Arriving in Fertissio Continent

Arriving in Fertissio

Modeus and Abigail appeared in Fertissio with a brief flash of light. The humid, warm air of the continent enveloped them immediately. Modeus stood tall, his imposing figure scanning the surroundings with a cold, probing gaze, a sinister smile playing on his lips as if he were savoring something only he could understand. Abigail, standing beside him, remained calm but with a watchful eye.

They were at the far west of Fertissio, a remote area far from any centers of civilization. Around them stretched a vast wilderness, with towering giant trees and twisting roots sprawling across the ground. The scene was framed by the ruins of ancient buildings scattered here and there, evidence that a great civilization once thrived in this place before being swallowed by time.

"So, this is Fertissio?" Modeus broke the silence with a low voice full of satisfaction. He gazed at the ruins with dark curiosity, his cold smile widening. "Quite... intriguing."

Abigail nodded, surveying the area. "Yes, this is Fertissio. It's been a long time since people from other continents have visited here. Only those truly desperate or exiled set foot in this place. Here, on the western edge, outcasts from the Olfein continent are struggling to survive. Before we continue our journey, we should meet with them."

Modeus smirked. "Exiles, huh? Interesting... I wonder what they've become after enduring life in such a place?"

They walked slowly along a narrow path, recognizable only by the faint footprints that had long marked the ground. Thick tree roots jutted out from the earth, and the air was heavy with the smell of decaying foliage. Modeus walked leisurely, his menacing smile never fading, though his eyes betrayed no hint of kindness. He seemed to relish the journey, as if each sight and sound around him provided some sort of dark pleasure.

After a while, they arrived at a settlement. A shabby village stretched out before them, consisting of makeshift buildings mostly made from scrap metal and rubble. The inhabitants looked thin and weary, their skin weathered brown by the unrelenting sun. What stood out most was that many of them had modified bodies—with robotic organs and prosthetics replacing lost limbs or eyes. Some people had lost arms, legs, or even eyes, and had replaced them with crude prosthetics made of rusty metal and tangled wires. Some lay on tattered cloths, clearly injured or too weak to move.

Abigail stepped forward with a calm and sympathetic demeanor, greeting the villagers. "We come from Greyfield. We've been sent to investigate and offer assistance. What do you need?"

Meanwhile, Modeus observed them one by one with a scrutinizing gaze, as if evaluating merchandise. His ever-present smile made the villagers feel uneasy under his intense scrutiny.

An elderly man with a rusty robotic arm approached them. "We've... been here for too long. Most of us had no other choice. Monsters in the forest frequently attack us, and we're forced to replace lost limbs with these," he said, gesturing to his clunky robotic arm.

Modeus examined the arm with a sharp stare, then grinned even wider. "How tragic. Losing your limbs to monster attacks, only to replace them with cold, lifeless metal. Do you miss the feeling of your own flesh?"

The man looked confused and frightened by Modeus's question, while Abigail shot Modeus a sharp look, trying to defuse the situation. "What can we do to help?" Abigail asked again, trying to steer the conversation away from Modeus's unsettling remarks.

A woman with an old mechanical leg spoke up. "We need food and medical supplies. No help ever comes here. More of us are dying or getting injured."

Modeus moved closer, his gaze now fixed on the woman. "Medical supplies? Ah, you cling to such fragile hope. But do you really believe that aid will save you from your fate in a place like this?"

The woman recoiled, frightened by Modeus's tone, unable to respond. Abigail, with a firm look, gently chided Modeus. "We're here to help, Modeus, not to make them feel worse."

Modeus chuckled softly, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Of course, Abigail. Help, indeed. Though help won't change anything. But... let's see how long they can endure."

Abigail then spoke to the villagers, promising to send aid as soon as possible. Meanwhile, Modeus continued to watch with his strange smile, reveling in the fear he had stirred in their faces. To him, it was all just a game—a game of suffering that he enjoyed without a hint of sympathy.

As they prepared to leave the village, Modeus gazed at the distant ruins, his mind filled with a deep curiosity. "This continent... is full of mysteries and decay deeply embedded. I'll enjoy watching it crumble even further."

Abigail, accustomed to Modeus's cynical demeanor, remained silent as he guided them out of the dilapidated village and deeper into the wilderness.

As they walked past the abandoned settlement, leaving behind the ruins and the unfortunate villagers they had encountered, the forest grew denser. The trees towered higher, and the air became heavier. Modeus occasionally glanced at Abigail, who led the way calmly, but his gaze remained fixed ahead, as if searching for something only he understood.

They arrived at the entrance of a large cave hidden behind a rocky cliff. Before they could proceed further, a large man emerged from the darkness of the cave, walking with heavy steps. The man had four arms—two of his original arms on top and two additional, larger robotic arms below, which clanked with every movement. He had a stern face with a strong jaw, and his eyes scrutinized Modeus and Abigail sharply.

"Abigail," the man greeted with a deep, resonant voice. "A descendant of the Einzvil family. I recognize your face. Your family often sends supplies here, keeping us alive in this hellhole."

