Berionas: Sins of Creation

The Laboratory

    Bee and Omega continued their journey across Berionas 1244 on foot, heading toward the strange lab Bee had previously spotted. Omega glanced over at Bee. "So, what's the plan exactly?"

Bee returned Omega's look with a cold stare. "Simple—find some people, get them to join us, and build an empire."

"And you think that'll work—or that it's even a good idea?" Omega questioned.

Bee rolled their eyes. "Well, duh. Of course, it's going to work. These people are seriously lacking a leader. Someone's gotta take charge, am I right?" Bee smirked, elbowing Omega playfully.

As the two continued their journey, minutes turned into hours, they walked without seeing any signs of life for miles. Underneath their feet, the land seemed almost dead. The grass appeared to be replaced by a black sludge coating a large stretch of rocky terrain, with all plant life surrounding it being dead. The barren terrain spanned for miles, Omega and Bee unable to see the end of it. When they finally reached the top of yet another steep rocky hill, Omega pointed ahead. "Look! It's the lab!" In the center of the blackened area was a large metal laboratory, with smoke pluming from the top of it.

Bee jumped up and down triumphantly. "Haha! I told you! C'mon, let's go!" They broke into a sprint toward the distant laboratory, leaving Omega standing still, lost in thought.

"Ma—Bee! Wait up!" Omega called after them, hastily running to catch up.

Upon reaching the lab, Omega found Bee standing at a large metal door, Bee knocking eagerly.

"Maybe no one's home," Omega commented, kicking the sludge off of his boots.

"More like they don't feel like answering," Bee replied, rounding the corner and spotting a window. "Look!" Bee shouted, running over to it. "Gimme a boost!"

Omega scratched his head, confused. "Hey, bud, I'm all for your plan, but I don't think breaking and entering is the best way to make new friends."

    Bee shrugged. "Then they should have answered! Just c'mon!"

    Reluctantly, Omega knelt down, offering a boost with his hands.

As Bee prepared to jump through the high-up window, a tall black creature with red and blue horns, silky black hair, and a split-colored smiley face mask, stepped out of the laboratory. The man's mask was half blue, half red. He turned to look at the two, obviously trying to break in.

"Whatcha doing?" the man asked, his tone curious.

Bee quickly hopped off Omega, brushing themself off. "Hello! I'm Bee, and this is Omega. We're new around here and looking for someone to show us around! And you are?"

    The suited man folded his arms. "It's Glitch. What brings you here exactly? To my lab window?"

    Bee looked around the empty land. "I mean, do you see anywhere else around us?"

"Fair point," Glitch replied. "Come on in, I'll teach you the basics of this place." He stepped back into the lab, waiting for the two to follow him. Omega exchanged a glance with Bee, who gave two thumbs up, before jogging up to their new acquaintance.

    "So, you built all this?" Omega asked as they followed Glitch through the halls.

"Nah," Glitch responded. "It's been here a long while. When I first left my village, I found this place all rundown, so I fixed it up. Been home ever since."

Bee examined the humongous lab as they walked. "How long have you been in Berionas, exactly?"

Glitch turned to Bee. "I just got here—at least, to this universe. Omega's been here a while though, right, buddy?" Bee added with a clear edge to their tone.

"I—yeah, I've been here a few years now. Just living in a shack on the coast, not too far from here," Omega explained.

The group sat around a table with chairs of various colors—red, blue, white, and black. Glitch eyed Omega skeptically. "Surprised we haven't seen you around. Me and Stein do patrols for supplies now and again. We see a few folks on the way, but never you."

    Omega tugged nervously at his bandana. "Haha, yeah, well... I keep a low profile."

    "Stein? Who's that? Someone else lives here?" Bee asked, breaking the tension.

Glitch nodded. "Old friend of mine, a foxling. Supposedly he was the youngest to rule a village called Vulpania at age 20, but he accidentally set it aflame about 10 years into his rule. He was later exiled...and killed by his villagers."

    Omega scratched his head. "He... died? I thought you said he lives here?"

    Glitch snapped his head toward Omega. "He does, numb-nuts."

Just then, a transparent young man stepped out from behind a corner, half his face burned off. He was partially humanoid, with fox features and curly brown hair that fell over his striped blue sweater.

"Gli—Woah, who are these jabronies?" the ghostly man asked.

"Bee and Omega, Stein. Stein, Bee and Omega," Glitch introduced.

Stein crossed his arms. "Anyways, this spiritual asshole found a way out of Krosigo, and I've been helping him ever since."

Omega's eyes widened. "You found a way out of that hellscape? Without an Anchor Jewel? How?"

Stein stretched and yawned. "This guy over ere was able to open a portal to Krosigo using his 'goop', I was just lucky enough to stumble through." Omega turned to Glitch, "Goop? Is that what you're made of? Would you mind if I studied–" Omega began stretching a hand out to Glitch before being swatted away by him, "Paws of the merchandise, pal."

Bee looked up to Glitch and Stein as they stood above their chairs. "Hey, you folks wouldn't happen to know about any towns around here, would you?"

    Glitch shook his head, crossing his arms. "No towns last long in Berionas, no idea why either."

Bee slammed their palm on the table. "Well, this one will! Me and Omega have our minds set on making a town. You guys could help!"

"Mm, maybe, yeah, probably not. Listen, you guys can stay here for now, but I've got things going on," Glitch said before he and Stein began walking down the hallway. "I'll check it out if I get some free time!" Glitch called back, raising a hand.

As the two walked toward the guest rooms, Omega turned to Bee, who was glaring at him with fury. "What?" Omega asked.

"Nothing," Bee replied before walking into their room. "Goodnight." They slammed the door behind them, leaving Omega to quietly enter his own room.

[Journal Entry 35]

    After meeting Glitch and Stein, I was able to collect some intel. Glitch seems to be made of a substance known as "Goop." I was able to poke around his journals after everyone went to bed. Based on what I read, I found that Goopers are humanoid creatures made of goop and often have large horns. Goop is a pure black slimey substance known to cause chaos, and these creatures can often develop new powers or abilities out of nowhere due to the chaotic energy within. I'm not too sure where it came from, or whether he's always been this way or not. Quite a few pages were ripped out. There's nothing in the journals about Stein, but I was able to identify him as a Vulpen. A fox-human hybrid creature that are surprisingly found in PLENTY of universes. I wish I could've discovered more, but it seems like this guy either threw away or is HIDING most of his research. I'll keep you updated, journal.

        Signing off,

    B.