2 Chapter 1 - A Falling Star
Chapter 1 -
[Searching...Searching....Inhabitable world located...One Result Found...]
[Sun Alignments...Ideal....Oxygen percentage...Ideal....Signs of life...Ideal...]
[Plate Tectonics...Ideal....Signs of human life...Ideal]
[Preparing to descend...Celestial systems engaged.. Landing precautions activated]
**VVVVVRRRRRR**
The cryogenic spacecraft once more kicked into ignition after a few hundred years, it's engines used every last bit of power it had remaining and propelled itself past the stars becoming a gleam of light and shooting towards a planet that seemed similar to Earth. However, the difference laid in its two suns that orbited the planet.
**
In the middle of a great forest, there was a mountain of gigantic proportions that stood sturdy at its core. This mountain was not like any other, it was glamorous and there were many houses of eloquent design that were very different from earth littered on every part of it especially its peak.
At the very top stood many beautiful palaces which were clearly different from the houses and were much more elegant and breathtaking. These beautiful palaces numbered 5 in total. There was one particular palace that was more beautiful than the rest and was placed at the center of the rest as if they were protecting it.
Surrounding the mountain, was a tall huge gate that seemed to tower around it in its entirety and roughly stood at the same height as the mountain. It seemed like a steel turtle that resembled a titan in size. On this colossal gate, many guards were stationed there keeping an eye on their surroundings. Two guards, in particular, seemed to be having a hearty chat.
[I know brother, I could use some fine wine this night. Even though we always get stationed here every night, we never have anything to worry about.] -Guard 1
[Ain't that the truth, the mana in this part is incredibly desolate for those D Rank Beasts and higher. This area is like a trash pile to those cursed monsters, however, we should be thankful for that though. The geographical location of this place makes it so that we only come across beasts that the Scout Brigade can handle] -Guard 2
[I know what you mean, last time Earl came across a D Rank Shadow Leopard when he went out wandering and lost his both arms. As long as we stay here within these parameters we will be safe, let's leave the tough work for the Scout Brigade. Hahahaha] -Guard 1
[Hehehe, the only thing we have to worry about is a meteor falling from the sky and crashing on us and what are the chances of that happening? Hehe] -Guard 2
[Hahaha!] - Guard 1
Both guards broke out in raucous laughter, suddenly one of them seemed to have spotted something at the corner of his eye.
[Huh? What's that? A star?] -Guard 1
[That....ain't that a bit too bright to be a star?] -Guard 2
[It could just be me but....ain't it getting a lil' bit bigger?] -Guard 1
[Oi....Doesn't it....Doesn't it look like it's heading this way?] -Guard 2
[It does..doesn't it...This is all your fault! You just had to say we only had to worry about a meteor didn't you?!] -Guard 1
[Damn! Really God?!] -Guard 2
[Quick we have to go alert the others quickly!! OYEE YOU GUYS OVER THERE QUICKLY TELL THE KING THAT A METEOR IS HEADING TOWARDS THE CITY!!] -Guard 1
[I don't think we have to tell anyone....look...people in the city are already looking at it] -Guard 2
**
A young man dressed in a face mask and the armor of a messenger is currently speeding through the mountain and hastily climbing towards the palaces that reside at its peak. He was obviously going to warn the people in charge about the disastrous situation about to occur, his speed was much faster than a person of Earth's. If one looked closely they could see wind propelling his feet as he ran.
The young messenger finally reached the peak of the mountain, among the 5 beautiful palaces one was placed in the middle with 1 on each corner. It was clear this main palace, was where the person who rules this mountain resides.
The guards station there upon seeing the messenger's clothing and face mask did not stop him and instead gave a salute, the status' of these messengers were incredibly high. They were the eyes, ears, and mouth of the king himself and no one could stop them lightly.
The young messenger hastily entered the marvelous palace that was cream in color and that possessed a type of earthern magnificence as precious metals and gems littered and decorated every part of it.
**Bam**
The messenger hastily slammed open the doors of the main Dinner Hall where a feast was currently taking place garnering the attention of everyone present within the gorgeously decorated Main Hall.
[Report! Your Majesty King Ironspine, I bring terrible news!] -Messenger
Within the Dinner Hall which was lavishly decorated, aside from the well-matched, luxurious dinner tables where the minor nobles sat. There were 5 seats in particular which garnered the most attention. Two on the left, Two on the right and one directly behind them which was seated higher than the rest and resembled more of a throne fit for a king.
On this throne sat a man about 40 years of age with a full head of black hair that reached his shoulders, his body was contoured like a veteran warrior that held an explosive strength. Bull-like shoulders and dark black eyes that seem to devour the world, though his face seemed to hold unspeakable power there was also a sense of gentleness. He wore elegant beast skins that seemed to be from high-class beasts and a huge great battle-axe sat beside his throne.
