Aletha was left to fall after the mysterious girl, Dina, abruptly and unexplainably disappeared.
The geyser's shock wave was still moving through her body, making Aletha feel like her insides were being rattled and rippling about inside her.
Her body felt as if it had lost substance in an instant, and the wind blew in her eyes as she glanced down to see her legs, and arms, tumbling through the air above her. She gasped as she saw a cyan ball of light shine over the horizon.
"Wait a minute, is that The Sun? Why is it... blue?" Before she could finish her explanation, she started to descend back into the atmosphere, seeing the trail of water behind her dissipate.
Aletha was at such a high elevation that she could see almost all of the continent that she had not yet explored.
Her pupils widened in surprise as she noticed a vast distant golden desert in the upper left-hand corner of her vision, a snowy mountain towering enough to pierce even the stars, and an... upside down volcano? There seemed to be another chunk of land far at the northern horizon, but being so far, Aletha could hardly make out what it was.
Yet, what really piqued Aletha's interest, was that massive inverted cone shape perched atop a gargantuan glowing crimson crater forming around its base. It almost looked like a volcano, but at the same time, doesn't.
The entire scene appeared to be glowing dazzling white, making it appear weird and even dreamy.
But before Aletha could see any more of the region she had yet to explore, her body pierced through the cover of white puffy clouds and began plummeting back into the nation of Linuxinia.
* * * * * * * *
As she started making her descent back to Linuxinia, Aletha's heart beat so fast she thought it would explode from her chest. She couldn't even breathe for fear of losing consciousness.
To remove her fear, Aletha closed her eyes and tried desperately to calm her breathing to keep herself alive, but her throat felt like it was closing up. Her entire body was shaking, as though it wanted to vomit, but she swallowed it down as best as she could.
When she finally landed on the surface of what could be presumed as liquid, Aletha looked up to find that she had not traveled far at all. To her surprise, she could see the bull just a couple meters away from her.
It was now apparent to Aletha that she had landed in the middle of a lake filled with geysers.
Aletha's heart froze, instantly swimming up to the surface to see if she was anywhere near the bull she needed to chase.
To her relief, the bull was not only nearby but directly below her.
She then climbed out of the lake and collapsed near the opening of another jungle-like area with a beautiful tall waterfall in front.
Steamy water droplets flew down her face as she took heavy deep breaths, trying to calm herself down. Yet, glowing deep inside her heart was a flame of determination, which then allowed her to get back on her feet and chase the bull down.
"Almost... there."
The geyser continued to erupt behind her as she approached the bull. The beast was so close that it seemed like she could reach out and touch it. Aletha kept running towards the bull, watching the geysers around it erupt violently in the background. It released thick plumes of smoke into the sky, filling Aletha's lungs with sulfur-laden air.
But then after finally approaching the waterfall forest, the bull finally stopped, allowing Aletha to finally catch it. She stood there for a moment, watching the beast run in circles around her.
After catching the bull, Aletha ran off into the forest, feeling exhilarated by the adrenaline rush coursing through her veins. She was excited to know that she had managed to capture the bull without getting hurt or killed, despite the danger it presented.
"Hey, Alai!" She said as she cradled both the deer-antlered bull and the box in her hand. "I finally caught it!"
Despite her loud shouts, no one answered her, leaving Aletha alone in the wilderness, near the waterfall.
Suddenly, Aletha heard a rustle coming from within the jungle ahead of her, causing her to stop dead in her tracks. She listened closely for the sound again, hearing nothing other than the roaring waterfalls behind her.
"Who is that?" She mumbled.
Then, after she stepped forward to a passageway of wood, Aletha noticed a group of people coming over to her from the direction of the lake.
One of the men was wearing rather strange armor, with luminescent purple crystals protruding over the chest plate. Another was wearing a distorted, almost monster-like helmet which almost looked shattered but yet stable at the same time. The appearance of these strangers looked far distinct from this world.
