Gaea Awakening - Act 3

The Quest Begins

Nighttime in Asakan. Oma had since heard about the status of her students, or at least, the five teams that passed. Though she had some information about those of the other instructors, from the brief conversations she had with them. Some classes did not do nearly as well as hers. She still had to admit that they did well, but aside from their victory there was something else on her mind. Oma sat in her study. A modest room, consisting of a few books on a shelf, screwed into the wall, with a wooden desk near the window, that allowed the moonlight to enter into the darkened room. Her hand drifted to a metal on the desk, as she took a swig of the whiskey that lay within. Before, placing it back onto the desk. For some time, it was silent, until she heard the clamor of footsteps behind her... Soon enough, slipping out of the shadows of the room was a certain man.

"Oma Chibhakera the Iron Maiden... We need to talk."

The deep voice was one she recognized. As such, she didn't turn around, instead, putting her gaze on the moon outside. For some time, silence remained between them, until she decided to break it.

"I'm well aware, Simbi. It's about the mechanical monster, correct?"

"The very same." He responded. Oma went silent as she heard this.

"You government guys sure move fast… I have to say though, there's something about this that I find strange…" She began, trailing off, before she rotated her chair to face him.

"The Last time I checked, Plasadene is the only nation with the ability to produce bio-weapons like that, and that oversized Muragga."

"But they'd have no reason to send it to our kingdom... And that raises two questions. How did it get here and, who was responsible?"

"It's possible that it's just a random escape from one of their testing sites. But I'd think it'd have been destroyed long before now. Anyone could tell that would be an international incident in the making." Oma responded.

Simbi nodded at this, it wasn't exactly something he disagreed with.

"But I'll note that I didn't see anyone other than the students within, even after looking through the footage from all the drones." She continued

"Hm... Something we'll have to look into indeed. Thank you for your cooperation." and just like that, he disappeared back into the shadows. Leaving the woman alone. Her gaze went back to the window. And, after all this, she had but one thing to ask herself.

"What does this all mean?"

Unaware of this conversation, one of the student's who took down the subject of the conversation, began to make their way through the Savannah typical of the region. His feet crunching onto the tall grass.

"Alright... I know where I'll go first, Kobinata... But how do I get there?" Inorema questioned

.

Kobinata was a nation south of Dwuaso, with a well-known culture of warriors, much like that of his own homeland. It was somewhere he'd undoubtedly find the challenges he searched for. He would have gone to Toutenga, but, even he, one whose knowledge was mostly contained to his area, knew of the tensions between them, and the Plasadene Empire... And crossing through Plasadene to go to his destination was obviously a no-go as well. His gaze went to a bag at his side, that he’d received along with his robes. As he pulled it out, his eyes began to move across what was printed, a map of the world.

“I might be better off heading through Tây Nguyên, things seem to be pretty calm over there.” As he trailed off, he rolled the map, putting it back into the sack. His gaze went around at the wildlife, most of which seemed to be neutral at his presence. Whether it be the titanic brown-furred beasts grazing on the grass, or the birds that flew not too far above him. At least his focus wouldn’t be broken.

His gaze focused upon one of the many stars in the sky, with a distinct yellow glow to it. One that seemed to outshine all the others.

“Mom and Dad were never fans of technology… It’s a good thing they taught me some navigation. If I follow the star Rohls, I'll get to the east. Either way, this looks like it’s gonna be a long one.” He thought. Now, he began making his way forward. Perhaps he’d rest soon, perhaps he wouldn’t. It wasn’t something he decided yet. Though, that was something he could say for most of this trip. Where to go after he got into the country’s borders? What could he do while he was there? That was something he could figure out later, as he saw it.

***

Four hours. It’d been four hours, and he still found himself within his nation’s borders, his progress especially slowed by the rugged terrain that he found himself navigating. At the least, he recognized the region he was in. The highland border regions of Tây Nguyên, and Dwuaso. With that fact, he knew that he was getting close. The temperature began to drop, compared to the warm savannas of his homeland. Though, it was tolerable, enough that he didn’t struggle to make his way through. He was making good time, surprisingly.

