Chapter 300: Day 676 – Viewpoints 28

Naran

“Good job,” I said to the group of people under me. I had stayed out here even though I had an invitation to return for the celebration. I was content out here. Helping people, taking it easy. If I went, I would have felt stress about the sky worms.

“Thanks Naran. So, you really didn’t want to go back? I heard there was burgers!” one of my people said. I shook my head.

“I had my fill of action and this is my retirement. You all know that. Now focus. Less talking, more killing monsters…” I trailed off as I saw an older Asian lady walking towards me dressed in fancy looking black and white robes. Her white hair was done up in a perfect bun, with two white things sticking through her hair. I had no idea what women called it.

I did not notice any weapons, but her hands were folded in the sleeves of her white and black robes. I frowned slightly since I hadn’t noticed her before and she was already within a stone’s throw of me. I should have seen movement, or something based on her approach from the East.

“Hello there,” I called out and gave a slow wave with my off hand. The woman seemed to glide across the ground and stopped a short distance in front of me.

“Oh, hello there young man. Killing monsters out here?” she asked.

“Yes, just helping some people. I am Naran, may I get your name?” I asked back happy to have a friendly conversation instead of fighting.

“Oh, you don’t know me?” she asked. I frowned at that.

“I don’t think so. I am sorry, if I offended you,” I replied.

“It is no big deal. I am just looking around for an old dear friend of mine. You see, he left a gift for me, that was quite a learning experience just to understand. I want to return the favor. Perhaps you have heard of him? He often uses his title, The Astrologer.”

I froze up at that. That was a high level person that Michael and Clarissa had been dealing with. Clarissa had told me about him. Whoever this woman was, she wasn’t simple. “I can’t say that I know him personally.”

“Where did you hear about him?” the woman demanded.

“You still haven’t introduced yourself,” I replied.

“Oh, you want an introduction?” I noted the five people had come back and were listening in at a short distance. The woman blurred slightly and they all collapsed screaming to the ground. Their backs and legs twisted.

I quickly readied my sword. The old woman was instantly in front of me. I could barely see her move, she was just a blur. I swung at her with everything I had. My buster stick came to a sudden halt. Caught between two of her fingers a slight distance from her body. The metal had deformed slightly around her fingertips.

My sword was frozen in place. I couldn’t move it at all. “I am the Divine Empress Hei Long you filthy American.” Her face was still smiling at me but her words and actions sent fear straight into my heart. She suddenly blurred and I spun to try and counter her movement.

“Ahhhh!” I screamed as I felt my back shatter and slammed into the ground face first. My weapon went tumbling from my hands. I was suddenly flipped face up and the woman had one of my people in her hands.

“Now tell me about the Astrologer. Tell me everything.” I was already dead. This person was beyond me in every way. With a shattered back, I was done for.

“And you would spare me and them?” I asked.

“Depending on how fast you talked.” She waved the screaming woman in her hand off to my side as she loomed over me.

“I just know he was in Purgatory when the Ritualist attacked. I had some curse damage and he gave some information to help fix it,” I said, not wanting to betray anyone.

“And who is in charge of Purgatory?” I winced, but that wasn’t a secret.

“Champion Michael.” I used his full title, so I didn’t give away our relationship. She tossed the screaming woman to the side. She then knelt down over my face and patted my cheek.

“Now was that so hard?” I didn’t say anything. I might have a chance to drag myself to a city and get a restoration once she left. She stood up and was gone.

I let out a sigh of relief. Purgatory was in trouble. That meant I would have to drag myself to another city. The only options were Heaven to the East and Truth to the North. The only option was Truth, since I could get through the swamp. Summoner type monsters would just wear me down.

I began to drag myself forward. When I felt a blinding pain radiate from my cheek. I looked over to my teammates and they were turning to dust. The pain. Oh my god, the pain. I screamed.

“Ahhhhhh!”

Recruit Kenisha

I was standing guard at the East gate. It was just after morning so the people on rotation had already left. I remembered when I had been one of them. Now I was a proud member of the RMPF and would protect the city.

I was lucky to have made it through basic training. Many people couldn’t handle guard duty, but I loved it. Just watching everyone go in and out. Keeping track of everything. It was relaxing in a way. I noticed an older woman in black and white approaching.

