Gachiakuta: Falling Beyond the Boundary
Gachiakuta: Falling Beyond the Boundary
Earth. Eastern Region. Late evening.
A heavy, leaden sky hangs over the endless wasteland. The wind drives scraps of fabric and old newspapers across the rusted hills. Amidst mountains of refuse, the skeletons of cars, mangled metal structures, and the remains of buildings from a long-forgotten world jut out from the earth. Somewhere in the distance, the long, drawn-out roar of a Scavenger Beast echoes.
Against this backdrop of a dead landscape, a falling body suddenly appears. It hurtles toward the ground, leaving a trail of dust and small debris in its wake. Moments later, the wasteland shudders with a thunderous crash. A thick cloud of dirt erupts into the air, and piles of scrap metal cascade into the newly formed crater.
At the Scavengers' headquarters, an alarm interrupts the usual evening bustle. A message flashes on the screen: an unidentified object has fallen within a danger zone in the Eastern Region.
— Someone from the Sphere? Straight from there?
Rudo, standing by the window, turns sharply. Ever since the recent discovery regarding the Zurebrek surname, thoughts of the Sphere and his own past have haunted him.
— If it really is from there... We have to find out who it is.
— Or first find out if it’s going to drag another problem along with it.
— Well, if the problem looks interesting, I’m not against it.
Engin smirks, but quickly turns serious. He grabs his umbrella and heads for the exit.
— Let's move. Rudo, you're coming with us. You understand better than anyone what it means to end up here after a fall.
Soon, the Scavengers' transport is racing through the wasteland. Dirty hills and ruins drift past the windows, while a pillar of dust rises in the distance over the impact site. As the vehicle comes to a halt, the team hears the screech of metal and a low growl.
A deep crater opens up before them. Debris is scattered everywhere, and amidst the wreckage, something motionless can be seen. A fall from the Sphere has landed in a completely alien world.
— Hey! Can you hear me?!
He takes a step forward, but Engin holds up a hand, stopping him. From beneath a pile of metal, a Scavenger Beast slowly crawls out. Its body is a tangle of wires, rusted pipes, and jagged shards. Its single eye flashes with a dim, red light.
— Zanka, Riyo, cover us. Rudo, stay close.
— Same as always—saving everyone in sight first, then figuring out why they’re falling from the sky.
— Don't complain. It's at least something interesting for today.
The Scavenger Beast lets out a deafening roar and lunges toward the crater. Engin opens his umbrella, bracing for the impact. Rudo stays close, his gaze fixed.
— Listen! Who are you? How did you end up on the Sphere? Have you been there since birth, like me? Do you know anything about the day I was thrown down? And... do you know why you were thrown here? This isn't the best time for questions, but I need to know.
A new crash echoes behind the team. Another massive shadow rises from behind a nearby hill. The Scavengers realize there is almost no time left for long explanations. The answers must come now, or never.