Chapter 458: Improvements - Progress (1/2)

Knowing that he could rest assured about his friends, Aiden heaved a sigh, and relaxed his tensed muscles, before turning his attention back on the swirling mirror-like portal, the [Gateway] to Haven, and stepping through it.

In a moment, his entire figure, his presence vanished without a trace from Eora, only to reappear in another plane altogether.

As soon as all traces of his life force were gone and were no longer traceable, in the ground floor's Study Room, the Masked Mistress turned a surprised expression, standing up from her desk and looking in the direction of the now-empty room.

A soft giggle escaped her lips beneath the mask as she slowly walked to her favorite spot in the room: beside the large window frame looking at the city over yonder.

She didn't say a word, but her soft giggles continued to fill the void of the study for minutes to come…

—

Back in Haven, at the center of the emerald green plain, just a bit away from a peculiar ziggurat, the air cracked. Jolts of electricity sparkled, sizzling with visible excitement as a spatial tear was formed, the essences lingering in the air assisting in the creation of the now familiar-looking [Gateway].

As the arched doorway appeared, the entire realm was instantly alerted, as the signature energy of the Master has rippled through the air.

Close to the source, the stationed guards in the newly erected ziggurat were jolted, springing to full alert, with a growing, excited smirk plastered on their faces.

Their Master… no, their GOD, the undisputed Ruler of Haven has come back once more! Each was already aware of the specific procedures for such a situation were to happen, the Council of Elders have made sure to drill the instructions to each and every one of Guptan resident's mind, heart, and soul.

Though it may sound like a forced manner, in reality, none have minded the extra lessons, the arduous training. Each and every resident was clear about how their situation has only come to this, because of HIS benevolence. His kindness was what saved them from their gruesome fate and have altered destiny, twisting it in such a manner that they could now live in peace, safely, away from the corruption of humanity.

So, when the familiar signature of energy traversed across Haven and alerted each and every resident, be it Orc, Goblin, or the newest of settlers, the skinks, everyone without fail, have begun the preparation to welcome their lord and master.

The surface of the portal rippled as Aiden emerged from it, his bare feet stepping once again on the dewy, bright, and lush grass of this paradise land of his.

Like always, his first course of action was to take a large breath of the fresh air, savoring for a bit before slowly releasing it, exhaling in a slow-paced manner whilst taking his time taking in the changes in his immediate surroundings.

This time, however, his eyes stopped instantly, as he looked to his right and spotted the newly erected, mysterious structure close to his location. Though surprised by the grand architecture, he wasn't confused at all, he knew that it was probably the decision of his servants that such an investment was made for him.

He knew he could feel that in the very depths of this structure guarded by a dozen of probably the highest, strongest of what Gupta could muster, his Master's evolutionary cocoon was lying.

Aiden's eyes gazed at the direction of where Number 3 were, lingering on them for several long seconds before he heaved a sigh, and averted his gaze with a bitter expression, focusing on the constantly growing settlement in the distance.

It seemed that every time he would come to visit, the scenery would change in such a vast and unexpected manner that would stun and freeze him. He sighed as he spotted the outer walls of what seemed like the stone, reinforced walls of cozy-looking houses. From where he stood, he couldn't spot any of the past wood and dirt-covered tents, yurts, or bungalows.

Solid stone, or some sort of mineral-made houses dotted the horizon stretching all the way from the distant mountainside, towards the lakebed which remained the only area that was yet to be upgraded in a similar fashion.

Still, even that area has shown signs of advancement, the skinks were quite eager to fulfill the dreams of their race, their characteristic touches have already begun to show themselves.

Seeing a similar-looking pointed top peeking through the jungle of tents at the center of the muddy, swampy area the little lizards have created, Aiden's interest was piqued. With a blink, he instantly willed the system's top-down view of the landscape to appear in front of him, and closed in on the skink's territory, to confirm his suspicions.