Gala glanced slightly as the footsteps behind him approached. His mother. Also, Seth and... Alex. Oh God. Why are they so fond of clustering together? Especially since this journey was deliberately made not too conspicuous, and Gala almost touched the bottom of the sea to avoid detection by Gideon the Great's radar. Gala needs a signal to monitor the situation at the southern gate of Metro West.A gently sloping beach stretches as far as the eye can see, with a desert beyond. That's the only easiest access point at the moment, although it's quite risky."Besides why those coordinates are our destination, what really happened, Gala?" Seth asks, still plagued by high curiosity. There wouldn't be an attack from Gideon the Great if it were just a trivial matter. Just before Gala's message, he did feel that the dice was being used. Maybe the rulers of Metro also knew what the dice could do, but why?Gala sighs softly. His eyes slightly look up at the ceiling of the largest submarine among
Dice never kept her distance from Gala, who is currently with Alexander Millian. The girl leans slightly on one of the pillars near the partition between the spaces leading to the ship's engine and towards the tail of this large ship. Even from this distance, Dice can still hear the conversation between the two men of different ages. She chooses to watch while paying attention to her observation of the outside area of the ship. She is afraid that the Grand Gideon might still be pursuing them, considering, once again, the man has lost.The blue glow isn't too bright. Bright or not, no one sees it except..."It seems you're here, dear?"Dice immediately turns and looks at the man who speaks to her with a melancholic gaze. "Dad," she says softly.What she isn't prepared for is when Seth suddenly embraces her tightly. "It's been so long, dear. A long time." She can feel a slow, gentle touch on her back. "Are... you okay?"Dice nods slowly. "I'm fine, Dad."Seth carefully observes her face
Gala never messes around when he says that about the submarine surfacing; he takes charge. Maverick repeatedly raises an eyebrow, but he doesn't argue at all. Truth be told, he's pretty curious about where their journey is headed this time. He hasn't worked together like this in years. Although the collaboration with North Metro has been smooth, it's purely business and some dirty dealings between them. No one has ever really done something with a purpose.Now? Oh my. Even he is willing to do what Gala asks. Somehow, his words really intimidate him. Physically, the kid is much smaller than him, towering over him. Is it because he's a Xavier's kid? It could be. Especially when the steering lever is taken over. Like someone familiar with advanced machines and a somewhat confusing display of ship engines, he finds no obstacles. The ship's speed becomes even more stable, and as they approach the coastline, what he does with Alex has its own purpose.Maverick has never visited West Metro t
The sandstorm was quite powerful, but it didn't hinder the movement of the ship, which had been transformed into a large, controllable sled by Dice. She took over while Gala monitored the entire safe distance, considering Gideon's attacks that had played havoc on them. The submarine-shaped ship had wings wide on both the right and left sides, resembling a manta ray.Fortunately, it could be maneuvered and hidden at specific angles serving as aerodynamics to facilitate movement and increase speed in the water. And here in the sandy terrain, those wings were highly functional, adding air pressure to the top of the ship, making it slide even faster on the unstable highs and lows of the sandy ground. Strong swirling winds could be seen just from the front window."Enjoying this, Dice?"Dice chuckles. "Absolutely.""Just keep an eye on the path. The aerial surveillance from the coast doesn't show anything suspicious. But the drone I sent to check the new coordinates hasn't returned yet. I.
