《HEAL: In Calamity, Terra & War》 Stage 01 | Records: Entry 001 – History (1) Year 1914. November 13th. The first-ever great war of humanity was under way, with barely four months having elapsed since tensions flared. Its participants were all of the greatest, largest and most influential nations of the age. They included nations such Russia, Italia, Japan, England, France, Serbia and Romania. To this day, over a million have already been saline through bombs and arms that have redefined warfare. And it has only been a few months into the state of war. The powers fielded armies in their tens of millions, on several war fronts. And new arms in the tens of varieties. The scenes after the fields of war, were like a scene out of Armageddon fantasy. Because of the devastation and aftermath, people have already call this the ¡®War to End All Wars¡¯, others have simply called it the ¡®Great War¡¯. Bards & Survivors, told tales of horror and disaster that were etched into the earthen grounds. However¡­ Little did anyone expect that the turbulent and horrendous situation of the worlds, was in for another big shake-up. It was on this very day, the world took a turn for the absolute worst. For the most unexpected, came knocking on the door to our meagre human world.
It was at the first light of dawn that the first signs of change appeared. A mysterious array of lights appeared across the skies of the world. Soldiers that were on night guard, and the ones waking up most recently, were startled in surprise to the event. Some of the soldier went to call for their superiors due to the unknown anomaly. An hour past the first reported sightings of the mysterious lights, all of the armies and civilians were awake. They were left helplessly gazing at the mystery infront of them. Gossips and speculation ran across, as each conjectured some form a reason to the anomaly of lights in the sky. Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. ¡®Man fears what he does not know and does not control¡¯. This was a famous old saying. With each passing moment, the hubbub grew. People grew restless as a sense of anxiety set root in their hearts. Just as flash arguments among people started to flare up, the lights abruptly vanish without any trace. Another shock followed soon after. A shaking of the earth came. It was like earth-shattering eruptions happened in their droves, simultaneously. It started with the jolt, that turned to shaking as if in a mixing machine. It further escalated into wobbling and waving. The ground went from hard to almost liquid soft. For those that lived near the great volcanoes, they felt as though an eruption was nigh. For those near the shore or places that lacked the norm of an eruption, it was a matter beyond their comprehension. Buildings started to crack and crumble as the shaking grew. By the time the ground grew soft, everything had already started to fall to ruin. Explosions rang out as everything started to collapse. People ran and screamed in fear. It mattered not who was next to them, each cared only for themselves as they sought out a form of shelter. Little did anyone truly realise, the scope of the hopelessness. For the calamity was not grounded in one area. From cities to town to villages and into the great wilderness. It occurred in every corner, nook and cranny of the world. As matters grew ever worse, many religious devotees came to realise this as the ¡®End of Days¡¯. For the world was truly, about to change forever. The only ones that could it wee it, were those that had avoided the first-hand experience. They were those few who had already taken to the skies in pursuit of the mysterious lights. Theses few, lucky souls, watched down from the skies aghast, as they saw the world literally change before their very eyes. Mountains crumbled, plains ruptured, seas split. These are all descriptions one would use in tales of wonder and fantasy. And yet, this is what they witness from high in the sky. The shape of the world they had known was changing. Some, witness towns and villages in the horizon vanish into the earth as they were swallowed. Others, witness the rising of new mountains from the depth of the seas and into the clouds. And few more, witnessed the end of their home, as the nations morphed into the unknown, right in front of them.
November 16th, 1914. It was recorded as the day after the end of the old world. ¡­ Nothing had survived the change unscathed. Most of the world, had been vanquished by the disaster. ¡­ This disaster continued for 3 days and 3 nights. ¡­ Pleas, screams and willows echoed on the first. ¡­ Sniffing and crying echoed on the second. ¡­ Silence reigned on the third. ¡­ Peace and tranquillity returned to the world after three days of horrors and wailing. By this time, hope and the human spirit had all but been extinguished. Few had the resolve to stand-up again after the horrendous and most calamitous of days. Many still felt the world had gone black, refusing to believe the reality infront of them. Submitted by RUDDELL KOSTOV Lance Corporal Imperial Russian Army Survivor of 3rd Base Community Stage 01 | Records: Entry 001 – History (2) December 1914. A month had passed, before the survivors could start to recover and reorganised into communities. They built crude homes or tents as they suffice in the most rudimentary basics for survival. They then organised groups for hunting, foraging, security and management. Man woman or child was forced to contribute in one form or another. Some semblance of human civilization had started to return albeit, in far than sufficient means and circumstance. These communities organized expeditions to find and confirm the losses and changes to the world they had known. The expeditionary, returned no more than a couple of days after departing. Sobbing and breakdown in disarray as they did. What they returned with, shocked and terrified the rest. Those that had gone numb, couldn¡¯t help but shudder in cold sweat. Great cities, like that of London, Paris, Rome, Berlin or Moscow had gone and vanished. These were the symbols of the great old world. Every monument and relic of the past was but a ruin and mark of the disaster that had come. The tales of the half or completely buried, broken and destroyed ruins gave the depiction that embodied the struggle of survival and inevitable loss they had suffered. Some felt an absolute loss. Others, a sense of having survived the worst. They all soon came to the mindset, that they had become the greater survivor. With another month passing, the date of the new year was almost at hand. By now, most believed, that the worst had now gone past. But¡­ They were so wrong. For the true calamity was only, about to begin. For nigh, was the end of the old human civilization. And the reign of chaos was to ensure on the earth once claimed by humanity.
