tactical HUDs, thermal camouflage, and EMP burst weaponry, raised their hands in a flawless salute.

Their unified cry resonated like an ancient war hymn: "All hail the Patriarch!"

Arthur returned their salute with a casual wave and a slight nod. "Continue your duties."

In an instant, the soldiers dispersed like shadows melting into the walls and towers around them.

The Osborn family stood momentarily frozen in awe at the spectacle unfolding before them. "Is this an airport... or a military base?" George muttered incredulously.

"Both, I think," Edward replied, his gaze darting between fortified towers that loomed overhead.

Ahead of them, the Sovereign Gate began to awaken with an impressive low chime,deep and powerful,pulsing in sync with the bloodline frequency of the approaching patriarch.

Vertical beams of crimson light shot upward, tracing intricate patterns across its surface.

The massive gate shifted seamlessly, parting both horizontally and vertically as if guided by unseen hands.

A pulsewave of energy fanned out gently through the air.

"Welcome, Arthur Osborn," announced a smooth AI voice that seemed to resonate from everywhere at once. "Sovereign access granted. Initiating full-body scan."

Beams of light cascaded over the group,a gentle warmth enveloped them as cellular and neurological identification occurred in mere microseconds.

"All family members verified. Proceed."

The gates opened wider,the threshold beckoned invitingly.

As Arthur stepped forward, his family followed suit into the sacred grounds of Dominion Sanctum.

Just beyond those gates lay something extraordinary: the Lake of Power. It was more than just a fountain; it was a living masterpiece!

Five acres of glowing liquid brilliance surrounded the inner plaza,its surface shimmered like glass during daylight while hints of refracted light danced beneath like fireflies beneath water’s surface.

Columns of water leapt gracefully upward in rhythmic arcs, guided by subaqueous projectors embedded within diamond-glass panels.

Each arc landed softly, sending splashes that generated holographic bursts displaying Osborn crests and flowing blueprints of their estate,moments from family history captured for eternity.

As they walked along an arched path cutting through this enchanting lake, motion-synced orchestral music swelled around them,each note perfectly timed to match the rise and fall of shimmering waters.

"It’s like...the estate is singing," Charlotte whispered in awe as her eyes widened alongside her family’s expressions of amazement.

Suddenly, valet drones glided silently from the Arrival Dome as platforms rose from below to reveal hovercrafts and monorail pods crafted in true Osborn style, sleek, polished perfection radiating power.

Custom scent diffusers activated with a soft aounds, releasing soft fragrances tailored to each individual based on biometric data.

"Smells like cinnamon and roses," Bella murmured, her eyes sparkling with delight.

"Mine’s cocoa!" Eva grinned, clearly reveling in the moment.

And then came the cars,sleek, custom-built Osborn convoy cruisers that looked like they’d rolled straight out of a futuristic dream.

From two-seat roadsters to spacious family floaters, each vehicle proudly displayed the family crest on its hood, silver phoenix wings shimmering brilliantly under the sun.

Arthur took charge, choosing a long twelve-seater. Liz and Billy hopped in beside him while Julian, Margaret, Nathaniel, Richard, Emily, and their cousins filled the rest of the seats.

With a soft hiss, the doors sealed shut. Inside felt like a silent spaceship,no engine noise disrupted the serene atmosphere.

The deep sapphire interior and wraparound transparent display dashboards made it all feel otherworldly.

"Destination?" asked the car’s AI smoothly.

Without missing a beat, Arthur replied confidently: "The Lion’s Throne."

"Destination confirmed," came the AI’s calm voice as if it were guiding them through an adventure.

The cars lifted effortlessly from their platform and glided forward along a beautifully paved central road.

On either side unfolded an estate that seemed plucked from a fairy tale,

a vibrant intricate of color and life!

Flower beds flourished in perfect symmetry, boasting rich violets, blood reds, golden-petal lotuses,you name it!

Trees with crystalline bark shimmered in the gentle breeze as leaves floated down like whispers before vanishing into thin air.

Small creatures,fox-sized deer with velvety tails and even floating orbs resembling colorful fish,played joyfully among lush gardens and ornamental groves.

Lakes sparkled under the warm afternoon sun while bridges of shimmering glass arched gracefully across them; family members caught glimpses of vibrant fish darting below alongside elegant swans gliding effortlessly.

The girls couldn’t contain their excitement any longer!

"Oh my god! Did you see that tree? It has silver leaves!" Ashley squealed with glee.

"That rabbit just jumped...and floated!" Charlotte pointed excitedly.

"This isn’t an estate," Eva breathed in awe. "It’s a paradise!"

Billy leaned toward Kaia and whispered playfully, "Still feeling faint?"

She didn’t respond right away; she was too mesmerized by her surroundings.

Finally exhaling deeply and resting her head gently on his shoulder she said softly, "I think I’ve officially run out of shock receptors."

Laughter bubbled up inside the car as they shared this magical moment together.

Moments later, the scenery transformed dramatically as the road ahead widened.

What lay before them was nothing short of breathtaking,a colossal palace that resembled a roaring beast, standing proudly against the sky.

Golden towers reached for the clouds, each topped with watchpoints that seemed to have eagle eyes scanning the horizon.

The walls, crafted from shimmering white marble, glimmered like enchanted dragon bones, adorned with vibrant gold and deep crimson banners proudly displaying the Osborn crest. Can you imagine such grandeur?

"Welcome," Arthur announced as their cars glided to a stop.

"This is The Main Palace." With that, the doors swung open, and the family stepped out into an awe-inspiring silence, their jaws dropped in disbelief.

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