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Interstitial Sea – Part 03

Immigrants in vibrant traditional garments, with colorful fabrics or round hats atop their heads, flooded the deck. Carrying large luggage in both hands, they conversed in a myriad of languages as they descended the gangplank.

On Ellis Island, just preceding Manhattan, stood the United States Immigration Bureau. The renowned door, immortalized in verse, yawned wide, ceaselessly engulfing migrants that arrived day in and day out—a colossal maw welcoming them to the New World.

Victorique froze in trepidation, only to be chided by Kazuya before they traversed the door, venturing into the colossal barrack-like immigration edifice.

The registration hall sprawled expansively, partitioned into squares by ropes. Packed tightly like livestock, people queued patiently, the fetid floor exuding a noxious odor exacerbated by the summer heat. Laughter and mirth of moments prior turned into apprehension; passage onto Manhattan Island hinged upon successful interviews with physicians and inspectors. Failure resulted in either deportation, involuntary admission,