77Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jcOarimn5The next sector gave off rocky, hidden-world vibes, with buildings and technology you might see in sci-fi movies. The term "alien" actually came to mind, funnily enough.
Most of the region was brown rock or sand with only one visible source of water — the giant river that flowed throughout the sector. The buildings within the sector, including the central tower, were made of brown metal that blended with the environment and screamed "ancient civilization". The tower mentioned had "S-06" and a saucer symbol embroidered onto it for everyone to see. At the base of the tower was what appeared to be the entrance to an ancient tomb.
"What's in there?" I asked aloud.
"That's a tomb filled with some of Cindar's oldest artefacts," I heard Luna's voice say as she cruised to fly level with the ferry bus. "There are many tombs and exploration sites throughout the sector. History is what we're known for here. There are over 147 million civilians who love their history and ours. We let them build their own businesses to share their heritage with others, so if you're ever curious about other races out there, there's no better place to learn than here. The 2,500 klevonians within my Dust Division are always here to help as well."
"Now that's something worth looking into," Avarice remarked.
"Oh? You a history buff, pale one?" Luna replied, mildly intrigued.
"A wealth of knowledge is one of the few ventures I enjoy in life," he answered as-a-matter-of-factly.
"A greed that extends beyond just money. That's admirable. For a goblin."
Avarice glared at her silently as we quickly exited Sector 06.
Fulvia looked outside at Luna, who continued to fly alongside us.
"Not turning back?" she asked.
"Figured I'd tag along for the rest of the night. I got some free time tonight," Luna shrugged.
"Right, of course. This has nothing to do with your concerns with Cinder, right...?" Fulvia smiled. "Fine, you can come. I doubt he'll do anything to our guest unprovoked—but he can be a hot head sometimes."
When we entered the next sector, everything was fire and brimstone. There were active volcanoes everywhere outside of the sector. The sector itself was heavily militarized and smithy, if that makes any sense. Many buildings had furnaces attached to them, from which lava would flow into a large magmatic river that ran through the area. The central tower was a dark metal tower with "S-01" and a flaming war-hammer symbol engraved on it. At its base was a door that led into an inferno. The temperature was so high that each of us, even Fulvia and Luna, had to use blue sonium with our zip-wear to remain comfortable.
In the next instant, a wall of magma suddenly erupted before the ferry bus, causing the operator to swerve to avoid running through any of it. Thankfully, the wall opened a path for us to fly through. In that path was Cinder floating in midair with his arms stoically crossed.
As we rapidly approached, his body dispersed into magma before reforming on top of the ferry. He looked down at Luna.
"Why am I not surprised Luna's here too?" He said gruffly.
"You say that as if I'm always around," Luna retorted.
"Wherever Fulvia goes, you aren't far behind."
"It's our job."
"No, it's not. She doesn't need our protection."
"You guys don't have bodyguards here?" I asked, interrupting their bickering.
"You mean like the pneumarians," Cinder stated dryly. "No, we don't. They prefer to send subordinates to deal with their problems. We deal with things ourselves here. Besides, it makes no sense to have bodyguards weaker than you are."
"Okay, everyone. Let's wrap things up," Fulvia insisted from her seat before giving a subtle nod to Cinder.
"Hmph," Cinder grunted as he looked forward. "Look out. What do you see?"
"Umm, volcanoes and furnaces?" I replied skeptically.
"No. You see the heart of Forgeton," Cinder corrected. "This is the most important place in our nation. With over 81 million citizens and 2,500 klevonians within the Burn Division, we deal with disposal, mining, and smithing."
He pointed to an abnormally large volcano in the distance.
"That there..."
[Excuse me, passengers. We are now heading to the final drop-off point for the night. Thank you for riding with the Forgeton Ferry Express. We hope to see you again!]
The automatic intercom faded as we noticed we were descending toward the sector border. I saw the station was built next to a river of water that flowed into an ocean—the southern ocean near the South Pole.
"Oh, so Sector 01 is technically a peninsula," I said out loud.
"This thing drives too fast," Cinder said, standing above the ferry bus as we descended. "Look out, before we miss the view. That large volcano in the distance—that's The Forge, the actual heart of Forgeton.
"It's the only place on the planet where cindium is made," Luna cut in, earning a grunt of disapproval from Cinder, who leaped toward the ground. "Newly formed cindium is very valuable and only forms every 50 years during The Forge's eruptions. Cindium is..."
"We know what cindium is. We had some on Earth," Avarice interrupted, standing to move to the door with disinterest.
