Chapter 11:
Chapter Eleven — The Name Beneath The World
MNH: Planetary Address
◽3240.11.23◽
「Hmm… what if I asked them to help you?」Phipher suggested carefully.Carlton considered it.「That’d cut the work down to two months—if they handle the heavy lifting.」⟨We will require suitable payment if he wishes to use our strength,⟩ The male transmitted evenly.Phipher turned to Carlton.「They say they want payment if you want their help.」Carlton nodded once.「Alright. How about armor and weapons far stronger than anything native to this planet?」The male Titan paused. ⟨He can do that?⟩⟨Yes,⟩ Phipher replied immediately, pride slipping into her tone. ⟨Like I said—he carries the brilliance of the sun.⟩The quiet female spoke next. ⟨Is this being your mate?⟩Phipher froze. ⟨…Unfortunately, no.⟩ A blush crept across her face.The female emitted an amused rumble. ⟨Then we wish you luck in your endeavor.⟩⟨Thank you,⟩ Phipher replied softly.Carlton glanced at her.「So… what’d they say? And why are you so flushed?」She waved it off quickly.「Oh—just drained. It’s my first time linking with a one-stripe Terravore. They want to see the weapons and armor first.」A lie—but a convincing one.Carlton chuckled.「Then we should head home as soon as possible.」
The journey back took a full week, slowed by the Titans’ pace.Along the way, Phipher gave them names.Kraal’thys — “The First Silence”Oldest. Female. Quiet. Patient.Sael’vara — “She Who Breaks the Line”Youngest. Female. Fierce and volatile.Morr’Khei — “The Anchor”Middle-born. Male. Calm. Reasonable.During the journey, Phipher learned to maintain telepathic links without closing her eyes—a skill she’d never mastered before.When they finally arrived, all four of them stopped.A human girl—pre-teen in appearance—sat outside the house, waiting.
◽3240.11.30◽
Phipher blinked.「You didn’t tell me you had a daughter.」Carlton laughed softly.「I don’t—but I treat her like one.」He approached the girl.「Hey, Levia. Good to see you again.」She smiled calmly.「Hello, Father. I’m glad you returned.」Carlton patted her head.「There are some people I want you to meet.」
When Levia approached the others—The Varrak Titans recoiled.Fear flooded the link.
⟨Are you alright? What’s wrong?⟩ Phipher asked urgently.⟨It… it can’t be…⟩ Kraal’thys trembled. ⟨We were told of the tremors felt when one of her kind dies. How is she here?⟩Phipher’s confusion deepened. ⟨What tremors? What are you talking about?⟩《《Oh? So you three younglings have heard of me.》》Levia’s presence crashed into them.Morr’Khei immediately lowered his head. ⟨Forgive our ignorance.⟩《《It’s alright. Few know the full story.》》She giggled lightly.Phipher turned to Kraal’thys again. ⟨Please—tell me what’s happening.⟩
Instead of answering, Kraal’thys gently pressed a magnetic talon to Phipher’s back.Instantly—Phipher felt it.The overwhelming presence beneath Levia’s skin.Her body froze.
⟨Wh—what is she… no—who is she?⟩ Phipher asked in fear.⟨That is Vesha’kaar,⟩ Sael’vara replied solemnly. ⟨The most dangerous Thornmaw Colossus.⟩⟨Th-the… “World Below”…⟩ Phipher replied in shock.Carlton, completely oblivious, spoke cheerfully.「Hey guys—this is Levia, short for Leviathan. And Levia, this is Phipher, and the Titans—Kraal’thys, Sael’vara, and Morr’Khei.」He glanced at Morr’Khei.「He alright?」Phipher forced a giggle.「Y-yes. He said the journey finally caught up to him.」Carlton nodded.「Figures. There’s plenty of space beneath the house for him to rest. Right, Levia?」Levia pouted.「Only if they build their own quarters underground.」「Come on,」Carlton coaxed.「I’ll give you double your favorite meal.」「Four times.」Carlton smiled.「What was that?」「Four. Final offer.」He sighed dramatically.「Alright, alright. Besides—」He held out a crystal.Levia’s eyes sparkled.「Aurora core.」Carlton smirked.「There’s more where that came from.」She accepted it eagerly and bit down.「Oh my… that’s sweet.」【That crystal could sell for hundreds of credits… and she just ate it.】Phipher stared in disbelief.Carlton stretched.「Whew… I’m exhausted. Come on, Phipher—we’ve got planning to do.」「Y-yes…」Phipher followed him.
