chapter 1: May 20
Its May 20 and yet the weather is still gloomy.
Workers already settled their workplace. And diurnal birds have begun their flight. Although Duxien City is getting tied-up, everything seems quiet. It's 9:41 in the morning but the air is still damp and sticky.
At this moment, Zhu Junhee finds himself rushing towards Block 03, Luo Avenue, Better known as EI or Excavation Institute. An institute that uncovers the truth about ancient items. Because of his knowledge about antediluvian times albeit his coward personality he still managed to have the job.
He breathes heavily due to tiredness. He couldn't believe that he overslept. Zhu is living independently that is why nobody can wake him up beside form his alarm that unexpectedly didn't work.
Zhu entered the institute. As anticipated, because of the landslide that happened three days ago people, for the time being, are occupied. Some are talking to the phone and some are individually working but noise doesn't escape. Zhu on the other hand, directly proceeded to his desk to avoid disturbance to his co-workers.
Behind him, the team leader patiently waited for him to arrive.
"Zhu! Finally, you're here, the chief wanted to see you ASAP"
With a thumping heartbeat, Zhu went straight to the Cheif's office. Through the translucent glass, you can see the chief sitting on his swivel chair whilst reviewing papers. The chief is already at his fifties and white hairs outnumbered the black ones. Without a doubt, he really looks old due to his beard and the way he dressed.
As he enters the office, Zhu nervously greeted the chief. Normally, the chief would only call him if he wants information about a certain item however he felt anxious. "Here" the chief handed a bundle of papers. "Your task is already written there and inform me straightaway when you're done, are we clear?"
Zhu nodded jitterily. And begun to read the papers.
"Mission: Identify ancient relics from Mt. Unaya.
It is said to be that relics are found when the soil eroded. Some of these relics are peculiar while others are common. It is believed that they came from the tribes that dwelt there thousands of years ago. It is also believed that the relics somehow related to the deities they worshipped. The relics collected are about 50 and still on progress."
He went back to his desk and started reanalyzing the papers. Zhu takes a deep breath, and he began to scribble words summarizing the data. He begun to question the details provided based on Folklore, Mt. Unaya is an isolated area wherein no traces of human are found. Zhu's curiosity pumped him up. He then picked his bag and marched off the institute.
A white car was in front of him. A man wearing a suit suddenly went out of the car. Zhu stumbles backward as he saw the man. "Are you Zhu Junhee?"
Zhu was shocked because who would think that a random guy would know an introverted and non-gregarious person. Zhu nodded at him. "Chief Tan ordered us to take you to Mt. Unaya" with a bright smile, The man in suit assisted Zhu.
Meanwhile, inside the car, everything is in silence. No one dares to speak or communicate. Zhu checked the time. It's already 11:02 yet the weather is still cold.
Breaking the silence, Zhu's phone unexpectedly rang. It was a call, a call from the chief. Zhu answered his phone right away. "Zhu, the area is covered with mud thus I've packed boots and some extra jackets. And could you hand the phone to Meqing, we have something to talk about"
Zhu passed the phone to the guy named Meqing. Zhu heard him mutters through the phone then afterward Meqing handed the phone back to him. Then, Zhu stares blandly through the window however Zhu realized that it is somewhat different from the outside.
The outside became hazy. Dust and smoke were uplifted because of the landslide that happened albeit the days when it occurred.
The road became rough. And from their location, you can see the piled up soil. And from afar, cars and large trucks are seen. It seems to be they are not done clearing the land.
The car stopped. "My apologies, we can't go far from here" Meqing apologizes but Zhu didn't say a word, Zhu only smiled. Their interaction didn't last and Zhu hopped out of the car but before he completely left, Meqing gave Zhu a paper bag consisting of the boots and jackets exactly as the chief said.
Zhu eventually wore them and walk past the vehicles. Zhu then spotted some men digging and dusting out some items. Blocks of soil are still present and the land is obviously decimated as if a structure was demolished. The whole area was enveloped by shattered land.
The fallen land was surrounded by tents and large construction vehicles. Zhu, on the other hand, was troubled finding his own place. Zhu supposed to help other people to identify relics, unfortunately, Zhu can't find his station.
Since Zhu's only work is to identify relics, he didn't expect difficulty on finding his place. Zhu barely moves, he is very intimidated by those people. Words are also locked up in his vocal box. He only stands in his position, like an abandoned child that didn't know what to do.
Minutes dropped, finally someone approached Zhu. It is a woman wearing all-black outfit. The woman is smiling towards Zhu, but Zhu didn't make any sound nor movement.
"Follow me, I'll take you there" out of curiosity it seems like the woman knew Zhu. Zhu followed her silently. He just looked down, using the woman's shoes as his guide. Normally, during outdoor tasks, his mind would probably blow up however he felt secured and safe.
They stopped in a corner and unconsciously stared at each other. Both of them were quiet, no-one dared to open up. Zhu nervously scratches his nape whilst moving his gaze. He's too nervous to open up nor he does not want to talk. "I guess you're really too shy" the lady in black stated. "Well, I'll leave you here, Good luck"
The lady in black left Zhu- who is still dumbfounded. He started to examine all the relics placed however he did not found any suspicious one. He looks more closely to see every detail and designs. Zhu started to sketch and scribble every detail he saw. Surprisingly Zhu frowns as he observed that almost every relic are the same.
Zhu breathes deeply as he wipes his glasses due to the dust that clings around the air. Zhu really thought that he would see some peculiar antiques but destiny wouldn't let him. On the other hand, Zhu began to re- analize every antique for accuracy. Zhu was certain that every antique is the same till a sunbeam flash.
The land started to rumble. People started to yell. But it doesn't stop Zhu from getting the source of the sunbeam. And it appears to be a bracelet. Amidst bears, a sun figure and various of lines are placed around it. The sunbeam didn't stop and the bracelet started to shed its rusted color.
The land shakes tremendously and the relics started to fall. Zhu tried to catch the falling relics but because of his poor balance and shaking of the ground- he couldn't.
Zhu fell hard onto ground not knowing what to do. He's still gripping the bracelet while trying to make it stop. But the beam just got stronger the more he tries to make it stop. "make it stop!" Zhu shouted. His eyes started to tear up. His body started to tremble. He felt weak. "I am useless"
