Chapter 7: Day of Terror

Day

After consulting with the elders about the ingredients I needed for the remedy for Ret's injury and ones we were lacking in general, I went to get them. Although, it seemed one of the herbs was located rather far away. It was in the territory of the lexeros, a very territorial animal with hides that were difficult to break and puncture through. Only the most experienced warriors would fight them.

Taking a deep breath, I went to get the ones that were closest, like the winterberry leaves and the achon bark. We had plenty of achon trees here, so that was easy to get, especially with my sword on hand.

Next, I moved on to where the winterberry leaves grew, in a shady grove near the cavern. Despite their name, the leaves thrived in all seasons, their vibrant green foliage a stark contrast to the dark, damp surroundings. I carefully plucked a handful, making sure to avoid the sharp thorns. 

With the easy-to-find herbs collected, I was left with the most dangerous task - venturing into lexeros territory. The elders had warned me about the creature countless times. Its hide was nearly impenetrable, and it was known for its aggressive behavior.

My heart pounded in my chest as I neared its territory, my grip on my sword tightening. I had to stay alert, ready for any sign of the beast. The herb I needed, the drakon root, was known to grow in this area, its bright purple flowers standing out against the dense greenery.

After what felt like hours of painstakingly slow and careful progress, I finally spotted the flower. It was nestled at the foot of a large tree, its vibrant petals a stark contrast to the dark bark. As I moved closer, I kept my senses alert for any sign of the lexeros.

I was just about to reach for the flower when a low growl echoed through the forest. My blood ran cold as I slowly turned around, coming face to face with the beast itself. The lexeros was even more terrifying up close, its scales glinting in the dappled sunlight.

Before it could charge, I threw a smoke bomb, one of the many tools I'd learned to make for such situations. In the ensuing confusion, I quickly grabbed a handful of the drakon root and made a run for it. 

I dashed through the dense undergrowth, the growls of the lexeros fading behind me. Just when I thought I had gotten away, I stumbled upon a startling sight. Half-hidden amidst the foliage was a massive, metallic object, its surface scorched and battered. It was a ruined mech, likely one of the invaders'. Well, not like we ourselves has any so it has to be theirs.

The crash site was still smoking, indicating that it had crash-landed only a few hours ago. Strangely, there was no sign of blood on the mech itself. Was it piloted without someone?

Either way, it was a stark reminder of the danger that loomed over not just me, but the entire planet. The invaders had brought with them technology far advanced than anything this world had ever seen. They had no qualms about using it to destroy anyone or anything that stood in their way. 

I was about to move on when something caught my eye. Half-buried under the wreckage was a small device, its metallic surface glinting in the dappled sunlight. 

Cautiously, I approached the wreckage, my senses on high alert. Every sound, every rustle of leaves, made me jumpy. But I knew I had to investigate. Any information I could gather about the invaders could be invaluable. 

With a deep breath, I reached out and grabbed the device, yanking it free from the wreckage. It was heavier than it looked, its metallic surface cool to the touch. I had no clue what it was. We didn't have machines like these. The most advanced machine I knew of was the loom my granny used to love using.

I frowned. Granny... If only I could've saved her.

My mind began to reel, pulling me back to a day I'd tried so hard to forget. It was a day just like any other, I was helping Granny with her weaving.

The loom was a complex contraption, a network of wooden beams and ropes that Granny had been using since she was a girl. She would sit there for hours, her hands deftly moving as she wove beautiful patterns into the fabric.

That day, she was teaching me a new pattern, a traditional design that had been passed down through generations. Her hands were old and knotted from years of hard work, but they moved with a grace and precision that I could only hope to emulate.

Suddenly, the tranquil morning was shattered by a violent shaking. The ground trembled beneath us, the stone walls of the house rattling ominously. 

Granny's eyes widened in surprise. "An earthquake," she muttered, a note of worry in her voice. 

