Outworld: Awakening

Two weeks later.

The massive flying ship hovered a decrepit port, which lacked the ebullience of Gido's. After two long weeks, the flying ship had arrived in Wrathriver Necropolis. Unlike the other states which made up the eastern nations, the Wrathriver Necropolis had the smallest population and land mass. It didn't have a capital or rulers, too. In its glory days, it was renowned around the world for its prosperity, but only ruins and graves remained of what was once a giant nation.

Known for its lack of dungeons and natural resources, it rarely had visitors. And it had the reputation for being the preferred destination for those who needed to disappear for reason or the other.

Naturally, one could count the number of people disembarking from the flying ship on one hand. Among the four, a young couple strolled towards the depths of the port with hurried steps. Those who watched from the windows of the flying ship could not help but wonder why such a young couple would come to a place like Wrathriver Necropolis.

***

\"This place is a real mess… how are we going to get out of this place?\" X muttered. With each second, her brows creased as she observed their surroundings.

Contrary to their expectations, they encountered no difficulties during the last two weeks. However, it didn't stop the duo from altering their appearances.

\"We'll figure out that later. Let's change our appearances first. We don't know when those bastards will get here…\" Adam said. Like X, he too stared at the worn state of the port. Unlike X, however, he had a tinge of nostalgia in his eyes. Although it has been seven years, nothing changed. For him, Wrathriver Necropolis was where it all started.

\"Although we encountered no troubles in the last few weeks, it doesn't mean we out of the woods yet. Do everything within your power not to standout, okay?\"

Saying nothing, X nodded. She wasn't an idiot. She knew the severity of their situation, especially if the ȧssistant conductor secretly observed them. Although unlikely, owing to the number of passengers in the ship, the duo didn't want to leave anything to chance.

Walking towards one of many secluded places in the port, Adam and X altered their appearances once more, and changed into bland clothes. However, the duo had no intentions of exiting the port. Rather, they chose individual locations to observe the parked ship. That it didn't leave immediately after dropping off the passengers only meant that it waited for someone. The only question was who.

Just then, three familiars figures came into view. Unlike before, their clothing had torn in multiple places with various injuries seen through the openings. Still masking their identities, the conductor and his ȧssistants wobbled towards a particular direction in the port. The trio emerged from the direction X, Adam, and one of the other two passengers took earlier.

'They were still watching us… I knew it.' X thought, causally glancing at the trio. Their current path was the same as that the last passenger took. 'If they knew we didn't jump, why didn't they stop us from leaving? Or, could it be they weren't sure…'

Occupied with her thoughts, X didn't realize that Adam had already reached her location. Just like her, different thoughts filled his mind.

'… I didn't hear wrong back then. How powerful were those bastards to reduce a conductor to such a state? We must avoid those bastards no matter what…' Adam thought.

Just then, he stealthily covered X's mouth before whispering into her ears, \"Let's move to another section of the port.\"

Unknown to Adam, X was on the verge of pissing herself the moment someone covered her mouth. She thought they had caught her.

\"Are you trying to scare me to death? You could have told me the same thing without trying to destroy my heart—\"

\"You're right. But, where is the fun in that?\" Adam interjected with a cheeky smile gracing his lips.

X's body trembled as her eyes narrowed. She wished she could use her fists to wipe the smile from Adam's face. However, she said nothing. With a nod, she asked Adam to lead the way.

***.

\"Korg, did you find anything?\"

\"Nothing, sir. I don't think he's affiliated with the demonkin,\" Korg said, slowly shaking his head.

Earlier, he caught up with one of the other four passengers, but found nothing suspicious about him.

\"Christopher, what about you?\" The conductor asked.

\"Unfortunately, I couldn't find the young man, sir. It seems we got here a little too late,\" Christopher replied.

'Him, too? I couldn't find the young lady too. It seems we took too much damage from our battle with those beasts.' The conductor thought, subconsciously rubbing his injured left arm.

\"Sir, should we bother with the last passenger? Or, should we head to the ship? We don't know if those beasts followed us…\" Korg said, his voice low.

Unlike the confident aura he had earlier, he resembled a shadow of himself. He constantly looked over his shoulders while subconsciously fidgeting.

'Damn it! Korg's done for. Those bastards will pay for this. It's best we return to the ship. In our current state, we can't defend the ship from those beasts.' With his mind made up, the conductor gave the order to retreat.

Just then, the conductor came to a stop. Out of the corner of his eyes, the conductor sighted two individuals in an obscured location.

\"Sir? What's the matter?\" Christopher asked, unable to hide his anxiousness. His mind could not help but wonder if Pavani's group had already caught up with them. Korg resembled someone on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

\"It's nothing. Let's go.\" The conductor slowly retracted his gaze. Seeing the state of his trusted aides, he had no choice but to abandon his suspicions.

Saying nothing further, the trio wobbled towards the flying ship amidst surprised stares from the sparse workers in the port.

***

'That bastard's senses are sharp. He should be a rank B Awakened at the very minimum…' Adam thought as he stared at the backs of the departing men. Just then, a sudden realization dawned on him. If such a high ranked Awakened could sustain such injuries, it only meant his opponent either had far superior abilities or rank.

A chill went down Adam's spine as his thoughts wandered. He knew he stood no chance in front of a rank A Awakened.

