Chapter 6
66.
Somewhere in the Deserted Isles, there's a myth that has been circulating since the dawn of time. Ruins that are connected to different realms. Realms that have different environments. And environments where different Kemis live. In theory, the UniPaws is considered the center of those realms, explaining why all sorts of Kemis exist in the UniPaws. But for the other realms, only a certain type exists. Welcome to a different realm named the Underworld.
The Underworld is the place where Horn-type Kemis originated. In fact, this place only has that specific type. Single, two, three, or even multiple horns, all of the Kemis in this realm have horns. Other than that, everything in this realm is reddish in nature. Blood spill is like a natural setting in this place.
As the name suggests, the Underworld is an unforgiving place. Dignity is judged through their horns. If it's broken, then they are classified as a lower species. Breaking someone's horn is also a memento. The more horns that a Kemi collects, the higher their ranking. Those who cannot protect themselves do not belong here. Order is non-existent, only the strong ones will prevail. They must hunt for their food without being targeted by the higher ranks.
Living in the Underworld, there's an Antelopegirl Kemi who defies their realm. She does not join the higher ranks because, for her, it's a waste of energy. Though the higher rank Kemis still recognizes her threat. What she wants is something beyond just merely breaking horns, she wants to bend everything to her will. And to do that, she is determined to rule over the UniPaws. Her name is Ovae, her long ginger hair matches her red eyes, and also her red short horns. Tall, and dominant, Ovae can make everyone serve under her command. Her seductive voice is something that a Kemi could not simply resist.
"Ovae-sama, our troops successfully found a Runekey." A Deerman Kemi servant of Ovae reported.
"Well done, now lie down in front of me," Ovae ordered.
"Hai." The Deerman Kemi replied.
As Ovae goes down from her throne, she steps on the back of her servant before walking on the ground. Stepping at other Kemi is truly what brings her joy, both literally and strategically. Ovae proceeded to the laboratory to meet Cerono.
Cerono is a Narwhalgirl Kemi. Short blue hair, colorless eyes with round glasses, a single long horn on the forehead, and a small body physique. She likes the sky blue color pallet for her outfit. Cerono is the infamous Centurial Genius, meaning the smartest Kemi born in a hundred years. This title was bestowed to her by the higher ranks in the Underworld. They believe that meeting a Kemi with Cerono's intellectual caliber is a one-in-a-hundred chance. She may be small and looks incredibly weak, but her intelligence earned the respect of many. Making the higher-ranking species fight over her. Cerono's voice may always sound tired but her mind always craves something challenging. No one knows what twisted creation she may bring to life.
"I've heard that the Runekey has arrived. How was it?" Ovae asked Cerono upon entering the laboratory.
"Yeap… I broke the last couple of Runekeys… I believe this time my calculation is precise…" Cerono answered.
"You don't have to hurry, you know that I believe in you~" Ovae said.
"I don't care about your view towards me… I'm frustrated about my failure… This will be done later at noon…" Cerono responded.
"And that's what I like about you~" Ovae replied. "Anyway, I'll gather the rest. I want everyone to be present when we unlock the gates," she added.
Ovae left the premises and headed out to the Underworld's surface. Outside of every dungeon, the surface of the Underworld is a battlefield. More specifically, a battle royale if a Kemi does not have any allies.
Even though Ovae is walking outside by herself, no one dares to approach her. The slightest mistake of not recognizing her will be fatal. Dead bodies behind her tracks prove so. Those Kemis mistakenly attacked Ovae, resulting in their demise as their throat was slit by Ovae's dagger in a blink of an eye.
After a couple of steps, Ovae found the Kemi that she was looking for. Funky light gray hair, light brown eyes, two long horns pointing sideways, with a big muscular body type. His style is quite primitive and uses a big hammer plus a shield. His name is Mathus, the Mammothman Kemi known for his strength and boastful attitude. The only thing that is important for him is to be the strongest one physically.
"So, are you done squeezing them into pulp?" Ovae asked Mathus.
Mathus stood up and replied, "These puny Kemis never learn. What brings you here?"
"I thought you might be tired of these weaklings, maybe you wanted more of a challenge, perhaps in a different realm~" Ovae said.