Abigail offered a faint smile, nodding in appreciation of the acknowledgment. "Yes, the Einzvil family continues its mission, despite the worsening situation in Olfein. We came to check on you and see if there's more we can do to help."

The man cast a skeptical look at Modeus, his eyes cold as if sizing up the entire figure of Modeus with suspicion. "But I see you're now accompanied by an odd fellow." His smile was thin but sharp, his gaze still fixed on Modeus. "Do you enjoy associating with people like him?"

Modeus returned the gaze with a faint, menacing smile. "An odd fellow, you say? I prefer to think of myself as special."

The man remained unruffled, simply letting out a heavy sigh. "You do seem to enjoy challenges, Abigail. However, I don't have time for games." He turned with a slight gesture of his hand, signaling them both to follow. "Come with me, our leader is waiting for you."

Abigail nodded, ignoring the tension that had briefly flared between Modeus and the man. Modeus, on the other hand, grinned with satisfaction, relishing the implied challenge. They proceeded into the cave, where the air grew cooler and more humid.

The cave continued to deepen and widen until they reached a surprising area. Inside the vast cave, there was an enormous refuge. Small houses made of earth and stone were neatly arranged, forming a hidden underground village. Warm light radiated from a large quantum artifact placed in the center of the room, hanging from the cave's ceiling. The artifact harnessed the surrounding magical atoms to provide energy and light, creating an almost otherworldly atmosphere.

Modeus, who always seemed unimpressed by anything, paused for a moment. His eyes narrowed in curiosity. "Interesting," he murmured, staring intensely at the artifact. "They're using quantum technology in such a remote place... How advanced have they become?"

Abigail observed Modeus's fascination with the place but chose not to comment. His focus remained on their mission: meeting the leader of the group.

The four-armed man led them through narrow pathways between the homes, with a few inhabitants peeking out from behind doors and windows, eyeing the newcomers with a mix of curiosity and the ingrained fear of years spent in isolation.

"Our leader resides deeper within the cave," the man said as they walked. "She'll explain our situation better than I can."

Eventually, they reached a large stone door adorned with ancient carvings that seemed to have been there for countless ages. The man knocked on the door with his real hands while his mechanical ones rested at his sides. The knock echoed in the silence.

The door creaked open slowly, revealing an elderly woman standing inside. Her hair was entirely white, and her skin was deeply wrinkled, but her gaze remained sharp. She looked at Modeus and Abigail with keen interest before speaking in a low but firm voice.

"You've arrived just in time. Chief Eliphas informed me of your coming; please, come in."

The old woman took her seat, despite her age. She regarded Abigail and Modeus with a wise gaze, her attention lingering longer on Modeus. Calmly, she introduced herself, her voice low yet authoritative.

"My name is Klomin," she said. "I am the leader of this village and the last guardian of our ancestors' legacy." Her gaze shifted to Abigail. "The Einzvil family has long been our allies, maintaining the connection between our two worlds. But your arrival with such an unexpected guest piques my interest."

Modeus, who had been smirking, gave a polite nod. "I'm Modeus," he said, his voice smooth yet unsettling. "Something unexpected, you say? You seem surprised."

Klomin raised an eyebrow slightly, her gaze fixed on Modeus. "I am indeed surprised. Master Eliphas allowed someone like you to come to this continent with Abigail? That's not a typical decision."

Abigail, who had been calm throughout, finally spoke up. "That's right, Grandma Klomin. Master Eliphas decided that Modeus could assist us in investigating the issues here. The recent surge in monster attacks, as you are aware, has become a major problem, and we've been sent to look into it."

Klomin nodded slowly, though her expression clearly showed she wasn't entirely comfortable with Modeus's presence. "Well, you've come at the right time. The monster attacks are worsening day by day. We've lost many people because of them, and the survivors are living in constant fear. We've made every effort to strengthen the village's defenses, but their numbers keep increasing."

Modeus grinned. "Monsters, you say? That sounds more interesting than just caves and ancient artifacts." His eyes gleamed with dark enthusiasm, as if the threat was just another form of entertainment for him.

Klomin ignored Modeus's mocking tone and continued. "We don't know for sure where they're coming from. Normally, monster attacks in Fertissio are sporadic, but now something seems to be driving them towards us. They're coming in larger numbers and with greater frequency."

Abigail looked at Klomin attentively. "Have there been any changes in the surrounding area? Something that might be triggering the increased monster activity?"

Klomin took a deep breath. "We haven't found anything definitive. However, there's one theory. One of our guards reported seeing a strange light in the forest a few days before the first attack. The light seemed to be coming from ancient ruins in the west."

Abigail furrowed her brow. "Ruins in the west? Isn't that a desolate area that's been uninhabited for centuries?"

"Yes," Klomin confirmed. "But the light came from there. We haven't dared to send a team to investigate because the monster attacks have worsened. Every time we try to send someone, they never return."

Modeus, who had been quietly observing the conversation, stepped forward. "So, you need someone to investigate the ruins?" he asked in a flat tone.

