In the southern part of the continent, there lies the Golden Empire. With its mountains that look like silver bars stacked in pyramid shape that stand atop of the wheat fields that look like a bed of gold bars.

  In the heart of the mountain, a faint cyclic rumble would be heard, in the area, this would be the normal occurrence. The rhythmic sound would be therapeutic since it will be something familiar. The noise would be from the Rock Orc tribe native to the area. They would work on the mountains tirelessly, expanding and maintaining their complicated networks of tunnels.

  A typical Rock Orc would be carrying a necklace with a glowing stone crystal, emitting a soft blue light. Using his big and sharp claws he would dig and dig and after a while, the Rock Orc would stop for a bit and he would anchor his sensitive spikes on the earth to give it a feel if it'll hold. If there's no problem, he will continue digging as usual.

  This was the everyday routine and it looks like today will be like any other day. But he was wrong. It was different this time around. He began to feel small vibrations in the air. He quickly checked the earth but there was nothing. It's not coming from there. The vibrations would get stronger, and without hesitation, he and all of his fellow Rock Orcs begin exiting the tunnels. The tunnels are vast so they have to hurry at the first sign of danger as they have to cover quite a distance.

  When was the last time the orc went out of the tunnels? His eyes are blinded and have difficulty adjusting. When he finally begins to see, he would be met with quite a scene. The sky lights up and it's raining balls of fire. These meteors are like artillery barraging the area. There are explosions, dust, falling rocks, debris and destruction all around the place, causing chaos and panic.

  The Rock Orcs are afraid to go back inside the tunnels because of possible collapse from the ground shaking, but this would mean they will have to face the barrage of meteors.

  One brave Rock Orc would head inside, despite the danger present. He knows all the nook and cranny of the networks. He's going through a special series of tunnels wherein it looks like it was designed as a deadly maze. If one gets lost, there’s no coming out.

  Finally he would reach a clearing, where a very big Rock Orc is sitting on a throne like structure. it's the tribe’s elder. The area is noticeably dark and cold. The room is basically empty. Aside from the makeshift throne, there would be a pedestal with a rapier on it.

  The brave Rock Orc didn't waste time and made his report right away about what's happening outside. They are so deep on the mountain that the chaos of the outside is barely felt in that place, you can only hear soft vibrations.

  Wasting no time, they would head outside immediately. Everything is a mess. Many Rock Orc and their livestock suffered the same fate: outright blown into pieces, burned, stuck on debris, or missing. While most of the meteors had already fallen, stray meteors would still fall from time to time. One such meteor is making a trajectory towards an unsuspecting little Rock Orc who thought the ordeal is finished.

  Seeing this, the elder Rock Orc would instantaneously dash to save the little one. In an instant he would appear from one place to another place, the sound of his action and shockwave of his movement would be felt in short delay afterwards. His movement is so fast anyone looking could barely keep up. One would wonder how he was able to pull that off with that large body.

  The meteor would make direct contact on his hands and the impact is so intense that it would blow away the surroundings. A hissing sound could be heard together with a smoke means it should be quite hot. He’s completely fine though. The Rock Orc’s skin has a very thick spiky layer that could tank the impact no problem.

  When the explosion had cleared up, the meteor was actually a gem. The intense heat will give the gem a reddish glow. But the glow of the gem would be nothing compared to the glowing bloodshot eyes of the elder Rock orc. He lets out a very intimidating snort to the gem as he glares at it menacingly.

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  ****

  Vast and fertile farmlands make up the majority of the Golden Empire. The favor of the sun would shine on its golden grains, and the sweat of the farmers would cultivate the lands. The winds would make the grains dance and it would look like shining gold when seen from above.

  The gentle breeze of the winds would caress the lands, taking a curious aroma along with it. The smell of fresh air mixed with the smell of bread. They are all over the place, but following one such aroma will take you atop of a hill. The smoke would be coming out of a brick house’s chimney. It's from the Redridge household.

