Black Cataclysm

“Ever since that day, when the first alien spacecraft fell upon our land, our goal was to find a way to reverse engineer their technologies, and use them to enhance our civilization. And after a while we finally reached that answer we were looking for. Research labs nationwide collectively discovered a way to extract the energy contained within the many Daystar artefacts, using this we were able to grow substantially at such an incredible pace.”

“We created power cells to contain this alien energy, these batteries were used to further fuel our research. It was an amazing power that dwarfed the strength of all other known power sources on Earth combined. However we had no way of getting more, besides drawing it from the artefacts, thus we began to run short of it. You see, besides us scientists, there were many collectors aiming to get their hands on a prized Daystar artefact; we weren’t the only ones interested in the trinkets of space aliens.”

“We wanted to create more energy using the energy we already had. So on a testing site a bit of a ways away from this place, they built a device that would hopefully do just that. By combining all sources of energy made on Earth and the alien energy, we hoped we’d create a new form of matter… We were trying to play god.”

“And it failed.”

“I wasn’t there to witness the tragic events unfold, but it still affected this place, and many more across the world. According to bits of the data retrieved from the testing ground, a ball of black fire erupted from the energy core. This fire was out of control, it lashed out like chains wrapping around the world. Every place with an abundance of alien energy was devastated by a chain of fiery explosions. And in their wake was left the withering. And all though the fireballs were extinguished, the decay upon the world could not be erased.”

“This lab felt the weight of the destruction heavily. Portions of this place have been infected with the withering and have become unsuitable for life. Going off of what you told me, it is likely that the explosion created a rift or portal between Earth and this one.”

Dr. Creeks concludes her retelling.

Eryth still looks confused, she’s trying to process it all but it’s just not computing.

I might as well share what I’ve been hiding too, about the shovel and its capabilities.

“I could believe the rift theory… Because that’s probably what my shovel has been doing all this time.”

“Your shovel? Now that I look a bit closer, your shovel is a Daystar artefact! Where did you get your hands on one? Dr. Creeks’ eyes sparkle as she appraises the tool.

“I stumbled upon it at a mall within a collector’s showcase. To put it in simple terms, I think it's like a magic tool, with the power to dig between worlds. However it only works when dug upon living land, digging in the decayed lands does nothing. I’ve used it to enter this world, and leave it.”

Eryth’s gaze shifts to the shovel as well. I feel a little bad about not telling her about what it was from the get go.

But I guess better late than never, right?

“I think, it pulls the surfaces from the world I dig into, into the other world. Bringing life to this world for my first dig. I think it only creates the passageway if I dig with intent, but besides that I think that’s how it works.”

“Leaving this fantasy world, I dug into a completely withered place. That’s where I met the Demon Lord. He said he kidnapped Gil as well as another boy named Lala; we’ve been living together ever since the early days of the cataclysm. The Demon Lord, he said he’d be here, in this pit. And that’s why we’re here now.”

“Oh and the Demon Lord had another shovel, his could create gates atop withered ground.

Eryth stands up, kicking the rolling chair away.

She seems quite frustrated.

“Why? Why did you wait to say all this now? It was you then… You caused my village to be invaded by the withering, your meddling here and in your damn Earth world… you really never should have come here!”

“I–Eryth look I’m–”

She kicks my chair, causing it to roll backward slamming into the wall.

“NO you don’t get to apologize, tons of people are dead because you led the Demon Lord to my home! My friends, family, Almza too probably… so many people you never knew, I bet they were just aliens to you right, you creep. I always had a feeling, I never wanted you anywhere near my life. But you had me second guessing, I was like ‘huh Eryth, this King guy’s not so bad yeah?’ MEHH WRONG you’re downright insane. All you’ve done so far is drag me along in your stupid revenge quest, you don’t even like me anyway do you? You hate me because I’m not like you, just a doll.”

If she could cry… she would be.

“I’m done with you! You can find your own way home! I’m going back to mine!”

She turns around, storming out of here down a different hallway than the one we entered from.

I need to apologize.

Rising from the banged up rolling chair I start after her…

“Wait, King!” Dr. Creeks call catches me for a moment.

“You should let her go, she needs time to cool off. And I’ve got a little mission for you.”

My gaze watches as Eryth disappears around the bend in the hallway, turning back to the doctor.

It's probably for the best.

Me time is probably the best type of time she needs right now.

“Hmm sure, I wouldn’t wanna get pummeled by her anyways heh… But a mission, what does it entail?”

“It involves tunneling back to Earth with your shovel. There’s a certain keycard that I know must be somewhere within the other half of the lab still on that side. If we can get that card, we’ll be able to access everything essential in this building. It could be a big help to our survival.”

“Eeeesh, I don’t know, I sort of need to find and kill the Demon Lord… But if it will help us in the long run, sure I’ll do it.”

She points toward the terrarium.

“Great I was hoping you’d say yes, you need living ground right, use the habitat. If it works, even though we’re deep within the witherlands it could prove to be a helpful piece of knowledge moving forward.”

Walking towards the enclosure, I look back down the hall where she ran off too.

She’ll be fine on her own.

She’s strong.

I’ll craft an apology on my mission.

Oh wait–

“Doctor, what should I do if there are no green areas in the lab on earth?”

She holds her hand up to her chin in thought…

“Hmmm, I hope for your good luck I guess… But if not, then the two labs should be one but aren’t yeah. So there’s likely a larger rift there, I’d wager you’d be able to use that to return.”

Speculation, nice.

“Well then, I’ll find a way when the time comes!”

Entering into the grassy habitat I try to picture what the other half of the lab looks like, hopefully it's safe and undamaged.

Whatever happens, I’ll make it back.

I have to apologize to Eryth after all.

…

Wielding the shovel, I prepare for the dig.

THRUST–

Digging into the ground, cutting through the world.

Into the darkness between.

Then, the flip side of a fantasy world.

I’m home again.

END CHAPTER 15