Forbidden Lands

Returning from the Astral Dimension was something every Contender wanted to do. Not only because it meant they found the Ascension Rune and became the Keepers, but because everyone wanted to return home from the nightmare.

The Contenders wished for warmth and comfort, but some of them were destined to wake up in a coffin, under a graveyard.

Step. Step. Step.

Kain moved through the ruined streets of the once-thriving city. Rusted frames of cars, moss-covered lampposts, and fallen bridges were the required scenery of every city in the forbidden lands.

When the Arcane Scripture appeared, countless rifts opened up across the planet, and the runes raged to destroy the efforts of millions of people, turning skyscrapers into piles of rock.

But, humanity survived and seemed destined to rebuild everything and take back their lands, right?

No.

The monster at the cemetery was just one of many inhabiting the forbidden lands. It was too dangerous for ordinary people to be here, and the Keepers couldn't rebuild the cities on their own, they had other tasks.

Stopping at the broken bell, Kain looked up.

Ahead was an observation tower, one for hundreds of meters and almost the only intact building in the entire city.

The light was coming from here - there could be no mistake.

Kain ran forward, noticing for the first time his reflection in the glass panel.

Here and at the Astral Dimension, it was still him, but his clothes for Old Eye's feast remained.

And not only that.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Kain patted himself on the chest, feeling Mork's amulet.

'Tsk, I've never used it even once. Though I doubt it would have any effect against Aurora or Valkyra, and especially against that man...' he shuddered, remembering Garoth's terrifying aura.

A crackle rang out behind him, causing Kain to turn around.

"Agh?"

Several monsters crawled out of the dark void, their bodies bloated and their paws short. They ran after Kain as their only hope.

Before Kain could do anything, two sparks flew from above with a deafening whistle. The red blasts tore through the monsters like balloons, scattering bloody shards on the ground.

This was not the kind of scene that would make Kain panic. In the Astral Dimension, he'd seen worse things.

'Gotta hurry,' he thought quickly, climbing up the tower.

His footsteps echoed down the rattling, rusty stairs until he reached the small cabin at the very top.

Rays of sunlight fell through the window, leading Kain to the observation deck.

He opened the door.

Resting his feet on the table sat a middle-aged man, drinking straight from the bottle. Wrinkles covered his face and streams of wind blew his thick gray hair and long mustache.

"Oh, you finally made it," his hoarse, smoke-stained voice rang out as he turned around.

Unusual amber eyes made Kain flinch. He felt a familiar power from the man as he had from Kserx.

The man patted the table. 

"Sit down, we're in for a long talk and I wouldn't advise you to miss a view like this," he raised the bottle pointing to the nearing sunset.

As Kain sat down, the man pulled out two glasses of the amber drink poured generously from the bottle.

"I don't..." Kain tried to protest.

"Shut up, kid. You're back from the Astral Dimension and considering you showed up here, at the forbidden lands, you went through something awful," he lifted the glass expecting Kain to do the same.

There was no other choice.

Their glasses clinked. 

"My name is Kreyn. What about you?"

"Kain, just Kain..." he muttered as he took the first sip.

His face twisted as if he'd taken a bite out of a lemon, yet he swallowed with difficulty.

"Hahaha, you still have a lot to learn, Kain!" Kreyn exclaimed, effortlessly drinking it all in one gulp. His eyebrow didn't even twitch.

Shaking his head, Kain came to his senses as he stared at Kreyn.

"You're a Keeper, right?"

Kreyn smirked. "Boy, do you see where we are? The Keepers guard the borders and keep order inside the domes. I, on the other hand, am someone a little more serious."

"Hmm?" Kain was lost.

Is someone stronger than the Keepers?

That sounded unreasonable!

"You see," Kreyn waved his hand. "Only the ordinary people refer to all of us as the Keepers. Within our society, there is a hierarchy. You, Kain, are no longer a Contender or Tainted, you are now a Keeper. But you must address me as an Awakened."

Oddly enough, this only puzzled Kain even more.

"Wait... Awakened is that what they call the Keepers at the Astral Dimension?"

Kreyn nodded. "Yeah, it's a bit of a confusing story, but things will become easier to understand once you know the reason. Why do you think others will refer to me as an Awakened and you as a Keeper?"

"Well, because you're more experienced?

"No," Kreyn replied sharply. "Because I'm stronger, and not by one stage, but by one rank. You got your Codex, but you're still a Tarnished. I'm a Blighted One. No Keeper can give me competition, and that's why I'm here at the Watch Tower C-3."

It was only then that Kain realized he was far from home and noticed a long rifle leaning against the wall. Something about the gun was strange.

The Rune Society had many modern weapons, what they managed to save after the destruction of the world. But, Kreyn's rifle was old and rusty.

"Hey, don't look at my beauty like that," Kreyn chuckled evilly. "You brought an artifact with you too, right? I saw the whole thing from here as you were patting yourself on the pocket."

"So... This rifle is an artifact, and you're the one who killed those monsters?"

With a slight sigh, he nodded. "Sure, I couldn't let you die, that would be too foolish considering what you've been through. You know, these days, with all those rich families, training camps, and especially clans, there's hardly any Tainted left that gets Rune Brand in the heat of battle.

"They go to the Astral Dimension prepared, get into easy territory, and return with immeasurable pride. All to die a month or two later on their next run."

Kain gulped.

"Next run?"

In mild puzzlement, Kreyn turned to him. 

"Oh, right, you don't know."

His amber eyes grew deeper.

"You'll have to go to the Astral Dimension again when the Arcane Scripture calls on you."

"What if I refuse...?" Kain stammered.

"Then you'll forever be just a Keeper, your road to power closed at the start of your path."