“I take it you’re the pilot of this mech?”
Rocky nodded his head as he approached Rakshasa’s dormant body. A squad of soldiers from the Redvein Militia were standing nearby, led by a very intimidating woman with a spear in hand.
[LET HER RUN YOU THROUGH, FOOL. THEN I SHALL BE FREE OF YOUR IDIOCY.]
The woman held her free hand out towards the cluster of soldiers, who passed off what appeared to be a box wrapped in glittery red paper.
With a smile, the woman stepped up to Rocky and held the box out to him. “I wanted to thank you for protecting Redvein.”
The gargoyle was caught by surprise, but his intense curiosity and excitement over the unknown contents of the box left no room in his heart for suspicion, and he set to work unwrapping the box immediately.
“This is a gift box from the confectionery in town,” the woman explained, pleased to see Rocky’s bulging black eyes light up as he took notice of the treats inside. “It’s a favorite of mine. I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I do.”
The box was full to bursting with cookies, brownies, and cakes, but not just the simple kind you or your undoubtedly sweet grandmother could make at home, oh no no! These were some of the finest, most delectable goodies that money (or military status) could buy, crafted by the artisanal hands of some of the most skilled experts in the field, with experience, love, and addictive chemicals carefully sprinkled into every bite.
Rocky had never had dessert food before, and this was one hell of a way to start. He couldn’t help but grab a fistful of various items within the box, stuffing them in between his stone jaws.
[BAH! CLAWING AWAY AT RAINBOW-COLORED GARBAGE….ARE YOU A CHILD?]
In between chomps of sugary delight, Rocky asked, “Don’t be jealous, Rak. You want some, too?”
[OF COURSE NOT, MORTAL! A GOD HAS NO NEED FOR FALSE SUSTENANCE!]
The woman raised a brow. “‘Rak?’”
“Oh, sorry, don’t worry ‘bout that,” Rocky said, waving her off. “Thanks for the food! It’s gooood!”
“I’m very pleased to hear that you like it, Mister….?”
[GIVE HER YOUR NAME, IDIOT.]
After licking frosting and fudge from his fingers, the gargoyle held his hand out. “Rocky Roran. Nice to meetcha. Who are you?”
Strangely, the woman didn’t appear to be bothered by the hand that was extended towards her. Sure, she had gloves on and all, but still. Ew. “I’m Captain Carmine of the Redvein Militia.”
The key around Rocky’s neck flashed with a bright light.
[BAH! IGNORE THIS ONE.]
Rocky glanced down at the key. “Why? She seems nice.”
[NEVER TRUST A MORTAL WARRIOR. THEY ALL EVENTUALLY ASPIRE TO GODHOOD, AND THEY TRICK THEMSELVES INTO THINKING IT DESERVED THROUGH THEIR BATTLEFIELD CONQUESTS.]
The squadron of Militia soldiers exchanged puzzled looks amongst themselves as they watched the strange gargoyle man talk to himself. They had already been on edge because of the terrifying might of the mech he commanded, and this certainly wasn’t helping ease their fears.
But all it took was one clearing of the throat from Captain Carmine to right the conversational ship once more. “While I am grateful for your assistance in protecting Redvein, I must ask who you are and what brings you to the city.”
Rocky scarfed down a caramel apple before answering. “Not much. I’m traveling the world and takin’ in the sights. I heard the forest here was red, so I came to see it.”
The soldiers found this to be a strange and unsatisfactory answer, but Captain Carmine’s grin seemed to show that she felt differently. “Ah, yes, the beautiful Rosso Woods. They are indeed a marvel of the world, are they not?”
“Yup! Real pretty. Way better than the jungle I was born in.”
“This is a very popular tourist destination spot,” the captain continued. “And the people of the city often come here to relax, as well, often for picnics. My fiancé and I enjoy taking walks and having lunch here, too.”
“‘Fiancé’?”
[PUH! JEALOUS, ARE WE? YOU FOOLISH MORTALS AND YOUR RIDICULOUS COURTING PRACTICES. JUST PROCREATE AND MOVE ON LIKE THE ANIMALS YOU ARE.]
“What’s a ‘fiancé’?”
[WHAT?]
Carmine held her hand up, slipping off the glove to showcase the engagement ring wrapped around her finger. “It means we’re to be wed soon. We’re not quite sure when, exactly, but soon, hopefully.”
“Oh, I see!” Rocky replied with a nod of the head. “I’d like to go to a wedding. And maybe try it out myself, too.”
