* Date: September 28, M2100

* Time: 3:00 PM

* Location: Unknown

[Rerouting energy...]

[...Core activating, awaiting for consciousness...]

[...Kaynian Lord Atlant online.]

Awakening from unconsciousness, the great Kaynian Lord opens his eyes. His vision clears, and he notices the blue skies up above him. His mind was in shambles as he tried to remember what had occurred.

''Where. Where am I?''

He spoke, trying to make sense of where he was.

'The facility, the Gate...'

'...The demon!'

A shockwave of energy erupts from the Kaynian Lord. Scaring away the nearby fauna and blasting the flora with his anger. He now remembered his duty – to call for reinforcements using the Gate. The wind blows with uncertainty. Getting up, the Kaynian Lord stood and saw the greenery around him. Where was he? The planet he fought on was a desolate wasteland, not this.

''What is this...''

''...Is this a trick by the demons?''

He murmured, and the demons are a cunning race. Able to face them blow for blow. The only thing that allowed them to achieve victories was through their superior technology. But now, he wasn't so sure if they could keep that advantage afloat. The demons are adapting to their technology and even psionics; it won't be long until they are forced out of the system.

''Enough of this. I must contact the others immediately...''

''...This Kaynian Lord Atlant. To any Kaynian forces, I require assistance. Please respond.''

Opening his virtual interface, he spoke out, but his plea for help wouldn't earn him a response. Why was this? The Arc Imperium spans the entire Milky Way galaxy. There should be something or anything that would pick up his distress, but that wasn't the case.

'Why is there no response?'

He wondered, confused about his predicament.

'Am I perhaps on a planet located in the outer ring of the galaxy?'

He speculated, and it would make sense why no one responded to his distress call. If he were in the inner ring, then his status as a Lord would allow him to be found by the imperium. But if he were in the outer ring, then it wouldn't matter.

''I am stranded on an unknown planet...''

''...How unfortunate.''

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

''Impossible!''

He yelled out loud, confirming that the notification was indeed from the Gate itself.

'How is the Gate here? Maybe through the demons' meddling, the Gate was also subjected to its own slip space?'

He thought to himself, but it wouldn't matter. Right now, he may have a chance to return. Analyzing the information, Atlant found the Gate's location in a primitive settlement.

''The Gate is in primitive hands? This cannot be! These ignorant life forms do not understand the purpose of the Gate...''

''...Only through death could they repent for such heresy!''

He roared; not only was he stranded in an unknown world. It was a planet with a primitive race on it. And for some reason, they possessed in their hands the Gate.

''Luckily, this settlement is nearby. It is not yet too late to retrieve the Gate.''

The Kaynian Lord then advanced toward the settlement. Following the waypoint on his virtual interface, he walked with an aura of anger. Nearby, the wild fauna around him hastily ran away upon seeing his silhouette. Unbeknownst to the Kaynian Lord, a beast has been watching him. A wingless reptile followed him, but it wouldn't be long until he detected its presence.

''Hmm?''

Another notification popped up, and this time it was urgent. The lord's eyes widened as to why a scaled beast was heading toward him at full speed. Quickly summoning his sword, the Kaynian turned around and saw the beast. Immediantly taking a stance, the Kaynian Lord swung at the charging reptile. Slicing its entire head in one swing. The beast lay dead on the ground. As the dust settled in, the Kaynian reflected on his actions.

''What manner of beast is this?''

Multiple reptiles then made themselves known on his virtual interface. A pack of twenty reptilian beasts charged at him. The Kaynian Lord contemplated, should he run or face these abhorrent beasts?

'I am outnumbered. My chances of survival lie in running away...'

'...Although it stains my honor. I will not perish in the jaws of any mere beast.'

Quickly following the waypoint, the Kaynian ran with great speed. Behind him, the pack of hungry reptiles gives chase. But these reptiles would soon catch up. However, one caught up and leaped toward the Kaynian. The Kaynian's response was to slide, avoiding the reptile's attack. Getting up, he would slice the reptile's chest in half.

''Die!''

Up ahead, the Kaynian saw a tree log in the distance. Thinking of how he could use this to his advantage. He came up with an idea.

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'A tree in the distance...'

'...I could use that to take out some of these reptiles!'

Using his psionics, he lifted the log and rolled it toward him. Leaping in the air, he dodged the incoming tree log, but his pursuers were not so unfortunate; they failed to react in time, and a handful of reptiles were hit by the rolling tree log, severely injuring them.

'Most satisfactory!'

He complimented himself, and suddenly, the rest of the pack halted in their chase.

'They're stopping?'

Immediately stopping and turning around. The Kaynian noticed the reptiles tending to their wounded. Watching this scene play out. The Kaynian consciousness started to contemplate whether or not he did the right thing.

