In a distant corner of the land called [Torvel], a massive building layed deeply rooted to the earth.
As large as an office building, yet as vast as a lake. Completely made up of a never before seen dark blue metal. Not possessing any windows nor doors, only a several large teleportation arrays carved out on multiple sifferent sets of stone plates, with each one working as both an exit and an entrance.
Who would live in this hotel sized cube? Not having access to any light or air from the outside?
Well, this was one of the most famed research sites in the entire world, better known as the [Facility of life] or [The doors of life]. Directly supervised by the human ruler of this province. Someone personally picked by the true royal family, making their home in [Ingel royal city] in the land called [Ingel]. One of the most well known and esteemed places in the entire human continent.
Several different types of research and experiments would commence here in [The doors of life] for short, every single day. Most often in the fields of biology and astral life. All trying to unravel the mysteries of this world and it's workings.
And not too long ago, a strange sighting of a fallen star had caught the department leaders of astral life's attention. Immediately choosing to send of a good number of their elites over in hopes of finding anything.
And right now, within this beautiful yet secretive building, two people could be found discussing just this matter inside a brightly lit office room. Fully clad in shining white walls and a equally breathtaking roof containing some giant lanters built-in.
"I see. So the genetic extraction of that sprite was a success. However, what do you mean the researchers I just sendt out were evacuated?"
The first who spoke was a woman wearing a long white lab coat having a set of matching hazel eyes, black lips, long black hair, and two matching black gloves on both of her hands. She excluded an impressive aura which would make most people fall in line and adore her. For she was the current leader of this facility, having direct ties to one of the [Four clans] having their home in [Ingel royal city]. Professor Cheryl Zell.
"Mrs Zell. Professor Winter seems to have been taken hostage by an unkown beastmaster that suddenly appeared near their camp. Professor Wilsen urged the rest to escape in case of the worst.."
Meanwhile, the one she conversed with was a finely dressed young noble man wearing a black and green military suit, clad in several golden medallion on his chest. His hair was just as dark as his clothes, and his face was just as rippled with scars and marks like the rough shirt he wore. This was one of the youngest knight captains in the history of Farleng, Captain Xalder Cammerin.
But despite hearing this esteemed young man's respectful tone of speech, no etiquette was shown back by Cheryl. She even angrily snapped at him after he finishied. Feeling the need to vent out her anger somwehere.
"ARGH! Damn idiots! All of you! After she gets back... Oh, yes. Daring to waste my time like this..." Cheryl dug her fingers into her black hair. Wishing to pull it all out due to the everlasting rage swelling up inside her petite body. Removing the previous domineering attitude completely.
Xalder could do nothing but hold a regretful feeling for the Winter. Wishing to be able to speak some sense into Cheryl, but left unable to. Even with the two of them holding similar statuses here, just her background alone could strip hom of all his authority. Forever making him unable to talk back to her.
'Even though I heard Cheryl was the bastard child of a the lower ranking members in the Zell clan, her power is the real deal. Also, even with our difference in layer being that of one whole realm, I have never once felt completely sure of winning...'
The young man closed his eyes for a couple of seconds. Not completely sure how to respond to her.
'The [Zell bloodline] truly lives up to it's fame. Sadly, not many are able to awaken it as they are born, and the only other chance at getting it is through that weird ritual of theirs. This girl was really born with the spoon of luck in her mouth...'
"M'lady. I do not think Mrs Winter is at fault for this incident. Rather, was it not under Professor Wilsen's orders they retreated?" Although Xalder was not one to fool around with women, he had many times heard of the ridiculous amount of abuse Winter had suffered under while being here. Even though she was also one of the most promising researchers, she was also just as unfortunate.
"Yes... Yes... Yes! YES! That makes perfect sence! What type of needles should I use on that guy? Well, I will figure it out soon enough. Although you are useless, Xalder. You are a sharp guy! Good work." Cheryl stopped pulling her hair and brought back her calm and collective attitude. Happy now that her thoughts had settled themselvs.
Xalder only sighed silently. Not feeling any better even with Wilsen as her new guinea pig.
"Thank you, M'lady." Xalder could only helplessly nod at her with some unwillingness. Not really that fond of talking with this woman.
