Chapter 4, Genesis [4]

 

 

"Huuuuhh... Finally..." Erin sighed, as he was let inside the gate. Looking around, he could see soldiers, snipers, and a few turrets, all facing a large platform that sat under the rift. 

 

As Erin got closer to the platform, the temperature seemed to have dropped quite significantly, most likely coming from the rift.

 

'Damn... I should have gotten another jacket...' Erin sighed, as he scanned the area for Krov.

 

In front of the soldiers, was a large man, his hands in his pockets, staring ominously at the rift, which was very close to opening. Erin sighed, as he prepared to go meet up with him.

 

"Krov." Erin said as he walked up to him. Noticing him, Krov's face twitched in annoyance, though Erin was the only one able to notice. 

 

"What are you doing here?" Krov asked Erin, in an agitated tone.

 

"You were going to contact me sooner or later."

 

"You--" Krov groaned.

 

"Nevermind... Get ready Stein, it's about to open up." Krov sighed.

 

Erin looked at the rift, which had reached the ground, and was starting to widen. The sounds coming from the rift became louder, along with the temperature decreasing.

 

"Is something coming out..?" Erin asked Krov, who was focused on the portal.

 

"...Yes, and there are quite a few of them. They aren't human either."

 

"Shit..." Erin said, after hearing Krov's answer. What was going to come out? How was it going to affect the peaceful life he currently had? These kinds of thoughts bounced around in Erin's head, as everyone watched the rift open, their hearts beating faster in anticipation.

 

No... No matter what, he would do his best to stop anything major, anything that would break the peace that the Union had fought for. This peace was well earned... 

 

The air grew still, and everything went quiet, only able to hear the breathing of the people present. The rift convulsed and violently ripped open, revealing a mist on the other side.

 

Erin tried to speak, but before he could, his body felt like something was burning it, Agonizing pain ran throughout him, though he was unable to scream. Looking around, he could see the others were experiencing it as well, some handling it better than others.

 

Krov and Erin locked eyes, then looked towards the rift, as they heard footsteps.

 

The pain had stopped, but everyone suddenly fell to their knees, as an overbearing pressure came down on them. Coming out of the rift, was a humanoid creature, coming at around seven feet tall, his four arms folded behind his back. A sadistic smile ran across his face. 

 

"So... This is the human realm... H--How marvelous! Aha--Ahahaha!" The creature laughed, his raspy voice sending chills down the spines of everyone present.

 

His piercing red eyes scanned the crowd, while he covered his mouth, trying to hide his smile. "Wow... You humans already adjusted to the Ether huh... G--Great! How interesting!" He said, stuttering with excitement.

 

Suddenly, his smile turned into a frown, as he looked at the soldiers. "...Though it seems some of you can't handle it... A--At least not to my standards..."

 

"So... die for me please..." 

 

With a wave of his hand, all twenty of the soldiers' heads went flying, blood splattering everywhere. Bullets from the snipers came rushing towards him, though with a laugh, he redirected them towards the snipers, seemingly with his mind.

 

Erin and Krov, frozen in their positions watched in horror as all of the forces were wiped out within an instant. Krov's normal cold expression was filled with fear, the same as Erin's. What was the purpose of the monster sparing them? They both thought as he laughed hysterically.

 

Suddenly his eyes locked onto Erin and Krov, his smile growing wider.

 

"Look what we have here... You, humans adjusted quite well..."

 

The being walked a circle around them, almost like he was inspecting them. Beads of sweat dripped down their necks, as they felt his gaze on them.

 

'Adjusted to what?' Erin didn't understand what he was talking about. 'Could it have been the pain he felt when the rift opened?' At that moment Erin's eyes widened, as he noticed his body felt different after the pain went away...

 

He felt like there was something that was just out of his reach, something that could help him in this situation. He had to figure it out, whatever it was...

 

The being paused, staring at Erin's puzzled expression. A small laugh leaked from his mouth, while he covered it with his hand.

 

"What do we have here... You can feel the mana already? Ahaha--Aaahaha!"

 

"W--What do you m--mean..." Erin groaned forcing himself to speak, while still under the monster's pressure.

