Nova Force Book 1

All three came out after the barrier was destroyed. Laylah, Durato, and Rome had left the island a few hours before, determined to see what was beyond it and to start a new life. With all three wearing a mask to conceal there identify for now and to have something protecting their face, they would address themselves as Nova Zero(Rome), Nova Uno(Laylah) and Nova Dos(Durato).
They had come across many monsters after leaving the island but that was like a walk in the park for them, the monsters were very weak to them. With a little determination, they arrived at a barrier and destroyed it with a little push.
As they walked on, they found themselves at the edge of a little forest, no more than a mile long. The trees were tall and lush, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of flowers and the chirping of birds.
"aaahhchuu!" Nova Uno sneezed.
"What's that, haven't heard that in ages." Said Nova Dos.
"Yea, something in the air just now, that's all." replied Nova Uno.
"Yea, my nose feels funny." added Nova Zero.
 As they walked further, the dense, shadowy forest gradually thinned, giving way to a vibrant panorama beyond the treeline. The air was rich with the mingled scents of blooming flowers and freshly baked bread. Ahead lay streets beaming with life, a stark contrast to the quiet solitude of the woods. The cobblestone pathways were awash with colors, as people dressed in vivid, elaborate attire strolled and hurried about their day.
Carriages pulled by both majestic horses and fantastical creatures with scales and horns weaved through the bustling streets. The rhythmic clatter of hooves and the occasional roar of a beast created a symphony of urban life. Nova Uno, Nova Dos, and Nova Zero stood in awe, their eyes wide with wonder as they took in the sights.
The streets were a hive of activity. Vendors lined the sides, their stalls overflowing with an array of goods. Brightly colored fruits, gleaming trinkets, and handwoven fabrics caught the sunlight, creating a dazzling display. The vendors' voices rang out, calling to passersby with practiced ease, their animated gestures adding to the lively atmosphere.
Children darted between the stalls, their laughter mingling with the clamor of the market. They played games, chased each other, and shared sweets bought with precious coins. Couples strolled hand in hand, their faces alight with smiles as they whispered secrets and promises to each other. The streets thrummed with a sense of community and joy.
To the left of the main thoroughfare, they spotted a quaint village nestled near a gently flowing river. The village was a picture of rustic charm, with thatched-roof cottages surrounded by well-tended gardens. Smoke curled lazily from chimneys, promising the warmth of hearth fires and home-cooked meals. The gentle babble of the river added a soothing undercurrent to the lively hum of the village.
Nova Uno, Nova Dos, and Nova Zero exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of amazement and curiosity. The forest had been a world unto itself, but this bustling town and serene village presented a different kind of magic, one woven from the tapestry of everyday life and extraordinary creatures.
"Look at those creatures pulling the carriages," Nova Uno said, her voice filled with awe. "They're like something out of a fairy tale."
"And the colors," Nova Dos added, his eyes wide as he took in the vibrant scene. "It's like the whole town is celebrating."
Nova Zero smiled, feeling a sense of excitement bubbling up. "Let's explore," he suggested, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. "There's so much to see and experience here."
"Wow, amazing. This is a huge upgrade from what we're used to." said Nova Zero.
"Yea, it's like these people have no monsters or anything bad to worry about." Said Nova Dos.
But as they stared in wonder, they noticed something strange. All the people seemed to be staring at them and whispering to themselves. Some people started walking faster. Was it because they looked a little different. The three were in clothes that had the same patterns but different colors, and they also had masks on. They must have looked out of place. Suddenly, in a blink of an eye, they vanished and went on their journey.
"Why are they staring at us like that?" Asked Nova Uno.
"I have no idea, maybe we look weird or did something wrong. I'm not sure." Replied Nova Zero.
"Let's get moving, over there." said Nova Dos.
The three friends were amazed by what had just happened. They had appeared right at the entrance of what seemed to be a village at first, but now seeing inside they realized it was a marketplace. They walked inside, filling their eyes with everything they could look at. Food, jewelry, precious stones, swords, armor, clothing and many more.
Majority of the stuff they had never seen before, but what had really puzzled them was the fact that the world had reached at this stage in such a short time. Only two years. To fight off monsters and accomplish all this was great. It also seemed like everyone was happy and not afraid of anything.
"Hey don't these people have monsters to deal with?" Asked Durato.
"Yea, everyone just seems so happy and energetic like they don't have a care in the world. Well, initially, but they started acting weird when they saw us." Said Laylah.
After saying that, some men were charging into the street, clearing the crowd. A few meters out, a man was pointing the three out to the soldiers.
"You there with the baby monster, don't move! ." Shouted one of the men. He was a soldier, cladded in yellow and green armor that wasn't so heavy. It was made from a strong but light material. As tough as steel and 5 times lighter.
The three-o didn't want any problems so they vanished once more. They wondered why the soldiers were after Them but after coming so far they don't want to encounter any trouble. They just wanted to get to their family.
Rome
 