January 01st, 1915. There was no celebration to the mark of this new year. Humans had yet to recover from the disaster of 2 months ago. As downcast as they wear after the disaster, they had the tenacity for natural survival imbedded in their genes. The few surviving elements of government and order had started to organise themselves in the two weeks prior to new year¡¯s. They sent out search parties to find pockets of survivors. They sued the old maps they had, as useless as they were in the world were the landscapes had changed as stark as heaven and earth, relied on only identifying distance as a means to finding their way around. The world, in this time of basic survival, managed to form several hundreds of communities. All were cross-national and mixed ethnicity.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. Though disgruntled, each accepted the others as they worked hand in hand for recovery and rejuvenation. ¡­ On the evening of day, each of the communities organised themselves for a bare-bone celebration to uplift their moods. Few hunted and prepared meat and water was all they had to celebrate with. But everyone, was content with it. This was all they had, using all of their energy. It was remarkably lucky for them that no outbreak of disease had struck after everything. Hoping for a better future, they tried to loosen their tension and high-strung nerves by immersing into a happier mood. Children sung and dances around across lit bonfires. Some of the adults joined to sing in karaoke. Men and women courted one another, to seek a passion of the flesh to enjoy the night after the party. Things took form, one step at a time. And then¡­ it happened again. *GNNRRAAAWWWWGGGRRRRRR!!!!* A monstrous roar like no other. It froze the world into a daze with its roar. Every human on earth had heard it. Everyone wished it was just their hallucination. But, their hopes were ignored. Large blurry shadows popped out from the wilderness near the camps. They rushed in like a sweeping tornado. Screams and wails echoed across the camps. A new horror, breaking the minds of the survivors who tried to flee in chaos. Blood gushed and sprayed across tents and faces of others. All of this lasting only a few minutes, before the same shadows retreated back away into the wilderness. Broken once more, survives lay prone and paralyzed on fear. Shaken to the very core of their being. As their mind processed what they had seen, not one could whimper in the terror of what they had realised. The shadows were undoubtedly monsters. Fast, carnivorous and powerful. The night was passed on with high tensions and fear. A situation was grievous and threatening than everything they had endured before. By morning, people quickly tried to rush away from the scene. However, there was no longer unity amongst them. Some wished to find another group of survivors to combine and prepare themselves better. Some, wished to rush into the mountains to find or dig caves and build a defensive home. And some, wished to go to the sea, seeking an island for isolation away from the danger of the great wilderness all together. The groups were evenly split into three sides. None held an advantage over the other. After much deliberations in the morning, things remained inconclusive. The first to detach from the discussion and act, were those who sought isolation. They left the communities in droves as they walked in the identified, closest direction to the shore. Seeing this departure, the mountaineers, also sprung to act. They left towards the visible mountain ranges. They too did not wish to waste time, as they had to find shelter before nightfall. The remaining portion of survivors, were left with no choice but to make their way to another community, found a distance away from themselves. And there, once sizeable community had broken apart, in terror of the new predator. It was much later, after many more tails did all of the scope become clearer. Human had fallen from their once