While her gaze was lost in the depths of the firmament as if she were seeing her brother from a distance, ten red ships emerged that halted in front of Zarok. Upon opening, the Astrylites that emerged bore imposing golden armors adorned with white, pink, and blue lines that gleamed intensely.
These soldiers held the highest ranks within this battalion, standing only a step below Major Zarok.
Among them were two captains, three including Eldran, all with white lines. Another three, with pink lines, held the rank of sergeants, while the remaining five, with blue lines, were commanders.
Each radiated a dangerous aura, as if they were about to unleash a massacre at any moment.
"Major! We await your orders!" resonated, all bowing with deference.
Unlike Eldran, who showed little respect for Zarok, the rest were extremely loyal. These soldiers, scorned and avoided by the rest of the army, found in him a home, being the original members who accompanied him for millennia.
On the other hand, Zarok smiled with an air of satisfaction, feeling treated as he deserved!
"Everyone, a small battle has been fought in this place, and there is suspicion that an enemy of our race is trying to cause trouble in our battalion. He may be seeking to provoke our superiors to punish us," he declared, crossing his hands behind his back and emphasizing his prominent stomach.
One of the five commanders stepped forward and commented, "Is it about the death of those nobles' pets, right? If we don't find the culprit, surely we will all suffer severe punishment."
"We might even end up in prison for centuries," added another commander, with a distinctive and feminine figure among the others.
In an instant, the discussion erupted about the possible consequences, from imprisonment to degrading jobs or even death. In summary, regardless of the punishment, they all anticipated a cruel and unjust fate, as none of them had committed any wrongdoing.
Zarok nodded determinedly. "So, to avoid it, I need you to be alert to any changes in this world, no matter how small."
"At your orders!" echoed a unanimous voice.
Rylokian, Zyrgon, Eldran, Morynthia, and the rest of the soldiers watched with perplexed expressions. They didn't understand why those Astrylites showed so much respect for Zarok. Without wishing to witness more of his boasting, they entered Eldran's main ship, allowing the act of respected leader and subordinates to continue alone.
Minutes later, a soldier approached Zarok stealthily and whispered something to him.
"What!? And why didn't you say it before!?" he exclaimed in fury, discovering that a few kilometers away, one of the mining towers had been attacked.
The soldier, under his helmet, frowned with disgust: "... We were ordered to always wait for him to finish speaking before informing him of anything, or he would punish us."
"..."
Zarok remained silent, an intimidating atmosphere enveloped him, although he actually regretted issuing such an absurd order.
"You shouldn't speak to the Major like that. Besides, even if he gave that order, you should understand priorities!" commented one of the sergeants, a man with an imposing body, not from fat, but from pure muscle.
With an annoyed tone, the woman in the group added, "Being punished for doing good is an honor. Too bad some don't know how to appreciate it."
The soldier had to endure incessant reprimands from all these high-ranking officers. Each one threw increasingly absurd comments at him, with the sole purpose of bootlicking Zarok. This led him to swear to himself that he would never report anything again while surrounded by this group of incompetent flatterers.
"Horium, take care of the mining tower issue. I have some important matters to attend to; inform me of anything you find," Zarok ordered.
The muscular Astrylite clenched his fists excitedly, "I'll do it right away!"
Zuummmm!
He boarded his ship with a group of soldiers from his base and moved away towards the mining tower. The rest of the Astrylites bowed with respect and withdrew, returning to their respective bases.
Zarok smiled and told a soldier beside him, "Tell the cooks to prepare a feast, especially pork chops."
This was the important matter he needed to attend to: filling his stomach!
…
Kraynnor did not expect to encounter something so extraordinary on Earth; the view was like contemplating an alien world.
The platform, at some point, had descended to a depth where it was no longer surrounded only by rock but by a vast, illuminated space of purple, also covered with boiling water.
It was as if the tower had teleported the android instantly to a boiling aquatic world!
The platform supporting the android descended at a dizzying speed, traversing tens of kilometers in the blink of an eye. Kraynnor understood that the human technology of half a millennium ago would not have achieved such a feat even in several centuries.
Mainly due to the overwhelming pressure and terrifyingly high temperatures. After all, for every kilometer the platform descended, the temperature increased by 30 degrees Celsius.
He even hesitated to create something so complex; he was not sure if his current knowledge, close to that of a Type One civilization, was enough...
