Morgan's Gate - Exhumed
Ravenna: Since we landed, I've noticed that the climate seems a bit colder than what I'm used to.
Saja: It's possible we've just adapted to a colder climate over the years. Are you comfortable?
Ravenna: Well, I could use something around my shoulders.
Saja: Let's head into a clothing shop. That's a standard style outfit so we should be able to find matching accessories.
Virulyde: Hey there. I booked a hotel room for you two and one for Malachi and myself.
Saja: Thank you, Virulyde. Ravenna and I are going to do some shopping.
Virulyde: Sounds like a plan. We have a little time to kill before calling it a night, I suppose.
Virulyde: I think I'll head over to that juice bar and guzzle some OJ.
Saja: Well that was fun. I think it's about time to get some sleep.
Ravenna: Probably a good idea.
Saja: That really matches your outfit.
Saja: Hmmm.... Malachi and Virulyde were supposed to stop by.
Ravenna: They're both probably still at the bar. Does Malachi... drink?
Saja: Everyone needs hydration, so yes. What a strange question...
Ravenna: No, I mean alcohol.
Saja: Alcohol? Like fuel or cleaning fluid?
Ravenna: Oh... alcoholic beverages don't exist here, either.
Saja: People on Earth drank... alcohol? I've never heard of such a thing. Isn't that dangerous?
Ravenna: It can be. I wasn't old enough to try it.
Saja: Is Virulyde still at the bar?
Malachi: As far as I know. I'll look for him later.
Ravenna: I'd like to look for my friend when I get the chance.
Malachi: What does he look like?
Ravenna: He's a big guy. He wears a bright yellow overcoat and a matching hat. He looks like a school bus.
Ravenna: Hmmm... guess that's not a thing here, either.
Saja: Ravenna, we have to be careful. You are considered a prime target by Zetsfir.
Ravenna: I know but we can kick their asses.
Malachi: Oh hell yeah we can!
Saja: Still... don't run off without us. Let's stick together.
Malachi: Can't be too careful.
Saja: Zetsfir hunts down and kills anyone connected to the belief that humans came from another world.
Ravenna: Right, we've covered this.
Saja: Yes we have. But you should be aware that even casual discussion of these ideas could get someone killed.
Saja: For instance, if you don't watch what you say in one of these bars, a Zetsfir sympathizer could turn you in for a reward.
Ravenna: Yikes. What some people will do for money...
Ravenna: Guess that much hasn't changed.
Saja: From what I've heard, human nature has always involved war. Kadmas, Fumacine, and Aufdek used to be at war with each other.
Saja: It was only about two hundred years ago that our nations finally came together to fight as one against Zetsfir.
Malachi: Of course, since we can't find Zetsfir's home country, it makes things difficult.
Saja: The Fumacine Empire is still dealing with internal strife since the King died around a year ago.
Saja: The government there has been in shambles and the Prince is unpopular. It doesn't help that we ultimately still answer to him.
Malachi: Ahem. Uh.... excuse me. I think I'll go track down Virulyde.
Saja: Oh... I should have been more considerate.
Ravenna: Huh? What was that all about?
Saja: Malachi has... connections... to the royal family. Let's just leave it at that.
Virulyde: What's poppin'?
Malachi: Hey there, Vie. I was just about to go looking for you.
Virulyde: I'm right here, my dude.
Malachi: Hey, man, do you think we're going to be fighting Zetsfir for the rest of our lives?
Virulyde: Hmm, well, I was built for that purpose, so I know I am.
Malachi: No, I mean, do you think we'll ever get to a point where we won't need to fight them?
Virulyde: That's why we do what we do, isn't it?
Malachi: Yeah, man. That's right.
Virulyde: Ravenna seems like she fits right in with us. What do you think?
Malachi: She's... remarkable. She's stronger than anyone else, that's for sure.
Malachi: Plus she seems so innocent, you know?
Malachi: In her position, and with her power, she could easily take over a government.
Malachi: She'd practically be a religious figure if the world found out about her.
Virulyde: Yeah. Yet, she only seems to want to find her friend from Earth.
Virulyde: Say, that's a strange looking owl flying around.
Malachi: I don't think that's an owl, Vie.
Malachi: What is that thing? It's just hovering there. Is it a shuttle?
Virulyde: Looks like it's not too far away. It's slowly rising in the sky.
Virulyde: I'll switch to infrared mode and zoom in.
Virulyde: It's the... ruins!
Ravenna: Morgan's Gate? But... how? What's levitating it? It's far too massive!
Malachi: Not to mention it's engines shouldn't even be operational. Something is lifting it!
Saja: It has to be Zetsfir. They've decided to just grab the whole thing. Unbelievable!
Virulyde: A 5-D gate is forming above it.
Virulyde: It's phasing out of our dimension.
Saja: I need to report this to HQ immediately.
Malachi: I'm sure half of the world just witnessed it.
Virulyde: Well... this complicates things, doesn't it?
END OF CHAPTER 2
