บท 12: Chapter 12 - Time For Adventure
The freighter was currently in warped space, almost like one would expect from a wormhole. They had left the day after celebrating Zenith's approval. Zenith felt some softness; Fable had gotten drunk and been smacked by his grandma, while Mirabell ate more than the other three combined. It was amazing she managed to keep her figure.
Zenith was currently training with Fable, doing the usual: from being beaten up trying to get a hit in, to running and dodging until he almost vomited or collapsed, an event that Fable had to almost hold himself from laughing at.
"Where are we going exactly?" Zenith panted as he rested a little. Fable replied, "For relic hunters, there are several specialized outposts that handle selling of goods found inside relic sites as well as the sale of transport devices sent by the main HQ. All these outposts are run by the Relic Syndicate in case something major happens where they can use whatever manpower they've got at the time. It's also a way for them to boost their strength if anything else happens that the military can't handle."
Zenith didn't understand the deeper politics, but he understood some circumstances. After all, relic sites were dangerous places; an A rank team had been killed completely, and the Allspace team's main force had vanished, causing its collapse. A loss of relic hunters meant a loss of supply for the federation.
Soon the freighter ship shook a little before it exited warp. The window guards rolled open again, exposing the outside to Zenith. He widened his eyes in surprise. He saw a station that was incredibly massive, situated on an asteroid. It was easily several sizes larger than a colony city. It had enormous defense cannons and placements and a near-endless stream of vessels going back and forth, the largest one being 50 times larger than their own, which was the military's or more so the Relic Syndicate's.
Their freighter soon landed at an assigned dock. Mirabell stayed on the ship while Zenith, Fable, and Jenabell went down. The interior of the relic hunter outpost was enormous; the dome surrounding it even had its own miniature atmosphere and sky. "Created using relic technology. Those humans really were something," Fable sighed with respect.
Zenith nodded as the three signed in, using their IDs to prove their identity. This outpost only allowed relic hunters or those who sold relics to dock. For emergencies and any other individuals, they would have to use a smaller area on the other side of the asteroid.
When they approached, Zenith saw the only store that sold public teleportation devices into relics. They all looked different depending on the rank. From F to C, each relic had a shell-like core that was open and transparent in some areas, and in the center, a sphere of unknown energy swirled on the inside.
"Kid, remember these details well. When a relic device is used with resonance energy for the first time, the energy will contaminate it and be stuck in the center. That's how you can tell if it's been used before or not. If you find a relic device in this shape but the center is empty, it means no one has ever opened it before. We'll worry about entering or selling it unless it's a device you personally find or purchase," Jenabell said. Then she used her cane to point at the higher sections.
There were no A rank devices, but under it, the B rank device was present, yet it was one that hadn't been entered before. Its shape was also different; it was in the shape of a pyramid rather than a round sphere. "That device is basically for show, used by the staff on this place to show off. The price though, heh. One Millennium Crystal," Jenabell snickered.
Zenith was a little confused. "Is that a lot?" Zenith spoke with heavy curiosity. Fable laughed and continued, "A single Millennium Crystal is enough to buy the solar system you're from. It's something you can only find and can't buy with credits." Zenith shook after hearing Fable's words; this was incredible. "Why so sought after? What's it used for?"
Jenabell pondered for a moment and replied, "It's made from pure resonance energy mixed with zero-point energy. We don't know how it forms or exists, but it has study value. Currently, a crystal is being used to power the Materian home planet. That was placed 800 years ago, and not once has that crystal dimmed, despite the planet's energy consumption. Batteries are even sent off world to sell. Its true worth, though, is its ability to unlock one's resonance ability. Even those who have awakened resonance frequencies only need to use a method to liquefy the crystal and drink it; they will unlock their resonance ability."
Fable laughed softly, picking at his ear. "You would think something with so much power would make a big explosion. It's really weird. Consuming it once you already have an ability unlock can let one truly unleash their power—Unsealed Resonance." He had stern, thoughtful eyes.
