Chapter 108: The Western Front

The waves slam against the cliffs giving the breeze a salty quality that sits well SKY Ocean Hunter, the guild Leader of Sunken Reef. In the past month, they have ballooned to nearly fifty thousand members less than halfway to becoming a rank zero guild. Beside him are his best friends and Chapter Masters within his guild. 

They are standing in front of what should be the western waste. In Tyr’s memories, no one arrived here before one year had passed. By then the Western front is filled with all manner of monsters. However unlike his research in his past life, there are no packs of demonic wolves, no killer bees to even the dreaded Ursini.   

Instead, before them is a small city filled with people. These NPCs are filled with laughter and joy it is a veritable paradise filled with life. 

Styx says, “We can’t stand here all day.” He has no interest in taking in the view of the city. He wants to interact with the people and do some missions and find the ruins.

Tyr says, “I know it’s just I wasn’t expecting this…” His memories are not perfect just because they are future doesn’t mean he knows everything.  Red Iron Island of memory is very different from the one in front of him. 

SKY Ocean Hunter says, “Are you okay bud, you are looking a little grey.” Tyr is actually a bit sweety and shakey. 

Tyr says, “It’s just a headache the doctor is doing her tests, she is not sure what is going on.” The headaches have been getting worse however never as much as when he is not in the game. Odysseys’ function with the brain provides a natural calming factor to his headaches. 

Styx says, “Hermano, you can ask us for help?” Styx supporting his friends as they walk down through the farm 

Tyr says, “Thanks man, and I know.” Truly his friends are amazing they all working hard to achieve their own goals but still make time for him and his sister. Andromeda may be in-game now but her condition has been steadily deteriorating. It’s why they are pushing so hard if they can conquer the West they will have full control of the Red Iron Island and a way to isolate. The Mint their agents have even co-opted the girls for a major operation. 

SKY Ocean Hunter says, ” Seriously bud, we can’t lose you both.” 

Tyr says, “Okay guys I’m not dying, lets get going the village isn’t going to explore itself.” 

They all nod walking through idyllic farmlands raising bananas, grapes, oranges and other fruits. The people working the land are sun-soaked. Most women like the men are taller than average and well built. The three players get points and stares as they walk towards the village. Children run away in fear from the scary scaly slithering Naga. The village is made of Iron steel which has been polished and edges carved into it. A majestic mural of monsters Great Vultures flying in the skies reaping dragons, Mad hyenas breathing firing in the forests, Lions hidden as mountains and a bear floating in the middle of all this chaos. 

Styx says, “Wish that Siren of your was here she good with these kinds of things Hermano.” A wicked smile appears on Styxs’ face, a mischevoius one not filled with malice. 

SKY Ocean Hunter slithers a bit faster he doesn’t want anything to do with the conversation. It can only end badly for him too many times has that Siren put him in situations that seem compromising. Lux is a fierce woman who will only take so much before she kills the siren or worse him. 

Tyr says, “Seriously dude, you know how sensitive he is about that!” ITs the only thing he can say to hold back his laughter. None of them has had it is easy this past month instead of Styx. Tyr thinking of his embarrassing moment a week ago. 

Styx says, “Yeah I Know…” Styx needs to him either be firm to embrace his harem. SKY Ocean Hunter is surrounded by a powerful beautiful women. Even turning one of Styxs’ agents to his the loss of Esame’el to SKY Ocean Hunter is no big blow but she is not as valuable to Styx. Besides Calypso, there is his adjunct a pure naga with ocean green scales. Coming from one of the subservient drowned houses she is literally his second in terms of the game. Willow is another woman in his life soon the guild will have to visit the Barren Sea, help SKY Ocean Hunter with his ascension, for now, though he still has to get to the ruins. 

SKY Ocean Hunter meet one of the gate guards. The guard says, “Your business here?” SKY Ocean Hunter tries to smile barring all his teeth. 

