Seeping through the cracks in the fallen rocks. Iramo's body soars into the air, going higher and higher. As he struggles to control his path drifting aimlessly with the wind. Focusing on controlling himself, he imagines walking on the skies as he slowly gains control.
In shock, he shouts "It actually worked! Now if I'm lucky I can figure out how to get down with free falling too. Because I really owe that bastard a round two. That sneak shot nearly took me out!"
No, for now I need to focus. I need to stay on track with what I'm really here to do. Starting with gaining better control over the wind. Let's see, if walking works, maybe I can imagine something else to go down. Time for me to get creative.
Closing his eyes Iramo envisions a giant fist flying through the air as he sits on top of it. Thinking to himself "There we go this is riding in style. Just missing one thing" He imagines cloth wrappings covering the fist. With two loose strands wrapping around his arms, allowing him to control its path. "Perfect, now all that's left to see is if it works."
Putting both hands out I grab hold of the wind. Feeling it wrap around my arms just how I imagined. I dropped down to take a seat. As I landed it felt like laying in a cloud, so soft, so comfy. I laid down to rest, looking at all the specks above the clouds. Wondering which one was the world I came from.
Thinking back to what that version of me said. I wonder who I really am to be blessed to have power like this. I still can't remember, I've only got his words and the few memories that returned to me. I wonder where my family is. I hope they're doing good, from what I can tell father seems way stronger than me.
I still feel like shit though, forgetting my own mother but I can tell she's an amazing woman. I can't wait to learn more about her. Even without my memory, I know she's everything to me. I hope I don't worry her too much while I'm gone. I promise I'll be home soon. So please be there when I get back ok.
That's enough feelings for now. I need to figure out where to go next. I can probably find the source of those shockwaves from earlier now. I guess I'll start there. Hopefully it's not another monster but I have to be ready for a fight either way.
Matter a fact, where did that voice go off to? It hasn't really helped much now that I think about it. I'll just do my own thing then "any objections?" he called out seeing if the voice was around. Nothing to say huh? Sounds like I'm good to go then. Now let's see how fast I can go.
Diving straight down to the ground. Iramo hears the unmistakable sound of the shockwaves from earlier, carried through the wind. Turning towards the sound, Iramo says "Great timing, I was just looking for you."
Going full speed ahead He sees the lands in shambles the closer he gets. Witnessing more than just rocks for the first time since arriving. He was surprised to see the flourishing lands, Well what remains of them anyways.
Seeing fields of luscious blue plants, dark blue trees, and black fruit spread across the lands. As the ground beneath them split apart. Rupturing and quaking violently ripping apart the beautiful sight. Bit by bit as the trees fall and the fields collapse, caving into the ground.
"It's a shame something like this is being destroyed. Whatever is causing this better have a real good reason. I mean really demolishing the lands filled with life when there's a rocky wasteland around the corner is such a waste."
Navigating the lands I spotted another ... Wait? A person who looks like me? These lands had other people! Well not exactly but they look similar enough to me. I have to get a better look. Flying closer to the ground, I can definitely tell they are like me yet completely different too. This person didn't look like me. Their violet skin shining from far away. Looking at my own skin currently grey and normally brown. I wonder why we look so different?
The person continues to cross through the changing lands. Wearing a red shirt with 6 green lines on the back of it blending into a spiral. With red and green baggy pants that had similar designs covering both legs of the pants. Resting atop boots with big green gems engraved into the side of them. Looking to be some special outfit as they seem to vanish. Reappearing across a wide chasm after touching a tiny band resting on their hand.
Noticing the curvy figure and long hair blowing in the wind. Iramo thought to himself "That's definitely nothing like me but looks safe enough. Besides, I got a few tricks of my own if they try anything. Time to go introduce myself."
Flying down to the ground, he lands just in front of the unknown person. Reverting his form back to naturally brown skin. Speaking without hesitation saying "Do you know what is causing ... well this?" As he points to all around them.
Startled by his sudden arrival the mysterious person says "Is that even any way to introduce yourself? You scared me half to death. Who are you? And why are you out here? It is dangerous, you know."
Iramo, staring hard at the stranger having a sudden revelation. Says " You're a girl aren't you?" Flustered by his lack of attention the young lady says "Of course I'm a girl! What did you think I was?"
Shaking his head feeling accomplished with his discovery. Iramo says "No clue but I'm glad I came to you."
"You seem like you know what's going on and you're easy on the eyes, do you think you can help me out?"
Blushing before slapping her face with her hands. She walks up close to Iramo and says "I can help you but we need to get out of here first."
"Huh why though I just got here?"
"Gosh, did you listen to a thing I said a moment ago it's dangerous out here."
"Everything is on the verge of collapsing and there are monsters not too far from here."
Examining my body covered in wounds and bruises she says " Looks like you've been hurt pretty bad."
"It's a miracle you even made it this far on your own injury like that."
"Come on, let's go to Cerinta. I can help you better once we get there."
Iramo, confused by the name asks "Whos that? Is she here too?"
Shocked by his response she says "What? You've never even heard of a settlement before?"
"You must have grown up underground then."
