The imperial ships were neatly aligned, forming streets organized according to their function. The reentry ships were not large, but they served as dormitories. The divisions were made to make the stay as comfortable as possible, given the possibility of remaining there for more than a year. This information had already been communicated to everyone present.
In the middle of the street, a young woman and a boy were conversing.
— Well, according to the rules imposed by the Empire and the mission supervisors, entry into the area is restricted to teams that include at least one Vultra or a higher-ranking officer. So, we'll have to wait for Azrael or Orion to enter, or ask to accompany another company that has space.
— But how will we know when another company is going in?
— Well, maybe if we go to the edge of the restricted area, we can ask someone there.
Tyrin and Gertrudes tried to make the most of the day on Klandato, which was short due to the planet being bathed by a dwarf star. As they approached the restricted area, they were met by a giant feline patrolling the region, watching them with a threatening gaze.
— Miss Gertrudes, I believe that feline won't let us pass — Tyrin commented.
— Don't worry, that feline is the standard pet given to low-ranking, unranked soldiers. CaoCao will give it a beating. Maybe that way we'll get the attention of someone more important.
Before Gertrudes could summon her Pongo, an arrow struck the ground near her feet. In the distance, a woman seated atop a giant lion approached from the east.
— Well, I guess we won't need to get anyone's attention. Someone is already watching us.
— Who is she, professor?
— I don't know who she is, but I know where she's from.
The woman regarded them with suspicion.
— What are you doing in this restricted area? I don't recognize you.
Gertrudes gave a slight smile before responding.
— Well, it's a pleasure to meet a resident of Amra. My name is Gertrudes Scar, and I came to ask a question, not to invade.
The woman narrowed her eyes at the name.
— Scar...? You mean that family of vermin who usurped my kingdom?
The lion rider—an animal the size of a Shire horse—bore some resemblance to her mount. Her fiery red hair flared to the sides, resembling a lion's mane. The moment she uttered the name "Scar," she spat on the ground, as if the word itself was bitter to her.
— Professor... I think she doesn't like you — Tyrin whispered.
— Our family had many problems generations ago. But that should be in the past.
— The past? You only say that because you were the victors! You destroyed my planet and its beauty!
— Saying it like that, it sounds as if we were the ones who wiped out your world. We merely replaced your king, who, as far as I know, was annexing the entire solar system.
— Blasphemy! Our king would never do such a thing! We were merely expanding our influence! You are the ones to blame! I will avenge my country and my family!
— Ah, damn… this is escalating way too fast. CaoCao, come out!
With a shout and a firm gesture, Gertrudes summoned CaoCao. The titanic creature emerged, clad in black armor and wielding a white club.
— I don't want to fight, young lady whose name I don't know. I just want to speak with your superior.
— Shut up, demon! Don't diminish the pleasure of my revenge!
— Holy shit… what a race of ignorant barbarians! Does she not see the size difference between CaoCao and that beast of hers? Tyrin, step back. I'm going to knock some sense into this girl.
The desert ground began to tremble. Between the cold sand and the volcanic stones, two colossal beasts faced each other.
On one side, CaoCao, the titanic orangutan, loomed nearly three times the height of the opposing lion. His muscular body was encased in armor as dark as the night. On the other, the lion, with its crimson mane, gleamed under the desert sands. Its metallic teeth sparkled like blades forged for war.
The lion was the first to advance. Its owner merely observed from the side, not intervening. Its massive paws crushed stones as it leaped, jaws opening for a precise strike. But CaoCao was ready.
With a devastating motion, the orangutan raised his club and brought it down with force. The impact collided with the lion's metallic teeth, producing a deafening boom. The shock was so intense that the surrounding trees trembled.
The lion growled and spun, slashing a deep cut into CaoCao's leg with its sharp claws. The orangutan grunted in pain but did not retreat. In a fierce movement, he grabbed the lion's neck and lifted it, hurling it against a massive rock near the battlefield.
The ground trembled.
The lion staggered to its feet, blood dripping from its nostrils, but its eyes still burned with fury.
It roared and leaped once more, its claws gleaming like blades forged in the night. CaoCao spun his body, dodging at the last moment, and with a brutal swing of his club, crushed his opponent's flank. The impact was devastating. The lion was slammed into the ground, its breathing heavy, struggling to rise.
Victory was certain. The black orangutan raised his club one final time, ready to deliver the finishing blow. But before he could bring his weapon down...
