I had always considered myself someone who avoided trouble.
Or who, at least, did everything possible to not be dragged against my will into places I didn't want to be. Everything I had become was, deep down, a response — a reaction to what was done to me before I myself became the initiator of chaos. I didn't start fights. I ended them, when there was no other way out.
But maybe so long in the Oasis had changed something inside me.
Something that no longer allowed those for whom I felt some sympathy to be mistreated in front of me. Maybe leading a kingdom had planted in me a kind of responsibility — the feeling that what happened before my eyes was, somehow, my problem. Or maybe I had simply found it an absurdity, what they were doing to Sinfonia, something that, in part, was also my fault.
Of one thing I was certain.
Saying what I said did nothing to help me go unnoticed.
"What did you say?"
The twins spoke almost in unison.
It was clear that, to them, that was completely unexpected — no one there dared to respond. But I didn't lower my head. There were many things in the universe capable of frightening me, and I had faced a good part of them up close. A human, definitely, wasn't one of them.
"Do you know who you're talking to, you piece-of-shit rookie?"
The twins finally let go of the small one, who now writhed on the floor.
It was clear they hadn't spared their strength in what they did to her.
"I guess I care who you are. We're humans, fighting for our race and for survival in the Oasis. And the last thing I imagined I'd see would be a human kneeling to another. We're nothing compared to any other race out there, even united. And even less so apart."
To me, there was a painful obviousness in being human.
In the human world, we who survived the Oasis were like gods — lords of a planet, owners of technology, at the top of a chain we built for ourselves. But anywhere else in the universe, we were the ones torn apart. We were the appetizer. And to see something as grotesque as humans humiliating other humans — when, out there, we were nothing more than prey for all the rest — was inconceivable to me.
"HAHAHAHA… what the fuck are you talking about?"
✦ ✦ ✦
Before one of the twins advanced, an enormous hand landed on his shoulder.
It was, easily, the largest hand I had ever seen on someone of my species — and the size of the man matched it. But what most disconcerted me was the contrast: a voice so velvety, almost soft, coming from a body of that scale.
"I think there's a misunderstanding happening here. My name is Igor Popova, and we are direct allies of the Lycans. Do you recognize my name?"
The large man, despite the gentle voice, exuded threat.
Instinctively, I found myself in a battle stance — even though he appeared to be doing nothing. He was nearly two and a half meters tall, and the armor made him look even larger. The cadence of his words was irritating in a specific way: I felt he sincerely believed I was some kind of idiot, or that I had some mental problem — and that he just wanted to confirm the suspicion before doing anything to me.
"I know your family. Honestly, I didn't know the Popovas despised humans so much. But, coming from a family subordinate to another race, it's easier to understand."
What I said could be interpreted as an affront. But it wasn't far from the truth.
✦ ✦ ✦
It wasn't only the Bloodsuckers who got involved with humans.
There existed other races — most weaker, far less relevant. But there was one that directly defied the vampires: the Lycans. And their history was one of the most fascinating and complex in the Oasis.
The Lycan race had once been immensely powerful — long before humans even set foot in the Oasis. For ages, they kept themselves ahead of even the Bloodsuckers, at the top of a hierarchy they seemed destined to dominate forever. Until, at some point that no one can pinpoint historically, certain information leaked.
Some believe the Travellers themselves sold the secret to the Bloodsuckers.
And that the Bloodsuckers, to destroy their rival once and for all, released the information to all races. The secret was simple, and devastating: the Lycans' weakness was silver. When the entire universe discovered that, their reign collapsed — every race began to carry silver when facing them, and what had once been supreme predators became targets.
But the irony was still to come.
What should have been the final nail in the Lycans' coffin became, years later, the ruin of the Bloodsuckers' own plan. Because it was discovered that human genetics allowed something extraordinary: a Lycan mixed with a human kept all the advantages of a Lycan — the strength, the senses, the regeneration — but lost the vulnerability to silver. The weakness disappeared. Only the power remained.
Of course the vampires tried to prevent it. But they failed in the process.
Some human families — strong, independent, ambitious — allied themselves with the Lycans, promising subordination in exchange for power. And the most well-known of those families was, precisely, that of the man standing in front of me.
Popova.
✦ ✦ ✦
"I think you must have a lot of courage to say that in front of us, boy. Or else you're completely insane."
Finally, the large man seemed to truly become irritated.
He dropped the enormous shield he carried on his back, and the impact against the floor opened a crack beneath his feet.
