Chapter 157 - CASTLE IN THE SKY (1/2)

A drop of water falls and the sound reverberates as it fallen to the stalactites forming below, falling and dripping across the golden surface as the workers coming in and out of the cavern step and trod upon the hard ground of the humongous cave.

The Cavern of Gold.

Hundreds of strong muscly men moved carrying a hill of gold on their back. Even women, kids and elderly are transporting something out of the cavern with large cart and caravans.

Gold coin, jewelries, gems, diamonds, divine weapons and shield, priceless pills and herbs are al being transported out of this Cavern.

'Heave ho! Heave ho!' Some shouted.

Other is singing work songs.

Some have sweats on their faces as they continue this back breaking work, wiping their sweats of their face and taking a gulp of water when they reached their destination.

After the Island of Peace incident called the Defeat of the World Government, the world was shocked with the news that this world is not their real earth and also the reason why the Prince suddenly butted heads with the World government.

The news was spread through many channels.

The black market also spread the news and even many reputable and powerful faction got wind of the news

A conference was scheduled next weekend with all the big names in the world will join and pool their resources to return to Earth.

Now however, many people are stocking up on their valuables and assets to be brought back to their world.

This Cavern of Gold that stretches down to the core of this planet belongs to the Merchant Association

It was full of wealth of every item imaginable.

In the one year it has been established, the Merchant Association has created a community of sorts buying protection using their technology and resources they command.

They singlehandedly created a new form of currency with the help of the World Government and the Revolutionary Army, the two biggest organization in the world.

But then a dark horse appears out of nowhere, Lord Shadow. And things changed.

In the deepest part of the cavern, a white room that stretches an area that could fit eighteen baseball fields, a large gate is being assembled with hundreds of workers on the clock

A fat man is seeing walking around near the base of the gate and clicks his tongue.

'You think he will be satisfied? There is a lot riding on this. I won't risk that person anger.'

A fat rotund man with a bald head adorned with jewelries on his neck and gold in his wrist survey over the gate with no doors.

Sometimes he knocks over the gate like he was checking its durability.

Then he rubs his bald head and turned towards a man behind him, expecting an answer or explanation.

A tall slender man wearing a white coat that resembles a lab coat looks at the flip switch near the gate.

It resembles the Stargates in the movies. It fulfilled this man desires. He always loves sci-fi movies.

Who would have thought he would be able to create thing that he likes.

His white coat has some moving silver lines, a runic design that seems weird and out of place but emits a certain energy that could influence weaker minds.

The more he invents and create things, the more he could feel his mastery and invention becoming even more powerful.

'It replicates the energy used when the Dark Speedster broke open that singularity. Or to be more accurate it mimics that energy. I thank Mimic for his abilities.'

The fat man just waves his hand like it was not a big deal.

Mimic and the Inventor. They are the Merchant Association pillars. Without them both, the Association would not have its standing today.

'And it will close after its activation, Inventor? I wouldn't want a disaster the likes of which in the Ice Region' the fat rotund man asked.

'Yes, Patrician Enzo. It will.'

'I need to make sure. The World Government and the Revolutionary Army is breathing on my neck. Then there is still the Prince.'

'Is that what people calling him now? '

Enzo nodded. Nowadays instead of calling a person by their name some people began calling people with their titles or their abilities.

For example Will is called the Dark Speedster.

Raymond was called the Earthshaker. Jean was called the Time Emperor since he was once called himself the Emperor of France.

Title itself is only acquired by being famous. Weak adventurers and leveler would not usually be noticed

'He is famous now. The destruction of the Island of Peace has given him the reputation of the strongest in the world.' Enzo continued his word.

The Inventor looks at his partner and smirk a bit.

'Are you scared? Are you surrendering to him? Many people now wanted to join his faction. If not for his desires to not create faction he would probably attract many people to his side. ' The Inventor asked as he watches over the cube that has weird green lines on it.

