Odyssey Of Survival

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The moment Nate stepped through the massive entrance of Kemet-Ra, he could immediately tell that this place was different from the settlement he had just left. The air felt heavy, filled with the scent of burning wood, sweat, and something else he couldn't quite place. The streets were packed with people, some carrying baskets of goods, others bargaining loudly at market stalls that lined the narrow paths. The buildings, made of sunbaked mud bricks, stood tall, with wooden beams supporting some of the larger structures. Despite the rough appearance, there was an order to the chaos—a rhythm to how the people moved and interacted.

As they walked deeper, Nate noticed something strange. Sera, who had been walking beside him without a care, suddenly pulled up her robe, covering most of her face with the cloth. She moved her hood forward, casting a shadow over her features, as if she were trying to hide.

Nate narrowed his eyes at her in suspicion. "Why are you doing that?" he asked, his tone neutral, but his curiosity evident.

Sera glanced at him before sighing. "My face always invites trouble wherever I go," she muttered, keeping her voice low.

Nate raised a brow but didn't press the issue. If she didn't want to be seen, she had her reasons. He simply nodded in acknowledgment, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings for any beasts sign.

They hadn't been inside for more than a few minutes when User suddenly spoke up. "I'll go find us a temporary house to stay in until tomorrow," he said, his voice flat, but his eyes occasionally darting toward Nate, as if expecting some kind of reaction.

Sera nodded in agreement. "That would be helpful," she said. "We can't stay out in the open."

User wasted no time before heading off, disappearing into the sea of people, leaving Nate and Sera standing in the middle of the bustling street.

Sera turned to Nate, tilting her head slightly. "So… where are you from?" she asked curiously.

Clicking his tongue, Nate shifted his gaze away. "You don't wanna know," he muttered, clearly uninterested in answering.

But Sera wasn't the type to back down that easily. She folded her arms and leaned in slightly. "Come on, it's not like I'm asking for your deepest secrets," she teased. "Just tell me."

Nate exhaled sharply before finally giving up. "The future," he said, his voice completely serious.

Sera blinked a few times, processing what he had just said. Then, all of a sudden, she burst out laughing. "The future? That's the best excuse you could come up with?" she asked between laughs, shaking her head in amusement. "You could've said something more believable."

Nate didn't bother responding. He simply shook his head and turned his attention back to the city around him, scanning the buildings, the streets, and the people. After a few moments, he frowned.

"They said I'd see beasts here," he muttered, his tone slightly disappointed. "But I haven't seen a single sign of one since we entered."

Sera stopped laughing and looked at him. "That's because you're in the slums of Kemet-Ra," she explained. "If you want to find one of those creatures, you'll have to go deeper."

Nate glanced at her. "Deeper?"

Sera nodded. "Yes. When you get inside, just ask around. I'm sure someone will lead you to the place."

Nate didn't say anything immediately. Instead, he observed her carefully. There was something odd about the way she said that. Like she had no intention of accompanying him further.

"You're not coming?" he asked.

Sera hesitated for a moment before shaking her head. "I'll wait in the house that User went to find," she admitted. "We usually trade at night when it's cheaper. We have some beast skins that will fetch us clothes. Then we'll go back to our camp tomorrow."

Nate studied her expression, but she didn't seem to be lying.

"So this is goodbye then?" he asked, his voice calm, though there was something unreadable in his eyes.

Sera gave him a small smile. "Seems like it," she said.

User returned after a short while, his expression unreadable as he approached them. His sharp eyes flickered toward Nate, then to Sera, before he finally exhaled.

Nate gave the two of them a nod. "Thanks for accompanying me here," he said, his voice steady.

Sera, hidden beneath her hood, smiled warmly. Even though her face was mostly concealed, there was something in the way her posture shifted—something relaxed, as if she appreciated his words.

User, however, was different. He didn't acknowledge Nate's gratitude. Instead, his eyes darted around restlessly, scanning their surroundings as if he were expecting something—or someone—to show up at any moment.

Nate noticed this strange behavior but didn't comment on it. Whatever was making User uneasy wasn't his concern. Instead, he turned toward Sera one last time, his gaze steady.

"Be careful," he said simply.

Sera let out a soft chuckle. "It's not like I'm gonna get kidnapped or something," she joked, brushing off his concern.

But Nate didn't laugh. Instead, his eyes darkened slightly as he replied, "You never know."

With that, he turned away and walked off, his figure disappearing into the crowd of Kemet-Ra.

