Hi, and welcome back to another chapter of Odyssey. I do deeply apologize that I couldn't get this chapter out sooner, but in the two weeks that I have spent procrastinating on this project I've been continually working on it. I wanted it to be perfect, and that is because with this chapter comes the end of Act 1.
That is right, Act 1 and the beginning of Act 2 begins with this chapter and the next one. And with this chapter, we are going to get some pretty cool twists in the plot. If you've read The Iscariot Kingdom, you probably know what's about to happen, but even still there are many other twists in this that add to the story. We are gonna get a little bit more Sci-fi than normal, not Marc Laidlaw or Orson Scott Card levels of Sci-Fi. But there are gonna be a few elements in there. I know the MTP Suit isn't the most realistic thing but neither is a portal opening up in Florida with the military being sent into a fantasy world. So do try to suspend your disbelief when the MTP Suit is introduced, please.
And yes the MTP Suit is based on the PCV Suit from HL: Opposing Force. I'm a Half-Life fan, what can I say? But a lot of stuff is gonna go down in this chapter and in general, out of all the chapters I've written before, this one is probably gonna be the longest and most advancing chapter thus far.
Also, I'm contemplating reuploading my Iscariot Kingdom story. I figured that I didn't really have anything to hide in it, it was just of lesser quality, and it seems that a few people wanted to read it for themselves just to compare it to Odyssey. So just for you guys, I'll probably post the original chapters of the Iscariot Kingdom back after I finish this story.
For some reviews:
Guest (Great Story): Thank you, man. Though I do wish that'd be more specific as to what about it is good. Either way, thank you for the compliment.
Howa Howa (The whole nation was already rotten and stagnated from inside and out. Yet they try to fight back Earth. It will speed up their downfall and the Fox King would got capture by NATO like the previous work. Once he got capture, it's over. He have no power to negotiate or demand anything. He would become NATO puppet. However, if Russia or China show up, prepare for Cold War 2.0.): So I see you read the Iscariot Kingdom too. Again, I'm not trying to aim for the same things the Iscariot Kingdom was all about. Like, the Iscariot Kingdom was made to create a 2nd Cold War storyline in it, but this one is going to be waaaay different. I promise. Again I wrote the entire plot out and this is nowhere near what the Iscariot Kingdom was,
So without further ado, I present Chapter 19 and as always, enjoy!
Shortly After the Battle at Minerva
"…Holy shit. Look at this fucking disaster, eh?" Brian kicked the corpse of a dead insect battle thrall fielded by the Iscariots. The effort to clean up after the battle still had yet to be complete, even a week after the fact. Tragic and shocking it was to wake up everyday and patrol through the fields the dead bodies littered.
"Disgraceful…" Lafayette said. The emotion that was usually in his voice gone now, "We've brought a hell from Earth and unleashed it on the people here."
"Is it Human nature?" Brian asked him, "Do you think that's what it is?"
"No… I don't know what it is…" Lafayette replied.
Brian took out a cigarette and handed one to him, which Parisian promptly rejected, "I'll tell you what I think it is," Brian started, "It's the fucking Kings and the Queens here in this world. And the fucking Presidents and Chancellors of ours. Earth and Mysterium… which one is worst, I have no idea."
"Surely it would be Earth?" Lafayette asked him. Brian shook his head.
"Nah. Remember, They attacked us first. And look at their soldiers. The dead corpses. They were expendables," He pointed at the corpse of another dead soldier. A badger animal, "Serfs. They practice slavery in this world, and it's regarded as another way of life. Just business as usual around here. This world is just as filthy as the one we decided to emerge from. And to be fair with you, I'd rather be back home."
Lafayette nodded, again gazing out into the horizon. Scanning the mass-grave, "I see… But I can't help but feel like we've had some role in all of this. This was our fault. We could've just let the portal be. Why did we go through?"
"I don't know, Lafayette. I don't know," The two members of Misfit were patrolling outside the destroyed wall. Most of the bodies had been buried now, but the ones that were still surface-level could be seen all over. Worst yet, the frost season was coming to a close, and if the diggers didn't finish in time before temperatures rose, the entire area would smell… well like a mass grave full of hot rotten flesh.
"Come on, Laf. We've got to report back to Hezekiah," Brian said changing direction and ending their daily patrol. Lafayette nodded and followed close behind…
Minerva was busily rebuilding itself. After the battle, the wall had been practically destroyed, multiple buildings close to the wall had burned down, and thousands of people had been displaced. Allied efforts were tied between burying all the dead Allied and Imperial soldiers, as well as rebuilding. The Minervans took charge of reconstruction while NATO took over the jobs of the Minervan Army and garrison. Brian and Lafayette watched as the Minervan construction teams used their Ekron magic to lift objects that could've weighed tons and would need a crane. But their magic worked perfectly for the task of construction. The large, gaping hole in the middle of the wall had been turned into a new and fancy gate/checkpoint. A large steel dome was put in place, instead of the old gate that had been flattened.
Brian and Lafayette walked straight through the dome, past the guards who staffed the area and the lookouts, and back into Minerva proper. The Avian residents of the place were still in the process of resettling, but life seemed to go back to normal. Vendors were out on the street, people walked about to their jobs, it was almost as if the battle never happened. It was a calming sight to see, as the two soldiers boarded the Buffalo and drove towards the ever shining castle that sat in the center.
"Hezekiah! Sir!" Brian said as he and Lafayette walked into Misfit's encampment near Lombardy's castle. The Staff Sergeant looked up at the two, after previously studying a bunch of letters in his hand.
"Oh, there you are! What's the word?"
"Nothing to report on the wall. Same old, same old."
"Alright. Good, you two can go ahead and rest. I'll be at the barracks in a while," Hezekiah said to them. Brian nodded and took his leave, but Lafayette stood where he was.
"Erhm, Sergeant?"
"What's up, Laf?"
"You ever get the feeling that…" Lafayette stopped himself short a bit. Hezekiah raised an eyebrow.
"I ever feel what?"
"That all of this is pointless?" He finally said. Hezekiah sighed and st back in his chair, holding the bridge of his nose.
"All the fucking time, Laf. I think about it all the time."
"So, you agree with me?"
"On that, yeah. Look, Lafayette, I know that you're a pacifist. But we're in here now, there isn't any going back until the war is over!"
Lafayette took a seat, staring up at the roof, "Sometimes I wish I had never joined at all, monsieur. That I had done something else worth my while. What has it been? Two months? Three months? I get the feeling that once our tours are over, we are still going to be here!"