After seeing this amazing market place we were pointed out by a man we saw looking at us earlier. Then some men looking soldiers ran after us. Laylah alone could have taken then but we werent going to fight. We didn't have time for that. We just needed to get away from them without destroying the market place.
After escaping, we ducked into the forest, seeking the cover of the trees to get out of sight. The dense canopy above shielded us from prying eyes, but it couldn't muffle the rumbling of our stomachs.
"I'm hungry," Laylah complained, her voice tinged with longing. "Couldn't we have grabbed something from that place? The food smelled so good."
"We'll hunt and kill something," Durato replied with a shrug, trying to scan the surroundings.
"Let me do the searching." I said.
I, too, was famished, but the forest seemed devoid of any immediate prey. Activating my purple eyes, I scanned the area, seeing through the thick foliage. About 200 meters away, five people were gathered around a campfire.
"Hey, there are some people over there," I said, pointing casually in their direction.
"Do you think they have some of that yummy food from the town?" Laylah asked, her eyes lighting up with hope.
"I'm going to ask them," she declared impulsively and started towards their camp.
"Laylah, wait!" I called out, but she was already halfway there.
One of the men at the campfire jumped to his feet, drawing his sword. "Hey, what the hell!"
"I'm hungry. Do you guys have any food or know where the monsters are?" Laylah asked, unfazed by the drawn weapon.
The men quickly armed themselves, ready for a fight, except for one young man who appeared more refined than the others. "Let's not get carried away, guys," he said calmly.
"Who are you and what do you want?!" shouted a fierce-looking woman wielding a large sword. Her companions, armed with a bow and spear, looked equally menacing.
"If you don't talk, we'll get rid of you!" she threatened.
"Oh, you're sure about that?" I said, stepping out from the shadows with a smirk.
"There are two more of them out there that you haven't noticed." said the elegantly dressed young man
The men tensed even more, scanning the trees nervously. Durato stepped out, his hands raised in a gesture of peace. It was surprising to see him play the diplomat.
I followed slowly, my purple eyes glinting in the firelight. The young man's eyes widened in recognition. Did he know me from somewhere?
"Well, guys, let me make a deal. I'm heading to a dungeon and I'll hire you three to accompany me along with my friends," he proposed.
"We don't need anybody else," grumbled one of the shady looking men.
"I've made up my mind. It's final," the young man asserted. "By the way, my name is Tarif."
We introduced ourselves, though I couldn't help but mentally label the others as Shady 1, 2, 3, and 4.
"Which country are we in?" I asked, trying to get my bearings.
"What do you mean? This is the outskirts of Silva Civitas, originally Argentina," Tarif explained.
"I'm hundreds of miles away from home. This journey will take forever," I muttered to myself, feeling the weight of the distance.
As we settled down and shared a meal with our new companions, one of the shady characters turned to us. "What rank are you?"
"Rank?" I echoed, puzzled.
"You guys live under a rock or something?" Shady 1 laughed.
"There are five different ranks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. All three great nations use this ranking system," Tarif explained.
"Three great nations? Please, tell us more," Nova Dos urged.

Tarif began to explain, detailing the ranking system and the political landscape. The fire crackled softly as he spoke, casting flickering shadows on our faces. Despite our hunger and exhaustion, a sense of curiosity and anticipation filled the air.