* Date: September 29, M2100

* Time: 7:15 AM

* Location: Unknown

Somewhere in an undisclosed forest, the Kaynian Lord mends his wounds. His confrontation yesterday with the demon and its primitive ally had left him in an undesirable predicament. Never anticipating the tenacity of his opponent and the psionics of the primitive.

''I have failed to vanquish the demon, and now the gate is in primitive hands...''

''...I have truly disgraced my namesake and the Imperium.''

Uttering these words to himself and regretting the decision to retreat without the gate. But now, the Kaynian Lord lay down, recovering his exhausted psionics.

'Hmm, I suppose I should plan my next move. The primitive may have stolen the gate, but I will retrieve it. First, I should make preparations. My energy shield has returned to its maximum state. Next time I see that demon, I will not hesitate to end his life.'

Atlant promised, but he knew how ferocious a demon could be. He has heard of demons capable of wiping out entire centuries. It appears that this demon is also quite capable of doing such a thing.

''I must not let that demon live any longer. That demon alone bested the security of the facility I was tasked with commanding. I had guardians and knights guard every inch of soil on that facility, yet I failed.''

Suddenly, his virtual interface would be notified. Details are skewed, but it seems to be the gate's whereabouts. He couldn't jump to conclusions yet, but it's worth seeing what it entailed.

'The gate has activated its second stage, but how? The last time I checked, I failed to operate the necessary programs to bring the gate's second stage online. What could have set it off...'

'...Could it be that the accursed construct misunderstood the functions of the gate? That would be the ideal reason. The demons and their constructs had yet to crack our technology, so it is possible.'

That was correct throughout their arrival on the demons system. They were impressed by how the demons repelled their attack on the outer planet they called Pluto and its moon Charon. Since then, the demons have tried their best to reverse-engineer their technology but have failed thus far.

''Never the less, it shouldn't matter! The gate is near, and I can fight. My current objective now is to retrieve the gate. No matter the cost!''

Getting up, the Kaynian Lord strode toward the gate's location. Traveling through the dense forest. It wouldn't be long until Atlant saw his objective and enemy. And it seems they were engaged in a conversation. He also had two constructs instead of one; Atlant remembered the demon only possessing one construct instead of two.

[Hey Tale, how about one for the scrapbook? Because we fucked up, haven't we!]

The construct exclaimed, her blue avatar standing over the demon's shoulder.

''Lady Vee, I know you are in distress, but you mustn't let your anger get the better of you.''

[You know what! Your right...]

* Date: September 29, 2173

* Time: 7:20 AM

* Location: Unknown

[...I'm having a meltdown, and I should calm down.]

Giving out a virtual sigh. Vee contemplated her actions. It was supposed to be an easy mission for her to shut down the gate. But here they were, teleported to an unknown forest again. She didn't anticipate the gate's semi-intelligence to resort to teleporting them.

''What has happened was beyond your capability, Vee. We both knew how advanced Kaynian technology was, and we took a chance.''

[You mean. I took a chance and fluked that chance.]

''Doesn't matter; we're here now along with the gate. We need to reconnect with Fae as soon as possible. That should be our priority.''

Always knowing what to do in a heated situation was Tale's specialty. Panicking would always lead to irrational decisions. Throughout his career, Tale has never made such a mistake.

''Sarroth, can you pinpoint our location and the distance it would take to return to Fae?''

''I'd be happy to oblige, Master.''

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Utilizing locator magic, Sarroth then searched their location with ease. They were currently in Valak forest, famous for its large density of trees within its grounds.

''We are in Valak forest, master, according to my estimation. Fae is several hundred kilometers west of us. I shall send a copy to Lady Vee for her to display on your helmet.''

[Got it, thanks, Sarroth. Your magic is a lifesaver.]

''I am merely doing my duty as a servant, milady.''

Approaching the gate, Tale wrapped his head around the method of transporting it to Fae. But the answer would eventually show itself. Sarroth's magic would be more than capable of transport, no doubt.

''Sarroth, can you utilize your magic to levitate the gate?''

''Certainly, master. Allow me to carry the burden of transporting the gate.''

''Very-''

Leaping out of the foliage was the sword-wielding Knight. Its blade made an impact on his left shoulder, sending him sideward. But instead of the special dispersal energy coating, it was an elven magic shield that protected him from the Kaynian's blade. It seems the blade spirit, Sarroth. Has covered Tale's power armor with her magic.

''This gate is under my protection! No longer are you permitted access to its code!''

As the Knight lifted the gate with his psionics. Tale knew he had to deny the Kaynian from obtaining the device. This time, the Ghost did have an ace up his sleeve.

''Sarroth, blade now!''

''Understood.''

Reconfiguring her body into magic and manifesting as a sword once again. Sarroth placed herself in her master's care as he eyed the Kaynian. The Knight was perplexed about what had occurred, confused about how Tale obtained such an ally.

[Hey! Why don't you put the gate down and face my partner? Mano e mano!]

''Very well.''

Releasing the gate, the Kaynian accepted the challenge and charged toward the Ghost. Taking a stance, Tale prepared himself for a duel against his rival. Swinging their blades, the Ghost and the Knight clashed. They have their swords locked. The Kaynian would be the first to move and choke Tale tightly by the neck. Afterward, he would charge up his blade and blast away the Ghost.

''Argh!''

[Tale! Get up!]

The Kaynian would then imbue his fist with psionics and punch the ground. In turn, it would temporarily send the Ghost into the air. Shockwaves echoed throughout the forest as the battle between the two warriors commenced.