"Yeah, it's strong enough to cut even a klevonian's tough skin," I said, proud to have already known something.
"Hm. I'm not sure how you'd obtain that on the world you're from, but what you're describing is old cindium," Fulvia chimed in as we landed at the station. "Operator, you're free to leave. We'll stay here for a bit longer." The operating klevonians gave a klevonian salute before leaving us there.
"Cindium younger than a year, what we refer to as virgin cindium, still hasn't lost the mystical energy that makes it a special resource," Fulvia continued. "This mystical energy is both chaotic and benevolent. If a ring is made with it, its energy will permanently sync with a cindarian's spirit by connecting with their heart and forge itself into a spiritual armament fit for them."
"Like this," Fulvia flashed the silver-black ring around one of her fingers. The ring glowed white, then morphed into an iridescent-white dagger that materialized in her hand.
"The symbols for each General. That's their special weapon," Tymon deduced.
"Yes," Fulvia concurred. "We call them spirit arms. In its concealed form, it's called a soul ring. Spirit Arms come at three different levels depending on the user's willpower: common blades, resonant blades, and Ten Ha, or Heavenly Blades. Each level requires a greater mental and spiritual fortitude to withstand the drawbacks."
"Common Blades are the standard type that most klevonians in our army possess. They are simple, thin blades, but can still easily cut through our skin like normal cindium. However, they can also cut through spirit energy without the user having to apply spirit enhancement to the weapon. This means using spirit enhancement defensively won't save a klevonian or pneumarian from being cut. This aspect is applied to each level of spirit arms."
"I learned that from experience," Tymon muttered solemnly.
"The next two levels are more powerful. Resonant blades don't take on the simple shape of a thin blade. They take on a specific shape that suits the user and their spirit energy, and will have the same elemental aspects as the klevonian's spirit energy. For example, Cinder's is a war hammer that has the same effects as his lightning and magma, making his hammer a literal weapon of mass destruction. Ten Ha, on the other hand, is the final stage of spirit arms that very few klevonians have reached. I am the only remaining klevonian that possesses one. They have the same qualities as the previous stages, but also allow the klevonian to channel their non-elemental cintracies through them. This connection is much more spiritual than the other stages, which is evident through this..."
Fulvia showed us her hand that gripped the dagger. It was completely white, shimmering with iridescence. Her hand had become one with her blade...
"Evolving one's spirit arm into a resonant blade requires a klevonian to tame the chaotic energy within it, but a Ten Ha requires perfect synchronization that many aren't able to achieve," Luna inputted.
"You mentioned drawbacks earlier?" Za'Fia inquired.
"Yes, the mystical energy of spirit arms feeds on the user's willpower," Fulvia stated. "Common blades pose no real concerns from the drawbacks; however, the final two stages require strenuous exertions of willpower to tame or sync with the chaotic energy. Failing to do so results in a klevonian being completely consumed by the mystical force and losing one's will, becoming an avatar for a mindless weapon that will continuously release its energy until the klevonian vessel is depleted. Those able to survive this remain comatose afterwards, their minds gone completely."
"That's glim," I whimpered.
"That's a big risk for that power," Tymon added.
"It is," Fulvia agreed. "Many don't try to go beyond a common blade. Many lack the will."
"Still, an army with common blades isn't something to scoff at," Avarice mused. "You all possess weapons that can hurt even pneumarians."
"That's precisely why they fear us," Cinder cut in from the doorway. "Pneumarians can't use spirit arms since they possess no heart for them to link to. In the right hands, they've proven to be powerful weapons against them; that's why they've always wanted control of them. Unfortunately for them, we're the only ones with soul rings and spirit arms since The Forge is in our territory. They've negotiated peace for cindium over the ages, but we only give them cindium that's 3 years or older. Pneumarians may not be able to use soul rings, but there's no doubt they'd jump at the opportunity to give a spirit arm to their klevonian slaves, and we have no intentions of making them a bigger threat to us or getting rid of our defense against them."
"And they won't try to take it by force due to your numbers and their vulnerability to your weapons," Tymon stated, taking up the rear as we stepped from the ferry bus. The station was quiet and empty. Guess that's to be expected when it's closing.
"But what prevents a klevonian who already has a spirit arm from submitting to a pneumarian? I didn't see any klevonians with weapons in Pneuma City, so you must've figured out some way to prevent it." I asked, missing something as we left the station. The area outside was like a small city built on water. Apparently, it was a port city for Sector 01 since many found the internal environment too difficult to work in. The air was warm, but much more manageable than within the actual sector.
