COI C224
Beneath the city, the vessel begins to move on its own. The disturbance of the countermeasure of the goblins going after the vessel. Rivalry between spirits is strange of many across the Kinteinnous continent. Of all the secret machineries hiding from the east side of the coast to the northern region were occupied by their old enemies from Circoston continent. Today, the vessel goes a different direction. To the surface of the city now leads to the river as it sprung up close to the bridge. Once exposed to the light, the vessel starts regenerating as the broken parts soon fix and energized the robots within.
The residences in Fuku City first witness the rise of the vessel as flying machine coming up to the air bringing their machineries to be repaired somehow. The sparks come falling down as the people took pictures and videos for the rest of the city to see its eye-catching structures. The vessel is on the river filling its muddy crystal waters flowing through it as it wipes off the dirt. The spirits move to it as numbers of them hidden in the light blue fog where they sense more spirits rather themselves. Into the old sense of rivalry once more.
The Horde chief never would’ve met the representatives if it wasn’t for King’s city guild adventurers investigating his boyz activities. There he is, being disappointed as he expected much of the vessel to get here, but away from the city is a different behavior indeed. The spirits are speaking his ancestors’ enemies, they want him to cooperate with them. The emergency meeting starts as he must joined about this situation. He first has to make it clear, and better he can do is to call out his spirits to weave the memories of the dead. It failed obviously. The representatives are still waiting. Ogit listens to the snark laughter, chaotic nature of these spirits is remarkably insane.
“Well, I have talked a lot you people. I guess some of you know there are goblins venturing to the vessel, right?”
Only King knew at first. It was nothing important, until his adventurers went missing and now the Horde chief is confessing. This becomes important more than ever when the vessel moves into the surface.
Ogit continues
“Yeah well, it was kind of obvious for machineries to restore themselves in the Jigeram’s light. This is unlikely though. We have a live one inside the vessel. Though, it was supposed to beneath to the lower left of your city. I think you get yourself a dungeon by the river then”
The representatives didn’t say anything and waiting for the Horde chief to explain more. Ogit sees them staring right at him as if he is not telling him everything. He plays along with their silent game until the leaders from the Isle entered the room. The Enders guild masters joined as well, only two of them. The 1st one is the man who knows shamanism, the birds floating around as it behaves like a ritual with his banner carried by another bird. The new moon emblem gives a provoking sight to the Horde chief’s eyes. The 2nd is looks like a polar opposite to the other guild master. Runes as jewels, perfectly minted and engraved mixed with other gems.
Ogit couldn’t help but ask “Who is that Enders with runes as accessories?”
They turned around and see they are here. The advisor puts a sigh in a relief as they came.
“This is great, now we can cooperate once again with this new threat . . .”
“. . . No, no, I want to ask who is that Enders”
“Her, then how about you introduce us then, miss . . .?”
The Enders raised her hand to stop him from asking. Without saying a word, she flicks her hands with her gem that resembles the emerald color from the undergrown. The new moon guild master answers for her before she uses it
“She can’t speak. She has a sore throat”
“Oh, I apologized. What about our own devices would help her speak?”
He gives her a speaker attached with magic devices. As it places on her hand, her actual voice mimic to the speaker.
“What fine voice you people make, thank you. So, about your question. I’m sorry, I play around in your city, I won’t say my name. A demon might tempt me like your people”
She respectfully answered the goblin, but Ogit doesn’t buy the woman’s politeness. He recognized one of the rings, a sign of artifact trophies on her fingers, and one of them is the stone with multitude of gems becoming one.
King takes a look at her ring “That exotic stone on your ring. Wait! Are you willing to come with me later after this meeting?”