  Ed Redridge has lived all his life on this hill. He has freedom to operate the lands in exchange for a portion of the harvest, in this case, they would then process their harvest into a hardtack which they would send into the local granary. They are free to consume or sell the extra ones that went past the required quota. The lands being bountiful, they would be able to live comfortably even if this is the case.

  After about an hour of preparation, the hardtacks are ready for transport. Ed passes the fully packed bag basket unto a young lady.

  “Here you go. Make sure to be back by sunset ok? I got something special.”

  “Thanks Mr Ed.”

  Answered the young lady, with a smile on her face.

  The young lady is quite the looker. She would sport a blue short spiky hair, has sharp eyes, and has a slender frame but toned tanned body. She was way taller than Ed.

  Before going on her way, the young lady would

  make her detour on a sheep pen. On the pen is a fluffy sheep. Very fluffy. Fleece as white as snow. It looks healthy and clean.

  She would open and enter the pen, and when she's about to close the door, her back would be facing towards the sheep. The sheep, sensing his big opportunity and being quite the pervert, would charge at her behind at full speed-

  “eeeeeeEeEEEEEkkkkKkKKK!!!!” the young lady would shout out in surprise.

  Realizing what had happened, she couldn't help but just laugh. She then feeds him a piece of hardtack from her basket,

  “I'm sorry master, did you wait long? settle with this for now ok? I'll come back with the treats”

  She would then pet the sheep, which it enjoyed, make her goodbye and be on her way.

  Looking at the horizon, the sky occasionally lights up, like pulse flashing of lights. Meteors would fall from time to time. She would remember when it first happened. Lots of meteors would fall all at once. Various colors would streak the heavens, illuminating the night sky and turning night into day for a good amount of time. It will be followed by various explosions in a distance reminiscent of the great war. Deafening shockwaves will follow suit.

  This would go on through the night. Anyone would think, the world will be ending at that point. Villages and cities have magical barriers against these meteors, but those who are outside settlement walls might not be so lucky. They can do nothing but can only pray for protection.

  Luckily it tends to fall only around cities, but it will absolutely destroy the surrounding area it lands on, so it's still a problem. Still, you sometimes find stray ones from time to time. Just up ahead is someone having the same problem.

  “Good morning Mr Robert, you seem a bit down is everything alright?” the young lady politely asks.

  Not even a second in,

  “WHOAH! what happened here!!!???”

  Her smiling face earlier would change into shock. Seeing the scene before her, she was taken aback.

  The scene was quite a sight. A large crater made a hole in the middle of a wheat field. It was about to be harvested too. The surrounding area is burned and turned into ash.

  Letting out a sigh, Robert answered.

  “*sigh* You know those meteors that have been falling lately?

  The young lady would nod repeatedly.

  Robert continued,

  “Well some of them landed on my fields and started a fire but we managed to put it out before it destroyed all of my crops.”

  Robert would then take a shovel from one of the farmer boys with him, and would start digging.

  “If you happen to come across any of these craters…”

  “keep an eye out for these..,”

  He brings his hand with a clump of dirt towards the young lady and then starts removing the dirt until you could see a gem.

  “WOW! is that real?”

  Her eyes would sparkle after seeing it.

  Robert would wipe the dirt on the gem with his shirt and hold it up against the sky as if checking its quality.

  “It certainly is. If you manage to find some of these gems, I'll be willing to buy them from you. But I'd wish they stopped falling in these areas. they're causing damage to my farm.”

  “Make sure to let Ed know to have buckets of water always ready in case of fire.” Robert added

  “Sure thing, I'll let him know.”

  “Delivering the quota right? be careful out there.”

  “Thank you and be careful too Mr Robert.”

  Robert would let down yet another sigh, while his hands on his waist. He turned his gaze on the horizon. Looking at the meteors, he could only ask a question.

  “*sigh* I wonder what's going on with this world.”

  The young lady would pick up the pace and be on her way. She’s in deep thought while running. She has lots of things on her mind.

  “Gems...” these gems had piqued her interest.