Broken Earth: Unveiling the Secrets of the Worlds

Heroes arrive late

A few week have passed and Xerxes finished their preparations for another trip back inside the portal. They have brought all the weapons that Ferdrick is able to craft in time.  “I poured everything in those things so you better take care of them well.” Ferdrick says weakly like he is about to fall unconscious. The huge bags under his eyes shows how many restless days he have dedicated himself in making all the things that he can for now.

“Don’t worry, we will test everything especially that thing that you made. Even if it is the first of its own kind, it is impressive nonetheless.” Xerxes says reassuring Ferdrick before they leave the shop. “You take care guys okay? A lot happened this week and I hope you all stay vigilant. Don’t let your guard down. That bastard hunter might sneak inside the shop so smack him good if he still insist on buying a weapon okay?”

Rupert reminds all of them sternly. It turns out that Benedict came to the shop by himself trying to insist and persuade Xerxes in to selling a single katana to him but the master of the shop is just a formidable wall that cannot easily be shaken by greed and money but the hunter is just as persistent and hopeful that one day Xerxes will change his mind to the point that everyone finds it troublesome hearing and seeing his face everyday.  Xerxes on the other hand finds his attempts funny and entertaining. “He won’t be visiting since we’ll be on mission.” Xerxes tells Rupert.

 But the furious Rupert insist. “It won’t hurt to be careful master. That man is just as troublesome as those punks that we have faced in the past and he’s just deliberately showing his interest in the katana unlike those guys.” Xerxes knows that Rupert has a lot to say in the matter but Rupert holds himself back from pouring everything that he had been suppressing in the past few weeks.

Ramirez felt that Rupert doesn’t act composed like he always does and covers his mouth before he prevents them from leaving the shop. “Lets leave it at that okay?” Rupert looks at Ramirez like he could have stopped talking without him even doing anything.

“That’s enough, we still have a mission to do. Just heed Rupert’s advice and be vigilant, that will keep us assured that you are all fine.” Willy then arrive to fetch them. “Our coachman is here so bye everyone. Also, don’t let Ferdrick overwork. He’ll kill himself if left alone.” Xerxes reminded as they board the carriage.

The rest says their goodbyes as they stare at the carriage disappear in the distance. “Let’s go back. The boss will be fine. He’s with the two so there is no need to make that face Samantha.” Britt says with a teasing tone but then Samantha slaps him hard enough to make him fall on his knees. “That’s why you need to take it easy on teasing her so much brother.” Britt felt so betrayed that even his sister sided with Samantha.

“Looks like you are planning to stay there for a long time with that much baggage.” Willy mentions after seeing them having more baggage than usual and more bulkier.  “We brought some other things that we deem needed inside that’s why it’s a lot more than usual.” Xerxes answers.

“You need help with those things? They look pretty heavy.” Xerxes thanks Willy for his concern but he declines his offer saying that they can manage on their own. “We can’t give you more problem than you already have now. Some people tipped me that a certain group is eying on you for a while. You need to be careful nowadays. Even with the marquis here, they will not hesitate to at against you.”

Xerxes is surprised that Willy did not get surprised about what he said at all and even smiled at his words. “Thanks for the tip Mr. Xerxes but I have already got a wind of it a few days ago.” Willy says with an unusually calm tone. “Did you have already dig into it?” he felt concerned about Willy’s safety and wants to suggest and stay in the shop for a while, at least there, he will be in a much safer place but the coachman seems to be sure of himself.

“Apparently, the people that we have caught in your shop wants to get back at me to make up for that person’s death. It seems to me that that man has a high standing in their group and after his death, their group or organization suffered such a heavy blow that affected their plans. Seeing that you are pretty much able to defend yourself, they turn to me who is not much influential.”

After hearing this, even Rupert and Ramirez express their worry for the man but he assured us that he is capable enough to defend himself. “You just need to focus on the mission Mr. Xerxes, and don’t even think of letting me stay in your shop. I will only invite destruction there. And I don’t want that.” The innocent smile on Willy’s face somehow made their heart ache.

“If you ever need help, please don’t hesitate to ask for help in the shop. I have already  left some instructions to one of them. All you need to do is go there and ask for help.” Xerxes says with a worried tone but the coachman seem to be sure that he will not need assistance for his safety. “Thanks for your concern Mr. Xerxes but I’m fine. There is no need to go such lengths.” Willy repeated.

Xerxes wants to argue but at that moment, they have already arrived in front of the portal where the marquis and the other authorities are already waiting for them. ‘These man, he is more persistent than he looks.’ Xerxes thinks while clicking his tongue. He then proceeds to greet the marquis and the other authorities as they step down from the carriage.

