Aletha was left to fall after the mysterious girl, Dina, abruptly and unexplainably disappeared.
The geyser's shock wave still ran through her, making her feel as if her insides were shaking.
Her body suddenly felt hollow, and the wind hit her skin, sending chills down her spine. As she fell, a faint whistle in her ears grew louder.
The air's sharp, metallic smell filled her nose, taking over her senses. She felt weightless, her stomach turning.
She looked down and saw her arms and legs flying above her, like leaves in a storm.
She gasped as a cyan ball of light appeared over the horizon, its brightness blinding her for a moment.
"Wait a minute, is that The Sun? Why is it... blue?"
Aletha squinted at the glowing orb.
Before she could continue puzzling over it, gravity took over, and she began descending rapidly toward the ground below, the trail of water behind her fading away.
Aletha was at such a high elevation that she could see almost all of the continent that she had not yet explored.
Her pupils widened in surprise as she noticed a vast, distant golden desert in the upper left-hand corner of her vision, a snowy mountain towering enough to pierce even the stars, and an... upside-down volcano?
There seemed to be another chunk of land far at the northern horizon, but being so far, Aletha could hardly make out what it was.
The whole scene glowed white, making it look strange and dreamlike.
But before Aletha could see any more of the region she had yet to explore, her body pierced through the cover of white puffy clouds and began plummeting back into the nation of Linuxinia.
. . .
As she fell back to Linuxinia, Aletha's heart raced. She could barely breathe, afraid she might pass out.
To steady herself and remove her fear, Aletha deliberately closed her eyes and focused on calming her breathing, trying to keep herself alive.
She struggled as her throat tightened, her body shaking as though she might vomit, but she swallowed back the urge with determination.
When she finally landed on the surface of what could be presumed as liquid, Aletha looked up to find that she had not traveled far at all. To her surprise, she could see the bull just a couple of meters away from her.
It was now apparent to Aletha that she had landed in the middle of a lake filled with geysers.
Aletha's heart pounded as she checked if the bull she needed was nearby.
To her relief, the bull was not only nearby but directly below her.
She then climbed out of the lake and collapsed near the entrance of another jungle-like area, with a beautiful, tall waterfall in front of her.
Steamy water dripped down her face as she took deep breaths to calm down. Still, a flame of determination grew inside her, helping her get up and chase the bull.
"Almost... there."
The geyser continued to erupt behind her as she approached the bull. The beast was so close that it seemed like she could reach out and touch it.
Aletha kept running towards the bull, watching the geysers around it erupt violently in the background. It released thick plumes of smoke into the sky, filling Aletha's lungs with sulfur-laden air.
But then, after finally approaching the waterfall forest, the bull finally stopped, allowing Aletha to catch it. She stood there for a moment, watching the beast run in circles around her.
After catching the bull, Aletha ran off into the forest, feeling exhilarated by the adrenaline rush coursing through her veins. She was excited to know that she had managed to capture the bull without getting hurt or killed, despite the danger it presented.
"Hey, Alai!" She said as she cradled both the deer-antlered bull and the box in her hand. "I finally caught it!"
Despite her loud shouts, no one answered her, leaving Aletha alone in the wilderness, near the waterfall.
Suddenly, Aletha heard a rustle coming from within the jungle ahead of her, causing her to stop dead in her tracks. She listened closely for the sound again, hearing nothing other than the roaring waterfalls behind her.
"Who is that?" She mumbled.
Then, after she stepped forward into a passageway of wood, Aletha noticed a group of people coming over to her from the direction of the lake.
One of the men was wearing rather strange armor, with luminescent purple crystals protruding over the chest plate.
Another was wearing a distorted, almost monster-like helmet that looked shattered yet remained stable.
The appearance of these strangers looked far distinct from this world.
Acting on instinct, Aletha darted behind thick bushes to hide from the two men, crouching low and holding her breath as they approached.
A few minutes later, they walked past her hiding spot, talking to each other as they went.
"Have you heard about what they are going to do with The Twister and Alaunus?"
Although Aletha couldn't see much behind the bush, she sensed the two men stop right in front of her and keep talking.
The second man, his purple helmet shining, took out a book and skimmed it before replying in a loud, harsh voice.
"Alaunus? Don't you dare bring up that name of that impossible creature. Thousands of years ago, it killed billions of our people and creatures, both in this world and outside. Do you REALLY WANT to be the next one to be confined to its heaping shackles?"
The crystal-consumed man, wearing heavy black metal armor, stepped away and crossed his arms, replying in a nervous tone.
"No, not at all. I was just… mentioning it because it was mentioned in the prophecies that if the geyser field were to be active again, it could serve as an omen for the return."
The man in the bottle-shaped helmet, who seemed like a mage, chuckled with a strange, robotic voice. He stuck his blade in the ground and turned back to the other.
"Soldier seventy-nine, I'm sure it's just another hoax that some idiot spread across the land to make him rich. The world has already proven that Alaunus does not exist.