The cube is like a computer to the Inventor. This is where he does his simulation and realizes his ideas.

He walked towards it and tapped certain lines as the green lines become squiggly and input his data.

Combination of magic and technology. The days the star fell, a new horizon was opened for him.

'Scared?' Enzo said with disdain and then he laughed.

'Of course I am. He could kill me with one swish of his hand…but when does me being scared equates me to surrender?'

And the Inventor smiles.

'So, why do you accept his request? We lost a lot of resources to build this Gate'

'Why would I not accept his request?' Enzo said.

'When we began our partnership I said it then didn't I? You make the gadgets, while I will handle the business. He is giving us business. And having the current strongest man in the world owing a favor to our Merchant Association is a good thing. He has worth…more than gold and diamonds.'

The hands that are busy tapping the cube stilled.

'Current strongest person?'

And Enzo smiles as he looks towards that gate.

'Who could guarantee him going to find his friend in an alternate universe would be safe? Maybe he wouldn't ever return. I see profit. We Merchant must always have a plan B is the first initial investment did not work. Hehehe'

The Inventor shakes his head. He taps a new lines and it brightened as the Inventor smiles. His first calculation was correct.

'This Dark Speedster could travels between worlds. The only other person I know that could bop back and forth between universes is the Dimension Strider.' He thought to himself.

But the Inventor never had the chance to research that ability of Dimension Strider.

'So, be it. I will be finalizing a few modifications to calculate the emission of energy of the Dark speedster to estimate his current position so that the Prince will be able to find him. Wouldn't want him to say we slighted him if he ever managed to return.

'Good. We Merchant Association do business with everyone. And we will not lie or cheat our customers as long as they have something of value to offer us.'

Satisfied with his inspection, Enzo shouted

Work hard and you all will be rewarded. The workers smiles and Enzo waved his hand as he is escorted by his guard to the elevator.

The Inventor just looks on as his release a sigh and continues his work as his hand is furiously tapping onto the cube.

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SOMEWHERE IN THE CLOUDS

'Ughh' a man flexing his back as he release an exhalation of breath.

He moved left and right as he tries to flex his muscle.

In front of him were papers of request. On his left and right was a stack of more papers. Some even sent recording stones and recording cube

The man was 20ish, neatly trimmed light blonde hair, a pronounced nose, a bushy eyebrow and a hard jawline. He wears a sleek neat suit.

The wind blows from the windows and the man could not help but look towards the outside of the window and notices the clouds moving forward being pushed by the wind.

White clouds filled the outside. Only white and blue scenery could be seen. Sometimes one could see birds flying past the castle.

If not birds, flying monsters like griffin could also be seen

'Nice scenery don't you think?' a calm voice breaks Loki outs of his reverie. The man is wearing a black robe with a Mon of butterfly.

As the winds blows the black robe sways left and right.

'More of the same I guess.' Today, this is the appearance that Loki has opted for. He was handsome in that masculine way.

'Bored Mind Master?' Loki asks. Hirate smiles

'A burden of a bureaucrat. Lots of things to be written if order has to be established after our return.'

Loki just smiles as he looks at the clouds once again trying to forget the mountain of paperwork in front of him.

Castle in the Sky. It was more like a flying gigantic fortress that sailed through the winds like a falling meteor.

Its location is undeterminable since it is always moving.

One can stop it by operating the Control Room in the center of the Assembly Hall. It was an orb that emits green silvery light.

Other than a few chosen not many can stop this fortress from moving. Only those who contributes during its construction will be able to enter the Assembly Hall

This is the meeting place of all leaders of great faction tomorrow. This is the World Council Meeting place.

After the truth of the world was revealed, Raymond, Lord Shadow, Jean, Katarina and Boris announce the Meeting of Heroes to discuss the matter of returning to Earth and the union of all the fragmented orb in a civilized way.

Morgana also joins gaining the right of entry as she possessed one of the orbs.