Cheryl senced his struggle and smiled even deeper. Mabye reminding herself of her full control of this facility helped calmed the girl down.
"Good. Now, let's.." However, as she was about to wrap things up, a sudden tremor shot out through the ground. Accompanied by a deafening boom which echoed into every single hall inside the building.
BOOM
Cheryl looked down at the white floor with sparks of shock dripping from her hazel eyes. Wasn't this place supposed to be completely impact proof?!
BOOM
This time she locked her gaze with Xalder. Starring into his dark green eyes while releasing her demanding presence.
Not even wasting another second with their argument, he just pulled out a small yarn shaped device out of his pocket. Immediately beginning to speak to it with a dire tone.
"Commander Xerses, what is happening?"
Both him and Cheryl impatiently waited for the other group to respond. However, it was only after an entire nerveracking minute that they finally received an answer.
"C...Captain Xalder?!" Out from the other end came the shaken voice of a middle aged man. Stuttering and trembling with fear, much alike the building not too long ago.
"Xerses! I order you to answer me! What the hell were those tremors?!" Some faint whisps of rage began to build up inside Xalder's voice. Not due to the half assed response, but because of the increasing pressure emitted by the women before him.
"U...Uhm..Well, you see..." The man only seemed to get more scared after hearing Xalder shout at him. Sadly, this incompetent behavior only further angered him.
"GET. TO. THE. POINT."
The commander on the other end began took in a breath of fresh air. Wanting to explain what the cause of those sudden quakes was.
"Its...Its..." Both Xalder and Cheryl carefully sharpened their ears to the man's voice. However, he was sadly interrupted by a horrid creaking noise ehich echoed into their end.
"....*Creeeaaak*...."
The abrupt sound shocked the two. However, not nearly as much as the man in the other end.
"AAHH ITS HERE!!! ITS HERE!!!" The king layer commander which was renown for his inhuman battle power began to scream like a lost child. Not even thinking about his position as his heavy footsteps could be heard slamming into the solid floor through the device.
"Xerses?"
"NO!!! STAY AWAY FROM ME!! AAAAAH!!....."
Not long after the desperate screams of the commander traveled over to them, Xalder once more tried to contact him. Having both him and Cheryl questionably stare down the device.
"Hello?"
They were left without a proper response for a while. However, not too long after the silence, a response came. Not that of the commander, but from a voice seeming to have its mouth full while chewing on something.
"Who is this?!" Xalder's voice boomed out into the instrument. Demanding to know who this person was.
"Hm? Who are you?" However, The man who refused to identify himself was not phased in the least by the angered captain. Only being heard casually walk around the room he found himself in.
"You...what have you done to my men?" Xalder fid not take this and once again talked to the guy in the other end. Wanting to know who it was.
But despite his overbearing demeanor, nothing useful was given. Only receiving a slightly offended reply from the intruder.
"What I have done? Is this how you rude people greet your guests? Damn, I even knocked two times before entering!"
"What a bunch.."
And after finishing, the signal was cut. Most likely due to the other communication device being destroyed.
The captain felt the veins on his face begin to pop out from the anger. Getting more enraged by this bad joke.
However, as his anger fumed over, Cheryl could be seen mockingly smiling at him. Almost as if finding another chance to prove her superiority over him.
"Still incapable of controlling yourself over only the loss of some minor ants. This position certainly isn't fit for you at all, Mr Xalder." Her voice was bland and scornful. Not even giving any care for the attack they were currently under, nor the hypocrisy she leaked out.
He clearly understood what she meant and narrowed his eyes at her. Only giving the woman a brief response before setting of to face the threat.
"With all due respect, M'lady. Wether I am worthy of my position or not isn't for you to decide."
"Now, If you you would excuse me. I have matters which actually matter."
Cheryl only looked at his back with her hazel eyes in a slit, and the black lips in a downard curve. Hastily turning around and walking off in the same direction.
"Wait up!"
'Just you wait. One day you will be my dog. Just like the rest of these peasents....'
....
Earlier that day....
Outside the facility near one of the many teleportation arrays stood two guards. Both responsible for receiving the evacuated researchers after they returned.