"I like where this is going," Mathus responded as he smirked.
Moments later, a Gazellegirl Kemi appeared. Medium-length Brown Hair, Dark Brown eyes, and an average body type. Her choice of weaponry is a katana while having a cream color theme as her outfit. Her horns are; 1 medium-length black horn on the left, and a broken one on the right. Her past is the reason for her heartless persona with a deep mission within. Her name is Zela, Ovae's follower.
"A different realm?" Zela questioned.
"Hai, in fact, the 4 of us will go there," Ovae answered.
"Thank you for this opportunity, my Lord," Zela responded.
"Now that everyone is present, let's keep moving then," Ovae said.
"Hai." Mathus and Zela replied.
The 3 of them went back to their dungeon to prepare everything that they needed to bring. Before leaving the place, Ovae appointed one of her followers to maintain order in the dungeon. They must protect their base from other Kemis while Ovae is not around. As the day finally settles, Ovae, Mathus, and Zela are all present in Cerono's laboratory.
"Exactly to my claim… The Realm Hopper is fully operational now… Back then, we could only send 1 Kemi at a time… It also broke down after the process… But now, we can all simultaneously trespass the UniPaws… The main source of Runes… If we manage to get more Runes, we can cross through more Realms as well…" Cerono explained.
"I can't wait to beat everyone in every realm!" Mathus loudly said.
"Impressive as always. I do hope he manages to give us a stepping stone once we get there." Ovae said, referring to the first Kemi that they sent to UniPaws.
"He may be a creepy Kemi but I do think he is capable of such a mission," Zela answered.
After finalizing the settings of the Realm Hopper, Cerono turned the power on. Creating a wormhole between the Underworld and the UniPaws. Ovae, Mathus, Zela, and Cerono entered the portal.
As soon as they cross between the dimensions, a voice can be heard upon their travel, "Greetings, I am pleased to see everyone here in the UniPaws." Afterward, they saw a Rhinoman Kemi with clean-cut dark gray hair, black eyes, one short horn on the forehead, and a slim body type. Currently wearing a kimono-style outfit while holding a long black scythe. His name is Hideo, the trustworthy right hand of Ovae.
"Thank you for welcoming us~" Ovae said.
"The pleasure is mine. Besides, the Runekey from Cerono notified me that a portal was opening. I rushed to this place upon noticing." Hideo replied.
"It's not just a mere Runekey… I fused it with minerals from the Underworld... It will only glow if the Underworld is connected to the UniPaws… This time the portal is the reason why…" Cerono said. She thinks that calling the item Runekey is an understatement of her invention.
"Now that you made it here, can you Riftwalk back to the Underworld without Cerono's Realm Hopper?" Zela asked.
"It's true that I can teleport to places that I've been, but my talent does not work through dimensions. Every time I try to Riftwalk to the Underworld, I only teleport here." Hideo explained.
"So this is the UniPaws, a little less red, I hate it," Mathus commented.
"Just kill someone and make it red…" Cerono responded.
"That's exactly what I want to do right now," Mathus replied.
"Anyway, where exactly are we?" Zela asked.
"At the Deserted Isles, where a lot of Ruins have sealed away from the main source," Hideo answered.
"Did you manage to infiltrate the place?" Ovae questioned.
"Hai, I already created quite a connection in Zenshin. Though there is still some work to do in obtaining the information that you requested." Hideo answered.
"Hmmm… Tell us more about what we should know about the place." Ovae said.
"Just like what Cerono hypothesized, UniPaws is the main realm. Every type of Kemis exists here. I still advise that we should disguise ourselves when we proceed to Zenshin. Their tech is definitely advanced, the only flaw that they have is they don't play with Runes." Hideo reported.
"Well then, Hideo and I will further infiltrate Zenshin. The three of you shall stay here and build us a hideout~" Ovae ordered.
"Hai." all of them reacted.
"Quick question… What are those?" Cerono asked.
"They are Tameable Mimis. To be honest, those creatures are extremely useless." Hideo answered.
"Pathetic… I'll help them evolve then…" Cerono said.
End of Chapter 6