This man was King Julius Ironspine, Ruler of Mount Earthenvale.
[Speak!] - King Ironspine
The voice of the king thundered out and shook the messenger dizzy, judging from his expression he seemed to be accustomed to it as he did a weird routine of jumping on one leg to gather back his senses.
[Your majesty a meteor is currently headed toward our city!! It should be here in a few minutes!] -Messenger
[A meteor huh...how big is this meteor?] -King Ironspine
As the King spoke, a rare smile surfaced on his face making everyone present shiver.
[ I oppose this!] - ???
[What do you oppose against my dearest eldest daughter Sophia?] -King Ironspine.
The King laughed as looked towards the thrones behind him, there were 3 girls and one boy. The eldest girl Sophia looked to be about 18 years old, she had long black hair and purple eyes and a shape that belonged to a woman. Her delicate features could cause any city to go in an uproar and her outward appearance was kind and gentle in nature.
[Father is going to attack the meteor, aren't you?! Salina say something he dotes on you the most!] -Sophia
[Father....if you die, can I have Blacky?] -Salina.
A short red haired girl about 14 years old sat on her princess-like throne with her two feet huddled together while looking at the King with a sparkle in her eyes. Her hand softly stroked a huge furry black wolf that lay at the bottom of the throne, the wolf revealed a lazy expression as he was highly doted on by this young mistress.
[T-to think you would think such thoughts] -King Ironspine
The King painfully mourned inside.
[Father if you're going, can I go as well!!] - An excited male youth.
This was the King's only son, a boy about 14 years of age and Salina's twin brother.
The two were polar opposites of one another, Salina was withdrawn and quiet, while this boy was rowdy and always beaming with positive energy. He looked identical to Salina except for his masculine features.
[Of course you can Regius! Alas, my son understands the greatest things in life!] -King Ironspine
The king was always proud of his fine son who always understood the good things in life.
[Father if you take that idiot, he'd probably kick the bucket it's best to let him watch from afar] - ???
Alas the last member of the family was a girl with long blue hair and beautiful cold blue eyes, she had the figure of a budding woman and anyone could tell in the future she would be an unparalleled beauty.
[Wha?! Liore stop being so mean! I'm not stupid! What you wanna fight you ugly toad?!] -Regius]
Regius immediately went on the offensive and raised his fists in a fighting manner. Upon hearing her little brother's reply, a vein popped up in Liore's head as she approached him with a sadistic grin.
[Uwa!! I was joking big sister, you're the prettiest girl in all of Mount Earthenvale]
Regius quickly retreated while rubbing his red ears.
The King watching his varied children and couldn't help but grin. Though these children had different mothers they all loved one another.
[Alright you all settle down, Let's go see this situation] -King Ironspine.
Even though some people panicked, upon hearing the calm voice of their King they couldn't help but feel a bit safer as they knew this man all too well.
[My Lord, should we evacuate the citizens for safety measure?] -???
A man in full body armor asked as he knelt on one knee, his helmet was the only thing that was removed because he was in the presence of the King. In his face one could see the great years of battle that dyed his head grey and wrinkled his old face.
[No, Nightmaster Duke why don't you come along for the scenery?] -King Ironspine
[I understand, My King] -Nightmaster Duke
Nightmaster Duke was the right hand of the King who carried out his orders with precision and his loyalty was unquestionable. As a sign of the trust of the King, Nightmaster Duke's mansion was built right before the entrance to enter the Peak of the mountain where the Palaces of the Royal Family resides. There was no one who the King trusted more to lead his growing children into battle to gather experience and strength. As the King, he couldn't leave the city to personally oversee his children's growth, and so Nightmaster Duke was appointed.
Nightmaster Duke enjoyed this position, he got to foster the youths that would one day become the shining future of Mount Earthernvale. He loved nothing more than to watch the children of the King who he swore loyalty to grow up before his very eyes. It was a position for a capable man, and there was no other better than Nightmaster Duke.
Nightmaster Duke then approached a youth who looked like a 20-year-old version of himself with white hair and brown eyes and said a few things. The youth then followed after Nightmaster Duke who made his way behind the King.
[Don't say anything unnecessary and remember to keep vigilant eyes and protect the prince and princesses, alright Dorian? Who knows what sort of beasts will be disturbed by this meteor and come crashing into us] -Nightmaster Duke
[Yes Grand-Father, I Dorian will not shame you!] -Dorian
Dorian made a respectful bow to the Nightmaster.
[Good!] -Nightmaster Duke
Nightmaster Duke then clapped the youth's shoulders and motioned him to follow.
