Chapter 7 : The capital of verdalia

  The grand capital of Verdalia the veythar stretched beneath the aircraft as it made its final descent. A city of towering structures and seamlessly blended nature and technology, Verlan stood as the pinnacle of Verdalian advancement. Unlike Alag, it lacked the Great Tree, but its skyline gleamed with solar-powered spires and levitating transportation hubs. The golden domes of the royal palace glistened under the sun, visible even from miles away.

  As Jason’s aircraft landed on the massive tarmac of Veythar ’s primary spaceport, he took a deep breath, preparing himself. The moment he stepped out, a team of royal guards clad in dark blue armor awaited him. Without a word, they escorted him through the airport's security clearance, ensuring that his arrival proceeded without interruption.

  Upon exiting the terminal, Jason was greeted by a tall, lean Verdalian man with graying green hair and sharp, calculating eyes. Dressed in an elegant yet practical uniform adorned with the insignia of Verdalia’s trade and supply division, he exuded an air of authority.

  “Commander Louis,” Jason acknowledged with a respectful nod.

  “Jason Amburdunk,” Louis responded, clasping his hands behind his back. “I trust your journey was smooth?”

  Jason nodded, wasting no time. “Let’s get to business.”

  Louis smirked and gestured for Jason to follow him. As they walked, he began explaining the situation. “This year, we’re allocating forty percent of our Verdalian supply to the Lilliput Star System. That old hag practically forced our hand.”

  Jason frowned but kept his composure. “The people of Lilliput are in dire need. We aren’t just sending supplies for the sake of diplomacy. They don’t have enough food to sustain themselves, and even with this, it still won’t be enough.”

  Louis sighed, nodding. “You’re right. That’s why we’ve contacted several rebellious factions and the space cops to provide additional resources. But even with their help, the situation remains critical.”

  As they continued walking, Louis led Jason to the other side of the spaceport. A massive fleet of thirty spacecraft stood in formation, their polished metallic surfaces gleaming under the artificial sunlight. Each ship was built for both cargo and defense, carrying over ten thousand crew members combined. The size and power of the fleet were staggering, a testament to Verdalia’s commitment to the mission.

  Louis gestured towards a towering figure standing near the lead ship. A massive Verdalian with arms like tree trunks and a scar running across his forehead approached them. “Jason, this is Jigo. He’ll be your right-hand man on this mission.”

  Jigo crossed his arms and gave Jason an approving nod. “I’ve read your reports. You lead well. I’ll make sure the crew follows your command without hesitation.”

  Next, Louis introduced a slender yet fierce-looking woman with sharp eyes and a confident stance. “This is Lina, Verdalia’s best navigator. She’s the reason our ships never get lost, no matter how complex the route.”

  Lina smirked. “No pressure, but if I mess up, we’re all lost in space forever.”

  Jason chuckled slightly but shook her hand. “I’ll trust you to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

  Louis then pointed to an elderly Verdalian adjusting his glasses while scanning a data pad. “That’s Mr. Phill, our commerce lead. He’ll handle the trading negotiations along the way.”

  Phill barely looked up from his work but gave a brief nod. “Numbers and deals are my specialty. You handle the command, I’ll handle the goods.”

  Finally, a stern-looking man with a mechanical eyepiece and a captain’s insignia on his chest stepped forward. “Captain Shin, head of the piloting crew,” Louis introduced. “He’ll be leading all the pilots from every ship, but he’ll be traveling in the lead ship with you.”

  Shin gave Jason a firm handshake. “We depart as soon as you give the order.”

  Jason took a moment to absorb the weight of responsibility before him. The success of this mission depended on the cooperation of these individuals, and he had to ensure they worked as a flawless unit. He exhaled slowly before addressing them. “Alright, let’s get started.”

  As Jason and his crew boarded an advanced transport vehicle, Louis explained their route. "The journey to the royal palace will take about two hours. It’s located in the heart of Verlan, within the ancient district."