SKY Ocean Hunter says, “We are here looking for the ruins of Aleria.”  After completing the dragon dungeon missions, Tyr and Nineth Immortal discovered that Nineth Immortal is a dragon god tamer and Nineth Immortal is busy trying to hatch the dragon god egg she got. They also discovered that the Dragon Beast God Aleria was an alchemist who specialised in Life weaving. Each of the four major regions on Red Iron Island was part of her experiments to create her own beastmen. 

The guard looks over the party of three with an iron eye, it shines and spins before he says, “Enter! Welcome to Ironside.” [You have been marked] appears in the players’ hud. Styx whistles as he reads the effect of Sentry Mark. It the guards a way to monitor them without having to be next to them. 

The village is filled with people going about their business each of them wearing fine threaded metallic clothing. Jewels are inlaid into patterned iron for the higher classes. They move toward the town centre. The town mayor office should be there it is a good place to start. The boys eye the busy city though is small there are a lot of people here. 

The office building is rather muted featuring none of the metal engraving found on the other steel buildings. It is perfectly spartan even on the inside. SKY Ocean hunter talking with the secretary learns they have to do a series of missions to mean enough reputation to get a meeting with the major…

On Silver Grass Island 

“What do you mean they disappeared what about our spies inside Sunken Reef.” Says Thaw, a giant of a man. He is the leader of Frost Empire and the self-proclaimed arch-rival of Sunken Reef. He hates how he has been overshadowed by SKY Ocean Hunter. In front of Thaw is his spymaster, Kneeling a wiry sharp-tongued guy. He dares not say another word at the moment his attempts to penetrate SUnken Reef have so far been very ineffective. Thaw says in a short tone, “I asked you a question.” Kneeling cowers some more lying his low. His fear of Thaw is nothing short of blinding, a young woman sitting to the left side close to the wall movies forward. 

She says, “Speak!” Kneeling whimpers where Thaw is abusive, Blizard is cruel unforgiving and absolutely brutal. She is a she-wolf in human skin. 

Kneeling says, “We don’t know, they operate in groups of fives and threes. This makes it impossible to track since only those in the mission are allowed to talk to each other about the mission. They use a cell-like structure to coordinate their efforts.” Thaw rubs his chin thinking about how does a guild operate without centralised control. 

Blizard says, “Maybe we need a change, some more motivated to deliver results.” Kneeling sweats these siblings have found many ways to make a players life hell inside Odyssey. Especially his yet he will endure it as long as he has to be in Thaw’s shadow is worth it. Thaw is part devil and god to Kneeling the man who has spent rising his stock steadily now he is at the precipice of success. Defeating Sunken Reef and reducing them to nothing will make their guild explode with popularity. 

Thaw says, “Sister the last time you brought in one of your motivated, we were nearly investigated.” Her use of control implants is not technically illegal. But most parts of space ban the use of these methods as they can damage the host.

Kneeling says, “My lord perhaps a move on Red IRon Island itself would be prudent as they are not yet its master. Our Frost empire might be able to get a foothold for us in the area.” Thaw rubs his chin picking at an ingrown hair. 

Blizard says, “NO! How can we invade others when we are still dealing with our own problems here.” Frost Empire like every power in the region is busy securing one of the shifting islands. Unlike what everyone thought not all fifteen islands are important. Only six of them are of any worth Red Iron Island being amongst them and Frost Empires’ Silver Grass island. 

Thaw says, “Stop kicking him! Girl!” Kneeling lies on the ground grabbing his stomach where she had kicked him. Thaw continues, “She is right we can’t yet dedicate resources but sister since you are passionate perhaps one of your motivated could help there.” 

Blizard smiles wickedness radiating off her like a hell-spawned perfume. Kneeling says, “my lord you can’t without a firm hand they will leave nothing of worth behind.” 

Thaw says, “Indeed those men are not suitable sister you will go with them. Control your beasts use them to damage my enemy. I need time my dear sister.” She kicks Kneeling again having fallen for his manoeuvre. 

Blizard says, “I will do as you ask if you allow me one more pet?” Kneeling whimpers hoping she doesn’t mean him. 

Thaw says, “Isn’t Sunken Reef filled with interesting pets?” 

Blizard says, “Indeed it is…”

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