“This is so boring! Why do we have to keep watching this place? For how long?”
A boy ranted as he stared at the large empty space in front of him. He kept yawning as he spoke.
“Haha, Jack you always whine like a crybaby.”
“Huh? How dare you call your brother a baby! You little girl!”
“Hehe, that makes you sound even more like a baby.”
“WHAT?!”
-Grrrr-
Jack raised his hands but cowered at the deep, low growl.
“Don’t side with her!”
“Hehe, my Blue protects me.”
The girl reached out to stroke the fur next to her. Next to her was a wolf with bluish fur. It was a giant wolf that was at least twelve feet long.
“You like it Blue? Hehe.”
Herina giggled as she scratched the Guardian’s neck and turned to Jack.
“Are you sure it will open here? There’s nothing here.”
“That’s what the adults say. And that’s why we always watch this place every day. And… huh? HUH? H-HEY!”
Jack’s eyes widened. There was a blue oval swirl appearing in front of him.
The Guardian rose up and began to bark, but Jack couldn’t hear it. He was too shocked, as was Herina.
“Wow, it’s so pretty!”
“HEY! Herina, back off! It’s getting bigger!”
“Ooh, okay!”
Jack took Herina’s hand and they both moved back. The swirl began to grow in size and finally stopped when it was about as big as a house.
“Wow, it really appeared!”
“Grr…”
Blue growled while Jack was astonished.
“Jack! We have to let them know!”
“Oh, right!”
Jack then took out a signal fire and shot it up into the sky.
Tens of Ainos began moving quickly when they saw the signal fire.
“Elder!”
Elder Hesgal frowned. It was a quiet, relaxing afternoon when he was enjoying his tea without any interruptions.
‘Ugh, what’s the fuss?’
He was now even retired from his ‘Elder’ title and only assisted Howen when needed from time to time. There was no need to come and look for him like this.
“There’s a bunch of others who can work. Stop looking for me.”
“Elder!”
“Yeah, yeah. I’m not an elder anymore.”
“R-right. But… elder! The Gate has opened!”
“Stop calling me Elder… huh? The Gate?! Did you fire up the signal?”
“Yes!”
“What about the messenger birds?”
“N-no, not yet.”
“Then, go on! No, wait. Let’s go. Bring all the warriors and the Guardians to the Gate!”
-Gate reopened. Let the Emperor know.-
Many birds with the same message were released into the sky.
“Is it war again?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Joonbum frowned. He was enjoying a relaxed time with his two wives and his kids. And they were all enjoying various cooked dishes from his mother. It was a peaceful.
“What are they up to now?” Joonbum asked.
Jackson sighed and answered, “It’s just a tantrum.”
“A tantrum?”
“Yes. I think the Aspens want more.”
“MORE? Isn’t Aspen a newly created Kingdom? Didn’t we give them enough?”
“Yes… but they’re becoming greedy. I think they are pushing for war so we cower and ask for peace.”
“Fools.”
Joonbum spoke as he became irritated. He then looked at Jackson and asked, “What do you propose we do?”
Jackson smiled.
“We will not let them do what they want. However, we can’t just oppress them with our forces as that will give us a bad name, saying the empire oppresses the small kingdoms by force.”
“Hmph,” Joonbum nodded.
“That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do anything. We’d be raising an enemy. They will compete with each other and then ask the empire for help. We’ll then take the middle ground and become a negotiator.”
“Sounds good.”
Joonbum smiled.
“So, when are you going to start?”
“I’ll start right away. All the preparations are complete. The army they raised to fight us will now have to fight their new enemy instead. We’ll stand at the back and aid them with supplies.”
It was a quick and calm answer. Joonbum shook his head.
“We still have to be merciful. People’s lives are at stake.”
“Yes. I assume they will ask for help before it becomes a huge problem.”
“Good.” Joonbum nodded.
“Then I will-”
“Reporting! Black signal fires have been spotted at Khalodian Mountain!”
A soldier came with an emergency report. Only the most important of reports were allowed into the emperor’s office.
“Black fire?”
“Huh? Black?”
“OH!”
They all gasped.
“It’s opened again!”
“Finally.”
Joonbum, Jinpok, and Doral moaned. Jackson’s face also became grim. The more they talked about this, the more they had to fear. After the investigation, they found that the Gate phenomenon was almost random. It opened regularly at the Khalodian Mountain, but there were times that another gate opened at a different time frame. Also, whenever it opened, something came out or disappeared into it. And it proved to have a large impact on the world.
All living beings and plants had come through the Gate; the Ainos, the Magnos, and even humans had arrived here through the Gate.