“An invitation? We are in the important discussion. It wasn’t easy for the rest of the five neither would be Lady of the Dexter Guild come here in such short notice”
“I know, but your ring has the same quality of the stone from one of my adventurers. It’s a size of a book”
“A stone on my ring? With that size?” She frowns, and said
“Sadly, I can’t coordinate with people who didn’t have connection to our Lord Lori’es”
King stood as his eyes are gleaming with chances “Then how about the recruits then? They can represent themselves for you to look at it”
That tone and the word of the explorer are showing signs of Enders way in negotiation. The guild mistress knows those are the permission from the card of society. She connects the dots from what sources she remembered who are working in this city. The first is the Raker Mawn, the free agents, the Dexter Guild, and finally the five Enders Guild. Almost the entire guilds themselves don’t have connection to the card of society. It was too obvious the free agents are hired people. The society are membership of free-thinking people discussing only their interest. Then those mix members of Raker Mawns, they spout the dealings she never thought heard from the otherworlders’ mouths.
“As you wish, but first bring this recruit to me. The responsibility of your words will share to that recruit’s guild”
“Thank you, you won’t regret . . .”
Ogit stops them “I’m glad she has someone behave to respond”
The guild mistress remains silent only given to the goblin an unsatisfied look. Their feud starts out of nowhere, the value of her rings is getting popular with the other representatives, while the rest of the leaders were amazed how they know nothing about the stone she is wearing. Except for Ogit and the other goblin leader, that stone has hidden powers that ignores the fabric of magic. It behaves from a different world.
From one of many spirits that will never interfere is sided with the living, unless the natural order is being destroyed by some supernatural powers. That would be magic. That stone will save them from the unforgiving powers of this world’s neutral and elven magic. Especially the archscience itself. The spirits around the goblins are secretly spreading the news what happened to the vessel. The words behind them are foreign but the same from different form of rituals.
“Metul!” The words of the lost spirits are calling out.
In Fuku City, the main servers are getting muddled with random power cuts and over surge. The internet’s secret servers where everyone get inside their favorite website were continuously getting kicked out to this world. The pixelated static starts a week ago or so, strange static occurs and almost let the users leave the servers outside at the protective city barrier. It is the main issue in their project. Chelly and It3ch are trying their best to use Wheatley to the best of its abilities. Wheatley have figured it out.
“Uh hah!”
Chelly feels anxious “Are you sure it was from that large structure outside?”
“I know, right? It was kind of obvious the crazy things that happened to the system. Everything gets worse when all those sparks coming after. It somehow made a ripped from a fabric of space entering the servers, but it wasn’t the case. Well, I thought it was real, heheh nervously laughing*. There must be a jammer or better yet, an old technology inside” Wheatley nods at itself.
It was all ramble in its head, but all the direction leads inside the vessel. It3ch can’t seem to find any source of the problem beside recently.
The jamming of the servers is unbreakable, and only the functional internet in their old version is still functional. The use of magic in the internet that specializes in runes are being jammed. This is the work of archscience. If this keeps going, the rest of the users will be forced out from the servers into the outside world. The exposure happened those beta testers, who are fighting, are just playing live action video game. The developers are reporting this as the consumers are found outside of Mihayara district. This is going to be hard to stabilize this situation.
In South Shore Bay, many adventurers cheer to the return of Silfa and the two missing adventurers, Heist and the Rogue. Many of the female adventurers were dazzled by the sight of Silfa’s new doll. Its size is really big as its happy expression is fooling around while its body shows a staggered of hesitation and shyness. The joy of their faces to see a huge cute cat doll trying to move around with that massive body. Silfa sighs of embarrassment to see how her pet doll thought growing in size to scare off the others. Truthfully, it’s cute.
Ruby and Gemina are at Silfa’s side. The other Saint Heroes adventurers collectively gathered around as they cheer.
“Silfa! Silfa! Silfa!”
Then one of them saw on Silfa’s arm, holding the precious doll without single movement since they enter the city guild headquarters. The people who knew her start to go quiet. The adventurers followed their gazes and see what happened. Almost none of them speak out what happened to her doll, and the others do did ask, but they are too far to see what’s going on.
