The following day, Jonathan awoke and began to stretch, glancing out the window as he sat up. After a moment, he stood and exited his room, making his way toward the dining area. He settled into a corner table and ordered the same breakfast he had enjoyed the previous day. As he waited for his meal, Mary Carter approached and took a seat beside him, choosing a different breakfast item from the menu. Jonathan turned to her and initiated a conversation about their journey and future plans.
Just as the waiter arrived with their meals, carefully placing the dishes before them while bowing slightly in courtesy, an unexpected earthquake struck the kingdom. The ground trembled violently, causing widespread panic as people scrambled to find safety. Buildings began to crumble, and the devastation led to the tragic loss of over a thousand lives. Jonathan and Mary were taken aback by the intensity of the quake, abruptly halting both their meal and their discussion.
"What in the world is happening? An earthquake?" Jonathan exclaimed, his expression a mix of concern and fear. Mary, sensing something ominous, replied, "Yes! It feels... different somehow, but I can't quite identify why." As the trembling intensified, she instinctively covered her head to shield herself from falling debris. Jonathan, striving to reassure her, placed his hands on her shoulders and urged, "We need to remain calm, Mary. We have to gather our belongings and get out of here!" Although still panicked, Mary nodded, a bit more composed.
In a frantic rush, Jonathan and Mary hurried to their room to gather their belongings, preparing to leave the kingdom without delay. As they stepped outside the inn, they were met with a shocking sight: nearly every building lay in ruins, decimated by a catastrophic earthquake estimated at a staggering magnitude of 10 to 11. Grabbing Mary's hand, Jonathan urged her to run, their hearts racing with fear.
As they raced through the chaotic streets, Mary sensed an eerie quality to the earthquake, one that felt unnatural—as if a malevolent force were instigating this devastation. Her instincts compelled her to consider the possibility that something far worse might be looming in the shadows. Beneath the kingdom's surface, a violent force was at work, triggering the relentless earthquakes that continued to escalate. The intensity surged, the magnitude ascending alarmingly to a level between 12 and 26.
The repercussions of these magnitudes were catastrophic; fissures split through the kingdom, swallowing homes and structures into yawning chasms. On the northern side, the devastation intensified, as the magnitude soared to terrifying levels between 40 and 79. Suddenly, a supermassive spatial distortion emerged, leading to a cataclysmic explosion that obliterated the northern region, extinguishing entire communities and lives within moments. Jonathan and Mary, witnessing the explosion, felt the overwhelming tide of fear wash over them as they grappled with the realization that a greater catastrophe was unfolding—one that threatened to erase the kingdom from existence.
Desperation lent Jonathan renewed strength, and they quickened their pace, finally breaking free from the kingdom's grasp. Exhausted, they collapsed against a tree, their bodies aching from the effort. They watched in horror as the once-vibrant Astrealist Kingdom crumbled under the assault of multiple spatial distortions, the likes of which heralded unparalleled destruction in history. Approximately one million lives were lost, while two million remained unaccounted for, leaving only around a thousand survivors scrambling for safety in neighboring kingdoms or villages.
Amidst the devastation, a colossal spatial distortion erupted in the heart of the kingdom, resulting in an explosion that annihilated everything in its wake. The Astrealist Kingdom, once a beacon of life, now lay in ruin—a vast, gaping void in place of what had been. Jonathan and Mary were left in a state of disbelief, grappling with the sheer magnitude of the destruction wrought by these distortions.
As they surveyed the desolation, a mysterious blue orb emerged from the depths of the chasm, ascending rapidly into the sky at an astonishing velocity, likely the speed of light. Its sudden appearance left those who witnessed it speechless, filled with dread and uncertainty about its origins and implications. Was this orb the source of the chaos that had befallen their land? The questions lingered in the air, heavy with the weight of lost lives and shattered dreams.
After an hour had passed, Jonathan stood up and extended his hand to assist her. Mary accepted his offer and gradually rose to her feet. Once upright, she scanned the surrounding area, ensuring there were no threats from wild animals or other humans. "Should we continue our journey?" Mary inquired, to which Jonathan responded with a smile, placing his hand on his waist. "Yes, we should. I've already procured some food for our journey."
Mary chuckled softly. "That's great to hear! By the way, I brought a map from a dealer. It should guide us along a shorter path." She grinned at him. "Oh, really? That could be quite useful. However, is it safe? I want to ensure that we're venturing along a secure route." Jonathan hoped the path would be completely safe.
"Absolutely, it's safe. I've heard many adventurers use this route, and no one has reported any incidents with bandits or monsters," Mary reassured him, pointing to the path on her map and looking at him earnestly. Jonathan sighed. "Well, if you say so, but if we do encounter actual bandits or monsters, you owe me ten silver coins." He said jokingly.
"Alright, it's a bet. And if it turns out to be safe, you owe me twenty silver coins," she replied, giggling.
"Then shall we proceed along that path?" he suggested.
"Okay, let's go," she responded, her face radiating happiness and positivity.