Hezekiah looked at the letters in his hands, all of them from his family. And then he remembered what he had put off, "You remember Jay? That southern dude who got his lungs destroyed by the gas?"
"Oui. I remember that bastard."
"You can't go calling members of our own squad bastards, Lafayette."
"Why not?"
"Because he told me that he was sorry. And that I should tell you that. He regrets making fun of you and getting all pissy at the time. Now I don't know about you but I think he comes from a rough place in life, I mean just look at the way he acts," Hezekiah said. Lafayette looked away.
"And he's coming to join the rest of Misfit tomorrow. Love him or hate him, we're gonna have to deal with him," Hezekiah continued on, "And as Staff Sergeant, and Squad Leader, it's my job to make sure that Misfit isn't divided upon a bunch of stupid lines like a 'he said, she said' drama. We're a team. And we gotta work together. No matter who it is."
Lafayette nodded, "All I'm saying is that this war is gonna last. I just know it. I've got a family back at home, and they want me there. But until the war ends, I'm stuck. And so are you. And so is Jay. That's just how things go."
"I wish it didn't. A bunch of fat cats in business suits gets to decide whether or not we get to go home or die? Isn't that what my grandparents in the Great War fought for? Freedom from war? Isn't that what we fought for against the Nazis?" Lafayette looked at him, a half-smile on his face. Almost a look of weary exhaustion, "You should've seen the bodies out there…"
"I have, I have. War is natural. Everyone does it. Every species. They even do it here in Mysterium. Who am I to say that it's not right? I'm a soldier after all, not a fucking philosopher. Lafayette, as long as you keep a good head on your shoulders, and have your morals straight then you're alright in my books. Alright?"
Lafayette stood up and shook his hand, "Right. Thank you, Sergeant!"
"No prob!" When Lafayette shut the door behind him, Hezekiah was left alone with the letters from his family. The letters that he had been meticulously reading ever since the Logistic Company gave them to him in a basket. He had read each one by now and was reading them again a second time. Trying to save whatever speck of home he could muster. A large piece of him yearned to be back home, where he belonged. Back in the city. Back before Afghanistan, and before Mysterium. But yearning for something unattainable was only going to make things worse for him. He'd be keeping these letters as a souvenir. All the while cursing the logistics company for getting his messages lost for a month.
Thinking about his conversation with Lafayette made him think about why they had even went through the portal in the first place. He remembered when Japan went through, vaguely though. He was about five years old at the time when it happened. The year 2000. From what he could remember, Japan had raised hell there too. He figured that maybe, just maybe, Mysterium would be different. That there'd be no war, and honest 'exploration and research' like Carter said. Maybe the whole operation was doomed from the start. Or maybe it was planned. But by who?
The mental notes Hezekiah had to keep exhausted him, he stood up to join the rest of Misfit. Slowly walking towards the door…
"Sir! We've got a letter from one of the local empires here! We suggest you read it immediately!" A soldier handed Jefferson a solitary letter. The Brigadier General had barely recovered from that incident with the twelve men not even a few days ago. It had stuck him in an odd way that he couldn't describe, it almost made him fear the leaders of this world. The letter the soldier held inspired dread to rise up inside of him.
Jefferson took the letter anyway and opened it up. Unfolding the paper within, his eyes gliding over the letters that were cautiously written down in almost picturesque handwriting.
And he couldn't understand any of it, "Who is this from?" He asked the soldier. The man shrugged.
"Uh, I think they call themselves the Falklands or something like that. I'm not sure."
"Right, ask Lombardy or Filo if they can come and translate this for us. Someone who speaks that language."
"Yes sir!"
Before Jefferson could even lie back and think about what the letter could contain within, the soldier returned with Lombardy himself.
"Jefferson," The old bird bowed, a red light shone bright from the Ekron stone around his neck enabling them to converse. Jefferson stood and returned the gesture as a sign of greeting and respect. The people here in Minerva were slowly teaching NATO the culture and traditions of the natives in Mysterium- or 'Aria' as they called it.
"You've asked for my assistance in something?" The bird asked him, slowly taking a seat in a chair across from his.
"This letter," Jefferson gave it to him, "We've gotten this from the Falklands. Do you speak their language?"
"I do," Lombardy cleared his throat fixing reading spectacles on his face and straightening himself…
"To the leader of Ithacan Forces, or to whomever this letter applies. We are The Falkland Empire, and on behalf of our government and parliament, this letter is an invitation to a diplomatic meeting that would establish contact betwixt our two great Empires. Our King and Queen are eager to hear your response and the nation as a whole is equally as excited to learn about your people. Please consider responding immediately. With Regards, The Commonwealth Ministry of Foreign Relations."
Lombardy folded the letter and using the Ekron, sent it back to Jefferson who got it in air.
"It's a formal request to open up diplomatic relations. Considering the situation you face now, I'd say it is a very good opportunity."
"Who are they?"
"The second most powerful Empire on the continent. If you want to fight against the Iscariot's effectively, their help would be greatly needed! They'd be able to teach you more about this world than we would."
"I see… help me write a letter back to them. I think High Command would love this!"
Fort Ithaca
Population: 50,000 (NATO Military Personnel); 1,000 (Refugees of various sapient species)
Type: Command Center, Major Fortress, refugee shelter
Allegiance: NATO and pro-Ithacan Allies
One by one, people had been showing up at the walls of the fortress. The tales of battles won had spread throughout the entirety of the continent, and people came to see for themselves. So even came to stay, escaping slavery and poverty, managing to make the long journey to Ithaca.
The walls had been complete, the Fortress inside paved over and constructed fully. An aircraft landing strip was paved outside of the walls on the southern side, facing the river estuary. The Command Center itself had grown, with radio and observation towers sticking out of it, rising higher than any tree surrounding it. Because of its monolithic nature, the fortress was known as 'The Citadel'.
Surrounding The Citadel were tents with Red Cross and UN insignias on it. The migrants who arrived at Ithaca were housed in these shelters and cared for by the NGOs allowed to come through. It was part of a compromise between the governments on Earth, the UN would allow the allied nations to continue operations in Mysterium as long as their mission objective was to provide humanitarian aid and bring peace to the region. There was a multitude of limitations put on the nations, and the media had to be allowed access to the region at all times so they could freely report on the goings-on. It was an annoyance to many, but the images and video of Red Cross employees helping injured people was a great morale boost and served to quell the anti-war protesters who feared that the operations in the region were purely conquest based.