Well since you're not familiar with it, Cerinta is many things but to me and many others she's home, a safe haven for all who are under siege from monsters and the devils that fell from the skies."
The lands around us shaking violently began to break apart as it sank down into the ground. Caught off guard she stumbles backwards slipping on a rock. Just before she can fall into the massive cracks in the ground. I create a hand of wind behind her, pushing her forward. Into my hands as I reach out to catch her.
Scooping her up into his arms Iramo says "looks like you need my help too." As the ground further shatters, dropping down into the depths, Iramo leaps into the air and begins to walk on it. Thinking to himself, "good thing I had some practice."
Turning his head to her he says "Lead the way. Let's go back to your place - whatever your name is."
Distracted by her Interest in his unique abilities she responds " My name is Saranai ... Saranai Shebi. What's yours?"
Looking confused at her response Iramo says "Well I'll have to get back to you on my second name, I don't remember it yet but my first name is Iramo."
Looking down amazed they are talking suspended in mid air. Saranai Says "This is amazing you're flying! And you aren't using anything to do it. How long have you been able to do this?"
Iramo, thinking to himself out loud, says "Hm. Hard to say honestly, I haven't really had a way to tell."
"Doesn't seem like its been much time though."
"Anyways now that we've got to know each other, would you like to lead the way ma' lady?"
Crossing one hand under her chest she looks into the band on her arm. Speaking out "Return To Cerinta." as she points the band forward.
Extending her hand and opening her palm, a flash of green energy cracks the sky. Peeling away a sliver in the sky filled with dark purple energy emanating from it.
Turning to me putting one hand on my face she says "No need to use up your strength if you don't have to.
"Don't forget you're still injured badly, you need to take it easy and rest when you can."
"Now come on, let's go, this will take us back to Cerinta."
Amazed Iramo says "Wow! How did you do that?"
"You gotta teach me!" Smiling as she looks at the wonder in his eyes, Saranai says "Pretty cool right!"
"I got even more to show you once we've made it back."
"Now come on, let's go in already, the rift won't stay open forever."
Going forward into the rift. Iramo looks around the space within the rift. Seeing many green orbs connected by streaks of light all over. He ask Saranai "What is all of this?"
"What are all these things floating around in here?"
"Your home Cerinta, Is it a world away?"
Laughing at the puzzled look on Iramo's face Saranai says "Of course not, it's really far but we're definitely going back to the same world."
"As for these orb and what's going on in here, we are traveling through the Shattering Shafts."
"Yea I know the name is horrible but it's what the maker of them called it."
"Although nowadays it's known as the World's Warp, well ever since the new upgrades that is."
"It's been used forever to travel across the planet in an instance, avoiding the hoarders of monsters and a lot of times helping to bring reinforcements to deal with them."
"It's used by all major settlements across the world and it's popular in many other worlds."
So much so, that many work their way up to get the clearance to use the world warp implant, to start a new life in a safer galaxy."
Iramo eyes filled with determination says "So this could take me to any world then? All I need is to get clearance to go. Wait, how do you get clearance?"
Saranai, intrigued by his interest, says "You want to get off world too huh?"
"I've wanted to go for so long but have nobody to work with buttt with you I might have a real chance."
"This is perfect, we can climb up together and get out of here!"
Clearing her throat, Saranai contains her excitement as she continues to speak.
"Ok so the only way to get clearance is to become a crusader and reach a high rank."
"A crusader in simple terms is a strong fighter who defends Centra with their strength and the stronger they are the higher their rank."
"The more contributions you make to Centra can also get you a higher rank."
"Luckily for us there are many ways to do just that."
"Such as creating something new that brings about great change; Fighting monsters to reclaim lost lands for the people and challenging anybody of any rank to battle, in a style of their choosing of course."
"Oh, and last but by no means least of all."
"You can face enemy's of Cerinta in battle destroying their armies and all the people who resist."
"My least favorite option."
Iramo looking at her sighing in relief says "Oh so I just gotta beat some more monsters."
"I can even beat a few people and climb the ranks quick."
"Wait actually what rank crusader do you need to be to get off this shitty world anyways?"
Saranai, admiring his determination, says" I bet you're super strong but be careful, there are certain high ranking people who will take notice when you climb the ranks.
"They like to destroy those who get close to leaving, forcing them to work under them or worse."
"And if you decide to be the new hot shot you'll have a target on your back before you know it."
"You just have to be smart about it and make sure you avoid them."
"Speaking of high ranks, the ranks of the crusaders are Surface Soldier, Continental Captain, Planetary Presence, Star Crusader, and Galactic General."
"This is how it works for us."
"Everywhere does it differently of course but if your strength is known in most places, you'll have no problem getting anywhere you need."
Interrupted by a green orb that cracks and bursts open in front of them forming another rift. Saranai says "Looks like we're here!"
Pumping her fist into the air with a big smile she says "It feels good to be home."
"Iramo are you ready to go?"
Leaping into the rift he says "Hell yea I am!"
"It's time to get off this crazy world and we'll do it together."
While they celebrate, Iramo thinks to himself. I'm only a step closer to home. I'll keep my promise, I'll make it back home. So Mom, Dad, just wait for me. I won't be long.