Chapter 2

The Preppers

Planet Breroria

Heneron Orefall, a Dwarven blacksmith is foraging a sword in his smithy when he receives the message.

UNIVERSE RELEASE MESSAGE

Quest Received: The Release has been triggered. If this quest is accepted, you will have fifteen minutes to prepare for your journey to Terra Firma. Only authorized weapons, equipment, and items permitted to be brough with you. All actions are in accordance with the “Memphis Accord of 2020”. This quest will only be offered once. Declining the quest will have no negative effects on you or your abilities. Do you accept this quest? Yes or No?

Noticing the 2-minute countdown timer in the top right of his vision. Heneron paused hammering to consider the fable has finally occurred after thousands of years of waiting. Halting his progress to create a fine blade. Not only was the sword a work of art, but a weapon worthy of a great warrior. Glancing back at the timer, Heneron resumed his efforts to finish the sword. He only needed a minute to prepare this sword for enchantment. Plus, he always did his best thinking when swinging his hammer.

The idea of adventure genuinely excited him. Even though he was not a contender, traveling to the fabled world of Terra Firma was extremely tempting. Not only to see the planet and to interact with the fierce humans, but to expand his knowledge with the minerals of this long isolated planet. While those factors were interesting, the biggest kicker was the thought of leveling up and becoming a famous blacksmith. Due to the limitations on combat around the universe it was extremely difficult to level up. The return of Terra Firma eliminated those restrictions and presented an opportunity to level up. He knew he could become extremely powerful, if only he could survive. He swung one last time: the sword complete. Clicking Yes, he grimaced when he realized that he was down to just seventeen seconds. That was too close, he almost missed his opportunity. He had finished the sword, but now only had fifteen minutes to prepare for journey. Grabbing a bag, he grabbed as many bars of metal ingots that he had ready for smithing. Setting the bag near the anvil, he strapped on a spare set of armor that he had available, equipping as many weapons as he could onto his belt. He glanced at the timer, just less than 2 minutes to go. He looked wistfully at the cask of ale in the corner. Unfortunately, he knew that he couldn’t lift both the cask and the anvil. To be honest, he did enjoy the ale, but he loved smithing on that anvil. Maybe a bottle of mead or two would fit in his bag.

He had to time this exactly right. Putting his helmet on his head and strapping his shield to his back. He tied the bag to his belt and waited for the countdown to reach 10 seconds as he stepped closer to the anvil. Then bending his knees, Heneron, wrapped his arms around the anvil, he straightened his legs, the veins popping out of his neck, grunting and straining, just to have the anvil off the stand when the countdown reached zero. He, his anvil and armor begin to dematerialize, with a flash he faded out of existence.

Planet Ilveon

Voidrogs, a Goblin Chief, is sitting on his throne bitterly admiring his stronghold. While he was proud of what he accomplished, he felt he could do so much more if he only had the opportunity. As he was considering his territory options for perhaps the thousandth time, he received a message.

UNIVERSE CONTENDER MESSAGE

Quest Received: The Release has been triggered. If this quest is accepted, you will have fifteen minutes to prepare for your journey to Terra Firma. As a Contender, you will have the opportunity to claim territories for your race and faction. Only authorized weapons, equipment, and items permitted to be brough with you. All actions are in accordance with the “Memphis Accord of 2020”. This quest will only be offered once. Declining the quest will have no negative effects on you or your abilities. Do you accept this quest? Yes or No?

Jeknol paused, considering this new revelation. This fabled tale was so old that many rejected its validity. However, this was now an opportunity to escape his present situation and to be able to establish a new beginning. Currently, the Clan Chief of a small territory surrounded by strong opponents prevented him from expanding. He lacked the Casus Belli justification necessary to declare war on any nearby territories. Even if he could provide justification, both clans that surrounded his domain were too powerful for him to attack. He had considered trying to create an alliance with the Pirax Clan. They were the third most powerful clan on the planet. However, there was not enough combined strength on the planet to attack the two strongest clans. So far, he had not found a way to create a division between them. Truth be told, the only reason the Goblins still held this territory was because during the last conflict, the goblin leader Gelb, his great grandfather at the last possible moment, had requested parley and agreed a peace treaty that had maintained the ownership, but resulted in having to pay a very high tax rate which precluded any real growth. Without any further delay, he selected, Yes. Goblins that know him, would not have been surprised that Jeknol hadn’t noticed that he had barely responded in time, and had only eight seconds left to decide.

After making his decision, Jeknol gathered his equipment before he strode from his throne to observe his clan for what could be the last time. Interestingly, it seemed that there was a large tumultuous event occurring. It seemed many others of his clan had gotten a similar chance to travel to Terra Firma as what appeared to be hundreds of goblins running around the stronghold grabbing weapons, armor, items and whatever they could get their hands on. While others, most likely those not going to Terra Firma were trying to hang on to their possessions and keep the thieving goblins from escaping to another planet with them.

Jeknol’s eyes were drawn to one of his clan members who was standing innocently near a market stall. He tried to remember, the goblins name. He shrugged, as at that moment the goblins name would not come to mind. The hatchet, the soon to be thief was pretending to not being paying attention to was truly a magnificent weapon. As the countdown timer reached 5 seconds, he watched the sneaky goblin grab not only the amazing hatchet, but a shield and a breast plate of armor as well. Jeknol began the dematerialization with perhaps the loudest resounding laugh of joy that he had ever made in his whole life.

Planet Vinathea

Aerith Sylmyar, an Elven princess, is laying against the tree that was planted over the body of her beloved human partner. Even though Markos, had died last year, his death still brought tears to her eyes. Aerith and Markos love had defied tradition within the elven clans. She had been required to give up her rights as a contender to the throne that would have eventually been hers. However, everything changed when she received the message.

UNIVERSE CONTENDER MESSAGE

Quest Received: The Release has been triggered. If this quest is accepted, you will have 15 minutes to prepare for your journey to Terra-Firma. As a Contender, you will have the opportunity to claim territories for your race and faction. Only authorized weapons, equipment, and items permitted to be brough with you. All actions are in accordance with the “Memphis Accord of 2020”. This quest will only be offered once. Declining the quest will have no negative effects on you or your abilities. Do you accept this quest? Yes or No?

Aerith considered her options. Having known of the Memphis Accords for many years, she was surprised that they had finally been completed. Supposedly the humans of earth were deadly savages, but maybe, just maybe, things had changed over the years. Having given up everything for Markos, she had lived in the moment. She had focused on enjoying her time with him. Refusing to allow herself to consider what would happen when he passed away. Humans had a much shorter life span than elves. While Markos lived, they had enjoyed a wonderful life together. Now that he had passed, nothing was keeping her here on Vinathea. She started running to her home as she accepted the quest. Only 15 minutes to collect her gear. Would her magic work the same and be as effective or would she have to relearn everything that she had spent years learning? She didn’t know the answer to the question, but what she did know is that she would form a bond with the humans of earth to establish a legacy to honor Markos if they were worthy. However, if the humans were as ruthless, bloody, and destructive as they were reported, then by the power of Ania, God of Truth and Justice, they would all die.