A few hours later...
Nyx looked out the window as they treading through the country. They passed many trees and bushes, swiveling around each corner through the road. Droplets of rain stuck to her window as she traced them with her eyes.
"Haven't seen Ashland's flora in a while…still as withered as I remember."
Then, she swiveled her head at David.
"Hey, David. What are we supposed to explore anyways?"
David raised a brow. "I thought you knew this, commander."
"Ha…Exploration isn't really my strong point."
"Very well, I shall inform you." David adjusted his hat. "We're going to be exploring the area outside of the glades."
"Beyond the glades? Isn't that the prohibited zone?"
"Yes. I'm sure you known that past expeditions beyond the glades have failed horribly…Well, we think at least."
"Hasn't the search that went last time been missing for a decade?" Nyx touched her hair.
"That's why exploration beyond the glades has been banned but…now, the EOC has assembled an elite force to do this…but now, our forces have been weakened because of Rome." David grunted in annoyance.
"Oh, don't you worry. We can complete this expedition without them. I'm here, y'know."
Just as she that, the car came to an abrupt stop. Nyx and David grabbed their umbrellas and stepped out while opening them. Heavy rain poured on them as they lifted their heads. Ahead of them was a massive wall that stretched beyond their vision, colored blue and reinforced with steel – The Great Eastern Wall.
***
Arthur's transport didn't stop as they entered the great eastern wall. Its massive gates opened, letting them. After a few minutes, all the vehicles had crossed the gates and then, it closed. He stood up, turning off the lights as the doors opened. He jumped out and the others followed him. He stretched his arms and back. He stepped around the car, glazing over the massive space they were in.
The inside of the wall was rather neutral. It had a concrete floor and walls which hadn't been colored but reinforced with steel, painted over by blue paint with strips of white separating it into many sections, creating a symmetrical masterpiece. Arthur peered forward, seeing multiple people wearing blue camo uniforms just like Kurt standing in a horizontal line.
"Hey, guys!" Arthur shifted back. "Are you going to come or not?"
"We're coming!" Maple replied as Kay exited the car.
He turned around and headed towards the soldiers of the wall. Nyx and David also headed towards; more soldiers began to follow them as they stopped before the soldiers. In the middle was a young man with blonde hair, sky – blue eyes and wore a dark blue uniform and cap with silver accents. He hung his coat on his shoulders whose silver epaulettes brushed against the blue fabric of the fine coat.
Nyx halted in front of him and he stretched out his hand.
"Nice to meet you, supreme commander of the UEOC."
Nyx didn't shake his hand, instead she lowered herself to his height and looked him in the eyes. She pulled cheek and said in a controlled tone.
"Don't treat your sister like a stranger, my dear little Albert."
Albert blinked and pushed his sister's off. Nyx puffed her cheeks and straightened her back.
"Please do try to be more professional next time we meet like this."
"Oh, how can be professional in front of my cute little brother?"
Albert facepalmed and groaned.
'Oh, sister…you don't know how embarrassed I am every time my men tease me about you.'
David tapped the supreme commander on the shoulder. Nyx tilted her head to look at David. He coughed and said in a calm tone.
"Let us see the ship we'll be going on."
Albert nodded. "Sure, follow me."
He veered back, walking towards the ship. Matthew eyes widened and his jaw dropped.
"That's a really…big ship."
"Of course, it is, Matthew." David said. "Is an ordinary ship going to carry all the cars we've brought? I don't think so."
Arthur unwillingly walked beside Lancelot who was putting on a fake smile for the crowd. His eyes scanned the ship, reinforced with high-grade steel and painted the same as the wall. Suddenly, Lancelot slowed down, matching Arthur's pace.
"Well, Arthur? What do you think of the ship?"
Arthur rolled his eyes. "It will do for the journey."
"You think so? Don't you think the benthos will eat the metal or the water will break?"
"I believe you are courting death. Since, you're so afraid of drowning. Why don't you curl up in you room until we reach the forbidden continent?"
'Damn bastard…Do you think I'm some child who's scared of the sea? Oh! Of course, I am. In the eyes of such a great man like yourself, I'm just an insignificant character.'
Lancelot kept his thoughts to himself and replied. "Oh! Why would think so? I got over that fear a long – long time ago."
"Get out my face and do you job." Arthur said coldly.
Lancelot moved ahead of Arthur while clicking his tongue. Their vehicles began boarding the massive ship. The ship itself was stuck in a port with no water, hooked to land by anchor. After the cars loaded, the enforcers began boarding. As Nyx boarded, her brother called out to her. She turned her head and Albert was waving at her.
"Have a safe journey!"
Nyx smirked and waved back. "You don't have to worry about me."
Albert tucked his hands in his pocket, a smile tugging at his lips. Then, his soldiers started talking behind him.
"Yeah, the general's sister is beautiful."
"Man, I wish I had a sister like that."
"She' so charming…I'm jealous."
Albert rotated his head, fire burning in his eyes. The soldiers instinctively stood at attention, their muscles tightening. Albert gritted his teeth and turned around.
'This is why I don't like to greet her normally…'
He sighed and looked towards the ship which had been filled. The crew members closed its gates and gave a thumbs up. Albert whistle and shouted.
"The ship is ready! Unanchor it and open the gates!"
His men shouted back, opening the gates. They entered a password into a digital panel and pressed confirm. The gates creaked open as water rushed through. It crashed against the ship but it didn't budge. As the water filled up the port, the ship floated. The captain activated the boat and gripped the wheel.
Isaac approached Albert, looking proudly at his greatest creation. Albert smiled and asked the lead engineer.
"How are you feeling?"
"Quite proud and excited honestly."
The two nodded as thunder struck, blinding them for a moment. The ship began to bump up and down, disbalancing the enforcers inside. Then, the ship began to move into the heavy rain of the gatekeeper's sea.