Black Hole: The Book of Iratus, Episode 29

Chapter 281

Ignis and Tempestas stayed behind because Fractura's wounds were quite bad. Once home at the stone tower, Iratus did his best to relax and regain his strength. Victoria listened to Aestus and Resonantia about the battleship. Eventually, Ignis made it home, and a meal was cooked for the group.

Ignis, "Other than that, Fractura seems stable. His wounds would not have been so critical if not for being left alone for so long. The ocean didn't help any either."

Resonantia, "Then well done in stitching him up."

The shark girl continued to stash their share of the loot away while Victoria closed the chicken coop door. Iratus retired with his four loves early, and soon enough, day 133 came.

Iratus got his stuff around while he made sure none of the girls would be coming.

Resonantia, "Are you sure you don't want us to help?"

Iratus, "I'd like you girls to stay out of danger for now. I don't know what to expect, but I don't want to risk any of the pregnancies. So please, this time, stay home."

He was embraced, and the girls swore to stay out of trouble. After some time, Venatio and Clamor would arrive.

Iratus, "Ah, so you two did show up."

Clamor, "What are you suggesting? Someone's life is at stake, and you think I'd let them die?"

Venatio, "I just have nothing better to do."

Victoria, "How is group number three?"

Clamor, "Tempestas is still looking after Fractura, so we won't be seeing them."

Resonantia, "You know, why don't you two just live with those two?"

Clamor, "I don't get along very well with Fractura."

Venatio, "Despite our comradery, I too find the hyena quite abrasive, and I have more in common with this old man here anyway."

Clamor, "Who are you calling old? You're old."

Venatio, "Oh, you wound me."

Iratus gave his love to the four girls and headed out with Venatio and Clamor.

---

Chapter 282

It was already a much too long walk to the river docks, but once there, the group used their moderately sized boat to travel the rest of the way. They piloted out of the river and into the bay, then to the ocean proper. The boat would travel the coast until they reached close enough to the spiraling mountain in the distance. A roughly-made pier was made nearby, and the crew docked their boat. They tied the boat and marveled at the terrible metalworking and construction of the pier.

Iratus, "If there is a pier here, do you think people are around?"

Venatio, "As if any of us have the answer."

Clamor, "Wasn't your job watching this area?"

Venatio, "Non-sense. I did many little things for one of the summoners. I only knew the bare basics of your location."

Nearby were a few metalheads; the metal skeleton figures roamed the nearby area, with one of them quite odd with an inverse of the normal creatures. The outlined skin was metal with no bones. The being, when alive, could probably be called a spiderfolk, with its hollowed-out husk being bipedal but laced with what was once carapace arms, legs, and slightly over the open torso. The head was like a helmet, while the spider tail was rusted and collapsed into a broken mess, making the overall appearance of this metalhead quite pitiful.

With a group of three, it was easy enough to lure them into a line and have Iratus be the spear that holds them back, with Clamor and Venatio flanking and chipping away at the small group. Soon only the ragged spider metalhead was left as it tried so hard to stammer forward, with Clamor going forth to finish it.

Venatio, "Any odd-looking metalhead must be met carefully."

Iratus, "Has no one seen something like this?"

Venatio, "Not this husk, not even that centaur creature from the Japanese castle. Now, maybe there are records of such things, but I only know of a few metalhead variants."

Clamor took the warning to heart and did his best to test and feel out his opponent before stabbing the creature's head. The husk lifted its arm, which twitched, which made Clamor drop his weapon and dodge out of the way as the arm exploded and a torrent of burning hot oil poured out. Iratus perked up and quickly came behind the creature to decapitate it. Clamor stood back up with oil slapped on his side, luckily just his armor.

Clamor, "I don't believe this. Blasted rock in all forms, ow! It's leaking in."

The two others did their best to wash away the oil. In the end, Clamor had some discomfort in his side, but it didn't seem like he suffered any serious wounds.

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Chapter 283

Iratus, "Aye, we won. Alright, time to continue."

Clamor, "Right." He took a breath. "We have a mission, after all."

Venatio was already tired and exhausted.

Venatio, "Any chance I can stay by the boat? I'm already out of it."

Iratus, "We only won this battle because of our numbers. Any reduction will greatly slow us down."

Venatio unenthusiastically, "Pfft, whatever. Let's go."