prestigious position as the dominant race. It was in this one, new year¡¯s night, that the already far dwindled human race, approached extinction level in number. Now, barely 20% of the human had survived all of the ordeals. It was also after many days and much deliberation, that the clearest description was made of the beast. What was confirmed, was that the beast had a body and speed of a tiger, that was as large as a rhinoceros, and black as the night. Described further was the existence of some form of unnatural ¡®guard¡¯ like protection on the shoulders and head of the beast. Lastly, was the fangs and rows of teeth visible from the massive mouth that grasped people off their feet. People came to call this beast the - Dark Saber. It was called a saber, due to its close resemblance to a sabretooth from the ice age era. It was classified as a ¡®monstrous beast¡¯. After its first appearance was on that fateful night, it started more regular hunts. Its pattern was few and far apart, but its ability was hard challenged. Since then, humans had been forced more and more into a corner, with more varieties of monstrous beasts propping up front various places. Another month after the arrival of monstrous beasts, large swathe of survivors had found a home inside a fort. They had decided to use it as their refuge and protection from the new dangers that plagued them. It was at this time, during their reconstruction and efforts to rebuild, that a new challenge appeared. A new race was found. One that had taken the former place of humans. The new dominant race. They were an existence beyond comprehension. With abilities far worrying and attitude far terrifying than the monstrous beasts. They were called the ¡®Arkans¡¯ by the survivors. They were, the new nemesis of humanity in this alien world. Submitted by RICHELLE BALDOR MANHASSET Sergeant of Arms 3rd Imperial German Field Army Survivor of 5th Fort Town Stage 01 | OPS 01-1: Subterranean Training Ground *DROON*DON* ¡°You¡¯ve come¡­¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Have you decided?¡± *TUN* ¡°This? Are you sure?¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Hah! Never mind, I will make the arrangements¡­¡± ¡°Gustav¡­¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°I only need you to stick to what was agreed. Nothing more. Nothing less.¡± ¡°That, I have no intension otherwise.¡± ¡°Good.¡± ¡°Just that, I doubt whether you are ready¡­¡± ¡°Unnecessary.¡± ¡°Hump! Incorrigible.¡± ¡°Always!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t break them.¡± ¡°That is up to them. I only intend to nurture for my goals.¡± ¡°Limit.¡± ¡°I know. But boundaries will be pushed.¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Location is 0032TI.¡± ¡°Very well.¡± *DROON*DON* ¡°Fool. Truly incorrigible.¡±
A red rippling sea of sand. Quiet and undisturbed. It is a vast red expanse. A hollowed and abandoned wasteland. The temperature of this place rose to 67¡ã C at the weakest point of the day. The highest was incalculable. Inhospitable, and unforgiving.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. And at night, it was equally so, with temperatures falling well below -20¡ã C. Around here, nothing grows. No trees. No shrubs. Nor cacti. In this place, nothing survives. Nothing thrives. At least on the surface. Moving past the surface, and through several layers of dirt and sand, one would reach the underground bedrock. And, it is within the bedrock, that life can be found in this remote and harsh place.
*CLASH* *TWING* ¡°Haaah!¡± ¡°O-otho-tho~!¡± ¡°Sha!¡± *TISHT* ¡°Ung!¡± *Haa*Haa* Within a large training hall, two young men can be seen standing opposed and at odds to one another. They stood with swords drawn, keeping their gaze on the other. One was a young man with a robust and heavy build, with dark brown hair. The other was a young man with a slimmer, leaner build, with bluish black hair. Both wore a navy blue and grey uniform. Etched on them were several sets of words.