Levia finished eating and turned serious.《《You three know how far my territory stretches, don’t you?》》⟨Yes, Mistress Vesha’Kaar. We saw the poles.⟩ Sael’vara replied.《《Good. And remember—I discarded that other name.》》⟨Yes, Levia.⟩All three responded instantly.She smiled sharply.《《Come on. You’ve got a lot to learn.》》
◽Two Hours Later◽
Inside the dining room—
「So… when did you find her?」Phipher asked cautiously.Carlton thought.「Thirteen years ago.」【That’s impossible… The records say Vesha’kaar fell thirty years after the Heart Sun appeared—3140…】Alice’s voice slid into Phipher’s mind.【And now that you know—do not tell Carlton that time flows differently here.】Her tone sharpened.【Or you will cease to exist. Understood?】【Y-yes, Lady Alice…】Carlton frowned.「Are you okay? You look pale.」Phipher forced a smile.「I’m fine—sorry. Let’s eat. We’ve got long days ahead.」He studied her briefly, then nodded.「Yeah… you’re right. We should relax for now.」
「Hmm… what if I asked them to help you?」Phipher suggested carefully.Carlton considered it.「That’d cut the work down to two months—if they handle the heavy lifting.」⟨We will require suitable payment if he wishes to use our strength,⟩ The male transmitted evenly.Phipher turned to Carlton.「They say they want payment if you want their help.」Carlton nodded once.「Alright. How about armor and weapons far stronger than anything native to this planet?」The male Titan paused. ⟨He can do that?⟩⟨Yes,⟩ Phipher replied immediately, pride slipping into her tone. ⟨Like I said—he carries the brilliance of the sun.⟩The quiet female spoke next. ⟨Is this being your mate?⟩Phipher froze. ⟨…Unfortunately, no.⟩ A blush crept across her face.The female emitted an amused rumble. ⟨Then we wish you luck in your endeavor.⟩⟨Thank you,⟩ Phipher replied softly.Carlton glanced at her.「So… what’d they say? And why are you so flushed?」She waved it off quickly.「Oh—just drained. It’s my first time linking with a one-stripe Terravore. They want to see the weapons and armor first.」A lie—but a convincing one.Carlton chuckled.「Then we should head home as soon as possible.」
The journey back took a full week, slowed by the Titans’ pace.Along the way, Phipher gave them names.Kraal’thys — “The First Silence”Oldest. Female. Quiet. Patient.Sael’vara — “She Who Breaks the Line”Youngest. Female. Fierce and volatile.Morr’Khei — “The Anchor”Middle-born. Male. Calm. Reasonable.During the journey, Phipher learned to maintain telepathic links without closing her eyes—a skill she’d never mastered before.When they finally arrived, all four of them stopped.A human girl—pre-teen in appearance—sat outside the house, waiting.
◽3240.11.30◽
Phipher blinked.「You didn’t tell me you had a daughter.」Carlton laughed softly.「I don’t—but I treat her like one.」He approached the girl.「Hey, Levia. Good to see you again.」She smiled calmly.「Hello, Father. I’m glad you returned.」Carlton patted her head.「There are some people I want you to meet.」
When Levia approached the others—The Varrak Titans recoiled.Fear flooded the link.
⟨Are you alright? What’s wrong?⟩ Phipher asked urgently.⟨It… it can’t be…⟩ Kraal’thys trembled. ⟨We were told of the tremors felt when one of her kind dies. How is she here?⟩Phipher’s confusion deepened. ⟨What tremors? What are you talking about?⟩《《Oh? So you three younglings have heard of me.》》Levia’s presence crashed into them.Morr’Khei immediately lowered his head. ⟨Forgive our ignorance.⟩《《It’s alright. Few know the full story.》》She giggled lightly.Phipher turned to Kraal’thys again. ⟨Please—tell me what’s happening.⟩
Instead of answering, Kraal’thys gently pressed a magnetic talon to Phipher’s back.Instantly—Phipher felt it.The overwhelming presence beneath Levia’s skin.Her body froze.
⟨Wh—what is she… no—who is she?⟩ Phipher asked in fear.⟨That is Vesha’kaar,⟩ Sael’vara replied solemnly. ⟨The most dangerous Thornmaw Colossus.⟩⟨Th-the… “World Below”…⟩ Phipher replied in shock.Carlton, completely oblivious, spoke cheerfully.「Hey guys—this is Levia, short for Leviathan. And Levia, this is Phipher, and the Titans—Kraal’thys, Sael’vara, and Morr’Khei.」He glanced at Morr’Khei.「He alright?」Phipher forced a giggle.「Y-yes. He said the journey finally caught up to him.」Carlton nodded.「Figures. There’s plenty of space beneath the house for him to rest. Right, Levia?」Levia pouted.「Only if they build their own quarters underground.」「Come on,」Carlton coaxed.「I’ll give you double your favorite meal.」「Four times.」Carlton smiled.「What was that?」「Four. Final offer.」He sighed dramatically.「Alright, alright. Besides—」He held out a crystal.Levia’s eyes sparkled.「Aurora core.」Carlton smirked.「There’s more where that came from.」She accepted it eagerly and bit down.「Oh my… that’s sweet.」【That crystal could sell for hundreds of credits… and she just ate it.】Phipher stared in disbelief.Carlton stretched.「Whew… I’m exhausted. Come on, Phipher—we’ve got planning to do.」「Y-yes…」Phipher followed him.
Levia finished eating and turned serious.《《You three know how far my territory stretches, don’t you?》》⟨Yes, Mistress Vesha’Kaar. We saw the poles.⟩ Sael’vara replied.《《Good. And remember—I discarded that other name.》》⟨Yes, Levia.⟩All three responded instantly.She smiled sharply.《《Come on. You’ve got a lot to learn.》》
◽Two Hours Later◽
Inside the dining room—
「So… when did you find her?」Phipher asked cautiously.Carlton thought.「Thirteen years ago.」【That’s impossible… The records say Vesha’kaar fell thirty years after the Heart Sun appeared—3140…】Alice’s voice slid into Phipher’s mind.【And now that you know—do not tell Carlton that time flows differently here.】Her tone sharpened.【Or you will cease to exist. Understood?】【Y-yes, Lady Alice…】Carlton frowned.「Are you okay? You look pale.」Phipher forced a smile.「I’m fine—sorry. Let’s eat. We’ve got long days ahead.」He studied her briefly, then nodded.「Yeah… you’re right. We should relax for now.」
Please sign in to leave a comment.