The receptionist steps in and uses the speaker to call out the group. “Attention adventurers, please let your peers or colleagues have some room to rest. They are S ranks who goes through a difficult journey”
Everyone sees their statuses from in their public panel; their armors, their runes, and their likenesses are a mess. They feel a bit sympathetic. The awkward silent makes them uncomfortable. The cheery face went sad and the gloom appears because of one miserable sight.
A clap from the back, it was Illtended. Clapping as hard as he can, no magic required just a normal wild clap. Many adventurers followed his example, then soon everyone becomes lively again. The Rogue never feel so embarrassed in her life to see him clapping for them. She remembered the advice he gave to her. Heist claps too as he turns around to Silfa. Silfa felt a bit relief to hear the cheer again. A deep breath coming from her as she raises up her head. Her UI shows the description of Puma’s status. It’s alive, and it only needs to fix its ritual body again.
In their guild room, the S rank guild celebrates their triumphant due to single handedly join with the Enders and save the two from the far distant area from the east mountain. Many want to learn more about it, but soon stop as there is a knock from the door. It is one of the receptionists, calling out to them
“Excuse me, may I have a word with Silfa?”
“Ah, could you ask her another time? She finished her rescue mission. It’s been more than a week when she last saw her. Let her . . .”
“Sorry, but this a request is from the Enders”
Ruby dashes towards her “Enders? You mean Haw’s guild?”
“Perhaps, it’s very important. She is someone who is taken an interest of your involvement. Furthermore, your younger sister’s friend knows her”
Silfa hears her and blurted her name “Sanquin”
“Yeah, she is here”
Gemina and Ruby were stunned to hear her name. It’s been so long when they heard about her.
Ruby quickly responds “Why didn’t you tell her name first? Sure, get her over here”
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
“Well, she is not “here” here. She delivered this from the city sphere . . .”
Ruby hears her mouth trembling, curious, and she asked “What happened?”
The receptionist quickly answers “She starts overpowering the rest of the adventurers. Because of how balance they were inside the sphere. Sanquin and the other one are exempted from its rule”
The receptionist brings out a monitor. The screen shows a recorded video what happened inside the city sphere. There were small groups of adventurers who were minding their own business. Not a single one having to face an Enders at their territory. The battlefield was numerous people have fought there, improvements were made for both sides and no one is a wiser to fight because of the situation happened here. The balance of powers is sincere and at the same time treacherous. They did something some time ago, and weren’t realistic as they thought it would.
Until a few people come in there way, the adventurers were not ready to fight them as they retreat as they see them. Those Enders didn’t go what they thought, but to follow them. One of them starts to chase them down. The hunt was on, and the adventurers did their best to flee from their advance.
“Another ambush patrol, but they are fewer than normal”
“It’s still the same from the last one. They keep using their tricks no matter how long we fight”
“We are just here to take break after what happened to our city”
“Why not trying to talk with them?”
The floor starts shifting as the floor itself raises up becoming walls and platforms. It continues to move as the others were pulled into it then dragged back to the enemies.
“No way, this is too strong for a magic caster above the light blue moon light”
“It must be another of those machines”
The walls and platforms shifted, molds are forms, and runes are emerging. The adventurers know this is their end and quickly gives up. The molds turned into statues made from the materials of this sphere. As it is about to reveal the strength of magic to come forth, they vanished before their weapons are made.
The city adventurers are losing their will to fight. They seem to lose their interest in fighting after their time battling the Jigeram’s light and the other threats have to offer during the siege. Sanquin appeared seeing them downing themselves. The other two comes out as their faces are familiar by Silfa and her friends.
“That’s Spokesman and . . .”
Ruby scoffs at the man with a smile “Myrrkei, that son of a gun is with her. I’m surprised he is going to take the short cut go there”
Silfa continues “. . . it’s really is Sanquin. But why she is doing like that?”
The receptionist answers her “Wait . . .”
Spokesman waves his fingers showing the hieroglyphics and the calligraphies in magic images. Destroying the overwhelming resistance in this sphere’s rules, he took the time to greet them.