Despite the tropics nearby, walking up to the mountain where the building was gave way to the warm woodlands similar to the north area of the stone tower. The mountain the group walked up to was a spiraling mountain, or perhaps a pillar would be a better description, and it towered high into the sky. A road and train tracks ran up and all around the spiral, and the group jumped on the path and started the trek.

The walk was truly a time investment as they walked up the spiral, and eventually near the top was a plateau that the train tracks pulled into a metal door that was under the building itself. There were pullies and other tools to help open the metal door from the outside, but the group seemed to not care too much for now.

Venatio, "My, this must be a massive complex."

Clamor looked out into the distance.

Clamor, "This...this is really high."

Iratus, "I think it is because this isn't a normal-looking mountain and that we can see a lot more."

Clamor, "Or something."

Venatio, "Hey, we've been walking for a long time now. Can we break?"

With nods from the other two, the group set up a makeshift area to rest in. With a fire and rations, they spent some time recovering their stamina.

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Chapter 284

After some time, the old fox woman started the first conversation.

Venatio, "Iratus, you've asked about our situation; how about you tell me why you and Clamor are not completely on the same page?"

Iratus, "Simple, I go on adventures, I ask him to come along, then bad things happen, and I guess it was my choices that led to it all." He finished with a shrug.

Clamor, "I was not amicable to his quests. A proper reward instead of communistic living has fixed these problems. I was curious about the metal boat, and there is someone who needs rescuing in the building up there, so these two things are my own problems."

Venatio, "Communistic what?"

Iratus, "Pah, future people are so uneducated."

Clamor, "Iratus and his lovers are a family and thus are a commune. They share resources, food, labor, and all that. I do not wish for a share for my work, but I will trade for it."

Venatio, "What does it matter?"

Clamor, "I wish to choose when to give my services and dictate what they are worth."

Iratus, "It's just better business. Regardless, it was how I did things that he decided to split from us."

Venatio, "Hang on, I'm still curious about the commune stuff."

Iratus, "Like, did you space people say you have large family houses like my nation?"

Venatio, "Is that a commune?"

Iratus, "Ah silver. Basically yes."

Clamor, "How big are your families again?"

Iratus, "A house can be anywhere from eighty to hundreds."

Clamor, "Like, I love family, but there is no way you can trust all of them to pull their own weight. It's why trade has always been the best business."

Iratus, "People work, or they would be removed from the home. They could build their own section of the house, but they would still need a job to buy their own stuff. It has only ever worked for my people."

Venatio, "What, would you let people who live with you starve or something?"

Iratus, "Sharing resources, food, and labor does not work without everyone working as hard as they can. Listen to me, for this is my culture, my life, and my identity. I know family."

Though a few thoughts about how his family did flash in his mind His father seeking out new lands for his own lineage, a dispute between his two wives ended with one leaving and the family slowly falling apart, alone and even more so the more north they went, never finding the right place to live until there was no more money. There was no more family. Iratus was skilled enough to not slow down and give away anything that was wrong.

Iratus was however fast enough to spot Venatio shy away; the words of everyone works or everything fails seemed to have hit something that made her a bit emotional.

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Chapter 285

Clamor, "You ok?"

Venatio, "Outside of here, out there in space, things are quite complicated. My ancestors civilization during the third covenant, uh, crashed because they sought to free themselves of cost, labor, and poverty. However, like you just said, When everyone shares everything, it won't work if even one person does not pull their weight."

Iratus, "I don't think Fractura has ever talked about these covenant things. Can you tell us what they are about?"

Venatio, "There isn't much to say. The first covenant is that people get to be people; the second covenant is that the ability to have choices matters; and the third is that people travel the stars. This also tracks with karma, with people inflicting change but not being afflicted by it. The second covenant gives people access to their karma. Then finally, the third allows people to know their karma."

Iratus, "Sounds like karma is more than just luck."

Venatio, "No, it truly is just luck."

Iratus, "Oh, my silver. I give up."

Clamor, "Why are they called covenants?"

Venatio, "Religious people are the ones who coined these terms. Some people will call them awakenings or enlightenments, but it's just to say that a change happens within a species. So, how has life been for you, Iratus?"

Iratus, "Oh, well, I've been fighting monsters and delving into crazy places about every other day. The girls have been fine and healthy as far as I know, and we are getting a list of things together so that we can properly take care of children."