His feet crunched across the low grass, stepping over the numerous rocks in his path, only stopping as he saw a rotted wooden sign, with the words “Approaching Border, 5 Murros” printed in white. Though it was old, the border between the two nations hadn’t changed in centuries. It worked well for his purposes.

“Alright, Let’s hurry up!” Inoreama yelled in his excitement, before he broke off into a run, speeding across the land. Unbeknownst to him, drawing attention from a group of 10, who stood on a rocky ridge, overlooking his path. Bodies covered in armor, painted with earthy colors resembling the land around them. Their eyes followed him as he ran away, even as his form began to disappear into the distance.

“What do you think, Captain? Could it be one of his agents?” A womanly voice asked, as she turned her attention to the tallest of them all.

“Just some kid, I doubt it… Though, he’d do well to leave as soon as possible.” The captain responded, gaining a nod from another one of his underlings.

“Alright. Let’s get back to work.” He continued, waving his hand. Prompting for the troops to begin moving through the ridges once more, leaving the boy to his own devices. He clearly wasn’t who they were searching for, and, knowing how quick they could move, he was not going to waste any more time.

It would take some time for Inorema to get through the nation, but it was no issue to him. Especially given that he’d just crossed the border, if the decrepit wall was anything to go by. Maybe he’d find somewhere to stop for a bit. But there didn’t seem to be anything major in this region. He continued along for a little while longer, until he paused at the edge of one of the ridges. As he saw something in the distance, far below him. A barely visible group of concrete buildings, centered around a number of gray paved roads that ran between them. Inorema leaped through the ledges, sliding down the rocks, until he reached the same elevation as the town, before he began running toward it.

“Well ain’t that convenient.”

As he got closer, arriving upon one of the roads, the details of the town became clearer, the people of the city becoming visible. While some appeared like he did, most were of a lighter shade, fair-skinned at the lightest. Though some took note of him, they moved along regardless. After all, what he was doing was no business of theirs. His gaze moved across the town as he made his way through, eventually stopping at a sign, marking the town’s name, Buon Tho. Soon after, the boy made it to the town’s center, which held a fountain, along with a number of storefronts.

“Man, I’m starving… What is there to eat around here?” he mumbled, something that was followed by a hand placed on his shoulder, with a deepened voice echoed from behind him,

“I can help with that.”

Inorema looked back at the source of the voice. A towering tan-skinned man, much larger than himself or really, anyone else on the street. His slanted brown eyes gave a rather intimidating look. Undeniably, whether it was intended or not. A white apron draped over a brown shirt and blue jeans underneath.

“I own a restaurant around here, just over there.” The man gestured toward a one-storied building, consisting of a small kitchen, and a number of stools in the very front, alongside a stone counter. As inorema stepped toward it, fragrances he recognized, cooked beef, chicken, and pork filled his nose. A smile came onto his face.

“Sounds good to me.” Inorema responded, continuing his walk, and stopping just in front of one of the stools, before taking a seat, not too long after, did the man follow, going behind the counter, and into the kitchen. He turned his back to the boy, as he increased the heat on a stove that lied within by twisting a knob underneath a tall metal pot. Causing the flame under it to grow.

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“Hey kid. You eat beef?”

The man glanced over his shoulder, seeing the nod from Inorema. Before, he turned his attention back to the pot, picking up a ladle on a rack, as well as a porcelain bowl, bringing it to the top, before he began pouring the contents in, while Inorema watched. Not too long afterward, did the man turn on his heel, carrying the steaming bowl with him, and placing it in front of the boy. As his gaze went down to the bowl, he saw grains of rice submerged in a dark broth, along with strips of beeth, and black beans. Chinh Stew, a rather common dish within the nation’s cuisine, though, everybody made it different.

“Woah this looks great, Thanks, old man!” He yelled, before he began to tear into the bowl, a clear sign of his hunger. Though the nickname was iffy at best, to see someone enjoy his food as he did, had some effect on his pride as a chef. As he looked down upon the boy, he took note of the fact that the dish was nearly entirely gone. Something that made his eyes widen. How did he finish it that quick? Soon after he answered this question, did Inorema glance at the menu, looking at the price.