''These reptiles seem to possess a primitive form of thinking. It shouldn't matter. The important part is that they finally stopped...''

''...If it weren't for my previous engagement with the demon. I could have killed these beasts alone.''

Turning around, the Kaynian continued his trek toward the settlement. unsummoning his sword, he strode with pride. Knowing he just bested this world's predators.

* Date: September 28, 2173

* Time: 3:15 PM

* Location: Quake Town

''Today was great! I sold more than what I expected...''

''...And no thief ever dared to steal from me. Thanks to you, mister Tale!''

The merchant exclaimed his gratitude toward the Ghost. Although, Tale didn't mind guarding the merchant. It was boring even Joan had enough and decided to play with the nearby children. Tale only observed her interact with the other children. She even told them how he saved her from the wyverns, and this caused some of the children to come close toward him.

[It's no problem, Louis...]

[...Although, we would want compensation for our service. Since we're called mercenaries now.]

Vee's miniature virtual avatar appeared on Tale's shoulder. This caused Louis to stagger, knowing that Vee might have been offended by his lie to the guards. Calling Vee a spirit helped in angering her severely.

''My apologies for making up a lie to you, but it was the only way!''

The merchant responded, and Vee smirked at his reaction. Of course, Vee wasn't mad at him. Had they not met Louis, they might have been in a prison cell, worst-case scenario.

[I'm kidding, you long-eared merchant. It's just funny seeing your reaction.]

''Oh, I see...''

''...Wait. You mean you find my reaction funny?''

Nodding in response. The elve's expression turned pale, causing Vee to chuckle at the merchant's overreaction. Meanwhile, after playing for hours, Joan finally said her goodbyes to her new friends.

''Hello, Miss Vee and Mister Louis!''

[Hello, sweetheart. How's your time with your new friends?]

''We had fun...''

''...I told them the story about how Mister Tale saved me!''

[Really, that's good!]

This was a good development for Joan. Not only was she moving on from her recent trauma. She is also reconnecting with other children her age, repressing her traumatic memories of those she lost.

''That is very good, little Joan...''

''...Say, after we're done here. We could get dinner at a nearby tavern.''

''Really?''

''Yep!''

The young elve smiled at the merchant's promise. They would start cleaning up the caravan's place and return some of the unsold products. Joan would also help with cleaning.

''All done! Now let's head to that tavern.''

[Isn't it a bit too early to book a tavern?]

''Aye, I know, but you did say that Joan just lost her village...''

''...She might need to rest early today to recover her bearings, and perhaps we sold most of the products: it shouldn't be a problem.''

[I see, well then, let's go.]

Climbing his caravan, Louis maneuvered through the busy crowds of Quake Town and reached their destination. A name imbued with light magic reads out the Shining Bell. The tavern itself was large, possessing over three floors.

''Here we are! Now, just let me talk to the owner inside, and I'll be right back.''

''Understood.''

Hopping out of his seat, Louis strode toward the front entrance and opened the door, letting out a ring. Entering the establishment, the sounds of laughter and music filled the air. A few seconds passed as Louis exited the tavern and strode towards the caravan. Joan gleaned in excitement, and Vee was impressed upon seeing how fast the reception was.

[That was fast?]

''It's actually because of my affiliation to the merchants guild that got me a quick reservation with the tavern.''

[That's handy...]

[...So where will you park your caravan?]

''They have a stable steed behind the tavern. I can leave my caravan there until tomorrow.''

Louis responded, then proceeded to make their way toward the stable. The stable was half full of horses. The horses themselves were eating, resting, or just doing nothing. Quickly parking the caravan, Louis unhinged the horses and guided them toward the stable. Joan and Vee watched as Louis placed them on the stable and gave them hay to eat.

''All good. Let us enter the tavern and get something to eat!''

''Understood.''

The Ghost and his company entered through the back door of the tavern. Tale was greeted by the stares of the tavern's customers. Never have they seen someone like him before, so they are wary of the Ghost. Dark elves, sea elves, and high elves dined and dank together as Vee searched for an empty table.

[Let's move to that table over there.]

Vee pointed out the unoccupied table in the far corner. Nodding in response, they immediately moved their way toward the table. At least the tavern's ceiling was well over seven feet, and the floor was made of stone.

''Joan, you can sit wherever you want...''

''...And mister Tale. I suppose you're not going to sit?''

''Affirmative. That wooden chair won't hold my weight.''

''I see.''

A waitress approached their table; she held a notepad and a pencil in her hands.

''Good afternoon! Welcome to The Shining Bell! May I take your order?''

''Ah, yes. Some pork, bread, and potatoes on mine...''

''...Joan, what do you want and remember it's my treat.''

Turning her attention to the little one, the waitress smiled as Joan contemplated for her meal.