In a short time, in this vast space, elements began to emerge that seemed to come from a completely different world.
The android turned its head 360 degrees, showing it everything.
A symphony of uncommon colors unfolded in the surrounding flora. Strange trees, with bioluminescent leaves, emerged from the rocky walls, casting soft glows and creating a unique visual spectacle. Completely new and unknown creatures roamed among the lush corners, with shapes and colors that defied known evolutionary logic.
"How is such a thing possible..." Kraynnor whispered, bewildered.
The extreme conditions of temperature and pressure should be incompatible with life, but he also understood life's ability to adapt and thrive in unusual environments.
He knew that the viability of life could manifest in surprising ways, even when a conventional approach suggested otherwise.
"What do you think of what you see?" he asked his friend.
[The discovery of such a complete underground world in the depths of the planet Earth is truly astonishing. I am investigating the reason for its existence in my database, and the most likely explanation dates back billions of years.]
Kraynnor frowned in confusion, "What do you mean?"
[When Earth was forming, it collided with a smaller forming planet called Theia, whose remnants formed what we now know as the Moon. There is a possibility that not only did the remnants end up on the satellite, but they also stayed in the depths of the Earth.]
Although Cognitron X-12's analysis took a peculiar turn, Kraynnor continued listening patiently.
[Several centuries ago, scientists of the time discovered two vast expanses of Theia material, one located under South Africa and another under the Pacific Ocean. Given the surrounding materials and crystals, it is plausible that all this belongs to Theia, and what we see here could represent only 0.01% of this ancient protoplanet.]
Kraynnor silently reflected on this information. Although he had read an ancient file about Theia in college, like most, he overlooked it, as it was a topic that no one really cared about.
After all, it was something that happened a long time ago.
Nevertheless, everything was mere theories; the reason behind this underground world could be different.
The duty of a thinker was not to commit to a single path!
He perceived that the environment seemed like a dome, with rocky walls and crystals emitting an enigmatic purple light on them. By inducing the android to look down, pressing itself to the maximum against the transparent material protecting the platforms, Kraynnor noticed that the intensity of the light increased.
Perhaps, as his AI suggested, as the platform descended, more Theia material would be revealed!
Zzzzzip!
He directed his gaze downward, focusing on a small compartment. Placing the palm of his hand on it, it opened from the center, with its metallic layer dividing into four sections.
Without hesitation, he took out small glasses. Putting them on, he gazed at a strange bioluminescent creature several meters long on the screen. Its body, a fusion of aquatic animals, marine plants, and purple crystals, was a shining amalgamation of red and purple hues. It moved its elongated limbs with ethereal grace, swiftly gliding through the water as if temperature and pressure were insignificant.
Its long double tail, a kaleidoscopic spiral, created a hypnotic display with each movement.
[Identified Creature Name: Unnamed (Two Stars.)
A marvel of perfected evolution, this creature has undergone countless positive mutations due to the presence of the exceptionally rare Verdantia crystal. Its origin is on the planet Earth, located in the solar system.
Observation: Although these creatures are exceptionally rare, you will always find them wherever the Verdantia crystal flourishes.
Advantages:
Embedded Crystals: The creature's structure intertwines with Verdantia crystals, providing additional resistance to both extreme pressures and high temperatures.
Energetic Regeneration: Its unique anatomy, powered by an internal energy source, allows it to recover quickly from wounds and damage effectively.
Luminous Infusion: Channeling the energy of the Verdantia crystal, the creature shoots luminous pulses that not only cause external damage but penetrate the bodies of its enemies, triggering deadly cellular effects. This luminous infusion not only stuns and weakens but also carries with it a lethality that affects the very core of its adversaries.
Dependence on Verdantia Energy: The crystals in the creature's body serve as an alternative energy source, allowing it to maintain its existence for centuries, almost as if it were eternal.
Disadvantages:
Temporal Degradation: Without energy from the Verdantia crystal, the creature undergoes genetic degradation that weakens its regeneration, structure, and biological functions. This decline makes it more vulnerable to diseases and environmental threats. Even a brief moment without energy can result in its death.
Susceptibility to Contaminants: It is very sensitive to pollution. Environmental toxins can interfere with its regeneration and weaken its defenses, exposing it to external dangers.
Recommendation: Although its purple glow is charming, unless you have Three Star equipment to protect yourself, its light will be the last thing you perceive.]