The Dawn of the New World

Hao Xuan checked his current coordinates

"Almost there, just a little bit away it seems," he mumbled and got up while holding onto Grey as a crutch.

He was facing the barren lands on the other side of the stream and as soon as he looked over, a cold breeze drifted towards him, bringing with it an itching feeling.

"Ouch," Hao Xuan closed his eyes which were already pretty sensitive.

There was something in the breeze that pricked every part of his bare skin as if it was being stabbed by tinny needles.

"What the hell is this place?" Hao Xuan grumbled before activating Nidhora's power which quickly covered his entire body in a thin transparent black sheet.

He then put on his usual horned mask which proved to be sufficiently effective against the strange wind.

"Are you okay?" he rubbed Grey's mane upon remembering he was also living creature but with a loud neigh, Grey conveyed that he was perfectly fine.

Perhaps it was because of the word of power or something else, but Hao Xuan didn't give it much thought. He jumped on Grey's back once again and cautiously continued towards the designated area.

Grey walked on air as before, his hoofs still as clean as the day he was born.

This drastic change in the environment didn't seem to be just a physical manifestation. A cold and dark energy pervaded the entire area although it was not easy to detect.

'Lifeless' was the only word that could describe this place. A wasteland that looked like an aftermath of a nuclear strike.

The ground was completely devoid of any nutrients whatsoever. It had hardened and cracked like a desert even though this entire place was situated hundreds of kilometers away from any volcanos and should have been a lush grassland under normal circumstances.

Blackened dead trees that looked like toothpicks could be seen every now and then.

Hao Xuan observed the surroundings cautiously.

No matter the environment, there would always be one species of beasts or another that dominated it and there was no reason expect anything different from this place. He reached out his right hand and summoned his Glaive.

*Shiiiiiii*

A low but sharp sound came from the blade.

"Shhh, I know, I know," Hao Xuan quickly rubbed the top of the hilt.

The blade's spirit was close to 'awakening' so whenever Hao Xuan called it out now it would complain. Apparently it did not like to be stored away, not one of the more desired traits in a weapon.

With the Glaive over his shoulder and his body covered his Nidhora's armor, Hao Xuan rode Grey through the desolate land without coming into contact with a single creature, which only made him more worried.

The sunlight started to dim as the planet moved away from the sun.

*Beep*

A notification from Baracus popped up, as usual, reminding him that the sun would set within 20 minutes.

"Damn it, I've lost too much time here," Hao Xuan cursed after realizing he had been here far longer than he initially expected to.

He tapped Grey lightly and he picked up speed.

The Surroundings had just started to blur when they became clear again.

"Huh? Why did you stop?" Hao Xuan asked Grey with a frown but his answer came from the front.

Sounds of shouting along with the clanging of weapons was just ahead of them.

"Go," Hao Xuan spoke in a low voice, urging Grey forward. Meanwhile, he quickly closed his eyes and utilized his newly acquired power.

"Plunderer!" he whispered.

He didn't steal Grey's luck but used some of his own. Every person was born with a certain amount and Hao Xuan could feel it as long as he focused his senses.

"Come on, bring me fortune. I don't want to be involved in a useless fight right now," he prayed for the outcome he wanted as Grey stopped at the edge of a gigantic crater.

There was a green flame burning on the outskirts of it.

The sounds of battle were coming from deep inside it.