The twister on the other end has wreaked absolute havoc upon this nation already, and it continues to wander it until nothing of this nation is left. Now, if you think those two can merge, you are absolutely wrong."
With that being said, the crystal-consumed soldier placed his sword back into its scabbard, looking over to Aletha's hiding place.
He then turned to the other man, saying:
"So, have you found anything useful here today, Soldier seventy-eight?"
"No, sir," replied what appeared to be a machine painted black and magenta. "I do, however, suggest listening to Soldier-Seventy-Nine's call."
"What is your business?"
"I think you're wrong about Alaunus ceasing to exist anymore. Look here at this prophecy written on this stone tablet I found after I heard a huge explosion inside that abandoned cavern near Clearstar…"
Aletha's eyes widened in shock as she listened. (Are they talking about what I did with that strange weapon over there?)
As Aletha remained hidden in the bushes, curious about what the mysterious group of metal soldiers had to say, she heard a loud, stentorian voice overlap their yells.
"Hmm, an explosion near Clearstar? I'm satisfied to say that the explosion served as one of the triggers that may have started the first phase of the awakening of Alaunus. As said with his prophecies."
The crystal-consumed man who wore metal armor, Soldier Seventy-Nine, hurriedly backed up in shock, while the mage shook his head and denied the approaching figure.
"General Strodhell, what are you doing here?"
Unlike the other soldiers who wore metal armor, General Strodhell wore but a dark cloak, with a purple visor attached to his head. His armor was bulky and solid, with several black jewels and spikes wedged in between his chestplate.
The way he stood and spoke made him seem extremely powerful. Everyone stepped back from General Strodhell, and Aletha stayed very quiet. His voice echoed through the forest.
"I have come here to witness the absolute failure one of my weakest servants has ever committed. Within that train, I now know that he must perish, for he isn't of any worth to our kingdom."
As he approached the dark mage, General Strodhell slapped his book down to the ground and clenched his neck, speaking.
"Some prophecies can't be trusted. But Alaunus', I figure, their prophecies have ALWAYS... been right. I highly advise that you two, Soldier Seventy-Nine and Soldier Seventy-Eight, will not fail anyone in this pursuit. The return..."
Aletha shook with fear, feeling the power from the third man's voice. Still, she stayed silent, listening from her hiding spot.
"The return of… what?" Said Soldier Seventy Nine as he tried his best to grab the book back.
General Strodhell hastily pushed him back and sighed, answering. "The return and merge of both the mighty creature Alaunus and the Ever-Destructive Twister, Tornisin."
Despite the aura radiating within General Strodhell, Soldier Seventy-Eight dared to object.
"Don't be foolish. We can't lend our trust in our people's goal to an untamable behemoth. Have you lost every fragment of sanity in you?"
The weaker soldier objected. "No, General Strodhell hadn't lost his sanity at all. Alaunus has always been right about its prophecies. You can even notice it in the world around you."
General Strodhell was just a centimeter away from shattering Soldier Seventy-Eight's Life, but thanks to Soldier Seventy-Nine's interference, he was spared.
Soldier Seventy Nine continued to add.
"True. Alaunus' prophecies have always been valid, as General Strodhell here proclaimed. There hasn't been one mistake or discrepancy inscribed upon their mistakes. But don't you think our majesty's power can eclipse it?"
General Strodhell crossed his arms and nodded, adding to the conversation with his deep, robotic voice.
"P… Perhaps. Although all have forgotten, I believe that The Healer, Alaunus, might be the most powerful creature in existence. It hasn't healed this world for several ages. This… may actually give us a chance to bring forth an ending to all of this existence."
After retrieving his book, Soldier Seventy-Eight agreed and snapped his gloves.
"Hold on. You're correct. Now that I think of it, that seems fascinating. There is absolutely no way this could fail us. No God strong enough in this world exists now. This may be our only chance."
General Strodhell nodded his head and clutched the blade Soldier Seventy-Nine dropped, granting him a strange advanced weapon, before stepping back and responding.
"Indeed, Mr. Dhosno. The awakening of Alaunus may serve as an opportunity for our majesty to pursue her Promise. But until then, let us explore other methods and see whether the Queen verifies and believes this event is worthy of a fragment of her power. Farewell, and may good luck be upon you, servants."
With that, General Strodhell left with a purple glow, leaving Aletha, Soldier Seventy-Nine, and Soldier Seventy-Eight alone with nothing but the sound of crickets chirping in the background.
Finally, after discussing a dangerous creature named Alaunus, the men turned back to the lake and proceeded along the path. As they were walking away from the bush, Soldier Seventy-Eight implied to them.
"Well then, if it is considered a possibility to achieve our goal, we must report back to The Queen of Wraileza and inform her of the new prophecies that have appeared in Clearstar's cavern."
A gear clicked, followed by a loud, distorted, robotic voice that replied to the man.
"You first, I will follow behind you."
Suddenly, Aletha was so immersed in the situation that she accidentally trampled on something, causing the bushes to rustle. She stood there, paralyzed, hoping the men wouldn't be alert.