"Maybe it's time we brought a little lucidity to that mind of yours."
The twins, before irritated, began to laugh.
The large man took a step in my direction. But before he did anything, I got ahead of him.
"Come to me, Zaetar."
Before Popova got too close, Zaetar appeared in front of me.
[ Unknown 2 ] — A SUMMONER!
[ Unknown 4 ] — HOLY SHIT, that's why he's acting so cocky!
[ Unknown 5 ] — FUCK, look at the size of that summon!
The large man seemed surprised by the summon — but didn't mind, advancing toward the enormous Aqrabuamelu.
It was exactly what I expected him to do.
Because, while his attention was on Zaetar, I transformed my Mark into a spear — which pressed against his neck in the blink of an eye.
"Honestly, as much as I hate humans like you, I still think the human race needs all of us. Alive. Don't you agree?"
The surprise on the large man's face was clear.
He hadn't seen me draw any weapon. No movement, no gesture — not even a storage ring would be capable of producing an item with that speed. It was impossible, by the logic he knew. And now it was too late. He had a choice to make.
I didn't want to kill him. But I also wouldn't accept dying without taking a few of them with me.
"HAHAHAHA… you're funny!"
The large man began to laugh, while his group went on alert.
Without taking more than a few seconds, he turned and picked the shield back up off the floor.
"You're very good, boy. I hope you don't die too soon. Let's go."
The twins still seemed irritated by my attitude, but didn't dare challenge the leader's order. Soon, the group moved away toward what seemed to be a secluded spot from where we were, vanishing to somewhere I didn't know.
✦ ✦ ✦
"You're insane."
The small one stood up as soon as she found herself safe, advancing to me — still with blood running from her mouth, one hand pressing her stomach.
"I think a thank you would be appropriate."
"Thank you? Thank you?! Do you know what you did? You put a target on your back and probably on mine. You're insane. I'm sorry, but I'm leaving."
I was genuinely surprised.
It was stamped on her face how much she feared what could happen — a fear that wasn't only for herself, but for me too.
"I understand a Lycan is strong, but why are you submitt—"
She turned, cleaning her clothes, her red eyes holding back tears she refused to let fall.
"Those sons of bitches can do whatever they want. It doesn't matter what they are, but the families they belong to. Around here, everyone is afraid of them. And I suggest you be too. I just hope it's not too late for you."
Before leaving, she still answered one last question of mine — how I would get out of there.
She pointed to an enormous board nearby. From what I understood, it was there that I would learn the exact place I should go. It wasn't difficult. But, because of those sons of bitches, I still had many doubts that would go unanswered — and that would have to wait.
✦ ✦ ✦
"Zeus, find a mission that offers Ammit blood."
Amid so much shit happening, I had forgotten the real reason I'd had so much interest in that portal. Fortunately, I remembered quickly as soon as the problem was resolved. My theory was simple: if there were level S missions, I believed there would be prizes of equivalent size.
And I was right.
"Ammit blood found. Level S+ mission: Kingdom Garrison."
"Kingdom garrison… what the hell is that?"
"Kingdom garrison are missions that…"
While I thought out loud, Zeus made a point of answering my question. And that was how I finally understood the meaning — and the reason it was so difficult. The system itself classified that as a mission with a high possibility of the contractor's death.
Kingdom Garrison missions meant the contractor had to protect, by every possible means, a kingdom situated in hostile territory, or without the presence of allied races nearby. They were missions of extremely high danger, precisely because of the basic characteristic of being alone. It was rare to see one active — because, in most cases, it was preferable to abandon the kingdom to its own fate, and never return to the Oasis, than to deal with a kingdom surrounded by enemies. And still, there were those who didn't give up. Some reasons were easy to guess. Others, deeply obscure. But one thing was clear: there was a noble and powerful family behind it. The question was knowing who, and why.
"Zeus, break down the mission."
[ Mission: Kingdom Garrison ]
Includes Kingdom Transfer item
Only for the recently returned
Advance evaluation of potential for protection
Unknown client | Hostile territory
Reward after a minimum of 1 year
Priority on renewal by item of equal or greater value
Despite saying little, the mission made some things clear.
First, that the territory was extremely hostile — so much so that the enemy races weren't even named. Second, and more interesting: the accepted participant would receive an item called Kingdom Transfer. A rare item, capable of moving an entire kingdom from one place to another. Unfortunately, it was a single-use item, available only to the recently returned — and, in my theory, the idea behind it was to allow some to have the chance to bring their own kingdom closer to their race.
