The Choice of The Universe

"Story Summary…

Thousands of years ago, a meteor hit the high slope of Mount Karteli and created a large cavity there. Due to its speed, the meteorite that sank into the ground was so hot that it melted all the rocks around it and flattened the ground.

The molten rocks of the cavity, which was about the size of a football field, dissolved over the years and turned into soil. Over time, gray flowers with orange buds began to bloom in the soil of this cavity. Years passed and a phytologist finally discovered this place.

He conducted many experiments to find out if the flowers he collected had any benefits. And finally, he reached some conclusions. The flower petals revolutionized the treatment of deep cuts with bleeding, while the orange buds have revolutionized the recovery of internal energy.

However, this revolution was not cheap enough to be commercialized. Only the rich could buy this product. But the problem was; It was very difficult to find anyone who was injured among the rich. Naturally, no one showed any interest in this expensive production and the revolution faded over time.

The phytologist did not give up and produced a cheap and high-quality gray soap from the karteli flower. But unfortunately, he could not find the attention he wanted in his newly produced soap. The phytologist Heriston, who was disappointed, gathered his all family after thinking for a long time and settled near the cave. He established a small business here and named it Hernes.

His developed various products from karteli flower and began selling them. Even though his business did not make much profit, he was self-sufficient and had some money left. Thanks to this surplus, the phytologist Heriston hired some workers from outside the town and started to work them as guards, security and assistant staff.

When all the arrangements were made, the generations passed one after another. Now the eighth generation Turgay Heriston is taking care of business. As a well-established trading company, he was going to the business development and evaluation meeting held in the capital every five years.

They came to the campsite on the route they always used. This was within the borders of the red orc tribe. The Heriston family had signed an agreement with them a long time ago. Whenever they passed through the red orc lands, they would give the red orcs weapons and food as a toll.

In return, the red orcs would not approach the Heriston family, would not block their path, and would not attack them… … …"

…

They had been on the road for three days. But they woke up very early this morning and set off before sunrise. Their small caravan of two carriages pulled by horses was lead by a guard team of eleven people. They arrived here, in this riverside floodplain around noon.

This was the resting and bartering area they always used. It had a wide and flat structure. There could be no danger other than the river flowing in torrents. Because of its wide and flat structure, an ambush could not be set up here.

After the weapons and food exchange with the red orcs, the camp period was extended a little so that the horses could rest and the hungry bellies could be fed. After the meal, he warned the head guard, Turgay Heriston, as he went to his daughter, who was putting her hand in the cool waters of the river and collecting river stones.

- Sir. We must leave here as soon as possible.

- I know. You make your preparations. I will come with my daughter.

At that moment, the four-eyed bear's scream echoed on the high slope of the mountain. The head guard immediately drew his sword and turned towards the direction of the voice.

The trees on the high slopes of the mountain began to swing downwards in a certain line. It was obvious that the bear was running downwards. Fortunately, there was a steep slope there. Unless the bear fell from there, it could not come down.

While the head guard was following the swaying trees, Turgay Heriston, in his late forties, and his sixteen-year-old daughter came to him.

- This could be dangerous. Let's pack up and get out of here immediately.

- Yes sir.

As the head guard was about to turn and leave, the sound of the trees shaking gradually increased and a bear with a red orc in its mouth and a person fell down the cliff. The frightened girl immediately clung to her father's arm.

- Dad, someone fell down the cliff there.

- I saw it, my daughter. But there is nothing we can do. This is the territory of the red orcs.

- So, we are not going to help him, Dad?

- Help? I don't think he needs help. It's impossible for him to survive after falling from that height. He's already dead.

- Why do you say that? Maybe he's not dead, dad. Can't we go and take a look?

- As I said, this is the territory of the red orcs. We can't interfere with the red orcs' business.

- But it wasn't a red orc that fell, dad.

- (The head guard joined the conversation.) Yes, your daughter is telling the truth, sir. It was a human who fell down the cliff with the bear.

- (The head guard's involvement in the matter showed that he wanted to help the human who fell down, but Turgay Heriston didn't approve of it.) There's nothing we can do. He might have entered here without permission. Even if he survived the fall, the red orcs will find him and kill him. Come on, let's not be late and leave here as soon as possible.