The roar came.
A deep, ancient sound, laden with primal authority. It did not come from the wounded, cornered lion. It came from something on the horizon.
The air grew heavy. The trees bent. Time itself seemed to hesitate.
CaoCao froze. His fist trembled. His eyes widened.
From the entrance of the pyramid, something was watching them. Something that even titans hesitated before.
And then—silence.
— Lord Kael, help! This intruder is trying to kill my companion! Please, help me! — The girl's whining voice echoed across the field.
Gertrudes and Tyrin had not noticed the creature watching them. It was as if it had appeared out of nowhere.
A lion, far larger than the one they had just fought, stood there, clad in partial armor protecting strategic areas of its body, including its face. Scars marked its skin, telling the tale of a life filled with battles. Its eyes carried the weight of an inevitable death.
And upon it, a man.
White-haired, wearing transparent glasses that somehow concealed where he was truly looking, his face serene. His posture was calm, yet carried a weight that imposed itself effortlessly.
— Vrika, I saw what happened. Don't try to pour your venomous lies on me. I have more than enough of that already — he said, his voice firm and unwavering.
Kael's words silenced the girl, who now only whimpered as she ran to her pet, which, though wounded, was still alive.
Behind him, three other women emerged from the shadows of the pyramid. Their blue hair contrasted with the desert dust. Each rode a lioness, smaller than their leader's mount, but still larger than the one Gertrudes had just faced.
Kael did not hurry his pace. His lion walked as if the territory belonged to it, and he himself showed no fear in the face of CaoCao.
As he approached Gertrudes, Kael looked down at her.
— I believe I owe you an apology for this incident, Miss…?
— Gertrudes Scar, Lord Kael.
— Here, we are a coalition dedicated to preserving our status quo. However, rivalries naturally arise when cultures and histories intertwine. But I do not wish to repeat my father's mistakes… nor those of yours. I apologize for what happened. Miss Vrika will be punished for her recklessness, so I ask that you forgive her.
He paused briefly before continuing, his gaze carefully analyzing Gertrudes.
— That said, I would like to know what brings you here unaccompanied, Gertrudes.
His voice was gentle yet severe. There was something about him that commanded respect, a weight that indicated he was not just some patrol leader but someone with true authority.
— It's no problem — Gertrudes said, relaxing her shoulders. — Misunderstandings and setbacks tend to happen around me. I came here with Orion, but we grew curious about the pyramid. Since we didn't have someone to accompany us, we were waiting for an opportunity to enter. However This girl appeared, and I thought it best to help her understand the situation before she did something she couldn't undo.
— I see... — Kael nodded slightly, then turned his head. — Shiva, come here.
— My lord? — One of the blue-haired women approached, her lion stepping onto the sand with lethal elegance.
— Could you accompany these two through the first level of the pyramid? Even after our cleansing, I believe there are still some prey left to satisfy their curiosity.
— Yes, sir.
Kael didn't wait for Gertrudes' response, simply guiding his lion to continue on his path, likely heading toward his ship. Meanwhile, one of the women dismounted from her lion and approached Gertrudes.
— Lady Gertrudes, my name is Vultra Shiva, and my companion is Sidonia — the warrior said, her voice calm and firm. — I will accompany you through the first floor of the pyramid. Do you need me to help the young man beside you?
Tyrin, who had been frozen by the tension of the situation, finally snapped out of his shock. Amidst the confusion, he had forgotten to use his new power to check the status of Vrika and Kael. But now that things seemed settled and the dust was beginning to clear, he saw an opportunity.
With a faint glow in his eyes, he activated his ability and observed Shiva's data.
Shiva Lanion
🌀 STATUS 🌀
• Level: 69 Awakened Lv1
• Classification: A / 00 — Apex
• Strength: 68 + 50
• Endurance: 52 + 50
• Speed: 230 + 50
• Skill: 116 + 50
• Psyche: 0 + 50
• Available points: 0
Active Abilities:
• Steel Claws (enabled)
• Quick Ambush (enabled) — Multiplies speed by 2x
Hidden Abilities:
• N/A
Pet:
• Maghrebian Lion
Tyrin was startled by the woman's level. Although she seemed to be just Kael's bodyguard, her level was as high as Orion's. If access to the pyramid was being granted, that meant she was a Vultra, just like Azrael.
Tyrin also couldn't stop thinking about that term: "The Awakened." He couldn't understand why it granted such a high bonus. Maybe it had something to do with him being a Vultra.