Freya squirmed a bit. The twilight light looked beautiful from Gideon's large window. The extraordinary view was indeed a rarity here, and she felt lucky to enjoy it freely. Glancing towards the large man now peacefully asleep, she sighed softly. She slowly removed his strong hand, allowing her to get up from the sofa, perhaps preparing to leave the room.There was a somewhat disturbing pain she felt between her thighs, slowing her movements. Gideon's idea of satisfaction was always done in his way—rough, intimidating, without pauses, tenderness, or consideration. Yet, Freya couldn't do anything. She couldn't even complain. Gideon's grip on her life was too strong. On one side, she could feel how Gideon didn't want her to get hurt again.She sighed softly again, draped in a bathrobe she intentionally took from one of the large closets slightly hidden among Gideon's massive wardrobes. One cabinet looked different from the others, indicating that it wasn't Gideon's but deliberately plac
Gala quickly checked the report provided by the stealth drone. All the recorded findings in the depths of the chasm were extremely strange. It seemed that after the edge, there was a sturdy staircase descending, ready to be walked on. Moreover, there were wall ornaments that made Gala furrow his brow. Writings that he had never seen before."Check," Gala ordered swiftly, with Dice beside him working rapidly. Dice herself was puzzled because she had never seen this place before. The origins of all those carvings were being searched. This die must come from thousands of years ago, surely holding ancient manuscripts and knowing the meanings of the carvings. With precision, Dice began searching one by one until..."Oh my God," she whispered softly."Dice?"Dice didn't respond. She chose to quickly open the old files about the numerous violations Kyler Lamont committed in West Metro. All the records about the violations were kept in a special file that Xavier maintained separately. If they
Dice has entered the dice. She shouldn't do anything until she fully recovers. Gala is quite curious about what happened to her. He has never seen Dice like that before. Her eyes also look scared, and Gala suspects one thing. There's something significant hidden by Dice, or... something very secretive.He knows everything about Dice, and it seems that when Cathleen or Dice speaks, there are no lies there. This means that for today, something must have happened beyond Dice's reach. And Gala thinks Seth Rafael knows that clearly. It shows from his uneasy face. But there is something far more important than just Seth's story this time.The two-on-one battle, where it turns out the snake is not just any snake. He can't let Alex and Maverick, who seem to be in trouble, be left alone. The large snake turns out to be more than just a snake. It is quite heavily armed on several sides, making Maverick and Alex look very frustrated. And it seems that the dice protection for both of them was sev
The snake stops moving, Gala can feel it. Then its wide mouth, with sharp and terrifying fangs, opens. Making Gala shudder a bit in horror. The droplets of saliva dripping from the sides of those fangs create enough sound for Gala to exit immediately. It seems that the snake is indeed asking Gala to come out without words.He examines his body once again, luckily not too much slime from the snake. Very strange. Inside the snake, he felt like he was swallowed alive in the slippery, wet, foul-smelling, and strange body of the snake. But Gala also doesn't forget how the battle between Alex and Maverick unfolded. The large snake still watches him, releasing a lot of weapons to protect itself.Not yet over his surprise, Gala is stunned by what greets his sight. A large room with lots of equipment he doesn't know. Bottles of various colors that look like they're heated from beneath the surface. Also, many large tubes containing... Gala has to confirm his view, afraid he's seeing it wrong. A
"Maverick!" Alex yells, where his sword has been pulled perfectly. Repelling the sudden and quite brutal attack because these big cats are very different from the animals that have been showing the way to this strange forest. Where pine trees that used to look dense now begin to shift or not, who knows. In Alex's eyes, everything seems to be moving away as if bringing them to a fairly large but rocky place.The sky is still as dark as Alex knows. His sword swings several times, pressing the cat to retreat, but it seems their strength is immense. Alex fights against almost four animals, which have very long fangs. Their orange eyes and hisses are terrifying. Alex is sure that if he gets bitten by those fangs anywhere on his body, it will result in a deep wound. Moreover, if these creatures are mythical, it means the injuries they cause can be severe."Try not to get bitten," Alex says loudly. His sword swings again to hit one of the heads of the creature that suddenly jumps to attack h
"Okay. Forgive me. I don't know why you keep saying that I'm careless because I want to throw away the die. You owe me too much, Cathleen.""I know." Cathleen smiles thinly. Her eyes again stare at the link of their hands. "We will live long while holding hands like this, sir. Trust me. The time waiting for you won't be long. And when that day comes, I'm sure we'll all be happy together."Actually, Gala doesn't want to release the girl's grip, but once again, Cathleen's gaze is so convincing. "How long?""Be patient.""How long, Cathleen?" This time the question is so firm because Gala is not a person who likes to wait for a long time, it turns out. Especially when it comes to Cathleen. The question receives a wide smile from Cathleen. She closes it with a sweet kiss as a farewell before she really releases the link of their hands."Do many things with the people who love you, sir. I think the time waiting for you won't feel long."Gala blinked slowly."And never, ever intend to throw