  1. Tenacity is Human Spirit.
  2. Life before Pride, and
  3. HEAL
It was the last words that was embroidered large and exquisitely. A hallmark of an identity of honour. Looking at them, one can understand that they were a pair of trainees, having a spare and exchange of skills in training. Of the two, the robust man was a head taller than the other, but both of them wielded similar sized, large bastard swords, as they exchanged quickly blows in quick repetition. After so many exchanges, both of them looked ragged and haggard. They took deep breaths, as they tried to calm down and regain strength. The silent stare down between the two ensued for almost a minute, before... ¡°AH! Geez!¡± ¡°Hehehe!¡± ¡°What are you laughing about?¡± ¡°Well¡­ Who was it that said I needed 100 years to catch-up to them?¡± ¡°Ugh! Y-You!¡± Laughter and cusses, broke the stare down as they both gave in at the same time. Both flopped down on to the dirt floor, as they stretched themselves lazy. They started to speak casually to one another. None of the previous tension remained. ¡°Na~ Na~! No need to be so high-strung over that. I am quite thankful! If not for you taking time to help spare with me, I would not have been able to do this!¡± ¡°Haah~ But you know¡­ You are getting this far, this quickly, takes a hit on my ego!¡± ¡°Hehehe! Don¡¯t take it like that. Take this as you are being a great sword master, and teacher!¡± The robust youth, spoke stressfully. His expression slightly glum as he looked scornfully at the other. Noticing the look he was receiving, the other sat up as he turned towards his counterpart as spoke to appease him. ¡°Hum~ Thinking like that it isn¡¯t so bad.¡± ¡°Well, also add that I am a born genius at this too.¡± ¡°Why You!!!¡± That too only until he made another shot at man¡¯s ego and flared him up. Both took a little scuffle as they fooled around. ¡°Hey! That¡¯s enough you too. Your training time is over, head over to the COMB now. New briefing is due soon.¡± ¡°¡°Got that!¡±¡± Just as the guys went in to a scuffle, a woman walks into hall and calls them down. Noticing the woman, both of the guys¡¯ spate and quickly stand to greet and answer her. ¡°Change out of your training gear and get in uniform. Also, take a bath before you go. Or else you will only shame us and yourself.¡± After they both stood up, the woman instinctively covered her nose as she complained to them. She looked at the more robust of the two in undisguised disgust. ¡°Madeline, don¡¯t be such a nagger! No one likes a person who nags too much!¡± ¡°Well you don¡¯t have to worry Zack. I won¡¯t choose some of such small ego like you, ever!¡± ¡°W-wha~!! Y-y-you~!¡± And the woman, Madeline¡¯s spiteful comment ever enrages the Zack, who can only stutter in his rage. Seeing this almost explode, the lean youth, quick steps in between the two, to mediate peace between them. ¡°Now, now! Calm down! There! There Zack. Take Deep breaths!¡± He first took to pacify the erupting Zack, who looked like he was about to kill the woman. He patted Zack until he calmed down before turning to face Madeline. A wry smile couldn¡¯t help but surface on his face. ¡°Madeline, I am sure Zack only mean well by what he said. Please forgive him. He can¡¯t take such sarcasm.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t take it to heart. But the problem with Zack is that he is a muscle head, and you, because you are too accommodating of him Gail. Torment him a little, why don¡¯t you? He need to grow up from that small mindedness.¡± ¡°If I did, he wouldn¡¯t be around to be a stress reliever.¡± ¡°Ararara! That wouldn¡¯t be good! We need one like him around.¡± ¡°That¡¯s why~ To Zack, who had hoped his buddy would defend him, heard the remarks against him, couldn¡¯t help but flare up again. His stuttered once more in his rage. Some of the words caught within his throat. It would be a lie to say, his blood pressure would have been high enough to burst a nerve right now. ¡°Y-Y-You two¡­ Just WHAT THE HEELL DO YOU THINK YOU SAYING INFORNT OF THE CONCERNED PERSON! DON¡¯T ACT LIKE I AM NOT EVEN HERE AND MAKE YOUR OWN PLANS AND ASSUMPTIONS!¡± ¡°Ma~ Ma~ Zack. Calm down. Raging like that will only give you grey hairs or even make you go bald!¡± He hollered out loud as he grabbed Gail by the collar of his shirt and shook him relentlessly. ¡°Why you!!! Gail, you¡¯ve been saying a lot of nonsense for a while now! Let have a duel!¡± ¡°We just did, and I drew even. That will count as a win for me and a loss for you!¡± Gail didn¡¯t bother to resist as he let Zack shake him in his fit of anger. He still had a sly smile on his face as he retorted to Zack, who in return boasted back. ¡°I wasn¡¯t being serious just then!¡± ¡°Oh?! My, my¡­ the GREAT ZACK, was looking down on the weak old me and did not give it his all and got draw in a spar! If word spread, what would the BLADERS say about his chivalry!¡± Gail spoke exaggeratedly at Zack¡¯s boating. He knew of Zack¡¯s fanaticism for BLADERS, a branch within their organisation. This was a button that could either ignite or cool down Zack almost instantly, depending on how one tackles it. ¡°Y-You!!!¡± ¡°OKAY! THAT¡¯S ENOUGH! I¡¯ll not repeat myself. You don¡¯t have time, just go and report to the COMB, ASAP!¡± Having heard enough of the antics of the two youths, the woman could help but speak out loud, at the end of her patience and tolerance. She didn¡¯t bother to wait anymore, as she turned around and left on her own. ¡°Roger! Well Zack, see you there!¡± ¡°Hey! O-oi! Comeback here! I am not through with you!¡± On the mark of Madeline walking away, Gail freed himself from Zack as he too quickly followed suite, leaving only Zack behind, who also ran after Gail, still in his continuing his fit of anger.