Civilization

"Where is he? Like, where is he? Where could he have spawned? Is he not in the main building? This is so stupid. We have god knows how many people here, searching for one person, and we still can't find him. It's probably been an hour! How is this possible?! Like what the hell?!" - Kingston

Banging my fists against the wall of the Krepost, I curse out loud. Frustration, anger, and worry all pile up inside me as I roll my eyes to the sky. Standing next to me were Gewari, Rebecca, and Nina, all of them were also frustrated as I see the small crinkle between their brows.

"Is it possible that he is in the Abyss? That was where he died right? Maybe-" - Nina

"Already checked." - Gewari

"Then maybe he is at HavenFall? There might be that chance that-" - Nina

"Already checked." - Gewari

"Then in the middle of the field? He might have spawned in the forest. Like where else can he be?" - Nina

"Gewari, please have your scouts do another check of the forest and the field between here and the portal. I know you have already sent them out, but I can't think of anything else to do than that." - Rebecca

"Alright. I'll have them check once more." - Gewari

"Wait! Perhaps branch out the search radius. The last few times you only checked between here and HavenFall, maybe check further out." - Kingston

"Will do, Kingston. I'll have a look. I will also contact Stellar's group and work with her if we are planning to search further away from HavenFall and the Krepost." - Gewari

Nodding her head toward us, Gewari moves away silently and quickly, dashing between the houses as several black shadows follow her closely. Turning back to look at the only 2 other players here, I heave out a big sigh before slumping to the ground with a loud thud. Hanging my head low, I scratch the top softly.

"What's the situation on Selino? Have we found her yet?" - Rebecca

"Nothing. No sign of her even when I try to call for her. It's like she disappeared after taking all the tamed monsters away. How-How's Celine?" - Nina

"Celine isn't doing well. She shut herself inside one of the small barn houses next to where she was keeping all the monsters. No one other than Kumi and the baby monsters has seen her since the incident. I mean, can you blame her? All her hard work pretty much got stolen and massacred, even if they didn't die in front of her, it was more or less the same thing." - Kingston

"I know. I've tried to apologize to her again, but there was no response." - Nina

"That is something you just need to give them time. There isn't much we can do to comfort her in this situation, especially since most of us had no choice but to accept the situation, against her will. Kingston, have you tried to comfort her?" - Rebecca

"Of course! That was the first thing I did when I got back, but there was nothing I could do. She didn't want me to do anything and everything I tried to do to cheer her up only made her more upset or sad. At times, I felt like I was talking to a wall and at other times, I was a punching bag. Yet, I knew I can't get upset at her because what she just went through was not only unfair but just… Unbelievable." - Kingston

"What do we do now? Most of the NPCs here are waiting for Ian. Howard and Gibing are confused as to why he hasn't shown up yet. However, they have chosen to ignore it for now and are focusing on other areas of the Krepost. Some NPCs are worried about Celine as well as the whole village since the decision to do such a thing was done by Nina who hasn't integrated that much into our community.

It's not obvious or prominent, however, there is a bit of concern in that direction and if we were to look at past civilizations, these thoughts turn to discrimination, segregation, etc. Just a lot of bad and not a lot of good. I'm sure Ian doesn't want these thoughts brewing in HavenFall but looking at the situation it doesn't look like it will stop unless we can address the situation." - Rebecca

"But, I did what I thought was right for everyone in the long term. We had more to gain than to lose if we had Selino's help. Can they not understand that? What would happen to us if we weren't able to stop the fire at all? Then we would be left with the fire attacking the Krepost or even worse the fire would travel all the way to HavenFall. We lose not only our homes but the resources around here and the time it took for Ian to set up everything." - Nina

"Nina, I get it. I get what you are saying, but people don't always look at the long term. Short-term goals and actions effects people harder, and they react to them more so than long-term actions. I understand both your perspective and everyone else's, but at the end of the day, both reasons are valid and there is no 'winner'. Both are right." - Rebecca

"Yea, okay. But at the end of the day, we need this location especially if this will become our home sooner or later. Both you and Evan were unable to properly create a home despite playing for so long as well. Looking at Sabrina and Sam, they are only able to create a small secure location, whereas we have two locations with our main base in a heavily secured and defendable location. I don't want to lose any of it." - Nina