\"So, what now?\" X said, her eyes lingering on the massive flying ship. In a few moments, it would take to the skies and never to return.

\"Now we wait. Hopefully, another ship arrives within the next month.\" Adam's words brought X back to reality.

From his demeanor, X knew Adam didn't even believe his own words. However, she could only sigh while shaking her head.

A few moments later, the flying ship took to the skies, with Adam and X watching from their seats. They each had different thoughts brewing in their minds, however, they knew they made the best decision for their survival.

Just then, a lanky man wearing a brown apparel walked pasted their seats.

\"Excuse me, sir…\" X called out to the old man.

\"Huh? You talking to me?\" A smile blossomed on the old man's face the moment he saw X.

Although she still maintained her disguised appearance, and looked fairly bland, she was one of the most beautiful people the old man had ever seen. One couldn't blame him though, he had spent most of his life in Wrathriver Necropolis.

\"Yes, sir.\" X replied, bowing courteously.

\"No… No. Please don't do that, Miss. Please call me, Obane. How may this old man help you?\" Obane grinned from ear to ear as he saw a beautiful smile flash across X's lips. After seeing the same miserable faces every day, he felt like he was in heaven.

\"Mr. Obane, I believe you are someone of high standing in this port, right?\" X asked, her eyes sparkled like a curious little child.

\"Of course. After all, I have been working here for over thirty years. But, that doesn't mean I am old,\" Obane said, winking flirtatiously at X.

\"Wow! Thirty years! You must be great at your job. You must know a lot about the flight patterns then!\" X exclaimed, skipping slightly as she pattered Obane's shoulders.

\"Of course. Of Course. I know everything. Hahahaha… Miss. Are you doing anything this—\"

\"So, do you know when another flying ship to Vihir will arrive?\" X interjected.

At that moment, a sense of uneasy flashed across Obane's face. One that didn't go unnoticed by X.

\"Obane?\" X called out flirtatiously. \"What's the matter?\" X said, closing the distance between her and the old man.

'The heavens have finally remembered me in this forsaken place. I can finally bring a wife to see mother.' Instantaneously, Obane's sense of uneasy disappeared. He grinned from ear to ear as he snuck glances at X's cleavage. What he would give to wake up next to them for the rest of his life.

\"You only just arrived, right?\" Obane asked.

Saying nothing, X nodded. Suddenly, Obane's countenance changed. He looked left and right, as if making sure no one could eavesdrop on their conversation.

\"You mustn't tell anyone what I'm about to say, okay?\"

X nodded, inching closer towards the mesmerized Obane.

\"The Knights of Bordon escorted a ship into the port last week. However, they weren't protecting dignitaries or anything like that. Instead, they were escorting corpses—\"

\"What? Corpses? Why?\" X interjected. Unknown to Obane, her heart skipped a beat the moment he mentioned the Knights of Bordon.

\"Shh… I don't know what happened, and it confused those of us who saw it, too.\" Obane suddenly paused, his expression crestfallen.

\"I have seen a lot of things in my life. Corpses are common things in Wrathriver, but I have seen nothing like what we saw that day… over three hundred mangled corpses, including that of kids… it was…\" Obane's voice suddenly went quiet. He shook his head as if wanting to stop himself from recalling the sickening sight.

\"A fair lass like you shouldn't hear about something so sinister. Long story short, it's unlikely another flying ship to Vihir would pass through here in the next three months,\" Obane said.

Just then, he noticed X's despondent expression.

\"Miss. you shouldn't be sad,\" Obane said, taking liberties to pat X's back.

\"I needed to go to Vihir. I can't stay here for three months,\" X said. She could bȧrėly contain her urge to cry.

\"Don't worry, Miss. You won't have to stay in this place for that long. The Knights are yet to depart. They went to complete the burial rites of the dead. They will be back in the next two days. They wouldn't mind taking you to Vihir. There are others like you waiting for them, too,\" Obane said.

Meanwhile, X said nothing. However, her countenance had changed.

Just then, she heard Obane's voice again, \"So, ummm… Miss. What are you doing tonight? Although we don't have fancy places here, I know where we can get a nice meal.\"

\"I'm sorry, Mr. Obane. My husband wouldn't like that. Thank you for everything,\" X said.

Just then, X gave Obane a light hug before walking towards Adam's location. Obane, on the other hand, watched with tears gathering at the corners of his eyes.

'She was the one…' He thought as he stared at his arm.

'I am never washing these clothes again…'

***

\"Are you done teasing the old man? What did you get?\" Adam said, sporting a casual smile.

Naturally, he knew X only acted like that earlier to swindle something out of Obane. The only question was what.

\"Which would you prefer, the good or bad news?\" X said.

'Huh? What's making her so stressed?' Adam thought as he noticed X's depressed expression.

\"Let's hear the good news first,\" Adam said.

\"We can continue our journey to Vihir in two days.\"

'Fuck yeah! I didn't want to stay in this place for a long time… what could make her depressed despite such fantastic news?'

\"So, what's the bad news?\" Adam asked. Although the previous news made him elated, he showed no reaction.

Just then, a sardonic smile tugged at X's lips. \"The vessel that's coming in two days belongs to the Knights of Bordon. If we miss it, there won't be another one for the next three months.\"

\"Fuck!\"