Chapter 12

February 15th, 2043Huisede Islands, Minotaur Village

The marines stood their ground as they were quickly surrounded by the village inhabitants, some even carrying bows and clubs made up of materials acquired from the environment. Some were wearing make shift armor out of wood or skeletal remains woven with leaves and vines. Many of the minotaur bulls had red marking painted along their fur with the cows having blue markings painted instead.

The biggest of them, their chief and Fensia's father, looked upon the humans with superstition and curiosity as he inspected all ten of them. As well as the strange creature that was accompanying them.

"My daughter, you have a lot of explaining to do right now." The large bull spoke to the young cow who looked back up at him as another cow were tending to her injured leg.

"Father, I can explain everything." Fensia responded. "These men came to my rescue and saved me from a pack of shadow wolves before that wave of monsters showed up."

Outside, everyone could hear the continuous sound of snarling as the wolves outside stalked the barricades. Searching for anyway inside to attack the inhabitants.

"If it weren't for them, I most certainly would not be here speaking to you father."

"My daughter, what were you even thinking? Going outside alone! I told you many times and you've already seen how dangerous this island is! Yet these humans came to your rescue," He eyed the humans with suspicion. "I find it hard to believe they came here just to rescue you."

"We can explain." Jones spoke on behalf of his squad. "I am Master Sergeant Robert Jones of the United States Marine Corps." The marine spoke up. "We came to this island for entirely different purposes. Saving your daughter was purely out of courtesy when we found her life in danger."

"And what purposes might that be, ?" The chief asked Jones who turned to Zhen and let him speak.

"Simple. By what your daughter has informed us, your people were forced here against your will. Correct?"

The chief, and every other minotaur nodded slowly. "Our people are currently at war with the Rukan Empire. Recently we were alerted to enemy activity in these islands, now we were sent here to investigate further and report any activity from the Rukans. My guess is it was all just moving you and your people here."

The chief could hear the honesty in the human's words. Despite how much he and many others despised humans, he couldn't deny that they were obviously different than the others he's encountered in the past. But what exactly made them so different?

"It wasn't just my people." The chief spoke. "Many other minotaur tribes and races were relocated to these islands and left to die. And if we even tried to leave where would we have to go? The Rukans won't accept us, the Jinsan despise us , and the Bleyhams and Entorians will shackle and enslave us on sight. Not even this island welcomes us."

The sound of snarling and scratching at the walls told truth to that as the wolves outside continued stalking around the perimeter.

"However, I have definitely noticed your attire is by far unlike any I've ever seen worn by a human." The chief stated. "Tell me, where did you come from?"

"We came from a structure many have referred to as the . We originate from another nation on another world completely separate from this one. Our home was attacked by Rukan forces before we drove them back and followed. Now we're here to exact revenge and retaliation against them for the lives they took from us. If you have no ties to the Empire, then we have no quarrel with you or your people."

"You come from the gate?" Chief Bartus exclaimed. "That then means you come from beyond our world. A land beyond that of this realm."

The sudden reveal of their origins from another world brought wonder and curiosity to the minotaurs who started to show a little less hostility. "What is the name of your land?"

"The United States of America. We hold the entirety of the North American continent back home. Why?"

The minotaur chief was briefly silent as he contemplated his thoughts about the information he heard from the human soldier before him.

"What if we were granted asylum within your world? Away from the Bleyham and Rukan Empire?"

"You what —," Zhen was taken aback by the chief's request as was his fellow marines as he translated for Jones. "You want asylum within the United States? That's a very tall request I'll be honest."

"It's the most we would ask. Our situation is dire, and our previous home was threatened by the Bleyhams and this home is filled with creatures wanting to kill us." Chief Bartus responded. "Anywhere, perhaps in another world would bring me and my people safe haven."

Zhen turned back to his commanding officer and repeated back what the minotaur chief spoke. "What should we do sir?"

Jones decided to respond himself, using Zhen as a translator to repeat everything he said. "We don't have any authority or position to be making any such decisions. We'll have to get in contact with higher-ups and get several documents signed and approved. The entire process could take up to a hundred and eighty days at most."

"We don't have a hundred and eighty days human!" The minotaur responded. "Those walls are best for only holding back the least of the those creatures. More stronger ones will come for us within time, and by then we'll be mauled to death."

The wolves outside had dispersed, leaving the area after finally giving up in their attempts to breach through the walls. But it would only be a matter of time before they returned.

"I can't accelerate the process, but I'm sure we can come to an alternative solution until everything can get finalized." Jones responded as Zhen translated. "We have a ship off the coast of the island. Onboard are over a thousand United States Marines who are ready to deploy at the moment's notice. If I call them here, I'm sure they can assist in defending you against those creatures, or wipe them out from the island entirely."

"There are more of you? I should've assumed so." The chief said. But I have doubts. While I admire your confidence human, those creatures are beyond natural. I fear you may only be sentencing yourselves to death by facing them all."

"Don't worry," Jones responded. "We've handled worse. A bunch of mutts ain't nothing we're no match for."

The minotaurs around them were skeptical of the claims made by the marine, including the chief. However they gave no verbal objection, deciding to take the human on their word.

"They well. If you plan on aiding us, then we should make contact with the other settlement on this island." Chief Bartus said. "There's a village up north inhabited by dragonfolk."

"Dragonfolk?"

"Yes, they're another race of beastfolk like us minotaurs. A tribe of them were sent to this island and we planned to begin initial trade routes to supply each other with resources. At least that was the plan before we became aware to the existence of these creatures roaming this island. If your warriors are to come in mass on this island, I believe it would be best to alert them first. Perhaps they can lend their claws and magic."

"I'll go with th —," Fensia shouted as she tried to stand, only to fall over while crying out in pain after putting pressure on her injured leg.

Chief Bartus shook his head at his daughter. "No, you will remain here and make yourself to Tesru's hut. As for you humans, how will you make contact with your ship?"