“10 Trefir…” Inorema began, trailing off as his hand reached for the sack on his side, pulling out a number of notes, colored white, blue, and green respectively on the counter. Along with metal coins, made of copper, and nickel respectively, all of varying sizes. He began to sort through them, before placing the money on the counter. Tying the sack closed, and standing up.

“I’ll come back to this place if I have time.” Inorema stated, before walking off. The chef looked down at the money in silence, before he let out a sigh, and turned his gaze to the boy. At the least, he had a future customer, hopefully.

“I had that much energy once…”

Next on the agenda was finding a way down to his target, at this point, there wasn’t a route that he knew of. Just going south wouldn’t get him where he needed to go. Perhaps he’d do well t-

These thoughts were interrupted as he heard a pained yell echo from nearby. Something that made Inorema’s gaze fly around. Until he heard another, and his eyes went to his left, where an alley nestled between two of the buildings. As he looked further in, he took note of a group of men. One of which found his lanky neck gripped by one of those in a mob that surrounded him. He stood at about 6’7, his slender body covered with fair skin.He had pale red eyes and shoulder length straight orange hair. As he gasped for air, Inorema began to step closer.

“So, You have the nerve to support HIM, HUH?!” As a deepened voice rang out, one of those surrounding, jabbed his fist into the man’s midsection. Though, they got nothing but a defiant look in response, as well as words yelled back.

“His cause is righteous, Yo-”

The words were interrupted by the man being punched once more, this time, across the cheek. However, they did not stop there, dropping him on the ground, and beginning to stomp him out. The boots crashed down onto his body, leaving bruises in their wake. Though he didn’t know the situation, he wouldn’t let this pass. Inorema began running toward them with a shout

“Stop!”

As the sound came to their ears, their gazes went to the rapidly approaching boy, the shortest of them opened his mouth as he spoke.

“Huh, Who the hell’s this k-”

His words were interrupted by the boy leaping up, smashing his foot into the man’s stomach, and knocking him off his feet, sending him flying a few feet away. He landed on his back, looking up at the young boy. He arched his brows as he stood up, a grimace making its way onto his visage, as he stomped toward the boy.

“Damn Bra-”

He was stopped as the largest of them all put his arm in his path, stopping him there.

“No, Duc, it’s not worth it.... We’ll come back for him later.” He stated, before walking off. An action followed by the rest of the mob leaving, with the boy’s eyes following them as they walked past him and went back onto the streets. The man who formerly found himself beat, slowly sat up, groaning from the hits he received, rubbing his head. This caught Inorema’s attention, and he began walking toward him.

“You alright?” As the boy spoke, the man finally opened his eyes. Soon after, he got to his feet, dusting off his clothes.

“I’m fine… You don’t look like you’re from here. What’s your name?” The man questioned, something that made Inorema point at himself with his thumb, a smile on his face.

“Inorema- Inorema Pasi!”

Though he noted the excited tone in the boy’s voice, he simply took it in stride as he responded.

“I’m Lý Thiên Hưng.”

Inorema nodded, as he began to speak, concerning a question that had been on his mind.

“Why were those guys attacking you?”

The man let out a sigh.

“It’s Complicated... A lot of things have been since our king, Tạ Mạnh Thắng, died of plague. On top of his death, he never chose anyone to succeed him on the throne. Now we have an issue. His son, Tạ Hải Nguyên, claimed the southern areas of our nation. Nguyên’s brother, Tạ Huy Khiêm, Has claimed the north, this area. As far as I've heard from how they acted in the court, and in private, they’ve never really seen eye to eye. ” Hưng trailed off, as he began to pace around.

Many recalled it, the day that the king died. It did not take long for the brother’s to both assert their claim on the throne, trying to throw dirt on the other to get them out of the running. Unfortunately for the nation, the Jade Chamber, the nation’s legislature, had its members split into factions, supporting one prince, and scorning the other. Many had said there was no way to provide a smooth transfer of power. At present, many believed them, including Hưng. It was for that reason that he felt the need to say this.

