3 My friend, be strong

Steamrock City

Beasts are the main key in transportation for this region either pulled, carried, or simply ridden by a person. They are used extensively; one of the useful beast transport was the turtle beast. It was not the fastest in the region but certainly the best choice for public transport because of its very stable movement, making the ride comfortable for the passengers,

Not so distant from Steamrock City, a massive turtle beast around 15 feet tall with six strong legs while carrying on its back a carriage carrying people and luggage. This trip accommodated 11 people including the driver and owner of the turtle beast. Despite its huge jaws, ferocious eyes, protruding horns at the tip of its long tail, and other parts of its body; the turtle beast was docile and only eats plant and foliage or marine algae, for their main diet. They only use the horns to defend from other predators that hunt on them.

"James, I can see the City."The woman who was exited removed his hood and stood up to see the city from afar. With Scarlet red wavy hair, cold look, with her red lips stick and dangling earrings, most of the men inside the passenger cart was elated. Her voice alone made them blushed but it gained animosity to their girl partners. Some men got a beating from their wife and girlfriend, while the others were amused by what's happening.

"Scarlet, sit down and chill. The libido inside this area is spiking." The man just in front of Scarlet said with a very deep voice that felt like coming from the abyss. His thick brows complemented his long beard that increases more his manliness look. He did not bother to remove his hood and just lifted his head to look at Scarlet who was very excited like a child looking at the window.

"Dean, don't bother. You know her already, the only problem is his ability." With astute eyes and long face, this man was exuding a very ominous aura. It was targeted to the other passenger looking at Scarlet with desire. With just his gaze alone, the other men melted and averted their eyes turning into puppies that saw a wolf. Even those others who are not targeted by his killing intent was taken aback and shook with fear.

A bell resounded inside the carriage breaking the intense mood and calming the situation. The bell signified for them to prepare as they are in their destination. "Hohoho. Looks like this bunch are interesting people." The Oldman, who was outside the cart sitting like a buddha holding his leather pouch smirked as the city was in his sight. With scrawny body and cheap clothing he was more like a beggar and not a driver of the beast, his long and white hair drifted in the air like clouds while he drank his wine from the leather pouch.

"You lot, prepare your papers so that we will not be delayed." The old man opened the little window in his back to remind the passengers. "Momo lets go." His voice echoed in the air with force and directed to the turtle beast, with just his voice alone, the beast seems excited and made the beast put more force in its huge legs giving the cart a shake. The old man's laugh echoed in the air as the beast swiftly run leaving a cloud of huge dust in its wake.

<>

Inside the city, four of them got down on a street stop. Aside from Scarlet, all three men panted as they got down in a street from the beast. "That Crazy old man. That was why many people did not want to ride that bastard." The beast cart was supposed to carry around 20 people and some luggage but because of the old man's infamous title "Sprinter" many did not want to ride him, even others have no choice if not for the old man's cheap fee.

Scarlet who was very excited looked around like a kid gaining attention again from men, her beauty is stunning but there is something from her that was unique and mysterious. "Hey Scarlet, snap out of it. We should go to the adventurers guild first. We are not here to look around." With Dean's voice, Scarlet was disappointed and pouted like a child. Dean can only sigh as Scarlet stared at him like a puppy. "Fine, After this mission, I will give everyone a day or two."

"Yay, thank you, Uncle." Like a child, Scarlet comically embraced Dean's huge and buffed arms. "I told you not to call me uncle in public." Dean sighed again; it was clear he did not have a say when it comes to his niece Scarlet.

Walking into the street towards their destination, all sorts of stalls scattered around the streets making the city very lively. The chimneys of the establishment were full of steam, and many vehicles and machines were moving and working nonstop. Clangs of metal, the hissing of steam, and the heat made the city unique from the others. The livelihood and economy of the city depended not only on its engineers and inventors but also on the 'Steam Stone' that they mine, to produce the power that moves every small device up to the large machines.