He tried using his power to check Shiva's pet's status, but nothing appeared. Error. He then tried looking at CaoCao, but the same thing happened. As if something was blocking his ability.
"I probably can't see the status of any companions... Could I see my own now? It should have hatched by now..."
His thoughts were interrupted by Shiva's voice.
— We've arrived. The light in here isn't strong, but it's not dark either. The ceiling has some kind of glowing creature that illuminates the entire pyramid from within. Don't worry, we've already checked that they're not dangerous... But please, try not to kill them. Their blood is acidic and highly corrosive.
The interior of the pyramid was revealed.
It was bright and empty, an immense expanse of sand and fine dust. But in the distance, Tyrin noticed the presence of familiar creatures.
"Aracnofon..." — He recognized them from the battle in Drokavas.
Shiva looked at Gertrudes.
— Now that we're inside, where do you want to go?
Gertrudes smiled.
— I want to train this boy. He needs to level up to become relevant, and I believe this is a unique opportunity.
— I see. — Shiva nodded. — We'll leave in two hours. The Timorensei Clan takes care of this place in the afternoon.
Tyrin frowned upon hearing that name.
— Are you talking about that deer that uses magic?
Shiva spat on the ground, irritated.
— Hmm... That's right, kid. Those arrogant sons of bitches. Sorry for the language, but we don't like beasts that use powers. They're... complicated.
Her reaction was identical to Cassandra's when she spoke about them. Tyrin realized that, apparently, the Timorensei were hated across the universe.
But the conversation was abruptly cut short.
Shiva pointed at something coming their way.
— This talk is nice and all, but one of the big ones is heading over here. Whenever you're ready, kid.
Amidst the chaos of arriving in Klandato, Tyrin hadn't had the chance to test Heitor's gift. But now, as he stepped into the pyramid, he finally had the opportunity to put it to the test. Without hesitation, he slid the ring onto his finger. The fit was perfect. Unlike with the Pets, he was able to see the item's details:
Singular Ring
🌀 STATUS 🌀
• Unique
Active Abilities:
• Confined Space (10x10 m) – Enabled
• Quick Draw – Enabled
Owner:
• Tyrin
He frowned. "Confined Space?" Before he could process it further, his mind was suddenly transported elsewhere.
It was an ancient room, lined with shelves filled with equipment. Armor and weapons were on display, yet whenever he tried to touch them, something repelled him—an invisible barrier, a silent warning not to dare. At the far end, a colossal glass panel separated the room from an impressive set: a massive suit of armor, scarred from battle yet still gleaming like new. Beside it, an Astra rifle.
Tyrin tried to approach. This time, he was thrown backward, crashing into a cabinet at the opposite end of the room.
— Holy shit! Just not letting me touch it would've been enough for me to get the message...
Still grumbling, he sensed something beside him. On the floor, a lone dagger lay—unlike the other weapons, it didn't reject him. Cautiously, Tyrin reached out and was able to grasp it. He picked it up, and to his surprise, wielding it felt natural... at least in shape. The weight, however, was immense, as dense as any sword he had ever handled.
— Well... Looks like you're the only one that accepts me. Let's see if you're worth it.
With a boyish grin, he twirled the dagger between his fingers, testing its balance. But his excitement quickly faded as a thunderous voice echoed from outside the space.
— TYRIN!
The vision dissolved.
— Hey, wake up! You didn't come here to wander around. If you want to fight, now's the time!
Gertrudes was shouting his name aiming at the beast charging toward them.
He drew the dagger.
Shiva narrowed her eyes.
— Kid, I don't think you're gonna kill anything with that dagger... You trying to give the Aracnofon tetanus?
Even Gertrudes was confused by his weapon choice.
But silence took over the scene the moment Tyrin moved.
With a single, light motion of his arm, the creature — an armored Aracnofon — was sliced in half.
Hot blood splattered into the air.
Shiva and Gertrudes' eyes widened.
— Shiva... — Gertrudes whispered, trying to process what she had just seen. — If I'm not mistaken, this creature...
— ...had an almost impenetrable shell — Shiva finished, still in shock.
— I... honestly... don't know what just happened.
Blood was spraying toward Tyrin, but he didn't move.
His eyes were locked onto the dagger, a smile forming on his face.
Joy was written all over his expression.
He finally understood.
This was no ordinary weapon.
And he could hardly wait to find out what else it could do.