Endless Horde: Through the Eyes of a Godking

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"What's a Void Shift?"

One of the team members asked out loud, his voice laced with uncertainty and fear.

The mantis team leader looks at his team. Under his visor, his expression was twisted. His emotions were clearly agitated, though, and he couldn't hide it because his barely exposed mandibles were audibly clacking.

He knew he couldn't escape their scrutiny. He also knew that he couldn't just change the topic. They deserve an explanation, so he could only sigh in relent.

"The Void Shift... think of it as something akin to a climate transition, in some way."

"You all know that the Void is a nonsensical place. Everything we know about it barely scratches the surface even after studying it for thousands of years. The reason behind that is the Void Shift."

"However, unlike the transitioning of climates, the Void Shift is far more drastic because once it occurs, everything changes."

"The things we have seen outside before entering this place? All of it will change. The creatures we've seen outside? That changes too. This includes the coordinates, the routes, the destinations...everything changes."

"That's...how is that possible?" One of the team members muttered, clearly aghast.

"Don't try to make sense of it. That's the void for you. None of us have a clear understanding of it." The team leader weakly responded.

"But, sir! If that's the case, then why isn't this cave affected?" another team member asked.

This question sparked a little hope within the rest. But the team leader's reply diffused it right away.

"That's because of the unique enchantments placed in this cave," the team leader responded. "The same enchantments are placed in the resource gathering points and on the entrance to the void itself, allowing them to remain in place even as the void shifts."

"Don't think we're unaffected. As Dawnbringer said just now, the world outside is moving. Only places we anchored stay in place; the rest moves. There's no way we could stop the Void Shift phenomenon. Not even the Cosmic Lords could do that."n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"The shift lasts for an entire week." The team leader sounded even weaker. "This means that for an entire week, the world outside of this cave will be in constant motion. Sometimes we'll be trapped underground, or maybe we'll end up above ground. Maybe this cave entrance will turn upside down, or whatever. However, one thing's for sure: by the end of the shift, what we see outside of this cave wouldn't be the same as the ones we saw earlier."

"So...we're trapped?" One of the usually quiet members of the team suddenly spoke with a cold voice. "This mission was supposed to last for only a week, but with the Void Shift on-going, we'll be trapped here for longer."

"Doesn't that also mean that we won't be able to make our way back to the gates? You said that if we couldn't make it, we'll be trapped here forever! Are we all just going to die out here? Just like that?" Another member questioned, sounding almost hysterical.

The team leader felt bitter. Their questions sound like accusations; they act as if any of this was under his control, when in truth, he's just as much of a victim here as they were.

"Sir, are void shifts monitored by the camp?" Cedric asked. His calm voice cut through the tension inside the cave.

"Yes." The team leader responded. "Void Shifts happen once every five years, according to our studies. Usually, one month before the expected Void Shift, all Void Walkings are prohibited, and that ban lasts for at least three months or at least until the experts of the camp re-discover the anchored zones and draw new patrol routes."

"Are we safe to assume that, since we're here, the void shift happened earlier than you expected?" Cedric continued to ask.

"Yes!" The team leader almost sounded miserable as he admitted this. "Like, a whole month too early! This never happened before!"

"Well...not that I'm aware of, at least. Had I known that a Void Shift would happen, even I wouldn't dare to be out here!"

His admittance and the defeat in his tone snuffed out all the accusatory glances and feelings that the other team members felt. They realized that their team leader wasn't to blame here.

Even then, it's not entirely their fault for feeling this way. This is a life-and-death crisis, after all. Even knowing the dangers of this mission, they expected to make it out of here alive. It's only natural for them to start blaming their superior because if there's anybody who makes the decision here, it's him. They thought that he got them into this mess; that's why they're mad at him. But after hearing his side, they realized that it wasn't his fault either.

"Okay, then. Since we're inside this cave, it means that we're safe, for now. I'll continue monitoring the shifts outside, just in case some creatures wander in."

"I can also build a temporary defensive wall to elevate our security. After all, we can't predict what kind of void creature might wander in. However, it's going to take some time, so while I do that, if you guys have anything we can use to block the entrance for now, that would be great."

After saying this, Cedric immediately went into action.

This casualness sliced through the uncertainty, tension, and fear polluting the cave.

Unlike them, Dawnbringer didn't succumb to despair and fear. Instead, he focused on what he can do right now. It was a breath of fresh air, to be honest.

"Sir?" Cedric once again caught the attention of the team leader. "You said that after the void shift, the experts of the camp will draw new routes before resuming the Void Walking missions. Does this mean that we can be rescued?"

His question once again ignited a small hope within everybody. And unlike the last time, they wouldn't be disappointed.

The mantis team leader took a deep and calming breath before resolutely saying:

"Well, they will surely locate all the anchored spots. That includes the resource gathering areas and the safe zones as well. So, yes. It is highly possible that we can be rescued."

Everyone's eyes lit under their visors as they heard this. Even the team leader himself looked hopeful, and the clattering of his mandibles stopped.

Fear disappeared from them; it was then replaced with burning hope and resilience. Stay connected through empire

"Alright. Good to know," Cedric replied, still sounding as calm as before.

He no longer wasted time and began using the ores he collected to build a temporary wall that they could use to cover the entrance to the cave. He had no heat to work with right here, but he had enough strength and hammers to make up for it.

Seeing him take action spurred the rest into motion as well.

"The Void Ores!" Someone exclaimed. "We can stack them up high to block the entrance to the cave! Since it came from the void, it can hide our presence. The void creatures wouldn't pay too much attention to this place, then!"

"Good idea! But do we have enough?"

"Yes! We harvested a lot of it earlier. We even nearly emptied the resource gathering point. We might even have a lot to spare afterwards. Moreover, we could just get them back once we're about to leave!"

"What are we waiting for, then? Let's move!"

"You guys, remember to conserve your energies. Don't get too overzealous and drain yourselves. Remember, you wouldn't be able to recover easily out here."

The team leader's reminder came at a perfect time. The members were still moving, but they inevitably slowed down to conserve energy.

All is fine, though. At least, everybody's no longer shrouded in despair. And this was all thanks to Dawnbringer.

The team leader couldn't help but take a good look at the guy. He thought to himself that his monitor indeed suits him. He was the light that cuts through the darkness, giving everyone hope even in this seemingly hopeless situation.

Even he nearly succumbed to it too. But Dawnbringer didn't. He focused on what he could do and never doubted his chances of survival. The team leader could sense a strong grit within him, and that unexpectedly came to their rescue just now.

He could sense energy fluctuations diffusing from Dawnbringer's visor. The team leader knew that this was him multi-tasking—forging a wall while paying attention to what's happening outside.

The team leader wanted to warn him not to exhaust himself too much, but he didn't feel like he could because none of them could do what Dawnbringer could, especially both at the same time, so sadly, it could only be him.

Regardless, Dawnbringer carries himself as a responsible guy. He should know how to pace himself properly to avoid being a burden.

As for him, the designated team leader here, he sat down and began focusing. He wrote down everything that they're experiencing while doing his best to review his knowledge.

Just as Dawnbringer was resolved to do his part, he felt compelled to do so as well. And as the team leader, he's going to lead them back to the camp.

Even if it costs him his life.