Chapter 33: Sheltered from a Storm

We focus on fortifying the island and expanding housing over the next few days. The temple and its buildings are in a state of disrepair, collapsed roofs, debris, broken doors. We get to work making repairs so that people can start migrating from their tents to the indoors. Still, there aren't enough buildings to house everyone.

Guille conscripts us as builders and puts us to work constructing a large communal space on the northern edge of the compound along with an encircling wall. I lean heavily on the suit to speed things along. Camilla and I haul large chunks of stone and lumber with ease and the precision calculations Minerva gives me help me cut the wood and stone to the perfect dimensions using the photon sword. Rina uses her fire magic to weld iron for the front gate.

With the help of the others, we are able to not only raise the communal house and the ten foot wall around the temple, but a storage building for supplies in just a few days.

I look at the impressive longhouse with a sense of pride, wiping the sweat from my brow. It was hard work for sure but the end product was more than worth it. It is taller than all the surrounding structures with a steep thatched roof. Its walls are a combination of stone at the foundation and large heavy wood slabs that interlock together. The interior is set up as one long hallway with 6 rooms on either side, each one capable of housing a family. I’ve never worked construction before but it was actually very enjoyable. I always love an opportunity to work with my hands, getting satisfaction from putting something together from scratch.

A stream of Borikanos carry their belongings into the longhouse, they seem pleased with it as well. They can finally start to feel human again, safe indoors and sleeping in actual beds, courtesy of Kizzik spending hours stuffing mattresses. One of the older teen boys walks up to me as I admire the house.

“Mr. Adventurer, I have a favor to ask.” The boy looks at me with determination in his eyes, his fists clenched, chest out.

“I want you to take me with you when you go fight the demons next time.”

He doesn't blink. I can read the hatred and pain on his face clear as day. I can only imagine what this child has seen. With a gentle but firm hand, I grasp his shoulder.

“I’ll take care of them for you so don’t worry about it okay?” I say.

The boy slaps my hand away furiously.

“I have the right to protect my country! To fight for my people! The demons deserve to pay for what they did to us!”

I kneel down to his level. He’s practically vibrating with rage.

“I’m sorry that they hurt you. A kid like you should be enjoying their youth, learning, spending time with friends. Don’t let those monsters steal any more from you. Let us handle it.”

I see a world of emotion swirling within him at that moment. Pain, fear, anger, grief. So much anguish for someone so young. He scowls at me and storms away.

“You handled that well. He’ll come to his senses I’m sure.” Rina says from behind me.

“Thanks. I just hate to see someone throw away their childhood.” I say.

“We often lose it before its time, or it's snatched from us.” She says softly, her eyes glazing over as if she’s remembering something.

I nod thoughtfully. “What's up? Did you need something?”

“Guille has work for us.” She says.

“More building?”

She shake her head. “Rescue mission.”

All the fighters gather together in the central chamber of the main temple. We’ve been using it as a meeting place to strategize since its secluded. It's a dimly lit circular room with a high ceiling. The stone walls that surround us dampen the sound of our voices as we stand around a large table with a large map of Borikan on it, discussing our next move. Guille explains that there are storm bunkers throughout the main island, using wooden chess pieces to show where they are on the map. These are secure structures that could potentially house more survivors that couldn't make it out in the initial fleeing of Borikan.

“There could potentially be hundreds more refugees that need our help. It will be difficult but if we thin out the area of enemies first, we should be able to move larger groups swiftly.” Guille says.

“I personally love thinning out the enemies so I’m on board.” Kizzik says slyly.

Rina rolls her eyes “We still have to remain cautious. We’ll likely face stronger demons the closer we get to Katariel. Captain Oso, you said she occupied the cathedral?”

He nods, pointing to a spot in the center of the capital city of Utua. “It’s just here. The scouts say that the density of enemies is highest around the church.”

Based on this, I can see that at least one of the storm bunkers is near the Cathedral. If there are any survivors hiding there, they would be in the most desperate need of our help.

I point to it. “We should check here first and work our way out. Any people still stuck in the city are at the highest risk.”

The others nod in agreement. Guille gives me a look of admiration. “You have a strong mind for strategy. Perhaps a future in politics?”

