Location: Cardinal World
Feldway POV
"Well, that was rather interesting... don't you think so too, Michael?" I said as I flew through the sky, lying on my back.
Not gonna lie—I look kinda cool in this position.
I see... it actually feels kinda nice up here. Just floating, alone, breathing in some fresh air.
'For real.'
That voice...
'Wait... is that you, Boss?' I asked, squinting into the sky like that would help.
'YES. How did you know?'
'Your voice, obviously. So... what do you want?'
'Oh, nothing really. Just, uh... if you happen to see a big, like really big golden-brown tree—go there. Trees mean more fresh air, right? Anyway, bye!'
And just like that, he cut off the thought communication in the most suspicious way possible.
"...He's definitely hiding something."
But the real question is... should I go? I mean, he didn't order me to. If he did, I'd go—no questions asked. But he didn't.
...
Still, it's just a tree. What's the harm in looking around?
...
Besides, I already wiped out all the Tyrannosaurs around here—
And speaking of the devil... there it is.
The tree. It's... beautiful, honestly. Towering over everything else. Golden-brown bark, shimmering just slightly under the sunlight.
Of course it is.
I can't remember much from Earth, but I do remember this—because of the insane urbanization, real trees were basically extinct. The only ones left were artificial, and even they looked dead inside.
But then something catches my eye.
At the base of the tree, there's a huge hollow tunnel—like an open mouth.
"Looks interesting," I mutter.
It's big enough for me to walk through without even ducking. And most importantly it's completely hollowed out...
...For some reason, I feel way too tempted to go through this...
"Michael, run an analysis on the tree. Something feels off."
Tch. Figures. Even Michael's systems are getting scrambled?
I narrow my eyes. "No way this is natural. Alright... one step forward. Just a peek."
I plant my foot carefully at the edge of the hollow.
...
Wait.
My body suddenly lurches forward—like something pulled me.
"What the—?!"
I stumble inside. Not because I chose to, but like the space itself bent and sucked me in.
...
Dammit.
I wasn't trying to go in. I was resisting. I know I was.
What the hell was that?
There's a strange pressure in the air. My instincts scream at me. Something here... wants me.
Enough. I turn around and walk toward the exit.
...
"...Where is it?!"
The exit's gone. Completely vanished like it was never there.
"Did Veldanava set me up again...?"
Identifying:.... [ERROR]>
Tch.
Whatever this place is, it's not just a hollowed-out tree anymore. I glance around—dim lights flicker along the walls, faintly glowing runes pulse like veins, and the air hums with an eerie energy.
It feels like a dungeon.
A really old one.
I take a step forward, and the floor beneath me shifts slightly. Then—boom—a gust of wind slams into me and flings me into a glowing corridor.
"Seriously?!"
Before I can recover, a voice shrieks above—
"HEY! What are you doing in my Labyrinth?!"
I looked up—just in time to get kicked with more force than that punch I took from the Mad Titan. Yeah, that one. The kind that sends you flying through mountains. This time, it launched me straight into a wall like I was made of paper. But using all my strength I stood up, and turn around.
Hovering there is a tall, slim woman with golden eyes, glittering wings, and wild blonde hair. She's wearing an odd mix of armor and ribbons like she couldn't decide between war or cosplay.
"Who the hell are you?!" she demands, pointing a finger at me.
"I should be asking you that," I say, brushing dust off my black armor, and red coat. "You just dropkick people around here for fun?"
She narrows her eyes. "Wait a second..."
She flies closer, squinting at me intensely.
"...Lord Veldanava?"
I blink. "No."
"Wait... really?"
"Yes."
She pouted. "Tch. You look just like him—but the white hair actually suits you. Makes you even hotter."
"...What does that even mean?"
She floated up, circling me like an annoying little bee, poking my face with zero respect for personal space.
"You're not human either, huh? But you're definitely not from around here. So what's your deal, Mister not-Veldanava?"
"I'm Feldway. And for the record, I didn't mean to come here—your tree ate me."
She gasps. "Oh no! Not the auto-ambush teleport again! I knew I shouldn't have left that setting on!"
"...Auto what?"
"Never mind," she waves it off. "Anyway, since you're not a threat—wait, are you a threat?"
"Not unless someone else throws a punch first."
I don't know why I said, but it sounds like a cool one liner.
Her eyes narrowed. "So you're one of those..."
Before I could ask, her fist slammed into my gut, I could feel like armor break.
I staggered, but didn't fall. "Seriously?"
"That's for the smugness," she said sweetly, grinning like a gremlin. "Still... nice abs."
I groaned, brushing off red coat. "What is wrong with you?"
"I'm Ramiris, duh. Fairy Queen, Labyrinth Master, Queen of All Spirits—basically the VIP of this realm."
She crosses her arms smugly.
"Queen of Spirits... wait, I believe I heard of you from Veldanava. You're quite strong."
Dammit... so she's the one Veldanava mentioned during my training. No wonder her punches hit like a truck.
"Oh~? You know Veldanava?" Her tone shifted instantly. "He's the best, isn't he?! Brilliant, handsome, divine. I mean, sure, sometimes he acts like a total flake, but he's still Veldanava! Wait... are you one of his close subordinates or something?"
"Yes. I'm his right hand. He speaks highly of you," I replied, trying to keep my tone respectful.
But then she zipped right back into my face, poking at me again. "So what's your deal, huh? You look like a bodyguard, talk like a commander, and act like a tired single dad. I didn't know Veldanava had a thing for that kind of vibe."
"I was trying to be respectful," I muttered, "but you make that extremely difficult."
"Oh ho~?" Her eyes gleamed. "So you do have a spine! Wanna go again?"
"No, I'd rather not be charged with fairy abuse."
Why did I say that...
She flipped midair, laughing. "You're fun. Rude, but fun. You've got that old energy he used to have."
I raised an eyebrow. "You mean Veldanava?"
Didn't know there was a good time when he was actually serious, and not playing around.
"Mmhm! But don't get me wrong—I never punched him like I did you." She crossed her arms with a huff. "Lord Veldanava's different. I respect him."
So that's the line, huh? Even with all her antics, her loyalty to him runs deep.
I sighed. Chaotic. Loud. But... somehow sincere. Strange girls.
"Well," she said finally, "I guess I like you enough not to trap you here forever."
She waved her hand, and a soft orb of light floated down from the air.
"This is Chrona. A Time Spirit. She'll help you learn how to stop time—assuming you don't annoy her like you did me."
The spirit danced around me like a curious spark. I could already feel the power it radiated, before it went inside of my chest.
"I won't misuse it," I said.
"Good. Because if you do, she'll freeze your bones and twist your eyebrows."
"...That's terrifyingly specific."
"Don't ask," she said, deadpan.
A portal opened behind me with a lazy flick of her wrist.
"Well then, Feldway the Not-Veldanava, off you go! I've got traps to reset and tea to drink."
I turned to leave, then paused. "Thanks."
Ramiris winked. "Anytime, handsome. Come back when you're less grumpy."
And before I could reply, the portal pulled me back into the real world.
Location: Cardinal World
—And I'm back. Floating above the tree, which slowly started disintegrate, before finally ceased to exist.
"...What the hell just happened?" I mutter, still processing.
"No. Just... give me a minute."
One thing's for sure though.
Veldanava definitely set me up.
End of Feldway POV
To be continued...