But there was something that didn't add up.
It was strange that the mission didn't end at the time of the Purge, as one would expect. After all, after it, the contractor would have the option of simply transferring the territory and resolving the problem. And yet, there was clearly an embedded obligation: if accepted, the contractor could be forced to remain for a period longer than a year. That didn't make sense.
Something told me that wasn't as simple as a rich and influential noble having bad luck.
What I was sure of was that, however unknown the client was, they were certainly from an extremely influential and wealthy family — probably both things, to a great degree.
In the Oasis, there was a lot that money bought — but not all the money in the world bought indefinite protection. Now that I had found a mission that rewarded me with exactly what I needed, two choices remained: participate in the battle of kingdoms, or accept the protection mission.
"Maybe it's worth doing the test. If only to understand who the enemy is."
From what I had understood, there were other embedded benefits. If I managed to get the prize right at the start, the mission would be worth it. Otherwise, I would head for the battle of kingdoms. The question was understanding exactly how the mission worked.
"Zeus, how long do I have to do the test?"
[ 21:20:17 ]
Less than a day. Either way, it was time enough.
I accepted the mission and advanced toward the great board Sinfonia had shown me. Unfortunately, I didn't see her again after the incident.
✦ ✦ ✦
"Two hours, east gate…"
I used the time to look for one of the few places with food.
After more than a year, what I wanted most was something simple: a bit of carbohydrate and a sip of soda. It was funny how, after so long, the longing clung to the most banal things — not to banquets, but to the silly taste of a cold drink. I also took the opportunity to buy something for my sister. There wasn't much option, so I ended up choosing an expensive wine. Payment could only be made with stones, and the price was something I still didn't know how to calculate properly. I only knew it hurt.
"I need to get out of here as fast as possible, or I'll be left with nothing."
✦ ✦ ✦
When the time finally came, I advanced to what should be the east gate.
Upon crossing it, I was startled. Before me, something unexpected: a train. Even without completely understanding the dynamics of it, I entered quickly — there was nothing indicating how long the train would remain there. Unfortunately, to board there was also a cost of a few stones, which hurt more than a stab.
And then I entered.
But what I saw inside made me stop.
Because that didn't look like an ordinary train. Not really.
The interior stretched before me with a luxury that clashed with everything the word promised. The floor had no metallic tremor of rails — it was firm, solid, as though I had entered a room frozen in time. The windows, long and curved, didn't show tunnel walls, but a deep darkness sprinkled with points of light, as though the car floated in open space. Wide seats, of a material I didn't recognize, arranged with the spacing of someone who never needed to economize space. And almost no one inside — maybe three or four people, scattered, each in their own silence.
Of a train, it had absolutely nothing.
It was human technology displaying, without fanfare, all that it was capable of when there was no one left to impress.
I wanted to understand how it worked.
I wanted to mentally take apart each part of it — how a car that didn't run on rails crossed the distance between realities, how the floor didn't tremble, how that darkness outside could be real. It was the kind of mystery that would normally have hijacked all my attention for hours. My mind was already assembling hypotheses, discarding some, returning to others.
And then all that desire evaporated at once.
Because a woman approached carrying an enormous plate.
Appetizers. Chicken and meat, arranged with a care that seemed out of place for someone like me, coming from where I came from. The smell arrived first — and it was the smell that completely disarmed me. That specific aroma of real food, seasoned, golden, that I hadn't smelled in more than a year. In the Oasis, I had eaten to survive. That there was something else.
I took the first piece almost with apprehension. As though I feared it wasn't real.
And when the meat touched my tongue, and the flavor spread, and the texture simply dissolved in my mouth — my tears almost fell.
Not for the food itself. But for everything it represented.
For being back. For having survived things I shouldn't have survived. For being a few hours from seeing again the only person for whom I had begun all of it. That banal plate of appetizers carried, without knowing it, the weight of an entire year of war, loss, and distance.
"So this is what home tastes like."
I ate slowly. On purpose.
Wanting each piece to last, the way we try to hold onto the good moments when we finally reach them after so long in the dark.
The train made an enormous noise before departing — the only moment in which it truly resembled a train.
After that, for long minutes, nothing seemed to happen. No movement, no vibration, no sensation of displacement. I had almost convinced myself that we were still stationary. Until a voice, calm and clear, reached everyone.
"Planet Earth. Disembark?"
"ALREADY?!"