Concern

Like multiple ripples formed from one raindrop in a puddle of water, everything that ever happened is a ripple effect from something else that happened before.

Thousands of years ago before the existence of borders and domains, existed a dark time. Species that lived upon the earth began to grow in numbers, strength, and intelligence, and as they became aware of one another sought battles to own and control the lands.

Endless wars erupted out of this, and soon the land both above and below the earth became transformed into a never-ending battlefield as they fought over territories and grew their empires. This became a World War.

The battles left scars of dead lands upon the earth, as plant life refused to replenish on soil irrigated with blood and lodged with bodies and bones of the fallen. Terrains became unsteady from mining and digging for metals and gold for weaponry and mechs. Countless landslides and earthquakes shook the lands turning it into something even more unrecognizable.

A permanent fog stained the skies with dimness as far as the eyes could see, blocking out any hope of sunlight. There was no rainfall, and time itself appeared to stand still. This became known as the Dead-wave, and not long after did species began to die out.

Pure humans were one of the first species to go extinct. Much like the ripple effect of a disturbed ice plate turned into a massive avalanche came the fall of nations.

To restore the balance of life, the Frontera System was made. Specific regions above and below the earth were marked off by specific features which represent borders. Now as far as the eyes can see, millions of species of varying colors, abilities, intelligence and form, all occupy the earth in peace, only because they stick to their designated territory within these borders, now called Domains.

But like most systems there are always some who are willing to defy it.

Each Domain had one dominant species that ruled over all others within its borders. Any being that trespassed across another border to which it did not originate and so did not belong was automatically at fault and was just to be killed by those in the new territory.

However, more intelligent and civilized dominant species, like the Meras, have adapted a trial to determine the faith of such trespassers. Especially for those with high levels of intelligence and know of the Frontera System, meant they had a justifiable reason for trespassing.

This trespasser that stepped into Mera Domain was one of the species called Pyraus-dragona, which was one of such intelligent species.

Standing at both sides of the Pyraus-dragona's filmy and holey wings that had parts disconnected from the appendage connecting to its back, were several Meras from the Frontera order that carried it inside the room. They wore a whole-body garment of semi-clear clothlike material, that protected them against any transmittable diseases it could have had.

Its bony and rigged spine stretched even further upwards through the thin flesh up its back, as its head moved upwards and jaws began to move. The sound it made was almost harsh to listen to and it was evident by the turning heads that not many of the Meras understood its language.

They brought in the Axil, a creature that resembled a large vertical brain with four tentacles connected to it from underneath that each moved ever so slightly, as it floated half a foot above the ground.

It had no mouth since it only communicated through telepathy. The endless stretch of languages and unique ways each species could communicate with members of its kind meant there was often a communication barrier.

Species like the Axil, are peaceful but have powerful minds. As a gift for eliminating an evil force in their land long ago, the Mera Domain was gifted with one to aid in translation.

It created a telepathic link with the Pyraus-dragona and a designated Mera, who then spoke out loud for all to hear.

As soon as the Axil instructed it to begin its speech once again, the deep and slow-paced voice of the Mera sounded clear in the silence of the room.

"I come to this land with a heavy heart and a broken spirit, after escaping a great evil from my homeland. My brothers and sisters have been bedeviled by a virus that has begun to turn every species large and small into vampiric cannibalistic mutants.

"They prey on the unaffected, and in fear for my life, I had no choice but to flee. I had no intentions to hide here, however, I have not eaten in days and have no energy nor the will to keep moving. My people and all I knew, are gone…"

A loud and painful shriek from the Pyraus-dragona caused all focus to shift from the narrating Mera, who continued despite this.

"I seek not to return nor to remain in your lands. What I ask is for a quick and painless death, so I may be with my people," were the last words the Mera said, and the Pyraus-dragona dropped its head towards the ground in a submission kneel.

Whispers and murmurs begin to flood the room. It was an unusual request, as most usually plead to be allowed to leave the territory, however, this one has not only the intention not to leave, but asked for death.

The Meras looking down from the high stage had their eyes go wide and foreheads that crowded with lines to mark their disconcertment. Not long before they began to whisper among themselves along with the Chief.

"What did it say about a virus?" -- "Vampiric cannibalistic mutants? Was that a translation error from the Axil? That has never happened before." -- "Will this affect our Domain?" were some of the questions from the distressed Meras in the room, including Rue.

"Order!" voiced one from the Otsus on the high stage, and the room became still as he stood straight and tall. He continued in a loud and steady voice as he looked to all corners of the room. "It has been decided. The interloper shall be confined to quarantine until the full moon. However, during any time leading to or after then shall it display any signs that could threaten our Domain, shall signal its immediate execution. Not disregarding, its discharge from our Domain is of the highest priority."

With the signal of his hand, the Fronteras at both sides of the Pyraus-dragona got ready the sack made of the same material as their body-garments, to transport it back outside of the vicinity.

The intense fidgeting and low noises that came from the kneeling creature were a cause for worry.

"Is it going to be alright?" asked Rue.

The Mera that sat beside her gave the reassuring words, "Ah, don't worry about it. It must be drunk--"

Not another word came from his mouth before they witnessed the Pyraus-dragona sprung up and plunged into one of the Fronteras near him. Before the trapped and terrified Mera could do anything, the creature sank its upper jaw into Mera's neck. Blood sprayed and splashed the lower walls of the stage, and the snapping of his neck split through the air.

Rue's eyes got wide in shock. Her hands froze halfway between pushing herself up to run away when the thought hit her. She is the daughter of the Chief, she does not run.

Within a split second, the enraged Chief jumped down from the stage creating a mini crater and seismic wave once his thick feet hit the lower ground.

Standing Meras grabbed hold onto seats to prevent falling from the tremor.

"Aaargh!" he roared loud so that veins popped off his neck as he rushed towards it.

The now red-shot-eyed creature lifted its head to focus on the Mera about five times its size, before leaping at him.

Before its fangs reached his neck, both his arms grabbed unto opposite sides of the creature's head twisting it to one side. The left side of its neck tore open and sprayed blood that glistened on his face now clear in view once its head became completely dislodged from its body. The disconnected head flew to one side before it splattered into the lower stage from the power of the momentum. Its lower body dangled from the thick arm of the Chief before he let go for it to fall to the ground.

His knitted brows moved apart at the sight of the wounded Mera now being lifted to a safety bed and started to receive immediate care. However, no one left the room.

Whenever something that could create great tension within the Kingdom transpired in meetings such as this, it was customary to await approval afterward on whether they could make it known to the public or not.

Before Rue could retract her claws that had projected from her fingers unwittingly or free her tail that had wrapped around her left leg hidden under her dress, it happened.

Solid slabs shut all entrances to the room, and the purple toned-downed light brightened to an almost blinding white one. Frightened wide-open eyes scouring the now blocked-off exits soon began to return to their normal size upon hearing words from the Chief. They all turned to his attention as his loud and steady voice demanded it.

"In spite of what just occurred," --his eyes shifted from the wounded Mera upwards to the attendees on higher ground that encircled him-- "no Mera is permitted to leave this room."

He looked down on the dead creature's body beneath him, "If this so-called virus is transmissible to us, we cannot bear the risk of transferring it to our Domain."

His head stopped its motion once he caught focus on Rue. With steady eyes that made Rue felt he was talking directly to her he said, "For the time being, we must remain here until given instructions from the ilera order."

Meras can live several days without eating, and so it wasn't the lockdown that worried her. What worried her, was the possible mutation of every single Mera before her. Is this how she was going to die?