Things were once again looking on the up and up for the Allies. They had managed to secure the independence and allegiance of Minerva. Various smaller tribes and independent kingdoms around the southern continent joined the NATO sphere of influence. A healthy trade had been established between Ithaca and her allies, with the exchange of knowledge and goods going between them. The Ithacans had much to learn about the world they were in, but even with all their efforts going into learning about the new world, not even the locals could explain everything.
Outside of the walls, on the road that led up to the checkpoints of the Fortress, was a procession of carriages pulled by elegant looking horses. They slowly winded their way up the hill and towards the main gate of Ithaca. Their carriages were a sky blue color, with intricate golden designs on them. One of them carried a flag. A sky blue background. In the center of the flag were three triangles, laid on top of one another with each one getting smaller fitting inside one another. The triangles were yellow, red, and green. In the top left corner of the flag, was a solitary five-pointed white star. It was the flag of the Falkland Empire and the Falkish Commonwealth.
The gates of the fortress opened in time for the chariots to go straight through, the guards standing in a respectful salute as they went through the thick concrete walls and straight up to the Command center. The doors opened, and out stepped humans, elves, and reptilians dressed in formal clothes. A few Falkish soldiers also disembarked, their uniforms were reminiscent of 17th century Line Infantry. White pants and undershirts, knee-high black boots, brightly colored blue overcoat with various decorative sashes and buckles wrapping around the body. And these men wore a large fuzzy hat cocked to the left, similar to that of British Grenadiers or Hessian Jaeger infantry back on Earth. And most importantly, a musket. They had guns too.
A few NATO soldiers surrounded the carriages, greeting the Falkish procession in any way they knew how. After a few niceties, the Falkish diplomats were allowed to enter the base…
The red glow of an Ekron stone filled the room the sat in. The blue Falkish soldiers stood guard at one side of the room, NATO soldiers stood on the opposing side with blue berets and green uniforms.
"Alright then," Jefferson said sitting down, a smile on his face. The diplomats were seated at a long table in the front of the room, with NATO on one side and the Falkish on the other. Jefferson thought it was nice to see other humans in this word for once, and even cooler to see lizardmen and elves with them, "Which one of you are we speaking to?"
"Myself I suppose," answered one of the Falkish humans. He had a long beard and wore a flat blue cap that was akin to a beret. His dressing was a dark blue color, with very intricate gold ornaments all over the suit. He seemed important.
"And you are?"
"Most people would call me Sir Ellis, I've come on behalf of her majesty and the Commonwealth Grand Parliament to meet with you," Said Ellis, "We've gotten word that your people have been fighting the Iscariot Empire. Is that true?"
"Indeed it is," said a NATO diplomat, nodding his head.
"I see. We've been at odds with the Iscariots since time immemorial. I'd go into the history of things but I fear we don't have time for that."
"So you've come to us? To help us?"
"To help each other," Ellis told him, the diplomat scratched his chin in understanding, "We know that your kind is new to this world. We know you don't have a good understanding of a lot of things around you. And we know that you could use all the help you can to fight one of our greatest rivals."
The NATO diplomats looked at each other, they had come to the same conclusion, Jefferson smiled, "An enemy of my enemy is always my friend."
"You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours."
"Deal. What do you want in exchange?" Jefferson asked. Ellis simply pointed at one of the NATO soldiers lined on the wall.
"We want your engineering," Ellis told him, "Impressive technology. We understand you have weapons that could outclass even our guns. You have engines that could move trucks of steel, and self-propelled kites too."
"So you know what an engine is?"
Ellis shrugged, "We have a mediocre understanding of it all. A few of our engineers managed to create a steam-powered engine to pump water out of our iron and coal mines. But if you'd help us in our technological endeavors, it'd benefit our nation greatly."
A few murmurs between the NATO delegates, as they discussed whether giving the Falkish a technological boost is a good idea or not. It'd make them a loyal friend, and perhaps they knew more about the way magic worked in this world. Their knowledge would be infinitely useful, but there was only one thing…
"If you guys already have guns, how come you couldn't defeat the Iscariots?" Jefferson asked. Ellis thought about that question for a second.
"The Iscariots may not be as technologically advanced as we are, but they have a few tricks up their sleeves that we don't. First of all, they have dragon tamers and breeders," Elvis held up a finger, "They've managed to figure out a way to tap into the dragon mind and make them do their bidding. That and they've tamed a few species of Huntsmen."
"Those dragons must be an annoyance?"
"More than that, they are the bane of almost every battle. They can fly right over our troops, dodging our musket fire and cannons. Picking our lines off with fire, and suffocating them gas. Their Harvestmen can charge straight into our lines before our men finish reloading, and they'd tear us apart. Luckily, they don't have too many. A shrapnel shot from our cannons can take out the lot of them."
"What else do they have?"
"Magic," Elvis held up a second finger, "They've perfected it. Nearly anyway. They must have some sort of agreement with the Magical Colleges, they might even know of Wesmich."
"Wesmich?"
"Erhm, that's not important now. Either way, their magic can kill. But, we've managed to find a way to counter it. We'd be willing to share that information with you if you agree to help us."
Jefferson turned again to his own team, who began discussing amongst themselves.
"One final question," Ellis raised an eyebrow, "You mentioned you had a parliament and a royalty. Are you a constitutional-monarchy?"
Ellis nodded, "Indeed. Perhaps a history lesson about our people is in order?"
One of the Elves began to speak, "Our nation wasn't always united. It used to be a collection of various kingdoms that each inhabited the three major islands in the archipelago. When they unified, the old system of feudalism tended to lead to rebellion, uprisings, and famine. But we had to unify because the Empires on the continent were growing ever so powerful…"
Ellis picked up where the elf left off, "The Bradford Dynasty that ruled our kingdom tried to levy heavy taxes on the serfs, working-class and merchants of the nation. But they were struggling enough as it was. They had enough and fought back against the King during the Glorious Revolution. And from there, the Halifax Dynasty was put into place. With them came the Parliament, a constitution, and emancipation for the serfs. Free elections for Parliamentarians, where the people could vote… do your kind understand of this style of government?" Ellis asked.
"We call it Democracy. And from what we understand, your nation seems to fit the type of ally we are looking for."
"Is it a deal then?"
"Aye, it is!"