  The vehicle glided smoothly over Verlan's roads, powered by a blend of natural and advanced energy sources. The cityscape outside was a mixture of towering skyscrapers, lush greenery, and waterways integrated seamlessly into the infrastructure. Hovering crafts zipped through designated air lanes, and the roads below were bustling with civilians, traders, and officials moving about their duties. Jason observed the balance between technology and nature—Verdalians had mastered the art of coexistence.

  As they approached the ancient district, the architecture changed dramatically. Gone were the sleek, metallic buildings; instead, massive stone structures, adorned with carvings of Verdalian history, stood as silent witnesses to the past. Jason’s gaze fell upon an engraved rock embedded into one of the larger walls. It bore the same symbol he had seen in the Great Tree’s temple back in Alag—the mark of Ankrit, the Father of the Universe.

  “This place holds the history of our people,” Louis said, noticing Jason’s curiosity. “Before we embraced technology, Verdalia was built upon warriors, wisdom, and honor. Ankrit led us to what we are today. Even with all our advancements, we never forget our roots.”

  The palace entrance loomed ahead, guarded by elite Verdalian soldiers clad in armor that shimmered with energy plating. Each one carried a plasma spear and a traditional Verdalian blade, representing both past and present. As the gates opened, the grandeur of the palace interior came into view—though ancient on the outside, inside, it was brimming with cutting-edge technology. Holographic displays showed real-time updates on Verdalian territories, interstellar trade, and military operations.

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  At the center of the grand hall stood King Jim. Dressed in royal Verdalian attire, his presence exuded authority, yet his gaze held an unusual warmth, something rare among rulers. He was flanked by several advisors and a few high-ranking officers, each maintaining a respectful distance.

  Jason stepped forward, placing a fist over his chest in a formal Verdalian salute. "Your Majesty."

  King Jim nodded. "Welcome, Jason amberdunk. Tom had a five-hour online meeting with me to convince me about this mission. I understand his reasoning." The king leaned slightly forward. "He is the eldest among our people, and his wisdom is not to be ignored. He suggested you personally, and for that, I agreed."

  Jason bowed slightly. "I appreciate your trust, Your Majesty. I will not let you down."

  Before the conversation could continue, a figure in a sharp black court suit stepped forward. His presence was different from the others—there was a calculated sharpness in his eyes. Jason recognized the man as Ken, a high-ranking officer from Verdalia’s secret intelligence agency, akin to an intergalactic FBI.

  Ken walked closer and spoke in a low voice, meant only for Jason. "I ran a deep background check on you," he said, his tone laced with suspicion. "Something doesn’t add up. What are you hiding?"

  Jason remained silent, his expression unreadable. A tension hung in the air for a brief moment before King Jim intervened.

  "Leave him be, Ken." Jim's voice was calm but firm. "I trust Tom’s judgment, and if he trusts Jason, that is enough for me."

  Ken hesitated before stepping back, his eyes still lingering on Jason with doubt.

  Jim turned his attention back to Jason. "Now, let’s get to the bigger picture." He gestured to a massive holographic display behind him, showing a star map. "I am a king who rules over planets—Verdalia and a few surrounding territories. But kings like me govern only planetary-level domains."

  He pointed towards an expanded section of the map. "Above kings, there are emperors. They do not rule over just planets; they govern entire galaxies. The Vir Empire, our strongest adversary, spans across multiple galaxies. That is the scale we deal with."

  The display shifted, highlighting red zones across various sectors.

  "Then, there are the rebellion clans," Jim continued. "You already know that rebellion forces exist, but what most people don’t realize is how powerful they truly are. The top ten rebellion clans each control at least one galaxy. Some, even more. These aren't just ragtag forces—they are entire civilizations, armies capable of standing against empires."

  Jason studied the map, understanding the vastness of what they were up against.

  Jim folded his arms. "This mission is dangerous. Not just because of the resources we are sending, but because of the eyes that will be watching. The Vir Empire, the rebellion forces, and even neutral parties—they all have stakes in what happens next. You must be prepared for anything, Jason."

  Jason nodded, his resolve strengthening. "I understand, Your Majesty. I’ll make sure this mission succeeds."

  Jim's gaze lingered on Jason for a moment before he gave a small nod. "Good. Then let’s proceed with the final arrangements."