Sera lowered her gaze, pondering his words. Something about the way he spoke—his tone, the certainty in his voice—left a strange feeling in her chest.

User stepped behind her, his voice sharp. "Don't think too much about it," he muttered. "We're never going to see him again."

Sera nodded slowly before turning toward User, leaving Nate's presence behind as they walked away into the city.

Nate walked deeper into the city, his pace steady as he took in his surroundings. Despite everything he had seen since arriving in this time, the grandeur of Kemet-Ra still caught him off guard. The deeper he moved into the city, the more he understood why Sera had called this place something special. Unlike the outer slums, where the streets were lined with dust and struggling traders, the buildings here were taller, crafted from stone instead of mud bricks. Golden ornaments decorated the entrances of wealthier homes, and silk banners hung from windows, swaying gently in the warm breeze.

But none of that concerned Nate. He was here for one reason only—the beasts.

Sera had told him that he wouldn't find them in the slums, but that the deeper part of the city would have more information. He needed to find them because of what lay inside their bodies—the crystals.

Back on the island, Ray had used those crystals to forge weapons. That meant they must have contained an immense amount of energy. If Nate could get his hands on one, he might finally be able to use his powers again.

His abilities hadn't disappeared entirely. He could feel them, lingering just beneath the surface, like a fire without oxygen. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't bring them out. It was almost as if something in this time was suppressing them. There was no energy for him to channel—at least, none that he could recognize.

As he continued walking, he eventually reached a part of the city where a group of guards had formed a barrier, stopping people from passing through. Nate slowed his steps, watching curiously. The crowd in front of the blockade murmured in frustration, but no one dared to push forward.

Nate, however, didn't hesitate. He stepped forward, moving past the common folk and heading straight for the guards.

The moment they saw him, their expressions changed. They stiffened, their eyes scanning him carefully before they quickly moved aside, allowing him through without question.

Nate raised a brow slightly. They think I'm from the inner city.

His clothes, though not extravagant, were certainly cleaner than those of the commoners. He had a sharp, composed demeanor, and his build was stronger than most of the men around him, he looked more healthier and more cleaner. He must have looked like he belonged.

He didn't question it. He simply stepped through the open path and entered the restricted area.

The moment he did, he was even more shocked.

This part of the city was entirely different. It was quiet, almost unnaturally so. The streets were wider, cleaner, and the houses here weren't just large—they were grand. Water flowed through carefully designed stone channels along the walkways, filling the air with the sound of trickling streams. The scent of flowers drifted from well-kept gardens, and the roads were lined with palm trees that provided shade from the harsh sun.

Everything here screamed power, wealth, and status.

But it wasn't just the scenery that caught Nate's attention. It was the people.

They were dressed differently—more glamorous, more colorful. Unlike the rags and simple robes worn by the common folk, the men and women here wore finely woven garments, embroidered with gold and decorated with precious stones. Their posture was upright, their expressions filled with quiet arrogance.

As Nate observed the stark contrast between this district and the one he had come from, a sudden movement caught his eye.

Ahead of him, a young man—likely in his early twenties—was walking down the street, accompanied by two armored guards. His robe was pure white with red patterns along the edges, marking him as someone of considerable status.

Nate's eyes narrowed as he watched what happened next.

The young man was passing by a boy who was crouched on the ground, scrubbing the stone path with a small brush. The boy couldn't have been older than ten, his small frame covered in dust, his simple robe stained from hours of labor.

He was too focused on his work to notice the young noble approaching.

And that was his mistake.

Without warning, the noble lifted his leg and kicked the boy hard in the ribs, sending him tumbling backward. The boy let out a sharp cry of pain, clutching his stomach as he hit the ground.

"Know your place," the noble sneered, his face twisted in anger. His voice was filled with disgust, as if the very presence of the boy offended him.

The boy scrambled to his feet, bowing quickly, his head lowered in submission. "I-I'm sorry, master—"

"Get out of my sight," the noble snapped before striding forward, his two guards flanking him as if nothing had happened.

Nate's jaw clenched. His eyes flickered toward the other people in the street.

No one reacted. No one stopped.

Some glanced over briefly before quickly looking away, as if they hadn't seen anything. Others simply continued on, their faces blank with indifference.

Nate exhaled slowly, forcing himself to stay calm.

This was a different time. A different world.

But still, it pissed him off.

He shifted his gaze back to the noble, watching as he and his guards turned into a smaller alleyway leading deeper into the district.

A slow smile spread across Nate's face.

He had been thinking about how to blend in, about how to move through the city without drawing attention.

Now, he had his answer.

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