“Hey…psst!” Zeke was absent-mindedly watching the tv only for Jack, Sulong’s friend and colleague, to sit next to him and lightly nudge him. When he finally got a reaction out from the youth, Jack looked down and asked, “Are these the source of your power? Is this how you students do it? If I can get power then I don’t mind an ugly tattoo or two.” Zeke rolled his eyes and pulled his sleeves, “It doesn’t work like that. You’re either born with it or you’re not.” “Oh… I never actually bothered to learn such stuff. All that complicated gibberish about Aether and whatnot. You know what I think? They use big words and make it elaborate just to sound smart.” “Technically, you’re not wrong.” “Jack! Stop with the pointless questions and clean the office for a change! Open the windows too!” The lanky clicked his tongue and begrudgingly stood up, dragging his feet around the messy room. “What is our favorite free-loader going to do now? Maybe you can help us work?” “I’m going to leave
The planet of Wonders Author: Archeologist, Geologist, and Historian Sebastien Whitefort Chapter 1: The Aether planet Following its serendipitous discovery, the Aether Planet quickly became a new home for a new breed of genetically-altered humans. Although the planet was, at least, half the size of Earth, it was situated in the perfect spot, thus making it habitable and ripe for colonization, or so thought the ‘Earthlings’. However, there are many unexplained terrains and occurrences happening all over the Aether Planet. First, there are the contrasting biomes adjacent to each other and equipped with violent environmental conditions. Notably, the Vermillion Sea of Flames, the Whitefrost Planes, the Kingsmen’s Ruins, and the Living Forest. Similar to Earth, the Aether Planet was mostly covered in stretches of waters, which was mostly inaccessible and relatively devoid of any exciting discoveries. However, the available and crossable lands were either to
“Are all of the students like him?”-JackJack and Sulong were sitting on their favorite couch and staring at the cross-legged youth whose eyes were closed and his body literally emitting a faint green light.“Nah! We were just unfortunate enough to cross paths with one of the crazy ones. He hasn’t moved an inch since last night.”Even though Sulong would constantly bicker with Zeke, he had to admit that the latter was excessively hard-working, so much that he gave up on any rest for the sake of non-stop training.It has been five days since Zeke came to live in their office, and despite their rocky beginning, he mostly kept to himself and rarely, if not ever, interfered with their work.The pure Aether revolving around Zeke then getting absorbed suddenly came to a full stop as his body twitched twice and then fell to the ground. By now, this odd occurrence had become more and more frequent, so Sulong no longer voiced his worries or surprise.Zeke groaned in pain, supported himself by
The portal, whatever it was, took Zeke to a grassy field seemingly outside of the Sunken Metropolis. There, the only source of light was the luminous moon hanging in the darkened canopy. He distanced himself from the twisting portal and, within seconds, saw Jonathan appear, followed right after by Amelia. “Zeke… s-stop this. Just give him what he wants.” “...” Instead of responding, the young man kept staring at the portal, and when it started twisting, he immediately sprung into action; His body vanished as ‘Life Motus’ was activated, teleporting right in front of Jonathan. His fist, wrapped in dense azure lightning, emitted a faint orange glow as it struck the man’s chest, blowing him to the back. Right at that second, Sulong and Jack came out of the portal and rushed at the distracted Amelia. They left her no choice, both of them holding her arms and forcefully dragging her back into the portal. “Meddling pests.”-Jonathan A swirling black mist tried to stop the thugs but Ze
“There’s no one here.” Celestia and the other five members of the squad suspiciously looked at Detective Vans. He led them to an empty field West of the Sunken Metropolis, claiming that he had received reports mentioning Jonathan’s presence here. However, even after searching for half an hour, they found nothing of import. No one lived here, and the lack of any vegetation made it difficult to hide in here. “I’m starting to think this was all a trick.” Stated James as he glared at Vans Valort. “...” “You’re not denying it…” The six surrounded the man, and though they didn’t use any violence, their piercing gazes were threatening enough. “You realized that this is a waste of all of our time, right? Jonathan could be in Kethra’s Arms, about to kill another innocent person.” Truthfully speaking, Vans was having slight regrets, but even as he was pressured, he refused to spill the beans and blame Zeke. He wasn’t forced to do any of this and, deep in his heart, hoped that Zeke succee
Arc 2: the unfilial sons.The sixth day after leaving Erys, Zeke returned with Azmer and Julia. Even waking up, the two were awfully silent, especially the latter. Her habit of inquiring about every little thing was absent, her eyes lowered as she pondered about something.Azmer, on the other hand, was expressionless and though he walked a little at the back, he also seemed to be in a daze. Either they were traumatized by facing that strange meteor, or there was something Zeke was unaware of.‘It’s natural for them to have suspicions. They couldn’t have noticed that the meteor was aimed straight at me as if controlled by something, but its abrupt arrival can’t be ignored. Why would the Dean send them there? Also, how did he knows where I was? No no… maybe he told them about that strange portal. It’s odd and uncanny, so much so that I find it difficult to trust the Dean.’Zeke caressed the Rune of Line out of habit, a sigh escaping his lips. He succeeded in acquiring the Crown and savi
21st January, I still can’t believe what happened. I saw a falling red star when I was going back from work, but when I told my roommate, they mocked me. 22nd January, I saw it again! I’m sure of it! I have this inexplicable urge to see it again. It must be a sign from the Gods! It must be! 26th January, I stayed all night and was able to see it again, but it came straight at me! When I woke up, I felt a bit different. I heard sinister murmurs in my head, is the devil whispering in my ear? I must go to the church to pray. 12th February, I actually got powers from the so-called Paths of Extinctions System! I was so busy fleeing to the border and couldn’t complete the mission it ‘entrusted’ me. Still, I got a lot of available paths… I wonder what they are? They have seemingly normal names like ‘Soldier’ and ‘Judge’. Admittedly, some are more enticing than others. 14th February, I used all my available PE in the ‘soldier main path’, which subsequently strengthened my body and granted
‘Hmm… who could they be? Each has a distinct and majestic appearance as well as a terrifying aura. It’s as if they’re alive.’The puzzled Zeke spotted exactly four statues, but only one was made of the Crown’s black and crystalline material. The first, entirely jet black, was that of a domineering middle-aged man with greasy long hair, blurred eyes, and a commanding jawline. He was standing straight and holding onto an equally large greatsword embedded into the ground. Under his feet, golden letters were engraved on the ground, but the language used wasn’t so easily read.‘It’s Hanish? I recognize the characters but I can’t read them. They only teach it in History classes of Public Schools.’Hanish wasn’t a language derived from Earth, it was directly related to the shrouded and forgotten history of the Aether Planet. Although most of its characters were undeciphered, learning it was still an arduous and long process. Only the most dedicated of Scholars and Historians would spend so m