The two wore a matching set of crusader armour, equipped with some fancy crossbows on their backs. Each one was inscribed with some weird letters and signs, mostly unreadable by your average person.
But other than this was of course, their suit. Having a silver metallic shine covering the visible pieces of metal, while sealing of the rest with two green robes on their backs and fronts.
The seemingly average green clothing was, however, not normal. As two dark engravings made made up of a pair of doors excluded out. Representing the place they worked for.
The sun almost always shone down here. Only ever giving the two some leeway whenever night fell.
"Damn, Marc. Nothing ever really happens here, does it?" The first nameless guard called out to his friend. Wanting to at least find something more entertaining to do than just stand around.
"You are sadly right. Too bad we got the guard post after enrolling here.."
The two men always found themselves talking about how boring their position was. Not satisfied in the least with what they had been given.
"All you ever find is the green grass flowing over to the infinite wall of trees. Really wish I could move out of Torvel one day. This place reeks."
"You are right once again, Marc. By the way, I wonder what those lab rats are doing. Getting here should't take this much time, right?"
Marc heard his brother's rash tone and felt a chill travel down his spine. Silently barking at him to not impulsively speak out.
"Quiet down a little. If the captain heard you say that he would hand you over to the disciplinary squa..."
However, as they talked about all kinds of subjects, a black ans red streak suddenly descended from the heavens. Landing not too far away from them. It had a some very broad bodily features, long powerful legs, and...two unconscious people on its shoulders?
"What is that...? a beastmaster?!"
They tried taking a closer look, and found at that despite it's afterimage being black in color, most of the body was rather red. And there was also the two bodies it carried on it's sides. Taking a closer look, those two seemed to wear a type of familiar lab coat.
"Wait, aren't those two people from here?"
One of the knight's suddenly blurted out. And as he did, the figure also seemed to notice them. Beginning to slowly approach the two with a wide smile, while also dropping the unconscious humans onto the grassy soil.
The closer it got the more of its features became discernible. Revealing the wolf-like pelt covering its body, the rippling muscles and of course, the sharp black ears.
Unsure of how to greet this thing, the guard named Marc only mubled out a soft greeting. Feeling that rashly engaging would be a bad idea.
"Hello!" His voice held neither fear nor courage. Circulating between the netrual and the good.
And to both his and the other guard's surprise, the creature answered. With a rather elegant tone even.
"Ah, greetings gentlemen!"
It slightly bowed to them. Displaying proper etiquette as it weakly bendt down.
However, even with such a proper greeting, the other guard did not lose any of his thoughts. Wanting to know who he as.
"Uhm, you are...?"
"Me? I'm just a simple traveller who wished to see the interior of this beautiful building. You wouldn't mind letting me in?" The beastman's voice held an almost hypnotic power behind it. Encouraging them to let him in.
However, as the guard named Marc was about to agree, his companion suddenly snapped out of his trance. Immediately refusing.
"W..What? No! The only way your are gaining any access is with some documentation."
The wolfman only heavy sighed to this. Knitting his brows togheter with some regret.
"Such a shame...You will have to excuse my rash behavior if that is the case."
Marc and his friend both confusingly looked at the man. However, their vision of this world was then violently severed apart by a red and pink aura. Vaporizing their bodies.
...
Inside the facility, all outside information was proceeded directly by different guard and technician squadrons. Responsible for keeping the communication with every other part of the builsing at peak performance.
There were multiple different places like this. However, the central one was always the first to look for. Looking like a rocket science lab with hundreds of individuals seated in their own space. Wildly tapping on some small translucent screens which were ejected out of some white orbs resting on their desks.
And as this was the most famoues security department, it was also led by a well known man called Clar Xerses. A king layer elemental knight renown for his incredible battle power.
His aura dripped with valor and pride. And alongside the golden pompadour on his head which also matched with his eyes and sharp face, the man could be considered very likeable by first glance. Even his armour enhanced the vigoures feel he gave off. Being made up of a type of enchanted amber with black markings running all over it.
He would usually spend his days drinking some fancy liquor or joking around with his colleges or talking about his dear wife, as there wasn't much for him here other than keeping the nerds safe and healthy.