“If I were you, I’d get out of here. The two sides haven’t started fighting yet, but nobody knows how long that will last. The last thing I want is some kid getting caught in this war.”

This gained a frown from Inorema, who began to step toward him, letting the chaos flow to his feet, as he stared right into the man’s eyes... Apparently, there was some amount of anger in him from the man’s suggestion.

“No Way! You think I'd just get scared and run off?! If people are gonna get hurt, I’m staying!” The boy yelled, gaining attention from those standing on the street. Looks of Disgust, Contempt, but, it was not toward him, rather, the one sitting behind him. Was he trying to indoctorate him into Huy Khiêm’s ideas?! Somebody that young? Given the statements of clear protest he was given, though not loud enough for them to hear it, that was not the case. But, the question remained, in this climate, what did that matter?

The subject of their thoughts paid them no mind as he walked away, his expression did not change.

“Forget this… I’m going to go find a place to sleep.”

Hưng’s eyes followed the boy as he walked away, and he eventually stood up, before beginning to follow him, not willing to give up that easily.

***

Now, Inorema found himself in one of the Inn’s many rooms, filled with a bed, wardrobe, and a flatscreen, one that looked to be a few decades old at the least, especially given its size. Though, Inorema did not use it, instead, looking out of a window that gave him a direct view of the town around him. But, he was not alone, with Hưng having followed him. The latter sitting in a chair by the door.

“I want to ask you something. I’m planning on going to Kobinata. You know a route I could use to get over there?” He turned on his heel as he finished, looking at the man once more. Who sat in silence for about 20 seconds.

“I’ll say this again, it’s not safe to proceed, turn back…” His response was only met by Inorema clenching his fist. Who did this guy think he was, telling him to turn back, especially with the experience he had? He was a certified warrior!

“Listen up, I ain’t running. I’ve said that before, and I’ll say it again!”

Silence fell between them once more, as Hưng simply shook his head, standing up and leaving soon after, leaving the boy alone. Good riddance as far as he was concerned. Inorema removed the shoes on his feet, laying down on top of the covers, his body relaxing as his head hit the pillow. He let out a heavy sigh, as he closed his eyes, sleep beginning to take him.

Some time later, he found himself thrown off the bed, as the building around him shook. His eyes shot open as he awakened, as he promptly got up, looking outside the window, to see the night sky, and the stars above... But a burning city below, a ball of fire appeared in front of his eyes, as a row of buildings in front of his window was demolished, a high cloud of dust obscured the street, as chunks of concrete cascaded through the streets.

“What’s going on here?”

Though, the question soon became the last thing on his mind, as something began to come through the cloud of dust, a chunk of debris, flying right toward Inorema’s window!

He was quick, leaping back as the chunk crashed through, demolishing the wall; it was then and only then that the screams and yells of the inhabitants rang through his ears.

“It’s the Old Guard!!”

“Tạn Hải Nguyên is striking here?!”

As the numerous panicked screams and sentences reverberated through the streets, he briefly recalled what the man told him. He was right on one front, that much he’d admit. But the specifics of the situation were something he pushed to the back of his mind.All Inorema could think about was what he’d said earlier. He stated that he would help them… And he wasn’t going to go back on that now. He balled his fists as he leaped out from the destroyed wall, bounding down two stories, before his feet hit the ground, kicking up a small amount of dust. He stood there for some time, before cracking his knuckles, and began to dash along the pavement, his gaze flew around, taking in the sight of his enemies, he took note of an airship flying above, much larger than the one the academy used, but as he saw it, it was nothing he couldn’t deal with.

And even then, running away was never his style, that wouldn’t change now.

“Alright, Let’s do this!”

A/N: 1 Murro is equivalent to 1 Kilometer.

Trefir:

A system of currency created in the far eastern states of the supercontinent, by an empire which remains dominant, in the form of a state descendant from it. Has become the world’s standard used currency.

Coins:

Vasaros- 1

Lylia- 5

Charmal-10

Lepta- 20

Estaod- 50

Drachma- 100

Along with the coins, are the notes, which are.

1000

2000

5000

And 10,000 respectively.