"Neither do we. We want everything to be okay both for us and the NPCs, it is just… Just an unfortunate event with not many options. Kingston are you okay?" - Rebecca

"Yea, I'm fine. I'm going for a walk." - Kingston

Picking myself off the ground, I quickly leave Rebecca and Nina behind as I walk along the wall. I hear Rebecca try to stop me, but I brushed her aside, as Belial and Fierna appear on my shoulders in their smaller forms. Both of them have been listening in on the conversation and I can tell Belial has his own thoughts on the situation. However, what were my thoughts…? Sighing to myself, I head toward Celine while Belial and Fierna lecture me.

"Kingston, why not just find the people who are causing problems and just execute them? Honestly, don't know why your friends are having so much trouble with what is happening. Just a few monster dying. What is the problem?" - Belial

"See, father. You just have no emotional attachment to pets. These monsters were pets to Kingston's underlings. Of course, they will be sad and upset if someone else offers their pets as food. However, I do agree with that girl. Use a stronger being, kill the monsters, and save everyone. Simple and sweet. Just like her~" - Fierna

"Yes, I understand the reason, but I believe there was a way to do it without the sacrifice. These dumb humans don't reason they could just break the mountain next to the fire and cause a landslide, smothering the fire." - Belial

"Do you honestly think we have the power to destroy a mountain, Belial?" - Kingston

"You would be surprised. That girl is hiding lots of secrets." - Belial

"Which one?" - Kingston

"The one connected with fate. There is a power within her that she is rejecting. Funnily enough, that power is stronger than the current you and maybe even the current Ian." - Belial

"Oh~ Her! I did find her suspicious. However, I thought the god inside the other girl would grant her some more power. BUT! I guess not." - Fierna

"Rebecca has that power?! Why is she hiding it?" - Kingston

"Who knows. Power is a strange thing, and you need more of it. Frankly, you are still so weak even with the Heart of a Demon inside you."  - Belial

[Heart of a Demon

2x Vitality upon use

A secondary heart from a demon, used to enhance their life. Some demons have more than one heart and when extracted they can be placed within other lifeforms. However, if there is a rejection of the heart, then the life form will die. ]

"I know, but there aren't many ways to grow stronger." - Kingston

"There is! That portal that we saw is a way." - Fierna

"What do you mean, Fierna? We don't even know where it leads." - Kingston

"No, we do." - Belial

"Yep! It leads to the one you call the Reaper. Although not exactly there either. Just somewhere close." - Fierna

"WHAT! How do you the both of you know this?" - Kingston

"Just a feeling." - Belial

"You don't want to say? Alright! I won't talk either." - Fierna

"Wait! No. Just tell me. Please." - Kingston

"Later, Kingston. I'll tell you later. I think you should deal with what is in front of you first before anything." - Belial

"Make sure to be gentle to her. Just sweet and kind words only." - Fierna

With the both of them disappearing, I focus on what was in front. The small shed where Celine was currently holed up in. How many times have I been there? 3? 4? I knock on the door softly, before letting out a small sigh.

"Celine? Are you there…?" - Kingston

Silence.

"I know you are there. You don't need to talk to me right now. I'll be right here-" - Kingston

"Kingston… I have a question." - Celine

Perking up my ears as I hear Celine's voice for the first time in a while.

"YES! I mean. What is it?" - Kingston

"I would like for you to take me on a journey. I want to tame… Tame an army of monsters that won't lose to anyone. Not to you. Not to Ian and definitely not to Selino. Will you help me?" - Celine

"Celine… What…? Are you sure? What about the ones that are left here?" - Kingston

"I have spoken to Kumi. She will take care of them as well as tame and breed more around the area. I want to search for monsters that are stronger and more unique." - Celine

"I see… I don't mind helping you but is this what you want?" - Kingston

Pulling the door open suddenly, revealing her disheveled clothing and dirt-clad skin, Celine stands in front of me with a determined expression. Letting go of the door, she steps forward, looking me straight in the eye, close enough that our lips were about to touch.

"I want revenge. Nothing more. Nothing less. But I'm weak and need help. Will you help me?" - Celine

"Of course. Let me help you, Celine." - Kingston