But today was not like any other day. For some sort of unkown haunting chill had kept assulting the man whenever he closed his eyes. Making him unable tp relax.
After continuously suffering through this weird experience since morning, he finally set out to one of the [watcher] keeping note of what happened outside.
"Any news from those two who were supposed to receive the evacuees? I haven't heard any status update in a while."
He naturally went to the closest one and demanded an answer. And as the poor man was left without any choice, he just sendt a message over to the ones he asked for.
"No, sir. But I have tried contacting them for some time now. However, none are answering."
The answer didn't seem please him in the slightest. And he narrowed his eyes down at the thin man below him.
"Well, whatever. I'm sure those two only play around out there anyways." Yet, despite the increasing amount of worry, he just played it off with a chuckle. Trying to calm himself down.
However, even with his change, the watcher did not let go of his bad gut. Trying to ask for some safety measures in case of the worst.
"Sir. Should we send reinforcements? I have a bad feeling about this..."
But despite the pleading, Xerses kept shrugging it off. Who would dare attack this building, which was personally sponsored by the Zell clan?
"Haha, no need. I bet they just went alongside those labrats. Besides, what is the worst that could have happened?"
However, as he finished joking, a powerful vibration shot up his feet. Shaking up not only his body, but also all the surrounding people and equipment.
BOOM
The white slabs holding up the hovering display screens fell to the floor alongside their watchers. Even the light source of the room wavered back and forth. Shaking in fright of the unkown.
"...C...COMMANDER..? W...WHAT WAS THAT?" The watcher closest to Xerses howled out in panic as he tried to stand up. Looking up at the commander with a hope of an answer.
"Open the display screen of the outside. Mabye it's a wild animal of sorts!" Xerses shouted out into the room with all his might. Casuing the sole of every individual there to calm down.
And his order was not ignored despite the loudness. Quickly, one of the watchers brought up a large transparent screen showing the outside. Focusing specifically on the area where the impact had been generated.
The sceeen blurted a little befote completly focusing. However, what greeted them was not the sight of some stray animal. But rather a massive red and pink flame brightly burning beside the building.
Like a small pink sun, it shot out streaks of red thunder into the surrounding whenever it flickered. Incinerating the encompassing grass and soil into nothing.
One of the watcher could barely belive what he was seeing. Whispering into the monitor with awe.
"Is that...the devil?!"
However, as he did, the sun then abruptly turned towards them. Almost like it managed to perceive what they said through screen.
The rest of the watchers and soldiers all felt their scalps go numb. Not knowing what to believe anymore.
"No worries. It won't be able to enter. This building can easily handle the combined attack of several king layer knights."
Commander Xerses confidently yelled out again. Making the amber armour covering his body even glow a little. Reverberating more might into the hall.
However, the surrounding people were clearly not the only ones hearing him. For as soon as he finished, the bundle of chaotic fire began to shrink in size. Taking the form of a blurry red beast with two slit pink eyes. Possessing a mighty set of burning claws able to tear space appart, and a mad grin which would haunt the dreams of children.
One of the watchers were about to day something, but was interrupted by the mad flail executed by the devil. No one expected the creature to hammer its hand back into the area where it had previously hit, and even smashing it appart alongside the device giving them they outside view. Sending the building and it's inhabitants further into panic.
Immediately after the impact, tens of red alarm lights fell from the roof. All blinking and ringing madly due to the incredible amount of damage dealt.
The warcher closest to Xerses wetted himself right after the lights appeared. Mindlesly shouting at his superior.
"HOLY SHIT CAPTAIN IT BROKE THROUGH!!!! WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO?!"
Xerses was about to try and comfort the guy who had lost his sanity but was interrupted by another one who yelled out for everyone to hear.
"IT HAS ENTERED THE BUILDING, COMMANDER!!"
Even he began to feel afraid, but still managing to maintain a whisp of sanity while questioning the watcher who spoke out.
"What?! Where is it headed??" His old calm and collected attitude was drain from his body. Now feeling the calls of terror which had previously poked him in the back manifest into sharp toxic spikes. Digging into his skin.
