Secrets of the Universe

Tear Cove, Weeping Island.

The usual rugged but lively bay was scanty. 

The wind was all alone. Even the buildings were not spared from this wave of loneliness.

Their only saving grace was the few people that walked around. Still yet, the visible dark circles under their eyes accompanied by their sluggish movement proved to have a negative influence on the environment, rather than a positive one.

This was the sight that Jake and Kaleyx met with when they entered the only habitable area on the island.

As she walked, Kaleyx cocked her head at the lackluster scene, "Is something wrong?"

No matter how she thought of it, no place should look this dead.

"I don't know. If I had to guess. It would be hope!" replied Jake.

His voice was still croaky, but it was better than the time in the forest.

It had been two days since they had left the Weeping Town and now Jake was back at the home of the bounty hunters.

"Hope?" asked Kaleyx.

"The zombie outbreak. It is hanging over their heads and they know it. Sooner or later, the outbreak will spread to the islands," spoke Jake.

The casual manner he spoke made Kaleyx understand that he cared not for the the others.

'That is better. Only people like this can survive in this world,' chided Kaleyx.

Examining the empty building and streets, Kaleyx added, "It seems like most of them have left and those still here have given up on escaping."

"Hmmm…." agreed Jake.

From the stares he and Kaleyx had been receiving, he understood that he probably shouldn't assume his position as a member of the Teglycas. Being unknown was better than that.

As he walk around the streets, Jake reminiscence on the past two days.

The two of them had occasionally stopped by to cultivate as they felt the necessity for that.

In turn, they had become stronger than they previously were.

Jake had finally reached [Realm 3 - Stage 2], while Kakeyx was officially at [Realm 3 - Stage 1].

It might not seem much, but to people like Jake and Kaleyx, it was surely much.

An increase in energy levels signified a longer battle duration.

'It seems like we are here,' sighed Jake.

The two were in font of an inn, different from the one Jake used when he was still in the Teglycas.

Kaleyx called him, "Jake, look."

As soon as they entered the inn, all eyes were on them.

Everyone in the inn was trying to figure out who the two hooded men were.

However, they didn't attempt to directly ask the. Ultimately, it wasnot their business.

Walking to the receptionist, Jake asks, "I would like a room. A plain room."

"One plain room, got it," replied the welcoming receptionist.

She wrote down the information and asked, "Should it be one bed or double bed?"

"Double bed," replied Jake.

Since he had the money, there was no need to settle for one bed.

"Okay," stated the receptionist.

After a while, she called someone to lead Jake and Kaleyx to their rooms.

*Bam!*

The door closed shut behind them to signify they were alone.

"Is that all?" asked Kaleyx.

Jake had told her to not speak when not necessary. This was due to Kaleyx's accent. 

It was easy for anyone to know that she was a foreigner, which would inadvertently attract attention.

"No, we are expecting someone in one, two….."

Immediately, there was a knock on the door, signifying that there was someone at the other side.

"----Three!" Jake completed.

Having been robbed from getting comfortable, Kaleyx scorned, "Who is that?"

"An old friend," smiled Jake.

It made Kaleyx confused as the words, Jake and Friends, don't mix at all.

Jake just ignored her and proceeded to open the door.

"Jakey boy, I was sure it was you," an overly matured voice sounded from the other side.

The owner of the voice was revealed to be an old man with grey hair and shrively skin.

He bounced into the room and sat on Jake's bed.

"Old man. You are still alive, huh," chided Jake.

The old man was Jake's closest companion in the entire island.

It had to be noted that their relationship started as a forced one though.

Chewing on a leaf branch, the old man spat at Jake, "Once my wife told me of the two strange men in my inn. I knew it was you! Only you could survive something like that."

"Then you know why I'm here," eyed Jake.

He had deliberately picked this inn for one single reason.

He was acquainted with its owner!

It was the old man that was smiling at him in a strange way.

"I know. I know. Gosh, no pleasantries," grumbled the old man.

He turned around to look at the other person in the room, "Hmmm, who is this?"

Jumping from his seat, the old man landed on Kaleyx's bed. 

He sniffed around her much to her disgust, "I could tell. A woman."

A red blush appeared on his face as he could not resist bringing her hood down, "Woah, a beauty."

He had no idea that his status as Jake's friend was the only thing that was keeping Kaleyx from killing him .

"Who is this old man?" Kaleyx directed her question at Jake.

"I don't know his name. He refuses to tell me, saying that it has been forgotten by the rivers of time," sighed Jake.

Hearing Jake's words, the old man's eyes beamed at Kaleyx, "I keep telling you. My name has been forgotten by time. Surely, young lady, you believe me, right?"

"Su--uur-rr-rre," trailed Kaleyx.

She was starting to get frustrated by the old man who was so touchy around her.

Moving away from her bed. She removed her cloak and sat on Jake's bed.

"So, what is he actually here for?" chided Kaleyx.

"Hmmm...information. This old man is the most informed person on the entire island. Also, he is up to date with the affairs of the other islands," responded Jake.

"Hehehe," grinned the old man.

In the next second, a serious expression donned on his face as he begun to spill out.