Summoning the HKA: Lords of Eternity

Chapter V: And Carry a Big Stick

International City, Philades Continent

17 August, 2526 XY

Anthony's head ached, and the last few hours felt like days. There was so much to do and so little time. He almost felt helpless. He was standing near the edge of a pier; the pier itself was flanked by two ships that starkly contrasted each other. One was a small luxury boat, one of the newest designs. The other, a wooden vessel taken right out of history. He had so many questions, so many wonders, yet he couldn't slake them just yet. Lighting up a cigarette, for he never liked cigars, he tried to rationalise all the things that had happened. First were the discoveries of many people who were previously not of the International City. They described seeing a bright flash before being whisked to random places throughout the city in a blink. This had also proved a nightmare, and much of the police and other public forces were busy finding shelter, food, and other necessities. They were from all over the place: Ladyros, Aether, the Heboi States, so on and so forth. They all had the same thing in common, they were all HKA citizens. This fact had raised some eyebrows, even more so was the complete disappearance of the Fazarian and Azyeri counterparts of the HKA forces stationed in the International City. Furthermore, they had also come in contact with much of the HKA islands that previously occupied the Aether area. These islands were in even more dire need than the International City, and Wyvern attacks were also reported from them. This lead to marshal Solaveira deploying and spreading out much of his forces in an effort to protect these places. 

His thoughts were interrupted by a hoarse voice, the marshal himself. The marshal looked far better than Nimroy had, but he knew his friend had to bear the same stresses and worries that Anthony had faced, if not greater. He snuffed his cigarette and went to warmly greet the Marshal. "Hah, Cez, you seem in high spirits." He said as the Marshal laughed, disregarding his informal tone. Before the transference, he and the marshal found themselves sharing cups often. 

"I am. Somewhat at least. We made contact with the 5th and 7th High Seas Fleet." The Marshal said, as if the fact wasn't incredulous... yet all they have been through for the last day has been incredulous.

"The 7th? Weren't those guys down near West Alaxia?" The question had come easy to Anthony.

The marshal seemed to hesitate for a second before replying "Yes... but it seemed they had the same thing happened to them as had happened us. They say they found much of the HKA bases in West Alaxia in a single small island... We are trying to establish connections now." 

Anthony sighed, "Everything seems to be connected to the High Kingdoms in one way or another, this can't be a coincidence... can it?" 

"I highly doubt that, maybe the High Kingdoms are here as well... we just have to find them." The Marshal said, looking at the foreign and ancient ship. 

"And you think those people can lead us to them?" 

"Hard to say, yet we still need them to figure out where we are."

Anthony nods as the two men go to meet the foreign sailors. It turned out that the foreign sailors spoke Exteras as well, only it wasn't called 'Exteras' here, the coincidence was strange, if a tad bit helpful. This simplification had helped them communicate far better with these foreign men. They spoke of many places and told many stories and by Anthony's judgement, they seemed alright fellows. Luckily for them, the ship was apparently a diplomatic vessel intended for a routine visit to a land called 'Fenn'. And eventually Anthony had met Tavos, a diplomat from Altaras. They had conversed long about their circumstances and eventually entered negotiations. It was almost nightfall by the time they were done.