**
King Ironspine stood outside of the palace at the peak of the mountain and watched the approaching meteor with a weird expression. Being the most powerful warrior here, his eyesight was much more greatly enhanced than the others and was able to faintly see distinctions in the "meteor".
[My lord? What's wrong?] -Nightmaster Duke
Nightmaster Duke asked worriedly as he naturally picked up on the subtle changes in the king temperament and noticed the gaze of bewilderment.
[....For some reason...I don't think that's a meteor...] -King Ironspine
[My Lord?] -Nightmaster Duke
[The trajectory is too weird..The speed is much too slow..and I can see faint distinctions] -King Ironspine
The Nightmaster was bewildered, if not a meteor then what could it be? Then he thought for a bit and revealed an expression as if he understood.
The heat finally started pressing on the mountain as the meteor drew closer and looked much brighter in the night sky. Some of the people were uneasy, but little by little the meteor steered of course which made them release a breath.
[Ready my horse!] -King Ironspine
[My lord? We're giving chase then?] -Nightmaster Duke
[Hehe, obviously we're going to chase. Do you remember the rumors? A thousand years ago a meteor just like this one came crashing near Serilian Tunnel City, they acquired some sort of artifact that didn't belong to our world and to this day people still haven't figured out what it is. A century or two after that, something similar happened in another city and they too have one of these alien relics. It's about time one came to our city!] -King Ironspine
The King put on a mischievous smile as he spoke.
[Father, Father I'm coming too!!] -Regius
Regius demanded as he clung to the King's leg.
[Haha as expected of my son, indeed we will all go and make this a family event] -King Ironspine
[I'm only going along so Father doesn't do something reckless] -Sophia
[Hmph...What a waste of time, but I suppose it is a bit interesting] -Liore
[Dad, if it turns out that the meteor is an alien and it eats you, can I have Blacky? I'm coming too...I need to verify that you died] -Salina
[Your majesty, please allow me to accompany the prince and princesses so that I may be able to protect them with my life] -Dorian
Dorian knelt before the King and acted the very way his Grand-Father taught him.
[Indeed Dorian, Rise] -King Ironspine.
The King always held a favorable impression of Dorian as he was Nightmaster Duke's only grandson and was taught everything by him. However, he always felt that Dorian lacked something but he could never quite put his hands on it.
**
Immediately afterward the meteor had long broken into the orbit and had been blazing towards the left side of Mount Earthernvale. Nightmaster Duke led the front of the Scout Brigade, followed by the King and his children as well as Dorian who stood close to Sophia's side at all times, much to her displeasure.
She always felt a bit stifled by him as he never wanted to leave her side, sometimes even acted possessive and found it a bit weird but she eventually passed it off as him being too consumed in his duty.
They hastily made their way towards the predicted collision point slaughtering all the weak beasts that didn't stand a chance against this group. Several larger beasts also came out the forest but were hastily killed with magic of all kinds before they could even approach the group. The beasts that made it near were slain instantly by the unforgiving Scout Brigade who specialized in moving through this forest.
**BANG**
Finally, the meteor crashed and a bright light lit up the entire surrounding areas as if welcoming its arrival.
[It's landed! Hurry! YA!] -King Ironspine
He hit his heels and the horse beneath him which seemed as big as a truck sped off quickly.
**
The group slowed down as they caught sight of the trail of the meteor, and saw debris littering the trail. The debris, however, were metal in nature which gave them quite a shock as everyone else aside from the King and the Nightmaster expected a meteor. Not willing to lose any more time they quickly followed all the way to a huge lake that was quite a way off from the stronghold. When the trail finally ended they saw a strange rectangular-like coffin floating in the lake close to the shore and an even bigger metallic form sinking into the water in the middle of the lake but they weren't able to make it out.
[This is bad...] -King Ironspine
[My lord?] -Nightmaster Duke
[This lake belongs to a Great Water Hydra, quickly retrieve that rectangular metal crate and let's go! We can't delay any longer, thankfully at least this piece of the artifact is close to the shore] -King Ironspine
The Scout Brigade didn't waste any more time and hastily cast their Wind Magic that lifted the rectangular metal crate out from the shoreline and brought it directly over to them. They quickly latched on ropes strengthened with Earth Magic and the made sure it was securely attached to the crate.
[RAAAAAWWWWWWWRR]
A furious roar rang out as the group prepared to leave. The sheer intensity of the water from beneath the Lake's surface caused the water to go mad and splashed wildly as bubbles filled its surface. It was clear the beast had been disturbed by whatever the other piece of the artifact was that sunk down.