Venatio, "Do any of you have any experience in child-rearing?"

Iratus, "We mostly have knowledge, but having to care for babies every hour will be a new experience for all of us."

Venatio, "You think raising children in this monster-infested, reality-breaking, and bandit-infested place would be a bad idea."

Iratus, "Well, we can't just not live our lives."

Clamor, "The other two spacers told us about the high standard of living in your society. From our timelines, birthing children in chaotic and dangerous times is the norm, and many children never even live past the age of five."

Venatio, "It depends on the age, but yes, you do make a point. Regardless, since you lack some proper equipment for raising children, you'll need to find a more advanced town or city and pick up some things to make your life easier."

Iratus, "Sounds like you have some ideas."

Venatio, "Some of the places on the road look technologically sufficient enough. If you want, I am more than willing to be hired to venture into those locations."

Clamor, "I feel like you would make a great salesperson."

Venatio, "I try."

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Chapter 286

After the rest, the group got up and traveled the rest of the way to the building, for it wasn't too much further, and the building was soon in view. It was a building encased in thick, blast-resistant walls made of reinforced concrete. The walls had minimal windows, and a large red heart and other medical identifiers were displayed on the walls. On top could be seen an air raid siren, and there were several areas around the building for offloading supplies and patients.

Venatio, "Well, good to be home."

Iratus, "What do you mean?"

Venatio, "My people's planet, Purity, has had war throughout most of history. Designing everything with a future war in mind is the culture."

Clamor, "That place looks like a fortress; what is it?"

Venatio, "A hospital."

Iratus, "Well, I feel bad that we didn't bring all the bags. I bet the loot in here must be golden."

Venatio, "Truly."

The doors to the hospital were already blasted open, and as the group started to walk in, Venatio read a sign.

Venatio, "ValorCare Hospital. Definitely something that comes from Blackmist."

Clamor, "A nation?"

Venatio, "A most humble nation was forced to conquer lands because its people wanted to live instead of dying. It is the longest-lived nation, empire, and even made it to the stars, for it alone survived the third covenant."

Iratus, "Do nations not survive trying to go into space or something?"

Venatio, "By the time a planet is ready for space colonization, most civilizations collapse for one reason or another. I don't know why, but people just can't work together when someone else is not like them, and when everyone but oneself is an enemy, then only the correct people or thought must succeed in the next stage of civilization. The Lionheart Republic is one of the few nations that made it to space without blowing themselves up. This is one reason why its culture has dominated a large section of civilized space."

Clamor, "Hold up, Lionheart? Iratus, isn't your house Lionheart?"

Iratus, "Yeah."

Clamor, "Something you'd like to share?"

Iratus, after shrugging, "The first mousefolk emperor came from House Lionheart. My house came from the brother, not the emperor himself. I'm not royalty, and my family isn't famous, even more so when the empire turned into a republic."

Clamor, "How? Your family name must be famous."

Iratus, "Recognizable sure, but its more like, huh, that's interesting."

Clamor, "But why would your family not be held in higher regard?"

Iratus, "Most likely, it is because we became a republic that my house lost a lot of zeal for the name. Also, remember that it's my family name rather than my bloodline. My side of the family is not from the emperor's lineage."

Clamor, "Hm. That sounds unsettling for some reason."

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Chapter 287

The group was already inside and started to look around, first looking through emergency rooms, the pharmacy, a laboratory, and a few other rooms on the first floor. Venatio grabbed a few items from a gift shop, Clamor grabbed food, and Iratus grabbed medical tools. They couldn't loot too much, and they tried to look around stealthily, for they knew something was supposed to be here. Most places were undamaged, but sometimes there were scrapes and damage to the floors. The main area, where the destroyed entrance was, was the most severe, with battering and broken flooring.

Once they gathered together again, they headed up the stairs and continued their search. At some point, they heard sounds coming from large things and chains dragging on the ground. The group discussed only for a few seconds before deciding to avoid these sounds and try to maneuver around them. This would lead the group to a higher floor, and they would pick up the scent of an actual person. This led them into the physical therapy room.

This room in the hospital was equipped with various exercise machines and therapy tables, as well as tools to aid patients. As the group entered the wide open area, they could hear subtle movements and would eventually find the calico catfolk, who turned from a window to see her rescuers.

Iratus, "Desidia?"

