The world was surrounded by an expanse of clouds. Existing in the sky, but made up the sea that surrounded the creatures we lived on, the Titans. Stretching as far as the eye can see seemingly forever an ever. Everyone calls it the Cloud Sea, no matter who or where this is what you would see your entire life. Along with a gigantic tree that stood tall at the center of the world and stretched far into the skies with the heavens themselves, The World Tree, that our lives revolved around.
This... This was the world that we called home... Alrest.
There was barely any light in the dark and murky depths Cloud Sea, the flashlights on the figure's silver diving suit barely helped him only lighting a few peds in front of him. Continuing to dive deeper until he saw a crate on a stone-like structure drifting along the currents.
He used his hook shot on the crate to reel himself to it, gaining footing by the spikes coming out from the bottom of his boots. Walking over to the crate, he attached a device at its side and with a small turn a bag suddenly inflated from it. He jumped up when the crate started floating up, using it to make his way to a crane being lowered toward him. Latching the two together when they were close enough, he swam up to a small mesh platform of the crane and looked around to see if there were anything else he would come back for later before he pressed a button to have it be be brought back to the surface.
It's always so calm down here…
He stepped of the mesh platform as the crane continued to carry the crate to the surface. Detaching his rebreather and helmet and the parts of his suit that bothered his movements. He was a young and short, pale brunette with bright golden eyes, with a red wet-suit underneath what he left on of his suit. Although, there seem to be a few parts that just disappeared.
The Argentum Trade Guild, however, was bustling with others like him, Salvagers, dragging around more loot, some having barrels of seemingly valuable goods and treasures. There were some coming in on titan ships from farther out in the Cloud Sea, and a few lucky ones in possession of treasure chests. He looked back to the crate he hauled up be dropped onto the deck.
"Ah… the depth probe here works well enough. The ping was off a few peds off to the east, but it does the job well." Grabbing a crowbar from nearby and taking a few swings with it for practice. He took a stance and readied himself, "I hope you hold to expectation. You look pretty solid. Doesn't look like I have reinforce you too much. I should be able to turn in a decent profit."
He says that, however he doesn't necessarily know if that was true. He's simply being optimistic after days of running a structural analysis and readying his gear for this day.
He swung full force at the edge of the crate and managed to wedge it in, making him smile a bit. He then started prying it open by pulling the crowbar but switched gears to pushing it away. Bit by bit, he felt it give way until it popped open a moment later. However, there was something else in the crate that came at him.
"Whoa!" He dodged its attack easily and signaled his surroundings to take cover inside of the titan ships or into the guild, "I guess I should've expected that! You been living in this thing, big guy?" A Crustnip appeared!
"OI!" Someone called out to him from on of the ships, "Make dis quick boy! I got a lot of cargo waitin' to be traded in! Ya hear me? Rex!"
"Yeah yeah!" He continued to dodge the Crustnip's attacks like a leaf in the wind, jumping onto its head and off, striking one of its legs as he landed. Knocking it off balance, he used his hook shot to topple it over and rushed over to grab a scrap sword nearby and slashed off its pincers. Then with swiftness, he pierced it deep into it and defeating it.
"Whew… Alright." Almost like clockwork, the Salvagers continued on with their day like nothing happened, "Looks like I won't be paying for lunch this time. Maybe I can get a free meal if I being this Crustnip in to be cooked. Well, gotta go see what I got."
What he had gotten were only a few. It was clear there was a lot of broken pieces of machinery and algae that manages to creep it's way in. There were a few pieces of Gold in there, and some scrap metal he could trade in at the shop, and a couple trinkets that looked impressive in comparison.
But all in all, "Aw man! I came up with another load of guff again!" Exclaiming to the horizon then sighing, "If I had some business sense I could have this turn out decent even with the labour costs." He stood there sulking for a while until he gathered what he had collected and sent what he didn't back into the crate and sending it back into the Cloud Sea.
He made his way into the guild with his sack of "treasure". The Argentum Trade Guild was a gigantic trade ship being carried by a large titan like a balloon. There a few ships adrift by the guild, some hauled by a titan and some not, but there was an exquisite looking black ship docked that was there since earlier today. But inside was a shopping district filled with shops run by mostly Nopon, little round fluffy creatures that had large appendages that could act as arms that were known to be greedy. It was a lively place with Salvagers and people of all kinds going all over the place with their own agendas and dealings together. There even couple of people coming in and out of the higher floors, mostly staff that worked here and shipwrights.
But all Rex was focused on was the Trade Shop run by a Nopon named Melolo. Rex was very hopeful on his salvaging and just how much it was worth, but reality had different plans.
"Less than 1,000 Gold? That much?"
"Is life, meh! This is still more than what I give to non-friend!" Melolo said, "If you bring military supplies, then you get good price!" Melolo turned to see a couple of soldiers hanging around a wall of crates, "Though not sure if you get very much. There no real reason at this time me thinks. Better safe than sorry they say."