''I want salad and roasted pork!''

The waitress immediately wrote down both Louis and Joan's orders. After writing, she would stare directly at Tale. Gulping, she would approach him to ask about his order.

''W-What about y-you, good sir-r?"

''Nothing.''

''P-Pardon?''

''I prefer ordering nothing.''

Tale answered, and he might not know it. But most, if not all, of the customers in the tavern had their eyes on him. Afterward, the waitress would hastily leave their table. The poor waitress was traumatized as she had not seen an elve as big and tall as the Ghost.

''While we're waiting for our meal...''

''...What should we talk about?''

Louis suggested, meanwhile, one particular blue-skinned elve. He made his way toward their table. Drunk and not thinking straight, the sea elve would eventually create a scene with the Ghost. Walking to the operative, the sea elve wobbled as the effect of his drink had taken its toll on him.

''Hey!''

Tale turned his attention to the source of the voice. He saw a drunk blue-skinned elve, beer at hand. Louis and Joan looked concerned, not for Tale but for the fool.

[Oh boy, this can only go well.]

Vee stated as she witnessed the drunk elve approach her partner.

''Just because you cover yourself in your fancy armor! That it makes you the best in the town?''

The drunken elve challenged. The Ghost stood his ground, unaffected by the elve's retort at him. The sea elve took out his leiomano and brandished it close to Tale's face. Meanwhile, the operative didn't move an inch as the blade was inches from his visor but had not acted yet. Knowing it would result in a bloody mess for everyone in the tavern.

''So let's see which one of us will-''

Tale had enough of the elve's poor insults. Immediately picked up and choked the elve. The drunken fool attempted to free himself but wasn't able to. The entire tavern watched as the sea elve gasped for air, but right before being released. Dropping to the floor, the drunken fool looked up to see the Ghost Operative staring down at him. Realizing his mistake, the sea elve shriveled in fear, seeing the size difference between him and the Ghost.

[Huh, do you have to do that?]

''He was annoying. More so than the avian.''

Hearing the Ghost's opinion of him. Terwa chirped furiously at Tale and flew toward him. Pecking his helmet with the rage of a thousand men.

''Terwa, stop!''

Joan ordered, and the bird reluctantly stopped. Returning to his original position, Tale stood still as ice. Murmurs started to flare up, and the sea elve was quickly dragged out of the tavern. After the confrontation, the waitress returned with their order and placed them neatly on the table.

''Here's your order...''

''...And we apologize for one of the customer's demeanor towards your associate.''

The waitress apologized to Louis and the merchant gave a polite nod, knowing it was merely a misunderstanding on the sea elve's part. Placing them down, Louis then gave his payment to the waitress. Forgetting about what happened, Joan focused on her meal and ate.

[So what do we do next?]

''Is this about the Kaynian Device?''

[Yes. Where can we gather information, or do we use Louis? After all, he is indebted to us.]

A possibility, yes; Louis did mention that he was part of a guild. Perhaps he could ask him about unnatural occurrences in their world or acquire a map. Whatever choice Tale would make, it would ease their search for the Kaynian Device.

''We should take advantage of Louis.''

[Got it. Leave that to me.]

Finishing their meal, both Joan and Louis had their bellies full. Terwa was also eating the crumbs left on the plate. Joan would then be subjected to sleepiness.

''Well, looks like she wants to sleep early.''

[Yep, she does...]

[...Joan, honey, are you tired?]

Joan nodded in response, and Vee smiled in return.

[Louis, what kind of room did you purchase exactly?]

''A room with two beds! I made sure of it, Lady Vee.''

[Good. Just so you know, if you were to do something to Joan, then count your time here in this world because my friend over here...]

[...Will be the last face you'll ever see.]

Gulping and sweating in fear. The merchant quickly nodded in response, which earned him a smile from Vee. Tale wondered, where would he stay if Louis only ordered a single room?

''Where would I rest during the night?''

''I brought this up with the owner, and he said you can use the stable...''

''...My apologies, mister Tale, but I couldn't get any better shelter for you to sleep under.''

That didn't matter because his power armor provided more comfort than this tavern. Sleeping on the horse stable would be for the best for him. This means he can guard Louis's caravan and deter any elves.

''It is of no concern to me.''

''Are you sure?'''

''Affirmative.''

Louis then carried a sleeping Joan in his arms.

[Take good care of him, Louis.]

''I will, milady.''

Louis then proceeds to the stairs, and Tale is now left alone. Making his way toward the back door entrance, the Ghost exited the tavern. Heading toward the stable, Tale stood right beside a post. Suppose it weren't for the cloak given to him by Louis. Elves would have taught of him as a golem.

'If that Kaynian Knight is present here on this planet. I may need a countermeasure against him.'

To Be Continued.