The traveler retreated from the imposing gates of the city’s core, frustration simmering beneath his determined exterior. He had been denied entry, barred from uncovering the secrets that the city’s rulers held within their enigmatic realm. Yet, he refused to concede defeat. He knew that every challenge he faced in this dream-woven world brought him closer to understanding its intricate tapestry.

As he moved away from the core’s entrance, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of foreboding. The city’s core was a place of both wonder and trepidation, where the extraordinary mingled with the mysterious. He knew that it held the answers he sought, and he would stop at nothing to gain access.

His determination led him to explore the outskirts of the core, hoping to find clues or allies that might aid him in his quest for knowledge. The closer he ventured, the more he noticed the stark differences between this inner realm and the outer regions. Here, the streets were immaculate, the buildings grandiose, and the people dressed in finery.

Amidst the city’s upper echelon, the traveler engaged in conversations, employing subtle inquiries to glean insights about the core and its rulers. However, the residents, exuding an aura of arrogance, seemed oblivious to his presence, as if he were invisible or beneath their regard. Only a handful offered any response, but as soon as the core area and the sanctuary were mentioned, they would blanch and abruptly depart, treating the topic as if it were taboo. The traveler found this contrast perplexing, especially in contrast to the more open discourse he had encountered in the outer regions.

One elderly woman, her eyes veiled by the passage of years and the weight of wisdom, spoke in barely audible whispers. “Rumor has it that the ruler has witnessed the very birth of this world. They hail from a bygone era, from a time preceding the cataclysm that brought the dreams and nightmares to us.”

A young man, donned in exquisite garb, cast a furtive glance behind him before drawing nearer. “I’ve caught wind of murmurs, traveler. The rulers, they were among the initial trailblazers who attempted to harness the dreams and nightmares of the children. There are whispers of clandestine experiments, an endeavor to conjure existence from nothingness. But tread cautiously; openly discussing the rulers is perilous territory.”

The traveler listened intently, carefully piecing together the fragments of information he gathered. The rulers of the core were not only ancient but wielded powers that transcended the ordinary. They were architects of dreams, creators of nightmares, and keepers of secrets that could reshape reality itself.

With each conversation, he realized the gravity of his mission. The core held the answers he sought, but it was also a place of danger and intrigue. To gain entry, he needed not only knowledge but allies who could vouch for his worthiness.

As he continued his exploration, he encountered a secluded park, hidden away from the bustle of the city. It was a tranquil oasis, a stark contrast to the opulence of the core. There, he saw a figure sitting on a bench, bathed in the dappled sunlight filtering through the trees.

Approaching cautiously, the traveler found an elderly man with a demeanor that exuded wisdom. His eyes, however, held a glint of melancholy, as if they had seen the passage of countless years.

“May I join you?” the traveler asked, a sense of kinship drawing him toward the elderly man.

The man nodded, offering a welcoming smile. “Of course, my friend. Sit.”

“I’ve been apprised of your presence,” the elderly man mused, his voice a gentle whisper. “The traveler, the outsider inquiring about the core and sanctuary. You venture down a treacherous road, my friend, delving into rumors and challenging the history of our city. Such conversations are strictly prohibited.”

Leaning closer, the traveler’s curiosity was now fully engaged. “I arrived in the city only today, and yet my quest for knowledge seems to have preceded me. How could that be?”

The elderly man’s attention shifted back to the traveler, and he bestowed upon him a mysterious smile. “I have eyes and ears in all corners, fear not, for I harbor no ill intentions. I, too, was intrigued by the traveler who asked such questions. Our encounter today is not a mere chance occurrence. Perhaps I hold the answers you seek.”

The traveler’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. “Do you possess a means of entering the city?”

The old man’s response maintained an air of mystery, “There may indeed be a path, but it comes at a steep cost.” Upon hearing this, the traveler’s face assumed a thoughtful countenance. After a brief pause, he withdrew a ring that had been concealed beneath his attire, hanging from a cord around his neck. This ring emitted a distinct radiance, adorned with a green stone that seemed to hold a hidden inscription. It was a precious artifact acquired during a previous adventure, and though the traveler hesitated momentarily, he harbored no strong material attachment to it. He chose to extend it toward the old man, posing the question, “Will this suffice?”

The old man accepted the ring into his hand, studying it for a few moments while gently manipulating it between his fingers. “An artifact from the world beyond,” he exclaimed. “People here covet such accessories greatly as they refrain from leaving the city for fear of aging. However, this isn’t the price I had in mind. Consider it a collateral. What I require is for you to retrieve an item from within the city.” As he spoke, he presented the traveler with an amulet possessing a dark orb that seemed capable of absorbing all the light in its surroundings. “This amulet will serve as your guide. Once you reach the destination it indicates, you’ll understand what it is I seek.”

As soon as the old man completed his sentence, he rose from his seat before the traveler could fully grasp the situation. He was well aware that the traveler was inclined to accept his proposition regardless. “Follow me,” he instructed the traveler without glancing back, his determination evident.

Together, they traversed the inner region, eventually arriving at a desolate area. The structures here had succumbed to time’s relentless march, their ruins standing in stark contrast to the city that promised immortality. The old man led the way into one of the seemingly nondescript houses, indistinguishable from the rest. Inside, he unveiled a concealed hatch, exposing a descending staircase leading to an enigmatic realm. The air emanating from it carried an aged scent, as though the passage would transport them to a distant past.