THE LOST GOD OF CHAOS

Chapter 9 – Nirvana Metropolis

SIX MONTHS LATER

Jie stood dumbfounded on a nearby shore, observing the surging of the waves as big and high as the skyscrapers where he came from.

“I knew it!” he cursed in silence.

It had been months since he was transmigrated into this world, and all the questions that bogged him were still left unanswered. Although he tried his best to strengthen himself, especially since they kept surveying the entire desert to draw a map.

Now he just confirmed that they were on a massive, isolated island surrounded by raging waves that were impossible for a ship to cross.

“We finally have the map of this island,” Aelec said, looking around. “And we’re the only humans here, aside from the handful of desert monsters on the surface.”

“I can even see sea beasts swimming in the waves!” Finn pointed out his finger. Everyone saw them as well.

“What’s your plan now, Ethros?” Aelec’s eyes were questioning.

Jie heaved a sigh and glanced up at the sky. “Those who want to leave this island will have to resort to air travel.”

“Then we can ride the dragon!” Finn exclaimed excitedly.

Jie shook his head. “That dragon is only loyal to Nyssa. We couldn’t tame it, remember?”

“At least Fiera has been guarding our newly built home. She kept the desert monsters at bay.” Aelec referred to the dragon, which Nyssa named Fiera.

“I can’t wait for our Nirvana Metropolis to be connected to our neighboring islands!” Finn’s face beamed.

Jie had come up with the name Nirvana Metropolis for their new home, and everyone agreed to it. For the past few months, all the surviving Ardhians have worked hard to build a new home in the forest that Nyssa created that night.

The only drawback for Nyssa was that she couldn’t use her magic again after that incident. It even left her unconscious for seven days, which made everyone think she’d met her demise. Fortunately, she survived.

“Ethros, do you still want to go?” Aelec asked.

Jie stared blankly at the billowing waves. “I must seek answers, Aelec. And who knows what kind of dangerous worlds await outside this island? Aren’t you curious as to why the Ardhians were kept underground and isolated for two millennia?”

“I know, and I’m with you in this matter.” Aelec smiled lightly. “I want to see you wield your magic properly. Your true adventure will begin once you set out on your journey out of this place.”

“My magic?” Jie chuckled. “I bet I only acquired some minor orbs. Unlike Nyssa, whose power needed to be honed. And don’t speak about adventures because it’ll surely cost my life with just one wrong move.”

“That makes me wonder whether I was only hallucinating that night.” Aelec shook his head, thinking of the tragedy underground.

Jie’s forehead creased. “What do you mean?”

“I saw you eradicate those monsters in one sway of your hand, Ethros.” Aelec was serious. “I didn’t dare to say this until now, but I believe that, like Nyssa, you also possess a rare magical orb far stronger than her.”

Jie laughed. “I’ll take it as a joke, Aelec. Let’s go back. I don’t want to fight another wave of desert beasts.”

Aelec gently tapped Jie’s shoulder. “Anyway, your hand-to-hand combat had become flawless. Your dedication to learning is something else.”

“Of course, you’re a skilled teacher. I need to improve physically to protect myself and everyone.”

“That’s reassuring. I hope your memories will come back sooner.”

Jie averted his gaze. “I hope so.”

Until now, Jie had not even told anybody that he was a stranger from another world inhabiting this young boy’s body.

They slowly trailed back to the newly built village. Following the new markings that they put in. They were vertical stones, high enough not to be covered even if a severe sandstorm came by.

THE Nirvana Metropolis was a small village with around twenty residential houses, inhabited by each family of the surviving Ardhians. The small houses were made of indigenous materials. The men built one huge building, erected at the heart of the forest near the lake, that served as the headquarters of the hunting team.

Jie looked up at Aelec as a good leader of the villagers. He was very level-headed and strong enough to protect his people. It was one of the reasons why he planned to set out on a journey beyond this island—the Ardhians would be safe under Aelec’s genuine care.

Everyone greeted the hunting team with a feast. They celebrated their safe return because no one died. It appeared that these people have slowly moved on from the tragedy in Ardhi. They were still fortunate that the monsters underground had not made a move to attack them at the surface. Those were incredibly strong compared to the desert beast that could easily be killed.