Without thought, Aletha raced to the bushes and hid from the two men, holding her breath.
A few minutes later, they eventually walked past her hiding spot, discussing to themselves in the long run.
"Have you heard about what they are going to do with The Twister and Alaunus?"
Although much couldn't be seen behind the bush, Aletha knew that the two men stopped right in front of her, continuing their discussion. The second man who wore a bottle-like purple helmet pulled out a book and skimmed through its contents, before finally replying to the other man with their extremely raucous voice.
"Alaunus? Don't you dare bring up that name of that impossible creature. Thousands of years ago, it killed billions of our people and creatures; both in this world and outside. Do you REALLY WANT to be the next one to be confined to its heaping shackles?"
The crystal-consumed man wearing heavy black metal armor, stepped away, and crossed his arms, replying with a nervous tone.
"No, not at all. I was just… mentioning it because, it was mentioned in the prophecies that if the geyser-field were to be active again, it could serve as an omen for the return."
The bottle-like helmet man, who looks like a rather advanced mage, chuckled with his croaky and robotic voice before sticking his blade in the ground and returning back to the crystal-consumed man.
"Soldier seventy-nine, I'm sure it's just another hoax that some idiot spread across the land to make him rich. The world has already proven that Alaunus does not exist. The twister on the other end, has wreaked absolute havoc upon this nation already, and it continues to wander it until nothing of this nation is left. Now, if you think those two can merge, you are absolutely wrong."
With that being said, the crystal-consumed soldier placed his sword back into its scabbard, looking over to Aletha's hiding place.
He then turned to the other man, saying:
"So, have you found anything useful here today, Soldier seventy-eight?"
"No sir." Replied what could be assumed as a fairly intelligent mechanism painted in the colors of black and magenta. "I do, however, suggest you listen to Soldier-Seventy-Nine's call."
"What is your business?"
"I think you're wrong about Alaunus ceasing to exist anymore. Look here at this prophecy written on this stone tablet I found after I heard a huge explosion inside that abandoned cavern near Clearstar…"
Aletha's eyes widened in shock. (Could they be talking about that thing I did with that strange weapon all the way over there?)
As Aletha remained hidden in the bushes, curious on what the mysterious group of metal soldiers had to say, she heard a loud, stentorian voice overlap their yells.
"Hmm, an explosion near Clearstar? I'm satisfied to say that the explosion served as one of the triggers that may have started the first phase of the awakening of Alaunus. As said with his prophecies."
The crystal-consumed man who wore metal armor, Soldier Seventy-Nine, hurriedly backed up in shock, while the mage shook his head and denied the approaching figure.
"General Strodhell, what are you doing here?"
Unlike the other soldiers who wore metal armor, General Strodhell wore but a dark cloak, with a purple visor attached to his head. His armor was bulky and solid, with several black jewels and spikes wedged in-between his chest plate.
Judging by the way he poses, and the way he speaks, his aura emitted some sort of sense of absolute power. Everyone in the group backed away from General Strodhell, while Aletha remained silent as a mouse. His echo resounded over the entirety of the forest.
"I have come here to witness the absolute failure one of my weakest servants has ever committed. Within that train, I now know that he must perish; for he isn't of any worth to our kingdom."
As he approached the dark mage, General Strodhell slapped his book down to the ground and clenched his neck, speaking.
"Some prophecies can't be trusted. But Alaunus', I figure, their prophecies have ALWAYS... been right. I highly advise that you two, Soldier Seventy-Nine and Soldier Seventy-Eight, will not fail anyone in this pursuit. The return..."
Aletha trembled in fear, feeling the overall power emanating from the third man's voice. Despite that, she remained silent, and continued to eavesdrop into their conversation behind the bush.
"The return of… what?" Said Soldier Seventy Nine as he tried his best to grab the book back.
