Who are you? Soul eaters and the tribes of the realms

Working as a butcher in the lowest realm underground isn't the dream job you wish for to have. However, when you are the butcher and can do all sort of stuff under the cover of the butchery to survive, you actually are grateful for this amazing job. 

One day I ran out through the door in my broken clothing as I have heard "We got a new delivery!". My colleague shot it, without thinking, straight down...

The joy was huge when that ray creature fell on the asphalt. We had to hurry, to ensure no one sees it, as they will jump on the prey as hyenas and take it from us. 

Outside everything was grey when you looked around, no colour, just like in a black and white movie. Even on the sky, the clouds that gathered were grey and grumbling from anger. The wind swept through the city's street like in a died out desert, it was silent, yet loud and scary. It was a miracle that we had wind in this realm, in a city deep under ground where these people lived in the deepest poverty imaginable. 

With the dead body of the creature we ran very fast in the back of the building and we knew, we have to act quickly if we want to get the booty out in one piece to resell it for a high price. We were blinded by the happiness of finally finding something so valuable, that will sell fast on the "market" and make us rich. 

We put the flat creature to the white sheet lying on the cold autopsy table. I took the scalpel and made a 4 inch long incision in the middle of the chest, we had to hurry, to ensure the soul doesn't fully leave the body. 

I gently pressed the muscles around the incision and slowly popped the golden yellow pearl from the creature out. This was the moment when the two of us realised that we shot an immature, "child" creature, and as the "child's soul" is the most precious on the whole black market, we will be paid a huge amount of money. I took the golden yellowish pearl and raised it slightly towards the wall where the lights were on, it was still throbbing, very gently, but still throbbing, and slowly it stopped and started to become harder and harder between my fingers. 

Just in that moment our other colleague ran through the door screaming from anxiety that I need to go out to the front of the shop as we are in trouble. I couldn't understand what he was talking about whilst he was just showing towards the door and grasping for air. Whilst walking out I was told that "They are coming from the upper realm and someone needs to welcome them". Why me? I couldn't get my head around, but then I also had to admit I was the most competent who can get the conversation flowing. I was also thinking why are they coming from the upper realm, why here and why now? They never give a crap about us. Does this mean trouble? I couldn't figure out, but I felt danger and fear after a very very long time. 

When I have arrived outside, I went in front of the "shop" and kept walking up and down on the asphalted road whilst my head was buzzing. Kept looking up to the sky as well and my heart started to throb so loud and so hard that I could barely keep it under control. Then I realised, it might be that they are coming for the "child" creature and if they find it we are done for good... 

I looked back and screamed to my colleague to make sure the body is gone so fast as possible, because if they'll do inspection we are doomed. Suddenly the wind got stronger and bigger and up in the sky a spot appeared which got bigger and bigger. It was hard to look because of the dust, but then a wise owl appeared from that spot and when he was getting closer the wind also started to settle, whilst the rumbling carried on. 

When the owl landed he was roughly the same size as humans, he was super furry and looked too wise for me. Actually so wise, than when I saw him standing in front of me, it hit me how serious the matter is. Straight another, female owl species followed and landed next to him. They didn't speak any human language just their own, it was one of the most fucked up languages you happen to hear as a human. I wondered always who invented it? But then I actually never cared, because I understood them anyways and they understood me too so we just carried on. They communicated loud and verbally using their own language, but telepathically the whole context of the conversation was "beamed" over to me. The female was worried and asked the male whether he is sure that the "child" landed here and what are they going to do if the kingdom realm finds out? They will be shut down... 

They looked at me and he asked if I saw a child like creature? They are the creature's guardian and he got lost and couldn't be found anywhere on the upper realm. The last trace led to our realm and they have to find him before the soldier of the kingdom realm get involved, otherwise it will be serious trouble to all of us and they don't want that. 

I was so scared, I knew deep inside this is not good at all, I was really scared but at the same time I denied everything. I told them there is nothing to see and they should get on their way and go find themselves whatever they've lost elsewhere. They knew instantly something doesn't add up and I was hiding something, they looked at me and at each other and they started to argue and beg me to tell them the truth, otherwise we all have to face a cruel destiny. 

