That was breathtaking enough, but it wasn’t what caused visitors to stop and stare. That was the avenue the colonnade framed.
A flat road of water stretched into the distance, its color changing depending on the season and weather.
Today, the sky was bright and clear, small fluffy white clouds high in the atmosphere.
The water acted as a mirror, creating the illusion of a never-ending sky, the columns appearing to float upon clouds.
"Looks like the Haldeel spared no effort in welcoming their guests," Jin observed as Kira stepped onto the avenue.
Instead of her foot sinking into the deep water beneath her, she walked across it as if it were solid land.
Beneath her, countless flowers in every shade of red and pink floated in the still water. Brightly colored fish darted among the flowers.
The columns of the colonnade were also decorated in the same shades, ribbons and banners wound around them, threaded through with more flowers.
Water was a sacred concept to the Haldeel, whose home planet primarily consisted of oceans. They'd evolved in its depths, and they held that memory close even as they journeyed into the stars.
Zara's avenue wasn't unique. Nearly all planets in the Haldeel empire had something similar.
That didn't make it any less impressive.
Kira's pace didn't pause as she bypassed those who'd stopped to take in the beauty of their surroundings, Finn a silent shadow behind her.
She tailed Devon and the rest as they continued along the avenue, traveling deeper into the city. When they turned off the avenue, stepping through one of the arches and into the city, Kira did too.
Growing more modern the further they traveled from the avenue, the city sprawled around them. Water gardens and parks were abundant, smaller shops and homes crouching in their shadow.
The juxtaposition of nature versus man-made, new versus old, was an interesting one. Kira could have spent hours wandering the streets and not getting her fill of the unique surroundings.
Sadly for her, she was on a deadline.
She turned her feet toward the registration building, leaving the more interesting residential districts behind.
The gardens and water ponds became scarcer as the crowd thickened around her.
"So many people," Jin complained.
"The quorum is quite popular. Every major power attends, to say nothing of the smaller powers hoping for their piece of the action." Finn was never still, continuously studying their surroundings as if anticipating the possibility of an attack.
A tall, expansive building loomed in front of them, its grounds inundated with a crowd.
Kira hesitated on its edge, allowing Devon and the rest to disappear into its depths.
Finn shot her a sharp glance. "You're not going to follow them?"
Kira shook her head. "It's best if we don't meet for now."
If the quals were arranged anything like they had been in previous races, those who registered around the same time would be dumped into a group.
"Aw, aren't you the sweetest, not wanting to knock him out of the competition on his first race," Jin crooned.
Kira ignored his teasing in favor of studying the crowd. Humans made up the majority of those signing up. Most of those present were newcomers to the races, not having earned a reputation or ranking yet.
Racers who'd won on the circuit and made a name for themselves could skip this part of the process and simply submit their name to qualify.
Kira could have done that as well, but this way seemed more inconspicuous.
"I took a look at the brackets. Devon's has already been filled. You should be okay to sign up now," Jin said.