But it was too late, the man with the purple crystal-covered helmet, Soldier Seventy-Nine, noticed the movement and stopped the two other armored men, whispering.
"Do you hear that? It sounds like the bushes are rustling."
The other man nodded to the other as they slowly removed their helmets, revealing their faces and showing them to be entirely covered in metallic purple skin.
They also wore dark, metal-looking helmets, giving off a similar aura of strength to the purple-helmeted man.
"It's probably nothing, but the wind. Let's go back to Wraileza, before anyone else...
The man was interrupted by yet another rustle in the bushes.
"There it is again. I think the noise is coming from this direction."
Aletha gulped, noticing how the bushes kept moving, causing the leaves to fall. Then, out of nowhere, a small, furry animal jumped up from the bushes, startling the three soldiers.
"Eliminate it."
At that very moment, Aletha witnessed the animal get obliterated by a purple laser coming straight from the hands of one of the soldiers.
"What the hell?!"
She screamed as the entire area went silent except for the crackling of the fire nearby.
The smoke cleared, allowing her to witness the lifeless body of the little rabbit lying dead on the ground, next to a pile of charred grass and dirt.
Aletha felt herself shaking with fear. Her heart beat faster in anticipation of the inevitable. One of the soldiers yelled.
"Wait-- who goes there?! Someone is prying into our plans! I told you we should have never approached Gushy Geysers!"
The one who carried a book, Soldier Seventy-Eight, placed his armored helmet back on and clicked a button, transforming his entire body into a metal suit. He then pointed what looked like an advanced purple laser weapon and threatened Aletha behind the bush.
"Reveal yourself! Or else!"
"Not if I have a thing to say about that." A familiar feminine voice sounded off from a distance.
A prominent figure suddenly appeared from the forest, carrying a small black device in her hands.
She was wearing a pink hood, which hid most of her face, though enough of it showed to know what she looked like—glorious and long shiny ruby-hair, glistening eyes, and fair skin.
Aletha recognized the woman's voice immediately, screaming with a smile.
"Alai!"
"I've been looking everywhere for you, Aletha! It had been so long since you were taken off track from the training ground that even Ubel was worried for you. You shouldn't run around without telling me your movements..."
Soldier Seventy-Nine instantly stepped in front and grabbed the laser cannon, ready to fire.
"Stay away from her. That white-haired girl is who the Queen wants!"
The other armored men backed up in shock.
"Are you serious?"
"That's her!?"
The purple helmeted warrior quickly took out a knife and held it against Aletha's neck. He screamed at the golden-red-haired girl as the lights on his armor illuminated with a vivid purple.
"Leave at once or else."
Before he could speak another sentence out of his mouth, the man was surprised when Alai grabbed them by the neck without ease. Aletha quickly slipped out of his grip and scampered behind Alai, hiding behind her.
"What do those men want from me?!"
As Alai pierced the robotic-armored man with a crimson luminance burning on her gloves, she explained.
"Those men right there are one of the weakest soldiers of The Promise. They come from Wraileza, invading the lands of other nations without reason. It appears, for some reason, they want to capture you. Don't worry, I got this!"
Alai threw a punch toward one of the men's heads. The armored warrior was thrown back onto the ground, unconscious and breathing heavily.
"Whoa. I didn't know a girl like you could be so fierce."
"This isn't about me, my friend. I'm here to find out why you're here!"
"Oh, I see now."
Aletha was still terrified about what might happen next, but she tried to make the best of the situation.
"You're here to help me?"
Alai smiled softly, putting down the fallen soldier and returning to the original spot. She turned to Aletha and said in a gentle voice.
"Yes and no. I'm here because I've noticed you have gone outside my training zone. Until you show me the box, this training is deemed invalid. Sigh, why can't you do anything right?
I can't believe I have to use this forbidden magic from Obrus just for you. But alas, I have no choice."
The two girls hugged each other tight in relief. Just before they continued talking about what was happening at hand, one of the surviving soldiers of The Promise screamed.
"We can't let this information go to waste! Soldier Number Seventy-Nine, pull out your tablet immediately and send everything you have to the Wrailezan database before..."
A bright violet light enveloped the room, silencing everything. The only sounds were those of the faint coughing of the man.
The blast damaged his throat, and he was unable to talk properly. The place was filled with darkness, as if night had fallen on their world.
"What happened?" asked one of the men.
He looked around him in search of an answer when he noticed Alai walking up to the group with her hands crossed.
"SEND THE DATA-- NO, EVEN THE MESSAGE, NOW!" Screamed the injured soldier with all the voice he had left.
The weaker, less-injured soldier nodded, quickly pulled out a purple-and-black holographic piece of advanced equipment, skimmed across whatever he was searching for, and hovered his finger over it.
Before Alai had slaughtered all of the group of Wrailezan soldiers, as a tall silver-haired man approached him with transparent glowing gray wolves, the soldier's thumb pressed the button, and his entire body shriveled into nothing but specks of dust.
[Data sent]
. . .
[Message Sent]
(SHATTERED)