Heros of Alteria

Tourist Trap

"Welcome fine mammals of Kiren! Welcome to the Alterian Museum of Natural History! I am your host and tour guide Kenneth B. Snapsworth!" The group on the tour was comprised of animals large and small, everything from Rhinos to moles had come out to catch a fleeting glimpse of the new exhibit.

Kenneth, the energetic fox, began ushering the group into the next room. "This here fine folks is the 'Prewar Society Exhibit!" The tour group let out collective 'oohs' and 'ahhs' at the room. The room was filled with antiquated technology, everything from early TV's to airplanes had some sort of display in the room.

The tourists began snapping photos greedily at the archaic items. "This room here is filled with treasures from the distant past. The animals of yesterday led simpler lives, so in turn required simpler tools." The group continued their photographic assault on the artifacts, completely ignoring Kenneth and his theatrics. Kenneth smiled tiredly then leaned against a display case in a relaxed manner. This group was much more independent than the last one. He hadn't been asked one question since the tour had started! "um . . Excuse me sir?" Kenneth smirked and thought "Well it was nice while it lasted." Thought Kenneth as he turned to face who addressed him. Kenneth looked down and noticed the child. She was a small feline of about 9 or 10 years old wearing a 'I heart books' T-shirt. "Adorable!" Thought Kenneth as he readied himself to answer her question.

"Well well little girly! Doth thou have an inquiry for me?" The feline child nodded vigorously saying "My name is Selena and I love history!" Kenneth lazily rolled his eyes at her and replied "Well isn't that cute? Though do you have questions about the tour?" The little girl took on a thoughtful look, then giddily snapped her fingers and said "PATRIARCHS!" The fox jumped back from her startled asking "I beg your pardon?" The girl smoothed the wrinkles out of her shirt and said "I want to see the Court of the Patriarchs!"

Kenneth looked at her with a look of confusion. He had no idea how this kid would know of an exhibit not yet open, but that was a thought. "Take them to the court?" Kenneth thought as he weighed his options. He could simply ignore the girl's request and continue the tour as planned , OR he could cut the tour short and take them to the never before seen exhibit. Taking them to the exhibit had its risks. He could get caught and possibly lose his job, but . . . If he took them there he could make a fortune on tips. The tourists would be practically throwing money at him. Kenneth shook his head and told himself "Get a grip Snapsworth! The choice is obvious!" The fox readjusted his tie and boisterously announced "ATTENTION PATRONS! I am cutting today's tour short today, sorry for any inconveniences caused by this." The group of mammals shared confused looks and angry comments, before Kenneth interjected. "Because . . . . We're going to the Never before seen Court of The Patriarchs! Just don't tell my boss alright?"

The groups's ill feelings quickly dissipated and were replaced with curious murmurs and excited chatterings. "Follow me good patrons!" Kenneth led the group to a large door, beautifully decorated with gems, rubies, and gold alike. "As you can tell by this lavish door, everything in this room was donated by his honor Kyoto Kitsune of the Blood Bourne Clan. The group echoed another chorus of 'oohs' and 'ahhs' at the mention of Kyoto. No one truly knows who Kyoto is. It's a common belief that he's the illustrious leader of the Blood Bourne Clan, though none can now for sure. The Blood Bourne Clan had seized control of Alteria decades ago with Kyoto leading them. The takeover had been a shock too all, but the populace did little to fight it, save for the few rebellious cells. Kyoto's image shifted from one of a brute and barbarian to a benevolent and kind ruler.

Kenneth opened the ornate door and revealed a beautifully recreated town square. The square had real tiles excavated from ancient ruins in the southern region. The room was bathed in soft, natural light which accented the main attraction in the center of the square. "And here I behold to unto thee . . . The Weapons of the Patriarchs!" The group quickly surrounded the cased weapons and began fervently taking pictures.