"ITS...HEADED HERE!!!"
every person who had not felt their nind shatter now completely crashed. After decades of peace, their most of their basic fighting instinct had withered away. Leaving most with strong bodies, but frail minds.
"I WANT THIS PLACE UNDER LOCKDOWN!! NOW!!" Feeling death come for him was something even the commander was unable to properly handle. Forcing on a impulsive order to be executed.
"Commander Xerses, what is happening?"
However, as he was losing his mind, a familiar voive entered his ear. Seeming to have originated from his pocket.
Not even a second after hearing this, he dug his hand into a chink of his armour and pulled out a small grey ball shaped like a yarn.
"C..Captain Xalder?!" Even with the situation like this, he did not dare ignore a direct call from the man on the other end. Fearing that he would receive punishment far worse than death if he neglected the duties before him.
"Xerses! I order you to answer me! What the hell were those tremors?!"
The commander felt his brain numb up as he felt the almost material anger flew through the device. Forcing himself back to reality and trying to explain.
"U...Uhm..Well, you see..."
"GET. TO. THE. POINT."
"Its....Its..."
However, right then before Xerses's eyes, the iron plated wall in front of him began to gain a lighter hue.
No, that was not only it. As the temprature kept rising, ten sets of spikes dug their way through the metal and slowly forced it open. Making the aged alloy give of a heart wrenching creak.
Everyone in the room looked at the unforgettable sight. The crazed wolf devil burning everything it touched into smoke while still keeping the rigged smile.
"AAHH ITS HERE!!! ITS HERE!!!"
Xerses wanted to run, but as soon as he moved, the devilish figure dlickered it's body away. Shooting of in every direction like a bouncing stream of thunder. Shredding every living man and woman into steaming crisps of ash.
The man's iron spirit and unbreakable will to battle was nothing but a bunch of frail rubble before this hellspawn. Finding himself even unable to body while desperately watching his comrades get dropped like flies.
And finally, the thunderous wave stopped.
All the expensive equipment they had ammased had been scorched away. Broken skeletons and hot dust laid spread over the floor, perfectly marked out by the burning black lines which ran up the walls and roof.
Xerses heard some more messages travel through his communicator, but was not even bothered in the least this time. For although the remains of his friends were still in front of his eyes, that red streak was gone.
'M..Mabye it left..?'
However, as he tried to confort himself, a whisp of warm air brushed against the back of his head. Making the yellow hair on his head lose all it's color and radiance.
Not knowing what the use of resisting this thing held, he just turned around to face it. Wishing to see what would be able to cause such rappid sprees of death.
And just then, he locked eyes with the creature. However, it now held none of the previous red and pink aura, only having a layer of dark red fur cover most of its torso, arms and long muscular legs.
It's appearence was not too far from a human's. But the evil smile it gave him removed any ideas about trying to reason. Leaving the man with only some last words and hopes for pity.
"P...Please...Esteemed lord..."
Xerses fell to his knees whilst frantically tearing up. Letting rivers of snot flow down his nose togheter with the water drops from his amber eyes.
"M...My pregnant wife is hospitalized...If I don't pay her fees every week, she will definetly pass away alongside our child. I beg you. Please spare me!"
And while he sobbed and begged, the beastman also answered him with a silent whisper.
"Like I would give a shit about your wife."
The veteran commander wanted to say one last thing, hoping for a chance. But sadly, he was cut off.
No, not by a voice. But by having his head severed clean of with a single kick delivered to his neck. Rocketing the man's skull into the nearby wall, and then fragmenting into paste.
Michael looked at the dropping corpse and felt like laughing.
"At least die with some dignity."
He only gave the headless body a quick glance before moving it over into another direction. Looking down the hallway he had rampaged through while covering his body in the chaotic energy created by his chaos nuclei.
"Strange, it feels as if something deep within this building resonates with me..."
Michael narrowed his eyes further. Digging his feet into the ground as he aimed his entire figure towards the hole he made.
"No, Thats not it..."
"Something is calling for me....!"
long chapter lads!
I was mabye thinking about stocking up chapters each week and releasing the famoues "3 in a row" type of deal. But it all depends on what you wish for.
Anyways! if you like the story then a power stone or two would be absolutely splendid! ;D hope you enjoyed todays chapter!