"Oi, Eden. Wake the hell up! We're expecting Golf Actual to radio in any moment," The voice of another soldier permeated through Eden's mind. His sleepy eyes opened, taking a good look at the inside of the transport they were in.
"And same to the rest of you, Hazard. No lollygagging, we're here on some very important and serious business. We aren't going to have a repeat of Baku!" Sherman told the rest of Hazard.
"What are we doing around here anyway?" Cato asked.
"How the hell are we supposed to know? Jefferson just told us that there was an assignment awaiting us over here in Juno. Something to do with security or the like," Sherman replied.
"Amazing, Earth hasn't even known of Mysterium for a full year and there's already a full-blown war," Said Scott, "Just fucking incredible."
"You're such a fucking hippie Scott," Cato punched his arm playfully, "We're here now. And there isn't any going back!"
"Permanent, Offworld, Assignment," Eden repeated the words, "I still can't believe they just threw us away like that."
"It's not what you think it is, Eden. Basically, we can't go back home until the war ends, and from what I've heard from High Command's reports, the enemy is losing and are on their last legs, a month maybe until they surrender," Sherman told him.
"You really believe that shit?" Scott asked.
Sherman shrugged, "Hell if I know?"
"They said the same bullshit during the Great War. 'We'll be back home by Christmas', They said."
"We are all in this ride together. You watch my back as you did in Baku, and I'll return the favor," Cato told him.
"Cheers to that mate cheers to that."
[Golf 1] "To All Elements of Sierra Company, This is Golf 1, we are about a click south of our destination. Be ready to disembark. Golf, Out."
"Sierra Company, that's us!" Sherman said to the rest of Hazard Squad, as he fixed the straps on his helmet and adjusted his equipment.
"From what I've heard, a few days ago 1st Battalion was attacked all-out by the Iscariots. Fifty of our men dead, five hundred injured. That's almost the entire Battalion, knocked out!" Cato said as he fixed his own equipment.
"Fucking hell, sounds to me like the enemy isn't messing around," Eden sighed, "Those are some high numbers."
"The Iscariots are fighting because they think we're some big aliens trying to slaughter them all. Of course they are gonna fight back with everything they've got, if they lose they'll die. It's like the War of the Worlds out there. Except we are the Martians with our flying machines and fighting robots!" Scott said.
"Do you have to do that?" Cato asked him. Scott shrugged with a sly grin on his face.
'OBSERVATIONAL POST/ LOGISTICAL CAMP: JUNO' read the sign that hung over the entrance to the facility. A wide gravel road leads up the hills that flanked the Goblin Village below, cutting through the forest. It was easy to locate from a mile away, it's tall radio masts and large concrete structures were obvious as if it could've been hidden atop a hill.
Four military transports in Sierra Company drove through the road, winding its way up to the entrance of Juno. It was raining tonight, pouring in fact. The heaviest thunderstorm the soldiers had seen so far in the new world, soaking everything. A clear sign of the seasons changing.
Driving past the sign and guard checkpoint, the trucks stopped in front of the main building for the whole facility. Royal Marines disembarked from the truck, moving swiftly so they wouldn't stay out in the rain for too long. Cato, Sherman, Scott, and Eden. All of them part of Hazard Squadron. Sherman was the leader of the pack as Sergeant, with Scott and Cato under him as two Corporals. And finally, their newest recruit, Eden as Lance Corporal. Eden Rose moved sluggishly, not quite as fast as his squadmates. Eden was asleep for the most part of the ride and had been abruptly awakened when they arrived. That, and he wasn't as experienced as the rest of his team was either. But either way, Eden did the best he could to ensure he kept up despite the thundering rain.
Grabbing their equipment from the transport, Hazard quickly dashed to the entrance of the building, entering and heaving a slight sigh of relief that they managed not to get completely soaked.
"Coming down in buckets, innit?" Said Cato, as he took a few quick breaths to regain his stamina.
"Yeah," Sherman agreed, "Make sure you haven't got any mud in your boots. Trust me, that shit is the worst…"
Eden looked down at his own muddy boots, a little water had managed to slip in thought it wasn't anything major. As he began to wipe off the dirt from them, one of Juno's staff came up to the squadron. Another soldier dressed in uniform, a clipboard in hand. He was obviously one of the directors around here.
"Hazard, I presume?" Eden saw he was a Canadian by the flag that he wore on his shoulder patch.
"Yep, this is all of us here," Sherman said, shaking the man's hand, "There's Cato, Scott, Eden, and myself."
The other soldiers just nodded in recognition. The man smiled, "Good. I'm Phillip, head of operations around here in Juno! Let me tell you, you've come at a perfect time!"
"Really? How come?" Scott asked.
"There's been an infestation that needed to be taken care of. Here, let me show you," Phillip said pulling off and leading them down the halls of the building.
The entire facility was full of staff, both military and non-military alike. They milled about performing various tasks within, be it listening to incoming radio communications, or sorting all the paperwork within. If busy had a picture example, it would be Juno, "For the past week we've been getting attacked by them," said Phillip.
"By who?" Sherman asked.
"The buggers. Huntsmen as they call them. There's a hive located not too far away from here, and for the past week they've been nothing but a pain in the ass," Phillip said, stopping at a locked door and reaching into his pocket to find the keys for it, "That's where you guys come in."
"I hate bugs," Cato muttered.
"Let me guess, High Command In all their wisdom tasked us with clearing them out?"
"Exactly," Phillip said, he put the keys into the lock and popped open the door, "But they've given us some equipment to help out."
The room inside was mostly dark, until Phillip switched on the lights. As the lights flickered on, Eden saw at the back of the room four pods, each of them containing something within, "What's that?" Eden asked.
"That, my friend, is the latest in Personal protection. The Engineering department at ACRA gave these to us via government contract. Meet, the MTPS."
Eden saw inside each of the glass pods was something that resembled…a bunch of scrap metal. He couldn't really tell what it was from where he stood at the front of the room. Walking closer, he could see more. A helmet attached to a gas mask with two large circular lenses. The rear of the helmet was connected to a vest that seemed to wrap around the user's chest like a second ribcage. And the spine that connected the vest with the helmet would help in lifting and mobility.
"ACRA sent these ahead of you after DARPA finished testing it out in the field, go ahead and take the one with your name on it," Phillip said heading to a computer monitor closer to the front of the room. Eden and the rest of Hazard approached the pods and opened each of the vessels that contained the 'MTPS'. Eden took off his standard-issue vest, helmet, and equipment in place of this. Starting first by strapping on the helmet and gas mask, and then inserting his arms through the sleeves of the vest.
