《Alternate 2020》Episode 4: The Nether (3)
Advertisement
The bright yet warm afternoon shone down on us as we walked down the streets heading towards our destination. There were many citizens wandering around and children playing like before. It was really fascinating to see how much everyone had adapted - just this morning, they were about to give up on hope.
I looked towards Rose. Her right hand was holding her timid head as she slowly blinked.
"Are you alright, Rose?" I asked. "You didn't get to rest much this morning."
"I'm alright..." Rose replied. "Is this a good idea though? Isn't it... dangerous to wander around?"
"It'll be fine, don't worry too much."
"Hmm... okay."
I pointed towards a bench. "Should we take a break over there?"
"Come on... let's just get there ASAP!" Sam exclaimed annoyingly.
"Now, now, Sam. Rose's not feeling too good, let's take a break."
"Tch!" Sam fiercely turned around, took out his phone, and wandered around taking some pictures.
"Let's go, Rose. Sam won't be wandering far from us."
"Mhm," she replied.
She took a seat on the bench and laid her hands on her lap. A brief moment later, she took off her bag and elegantly rested it on top as she tilted her head slightly downwards while playing with her fingers; her slight fringe gently fluttered side to side. Her smooth, coffee-coloured hair glossed in the afternoon light as the ends waved slightly in the warm wind.
She placed her hand near her chest gently touching the necklace she was wearing. The silver, small chains - of the necklace - shined in the light blinding me a little. I hovered the back of my hands blocking the reflection. Slowly, I lowered it and I saw the shape of the necklace.
Slightly curved on the right side with a straight edge on the left; it resembled the character 'R'. The area, of the shape, was engraved with a red ruby-like gem as small, silver crystals encompass the perimeter of it.
"'R'...?" I thought to myself. "'R' for Rose, probably."
But then, she tightened her grip and I could faintly see another shape behind it. It wasn't clear; I couldn't make out what it was. The necklace must have meant a lot to her.
Advertisement
Her gentle, bright smile caught my attention as I admired from a close distance. Her delicate, ethereal beauty sparkled, capturing my vision. I felt a warm, yet familiar, feeling as her pink, vibrant lips moved as if she was whispering to herself. The placid, adorable sight left an imprint in me as my heart skipped a beat.
I turned around and started looking for Sam. A slight heatwave passed through my head; I was burning up.
"...Ray..." I heard. "..."
"Hmm?" I turned around and looked back towards her. I couldn't make out what she was saying - it sounded like mumbles to me - so I slowly approached her, puzzled.
"...d....mber....? ...ime...."
I could only hear fragmented syllables as if her voice was intentionally muffled and reduced every now and then; It was as if there was an invisible, thick wall blocking her soft sound.
"....."
"Rose?" I reached out my hand a little but stopped.
Her eyes sparkled slightly as teardrops fell down her puffy cheeks. She was smiling and chuckling, yet she was crying.
"...I was happy back then." *BOOM*
*BOOM*
*BOOM*
A huge shockwave blew towards me, from my back, as the fine dust started to fill the sky. In the distance, people started screaming as they hurried their way towards us and away from the explosion.
Rose shot up and quickly put her bag back on.
"Sam!!!" I shouted while looking left and right.
"Oi, down here."
I looked down and Sam was standing there.
"Did I overlook him? I thought he wandered off..." I thought to myself. Sam's expression was calm as usual; he didn't seem surprised.
"Let's go, Sam!" I told him and we ran towards Rose. I took her soft hand and we headed away from the explosion.
In front of us, a few groups of soldiers - holding guns - paced past us.
I turned my head around while continue running. "Is there some sort of attack?" I mumbled.
"Of course, now let's get going," Sam replied.
"..." I looked down at Sam. "Hey!"
Somehow, Sam took my phone and unlocked it. He was looking at a photo on my phone; it was the map.
Advertisement
Sam smirked. "Hmph, hmph, we're almost there."
* * *
It didn't take long before we reached our destination. The place stood in front of us. The dark blue walls stretched high up touching the ceiling. It wrapped around a large area surrounding 'The Nether'.
I walked up to the wall and knocked on it; it gave a vibrant ringing sound like it was made from metal.
Sam looked at the map; he headed off walking - into the distance - along the side of the walls. We silently followed behind him as I observed it. There were no windows, no doors, no entrances. How would we be able to get in?
Suddenly, the dark-brown floor lit up. It formed two light blue, parallel lines that encompass the entirety of 'The Nether'.
"What the hell is this," Sam quietly said.
Looking at him, I wondered, "He's usually calm? What's gotten into him?"
"Why..." Sam continued. "Why do they have the same technology as us?"
"What?" I questioned him.
He ignored me and ran forward.
"Rose! Let's go!" I said as I reached out grabbing hold of Rose's hand; we ran after him.
* * *
He dashed ahead of us; I could barely catch up while holding on to Rose.
"What's going on?" Rose asked.
"I'm not too sure either," I replied as I turned my head facing Rose. "He probably figured something out. Let's catch up quickly and find out what he is up to."
"Mhm."
"Oh! By the way, are you feeling better now?"
"Yeah, I'm better now."
"Okay, great!"
"Yup."
We continued running but then Rose slightly tugged my hand.
"Watch out!" she shouted.
I turned my head back and halted; I almost bumped into Sam. Rose continued to catch her breath as I looked at Sam.
"Hey, Sam."
"Wait."
"...?" I looked at him, I was confused.