 

"O--Oh my GOD! Ahaha--Aaha! You can talk with this pressure?"

 

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'Feel mana?' Krov thought as he watched the two interact. While Erin was distracting the monster Krov closed his eyes and tried to feel whatever Erin had felt.

 

"W--Who are you..." Erin said, with a strained tone.

 

"Ah... Yes, silly me... I am Kazimir..." Kazimir said, his tone turning serious.

 

Kazimir walked up closer to Erin, bending down to him.

 

"Ahh... your struggling... It's just so pitiful... It's truly unfortunate I have to share you humans with the other clans..."

 

"O--Other clans?" Erin said, his heart dropping.

 

"Oh... yes! There are many Eldrin clans my little human friend... I just happened to slip in here first..."

 

"You know... It will really be a pity for you humans to die so soon..." Kazimir ominously said, as his eyes darted across the city. Suddenly, his eyes widened, his mouth curving up his face.

 

Suddenly, Krov spoke up: "What do you mean by that?"

 

"O--Oh! look at you! you were able to channel some of your mana as well! This is--is so perfect!" Kazimir said, breaking into a hysterical laugh.

 

"A--Ahem... I apologize, I got excited..." Kazimir sighed, as he started to pace around in a circle once a gain.

 

"You see, I think it would be quite unfortunate if my clan and I were to attack the humans right now... I will give you... Three abyssal years, before my clan attacks your realm. Of course, I won't be able to guarantee that other clans will do the same, but it should still give you some time, to try and become stronger... I mean you haven't even unlocked your Ether Sight yet..."

 

"Abyssal years?" Erin asked.

 

"A-Ah yes, that would be around twenty-two human years I believe." Kazimir chuckled.

 

"Why are you giving us this time? What is your goal?" Krov asked.

 

"A--Aha--ha! You see... We just love to watch things suffer... And letting you humans try your hardest to become strong enough to survive, then watch your pitiful expressions as we tear the ones you care for apart... It is simply addicting!"

 

At that moment, both Krov and Erin realized what kind of hell they were going to face. There was no chance of the Eldrins sparing them... They had to use these years efficiently and try to advance the human race as fast as possible.

 

Kazimir stared at Erin, his eyes lighting up with excitement, then spoke in an ominous tone; "You... You care for someone quite a bit, don't you..."

 

Kazimir's smile widened, as he seemingly stared into Erin's soul; "O--Oh a mate?! I wonder what will happen if I remove her from existence... Will you lose yourself to rage, and try to become stronger faster, just to kill me? I think that would be marvelous..."

 

Erin's heart dropped, 'He was able to read my mind? N--no my memories..?'

 

"N--No, please not Fei... Please..." Erin squeaked out.

 

"Oh my, Oh my! Look at you, already seething with rage!"

 

"I think I will go pay her a visit..."

 

"NO! NOO!" Erin yelled as he crawled towards Kazimir who started to walk past him, towards his home.

 

Krov's face saddened. He hated Erin, but he knew how it felt to lose family... He then took a deep breath, reached into his pocket, and pressed a device.

Beeeep!

Suddenly the four turrets whirred to life and pointed at the distracted Kazimir. 

Thud!

Thud!

Thud!

The lasers spewed out from the cannons, slamming into Kazimir. Smoke poured out from where Kazimir stood, and there was silence until they could hear a slight laughter.

 

"Aha--Ahaha! You managed to hit me! I am impressed human!" Kazimir said as he flicked his fingers, blowing the turrets to bits. His black cloak was a little tattered, but there was no real damage.

 

He walked back towards Erin and Krov, clapping his hands.

 

"You humans are constantly surprising me!-- But, I still need to go visit little Fe---" Kazimir's eyes widened as he jerked backward.

 

Erin and Krov blinked in surprise, at what they had seen. Something moved extremely fast and lunged at Kazimir. A small light of hope lit up within them as they looked at him.

 

Kazimir had gone silent, putting his hand to his cheek, finding black blood dripping from it. His expression went grim, as he stared in the direction of the blur. "Come out, bastard elf..."

 

A/N: There will be another chapter out tomorrow!

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