"There are no klevonians in Pneuma City with spirit arms because klevonians only receive a spirit arm after an old practice of swearing their blood oath to either serve the Klevonian Army for the rest of their klevonian life or never to accept an ascension mark, keeping them dutybound or restricted out of self-preservation. This prevents klevonians from getting a spirit arm then submitting to a pneumarian later. And thankfully, the link between a soul ring and klevonian protects klevonians from being unwillingly marked," Fulvia answered from next to me.
"Branded," Cinder corrected her as we walked down the stairs, exiting the station. People were anchoring small boats in the swaying river to our right. Several boats carried various containers, each containing different items, being shipped to and from the infernal sector. "Unwillingly branded."
"So those unwilling are protected, but if they willingly accept the mark afterwards, they're killed due to breaking their blood oath." I summed up. "It's a bit rough for me, but it's a smart way to ensure the Klevonian Army doesn't have to worry about facing their own."
"Yeah, it's smart, but there's a loophole," Tymon pointed out.
Fulvia nodded.
"Yeah, that oath doesn't apply to a zasshu's zenith marks. Thankfully, most don't trust Aeric, but if a war breaks out and things get desperate enough, some might consider..."
She shook the thought away before continuing.
"No, since he wouldn't be able to control us as an ascension mark would allow, I'm sure he wouldn't just empower an army of klevonians with weapons that could hurt him, too."
"These weapons can hurt a Tenshu, too?" Za'Fia whistled. "Will they kill a pneumarian?"
"No, it only hurts them. Other than outright absorbing them, apart from the Celestials and some Tenshu, not much can kill them since they're made of energy. But damage them enough with these, and it'll take them years to recover. You could even trap them if you find a strong enough place."
Cinder led us to one of the many boats anchored along the large river. This boat was more like a ship and was clearly associated with the Klevonian Army. The rowdy klevonians were all dressed in similar orange-red uniforms as they loaded the ship with cargo by lifting it overhead. Guess there's no need for cranes when three klevonians can carry a shipping container by themselves.
"Be careful with those containers!" we heard the commanding klevonians yell at the others. "If I get my ass chewed out by General Cinder, best believe your next shifts will be hell!"
When he turned to see Cinder, Fulvia, and Luna approaching, he quickly saluted.
"Chief! Generals!"
"At ease," Cinder told him as he took the shipping documents from him.
"Ah, perfect timing," Fulvia expressed, looking over the documents alongside him. "We have some of the soul rings here being shipped to Sector Z for inspection. Bring me the deliver," she ordered the klevonian.
When he brought her a cubicle container the size of a birthday cake, she unlocked it and pulled out a single silver-black ring amongst many.
"This is a dormant soul ring that has been linked with anyone yet."
"Whoa, it's giving off way more of that mystical energy than your rings. Is it because no one's tamed or suppressed it yet?" I asked, getting a closer look. "Can I touch it, or will that make it link to me?"
"Go ahead, you can't accidentally sync with it," Fulvia said as she placed it in her palm for me to grab. "And yes, that's exactly why they give off more energy in their dormant state."
"Ohh," I said as I gently picked up the ominous ring. The moment I did, the amulet around my neck glowed and shocked me, causing me to drop the ring.
Fulvia casually caught the ring before it hit the ground, then looked at me and my amulet quizzically.
"What was that about?" she inquired.
"I'm not sure," I said, flexing my fingers painfully.
Seems the stone rejects the use of spirit arms. It almost felt territorial, Viraa said.
You've been unusually quieter lately, I said to her, but she didn't respond. It felt like she was up to something, concentrating. The shock from the amulet must've broken that concentration.
"CINDERRR!" A small group of kids suddenly was heard screaming as they ran toward him. For the first time, I witnessed Cinder smile as the children embraced him.
"What are you all doing here? It's late, and it's dangerous this close to the river," Cinder said softly.
"That's okay, my gills finally came in!" one of the boys said with excitement, showing off the gills on his neck. "I can breathe underwater now!"
"Really? Even I can't do that," Cinder said, sharing his joy. "Hey, tell me, how'd you all find me here?"
"Oh! That was me!" another boy, a klevonian, hopped overjoyed. "I learned how to sense energy! We saw the ship come to the docks earlier and figured you'd have to come at some point, so I focused really hard to detect you when you came, and it worked!"
"Wow, you all are developing quickly," Cinder said as the kids climbed up his huge body like a tree.