"That's only if I can get on a ship to find those. Not to mention you know I do all of my salvaging here." Rex retorted.
"Oh, shame. Rex shows promise of good salvager, could earn pretty penny! Waste of talent if you ask me!" Rex felt a tinge of disappointment when she said that, "Anyhoo! Where were we?"
"I'll take you offer." Rex gathered the Gold he'd gotten earlier to Melolo, "50 now, and you know what to do with the rest."
"Okie-doodles!" Melolo did the transaction and Rex was given such, "Sending monies to Corrine of Fonsett Village. Is right?"
"Yeah."
"Is beautiful thing! Sending money home at such young age. I touched! Wish my dum-dum did same!"
"Not really, but It's 'cos I don't have to pay rent, Heheh. You know, not yet." Rex chuckled at the prospect, "All right, I'm countin' on ya!"
"Roger! Pleasure doing business!"
Rex made his way to the the canteen above. Since he has a Crustnip with him, he'll might as well see if he can get a free was until he was being approached by two men that towered over him in black suits and an apricot Nopon in black and a helmet.
"Hello, Rex."
"Pupunin! Been a while!"
"Rex looking high spirits! Ah, no, how say… Yes peppy!"
"Could be worse! So, you got something for me? New job maybe?"
"Something like that. Ah, by the way…" Pupunin looked around in suspicion, "Rex is from Fonsett Village in Leftherian Archipelago, yes?"
"Well, I'm not from Fonsett, but I am from Leftheria. Why'd you ask?"
"You should go straight to boardroom of Chairman!" Pupunin exclaimed.
"Wait, what's going on?"
"Chairman Bana ask for Rex by name!"
It took a moment for Rex to register what he had said, "The Chairman? For me?!"
Shortly thereafter, Pupunin had walked away to run errands for the guild and Rex made his way to the Bana's boardroom which was only a flight of stairs away. However on the way there, many thought ran through his mind.
Damn, damn, damn damn. Is it because of the fights I had on the Salvaging Deck? I made sure not to cause too much damage! Does he want me to pay for all the damages? I barely have enough to scrap by! Is he gonna me start paying rent too? If that's it, then I'll be in constant debt until I'm old!
The chairman was a turquoise Nopon that was much larger than a regular Nopon. He could be around Rex's height and two tuffs of hair making his mustache with a little goatee on his chin and hair being tied together by a wide band that made his lilac hair similar to a flame. Having a red monocle and golden arm bands with a big red jewel on each with his fancy, expensive looking clothing that would make any average person be in hide debt if they damage it.
When he arrived he was stood there like a statue being crushed by his fear and anxiety. Having the Chairman of the guild sitting down on his desk in a fine kept boardroom with two women in suits that barely left anything to the imagination didn't help that Rex was called here by Chairman himself.
"Thank you for accepting summons! I Bana, Chairman of Argentum Guild."
"P-pleased to make your acquaintance…" Rex continued to stand in place.
"Me hear from Pupunin that you are a Salvager of some renown despite being a beginner." Rex nodded in conformation, "That being case. I have teensy weensy thing to ask of Rex!"
"A request straight from the chairman?" Rex felt relief surge through him.
"Well, more like a request from our prestigious guests. They asked me to bring you here!" He seemed to be a little nervous saying that. In fact, it was like he was in disbelief as well, "W-well, you have skills others might know?"
Rex felt he was in a dream or a nightmare, "Um, no. Why?"
"No matter. Quickly! Bring them in!" He ordered both the ladies working for him. Rex felt even more nervous than before, seeing the Chairman like this bit also seeing the ladies working for him having a terrified face.
When they opened the doors in an oddly dignified manner, Rex saw a couple of silhouettes walking in, faint lights following behind them. Rex could count three in total.
There was a man who was clad in a light blue armor. He was pale, raven hair and green eyes that shot daggers. His armor was reminiscent of the soldiers he once saw a while back but had modifications to it. He had blade stick out from the forearm and looked more flexible than what Rex could remember. The armor on his shoulders looked like it was there to protect hit coming in from the side.
The one who followed him was a large wolf, fangs sticking upwards from its jaw. It was jet black with white markings on its body, bloodshot red eyes that was on par with the man's. Chains were on it strangely and a ribbon tied around its neck. But above that, a glowing cobalt crystal rested on its chest. Looking closer, there the white markings seemed to be glowing when it breathed.
Then finally was a man in white, gray armor that looked similar the other man's. He looked well built compared to the other one, but that was mostly because he wasn't wearing as much armor. He wasn't as pale, his hair was entirely white but looked unkempt in some areas. What was odd was that he was wearing a mask with horns on it, only showing his mouth and his cold blue eyes.