"Yes," Klomin replied, her gaze fixed on Modeus. "But it's not an easy task. Only the strongest can survive there, and even though you seem strong, I need to ensure that you can be trusted."

Modeus chuckled softly, his tone cold. "Trusted? Believe me, I don't care about your trust. I'm here for one reason—to fulfill Master Eliphas's request. And if that means taking down a few monsters along the way, then that's just an added bonus."

Abigail glanced at Modeus with a hint of worry but knew it was pointless to reprimand him. He then turned to Klomin. "Grandma Klomin, I'll head to the ruins to investigate. If it helps put an end to these attacks, I'll do whatever it takes."

Klomin nodded in agreement. "I expected you'd say that, Abigail. The Einzvil descendants have always been brave in facing challenges, and I appreciate your courage."

Modeus folded his arms, his gaze fixed on Klomin. "So, when do we leave?" he asked, his impatience barely contained.

Klomin looked at both of them for a moment before answering. "Tomorrow morning. You can rest here tonight. It would be best for you to regain your strength before venturing into such dangerous territory."

Abigail nodded, while Modeus merely shrugged. "Alright," he said briefly. "But I'm eager to see what's behind that mysterious light."

They followed the four-armed man who guided them to a small house within the cave. Modeus continued to observe his surroundings with keen interest, a cold smile perpetually on his face. Abigail could only hope that their journey to the ruins the next day wouldn't turn into a major disaster.

Once they were shown to their guest quarters, Abigail and Modeus sat in a simple yet cozy room, surrounded by earthen walls and dim light from small lanterns hanging around. Modeus sat calmly in a corner, his thin smile still present. His sharp eyes scrutinized every detail in the room. Abigail, on the other hand, looked a bit weary from the long journey but kept his mind alert.

He turned to Modeus, who was still lost in his own thoughts, and started a conversation. "You know, Modeus, there's something very strange about all this," he said, leaning back in his chair.

Modeus tilted his head, his thin smile never fading. "Strange in what way?" he asked, his voice smooth but tinged with a cold curiosity.

Abigail sighed deeply. "Fertissio is a dangerous land. Much of it is controlled by monsters and demons that roam the ancient ruins, guarding artifacts and quantum stones. These stones are very important to them, as ordinary humans can't easily touch or access their energy without specialized technology or magic."

Modeus grinned. "So, demons and monsters are the guardians of these ancient items, huh? Interesting." He crossed his arms, looking at Abigail with keen interest. "But if that's the case, why the sudden increase in monster attacks here, when powerful demons usually gather in their fortresses near the borders?"

Abigail nodded in agreement. "That's what's strange. Out here in the western part of Fertissio, far from the borders, you'd expect to encounter only wild monsters. Most of the powerful demons who lead armies prefer to stay near their fortresses at the borders. Those fortresses are their last line of defense against humans trying to breach the continent from the east."

"And the Kingdom of Aurelius, the strongest human fortress, is on the continent of Olfein," Abigail continued. "They're located on the far eastern end, a long way from here. So most human soldiers only guard the borders. The royal army occasionally sends exploration missions, but rarely do they penetrate deep into this dangerous territory, especially not to the far west."

Modeus listened calmly, though a glint in his eyes showed he was absorbing every word quickly. "So, in other words, humans rarely make it this far. But... an increase in monster attacks might imply something deeper, right?" Modeus squinted, suggesting he had grasped the core of the issue.

"Exactly," Abigail said, crossing his arms. "It's possible that humans residing here have been detected by demons. There might be a group hiding on this continent, trying to exploit something in the ancient ruins without the demons' knowledge."

Modeus chuckled softly, his cold grin widening. "Ah, humans thinking they can toy with demonic forces without facing consequences. Fascinating." He stroked his chin, his gaze thoughtful. "So, the ruins we're heading to are likely where these people are attempting something foolish?"

Abigail nodded slightly, feeling uneasy about Modeus's nonchalant attitude towards the potential dangers they might face. "Most likely. And that's why we need to be cautious. If the demons know about them, they might also know about us."

Modeus stood up, stretching slightly as if dismissing the threats Abigail had mentioned. "I'm looking forward to meeting them. Who knows, maybe we can learn something from them... before I deal with them," he said lightly, yet his tone carried a subtle threat.

Abigail looked at him with concern, feeling that Modeus's brutal nature might not be helpful in handling this complex situation. "Remember, Modeus. We're here to investigate, not to stir up trouble. If we create chaos, it will only make things worse."

Modeus merely grinned again, walking over to a small window in the guest house. "Oh, relax. I know when to play by the rules. But if something catches my interest, I won't hesitate to do what I want."

Abigail let out a long sigh. Modeus might be cruel and cold, but he was a reliable ally when things got dangerous. What worried him most was how Modeus might make things worse if they encountered enemies or stumbled upon something intriguing in the ruins.

As the night grew late, Abigail felt it was important for them to rest and recharge before their big mission the next day. "Get some rest, Modeus. We've got a long day ahead of us tomorrow," he said quietly.

Modeus just nodded without turning around, still gazing out the window with his faint smile. "Of course, Abigail. Tomorrow is going to be interesting."

***