General Strodhell hastily pushed him back and sighed, answering. "The return and merge of both the mighty creature Alaunus, and the Ever-Destructive Twister, Tornisin."
Despite the aura radiating within General Strodhell, Soldier Seventy-Eight had the audacity to object.
"Don't be foolish. We can't lend our trust in our people's goal to an untamable behemoth. Have you lost every fragment of sanity in you?"
The weaker soldier objected. "No, Generald Strodhell hadn't lost his sanity at all. Alaunus has always been right about its prophecies. You can even notice it in the world around you."
General Strodhell was just a centimeter away from shattering Soldier Seventy-Eight's Life, but thanks to Soldier Seventy-Nine's interference, he was spared.
Soldier Seventy Nine continued to add.
"True. Alaunus' prophecies have always been valid, like General Strodhell here proclaimed before. There hasn't been one mistake or discrepancy inscribed upon their mistakes. But don't you think our majesty's power can eclipse it?"
General Strodhell crossed his arms and nodded, adding onto the conversation with his deep, robotic voice.
"P… Perhaps. Although all have forgotten, I believe that The Healer, Alaunus, might be the most powerful creature in existence. It hasn't healed this world for several ages. This… may actually give us a chance, to bring forth Ending to all of this existence."
After retrieving his book, Soldier Seventy-Eight agreed and snapped his gloves.
"Hold on. You're correct. Now that I think of it… that seems fascinating . There is absolutely no way this could fail us. No God strong enough in this world exists now. This may be our only chance."
General Strodhell nodded his head and clutched the blade Soldier Seventy-Nine dropped, granting him a strange advanced weapon, before stepping back and responding.
"Indeed, Mr. Dhosno. The awakening of Alaunus may serve as an opportunity for our majesty to pursue her Promise. But until then, let us find other methods, and see if the Queen verifies and believes this event is worthy enough to use a fragment of her power. Farewell, and may good luck be upon you, servants."
With that, General Strodhell left with a purple glow, leaving Aletha, Soldier Seventy-Nine and Soldier Seventy-Eight alone with nothing but the sound of crickets chirping in the background.
Finally, after the discussion about some sort of dangerous creature named Alaunus, the men turned back to the lake, and proceeded through the path. As they were walking away from the bush, Soldier Seventy-Eight implied to them.
"Well then, if it is considered a possibility to achieve our goal, we must report back to The Queen of Wraileza and inform her of the new prophecies that have appeared in Clearstar's cavern."
The sound of a gear clicked followed by a loud distorted and robotic voice replied to the man.
"You first, I will follow behind you."
Suddenly, Aletha was too immersed into the situation to where she had accidentally trampled on something, making the bushes rustle. She stood there paralyzed, hoping for the men not to be alert.
But it was too late, the man with the purple crystal-covered helmet, Soldier Seventy-Nine, noticed the movement and stopped the two other armored men, whispering.
"Do you hear that? It sounds like the bushes are rustling."
The other man nodded to each other as they slowly took off their helmets, exposing their faces and revealing themselves to be completely covered with metallic purple skin. They also wore dark metal-looking helmets on top of their heads, giving off a similar aura of strength to the one of the purple helmeted man.
"It's probably nothing, but the wind. Let's go back to Wraileza, before anyone else...
The man was interrupted by yet another rustle in the bushes.
"There it is again. I think the noise is coming from this direction."
Aletha gulped, noticing how the bushes kept moving, causing the leaves to fall down. Then, out of nowhere, a small, furry animal jumped up from the bushes, startling the three soldiers.
"Eliminate it."
At that very moment, Aletha witnessed the animal get obliterated by a purple laser coming straight from the hands of one of the soldiers.
"What the hell?!"
She screamed loudly as the entire area went silent except for the crackling of the fire nearby. The smoke cleared, allowing her to witness the lifeless body of the little rabbit lying dead on the ground, next to a pile of charred grass and dirt.
