"Originators of Shattered Realms... Excuse me, sir. Can you explain that to us?" Kai asked, curiosity etched on his face as the mysterious term lingered in the air.
The old man blinked a few times, his brow furrowing as if struggling to recall something. Then, with a soft chuckle, he realized his mistake. "Oh, forgive my forgetfulness. Getting old really messes with the mind. It slipped my mind that you youngsters must be new here, probably clueless about where you are."
Having just arrived here days ago and lost within the forest, they're eager to acquire knowledge of this place. Kai lost that opportunity back in the bandits lair, for everything was in chaos.
Kai gave a brief nod, his gaze never leaving him as the old man continued walking deeper into the tower, prompting them to follow.
"The name's Garba, by the way. Drop the 'sir' and all that nonsense. Just call me Garba. No need for honorifics, I don't care much for them."
He paused briefly, glancing back at the group. "And what about you lot? You brats got names, or what?"
Kai gave their names, sharing only the necessary details to consider, nothing more.
Cia remained composed, listening attentively, while Ariella had her deadpan expression again, tightening her grip on Kai.
Garba's shallow eyes lingered on Cia for a moment longer, his lips twitching into a small grin. "A blind and deaf girl, huh? Quite the pair you've got here, lad. Make sure you take good care of them." Garba winked at him.
'It's swear, it's not what you think it is.'
Kai responded with a polite smile, getting along with it. "I'll do grams... I'll surely do."
The old man laughed hoarsely.
As they climbed the winding stone stairs, Garba's mood shifted, his voice turning more serious. "In any case... I'll be upfront with you. Everything I know was passed down through generations. I can't say it's all gospel truth. So take my words with a grain of salt."
"Anything you can tell us will help." Kai assured him.
"Good," Garba nodded. "Then let's start with the land you're standing on. As you have seen, it's a vast stretch of forestry filled with all sorts of plants and animals that stretch as far as the eye could see. However, don't think it's big, because it's not! This place is far smaller than it appears."
Cia furrowed her brow. "What do you mean by that, Mr. Garba?"
The old man glanced at her, his expression a mix of sympathy and curiosity. "From what I've heard, you Players come from something called a 'world.' Is that right?"
Kai nodded in affirmation.
Garba sighed, his aged eyes staring out into the distance, as if trying to make sense of his own words. "Well, you're no longer in a world where everything is whole and connected. Here, only "Realms" exist... in what's known as the "Shattered Realms."
Kai and Cia frowned hearing that, finding it hard to comprehend or believe on what's being told. As humans from Earth, a rounded planet in the vast galaxy. Knowing they're not transported in a similar planet/world, but instead in a collective dimensions made it difficult to swallow.
"This place we're in now—this forest, this stretch of land—it's called Green Land. And there's countless out there, each having their own distinct skies and geography, varying landscapes where all kinds of lifes strive to survive on their own ecosystems. Scorching deserts, dark seas, snowy mountains and even a land of skulls and endless nights... There are many, many dimensions out there where treasures from ruins of unknown civilizations can be found and all kinds of horrors dwell. Of course, some are said to have no life at all... Or so, they say. I never left Green Land, only heard stories from my ancestors which are the Players like you."
"So, the Players... they're the originators of humanity in this Realm?" Cia asked, her voice soft but curious.
'No wonder they spoke the same language in Earth.'
Garba nodded. "That's right, at least that's what the ancient texts stated. I don't know much about them, except that they're humans from another world with varying powers that eventually adapted in the Shattered Realms and produce offspring. Population grew, although, only Players are blessed with abilities, their children received a part of their power. However, as time goes by, distant relatives lose their lineage, turning them no different into regular humans. Not like our pebble abilities can contend against the originators. The Players are powerful, that's for sure but not everyone is equal, ranking also exists in their ranks. If I remember correctly, some great ones are referred to with titles like Heroes, Legends and whatnot."
Kai's mind raced as Garba's words sunk in. "What do those titles represent?"
Garba scratched his head, his memory clearly hazy on the matter. "Who knows? Many knowledge has been lost in time, the majority is forgotten by old hags like me so don't expect detailed intels from this rusty mind of mine... However, one tale has never left my mind, it's the beginning of humanity in Green Land."
Garba's face turned somber as he recalled a tale. " Its a legend passed down from the first settlers here. They say Green Land was a wasteland long, long ago, nothing but barren earth and sky. But one day, the Players arrived on a magnificent, collosal ship, a vessels that sailed through Realms, moving from one to another as if crossing seas."
His eyes twinkled with wonder as he continued. "They came with their lesser kin—offspring who had already begun to lose their powers. And due to the inferiority complex of these lesser descendants, many chose to leave the grand ship and settle in this wasteland, hoping for a simpler, quieter life. A few of the Players stayed as well, and together they began building what we now call Green Land. That's how this place came to be."
Kai and Cia remained silent, letting the weight of the story sink in. The brief history of Players in Shattered Realms was too unbelievable, more than zombies and ghosts. Yet they had no choice but to accept their new reality forcefully, shifting their mind to believe in what was previously fantasy. It was easier for Kaiser considering he came back to life multiple times, but not for Cia.
He glanced at her, feeling bitter. As if this eerie forestry isn't enough, they found out the world they're in was much, much larger. So did its wildness and dangers, making it harder for someone like her to live. Not only that, their friends and relatives that been transported along, all of them are probably isn't summoned in the same Realm. Making their chances of reuniting slimmer. It downed his mood, the thought of not seeing his delinquent friends again.
Their steps echoed as they climbed higher, the old man's lantern light guiding their way up the stairs. Eventually, Kaiser questioned.
"The Players... Where are they now?"
Garba turned to them, looking over his shoulders with a smile that held both pride and sadness. "Here, right behind me." He laughed at his own joke before adding casually. "I had no idea either, after they left, the grand vessel never returned to Green Land. Those who stayed had long perished, of course. Leaving only the stories I told you... You know lads, in my younger days, I've dreamed of becoming an adventurer like those in the tales my parents told me. To cross Realms and sightsee in various dimensions, battle monstrosities outside this land and even meet the ancient and new Players out there. Ah, what an exciting life that must be. However, I'm obligated to take over the responsibility of my family. That's how I became a Warden of this tower. I'm growing old... Too old to even dream of becoming an adventurer so I lost hope long ago. But to my surprise! I meet real Players mentioned in those stories. Haha, I never thought this day would come. You can say the adventure came to me instead!"
Listening to the old lighthouse keeper blabbering, Kai can't help but smile lightly. Feeling uncomfortable and warm. Uncomfortable to be treated akin to a celebrity, but warming to know he made someone happy.
Cia chuckled all of a sudden then said in a bright tone. "Then why didn't you push your dream Mr. Garba, or do adventurers fear parents more than monsters?" She said jokingly. Making Ariella and Kai look her in surprise, because that's the first time she joked.
'Someones mood had improved.' Kaiser was glad Cia had chosen to become happier despite the challenges. Staying depressed forever won't do any good, after all.
"Oh, I'm neither afraid of monsters or my parents! Believe it or not, I'm quite a swordsman in my prime. It was my parents who's afraid of me!" Garba laughed out hoarsely, boosting with pride.
Before they knew it, they had ascended to a high floor and was nearing a balcony. The light stretch from its opened door, chasing the shadows away. The old man stopped and gazed outside, his eyes distant as he said in a somber tone.
"But there's something more dangerous than monsters... That, I can't brave... The Boundary."
Kai traced his gaze, and found himself looking straight at view he dreaded this recent days.