Gala blinked repeatedly. He even woke up with very slow movements as if savoring the moment. In front of him, Cathleen stood with her sweet smile. The color of her face looked fresh. Her blue eyes were lively. Not to mention... oh my! Gala could hardly believe his own eyes."You... you... real?"Cathleen sighed loudly. She walked with a bit of lifting her somewhat bothersome dress. "Actually, I haven't finished my task. Why are you so careless!"The young man stood silent, motionless, with his eyes fixed only on Cathleen, who was now approaching."I've often said that this die can't be handed over. It has a special authentication code regarding its owner. When you intend to discard it, negative energy comes out just like that. And do you know what happens?"Gala is still confused. "Wait, wait! Don't say things I can't digest so quickly.""When are you going to respond to all my statements?" Cathleen grumbled to herself. She carefully took the die hanging around Gala's neck. Her lips s
Gala coughs violently. The pain in his back makes him suddenly breathless. He falls to his knees with a grin that still doesn't want to diminish even a bit. How could it diminish when he repeatedly had to hit trees or large rocks around him. The die still can't be touched again and emits a stronger blue light. Gala still remembers the first time they met in that corridor. The blue light... bright but also makes his heart quite comfortable. But this time, the blue around the die is different.Which Gala eventually realizes, the blue light comes from the hologram girl's projection. The original color of the die itself is a not-too-bright orange, not dazzling, but always makes Gala excited. Somehow the die has a way of being near Gala, but that's what the young man feels."Return," Gala whispers softly while wiping the corner of his lips slowly. The intention to throw away the die as far as possible seems to have to be reconsidered. What he is experiencing now seems to be a protest from
Xavier's earlier remark makes Maverick chuckle. "If you're joking, you should pay attention to your surroundings. If you leave my body there," Maverick points quickly, "What will happen to South Metro without me?"Xavier remains silent. He starts thinking about how to cross this seemingly endless chasm, except for the dangerous fog and steep rocks. He never knew there was a black panther guarding East Metro. He should have asked who this big cat really was before deciding to follow it. Ah, it's all because of Maverick who casually requested the big black cat for this Gala search.For some reason, his heart is restless, and everything revolves around the dice. He feels that the dice did something to Gala, and that fear is proven. In front of him is no longer the forbidden forest where the end should be a twin hill, one of its slopes slightly sloping. Indicating the border with North Metro, but what he sees is no longer what he imagined. Everything looks very different.He has lived for
Moreover, until that moment, his whereabouts were unknown. And now, for some reason, what really happened and what he went through made him even more curious."What do you want to ask, Alex?"The sturdy man is quite surprised to hear a question from Xavier. When he turns, the man next to him just laughs."Your head is so noisy."Alex blinks slowly. "Don't tell me you know what I—""You guys are too noisy," Xavier quickly interrupts, then his eyes turn to Maverick, who is still enjoying his cigar. "Especially you, Mave.""You know, I do love talking. My mouth feels cramped just being silent like this all the time. Luckily, the cigars I brought have enough stock until tomorrow." Maverick only glances briefly. "I'm sure whatever's in my head Alex won't be easy for you to share, right? So don't bait us to pressure you to speak."This time, Xavier laughed. "I still can't find the right correlation about your relationship with Gala. Has my son often visited you guys?"Both Maverick and Alex
The last trace of Seth's troops deliberately following Gala ends near the Netland village border. One of the quite remote villages but is one of the most popular tourist destinations for residents of North and South Metro. Most tourists come from both Metro regions. The village is still surrounded by evidence where snow perfectly covers its peaks, but it gets the most sunlight. Strangely, the warm light cannot make the hilltops melt. Only pine forests that still grow lush and maintain their authenticity.For this search, Seth was asked not to join, although the man insisted. But what Jiro said was true. At least for the next few days, Seth shouldn't leave the White House, especially when his heart is still uncontrollable. Losing Cathleen must be a severe blow for him. Kyler, who came earlier, also agreed with what Jiro said. Choosing to accompany Seth in this city center.Actually, for Xavier, this search is not too necessary. He is sure Gala is fine. Even if this search needs to be d
"Have you seen Gala?" Maverick has been quite curious about the young man since earlier. Since that news came, he hasn't wasted any time. Seth Rafael can't be lying, but after hundreds of years? What really happened? And how can this young man seem to know the girl in the white coffin very well? Maverick is not blind to notice that some people, including Xavier, seem very affected by this event.As far as his memory goes about the battle that took place between all of them and Gideon, there is no leader of the regions who did not survive. Everything returned to normal despite suffering some injuries. Only Gala. Yes, only that young man didn't come back. Xavier, who last met the young man, did not answer any of Maverick's questions about the whereabouts of his son. As if they were hiding something, but Maverick didn't understand.They returned with a lot of questions, which also made Mave and Alexander agree to search for the whereabouts of the young man. Although Maverick doesn't have
For someone who spent a lot of time alone, where he once thought he could never meet his parents again, trying as hard as possible to survive. It doesn't matter who underestimates him. He doesn't want revenge to be his own vendetta. Suddenly, someone appears who observes him, cares for him, raises his hopes, tries to forge him to be better – undoubtedly, the arrival of this new person means a lot to him. And when that new person leaves forever, the young man doesn't know how to face his life anymore.Although... he managed to find both of his parents. He saved them. And at least, what he wanted is achieved. To live peacefully with his family.The sky he's looking at now still offers the same beauty as when he first set foot here. In this wooden cottage, his father spent a lot of time during his visits to East Metro hundreds of years ago. Usually, Cathleen was always by his side. Talking about all kinds of possibilities was also something that left a deep impression on him. The journey