Hovictus: The Rise of the Archeans

Chapter 41 - Gaia

“Thank you for saying that. Anyway, I have to make this tour more enjoyable if I’m saying dramatic things like that,” Shin said.

The four laugh.

“What are the things we’re going to visit, Sir Shin?” Icerielle asked.

“Hmm, since you are students and you got this kind of project, the best places are the other research departments aside from us. However, from my car, they know that I’m from the Earth Domain Central Development and they might not let us in. And in addition to that, they might not let you visit even if I’m not around, if they see us around their place,” Shin said.

“Then please guide us to some interesting places here in the Earth Domain,” Krieldyr said.

“I thought you guys were nerds since I saw your grades. All of you have above the average of top students in every class. So you even got time for sightseeing, huh?” Shin said.

“Hmm, I don’t know about that. I’m not really fond of things that are not related to studies,” Megan said.

Krieldyr and Icerielle look at each other, remembering the game they agreed upon.

Megan doesn't really go outside that much, but I’m sure her reasoning is false. From what I observed, if she’s having fun, she somehow forgets her student life. I think the real reason is her being a vampire. Krieldyr thought to himself.

“So you’re the type that doesn't like anything like that, huh? You know what I regretted the most during my academy years?” Shin said.

“What is that?” Megan replied.

“It is that I didn’t let myself enjoy being a student that much. My work and my research are really interesting and fun. But I really don't have that much free time, unlike when I’m going to the academy. Even being a little bit of a jester, I was like you, being focused on studies and such. So with this much experience, I advise that you let yourself enjoy things,” Shin said.

“Okay, I will keep that in mind,” Megan replied.

From her tone, I know that she did not really take what Sir Shin had said. Krieldyr thought to himself.

“But are you okay if I’m going to tour you to some places anyway?” Shin asked.

“I’m fine with that, I’m not the person that would stop everyone just for selfish reasons,” Megan said.

“I understand. Then we will go first to the greatest attraction of the Earth Domain,” Shin said.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what this Domain has to offer,” Felxir said.

“With the speed of this car, I think we will be there in just a moment,” Krieldyr added.

Shin laughs. He said, “And here I thought that you didn’t think that this bad boy was this amazing.”

“There’s no way that this is not amazing. I can’t think of anything that would be cooler than this for our project,” Felxir said.

“And now you guys are just being too flattering,” Shin said.

Krieldyr, Felxir and Shin laugh at the same time.

“I don’t understand boys. What’s funny about that?” Megan said.

“You don’t need to figure that out, Megan,” Felxir said.

“I’m not figuring it out. I’m just, ugh, nevermind!” Megan said.

After a few minutes. They arrive at their destination.

“This is Gaia's Temple, it is where the largest temple in the Earth Domain is located. There are a lot of people going here just to enjoy themselves and there are also many people that come here to worship Goddess Gaia,” Shin explained.

“Goddess Gaia, the one that is believed, created all of the landforms in the Hovictus. The oldest Goddess among all of the Goddesses and Gods. She got the power to grow trees and build structures at the snap of her finger. It is also believed that she’s the first Goddess that was able to converse with humanity,” Felxir said.

“Woah, you really know your stuff, huh? Are you from the Earth Domain?” Shin asked.

“Ah, no. I’m from the Air Domain,” Felxir replied.

“Really? That’s surprising? People from other domains don't really know some parts of what you said.

“He’s a bookworm so I’m sure he read that in a certain book,” Icerielle said.

“Yeah, that’s right. I also took interest in all of the Goddesses from the four domains. I just never thought that there were still a lot of people worshiping them,” Felxir said.

“Those people just thank Goddess Gaia for being alive for the day and nothing more than that. I think that the last devotees of Goddess Gaia died during the disaster that swallowed a pyramid situated near this temple,” Shin added.

“So this thing is from way back, huh?” Krieldyr said.

“Yeah, it is believed that this was built even before the vampires and magic users. That’s an exaggeration though, since those beings are not real,” Shin said.

This is a perfect opportunity to see what Megan and Icerielle's reaction will be. Krieldyr thought to himself.

Felxir laughs. He said, “Of course, of course. If that’s true, that would mean that vampires are still roaming the Hovictus.”

Damn it. This guy. He thinks that it would help to say something that will throw them off. It will just make them be on guard. Well, whatever. There is still more time and there aren’t really many things to learn from this. Krieldyr thought to himself.

“Huh? But if it is from way back, I don’t think that they could live until now. Humans would surely be extinct if they were still here. We are very powerless if we are to be compared to them,” Shin replied.

“You got a point. But vampires could live for many years, so we aren’t really sure about that,” Felxir said.

“Hmm. I understand, but it’s really absurd to think that they even existed in the first place. Anyway, we will not really stay here for a long time. I want to tour you to other places aside from this. You could do your separate sightseeing without me, so you could enjoy it within yourselves,” Shin said.