Eden could hear his own breath inside the mask as he looked around. It was surprisingly light, but it felt durable. It was easy to put on, as the rest of Hazard put on the few pieces with ease. But the straps that connected it all to the body were tough and tight enough to ensure that nothing was loose.
Phillip took out a paper, "Alright… the ACRA Multiple Threat Protection Suit was designed with the hazardous environments of Mysterium in mind. It will provide protection against chemical gas agents, biological hazards, blunt force, ballistics, extreme heat, extreme cold… yadda yadda yadda, the thing will protect you against anything," Phillip put the script away, "Alright, when you are ready, collect one of the battery packs over in that closet over there. And place them in the socket attached to back of your vest."
Hazard did as instructed, the battery packs hung in a closet. A slot was located on the back of the vest that fit the pack perfectly. After inserting the battery inside, Eden's vision came to life with the HUD. A vital signs monitor, a box that read to him how much ammunition he had left in his weapon, a compass that told him which cardinal direction he faced, and a few other things. He had to admit, it was cool. Almost like a video-game. But this time, it was all real. Too real almost.
"WELCOME TO THE ACRA MULTIPLE THREAT PROTECTION SUIT MARK III. FOR USE IN HAZARDOUS AND FANTASY ENVIRONMENTS," A robotic voice read to him as the suit power on. Eden stretched around in the suit. Feeling it and checking for any resistance. Surprisingly, it gave none.
" INITIATING FIRST-TIME BOOTUP… AUTOMATIC MEDICAL SYSTEMS ENGAGED. HIGH-IMPACT REACTIVE ARMOR ACTIVATED. ATMOSPHERIC CONTAMINANT SENSORS ACTIVATED. VITAL ORGAN SENSORS ACTIVATED. GAS MASK HUD ACTIVATED. WEAPONS-TO-HUD NETWORK ENGAGED. RADIO COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS ENGAGED. POWERED SPINE ACTIVATED… BOOTUP COMPLETE. HAVE A VERY SAFE DAY," the robotic voice of the suit finished and everything seemed to run smoothly.
"This suit will protect you from almost anything. Perfect for the mission you'll be running. You guys can consider it like a field test of the equipment." Phillip said.
Eden's breath was taken away by the sophistication of it all, the lenses of the mask turned the real world into augmented reality.
"Right, the Huntsmen Hive has been located on the windward side of the hill, half a click out. We've tried sending a few other units out there but… they have yet to return."
"So we're going off on a suicide mission?" Scott after pulling up the mask to speak.
"No. We've given you the MTP so that you'd stand a half-decent chance!"
Just after he said that, the lights in the room went dark. And then as quickly as they turned off, they turned back on again. But this time in a red flashing color.
"Aww, shit! Not again!" Phillip yelled out. Hazard Squad looked at each other in confusion and panic.
"What's going on?" Cato asked him.
"Another Bugger attack. They just keep on coming, it must be the end of the frost season that's driving them crazy! Come on, we've got to help out the guards!"
"You heard the man! Grab your weapons Hazard! Looks like we're gonna get a bit of action today after all!" Sherman said. Eden grabbed the SA80 rifle assigned to him and followed his squadron out into the hallways of the building. The alarms were blaring, and the staff was frantically running about trying to get to their stations. A sense of urgency came over them all as they ran through the doors of the facility and outside…
The rain was still pouring down as hard as ever, but the sounds of thunder had been replaced by the bangs of guns. Gunshots fired in rapid succession, growing faster and faster. The fence that surrounded the hilltop Juno sat upon, was lined with guard towers and checkpoints. The soldiers inside firing the weapons as quickly as they could to keep away the insect enemy that was charging at the fence.
"Light the bastards up!" Sherman ordered the men, who obliged. Eden put a magazine into the gun and began letting the buggers have at it. The ant-like bugs were resilient, able to take three or four bullets each before dropping dead. But, it seemed like there were only so many. After the first few dropped dead, the rest turned tail and scattered. It seemed strange that the bugs would run only a few minutes after they had initially attacked. It left the soldiers in Juno a bit on edge, fearful of another wave. But none came. The sirens around the base died down, and the soldiers were just left standing there.
Eden lowered his gun, cautiously, however. A sneaking suspicion that it wasn't quite over, "Strange… The buggers must've run to do something else," said Phillip, "Either way, it's up to you guys to clear their hive out."
"Do the fuckers have any weaknesses?" Sherman asked. Phillip nodded, taking out a list.
"Indeed, bright flashing lights scare them and make them freeze up. Their bodies are pretty well armored so aim for the head. And they hate, and I mean they fucking hate, large vibrations. They'll freak out trying to figure out where it is coming from."
"Why?"
"They are subterranean creatures for the most part, and they are almost blind. They get around by feeling vibrations in the floor. A grenade will throw them all off, if not send them into a frenzy trying to figure out what's going on."
"Alright. Good info. How are we getting there?"
Phillip pointed to a Stryker parked on the pavement, "Ooh yeah."
Night over the hills and coastal plains of the Albya River Valley. It was a cool night, warmer than the others before. An army marched on, thousands strong. They carried weapons of destruction, wore armor of steel. The road to Ithaca lie open….
A small, relatively unknown path that wrapped around the majority of the Albya River Valley and instead took the highlands. All in order to flank Ithaca and hopefully catch them by surprise. A final assault to drive the Ithacans back home to where they came, and save their home.
"March! March! March! March! March…" The hoarse and commanding voice of a lieutenant in the background ordered his troops to keep step. Three weeks had passed. It would've been two weeks if they had simply went there directly, but due to the increase in Ithacan control of the entire region, they had to flank in order to avoid detection.
Fredrick sat in a carriage towards the rear of the lines, as watched his army march ahead. Here, he poured over maps of the region with a few other generals, drawing plans and making decisions. He'd either win this battle and defeat Ithaca here in a glorious and awe-inspiring victory, or he would die. His legacy, his dreams, left to vanish like ashes scattered amongst the wind.
"It's all or nothing, sire. Our probability of winning this battle is close to zero," Said one of his generals, a bit nervously, "Even with the guns, the weapons that the Ithacan bastards field outclass anything we have. Well… Except for…"
"Except for the Krema Mercenaries," The King said, "Their magic has what it takes to upset this battle."