'Damn it.'

Getting up, Tale was met by a thrust of the Kaynian's blade. Luckily, the Ghost intercepted the attack with his sword. Sparks of energy and magic as Tale parried the Knights thrust. A powerful left hook impacted the Kaynian's face, staggering him. Taking this opportunity, Tale would slash at the Knight with intent. Landing slash after slash, the Kaynian's shield was brought down to a few percent. Regaining his footing, the Knight would parry the Ghost's thrust. The Kaynian would reengage Tale and push him away. Leaving the Ghost open, the Knight would counter with a powerful slash. Connecting with the Ghost's magic shield, the Kaynian's attack would be nullified. But the kinetic force would be enough to send Tale sidewards. Crashing on a nearby tree. Tale would be temporarily stunned. Temporarily stunned, the Ghost saw his enemy in a vulnerable state as the Kaynian approached to deliver the killing blow.

[This is not looking good...]

[...Tale, you need to get up now!]

Before he could reach his rival, the Knight felt distressed at the gate. Two choices lay in front of the Kaynian. Either kill the Ghost and ignore the pleas for help from the gate. Or aid the gate with its damaged code to allow it to properly function, but the Ghost would live. The Knight chose the latter over the former and approached the gate instead.

[Good news, the Kaynian just ignored us for the gate. Bad news, it looks like he triggered the second and wants to teleport out of here.]

Getting up for the second time. Tale saw the Knight meddle with the gate. Dematerializing Sarroth away, he brought out his rifle and pointed it at the occupied Kaynian. Pulling the trigger of the battle machine rifle. It released multiple fifty-caliber rounds at the Knight. Fifty caliber rounds impacted the Kaynian's shield, bringing it down to a few percent.

[Tale, I'm reading radiation signatures all over the gate. It's about to teleport!]

An energy spike erupted off of the gate. Sending shockwaves throughout the forest. Disturbing the flora and fauna all around them.

'You Kaynian bastard!'

Finishing his repairs throughout the gates systems. The Kaynian Lord smiled for the first time, knowing he had won this confrontation. Eyeing the Ghost with his glowing blow eyes, the Knight spoke.

''We shall meet again, demon. Next time, I will be the last thing you'll ever see.''

The gate would envelop the Kaynian in an energy field and disappear seconds later.

''No!''

* Date: September 29, 1173

* Time: 8:10 AM

* Location: Her Majesty's Royal Palace

''What do you mean the gate and the hero had gone missing!''

''That's just it. You're Majesty. An hour ago, the device activated its second stage and teleported out of Fae with the hero. General Eugene has ordered multiple search parties throughout the kingdom.''

''Has there been any word yet?''

''Apparently, there was a shockwave detected over Valak forest. Commander Adelard took the mission himself and flew there. We haven't heard from him since then.''

The news of the missing hero and gate shook Gabriella's resolve. Not only was the device capable of sending an entire fleet of Kaynians missing. The prophesied hero is also lost as well.

'This cannot be! I must warn my sister. The invader's arrival has just been realized, and we will not be taken off guard!'

Ever since the hero was discovered and the revelation of the gate's purpose. Gabriella has only a short amount of time to prepare for the invaders. She hasn't even sent a message to the World Alliance yet, and with the current things happening, she will have to assemble a world meeting now without any exposition.

''Very well. Thank you, Colonel. Tell the General that she has free reign. In doing whatever is necessary to search the gate and the hero.''

''By your will, your Majesty.''

Cutting off her rune orb connection with the Colonel. Gabriella then inputted her magic to open communications with her twin sister. A connection was successfully established.

''Isabella, are you there?''

''Yes, Gabriella. What is the matter?''

''It's the gate. It has initiated its second stage and teleported outside of Fae along with the hero.''

Isabella's facial expression becomes one of horror. Hearing the gate's disappearance could only mean Eldrant's time was ticking. Worst of all, the prophesied hero, the only being in this world capable of saving them, was missing.

''Please tell me the General is searching for the hero.''

''Indeed she is. Delphine, her assistant, just informed me of the accident recently.''

''What do you wish of me to do then?''

''I need you to hasten your preparation. Now that the gate and hero are missing. That can only mean the invader would find this opportunity to retrieve the device or kill the hero.''

''Very well, I shall assemble a group of elite priestesses to search for the invader's whereabouts.''

''Good luck.''

Cutting off their connection. Standing up, the Queen of Elvenia headed straight out of her office. Encountering several maids along the way, she ordered them to inform the head maid that she was needed urgently. After waiting for several minutes, the head maid would make herself known. Approaching the Queen, she gave a light bow.

''Your Majesty. I am here as requested.''

''Velvet, I need you to come with me. To the World Alliance headquarters ASAP.''

''May I ask why, your Majesty?''

''We are to inform the others about the situation we find ourselves in.''

''Tell the entire world about the invader...''

''...Your Majesty, I mean not to disrespect you, but you would need living proof of an invader's holding here in our kingdom for the World Alliance to assist us.''

That was true; the World Alliance was formed due to the invader's arrival two hundred years ago. Her mother's contribution to making this alliance with the other kingdoms allowed them to defeat the invaders in the first place. But two hundred years later, the World Alliance has not yet encountered the invaders. This left the question of dissolving the alliance and going on their way to protecting themselves from the invaders.

''I know. I hope General Eugene, my sister, or my Champion can shed light on our situation if they find the hero or the invader's device.''

To Be Continued.