The world literally stands still after that announcement.

The wind blows again harder this time and Loki swishes his hand as the wind stops and was thrown back outside.

'Guards, close the windows' Hirate commands and one of the guards on duty immediately come to the windows and close it.

'Wind turbulence' Hirate said and Loki nodded understanding.

This Castle was constructed by pooling the resources of many great powers in the world; each of the great faction has contributed a little before the Inventor creates an impenetrable and safe palace.

It has a restriction effect and warding and defense formation to stop any people with bad intention during the day of the meeting.

This meeting and this castle is only possible because the top three people in the world announce it.

The prince, Earthshaker and the Ice Princess.

'How is the Divine Archer doing?' Hirate suddenly ask even as he is flipping through pages of request from the Forest Lords.

'Still thinking of recruiting her?' Loki rolled his eyes.

'Why not? From what I heard she has left The Prince. Is it really like the rumor said? She was jealous of Katarina?' And Hirate smirked.

Clearly he likes listening to gossip which is unbefitting of his image as one of the two top of the World Government.

'That's not true at all.'

But after saying that Loki did not continue explaining and Hirate did not press as they continue their work.

After Azief announce his intention to seek Will on Earth 19 Eden was shocked. His proclamation sends the people of Eden in chaos.

Lord Shadow even though he rarely is in the city is like a pillar of support.

Even more so after his recent feat. And now with his declaration of leaving many of those that resides in Eden fear what will happen to them later.

Sofia wanted to follow which Azief did not agree on. For some reason Loki felt perplexed at those two lovebirds.

Both of them clearly like each other but why does it seems their timing is always off?

Because of that they have a disagreement.

She then decided to strengthen herself by journeying the world. Sina tries to persuade her but she was stubborn.

And Azief was his usual stoic self. Though, Loki kind of understands.

From what Loki heard from Sina, Sofia said she is not the old Sofia who needs to be protected and Azief is not the same Azief she met before.

She can't even catch his back if she keeps being like this. Insecurity. Maybe it was fueled when Azief came to Eden with the Ice Princess behind him.

After Azief helps the Ice Region regarding the singularity the Princess seems to admire him.

And not to mention the sight of Azief and the Ice Princess was picture perfect may have triggered something inside Sofia heart.

So, at dawn she disappears, bringing with her the Houyi Bow.

Maybe, this is where the story of the Divine Archer began and where the path between the Divine Archer and the Prince diverged.

To Loki it was more like a story instead of if happening in real time. Though maybe this time it would change....he hope.

Tragedy is not really his thing….especially tragic love story. He hated that the most.

When Azief heard about Sofia disappearing he wanted to search for her but Sina stop him saying to him that he needs to stop treating Sofia like a burden and let her find what she is searching for.

Slowly, things are getting back on track.

Maybe this is why in the future no one knows of the connection between The God of Death and the Divine Archer until the wedding of the Earthshaker,

The other thing that has changed is that Wang Jian has become the leader of Eden.

After they return to Earth, Azief said he will not create another kingdom. He will focus on enhancing his own personal strength.

If Wang Jian is interested he could lead the people of Eden to follow him.

Since Azief has decided to seek Will, he will return to Earth Prime using other methods.

Sina decided to wait for Azief and Sofia at Wang Jian territory after she returns to Earth with Sasha.

Seven Fairy decided to join forces with Wang Jian and will carve a place for themselves and already sent request to the World Council to be debated in the Meeting.

Their little family of misfit is breaking up.

And about his bomb of a revelation?

Apparently, the future God of Death is taking it well. Though he did ask a few question mostly among the lines of why didn't Loki just kills him from the start.

And the answer to that question is not that simple. If he really knows the matters of those events, he would know it is not that simple.

And the other thing is that Time is not that easy to change.

It always wanted to go back to its predetermined path. It is like a mighty river being blocked by a bag of sand.

Eventually, the bag of sand will break and then a flood will be coming down.