Aside from the wolf, they were all taller than Rex, "A Driver…? And … A Blade?!" Whoa! They look so cool!
The Chairman cleared his throat to call back attention, "Rex, this is Sir Alior and his Blade, Fenrir and The Paragon, Jin!" Bana tried his best to appear proper and sophisticated, tripping over his words a bit, "They came from Torna and requested you to be here!"
"...Huh...?" He stared at the two men in awe, their presence commanded power and respect. It was like a Bunnit standing in front of two great Feris. Panic settled in.
"So… There's something that we want to haul up." Jin spoke, "There were some current shifts. It showed up in an uncharted area. But it's a long way down."
"Wait a minute! Why would you my help then? Didn't Bana tell you that I was a rookie salvager?" Jin simply stared at him.
"Bana offered to assemble team of veterans for for this job. But this crew very picky. They want small elite team, and only from Leftheria."
"But there are other salvagers from Letheria. Donnel, Gnash, Yelsy. Why me?" Rex stated, scratching the back of his head, "I mean-"
"You misunderstand. You are not coming with us to salvage. Just to accompany us." Alior stared coldly at the boy, "Also, this is not a request, but a command. You will come with us."
"Hey! Wha-! Now-!" Rex tried walking towards the man but was blocked by his Blade.
"Excuse my poor Driver's attitude. Rex, was it?" Making eye contact with him, Rex felt intimidated even though the Blade was being polite, "You see, after a few tests that were conducted have revealed something about you. We were told to have you assist us in our expedition."
"Fenrir! What did I say about-!"
"Enough!" Jin spoke, making Alior quiet down begrudgingly. The boy felt a chill run through him, "Rex, you will be compensated if that is your concern, then how does 200.000 Gold sound?"
Rex felt the force of an entire tundra course through him in that instance. Comparable to a force that could split the Cloud Sea itself, The World Tree was falling on him. I.e., Rex can't believe what he was hearing.
The amount I send back to Corrine, what I could buy, what I can do. I can get a new salvaging suit finally!
"Also, since we are asking you to come with us, we will be protecting you. What we're hauling up might have some a few monsters inside."
He snapped back into reality, "You don't have to do that! Heh, I handle myself just fine." Pounding his chest confidently, "But if you're looking for a bodyguard, you made the right choice!"
"Is that right?" Alior said curiously, "You're that confident in your abilities?"
"Yeah."
"Well, if you don't mind! It should be easy enough to make sure…!"
Alior suddenly drew his sword and rushed Rex straight on. Striking with force and a dangerous intent, however, Rex was dodging his attacks though just barely. Rex was backed to the wall and Alior struck the wall and ran the sword against it, but Rex ducked and ran to a potted plant next to Bana's desk. Alior dashed to him to strike until Rex threw the pot at him and attacking that instead. When he did, he found Rex was not in his view, then turned around to have a handful of dirt be thrown at his eyes blinding him. He felt his hand be struck by a hard object and dropping his weapon, and felt himself be pinned down at his chest.
Bana and his two workers were looking on with shock and horror. The damage done to the boardroom was bad enough, but Rex was pinning down his client. On top of that, he was pinning down a knight of Torna. Jin simply stared at the situation.
"What're you playing at?!" Rex spoke lifting up the long wooden rod from Alior, "Anyway, now you know. Looks like I can still fight a Driver too." He helped Alior up from the floor and taking out a rag he had. But Alior harshly took the rag from him, walking away with Fenrir following.
"You better work hard, boy."
Jin followed suit, "We'll pay for the damages. Farewell."
"Memeh-meh-meh! Friends are such Rowdy bunch!"
Rex looked to see the damage on the wall. Honest to say, he's glad that he won't be paying for anything today mostly and that it turned out better than what he thought.
D-Make
"So-so, how long will it take for it to be done?"
Shortly after Rex left the boardroom, one of his assistants handed a bag of 100,000 Gold to Rex. Probably as an attempt to leech as much money from the repair costs. He felt powerful having it, his greed crept in tempting him to spend it all. However, with the 200,000 Gold being promised after his little job, he made the decision to send most of the money back to Corrine.
However, he had to pay a fee of 2,000 Gold to have it be sent directly to Leftheria. Leaving him with only 18,000 Gold on him.
"Um… Looks like all nighter. But that only if you have enough money." An engineer said.
"How much?"
"Look like… 15,000G at least."
With a sigh, Rex handed it over, "Here. Don't ask, please. I've already heard enough from Max earlier."
"Shady or not, money is money, Thank you! Umon! We have a special order in place! Also, head to Salvaging Deck!" With that, Rex walked away with whatever remained of his money.
Grabbing a quick meal, he walked up to the Inn above the Argentum Bazaar. Planning to wake up early to get his improved suit and to maybe get a new weapon. Rex assumed from how Alior behaved that he would get this over with as soon as possible.