Whilst we kept arguing and crying in the middle of the road, my colleague screamed out from the shop that I should run because a small army of soldiers are coming from the upper kingdom realm and there will be huge trouble. Right in this moment the female wise owl knew that her "child's" dead body will be in our "shop" and she started to sob heavily. I got so scared that I ran into the building and grabbed a gun. When checking outside through the front door, it was packed with soldiers. I looked at my colleague and told him to run and sell the pearl for as much as possible, I will be back for him. He didn't think twice, whizzed out through the back door and down the canals.

Within the matter of minutes the soldiers broke into the building and with my remaining colleague we started to fight, to resist, but all in vain. Even though it turned out a huge fight and we even ended up fighting outside too, wounding heavily 6 of their soldiers, they captured us, there was no escape...

These soldiers were tall, with well built bodies and white, white greyish wings on their backs. If I were a woman, more likely I would have fallen for them, but I wasn't, so for me they were just strong "men", but not strong enough to hold me back from injuring them. 

Once chained on the ground, they grabbed me at my arm and flew me up to their prison in the upper realm. I fainted on the way there so the next thing I remember, waking up in a carved cave like, cold and moist mine, chained to the chair and being woken up by the commander in charge who started to question me. He kept hitting my face like a pussy and started to torture me mentally so that I admit how many "children" I have killed, or how many creatures. He was talking in such a non sense way that I didn't even know what he meant or referred to. He also wanted to know what I have done with the pearls, where I hid them, or where I have sold them? I kept screaming I didn't kill children creatures before, not adding that I referred to the time before this incident and it was never in my intention. He kept hitting me screaming. The hitting wasn't hard to pain in a physical way, which surprised me a lot. In our realm you feel heavily all the punches, but not here, however I could feel my soul being torn apart from the inner pain, which was even worse. At one point I started to scream to kill me, they should all kill me, I want to die, I don't want this torture anymore. The commander looked at me laughing and he asked if I really thought I would get away this easily? He screamed again that "You must confess!!!".

An other soldier stepped to me and he started to tell me that every being has a soul pearl, all are different in colour, depending on the species and the maturity level of the individual. Then he smirked and said: "You know that too, right? The white and the golden yellow ish pearls are the most valuable, however there are greens and even black ones. "The golden yellow ones belong to all "children" and they are not allowed to be harmed! " 

Suddenly my head became foggy and I didn't understand the whole situation anymore. On my whole realm hunting for preys and the soul pearls was allowed, everyone who lives down there knows this and since I have known, never, ever anyone said anything about or against it, and specially the kingdom realm never got involved. Why now? What did they want from me? Then a bulb lit up in my head, realising that this was my first case and they want to know where I sell the pearls. I accepted my fate, looked in his eyes and bursted out screaming: "I killed one child creature in my whole life, one child!!! Even this child was an accident, a fucking accident!!! We didn't know until I took the pearl, it was not intentional!!! Kill me now, just kill me, take my life for his!!! I don't care, but don't call me a murderer for something that your kind doesn't care about and for us it is a mean to survive!!!"

The commander froze for a second, he sent a gentle smile towards me and gestured to the others to get me off the chair and the chain. They came straight away and suddenly I was a freed, but so so confused. I didn't understand anything anymore. They made me stand next to the cold and wet grey wall, the commander grabbed a plastic bag, packed with pearl like white and black balls and he chucked them at me. He said to keep eating them, the same way as I did it on the lower realm, because only "damned worms" like me do that. I looked at the bag and opened it and I couldn't really put my head around what it was that I kept holding in my hands. I just kept starring at the balls and was thinking "Is this really food coming from dead souls?". I never in my life had one, so I picked up a white ball, that seemed soft and still sturdy enough to not to melt. The outer layer was like a hard jelly, when I pealed a bit off, inside it seemed like a white pastry. I was so curious about it's taste so I lifted it to my mouth and had a bite. It was the weirdest experience of my whole existence, all my taste buds were attacked at the same time and all separately, tasting sweet, sour and bitter in one go. Then I have looked up again at the soldiers and with a calmer head, I told them everything. I confessed that we genuinely never knew it was a child, as ourselves we never saw one before. We knew of the high value of the golden pearls, but we never saw one until that moment. Even then we realized it was an immature creature, only once the pearl was out. I also told them that I don't understand why they make such a huge fuss out of the whole thing. The people on that realm are suffering, they have barely anything to eat. It is free to shoot, and yet no one teaches anyone to what you can and can't, yet they expect that we know and follow every rule... 