  The weight of responsibility settled on Jason’s shoulders, but he was ready. The universe was far more complex than he had imagined, and this mission was only the beginning

  In the temple of ankrit in alag country

  Joe led his two students, Max and Rure, through the temple's worn steps, the air thick with the scent of ancient earth and fresh tree sap. The temple was simple in its construction, built from the same stone as the idol itself, but the carvings along its walls spoke of a forgotten past—warriors clad in celestial armor, wielding forces beyond comprehension, standing against adversaries as vast as the stars.

  Joe halted before the idol, his expression unreadable. "Sit down, my dear students," he instructed. His voice carried a sense of reverence, something Max and Rure had rarely heard from him.

  They obeyed, settling themselves before the massive stone. The silence of the temple wrapped around them like a protective cocoon, the only sound being the rustling of leaves from the Great Tree above.

  Joe crossed his arms. "From now on, you are going to connect with the ground and nature using this divine idol. Lord Ankrit is said to be a fundamental part of Verdalian history, but these days, people no longer worship him as our ancestors did."

  Rure, ever the curious one, furrowed his brows. "I know Ankrit is important, but… was he a god?"

  Max, equally intrigued, glanced at Joe, awaiting his answer.

  Joe exhaled, his eyes lingering on the idol. "I don’t know," he admitted. "If there truly was a god, wars like this wouldn’t exist." His voice held a weight that neither Max nor Rure fully understood, but they could sense the depth of his words.

  The temple fell into silence for a brief moment. Then, Joe clapped his hands together. "Alright, enough distractions. Close your eyes. Feel the earth beneath you. Let’s begin meditation."

  The two boys followed his instruction, shutting their eyes and slowing their breaths. The first few minutes were uneventful—just the rhythm of their own heartbeats, the stillness of the air.

  But then, something changed.

  A warmth began to rise from the ground, a soft yet undeniable energy. It was neither frightening nor overwhelming—it was like a gentle pulse, as if the earth itself was alive, breathing along with them. It started at their fingertips, then spread through their arms, to their chests, wrapping around their cores like an invisible embrace.

  Max's eyebrows twitched slightly. Rure, unable to contain his curiosity, opened one eye. "Uh, Master Joe… something is happening," he muttered.

  Max, too, peeked at Joe, who remained calm.

  Joe smirked slightly. "That’s life energy," he explained. "It’s easiest to sense it near the Great Tree since it pulsates with life itself. Not everyone gets to experience this. You two should consider yourselves lucky to have been born in Verdalia, where such energy exists in abundance."

  Rure’s eyes widened. "This energy… Verdalians can use it?"

  Joe’s expression darkened slightly. "Once, we did."

  Max and Rure exchanged glances before looking back at Joe, waiting for him to continue.

  Joe sighed, running a hand through his graying hair. "Before two hundred years ago, Verdalians were one of the Twelve Ancient Tribes. We were not just warriors—we were masters of ancient arts, capable of wielding life energy in battle. Our ancestors fought to protect this planet, to defend the balance of the universe itself."

  Rure sat up straighter. "Then… what happened?"

  Joe’s gaze hardened. "A bitter incident changed everything. Our kings, out of fear or wisdom—I do not know—chose to abandon our warrior ways and focus solely on farming and agriculture. From that moment on, fewer and fewer Verdalians trained in combat, and the knowledge of our ancient arts began to fade." He closed his eyes briefly, as if remembering something painful. "Now, true warriors among us are rare."

  A heavy silence followed.

  Max clenched his fists. He thought of Skull. He thought of his own helplessness. The knowledge that Verdalians were once warriors but had now lost that part of themselves stirred something inside him.

  Joe sensed his thoughts. "That’s why I’m training you both," he said firmly. "Verdalia may have turned away from battle, but that does not mean its people should remain weak. If you wish to stand tall, if you wish to protect, then train. Focus. Become stronger."

  Max and Rure swallowed their emotions and nodded.

  Joe smirked again. "Good. Now, continue your meditation. We have a long way to go."

  The boys shut their eyes once more, the life energy surrounding them becoming clearer, stronger. The temple of Ankrit, long forgotten by many, bore witness to a new generation—two young warriors who had just begun their journey