Their journey continued as they took the shorter route. As they walked, the surroundings were tranquil, accompanied by the melodic chirping of birds and the gentle rustling of grass. It was an idyllic setting for anyone seeking peace. Although well-trodden by adventurers and merchants, the path felt serene. As they progressed, they passed several adventurers and merchants and soon came across a small store selling food, drinks, simple leather armor, knives, and other items. Jonathan suggested they visit the store first since they lacked proper weaponry for protection. Mary agreed, and they entered the store, where the employee greeted them warmly and presented the available items. Suddenly, Jonathan felt an immense aura emanating from a sword displayed on a stand. Startled, he turned toward the source and beheld a dusty holy sword that appeared to have belonged to a king. The sword was impeccably well-preserved. Intrigued, Jonathan activated one of his magic abilities called 'analyze' to gather information about the sword.
The analysis revealed that the sword was composed of an unknown material and was remarkably lightweight. Its durability remained unspecified, but its sharpness was described as unbelievable. According to the description, "This sword can effortlessly slash through the entire The Universe and obliterate concepts within it." Curiosity piqued, Jonathan slowly approached the sword as the aura surrounding it intensified, filling him with a sense of pressure. However, he resolutely reached out for the sword, undeterred by the sensation enveloping him, while Mary continued to inquire about the store's offerings.
When Jonathan gripped the handle of the sword, everything around him dissolved into pitch blackness. He soon realized he had been teleported back into the same void he had encountered before. As he stood there, his expression filled with shock and disbelief, a mysterious figure appeared before him, embodying a fascinating blend of cosmic and abstract elements.
"Hello, Jonathan. We meet again," the figure spoke, its voice strikingly similar to a presence Jonathan had felt before. "You may wonder why you are here again. Do you see that sword in front of you?" Jonathan nodded, noting the strange aura surrounding the sword, distinct from any ordinary blade. "Even the Divine or Holy Swords lack such a powerful essence," he remarked.
The figure responded, "That sword is one of my finest creations, known as the 'Constant Sword.' It grants the user limitless power and desire. However, it only accepts one person, and that person is you. You are the chosen one. The sword has recognized your presence and welcomed your soul." Jonathan was taken aback by this revelation. The idea that the sword would accept him was unexpected. The figure let out a hearty laugh.
"Hahaha, you didn't see this coming, did you? Let me share something important with you. That sword is a key to unlocking profound truths about The True Unity of Creation. Your questions will find answers through it. Moreover, this sword is forged from the strongest materials in the entire universe, rendering it unbreakable."
Jonathan's eyes widened. "A key to understanding the Unity of Creation? How does this relate to my questions?" The figure chuckled before responding, "If your curiosity about Creation is genuine, you must first grasp the concept of The Unity of Creation. It is the foundational principle that sustains all existence; without Unity, Creation would collapse."
The figure's words resonated with Jonathan. Unity indeed serves as the cornerstone of Creation, holding everything together. "That makes sense," he acknowledged. "But how can I be worthy of such a sword? I'm merely a curious adventurer seeking knowledge."
The figure crossed its arms over its chest and nodded. "You are far more worthy than you realize. You are unique compared to anyone else in The Universe. Take pride in that." With a sigh, Jonathan returned his gaze to the sword. "If you're right, what should I do with this sword now?" He turned his attention back to the figure, receiving a nonchalant response: "That's for you to discover. I'm here merely to provide a hint, guiding you toward a deeper understanding of Creation."
Feeling slightly annoyed at the figure's vague reply, Jonathan remarked, "Fine, I'll figure it out. Are we finished here?" The figure nodded in agreement and snapped its fingers, causing Jonathan to be teleported back to his reality.
As he looked around, he found himself in the same place and position as before. Mary was engaged in negotiations with a seller nearby. Jonathan focused on the sword again, approached the seller, and inquired about its price. The seller replied that it cost around 2-4 silver coins, an incredibly low price for what was, unbeknownst to him, the strongest sword in the Universe. After Jonathan made the purchase, he noticed Mary had completed her negotiations and was standing by the shop's door with her own items.
Jonathan grasped his new sword as he exited the store, a smile illuminating his face, though his mind remained preoccupied with recent events. "Let's go, Mary. I've got the sword, so we should be safe for now." Mary Carter giggled in response and nodded. "Alright, Jonathan, let's continue our journey."
The two companions began walking along a shorter path toward the next kingdom. As they traversed the route, they passed several knights patrolling, a reassuring sign that they were nearing their destination.
Upon reaching the end of the path, they arrived at the Terienst Kingdom. This kingdom, though smaller than the Astrealist Kingdom, was renowned for having some of the strongest knights on the continent. As they approached the kingdom's entrance, the knights stationed there halted them, politely requesting to inspect their backpacks. Their demeanor was courteous and kind, qualities that inspired many within the kingdom to aspire to become knights dedicated to protecting the innocent. Jonathan and Mary complied without hesitation, and the knights conducted their inspection thoroughly and efficiently. Satisfied, the knights stepped aside, granting them passage into the kingdom.
Once inside, Jonathan and Mary set out to find an inn, as any seasoned adventurers would. They soon discovered an establishment offering lodging at a more affordable rate than the previous inn, charging only 5 to 10 bronze coins per night. They decided to rent two rooms for four days and four nights, weary from their long journey and still recovering from the turmoil they had faced in the Astrealist Kingdom.
Quickly retreating to their separate rooms, they both jumped onto their beds, sighing with relief. Exhaustion overtook them, and they fell asleep almost instantaneously, realizing the importance of recuperating after the recent upheavals in their previous kingdom.
-To be Continue