The Awakened

Chapter 11 - An Alterran Tour

Phi moved the skeleton from the wooden door. With a creak, the wooden door swung open, revealing an alien world bathed in daylight. Stepping out of the cave, Phi confronted the vast expanse before him, greeted by the serene flow of a nearby stream and the solemn presence of a Torii gate, a symbol marking the boundary between realms. This threshold, marked by the gate, signified the transition into Alterra, a realm shrouded in mystery and mysterious power.

Dawn was breaking and on the sky displayed a peculiar sight – two moons, casting their ethereal light upon the landscape below. The tranquil waters of the nearby stream meandered peacefully, contrasting sharply with the dense foliage of the surrounding forest.

Upon recalling Uncle Ed's mention of Alterra two moons, Phi felt a sense of confirmation. Phi took a flashlight turned it on and it lit. Then checked his digital watch and still worked.

"So electronics and electricity still works", said Phi.

Phi respectfully buried the skeleton of Major Chusei Kokoro, an officer of the Imperial Japanese Army, near the cave entrance on the Alterra side, creating a mound of rocks as a marker for the fallen soldier.

With a sense of purpose, Phi decided to embarked on an exploration of the alien world.

Phi left his backpack at the cave and carried only a chest bag, and a bolo on his waist. Thinking he might stand out because of his clothes, Phi wore the black robe that he took from the cabin in the forest.

Phi followed the stream's gentle course until it converged with a river. Further following downriver, Phi reached a bridge spanning its width. At this juncture, Phi encountered a choice, presented by the diverging paths that lay before him. Opting for the rightward route, he embarked on a journey that led him towards higher ground.

Ascending the hillside, Phi's steps were fueled by curiosity and a thirst for discovery. As he climbed, the landscape unfurled before him, revealing glimpses of distant horizons and unknown destinations. The ascent granted him a vantage point, offering a panoramic view of the surrounding terrain.

An abandoned house nestled along the roadside, its decrepit structure telling tales of neglect and decay. The roof sagged under the weight of time, and the once-sturdy walls bore the scars of nature's relentless assault possibly by monsters.

Phi decided to rest at the abandoned house, opening the front door with large claw marks. Entering the dilapidated dwelling, Phi's senses were assailed by the sight of disarray and destruction. Evidence of ransacking littered the interior possibly by robbers.

Amidst the wreckage, Phi's keen eye caught sight of a peculiar tile embedded in the floor, its intricate design reminiscent of the hexapods that Uncle Ed had spoken of in tales of distant lands. With careful deliberation, Phi pried the tile loose, its weight a tangible reminder of the mysteries that awaited him in this strange realm.

With the artifact safely stowed in his chest bag, Phi paused to contemplate his next move. Phi still has two days and a half on the alien world before the full moon ends.

After a moment's respite, Phi resolved to continue his journey to the town. With each step, he edged closer to the town borders.

As the hours passed and the landscape unfolded before him, Phi's footsteps echoed with certain determination. It was about noon when Phi

From his elevated position, Phi beheld the silhouette of a town in the distance, its structures and streets hinting at the presence of civilization amidst the wilderness. The sight stirred a sense of anticipation within him, as he pondered the possibilities that awaited him in the settlement below.

As Phi made his way towards the settlement, his first encounter with the locals came in the form of a carriage in a campfire by the woods with a flowing stream. A couple of humans were being attacked by wolves. A man in what appears to be magician robes holding a staff cast magic and defeated the two wolves. There was a third wolf that came from behind the man and bit him on the neck.