"But I fear for their morale, sir!" Said a dove to the King.
"How so?"
"They are Mercenaries after all. Once the battle gets into its zenith their form will shatter like glass and they'll retreat!"
"They are elite soldiers, they are disciplined and highly trained. I know for a fact that they won't just cower away like some scared beast with its tail between her legs," The King dismissed the claim, "How far away are we from Ithaca?"
"We should be approaching it, come midnight."
"Aye…"
Silence in the carriage, save for the sounds of the marching army outside and the groans and creaks of the carriage's own motions. The generals and the King all just sat there. In silence. In fear of what was to come ahead. They had faced vicious and fearsome enemies before, but this coming battle almost seemed hopeless. It was an enemy that had yet to be defeated. And Fredrick himself was beginning to wonder if they ever had a chance in the first place.
Had he known, he would've never sent Wendover on that mission to subjugate the Ithacans. He would've never authorized the attack on Minerva. He hurt so many people both within his own kingdom and on the battlefield, taken so many lives to stay in power. But at what cost? Death was the only choice other than victory. To die fighting for his own country, alongside his soldiers, alongside his people, to defend them, was glorious. Even if nobody else knew it. Even if his people bitterly despised him back home. He'd either die with honor, and lose haven done everything in his capabilities to stave away the end, or he'd win and return back home a legend. The choice was obvious.
"Sire… I'm scared," said the dove.
"Me too. Me too…"
The army approached over the hills, and through the forests. Eventually, the walls of the Ithacan fortress peaked out from amongst the horizon. They could see it, clearly. They were high, and it seemed to be active even at this time of night. Fredrick knew already, that the Ithacans were just as ready to fight as he was. They were going to give him hell.
And Fredrick would return the favor.
The darkness hid the Imperial soldiers for the most part. They crouched down low, waiting for the command to spring up and launch their final assault. The King knelt down with the Krema soldiers. The Krema division wore grey robes, and steel helmets that covered the entire head. A single ekron stone embedded in the helmet, and a visor cut in the middle of it all. The King knew they'd be able to fight well. It was just a matter of how well the enemy could fight back.
They waited for Fredrick to give the order. The only sounds audible being that of a cricket or cicada chirping and buzzing somewhere in the bush. Complete silence, with the moon hanging over the Ithacan Fortress and the Albya River Bay further in the distance behind Ithaca. It was a beautiful and serene view, Fredrick would remember it and have one of his artists try to paint it. If ever he got the chance to meet them again.
Fredrick slowly stood up, as did the rest of the Krema Division, they carried magical staffs in the hands as weapons. They were ready. The King drew his sword and gave the order.
"ATTACK!"
With a deafening roar, thousands of men got up and charged towards the walls of the fortress. Immediately, the walls lit up, searchlights employed by the Ithacans shone down upon the soldiers. Their guards had already detected them.
While the main force charged ahead, the Krema soldiers raised their staff, and the ekron stones in their helmets began to glow bright. Beams of light shot out from their staff and dashed straight towards the walls of the base, exploding on impact sending loud shockwaves through the area.
In return, bullets rained down from the Ithacans. A light show of their own making, yellow rain dashed straight across the impossible distance, impaling the charging Imperials as they attempted to run towards the walls of the fortress. Imperial soldiers taking one of the balls of light and falling face-first on the floor. They were charging straight to their deaths…
The Krema Division kept firing, and it seemed like they were causing a lot of hell for the Ithacan soldiers. The walls seemed to be able to hold against their magical fire, but they were getting weakened significantly. The attention of the Ithacan guns were scrambled as they tried to fire back against the Krema magicians, letting the soldiers on the ground get closer.
More lights. This time, from metallic dragons. Hunters as Igraine called them. Helicopters as the Ithacans called them. Either way, Fredrick had a trick to deal with them.
"Send out the flyers!" He ordered with another wave of the sword. Instantly, the dragon riders launched. The scaly beasts taking to the skies, dashing towards the Hunters to tie them down enough. Fredrick knew they probably wouldn't be able to take them all down, but he figured if they could harass the enemy long enough, then they'd be able to slip through their defenses. And it seemed to work. The Hunters weren't fast enough to keep up with the quick movements of the dragons, and although a few managed to land some shots on the dragons, they were mostly outmaneuvered.
Unbeknownst to Fredrick, the Ithacans too had a trick up their own sleeve. Out of the corner of his eye, launched from the center of the fortress, balls of fire launched straight into the air. Fredrick watched the fire go straight up… and then…
"QUICKLY! THEY ARE FIRING ARTILLERY! STOP IT!" Fredrick yelled out to the Krema soldiers. They looked up and quickly aimed their magical weapons at the skies to slow the incoming ballistics. There were a lot of them, and Fredrick doubted that they could even get through it all. All the Krema soldiers were tied down dealing with the artillery threat, and that meant they weren't busy harassing the Ithacan wall defenders, who carried on shooting at the soldiers on the ground.
But it seemed that they would succeed, the rockets slowed down, the magical force able to stop them and hold them in place. But, the Ithacans were quick to act. Their Hunters sensed the opportunity and disengaged from the dragons, hovering over to fire upon the Krema soldiers and the King. The bullets managed to hit quite a few of them and disorient them. Just as the Ithacans launched yet another round. They wouldn't be able to deal with it all.
"RUN! RUN! INCOMING-" The King heard one of the soldiers yell out. The Ithacan artillery once again rained down, but this time it managed to hit its mark. Fredrick was blown away, literally. Knocked off his feet and thrown against a tree. Dirt and dust got into his eyes as the impact of one of the rockets sent him and multiple other soldiers flying.
Dazed, confused, and disoriented, Fredrick's eyesight was fuzzy. He was barely able to see as he felt traces of blood drop into his eyes. But… he was still alive. Slowly he stood up, watching as the Hunters flew overhead. The Ithacans were able to shoot down the dragons with their anti-air weapons. The bastards were smart! He'd give them that at least.
As Fredrick wearily stood up, he noticed his sword. He quickly took it. There was only one thing left… He raised the sword above his head and with all his might, shouted out the order to charge. The Krema Soldiers who were alive and not gravely injured obeyed, and raised their magical weapons to charge straight at the fortress. Fredrick saw that his army managed to punch a large hole into the concrete wall of the Fort, if they could get through and wreak havoc, then they might still stand a chance of winning. Not only that, but it seems as if a fire had broken out. This was their final chance. They had to charge.