Without a second thought, we abandoned the loom and rushed out of the house. The moment we stepped outside, we were met with a sight that made our blood run cold. There, in the middle of the village, was a massive, metal statue standing tall and menacing, its surface gleaming under the morning sun. 

"A statue?" I asked, blinking. "When did that go up"

"I don't think that's a statue, hon," Granny said, putting a hand on my shoulders.

I gasped as I saw Daddy walking up to it, raising his sword at it. The rest of the villagers eyed it wearingly.

"Day, mother-in-law," Mom said, rushing over with little Night on her shoulders.

"What's wrong, Mommy?" I asked.

She looked over her shoulders at the statue. "That thing, it descended from the sky."

"The sky?" Granny asked, glancing at me.

I shrugged, unsure of what it was at the time.

The chest of the strange metallic statue suddenly opened up, revealing an orange-haired man with strange black clothing that showed off his muscles. It wasn't animal skins or something sewn. 

"Hello, intelligent beings of this world," the man said as he held a strange device in his hands. "The name is Yusan. I am an officer in the Titanos's military. I am here to welcome you people into the arms of our glorious empire, spanning on one, but two other universes."

"Did he say universes?" I said, eyes wide. I thought there was only one... How could there be more than one? And if there more, how did this strange-looking man get into ours?

"And if we refuse?" Daddy asked, eyes stern.

The man smirked as he jumped back on his mech. "I don't think you would like to know, sir."

Daddy narrowed his eyes at the man. "We don't take kindly to threats here, Officer Yusan."

He laughed and leaned back on his chair. "Too bad, you could've spared your people a lot of pain." He glanced at the others. The men of the village brandished their weapons as their families stood behind them.

Daddy rushed at the statue before the strange metal door began to shut, but was too late. The statue's arms and legs began to move.

"Get off!" the man yelled, about to punch Daddy who was trying to get his weapon free.

"Gemo!" Granny yelled, running over.

Daddy let go of the sword and rolled away. His sword was snapped clean off with single punch. The mecha dashed forward and grasped not Daddy, but Granny.

"Granny!" I yelled, raising my arm toward her.

Mommy picked me up and ran for it, aware of what was happening.

My eyes widened as the man crushed Granny in his mechanical hand as if she were a grape.

"No!" I screamed, the horror of the scene unfolding in front of me sinking its claws deep into my soul. The world seemed to slow down. The village, once filled with life and laughter, was now a scene of chaos and despair as everyone ran from the machine of terror.

"You'll pay for that!" Daddy's anguished cry echoed through the village as he lunged at the mech, his face twisted in raw grief and rage at the lost of his mommy. But his efforts were in vain. The mech effortlessly swatted him away like a fly, sending him crashing into a nearby house.

"Daddy!" I screamed in horror.

"Day, hold on!" Mom shouted, her grip tightening around me as she sprinted away from the scene, her face white as a sheet. She was running for safety, but all I could do was look back at the burning village, at the monstrous machine, at the frail form of Granny disappearing in its grip.

The sounds of destruction and screams of my people filled the air, but all I could hear was the deafening silence in my heart. Granny was gone. The woman who taught me how to weave, the woman who told me tales about the stars and the universe, was gone.

Worse, Daddy might've been gone too.

The shock of the scene, the raw pain, was too much. I clung onto Mom, burying my face in her shoulder as the world blurred around me.

The memory faded, leaving behind a bitter taste in my mouth. The metallic device in my hand felt heavier now, a constant reminder of the invaders, of the day I'd lost Granny.

Now, standing in the ruins of one of their machines, I felt a surge of determination. I didn't know what this device was, but it was a part of them. Maybe it held their secrets, their weaknesses. If so, I was going to use it against them.

With renewed resolve, I added the device into the basket and continued my trip back to the cave. I couldn't fall to any animal. I had an important duty to complete. For Granny, for Daddy, my village, for my world, no, for my universe. And I wouldn't let anything stand in my way from freeing all of Soleon from their evil grip.

That man, Yusan, had better hope he never ran into me again. Else he wouldn't live long.