After a brief period of time during which he realized he was being ignored, that he was unlikely to receive any responses, or perhaps that he was simply not being taken seriously,

Jack decided to renew his threat but this time with actions

Clicking the trigger of his gun

baam!

The shot's audible boom echoed throughout the cave.

" Do you understand what I am saying? ....If not I am afraid I would have no other choice than to eliminate you. "

But still, even after that. The only thing that individual was doing was silently observing the strange violet-shining particles floating around.

Despite being trapped in an energy cage and having a gun pointed directly at him, he seemed unconcerned as he looked to the left, to the right, and up and down. Jack was exuding a deadly aura, but it didn't even faze him. ignoring it at first as though it were nothing.

Then, all of a sudden, something caught his attention! a tiny burst of purple light produced by the collision of two particles that were sufficiently close to one another thus generating the only source of light in that cave.

These same particles seemed to be attracted to that energy shield Anna generated, passing through it like they were trying to fuse with whatever that shield was composed of, but it in vain.

While this was happening, Anna and Jack were fully focused on him, ready to take action at any suspect movement."..."

"..."

"..."

" So this is the new world ..... Fascinating ! to think that this time, It truly worked....."The unknown individual finally made the decision to speak, more to himself than to anyone else, in a proud, self-assured voice that was not loud but was nevertheless audible. with apparent enthusiasm mingled with it, which he was unable to conceal.

The size of the cave became perceptible as his voice suddenly began to echo.

Upon hearing hearing that voice, the two guards exchanged glances, as though they had realized something. or as though they knew who that man was.

Immediately after that, the energy field despaired, shattering like it was a wall of glass. Then Anna suddenly dropped to one knee.

"y- Your highness! "

she respectfully shouted

Her colleague Jack did not follow suit, still aiming at that unexpected intruder. not sure if it was a good idea to drop their gourd.

Then, with the clearly intending to kill, he pulled the trigger once again.

Baaaam!

"Wha?? " Jack temporarily left Anna speechless and shocked.

but as jack was hoping to, nothing occurred. Even better, the bullet completely vanished, leaving only the bang it produced.

"what do you think you are doing! explain yourself jack! " Anna yelled.

" Lord Zel, is it really you ? " Jack queried Zel with suspicion while ignoring Anna.

Zel only nodded in agreement.

" zel, from the earth... well, at least what is left from it!." zel said to him

" hmm ??! that is?! " Jack was unable to comprehend what the man, whom Anna referred to as his highness, was saying, just tilted his head

Zel noticed that Jack was a little confused the exclaimed

" Did I not answer your questions correctly?!

...Anyhow, where are the other three? Did you encounter any difficulties? Are there any casualties? "

" ah! of course, you did! HAHA, welcome then, I guess! "

Jack did the same and got down on one knee after removing any doubts about that person's identity.

Zel looked at both of them and said in his calm clear yet powerful voice.

" Rise up .....no need for formalities ! and lets me on behalf of humanity, thank you! for your courage and bravery, I don't know if you realize It, but you are the pioneers of a new era for all mankind. "

Without being able to contain her excitement, Anna exclaimed. yet still hesitant to stand up. deeming it inappropriate if she did " It is an honor, your highness! We are pleased to report that our mission has been up till now, a success " Without being able to contain her excitement, Anna exclaimed. yet still hesitant to stand up. deeming it inappropriate if she did.

Jack meanwhile stood up and remarked, "Well you know what we say, lord Zel, a small step for mankind but an immense step for man!

Zel just ignored him and looked at anna then asked her

" Anna, can you report what the actual situation is? "

startled by this sudden question she got up and started to explain the situation as clear as possible

" ehm! s-sorry, They are still exploring the surrounding your highness, No major difficulty worth mentioning and there have been no casualties. with the limited information we have, I'm afraid Jack and I are not the most qualified to assess the situation properly, upon arriving we got orders from team leader Ahab to stay beside, secure, and protect the rift. ..Please! pardon us for being disrespectful;"

"Hmmm … I see ...…. And how long has it been since your arrival up till now? "

" 3 days, lord Zel " this time it was Jack who answered.

"….. 3 !? ... as expected time flows differently in this place, depending on the accuracy of their info it is a 1 to 2 ratio. that good " zel said to himself thinking out loud.

Are you saying that one day here is equivalent to two days on earth? Anna questioned without expressing any astonishment.

" Exactly. If the time disparity between the two worlds was too vast. For example 1 to 365 or just even a 1 to 30 ratio.. it would have made any future plans of traveling, exploration, or colonization impossible …..or more like a waste of time If I could say that ! " zel said chuckling to his own bad joke.

Upon hearing that, Jack busted out laughing

" Hahahahahah. that what I call a good joke, or I perhaps should I say it was a good jack! hahahahahahahahaha, thank you, lord Zel I needed that. " His laughter resounded throughout the enormous cave.

" ...."

Anna had a reaction but it was the exact opposite. after hearing that she froze in place. her knee started to shiver,threatening to give way at any moment as they were now loosing all of their strength.

Having better analysis capacity, despite being expressed in a lighthearted manner, it was easy for her to recognize and underst the seriousness of the situation they might have been in .

' What in the holy spirit are you laughing at jack … you don't even realize the meaning behind those words ...…the hell I am sure his highness said it in that jocking tone on purpose just to mask the gravity of the situation...we were almost used as a useless sacrifice! ...why didn't I think about that before...…'

Lost in her own thought with a complicated mix of feelings she was brought back to reality by a soft and melancholic voice.

" Don't overthink too much Anna, all that importe is that it was a success. "

The person that she calls her highness said to her, meanwhile Looking in her direction,

Just in front of his helmet, two particles collided, creating just enough light to make his two inky-black eyes visible. eyes that are the color of the darkness in the space gap behind them, But more specifically, he was gazing past her rather than at her.

"Y- you are correct, your highness. The essential thing right now is the outcome." Anna sighed after she returned to her formal composed self.

" This is exactly why she will never find someone and will end up alone your highness, she is always way too serious and never enjoy a good old joke, besides her body she has nothing to give, " Jack said in a serious tone

" What??…how dare you ! that it this time I will kill you…. !! How dare you to embarrass me in front of his highness ! " anna said feeling embarrassed and angry at Jack.

She summoned four Barriers that encircled jack from all directions, then suddenly made them rush at a fast threatening speed, she was clearly aiming to crush him.

after just seconds the 4 Barriers crashed into each other and disappeared.

Jack was nowhere to be seen

" Tss… you and your damn ability " anna seemingly enjoyed looking at that person now standing beside her.

not bothered by what was happening around him, and after just fixing that exist for a period of time, just staring at what seemed nothing in particular Zel's eyes twitched slightly, then he said whispering to himself

" Truly Fascinating.. " then he started to walk in the same direction he was looking at.

" Where are you going, lord Zel !? do you have any orders? perhaps you want us to a company you? "

jack said looking at the back of that man who was now walking away

" Just keep up with the orders you already received, I am not here to take over the lead of the team after all. Any way I will be back soon to do what I have to do " zel said without looking back and still slowly walking toward the exit

" YES! YOUR HIGHNESS !! US YOU ORDER !! MAY HUMANITY ONCE AGAIN PROSPER !!"

they both said in unison while placing their fists into their chest in a military salute way.

"..."

"..."

sigh--

'it's a pity that I will have to probably kill them ...' Zel thought after he sighed meanwhile walking away from the two guards with his hand on his back. heading toward the exit.

* * * * *

author thoughts: hopefully you enjoyed chapter 2 don't hesitate to comment on your thoughts and leave a review.

thank you for reading see you next time - AgLd

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