Desidia, "Ah, took your time."

The cat girl had a distinctive coat pattern of white, black, and brown fur. Her hair was white, and her face held some feline looks, but unlike Avaritia the cheetahfolk, it had a tiny bit of mousefolk appeal to it. She was taller than Iratus, but her build was somewhat similar, though her SWAT armor and gear obfuscated her form.

Clamor, "The door was open; you could have just walked out."

Desidia, "Well, it wasn't since the last time I was down there."

Venatio, "I'd almost think you laid a trap for us or something."

Desidia, "Excuse me?"

Iratus, "Pay that, no mind. Anyway, we are here to save you or something."

Desidia, "Well, I feel kind of bad that the door was just open this whole time. Sorry for you three to risk your lives coming over here."

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Chapter 288

Iratus, "So, are you what is called a feline?"

Desidia, "Yup. You came from a time before my race appeared, then?"

Iratus, "Yeah. My name is Iratus; this is Clamor." The rabbit man waved. "And that's Venatio."

Venatio, "Let's get out of here fast, please. I can smell something awful leaking everywhere."

Desidia, "You don't even know the half of it."

The group of four headed out and started to travel back down to the entrance.

Desidia, "So I take it that the ship exploding was the reason it took you so long to get here?"

Iratus, "Sorry, but we had been wounded and were all too exhausted to continue."

Desidia, "Well, since I am alive, I don't think it matters too much."

Clamor, "How long have you been in Nexus Prime?"

Desidia, "This is day two."

Clamor, "Are you not going to ask about Venatio or me?"

Venatio, "Or your current location?"

Desidia, "I mean, meeting fantasy species is really cool, but it's not like we have time to go over much else right now. As for my location, I've had time to look into it, so I don't know what I need to know about it. Where is Nexus Prime anyway? Actually, even if I knew where this planet was, I doubt it would mean anything to me."

Venatio, "It's a giant space station that houses many planets."

Desidia, "And here I thought this was a fantasy setting."

Venatio, "Oh, don't worry, we got monsters, the dead walking around as metal monsters, and other kinds of fun stuff."

Desidia, "Yeah, just because animated shows and movies make it look good does not mean actually being in said fantasy world is a positive thing. I don't even get super buffs and stuff."

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Chapter 289

At the main entrance, the doors seemed to have been stitched back into place with thick wires, and a distorted field was around them, similar to the holograms from the battleship.

Desidia, "So by open, you mean unlocked, right?"

Clamor, "And there it is."

Iratus, "Why am I not surprised?"

Venatio, "Someone go test the door."

Clamor went to the door to poke it with his great sword. After nothing happened, he tried to open the door, but it was stuck. He pulled at the wires, and then Iratus tried to use a knife to cut them, but it had no effect.

Desidia, "Shooting it won't do anything either; you can see my bullets inside of it."

Venatio, "How have the other exits faired?"

Desidia, "Cabled up, but that weird distortion is new."

Clamor, "Time to find another way. We are not getting past here."

Desidia, "Ok, but let's try to keep it down then. If we have to actively search this place, then we might be running into some crazy-looking creatures."

Venatio, "What are we dealing with?"

Desidia, "I'll admit I don't know if they are hostile, but my instincts always told me to hide. I don't know what they look like, but they scare me. There are three of them, and they are big and loud."

Venatio, "Let's try some of the exits first."

The cat girl just shrugged but led the way anyway.

The few fire escapes were locked down by an absurd number of cables and wires that wiggled and writhed about like snakes.

Desidia, "Huh. That's a lot more than last time."

Venatio, "Something is wrong about this place. I feel like some sort of modification has been made to the reality here."

---

Chapter 290

Clamor, "What does that mean?"

Venatio, "The blackest day is the breakdown of reality, and thus most everything in Nexus Prime is made by exploiting this. I suspect a piece of reality was used or is still here that can modify this place to certain specifics."

Desidia, "That sounds stupid. You can't rewrite how reality works."

Iratus, "Oh no, she is the expert here."

Desidia, "No, she is not. This is clearly a nanomaterial, so its technology"

Venatio, "I meant that anyone could make this stuff, not something magical, sheesh. Wait, how can you identify nanotech?

Desidia, "I read something."

Venatio, "There isn't anything in here that you should be able to read."

Clamor, "Unless someone came through here."