“I was surprised that you notified me that your group will be living for the portal today. That really caught me off guard.” The marquis said with a blissful smile. “I did not expect to have our supplies and weapons ready so we just want to start early as possible.” The marquis nodded as he understands what Xerxes plans to do. “Then I will not delay you any longer. Please take care and be careful in your mission. We will all pray for your success.”  

After a brief exchange from the two, Xerxes and his group entered the portal and are surprised to see that the portal somehow look the same as they day they last been there, an important information that might lead to some changes in the portal yet again and left the three with numerous questions.

“Didn’t those behemoths come here all the time? So how come the trees as well as the bushes are untouched?” Rupert points out the things that he observed the last time they saw the place. Xerxes agrees and also wonders what the new changes is but is cut short they felt the ground rumble.

RUMBLE! RUMBLE! RUMBLE! RUMBLE! RUMBLE!

“So they did not leave entirely, they must have been doing something those entire days.” Xerxes says with his eyes fixed on the direction where the rumbling is coming from. And a few moments later, a large behemoth appeared in the distance with the three hiding in the boulders near the portal.

Xerxes noticed when the behemoth become closer that it has a large bite marks on it’s legs and some puncture wounds. Most of the hunters would sees this as normal and ignore but Xerxes is different. He immediately felt that something is off with those wounds. “Those wound are fresh. That creature must have got them this morning. A very recent attack, no other creature would be crazy enough to attack a monster that huge, unless there are hundreds of them or even thousands.” Xerxes mutters to himself.

But the two are listening to every word he said and even wondered what kind of monster brave enough to attack a behemoth. “What in the world would attack that behemoth?” a question that they know that the two of them will not be able to answer. “A good question is that. I think those humanoid beetles would be a candidate but I think there are even more fierce monster that appeared. That doesn’t fear anything, now I wonder what kind of species they are. But I hope that we don’t encounter one of them on our mission.”

Now the three has more things to worry about after seeing the giant covered in small wounds that does not seem to affect it’s movement  at all. They move after the behemoth passed them by and head straight for the shelter where the elves must be waiting. But when they arrived there, the shelter is empty and it looks like it had not been used for the rest of the days when they departed.

“Looks like they have still not recovered from their injuries.” Rupert says when they unloaded their baggage. “Ysa suffered the worst injuries so they might still be recovering.” Xerxes pointed out and sat on the floor. [Isn’t this a perfect opportunity to visit that old man’s tribe while we still have a free time? That way, I can also observe and find a safe place to do commissions as well.] Xerxes says to himself and then packs his small bag.

“Where are you going master?” Ramirez asks after seeing Xerxes pack a few things inside his bag. “I want to visit that tribe and see if there is a safe place to do the commissions while Yusaf and his gang are still not here.” Xerxes can sees the worry in both of their faces but shakes their worry off. “I’m quite strong and I do have route to get there safely. So there is no need to worry about me, just wait here till Yusaf and the others arrive then wait for me. I will try to come back as fast as possible.” Xerxes said as he walk towards the door.

Xerxes then sprints to the same route that he used to get to that place and sees quite a few changes on the way. Some of the trees that he remembered are uprooted and cut down by something big. Xerxes can also sees numerous tracks and large footprints while on the road but then to his surprise, he hears a rustling sound near the bushes when he is almost near to the place where he saw Casim.

He turns to the bushes and sees a little  girl running away from something that flies, Xerxes can’t make up what kind of creature it was but he sees this as an opportunity to test out his new weapon. “Now, now. I did not expect to find an opportunity like this at all. So let’s see how  you made this Ferdrick.” Xerxes says as he takes out something from his waist.

“Elder sister! Run away!’ Casim screams when a horde of flying monsters are attacking their tribe. The very monsters of the same species that Xerxes and the elves have fought with during the mission, the humanoid beetles. The human tribe has some weapons that came from the past earth but due to their inability to use the weapons properly, the beetles overpower them easily.

A single sweep from a beetle immediately kills a human, the beetles decimates almost an 1/8 of the tribe’s population. Some of the men brought the children along with the elderly and the women to a safe place where the beetles will not be able to find them as the others hold them off. But not everyone is saved by their actions, there are also others that got separated and got lost due to panic.

‘So this is the end huh? I really should have been more vigilant than I ever was.’ Casim says to himself as he face off three beetles at the same time.      

Casim and his older sister are such examples, they decided to run towards the trees where they hope they can hide themselves but before they can even run towards the trees, some of the beetles have landed before them. Casim used himself to let his sister run away and fought the beetles off and suffered grievous wounds when they heard a loud bang near their place. The beetles also stopped attacking after hearing the shot.

As the one being with Xerxes a the time when he takes down the giant creature, Casim finds the shot familiar and from the corner of his eyes, he sees Xerxes standing in front of their entrance with a huge grin on his face. “Looks like I arrived just in time.  I missed your faces you freaking insects.” Xerxes said as he points his weapon directly at the beetles, a pistol.