- DAD!! I can't believe you abandoned someone in need of help. My father would never do something like that. My father is helpful. Isn't he, dad?

- But my daughter...

- DAD! If you abandon him now, how do I know you won't leave me tomorrow, too?

 - (Turgay Heriston looked into his daughter's eyes and then ordered his the head guard, even though he did not want to.) Go and look at the situation. If he's still alive, take him and bring him here.

The head guard went to the horses and took another horse besides his own. He crossed the shallow but wide river on horses and came to the ones who fell off the cliff. He did not get off his horse immediately. Instead, while on his horse, he looked at the fallen ones for a while and examined the surroundings.

All the fallen were lying motionless as if they were dead. He raised his head and looked towards the top of the cliff. At the same time, he saw a red orc standing on the edge of the cliff and looking at him. Although the head guard was a little startled, he did not draw his sword so as not to show any aggressive attitude. He calmly looked at the red orc for a while.

…

The tribal chief was watching the head guard very carefully. He wanted to attack the moment he saw him, but when he saw the Karteli Flower Emblem on both his arm and the horse carriages, he gave up this idea. Because the king of the red orcs had a definitive order. "We will not break the agreement unless the owners of the karteli flower break it."

Therefore, the tribal chief could neither attack nor approach the human below. He could only watch from a distance. But he remained alert to respond at the slightest threat of attack.

…

When the head guard did not sense any danger from the red orc, he got off his horse and approached the human lying motionless on the ground. Blood was flowing from the mouth of this young man, who was about sixteen or seventeen years old. It was clear that his internal organs were damaged.

He bent down and checked his pulse. He paid attention to his breathing. When he was finally sure that the human was alive, he raised his head and looked at the red orc again. There was no change in the red orc. He seemed to be calmly watching what was happening.

The head guard carefully picked up this young man lying on the ground as if he were dead and placed him in the saddle of the horse he had brought with him like a sack. He mounted his horse and held the reins of the spare horse and headed towards the campsite.

When Turgay Heriston, who was watching the events closely, saw the guard chief bringing the wounded man, he ordered the guards to prepare the spare carriage. When the head guard crossed the river, the guards moved quickly and carefully took the wounded man off the horse and carried him to the carriage they had prepared.

- How is he?

- His pulse beats slowly and blood comes from his mouth. His internal organs are damaged. If we don't treat him now, I estimate he can live for two hours at most.

- (Turgay Heriston looked at his daughter standing next to him angrily, but there was nothing he could do now.) Okay. Since we have entered a path. We have no choice but to keep going. Let's start his treatment.

Who is he? What's the matter? Is he a disaster or a blessing? We'll find out when the boy comes to.

But first of all, we need to set off immediately. (He added as his gaze turned to the red orcs at the top of the cliff.) The red orcs can't wait any longer. You can start the boy's treatment later. Our priority is to get away from here as soon as possible.

- Yes sir.

The head guard called his subordinates to him and asked them to get ready for the journey immediately. While everyone started their preparations in a rush, the head guard went to Han, who was lying unconscious in the spare vehicle.

They had laid Han on his side so that he wouldn't drown in his own blood. He sat down across from Han and watched him for a while. Blood was around his mouth. It was obvious that many organs inside his body were damaged.

He reached into his pocket and took out a light pink potion bottle. This medicine that treated internal injuries was very effective. It was a good thing he had bought it before setting off. Otherwise, they would definitely bury this person in the ground today.

The head guard approached Han with the potion bottle in his hand. He put his arm behind his neck and poured the potion into Han's mouth as his head fell back. Although completely unconscious, Han managed to swallow the potion. The head guard laid Han back down and then got out of the carriage.

The pick up was almost done.

- Don't leave anything behind! Pick up the trash you threw away! Don't make they talk bad about our household! Be quick!

The head guard helped the pick up process by warning the people he saw. Finally, when everything was packed and there was nothing left behind, they set off.

As the tribal chief looked at the karteli flower emblem carriages going away, the first deputy chief announced that there was a shortcut down.

- (He replied while his gaze was on the carriages moving away.) Okay. I'm coming…