The soldiers knew and understood that I was telling the truth and I genuinely was honest. The commander left to speak to the head of the kingdom realm. Once they have returned I was told that I have been pardoned, but in return I have to join the kingdom's army and need to work with the explorer team researching the natives of the parallel realms. The soldier telling me about the pact, and letting me go freely, requested that I follow him. 

Up through the cold stairs and corridors carved from the natural existence of the mine we reached a door, which led into a huge chamber. On our right there was a pantry, filled with shelves containing food in a length that you couldn't see the end of it. Moving through the next door we were in a dining hall, which had a huge table packed with all sorts of food a human's eye and brain could think of, all looking fresh, delicious and full of vivid colours. It almost seemed like a ballroom. I was astonished by the view, as down in the lower realm we could only imagine what this would be like, but never actually add much colour to it, unless someone who was raised in the upper realm for whatever reasons ended down there with us. But as we were limited in colour sight it was just a near guess of what the reality might have been up here. 

I asked the soldier why is there so much food as it looks like wasting. My realm down there is starving, why are they not giving them some as well? The soldier told me that "This is the realm of the queen, and she wishes that her people live well and in abundance. Everything you wish for to eat can be found in the pantry, but even the queen herself needs to ask for permission from the council, if she wishes to take out excess. The lower realms work totally differently and it is not in our responsibility how they are run". He then gently nodded and told me to eat up as we need to go soon, and I shouldn't worry as in this realm nothing gets wasted. "One way or the other even the leftover serves it's purpose the right way". 

There were so many things I wanted to try, but I was very limited, as my stomach couldn't bear the pressure. After my "modest" meal I was taken to my team and was told then only that they are about to launch to their next mission. I didn't understand where they were rushing. I was the newby, yet my authority was not less than anyone else's. On the way to our ship I was briefed. The mission was dangerous but seemed also very exciting. We had to go to a kingdom or a parallel realm, where our job was to find the natives and if there is possibility then move them. It turned out that there is a dark species, of which we don't know much. This "new" species finds and takes out one by one the parallel realms, killing everyone who gets in their way. They want to occupy everything and be the omnipotent ruler of all realms. 

I was amazed by the technology this upper realm possessed. They looked so basic, but their technological advancement was astonishing, something I have never seen in my life before. Flying ships with high speed, food and accommodation for the whole crew with healing centre integrated on each ship. 

There were 8 of us in total going to this mission. Upon arrival to this destined realm two of our crew members went to look around in the mountains and surrounding fields to secure the place, whilst measuring up how much time we would take to relocate the people. The rest of us stayed either on the ship or we made our way to the tribe that was our main goal to save. 

Upon arrival to the village I was a bit shocked how poorly dressed the people looked. Their clothing seemed so simple and almost like dirty, which later on turned out it was died in such way, to be in synchron with nature. They used vernacular architecture when building their houses, they were circular in shape, built with mud, stones and rammed earth, and surrounded by stick or wood. The roofs were made fully out of bamboo like sticks, very well built, sturdy complex buildings, all along one long road. They lived in peace with each other and with nature. When they saw us they greeted us happily. 

A woman appeared at the end of the village, she looked very clever, had pale white skin and medium length, jet black hair. My colleague told her why we are there and we need to see their leader. She pointed towards the biggest building at the other end of the village and asked us to follow her. When we entered the building upon arrival, there was a huge chair made out of rattan in the middle of the room, just opposite the entrance. It looked almost as if it just grew out from the soil deliberately like that. The black haired lady asked us to wait a bit and she vanished behind a side wall standing near the chair, she informed us that she will fetch the queen. 