Zenith sighed. "So expensive... it's definitely not worth it then, right?" Jenabell continued to walk with the three as she responded, "Who knows? That B rank device might lead you to a place filled with those crystals, or it might lead you to death."
Fable laughed. "Grandma, don't joke like that. There've only been 3 Crystals ever found. The only one left is the one at the capital. That's the one Allspace found!" he proudly spoke. Jenabell, hearing this, sighed quietly, as if lamenting. Zenith noticed this and didn't ask anymore.
Soon they walked in and were greeted by a man in a unique uniform that matched the others attending to the buyers. "Oh! Lady Jenabell. It's good to see you again. This must be Sir Fable and, uh?" Jenabell smiled. "A new member." The man, hearing this, widened his eyes. "Congratulations are in order then!"
Jenabell waved her hand off as if telling him to forget it. "The device is ready?" The man nodded with a smile. "Would you like to use it in the outpost, or did you have other plans?" Jenabell spoke up, "Please arrange for it to be used here. I'll pay the fee," she spoke reluctantly.
The man nodded. Jenabell and Fable were leaving, though the man moved to press a hand on Zenith's hand. "Hey boy, word of advice... Allspace is being targeted. It's probably not good for you to stay at it." Zenith was stunned. He then nodded; the others didn't tell him this, but it made him think. He didn't ask for more details and walked off. As he exited the store, he saw Jenabell walking back to the dock, but not Fable. As he left, Fable spoke softly, "What did he tell you?" Fable grinned.
Zenith spoke, "He said someone was targeting Allspace." Fable sighed quietly, then laughed softly. "If you want to back out, I don't blame you. We are up against someone who is bitter and got kicked out. Eventually, they used all their shit luck and managed to get a B rank relic hunter organization, Scorpius. I'll tell grandma that you had second thoughts and take the heat for you." He spoke and patted Zenith's shoulder before walking off to catch Jenabell as he walked past Zenith.
Though soon, Zenith caught up to him, walking beside him, which surprised Fable. "What are you doing?" Zenith spoke, "Going back with you guys?" Fable blinked, then understood. "Fine, we'll keep you around after all." He had been used to the talks in the past; Allspace had gotten recruits before, but when told about Scorpius, they would leave quickly or be threatened by Scorpius after being found out. Zenith's resolve had shown him something more.
When they arrived back at the dock, Mirabell was holding the device, waving at them, a soft tune leaving her body. Soon Fable and Zenith prepared themselves and their gear. Jenabell, with Mirabell beside her, spoke, "Always be careful; safety first. Keep an eye out for loose bricks and pressure plates. Humans are sinister with their designs, loving traps and their secrets." She then gave Fable a map of the place.
Fable chuckled, looking at the information. "Grandma, it's White Wolf level. I'll be a good babysitter. Hmm, let's see now. Grass plains with stone pillars perfectly one meter in length sticking out from them; the pillars are generic stone? Uh, all resonance creatures are eliminated. Size is 400 meters in every direction, and the usual can only dig 1 foot down before being unable to pass, and the boundary is also impassable due to some force. What did humans or whatever even make these spaces for? Are they natural or synthetic?" Fable mumbled.
Zenith, listening, didn't really know how to respond. Jenabell looked at Zenith and said, "Special comms were developed, so we will be able to speak with you, but camera feeds don't work. Stick near Fable, and keep your eye out." Zenith nodded confidently, clenching his left hand, which held the gauntlet, and his right with the laser weapon.
"Okay, all memorized. Let's go!" Fable spoke. Turning around, he walked over to the device. Resonance energy left his body and entered the device. Soon it began to pulse and speed up every second before it suddenly enlarged, opening up, and the material used to make it up somehow expanded via some unknown force until it formed a gateway with the resonance energy at the center being used as the portal. Fable stepped in first before Zenith took a soft breath and soon followed him, both vanishing inside.
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