Fredrick wearily began to run, faster and faster. His sword at his side and his whole army charging in tandem with him. Left and right were small explosions, that threatened to knock him off balance. Artillery still rained down, exploding and killing multiple soldiers at a time in front of him. One of the blasts knocked him off-balance, throwing him to the ground and making him do a barrel roll as his momentum kept him going. But he springboarded to his feet and kept going. Determined.
The Ithacan guns were solely concentrated on the ground army now, mowing down the soldiers at his sides. The Iscariot Guard dropping dead next to him. Fredrick kept moving, as fast as he could muster. Getting ever closer. Until…
He saw one of the soldiers there at the wall, pointing his gun straight at him.
And then he fired. A ball of light encapsulating the barrel of the gun. The bullet flying straight towards him. He closed his eyes waiting for his fate…
"… Fredrick Jorgan the First… Some may even call you a 'King'," A voice said…
Fredrick opened his eyes. In front of him was a… a man? A human? He couldn't tell, its face was… non-existent. It only had a mirror as its face. It didn't feel like a human or demi-human. The creature stood there, in front of him. How did it even get here?
Fredrick stared at him with panic. The metal ball that the soldier had fired seemingly froze in the air. And so too did the soldier himself. And all the other soldiers around him. In fact, as Fredrick looked around, everything seemed to freeze in place. Time itself not moving a single inch forward. Everything, except for himself and the creature.
"Who are you?" Fredrick asked it. To which the creature sighed.
"Perhaps who I am is not as important as why I am here… You see, you were about to face death at the hands of a bullet. Fired from the barrel of a hostile soldier…" The creature slowly walked to another side of Fredrick, drawing his attention to a scene taking place. The dust on the floor began to rise and contort, until it bent into a real image. An almost perfect clone of Fredrick and the two soldiers were right there in front of him, made from the dirt of the ground.
The same bullet fired from the gun of the clones, and this time, pierced straight through Fredrick-clones chest. Penetrating straight through his armor, with a small streak of blood trailing behind it. Fredrick-clone collapsed and fell to the ground with a thud, dying as he bled to death. Out here in the cold darkness of the night. The Moon hung right over the whole scene and the creature stood right in front of it all.
Fredrick couldn't believe his own eyes, 'What form of magic is this? That it has altered reality?' Fredrick thought as his own mind raced for answers…
"This scene is the fate that would have befallen you, had I not intervened," The creature spoke. After he finished speaking, all the clones dissolved back into ashes just as they had arrived, "My employers tell me that you are of extreme and utmost importance to the overall grand scheme of things. And as such I've been tasked with rescuing you… giving you a second chance."
Fredrick didn't know who this creature was or why he was here. All he knew was that he did not like it. Not a second of it. His mind was still gasping in awe at the power of this single being to stop time entirely, but the sinister nature of the creature put Fredrick off. He felt fear and anger. Anger that this creature saw Fredrick as hapless and in need of saving. Anger that his status as a great and mighty emperor had been diminished right here at the hands of this monster…
He clutched his sword, and quickly dashed towards the creature. And as soon as he drew close enough, drew the blade and swung. The creature didn't flinch at all, it didn't even move. Not a single motion. It stood right there, looking at the spot where Fredrick was before. A smile formed on Fredrick's face as he thought that he was too fast… but of course, he was wrong. The blade didn't make contact at all, yet he hadn't missed. He watched in horror as his blade cut perfectly through the creature's image, and swiped straight out. The sword just phased through. And there the creature stood, almost mocking him.
"You bastard!" Fredrick took another swing, and again the sword just phased through. He tried one last push and charged at the creature, and once again the sword went straight through its chest.
"Enough of these games!" The creature said, in a tone that wasn't angry, just somewhat annoyed. Fredrick tried again with the sword but realized that he didn't have it in his hands. He looked and found the glass-faced creature holding it in its own clutches. Confusion painted across Fredrick's face.
"Did you really think that you could defeat me with a sword? Perhaps you're even more pathetic than we once thought," Fredrick knew he couldn't beat him. It was impossible. This… 'thing', could bend reality. How was he supposed to fight that?
He couldn't and instead, he fell to his knees in exhaustion, "Now that you've gotten that out of your system, perhaps you'd be more inclined to speak to me in a productive fashion," The creature sat down on the floor, crossing its legs over each other, right in front of Fredrick's face. The glass mirrored face of the creature was glowing and moving.
Fredrick could see the universe on its face. An area so big and filled with color. Infinite in size and wonder. Something so large, he was as inconsequential to its functioning as a solitary ant was to an entire planet. But even more so. And the creature seemed to grasp it all, placing Fredrick firmly under it with one look. One gaze into the universe displayed on its face.
"Lay down the sword Fredrick. Your life will be spared. I promise. Surrender, and I'll do my work to ensure that the Humans don't kill you. Fail to do so and I could give you a fight that you have absolutely no chance of winning. I personally would recommend the first option, as my employers have invested a significant amount into you and the larger plan as a whole. And they want me to ensure they have a return on their investments… as a ruler, I'm sure you understand what I mean?"
Fredrick understood perfectly. But he couldn't wrap his head around why. Why would this creature want to save him? What was his 'plan'? Why was Fredrick so important to it?
Fredrick's sword rematerialized in his hands, he knew the choices he had…
"I eagerly await your decision…"
Fredrick said to his county that he wouldn't return if he lost. Should he? Would he? Would he face the humiliation abound afterward? Was it really better than death?
He sighed and lay the sword down.
"Excellent choice…"
The creature disintegrated into ashes, and time around the Fox began to speed up back to normal. The bullet vanished somewhere, and the soldiers who had fired it looked around confused as to what just happened. Their eyes stumbled upon Fredrick, who had his hands up and surrendered.
Nora held Julian in her arms, singing to him a song that was passed down from generation to generation. A lullaby…
"Run to the hillsides. Run to the mountain peaks.
Run past the plains and the city boundaries.
Run through the fortresses and all the King's legions,
Run to the Highlands, where you'll find me,"
The Unification Wars… bloody and violent. King Archibald launched his bloody campaign hundreds of years ago, to unite all the different nations of the heartlands. His conquest would spark resistance from the surrounding kingdoms and nations. But the Planinia Dynasty didn't just fight back, instead they fled the area. The King of their nation sending his children off into the mountains to run from Archibald's Armies, where they'd find shelter.