[BAH! AS IF ANY WOMAN WOULD SHACKLE HERSELF TO A STONE PILE APE LIKE YOURSELF.]
Returning the glove to her hand, Carmine said, “I’m sure you’ll find your other half some day, Mister Roran.”
“‘Mister Roran’….I like that.”
[‘IDIOT MORTAL’ SUITS YOU BETTER.]
She then turned over her shoulder, staring up at the hulking, metal body of Rakshasa. Even when it lay hunched over and dormant, it still cut an intimidating figure, particularly with its horrific, monstrous sculpted face. “She’s a beaut, that’s for sure. And you put on a very impressive display yesterday. With the mech, I mean.”
[HMPH. A MORTAL WITH TASTE. HOW NOVEL.]
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
Rocky chuckled. “Oh, that? Honestly, that fight with the kaiju was sloppier than usual. You could say I was mostly asleep for it. Next time I’ll be wide awake and fight even better.”
[I WILL DEVOUR YOU!]
“Well, I’d like to hope there won’t need to be a next time,” Captain Carmine said. “But should another kaiju arise while you are in the area, do you intend to fight for Redvein once more?”
“Sure. I’m not gonna be here for very long, but I don’t mind. Punchin’ monsters is pretty fun.”
[YOUR MEASLY FISTS HAVE NEVER ONCE SEEN BATTLE, MORTAL.]
“Not true. I’ve let you handle the fightin’ since we met, but I’ve thrown hands more than a few times.”
The captain seemed to be very pleased with that statement (well, the previous one, anyway), as she bowed her head low. “On behalf of the people of Redvein, I thank you dearly for your bravery, Mister Roran.”
“No prob.”
“Would you like to take a tour of the city?” the captain asked. “My team can personally escort you. It’s the least we can do for your assistance.”
Rocky could never turn down a new experience, and visiting a brand new city was always an exciting prospect. The deliciousness of the confectionery box was still fresh on his mind and on his lips, and certainly helped guide his answer. “Sounds good! Lead the way!”
* * * *
ULTRA ROCK
* * * *
The city of Redvein was, perhaps to the surprise and/or disappointment of some, not particularly red at all. It was largely only the banners draped over the city’s protective wall every few dozen feet that stood out.
Other than that, it was a peaceful, safe city. Very few buildings managed to reach two stories in height, and the only ones that soared beyond that were the watchtowers built into the corners of the wall, and the government buildings at the back of the city.
The streets were heavily populated with businesses, and many for somewhat niche or unusual interests. There were, of course, grocers, clothing stores, and hardware shops, but as Rocky strolled through the streets behind Captain Carmine and her squad, he found his curiosity constantly poked at by places such as a food art store, a pawn shop whose goods were all treasures plundered by pirates, and even a superhero simulator range.
“Whoa, you guys got some cool stores here!” he exclaimed, his head swiveling from left to right to take in each sign. “I wanna check them all out!”
With extreme hometown pride swelling up in her chest, Captain Carmine spun around and threw her arms out to her sides. “You are more than welcome to do so, Mister Roran! The wonderful city of Redvein has plenty to offer, and opens its arms to all who wish to experience it!”
[MEUGH. YOU MORTALS AND YOUR INANE INTERESTS.]
“We’re well-regarded for being Libertas’ home of entrepreneurialism!” the captain gleefully continued. “The people of Redvein work so very hard to take control of their lives and futures, to give back to the community, and to change the world for the better!”
Rocky whistled. “Impressive.”
[IT’S ALWAYS ABOUT MONEY WITH YOU MORTALS, ISN’T IT? BAH! ONE’S PLACE SHOULD BE DETERMINED BY ONE’S MIGHT; EVEN BRAINLESS BEASTS UNDERSTAND THIS.]
Before the captain could ride the momentum of her hometown pride speech, one of her squad members tapped his fingers against her shoulder to get her attention.
“Captain,” he stated, his voice low. “Your presence is requested at the pub. It’s about the forcevein thieves.”
Carmine’s face turned from sun to stone. She gave the soldier a nod, then turned to face Rocky, clearing her throat. “My apologies, Mister Roran, but I’m afraid I have some urgent business to take care of, and will no longer be able to lead your tour around the city.”
The gargoyle held his hand up, waving her off. He wasn’t even looking at her; his eyes were still jumping from storefront to storefront, his attention spread thinner than graphene. While he’d been excited to check out the confectionery due to how much he’d enjoyed the gift box, he was now much more intrigued by something called a “strip club”. The neon sign depicting a giant dinosaur woman in fishnets was difficult to pry one’s eyes from. “No worries; I don’t even need a tour. I’ll check the place out on my own.”