Aletha felt herself shaking with fear. Her heart beat faster in anticipation of the inevitable. One of the soldiers yelled.
"Wait-- who goes there?! There's someone prying into our plans! I told you we should have never approached Gushy Geysers!"
The one who carried a book, Soldier Seventy-Eight, placed his armored helmet back on and clicked a button, transforming his entire body into a metal suit. He then pointed what looked like an advanced purple laser weapon and threatened Aletha behind the bush.
"Reveal yourself! Or else!"
"Not if I have a thing to say about that." Said a familiar feminine voice sounding off from the distance.
A large figure suddenly appeared from the forest, carrying a small black device in her hands. She was wearing a pink hood, which hid most of her face, though enough of it showed to know what she looked like. Glorious and long shiny ruby-hair, glistening eyes, and fair skin.
Aletha recognized the voice of the woman immediately, screaming with a smile.
"Alai!"
"I've been looking everywhere for you, Aletha! It had been so long since you were taken off track from the training ground, that even Ubel was worried for you. You shouldn't run around without telling me your movements..."
Soldier Seventy-Nine instantly stepped in front and grabbed the laser cannon, ready to fire.
"Stay away from her. That white-haired girl is who the Queen wants!"
The other armored men backed up in shock.
"Are you serious?"
"That's her!?"
The purple helmeted warrior quickly took out a knife and held it against Aletha's neck. He screamed at the golden-red-haired girl as the lights on his armor illuminated with a vivid purple.
"Leave at once or else."
Before he could speak another sentence out of his mouth, the man was surprised when Alai grabbed them by the neck without ease. Aletha quickly slipped out of his grip and scampered behind Alai, hiding behind her.
"What do those men want from me?!"
As Alai pierced the robotic-armored man with a crimson luminance burning on her gloves, she explained.
"Those men right there are one of the weakest soldiers of The Promise. They come from Wraileza, invading other nation's lands without reason. It appears for some reason, they want to capture you. Don't worry, I got this!"
Alai threw a punch toward one of the men's heads. The armored warrior was thrown back onto the ground, unconscious and breathing heavily.
"Whoa. I didn't know such a girl like you could be so fierce."
"This isn't about me, my friend. I'm here to find out why you're here!"
"Oh, I see now."
Aletha was still terrified about what might happen next, but she tried to make light of the situation as best as she could.
"You're here to help me?"
Alai smiled softly, putting down the fallen soldier and returning back to the original spot. She turned to Aletha and said in a gentle voice.
"Yes and no. I'm here because I have detected that you have gone outside of my training zone, and until you show me the box, this training is deemed invalid. Sigh, why can't you do anything right? I can't believe I have to use this forbidden magic from Obrus just for you. But alas, I have no choice."
The two girls hugged each other tight in relief. Just before they continued talking about what was happening at hand, one of the surviving soldiers of The Promise screamed.
"We can't let this information go to waste! Soldier Number Seventy-Nine, pull out your tablet immediately and send everything you have to the Wrailezan database before..."
A bright violet light enveloped the room, causing everything to go silent. The only sounds were those of the faint sound of the man coughing. His throat was damaged by the blast and unable to talk properly. The place filled with darkness as if night fell on their world.
"What happened?" asked one of the men.
He looked around him in search of an answer when he noticed Alai walking up to the group with her hands crossed.
"SEND THE DATA-- NO EVEN THE MESSAGE, NOW!" Screamed the injured soldier with all the voice he had left.
The weaker, less-injured soldier nodded his head, quickly pulled out a purple and black holographic piece of advanced equipment, skimmed across whatever he was searching for, and hovered his finger over it.
Before all of the group of Wrailezan soldiers had been slaughtered by Alai, as a tall silver-haired man approached him with transparent glowing gray wolves; the soldier's thumb pressed the button, and his entire body shriveled into nothing but specks of dust.
[Data sent]
. . .
[Message Sent]
(SHATTERED)
(To be continued)