"He's a role model for the children here. He ensures the schools are provided for, and the education isn't cutting corners. Of all of us, he has the strongest presence in any of our communities. Everyone looks up to him. Especially the boys. They all want to be strong like him when they get older," Fulvia said softly as we watched.
I noticed how he had a soft spot for kids. Genuine happiness. It was an unexpected side of him. As the children used him like a jungle gym, I confirm that he, in fact, had extra arms under that cloak. Two extra arms were revealed as he lifted the children and began juggling them, causing them to giggle irresistibly.
Then several parents walked down onto the pier with warm expressions. From the looks of it, this wasn't the first time this has occurred.
"Sorry, they came to interrupt you at work. Again," said one of the noncindarian mothers as she gently grabbed her child's hand. "Will you be coaching this year? The school games aren't the same without you."
"Not this year," Cinder answered, clearly disappointed.
"Is it about the missing children from Pneuma City?" she asked with concern.
"Hey, we get it. You're a busy guy," said a father holding his daughter. "Things like that put tension in the air. We understand. More importantly, we thank you for your protection. I don't know what I'd do if something happened to my..."
"No worries, you all get home now," Cinder said reassuringly.
As they walked away, I looked at him and saw the conviction in his eyes to protect them all.
"Being a dad seems to come easy to you. Got any kids of your own?" I asked him.
Cinder seemed reluctant to answer at first, but replied, "No. In all my years, I haven't found a woman I could love."
"How come?"
"Most women I'd otherwise be interested in are weak..." He shook his head, "I sound like that Tyrant. What I mean is weak-willed damsels. I'd get along better with a strong-spirited woman. One with ambition. Spark."
"And there are no klevonians who fit that description?"
"Sure, there are, we're a warrior race. However, they either have submitted themselves to a pneumarian, fall under my command, or are part of another general's command, in which case I don't see myself pursuing. Those not falling under any of those categories choose to be civilians of Forgeton instead, showcasing their lack of willpower. Occasionally, I run into someone who seems to have potential, though." Cinder glanced at Za'Fia, who had casually shoved a ship aside so that she could sit and dip her bare feet into the water. She smiled with satisfaction as some of the boat owners complained that she was causing their boats to bump into each other.
Of course, he'd notice her.
"Sorry to tell you, but she's already fallen for someone else," I broke it to him. "Oh! I know a warrior type back home. She's another member of my team...oh, never mind, she's not interested in that sort of stuff, though."
"It doesn't bother me," Cinder stated flatly. "I've long since accepted my dilemma."
"Hm," I muttered as I tried to think of something to change the subject. "Hey, can I ask you something?"
"Might as well."
"How come you're different from other klevonians here? The four arms are natural instead of being from a transformation."
"My mother was a tesseran – a four-armed race from planet Tetris. My father was one of the few klevonians long ago who could still procreate outside cindarians."
"So you're a..."
"A zasshu, yeah. Tesserans aren't powerful in nature, so besides the extra arms, I didn't inherit much from them. Anyway..." Cinder fixed his cloak. "Seems we're done here. It'd be best if we all got some sleep."
"Right," I said, getting the clue that he wanted to be left alone. Having met everyone and gauged their personalities, I was confident that the Klevonian Army had nothing to do with the missing children and that they weren't in the nation at all. Which meant it was Aeric. Maybe if we all went to his home, they'd find something.
I was about to share everything with the others, including Fulvia, Cinder, and Luna, when I noticed Tymon looking around with a grim expression.
Something's wrong here, he shared with me.
What do you mean? Did we miss something? Is it the children?
No. I noticed it when we got here. There's an unusually high number of people with death clouds around them. Many of these people are about to die...
My eyes widened as I felt a sudden burst of energy behind them, my Temporal Sight activated instinctively, almost like an early warning system.
Within a split second, I'd seen what was about to unfold and sprinted full speed to Za'Fia as I telepathically reached out to Tymon.
Tymon! Something's...
But it was too late as, within that same fraction of a second, a stream of light was seen falling from the sky. An orange-red streak shot toward the projectile, colliding with it, causing a massive explosion of blinding light that stunned everyone and rapidly destroyed entire city blocks as its radius expanded toward us
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The Primordials: Death's Fury (Volume 01 - Chapters 1-30)
The Primordials: A Joyless Joy & Life (Volume 02 - Chapters 31-50)
The Primordials: Lustless Prides (Volume 03 - Chapters 51-78)
The Primordials: Retribution (Volume 04 - Chapters 79-110)
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The Primordials: New World (Volume 05 - Chapters 111-165)
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