It feels good to be recognized by someone so capable and smart as Guille. We continue to brainstorm throughout the day and finish up around evening. The plan is to send Kizzik in to slip through undetected, reach the bunker and locate anyone sheltering there. If there are survivors, they'll signal us to bring the ship to shore. We’ll work together, encircling the area to draw the demons outward away from the bunker.

Once they are dealt with, we can move the people quickly to the ship. The biggest risk is running into more powerful demons. I should be able to handle them if I go Full Power but it's a matter of getting to the others if they need help since we’ll all be so spread out. There’s a lot that can go wrong this time. I feel the worry creeping over my heart and sleep doesnt come that night as I toss and turn, trying to think of a way to keep everyone safe.

The next morning, with the preparations made, the party and the royal guards all board the ship. We are all itching for action by the time we make land. Kizzik, Camilla, Rina and I stand on the beach alongside Oso and his men and Read, staring at the dense jungle that separates us from Utua.

“Alright, this shouldn't take too long, I’ll be right back.” Kizzik says as they start walking toward the city.

Rina grabs their hand to stop them. “Be careful please.” She says.

“Don’t go getting all sentimental on me kid.” Kizzik flashes a reassuring grin.

They continue on, disappearing into the jungle.

We all wait there for a couple hours on the beach. My nerves just barely start to get the better of me when Kizzik reappears from the brush jogging back over to us with a hard look on their face. That was quick.

“No one was there, but there’s something you gotta see.” They say to us.

“What is it? What did you find?” Rina asks.

“I found a hidden doorway in the bunker. I can't get it open though.”

Oso overhears us and walks over. “Some of these bunkers are repurposed structures from ancient Borikan. It’s possible that one of them houses secrets.” He says ponderously.

“Come on, I know the path now, follow me.”

Kizzik leads Rina, Camilla and I through the sticky humid jungle, being sure to stay in the shadows on the trees. It’s not long before we make it into the city. It's quiet, desolate, lifeless. The ornate, colorful buildings that line the streets look to be heavily damaged, some burnt and some reduced to rubble. It looks like a city of hollowed out husks, corpses. We swiftly make our way through the wreckage toward the storm bunker. Kizzik leads us down the stairs and into an underground stone room lined with brick. It reminds me of the dungeon where I first woke up in this world.

“It’s right here!” Kizzik touches a wall, showing us the near invisible seams of the hidden door. “The lock is enchanted or something. I’ve never seen one like this if I’m being honest.”

Rina takes a look, holding her staff out to scan the wall. She frowns.

“I’m not picking up any enchantments. Can you force it open perhaps?”

They turn to me and I summon the armor. Sometimes brute force is the answer I guess, but as soon as I approach the wall, the secret door starts to glow.

[Jazarian technology detected. Sharing encrypted signature….] Minerva says, startling me.

Jazarian?! As in the weird city the suit is from? The door glows even brighter. There’s a pulse of energy as the wall lights up with strange symbols. They all vanish quickly and the stone door starts coming apart in chunks that recede into the wall. A small room is revealed on the other side. I have no idea what’s going on. Why would something like this be here? I turn back to my friends for guidance. Rina motions for me to enter.

“ It could have some answers? We’ll wait out here.”

I swallow my fears, entering the room slowly. The inside is nothing special per se. It does look like the walls were all carved from one solid block of stone but other than that it’s pretty plain. In the center is a pristine white pillar that comes up to my waist. I can't tell what it’s made of but it looks like porcelain. Its top surface is incredibly smooth, with a strange sigil on it. Unsure of what else to do, I place my hand over the pillar. At first nothing happens, but then a bright blue light begins to emit from the sigil.

[Signature accepted. Access approved.]

With a hiss, the pillar splits into four even pieces and slides open to reveal a compartment. Within is a metallic shape, an orb. I pull it out to examine it closer. Its a blend of white and gold metals combined in an intricate latticework. Blue light emanates from its core and glows brighter as I hold it.

[Catalyst obtained.]

It’s mesmerizing to stare at. The metal seems to move slightly, flowing like liquid.

I’m snapped out of my daze by Camilla’s voice.

“Trouble out here Kenji! Demon incoming!”

Minerva confirms.

[A high level demonic entity has detected the energy emitted by the catalyst and is heading this way.]

I stow the small orb away and head out of the room with a million questions swirling in my head. I don't have time for that now though. We might not have found survivors here but we can at least put some demons in the dirt.