Zach's Journey In Sllytheria

"What?! We're going to a different world?! Are you crazy?!" Zach aggressively replied to Kinx.

Kinx laughed at his reaction like it's the best thing in the world. He then gave Zach a wooden bracelet with ancient writings carved on it.

"It's for your safety," Kinx said with a smile before pulling Zach's arm to jump inside the portal.

"Hey—Wha—Let go of m—Whaaaaaa!"

Zach couldn't do anything but close his eyes and start screaming. Kinx on the other hand is just having fun watching him.

Soon afterward, they have finally arrived at the world of mysteries — the world of Sllytheria.

"Sigh, it feels so good to be back," Kinx muttered to himself.

"Where am I...? What kind of place is this...?" Zach wandered his eyes around and found himself awestruck.

'Holy crap, this place is magical...'

Behind them is the "Tree of Creation" that is believed to be the one holding the entire world of Sllytheria together.

Standing tall with a height of approximately 1,000 feet and covering an area of 490-640 square kilometers, roughly.

The color of the trunk is similar to that of a dark oak tree. It has glowing leaves that change color depending on the season.

Legend has it that the tree has a magical forbidden fruit hidden beneath its gigantic leaves. Though no one was able to take it, it is believed that this certain fruit can resurrect a dead soul.

"This is unbelievable, old man..." Zach whispered, touching the body of the tree.

"I told you, right? This is the world of mysteries. There are more things yet to be discovered," Kinx replied to him with a little laugh.

The world of Sllytheria is one of the three realms the gods created in the beginning.

Sllytheria is divided into ten distinctive and self-sufficient countries: Rolandock where Zach and Kinx arrived, Oceantia, Flamora, Robotica, Naturilia, Labyrinth, Lightshock, Sandanss, Mysteriest, and Zazath.

The country of Rolandock is known for its luxuriant vegetations. That's why it is the heart of Sllytheria in terms of agriculture.

On the other note, the inhabitants of Rolandock are generally described as independent and strong-minded.

The Hiders — commonly known as the "shape-shifters".

The cool breeze touches Zach's bare skin as if caressing him. Along with the wind, a bizarre insect flew in front of Zach.

"What is this?" Zach was confused as he chase the flying insect with his eyes.

The insect is used as guidance at night. The light emitting from its body is enough to compete with two flashlights — the lantern bug.

There are more species of insects, mammals, fishes, invertebrates, and other types of extravagant creatures living in Sllytheria.

The scary part is that the portion of the Sllytherians that have been discovered since ancient times was only the peak of the iceberg.

"What are we going to do now, old man?" Zach asked Kinx confusingly.

"We're going to my friend's house," Kinx answered and started walking.

Zach followed him and was kept on being amazed by the sceneries he haven't seen before.

'I can't still believe if this is true...'

"How long are we going to stay here, old man?" Zach asked while they are still walking.

"Until you become powerful, young man." Zach then looked at Kinx, bewildered.

"What do you mean?"

Kinx stopped walking and handed Zach a pair of daggers. It just made him even more confused.

"I'm going to train you. From here forward, you are now my student and I am your master."

<------------------->

"Lord Balisto! Someone is coming! H-He's raging...!"

A loud shout from the outside of the mansion echoed inside the living room where all of them are gathered. The division generals glanced at the door as it started opening, revealing Lavinn with a furious expression written on his face.

"We're currently having a meeting, Mister Inspector. I'm afraid I have to ask you to leav-"

"Where is the boy?" Lavinn said in an algid tone, ignoring Fernando's order.

The trio then sighed heavily after hearing his question. They had already expected that the news would get to him pretty quickly. They have no other reason but to tell him the truth.

"We sent him there, Mister Inspector," Fernando answered before telling the division generals that they can leave now.

When the room was left to the four of them, their intimidating auras began to conquer their surroundings. But Lavinn appears to be the only one who is unmoved and unbothered.

"Where exactly Mr. Balisto?" he asked again, still standing ten feet away from the three of them. Lilia and Fernando know that Lavinn is already aware of the place where Zach was brought to.

"Stop messing with us, Inspector~ You already know where it is, right? Why don't we have some tea first-"

"I'm not here to join your little chit-chat. Now then, tell me, where can I find the holy altar?"