“Pardon our manners, we thought we almost ruined your battle hungry moods”
He looks at them smiling to see their tired faces. Their misery returned without them knowing. Myrrkei honestly said to Spokesman
“For a man who keeps hiding in the train station, you never understand how they feel under such a harsh environment”
“Or maybe I was telling a joke, they will be kicked out from this sphere anyway”
He leans his head away from Myrrkei’s view, and look at the adventurers.
One of the adventurers who is holding her device is recording the moment. Spokesman slaps Sanquin’s hand then the video skipped. It comes back when the Spokesman says to her
“. . . I guess you’re right, too bad I waste me and Myrrkei’s moment of our time with you guys”
Myrrkei nods “Surprisingly we took their few hours”
The adventurers respond “Not at all”
“But thanks for enlighten us for the next moon cycle”
“Will it be that dangerous though? They said it will become like horde of monsters coming from . . .”
Sanquin stops them “We’re wasting time here, and I have a meeting coming up”
They look at the receptionist with their curious ears. The receptionist is looking at them knowing about what conversation they said to the other adventurers from Spokesman and Myrrkei. She shakes her head in a disagreement given a mean look
“Then go find them who record the video. I’m not getting paid here because they were attacked and do such a thing”
For a receptionist who go against the S ranks, she won’t be boss around like this. Ruby likes how she is not going to be a part in this.
Either way, being involved with those two, Spokesman and Sanquin are really dangerous and shouldn’t be messed with. They go back to the video hear what Sanquin has to say.
“Ahem* Keep that recording up”
“Yes, ma’am!”
“I know your guild knows me, and this is not your usual friendly message from what I heard from you . . . Heist”
Heist blushed as she remembers the silly conversations they have together when he lies down his bed after the duel’s event with her at his side. The Rogue smacked him out from his happy face.
“This is a message you need to keep on eye on. There will be conflict. Back then I thought that we discover down below was those sea creatures. I forgot about the machine that rose to the surface, including the what you call it, ah yes, serpent. Now I heard many other Enders spoken about it starting to move. Also, those goblins are acting up. If none of you understand why they behave like that. This is an opportunity to discover their past”
Spokesman adds some details “It’s like you Sanquin, you never going to mention what lies inside”
The adventurers move closer to the screen as the hieroglyphics change behind them. Ritual writings, actual words that cannot be read in their own eyes. This is the first time they see writings that is not a drawing or just hand prints. They use their UIs and tried to translate it. The writings are all nothing but songs and chanting
“The teeth, the teeth, where are the teeth?”
“Big boom is better”
“Raise the fang, where they roared and sang. Tremble in knees there they see. The great Pu’ma rode the land and still free”
They ignored the rest as Spokesman continues “There is something inside that the goblins want it. For shamanism, the spirits are craving to enter it. It’s a sign that there is a relationship between the two. The dangers lie inside will truly the challenge that any living race dared to get in. Fully constructed with archscience, and nothing less to remember of its years of docile presence. Beware of the machines you can make example of in there. The lives will be taken away, the preservation they want to protect, and one powerful tool hid inside. A re-designable vessel, the keeper of many specimens, and all other else brought other race and your people to get it”
Then it is Myrrkei’s turn, but Sanquin stops him “I let Spokesman speak, since I don’t know anything about the goblins wanting inside. Furthermore, there is no denying when your people going to venture it as well. Ready yourselves, the chance to see it at the surface is priceless for what you can find inside. Especially, this is the highest advancement of technology you will ever see before the apocalypse. You will enter it, and may your chances to be fruitful from your city’s greatest. I know they will”
The video ends. They continue to head on to find the woman who recorded it. The female adventurer is fine as she is resting at the waiting area. They confronted her and asked what the video is all about. She sincerely apologizes.
“Sorry, I think I didn’t record the important parts what those three are saying. The other recordings turned bad for some reason as it only plays only a fraction of it”
Gemina takes her device and sees what’s the condition on her phone. It is in good condition, until she sees color marks hit by Spokesman’s magic.