"Safe and sound with the rest of the nation
Oh, the nation calls for you
Oh darling,
Oh darling, Run past the fortresses
Run through the Legions
Julian
Run past the Fortresses
Past the Legions
Go to the Highlands, where you'll find me-"
She was interrupted by a knock on the door. Dreading what could possibly be there on the other side.
"Come in!" She finally said, still looking outside the window. She heard the door open and a few footsteps…
"Ma'am?" She heard Wendover's familiar voice.
"What happened to him?"
Wendover hesitated, "Well. I uhh, I sincerely regret to inform you that the siege of Ithaca, has ended in defeat…"
Nora placed the child back in bed, and returned back to her seat. Her eyes closed and head back, "And, as per his own words. He didn't come back."
She didn't say anything, nothing but a sigh. She knew that it was coming, the realization that Fredrick wasn't coming back home anytime soon had struck her already. Now she just had confirmation. Any glimmer of hope she had, was swiftly killed.
"I'm sorry, my lady… but the Empire awaits, for you."
"When is the ceremony?" Nora asked.
"Tomorrow night."
"Are there plans?"
"Yes. There'll be a speech from a few officials tonight confirming his death to the public. And then a parade with you. You'll be officially coronated afterward."
"I'll be ready…"
Blue, Black and White. Those colors were paraded around the entire city. Almost everybody carried those colors. Welcoming in the new Queen. Tricolor flags with various styles were carried about and hung throughout the City. The Blue, Black and White in stark contrast to the Iscariot Blue, Gold, and Crimson. Both flags being flown in unison through the streets, as the people celebrated the coronation of Nora.
The main thoroughfare was lined with Imperial Soldiers, standing ready at attention. A marching procession went through, beating drums and blowing instruments. The tone was oddly upbeat and celebratory, despite the fact that this was because of the Kings death. Trailing the marching soldiers was a carriage, pulled by a team of white horses. Inside the carriage was the woman herself. Despite her husband's death being just yesterday, the people anticipated what a new ruler could possibly bring.
Nora felt herself blush slightly, putting on her best smile and waving at the crowd from behind the glass panes of the carriage. Though a heavy feeling of dread was pecking away at her insides. Trying to claw out and scream to the world that this wasn't okay. That they shouldn't be celebrating right now. The whole nation should still be in mourning.
But this time, things were different. The nation was already in crisis, and was fighting a losing war. A new leader was needed immediately. Nora understood that. So why did it all feel so wrong?
Behind the soldiers that guarded the main thoroughfare, was a crowd of onlookers. Hoping to get a glimpse of the lady who would be their new overseer. People from all ages and genders. All classes. And almost all species. Nora couldn't help but smile as their show of support for her radiated through the air. Again, in stark contrast to the actual situation.
The carriage halted in front of the Crystal Palace, where a large crowd had gathered outside the perimeter of the Plaza. Imperial Soldiers kept watch around the entire area. Nora watched as the people flocked around the carriage, cheering, holding their hands out in support. It was bewildering almost. The gates to the plaza opened, and the soldiers made sure to keep the crowd out. The stairs leading up the Crystal Palace were lined with members of Iscariot nobility and royalty, standing there and dressed in their finest garments. She'd be coronated on those marble stairs, just as all the other Kings and Queens were. The next in a long line of succession. After the gates closed, the carriage was pulled next to the Crystal Ball and slowed to a stop, and an Imperial Soldier opened the door for her, standing at attention right next to it. She felt her heart sink, as she took a shaky leg outside.
The crowd cheered when they saw her exit, trying to psyche herself up she flashed a brilliant smile and waved at them. Though, she really didn't feel like doing so…
A band of musicians played the Iscariot anthem, a somber and bold tone. Slowly, and steadily as she made her way up to the Crystal Palace. Passing various statues and flag poles, she made her way there. One step at a time…
When she climbed the stairs, the nobles and royalty greeted her. Sir Wendover, Lady Igraine, Sir Perceval, Sir Ann, and Lord Windsor were present, though they flanked the sides of the entrance. Nora's black Tiara was on her snow-white head. Instead, it would be replaced by one made for her own Dynastic lineage. One of the nobles produced a black crown, similar to the tiara she war. Almost exactly akin, but much larger. The other drew a sword, as was tradition. Nora got down on one knee, lowering her head and closing her eyes.
"Nora Jorgan, now Nora Planinia! This crown has been presented to you via the Royal Institutions, and shall be placed atop your head! With the crown, comes the title of Queen and sole ruler of our glorious nation! You must swear upon your life, to give your all to the nation! To protect our people! To defend all that we hold dear! You must swear upon your life, to never forsake your people. To honor those who have come before you! And to propel our nation into the limelight for centuries to come! Do you swear this oath, given to you?"
Nora was choked up, slightly, "I-I do!"
"Alas, you have sworn! May the Gods of this world look upon you and our country with favor! May your rulership be one of perpetual wealth… and prosperity," The sword was raised, "Arise, Queen of the Highland Fox Tribes!"
The sword came down, slowly, touching her right shoulder, and then it was raised once more, "Arise, Queen of the Planinia Highland Kingdom!"
It rose once again and lowered on her left shoulder, "Arise, Queen of The Iscariot Kingdom, and Fargo Dominions."
It was raised and lowered for the last time, touching the top of her, right between her fox ears, "Arise, Queen Nora Planinia the First! Queen of the Highlands and Ruler of the Iscariot Empire!"
When the sword was raised again, the noble carrying her crown took a step towards her and placed it firmly atop her head. Nora could hear the crowd behind cheering and making thunderous applause.
"With the power vested in me and the rest of my colleagues, I officially coronate you as Queen Nora Planinia the First. Arise!"
Nora stood up, again to the pleasure of the audience behind her. Bowing to the people who just made her Queen. Almost everyone had a happy face, almost…
She turned to face the people again. She'd have to walk back to the Crystal Palace and make her coronation speech. Her heart dreaded the thought…
"They love you, Nora. You'll do fine," She heard a voice say to her from behind but she couldn't tell who said it. The Queen nodded in recognition while trying to keep her posture. This was supposed to be a joyous occasion, not a grim and solemn one.
"My country. My people. My son and Husband," Nora whispered to herself, "This is for you…"
END OF ACT 1
Look what I'm planning. Haha.
We are 1/3 of the way there guys. And the story is already 100k words long (Sheesh).
Anyways, be sure to leave a review and tell me how you like things so far. I hope you all enjoyed, see you all in the next chapter!