Desidia, "Under here, there is some sort of lab that has all kinds of stuff. None of it I would attribute to a people species if you know what I mean."

Venatio, "You are still on my suspicious list. Hm, if there is a secondary building under here, then it might hold the key that holds this place, like a prison."

Desidia, "Might have to. I tried the roof already, and it is also blocked off. There is nowhere around to climb out of unless we find a way to shatter the windows on the top floor."

With a bit of planning, the group followed the cat girl to the strange parking area inside the hospital and the hole in the ground, which led to an underground laboratory.

As the ground entered and they delved deeper into the lab, they found the walls blackened and stained, like a metalhead-infected area, and eventually they found themselves inside a room and heard the sounds of a monster looming closer to them. The party left through a few side rooms only to find a large hole in the building leading down. They tried to backtrack until they heard the far door starting to break, the walls starting to fold, and then finally the monster broke in, leaving a gaping hole in the wall.

It was a large ball of black, liquid oil that sizzled and steamed. It opened its large cartoonish maw, and rows of metalhead arms lined its shell as well as beneath the creature that helped it crawl around.

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EPISDOE 29: END

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Episode 29 End Character Sheet
Name: Iratus Lionheart
Species: Mousefolk
Age: 14
Coverings: blonde fur, white gambeson (many repairs, some leather patchwork, a lot of minor damage, and torso tear), leather gloves, tactical vest, tailorcraft backpack, leather plate helmet
Weapons: Long Sword, 3x Knifes, Short Sword
Equipment: belt, belt bag, water skin, leathercraft backpack, 2 bags, 33 oval copper coins, 7 small silver bricks, 6 gemstones, 20 fine silver coins,20 fine gold coins

Wounds: Shoulder, stab wound (minor), Stomach, stab wound (minor), Back, long cut (moderate).

Relevant Community Stash: a fire starter, whetstone, several leather items, 3 glass jar, 12 empty bottles, 1 fish net, fishing gear and other supplies, primitive sewing kit, trowel, woodcutting axe, a bunch of small wooden figures, wooden dice, metal scrap, lots of rusted metal, several small fish nets, a strange device (Gameboy-like device), compass, sextant, some bedrolls, a tent, lots of rope, a large barrel, writing material, 80 cloaks and other clothing materials, some primitive medicine, some fabrics, 6 carts, 11 tattered tents, skin drum, beautiful arts of tropical scenary, floatation devices, wildlife figures, lots of tropical clothing, rope ladder.

Armory: 10 wooden spears, 56 short swords, 53 knifes, 25 daggers, 34 metal spears, 2 hand bombs, 21 rusted weapons, many armor pieces, ruined metal armor, semi-automatic rifle (no ammo), box of unknown ammo, 4 hunting traps, 3 snares, 2 pistols (no ammo), 12 unknown bullets, 4 backpacks
Aestus: leather vest, leather helmet, metal spear, short sword
Victoria: scrap metal breastplate, leather helmet, metal spear, short sword, crossbow, flashlight
Resonanita: breastplate, metal helmet, metal spear, short sword, compound bow, flashlight
Ignis: leather helmet, metal spear, crowbar

Treasure: 88 oval copper coins, 33 oval silver coins 74 ancient metal coins, 20 fine silver coins, 44 fine gold coins, 23 fine copper coins, a tarnished silver brooch, a small ornamental figurine, a handful of sparkling glass beads, a small wooden trinket box, a few antfolk tapestries, some antfolk art, 107 copper lion coins, 5 silver lion coins, 14 gold lion coins, 115 wolfen metal coins

Home Base, Tower: Large Storage Area (many crates, clay pots, and wooden chests), Basic Workshop Area (lots of tools, woodcarving tools, glue, sandpaper), Kitchen Area (many tools, many cutlery items, pots&pans, makeshift grill), Library, Armory, Infirmary Room (surgery tools, first aid kit), Guest Quarters, Master Bedroom (proper bedding), Six Bedrooms (proper bedding)

Outside Base: Butchering Hut (modern butchery kit, smoking rack), Tannery Hut, Underground Storage Area, Garden Area (fenced in)

Books: 3x woodworking books, weathered leather-bound journal, war game booklet, sketch book (from warband), Special documentary on Nexus Prime #34, 16 Broken Tower documents, Bathhouse Reviewers (entire 80 book series)

Year 0, Day 133

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