Chapter 194: Mantidale
"Mantidale... is kind of a big deal," Rakan explained to everyone gathered in the backyard.
His metallic fingers swiftly went through various papers and images saved from different times, producing a distinctive noise as the metal pieces moved.
"Oh, it’s a ’limbo’ place," Raymond remarked.
He was a soldier who had always been stationed at the border post, but was transferred back to the central hub of Imperial Nexus only this year. Having fought in many conflicts, he knew well the different characteristics of the Polluted Zone.
The word "limbo" was informal lingo often used by the border guards.
Veteran guards usually knew how the Polluted Zones varied from time to time. The newly appeared Polluted Zones were twisted and perilous inside. The creatures roaming there were confused, chaotic, and ferocious, attacking humans as a natural reaction, which made talking to them not possible.
But strangely, as time passes, some areas in the Polluted Zones started to become more stable. The beasts there slowly became more powerful and intelligent, eventually gaining the ability to communicate and cooperate. They even developed their own societies and methods to survive.
This place was somewhat like a real different world, still warped and odd, not matching with the human world when you first looked. However, there actually existed a community, with rules, and inhabitants residing there. A small number of creatures, who were not as aggressive, even permitted humans to visit, trading some scarce materials from their respective territories in a peaceful manner. These zones were uncommon and are known as "limbos". Although not officially recognized by the Empire, these places do existed.
Numerous people, either to stay alive or to make some money, took the chance of entering the limbo to trade with these creatures. Some had earned quite a fortune, making a substantial amount of money.
Yet, these mutants were unpredictable, fierce, and morally twisted, with principles vastly different from humans, making dealings with them very risky. But in a world where hunger was a constant threat, many were prepared to gamble for a chance at a meal.
"So, you mean if we talk nicely with these creatures, they won’t hurt us?" Nicole, who was unaware of this, asked with big eyes and expressive hand movements.
She wasn’t alone; many alphas who didn’t frequently explore the Polluted Zone had no idea such places and occurrences were a part of their world.
The Empire maintains control over people by highlighting the dreadful conditions and terrors of the Polluted Zone, while levying heavy taxes. Obviously, they wouldn’t share the information that some monsters were capable of communication, and that certain areas in the Polluted Zones were actually safe to enter and leave.
"It’s not just about talking to them, but also observing their way of life, if you follow the rules set in the Polluted Zone," Rakan clarified. "But remember, it’s not necessarily safe; sometimes it can be even more perilous and brutal."
He picked out an ancient photograph from the heap of documents, showcasing it to everyone who was gathered there.
The photograph had turned yellow with age, marked with several dark brown stains that looked like blood. It showed a group of alphas suspended in the wilderness, facing death. When the photograph was captured, they evidently were still alive. The brutality depicted in it made every robust warrior there shudder, forcing them to instinctively look away.
Front and center in the picture, a mutant dressed in a vivid pink Rococo-style gown stood before the camera. Her upper part was human-like, but her lower body resembled that of an insect, with gory remnants dangling from her serrated, blade-like limbs; she struck a pose for the camera, wearing an expression of pure and unaffected joy.
"This is a photo from a decade ago, showing what happened to a group of alphas who ventured into Mantidale. None of them survived. The leader... was my mentor when I was younger," Rakan said, his metal fingers gripping the faded, yellow photograph, marred with the blood marks of someone whose name was lost to time, resembling a glimpse into a nightmarish realm.
The intense darkness, the blood-soaked scene, the sheer barbarity was captured in that image, making it hard to believe that such terrifying acts of violence and cruelty could exist in their world.
In the calm and serene Imperial Nexus, within the confines of the Kestrel family’s garden where spring blossoms twinkled, a hushed silence fell upon the group as they gazed at the image in Rakan’s grip.
Eager to steer away from the grim topic, Olivia clapped her hands, "The community within Mantidale is led by females and they don’t take kindly to men. I think the guys should sit this one out." She leaned over to put her hand on Kestrel’s shoulder, "This time, it’ll be just us girls."