“Brother!” Nyssa scurried towards Jie.

“Hey, how have you been?” Jie brushed the girl’s long, golden hair. He’d grown fond of the little girl over the past few months, maybe because he also had a younger sister back where he came from. He still wondered what had happened to the family he had left before he came into this world. But he had no way to find answers.

“I discovered that Fiera had laid three eggs!” Nyssa was smiling from ear to ear.

“Oh, that’s nice to hear. It could help protect Nirvana Metropolis.”

“Of course!” Nyssa looked proud. “I’m also trying to use my magic again, and I think there’s an improvement. Earlier, I managed to grow one tree. It was massive!”

“Don’t force yourself. Magic is taking a toll on your body. Don’t rush things, you’re still young.” He pinched her cheeks. “What about your riding lesson with Fiera?”

Nyssa crinkled her nose. “She’d let me ride her, but you know I have a fear of heights!”

Jie held the girl’s shoulder. “Why don’t you let me ride her instead?”

“Again? The last time we tried it, you almost became roasted meat.”

Everyone laughed. The night sky seemed serene; people gathered around, and a large bonfire was lit. They had expanded the mini forest by planting more plants and trees, which thrived and grew quickly. Perhaps because the place was made of magic and defies the laws of nature. Nyssa’s magic was nature itself.

Meanwhile, Fiera, the fire breather, hovered above them, as if checking the vicinity for any danger. It had become its custom to fly in a circle every night.

“I think something is wrong with Fiera.” Nyssa suddenly looked worried, staring at the flying dragon. “I wonder if she is sick or in pain.”

“Did Fiera leave while we were gone?” Jie asked.

“No, she’s just in her nest. I can feel something is off about her. Fiera is shrieking as if...” Nyssa swallowed hard. She didn’t want to create unnecessary panic. However, since she acquired the orb, she felt connected to it as they had bonded.

“As if what?” Kali, who was beside her, asked. She had been observing the dragon, too. It was as if restlessly circumnavigating the sky.

“As if giving us a warning.” Nyssa looked down.

“Warning to what?” Kali asked again.

“I think we are in danger, look!” Finn rushed towards them. He immediately drew out his bow.

“What the hell is that? Aerial monsters?” Jie stood up quickly, his eyes were stuck to a swarming ball of fire in the sky that kept getting closer to their location.

“Holy crap!” Jie mumbled. They had never fought flying monsters before. Where did they come from? For the past few months, the only flying creature in the area was Fiera.

“Everyone, hide inside the cave quick!” Aelec ordered.

The elderly and the young were assisted to get inside the cave.

“Nyssa, go with them!” Jie said it in haste.

As the ball of fires went closer, it became evident what they were. A group of black dragons, along with their riders in a warrior’s suit.

“We are under attack! Prepare yourselves!” Aelec drew his weapon.

Jie thought the things he saw were like a scene in a fantasy movie he used to watch. The dragons had golden armor with a distinctive crest that resembled flame.

The archers rained their arrows, but the dragon riders seemed well-versed in maneuvering their beasts. They couldn’t even get a single hit.

“Damn it!” Jie gritted his teeth. They were at a disadvantage!

Fiera defended them as soon as the army of dragons started their onslaught. However, their only fire breather was outnumbered. No matter how it tried to defend itself, it all came in vain.

Everyone witnessed how Fiera exhausted all its power to protect the people below, yet it was not enough.

“Fiera!” Nyssa’s agonizing voice reverberated when the dragon was hit by hundreds of flaming spears. She felt the fire breather’s anguish as it couldn’t move anymore.

Fiera shrieked in pain and slowly fell to the ground. It was not long when the dragon slowly closed its eyes, and its blue blood spattered around.

“Fiera, no!” In Nyssa’s mind, she vividly saw how Fiera shed tears as if apologizing for failing to protect them.

“Kali, let me see her one last time!” She wailed, hyperventilating, trying to run to Fiera.

“Nyssa, no!” Kali forcefully dragged her inside the cave.

The mighty dragon was obliterated, and Nyssa couldn’t do anything to save it.