“Did you uhm, touch those floating spell insignias?”
“I didn’t, but the others did and they fell ill from it. Though, they look more like floating clouds than any magic circles we saw”
“How about you read some of it?”
“Yeah, but I think it was meant for people who had shamanism. None of us didn’t have rituals, since we are busy leveling up our neutral mana skills”
“The recordings though, how much do you remember what Sanquin told you about?”
“A lot exactly, more like there is something important is going on with that vessel she said. The better way to get into it is let the others get in first”
Gemina thought so, the video didn’t explain clearly and gives away too little information. She thought the sequence was good at the start, but Sanquin didn’t explain correctly and Spokesman is the only one got a good impression to talk correctly. The last scene of the video was a little off. It’s more like that is not her character at all. Sanquin has that charming persona and shares her enthusiasm of herself around her. The video though, Myrrkei was standing around like a background character. This is not the same Myrrkei who is a curious explorer, then suddenly didn’t ask anything about it. This is really out place video.
“Is this really going to work, Myrrkei? I know I can immune myself with the doohickies to send the correct message”
“It’s a video, Spokesman. There such amazing discussion to tell when they edit the scenes”
“How true of your words?”
“I have a copy. We need Tabitha to play it for us”
Sanquin watches them talk from the back as they get back to the guild tower. Going through a secret quest for the city guild when they get inside the vessel. It is absurd to hear that it moves up to the surface. From all those years as it must hid below, it forever protects what lives needed for nature to return.
Spokesman knew about it. As demons, dwarves, or elves have remembered the Heroes’ faction’s counter raid from the captured species beneath east mountain. She almost forgot what side she is in after all those years of betrayals. It is more so about the goblins. As they moved up from the stairs, somebody is coming down is greeting them. The elder lady walks slowly with her great grandchildren. They all stop as they see them
“You three seems to have a predicament of sending your message to them”
Myrrkei answers her “We went the hard way. We tried to use the Koi . . .”
“Oh that! where the sphere connected to Isekai City, why are you go that way where someone is monitored your every move?”
“Isekai City has many people whom I’d talk to. They will figure out something is wrong”
Soon rather than later, they meet Tabitha preparing for the future. With supplies and equipment ready, including the clothes will be consumables. Notes indirectly made from Raker Mawn guildmembers, and there is a special bookmark made by Juela.
Tabitha notices them “Would you mind knocking before you enter?”
Spokesman apologizes.
“Not you! Sanquin, you’re the one should apologize”
Sanquin smirks with her eyes raised in charming way. There is no doubt that Tabitha is getting serious to prepare her own adventure in the future.
She says to Tabitha “If only you knew the full detail, this arrangement . . .”
Tabitha stops her “I heard the details from Lady Coheld. You really want to lose all the lives that once live this world”
A daring girl, she has her own reason why she is getting bold. The two women are trying to stop what is coming for them. Sanquin has her mind inside the vessel, while Tabitha has hers with the use of the information, she received from the Archscientist. Yet, both decisions have a common goal. Myrrkei excuses himself and gives her a memory chip.
“I say, Sanquin will leave you if you get this video to play for us”
“Here! I need to prepare till the last moon cycle starts. I need to form a group and . . . Oh yeah! I need really strong guild members”
She left and goes to her couch where piles of materials ready to made into magic scrolls.
The video has played, and the three were not pleased of the half-baked video. Myrrkei is in full complete silent, his special way of communicating was not included in the video. Sanquin says nothing of her important message. Her eyes glow rubylike and with a little reflection in white. Her hands clenched then soon let go with vapor. They returned Tabitha’s device and proceed to go out from her room.
Tabitha comes back “Wait a second, what video? Hey, guys?”
Tabitha sees them closed the door, she goes to her device and sees the video got deleted.
They sit down at the inside balcony, where the other guild members notice at their disappointed faces. Spokesman is the only one has taken it personally, while the two expected much of the sphere’s tricks. Myrrkei speaks off topic
“Strange video, no wonder the citizens were out of touch when fighting the Enders. Did I made a mistake to put their trust on them when they fight those brigands?”