"I’m coming too," Nicole declared boldly. The silver scales on her cheeks shimmered under the sun, peeking out from her wild hair.
Stretching out her elongated arm, Olivia placed her other hand on Nicole’s shoulder, looking rather victorious with her arms draped over both, a grin of satisfaction on her face. The fluffy black ears atop her head twitched joyously, and her face bore the characteristic dark rings of a panda around her eyes.
After a recent playful spar between Olivia and Nicole, during which no clear winner emerged and a friendly rivalry formed, their psychic incarnations remained visible, not having faded away. But at this point, all disagreements were cast aside as the trio of girls huddled together in cheerful unity.
Kestrel wore a surprised look, while Olivia and Nicole, covered in dirt and bits of grass, giggled uproariously, playfully teasing the guys around.
"I have to be part of this, even if it means dressing up as a girl, I’m up for it," Raymond said with an undaunted smile. "Rakan, there’s no need to push yourself this time."
Despite Raymond’s tall stature and golden proportions, many of the alpha females, including Olivia, were nearly his height.
Rakan’s face turned a deep shade of red as he responded, "I want to go; that’s where my mentor was laid to rest. It’s not that men are strictly forbidden... it’s just that they have a bit of a lower standing there, but enduring it temporarily won’t hurt."
Nicole could tell that Kestrel was lost in thought. Even though her face didn’t show much emotion as always, Nicole, who was a beta, could feel that she was preoccupied, catching her frequently sneaking peeks at the opticomputer on her wrist.
"What’s going on, Kestrel?" Nicole made a point to ask her once training was over. "Are you thinking of asking another alpha to come with us?"
"Yeah, there’s someone," Kestrel admitted openly. "I’d like to ask him to join, but I’m not great at messaging, I worry I might send the wrong vibe."
Both girls were drenched in sweat, wearing short-sleeved, snug workout clothes that revealed their arms, strolling together beside a wall covered in blossoming roses.
"Why worry? There’s a party tonight, right? You could just ask him face-to-face, couldn’t you?" Nicole proposed. "He’s coming, isn’t he? To the Queen’s feast."
This evening, a lavish party was being thrown in honor of the Queen. Many of the fairly notable alphas and betas in the Empire were expected to show up.
"Yeah, I could just talk to Ren when I see him later, couldn’t I? It’s really no big deal. What’s gotten into me?" Kestrel couldn’t figure out why the thought of meeting Ren was making her a little shy.
Kestrel’s tendrils, that were moving alongside her, started mingling with Nicole’s silver snake, winding around each other playfully.
Eavesdropping on the chat between Kestrel and Nicole, they started raising their heads, chirping all at once:
"Can’t type, you say? Talking might be even harder."
"I said I’d write it for you, but nooo, you didn’t want that."
"Just go for it, don’t waste time talking."
"She’s only good at things that involve using her hands like that, wink wink, if you know what I mean."
"I haven’t hung out with Little Fish in days."
"Feel bad for Little Fish."
"Lame Kestrel."
"*&$%!"
These mental messages from the tendrils were aimed at Kestrel. But since they were linked to Nicole’s psychic incarnation, Nicole picked up on some of the chaotic chatter.
"What fish?" Nicole asked, looping her arm through Kestrel’s. "Spill it, Kestrel, what have you been hiding from me?"
Kestrel looked away, nervously kicking pebbles on the side of the road with her shoe, dodging Nicole’s question.
After a moment, Kestrel leaned in, whispering a few sentences into Nicole’s ear.
Nicole had been friends with Kestrel for a long time now and knew her personality well. She was aware that Kestrel was usually reserved but straightforward, and spoke her mind without hesitating. Seeing her show such a delicate emotion for the first time was surprising.
Beneath a secluded section of wall entwined with rose vines, the two girls shared whispers filled with secrets. Their soft exchanges floated away in the garden drenched in the floral shadows, reluctant to be picked up by any other ears.