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She wasn’t wearing any of the standard colors of Purgatory. I looked at the Sargent who had spotted her as well. How she had gotten into the defense envelope without an alert meant someone was getting punished.

“Attention,” the Sargent said and quickly everyone straightened up. The older woman in black and white came to a stop a short distance away.

“Ah, is this Purgatory?” the older woman asked. She had such a kind smile so I smiled back.

“Yes, mam. As a visitor, we are instructed to show you the highest possible courtesy. Would you like an escort to the plaza?” Oh, she was an elite. That made sense as that lecture from training came back to me.

“Oh, that is so kind, but I think I can find my own way. I am just looking for an old friend of mine. Perhaps you could point me in his direction?” she asked.

“Of course, who are you looking for?” the Sargent asked. I paid close attention since this was really interesting.

“He often goes by the name of Astrologer.” I hadn’t heard that name, but I wasn’t read into everything yet.

“I haven’t seen him personally, but I know he has shown up as another high level guest. Do you want me to place a call to the plaza?”

“A call? Oh no, don’t bother. I will just go there and speak to someone myself. I heard Champion Michael is in charge?” she asked.

“He might have already left the city mam. Your best bet is to visit the Champion’s House, one his guards would be better able to assist you and help you find your friend. You can tell by their blue uniforms. The East side of the plaza.”

“Oh, you are so helpful my dear.” She came over and held out her hand. The Sargent shook it, and she shook my hand as well. It felt so soft and frail. I had no idea how she had survived out there with all those monsters. “I don’t need to pay a toll or anything?” she finally asked after shaking everyone’s hands.

“Of course not. As a guest you have the right to free passage. Welcome to Purgatory mam.”

“Oh thank you soldier. Keep up the good work.” She slowly walked through the tunnel and I turned to the Sargent.

“Well, we have our first high level guest. I am going to send an alert on ahead, so the plaza isn’t surprised. All of you keep watch.” The Sargent left and I was smiling. I was going to have so much to talk about.

I frowned a bit as I felt a stomachache come on. I leaned over slightly. Then everything went black.

Doctor Katz

I was going for my morning walk, when I noticed an older Asian woman in black and white walking along the East street towards the plaza. With how things were color coded around here, she stood out. Even I had to wear blue since I was part of Clarissa’s staff.

“Oh, excuse me,” the woman said and I came to a halt a short distance from her.

“Good morning,” I greeted her.

“It is a very good morning indeed.” I noticed a slight accent, but her English was quite good. “I was just looking for an old friend. I was told Champion Michael might point me towards him?” she asked.

“Well, I think he is heading out today. I saw him at breakfast, but your best bet is the plaza. You can’t miss the armor.” I turned and looked. “Oh, there he is.” I pointed him out in the distance. The woman gave me a smile and held out her hand to shake.

“Ah, sorry, germs and stuff,” I replied. It was protocol not to shake hands or touch people. At least that was what Clarissa had said. I agreed with that. With touch skills out there, who knew what someone could do. The woman pulled back her hand.

“No worries. I just wanted to thank you. But I should hurry now, before he leaves,” she said and I blinked and she was gone. I shrugged and started to walk again. A guard rushed over to me.

“Omega protocol,” he said, and my eyes went wide. That woman, oh god, please forgive me, I thought as I quickly rushed off. We had to be leaving in under a minute and I needed to get back to my lab to destroy everything and cart away that thing.

I reached my lab and quickly activated the self-destruct crafting fire crystals to burn up my research. I tossed my main journal into my go bag and went to the secure room for the thing that was the Astrologer.

It was gone! I looked around and it was nowhere to be found. If Michael didn’t kill me Clarissa was going to. There was no time. I quickly activated the self-destruct bowls and quickly left the room as fire burned behind me and the energy was distorted.

I quickly raced out of the doorway and got on the cart for people with a low Body stat. Several other key personnel were already on the cart, and it took off. Guards were racing with us as we fled the city. I could only hope people could escape, but I knew this would be bad.

I had been in the Middle East and civilians in a combat zone always led to a lot of suffering. Whatever was going to happen, I had no doubt the city was about to erupt. The Divine Empress had come and while she looked frail and old, there was something about her. Probably the clothing or the unrelenting gaze she had.

I thanked my lucky stars I hadn’t shook her hand. Who knows what she would have done to me?

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