Sanquin lays back on her chair and leans her head further back “They have stay this long, they are bound to see them eventually. Death will be their next challenge yet”
“I’m not talking about that, I heard reports from other guilds where Ka’zei and Hulyir venture into the city”
“Into the city? Ah yes, I learn about the fall of the city barrier”
“Then they have found some tracks about the rumored demons”
Sanquin and Spokesman countered him “Daemos!”
Their voices shift so suddenly as their pride being ridiculed from the Enders who should’ve said properly.
Spokesman turns to Sanquin “What is, I mean what are you trying to say to them exactly?”
Sanquin leans forward with her hair intentionally being messed up. She says the actual message to him “The vessel is the alternate facility to the undergrown. Not only it possessed the same kind of creatures and natural resources, but it did steal most of the Heroes Faction rare race’s iconic creatures. The Chang she is the obvious one. My world’s iconic water bending sea serpent. Besides that, you want to get something inside of the vessel before it sinks again”
Sanquin stops herself, her curious and serious face eyeing on Spokesman has his to say.
“Listen to the video, I think they didn’t edit much except for my proper vocabulary of heavily translated dialogues”
Myrrkei agrees “As long as they properly encode the language right”
They both gaze on Myrrkei, remained hostile. Myrrkei didn’t apologized to calling them in the citizens’ tongue. Why would he? Two demons are not going to hurt their fellow guild members. Or so they would remain Raker Mawn that is. Though, it is difficult to pass the message at this cycle.
Dexter Guild member, the old man who administered the sphere. The eternally slowed computer still able to function and managed the sphere without problem. There he keeps a file that is already been sent for hours as well. It was impossible to give an edited video into the citizens’ devices. Time has passed as they grow their great advantages. Many Enders are cooperating to do this kind of project. Preparing when the Isekai City decides or preparing themselves to use their technology to continue further through the many isles.
Others think that this is unforgivable action to give false information, but in reality, it balanced the misinformation forcing other hostile Enders like the brigands to go there instead. With his tireless breath, the old man speaks their names
“Hulyir, the descendant of the rising sun. Ka’zei, the Enders deserter. The one who found Hulyir in Rune Isles, they put in great lengths to come to Isekai City. I am intrigued how those two be able to get into the sphere without anybody noticing. Archscientist Coheld expected so much of the predecessors’ mistakes”
Hulyir and Ka’zei found themselves back out from the city. Sacrificing Hulyir’s special sword, where he looks down at the vessel already open and fixing itself under the moon light. Ka’zei has nothing left on his bag of any magic materials or tools to get into the vessel. They turned around and ready to leave with so much of their resources gone during this visit.
Hulyir says to Ka’zei “We have done enough, the information we gathered is truly hard to believe”
Ka’zei doubts it “It’s not that hard to believe. Throw away your sword is what amazes me to wonder your carelessness”
“I need to give it away. It is convincing enough and that sword has a soul of its own”
They left, restocking their resources once more for another time. They touch the crystallized shard as it traces under beneath the tree’s roots. An object glows within barely to see its glow. The rune magic phases through and teleported them away. Leaving their mysteries and marks to the people who faced them. Meanwhile in the city guild, they place Hulyir’s sword into a vault for safe keeping. The adventurers found traces of his magic that will return to its owner or he will return to get it. This is not the time to face a powerful enemy, instead a new dungeon by the river.
Puma’s spirit still out from the doll, continuing to be repaired. Idle as it remembers from the video. The message of the shamanistic language reaches its eyes. It feels the voice of living speaks to it. The demon is sending a message to the goblin spirit. Puma is speaking to itself, a memory that chant
“Raise the fang!”
That chant is mocking Puma. Where its lifetime reaches to a specific kind of spirits that fought this spirit before. The teeth, the bomb, and the fang. It echoes and somewhere inside the vessel awakens them.
“METUL!”