The trio was stunned by what he said. They all swallowed deeply as if they ingested something rotten. They didn't know that the organization where Lavinn works is aware of the existence of the place he mentioned.

"See, Inspector Lavinn, we don't know what you're talking about. Besides, how can a holy altar be in the Philippines? But if we somehow gather a piece of information about it, we will let you kno-"

"Kinx is your master, of course, you know where the hell it is! And the three of you promised me that you're not going to let this boy get into this mess!" Lavinn angrily shouted, finally losing his temper.

"I'm not going to repeat myself, you hear me? Tell me where the goddamn Holy Altar is." Lavinn's eyes then changed from pitch black to bright burning red eyes.

This gave the trio a signal to get their guards up and never, even in just a second, let their guards down. They are shaking involuntarily because of Lavinn's intimidating presence.

Just like what animals in the wild feel when the king is there, the three of them saw a future of them getting preyed on.

"Inspector Lavinn, you don't need to resort to violence. I gave Kinx permission to take the child," a voice from Lavinn's ears suddenly stopped him from clashing with the trio. It was a call from the Father.

"May I know the reason, Father?" he whispered but enough to be heard by the one on the other line. He also turned his back against the trio, preventing them to hear the conversation.

"Kinx and I made a condition. We agreed that we will give the child a chance to prove himself," the Father answered, but Lavinn looks like he is not satisfied.

'Is it really fine for that kid to enter Sllytheria...?'

<-------------------->

"Brother Lucas, are you there inside?"

Just after half an hour of walking, Kinx and Zach reached the city where Lucas is living, Kinx's friend. It is the city known for being the main place for trading. A lot of merchant houses, swordsmith places, magic stalls, and other shops of mystical artifacts can be found here.

The first city nearest to the "Tree of Creation" and serves as the wall of Rolandock — the city of Bilto.

"Oh, is it really that you, Kinx? Come in, come in!" Lucas, who is holding a big hammer, opened the door with excitement on his face.

"How have you been, my friend? I see, you're business is still stable and looking as bright as the morning sun, eh? Hahahahaha," Kinx joked as they get inside the small of hut of Lucas.

It's just like a typical home of a swordsmith hider living in Rolandock. A small spsce for forging of swords, an efficient-sized stone furnace, a shelf of sample swords, and a pile of iron and copper.

Being a swordsmith in Rolandock is quite good compared to the other occupations that exist. Especially because these swords are being used for enhancing the city's military force.

However, they only get half the original price because of the law imposed by the new ruler. They can only curse them inside their head, or else they want to get their heads cut off for talking.

"Coffee or tea?" Lucas asked them.

"We'll go with coffee," Kinx then answered on behalf of Zach because he is busy looking at every corner of the place. Lucas nodded and continued to his tiny kitchen.

"These past few weeks, they were getting extremely tight on us, swordsmiths. Demanding us to make swords three—no, four at a time. Could you believe that?" Lucas complained while preparing the coffees.

"Oh, oh, I know you so well, Lucas. Just like what you always say, 'if life is hard to comprehend, so is the swords' creation'," Kinx replied and chuckled.

"Sigh, lately, we're just nothing but disciples of war, hatred, and blood in the minds of the authorities. They just can't understand," Lucas added to his complaint. Kinx took the coffee before making a comment.

"Really? Did someone or something pinched their butts to hold you like culprits?" he asked with his brows furrowed.

"Who knows? You won't see anything, if no one lets you peek. We had chosen to follow their rules and never put our nose to their matters. It's better that way."

Lucas is already at his 200s so he didn't notice Zach at first. He just got aware of his presence as soon as he got back on his chair to continue making a sword.

"Who is this young man? He must be from the—what do you call your home again?" Lucas confusingly asked, scratching his head.

"Earth, Lucas. Yeah, he's also a human. Good coffee, huh," Kinx answered, finishing his coffee.

While the two of them were having their little reunion, an interruption suddenly appeared. A loud bang from the door was heard and a man in a military uniform went inside.

It seems like their fortunate moment will be postponed as the visitor introduces himself.

"Why aren't you kneeling before a king, huh? You've got some balls to be standing at my level, you useless rotten hiders. Now, beg."