The captain bowed her head once more. “I hope you enjoy your stay, Mister Roran. And once again, you have my gratitude for saving the city of Redvein.” She then turned and marched away, her squad in disciplined tow.
“Ya know, I gotta say,” Rocky began as his heavy stone feet began to carry him towards the strip club. “I’m kinda surprised no one’s freaking out about us.”
[INDEED. I’D HAVE EXPECTED THE MORTALS TO GOUGE THEIR EYES OUT AT THE SIGHT OF YOU.]
“Nah,” said Rocky. “Chicks dig me.”
[SHUT UP.]
But Rocky’s words rang true. Well, the first part, mostly; the second is still unproven. None of the civilians of Redvein seemed to pay him any special mind. In fact, the only ones who interacted with him at all were the peddlers standing outside their storefronts offering free samples of their products to him.
Of course, Rocky couldn’t say no to a single one of them, jumping from one shop to the next, eating candies, dumplings, trying perfumes, and even getting his face painted to resemble a skeleton.
In fact, he’d gotten so sidetracked with trying out all of the new experiences Redvein had to offer, that he’d completely forgotten about his plans to visit the strip club, and instead ended the evening at a little store in which customers paid to be tased.
As night began to fall, he strolled through the streets of Redvein, cotton candy in one hand, shopping bag of trinkets in the other.
“This place is great!” he said between bites. “Are all big ultranian cities this fun?”
[BAH. SO EASILY AMUSED. THE SIGN OF A SIMPLETON.]
When he arrived at a junction, he came to a stop, and took a look around, noting that he’d already been down each of the streets sprouting from this particular crossroads.
“We should probably head back, yeah? I’m gettin’ pretty sleepy.”
[WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING IS FINDING ANSWERS, YOU IMBECILE. ENOUGH TRAIPSING AROUND ON YOUR AIMLESS WHIMS — WE’RE TO SEEK OUT WHOEVER BURIED ME IN THE DESERT AND-]
“Ooh, a hotel!” Rocky interrupted. “I’ve always wanted to try staying in one.]
[WHAT DID I JUST SAY?!]
* * * *
ULTRA ROCK
* * * *
Captain Carmine loved Redvein and its people, and they loved her in return. Her efforts in protecting the people had given them prosperity and safety they’d never experienced before, and they were by and large incredibly grateful to her for it.
While crime could never truly be eliminated from society, Redvein had eased up on it about as much as one city ever possibly could, and the moment it ever threatened to rear its ugly head, the people of Redvein sought the captain out, and told her everything they could.
Norm, the owner of the biggest pub in town, was one such confidant. As she and her squad arrived, he had each one’s favorite drink lined up in front of their usual seats at the bar. “Welcome, Captain. Pleasure to see you.”
“The pleasure is all mine, Norm,” Carmine replied. “What do you have for me?”
Norm leaned in close. “One of my waitresses told me that there was a group here last night, and she’s positive she heard them mention ‘forceveins’.”
The truth of the nature of the “redness” of the area surrounding Redvein were the forceveins beneath the city — long lines of forcestones and ULTRA Force particles buried underneath the surface. In this particular case, most of them were, of course, red in color.
The roots of the vegetation of the Rosso Woods had long been able to reach into these forceveins and energize themselves with the ULTRA Force particles within, which led to them becoming varying shades of red in color. It also happened to make them incredibly durable, and even fireproof.
The city of Redvein itself was situated over the densest parts of the forceveins, giving them access to an abundant supply of high-quality forcestones, which had helped make Redvein wealthy and industrious from the earliest stages of its life, and it’s what gave the people within it their competitive, business-minded spirits, and made them more naturally inclined to toss their negative feelings away into the proverbial fire.
The forceveins were important to the city of Redvein, as well as the kingdom of Libertas itself. As such, any meddling with them was against the law. Forcevein siphoning had long been outlawed in many parts of the world, and in Redvein especially, it was a serious, serious crime.
A crime worthy of death, in the captain’s eyes.
Carmine rested her fingers against her chin. The forcevein siphoners that had been plaguing the city the past few months had proven quite elusive, but she was hellbent on putting a stop to them, ready to snatch onto any lead she came across. “Did she catch anything else?”
“No. Says they hushed up when she approached. She’s a good kid; I don’t think she’s withholding anything.”
“Do you have security footage of them?”
With a smile, he nodded his head behind him towards the back room. “Right this way.”