When ignited by a catalyst, like mana from soul energy or mana crystal; the stone produces steam that will move these machines. Though it was very helpful especially to the people with less mana and weak soul energy, the stone is unstable and very dangerous if not handled properly. Despite its very unstable properties, many people risk their lives to develop it but there is very few success.

<>

Cog and gears gritted with each other while large chains stretched and pulled moving the huge gate making a loud creaking sound. The people were startled because it was rare for the largest gates to be opened but then the loud trumpets echoed in the air.

"Its the third prince Signus." A man shouted from the crowd when he saw the mammoth beast while many people cleared the streets to give way to the parade. In front was a huge mammoth; 20 feet tall with large tusks and scales like armadillo carrying the prince inside a closed small room with only small windows. The huge scaled mammoth was controlled by a person sitting on its head carrying a rope that is tied into the tip of a metal object embedded into the mammoth's mouth.

At the same time, the mammoth pulled a huge dead beast that seemed to be a giant bird. Bloodied, full of broken spears that lodge around its body with massive injuries; the bird was unrecognizable. It's size alone impressed the people making them shout in praise but the soldiers behind seemed to not enjoy the situation. "Signus" was chanted in the streets as the parade passed by while the prince who was inside the room smirked unmoved with his girl companion that was busy kissing him in the neck. "Stop for now." The prince was annoyed hearing his name chanted outside so he peeled off the girl dressed in a simple purple gown adorned with lavish golden threads, she was blushing embarrassed but did not speak and just nodded to the prince who was now slowly standing up to walk out of the small room.

The crowd cheered and others were in a frenzy as the young prince got out and stood up at the back of the walking mammoth. "These stupid people, disturbing my moment." The prince thought to himself as he waved his hands to the crowd and smiled with his shiny teeth. With expensive tunic full of embroidery, pants made of the highest quality, and his golden short sword while the scabbard has intricate design and full of gems and other precious materials, the prince was the epitome of lavishness. Happy of the praise but at the same time disgusted of the poor people, he forced a smile then quickly returned to his small room.

"Rodly, were finish here. Be sure to segregate the reward properly to our men." The man who shouted first and started to praise the parade was the same person talking, and many other people were also within the crowd to amplify the cheerful mood of the people, but in truth, there are paid people among them and others are disgusted but did not react fearful of being labeled as anti royalty by the kingdom.

<>

Golden Plains

The golden plains were one of the main wheat farming areas in the kingdom. It was composed of numerous towns that are tasked to work on the fields. Each town has multiple groups of families they called 'Compounds' task to handle a plot of land and Jame's family is part of a compound. All the crops will be taken away aside from their small portion just enough for the compound to last until the next harvest. Also, they are given essentials like other materials and ingredients for cooking, and if the kingdom is in a good mood, some beer and alcohol, and maybe some winter clothes will be provided.

"Mr. Scarecrow, During winter, I could only hope you don't get cold outside here. My family will not be able to afford extra winter clothes." James was starring at the scarecrow with a sad face but a shout startled him.

"James. Comeback here or I will throw your toys away." Cristine was shouting fuming in anger and it startled James. Because of the incident last week, his chores were doubled and it strained his body more. Even after the warning from the priest that James must not take on tiring chores, Cristine ignored it and even doubling his routine when the men were out on the fields, constantly blackmailing him about his collections. James could only sigh as he said his goodbye to the scarecrow.

"Damn that woman." Daren was boiling in rage as he already grasped what is the situation in their family from James' constant storytelling, but he could not do anything, and can only curse her. But since then he was amazed at Jame's braveness and self-sacrifice. Even from all of his experiences, he did not blame anybody. Daren saw himself from James and he felt proud of it, they were in a different situation but almost the same predicament. Their kindness plagues them, and though he was proud, he was also concerned about Jame's future.

Without a way to release the anguish in his heart in the past, Daren became numb of emotions and even becoming another person. A person that did not hear a disturbance, a person unmovable by any force, a person so stiff that he did not care at all. If not for his grandfather's intervention and other friends like Mimi, he would have become a monster. This was his biggest concern and hoped that the other family members of James will notice before it is too late.

"My friend, be strong."