ELDAM CITY
BLACK MARZEC ABODE
“How about it? Do you accept?” Vondlor, the leader of the Black Marzec, asked.
The man standing before him shrugged nonchalantly. “Sure. Just remember, this is a partnership. I won’t be ordered around like one of your underlings. I have my own autonomy, but I’m willing to help you in any way I can.”
Vondlor chuckled and leaned back in his throne-like chair. “We have a deal.”
Suddenly, a persistent knock interrupted their conversation. Vondlor exchanged a nod with the man before him and then the man disappeared into thin air. He then instructed the person behind the door to enter.
After exchanging customary greetings, the messenger began, “Sir, there is a powerful conjurer who wishes to have an audience with you. Initially, we tried to prevent him from entering because we mistook him for a mere human. He resembles the human with the Shadow Heroes before. However, it appears that he possesses great strength.”
“Fascinating. Escort him in.”
A few moments later, the messenger instructed the unexpected visitor to step inside.
“Good evening, sir. I apologize for the intrusion, but I’m in a bit of a rush. I’ll get straight to the point. I need your help.”
Vondlor furrowed his brows, studying his face, and eventually recognized him. “You’re a Valoure, if I’m not mistaken. Why should I help an enemy?”
“I am Grovan, and at this moment, I am not your enemy. I am a fellow conjurer seeking your aid.”
Vondlor couldn’t help but chuckle at the situation. “Hmm. How are you a conjurer?”
“Do you want to witness my superpower in action?”
Vondlor raised an eyebrow, curious to see what he had up his sleeve. Without hesitation, Grovan channeled his superpower into his foot, making it impossibly heavy. With a forceful stomp, a powerful tremor rippled through the room. The impact not only shattered the floor tiles but also cracked the cement beneath, leaving a chaotic scene of broken debris. Stepping out of the indentation, he left behind a distinct imprint of his footprint. “Is that enough?”
“Fascinating.” Vondlor smirked. “Why exactly do you need my help?”
Maintaining his serious expression, Grovan explained, “So, here’s the situation. My buddies, the Shadow Heroes, have been abducted. I’ve got this high-tech tracker implanted in their bodies, but it’s not picking up any signal. The last location it picked up was in Naguan Port Crossing. After that, it’s either they’ve been whisked away by aliens to some distant planet or lured into an underwater escapade by mischievous mermaids. Who knows?”
“It’s possible that your friends have removed the tracking devices from their bodies.”
“I don’t think they would do that. I really need your help. Can you lend me some assistance in searching for them?”
“Why do you believe that I would be willing to help you?”
“Because we share a common enemy. Wasn’t it you who destroyed the Arcane Lab Zero-One?” Grovan questioned.
“No, I’ve never even heard of that laboratory before—”
“How is that possible? Then who was responsible for its destruction?”
“I honestly have no idea what you’re talking about. But the word Arcane does sound familiar.” Vondlor chuckled. “Fascinating. All right, I’ll assist you. But in return, you’ll have to fill me in on what your group has been up to until now. It seems like we can find common ground. You may be right about us having a mutual enemy.”
Grovan nodded, a mix of confusion and satisfaction on his face. “All right, I’m not entirely sure what’s going on. But sure, we have a deal.”
_________
A DAY LATER
NAGUAN CITY
PORT CROSSING
Naguan, the smallest city in Ranace, boasted its own separate island. During low tide, a narrow land bridge called Lowtide Landing would emerge, allowing pedestrians to safely walk between the city and the island. This natural bridge not only emphasized accessibility but also strengthened the connection between the two, seamlessly integrating them as one. However, Naguan Island was not exactly what it seemed. It wasn’t a picturesque vacation destination for citizens to unwind and relax. Instead, it served as a hub for mining activities as it was blessed with geological formations that held valuable deposits of gold and other precious metals.
Interestingly, Naguan City was not just a mining site, but also a crucial transportation point for import and export activities. It played a significant role alongside Ranace Airport in Ranaheim as a drop-off point for goods.
President Robert Dale made regular visits to the port every month, but this time was different. It was his second visit of the month, and he was walking casually along the deck without any bodyguards. The port was quiet and empty, as it was a Sunday and a non-operational day. The ships remained docked, untouched by the usual hustle and bustle.
As soon as Robert spotted the largest ship, he headed straight for it. A maintenance worker noticed him and warmly greeted him, leading him to a compartment below the deck that housed a unique submarine. However, this submarine wasn’t intended for military purposes or studying marine life or exploring the depths of the Pacific Ocean. It served a different purpose altogether. It was the Arcane Laboratories 00.