A moment later, an open surface showed up on the walls as a piece of it slid up into itself revealing two bright displays.
"What is this?" I asked rhetorically.
"QDVS" Sam replied.
"Oh." My expression changed as I looked down at Sam. "Wait, huh??? What do you mean? Do you know what this is? Sam?"
He continued staring at the display.
"Sam!"
Continuing to ignore me, he walked up and look at the display.
"This is bad," Sam said. He turned his head left and right, then up and down. "Ray, pick me up, quick!"
"What...?"
"I'll explain everything, come over here for a moment."
"Okay..."
I approached him and looked at the display. The screen was glowing bright blue as some patterns were being displayed.
Sam lifted his shaking hand as he slowly placed it on to the display.
"...this... will it work...?" Sam muttered to himself.
Rose approached us a little, but suddenly, the ground shook fiercely. Walls erected and blocked our path out; we were stuck in the place.
I looked around as the walls continued to stretch towards the sky but then, like before, panels on the walls shifted into itself revealing something. Guns, or rather, turrets. They immediately aimed towards the area we were standing.
"What the-?" I began to say, "Sam...?"
"Shit!" he shouted. "The chip's been altered!"
"Now's not the time Sam!" I turned my head towards Rose. "Rose! Come here, quick!"
She paced forward, but suddenly, she tripped and reached out her hand towards me. I quickly let go of Sam. He freefell towards the ground as I lunge forward at Rose, my hand reaching out.
"Rose!!!" I shouted.
The ground continued to shake fiercely and I stumbled sideways. My hand couldn't reach hers; I fell to the ground face first. I turned my head, looking to my right side. I watched as she tried her best to stay up on her feet but nonetheless, gravity pulled her down like a magnetic and she fell forward.
"..."
"Deactivated. Welcome to The Nether."
Advertisement
A Man Led by the Heart of Another World
Note: original novel is written by me on ranobelib. me (RUS website), and is translated by me from Russian to English. So, if there will be mistakes — tell me. The Heart of the World is the most mysterious, but at the same time beautiful phenomenon. The epitome of the cyclical nature of being. Hidden from eyes of even the most desperate explorers deep in the bowels of the planet, it waited for the moment when the "vein" would bring it the soul of a certain person. A man to whom this world was alien also wanted to meet Heart again to tell it his story. That story will be about the very beginning of Everything, about the Observer and his sacrifice, but most of all that Scientist wanted to tell his story. The story of a Man Led by the Heart of Another World, full of contradictions, dialectics, heuristics and corpses.
8 94The Heart of Nimble Woods
Seeking Apprentice Want adventure?Want fame?Want riches?Do you have what it takesto be the one with all the answers? Jack's friends love him, but they know he can be trouble. Sure, it's all fun and games playing pranks in high school, but eventually, it's time to grow up and get a job. They didn't expect that job to be located in another world, accessed through a fiery portal, which just opened up in Jack's bedroom. A cyborg emerges from that portal with an intriguing proposition. If they can complete a task set by the mysterious Alchemist, Jack will become the Alchemist's apprentice and they'll all have access to a whole world of science and magic. All they have to do is find the castle in the middle of Nimble Woods. For Jack, the stakes in this game are higher than he is willing to admit. And convincing his friends to step through the portal is only the beginning...
8 228Serendipity
What would you do for a wish? In the center of the world of Earthena lays the tower of Serendipity stretching high into the heavens where the goddess lays in deep slumber. It is said that whoever would climb the top and awaken the goddess would get any wish they desire granted. With a newfound power, young adventure Silica Hale and her Fairy partner Jil must venture to the tower and awaken the sleeping goddess. --------------------- Authors Notes: Inspired by more or less the game Xenoblade Chronicles 2, Serendipity is a large epic drawing a lot on the classic JRPG formula. An epic that will see the heroes travel the entire world of Earthena to reach their goal, with the intention of building upon a rich and dynamic world of mystery and war. NOTE: This is gonna be my first Draft of this story. Any feedback will be appreciated. Grammer hopefully won't be too much of an issue compared to Goddess Chosen given that this one is more recent, but... Just give you guys a heads up. This story is ongoing. Updates are slow as I publish when a chapter is ready. Expect my chapters to be on the long side, that's just my style. Only on Royal Road.com
8 138The Pillar of Enera
Eight children leave their mother's strict upbringing in the arctic to explore Enera, a world where the planet's fractured crust floats in the sky. They join other adventurers on the Isle of Dreams hoping to one day be inscribed on the Wall of Legends and receive eternal life. While mastering their martial arts and magic, they must also discover who they are, fend off assassins, and prevent another Dark Age.
8 106The Last Set || Sugawara x Reader ||
You were a first year who excelled in her studies that you jumped to your last year in Karasuno High school. After a tragic accident that left you scarred for life, you were never the same again. Walking aimlessly through life, your mentality was set to just graduate, get a job and make ends meet. However, a boy named Sugawara Koushi, was determined to turn your life around. You're caught in a mix of several love triangles & family secrets in the pursuit to find your purpose you once lost.You play as Kiyoko Shimizu's sister :) (There's also a side original character name Mika Mitsuki)Enjoy! 🥰😊 and thank u for reading!!
8 232Old bonds (Blake x male dragon faunas)
Blake do you still feel the same way about me when we were younger? Do you still remember our promise?(Disclaimer, I don't own RWBY or any art/songs used in this story)
8 174