[Okay time to go now!! Dorian lead the charge! I'll cover the rear the beasts should be going crazy with all this commotion tonight!] -Nightmaster Duke
The Scout Brigade immediately altered their formation and entered a defensive stance as they guarded the Royal Family from all directions. Several beasts came out from the forest running directly towards the group of humans with a crazed look in their eyes. It's obvious the disturbance was too much for these simple-minded beasts to handle. The Nightmaster cut them all down without hesitation with a single swing of his blade.
**Rumble Rumble Rumble**
Suddenly--
A huge head appeared out from depths of the lake, it's head just stared at the King's group with two cold eyes. Then beside it, another few more eyes opened and stared at him, in all, there were 10 eyes which meant the Hydra had 5 heads and was considered a Rank B beast. Which meant only the King could stand up to it, but he would have to gamble his life if he were to kill it. King Ironspine knew all too well that he didn't wish for a tussle with that beast and had long decided to leave the area before it could leave the lake. The Hydra only watched coldly as it saw the human trespassers pack up and leave.
The King feeling the ominous gaze, turned to look at the Hydra but wasn't by any means afraid. His children were with him and didn't see any point in getting into a life-threatening fight for no reason today. He would only have everything to lose today and nothing to gain and so just stared back at the Hydra. The Hydra wasn't stupid, It knew he wasn't any ordinary foe and it was vastly outnumbered. So both sides just looked at each other until they were too far to see one another.
The Hydra vowed one day he would definitely catch that impudent human and shred him into a million pieces. It was then the Hydra caught sight of a figure, at first it didn't notice it which in a sense was already a bit terrifying but slowly it made the Hydra feel a sense of terrible dread. There was another that was as powerful as the human King it had noticed, a black shadow with blood red eyes stared at the Hydra locking it's gaze and returning the same sense of danger the Hydra released.
As the shadow confirmed the King left a considerable distance, the shadow revealed itself in the moonlight and chased after the King. It was none other than the Black wolf that sat lazily from before that was doted on by the young mistress, Salina. This Black Wolf was King Ironspine's Soulbeast and was by no means an ordinary wolf.
**
The Scout Brigade led by the King and company arrived at the Palaces of the Royal Family and made their way towards his home the King's Palace. The mages that followed them using earth magic and wind magic, quickly moved the rectangular metal crate into the courtyard and surrounded it. The King finally approached it and began studying it.
[Father you should be careful!] -Sophia
His eldest daughter had a worried look, who knows what sort of thing could be in there. She clenched the hems of her skirt and looked deeply at the metallic crate. The rest of the siblings also had similar looks toward this foreign looking object. Now that they had time to look at it properly they could see flashing lights.
[Don't worry Sophia] -King Ironspine
[You guys! Clean it quickly!] -King Ironspine
The King commanded the mages in the Scout Brigade to clean the metallic crate.
The Wind Mages, quickly stood the rectangular metallic crate up with Wind Magic and the Water Mages hastily cast a combination together with the Fire Mages which produced boiling water that quickly cleaned the mud and dirt in a few blasts. In a quick moment, it was already presentable.
[What weird patterns, and these lights...they're exactly like they were explained in the rumors....how interesting] -King Ironspine
The King stood inspecting it and couldn't conceal his excitement, like a child who had been given a toy.
[Father look! Doesn't that look a bit like a handle?] -Regius
The young prince hastily jumped all around the metallic crate and when he spotted the handle he instantly blurted it out.
[You're right, Regius! The rest of you back up for a bit] -King Ironspine
The Nightmaster trembled when he realized what the King was about to do.
[Wait! Your Majesty, please! Let me do it, If anything happened to you because of this unknown thing, this old man would never forgive himself!] -Nightmaster Duke
[Hehe, don't worry about it. I'll be fine, I think the dangerous parts of the artifact sunk in the lake. Those parts were on fire even when submerged in water, how terrifying] -King Ironspine
Even though he spoke as if he were concerned it was obvious he wasn't as he reached for the latch while he spoke.
[Well then, let's see what the heavens have sent us] -King Ironspine
The King gripped onto the latch and because of his strength tried not to use too much strength as not to break it.
**CRINK** **CRINK**
The latch easily opened.
**Slush**
Clear liquid splashed out of the hatch and a figure came sliding out of its chamber and onto the floor. His hair was golden and reached to his knees, it had the appearance of the sun and was translucent and spirit like. It was hair that was unreal and bizarre but beautiful regardless. He was handsome and held delicate features, a boy about 16 years of age.
After being in cryogenic sleep for such a long time, his body which had lacked exposure to sunlight began adapting due to the experimental drug. His hair changed it's base setting and evolved to suit and began acting as an instrument to efficiently gather sunlight, creating its bizarre appearance.
Everyone present upon seeing this was utterly dumbfounded. Whether it be the King or Blacky, No one expected the treasured artifact that fell from the skies would turn out to be a young boy.
