The Jungle Grounds! I

Within their World of Ephesus, rain was a hazy concept.

When it came, it came for a whole day as Gem Masters celebrated, and ever so briefly, life bloomed again.

But after a brief respite of rain, it may never come for months, and the longest had been years.

It caused some areas to be devoid of life, and for Gem Masters to rely on Breaches and the abundant resources that could be found within as one of the resources always looked for…was water.

Water was one of the precious resources brought into the City of Carthage to allow for the trees that lined up the Ancestral Mountain.

For the few points of verdant vegetation that granted a false reality full of life.

But the moment one left Carthage, they would be reminded of the true state of reality everywhere else.

Looking at the mountain ranges filled with half-dead trees, Alexander was silent.

Around them, the winds became rougher and rougher as the Airship delved further in, cracked and splintered earth being the only scenery all around them.

A few minutes after that, a Two-Link Gem Master holding a fiery crimson bow looked toward Alexander and Claire as he spoke out with a stern voice.

"Rougher winds are coming, Young Master Alex and Lady Claire. It may be best for you to join the other recently awakened Gem Masters down below."

The voice still carried a hint of respect in its authority as this should be someone from his Father's camp.

Alexander nodded towards this man as truly, there wasn't anything worthy of looking at in these desolate mountains that didn't remind one of death.

So with light steps, Alexander and Claire made their way back down as they waited to arrive at the Tier 1 Breach meant for them to explore.

A Breach that was known as…the Jungle Grounds!

—

When outside a City Fortress, time always seemed to pass by differently as after what seemed like forever, the outline of a tear between the earth and extending to the skies could be seen ahead of them.

Surrounding it were a few other Airships and rows of enacted walls and defenses, with hundreds of people seen stationed or moving to and fro.

"Begin the Descent!"

The voice of Gem Master Azazel boomed out as those controlling the Airship followed the command right away, the rough winds being cut through as after over 2 hours, a long trip through the skies ended.

CLANG!

As winds parted, the massive Airship landed on the metal of a small hangar as the wings on its side buzzed rapidly, the impact being light- but not light enough to the extent that Alexander couldn't feel his body shaking from the vibrations.

It even caused other Airships nearby to vibrate.

When everything settled, all those who were already on the lowest deck of the Corrupted Airship faced the same direction.

A doorway that hadn't opened this whole time began to widen with the roaring of gears, revealing the world outside.

HUUM!

The first thing that Alexander noticed was a constant but low humming sound that only became more prominent when they began to disembark the Airship.

A humming that his expanded senses that could cover a single mile quickly located the Source of- this being nothing else but the tear in space that was the Tier 1 Breach known as the Jungle Grounds.

Being this close to a Breach came with a lot of new sensations, as well as a different atmosphere entirely.

The Awakening Expedition got off the Airship as Gem Master Azazel and others led the way forward, with Azazel greeting other Three-Link Gem Masters stationed here as they talked amongst each other while walking.

The newly Awakened Gem Masters followed behind closely as they took on everything around them.

"Everybody seems to be on the edge, even though they are guarding a Tier 1 Breach…"

Claire's voice echoed in Alexander's ears as before he could even reply, Charlie, who was near them with his entourage, spoke out.

"Any Breach is enough to make Gem Masters tense. Too many deaths have occurred from even minor complacency…"

He replied lightly as he wanted to show he was knowledgeable as well, Claire turning towards him briefly to nod as they continued forward.

Alexander was tuning in on many more conversations than just this as his senses also expanded to hear the dozens of Gem Masters that had been stationed to guard this Breach for who knew how many weeks or months.

A dozen meters away from them, three Two-Link Gem Masters were moving crates filled with Ores that were being loaded on the very Airship they came out of as they talked amongst each other.

"I'll bet a single Support Gem that at least Three of these younguns will piss themselves at the first sight of a Beast of Corruption."

"Only three? And I know one will do more than just piss. Remember months ago when that one guy shat his pants…"

The conversations didn't have much value, but Alexander did keep his senses open moreso on what the powerful Gem Masters were talking about.

Especially those moving with Gem Master Azazel.

Their words entered his ears as they walked closer and closer toward the massive tear stretching across the earth and skies.

"We've confirmed over the last months and done a thorough check in the periphery of 50 miles past the Inner Barracks of the Breach. Only less than a dozen Tier 2 Beasts of Corruption and the rest are Tier 1. You all have nothing to worry about."

A Three-Link Gem Master with a buzz cut talked to Gem Master Azazel and Todd with a stern expression.

"Good. We will stay within that perimeter for no surprises. You've practically been living in this Breach right, Richard?"

Azazel turned towards the Gem Master with a buzz cut, Richard, as this man shook his head with a sense of annoyance and gave in.

"Yes, yes. I will act as a guide to you and the young chicks. You guys brought so many Three-Link Gem Masters that could have been deployed to the Den of Corruption…but I guess I do understand the reasoning."

As he spoke, he turned around to glance at Claire.

He wasn't the only one as while they walked, many other eyes had come to lock onto their group- specifically on Claire.

The newly Awakened Five-Link Gem Master.

"Alright, it's settled."

The leaders came to their own conclusions as at this time, their group passed the opened metal doors of a reinforced wall that rose slightly above their heads- effectively leaving the Outer Barracks of the Tier 1 Breach in front of them and coming near the bounds of the tear in space!

At this time, Gem Master Todd turned around to stare at the less than 100 newly Awakened Gem Masters as he spoke out sharply.

"We have already discussed how to move within this Breach. Remain within your ranks and only move when you are called upon. You are not to veer off on your own. You are not to make a move on your own. If you violate any of these rules and those we mentioned before to put everyone in jeopardy, I will personally send you back to your families in a body bag."

…!