Some of us sat down, whilst two of us were standing when the queen appeared. I have never seen a beauty like her in my entire life, all of us dropped our jaws when she entered because of the peaceful, graceful and calm energy she radiated. She wore a long white and sleeveless thick garment, looking like a goddess. Her skin colour was honey tanned, it looked soft and pure, yet she seemed a fully mature wise woman. On her white dress she had symbols made with golden stitches. She was the only one wearing white garments. She was tall, had deep hazel eyes and long mocha brown hair. If you know of angels, she for sure was one them. 

She took her seat in the big chair standing in the middle of the room and asked us to speak why we are there. My colleague explained to her too that we were sent from the kingdom realm with the purpose of evacuating their people and specially saving her from the forces that are on the way to destroy them. She was informed that two of our colleagues are on expedition in the area and as soon as they are back we should start preparing packing people up and leaving. She couldn't believe what she heard, nor did her counsellor, the black haired lady. They were reluctant, but probably it was more their pride that talked from them. We were clearly informed that this land they live on is their home, their life and they are grateful, but they will protect themselves, no matter what. This took us by surprise, but also we were worried because as per our understanding it was about a tribe that was very small in number already. Nonetheless we asked the queen to reconsider our request. She agreed to the consideration and we made our way to get the inhabitants know a bit better. 

Whilst walking down the road we started chatting with them and learnt, that despite looking so dire, they were not people to cry for. They loved their life, they lived in full harmony with nature, were happy and had peace. Thanks to the special abilities of their queen they could grow everything they needed, and whatever they missed they worked for it to have it. Technologically they weren't as advanced, neither so materialistic like the people in the lower realm, but spiritually they were in balance and that kept them moving. 

After spending some more time with the locals, we learnt a lot, and whilst talking to them, we became aware that our soldiers are running back from the hill and screaming. As they got closer we were informed that upon their expedition without realising they were discovered and more likely followed back. They didn't stop to bring the news as soon as possible that the enemy is heavily armed and they are not far from the village, so everyone should be moved out as soon as possible. By the time we started to move and sent the messenger to get the queen, the massacre has started. They came like lightning strike from nowhere. From a hill like 10 km from us troops started to appear, with heavy weapons, firing directly to the village. Some really weird looking, ugly creatures appeared as well in the sky, shooting at the people with the weapons in their hands. 

We got desperate, I felt for a moment the fear in others and in myself at the same time, was shocked and didn't know what to do. Our commander screamed at us to make our way to the ship, and bring anyone along the way who wants to come. Not looking back we were running like crazy, whilst the rumble and the noise behind us got louder by each minute. Once reaching our ship the pilot was in standby to take off, however she was waiting for the others to get in. Arriving all of us on the board the two explorers asked where the queen was. We told them briefly what happened to which they have lost their minds and started arguing and fighting us that they have to go back and save her with the people. No matter what our commander said they didn't listen, so eventually we had no other option than to knock them out and lock them in two rooms. In the meantime the queen's counsellor ran after us, and just when she reached the ship she screamed to wait as more will come and the queen is on her way too. You could clearly see her running down the road. 

We were all scared for her, because even though finally she admitted that everything that can be should be saved, we were really tight with time. Half of the village was in flames already and we needed to shut the gate of the ship in order to get the shields up... The commander said to wait but then our pilot shouted that we can't because we need time to get the system fully up and running and with open doors that's impossible. She started one of the engines and whilst we were waiting on the ship from far we saw something that gave us all shivers. 

A black being appeared, approaching with high speed, bringing with him all his army, he looked like the death himself in a long, black hooded coat. The aura he was surrounded by was enormously fearful, negative and filled with horror. When he realised on his right the queen running towards the ship as well, he stopped upon almost reaching us and whilst hovering, he waited for her to see him. Just like when a hunter waiting for his prey to turn around and have the pleasure of seeing the fear in the prey's eyes. Another 50 meters, we were screaming to run faster, whilst on the board my colleagues were screaming that they need to close the gate. At this point the queen stopped for a second and looked to her right, she saw the black being and knew in an instant that her faith was sealed. 