"These weapons are at least a thousand years old. Forged from materials unknown to mammal kind. Each weapon is physically indestructible and impervious to most manners of scientific probing." The group practically ignored the history lesson and continued frantically taking photos. "Each weapon belonged to an elite warrior, though nothing substantial is known about the warriors. All we have to go off of are old wives' tales and urban legends." Kenneth walked over to an encased broadsword and tapped his claws against the display. "Attention folks! Attention!" I that instant, the claymore, nunchucks, and gold tipped spear was forgotten as the animals rushed over to the broadsword. "This here weapon is the only one scientists have any concrete information about."

"The weapon was discovered over a year ago, deep within the Angorri Mines. The excavation team couldn't remove the weapon the weapon from the stone, so they had to bring it here and make it part of the display. See for yourselves." The tourists looked and examined the elaborate display. The other three weapons were glued onto the stone, but the broadsword itself was lodged deeply within the rock. "If you look closely you can see ancient markings on the weapon. Scientists weren't able to determine anything significant about the markings, so that's another mystery not getting solved."

One tourist, an otter of all things, raised his paw meekly. "Well what about the legend? Kenneth, not missing a beat replied "Well what about it?" "Legend has it that after a thousand year slumber, the weapon will reawaken and return to its master!" The group began murmuring to themselves saying things like "Is that true?" "I heard the sword glows green!" "Will the hero come and come free us!?" "of course the hero will free us! He'll also rebuild Alteria!" More and more mutinous conversations rose, much to the tour fox's displeasure. Hearing the different questions, comments, and concerns made Kenneth very unsettled. Speaking out against the government was strictly prohibited in Kiren. If the surveillance tapes picked this up, he'd not only be out of a job, but also in prison! Kenneth darted his eyes back and forth then yelled "Animals of Kiren! Listen to yourselves! Getting worked up over a display!" Kenneth quickly chose his next words wisely as to not incite an angry mob. "All of this is FAKE! The weapons, the court, the artifacts; ALL FAKE!" The group settled down into hurt silence and let the fox continue. "That legend about the sword was . . . Used to generate consumer interest! (Yea real Smooth Kenneth!)." Though even as Kenneth tried to reassure them it was all a hoax, animals kept coming up with rebuttals.

The arguing continued relentlessly until a sharp, ear-piercing noise began rattling everyone's ears. "BLOODY HELL! WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT?!" Kenneth screamed as he writhed in pain. His only response was the cries of agony from the group. The noise got sharper and sharper causing more and more pain until . . . It stopped. Everyone remained deathly still as if they were afraid their movements would trigger the ghastly noise.

Kenneth rolled onto his stomach wincing in pain as he stood to his feet. "Is everyone alright? His question was met with a plethora of grunts and groans as other patrons stood to their wobbly feet. Kenneth looked around the exhibit, accessing the room for damage. Everything seemed fine until he saw the broadsword. It was absolutely, positively green! Glowing a steady, bright, lime green! The fox was speechless and it seemed like the entire group was as well. Everyone gingerly approached the glowing, encased weapon in awe. There was something . . . Comforting about that light, so they came closer. Brave animals lifted their paws to touch the display case, but then it happened. Without warning and with intense ferocity, the sword let out a powerful, green shock wave, which broke glass, destroyed artifacts, and sent the tourists flying backwards.

Everyone looked upon the weapon in astonishment for it hovered in the air menacingly as if waiting for some poor fool to move. The weapon's glow got brighter and brighter until . . . 'ZOOM!' The group looked up and saw a sight like no other. The weapon was barreling upwards at unimaginable speeds, causing eyestrain as they tried to follow it. The sword crashed through the ceiling, causing dangerously large shards of glass to rain down on the tourists.

Once again the room became still. The animals were absolutely petrified. The thought of more horrid noise, or deathly shock waves frightened them to no end. Kenneth sighed and shakily stood to his feet, though he was immediately regretted his decision. Before lay absolute carnage. The weapon had totalled the entire court. Rubble, glass, and injured animals were strewn about. Kenneth called out to the group again, only to receive more grunts and groans in response. Kenneth looked up at the ceiling and shuddered at the damage. The once beautiful stained glass display was now riddled with large holes. Kenneth tilted his head and examined the damage. " Hmm, looks like it spells . . . Ethos? What the hell is and Ethos?" Little did Kenneth know, he and all of Alteria were about to find out.

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