Her gaze swept across the sky above, the fresh atmosphere filling her lungs.
The air she breathed felt incredibly pure. This world was completely free from pollution.
Slowly, her consciousness returned to reality.
She sat up from where she had been lying. Looking around, Luna was nowhere nearby. It seemed she had stepped out of the resting place—the "dimension shelter."
She stood up, stretching her body with a few movements.
Once she felt sufficiently refreshed, she walked out of the shelter.
Nearby, there was a small pond surrounded by pebbles, bushes, and a few small trees.
It looked very much like an oasis in the desert.
The difference was—this wasn't a desert, but a grassland.
Upon reaching the edge of the pond, she dipped both hands into the water.
Then she splashed her face, neck, and arms.
The refreshing sensation seeped into her skin.
The pond was about thirty square meters in size—large enough for bathing.
But Fatheema only sat by the edge, dipping both her feet into the water.
The morning breeze blew gently, and the sunlight began to warm the surroundings.
From a distance, Luna could be seen walking toward her.
"Fatty, I brought food. Here!" she said, offering a small woven rattan basket.
The basket contained various fruits—cherry-like fruits, berries, and cactus fruit.
"Come on, these are sweet," she added as she sat beside Fatheema.
Fatheema took some of the fruit and tasted it.
"Mmm, so sweet! Thank you, Luna," she said, hugging her.
"If you want, I'll try to catch some fish in the pond," Luna said as she pulled out a spear-like tool with a trident tip.
Slowly, she walked along the edge of the pond.
And—
Zzzep!
She thrust the spear into the water, and when she lifted it, a fish about the size of an adult's palm was impaled on it.
"Wow! Amazing! Amazing! Amazing!" Fatheema jumped with excitement.
Luna continued along the edge of the pond.
And she caught a second fish just as easily.
"That's enough, we won't finish more than this," she said with a wide smile.
"Come on, Fatty, let's cook! Let's make grilled fish."
They built a small fire near the pond, grilled the fish, and had breakfast together.
After eating, they returned to sitting by the pond.
"Fatty, I made something for you," Luna said, handing her two small objects shaped like pistols.
They looked quite cute, with a sphere in the center about the size of an adult's palm.
"These can help you in long-range combat. The ammunition is made of nails. Inside, I've added a dimensional chamber—the sphere in the middle. It holds the ammo.
It can store thousands of rounds, so you can shoot as much as you want without worrying about running out."
"Wow, you're amazing! You made these?" Fatheema said as she took the pistols.
Luna nodded with a wide smile.
"Luna, I admire you. How can a kid who looks like a fourth grader make things this cool?" Fatheema said in awe.
"Fatty, as you can see…
In the world of Saroya, there are many different races. Each race has its own abilities or expertise.
And I… come from the Nyxarion race.
The Nyxarion race possesses exceptional skills in technology. They can design various tools and devices used across many fields—agriculture, trade, transportation, even weaponry.
My parents were once respected engineers among our people. But war destroyed our race. My parents were killed by tyrant creatures, and I was left all alone.
Fortunately, I inherited their knowledge, so my life hasn't been too difficult. I worked by selling the devices I created.
Everything was going well… until the world fell into chaos again, like it is now."
***
"Young Lady, we've been away from the palace for a long time."
"Shouldn't we return to report to your father and mother?"
A middle-aged woman spoke as she approached a young girl.
"No, not yet. I'm still not finished studying the soil and rock structures in this area."
"Wait, Malvina—I'm gathering information about materials I need for my research," the girl said, still busy digging into the ground with a small shovel.
"But, Young Lady, we've spent over a month searching this region."
"I don't think what you're looking for is here. Besides, we need to report back to the lord and lady as soon as possible," Malvina insisted.
"Malvina, I've found signs of important materials related to what I'm searching for. Besides, if something urgent had happened, Father and Mother would've sent word or messengers," the girl replied calmly.
"But, Young Lady—"
"That's enough, Malvina. Let's just follow the Young Lady's wishes. She must have a good reason to stay. Our duty is to assist and protect her," another woman interrupted.
"Fine. If anything happens, I won't take responsibility. You'll have to answer to the lord and lady—it's your responsibility, Penelope!" Malvina snapped before walking away.
"Young Lady, perhaps Malvina has a point. Lately, conditions in the kingdom haven't been safe. There have been reports of attacks by the evil Ifrit race. It seems they're planning something," Penelope said cautiously.
"Penelope, I understand. That's why I've been focusing my research on this.
I want to create a powerful weapon—something strong enough to make our nation secure and no longer oppressed by others.
And such a weapon requires special materials.
My parents have long served the palace as engineers. I want to help them by creating something important for our country—a powerful weapon."
"With such strength, other nations will think twice before attacking us.
And I want to—"
Before she could finish—
BOOM!
A loud explosion echoed, like the ground had been struck by a massive force.
Suddenly, humanoid black creatures appeared—each with buffalo-like horns and glowing red eyes. Around ten of them growled and began advancing.
The guards immediately raised their spears, blocking the path.
Their spears struck the creatures—
CLANG! CLANG!
The creatures roared in fury—
Then lunged forward violently.
The guards were thrown back by the impact.
"Damn it—it's the Ifrit! Young Lady, we're under attack! We have to leave now!" Penelope grabbed the girl's hand.
Bang! Bang!
Gunshots rang out as a man in a silver-armored vest leapt from the bushes.
"Lady Luna! Get out of here!"
"Victor! What's happening? How are you here? What about my parents?" Luna shouted in shock.
"Lady Luna, your parents sent me to find and save you!
The city and palace have been attacked by the Ifrit King, Leomort. Our kingdom has fallen.
The royal family has been captured—we don't know their fate. Hurry!"
Penelope and Luna ran in the opposite direction, while the guards held off the creatures. Victor followed behind, firing his small pistol.
But before they got far—
A powerful gust of wind rushed toward them.
And—
BUGH!
A massive black figure blocked their path.
It was a gigantic bat-like creature, about four meters tall, with wide wings, sharp fangs protruding from its mouth, and glowing red eyes.
"Lady Luna, this way!" Victor pulled out a small sphere and placed it on the ground.
He activated it—
A blue, elliptical portal the size of a door appeared.
"Penelope, take Lady Luna! Protect her—that's an order from the lord and lady!"
Without hesitation—
ZASH!
Penelope and Luna were pushed into the portal, which closed instantly behind them.
***
At the other side of the portal.
"Victor… Malvina… the others…?"
Luna stood frozen in shock.
"What about them?"
"Lady, we must go—before they come here too. The others are fighting. They'll protect you. Right now, your safety is what matters most," Penelope said, pulling Luna along.
"I know a temporary hiding place. Come with me."
They left the main path, moving along a less-traveled route.
"It's safer this way. I'm afraid the main roads are already guarded."
After following a descending hill path, they reached a small stream.
They followed it upstream until it led to a wider, deeper area.
Above it was a small waterfall, about four meters high.
Along the riverbank was a rocky ledge that led toward the waterfall.
Penelope walked along the edge and slipped behind the falling water.
Behind it—
There was a hidden cave, large enough for two doorways side by side.
From the outside, no one would suspect its existence.
Tall trees with dense leaves and thick bushes concealed it even further.
***