The dark entity lifted his right arm, holding a black, carved stick with a small, black and shiny skull at the end, he pulled the stick back and pushed it forwards vertically. In that second the skull emitted a black, yet shiny light. We got all scared, we then knew the queen won't make it, just as she did... We still started to scream to run and don't stop, but she gracefully accepted her fate and whilst looking at us she sent a peaceful smile to everyone. She said "Goodbye", without words. In that moment the light which was beamed out from the stick hit her head and on one side it went in and on the other, in a perfect skull shape, all came out. We felt dying in that moment with her, her lifeless body collapsed in front of our own eyes and for a second no one could say a single word. 

Thanks God the pilot got her focus back with high speed and without waiting for an order she closed the door, and hit the shield button. Our shield came up finalized in that second when the dark being turned his hooded head towards us and repeated the same move as he did with the queen. His dark light collided with our shield so we avoided damage but all the people that were left out were haunted... It was a horror that we could barely get over, even on the lower realm it was heaven during battle times. Our heart got filled with sorrow and sadness, and our mission seemed to be doomed. The pain was so heavy that I have blacked out. 

I woke up on the floor of the board, the metal under me was cold, but it was silence and the sunshine shone through the main window. I sat up and looked around but there was no one, not one single soul. I couldn't understand what was happening. Kept going up and down the ship, looking for people, but there was no one. I thought to myself maybe they went out to check the damages done and left me here, but then why on the floor? Where is everyone? I checked the ship and all the equipment was there, no dead bodies, nothing, but it was silent and peaceful inside. Suddenly I started to remember that there was a huge battle where the queen and her tribe more likely died, but what about the animals that were sheltered and tied up in the barns? Did they at least survive? I was in a total agony on what I should do. Should I go out, should I stay in and wait? But what if no one comes? I then remembered that we have single explorer ships, which carry one person and can become invisible, so I decided to have a look around. I jumped in one of them and got of the main ship. It was silence outside too, there were no people, the houses that were still standing looked all abandoned, and the remainders of the war lying there silently as if the battle happened decades ago. I kept hovering up the long road and couldn't stop but wonder where everyone is? How comes there is not one single soul left, what happened to the people from the tribe? Did they all die? What about the dark army? 

Suddenly a dog, looking like a sloth bear, appeared. I got scared, what if he sees me? I had to remind myself that I am with an invisible ship. Either ways, he sensed me somehow. For a moment he stopped and kept staring towards me, I didn't want it to start making any noises, in case someone not wanted is around, but I didn't want to harm him either. He ran towards me, to which I pulled the ship higher, he then jumped as if he wanted to catch a butterfly. Once landed he just kept staring. I felt in that moment he won't harm nor bark, and from joy, I started to mess around by pulling the ship up and down, to which he started to jump as well up and down. After like 4 tries he saw I am no fun and just messing with him, so he turned around and walked back to the direction where he came from. 

I carried on with my journey. Not far from the road, in the distance I saw a building that looked like a barn, but it was different in shape compared to the ones they had before. I took the direction that way. Arriving to the barn there were cows on huge silver chains, all tied up to poles. My mind started to race that I need to help them, I need to free them. I jumped out of my ship, becoming visible and started to look for tools to get the chains off the cows' neck. I couldn't find a thing. Fuming there I saw in the distance a woman's shape appearing, it was approaching my location. I didn't want trouble, or fight. I had no idea who she was, whether it was someone who survived, someone new, or the enemy was still there, living on the other side of the hill? I looked for a hideout, when I saw the hump just next to the barn and I quickly ran towards that to hide there, hoping she won't see me at all. Whilst laying low I could hear that she was coming closer and closer. I was scared, my heart was pounding in my throat. At one point I even tried to hold my breath back, thinking that it will silence the noise of my heart. 

Nothing worked and then I decided that I will fight, even if it might cost my life. I looked up on the side, making myself ready to even die if needed. I was scared and curious at the same time, but my curiosity drove me harder than my fear. In that moment her eyes met mine. She sensed that I was there so she came closer to check who is there and when I emerged at first she stared at me and with a very calm manner she asked me: 

"Why are you here? The people you are looking for have been all gone since the great battle. There is nothing here, even myself I only come to feed the animals."